‘Perhaps you’d come over to the house this evening for a chat? We can discuss it then.’

‘Sure.’

Sebastian looked pleased and turned to leave. Graeme watched him go. He found the man odd, for sure, and certainly couldn’t see him fitting in around these parts. He was definitely in need of a local manager if his vision was to succeed, and Graeme fitted the bill perfectly: local knowledge, good business sense, a passion for water sports, an already trusted relationship with the community and, of course, the perfect balance between customer service and a head for profit.

He laid the card on the counter and went to his computer. There were a few dealers he’d come to know over the years, and he had a good idea where to start his search for an antique Spanish cedar racing shell.

Chapter 14

Kelly had forgotten where she was until she heard the traffic. She’d slept fitfully and she felt anything but refreshed. Her dreams had been vivid and unsettling, replicating dreams she hadn’t had in years. They were brief, intense, and generally placed her in danger, with no backup and the life of an innocent at stake. Just before the dream ended, great violence threatened the victim she was supposed to be protecting, but she never knew what happened to them. The point was that she was alone. And vulnerable.

She sighed. She felt as though she’d tossed and turned all night, and her vest and pants were soaked in sweat. Light poured through the thin curtains, as it had all night. Sirens, drunken arguments, aeroplanes in holding patterns, car horns and thumping music all conspired to make her first full day in the capital an uphill struggle. She decided that lots of coffee and Emma’s excitement might dull the edges. She’d packed her running kit, but knew deep down that it would stay in her bag. She could pound the streets after dark, but that would only serve to heighten her anxiety, not soothe it. She felt tension in her shoulder blades and realised that she was carrying within her a sense of dread, and she knew exactly why.

She sat up and got out of bed. The room was sparse, with no tea and coffee facilities, and a modest shower room. It was all she needed. She washed her hair under the hot water and already felt herself becoming more alive. The towel was fluffy and large and she rubbed herself briskly. Now all she needed was coffee. She had flashbacks of grabbing a pastry before work, years ago, outside a Tube station. It was a pleasant memory but she was glad that it was behind her. The thought of how much sugar and caffeine she’d flooded her system with was enough to make her shudder, but funnily enough, that was exactly what she wanted this morning.