Page 79 of The Clockmaker's Cottage
‘Sometimes he remembers me, sometimes he doesn’t. But he always talks about your grandmother.’
‘Do pass on my love.’
‘Of course, I will.
I’ve got to go, but keep me updated on when you’re heading back, and…’ He paused.
‘What is it?’
‘A van turned up this morning, and Rob has had all your things delivered here.’
‘I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with that, too.’
‘Don’t you worry. Everything will be back in your room by the time you get home.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’
As she hung up the phone, she realised the rain had somehow got louder. She didn’t think that was meteorologically possible, but the island apparently disagreed, because the downpour had intensified to the point where it sounded like someone was emptying buckets across the entire cottage roof. Continuous and relentless.
She walked back into the living room. ‘At this rate, Noah is going to turn up with his ark.’
‘Everything all right?’ Theo asked, looking up from the TV just as the news came on.
‘You aren’t going to believe what my dad’s just told me. Apparently, the Vale Brothers’ first workshop has gone up for sale. It’s now a luxury barn conversion, and I think we should go and take a look.’
Theo raised his eyebrows. ‘Are you suggesting we buy a house together already, Bell? That’s a little quick.’
She swiped him. ‘Behave! But let’s arrange a viewing. I mean, how cool would it be for us clock freaks to go and take a look at where history was made? And what else are we going to do in this rain?’
‘I think that’s a plan.’
‘I’ll take a look online and find out which estate agents…’ But she didn’t finish the sentence because the TV had caught Theo’s eye and he’d sat forward on the settee. He wasn’t smiling anymore.
‘What the… That’s my grandfather’s home.’ He turned up the volume.
The headline scrolling across the bottom of the screen made Pippa’s stomach drop.
BREAKING: PRESS OUTSIDE FORMER VALE BROTHERS’ APPRENTICE’S HOME
A crowd of reporters clustered at the foot of a narrow stone path, camera crews pushing forward, microphones held high.
The house behind them was neat, with whitewashed walls and a small front garden.
Reporters shouted questions over each other, their voices blending into a chaotic storm of accusations and speculation.
‘Is there any truth in Sebastian Worthington-Frost’s allegations?’
‘Was Andrew Wetherby set up?’
‘Was there a stolen commission?’
‘Why do you think it was never recovered?’
‘Mr Blake, do you have any comment on Wetherby’s involvement?’
Pippa gaped at the scene and Theo just stared at the screen, the look on his face a mix of disbelief and dread.
The cameras zoomed in on Arthur Blake’s closed curtains, which were twitching.
