Page 81 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘No, no more ghosts. But we do have some other unwanted visitors.’
‘Oh yes?’
‘Woodworm, in the stables. We’re getting exterminators in to clear them, though.’
‘Good. They can be nasty if left alone.’
‘I know.’
An uncomfortable silence falls between us.
‘Look, I’m sorry if I upset you the other day,’ Tom says, suddenly breaking the quiet. ‘I really didn’t mean to.’
‘I know,’ I say hurriedly, pleased he’s brought it up. He’s obviously keen to clear the air. ‘It’s fine. We can’t all have the same beliefs, can we? That would be a dull old world for sure.’
‘It would, yes; but what I wanted to tell you was—’
‘Amelia!’ Benji says, rushing along the corridor towards us. ‘Oh hey, Tom, you’re back. Did you have a nice weekend away?’
Tom just nods at Benji.
‘Tom went to visit his brother,’ I say keenly. ‘Didn’t you, Tom?’
‘Er, yeah . . . ’ Tom says, glancing at Benji.
‘Oh . . . I see.’ All of a sudden Benji looks uncomfortable. ‘And is he well?’
‘Yeah . . . he’s doing really well, thanks.’
‘Good. Good,’ Benji says, nodding hurriedly. ‘Sorry to change the subject but I must know if you’ve found it yet, Amelia?’
‘No, sorry,’ I tell him, wondering why they were being so odd together. ‘I’ve just come from looking. Not a sign.’
‘Then we’ll have to keep searching,’ Benji insists anxiously. ‘It really is imperative we find it.’
‘What are you two looking for?’ Tom asks. ‘Sounds important.’
‘A diary,’ Benji says. ‘Specifically, Clara Chesterford’smissingdiary.’
Tom still looks mystified.
‘When I cleared the rooms before the courtyard sale I found some diaries,’ I quickly explain. ‘They belonged to Clara Chesterford – you know, the lady in the painting I showed you?’
‘Yes, I remember, I found you reading one on a deckchair, didn’t I?’
‘So you did. Well, Benji has been reading through them – the two of us have, actually, but Benji’s much faster than me.’
‘Occupational hazard,’ Benji says, shrugging. ‘I’m used to having to read through documents quickly.’
‘But last night we discovered there was one missing,’ I continue, ‘and Benji thinks it could be important. Annoyingly he won’t tell me why, though . . . ’
‘I don’t want to say anything yet in case I’m wrong,’ Benji says. ‘But if I could just find this one diary then I’d be able to tell you for sure.’
‘Right . . . ’ Tom says, looking between us both. ‘I’m not really any the wiser after that explanation, but if you want help looking?’
‘Yes, please,’ Benji says at the same time as I say, ‘No really, it’s fine.’
‘Which is it to be?’ Tom asks, grinning. ‘I’ve some paintings to clean if you don’t want me?’
