Knocking on the cottage door a moment later, Verity stood and waited, feeling a little apprehensive. She didn’t like any sort of conflict and there appeared to be a wealth of it between Sam and Pete. Jimmy barked and could be heard frantically sniffing on the other side of the door, and when Sam opened it Verity was relieved to be greeted with a smile.

  ‘You came back. I wasn’t sure if you would.’

  ‘For one night only, if you’ll have me?’ She gave him a hopeful smile and crossed her fingers.

  ‘Only one night?’

  ‘Hetty has survived and I can get her back tomorrow!’

  ‘Wow! How lucky are you?’

  ‘Very lucky.’

  ‘Are you hungry?’

  ‘I’m ravenous and that smell is making me even hungrier.’ Verity stepped into the living room then popped her head into the kitchen.

  ‘Homemade lasagne and garlic bread.’

  ‘A man of many talents.’

  ‘A glass of wine?’

  ‘You’re spoiling me.’

  Sam went to the fridge and took out a chilled bottle of wine. After pouring them both a glass he gestured towards the open back door. Jimmy had already run outside ahead of them.

  ‘It’s a beautiful evening and I can’t stay indoors on an evening like this.’

  Verity followed him outside. ‘Look at that view. The sea and the horizon line are such a pretty colour today.’

  ‘It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?’

  Verity liked the way his eyes shone at her as he said that. She was sure he didn’t just mean the view.

  Just beyond the gate was a beautiful small cove with unspoiled shallow blue waters. Verity walked towards the gate and stood next to Jimmy.

  ‘I couldn’t imagine having this at the bottom of my garden. You have a beautiful cove, whereas out of my bedroom window I have a wonderful view of a coffee factory.’ She chuckled. ‘But not for the next six months. Aww, look at that.’ In the middle of the cove’s tiny beach was a bistro table and chairs, the table covered in a white tablecloth with a couple of plates and glasses on top. ‘What a pretty setting. Are you expecting company?’ She nudged his elbow playfully.

  ‘I was hoping.’ Sam opened the gate. ‘Come on.’

  Jimmy ran out of the gate straight to the water’s edge, and charged through the shallow waves. Sam walked onto the sand and pulled out a chair. ‘Welcome to Cosy Nook Cove.’

  ‘Your own cove! It’s like something a millionaire would have.’

  ‘It’s always been part of the cottage.’

  Verity sat down and looked out across the water. Sam sat down opposite her and took a sip of wine. ‘Are we friends again?’ he asked. ‘I don’t like the thought of us not talking.’

  She nodded then smiled. ‘We’re friends, and for the record, I don’t either.’

  ‘I wasn’t sure whether you’d come back after this morning.’

  ‘I’m not one for holding grudges, and I could smell that lasagne all the way from the cliff top. I’m not an idiot, I wasn’t going to miss out on that, now, was I?’ She grinned.

  ‘I’m sorry again about that. I should have used a different word.’

  ‘You’re forgiven. Even more so when you feed me.’

  Suddenly, Sam looked alarmed. ‘Oh my…the lasagne!’ he exclaimed, standing up quickly. ‘It was ready ten minutes ago.’

  Verity watched Sam hurry through the gate back into the kitchen before he reappeared holding a tray loaded with lasagne, garlic bread and a fresh green salad.

  ‘Dinner is served.’

  With Jimmy now lying in the shade by the rocks, Sam served up the food.

  ‘I think I may come again, if I get this kind of treatment.’

  ‘You’re welcome anytime. What are your plans once the van is fixed?’

  Verity picked up her knife and fork. ‘I’m going to stay for a few days while I help with the puffin census, then see how I feel. As you know, Ava, my friend, isn’t going to make it to Amsterdam and I was only going so as to escape heartache and find myself.’

  ‘And how’s that going?’

  ‘Very well,’ she replied. ‘A week ago I’d have never envisaged I’d be sitting here with a handsome man, having dinner in a private cove. My old life already seems a distant memory. It’s funny, actually, I’ve come to realise I never really knew my ex at all. You watch documentaries about people leading double lives but you never expect it from someone you actually know. And if he can lie that easily all the time, I can’t see him ever changing his ways. Good luck to both of them, I say. And what about you? Have you ever had someone special in your life?’

  ‘Once,’ he admitted. ‘An experience never to be repeated.’

  Sam looked out across the water, avoiding Verity’s eyes.

  ‘You may feel different when a new someone special walks into your life.’

  He shook his head. ‘I’m single through choice. It’s the best way for me.’

  ‘Why would you think that?’

  ‘Because it’s true.’

  ‘If my opinion matters, that’s a waste. You have a lot to offer.’

  He raised his eyebrow. ‘Such as?’

  ‘A dog, which is always a bonus, a beautiful cove and, to be honest, on a scale of one to ten you aren’t that bad looking.’

  Sam laughed. ‘And where would I be on that scale?’

  ‘I’d say around a nine point five. There’s always room for improvement.’ She winked then grinned. ‘And it’s not cool to go fishing for compliments, you know,’ she added, knowing she had a glint in her eye.

  ‘And what about you? Do you think you’ll ever go looking for love again?’

  ‘Absolutely!’ she replied without hesitation. ‘I want a family, though preferably not with a lying, cheating bastard. I have a lot to share with the right person and they’re definitely missing out right at this moment because, look at me, I’m a good catch. I’m sitting here in clothes belonging to someone else, I’ve got no job – though that could change at any moment because I’m sure I’ll get something when I start looking – and I’m sleeping in the back of a van.’

  ‘You’re definitely a good catch for someone.’ He gave her a warm, lopsided grin.

  Verity noted the ‘for someone’. ‘I’m glad you think so.’

  They held eye contact for a second as they picked up their drinks. Every time Verity looked into his eyes her heart leapt and she got an all-over jittery feeling. She was attracted to him and could feel the electricity sparking between them, and, despite what he was claiming, she suspected he could feel it too.

  ‘I have to say, you aren’t a half bad cook. I think this is possibly the best lasagne I’ve ever tasted. It’s definitely up there with the best. It’s nice of you to cook for me. I usually go through the ready meals in the frozen counter in the local supermarket. They’re so bland that sometimes I question exactly what I’ve eaten.’

  ‘I do have a confession to make. I know it said it was homemade, and that’s not a lie…it’s just not homemade by me!’

  ‘Sam!’

  ‘Betty makes meals to order at the tearoom and I put in an order this morning.’

  ‘So you knew you were going to wine and dine me then, did you?’

  ‘I hoped…and if not, it would freeze!’

  ‘Sam Wilson, is this a date?’ She was teasing him yet secretly wanted to see his reaction.

  ‘I’d prefer to stay single, but that doesn’t stop me having dinner with an attractive woman and enjoying myself, does it?’

  She smiled, liking the way he called her attractive. ‘I just don’t understand why you’re single by choice. Has something happened for you to think that way?’ She knew she was being nosey, but she really wanted to know what had happened between him and Alice.

  ‘It’s just the way it is, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t like female company. I’m having a wonderful evening.’ He picked up his glass, his eyes not leaving hers as he sipped his wine. As he put the glass down, her gaze dropped to his lips and she wondered exactly what it would it be like to kiss him.

  ‘I know, you’re one of these commitment-phobes.’ Verity didn’t want to drop the conversation so presented her question in a joking manner.

  ‘I’m committed to my dog, my restaurant, the upkeep of my cottage and memories of my family.’

  ‘You know exactly what I meant. I think it’s very sad that you don’t want to find your special person to share all that with.’

  ‘Maybe I’m enough. Maybe I like my own company. Maybe I’m happy because my life is full of peace and calm.’

  ‘But are you happy with life?’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’

  Without thinking, she said, ‘I overheard part of your conversation with Betty earlier, when I arrived. Fighting with Pete can’t make you happy; this ongoing feud between you two must be draining.’

  As soon as she said Pete’s name the smile dropped from Sam’s face and she instantly wished she’d never said a word.

  ‘Let’s not have this conversation and spoil the evening.’ Sam slid back his chair and walked to the water’s edge. Jimmy was soon by his side and Sam bent down and threw a stick into the water.

  Verity quietly exhaled. She could kick herself. She didn’t mean to upset Sam or the evening. Knowing she’d overstepped the mark, she picked up both of their glasses and walked to the water’s edge. She handed one glass to Sam.

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’

  ‘It’s difficult to talk about.’

  ‘It’s okay, I shouldn’t have pushed the conversation. I suppose I’m just finding it difficult to understand the issue now that I’ve spent some time in your company and in Pete’s. You both seem like decent people to me. Whatever is going on, wouldn’t a simple conversation between you both be the way forward? You could talk it out, agree to disagree, and as for the barriers on the island, I’m no rocket scientist but even I could come up with a simple solution that would satisfy both sides.’

  ‘Don’t you think I’ve tried with Pete? I’ve tried to have that conversation on more than one occasion but…’

  ‘But? What can be that bad?’

  Sam looked her straight in the eyes. ‘I think Pete was responsible for my grandfather’s death and he’s the only one that knows the truth.’

  Verity let the long pause that followed Sam’s shocking declaration hang in the air for as long as she dared.

  ‘Why do you think that?’

  ‘Sorry, Verity, I just need a little space. Can you give me a minute?’

  She nodded and watched as Sam turned and headed towards the gate, Jimmy close on his heels as they disappeared into the kitchen. Standing on the sand, she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Should she follow him or not? He said he needed space but to her it looked like he was battling some sort of trauma. Not wanting to see him upset, she decided to follow, but as soon as she stepped into the kitchen, she heard the front door shut behind him. She could kick herself. He’d gone to all this trouble to spend some time with her and now she’d driven him away. Making her way back to the cove, Verity cleared away the dishes and washed them up before heading back outside. After pouring herself some more wine she sat back, thinking about the death of Joe Wilson. She Googled him from her phone and browsed through a selection of images. One caught her eye as she immediately recognised the makeshift stage in the corner of The Olde Ship Inn, in exactly the same spot where Sam had performed only last night. The next photo showed the group standing on a jetty, a crowd stretching all along Blue Water Bay. Verity knew it was Puffin Island from the lighthouse towering in the distance. Scrolling further down she was shocked to read the next headline.

  Multi-talented Joe Wilson, singer-songwriter, loses his life in the same spot he performed only hours earlier to a packed-out bay.

  There was a photo of Joe with his hands clutching a microphone, looking very rock ’n’ roll with a guitar slung across his body. Verity read the article and felt her eyes brimming with tears as she learned the way his life was taken.

  ‘Playing detective?’

  Sam was back and standing behind her, looking down at her phone screen.

  ‘You’re back.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I just needed a breather and I used the time to pick up another bottle.’ He held up the wine.

  ‘You don’t need to be sorry. I honestly wasn’t prying as such. I was just trying to understand why you were so upset. Sam, this is awful, such a tragic accident.’

  ‘It’s okay, it’s not a secret; it’s there in black and white.’

  ‘I don’t recognise that pier, is it no longer there?’

  Sam sat back down opposite her. ‘The pier was demolished after there had been numerous deaths. Never mind the causeway putting lives at risk, that pier was the worst danger on the island.’

  ‘How?’ asked Verity, not quite understanding.

  ‘The pier was on stilts and tourists loved to jump off it, thinking it was safe, despite numerous signs telling them not to enter the water under the pier. The rip currents that flow through there are well known to everyone on the island, as they can quickly drag people and debris away from the shallows and out into the deeper water, but tourists didn’t always read the safety warnings.’

  ‘But your grandfather would know about the rip currents, surely?’

  ‘He did because he was also one of the volunteer coastguards.’

  ‘So how was he dragged out to sea?’

  ‘According to the coastguard logbook he was on duty that night along with…’

  ‘Pete?’

  Sam nodded. ‘His so-called best friend. But something just doesn’t stack up. I know it was before my time, but I believe there’s more to my grandfather’s death.’

  ‘It says here it was an accident.’

  ‘It could have been, but, as I said, my grandfather was a volunteer coastguard and knew about the rip currents. He wouldn’t have just jumped in without backup.’

  ‘What does Pete say?’

  ‘This is where it gets interesting, because for whatever reason he was late for duty that day. The logbook shows he clocked in thirty minutes late. No one was ever late on duty. You were there to save lives and if you couldn’t attend your shift or were going to be late, you’d arrange for another coastguard to cover you.’

  ‘What was Pete’s excuse for being late?’

  ‘It was never explained. All I know is that Pete was late and my grandfather died.’

  ‘And you think he has something to do with it?’

  ‘I think he knows more than he’s letting on, but he won’t speak to me about it. When I was younger, I tried to talk to him about it, but I admit I was a little hot-headed in my approach.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘He was up at Cliff Top Cottage and we actually ended up getting into an altercation.’

  ‘You got into a fight?’

  ‘I’m not proud about it, but yes. I think more out of frustration than anger. He couldn’t or wouldn’t give me any answers no matter how many times I asked him where he was that night. Why hadn’t he arrived on time? Was he late because they’d had some sort of falling out? After I suggested that, Pete shook his head and went to walk away but I grabbed his shoulder, spun him around and went to land a punch clean on his jaw. But I missed. Lost my balance and fell to the ground. Before I knew it, he was holding out his hand to help me up. I refused, got up, brushed myself down and went in for a second punch. That time he defended himself and grabbed my hand. He pushed me backwards and I fell again. I decided to grab his legs and we were both grappling on the ground until I felt my legs being pulled. I looked around and it was Betty.’ He paused whilst he filled the glasses with a little more wine. ‘Sam Wilson, get up on your feet right this minute,’ said Sam, mimicking her voice, and smiled. ‘You don’t mess with Betty Rose. If she says jump, you bloody jump.’

  Verity smiled. ‘My granny was a bit like that,’ she shared. ‘Heart of gold, would do anything for anyone, but if she was mad or you crossed her, you’d know about it.’

  ‘Betty literally got me by the scruff of the neck and marched me down the cliff top path, along the bay and up Lighthouse Lane. Betty lives in Cobblestone Cottage near the tearoom. She didn’t let go of the scruff of my neck until she sat me down on the chair in her kitchen.’

  ‘I know I shouldn’t laugh but…’ A giggle escaped Verity. ‘And what’s Betty’s take on it all?’

  ‘She’s never talked about it in much detail. She did admit that she knew for a fact Pete was nowhere near the pier at the time, but she said she would never divulge how she knew that. I just had to trust her.’

  ‘And would she lie to you?’

  Sam shook his head. ‘What you see is what you get with Betty, but because she’s never told me how she knows for sure, from time to time it still eats away at me. I just want answers and for some reason no one is giving them to me. It’s like she’s protecting something or someone.’

  ‘I can see how difficult it must be for you, especially each year when the anniversary comes around.’

  ‘And this year it’s been fifty years. Pete has never had another conversation with me about it but that night, during the fight, I could see in his eyes he knew something. I’ve no evidence to back this up, but I think he’s been living with the guilt of something for all these years.’

  ‘And what makes you think that?’

  ‘You yourself mentioned that Cliff Top Cottage was one of the most sought-after cottages on the island, just like mine, and you’re right. I’ve received letters through the door on many occasions asking if I wanted to sell the property, and people have offered me more than the actual value of the cottage, but I’d never part with it. And it would have been the same for Cliff Top Cottage, except that soon after my grandfather’s death, Pete started letting it fall apart. People say it was like he had no love for the cottage anymore. He kept himself to himself, concentrated on his job, and never played music again in public.’

  ‘Played music?’

  ‘Pete was in the band with my grandfather.’

  ‘Wow! So he was offered the record contract and had the chance to go on tour too?’