Page 87 of The Clockmaker's Cottage
Theo met her eyes. For a moment he didn’t say anything, considering his words carefully. Finally, he said, ‘I have to admit, I agree with you.’
He gave her a look that Pippa could only interpret as meaning they would be opening a can of worms if they made the letter public.
But could they really keep what they knew to themselves?
ChapterTwenty-Two
The rain still hadn’t let up. If anything, it was even worse now: heavier, angrier, and coming down in sheets that made the world look smudged. ‘This is meant to be summer!’ Pippa remarked, pulling on her raincoat and slipping her feet back inside the wellington boots. She huddled against Theo as they left Clockmaker’s Cottage and walked side by side towards Puffin Island Farm, boots splashing through large puddles that seemed to be merging into one huge one.
The entrance appeared through the rain like something out of a countryside walking guide: a stone wall, an old iron gate, and a polite little sign that read‘Puffin Island Farm Barn Conversions’with an arrow painted in cheerful blue.
‘Very upmarket,’ Pippa said, pulling her hood tighter around her face to try to keep her hair dry.
They followed the arrow along a newly surfaced road that had clearly been put in for the development. It curved gently upwards towards the barns, which were built from the original old stone but had been modernised, with angular rooflines added. There were three altogether, set in a horseshoe shape, decorated with clean, neutral paintwork, big glass windows, and gravel paths that would look lovely in good weather but currently resembled small rivers.
Standing in the middle, braced against the rain with a large black umbrella, was the estate agent. She was in her early forties, with an immaculate bob, a long coat, and an expression of forced optimism that said she was pretending the weather wasn’t ruining her life.
‘Hello!’ she called out, projecting her voice over the wind. ‘You must be Theo and Pippa!’
Pippa waved. ‘Hi!’
The woman waded towards them with remarkable determination given the series of waterways she was forced to navigate along the way. ‘Thank you both for coming out in this… adventurous weather.’
‘Adventurous is one word for it,’ Pippa said, exchanging a look with Theo.
‘I’m Mia,’ the estate agent continued. ‘The causeway being shut is certainly creating chaos, but on the bright side, it means you get an uninterrupted viewing and are the very first to see the space!’
‘I love an exclusive viewing,’ Pippa said cheerfully.
‘You are in a very fortunate position because we expect it will be snapped up quickly, given its history. So, if you do like it, you’ll have to move quickly as we don’t anticipate it staying around for long. Is this going to be your family home? Any children?’ she asked. ‘Puffin Island is just the best place to live while raising a young family.’
‘Oh… no… we aren’t together… we’re just…’ stuttered Pippa.
Theo cocked an eyebrow, evidently interested to see what she would say next.
She settled on, ‘We’re friends. Old university buddies.’ She nudged Theo’s arm playfully.
‘Well, maybe you should think about it, as you make a lovely-looking couple,’ replied Mia, laughing politely and motioning towards the first barn. ‘Here we go: The Clock House. Do you know the history of the place?’
‘Yes. We were actually here for the horology convention. Such a shame it was cancelled.’
‘It is, though I believe the one day they had contained more than enough drama.’ Mia looked hard at Theo. ‘I thought I recognised you! You’re the man who interviewed Horace Vale, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, and as you say, it was very eventful,’ replied Theo.
‘Well, welcome to The Clock House! Which one of you is interested in this place?’
‘I am. Both for the history, and possibly as a workshop for me,’ Pippa explained.
‘Horace Vale was here himself this morning.’ Mia pushed open the door, leaving her umbrella propped up just outside as she wiped her feet on the mat.
‘Here, at the barn?’ asked Pippa.
‘Yes, he stayed on the island when the causeway shut.’
This piece of information took Pippa by surprise. ‘I thought he would have left straight after the interview.’
‘He’s staying with his good friend Pete up at Cliff Top Cottage until the storms die down,’ Mia shared. ‘Rumour has it the rain might actually stop by late afternoon tomorrow. You know the last time we had weather like this was St Swithin’s Day?—’
