Page 20 of Plot Twist

‘Is there? Does that mean that you’ll be sticking around?’

His green eyes looked. . . hopeful. Like he actually, truly did want me to stay, whether I was an Utter Nutter or not.

‘I don’t know what I’m doing. Like, at all. One step at a time, I guess. I feel a bit lighter since I arrived though. I think it’s the mountain air or something. It’s absolutely beautiful here.’

‘It is,’ Riley said. ‘I guess that’s why I never left.’

‘Have you lived here since you were a child?’

‘Yep. Born and bred. This is the family home, my parents passed away a few years ago so it was left to me and Bridget. She lives down the road now. Rathcliffe is the place where everybody knows my name.’

‘I’m sorry about your parents,’ I said. ‘That’s awful.’

He smiled sadly. ‘Thanks. My dad died of cancer and my mum followed not long after. I think she died of a broken heart. Bellinder Cottage feels like a part of them are still here, though, you know? Although we had a break-in last year and some bastard stole their wedding rings.’

‘That’s terrible!’ I cried. ‘And so sad. My mum died of cancer, too, when I was four. I don’t really remember much about her but I have lots of her jewellery, too. I would be devastated to lose it. I’m sorry.’

‘Ah, that’s awful. So hard to lose a parent when you’re so young.’

We paused.

‘It was. My mum loved writing,’ I said. ‘She was a journalist but wanted to be a novelist, too.’

‘Like mother, like daughter,’ he mused. ‘Like pantser, like plotter.’

‘Such a way with words, Riley,’ I laughed. ‘Well, how does it feel to be a famous romance writer? Everyone really does know your name.’

‘Not famous enough for you to know I’m a man.’

He laughed and I cringed.

‘You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?’ I laughed. ‘I am sorry that I didn’t read the link you sent me.’

‘Don’t worry. You just need to make it up to me by helping me put one word after the other in the next few weeks. I’m pretty sure once I get into the groove, it’ll all come together. I’m counting on it.’

‘It will.’

I wasn’t sure whether I was reassuring him or myself. My phone began vibrating.

‘Excuse me,’ I said, walking outside to take the call.

I sat on the bench in the garden, which was surrounded by bright potted plants. A watering can with Ivy’s name on it sat beside a bright yellow garden spade and a larger green spade. Instead of a traditional wooden garden gate, Bellinder Cottage boasted a fence painted all the colours of the rainbow, which danced under the evening sun.

I never usually answered unknown numbers on my phone, but since missing all the calls the day Rae died, I’d come to learn that they might be important.

‘Becca?’ a muffled voice said.

‘Who’s this?’ I said.

The phone line was silent for a few seconds.

‘It’s me.’

Drew.

What the absolute fuck was he doing calling me?

‘What do you want?’