Chapter 32 #2
Horace had offered them the cottage the moment everything settled down, insisting they stay for as long as they liked, and when Theo eventually made an offer to buy it, Horace accepted without hesitation.
Theo and Pippa moved into Clockmaker’s Cottage properly, and together they transformed The Clock House into a shop and luxury workshop, where they also ran an apprentice scheme in horology.
Bell you can’t be lifting heavy sandbags.’
‘So overprotective,’ she teased, though secretly she loved the way Theo looked after her. She followed him to the door anyway.
Theo opened the door and they both stared.
Standing on the step, drenched but smiling awkwardly, was Sebastian Worthington-Frost, and beside him, holding a broken umbrella and wearing a bright smile, was a woman with long dark hair.
‘Hi,’ Sebastian said, clearing his throat. ‘Um. Sorry to turn up unannounced. I see St Swithin’s Day has struck again.’ He grinned.
Pippa looked at Theo, searching his face. For a moment he said nothing, but then he met her gaze and gave the smallest nod. He stepped back and opened the door wide.
‘Come in,’ he said. ‘Don’t stand out there in the rain.’
They stepped inside. ‘We’re staying in Sea’s End for a few days. Thought … well … since we were nearby … maybe it was time to say hello. This time last year … a lot happened. Can I introduce you to Zara?’
Pippa smiled and welcomed her. Theo shook her hand.
‘Sebastian has told me so much about you both.’
‘I’m hoping it’s all good?’ Pippa gave a guarded smile. ‘Shall I put the kettle on?’
‘That would be lovely,’ replied Sebastian. ‘Thank you for not shutting the door in my face. I know it’s probably what I deserve.’
‘I’ll just make the tea,’ Pippa said, and disappeared towards the kitchen.
‘I felt I needed to come,’ she heard Sebastian say to Theo, and looking over her shoulder she saw Theo gesture to the sofa and their guests taking a seat.
A few minutes later, she returned with a tea tray. As she set it down, she noticed Zara rest a supportive hand on Sebastian’s knee. There was a softness to him now, a calm she hadn’t seen before. He looked relaxed, happy, and, she guessed, very much in love.
She placed a mug on the coffee table in front of each of them.
‘I’m here, because I wanted to apologise … to you both,’ declared Sebastian.
The room went quiet.
‘What I did… The affair… I don’t expect forgiveness.
I don’t even know if I deserve a conversation about it.
It was selfish, and destructive, and the lowest point of my life.
I was angry, jealous, pathetic – pick any word you like and I’ll accept it.
I’m ashamed of who I was then. Embarrassed.
Theo, I am so, so sorry.’ He pulled in a shaky breath, eyes glistening with tears.
‘I’ve replayed it a thousand times,’ he continued.
‘Every version of it ends with me hurting people who didn’t deserve it.
I hate that I became that person. I’ve spent the last year trying very hard not to be him anymore, and thanks to meeting Zara’—he smiled warmly at her—‘I’m becoming a better person each day. ’
‘Thank you for your apology. I know that couldn’t have been easy to say,’ Theo replied.
‘The injustice towards my grandfather took over my life in an unhealthy way, and I should have spoken to you both about it from the start. I should have shared who I was … but I suppose there was a large part of me that was scared.’
‘Scared?’ asked Pippa.
‘That if people found out at university that I was the grandson of Andrew Wetherby, especially when I was studying horology, that I would be an outcast. My love for clocks is genuine and I didn’t want to jeopardise my experience at uni.
I also know that my all-consuming rage has not made me the best employer over the years, and that’s something I have been working on, too.
’ Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck.
‘When everything came out about my grandfather – when the truth finally surfaced – I felt like a huge weight had lifted. I knew that he was a talented designer – I actually have some of his original designs that were passed on to me – and I’m lucky to have inherited his love for clocks.
Again, I’m sorry for taking out my anger and frustration on you and other people who didn’t deserve it. ’
Zara rested a hand on his arm, and he shot her a grateful look.
‘I’m trying to be better. In fact, I know I’m better,’ he said simply. ‘I just needed to come and apologise.’
Pippa was watching Theo. He smiled warmly. The old rivalry, the resentment, the years of strain … it all seemed to have just evaporated. Sebastian was genuinely sorry.
‘Thank you,’ Theo said. ‘That means a lot, and it’s long past time we all moved forward.’
Pippa groaned. ‘That’s terrible; I hope your dad jokes will be better than that.’
Sebastian’s eyebrows shot up and then his eyes dropped to her stomach. ‘You’re not?’
Pippa grinned and nodded. ‘I am. Four months gone.’
Sebastian was instantly up on his feet, shaking Theo’s hand. ‘Congratulations! This is wonderful news.’ He hugged Pippa. ‘I am genuinely happy for you both. If I hadn’t been such an idiot in the first place … all this…’
‘Don’t dwell on it. We got there in the end,’ Pippa reassured him. ‘Like Theo said, it’s time to move on.’
‘Thank you.’
Zara nudged Sebastian’s shoulder. ‘I told you it would be okay.’
Sebastian pressed a kiss to her cheek and took her hand.
‘We are just about to go and open up our shop. Would you both like to come and have a look at The Clock House?’ Pippa realised the significance of the offer as soon as she’d said it.
Inviting Sebastian into the place where his grandfather had once worked, and where so much had gone wrong for his family, was no small thing.
She opened her mouth to take it back, but she didn’t need to.
Sebastian was already nodding.
‘I’d love that,’ he said, glancing at Zara, who smiled. ‘We both would. I’ve been following everything you’ve done online: the renovation here, the shop launch, the apprentice scheme. It looks brilliant.’
‘It’s been a hell of a year,’ Theo admitted. ‘Busy, but the good kind. What about you? Are you still buying and selling clocks in London?’
Sebastian shook his head. ‘Sort of. I still have the shop as I couldn’t quite let it go, but I’ve taken a different path.’ He sat forward slightly, a quiet pride in his expression. ‘I’m finally following in my grandfather’s footsteps. I’ve started designing watches.’
Pippa’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Really? That’s brilliant.’
‘Really,’ Sebastian replied. ‘I’ve sold a lot of commissions already. And…’ He hesitated, almost shy. ‘I’m working with Morioka & Sons, the clockmakers in Tokyo.’
Theo let out a low whistle. ‘That’s huge. They’re one of the biggest names in the industry.’
Sebastian nodded, a slight blush to his cheeks. ‘Somehow, I’ve ended up with a waiting list of celebrities wanting commissions. It’s surreal. But … good surreal.’
Zara squeezed his hand, pride practically radiating from her.
Sebastian gave a small, uncertain smile. ‘It feels like I’m finally doing something for the right reasons. Not out of anger or rivalry. Just … because I love it.’
Theo nodded warmly. ‘Then you’re exactly where you should be. Have we finished our tea? Come on, let’s show you our little empire.’
They put on coats, grabbed umbrellas, and headed out into the rain. The island looked exactly as it had the day Pippa arrived – soaking and stormy – and they were soon very windswept.
Bell & Blake Clock House sat at the end of the barn conversions, its little gold sign swinging gently in the wind.
Through the window could be seen rows of restored clocks and pocket watches, and one very special display case where the spy watch, now deactivated and preserved, rested safely behind glass.
Sebastian moved straight towards the case. The small gold plaque beneath the watch read: In honour of Andrew Wetherby, the true designer of Puffin Island’s greatest work.
Sebastian’s expression crumpled as a wave of emotion swept across his face. ‘My grandfather would’ve loved to see this.’
‘He deserves to be remembered properly,’ Theo said.
‘It was returned to us after the investigation,’ Pippa explained. ‘I did email you to ask if you wanted it, but I didn’t get a reply. We thought we’d keep it here in case you ever dropped by. It’s yours if you want it, Sebastian.’
Sebastian blinked back the tears. ‘Thank you, that’s very kind, but I think it’s meant to be here. It’s a part of this place’s history, and I can always come back anytime to see it.’
They stood together for a moment, looking at the watch – the object that had destroyed one life, nearly ruined two others, and somehow brought all of them to this point.
As they stepped inside, the ticking of dozens of clocks filled the space – steady, calm, welcoming.
‘I’m assuming you’re aware that Horace passed away three months ago?’ asked Theo.
Sebastian nodded.
Nothing more needed to be said about that.
‘Have a look around the shop and then we’ll take you both through to the workshop,’ suggested Pippa.
As Sebastian and Zara began to admire all the different watches, Pippa slipped behind the counter, hands resting on the wood. Theo slipped his arms around her waist and rested them on her tiny bump.
‘I love this place,’ she murmured.
‘And I love you.’ He looked down at her stomach. ‘Are we going to find out what we’re having?’
‘Absolutely … not!’ she said smugly.
Theo groaned dramatically. ‘You’re going to torture me for five more months.’
‘Yep!’
‘It’s worth it.’
Pippa rested a hand lightly over her stomach, her expression softening as she gazed up at him, ‘Mum said something to me when she knew she was ill. She told me that if any grandchildren ever popped up in the future, she hoped she’d somehow still be part of their lives.’
Theo hugged her.
‘So I was thinking … if it’s a girl, I’d love to give her Mum’s name as her middle name. Caroline.’
Theo didn’t hesitate for a second. ‘I think that’s a beautiful idea.’
‘Mum would have loved this. Being here … meeting you … everything.’
‘Then Caroline it is.’
‘Well … only if it’s a girl.’
‘Either way, this baby’s already got the best mum in the world.’
Sebastian and Zara browsed the displays, chatting quietly. Outside, the rain kept pouring, loud and relentless.
Pippa leaned into Theo. ‘It’s funny,’ she said softly. ‘A year ago today, I thought my life had fallen apart.’
‘And now?’ he asked.
She smiled. ‘Now it feels like it’s finally started.’
Theo squeezed her tight. ‘Funny how the worst day of your life can turn into the best thing that ever happened.’
Pippa rested her hand on her bump. ‘Turns out, running away was the smartest decision I ever made.’
‘And choosing to stay,’ Theo added. ‘Definitely that.’
She nudged him playfully. ‘You’re very pleased with yourself, aren’t you?’
‘A little,’ he admitted. Then he said: ‘I’ve got something for you.’
‘I love a surprise.’
Theo crossed the shop, picked up a long, flat package leaning against the counter, and carried it back to her. It was wrapped neatly in brown paper and tied with string.
‘What is this?’ she asked, already grinning.
‘Open it and see.’
She tore the paper carefully, revealing a beautiful wooden plaque, carved carefully, the lettering inlaid with gold. It was the kind of craftsmanship that only someone who adored her would commission.
Clockmaker’s Cottage
Est. 1947, Restored 2026
Loved Always
Her breath caught. ‘Theo… It’s perfect.’
‘Happy Anniversary. I thought the cottage deserved something that said what it is now. Not just where clocks were made … but where everything changed.’
‘I love it. Thank you.’
He kissed her forehead. ‘Time matters more when you’re with the right person.’