Autumn at the Star and Sixpence (11 page)

‘Is it?’ she asked doubtfully. ‘I’m still
persona non grata
at Brightman and Burgess and I can’t see any other PR firms falling over themselves to give me a
job, can you? Not after the kind of headlines I made.’

Nick snorted. ‘Hardly anyone remembers that. Don’t forget you’ve been making better headlines since then, with me. I’m sure you’d get snapped up right away.’
He paused. ‘You could move in here if you wanted to, rent your flat out and make some money.’

Sam pulled away and propped her head up on her hands. ‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’

‘Of course,’ Nick said. ‘I’m not here a lot of the time but you could come and visit me on location and I’d love to have you around when I came home. It’s . . . well, it’s a lonely business being an actor sometimes.’

Now it was Sam’s turn to let out a delicate snort of disbelief. Nick had always had women throwing themselves at him every single day – he couldn’t possibly be lonely. Then
again, she remembered him telling her before that he never knew who to trust; a kiss and tell story with the star of
Smugglers’ Inn
would be worth a lot of money to the papers. And now
she came to think of it, there hadn’t been anyone else for quite a while – not since before they’d decided to go tabloid-official with their made-up relationship. She also had the
growing feeling that something was different about Nick these days. He was attentive and committed – just like a real boyfriend. Sam was beginning to wonder if this had been his real agenda
all along. ‘Nick—’

He reached up to stroke her cheek. ‘Don’t decide now. I’ll be back from New Zealand just before Christmas. Think about it and let me know, okay?’

He drifted off to sleep not long after that, leaving Sam wide-eyed and restless beside him. When she’d left London, she had never dreamed she’d find life in Little Monkham so
satisfying. But working alongside Nessie to restore the pub had proved unexpectedly rewarding and the Star and Sixpence was so much a part of her now that it would be a real wrench to leave. And
then there was her sister: they were a team; it wouldn’t be fair to abandon her, even for a life of glamour with Nick Borrowdale. Sam had made a lot of friends in the village, too,
she’d miss them if she went back to London. But she couldn’t say she wasn’t tempted. London had been home for most of her adult life and she’d be lying if she didn’t
admit there were times when she missed the bright lights, the excitement of the city.

She lay back against the cool cotton pillow and stared at the ceiling. And then there was Joss: angry, confused Joss, who couldn’t decide if he wanted her or hated her. She hadn’t
thought about him once while she’d been with Nick, but back in Little Monkham it was a different story. And now that Nick was going to be away for weeks, did that mean she’d find her
mind straying back to the way Joss’s lips had felt on hers more often?

Maybe Nick was right, she thought, turning into him and snuggling against his shoulder. Maybe spending more time in London was a good idea.

The letters lay on the coffee table in front of Nessie and Sam. It was early evening, the bar was in the capable hands of Connor and Tilly, and two glasses of Merlot sat on
either side of the envelopes.

Nessie picked up the bundle and studied the curly handwriting as though it could tell her what was inside. ‘Is it weird that I’m quite looking forward to finding out what Dad had to
say?’

‘I’m not sure I am,’ Sam replied honestly. ‘But he took the trouble to write the letters. I suppose the least we can do is read them.’

Slowly, Nessie slid the ribbon holding the bundle together over one end. She understood Sam’s reticence; their father had been missing from most of their childhood and all of their adult
lives. Was there anything to be gained from going back over old ground now? And then she remembered Ruby, gazing misty-eyed at the photograph of the son who’d turned his back on her, and she
came to a decision. Whatever Andrew Chapman’s letters said, one thing was certain: they’d help Sam and Nessie to understand their father better.

‘Ready?’ she asked, picking up the first envelope and lifting the flap on the back.

Sam reached for her wine glass and took a long gulp of the ruby liquid. ‘Ready.’

Nessie unfolded the letter and held it so that her sister could see it. And together, they began to read.

Thanks and love as always to T and E, my darling children. Thank you to Jo Williamson, of Antony Harwood Ltd, for always having my back. Snuggly jumpers and creamy hot
chocolates to Clare Hey, SJ Virtue and Emma Capron, plus everyone at Simon & Schuster, for making sure it’s always Happy Hour at The Star and Sixpence. Huge thanks to cocktail guru Kate
Harrison, Miranda Dickinson, Rowan Coleman, Julie Cohen and Cally Taylor – you are amazing! And lastly, thanks to all the reviewers and readers – your continuing support and enthusiasm
keeps me going. Cheers!

First published in Great Britain by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2016
A CBS COMPANY

Copyright © Tamsyn Murray, 2016

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