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‘What do you mean?’ asked Lettie. Had Claude heard about Cornelius’s gift of land too?
‘What I mean is, it must have been frightening to be trapped on the rocks like that, with the tide coming in.’
Lettie’s shoulders relaxed. ‘It was scary at the time, but I’m fine now, honestly.’
‘Good, because you were very brave and you brought Buster back to me.’
‘I was happy to help.’ Lettie hesitated. ‘I wanted to let you know that I’m leaving Heaven’s Cove.’
‘When?’
Lettie was touched by the emotion on Claude’s craggy face. At least someone would be sorry to see her go.
‘I’m going today.’
‘Why so soon?’
‘I’ve been here for two weeks and it’s time to go home.’
‘Did you find out what you wanted about your great-aunt?’
‘I did, thank you.’
‘Good.’ Claude shook his head. ‘I can’t wait to be rid of most outsiders, with their yelling and bad manners and dropping litter everywhere. But you’re different, Lettie Starcross. You belong here.’
Lettie’s lip wobbled at that. She certainly felt an affinity with this village, as Iris once did, that was hard to explain.
When she didn’t reply, Claude leaned forward and whispered: ‘You could always stay.’
‘I can’t stay at Driftwood House for ever,’ said Lettie, in the no-nonsense tone of voice Daisy often used with the children.
‘No, but you could stay here, next door.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The cottage next door used to belong to my parents and now it belongs to me. It’s a holiday let at the moment.’ Claude grimaced. ‘Holidaymakers and me, we don’t mix well. I’d rather have someone I know next door, someone I like.’
When Lettie reached out and put her hand on Claude’s shoulder, he didn’t pull away.
‘That’s really kind of you, Claude. In many ways I’d love to stay, but… things just haven’t worked out and I need to get back to London.’
‘London? Pah.’
‘My family need me.’
‘Families? Pah.’
He pulled such a face, Lettie laughed, before being distracted by the sound of a text message arriving from her mum: I hear you’ll be back later. Can we sort out a trip to Lidl tomorrow? We need more loo roll x Lettie sighed and pushed her phone back into her pocket. Maybe Claude was right. But life didn’t always turn out the way you wanted.
‘So…’ She pulled her shoulders back. ‘It’s goodbye, Claude. I’ll send you a postcard of the sights when I get home.’
Claude nodded, looking downcast. ‘I’d like that and maybe you’ll be back down here again soon?’
‘Maybe,’ answered Lettie, wondering if she’d be like Iris and never return. How awkward would it be to bump into Corey or Florence in the street? It would be dreadful if Corey remembered her and ignored her, and even worse if he didn’t remember her at all.
She hesitated, unsure whether hugging Claude would be appropriate, but he resolved the dilemma by sticking out his hand.
‘Goodbye, Miss Lettie Starcross. It’s been a privilege to know you.’
‘Goodbye, Claude. You too.’
Lettie took his huge paw of a hand and shook it, feeling a rush of sorrow. Leaving the place Iris had once called home hurt.
