Page 95 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Yes, I know . . . ’ I look down at the velvet pouch.
‘Fancy a walk?’ Tom asks brightly. ‘After being stuck down in the cellar all that time, I could do with some fresh air.’
I look at my watch. ‘Sure, I have time before I pick up Charlie.’
‘Beach?’ Tom suggests.
‘Definitely. I’d take Chester but he’s with Joey today. Although if Arthur is back then I guess Joey is too.’
‘How about it’s just us?’ Tom asks quietly.
I nod. ‘Yes, you’re right. That would be nice.’
Tom and I find suitable shoes, and then we head through the grounds of the castle, and along the secret path that leads down to the beach.
‘Ah,’ I say, breathing in the fresh sea air, ‘this feels good.’
‘Doesn’t it?’ Tom agrees, taking hold of my hand. ‘Let’s walk.’
We stroll along the sand, quietly at first, each of us caught up in our own thoughts about what had happened down in the cellar.
At least that’s what I’m thinking about, and I assume Tom is too.
‘You’ve been quiet lately,’ Tom says after a bit. ‘I wondered why?’
‘I’ve just got stuff on my mind, that’s all.’
‘What sort of stuff?’
I hesitate; I don’t want more people worrying about my money troubles than is absolutely necessary.
‘Financial bits and pieces,’ I answer carefully.
‘Oh, I thought it might be something I’d done.’
I have to smile. That was what Benji had thought, too. What is it with men? Straight or gay, they always think everything is about them. ‘No, it’s nothing you’ve done,’ I reassure him.
‘What’s funny?’ Tom asks.
‘Benji said almost the same thing to me.’
Tom smiles now too. ‘I guess we both care about you and want you to be happy.’
‘Thank you, I appreciate both your concerns, really I do, but I’ll be fine.’
‘You’re not great at asking for help, are you?’ Tom says, stopping to look at me.
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, you’ve got people who want to help you make a go of this castle, but you’re very reluctant to let them.’
‘I am not.’
‘Yes, you are. I understand why you find it difficult, Amelia, you’re used to going it alone. But you really don’t have to.’
I shake my head. ‘No, you’re wrong. I do let people help me. You and Tiffany helped me find the diary today, didn’t you?’
‘Only because you couldn’t do it on your own.’
