Page 42 of The Clockmaker's Cottage
They reached the top of Lighthouse Lane and slowed by a rain-soaked hedge outside the prettiest row of rainbow cottages that Pippa had ever seen. Her chest was heaving as she glanced behind her.
‘Do you think they saw us?’ Theo murmured.
Pippa shook her head. ‘Unless Miriam’s suddenly developed heat-vision eyes like Superman, I think we’re safe.’
Theo let out a breath and leaned his forehead briefly against hers, not thinking, not planning, just… doing. He was so close she could see rain caught in his lashes. So close she could feel his breath warm her cheek despite the damp air. Her heart pounded and she quickly moved away. He blinked, realised what he’d done, and straightened so fast he nearly fell backwards into the hedge.
‘Good! We escaped. Mission accomplished.’
‘Minimal chaos,’ she replied, though her pulse was doing gymnastics. ‘Just a dignified exit through a window into a rain-soaked flower bed.’
‘Very dignified,’ he agreed. ‘I especially enjoyed the part where you fell backwards like a startled puffin.’
She gasped dramatically and squeaked as he tugged her hand again, pulling her along the path as if he hadn’t just teased her and also nearly kissed her.
‘Come on,’ he said, still holding her hand as they walked.
‘Lead the way! And while I have you to myself, I’ve got to say that you kept the fact quiet that your grandfather was actually the Vales’ apprentice! Why didn’t you say?’
Theo gave a small smile and glanced towards the flooded path before answering. ‘Like I said during the interview, because I didn’t want that to be the reason anyone took me seriously.’ He shrugged. ‘When I got into horology, I made a choice to earn my place on my own merits. My research. My papers. My own name.’
Pippa stared at him. ‘You really are ridiculous,’ she said softly.
Theo’s brow creased. ‘Thanks?’
‘Ridiculously honourable,’ she clarified. ‘Most people would’ve name-dropped whenever possible to open up every door in the clock world.’
‘Maybe,’ he said, brushing a hand through his hair, ‘but I guess I’ve always thought that time should be earned.’
Pippa laughed. ‘You are one on your own.’
He looked up at her, eyes crinkling. ‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’
‘What was Sebastian’s motivation in there, do you think?’ Pippa asked. ‘What was all that about a scapegoat?’
‘For a second, I thought he was just trying to get under my skin, but the way he went on, it felt like his problem was with Horace, not me. But even if something did happen all those years ago, what on earth has it got to do with Sebastian?’
She looked at him. ‘I’m not sure, but it still doesn’t justify ambushing an old man in front of an entire convention.’
‘Agreed,’ Theo said. ‘But Sebastian’s never played by the rules. He only cares about the story, not the people.’
‘Thankfully, you’re not like him,’ Pippa said before she could stop herself.
Theo looked at her. ‘I hope not,’ he said gently.
‘My guess is that that interview will hit every national newspaper and all the wannabe detectives on social media will soon be voicing their opinions, but for now, all we can do is get out of these wet clothes.’
As they walked along the path, Pippa became aware of a distant voice, faint but insistent, cutting through the sound of the sea and the rain.
‘Can you hear someone shouting?’ she asked, slowing.
Theo frowned. ‘I thought it was just the wind.’
She stopped. ‘No… That sounded like my name.’
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. The screen was lit up, and a familiar face filled the display.
Oh no.
