Chapter Ten. #2
“Don’t panic,” Lia began. That was guaranteed to make someone panic. Sheesh. “But there’s about two hundred local people outside in protest.”
“About what?” I demanded, alarmed.
“You not selling the land to Homes for You. It seems they promised the locals construction work, and they are annoyed that you won’t sell. So, they’re protesting.”
“Can they do that?”
“Nope. Which is why I called the police.” Something thudded against the walls, and I looked worried.
“What do we do?”
“Wait for them to arrive.”
More noises sounded, and I realised they were trying to break in. “We need to stop them. This is my home!” I exclaimed and hurried for the stairs. Even as weak as I was, I wouldn’t allow them to destroy my lighthouse.
“Lyra!” Lia shouted and chased after me.
I reached the kitchen and stared in fear at the door shuddering under the weight of the people banging on it. The entire thing was terrifying, but I wasn’t going to let them tear my home apart. As I went to the door, both Lia and I jumped as a loud noise echoed from the lighthouse.
“What the hell is that?” Lia shrieked.
“The foghorn!” I cried as it boomed for a second time. The door stopped shuddering, and I flung it open. Several people stood in front of me, and I glowered.
“What is your problem?” I demanded, my voice giving out. They stared back at me in my pyjamas and then at Lia at my rear. The foghorn sounded once more, and they backed away. I followed and saw the crowd standing behind them.
“What gives you the right to show up and cause trouble?” I exploded. Beside me, Lia yanked out her phone and began filming the mob in front of us.
“Every right. You’re stopping people from working,” Karen from the café retorted.
“Bull!” Lia snapped. “You’ve no justification to demand that we sell our estate to create jobs. What the hell are you idiots thinking?”
“People need to work!” she continued, receiving nods from the crowd.
“What does that have to do with me?” I said, my voice breaking.
“You won’t sell, so there is no labour.”
“Get a grip. Even if she could, why should Lyra sell land that she owns? What gives you the right to force someone to relinquish ownership of their private property? Does that mean I can go to court and make you put your house up for sale?” Lia spat.
Oh, she was angry. Okay, she could handle this.
I closed my eyes as I swayed slightly. A firm hand propped me up—William.
“That’s my home!” Karen yelled.
“And this is Lyra’s! I bet that snivelling little rat Keith riled you all up.
What did he do? Promise local jobs, show you a plan for the estate and shops he’d build.
And like good lapdogs, you lapped it all up.
You’ve no right to trespass on this land; it’s private property.
How dare you think you can come and destroy someone’s home? ”
“Sell up and move on. We want you gone,” Karen yelled.
“I couldn’t care less. No matter what you do, this land cannot be sold!”
“Then you will regret it. Pack up and leave, or we’ll chase you out.”
“Are you threatening me?” I gasped.
“Yeah. You’re not wanted, not welcome, and we don’t like you. You can find a way around it. Stop being so selfish. Sell the land, or you’ll be sorry!” Karen yelled, hate on her face.
“Go back and tell Keith, we absolutely will never sell to Homes for You!” Lia snapped.
“You will,” Karen promised. I couldn’t understand
Someone threw a stone, and Lia and I ducked.
But the next few thrown hit us and we both cried out aloud.
The crowd became silent. We stared, horrified, at them.
Several bottles came arching through the air and smashed next to my feet.
More items were hurled, and we covered our faces.
The foghorn blasting stopped the attack.
Lia stayed calm while I shook. She continued recording despite being hurt.
“Let’s add assault to the charges I’ll be bringing against you.”
Several individuals began backing away, and Lia made sure she got them on camera. Sirens wailed, and two police vehicles pulled up. Lia kept filming as they headed towards us.
“What’s going on?” the police constable questioned.
“These people are trespassing and making threats,” Lia said.
“Liar!” Karen hissed.
Both Lia and I turned incredulously.
“Are you for real? I’ve got you on camera,” Lia bellowed.
“You photoshopped it,” Karen smugly challenged.
“I’m photoshopping a live feed?” Lia asked and started laughing. “Nice try, but this has gone live on my social media. Everything you’ve said, threats and all, has been witnessed and recorded. Including all of your faces!”
The crowd paled and began backing away.
“Don’t run off now, you cowards!” Lia snapped. “I want them arrested; we’re pressing charges.”
“I can’t arrest this many people!” the PC exclaimed.
“Why not? Call for backup. Or do you plan on breaking the law? I just told you threats have been issued and stones and bottles thrown. My cousin has been seriously sick, and they’ve arrived here and assaulted us.
” Lia held her arms out. “Do your job! Block the exit and take their names as they leave. If you refuse, I’ll have my solicitor track you down! ”
Damn. Don’t mess with Lia. A car skidded to a halt, and Edmund and Poppy rushed out.
“Ophelia! Lyra!” Poppy yelled, running forward. I waved half-heartedly, and then my knees gave out, and everything faded to black.
“Stay still, Lyra, you’re okay and safe,” a deep male voice said. I opened my eyes as a hand pressed me into the bed. I struggled to place him for a few moments.
“Uncle Edmund?”
“Yeah. Sit up carefully; you are still quite sick.”
“Sorry,” I muttered as I shoved upwards.
“Why on earth are you apologising?” Uncle Edmund asked.
“For all the trouble I caused.”
“You weren’t responsible for any of that. Listen to me, Lyra, you did nothing. However, those townspeople…” Uncle Edmund broke off and gritted his teeth.
Everything rushed back, and I gasped. “What happened?”
“An inspector arrived, having been alerted by what was happening on social media. As Lia had filmed it all, there was sufficient evidence to make multiple arrests. Those who tried to harm you have been arrested and charged. Karen is in the worst trouble. She was the instigator. Keith put her up to it, so a warrant has been issued for his arrest too. Joseph is chasing civil suits against those who trespassed and joined that mob,” Uncle Edmund said.
“Lia’s pretty scary,” I murmured.
“Absolutely terrifying,” Uncle Edmund agreed. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. That scene frightened me.”
“I bet it did. The girls have been cooking up a storm, making you meals so you can heat them up. Lia is going to stay with you for a couple of days.”
“Okay.” I smiled, and he got up. “Lyra, I’m not your father, but I want to be a good uncle. I’ve missed out on too much. Don’t be a stranger,” he stated, then left.
“You’re awake!” Thea exclaimed as she bounced in.
“Yes. Is Leafpoint safe?”
“Yeah. Uncle Edmund called an electrician in to check the wiring in the foghorn. Lia explained it sounded three times. He said it’s not original to Leafpoint but was installed somewhere around the eighteen-sixties.
Begs the question of why and how it was added, to be honest, especially as Leafpoint had been abandoned by then. ”
“Do all the others have them too?”
“Yes, which is really weird. Anyway, how are you doing? Lia, so much less of a mouthful than Ophelia, claimed it went off three times.”
“Yeah. Must be a fault in it,” I murmured. It had been William.
“Some defect. It’s operated by steam,” Thea said, her eyes alert for my answer. I shrugged, and disappointment briefly shone before she dismissed it away.
“Lia and I are going to take it in turns to stay,” Thea continued.
“No, I’m fine. Honest.” I didn’t want them around William. Not after how he’d made me ill.
“We’ll see,” Thea replied. “Let’s observe how you get on for what remains of today. Come on, it’s family time.”
Thea had no idea how good that sounded.