Chapter Five.
William
Blast her. I paced back and forth, even more torn.
Lyra had been treated abysmally. Clearly, she was looking at this as a fresh start, and I was going to ruin it for her.
All day I had followed her around like a lost puppy and learned more than I’d needed to.
She was hurting badly. Her ex-boyfriend—how did one call a grown man a boyfriend? I was unsure—was lower than a cad.
Lyra was alone; I thought she had family, and I was proven wrong. That struck a chord, and I felt for her, understanding loneliness all too well. But I had a mission and wouldn’t fail. Lyra locked the door after Benny left and leaned back against it.
“I’m home,” she whispered, putting the device I knew was called a phone down and turning to the boxes stacked up.
Lyra began emptying them, washing plates, bowls, and utensils.
Whilst they dried, she hung some pictures and placed a vase on the table.
Lyra seemed happy pottering around as she unpacked more items and arranged them where she wanted.
The squeal she let out when she unwrapped a mini lighthouse and placed it in the window made me smile.
The sun had set, and darkness arrived when she heard someone knock on the door.
To my surprise, a gentleman stood there with trays at his feet.
Lyra grabbed them and began setting them down on the countertops.
Creeping closer, I realised she had a food delivery.
There was so much; I was stunned. Some items I didn’t even recognise.
“Lady, this is a massive order,” the man stated.
“Yes, I just moved in. It’s my first shop, hence there being so much.”
“You just moved in? Always fancied living somewhere like this,” the guy said with a smile at Lyra. I bristled, agitated as I recognised the interest in his eye. Lyra was my human.
“It’s an adventure,” Lyra agreed.
“Want me to help empty these? There’s more back in the van,” the stranger offered, and I ground my teeth. Lyra stiffened, but apart from that, did nothing.
She smiled. “Please, I thought there should be more!”
On edge, watching as they emptied the trays, I had to admit, Lyra had bought as if she was preparing for a siege. The man made idle chatter, to which Lyra replied politely but did not show any further interest, which soothed me a little. It was bad enough with one intruder; I didn’t want a second.
“Guess I’ll be seeing you soon; this is my usual route,” the guy said whilst leaving. Lyra offered a polite smile and bid him goodnight.
Lyra turned and sighed as she surveyed the kitchen. “Right, cold stuff first.”
I watched Lyra open the refrigerator and begin packing things away. Rather than cramming them in, Lyra carefully placed items in groups and then shut the door. Doing the same with the freezer; foodstuffs that were linked went together. It took her an hour, and then she sat down at a table.
“I’ve never seen so much food…” She chuckled, and I cocked my head. “I might have gone a little mad. Oh well, who cares?”
Lyra got up and started sorting the cans on the counter.
She opened the cupboards and once again began stacking items by grouping them.
Soups went together, tinned meats, baked beans and so on.
Once the shelves were full, Lyra created a baking one, a spice and cooking sauce area, and a couple of other themed ones.
I was worried because Lyra shook herself several times and messed up the labels, instead of making them all face forward.
“Not anymore. Cale can’t shout at me now. This is my kitchen,” she murmured.
Did Cale make Lyra store things a certain way? There was more to her broken heart than I realised.
Tonight I’d let her rest in peace. Lyra seemed bothered by more than grief.
I watched as someone approached the lighthouse. He’d parked his car on the road and then walked on foot towards Leafpoint. She’d alerted me to the intruder, and now I hid in the shadows, watching. What was his intention?
He crept around, checking Leafpoint for something specific. Leafpoint sent me a strong feeling of dislike, and that told me a lot. Leafpoint sensed something was off regarding him.
The stranger came closer to the entrance and tried the door handle. It didn’t turn, and he muttered under his breath. He checked the windows he could reach and cursed.
“Trust the bitch to lock up securely.”
That annoyed me. What gave him the right to break in?
Was he planning to hurt Lyra or scare her?
I let my face push through the door and stared at him.
He gaped at me, and I let my jaw drop and released a burst of ghostly laughter.
Moments later, he took to his heels and fled.
I sent stones pinging after him and chuckled as he ran faster.
His appearance gave me cause for concern. Sure, we’d had nosy individuals over the years, but he brought up Lyra. That was a problem. My conscience asked me how I could push her out when she might be in danger. Ultimately, she was a Jasper—and that meant something.
Lyra
I’d slept well and had a relaxing bath this morning, which was amazing.
While the bathrooms still needed doing, they were spotlessly clean.
Heading downstairs, I prepared breakfast and thought about last night.
As hard as I tried to stay awake to catch whoever was turning the lantern on, I ended up falling asleep.
But I woke up just after midnight and saw the bright light glowing.
A quick check had proved nobody was here.
At the time I’d been too tired to wonder about it, but now, sitting with my crumpets and tea, I was chewing it over.
Ghosts didn’t exist. I refused to believe in ghosts. But something was happening here. Someone must have snuck in to turn it on. I made a note to get the locks changed; if anyone was sneaking in, that meant they might be dangerous.
Benny knocked, and I let him in. Today he was making repairs in the study/office.
Despite knowing what I wanted, I hadn’t looked at furniture for there yet or the library.
I had to finish unpacking the parcels for my bedroom and order the remaining kitchen equipment.
There was some stuff I’d forgotten to buy.
“Benny, do you know a locksmith?” I inquired.
“Yes. What happened?” he asked, alarmed.
“The lantern lit last night. However, I didn’t see who did it. I’m scared an intruder might be sneaking in,” I admitted.
“I’ll get someone out today for you,” Benny replied.
“Thanks.”
Several times during the day, incidents occurred, but nothing major. The keys were moved again. Dean swore he saw a shadow on the stairs, and the fire alarm triggered. Later that evening, I took a joint call from my cousins as I got ready for bed.
“Lyra! Show me what you’ve done,” Poppy demanded.
I took them around the kitchen and then walked to the smaller bedrooms. I sucked in their approval and returned to my bedroom, revealing to them what I’d done so far.
“Love the bed!” Poppy exclaimed.
“I always dreamt of owning one,” I confessed.
“It suits the room. Anyway. Dad and I are coming down in two weeks,” she announced, and we became silent.
“Does he know about us?” I asked.
That had been a delicate subject. For the first fortnight, Poppy kept our existence quiet, and then ten days ago she informed him about his mother’s death. Edmund had gone silent, and Poppy had been scared to bring anything up. This was my fourth week here.
“Yes. He wants to meet you all. Dad’s excited to have nieces.”
“That’s nice. My father warned me to watch out and be careful that you don’t take after your fathers,” Ophelia stated.
“Wow,” Thea gasped.
I was unsure how to react to Ophelia. Obviously, she had a better upbringing than the rest of us.
Her father, Christopher, had married money and had a successful career.
Ophelia was educated and worked in a high-powered job too.
She seemed stand-offish, but then she’d make a comment, and I’d think she was not so bad.
“Yes, Daddy-dearest called Joseph and wanted to contest the will. Joseph wasn’t amused.
Neither was Dad when he realised Lyle had a daughter older than me.
Dad’s in two minds whether to track Lyle down and have him challenge the will with him, or try to scam money from me.
Dad won’t contact Edmund because he claims he’s spineless. ”
“Wow, nice, Ophelia,” Poppy bitched.
“I didn’t say it. My useless father did,” Ophelia defended herself.
“Dad said he’ll explain everything when we come down. I’m guessing Kingfisher Lighthouse isn’t going to be habitable. Luckily, Dad is good with his hands.”
“When are you going?” Ophelia questioned.
“The weekend after this. We’ve been sorting the house out to move,” Poppy replied.
“Your dad is moving?” Thea inquired.
“Yes. We’re all each other has. There’s nothing in the will that says he can’t come,” Poppy snapped defensively.
“Hey, calm down. Thea wasn’t saying that,” I interrupted, and Poppy looked shamed.
“Sorry, I’m defensive of him.”
“I’m glad you got a good dad, because mine and Ophelia’s seem like a total waste of space. I’m really looking forward to meeting him,” I said with a smile.
“Dad’s excited. He wanted more children than just me, but it never happened. Mum was a vile bitch. Anyway, that’s a long story. Thea, how is Seareef coming along?” Poppy changed the subject.
“Slowly, but it’s entertaining. I’m enjoying it. Dad taught me how to use my hands, so this is fun for me. Are you going to stay at the Gull’s Nest?” Thea asked.
“No, don’t. I have the guest bedrooms if you are okay with cabin beds. You should see what Benny created! Please stay with me,” I invited, surprised at myself.
“Are you sure you won’t be bothered?” Poppy quizzed.
“No. Why waste money? I am unsure about you three, but I keep expecting a phone call saying this has all been a mistake.”
“I agree,” Thea admitted.