by Lily Graham
The marina was quiet; all I could hear was the gentle slosh of the water as it lapped against the boat. I made myself a cup of tea, but couldn’t stop the tears from falling into it.
I sat in the egg chair, thinking.
Finally, I switched on the light and got dressed. In the cool summer’s night, I walked silently across the gangway to my car.
There was only one place I could go now, and that was the cottage. As I drove along the coastal road, I had one last hope, and I held onto it as tightly as I could in the pre-dawn light.
Chapter Sixty
Present day
The garden was so beautiful it took my breath away. The early sunshine was warm on my shoulders as I stood, barefoot, in the garden. Everything was in bloom. There were globe thistles and irises, delphiniums and forget-me-nots, lobelia and larkspurs. Each flower was unusual, so different to the last, except that each and every one of them was blue.
I stood and held my chest. I think perhaps that’s when I knew.
I turned, slowly, and saw him standing in the garden.
‘Did you do this?’
He nodded. His eyes were so very blue. He was still wearing that same tweed jacket, the one with the patches on the elbows.
The old man stepped forward, and I saw that he had some trouble with his left foot.
‘Was an accident,’ he said in explanation, when he saw me looking.
I swallowed. Felt the tears begin to prickle again. ‘So you kept it then, I see,’ he said, looking at the diary in my hands.
‘I did. Though there are a few things it left out.’
‘Did it?’
‘Yes. Like what happened to her. Did she come back?’
He nodded. ‘She did. After the war she lived here for many years.’
‘And Fen?’ I asked, holding my breath.
He looked at me. He was old and grey and part of me thought I was losing my mind, but right then I’d never been more sure of anything in my life.
‘You’re him, aren’t you?’ I asked.
He didn’t answer, and for a second I wondered if he wouldn’t, or if I was wrong.
Then he looked at me and smiled. ‘I promised her I’d come back.’
I gasped and closed my eyes, overcome, feeling the tears rush down my face. When I looked up, he was gone.
A Letter from Lily
Thank you so much for reading The Cornish Escape! If you enjoyed it, please would you leave a review? It really helps to spread the word.
If you’re wondering what’s next – there’s loads! I’m currently working on a new novel featuring magic, food and family in a gorgeous cottage in the Yorkshire countryside.
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Author’s Note
The idea for Tilly’s code in the diary was inspired by the book The Journal of Beatrix Potter 1881–1897, transcribed from her code writings by Leslie Linder. I have Victoria break the code in a similar fashion. It’s a really interesting read.
With regards to education in Edwardian times I looked at this website. It must be noted that, as aristocrats, it was highly unlikely that Tilly or her sister, Rose, would have received the education they did, as most young women from noble families would have been stuck with a governess. Of course, there were exceptions, and in this work of fiction, such is the case with Tilly and Rose.
The history of nursing in the First World War is fascinating, including how some volunteer nurses were regarded. Yet despite their lack of knowledge, they served such an important role and were incredibly brave, particularly when we think how protected some of these young women were likely to have been. My research was based on ‘World War One: The many battles faced by WW1’s nurses’, which can be found here.
The camp in the oatfield is a true story, as is the case of ‘Meddlesome Millie’, the Duchess of Sutherland, who was disdained by her peers, for her involvement in the war. It was one of those instances where a woman was told to mind her place but thankfully did not. She helped so many soldiers and was remembered so fondly for all that she did, being one of the first people to take action and provide much-needed facilities and care to the wounded. You can read more about her and the hospital here and here.
For the description of the trenches I looked at the First World War website.
Some liberties were taken with war records, which may not have been accessed in the way Victoria did in the novel.
The language of flowers was particularly fascinating. For further information, please see The Language of Flowers website.
Acknowledgments
Thank you so much to my wonderful husband, Rui, for all your encouragement and support during the writing of this book, and for dragging me away at times to make sure that I was fed and saw something besides the inside of my writing room.
The fact that there is a book at all is thanks to my lovely editor, Lydia Vassar-Smith. Thank you so much for your belief in this novel and for all your advice and encouragement.
Thank you to Dad for being so sweet and reading all my books and helping spark the idea of the mysterious gardener. You’ll recall it happened in the summer while we were chatting last June!
Thank you to my wonderful family. Mom, you first inspired my love of storytelling and made childhood magical. My wonderful Granny Monica, you first encouraged my love of reading by bringing round a ginormous box of books that was just for me – a rare treat when you have so many siblings!
Thank you as ever to the BFF, Catherine. You are always there when I need you. Thank you so much for always patiently listening to all my stories!
A lot of work goes into bringing a book into the world and the Bookouture team are exceptional at doing so while being just so lovely to boot. Thank you to the lovely Natalie Butlin, Kim Nash and the whole talented team.
Thank you to my bulldog, Fudge, who found out that she could climb stairs after all, and so began visiting me every day in my little snug and lying on my feet, giving me a daily dose of vitamin D (dog), which surely is the best kind.
And last, but most importantly of all, thank you to all my readers. You all make this writing lark worthwhile, from taking the time to leave a review to some of the emails and comments I have received from around the world, telling me that A Cornish Christmas helped them to cope with the loss of a loved one or that The Summer Escape has inspired them to go after their own dreams or book a holiday to Crete. These are messages I never expected to receive in my wildest dreams, and it truly touches me more than I can say – so thank you!
Also by Lily Graham
The Summer Escape
A Cornish Christmas
A Cornish Christmas
A cosy Christmas romance to curl up with by the fire
Nestled in the Cornish village of Cloudsea, sits Sea Cottage – the perfect place for some Christmas magic …
At last Ivy is looking forward to Christmas. She and her husband Stuart have moved to their perfect little cottage by the sea - a haven alongside the rugged cliffs that look out to the Atlantic Ocean. She’s pregnant with their much-longed for first baby and for the first time, since the death of her beloved mother, Ivy feels like things are going to be alright.
But there is trouble ahead. It soon emerges that Stuart has been keeping secrets from Ivy, and suddenly she misses her mum more than ever.
When Ivy stumbles across a letter from her mother hidden in an old writing desk, secrets from the past come hurtling into the present. But could her mother’s words help Ivy in her time of need? Ivy is about to discover that the future is full of unexpected surprises and Christmas at Sea Cottage promises to be one to remember.
This Christmas warm your heart and escape to the Cornish coast for an uplifting story of love, secrets and new beginnings that you will remember for many Christmases to come.
Buy now!
The Summer Escape
Amongst the beautiful olive groves and sea-front tavernas, summer has arrived on the sun-drenched island of Crete.
After losing the love of her life, Ria’s life has been on hold. So when her boss becomes completely unbearable she makes the snap decision to run away to the Greek island of Crete, armed only with her passport.
When Ria finds herself working for eccentric novelist Caroline, she meets handsome vineyard owner Tom. He’s charming, mysterious and Ria starts to wonder if it’s not just the beautiful Greek island that she’s falling for.
But as Ria gets to know Tom better, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets. What is he hiding? Ria has some secrets of her own. Can she open up to Tom and learn to live again?
This summer, escape to the sun with this charming and emotional story about starting over and grabbing happiness with both hands.
Buy here!
Read what everyone’s saying about The Summer Escape:
‘I absolutely loved it from start to finish and really didn’t want it to end.’ The Reading Shed
'Beautiful scenery and sympathetic characters made this an outstanding read’ For the Love of Books
‘Heart-warming, uplifting, sweet, touching and just wonderful!’ Sky Book Club
‘Where do I begin - a heartwarming summer read. I was pulled into the story from the heartbreaking beginning to the happily ever after ending.’
One Book at a Time
‘The Summer Escape is a book about love, dreams, second chances, but more importantly; truth. It is such an unpredictable read which will have you captivated by the end of the first chapter.’
The Writing Garnet
‘Five out of five stars. A really enjoyable read, this book had it all for me... loveable, warm believable characters, a great plot and the Greek ambience was perfect for my rainy Sunday escape!’ Shellyback Books
‘An all round beautiful summer read - and if you can read it on a Greek beach, so much the better!’ Annie's Book Corner
‘I totally lost myself in this book and was sad to come to the end.’ Bookworms and Shutterbugs
‘A fantastic summer read!’ All things Bookie
‘The attention to detail had me almost feeling the sun... I would highly recommend this uplifting book.’ Donna's Book Blog
‘A brilliant read which I would highly recommend to anyone who wants a good story to read during those long, hopefully sunny, summer days coming soon.’ Fiona's Book Reviews
‘A real summer escape!’ The Book Trail
‘What a charming book, with its excellent storyline, characters and above all sunny location of Crete... I loved every second of it!’ Rachel's Random Reads
‘Lily Graham's writing really brings Crete to life on the pages of this book. You can almost smell the souvlaki and feel the sand between your toes and the sun on the back of your neck. I'm not so sure about the Greek coffee though! If you're looking for a summer escape for yourself, pop this one into your bag or suitcase.’ Fabulous Book Fiend
‘Lily has a gorgeous way with words. The Summer Escape is a beautifully written story, full of secrets and intrigue, far deeper than I'd first thought. I couldn't put it down.’ Louise Jensen
‘I have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending this uplifting, heart warming tale - I loved it!’ Splashes into Books
‘A wonderful, moving and soul-searching story that almost had me booking a holiday to Crete.’ Nadine Matheson
‘This essentially lighthearted story manages to also deal with sorrow, personal injustice, and emotional challenges forthrightly, and with great heart.’ She Writes
Published by Bookouture
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN
United Kingdom
www.bookouture.com
Copyright © Lily Graham, 2017
Lily Graham has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-78681-152-3
