But that's just what Polly Binmore has been doing ever since she moved to Upper Bamton
Polly lives life on her own terms. Peace, quiet and plenty of mud are all she needs to be happy. That and selling her riverbank finds in her little shop – Hidden Treasures.
Unfortunately, her chaotic, noisy and loving family seem to think that she's been left undisturbed for long enough - and they're determined to give her a good shake-up!
Her mum's got a new lodger…
She's volunteered Polly as his unofficial tour guide…
And all her twin sisters will tell her is that he's a professor of classics… or an archaeologist… or something like that!
Whoever he is, Doctor James Parnell-Hooper has got another thing coming if he thinks Polly's going to waste precious hours waiting around for him. The tide is low and there are treasures to find!
Hoping to rattle his cage, Polly turns up bright and early at her mum's house only to discover that her unwelcome charge has already gone off on his own. She stomps off to find him… the last thing they need is for him to lose his way in the winding bends of the river Bamton.
When Polly stumbles across a treasure in the shape of a dishevelled but dashing stranger stuck in the mud, her day takes a much brighter turn. This definitely isn't the crusty old academic she's been searching for!
Will Polly finally learn that there's room in her life for a like-minded soul? Could this stranger help her discover feelings she's kept buried? Or is he just here to uncover the long-held secrets of the past?
A crisp autumn read full of long-held secrets and new beginnings. Hidden Treasures in Upper Bamton is the third standalone novella in the Upper Bamton series.
Beth Rain has always wanted to be a writer and has been penning adventures for characters ever since she learned to stare into the middle-distance and daydream.
She has recently moved to a windswept, Scottish island, and it is a dream come true to spend her days hanging out with Bob – her trusty laptop – scoffing crisps and chocolate while dreaming up swoony love stories for all her imaginary friends.
Head to Seabury if you fancy dipping your toes in the waves, Little Bamton the place for some quintessential English village action, take a trip down the river to Upper Bamton if standalones involving a spot of wine and wool are your thing, or you could always hop on a flight or ferry to Crumcarey to join the author in the Scottish Isles!
Beth’s writing will always deliver on the happy-ever-afters, so if you need cosy… you’re in safe hands!