A quick skim through the October pages offered further general maintenance tips about cleaning out the range and checking the fuse box and gave the arrival dates for deliveries of oil and logs: Sweep out the log store ready and make sure the roof hasn’t sprung any leaks; wet logs are of use to neither man nor beast.

A large chunk of the October notes was devoted to Halloween, which Annie determined to read nearer the time. But for now, she decided to treat herself to a pub lunch. She felt it was important to begin this new personal journey by treating herself as her own best friend. For the first time in what felt like forever she was answerable only to herself. It was freeing and also a little scary; left entirely to her own devices, what would she do? Well, to begin with, she would buy herself dinner because she deserved it. With a fancy for a glass of wine or three, Annie left the car outside Saltwater Nook and decided to tackle the hill.

Chapter 16

The tide was in; whitecaps lathered themselves over the tips of black rocks that sat just below the surface of the waves. Beyond them, markers showed the edges of the safe swimming zone.

A few couples walked with their dogs, one or two runners passed Annie by as she walked, and she said hello to all of them, starting as she meant to go on and assuming that these would become familiar faces in the months to come.

Beyond the path that led up the hill, two fishermen had set up camp on the beach, sheltered by cliffs that arched as if their middles had been hollowed out by a giant ice cream scoop. The fisherman in the blue knitted jumper and orange waterproof trousers alighted from his stool as Annie drew nearer and waved.

“Halloah!” he called. “Are you the young lass who’s looking after Mari’s place?”

“Yes,” Annie called back. “I’m Annie.”

“Good to meet you, Annie,” said the fisherman. “I’m Ely, I expect we’ll be seeing a lot of each other over the next few months.”

Annie laughed.

“So, you’re the man responsible for my well-stocked freezer!” she said.

“That I am,” he said. “Plenty more where they came from, if Neptune smiles favorably on us.”

Ely smiled and waved once more before resuming his seat on the tiny stool, which didn’t look equipped to cope with his bulk.

Annie walked on, the sharp incline of the hill becoming visible via glimpses through the trees and brambles that clung to the rocky cliff face.