CHAPTER ONE – NEW FACES AT KIRRIN COTTAGE

The car’s tires crunched on the gravel drive of Kirrin Cottage as we pulled to a stop. Sunlight glinted off the sea just beyond the garden wall, and the air smelled of salt and wild roses.

From the neighboring cottage, Julian, Dick, and Anne emerged – their eyes fixed on our car as we unloaded boxes and suitcases. They’d clearly only just arrived themselves, their clothes still creased from travel.

A moment later, George came running across the lawn. Short-haired, sturdy, with mud on her knees and her golden retriever Timmy bounding at her side. She skidded to a halt when she saw me, and for a long moment, just stood there – head tilted, dark eyes taking in every detail from my windblown hair to my new canvas shoes.

Julian nudged Anne. “Who do you think she is? Did Aunt Fanny say someone was moving in next door?”

“I don’t know,” Anne whispered back, “but George hasn’t taken her eyes off her once.”

George blinked, as if pulled out of a trance. She started to turn away, then hesitated – her hand reaching toward Timmy’s collar before dropping back to her side. There was a softness in her expression that wasn’t there a moment ago, a slight flush on her cheeks that had nothing to do with running.

Julian and Dick exchanged curious glances as George finally started walking again, though she kept glancing back over her shoulder as she headed toward the beach.