A Light Between Oceans Episode 28


Characters from A Light Between Oceans.

“Good morning. The kettle’s on.” Hattie had already begun making lists when Sandy appeared in the kitchen.

“Thanks, Hattie.”

Sandy had barely looked at her and Hattie took a breath, trying to muster strength.

In all the years they had known each other, never had there been such ill feeling.

“Did you have a nice evening?” Hattie tried to sound light-hearted and pleasantly interested.

“Yes, I did. Lucas is a wonderful person,” Sandy replied.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Now, Sandy, I know this is a sore point, but while you were out Libby phoned again.”

“What about?” Sandy turned and looked straight at Hattie.

“I’m sure it’s best if you talk to her. I’m afraid she sounded rather distraught.”

Sandy let out a puff of exasperation.

“I’d better phone her now. Lucas and I are spending the day together and I need to get ready.”

Hattie’s mouth went dry. She looked across at Sandy and felt an aching hollowness inside.

In the old days a crisis at work would have been something they’d share.

They would talk about it, and Sandy would ask for Hattie’s advice.

Sandy perched on the kitchen stool and dialled the number of her shop.

“Morning, Libby. It’s me. Hattie said there’s a problem of some kind?”


Sandy had been watching for Lucas to save him coming to the door.

The gleaming car finally pulled up in front of the cottage and, after a hasty goodbye to Hattie, Sandy was out and had slid into the passenger seat.

“Hi,” Lucas said, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze.

They looked at each other, both aware that all was not well.

Lucas spoke first.

“Is everything OK?”

“I’m afraid not. Oh, Lucas, there’s a problem at my shop, and Libby, the woman I’ve left in charge, is making a mess of things.”

“Is there any way I can help?” Lucas offered.

Sandy sighed.

“I’ve just been on the phone to her, but . . .” She stopped, thinking for a moment.

“Let’s go somewhere away from the cottage and I’ll tell you about it.”

She looked at Lucas.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“Not great,” Lucas replied. “Something has happened. Shall we go down to the beach?”

They drove off and Sandy tried to gather her wits.

Lucas circled the town and parked where Sandy suggested, beyond the promenade where there was a stretch of empty beach.

“It’s pretty nippy. Is there a spot out of the wind?” Lucas asked.

“Yes, there’s a lovely place. Do you see over there?” She pointed to a little cove.

“Ah, yes.”

Hand in hand, they scrambled down the slope and settled themselves on a big rock in the sunshine.

“Now, what’s Libby been up to?” Lucas asked.

Sandy sighed and began to explain.

“I was expecting a large order of fabric, but it wasn’t due to come in until late next week.

“Anyway, lots of boxes arrived, and Libby couldn’t resist looking inside.

“As it turned out, they’d sent the wrong fabrics.

“From what she told me, they’re not the cottons and linens I ordered. They sent tulle and sparkly satins, all in garish colours to boot.”

“So you have to send it back.”

“It’s not that simple. Libby wanted to . . . help.”

“Why did I feel that coming?” Lucas said sympathetically. “What’s she done?”

“Unpacked it, and – as she said – ‘made a really cool display’,” Sandy replied. “She thought she’d surprise me and see if she could sell it.”

Lucas closed his eyes, shaking his head.

“Can she pack it up again?”

“Fortunately she has kept the boxes, but heaven knows what the shop looks like.

“And I have to sort out the missing order and . . .” She trailed off, turning to face him. “I have to go back to London.”

“How long do you have to be gone?” Lucas asked, and she shrugged.

“I don’t know. But Lucas, you said there was something wrong. Has something else happened?”

“Yes, it has. Now that you know the story of what brought me to Belmouth, I think you understand my feelings about the lighthouse and why I’ve been so intent on buying it.

“I know it would sound crazy to some people, but it all feels meant to be.

“The discovery of my father’s painting, and the revelation that he was such a fine artist.

“Then my coming here and meeting you,” Lucas finished.

Sandy looked at him and saw the love in his eyes.

“But something has happened,” he went on, his voice constricted with emotion.

“I stopped into Derwent Alexander’s this morning to have another word with the agent, and he told me that he understood I was no longer interested.

“He’s had an increased offer from one of the developers and it looks like the sale will go through.”

Sandy couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“What? Without even telling you and giving you the chance to make another offer?” she cried.

Lucas nodded sombrely.

“He said they’d normally never allow such things, but he’d heard that I wasn’t seriously interested.

“He seemed pretty embarrassed when he realised it wasn’t true.

“He wouldn’t tell me who had told him, or why he believed it,” he finished.

They looked at one another.

“Maybe my imagination is running away with me, but are you thinking what I am?” he asked.

“She couldn’t have. Hattie would never . . .”

They fell silent.

“But what will happen now?” Sandy asked finally.

Wordlessly, he looked into her eyes, then he gathered her into his arms and held her so tightly that she could feel his heart pounding against her own.

To be continued…