Chapter 40
It was later that evening, just after Nina’s speakeasy had wrapped up. The event had gone swimmingly and Nina had been over the moon at how her chowder had gone down.
Cally, Nina, and Nina’s husband, Robby, were on their way to the lighthouse. The view that greeted them as they walked along in the direction of Lovely didn’t seem real. It wasn’t just that everything that didn’t move was draped in gorgeous handmade bunting or that every other building sparkled with little festival lights. It was something about the lighthouse towering above it all standing up into the dark night. It always appeared magnificent as far as Cally was concerned, but for some reason, it looked even better than it normally did. She smiled at how the turning on of the lighthouse lights was a big thing for Lovelies and how it happened late when the locals gathered to debrief after the first night of the festival.
As if reading her thoughts, Nina sighed, ‘Wow, it looks so tall this evening. The sky is very clear, too, or am I imagining it? It always seems to me as if it’s darker here in Lovely than anywhere else. Maybe it’s because the lighthouse is so white or there’s no pollution. I don’t know…’
‘I was just thinking the same,’ Cally said with a shake of her head.
Nina pointed upwards. ‘That whole thing is going to be lit up shortly.’
Robby nodded. ‘It is, indeed. The team has done themselves proud this year.’
‘Rather you than me dangling off the side of that.’ Cally noted with a chuckle as she looked up to the top of the lighthouse.
‘I know, right? I won’t be ever finding out.’ Nina agreed and joked. ‘I’ll leave that to my other half. He’s good at some things.’
‘Shame little Faye’s not going to see it in all its glory and all her daddy’s work.’ Cally noted.
Nina shook her head. ‘She’s better off with June. No one wants an over-tired Faye in their life.’
Robby laughed. ‘Certainly not me. Thank goodness June is babysitting.’
There was something about the air, too. Cally took a deep breath, savouring the smell. 'You know, I never get tired of that sea air. So nice.’
‘You and me both.’
As they got closer to the lighthouse, the details of Colin’s excessive decorating became clearer as bunting fluttered in the breeze as far as the eye could see. It criss-crossed the street, hung down from lampposts, and draped between buildings.
'I see Colin's artistic efforts made the cut,' Cally said, nodding towards the bunting. ‘It’s everywhere!’
Robby followed her gaze and chuckled. 'He’s gone for his life this year.'
'Bless him,' Nina said, shaking her head fondly. 'He does try so hard.'
Cally looked up at the hundreds of delicate paper lanterns carefully hung from the old-fashioned street lights. ‘Wow, those look magical. They're so effective.’
'Penny's idea. I don’t think you were at that meeting when she proposed them. She got half the town involved in making them. She said it would add a touch of whimsy to the festival.’
'Well, she wasn't wrong,' Robby said as he reached up and tapped one of the lanterns making light and shadows appear to spin across the pavement.
As they rounded the corner, the full majesty of the lighthouse came into view. It stood tall and proud against the sky, its white paint gleaming, and even without its festival lights yet turned on, it was an impressive sight.
'I always forget how big it is,' Cally murmured, tilting her head back to take in the full height.
'Wait until you see it lit up.’
They paused for a moment at the base of the lighthouse, taking in the atmosphere.
‘What’s the go-to then?’ Nina asked. ‘Where did Colin say to go?’
Robby gestured into the distance. ‘We go to the old hall to get a drink, and then once everyone has arrived, we stand out in the yard for the official turning on of the festival lights. Even though it happens again tomorrow night, this apparently is the real occasion for Lovelies only.’
Cally felt ridiculously pleased that she’d been invited as they made their way to the old hall behind the lighthouse. As they walked in, Birdie waved and smiled, and Nancy ushered them to a drinks table.
‘All good, our Cally?’ Nancy asked.
‘Yes, thanks.’
‘How did it go at Nina’s?’
‘So good. The chowder was outstanding and we raised a fortune with the raffle. A good night was had by all. Yeah, it really went well, thank goodness. It was a lot of work.’
‘That’s just what we like to hear. Grab a drink, and we’ll head out soon for the light ceremony.’
Cally did exactly as told and inched her way between people until she arrived in front of Birdie and Clive from the riverboat who were standing chatting about their various events.
Birdie beamed and clinked a glass against Cally’s. ‘Here she is. How are you?’
‘Really good.’
‘Good night?’
‘Yep, all the hard work was well worth it. You?’
‘Same. Mind you, don’t forget I’m bagging you next year. I want you in the deli.’
Cally chuckled. ‘Righto.’
Birdie lowered her voice. ‘How was Nina’s attempt?
‘Attempt?’
‘The chowder. I need to know who my competition is for next year.’
Cally giggled. ‘I have to say she outdid herself. It was delicious. People were raving about it.’
Birdie rolled her eyes. ‘Wrong answer.’
‘You’ve got a contender for the number one spot.’
Clive laughed. ‘Nah, no one will ever knock our Birdie off her podium.’
Cally chuckled. ‘Actually, I make you right. No one would dare.’
C lutching her drink, Cally stood with her head back, looking up at the lighthouse, and counted down along with all the other Lovelies. ‘Five, four, three, two, one!’
There was a momentary pause, a flicker, and then boom, the huge white tower above her was transformed. Cally’s breath caught in her throat as the lighthouse dazzled in an array of twinkling lights that spiralled from its base all the way up to the top. It looked as though someone had taken handful after handful of tiny brilliant stars and scattered them across the whole of the structure. The huge, tall, spherical white building shimmered and twinkled in the night air.
'Oh my,' Cally whispered. ‘I’ve seen it all now. It’s so pretty. I want to live in there.’
There was no doubt that Lovely Lighthouse was an impressive landmark, but lit up from head to foot, it was truly magical. The whole thing appeared to gently pulse into the inky dark sky.
Birdie’s voice cut into Cally’s thoughts. 'Isn't it amazing? I feel the same every year, but this year, it’s spectacular. There are so many lights! It’s like we’re standing in the middle of a star.’
Cally nodded, still somewhat overwhelmed. 'It's incredible. I can't believe Colin pulled this off. This will definitely be seen from space, let alone the bunting.'
Birdie cackled. 'Between you and me, I think he's trying to let us believe it’s all him, but Robby’s lot have done a stellar job.'
‘They have. It really is very well done. Who would have thought?’
‘Speak of the devil.’ Birdie laughed as Colin approached. ‘It looks fantastic. ‘We were just talking about you.’
Colin beamed, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. His chest puffed up. ‘It’s better than I hoped.’
Cally gestured upwards. 'How on earth did you manage all this?'
Colin grinned like a Cheshire cat. 'Oh, you know, just a bit of Lovely Bay magic. And a very understanding electrician. Not to mention a certain few climbers I know who are a lot fitter than me. They made it happen.’
Birdie chuckled. ‘Well, you’ve done brilliantly as far as I’m concerned. Well done you.’
Colin basked in the praise. ‘Thanks. Right, I’m just going to make a little announcement and then we’ll head up for a cuppa or whatever anyone wants and then I think it will be time for me to call it a night. I’ve had a very long day.’
‘See you later. See you up there, our Colin.’
Cally turned to Birdie. 'Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live here now, but this brings it right back. All of this and the community. Thank God I found you all.’
‘I know. It never gets old as far as I’m concerned and just you wait, you'll soon have a little slice of Lovely all to yourself.’ Birdie smiled.
‘I hope so.’
‘I know so. Good things are coming your way, my girl.’ Birdie raised her eyebrows. ‘So, what happened? Did you message Logan?’
‘I did.’
‘And?’
‘Nope, nothing. No response.’
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Colin, illuminated by the thousands of lights above him, tapping on a glass, calling for everyone's attention.
'Friends, Lovelies, countrymen. Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you're enjoying this little display just before the big day we’re all going to have tomorrow.'
There was a murmur of appreciation from the crowd. Colin beamed, clearly in his element.
'As you know, the Chowder Festival has begun. Now, I know that everyone has been working their socks off, but I wanted to just reiterate that if you see any spots without bunting, please plug the gaps.’
'Is he serious?' Cally whispered to Birdie.
Birdie shrugged, looking both amused and slightly alarmed. 'With Colin, you can never really tell, can you? He must be joking. We can’t move for the stuff.'
As Colin launched into more about the rest of the festival, Cally looked up at the lighthouse and thought about how the whole town had rallied together for the event. When Colin had finally finished, people started to shuffle towards the lighthouse door and some filtered the other way to head off home.
‘Coming up for a cup of tea or something a bit stronger? One for the road?’ Birdie asked.
‘I might give it a miss if you don’t mind. I have a shift in the morning and then I’m at the stall all day and at Nina’s again. I’m quite tired, actually. Might get myself off to bed.’
‘Okie-dokie. Want someone to walk you home?’
‘No, no. All good. I’ve got my phone and there are loads of people still around.’
‘Right, you are. See you tomorrow, then.’
Cally stood for a bit longer, taking in the lighthouse. Just as she was about to make her way out of the yard and into the street, she closed her eyes as she realised she could smell the Logan smell. She knew he was behind her. Instinctively, she turned around.
Logan smiled. ‘I thought you might be here.’
‘Hey.’
‘How are you?’
Cally wasn’t sure whether to answer with the truth or not: that she’d been pretending that she was fine. That she wasn’t fine without him. That she was dreadful. So bad. That she was no longer whole. That she missed him. Loved him. Wanted him back in her life. Wanted him to click the puzzle piece into place. Wanted to love him all the time. She flicked the switch. ‘Yeah, fine, thanks.’
‘See, I knew if you did the voice, I’d be okay.’
Cally wrinkled her nose. ‘What?’
Logan slipped his hand into Cally’s. ‘The voice you do. I said to myself that if you pretended you were fine and you did that weird voice, that really you weren't and that meant that you missed us .’
Cally felt her heart skip a beat as Logan squeezed her hand. A tingle shot up her arm. ‘I didn’t miss us. Not at all.’
‘Oh.’
Cally giggled. ‘Joking.’
‘Not my idea of a joke.’
Cally decided to chuck every single one of her emotions out the nearest window. All the hurt, the rug coming away under her feet, the sadness, her stubbornness, the anger, pride. Stuff all of it. ‘I think I might need to apologise.’
‘It’s fine.’
‘I just…’
'I know, Blackcurrant. I know.'
Cally nodded. She loved the fact that Henry-Hicks thought that he knew. But oh, how he did not know. Not at all. No one would ever know how much her arms had ached holding up that big old sky. She didn’t say anything for a second but just looked at the lighthouse in all its glory as it twinkled above them.
'I was an idiot. I should have told you about Cassia from the start. I was afraid.'
‘Of what?'
‘That you'd think I wasn't good enough for you.'
Pah! Oh, the irony. Henry-Hicks didn’t even know he was born.
'Not good enough for me? You know that I've spent most of my time since I met you convinced it was the other way around. Cally from the chemist's. Not quite the Cassia Allegra Brommington’s of the world.’
‘You couldn't be more wrong.'
'But Cassia...'
'Was a mistake.’
‘Right.’
‘How could you ever think you're not good enough?' Logan narrowed his eyes. He looked bewildered. ‘I just don’t get it, Blackcurrant. I really, really don’t.’
You wouldn’t Henry-Hicks. You never really will. Cally felt a tear run down her cheek. ‘No.’
‘So, what’s next then?’
'I've missed you so much.’
‘Same. More than I can say.'
Cally breathed in the Logan smell and felt the pieces of her world slowly clicking back into place. ‘I’m sorry I was so stubborn.’
‘Don’t even go there.’
Logan kissed her, and as she kissed him back, she felt the real world fall away. Nothing was around her except for Logan, a deep, dark, dense, gorgeous, inky black sky, and a very large white tower covered in twinkling lights.
Logan pulled away, held her at arm's length, and raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, that's one way to start the Chowder Festival with a bang.'
As Cally felt the puzzle piece click, she smiled as every little fibre in her body sighed out. She raised a glass in a silent toast. To her, to Logan, to Lovely. And to being what felt like home. To watching that beautiful sky fall down as it shimmered and twinkled and glimmered in Lovely Bay lights. To being loved purely and simply for being her. It felt so, so, so nice. This time she wasn’t going to let it get away.