‘I thought we might need extra sustenance before we got going this morning.’ He looked sideways at her and grinned. ‘I suspect you had little sleep after your discovery.’
Skye yawned. ‘Not much.’
‘Have one of these.’ He put a bun on one of the plates and handed it to her. ‘I have news, too.’
Excited to hear what about, she made herself comfortable while she waited.
‘Well? What is it?’ she asked impatiently when he took a bite from his bun without having spoken. He had a drink and leant back next to her on the sofa. ‘I have a mate with the same last name as the one you found.’
‘You do?’
He raised his hand. ‘Don’t get too excited; he’s away at the moment and not due back for a couple of days.’
‘Oh, that’s a pain,’ she said, not able to hide her disappointment.
‘There’s more.’
She saw the twinkle in his eyes and jabbed his shoulder. ‘Tell me then.’
‘It seems that his dad was a porter at the Sunshine Springs for many years. Another chap we know, his mum worked as a chambermaid, then housekeeper at the Bel Amie.’
‘This really is a small place, isn’t it?’
‘Well, contrary to belief, we don’t all know each other here in Jersey but the hospitality world here – especially back in the seventies, eighties and nineties – was small and lots of people knew each other.’
Skye couldn’t hide her delight. Resting a hand on her chest, she nervously asked, ‘Are their parents still alive?’
‘Yes, both are,’ he replied proudly.
Barely able to breathe, her cinnamon bun forgotten, she asked, ‘And do your friends think they’ll speak to me?’ She gave him a pleading look. ‘To us?’
‘Us?’ He frowned but Skye could tell he was only teasing.
‘Well, you’re the local boy. I’m clearly not from here with my accent.’
His expression softened. ‘It’s a beautiful accent.’
‘I like it, but that’s not the point,’ she said impatiently. ‘If I’m not from here then maybe they won’t be as comfortable sharing their own stories with me.’
He waved away her comment as if he were batting a fly. ‘Rubbish. They’ll be fine – I’m sure of it.’
Skye took a moment to process the exciting news. ‘This is amazing, Joe. Thank you so much.’ She didn’t want to push him when he was tired, but couldn’t help needing to know. ‘How soon do you think we could arrange to meet up with these people?’
‘Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long. Leave it with me and I’ll do what I can.’
He gave her a smile that made her stomach flip over. Not wishing to give her feelings away, she took a sip of her tea while she gathered herself.
‘That’s brilliant, Joe. I really appreciate all you’re doing for me. Thank you.’
He stared at her thoughtfully. ‘There’s no need to keep thanking me, Skye. What are friends for?’
She had to stop herself from admitting she wished they were more than that but forced a smile. ‘Yes, of course we are.’
‘And supporting each other is what friends do.’
‘They do.’
19
