Page 114 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Nowt wrong with me,’ Arthur grumbles. ‘I’m only doing as she says to keep the peace.’
‘Of course.’ I wink at him. ‘Anyway, I haven’t come over here to berate you for having some time off, I’ve actually come to have a little chat.’
Arthur looks suspiciously at me.
‘Can I come in?’ I ask.
‘Of course.’ Arthur steps back to let me in. ‘I was just going to make a cup of tea; would you like one?’
‘Love one.’
After Arthur has made us both a cup of tea, we sit outside in his little back garden, which is just as neat and tidy as the front.
‘You have a wonderful view here,’ I tell him, sitting back in my wooden seat. Arthur and Dorothy’s back garden looks out over the entire village of Chesterford.
‘It’s not quite the sea view you have from your side of the castle,’ Arthur says, ‘but it’s a treat on a sunny day such as this one. You can see for miles.’
We both sit and admire the view for a few moments.
‘Is Dorothy out today?’ I ask, taking a sip of my tea. ‘I haven’t seen her around this morning.’
‘Yes, she’s gone to Berwick with her friend Maureen from the village. They often go shopping on a Saturday morning. Not that they do much shopping,’ Arthur says, raising his eyebrows knowingly. ‘More like a long gossip with tea and a slice of cake thrown in! But I don’t mind; gives me a bit of peace for once.’
‘I know you don’t mean that, Arthur. You two adore each other.’
‘Ah, maybe,’ Arthur says good-naturedly. ‘But a little break from her dulcet tones once in a while doesn’t go amiss.’
‘Actually, I’m quite glad Dorothy isn’t here today,’ I tell him. ‘I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things.’
‘Oh yes?’ Arthur says apprehensively.
‘The first was about the other day in the cellar,’ I begin.
‘I’m so sorry about that, miss,’ Arthur interrupts. ‘I had no right speaking to you in that way.’
‘No, Arthur, it’s fine really. We probably shouldn’t have been poking around in things without consulting you first. But your reaction did me a favour.’
‘It did?’ Arthur looks even more suspicious now.
‘Yes, you see, now I think I know why you might have behaved like that.’
Arthur still looks puzzled.
‘Were you trying to keep something a secret from me, Arthur?’
‘Perhaps . . . ’ Arthur says hesitantly, trying not to give too much away. ‘You’ve read the diary, I suppose?’
‘Benji and I have – yes.’
‘I see.’
‘So we know all about Clara and her secret sister.’
‘I thought you might.’
‘And Benji worked out that there could still be an heir that was descended from Mary who would have more right to a claim on the castle than me.’
Arthur nods.
