‘Fifteen?’ Betty raised an eyebrow. ‘Someone’s hungry!’
‘Everyone’s earned it,’ Rita said with a smile. ‘We are having a massive clean-up on the farm today. In time for the wedding.’
‘Yes, I can imagine. Nasty business, I’m so sorry, Rita.’
‘Yes, it is. And a massive thank you to you and Derek for helping on the night of the fire. I couldn’t have managed without all of you. I’m so grateful.’
Betty’s expression softened. ‘Ah, it was nothing. I’m only glad you’re all right. What a to-do. Talking of to-dos, is it right that your Thom has got himself involved with Elodie Blunt? Old LilyCracknell said she was sure she saw them together in the car park at Seahaven Point. And you know what people say about steamy windows in a car.’
Rita raised an eyebrow. ‘It’s quite sad that people have nothing better to do with their own lives than talk about other people’s.’
Betty turned her back and started to fill white paper bags with Rita’s requested goodies. She placed everything on the front counter. ‘Someone said they saw a fire inspector turning into your place, too. What did they have to say for themselves? Do you think… somebody started it deliberately?’
Suddenly feeling the weight of her theories pressing at the edges of her mind, Rita took a deep breath. She knew her next sentence would send the Seahaven Bay Facebook Gossip Group into a tailspin, but at least the heat would be off her son. Calmly, she said, ‘He said it is likely suspicious, but there’s no proof yet. I’m letting the police manage it.’
She had delayed the police visit until this afternoon, wanting a moment to gather herself before facing a load more questions.
She paid up and gathered her order. ‘Have a good day, Betty.’
Rita tilted her face to the sky as she made her way along the harbour to Jilly’s. She pushed open the studio door to find a class was just finishing. Jilly spotted her, waved, then summoned her to wait on one of the balance balls by the reception desk.
‘Drink?’ Jilly offered once the last person had left and Rita had made her way back from the toilet.
‘No thanks, I’m already piddling for England.’
‘You feel OK, though, do you? I’m actually loving the fact you are pregnant. And no, I’m not going soft and yes, please do still adhere to my no-godmother ruling.’
Rita laughed. ‘You’ve got a child of your own with Joel now, anyway, haven’t you?’
Jilly was wide-eyed. ‘Rita Jory, how rude… and do you know what? I looked at him in a completely different light the other night during the fire. He was strong and kind and so willing to help you, so take that back.’
‘OK, as long as you are happy then I’m happy.’ Rita grinned. ‘And please say thank you to him from me. You were both amazing.’
Jilly was serious for a second. ‘I read some Anonymous attributed quote on Instagram the other day that sat with me. It was something like,You never know how strong the roots are by just looking at the flowers.’
‘Aw, love that,’ Rita cooed.
‘Yes, me too. Joel’s undoubtedly beautiful, aesthetically, but it’s been a few months now and I’m getting to know him, and I like him.’
Rita raised an eyebrow. ‘The age gapishuge, though…’
Jilly waved a hand. ‘Love doesn’t count years.’ Her expression sobered. ‘I went through so much shite with that wayward aul’ fella of mine, I’m happy in the now and for now, that’s enough.’ She sat down next to Rita on a balance ball. ‘So… the fire inspector found evidence leading to Rosecliff Barns, you said in your message.’
Rita nodded. ‘Just a bit of paper with their logo on it, but I’m not getting hung up on that; it could have blown there in the wind from the rubbish, who knows.’
‘You’ve really thought this through, haven’t you?’
‘Of course I have. I can’t believe someone could be so awful as to set the place alight on purpose.’
Jilly cocked her head in thought. ‘Hmm, I guess Rosecliff could have been pissed at that article that Imogen wrote, and, in theory, you are so close in geography you could be taking their business in the future.’
‘Yeah, that has obviously crossed my mind, of course.’
‘Who else would want any of you out of the picture? Whose life would benefit?’
Rita swallowed. ‘Are you saying someone wanted me or one of us at the farm dead?’
‘Bit extreme, I guess,’ Jilly laughed.
