A Light Between Oceans Episode 07

Let’s meet at ten at my hotel. I’ll be in the foyer.”
Lucas’s voice over the phone had been business-like, with the kind of polished authority that had always made Sandy nervous.
“That’s fine. The Imperial at ten.”
Sandy had been determined to feel in control from the beginning, and when she heard herself stammer her heart sank.
Hattie, who heard it all from the kitchen, assured her she’d sounded fine.
“I have to feel on top of things when I meet with him,” Sandy replied.
“It’s devastating to think of someone buying the lighthouse and turning it into heaven knows what.
“Think how Dad would feel – he dedicated his life to keeping the light going.”
Sandy felt tears threatening, and Hattie took her into her arms.
“I can hardly bear it, either, but it was inevitable. At least it’s some consolation to know it’s because of the changing shipping channels.
“It isn’t new technology taking over – it’s the silt build-up.”
“Dad would still have worried about ships straying into the currents. They haven’t changed,” Sandy pointed out.
“The light at Peckhams Point will be warning enough after they’ve strengthened the beam.”
“I wonder when that will happen,” Sandy mused.
“These things take time.”
Hattie gave Sandy one last hug, then took her firmly by the shoulders, holding her at arm’s length.
“I have a feeling you’re about to recite the Serenity Prayer,” Sandy joked.
“It does have a way of working for many things,” Hattie replied.
“Neither of us has the serenity to accept the things we can’t change right now,” she went on.
“But we have the courage to change the things we can – or at least give it a good try.”
Sandy managed a smile.
“I hope I’ll recognise him in the foyer.”
“He’ll probably be over-dressed, being from New York.” Hattie grinned.
“I took for ever deciding which dress to wear,” Sandy admitted. “I want to feel my best.”
“Is it one you made yourself?”
“Yes – a mock Laura Ashley,” Sandy replied. “May I borrow your iron, Hattie?”
Sandy walked along the promenade, trying to adopt the outward trappings of a self-assurance she didn’t feel.
Her stomach lurched as she made her way towards the ornate entrance of the hotel.
Its faded grandeur still exuded a kind of mystery, but she’d never longed to be part of the world behind the double doors.
She’d been shocked to realise that the last time she’d been inside was when she was nine years old.
Hattie had thought it would be fun for her to see it, and the doorman allowed them a glimpse of the ballroom, with its vaulted ceiling and the hushed, wood-panelled restaurant.
Despite the glamour, it had all felt terribly silent and sombre, and Sandy couldn’t wait to get back to Hattie’s bright kitchen.
She felt the same now.
The sharp sea breeze had tumbled her hair every which way, and she pushed it back from her face, hoping she’d have a chance to tidy herself up before the meeting.
There were only a few couples in the foyer, and she looked round for a sign to the Ladies’.
“Excuse me – you must be Sandy Ashford.”
She whirled round.
“Oh! Yes.”
The deep voice had seemed to come out of nowhere.
“I’m Lucas Brook.”
Sandy felt her mouth grow dry, and her carefully prepared opening words stuck in her throat.
He was very tall and his dark hair was well cut.
Hattie had been right: the white shirt, blazer and sharply creased chino trousers looked too smart for Belmouth.
With relief, she found her voice.
“Welcome to Belmouth. I hope you had a comfortable journey.”
“Thanks. The flight was fine, but I sure could use a cup of coffee. How about you?”
His American accent somehow gave him a more casual air than had come across over the phone.
He smiled, and she saw that his eyes had little crinkles at the sides and dark circles underneath.
He looked exhausted.
She managed a smile.
“That would be nice.”
His shiny shoes clicked on the polished floor as he guided them to a table in the coffee bar that was one of the new additions to the hotel, along with a spa.