Chapter 1
Chapter One
Puffin Island
Present Day
W ith just thirty minutes until the gallery opened, Dilly Waters decided to kill two birds with one stone and head to the tearoom at the bottom of Lighthouse Lane. The scent of freshly baked scones greeted her as she pushed open the door, the small brass bell above her head jingling softly.
‘Clemmie!’ Dilly called out, spotting her best friend behind the counter, busy arranging pastries with her usual flair. ‘I don’t suppose you have a vintage decorative bowl I could borrow? And I would love a cinnamon roll.’ Dilly walked up to the counter looking hopefully at her friend.
‘You’ve come to the right place. One freshly baked cinnamon roll…’ Clemmie popped it into a bag. ‘And what size bowl would you like?’
‘That is the question. I’m not quite sure. I may need small, medium or large, depending.’
‘Depending on what?’ Clemmie noticed the mischievous smirk on Dilly’s face. ‘Delilah Waters, you are up to something. I know that look.’ She narrowed her eyes. ‘In fact you look… how would I describe it… quite cocky.’
Dilly looked over her shoulder to make sure there was no one else in earshot before leaning in towards Clemmie. ‘Cocky indeed,’ she chuckled. ‘It’s to cover up a penis.’
‘Woah! For a second there I thought you said penis.’
‘That’s exactly what I said but I’m not sure how big it’s going to be.’
‘Whose penis?’ Clemmie shook her head in wonderment. ‘I think you better explain.’
Grinning, Dilly whispered, ‘I’m organising a new art class. I thought I’d spice up our artistic endeavours a bit. It’s been something I’ve been thinking about for a while.’
‘And you thought instead of painting a simple bowl of fruit you’d have a naked man lying behind it?’
‘Exactly that.’
‘That’s nuts! I wasn’t expecting you to say that at this time in the morning.’
Laughter escaped from Dilly’s mouth. ‘I see what you did there! I think it’ll be great fun. Friends, a few glasses of prosecco and a healthy dose of artistic inspiration mixed with awkwardness.’
‘Should be a masterpiece in the making, both on canvas and in our memories!’
‘It’s all legit and tasteful. I’m just waiting for the agency to confirm which model will be available. Then all I will need is the students. But I’m thinking of it as more of a social occasion, a girly get-together.’
‘I’m in!’ replied Clemmie without hesitation. ‘And I don’t think we’ll have any trouble persuading the gang. Amelia and Robin will sign up and I’m sure we can coax Verity along too.’ Amelia, Clemmie and Dilly had been best friends for as long as Dilly could remember. They’d grown up together on the island and even went to college together. Amelia was a wannabe writer who owned The Story Shop, the bookshop on Lighthouse Lane. And Robin was the chief baker at Beachcomber Bakery. She had moved to the island ten years ago and immediately became part of the Puffin Island family. Verity was the newest addition to the island and had instantly slotted into their group. She worked as an assistant at the Cliff Top Veterinary Surgery.
‘Fabulous!’
‘And how is business doing?’
‘Really good. The art is flying from the gallery. There aren’t enough hours in the day to paint but I feel like I still need something more in my life to keep me occupied in the evenings since…’ She trailed off as a wave of sadness overcame her.
‘I know, and you are doing brilliantly,’ said Clemmie supportively.
‘I couldn’t have got through it all without my friends. It’s still a little tough some days but I just remind myself how brilliant I am and how far I’ve come.’
‘Exactly! You’re brilliant and you can’t blame yourself for what happened. These scammers come in all shapes and sizes and yours was particularly handsome. He knew exactly what he was doing.’
Nearly two years ago, Dilly Waters’ life took an unexpected turn when a famous musician staying on Puffin Island had purchased several pieces of her whimsical puffin- and lighthouse-themed paintings. His stay was documented by Netflix and when it aired, Dilly was catapulted into overnight fame, appearing on radio shows and TV programmes and even being recognised by strangers wherever she went. Her social media had also exploded and her once quiet gallery on Puffin Island suddenly became a bustling success with her paintings flying off the wall faster than she could create them.
A strikingly handsome man strode into her gallery a few months later, his confident presence catching Dilly’s attention straightaway. His tailored suit clung perfectly to his athletic frame and a playful smile danced on his lips as he met Dilly’s gaze. Captivated by his effortless allure and the intoxicating mix of genuine interest and flirtation in his words, Dilly was hooked immediately. They fell madly in love very quickly and he soon moved in with her.
But like all good things, it soon proved too good to be true, and it all came crashing down in spectacular fashion.
‘I was this close to handing over my inheritance to that monster,’ she said, holding her thumb and index finger just millimetres apart. ‘I still can’t quite believe I fell for him the way I did, hook, line and sinker.’
‘I never liked him,’ admitted Clemmie.
‘Neither did most of the island. Nobody warmed to him, not even my dad.’
‘Still, you weren’t to know that Giles Fox was a romance scammer. He was very good at what he did and he was in it for the long game.’
‘He broke my heart and I don’t think I’ll ever trust another man again.’
‘You will, but maybe not just yet. It’s understandable. What he did takes a lot of time to get over.’
‘But in the meantime, the fun of the art classes will keep me occupied. Would you put up a poster for me on your information board?’
‘Absolutely I will. I bet your classes will become very popular.’
‘Let’s hope so and thank you.’
‘Classes? What sort of classes?’ Betty, Clemmie’s grandmother and owner of the tearoom, breezed into the shop with a wide smile on her face.
‘Dilly’s new art classes will be right up your street,’ teased Clemmie.
‘I’m so bad at art that I can’t even draw a stick man.’
‘Life drawing classes,’ added Dilly, waiting to see Betty’s reaction.
‘What I don’t know about life at my age isn’t worth…’ She stopped in her tracks. ‘Ohhh, you mean…’ Betty looked around before mouthing the words, ‘Naked men.’
‘Exactly that,’ confirmed Dilly.
‘Yes, we are going to be drawing a naked man, with a bowl of fruit strategically placed for modesty,’ added Clemmie.
‘I’ve asked Clemmie to round up the troops. Shall I keep a space for you, Betty?’
Betty blushed, causing Clemmie and Dilly to burst into laughter.
‘Of course. I think I might just give this art malarkey another go!’ She gave them a wink. ‘I’m not missing out on any fun.’
‘That’s my granny!’
Betty swiped her grand-daughter playfully before turning back to Dilly. ‘You’ll be the talk of the island with your new art classes along with this. Have either of you seen the newspaper? This might be something you’re interested in.’ Betty looked at Dilly then opened the paper and tapped the article. ‘There’s a lot of history in that place for you.’
Dilly stared at the article.
Historic lighthouse up for sale with the best views over Puffin Island
An incredibly rare opportunity has come up to buy Puffin Island Lighthouse, overlooking Blue Water Bay and the harbour.
The spectacular 110ft lighthouse, eight storeys high, was originally built in the 1830s and was in operation until 1993. One of the first lighthouses to be automated back in the 1920s, it has been a listed building since 1985 and has recently been converted into a residential dwelling with the opportunity for a commercial venture.
The ground floor has a living room, while the first, second and fourth floors house bedrooms, with a family bathroom on the third, boasting a Victorian tub and spectacular views. The fifth and sixth floors house a dining room and kitchen while the top floor – the lantern room itself – has a balcony offering magnificent views across the water.
‘“The property will be sold by auction in a few weeks’ time,”’ Dilly read out loud, her voice tinged with surprise. ‘Can you believe this? That’s so soon.’
‘Are you tempted?’ asked Betty. ‘Especially given your connection with the lighthouse? Your grandfather was chief lighthouse keeper there for many years and your mum was born there.’
‘I’ve always wondered whether it would ever come up for sale. I’d spoken about it to Mum before she passed away. We always pondered what it would be like inside.’
‘What about your dad? He’s the owner of the boat house, do you think he would be interested in it?’ asked Clemmie.
‘I wouldn’t think so, but I’d sure like to look around.’
‘Now’s your chance.’ Clemmie pointed to the bottom of the article. ‘There’s an open day on Monday for potential buyers.’
This was an interesting bit of news. ‘Potential buyers,’ repeated Dilly, walking over to the window and staring out towards the lighthouse. Clemmie and Betty joined her.
‘Your grandfather’s death was tragic,’ murmured Betty. ‘I can still remember that heart-breaking night like it was yesterday.’ Her voice cracked. ‘Selby had just given birth when she learned that Mack had lost his life trying to save the passengers from the boat that had smashed against the rocks. It was the worst storm we’ve ever encountered on Puffin Island.’
‘I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions of that night. Welcoming a new baby into the world and losing your husband at almost exactly the same time,’ added Clemmie.
Betty wiped a tear with a napkin. ‘Selby was a strong, remarkable woman. One of a kind. I don’t know how she got through it all, but she did.’
‘Probably with the help of good friends like you,’ said Dilly. ‘She was the best grandmother anyone could have ever wished for. Didn’t she move in here soon after Mum was born?’
‘Yes, Selby and Eva moved in straightaway. Unfortunately, due to Mack’s death they were given notice on the cottage. It’s one of the downsides of being a keeper’s wife – the cottage stays with the job. It was difficult for her to give up the place they’d called home, especially as it was full of memories of Mack. It broke her heart a second time. But we all rallied around and helped as much as we could. Selby took several jobs to get back on her feet; she worked shifts at the pub, cleaned the hotel, worked here at the tearoom. We all took it in turns to look after the baby. Twelve months they stayed with us. Then she rented Seaside Cottage and as you know, lived her days out there.’
‘It must have been hard to wake up to a view of the lighthouse each morning,’ said Dilly.
‘Selby took comfort in it. She believed Mack was always looking down on them.’
‘And do we know if there are any contenders who are going to bid for the lighthouse?’ asked Clemmie.
Betty shrugged. ‘I’ve not heard about anyone specifically being interested, but I think that any potential buyers will be keeping their cards close to their chest. It’ll be interesting to see. You’re not toying with the idea, are you? Are you thinking of bidding?’ she asked Dilly.
Dilly couldn’t deny that thoughts had been turning over in her mind since Betty pointed out the article, and she was already envisioning the possibilities. Even though her dream had always been to open a chain of galleries across the country, what mattered to her even more was supporting young, emerging artists in her local community. She had an inheritance sitting and waiting, and if she used it to buy the lighthouse she could convert the ground floor into a gallery. Her current gallery could be transformed into a community space where up-and-coming artists could showcase their work, and she could host workshops to nurture their talent.
‘I’m thinking this is possibly fate.’ Dilly looked towards Clemmie. ‘As I said to you only last week, I’m looking for other premises so I can support the community and display local artists’ art. The current gallery is limited in space so this would be a perfect solution.’
‘But if you live in the lighthouse, you’ll be isolated. How would you feel about that?’
‘It’s not quite the same as it was in the 1950s. At least I wouldn’t have to row across every day. It’s easily accessible and only a five-minute walk, if that. Now there’s a short road to the lighthouse, and the jetty that people can walk along. It even has a parking space and a small walled garden. Of course, I would need to look around it first though. I know my grandparents didn’t own the lighthouse but it has special meaning to me and it’s been a huge part of our family history. It’s also the reason I paint quirky lighthouses and puffins.’
‘You’ll be flying high above the gulls with eight storeys to roam about in,’ added Clemmie.
‘What about the upkeep though? That’s not going to be cheap, and it’s listed, which means there will be a whole list of rules and regulations,’ chipped in Betty.
‘People live in listed cottages all the time. The island is full of them, including your own.’
‘That’s very true.’
‘Besides, we all know that work has been done to the outside of the lighthouse in recent years, so it’s really only the inside I need to worry about.’
‘There’s only one thing for it – you need to take a look round on open day and see what you think after that,’ said Betty. ‘I bet most of the islanders will have a nosey around anyway, including myself.’ Suddenly Betty looked saddened and Dilly suspected she knew why.
‘Was the last time you were in the lighthouse the night my grandfather passed away?’
Betty nodded. ‘Selby and I left the morning after the storm, just after your mum was born. Returning will bring back a lot of memories.’
‘It will, and hopefully, if I like what I see, new memories can be made.’ Dilly looked over the article again. ‘But can I ask you both to keep my interest to yourselves for now? I’m going to talk it over with Dad and have a sit down and look at my funds. I might just be dreaming but how cool would it be to own the lighthouse?’
‘Very cool. I’ll be very jealous,’ admitted Clemmie. ‘Hopefully one day my own inheritance will come in.’ She gave her grandmother a wry smile.
Betty interpreted her smile correctly, giving her grand-daughter another playful swipe. ‘It’ll be no time soon,’ she said. ‘And of course we will keep this to ourselves.’
‘Thank you. Now if I can borrow that bowl I came in for? Then I need to go and open up the gallery.’
* * *
Five minutes later Dilly was walking up Anchor Way heading towards Quaint Quarters. She opened the door to her gallery and stuck one of her posters in the window, advertising her brand-new art course. As soon as she flipped the sign to open, she grabbed her painting smock from the peg behind her desk at the back of the gallery, then added fresh paper to her easel before switching on the radio. Every day she sat at the back of the gallery, painting, while potential customers wandered in and out. But as she sat down on her stool and looked towards the blank canvas today, there was only one thing on her mind – the lighthouse. Was this potential purchase too extravagant? She’d always been sensible with money, but she questioned whether she would really be in a position to bid for it. But the more she thought about it, the more she wanted that lighthouse. She glanced towards the framed photograph of her mum and grandmother that was sitting on the shelf behind her desk. The idea of someone else owning that beacon, a cornerstone of her family history, didn’t sit right with her. Would they even appreciate the lighthouse’s legacy as much as she did? Would they know about the countless nights her grandfather dedicated to keeping the light burning bright?
Still looking at the photograph, Dilly made a decision, there and then. Opportunities like this didn’t come around often, so no matter what it took, she was going to make sure she won the lighthouse.