Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

by Liz Eeles

  ‘I know.’ Liam moved his hand from Rosie’s and pushed his fingers through his fringe. ‘I realised that when I’d calmed down. Also, Nessa rang and told me I was being – I think her words were a total arse to even suspect you of any wrong-doing.’

  ‘That sounds like Ness.’ She gave a shaky grin. ‘There is one advantage to being related to the cold, heartless family who want to build a hotel on your fields.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘I find out before anyone else that they’ve gone off their hotel idea so your agreement with them will be renewed as normal.’

  Liam’s insides did a strange lurch. ‘Are you saying there won’t be a hotel at Meadowsweet Farm?’

  ‘That’s right. In fact, probably no hotel at all, anywhere.’

  ‘Rosie, you’re a bloody miracle worker!’

  Liam leapt to his feet, pulling Rosie with him, threw his arms around her waist and whirled her around. She squealed and grabbed hold of his shoulders as they turned together in the sunshine.

  They were both laughing when he stopped spinning and put her feet back on solid ground. She tilted her face towards him, her cheeks flushed and her hands still holding on tight to his shoulders.

  He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her so much, and from the look in her eyes she felt the same. But she was leaving and, for the sake of his heart, it was better not to start something that would finish almost before it began.

  When he dropped his hands and sat back on the wall, Rosie sat down beside him but further away than before.

  ‘I guess people round here will discover my secret soon enough,’ she said, quietly, after a while.

  ‘Not from me.’

  ‘I did wonder if you’d rush round and tell Belinda because you were so angry.’

  ‘Can you imagine her face?’ said Liam, keeping his voice light to disguise the catch in his throat. ‘She’d collapse from the excitement of the juiciest bit of gossip ever, and also from the shame that your secret had gone un-gossiped about for years. But no, I haven’t told her or anyone else and I won’t. Nessa won’t either.’

  ‘Thank you. I’m not sure my local reputation as a weird, stand-offish snob could take the hit.’

  ‘I’ll trade you your reputation for mine as an arrogant ladies’ man who got his comeuppance.’

  Rosie laughed at that, proper laughter that made her eyes sparkle and her cheeks glow pink in the sunshine.

  ‘That’s not how I see you. At least not now.’

  ‘Ouch.’ Liam swallowed, knowing he was on dangerous ground but unable to resist. ‘How do you see me, Rosie?’

  She stared at him as though she was sizing him up. ‘I used to see someone who joked his way through life and was arrogantly careless of people’s feelings. But now, I see someone who’s been horribly hurt and has lost his confidence and trust in others, but someone who’s become a kinder and gentler man in the process.’

  Liam blinked, bent his head and re-tied the perfectly tied shoelace in his trainer.

  ‘How do you see me, Liam?’ asked Rosie.

  He sat up and took a deep breath. ‘I used to see someone weird, a loner who didn’t fit in and thought she was above anything to do with Heaven’s Cove.’

  ‘And now? Please don’t tell me I’m exactly the same, not after the few weeks I’ve just had.’

  He laughed at that, noticing the strands of hair that had fallen from her ponytail and were framing her lovely face. ‘Now, I see someone kind and empathetic who’s strong enough to deal with surprises that would have felled other people; someone who likes her own company but is still one of us.’

  ‘Even though it turns out that my father is Charles Epping?’

  ‘I don’t give a damn who your dad is,’ said Liam, sliding his arm around Rosie’s waist and bending his head towards her. ‘And I don’t care that you’re leaving. I mean I do, but if I don’t kiss you, Rosie Merchant, I’ll go freakin’ insane.’ The words were out of his mouth before he knew what was happening. His heart would have to take its chances.

  Rosie didn’t move. Did she really want to kiss him or had he horribly misjudged the situation?

  She looped her arms around his neck so suddenly, the two of them overbalanced and fell into the grass that edged the field.

  ‘Oops,’ she laughed, her arms still around his neck, and her body on top of his. And that was when he realised he’d been careless with his heart already and it belonged to her. It would hurt like hell when she left Heaven’s Cove, but at least he had this moment.

  ‘Hey,’ said Rosie, ‘before you kiss me, I have news.’

  ‘I don’t care.’

  She arched her head back as he began to kiss the soft skin at the nape of her neck.

  ‘You will care,’ she gasped. ‘Driftwood House is being turned into a guesthouse, and I’m staying to run it.’

  ‘What?’ He rolled over, on top of her, and pushed his hands into the grass to lift himself up.

  ‘You heard,’ she said, softly, raising her hand and brushing a finger across his lips. ‘It’s all agreed with the Eppings.’

  Liam frowned. ‘Did you do that for me?’

  ‘Wow, you are still just a tiny bit arrogant, aren’t you?’ laughed Rosie. She cupped his face in her hands and pulled him back down towards her. ‘I did it for me, Liam Satterley.’

  CHAPTER 32

  The battered Mini bounced the last few metres up the pitted cliff road and Rosie parked it at an angle, in a strange kind of homage to her mother. She’d promised the car to Nessa but offering to be her friend’s unpaid taxi service for the foreseeable would, hopefully, soften the blow of her hanging onto it.

  She got out of the car and brushed at the grass stains on her dress. Her lips were still tingling from Liam’s kisses and, for the first time in ages, the fluttering in her stomach was because of excitement rather than sorrow. Her cheeks glowed at the thought of her and Liam, entwined in a field at Meadowsweet Farm. Rosie Merchant and Liam Satterley, whoever would have thought it? Neither of them, that was for sure.

  She smiled to herself as she walked towards Driftwood House, now bathed in the setting sun. But the smile died on her lips when a figure stepped out of the shadows.

  ‘You weren’t in, so I waited. I hope that was all right.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Rosie, her heart pounding. ‘Where’s your car?’

  ‘I left it in the village and walked. I thought the fresh air would do me good.’ He sounded stilted and unsure. ‘I know I’ve behaved badly, to you and to your mother, but can we talk? Then I’ll leave you in peace, if that’s what you want.’

  Rosie gave the front door a hefty shove with her shoulder and stood back for Charles to walk past her. ‘You’d better come in.’

  The house was gloomy in the dusk and Rosie flicked on the hall light. They both stood still, the lightshade swinging back and forth in the draught from the closing door.

  ‘Let’s go and sit in the conservatory.’

  She always found the view across the Devon landscape soothing, and her nerves were on edge. Charles followed her without a word and took a seat on the rickety sofa, next to the huge cheese plant Rosie’s mum had grown almost from seed. Suave, sophisticated Charles Epping was gone, replaced by a man who tapped his foot incessantly on the quarry tiles.

  ‘I don’t quite know how to start.’ He swallowed. ‘I don’t know what to say to the daughter I never knew I had.’

  ‘Would it have made a difference if you had known? If Cecilia hadn’t hidden the letter from my mum?’

  When Charles closed his eyes briefly and frowned, deep lines scored his face. ‘The honest answer is I like to think so but I don’t know for sure. I’d already treated your mother appallingly so who’s to say I wouldn’t have continued to do so?’

  ‘You treated Cecilia appallingly, as well. She loves you.’

  ‘I know, and I love her, too.’

  ‘Are you angry with her for hiding the letter?’

  ‘Of course, s
he should never have done that. But I’m more angry with myself for ever putting her in that position. As I told you, Rosie, I’m not a good man.’

  ‘That’s no excuse.’

  ‘I agree, however it’s an explanation. I was weak when your mother needed me the most. I never forgot her and you might be pleased to know that I hated myself for a very long time.’

  ‘That gives me no pleasure.’

  Charles tilted his head and fixed his piercing blue gaze on Rosie. ‘Then you are very like Saffy.’

  Hearing him use her mother’s pet name sent shivers down Rosie’s spine. ‘After all these years, why did you leave flowers on Mum’s grave?’

  ‘I was notified that the tenant at Driftwood House had died. Your mum’s death hit me harder than I would have expected after so long and I felt I should mark it in some way, and then, soon afterwards, I find out about you.’ He breathed out slowly. Behind him, lights in scattered farmsteads and houses were starting to come on. They glittered like stars in the darkening landscape. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t around when you were growing up.’

  How different her life might have been, thought Rosie, if Charles had been a part of her childhood. If he’d read her mother’s letter and decided that ‘doing the right thing’ meant marrying the mother of his child, rather than poor, frightened Cecilia.

  He’d soon have tired of living in shabby Driftwood House, so she’d probably have been brought up in his spooky house in the middle of Dartmoor. She’d have gone to a private school. No Heaven’s Cove Primary, or the high school in the next town. No gossipy villagers. No Nessa. No Liam. The thought of never having met Liam made her catch her breath.

  ‘I had a brilliant childhood, here with Mum and Dad in this house on top of the world. Or that’s how it felt when I was little.’

  Charles smiled at that. ‘I’m glad.’

  He looked around the conservatory, his eyes falling on a framed photo of Sofia, taken on a Spanish beach. The camera had caught her, in her blue swimming costume and tortoiseshell sunglasses, as she laughed at something Rosie said. She looked so beautiful and happy, Rosie had given her the framed picture as part of her present two Christmases ago.

  ‘Didn’t your mother ever tell you anything about me?’

  ‘No, not even after my dad died. She never even told me that you owned this house.’

  ‘Sofia completely cut me out of your lives.’

  ‘She thought you’d done the same.’

  Charles nodded and hung his head, weighed down by memories. And in spite of her antipathy towards this man, Rosie felt a pang of compassion.

  ‘You weren’t mentioned but she never forgot you. I only found out about you because of the mementos she kept.’

  ‘That’s kind of you to say in the circumstances. What do you think Sofia would make of me being here now?’

  Rosie swallowed, close to tears. ‘I think she’d be glad that the secret’s out at last.’

  ‘I truly hope so. Look, Rosie, I have no right to expect anything, but what happens next?’

  ‘What would you like to happen?’

  Charles rubbed his eyes, his face grey with exhaustion. ‘I have no experience of being a father and I don’t wish to take the place of the father you had. I know I never can and I don’t deserve to. But I’d like to get to know you, at your own pace, if that would be acceptable.’

  When Rosie nodded, Charles visibly relaxed and sank into the sofa. ‘Cecilia told me that you’ve agreed to run Driftwood House as a guesthouse. I’m glad you’re not going back to Spain, and I’d like to give you the house as a gift. It’s not a bribe,’ he added, quickly, as Rosie started to speak. ‘Driftwood House is mine to give away now I’m the head of the family and, whether you want to see me or not, Driftwood House is yours.’

  ‘I can’t possibly accept it.’

  ‘Please. You must.’

  ‘What would Cecilia think of that?’

  ‘It was actually her idea, while we were discussing the future. I’m beginning to realise that I don’t deserve her either.’

  He pulled a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and blew his nose loudly while Rosie tried to stay calm.

  ‘Thank you for your offer, but there’s no way I can accept Driftwood House.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Cecilia told me about your financial challenges and said income was needed from this house.’

  ‘We might have to sell a painting or two, but you’re my daughter and it’s time I started acting like a father. I insist that you have Driftwood House. My solicitor is already drawing up the paperwork so I’ll hear no more about it.’

  Somewhere in the house, a door banged as Rosie took in the news. Not only was Driftwood House saved, it was also hers. A sense of peace wrapped itself around her heart as Sofia beamed from the photograph.

  ‘Of course, with Driftwood House in your possession, you can sell it and move on if you’d rather. I don’t think Heaven’s Cove has always been to your liking.’

  ‘You could say that.’ Rosie smiled, thinking of all the plans she’d made in this very room to escape from the village. ‘But I think I’ll stay here and open my own guesthouse, if that’s all right. This place will make a wonderful retreat for tourists, and it’ll give me something to throw myself into.’

  ‘Would your decision to stay have anything to do with the young man whose case you championed this afternoon?’

  ‘Partly, but also I’ve been travelling for long enough and now it’s time to come back home, where I belong.’

  After Charles had left, Rosie walked through the gathering dusk to the cliff edge, spread out her jacket and sat down on it.

  Tomorrow, she would tell Liam her news. She touched her mouth, still able to feel his lips on hers. He would be pleased she had even more reasons to stay.

  Her mum too, even though it was too late for them to spend time together. The wave of grief that washed over Rosie was tempered by the knowledge her mother could finally rest in peace, now that her secrets had lost their power.

  Her mum would have been so happy to see Rosie in love. Fancy you hooking up with Liam Satterley. He’d better treat you right or he’ll have me to answer to.

  Rosie laughed and looked back at Driftwood House. Light was spilling from the open front door and she could almost imagine her mother standing in the doorway, waving.

  She turned her attention back to the dark sea. The sandy beach wasn’t visible; only the white tips of the waves were flashes of brightness in the gloom. But Heaven’s Cove was lighting up like a beacon. White light from the shopfronts of stores now closed, the colourful fairy lights outside The Smugglers Haunt, and there, on the edge of the village, a golden glow from Meadowsweet Farmhouse. She was home.

  EPILOGUE

  THREE MONTHS LATER

  ‘I didn’t realise this many people lived in Heaven’s Cove,’ said Rosie, pressing up against Liam in the kitchen doorway so that Alex and Ella could squeeze past. The house was absolutely rammed with villagers.

  Liam took the opportunity to slide his hands around Rosie’s waist, as she’d known he would, and kiss her on the nose. ‘Everyone’s curious about what’s been happening to Driftwood House. They’re keen to see what magical transformation you’ve brought about.’

  Rosie grinned. It wasn’t so much a transformation as an upgrade. Driftwood House had kept what helped to make it so special. All the original features – from the pretty tiles in the hall to the stone fireplaces and picture rails – were intact, as were the cosy rooms overlooking the sea. But the house now had an updated kitchen, refurbished bathrooms, and a new bedroom with an en suite in what used to be the attic.

  The attic that had once housed clues to Rosie’s past would now host guests at Driftwood House. The spiders and the mysteries had been banished.

  It had been a hectic few months. A team of workmen had worked flat out for most of the summer, with Rosie’s help and Liam’s too when he could get away from the farm. His mum and dad had also gi
ven a hand with the painting, when Robert wasn’t wandering off or worrying about some non-existent appointment.

  He seemed happy enough today, though, in his role as waiter. Dishing out drinks to people as soon as they came through the front door was keeping him busy.

  ‘Get a room, you two,’ laughed Nessa, wandering past with Lily in her best sparkly party dress. ‘This place looks brilliant. You’ve worked wonders and I hear you’ve got your first guests booked in for next week?’

  ‘That’s right. A young couple from Birmingham booked online and are arriving on Tuesday. I’m really excited.’

  Rosie ruffled Lily’s hair. Never one to coo over babies or young children, she’d grown very fond of Lily over the last few weeks. She was even starting to understand the appeal of motherhood, however much Nessa tried to put her off with tales of broken nights and collapsed pelvic floors.

  ‘Hey up, batten down the hatches ’cos Katrina’s here,’ murmured Nessa.

  Liam gave Rosie’s waist an extra squeeze. ‘I know I’m irresistible but try not to fight over me.’

  ‘She can have you,’ laughed Rosie. ‘Why don’t you go and dish out some beers in the kitchen and I’ll go and say hello to her?’

  ‘Do you need a bodyguard?’ asked Nessa.

  ‘Thanks, but I think I can manage.’

  Rosie took a deep breath and walked purposefully towards Katrina, who was standing at the open front door, as though she couldn’t bring herself to step inside. They’d only met properly twice since she and Liam had become an item, and Katrina had been very off on both occasions. It was daft and it couldn’t continue in such a small community. Rosie plastered on her best welcoming smile.

  ‘Hi there, Katrina, I’m really glad you could make it to our opening party. Can I get you a drink?’

  ‘Fizz or orange juice?’ asked Robert, popping up seemingly out of nowhere.