Page 3 of Death on the Rocks

Not one for self-pity, she told herself to get a grip and returned her attention to the rundown old building.

The wind seemed to stop and the noise of seagulls and waves and holidaymakers faded as a shiver crept up Lily’s spine and brought goosebumps rippling over the back of her neck. She’d been there before; she was sure of it.

Generally, she was too level-headed to believe in anything otherworldly, but she had the distinct notion she’d just crossed paths with a past version of herself.

A deep inhale brought everything back into focus at the exact moment that a wild gust whipped at her hair and tore the photograph from her fingers.

It sailed with the wind, then landed squarely on the chest of a young guy sauntering along the promenade. He grinned as he caught it and gave a flick of his head to sweep his hair aside.

“That was some gust,” he said. “Is this yours?”

“Yes. Thank you.” She went to retrieve the photo from his outstretched hand, but he stopped before she could take it and withdrew slightly, eyes dropping to the picture.

He squinted at the photo as he finally passed it to Lily. “Is that the old ice cream shop?”

Her brain stalled and all she could do was stare at him. He was oddly familiar with his sandy brown hair and smiling eyes. She guessed he’d be in his mid-twenties – the same as her.

“Sorry,” he said. “There used to be an ice cream shop here, and the photo kind of looks like it.”

“Yes.” Like a puppy begging for attention, Lily offered the photo back to him. “That’s what I was trying to work out. I’ve been trying to find out where the photo was taken.” She flicked her thumb toward the building. “So thiswasan ice cream shop?”

“Yeah.” His eyes sparkled as he studied the photo. “I only have vague memories of the place but my older brothers talked about it a lot. The owner used to make the ice cream on the premises, and would give little tours so you could see how the ice cream was made.”

“So I didn’t imagine it,” she said wistfully, a feeling of triumph washing over her. “I had memories of the place but I was never sure if it was a real memory.”

“I know that feeling. Sometimes I mention something from my childhood to my mum and my brothers and they all deny any knowledge of it. I don’t know if they genuinely don’t remember or if they’re just winding me up.” He grinned. “I’m the baby of the family so I sometimes feel as though I had a completely different childhood to my brothers.”

“I don’t have siblings,” she muttered, feeling an immediate connection to the guy and wondering again at the familiarity of his features.

“This is a great photo,” he said, handing it back. “You and your parents, I take it?”

“Yes.” She smothered the urge to tell him that they hadn’t lived long enough for her to really know them. “I don’t know why I was so keen to find this place. Looking for a bit of nostalgia, I suppose. Do you know when it closed?”

He puffed his cheeks out. “It must have been twenty years ago. There was a fire so it closed for a while. I don’t think they reopened after that. Shame because it must have been a gold mine. Prime location…”

His words suddenly felt faraway, and Lily’s gaze drifted to the building. “A fire?” she murmured, her brain whirring.

“I think they got it under control quickly. There was no damage to the structure of the building but… are you okay?”

She swallowed hard. It was natural that any mention of fire triggered memories of her parents. This was a weird coincidence, that was all. Her parents had died in a fire and this place had also had a fire. Both had taken place in Cornwall, but in very different locations since their family home had been in Truro. Forcing her mind back to the present, she smiled at the young guy with friendly features.

“No one wanted to buy the building?” she asked, finding it hard to believe it had stood empty for all those years.

“Oh,peoplewould love to buy it.” He tilted his head, eyes crinkling at the corners as he chuckled. “I’ve been trying to get my hands on it for a while. A few years ago I decided it was the perfect business opportunity and attempted to track down the owner.”

“And?” she asked eagerly.

“Apparently they don’t want to be found. I managed to speak to a solicitor acting on their behalf but I couldn’t get much out of him. Only that it wasn’t for sale. They wouldn’t even let me lease it.”

Lily frowned, her gaze lingering on the stone building. “That’s weird. Why not rent it out and make money from it? Like you say, it’s in the perfect spot with so much passing trade.”

“Yes!” His eyes lit up. “And it still has all the old ice cream making equipment in there. Those machines are solid. I’d bet anything they still work.” His eyebrows drew together. “I only know that from peering in the back windows, and I was technically trespassing so you didn’t get that information from me.”

Lily beamed at his playful tone. “So you don’t know what happened to the owner?”

“She moved back to the mainland.” He scratched at his jaw. “If you want more information you could always ask the solicitor. Mr Greaves’ office is just over on Silver Street. But remember, if this place ever comes on the market, I’ve got first dibs.”

She let out a gentle laugh at the sparkle in his eyes. “Don’t worry. I have no plans to get into the ice cream business. I’m only here for a week.”

---