The hour in the salon had been a brief moment of pamper time in a mega busy day baking for a stint at a paranormal festival in Tehiddy the following evening. Now, walking home, she was enjoying the spring sunshine, which had real warmth in it as summer approached. The chinking of glass and bursts of laughter followed her as she turned in to an alley that led to steep steps that would take her to the streets above the harbour. Despite being used to the climb, she was breathing harder by the time she reached the lane of pastel-coloured fishermen’s cottages that included Wavecrest. Not that Sam could see her cottage, because the street was completely blocked by a large removals van. Its tyres rested on the thin strip of pavement and there was only the thinnest sliver of daylight visible on either side of the van.

A man in maroon overalls was standing at the rear with his hands on his hips, staring at his van.

She jogged up to him. ‘What’s happened?’ she said, although she could have supplied the answer herself. Delivery drivers got stuck on this corner several times a year.

The driver scratched his head. ‘Bloody sat nav led me up here. Now I’m wedged in.’

‘Someone should have said you wouldn’t get through with a vehicle this big. You can’t go forward, there’s an overhanging bay window on one of the cottages around this corner. Your van will damage the building if you try to squeeze through here, and I wouldn’t recommend trying.’

‘I’ve seen the window. I’ve been trying to reverse, but it’s a bloody nightmare with that bend behind. That corner’s so sharp with that road sign right behind and I’m worried I’ll take a chunk out of the white cottage I drove past. That one with the funny stone porch. I can’t risk doing any damage. My boss’ll skin me.’ He peered hopefully at Sam. ‘I was hoping someone could watch out for me, but I haven’t seen anyone over thirteen or under ninety yet. And even with help, I’m not sure I can make the turn.’

She looked at the van and the driver. He was totally nonplussed. ‘So, what are you going to do?’ she asked.

‘Have to wait for another driver to come out and see if they can do it.’

‘I’m guessing that could take a while, even if he or she can move it …’ She paused as a thought formed in her mind. ‘Where are you going by the way?’

‘Big place at the end of this road, I hope, though the lane seems to peter out into a path. Apparently, there’s a house called Clifftop House along there? You heard of it?’