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‘They never even told her about the desk, according to Gran.’
‘It’s just that I’ve been wondering if maybe my key fits that desk. Sit where I sat, darling girl… That’s what the letter to Iris said. Andyour gran said Cornelius used to sit there for hours. Do you still have it?’
Corey frowned. ‘Yes, it’s still upstairs. But I don’t think any of the drawers have a lock.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Pretty sure. And none of the drawers are actually locked, even if they do have keyholes.’
Lettie sighed with disappointment, noticing that damp from the sand was seeping through the backside of her shorts. She’d started to feel so certain that the desk held all the answers, but maybe that was only because it felt like her last chance – her last chance to solve the mystery of the key for Iris and perhaps even to clear her name. Some detective she’d turned out to be!
‘Never mind,’ she told Corey. ‘It was a long shot anyway. I hope your gran wasn’t too upset by me bringing up the past.’
Corey shrugged. ‘She seemed fine last night and more able to talk about the things that have bothered her for years. And they seem to have bothered her more over the last few months, since she became more unwell.’
‘I didn’t realise she was ill.’
‘She has a lung condition. That’s why I’ve moved in, to keep an eye on her. But the doctors say she’ll go on for a while yet.’
‘You’re a good grandson.’
Corey shrugged again. ‘Gran was good to me when I was growing up and it’s only right that I repay her.’
‘I am sorry for bothering her though.’
‘Don’t worry about it. These things can’t stay hidden forever. Letting things fester only leads to heartache and pain.’
Again, Lettie got the feeling he’d strayed off topic and was talking about something else entirely. She remembered Rosie’s words, that Corey’s marriage had ended acrimoniously and she itched to ask about it. But she’d already poked her nose enough into the Allfords’ affairs.
She got to her feet and shook off sand.
‘Thank you for getting your gran to speak to me, and… for that.’ She wrinkled her nose and nodded towards the waves which were retreating, leaving in their wake curved lines of foam that fizzed into nothing.
Corey got to his feet too, being careful, Lettie noticed, not to shake sand over her.
‘I suppose I’d better finish my run.’
‘And I’ll head back to Driftwood House for breakfast. Rosie will wonder where I’ve gone. So thanks for the paddle and the chat. It can get a bit lonely actually, being on holiday on your own.’
Corey finished lacing up his trainers and stood up straight. ‘What are you doing for the rest of the day?’
Lettie thought for a moment. ‘I think I’ll see if I can explore Dartmoor. Iris hardly ever mentioned Heaven’s Cove, but she had a framed photograph of a Dartmoor waterfall on the wall of her flat. I think it was the same place as the painting on your gran’s wall.’
‘Really?’ Corey pushed his hands into the pockets of his shorts while Lettie tried not to stare at his tanned, muscled legs. ‘Getting to Dartmoor by bus is a bit of a pain but I’m free later and could take you. I can borrow Gran’s car.’
‘You and me?’ asked Lettie, thrown by the invitation.
‘That’s right.’ He gave her a small smile. ‘No worries if you don’t fancy it.’
‘No, I mean yes, I do fancy it, if you’ve got the time. Though I’m not sure your gran will approve of you borrowing her car in order to spend time with a Starcross.’
Corey grinned. ‘I think she’s starting to regret being abrupt with you yesterday. Perhaps she’s starting to realise that, as you’re not Iris, you’re not culpable for her sins.’
‘Sins is a strong word,’ said Lettie with a frown.
‘Sins is entirely the wrong word. Sorry.’ He gave her a bigger smile this time. ‘It’s early in the morning and I haven’t yet had the necessary caffeine intake to enable me to fire on all cylinders. If you’re up for a trip to Dartmoor, I’ll be free at midday. Could you meet me at the cottage and we can go straight from there? I’m not sure Gran’s old banger will make it to the top of the cliff road.’
‘Yes, that’s fine. Though I’m not sure your gran will be delighted to see me.’
