Chapter 6
Chapter Six
I t had been a few days since Dilly had seen Max, but he had been very much on her mind. Together, they had drawn up three scenarios for the auction, each with a specific amount. The first figure was ideal, allowing Dilly to purchase the lighthouse while remaining financially comfortable. The second amount was mid-range, which would still provide a decent living but would require her to tighten her belt a little. The third was a figure that under no circumstances could be exceeded. Bidding over this amount would push Dilly to the max financially, leaving her with nothing but a lighthouse she had no means of turning into the gallery and home of her dreams.
For the next hour, Dilly busied herself tidying her already immaculate flat, trying to kill time before meeting Max at the corner of Blue Water Bay. Last night she could barely sleep, knowing today she would be stepping inside the lighthouse. She just hoped it lived up to her expectations. Her phone was fully charged and ready to take pictures, and she had a small notebook tucked into her bag to jot down any important details about the interior of the lighthouse and any upgrades or renovations that might be needed.
When it was time to leave, Dilly grabbed her sunglasses and stepped outside. The day was beautiful, bright and sunny with just enough breeze to keep the heat at bay, and she made her way down to the waterfront to pick up two teas from the Cosy Kettle before strolling along the path at the edge of the sand. As she approached the meeting spot, she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of anticipation. She was looking forward to spending time with Max and viewing the lighthouse. Her thoughts wandered to the possibilities that lay ahead if she managed to buy the historic site, the art classes she could offer from her original location, the second gallery she could open, a new home she could make her own. The lighthouse was more than just a building, it was a chance to create something truly special while also giving back to the community she loved.
She arrived at the corner of Blue Water Bay, polystyrene cups in hand, and admired the spectacular view of the lighthouse against the glistening sea, gulls soaring high above. But she stopped dead in her tracks as she looked towards the jetty, where a long line of people, stretching back along the road, were waiting to view the lighthouse. Her smile faded as despair rose within her. All these people had come to view the property? Damn. She had anticipated some interest, of course, but not this much.
Max was still nowhere in sight but she was relieved he would be joining her, and hoped he might have some reassuring words in the face of the enormous queue. It was always good to have a friend in uncertain times. She wished she’d had more chances to chat with him since their last meeting, but the gallery had been busier than usual, and she knew the boat house had been extremely busy, trying to get the boats back out on the water after their repairs and upgrades.
Settling on a nearby rock, she placed one tea on the ground and sipped the other. An official-looking person stood at the lighthouse door, checking his watch. Right on time, he opened the door and people began to file inside, the potential buyers beginning their tours. Dilly willed Max to hurry, eager to get inside. Glancing to her right, she finally spotted him further up at the harbour, but he wasn’t walking her way. Instead, he was deep in conversation with someone she didn’t recognise.
Max looked as handsome as ever, with the sleeves of his painting overalls tied around his waist and his T-shirt hugging his body in a way that accentuated his physique. The woman stood very close to him – too close for Dilly’s comfort, if she was honest – wearing a power suit with very high heels, which seemed impractical for navigating the sand and the jetty. She didn’t seem the usual type of customer that frequented the boat house. She was around five foot five, slim, and as she turned around, Dilly saw she had sunglasses hiding her eyes. Her blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail that swished from side to side, and she carried a very expensive-looking handbag.
Max leaned towards her, speaking earnestly, and from where Dilly was sitting their conversation seemed serious.
Max checked his watch as the woman opened her bag. She gestured towards an envelope he was holding, which he promptly dropped into her bag. Dilly heard the woman laugh as she stepped away, heading towards a top-of-the-range sports car parked on the road. Within seconds, she had driven out of sight and Max was walking towards Dilly.
She gave him a smile. ‘There you are, I was beginning to think you’d stood me up.’
‘Sorry I’m a few minutes late.’ He looked flustered.
‘You okay?’
‘I am now.’
‘Got you a tea.’
‘You are a keeper.’ Max took the cup from her and immediately took a sip.
‘Hopefully soon to be the lighthouse keeper!’
‘I see what you did there.’ He grinned.
‘But judging by that queue, I’ve got a feeling there will be quite a few bidders at the auction.’
‘Most of the people in the queue will have no intention of bidding on the lighthouse,’ Max reassured her. ‘It’s the first time in years that the public can look around inside and I’ll bet most of the island will be taking a peek today, just because they can. Don’t let all these people put you off.’
He pointed to a man standing a little further up in the line, dressed in a tweed suit, complete with a bow tie, Homburg hat and patent leather shoes. ‘He looks like he should be a detective on a cosy murder mystery show,’ Max observed.
Dilly leaned in. ‘That’s Henry Snyder. He’s a local historian and journalist. Lived on the island for years. He’s obviously here for the history.’
They began to walk across the sand toward the jetty, soon joining the back of the queue.
Dilly’s phone pinged. ‘It’s a text from my dad,’ she said, glancing at the screen. ‘He hopes the viewing goes well and can’t wait to hear all about it.’ She slipped her phone back into her bag. ‘This jetty and road weren’t always here,’ Dilly pointed out. ‘Before they were put in, the only way to the lighthouse was by boat.’
‘It’s a good thing there’s a road now,’ Max replied. ‘Otherwise, I’d be rowing across to see you, and I have to admit, I’m not very good on the water.’
‘You work in a boat house!’ Dilly laughed.
‘That doesn’t mean I have to get in the boats!’
The queue had picked up pace, and visitors were already trickling out of the lighthouse, some pausing on the jetty to snap photos with their phones. Dilly glanced up, almost giving herself whiplash. ‘It’s quite tall, isn’t it?’ She had never truly considered its height until now, when she was up close.
‘I think that’s the whole point of a lighthouse.’ He nudged her with his elbow. ‘Are you ready to take a look around?’
‘Ready,’ she replied eagerly.
They stepped through the heavy oak door into the first room. ‘Oh my gosh, I wasn’t expecting this. It’s just gorgeous and perfect for a gallery,’ Dilly exclaimed.
‘It’s very quirky,’ added Max. ‘And very cool.’
The round room, eighteen feet in diameter, was lined with about a foot of brick, providing excellent insulation. Two windows allowed natural light to flood the space, and several alcoves set into the brick provided space for shelves and storage. Some of the shelves were lined with books, adding a cosy touch. A charming stove stood against one wall, with a small farmhouse table and chairs snugly arranged nearby, and a staircase leading to the upper levels. The stove’s exhaust pipe was cleverly concealed behind a central column that extended from the basement and through the upper floors. The column was hollow and, according to a leaflet Dilly had just picked up, housed a large weight that powered the clockwork motor turning the lantern. The combination of practical design and historical charm left them both in awe.
‘There’s actually a floor below this one,’ Dilly noted, her eyes scanning the room in admiration.
Max glanced at the leaflet. ‘It says here that the basement was originally for the coal furnace, and there’s now a cistern for the water.’
‘What do you think of this room?’ Dilly asked, sweeping her gaze around the space.
Max took a moment to absorb the details. ‘As far as I can see, there’s plenty of light, those alcoves will be perfect for hanging paintings, there’s electricity, a stove to heat the space in winter, and the walls are in very good condition.’
Dilly squealed in delight, linking her arm through Max’s. He smiled warmly at her. ‘I think it’s just perfect. Let’s check out the next level.’
He gestured for Dilly to go first and they made their way to the winding steps.
The staircase was narrow and steep, but it only added to the lighthouse’s charm. As they ascended, the walls seemed to close in slightly, creating a cosy, intimate atmosphere. Max admired the craftsmanship of the spiral stairs, the wood polished smooth by years of use. ‘It’s amazing how well preserved everything is,’ he stated, his voice low in the confined space.
Dilly nodded, her hand trailing along the railing. ‘I can already imagine the gallery here. The history of this place adds so much character. Max! Look!’ Her voice echoed all around as she paused, staring at a picture on the wall. The staircase was lined with framed photos of every lighthouse keeper who had served at the Puffin Island Lighthouse, including Dilly’s grandfather, Mack Sinton. ‘I don’t believe it.’
‘He looks so young,’ Max commented, peering over her shoulder.
‘He does,’ Dilly agreed, her voice tinged with awe and emotion. ‘And handsome. I can’t believe the responsibility of the lighthouse fell on his shoulders at such a young age. He looks younger than I am now. It’s hard not to wonder what his life would have been like if it hadn’t been tragically cut short. But my grandmother always took comfort in knowing he loved his job. It was in his blood, and he knew the risks. He died doing what he loved best.’
She was aware of the people waiting behind her on the stairs and quickly moved past the photographs, though her mind lingered on the image of her grandfather. ‘If I could purchase those photos, I could create a gallery exhibition centred around all the lighthouse keepers.’ Dilly was filled with excitement and determination. In her mind, she had already won the lighthouse at auction and had started moving in, despite having only seen some of it.
As they continued their ascent, the narrow stairs creaked underfoot, adding to the historic ambiance of the place. The walls were adorned with more mementos of the lighthouse’s past – old maps, nautical charts and vintage tools used by keepers over the years – and the air was filled with the faint scent of salt and aged wood, evoking a sense of timelessness. Finally, they reached the next floor, which opened into another round room, slightly smaller than the first but equally charming. The walls here were painted a soft seafoam green, and the large window offered an even more breathtaking view of the ocean. The sunlight streamed in, casting a warm, golden glow that made the room feel both comfy and roomy.
Max walked over to the window, admiring the panoramic view. ‘This place just keeps getting better. Imagine the sunsets you’ll see from here.’
Dilly joined him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ‘I can picture it already; this room could be a private studio, filled with easels and canvases. The light here is perfect for painting.’
Max turned to her, his smile reflecting her enthusiasm. ‘You’ve really thought this through. I’m looking forward to seeing your incredible vision for this place come to life.’
They continued up the spiral staircase, eager to explore every inch of the lighthouse that Dilly was already beginning to think of as her future home.
The second floor of the Puffin Island Lighthouse housed a large bedroom. The circular room, fifteen feet in diameter, was also brick-lined, with two windows providing ample natural light and a wardrobe against one wall.
‘This must be the master bedroom, where the main lighthouse keeper slept, which means this is likely the room where my mother was born,’ Dilly mused.
‘Quite possibly,’ Max replied, nodding.
‘I could make this so homely,’ Dilly continued, her imagination taking flight. ‘Quilted floral duvets with matching curtains, a plush rug and an embroidered wall hanging would finish this room off beautifully.’ She opened one of the doors of the wardrobe and looked back at Max, her eyes widening. ‘You are not going to believe this.’ She opened the door wider, allowing him to peer over her shoulder.
‘What am I looking at?’ he asked, puzzled.
‘The semaphore flags! These are the flags my grandmother used to communicate with my grandfather when he was on duty here at the lighthouse.’ Dilly pulled out the bag and placed it on the bed. ‘These have got to be the originals. I could decorate the gallery with these!’ She held up the two poles and stretched her arms, explaining, ‘The letters of the alphabet have different positions.’ Inside the bag was a set of instructions showing all the positions. She thrust the booklet into Max’s hand.
‘What are you doing?’ he whispered. ‘There are lots of other viewers milling around.’
But Dilly wasn’t perturbed. ‘Guess what I’m saying,’ she demanded, waving wildly.
‘How do you know what the positions are?’ asked Max as he paged through the booklet, trying to figure out what Dilly was spelling.
‘My grandmother taught me when I was little. She made some flags, and we used to take turns guessing what the message was. Let’s see if I can remember.’
While other viewers of the lighthouse popped their heads into the room for a quick look, Dilly stood in the middle of the room, assuming various positions with the flags. Max perched on the end of the bed, watching with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
M-Y N-E-W H-O-M-E, she spelled out with the flags.
‘I feel like a cheerleader but without the pom-poms!’
Max laughed. ‘You’re doing great! And you’re right, this place is perfect for you.’
Dilly beamed, lowering the flags and packing them back into their bag. ‘I can already see it all coming together. Let’s check out the next level.’
As they continued their exploration, Dilly’s mind buzzed with ideas and possibilities, her excitement growing with each step.
The third floor held a bathroom, the fourth another bedroom and the fifth and sixth the dining room and kitchen. In these rooms, the walls were lined with rich, warm wood, and a ring of small portholes allowed natural light to stream in. A final spiral staircase led up to the Watch Deck at the top of the lighthouse.
‘Shall we go up?’ Max suggested.
‘I think we should,’ Dilly replied, unable to hide her excitement.
‘I have to say, all the work needed inside is mainly cosmetic. I really can’t see any major problems or the need for costly renovations,’ Max said, looking around as they ascended.
‘I know I should be happy about that,’ Dilly said with a playful smile, ‘but I was quite looking forward to you coming around every night to help me work on the lighthouse.’
‘Is that so?’ Max’s eyes twinkled.
‘It is,’ Dilly admitted in a flirty tone.
Above the door leading out to the Watch Deck, a weathered steel plate bore the builder’s name and the date of construction, telling them that the lighthouse had been erected in the early 1880s. The plate was a testament to the enduring craftsmanship of a bygone era. Stepping through the doorway, they emerged onto a canopied walkway supported by intricate cast-iron posts adorned with delicate scrollwork. The canopy provided some shade, casting shadows on the wooden deck beneath their feet.
The view was breathtaking, with Puffin Island stretched out before them. The surrounding cliffs, jagged and majestic, framed the skyline, while the distant town of Sea’s End was nestled in the landscape, its rooftops gleaming in the afternoon sun.
Dilly gestured excitedly towards the panoramic view. ‘Look at Cliff Top Cottage over there. It seems so tiny from up here, doesn’t it? And there’s The Sea Glass Restaurant. I can even spot the boat house.’ She turned towards Max with a mischievous grin. ‘You could have your own set of semaphore flags, and we could communicate with each other.’
Max chuckled, shaking his head. ‘You do know they’ve invented a new type of technology called the mobile phone, right?’
Dilly laughed along with him. ‘But that won’t be nearly as much fun!’
Their banter echoed against the backdrop of the expansive seascape, the sunlight danced on the waves below, and the distant landmarks of Puffin Island seemed almost miniature from where they were standing at the top of the lighthouse.
‘Can you imagine sitting up here on a summer’s evening with a glass of wine?’ she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.
Max followed her gaze, nodding appreciatively. ‘Oh, I can! And if this view doesn’t give you inspiration for your paintings, nothing will. It’s the perfect place to paint.’
‘I’ve got to get this place,’ Dilly declared with determination, her eyes still fixed on the stunning view.
‘I hope you do,’ Max replied sincerely.
As they queued at the top of the stairs, preparing to descend, Dilly paused, taking a moment to catch her breath.
‘You okay? It’s very overwhelming, isn’t it?’ Max asked.
‘I’ve just gone a little light-headed again. It might be the stairs, but that’s something I’m hopefully going to get used to,’ Dilly admitted, steadying herself.
‘It is warm in here with all these people,’ Max agreed, casting a glance around at the other visitors.
Once back at ground level and out on the jetty, Dilly took some deep breaths. ‘That feels better. I think I was just feeling a little hot and claustrophobic with all those people.’ They stood side by side. Dilly looked up again at the towering structure and then out to sea. ‘Just think, I may become the owner of all this, and very soon.’
‘The auction will be here soon enough. You need to try not to worry too much about this place in the meantime though,’ Max said, checking his watch. ‘As much as I wish I could stay longer, I need to get back to the boat house. I don’t want to get the sack.’
‘My dad wouldn’t sack you,’ Dilly reassured him with a smile, ‘otherwise he’d have me to deal with!’
‘I’m not taking that chance.’ He grinned, taking her hands in his. ‘Thank you again for letting me tag along.’ He slowly dropped her hands and stepped back. ‘I really do have to go, but I can’t wait to hear whether you are the new keeper.’
‘You can come with me to the auction, if you want,’ she offered.
Max’s face lit up with surprise and delight. ‘Really? You want me to come with you?’
‘I do, I feel like we’re in this together now.’
‘It would be my pleasure, but I’ll have to clear it with your dad first.’
Max gave a farewell wave and hurried towards the harbour as Dilly turned back towards the lighthouse, her gaze drifting towards the rocks where her grandfather had lost his life, the sight a poignant reminder of the lighthouse’s history.
‘We wondered if we’d bump into you,’ came Clemmie’s voice, drawing Dilly’s attention. She turned to find Clemmie and Betty walking towards her. ‘We couldn’t miss out on taking a look inside.’
‘It is absolutely amazing,’ Dilly enthused. ‘And would you believe there’s a photo of my grandfather on the wall? All the chief lighthouse keepers are up there. I felt so proud seeing it.’
Betty touched her arm gently. ‘And so you should be. Mack was not only one of my dearest friends but a very brave man who would be proud of you.’
‘Thank you.’
‘We’d best hurry inside; we’ve left the staff in charge while we nip out of the tearoom for ten minutes. I’m sure we’ll see you before the auction but just in case we don’t, know that we’re rooting for you,’ said Clemmie.
‘And I’m really looking forward to the art class,’ added Betty with a mischievous glint in her eye, chuckling as she walked towards the lighthouse.
With a spring in her step Dilly set off towards Lighthouse Lane, stealing one last glance towards the harbour. She noticed Max had paused further along, engrossed in conversation once more with the woman in the suit. They exchanged another envelope and she pointed towards the lighthouse, and Dilly couldn’t help but notice that Max looked agitated. The woman leaned into him and pressed a hand on his chest before she walked away for the second time today. Max’s gaze lingered on the envelope, and then he scanned the beach, as if hoping no one had witnessed their exchange.
A wave of unease swept over Dilly, a familiar sense of anxiety creeping up, reminiscent of when she’d uncovered Giles’s deceit. She battled against the unsettling thoughts flooding her mind but couldn’t help it. What if Max was somehow entangled in something dubious? Was it possible he had ulterior motives and his popping back up in her life wasn’t a coincidence? Had he planned it? Was it possible he… wanted the lighthouse for himself? No, that’s not possible, she thought, forcing her mind to calm.
‘Urgh,’ Dilly muttered in frustration, quickening her pace towards the gallery. She scolded herself for doubting Max, knowing she was only feeling triggered because of her past situation. Giles was a different kind of person altogether, and besides, not everyone operated with ulterior motives. Max was a good person, and he’d never intentionally hurt her. But as she kept walking, a feeling deep in her gut persisted that something wasn’t quite right. She paused at the end of the lane and looked back. The woman was standing on the edge of the sand looking straight at the lighthouse. It felt like a bad omen and Dilly couldn’t help but shiver.