AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘But you said—’
‘I said Cornelius had left it to Iris but I doubt the deed he left is properly legal.’
‘You can go through the courts.’
‘I wouldn’t accept the land anyway, even if a judge told me categorically that it was mine.’
Simon’s mouth flapped open. ‘Why on earth not? Oh God, don’t tell me that you’re mooning over Corey Allford. Just because he turned up in a big boat and rescued you, that doesn’t mean you owe him a piece of land that could make you more money than you probably earn in ten years.’
Ten years?thought Lettie, wistfully, imagining the security and freedom that money would buy. But it wouldn’t buy peace of mind.
‘My decision isn’t because of Corey. Not really. It’s because this village and the people in it are amazing, and Cornelius and Iris don’t want it to be spoiled.’
‘It’s just a couple of holiday homes!’
‘Or a holiday village?’
Simon’s cheeks reddened. ‘That was just me exaggerating a bit.’
‘It doesn’t matter because the land isn’t morally mine.’
‘Morals don’t come into it.’
‘You’ve made that very clear.’
‘Florence’s brother wanted you to have it.’
‘He wanted Iris to have it. But that was a long time ago. Iris is gone and I’ve only been here for two weeks. Florence has loved that land for her whole life and it’s special to her because of her brother.’
‘But we could make a killing on it, Lettie.’
Lettie glared at him. She hadn’t felt this irritated since she’d told the adhesives customer to get lost. ‘That’s the difference between you and me, Simon. I don’t want to make a killing. I know it’s disappointing for you, but you’ve made some other good deals in Devon so I’m sure you’ll be all right. Now, I really must go and do my packing.’
When she started walking away, Simon called after her: ‘Think of the brand new car you could be driving, all the holidays you could have and all the shoes you could buy. You’d be a fool to turn this down.’
‘I told you,’ called Lettie, over her shoulder. ‘Sorry, Simon, but I’m not selling the headland, to you or anyone else. It belongs to the Allfords.’
That was that, then, as far as any kind of continuing relationship with Simon was concerned, thought Lettie, walking towards the quay to say goodbye to Claude. Daisy would never let it drop, if she found out. He was perfect, Lettie. What the hell were you thinking?
But Daisy was so wrong. Simon was the type of man her family said was right for her, but he wasn’t. He was good-looking and charming and he had a good job and his own flat and a big car. But he wasn’t particularly kind, and he thought mostly of himself.
Lettie would tell Daisy so, but she probably wouldn’t tell her about inheriting the headland… and refusing it. She really never would hear the end of that. So it would remain a secret, to be taken out every now and then before being pushed to the back of her mind.
She’d always remember these past two weeks as a time when life slowed down and seemed to make more sense. When she connected with Iris once more and learned a lot about herself in the process.
She didn’t regret her stay in Heaven’s Cove one bit. But there was one regret she couldn’t shake. Regret that she and Corey had parted on such bad terms – and that he believed she could be so devious and deceptive. She would write to him and his grandmother when she got home and reiterate that she was renouncing her ‘ownership’ of the headland. If Florence said it was hers to keep, then she would have to accept it was hers to give back. Perhaps then he might believe her. But, by then, it would be too late. She and Corey would never see each other again.
Sighing, she knocked gently on Claude’s door. If he wasn’t in, she would leave a note to say goodbye.
The door was suddenly wrenched open and Buster ran out and leaped up at her.
‘You’ve made a friend for life there,’ said Claude, standing in the doorway. He looked different. His long grey hair was still a mess and his bushy beard was untamed, but he looked lighter somehow. Less weighed down by life.
‘He’s a lovely dog.’
Lettie patted Buster’s head until his jumping stopped and he nuzzled his nose into her side.
‘Do you want to come in? I owe you more thanks. You found Esther and brought her here to see me. I’ll never forget that.’ He peered at her closely. ‘But you look upset. Are you all right after what happened?’
