THE STORY SO FAR
Thanks to her late Aunt Jane, soon-to-be-divorced Laura has a fresh start in an intriguing town by the sea. Laura feels her aunt has bequeathed her some of her free-spirited confidence, as well as the house that holds many a mystery, as yet unsolved. Just what is it that goes bump in the night? When teenager Becky comes to stay for a ‘gap year with Granny’, they take on the running of Buster’s cafe, a favourite spot with the cast of local characters. Their happy existence is threatened only by Laura’s ex-husband Andrew, who is determined the house should be sold. Customer Jim has offered a possible solution, but should she put her trust in a gravel-voiced stranger with deep blue eyes and a suit that’s seen better days?
Jim and Laura’s conversation was cut short by Gaz and Hawkie walking in, wielding skateboards. The lads weren’t regular customers, and Laura had a hunch it was Becky, rather than the lightness of her Victoria sponge, that brought them through the cafe door.
When Becky told them they’d just closed, the boys didn’t miss a trick. ‘So you’re free to come to the skatepark with us,’ Gaz said. ‘You can borrow my board.’
‘His is rubbish,’ Hawkie grinned. ‘But you can use mine.’
Clearly loving the attention, Becky got her coat. Laura was pleased she was having fun with people her own age, especially since her recent heartache over an older boy who’d dumped her. But she couldn’t help thinking that her mother wouldn’t approve.
‘You don’t need to worry about those two,’ Jim said, reading
