Page 39 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“Then it’s a good job I have these.” Joseph pulled some folders from his briefcase. “I would suggest you have your surveyor re-attend college again. Each file here contains maintenance records dating back a hundred years and surveys dating from then until five years ago. There are also three additional reports from independent contractors dated this week, along with plumbing and electrical records. No issues were discovered with the Jasper lighthouses.”

Keith stared at the files, stunned.

“On top of all that, this is the Jasper Trust, not Penhaven Town’s Trust. Should any of the lighthouses be found to be unstable, they are to be taken down, brick by brick, and rebuilt. Those are the conditions, and nobody here can overrule them without a major lawsuit. In addition, I’m aware the council has pre-approved plans to build a housing estate on the land. Think again. That property is private and cannot be sold under the terms and clauses of The Trust. Such a violation will be met with legal action.”

“That estate can create many jobs,” the mayor bit out.

“Not at the cost of this council stealing private property. If you’re so worried, Mayor, your house has three acres of land attached to it. Why not donate that?”

The mayor stared at Joseph as her mouth worked silently. Joseph pulled out another file and walked up to the mayor. “This council and you have been served.”

With that on cue, we all stood up, smiled sweetly, and followed Joseph out as the small-town hall erupted. Score one to us.

I was woken suddenly, but didn’t know why. Peering into the darkness, I tensed. I wasn’t alone. Was it William? The moon remained hidden by clouds, letting in very little light. I was just about to call myself an idiot when I heard a shuffle. There was something here with me.

A slithering noise came from near the door, and I froze. Was that a snake? Was William messing with me?

The sound occurred again, and I pulled my knees up into a ball. If this was him trying to frighten me, then he was making moves to chase me out. That could turn out either way.

“Go away, William!” I spat.

A loud hiss sounded in response, but I refused to interact with it. “I’m calling a priest,” I threatened and closed my eyes.

It took me ages to fall back asleep and just as I did, William hissed again. This was war! That ghost was not chasing me from Leafpoint!

Chapter Nine.

William

As Lyra came out of her bedroom, she screamed as I appeared in front of her as a decomposing corpse. Lyra danced back with a wail and threw a water bottle at me. With a disjointed grin, I let the bottle sink into my rotting skin and then disappeared when I was certain my bodily fluids had coated it.

“William!” Lyra shrieked as I grinned. This was only the beginning.

Lyra picked up her bottle with distaste and made whimpering noises all the way down to the kitchen. She muttered under her breath as she opened the bin and dropped the bottle into it.

“First, you keep me awake half the night, and then you mess with my head. What is your problem?” Lyra demanded to herself.

What was Lyra talking about now? Was she losing command of her senses? I’d barely begun to torment her. I swallowed guilt. Lyra had informed me when she arrived home yesterday that they’d cut Keith off at his knees. A rather descriptive saying. If the Leafpoint was safe, then Lyra needed to move on. The time for being nice was over.

Lyra

I grinned as I opened the package I’d ordered from the online store and cuddled it. William could get ready. He wasn’t the only person who could play pranks. I waited until he appeared in the kitchen to make a drink. William had become addicted to vanilla coffee and liked to have one in the morning and evening. As he stirred it, I slipped up behind him and put in earplugs. Moments later, I blasted William with a foghorn. The sheer fright on his face as he dropped the spoon he was stirring his coffee with was so satisfying.

Even funnier was the way William dematerialised. I howled with laughter. I picked up the spoon, chuckling the whole time, and began making my own breakfast. Every so often, a giggle escaped me at the look of terror William had displayed.

William

What the hell had that been? How dare Lyra do something like that? This is my lighthouse!

Leafpoint poked at me, amused, and I frowned in response. Leafpoint didn’t care, and her amusement rolled over me. If Lyra wanted war, so be it. I was only too happy to indulge.

When she’d settled down after breakfast, dragging her laptop out to do an activity, I let Lyra begin work and then began banging on the pipes. Lyra looked up, annoyed, and then returned to what she was doing. I repeated my action, and Lyra glowered. With a grin, I kept it up for the next hour. Finally, she shoved the computer away and stomped downstairs. I followed as she started pulling out ingredients to bake.

I’d behave for a bit because I liked cake. Wondering what flavour Lyra planned to make, I stepped too close. Lyra turned rapidly as I partially materialised, with the electronic whisk in her hand. A nasty smile crossed her lips, and Lyra shoved it into my stomach and switched it on. I was puzzled at first, then I looked down and screamed.

The entire thing was sickening; where it hit me, my molecules spun like a whirlpool and came apart. Lyra moved it upwards, into my chest, and as she held my eyes, she shoved it straight into my forehead. I exploded as Lyra cackled wickedly.

Fleeing for my existence, I raced to the lantern room and tried reforming. I couldn’t. In sheer disbelief, I wondered what the hell Lyra had done to me. I wasn’t going to lose!