A Light Between Oceans Episode 36
Belmouth, 1941.
Hattie had barely come in the door from her day out with Meryl before she was out again, half walking, half running to the beach.
The sun was beginning to sink lower – Donald would be getting tea ready for Sandy.
She reached the headland, and there, in front of the cottage, was Hans Van Bakkar, playing some sort of game with Sandy.
The little girl was dashing about as he looked round and round.
“Ah! Miss Crocker. I seem to have lost Sandy. Have you seen her?”
Hattie forced a smile.
“I thought I’d pay a call to see if Donald might need some extra help this week. I’ve been out for the day, y-you see,” she stuttered. “If he’d tried to contact me I wouldn’t have been home.”
She waved at Sandy and hurried to the cottage.
“Donald?” She opened the door a crack.
“Hello, Hattie.” He was standing at the cooker, stirring something.
“That smells nice,” she said with forced cheer. “I just wanted to stop by for a moment. I hope you don’t mind, but . . .”
“Not at all. Is everything all right for the weekend?”
“Yes, of course.” Hattie nodded. “Donald, I know this will be a shock, but I need to tell you something before Sandy comes in.”
He turned from the cooker, puzzled.
“What is it?”
She took a breath.
“I know that you and Mr Van Bakkar have become friendly, but I’ve learned something about him. It’s very worrying, and –”
“What’s this all about?” Donald interrupted. “Hans is the most interesting man I’ve met in years.
“It’s been a breath of fresh air for me, talking about art and styles and such.”
“I’m sure it has been, but I think he might be up to something very sinister.”
“What on earth makes you think that?”
Hattie sighed.
“Do you remember, a while back, you mentioned something about secret radio waves that were being experimented with?
“Are those new towers something to do with that?”
“Hattie, anything confidential I may have been told as a lighthouse keeper has to remain that way,” Donald replied.
“As for Hans being up to something sinister, he’s a good man. A kindred spirit, and a great debater.
“He’s convinced me of so many things.”
Hattie’s mind raced as possibilities began to flood her thoughts. She must be careful.
Mr Van Bakkar possessed a gun and radio equipment, and he was just outside. Could he be an enemy agent?
What had he convinced Donald about? Could he have got to him through their shared passion for art?
Donald was still so vulnerable in his grief, and lonely for meaningful contact, but surely he would never go against his beliefs and his country?
And what were the Townsends doing so close to the towers?
Hattie didn’t know who to trust. She must warn Donald.
Suddenly, the door flew open and it was too late to say anything more.
“Daddy!” Sandy shrieked in delight. “I won the game!”
Behind her was Hans Van Bakkar.