Epilogue
Two Months Later …
Though it’s early June, the evening is crisp, and as I wait in the queue that’s snaked all the way around the lighthouse, I have to blow on Penny’s gloved fingers to keep them toasty.
Tonight, the much-anticipated lighthouse tours will commence, and if all goes well, they may become a regular attraction. Noah is taking guests up there in groups of ten, and there’s at least one hundred people booked in for the evening. He was astonished by the turnout, but I’m not. The historical society has done an incredible job creating a buzz around the tour for the last two months, and I’ve done my part too. I’ve told everyone about it, my parents, Tamara and Rosalind and their families, and even Erin and Cassandra from work - and they all made a booking. We’ve even got some VIPs out tonight, including the mayor of Sunny Shore Bay herself!
When our group finally is ushered inside, everyone gasps in awe, and even my breath is stolen by the sight. The lighthouse looks spectacular - well, as spectacular as it can look without a full renovation, but together, Noah and I have given it a decent face-lift! Lanterns flame around the small antechamber and strings of fairy lights coil around the bannister of the staircase, serving as the only sources of light. A guide leads up the steps by candlelight, warning us not to disturb a thing, lest we upset the phantoms that lie dormant within. With a small whimper, Penny reaches for my hand and I squeeze it tight.
As we crowd into the light chamber, everyone falls silent as Noah steps forward, dressed in traditional historical garb, his face illuminated by the eerily beautiful candlelight that flickers over every surface.
‘Welcome, weary travellers,’ he begins, speaking with the dramatic cadence and dedication of a seasoned actor, ‘to the lighthouse!’
Everyone listens intently as he launches into a brief history of the lighthouse, when it was first erected and what the purpose of the lighthouse keeper was, before swiftly moving into the story of Henry Gills himself.
‘Rumour had it that the unfortunate Henry was snatched away one night, by the fabled Siren of Sunny Shore Bay, a fearful creature that lured unsuspecting men to their deaths with her haunting song.’ Noah draws his gaze over us as the candles flicker and the moon bathes the chamber in an other-worldly glow. ‘But, my dear travellers, there’s much more to this tale than meets the eye.’
The tour guests ooh and ahh as Noah spins his story, from the terrifying eye-witness accounts of the siren on the promenade to the revelation that the phantom woman was none other than the lighthouse keeper’s true love, Eliza Beckworth. My heart swells with pride as I watch him, I know how much this means to him, and he’s absolutely killing it!
Finally, to the applause of all, the tour concludes. Since we’re the last one of the evening, we’re invited to share drinks with the historical society in the lighthouse chamber, along with some important members of the local community.
Penny is dying to speak to Noah, in fact, she’s so excited that she squeals in delight and runs to his side for a cuddle before I can catch her, right in front of the mayor and her husband. I’m utterly mortified, but thankfully, our guests of honour coo at how sweet she is, and of course, Noah doesn’t mind a bit. He’s so patient, the complete opposite of Jerry in that way. I can’t imagine how he would have reacted had Penny bowled over and wrinkled up his best suit in front of VIPs.
Still cringing, I drag Penny over to her Grandma’s side and when Noah has finished with the mayor, I edge up to him.
‘Hey there, tour guide,’ I nudge him in the side with a teasing elbow.
‘How was it?’ he asks urgently, ‘and you can be honest.’
‘Honestly? It was wonderful!’ I press a quick peck to his cheek. ‘You were amazing, and everyone loved it.’
‘Are you sure? I was worried they might get bored when I went into the origins of Henry.’
‘Are you kidding? They were hanging on your every word Noah, really.’ Glancing around to make sure no one is looking, I slip my hands around his waist. ‘The love story between Henry and Eliza was particularly engaging.’
He raises an eyebrow. ‘Oh, you think so?’
‘I do.’
Before we can get any closer, Noah is abruptly pulled away by one of his colleagues to have a chat with another potential donor, and I leave him to it. Tonight is about him, after all, though I must admit, I’m pretty excited about how things are progressing with us.
It’s still early days, of course, but things are going better than I could have hoped for. Noah respects my need to keep Penny out of the equation for now, though he’s eager to get to know her better when the time comes. And speaking of eager, Penny won’t shut up about him. Try as I might, I haven’t been able to totally hide our budding relationship from her - although I never invite Noah in after a date, I know my little girl is peering out of the bedroom window, anxious to steal a glimpse of who I’m out with. She keeps asking when we can go back to the history centre, and whether Noah will be there - I can only put her off for so long!
We’re still staying at Mia’s for the time being, but I’m steadily building up a savings account, and I’m hoping by the end of the year, I might have saved a deposit for a flat in the local area. Jerry’s been in touch, only via text mind you, but he seems keen for Penny to come and stay over one weekend in the summer. Whether that comes to fruition or not remains to be seen, but no matter my thoughts on Jerry, I make an effort to stay light and positive for the sake of my daughter.
A tugging at my skirt has me spinning around, and I grin from ear to ear when, speak of the devil, Penny is standing behind me.
‘Hey, darling!’ I behind down to kiss her forehead. ‘Are you having a good time?’
‘Yep.’ But she’s nibbling at her lower lip, her eyes darting from side to side. ‘Can I ask you a question?’
‘Anything, honey.’
‘Is - is Noah your boyfriend?’
I stand up straight and sudden, thrown by the query. Noah and I haven’t put a label on things, not officially, though the feelings between us are growing day by day. Still, I’ve been reluctant to bring it up, mostly for Penny’s well-being.
‘Well, I like him a lot,’ I venture, studying her little face closely to gauge her reaction. ‘How would you feel if he was my boyfriend?’
Penny’s nose wrinkles, the way it always does when she’s thinking extra hard. ‘I think I’d like that.’
My heart soars with burgeoning hope. ‘Really?’
She nods, firm in her decision now. ‘You’re a happier mummy now he’s around, and that makes me happy. I like Noah too, he teaches me all about history, so I can teach my friends about the stuff I’ve learned.’
‘So, if Noah came around for tea sometime, or we went to the beach together, just the three of us, you’d be okay with that?’
Again, she gives an enthusiastic nod. ‘Yes, Mummy! In fact, I’ll only let you be his girlfriend as long as I can hang out with you guys too.’
Hugging her tight, I laugh into her hair. ‘I think we can arrange that, sweetie.’
I beam at my daughter as she runs to her friends over by Tamara, and then I bring my attention to Noah. All night, he’s been surrounded by people, each of them congratulating him on a successful event. Quite right too, he’s worked so hard for this, and he truly deserves the recognition. Not only that, but at long last, Henry’s story is being told, along with Eliza’s. It’s wonderful that Noah and his colleagues can keep the past alive in such an interesting and magical way.
I wait for the opportune moment, when Noah is finally alone, and I steal him away from everyone, out of the lighthouse and into the soft luminescence of the moonlight, down onto the silvery sand.
‘Are you okay, Claire?’ he asks, his brow creased. He looks so handsome under the stars, his jaw carved out in the dim light and his ebony hair so dark, it’s almost blue.
Breathless, I nod silently. Like Henry and Eliza, there’s been much threatening to keep us apart, but we can’t give in. We have to fight the fear, swim against the tide together and overcome the inevitable challenges hand in hand. And as I stare into Noah’s eyes of sea-green, I feel it, I feel that he’s the one I want to take all of it on with. Besides, I’ve got the green light from Penny now, and anything seems possible tonight.
‘I think I’m ready now,’ I whisper into his mouth.
Noah fixes his focus on me, his body curling around mine. ‘Yeah?’
I don’t answer with words, but I make my position clear as crystal. My fingers trail through his locks as I tilt my head upwards, and Noah meets me halfway, pressing his lips to mine. I thought I’d never feel this way again, but I permit myself to trust, to fall into him and believe he’ll hold me. And he does, his grip firm and gentle all at once, his kiss golden as it dances down my neck and lingers at my collarbone.
No one knows what the future will bring, but I”m sure Noah will be in it, I just know it.
It started with a birthday party, a disastrous night where I lost everything I ever knew.
But it ends with us.