‘Well, there it is,’ Ivy said, breaking the silence. ‘The famous Fox Bay lighthouse. You can see why it gets missed by all the tourist websites. From further round the headland you wouldn’t know it was here.’
Trip let out a low whistle. ‘Wow.’
Brooke whipped out her phone and took a series of pictures. ‘Perfect,’ she breathed, then tucked her phone away again. ‘Very cool. This is just the sort of thing I was looking for, Ivy.’
‘It reallyiscool,’ Ivy murmured. ‘I forget sometimes.’
Trip looked sideways at her, the sunrise casting gold across his face, lighting his rumpled curls like a halo. ‘Sometimes a break from a place isn’t a bad thing,’ he said. ‘You come back, you see it differently.’
Ivy didn’t reply, hugging her Thermos against her chest to keep out the chill. She wasn’t sure she’d gothatfar – Fox Bay was still Fox Bay, with all of its frustrations and quirks – but all the same, she was glad they had come up here today. They stood in silence, letting the wind buffet their cheeks.
Brooke stood slightly apart, looking out at the sea and rocks below. As Ivy watched, Trip walked over to his sister and threw an arm round her shoulders.
‘She would’ve loved this,’ she heard Trip murmur. ‘Wouldn’t she? A dawn trip to a haunted lighthouse?’
Brooke let out a small laugh and Ivy caught her words, muffled by the wind. ‘She would have made us wake upwayearlier than this. 7 a.m. is for layabouts.’
‘She would’ve brought that ratty old tartan blanket and at least three Thermoses,’ Trip added. ‘And cake. You can’t have an adventure without snacks.’
‘It would have beencharacter-building.’
The siblings laughed softly. Ivy watched them from the corner of her eye, wondering who they were talking about, but not wanting to interrupt. She knew it was time to head back, get some decent coffee and open up the shop. But she was in nohurry to leave, not when the brother and sister were having a moment.
Ivy closed her eyes to the sunrise and breathed in deeply. It felt like real life could be suspended here, with all her worries and cares left somewhere far below. And for just now, she didn’t want to go back.
At last, they headed down the path and then Brooke and Trip went out to see one of the nearby fortresses, continuing Brooke’s itinerary. Back at the shop, Ivy was soon swept up in work, and the hours sped past.
When it was time for her break, she checked her WhatsApp with caution and saw that debate was raging furiously over Trip’s appointment as director.
Wait. You’re putting a tourist in charge?
He’s not even Cornish. He won’t understand half of the references.
Give him a chance. Maybe fresh eyes will be good?
No. We need someone with experience. The show is too important.
Too important? It’s a kids’ show for god’s sake. I vote we cancel it.
Yeah. We’ve only got two weeks and I can’t even figure out what the script says. Half of it seems to be in another language …
Ivy bit her lip. There was a rehearsal tonight and she was worried that Trip would innocently be walking into the lion’s den. He was too sweet-natured and would be no match for the Fox Bay show committee. At least she would be there, she thought, to offer him some protection.
The rehearsal was at six. Josie vanished at four to teach a breathwork seminar in her friend’s barn. After the last customer had drifted out, Ivy flipped the sign toClosedand slung her MOMA tote over one shoulder.
Trip was waiting outside in the dusk, checking his phone, beanie pushed back over his hair.
‘Ready for your directorial debut?’ Ivy asked, as she locked up.
‘Absolutely,’ he said cheerfully.
‘Because you can still back out, you know. Tell Mr Hargreaves you’re allergic to face paint and dust. And children. And hiking shorts, of which there will be many in the PTA. Seriously, it’s going to be hairy. It already sounds pretty tense on the WhatsApp. My advice? Quit now, before they know who you are.’
Trip only laughed. ‘No way, I’m not a quitter. Besides, I don’t know what you’re so worried about. It’ll be fun.’
‘I look forward to seeing your impenetrable optimism crushed,’ said Ivy, as they headed along the high street.
He ignored her and nodded at her bag. ‘That’s a cool quote.’
