Page 60 of The Clockmaker's Cottage
Theo smiled. ‘Clock people?’
‘You know what I mean. The man you were talking to at the lighthouse before we were ambushed by the journalist, who was that?’
Theo leaned back in his chair. ‘That was Nathan Cole. He’s a clockmaker from New York. My new job is actually for an arm of his company. I’ve admired his work for years.’
Pippa tilted her head. ‘Nathan Cole,’ she repeated. ‘Sounds fancy, like a person who wears waistcoats and pocket watches.’
Theo laughed. ‘Not that you’re judging, right? But yes, he does own several waistcoats. He’s brilliant. He runs workshops in New York that blend traditional clockmaking with modern engineering. The pieces that are produced are part sculpture, part precision timekeeping.’
‘I overheard that he knew your grandfather.’
‘Yes, and I have to admit something. During my interview… I mentioned my grandfather’s link to the Vale Brothers. I wanted the job so much, so though it’s something I’ve never done before, I couldn’t help it.’
‘Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. When are you leaving?’
‘Next month,’ he replied. ‘The timing’s… well, it’s come at the right time.’
‘So, this job, it’s a big deal then?’
He nodded, fingers tracing the stem of his glass. ‘It is.’
‘Sounds exciting,’ she said. ‘And terrifying.’
‘Both,’ he admitted. ‘But honestly, it can’t come quickly enough.’
The words hung there for a moment. Theo glanced down, busying himself with adjusting his napkin, but Pippa caught the shift. She hesitated. The question that had been circling in her mind since she’d overheard the conversation in the lighthouse was on the tip of her tongue, and she couldn’t hold back any longer.
‘Can I ask you something?’ she said. ‘It’s a little personal.’
Theo looked up, attentive. ‘Go on.’
‘Back at the lighthouse,’ she began carefully, ‘when you were talking to Nathan… I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I overheard a bit.’ She paused. ‘You said you were separated. When he asked whether your wife would be going with you.’
Theo’s expression shifted slightly. He took a slow sip of wine, giving himself a moment.
Pippa hurried on. ‘I wasn’t snooping, honestly. It just… It can’t be easy. I know I’ve just done a runner from my own impending marriage, but in my case the deal wasn’t sealed. And when I stalked you on socials you seemed so hap—’ She stopped abruptly, horrified at what she’d just accidentally admitted.
Theo cocked an eyebrow.
‘Come on, I was always going to stalk you on socials,’ she said at last, deciding the damage was done so she might as well go for it. ‘As I was saying, you seemed so happy.’
Theo set his glass down gently. ‘Everything is not always as it seems, especially when it comes to social media.’
‘What went wrong?’
Pippa tried to read his face. He wasn’t defensive, but he wasn’t quite ready to talk either. Something about him looked like he was still deciding how much to give away.
Before he could say more, their waiter returned carrying two steaming plates. ‘Halibut with brown shrimp and capers,’ he announced, setting Theo’s plate down. ‘And the crab and mussel linguine for you, madam, and chips.’
The smell hit her instantly: lemon, garlic, butter, and the clean brine of the sea. Pippa sat back slightly, watching as the waiter adjusted their plates, added a small dish of lemon wedges, and checked their glasses.
‘Can I bring anything else for you right now?’ he asked.
Theo shook his head. ‘No, this is perfect, thank you.’
‘Enjoy,’ the waiter said before heading towards the door to greet a few new arrivals coming in from the rain.
That’s when Pippa saw him.
