Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
H aving crossed the causeway in the last few minutes before the official timing, Luke had been very aware of the black water creeping toward the road surface. It wasn’t close, of course, not really. The official crossing times gave plenty of leeway to ensure that casual visitors weren’t caught out. The reasoning went, if you say it’s safe to cross until half past six, there will always be an idiot who tries their luck at six-forty-five. Which meant that locals knew that there was wiggle room around the official times. But also to respect the sea. The tide could move with ferocious speed, swallowing the sand faster than the mind could believe.
As usual, he left his car in the car park at the edge of the island. The night was crisp, but not entirely dry. The island air had its usual dash of salt water, and the scent of ozone that made him think of wide-open skies that Luke now knew was particular to the place.
He and Esme chatted easily enough on the way back to Strand House, but he felt the difference as soon as they had left the car. Or, maybe even as they had crossed the causeway and landed on familiar land.
He wondered what would have happened if they had been too late to cross. A cosy dinner in a restaurant and a night in a hotel might have been the time together needed for them to move things forward. He wanted to know if Esme felt the same way about him as he felt about her, but he also knew that she was very cautious.
The islanders weren’t gossips, but he had picked up enough to know that Esme had been in a bad relationship in the past. And that was on top of her time in the foster system. He didn’t have to be the king of sensitivity to know that Esme was gun-shy.
Speaking to Mona had been like the times he had interviewed people in his search for Lewis. Searching for hints of his brother’s whereabouts. But it had been different, too. Being with Esme, part of a team rather than alone, had been surprisingly pleasant.
He was distracted from his thoughts by Esme gasping. They were almost at Strand House, but Esme’s gaze was directed down the lane that led toward the bay. A four-by-four was parked outside the wrecked cottages.
Without conferring, Esme walked past her house, heading for the mayor’s.
‘It will be a mistake,’ Luke said. ‘A visitor will have left their car there by accident.’
Esme didn’t answer. She couldn’t have explained to Luke why she was certain she would find Kate Foster in Tobias’s living room.
She knocked and then opened the door, not waiting for Tobias. ‘May I come in?’ She called as she stepped over the threshold. Esme had always been polite and would never have dreamed of walking into the mayor’s home like this before. She didn’t know what had gotten into her, only that energy was fizzing through her veins and her body seemed to have a mind of its own and that mind was propelling her to the living room door.
‘Esme,’ Tobias said as she walked in. ‘And Luke. You’re just in time to meet our new resident.’
Luke frowned but stuck his hand out. ‘Hello.’
Kate Foster was standing near the fireplace, looking just as perfect as she had on her last visit to the island. Her hair, if anything, was even more glossy and luscious than before and her eyes were lined with the thickest, darkest eyelashes that Esme had ever seen in real life.
Kate licked her lips as she took in the sight of Luke Taylor. Esme didn’t blame her, of course, the woman was only human, but she also wanted to throw up. Of course Kate Foster liked what she saw. And no doubt the feeling would be mutual.
‘I run the bookshop,’ Luke was saying, seemingly oblivious to the new woman who was shamelessly looking him up and down.
‘And you remember Esme,’ Tobias said, ever the gentleman.
Kate’s gaze flicked briefly in Esme’s direction and then returned to ogling Luke.
‘So, it appears that the cottages were available for sale,’ Tobias added.
‘What?’ Esme asked, only trusting herself with single words.
‘The deeds were held in trust. I found the executor of the trust, the beneficiary has long since passed away, and paid cash. As the sum offered was market value it was considered in the best interests of the trust, so all above board.’
Esme’s confusion must have shown on her face, as Tobias explained. ‘Trustees have an obligation to protect the trust and must act accordingly when evaluating changes.’ He frowned at Kate. ‘I’m surprised there wasn’t a stipulation in the will that the cottages and land could not be sold.’
‘I haven’t bought the land.’ For the first time, Kate looked annoyed. ‘Just a one-hundred-year leasehold on the cottages themselves.’
‘Why?’ Tobias’s voice was very calm and Esme didn’t know how he managed it.
‘I like a project.’
‘But why here? You’ve never been here before. You don’t know the place at all.’
‘I told you, my friend came here for a walk and he told me…’
‘That doesn’t make any sense.’ Esme found she couldn’t stop speaking, even though Tobias was frowning slightly. She knew her voice had become higher, and that she was in danger of sounding panicked. ‘Nobody buys property just like that.’
‘Some people clearly do,’ Tobias said mildly. ‘I assume that Ms Foster-’
‘Kate, please.’
‘That Kate has financial resources that enable her to take on a renovation project while not needing to live in the project or require it to produce income. At least not in,’ he coughed delicately, ‘physical reality. Strictly speaking.’
‘I don’t understand.’ Esme was pleased her voice was back at its usual pitch. She was the island’s witch and it was unseemly to display anxiety in front of a complete stranger.
‘He thinks I’m buying a tax write-off. Or something to launder cash.’ Her lips were pursed and there was a light in her eyes. Esme wasn’t sure if she was offended or amused.
Tobias shrugged. ‘Forgive me. If you live for as long as I have, you see all kinds of things.’ He paused before speaking again. ‘And, I notice, you haven’t denied it.’
Kate smiled thinly. ‘I don’t think my financial affairs are any of your business. Mayor.’ The air quotes were loud and clear.
‘Quite.’ Tobias clapped his hands together. ‘Who would like a cup of tea? Or something stronger, perhaps.’
After Kate had left, saying that she was going to take stock of the situation in her new property, Esme turned to Tobias. Her heart was hammering and she hated her reaction. She had been given sanctuary on the island. She ought not deny it to another person. Especially a woman. Who knew what pain or fear Kate was hiding beneath her shiny exterior?
‘How could she have purchased the cottages?’
‘The leasehold? I don’t know.’
‘I thought… I don’t know what I thought. But it’s the island.’ Esme was struggling to articulate what she felt instinctively. ‘Who could she have bought the cottages from ?’
‘She brought paperwork. Apparently, the deeds for the cottages were held in a trust. I didn’t recognise the names, but it had been left to the trust in a bequest over three hundred years ago. The executor of the trust is the solicitor handling the estate.’
‘Did you know about it? The trust?’
Tobias shook his head, clearly uncomfortable. ‘I haven’t always tracked every little detail.’
Ownership of buildings on the island didn’t seem like little details to Esme, but she kept her mouth closed. Tobias looked miserable enough.
‘There have been times when I have been tired or even asleep,’ he was saying, gazing into the fire and not meeting Esme’s eye. ‘There are many things I have missed over the years.’
After a short pause, Esme spoke, injecting as much lightness into her tone as possible. ‘She might still forget all about her plans. Perhaps she’ll go home, wherever that is, and mislay the paperwork.’
Tobias gave her a small grateful smile. ‘Maybe.’
‘Unholy Island is a special place. It’s not like just anybody can buy a piece of it.’ Esme hoped that was true.