Page 51 of The House Swap

Every so often, she would check her phone, hoping for a message, but one never came.

That wasn’t like Keira. Even in a crisis, she would have said more.

Trying to push the thoughts from her mind, she sipped at her coffee and forced her eyes back to the laptop screen, ordering her mind to refocus.

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed on the table, making her jump.

A message.

Her heart lifted sharply and she snatched it up.

Not Keira, as she hoped. It was Sue.

Poppy read the message in the woman’s chirpy voice.

Morning, lovely! Hope you’re well. Ian and I are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. Jem said he would pick you up. xx

She quickly typed a response.

Looking forward to it too. Is there anything you’d like me to bring? X

Just yourselves. Ian and I will take care of everything. Xx

Sounds fab. I can’t wait. x

Poppy tossed the phone back down.

It would be nice to have company and the Pritchards seemed like decent enough people, but if she was being entirely honest, she was mostly looking forward to seeing Jem again.

The sound of an engine came from outside, pulling her from her thoughts, tyres crunching against gravel before it came to a halt.

Frowning, wondering who it could be, she got up from the table and went to peer out of the front window. Immediately, she recognised Martin’s familiar white van.

She watched him climb out. The permanent frown he wore, suggesting he was deep in thought, was etched on his face and the jagged scarring that ran down his cheek was even more noticeable in the bright daylight.

He glanced at the villa briefly, then disappeared into the back of his van. When he emerged, he had a small black case, like a toolbox.

Poppy’s first instinct was irritation, and it flared hot and sharp. He had been here for hours yesterday. What had brought him back so soon?

This was supposed to be her sanctuary. Her chance to get away from everything. But she couldn’t relax when he kept showing up.

She reminded herself that this wasn’t her house. It was Tom’s. And he employed Martin to keep things running smoothly. He wasn’t doing anything wrong and it certainly wasn’t his fault that she was so cranky.

Forcing herself to move, she went to the front door, opening it when he was still halfway up the path.

‘Morning,’ she greeted him, mustering up as much cheer in her voice as possible.

‘Hello.’ His tone was slightly monotone. ‘I won’t take long.’

‘So, what’s up today?’ she asked, trying to make her question sound casual, rather than defensive.

‘Exterior light timer. It’s been playing up.’

Poppy’s stomach gave a strange little twist.

‘The lights are on a timer? Which ones?’

‘Terrace, gate, pool. All of them. The timer’s been glitching. Throwing the lights on when it shouldn’t. I’ve been waiting for a part to come in so I can fix it.’