Page 19 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

Benny was guiding the delivery men on where to leave the fridge and freezer.

“Lyra, you appear happy,” Benny remarked.

“At last, I can move in.”

“No, you can’t,” a voice whispered. Benny and I both stiffened and exchanged looks.

“Someone’s playing tricks,” I said finally. “I’ve had a land buyer harassing me. He turned up at the hotel twice now and has called five times.”

“Ah lass, that’s a shame,” Benny replied, but looked uneasy.

“The guy keeps bugging me and making threats. I won’t be bullied; this is my lighthouse,” I stated and glared at the floor.

“Mine,” the voice echoed.

“Whatever. Ghosts don’t exist, so this is probably that Keith idiot trying to scare me,” I snapped.

Benny nodded but didn’t seem convinced. Without another word, we got the rest of the big stuff in, and I tipped the delivery men. As I hadn’t sent the skip back, Benny removed all the leftover packaging.

“They should have taken this,” Benny muttered.

“I’m familiar with this standard of service. Rudeness is something Penhaven does very well.”

“I disapprove, Lyra. Jaspers rightfully belong here, and this is your property. All this bull about stories and legends—it’s not right.”

“It’s okay. Benny, I’m used to being alone,” I murmured.

“Nobody should be.”

“It is perfectly fine. Honestly, Benny, I don’t mind my own company,” I replied.

Benny shook his head.

“Your life sounded miserable, Lyra.”

“It was with my ex,” I said, and took us both by surprise. I laughed, and Benny joined in. That had been funny!

Chapter Five.

William

Blast her. I paced back and forth, even more torn. Lyra had been treated abysmally. Clearly, she was looking at this as a fresh start, and I was going to ruin it for her. All day I had followed her around like a lost puppy and learned more than I’d needed to. She was hurting badly. Her ex-boyfriend—how did one call a grown man a boyfriend? I was unsure—was lower than a cad.

Lyra was alone; I thought she had family, and I was proven wrong. That struck a chord, and I felt for her, understanding loneliness all too well. But I had a mission and wouldn’t fail. Lyra locked the door after Benny left and leaned back against it.

“I’m home,” she whispered, putting the device I knew was called a phone down and turning to the boxes stacked up. Lyra began emptying them, washing plates, bowls, and utensils. Whilst they dried, she hung some pictures and placed a vase on the table. Lyra seemed happy pottering around as she unpacked more items and arranged them where she wanted.

The squeal she let out when she unwrapped a mini lighthouse and placed it in the window made me smile. The sun had set, and darkness arrived when she heard someone knock on the door. To my surprise, a gentleman stood there with trays at his feet. Lyra grabbed them and began setting them down on the countertops. Creeping closer, I realised she had a food delivery. There was so much; I was stunned. Some items I didn’t even recognise.

“Lady, this is a massive order,” the man stated.

“Yes, I just moved in. It’s my first shop, hence there being so much.”

“You just moved in? Always fancied living somewhere like this,” the guy said with a smile at Lyra. I bristled, agitated as I recognised the interest in his eye. Lyra was my human.

“It’s an adventure,” Lyra agreed.

“Want me to help empty these? There’s more back in the van,” the stranger offered, and I ground my teeth. Lyra stiffened, but apart from that, did nothing.