Page 42 of A Scottish Country Escape

He steepled his hands together on top of his paper-strewn desk. ‘It was too late to fight my father on having the Carluccis’s cottage knocked down, but I ensured that the piece of land it stood on was left bare – apart from the roses, mulberry trees, and cypress bushes, that is.’

My eyes widened. Oh my goodness! ‘Do you mean the local rose garden? That’s where Amore Cottage stood?’

‘Yes. Right there. The least I could do was arrange for some flowers and shrubs that were Marina’s favourites to be planted there instead.’

He pushed out his legs from under his desk. ‘I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I was so bloody weak-willed then, especially when it came to my father.’

I nodded. ‘But it’s easy to look back and decide how differently you would have done things. It’s not so easy when you’re all caught up in it at the time.’

Dexter was still digesting Robert’s story.

Robert’s shoulders set and he sprang forward in his seat, as though some sort of major epiphany had occurred. ‘So, you saw Linda Carlucci?’ He let out a breath of air. ‘I wonder if that means she’s back living in the area?’ His eyes became distant again.

‘Do you know what happened to her?’ I asked him. ‘Marina, I mean?’

‘Yes. Unfortunately, I do.’

His stoical expression blanched. ‘I hired a private detective five years ago. A friend of mine who was the same age as me had a health scare at the time and I suppose it made me think about things.’ His face was haunted. ‘It turned out Marina passed away in 2011 in London. Dementia.’

Dexter was sympathetic. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Robert slumped back in his swivel chair. ‘I like to think she never forgot me. I suppose it’s up to me now to keep the memories alive of what we had.’

He flapped one hand after a prolonged pause. ‘Please forgive me if I seem a little off-colour. This news has thrown me and what with my brother passing away just a few weeks ago, things have been rather hectic.’

I offered my sincere apologies. ‘I’m so sorry for intruding. We had no idea. If we had known…’

Robert Masters nodded his appreciation. ‘There’s no need to apologise. I was glad of the distraction.’ He rose to his feet. ‘I will have to deal with Richard’s affairs and then there’s the joy of clearing out his house, but all in good time.’

Dexter extended his hand. ‘Thank you for your time, Mr Masters. It’s much appreciated. And I’m very sorry for your loss.’

I stood up too and prepared to leave.

Robert guided us out of his study and back across the hall. ‘I would like to see her. Linda.’

‘Believe me, so would I,’ agreed Dexter grimly.

Dexter strode back to his car and was subdued on the journey back. There was only the murmur of Coldplay coming from his digital stereo. Well, I say stereo but it looked more like a piece of intricate NASA equipment to launch rockets.

‘You’re very quiet,’ I observed, giving sidelong glances to the hedgerows studded with white flowers.

From the corner of my eye, I could make out Dexter’s moody profile. He had thrust his sunglasses back on, even though the sun was tiring now and being swallowed by increasing clumps of cloud.

‘Just digesting everything.’

I tightened the bands securing the end of my long plait. ‘This… thing… writer’s block… the curse…’ I began. ‘It will all come good in the end. You’ll see.’

Dexter kept his attention trained on the country lanes. ‘I wish I had your optimism.’

I picked up on the despondency in his voice. ‘We will come good. OK, so it’s not going to be easy tracking down Linda Carlucci, but we will.’

He gave me another long look as he negotiated the roads. ‘You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, Elle. Just tell me to shut up.’

‘Is that a promise?’

He pulled a face. Then there were a few seconds of heavy silence. ‘Your parents… I heard Robert Masters’ gardener say something to you just now. Do you mind me asking what happened?’

I angled my head to gaze at the emerald trees and cottages flashing past. It still sounded at times like it was someone else and not me saying the words. ‘They both died a year ago in a car accident.’