Page 75 of Second Chance Summer
Sam looked thoughtful. ‘That’s possible. She does have a key … I had one cut when she was going to help me with the changeovers. I don’t think I ever had it back.’
‘That’s where she’ll be then!’ Elspeth said. ‘Hiding in one of the cottages!’ She seemed so relieved, Lily hoped this was right.
‘We don’t know that for sure, Auntie Elspeth,’ Sam said gently. ‘But it’s worth a look. While we drive to the quay, can you call around a few mates?’ he said to Lily and his aunt. ‘The rowing crew will help. I’ll give you the numbers from my phone. Ask them to help in the search.’
‘Shall we ask one of them to stay on Bryher and phone the heliport and ferry terminal?’ Lily suggested. ‘And send a few more to hunt around Bryher itself and spread the word among the islanders?’
‘Yes. Good idea.’ He flared into action again. ‘Meanwhile we’ll go over to Stark. Elspeth, what do you want to do? Come with us or stay?’
‘Come with you,’ she declared. ‘I’m with Lily, I think Morven’s on Stark.’
‘I agree with you both …’ Sam said, adding with renewed energy, ‘and if she is still on the islands, and I think she has to be, we’ll find her.’
Half an hour later, most of the rowing crew and a dozen other islanders had gathered at the quayside with Sam, Lily and Elspeth. Word had spread like wildfire. Bruce was coordinating the wider search effort on Bryher. Rory took the gig crew in his boat while Sam motored off in theHydrawith Elspeth and Lily.
The boat thumped over the waves, water flying up, wipers swishing wildly. The rain was horizontal and the wind whipped up whitecaps. It was a horrible day to be outdoors.
Elspeth huddled in a corner of the cabin, holding on tight to the seat. Lily sat next to Sam, trying to ignore the jagged rocks lurking on every side.
Sam slotted the boat into the little harbour at Stark, cut the engine and leaped ashore. Ignoring the driving rain, Lily hitched the rope around the bow cleat. ‘What about the others?’
‘Rory’s moored offshore and launched his RIB. He’s brought his own radio and a spare for the search party.’
‘She could be in reception or your flat,’ Elspeth said, rushing up the path from the jetty like a woman half her age.
Penny arrived not long after, rain dripping off her yellow waterproof.
‘The others are on the quay but I thought I might be able to help up here. Make tea, run errands …’ she said.
‘Thanks, Penny.’
The moment Sam tried the door of the reception hub, it was clear Morven wasn’t there.
‘It was still locked,’ he said, walking inside. ‘Come on, let’s check the cottages. Elspeth, would you and Penny mind staying here on the radio, please, in case she turns up on another island? We’ll only be a minute.
‘I don’t want my aunt out in this weather,’ he said to Lily, who wondered if Sam was also worried in case they did find Morven – and not safe and well.
She shuddered at the prospect and crossed everything that nothing like that would happen. She dreaded him having to go through what she had when they’d lost Cara. However, thinking the worst would help no one, so Lily focused on the search.
Even as they approached Cowrie, her hopes faded. It looked as shut up and unoccupied as when she’d left it. The moment she tried the door, her fear was confirmed.
‘I suppose she might have been inside and left,’ Sam said while Lily unlocked it.
‘Morven!’ she called, inching open the door, longing to find the girl asleep on the bed, hair spread over the pillow, like Sleeping Beauty. ‘Are you here? It’s OK … you’re not in trouble.’
There was only silence and the stuffiness of a room that had been shut up for a day.
‘Is she here?’ Sam marched in behind her.
‘No one’s been in since we left.’
‘Nor the other cottages. As far as I can tell, everything looks the same.’
It was clear that no one had been inside the unfinished cottages and Aaron reported no sign of Morven or anyone else around the retreat area in general.
Sam despatched Fergal, Aaron and Ivanka to search the island’s coastline. Lily grew cold when he mentioned the numerous indentations, sea caves and cliffs.
‘I didn’t want my aunt to hear that,’ he said just before they went back into reception.
