Page 111 of The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea

‘So what do we do with it?’ asked Isla, taking the envelope from Maisie and gingerly placing it back on the table as if it might explode.

‘I have no idea, and if Gran knew about the stamp, why didn’t she tell us about it or sell it?’ Caitlin thought for a moment. ‘I’ll ring Gran’s solicitor in the morning to see if she ever mentioned anything about it to her. But what about the letter itself – Edith and William’s story?’

Isla shrugged. ‘I bet it was a red herring. Gran always was keen on red herrings, throwing people off the scent, and she certainly managed it big time with this one. It turns out that the letter wasn’t important at all.’

‘Actually…’ Caitlin smiled. ‘The letter was crucial. Piecing together Edith and William’s story brought us closer together and has led indirectly to me and Maisie moving to Heaven’s Cove permanently. It also brought Ben into your life and got you to come to your senses and ditch Paul, no offence.’

‘None taken.’

‘And it’s led to you planning a fantastic adventure that will take you all over the world. The good fortune mentioned in the riddle meant the stamp, I guess, but it’s the letter that’s brought us the best fortune of all.’ Caitlin blew a kiss to their grandmother, who was smiling down at them from her photograph on the mantelpiece. ‘Gran’s final riddle proved to be an amazing legacy.’

‘She’d be delighted,’ said Isla.

‘And very happy to know that you’re off travelling.’

‘She would be, wouldn’t she?’

‘And if it turns out that the stamp is worth a bit of money, it’ll help to fund your time away, and tide me and Maisie over while we’re getting settled here.’

Isla smiled contentedly. ‘I’m looking forward to travelling with Ben so much. I want to see…everything that’s out there.’

‘Everything?’ Caitlin laughed.

‘Well, everything I can. It’s going to be great but—’

‘But what?’

Isla swallowed. ‘I’m a bit scared, Cait. Scared of leaving all of this behind.’

‘Of course you are. That’s normal.’ Caitlin pulled her sister towards her, into a hug. ‘But I know you’re going to have a wonderful time.’ She rested her cheek against Isla’s soft hair. ‘And when you’re ready to come back to Heaven’s Cove, whenever that might be, for however brief a time, I’ll be here, little sister, waiting for you.’

EPILOGUE

My darling girls,

Frances, my solicitor, is under strict instructions to give you this letter eight weeks after my will is read, or sooner if you go to her seeking answers. I hope you’ve solved the riddle I’ve set you but, most of all, I hope that trying to solve it has given you a shared purpose. You are so good together, and it pains me that circumstance has pushed you apart.

My feisty, brave Cait, you bore the burden of responsibility from such a young age and I completely understand your need to strike out on your own. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become. And my kind, clever Isla, who has inherited my love of crosswords. I am so grateful for your care that has enabled me to stay at Rose Cottage until the end. I hope you will be free now to find your own path, wherever that may lead.

You might have realised, by the time you read this, that the actual letter I’m leaving you, while a poignant piece of family history, is not necessary to solve the riddle. However, I do hope the letter has played its part in bringing the two of you closer again as you piece together the story behind it. You always worked so well as a team when you were teenagers: looking out for one another, even finishing each other’s sentences. The distance between you has loosened the ties but I feel sure they’re still there, waiting to be tightened by spending time together.

As for the letter, I came across it recently in an old trunk of my mother’s belongings in the attic. I never knew my aunt Edith and her name was rarely mentioned in the family, which makes me suspect there must be some tragedy or disgrace in her story. Poor Edith. I hope you uncover what happened to her and William – I’m a great believer in people’s life stories needing to be told, or those people disappear into history. I hope you will be talking about me, and how much I loved you both, for years to come.

If you spotted the errant stamp immediately, well done, but I hope you will both pursue the contents of the letter, anyway.

Now to the stamp – I’m sure you can get some money for it, and perhaps it’s worth a fair bit. I would make enquiries but I’d rather leave it for you girls to find out for yourselves. Think of it as my legacy to you both, along with my enduring love.

Be well, my darling girls, be happy together, and thank you for bringing joy into my life.

Your devoted grandmother, Jessie

xx

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