George had come to the cottage on Sunday evening and explained that he had spent much of his time in Wynmouth collecting home-grown tales – legends, fables, ghost stories and the like – and that if I needed something to fill in any gaps on the schedule, then he would happily tell a few to anyone who would want to listen. Personally, I couldn’t think of a more atmospheric way to end the evening and had signed him up there and then.

‘So,’ I said, my eyes tracking back to Sam, ‘you’re happy with everything? No regrets about letting the latest Wynmouth arrival boss you about?’

Sam started to laugh.

‘More than happy,’ he said, ducking his head. ‘And I’m sorry if I came across as a bit judgemental about how you want to spend your holiday. I know myself how difficult it can be to switch off and you said yourself, you’re a workaholic so it must be even harder for you.’

Then was not the moment to explain that I had come to Wynmouth with more on my mind that simply switching off from work.

‘I just hope doing all this hasn’t taken up too much of your time,’ Sam added.

‘Not at all,’ I said, meaning every word. ‘I’ve really enjoyed it and if the evening is even half the success I imagine it’s going to be, then it will be a night to remember.’

Sam’s eyes scanned the poster again.

‘You’re not wrong,’ he agreed, his emotional moment now forgotten and his smile firmly back in place. ‘You know, I can’t believe that you’ve only been here a few days. It feels like so much longer to me. You seem so settled and at home.’

I felt my heart start to canter in my chest.

‘Well,’ I said, clearing my throat, ‘it’s impossible to feel anything but at home in Wynmouth, isn’t it?’

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

That Saturday morning, I held my breath as I pulled back the curtains, but I needn’t have worried. The forecast had been right; the weather was looking cheerfully wonderful and I couldn’t wait for the day to get started.

Practically from the moment the posters had been put up around the village, Sam had been inundated with folk telling him how much they were looking forward to the evening. In fact, it had proved itself to be so eagerly anticipated that he had decided to kick everything off even earlier than we had initially arranged and that was why I was so relieved about the weather.