Read Online The Lake House by Kate Morton - Free Book Online Page A

brilliant this year. We’re incredibly lucky to have him.”
    Sadie couldn’t have agreed more, but, knowing her grandfather’s distaste for public praise, she didn’t say so. Instead, she planted a kiss on top of his bald head as she squeezed behind his chair. “I can see I’m going to have to crack the whip and keep him working,” she said as she reached the bench. “That stew smells amazing.”
    Louise beamed. “It’s my very own recipe—lentils and love.”
    There were any number of rejoinders to choose from, but before Sadie could settle on one Bertie had interjected. “Sadie’s stopping with me for a while, down from London.”
    â€œA holiday, how lovely. Will you still be with us in a fortnight when the festival rolls around?”
    â€œMaybe,” said Sadie, avoiding her grandfather’s gaze. She’d been less than specific when he asked about her plans; “I’m playing it by ear.”
    â€œLetting the universe decide,” Louise said approvingly.
    â€œSomething like that.”
    Bertie raised his eyebrows, but evidently thought better of pressing. He nodded at her muddy clothing. “You’ve been in the wars.”
    â€œYou should see the other guy.”
    Louise’s eyes widened.
    â€œMy granddaughter’s a runner,” Bertie explained. “One of those curious people who seem to enjoy discomfort. The weather this past week has given her cabin fever and it seems she’s been taking it out on the local tracks.”
    Louise laughed. “It’s often like that for newcomers. The fogs can be oppressive for those that haven’t grown up with them.”
    â€œNo fog today, I’m pleased to report,” Sadie said, carving a thick slice of Bertie’s daily sourdough. “It’s crystal clear out there.”
    â€œJust as well.” Louise drained the last of her tea. “I’ve got thirty-two dangerously excited children back at the hospital waiting for their seaside picnic. Another postponement and I fear I’d have had a mutiny on my hands.”
    â€œHere, I’ll help you with these,” said Bertie. “Don’t want to give the little inmates cause for insurrection.”
    While he and Louise wrapped tissue paper around the carved toys, packing them carefully into a cardboard box, Sadie spread butter and marmalade on her bread. She was impatient to tell Bertie about the house she’d found in the woods. Its strange, lonely atmosphere had followed her home and she listened only vaguely as they picked up the tail end of a conversation about a man on their committee named Jack. “I’ll go and visit him,” Bertie was saying, “and take one of those pear cakes he likes, see if I can talk him round.”
    Sadie glanced through the kitchen window, beyond her grandfather’s garden and down over the harbour to where scores of fishing boats were bobbing on the velvet sea. It was remarkable how quickly Bertie had managed to find a place for himself in this new community. Only a little over twelve months since he’d arrived and already it seemed he’d formed connections that ran as deep as if he’d lived here all his life. Sadie wasn’t even sure she could name all her neighbours in the block of flats she’d lived in for seven years.
    She sat down at the table, trying to remember whether the man in the upstairs flat was Bob or Todd or Rod, but let it slip away unresolved when Bertie said, “Go on then, Sadie, love—tell us what you found. You look as if you fell down an old copper mine.” He paused in his wrapping. “You didn’t, did you?”
    She rolled her eyes with affectionate impatience. Bertie was a worrier, at least he was when it came to Sadie. He had been since Ruth died.
    â€œBuried treasure? Are we rich?”
    â€œSadly not.”
    â€œNever know your luck around here,” Louise said,