Dangerous Secrets

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘Hi,’ some of them said as they waited at the bar.

  ‘You seen Jim? Or has he abandoned ship?’

  ‘He’s on duty on his own. He’s getting me a sandwich.’

  ‘Hey there, Jim lad,’ one of the men shouted. ‘You’ve got a bunch of starving surfers here. Get the pasties warming before we all collapse.’

  ‘All right, all right. Give a bloke a chance,’ Jim called back with good humour. ‘On my way. How many pasties today?’

  ‘Four of us,’ one of them shouted back.

  ‘How’s Julia bearing up, Rick?’ one of them asked the good-looking blond guy.

  ‘Haven’t seen her. I think she lost her phone so I don’t know where she is or how to contact her.’

  Charlotte sipped her drink, listening carefully to everything that was being said.

  ‘Nasty business. Do they know who did it yet?’

  ‘Dunno,’ Rick replied. ‘Haven’t heard a thing.’

  The group chatted on and Charlotte watched the faces as various bits of news were shared. Three of them seemed to be Australians and the other a local lad. He didn’t say much but seemed to be interested in any comments that were made. She stared at him, wondering if his interest had some ulterior motive.

  ‘Your brother getting nervous about the wedding, Daryl?’ Rick asked.

  ‘What, our Wayne? He don’t say much to me. Think I’m more nervous than him – I’m the bloody best man. Lucy will never forgive me if I make a spectacle of myself. Or Wayne.’

  ‘Saw she was back in the office.’

  ‘Yer, she’s standin’ in for that Julia bird. You was seein’ her, wasn’t you?’

  ‘Well yes, all just casual at the moment. I’d like it to be more but I guess she’s a bit too classy for me.’

  ‘Got all the same bits as anyone else,’ Daryl said, graphically waving his arms around.

  ‘Right lads, Sorry to keep you waiting. What’s it to be?’ Jim put the plate in front of Charlotte and went behind the bar to serve his customers.

  She ate slowly, not wanting to finish until she had heard all she could. Surprising what gossip one could pick up. What she could do with the gossip remained to be seen but it felt good to have some information.

  Gerard returned to the hotel after six o’clock. ‘Sorry to be so late, darling. Took longer than expected. I hope you weren’t too bored.’

  ‘Not at all. I had an interesting day.’

  ‘You can tell me all about it over dinner. Now, I need a shower. Wash all the office smells away.’

  She smiled sweetly. She would certainly not be telling him all she had learned during the day. He’d be furious to think she might have been checking up on his family.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  After a couple of days, Julia felt she was living through some sort of nightmare. She had been interviewed by a number of different people and it seemed she had finally convinced them of her innocence in starting the fire.

  ‘I can’t believe there are no clues anywhere,’ she said to the chief fire officer. ‘Usually there’s something left behind.’

  ‘Reality isn’t too much like the television, you know. It all takes much longer than you might think. We’ve discovered that it was diesel used to start it and from what we can make out, someone had removed some of the shingles and poured the fuel into the loft. Probably not much. Unfortunately, there was a lot of inflammable stuff left up there. People don’t seem to realise the danger.’

  ‘I know. We were going to clear it but with all the other troubles we had we didn’t get round to it.’

  ‘Well, any footprints there might have been were destroyed by my chaps when they were hosing it down. I think he or she got up there using that tree. The branches nearer the house have burnt away of course but it looks like that is the most likely. There were a couple of pieces of the old roof shingles lying in the border confirming that theory. You know, I think it might only have been intended as a warning but the fire caught hold a bit more rapidly. If they’d wanted to burn the lot down, there would have been simpler, more effective ways.’

  ‘Looked pretty effective to me. Speaking of footprints. I did find one a while back when I was gardening. It’s along the garden under some bushes.’

  ‘Probably worn away now.’

  ‘I covered it with a load of dead leaves and completely forgot about it.’

  They walked over to look and she lifted the browned montbretia fronds from it. It was still there, deep, clear, and distinctive.

  ‘I don’t know how old it is. Probably not even significant but it’s too big to be either mine or my brother’s. It’s a distinctive pattern too.’

  ‘I’ll mention it to the police when I make my report. I take it you found it before the fire?’

  ‘Oh yes. But I thought it might be significant after the various break-ins.’

  ‘I’ll get them over here right away. They can take a casting from it. Could help. Quite a local crime spot, around here isn’t it? What with the old lady dying and all the thefts. No wonder the insurance people are so suspicious. Right, well, I’m about done here. You’ll be hearing something soon.’

  ‘Thanks. I’m glad I’m not under suspicion any longer.’

  ‘As far as I’m concerned you’re in the clear but I can’t speak for everyone else.’

  ‘Thanks. I think I might go back to work tomorrow. You can find me in the holiday lettings office if you need me.’

  He drove away and she watched. She would soon follow, not wanting to be here anymore. It was all too emotional. At least her mother had been spared seeing the remains of her much loved childhood holiday home. She dialled her brother’s number.

  ‘Ryan? Seems they believe me at last. I’m no longer under suspicion for setting fire to the place.’

  ‘Thank goodness for that. Are you all right?’

  ‘Sort of. I feel as if I’m in limbo. I’m going back to work tomorrow. There’s not much else I can do here. But, we do have some decisions to make. What to do with the land? Do we rebuild or sell it?’

  ‘I can’t even think about it at the moment. I suppose if we sell it we can buy somewhere else. If anyone wants it, of course.’

  ‘I’m just not sure what I want to do. I feel as if everything’s on hold. Is the insurance enough to rebuild?’

  ‘Oh yes. And if we do decide to sell, the land will be worth a fair bit. Prime site and we know your boss is buying up whatever he can.’

  ‘I’m not sure he’d want to tackle a new build. Take too long before it might bring in any rewards.’

  ‘Look, I really can’t discuss it sensibly now. I’m really busy and I have to get this stuff finished before Dad gets back. You haven’t seen anything of him I suppose?’

  ‘Heavens no. I don’t suppose he even knows about the fire yet.’

  ‘Actually, he does. I had to ask something about the insurance so you may well get a visit.’

  ‘I don’t want to speak to him. Oh well, if he tries to find me he’ll have his work cut out.’

  ‘Don’t rely on it. You know what he is when he wants something. I’ll speak again soon.’

  Julia reflected on the call. There was something strange going on with Ryan. Normally so close to her, he seemed unwilling to talk very much lately. Maybe he really was simply under pressure at work.

  Now why did your place have to burn down like that? I know they’re investigating the cause and I’m getting worried. You are such an idiot leaving all that stuff in your loft. A little fire to scare you some more … that’s all I wanted.

  Now the Boss is furious with me. Threatening me with losing my job and I don’t like that. I have plans and you look like spoiling them. There’s only one more place left along here that’s privately owned so my lovely little earner’s getting near the end. All you had to do was to agree to sell up and you’d have been up and away with a nice load of dosh to spend.

  Instead, you’re all stressed and I’m nearly out of work. I don’t think
I can forgive you for being so careless, Miss Renton. You deserve punishment. I might just have to find a way to make your life even more of a misery.

  On a personal level, you understand.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Things were working out far better than Gerard had hoped. He was certain Charlotte was the one for him and he was prepared to give up every one of his usual string of women if only she would agree to marry him. Well, marriage sometime in the future might be more acceptable all round. He’d only been a widower for a few weeks and it would not look good if he made things formal at this stage.

  ‘You wanted to meet my daughter? Things have taken an unexpected turn and I need to drive over to Trengillyn today. You want to come?’

  Charlotte smiled but her heart was pounding. If she said no, he would be suspicious. If she said yes, somebody would be sure to recognise her. She was in a quandary. Maybe she should admit to her excursion of yesterday but it could certainly cause him to be angry.

  ‘Lovely,’ she managed to say with a smile. ‘Why the change of heart?’

  ‘Seems there’s been some sort of accident. Ryan phoned to ask something and let slip that the cottage has burned down.’

  ‘That’s terrible. Was she hurt?’

  ‘Evidently not. I need to see for myself, though, and being here in Cornwall makes it a reasonable thing to do.’

  ‘What’s happened to Julia?’

  ‘She’s staying with a friend. Not a nice thing to happen but it could be quite fortuitous. The plot of land could be worth something. She’ll be able to buy somewhere else decent with the proceeds.’

  ‘And will she be pleased to see you?’

  ‘I doubt it. But I feel duty-bound to help her. See her right.’

  They drove across together after a leisurely breakfast. The road was familiar to Charlotte and she still felt awkward about revisiting her trip of the previous day.

  ‘I’ll drive along to look at the cottage or what remains of it. Then I’ll try to find Julia. I believe she’s working in the village.’

  The air of desolation seemed even worse when they got out of the car and went into the garden. The once-pretty place was a mess of muddy, churned up grass, and the blackened stumps of the walls looked positively grim. Gerard was silent. Despite everything, he felt a sudden sense of loss. There had been some happy times spent in this place, even though he’d always preferred more exotic places to holiday. He knew his kids would be upset at the loss. He smiled grimly at his companion.

  ‘Nasty business. A relief that Julia wasn’t harmed. I can’t believe how quickly it must have burned. I had quite a lot of decent wine in the outhouse. I wonder if any of it is still there?’

  He crossed the muddy lawn and wrenched open the door. The stench of death was still there and he reeled back. The small building was empty. ‘I’d forgotten about the tramp who died in there. Hideous. No wine, of course.’

  ‘I should think clearing this whole site is the best option. Too many memories and awful happenings, I should think.’

  ‘My daughter will take some persuading, I suspect. Stubborn isn’t in it.’

  ‘And I wonder where she gets that from?’

  ‘Not me. I’m a pussy cat.’

  ‘When things are going your way.’

  ‘Maybe.’ He grinned at her and kissed her. ‘Come on then. Nothing we can do here. Let’s go to the office. See if she’s there.’

  ‘Maybe you should go on your own. She’s bound to feel upset by everything. I’ll take a walk along the beach.’

  ‘I thought you were anxious to meet her?’

  ‘I am but I don’t think this quite the right way to go about it, or the right time.’

  ‘If you like. I’ll see if she’ll have lunch with us. We can go to the pub in the village. It’s a friendly enough place and you can have your pasty you wanted. No arguments. I insist. It’s a good opportunity.’

  Charlotte sighed. This was turning into a nightmare.

  ‘Gerard, there’s something …’

  ‘No excuses. You heard me. Now, you can walk along from here and I’ll see you in the pub at twelve.’

  ‘But Gerard …’

  ‘With or without Julia, we need to eat.’

  ‘I shall be fat as butter at this rate. After a cooked breakfast and the lovely dinner last night.’

  ‘You’re quite gorgeous as you are. Bye now. And don’t be late.’

  She gave a feeble smile and set off along the beach. Gerard watched her and felt an overwhelming desire to go after her and drive straight back to the hotel. Instead, he drew a deep breath to prepare him for the coming interview with his daughter and drove back to the village.

  Julia was busily catching up after the two days away and noticed that someone had collected a brochure but no proper details were recorded. Typical of Lucy. She had been in earlier that morning and despite her comments about working being a great inconvenience, was not best pleased to see Julia back there.

  ‘Could’ve done with the extra cash,’ she muttered. ‘Never mind, I’ve got plenty to do. You’re welcome to come to the evening do after the wedding if you’re not busy. Maybe you could come with his lordship.’

  ‘Thank you but I’m really not sure of my plans. As you can imagine, my life’s been turned upside down lately.’

  ‘Yer, well. Turn up if you like. It’ll be a big affair so two more won’t matter. Got a disco and a buffet. Me mum and aunties are doing all the food so there’ll be loads. I’ll get off then if you can manage.’

  Julia looked up and the door opened. She felt her heart pound as her father came into the room.

  ‘Dad. What on earth are you doing here?’

  ‘I was in Cornwall on a spot of business. Ryan told me about the cottage and I thought I’d like to see you’re all right.’

  ‘I’m fine thank you.’

  ‘He said the insurance company were playing up. I wanted to check on what was happening and then I’ll give them a call.’

  ‘I gather you cancelled the policy?’

  ‘Well, yes. At the end of the month. I thought you should take on the responsibility for yourself. You want your independence. It comes at a price.’

  ‘Well, unfortunately, it makes it look very suspicious. I think they still suspect I set the fire deliberately before the policy ran out.’

  ‘I’ll call them immediately. Make sure they act quickly. I have a great number of policies with them so don’t worry.’

  ‘Thanks. That would be a relief.’

  ‘I went along to take a look. Pretty devastating. I’m sorry.’

  ‘It’s awful.’

  ‘What will you do?’

  ‘We haven’t talked about it yet. I’d like to rebuild of course, but it would be a long job and Ryan doesn’t know what he wants to do.’

  ‘The land is still a prime site. Take my advice and sell it. You can buy somewhere pretty decent with the proceeds of that plus the insurance payout. It was well insured.’

  ‘But it was Mum’s home. Our home.’

  ‘I won’t say more. Sell it, that’s my advice. Buy somewhere quickly and you can settle down, if that’s what you want. Now, I’d like to take you out for lunch. Will you come?’

  ‘I’m here on my own. I shouldn’t leave.’

  ‘You have an answering service. Please Julia. I’m sure the boss won’t mind. He’ll have me to deal with if he does. We need to talk.’

  ‘Well, all right. But it has to be quick. Village pub at most.’

  ‘That’s fine.’ He watched as she efficiently turned on the answering machine and closed down the computer. She was so like her mother in so many ways.

  ‘Right. I don’t expect Bryce will be back today. Some meetings in Truro.’

  ‘Yes, I … well that’s fine then isn’t it?’

  She looked at him. Almost sounded as if he knew where Bryce would be but that was ridiculous. He didn’t even know Bryce. Did he?

  ‘I’ll just lock the door. Some
times people drop by for brochures and inquiries. Can’t be too careful lately. Crime rate seems out of hand.’

  ‘These things happen. Now, there’s someone I want you to meet.’

  ‘What?’ Julia almost shouted. ‘I thought this was supposed to be a helpful chat about insurance and such.’

  ‘I brought a friend down with me. She’s very keen to meet you.’

  ‘Is this the woman Ryan told me about?’

  ‘Probably. I think you’ll like her. Now don’t make a fuss and let me down. Please Julia. Give her a chance.’

  ‘She’s on her way now. Wanted me to see you on my own first and she’s walking along the beach. I did think she’d be here by now. Not to worry. What would you like to drink?’

  ‘I’ll have a beer thanks.’ He pursed his lips. He didn’t like women drinking beer. It didn’t look very feminine. ‘And a pasty.’

  ‘Fine. Charlotte wants a pasty too. She’s never had one so it’s about time she did, don’t you think?’

  ‘Morning, Julia. Sir,’ Jim said. He took their order. ‘Three pasties?’

  ‘Yes, my friend will be joining us.’

  ‘Right. Won’t be long. Oh, is this her?’ Gerard swung round as Charlotte came in.

  ‘Yes. Hello, darling. We wondered if you’d got lost.’

  ‘Hello again. Nice to see you.’ Jim smiled at the woman, as Gerard and his daughter stared.

  ‘Have you been here before?’ Gerard demanded.

  ‘Course not. Must have a double,’ she faltered, frowning at Jim.

  ‘Sorry. My mistake,’ he said and disappeared into the kitchen. Charlotte looked uncomfortable and tried to regain her poise.

  ‘Julia. I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you. Gosh, you are so like your handsome brother.’

  ‘How do you do,’ Julia managed to say. The woman grabbed her and kissed her on both cheeks. She shrank back. Who did she think she was?

  ‘Let’s sit down. Jim will bring the drinks over in a minute.’ Julia allowed herself to be led across to the side benches. Her eyes were drawn to the diamond studs in Charlotte’s ears. Gerard saw what she was looking at and cursed that she hadn’t warned his woman not to wear them for that first meeting. But then, Charlotte didn’t know they were second-hand.