Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘It’s much nicer exploring the island when you’re not fighting the weather.’ Theo’s hand was in hers as they walked back down the cliff path.
‘It does help,’ Pippa agreed, still smiling at the puffins as their heads popped out of the burrows.
They wandered down to the harbour first. The tide was halfway in, rocking the small fishing boats gently from side to side. A couple of fishermen were coiling ropes as their dog raced up and down the harbour wall, skidding to a stop whenever one of the men whistled.
Pippa took it all in, confident this was a place where she could see herself living.
From the harbour they wandered past Puffin Pantry, its blue-painted deli front already attracting a small queue. The chalkboard sign outside promised pastries and charcuterie boards. ‘That sign is making me hungry, and that smell.’ She sniffed the air and sighed happily.
They followed the path towards Castaway Cove and the sea opened up beside them.
It was surprisingly clear, and for the first time Pippa could see the faint outline of Sea’s End across the water.
They walked past the glamping site next: a handful of wooden huts tucked under a row of trees.
Bright bunting was strung between them, gently lifting in the breeze.
Pippa’s face warmed with a smile. ‘That is adorable. I love bunting!’
Theo glanced sideways at her. ‘I’m starting to think it’s a sign.’
‘Of what?’
‘That you might already be halfway to becoming an islander.’
She scoffed lightly. ‘I’ve only been here a few days.’
‘That may be all it takes,’ he said, entirely serious. ‘You either feel drawn to a place or you don’t. There isn’t much in between.’
They walked on behind Puffin Island Farm, where the cows and alpacas were scattered lazily across the fields, enjoying the lush grass.
The track curved around Cockle Bay Cove, a sheltered strip of sand behind the rainbow pastel cottages.
Smuggler’s Rest Hotel sat just above the waterline, its garden full of people sitting out on the comfortable-looking chairs, enjoying a beer in the sunshine.
‘It’s very charming. All of it,’ Pippa murmured.
Theo grinned. ‘I can’t argue with you there.’
‘The Clock House.’ Pippa looked out at the cove then back at Theo. There was excitement bubbling in the pit of her stomach. ‘I think … I think I’m going to put in an offer.’
Theo’s head snapped round. ‘If I was in your position, I’d do the same.’
‘Just to test the water,’ she added quickly. ‘If I don’t get it, fine. If I do … then maybe it was just meant to be.’
‘Some things are just meant to be.’ He stopped walking, looked deep into her eyes, and pulled Pippa in for a hug. He lingered, holding her tight.
‘You aren’t going all maudlin on me, are you?’
He pulled away slowly. ‘The timing is good for you, but not so good for me.’
‘Put a smile back on that face. I’m hoping that in between all that jet-setting around the world you’ll find the time to visit me. Puffin Island is the perfect holiday destination, after all…’
‘I will always find the time, and I won’t just be back for this scenery … well, maybe this scenery…’ He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips as her stomach let out a huge growl.
They both laughed.
‘I think we’d better get some food. Fancy the pub?’
‘Yes, I think we’d better check out my new local,’ she said.
In no time at all they reached the path that wound towards The Old Ship Inn.
Outside the pub, the wooden tables and benches were full of people chatting and enjoying a lunchtime pint in the sunshine, and the sight and smell of the amazing food were making Pippa hungrier, if that was possible.
The clear azure sky was a perfect backdrop for the traditional pub, with Blue Water Bay in the distance, and Pippa took a moment to stop and admire the view before stepping inside.
The pub was exactly as she’d imagined it would be, full of nautical charm and old-world character, with its low, oak-beamed ceilings and open fireplace, which no doubt roared all day every day in the height of winter.
The ambience was perfect: a proper pub, with tourists drinking the local beer and dogs sprawled out at their owners’ feet under the tables.
‘Let’s find a table, then I’ll get us some drinks.’ Theo looked around the pub and spotted a table near the window. ‘Perfect spot. What would you like to drink?’
‘Should we share a bottle of wine? It’s not as though we have to drive anywhere.’
‘You have all the best ideas. Red or white?’
‘I’d fancy white, and of course, I fancy you… Cheesy line, I know, but sometimes you just have to say what you feel.’
‘And the feeling’s mutual… I’ll go and get the drinks,’ Theo said as he handed her the menu.
‘I don’t need to look. Can you smell those fish and chips? That’s what I’m having. I bet the fish was caught fresh this morning.’
Theo had become distracted and was looking past her.
‘What’s up with you?’ she asked, lowering her voice.
He leaned in towards her. ‘Don’t turn around too fast.’
Which, of course, made her turn around instantly.
There he was. Sebastian. Slumped in the corner, nursing a wine glass. He was typing on his phone.
‘Well,’ Theo said under his breath, ‘so much for a quiet lunch.’
‘Shall we stay or go?’ asked Pippa. ‘I don’t want to get into any sort of confrontation.’
‘Stay. Surely he won’t cause any problems in here.’
Pippa wasn’t too sure about that, so she purposely didn’t look back in Sebastian’s direction as Theo went to the bar and ordered the food, then returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
‘How do you feel when you see him?’ Pippa asked. ‘I know it must be difficult. He smashed your world apart.’
Theo took a moment before answering. ‘I feel … indifferent,’ he replied, pouring them both a glass of wine.
‘That’s honestly the only word for it now.
At the start, though … it was horrible. I went through everything all at once.
Anger. Hurt. Shock. Then back to anger again.
’ He gave a small shrug. ‘It was a mess.’ He handed a glass of wine to Pippa.
‘And it wasn’t just him,’ he added. ‘Clara played her part in all of it. I do know that. They both made choices.’ He took a sip of wine.
‘But with Sebastian…’ He swallowed. ‘Finding out about our grandfathers both being the Vales’ apprentices, I think something clicked into place.
It explains a lot. There’s been this strange …
rivalry from him for years, and though I didn’t understand it before, now I can at least see where some of it came from. ’
‘I’m actually surprised he didn’t slip up at uni and reveal that piece of information, but…’ She hesitated. ‘I do think he’s tried to make your life difficult on purpose, which is awful. Jealousy is an ugly thing.’
Theo nodded. ‘It is, and it does explain a lot.’ He thought for a moment before adding quietly, ‘What he’s done, and the way he’s treated me – especially going after Clara – it says more about him than me.
But I’m not angry anymore. I believe everything happens for a reason.
Yes, of course, it’s sad my marriage has failed and I’ll have to divide a house and all the belongings, but the new job is going to give me some breathing space while I figure out what to do next. ’
He smiled. ‘And once the contract ends, I imagine my first stop will be Puffin Island. To visit a certain clock restorer who’ll be living in a beautiful converted barn. She’ll be very happy here, among the puffins and this lovely community…’
‘That sounds like an excellent plan. This timing thing isn’t good, is it? Between you and me.’
Theo put his glass down on the table and took hold of Pippa’s hand. ‘Let’s not think about that just now … even though it’s all I’m thinking about.’
The waitress appeared beside their table and set down what might genuinely have been the most magnificent plate of fish and chips Pippa had ever seen. They began eating, and for a while they were almost completely silent, apart from the occasional happy murmur of appreciation.
Suddenly Pippa’s phone rang, buzzing its way across the table, and she jumped. She glanced at the screen, flapping a hand in Theo’s direction. ‘It’s the estate agents,’ she whispered, her heart suddenly thudding a bit faster. She picked up the phone. ‘Hello?’
‘Hi, Pippa, it’s Mia from the agency. I just wanted to check in, and see what your thoughts are on The Clock House.’
Pippa’s mind flashed back to the barn: the high ceiling, the beams, the light coming in from those big windows. Her tools on the workbench. Her name over the door.
‘I … I loved it,’ Pippa heard herself saying. Taking the plunge, she added, ‘I would like to put in an offer.’ The words hung in the air. This felt enormous to Pippa. She immediately noticed Theo’s reaction; his whole face broke into a grin.
As Mia went through the necessary steps for putting the offer forward, Pippa’s brain buzzed.
Was she really doing this? She hadn’t spoken to her dad or mentioned it to Rose.
She was wrapped up in this bubble and suddenly she felt the chill of reality.
She hadn’t made a list or a spreadsheet; she was putting in an offer because of the good feeling in the pit of her stomach.
A tiny part of her was panicking quietly in the background, but another part was excited – the part that had sat up in bed last night picturing the workshop, the clocks, the feeling of having something that was finally hers.
Maybe, for once, she was allowed to want something and go after it without running it past everyone else first.
Just before they wrapped up the call, Pippa enquired about the work bench.
‘A section has been removed for sentimental reasons,’ Mia confirmed, ‘but I promise it doesn’t take anything away from the heart of the place.
’ She said she would come back to Pippa as soon as she’d spoken to the seller, and Pippa thanked her, ended the call, and placed the phone on the table. She grinned at Theo.
‘You’ve gone and done it! Put in an offer for The Clock House. I’m feeling quite emotional myself, knowing my own grandfather worked in that workshop and you might now both be part of its illustrious history. This is amazing.’
She leaned in and whispered, ‘But a section of the desk has indeed been removed.’
Theo cocked an eyebrow. ‘Interesting.’
Pippa was just about to suggest they go for a second viewing, to see which part of the old workbench had been removed, when she sensed someone standing behind her. Theo’s eyes darted upwards and his smile dropped.
‘We don’t want any trouble,’ Theo stated in a firm voice as Pippa looked over her shoulder.
Sebastian stood there, slightly off-balance, eyes glassy. He dragged a chair out with an ugly scrape against the floor and lowered himself into it without waiting to be asked, his wine glass clutched in his hand.
The shift in atmosphere was instant. The cosy pub, the warm fish-and-chips glow, the quiet thrill of what she’d just done … all of it seemed to just evaporate.
Pippa slid slowly back into her seat. Under the table, Theo’s leg brushed against hers, then he pressed it close. They exchanged a quick look as they braced themselves.