A Light Between Oceans Episode 16
Sandy finished the cup of tea she’d been sipping and pretended to read the book she’d popped into her handbag.
She’d been pleased to find a café that opened early, as she’d become chilly walking on the beach.
Having slipped quietly out of the cottage over an hour ago, she’d decided to wait until eight-thirty before phoning the Imperial.
It wouldn’t be so early as to wake Lucas, but early enough as to catch him if he’d planned to go out.
She’d planned it meticulously, along with exactly what she would say.
Hattie must have been a little puzzled to find the note she’d left on the counter. Had she ever gone for such an early morning walk before?
On the other hand, perhaps Hattie imagined that she wanted to see the lighthouse and cottage again in the early morning light.
Now Sandy wished she’d added something to that effect in her note, but never mind.
The important thing was that she’d avoided the risk of Hattie joining her.
She paid for the tea and walked out into the sunshine.
Reaching the corner phone box, she put in coins and took a few deep breaths.
“Imperial Hotel. May I help you?”
“Hello. Please could you connect me to Mr Lucas Brook’s room?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Mr Brook went out some time ago.”
“He’s gone out?” Sandy heard her own voice sounding a combination of incredulous and accusing.
“Would you like to leave a message?”
“Not just at the moment. Thank you very much.”
She hung up, flustered and disappointed. Where could he have gone?
She suddenly felt immensely tired, her careful plans having gone up in smoke.
Hunger was beginning to gnaw.
She toyed with the idea of having breakfast in the Imperial coffee bar, but she imagined planting herself at a table near the door and keeping an eagle eye out for him.
That would never do – sitting there like a cat on the hunt, ready to pounce.
She’d find a quiet café, then try phoning again.
She walked past cottages, their window boxes bright with daffodils and tulips.
One or two were up for sale, and she suddenly realised she had no idea which estate agent was handling the lighthouse and cottage.
She hoped it wasn’t Jackson & Jackson, with their pushy reputation. Could it be Howitts?
It was hard to imagine photos of the little cottage alongside the grandest residences in the area.
Perhaps Derwent Alexander Properties?
She turned up a narrow lane, cutting across to the more commercial end of the high street, where Derwent Alexander’s understated green sign was wedged between a florist shop and solicitor’s office.
Photos of characterful cottages and a few elegant townhouses were arranged tastefully in the window, but neither the lighthouse nor the cottage were among them.
Her heart sank at the thought of the overly glossy photos that were probably plastered on the windows of Jackson & Jackson.
“Good morning! What a surprise.”
She whirled round with an audible gasp, and Lucas reached out as if to steady her.
“I’m so sorry. I sneaked up on you that morning in the hotel, too, didn’t I? Please forgive me, Sandy.”
She tried to compose herself.
“Not at all. I . . .” She couldn’t think of anything more to say.
“You look a little pale. Are you all right?”
“Don’t worry,” she said, an embarrassed laugh escaping. “I probably look that way because I haven’t had breakfast.
“I went for an early walk, and I was just on my way back . . .”
She stopped, confused as to why she was back-tracking when she’d made such a huge effort to see him.
Here he was in front of her, and she felt miserable and ridiculously caught out.
“I haven’t eaten, either. May I treat you to breakfast?” Lucas offered. “Where shall we go?”
“Oh, that’s kind, but –”
“I owe it to you for scaring you half to death.
“What I really crave is to take coffee and Bismarcks down to the beach, but it’s pretty chilly for that this morning.”
Sandy’s puzzlement seemed to push all other thoughts into the background.
“What on earth is a Bismarck?” She found herself smiling in spite of her nervousness.
“You’ve never had a Bismarck?” Lucas exclaimed.
“We do have things to discuss. Now, lead us to the best possible breakfast place.”
He turned and gazed down the road while Sandy’s eyes quickly darted once more to the window of Derwent Alexander.
Had Lucas been going there as well? Or had he passed by on his way to somewhere else?
“What about that place across the road?” Lucas said when Sandy failed to answer. “I see some tables inside.”
“Oh, yes. That’s the Belmouth Buttery. I haven’t been there for ages. I –”
She’d been about to add that Hattie had taken her there after school sometimes for a treat, but she stopped herself.
This was beginning to feel almost like a first date. What was she thinking?
This man was about to turn her world upside down with his plans, whatever they were.
She must keep her distance and find out what he had in mind before it was too late.