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20
Florence’s old car had a peculiar fishy smell and, after a while, as they drove through country lanes, Lettie wound down her window and let the warm breeze blow through her hair. The sky was the same vivid blue she’d only seen before in the South of France and the puffs of cloud looked like scoops of vanilla ice cream.
She stared at the vapour trail left by an airplane high above before stealing a glance at Corey. He was sitting up straight, gripping the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead which appeared to be getting narrower. The landscape had changed, from picturesque villages surrounded by greenery to more barren land, scattered with huge rocks. She could see for miles.
‘Where are we going?’ asked Lettie, glancing at the phone in her lap which had just beeped with a text.
Hi. Have got chance of long weekend in France with Laura at end of the month. Am thinking you’ll have the kids? Mum won’t do it and Jase is hopeless. Daisy x
Daisy’s texts always ended with a kiss when she wanted something.
Corey glanced across at her from the road ahead. ‘I want to show you a bit of Dartmoor that means a lot to me. If that’s all right?’
‘That sounds great. I really appreciate you showing me such an amazing place.’
‘It’s my favourite place in the whole world.’
Lettie’s phone beeped again.
Also, parents need someone to clear out their guttering. You’re good at finding people so said you’d sort it when you’re back. Don’t forget they need radiator in kitchen fixed too x
Lettie closed her eyes for a moment.
‘Is everything OK?’ asked Corey, slowing down and waiting for a brown horse with a white patch on its head to cross the road.
‘Yeah, fine. It’s just my sister organising my life.’
She laughed so as not to sound too bitter, before typing: Have you tried asking Ed and Fran to have kids? x and pressing ‘send’.
Daisy’s reply was almost immediate: No point. They’re always too busy. But you’ll be back by then, won’t you? X
Lettie’s fingered hovered over the keys for a moment before she replied: Not sure, I’m afraid. Might still be in Devon x
What about Ella’s birthday cake and your job? Those glue complaints won’t fix themselves came back immediately – with no kiss this time, Lettie noted.
She looked at Corey beside her. He did a job he loved. It wasn’t the job for her, clearly – it was far too… watery – but he seemed to find being a fisherman fulfilling. Whereas ‘fulfilling’ was not the f-word she’d ever used when describing her role with a ‘customer dream team’.
Quickly, before she could change her mind, she texted Daisy back: No longer have a job to rush back for so might stay a bit longer. Will let you know. Think they sell rainbow birthday cakes in Sainsbury’s. Phone signal patchy cos am on Dartmoor x
That would put the cat among the pigeons. Lettie, feeling bizarrely brave, switched her phone off and slipped it into her handbag. Now she could concentrate on the amazing landscape all around her and, for just a little while, forget about demanding families and lost lovers and secrets that didn’t want to be revealed.
Just when Lettiethought the road was becoming so narrow it was impassable, Corey swung off and parked on a patch of rough ground. He switched off the ignition and turned to look at her.
‘We’re here.’
‘Where’s here?’
‘In the middle of the moor and we can walk to the top of that tor over there.’ He nodded through the windscreen at a high rocky outcrop that rose above the landscape. ‘Are you up for it?’
‘Absolutely.’
A fresh breeze ruffled Lettie’s hair when she got out of the car, and whipped at the cotton of her wide grey trousers. She grabbed her green cardigan from the back of the seat and looped it around her shoulders.
Corey pushed the car keys into his pocket and set off at a cracking pace, with Lettie trying to keep up. After a few minutes, she stopped and put her hands on her hips.
‘Can you slow down a bit?’
Corey stopped and turned around. ‘Sorry. I’m used to being out here on my own.’
