Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

by Liz Eeles

  ‘Maybe you’ll come back to see Nessa?’ Now he was sounding desperate.

  ‘I doubt it. She’s angling to visit me for a few days in the sun instead.’

  ‘Ah. Then I wish you luck in the rest of your life, Rosie Merchant.’

  ‘You too. And thanks again for your help.’

  ‘Think nothing of it.’

  ‘Say goodbye from me to Katrina.’

  ‘Yeah,’ said Liam, no longer properly listening as he leaned in to kiss Rosie’s cheek. When she turned her face, his lips brushed against hers. The lightest of touches that sent shivers through him. ‘I was going for the continental goodbye, the double-cheek kiss, even though we don’t have such exotic things in these parts. Belinda wouldn’t allow it.’

  He sounded uber jolly and ridiculous. She must notice. Rosie wrapped her arms around her waist and gave him the serious look he remembered from school. ‘See you around, Liam.’

  ‘See you around, Rosie. And you were never a nerd. Not really.’

  ‘See? You are kind.’

  Rosie spun on her heel and walked to the gate. She only looked back once, before she was hidden behind the high hedge that separated the farm from the lane.

  That was that, then.

  ‘It’s just you and me, boy. Maybe it’s better that way.’ Billy lay on his back and stared at his master, his eyes huge and sad. ‘Don’t look at me like that. We’ll be fine. Who needs women anyway?’

  With one last glance at the darkening sky, Liam went into the farmhouse and closed the door.

  Rosie could hardly see one foot in front of the other. Her sandal slipped on the cliff path and she stumbled and almost fell. This was ridiculous.

  She stopped and roughly wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands, like she used to when she was a child. She’d never been a crier but right now she couldn’t stop.

  She could have cried about the mum she’d never see again, the boyfriend she’d lost, the childhood home that was doomed, or the cold man who didn’t care that he might be her father.

  But this time she cried with disappointment that Liam was still the kind of man who spent the night with women when their boyfriends’ backs were turned. She was far from perfect herself, but she’d never cheat, not knowing the heartache and pain it caused, which could ripple through families for years.

  And yet, in spite of all that, in spite of knowing that Liam was the kind of man who didn’t mind causing that pain, she’d still desperately wanted him to kiss her properly. Not an accidental brush of the lips and a stilted ‘continental kiss’ on both cheeks; a full mouth-on-mouth kiss with her arms around his neck, his hands in her hair, and her body pressed up against his.

  If she’d kissed him instead, he might have gone along with it, and she’d have enjoyed it. He was probably a fabulous kisser – he’d had a lot of practice. But afterwards, the disappointment she already felt in herself – for being an inattentive daughter, the failed saviour of Driftwood House, and a snob about Heaven’s Cove – would only have got worse.

  How could she kiss Liam, anyway, when he’d run for the hills if he knew her father could be the man making his life a misery? That would amount to kissing under false pretences. Plus, she’d literally just lied to him about seeing the Eppings that afternoon.

  With hindsight, she should have said she’d visited them to discover Driftwood House’s fate, but instead she’d panicked and lied. Like a complete idiot.

  Rosie fished a tissue from her pocket, blew her nose, and continued walking up the cliff path. A full moon was rising in the navy sky, casting silver beams across the waves and lighting her way forward.

  So much had happened during the short time she’d been back in Heaven’s Cove, much of it either traumatic or downright confusing. But there were some positives. At least she understood, now, why her mother sometimes found it hard to trust people, and kept herself to herself so much. And the resentment she’d harboured towards her dad had lessened and been replaced with gratitude to him for taking on another man’s child. If only she’d known while he was still alive, she could have thanked him.

  She’d also grown to, if not love Heaven’s Cove, at least like it a whole lot more, and the people in it. She could feel the tug of the place. You could stay. Liam’s words sounded in her head, like a siren call dragging her home. But what was there to stay for with her mum and Driftwood House gone? Her home was now far from here.

  Rosie had reached Driftwood House. She ran her fingers across the old front door before going inside and turning on the hall light. The wind had dropped and everywhere there was silence. No creaking timbers, no rattling window panes, no mum calling out a welcome, no Matt waiting to greet her. Nothing at all and no one.

  CHAPTER 29

  Over the next two days, doors began to creak at Driftwood House and the wind moaned through the eaves as though the building was anticipating its fate.

  Rosie kept herself busy, packing up final precious mementos, arranging to store the small pieces of furniture she wanted to keep, and finalising the house clearance once she’d left for Spain. The proceeds would go to charity, the children’s trust that she believed her mother and Evelyn were volunteering for when they first met.

  The fridge was filled with enough food for her and Matt so there was no need to venture into Heaven’s Cove, and she was glad to stay away. The village had wheedled its way into her heart more than she’d thought possible and she didn’t want to make leaving any more difficult.

  Matt had sent her just one text after heading to the airport. It was short and to the point: Rosie, let me know when you’re back in Spain and we can talk about us. I still think you’re making a big mistake with Charles Epping. You need to think of your future. Matt.

  Her future or his? Rosie would let him know when she was back but she knew for certain that their relationship was over. She doubted he’d be too heartbroken – Carmen would see to that.

  Sighing, she folded a pair of jeans and placed them in her suitcase. At least in Spain she could soak up the sun, throw herself into her work and put all of this behind her. Or maybe she’d move on to somewhere new. Another country, where she could reinvent herself and live another life. The prospect, once so exciting, now made her feel apprehensive and exhausted.

  She glanced at her watch. Just time for a quick walk to the cliff edge to look over the view for the last time before leaving for the airport with Nessa. Rosie had promised her Sofia’s car and, in return, Nessa was insisting on driving her to catch her flight.

  Rosie had closed the front door behind her for the final time when she heard a vehicle labouring up the cliff track. Had Nessa got someone to drop her off? If so, her friend had a very posh car. The gleaming black Audi, now streaked with mud, pulled to a halt in front of her and the tinted window slid down.

  ‘Ms Rose Merchant?’

  ‘That’s me.’

  The bald, unsmiling man in the driving seat reached across and took a letter from the passenger seat which he passed through the window. ‘I’ve been asked to deliver this to you.’

  With that, he closed his window, executed a careful turn and lurched slowly back down the track.

  Rosie turned the typed envelope over in her hands. It was addressed to her, and the cream paper inside bore the embossing of the Eppings’ solicitor.

  Dear Ms Merchant,

  I am writing on behalf of my clients Charles and Cecilia Epping to inform you that the possibility of constructing a small hotel in Heaven’s Cove is now being pursued on an alternative site. Plans to demolish Driftwood House have therefore been shelved indefinitely.

  Yours sincerely,

  Ellis Buck

  Rosie read the two sentences over and over, hardly able to believe what she was seeing.

  ‘Hey, Rosie, are you all set for Spain?’

  ‘Hi, Nessa, I didn’t hear you arrive.’

  ‘I walked and almost got run over by some idiot in a posh car. Who was that?’

  ‘Someone delivering a
letter.’

  ‘Haven’t they heard of Royal Mail?’ grumbled Nessa, picking up Rosie’s suitcase to test its weight, and grimacing. ‘Is it important?’

  ‘You could say that.’

  Rosie handed the letter over and watched as Nessa’s face broke into a huge grin.

  ‘But that’s great, isn’t it? It seems the hideous Eppings do have hearts after all.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Rosie wasn’t sure that any hearts were involved. Either Cecilia was trying to keep Rosie sweet so she wouldn’t make a fuss, or Charles Epping was salving his conscience, just as he’d done with her mum.

  ‘So what happens now? Do you still want to go to the airport, now the house has a reprieve? Do you think the Eppings will go for your guesthouse idea? Ooh, you could stay and run it. Didn’t you say you help out at a B&B already? There you go, you’ve got experience and you love the place, so you’re the perfect person to get it off the ground.’

  ‘That was never the plan, and I’ve already got jobs that I need to get back to before my bosses give me the boot. I can’t give up everything because the Eppings have deigned to change their minds.’

  Nessa’s face fell. ‘But you must be happy that the house has been saved.’

  ‘Of course I am. Wow. I really am.’

  It had only just properly sunk in that Driftwood House, her anchor, would not be reduced to rubble. Whether the Eppings made it into a guesthouse or sold it on as a family home, it would remain here on top of the cliffs, keeping watch on the village below.

  ‘No one wants you to go, Rosie. I bumped into Belinda by the castle ruins on the way here and she said she wished you were staying – eventually, after giving me all the goss on Fiona’s recent tummy tuck. John feels the same, and Katrina gave me a regal wave from her posh car when my bus went past her earlier. She probably knew I was coming here.’

  ‘That’s kind of Belinda and John, but I doubt that Katrina will miss me. She’ll be too busy getting it on with Liam behind Stephen’s back to even notice I’ve gone.’

  ‘Ooh, no, she won’t be happy with Liam right now. He gave her the old heave-ho.’

  ‘After sleeping with her?’

  Rosie wasn’t sure which was worse – sleeping with a woman behind her boyfriend’s back, or discarding her immediately afterwards. Both were pretty awful.

  ‘No, before sleeping with her,’ said Nessa, scanning through the letter again.

  ‘But you saw them getting into Katrina’s car on Saturday night.’

  ‘I saw them heading for her car but Liam thought better of it. I told you he’d changed.’

  ‘Are you quite sure?’

  ‘Absolutely sure. Siobhan Jones – you know her, wears loads of red lipstick. She spotted them from her bedroom window. Katrina had a face like thunder when Liam walked off, apparently. Anyway, she told Belinda, who told Martin, who told Lucas, who told John, who told me.’

  Heaven’s Cove really was gossip central, but this was gossip that made Rosie’s heart glad. ‘So Liam definitely didn’t sleep with Katrina while her boyfriend was in New York?’

  ‘No, he didn’t.’ Nessa narrowed her eyes. ‘Why? Does that make you more likely to stay?’

  ‘Why would it?’

  ‘Why, indeed.’ Nessa was smirking. She suddenly shielded her eyes with her hands. ‘Who’s that? Well.’ She gave Rosie a hefty nudge in the ribs with her elbow. ‘I do believe it’s Liam and Billy. Hey, Liam! We were just talking about you.’ She started waving, huge arcs of her arm in the air. ‘You’re just in time for the celebrations. Guess what’s happened? It’s such good news.’

  ‘What news?’ Liam strode up while Rosie tried to steady her breathing. She hadn’t expected to see him again, ever.

  ‘Rosie’s just found out that Driftwood House is saved. Isn’t that fantastic?’ Nessa swooped in for a hug with Rosie. ‘Apparently the Eppings are thinking of building a hotel somewhere else instead.’

  ‘I wonder what changed their minds.’

  Liam didn’t look happy about Driftwood House’s reprieve, and ever affable Billy, picking up his master’s mood, started growling softly.

  ‘It’s absolutely brilliant news, isn’t it?’ said Nessa, not sounding so sure now. She glanced at Liam’s face, which was set like stone, and grabbed the dog’s collar. ‘Billy could probably do with stretching his legs a bit more. I’ll walk him out towards Sorrell Head. See you two in a minute.’

  She scuttled off, dragging a very reluctant Billy with her.

  ‘Are you all right?’ asked Rosie, but Liam paced up and down in front of her, not catching her eye.

  ‘You tell me. This letter was just delivered to the farm by a man who asked for directions to Driftwood House.’

  He thrust an envelope at Rosie, who pulled out the paper inside with trembling hands. Cold dread was seeping through her.

  Dear Mr Satterley,

  I am writing on behalf of my clients, Charles and Cecilia Epping, regarding the land south-east of your property which is rented from the aforementioned clients. The rental agreement comes to an end later this year and they are giving you notice that it will not be renewed.

  The letter continued with lots of legal language but Rosie had got the drift. ‘How much land is it?’ she asked, her heart sinking into her boots.

  ‘Enough to make all the difference between Meadowsweet Farm surviving or failing. I couldn’t work out why the agreement would be cancelled just like that and came here to find out why the delivery man was coming here too, but now I know. The Eppings aren’t thinking of a hotel up here any more. My farm is now the potential site for their business venture.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Liam.’

  He shook off the hand she placed on his arm. ‘You did go to see Charles Epping the other day, didn’t you?’

  Rosie nodded, her happiness about Driftwood House’s reprieve turning to ashes in her mouth.

  ‘Did you beg him to save Driftwood House, at whatever cost?’

  ‘No, of course not. I wouldn’t do that.’

  ‘Then why did you lie when I asked if you’d been to see him?’

  ‘I panicked.’

  ‘Why would you panic unless you’d just sold my livelihood down the river?’

  ‘That wasn’t why I went to High Tor House.’

  ‘Then tell me why you’d go to see such a dreadful man who doesn’t care at all about anyone or the lives he wrecks? Why that would make you panic, rather than tell me the truth?’ He pushed both hands through his hair, totally bewildered. ‘Why, Rosie? Make me understand. I thought we were getting on well. I thought… oh, it doesn’t matter what I thought.’

  ‘I’m pretty sure that Charles Epping is my father.’

  Rosie didn’t know she was going to say the words until they were out of her mouth. Liam stepped back as though she’d hit him.

  ‘Don’t be so ridiculous.’

  ‘It’s true. He’s the person who sent Mum the love letter. They had a relationship just before I was born, and there are other things that make me think he’s—’

  ‘Your dad?’

  Rosie nodded, miserably.

  ‘So you went to High Tor House for a cosy family reunion, I suppose.’

  ‘No, it wasn’t like that.’

  ‘How was it then, Rosie? It must have been quite a reunion for him to then turn round and save Driftwood House for you.’ He shook his head, disgust on his face. ‘Were you ever going to tell me?’

  ‘I’m sorry. I should have said but…’

  Before she could finish her sentence, Liam strode off towards Nessa. ‘Billy!’ he yelled. ‘Here, boy, now!’

  The dog gambolled up and followed as Liam hurried down the cliff path, almost falling in his haste to get as far away from Rosie as possible.

  ‘What was that all about?’ asked Nessa, hurrying over. ‘Liam can be a bit moody at times but he looks well upset. You too. Lovers’ tiff, was it?’

  ‘Charles Epping is ending the rental agreement on Liam’s land.’
r />   ‘Why?’ Nessa’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘No, he’s not thinking of building his stupid hotel there instead, is he?’ Her shoulders dropped. ‘But Liam will never keep his farm going without that land.’

  ‘I know.’ Rosie’s voice wobbled.

  ‘It’s not your fault.’ Nessa put her arm around Rosie’s shoulders and squeezed. ‘It was Charles Epping’s decision and he doesn’t care about anyone.’

  ‘But it is my fault,’ Rosie whispered, guilt clutching at her insides.

  ‘How on earth can it be?’

  ‘Can you keep a secret?’

  It seemed a little late to be asking that now Liam knew and was angry enough with her and the Eppings to head straight for Belinda’s house.

  ‘Of course I can,’ said Nessa, wrinkling her forehead. ‘Working in Shelley’s, you wouldn’t believe all the things I hear about people in this village and keep quiet about. For example, Seth had a fling years ago with a woman in Bailey’s Ford, Felicia in Dolphin Cottage likes to do her housework totally naked, and newsagent Colin wears a hairpiece, and I’ve never told anyone.’

  The fact that Nessa was telling her right now was disconcerting but Rosie felt too wretched to care. Cecilia had threatened to sue if her husband’s reputation was tarnished – whether she could or not, Rosie wasn’t sure. But his reputation was pretty much shot to pieces around here anyway. And it would take a huge hit when locals discovered he was about to destroy Liam’s farm.

  ‘Don’t tell me if you don’t want to,’ said Nessa.

  ‘I do want to.’ Rosie took a deep breath. ‘Liam thinks I deliberately sacrificed his farm to save Driftwood House.’

  ‘But that’s mad. It was Epping’s decision. Why would he listen to you?’

  ‘Because I’m pretty sure I’m his daughter.’

  ‘Yeah, of course you are, and Daddy always does what his darling daughter wants.’ Nessa’s laugh died when she caught sight of Rosie’s face. ‘Good grief, you really are his daughter.’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’

  ‘When did you find… I mean, how did you… what the actual…?’

  ‘I found information in the attic at Driftwood House while I was clearing things out.’