He didn’t answer but climbed back out again and tried to give the dog a drink of water. The mad beast had just started to settle down but lost all common sense when he thought he was going to be let out for another run.

‘You didn’t say why you had to be out in this weather,’ I reminded Joe when he got back in. ‘Were you just exercising the dog, or was there something else?’

‘I was trying to exercise the dog,’ he said, rolling his eyes, ‘but I was doing some daily checks too. My family have farmed this area forever and some of the fields run practically up to the cliff edge.’

‘But not you?’

‘What?’

‘From what you said before, I got the impression that you don’t consider yourself a local now, so I’m guessing you’re not a farmer.’

‘No,’ he said, ‘I’m not, but I do still muck in when I’m here, even if it is just a flying visit. Hence being out in this today.’

‘Are you going to be visiting for long?’ I asked.

‘Depends,’ he shrugged. ‘You?’

‘Depends,’ I shrugged back.

Joe smiled again and I felt my face colour.

‘Are you going to help with the harvest?’ I asked.

I knew that happened at some point during the summer.

‘I dunno,’ he said. ‘It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment. What about you?’

‘I’ve been here a fortnight already,’ I told him, ‘but I’m most likely going to stay for another month.’

‘Whatever have you found to do that’s so appealing that it’s made you want to stay for six weeks?’ he then asked. ‘I know why I feel a pull to the place, but it’s hardly a tourist hotspot, is it?’

‘Well, I don’t want a holiday hotspot,’ I told him, handing back the cup. ‘I’m happy with the café and beach, and the pub of course. Wynmouth has more than enough for me.’

Joe nodded, but didn’t comment.

‘Anyway,’ I said, reaching for the door handle. ‘I’d better be getting back and I daresay you’ve got things to be getting on with, in spite of the weather.’

‘That I have,’ he nodded, safely stowing the flask away, ‘but I’ll run you back to the cottage first. We can’t have you getting blown out of Wynmouth again can we, Tess?’

Chapter 11

Chapter 11