A Light Between Oceans Episode 42
Hattie sat in the garden chair across from Sandy.
“I know it’s caused great unhappiness, but it does feel miraculous that your father’s painting has come to light.
“You said yourself that it felt like you’d been reunited with him.”
“Yes, it does feel like that,” Sandy admitted. “To see what a wonderful gift he had is extraordinary. If only he’d kept on painting.”
“I have a confession to make.” Hattie touched the top of the box she was holding. “Your dad gave me one of his paintings.
“Selfishly, somehow I needed to feel it was only for me, but I want you to have it now. It’s time.
“It would give me the greatest joy to give it to you.” She handed her the box.
Sandy lifted the lid and carefully took it out of the tissue.
“It’s exquisite. And it’s the boat! Oh, Hattie!”
Sandy set the painting down on the table as the floodgates opened and she fell into Hattie’s arms.
Hattie sensed all the sorrow that Sandy had held at bay for so many years: her childhood longing for the mother she had never known, the grief of her father’s illness and death, and now, the loss of the man she had fallen in love with.
Hattie held her, and as she did she let herself become enveloped once more in a memory that she would keep a secret for ever.
She had withheld from Sandy and Lucas one part of what had happened that night when she had taken Sandy through the night to the lighthouse and found Donald there, a broken man.
Before they had stood together – the three of them, Donald, Sandy and herself – he had looked up at Hattie and had put his arms around her and pulled her close.
Had it been part of his anguish, or had he felt more than that?
Hattie closed her eyes, remembering the feel of his strong arms, the smell of his shaving soap, the sea and the wood smoke as she had stood there, trembling with love for him.
Though she had now given the painting to Sandy, she would have that precious memory of those magical moments safely in her heart for ever.
Hattie felt a completely unexpected rush of joy course through her – a feeling of wholeness and of freedom.
Her life felt full of riches, and there was no telling what was yet to unfold for her. Anything could happen.
At last Sandy looked up, her face swollen and red.
“If your dad knew that you have two of his paintings, it would give him the greatest happiness,” Hattie told her.
“I wish you’d come to London and help me decide where to hang them.”
Hattie laughed.
“Hattie Crocker taking London by storm! I just might do that one of these days.”
Sandy wiped her tears, and Hattie was glad to see a smile appear.
“There’s something else I want to tell you,” Hattie began. “Do you remember the woman in the painting that Lucas found? I think you can guess now who she is.”
“Is it my mother?”
Hattie smiled and nodded, and they fell silent together, lost in their own thoughts.
Sandy stood on the rocky path and looked out towards the lighthouse and cottage.
The light flashed, and she thought of that day when Dad had taken her up into the tower for the first time.
“It’s a guiding light for the ships, Sandy,” he’d told her. “It brings them safely to the land. It can guide us in other ways, too.”
His words had always felt so reassuring and steadfast – a guiding light in themselves that she had tucked safely into her mind and heart.
What would those words mean when the lighthouse was gone?
Whether it was torn down, or transformed into some restaurant or other, it would be, for her, something of the past – like Lucas’s love.
How long would it take for the aching memories of those magical days and evenings with him to fade and disappear?
Her heart lifted a little as she thought of her dad’s paintings, which would hang on the walls wherever she lived, catching the changing light and bringing her the sound of the sea and smell of the salty air.
Dad’s spirit would be ever stronger, and now her mother would be there, too, walking across the beach with a basket in her hand.
“Sandy?”
“Oh!” She gasped and whirled round.
For a long moment Sandy and Lucas looked at one another.
Then, despite her anguish, she began to feel her mouth turn up at the corners.
A hint of a sheepish smile slowly spread across his face and he walked forward, stopping just short of where she stood.
“I don’t know how to begin to ask your forgiveness, Sandy. I’ve been a terrible fool.
“I was so overcome with all that happened, and I felt so unworthy of you.”
She could barely speak.
“Lucas . . .”
“I love you, Sandy,” Lucas stated firmly. “Someone who knew my father phoned me. I need to tell you the whole story.”
He reached out to her, his arms trembling, and then she was enveloped in his embrace and could feel his heart pounding against hers as she gave herself up to his kiss.