Page 6 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“None of your business,” I snapped again, taking everyone by surprise.

Serena stiffened and stepped forward, her beautiful face screwing up in anger. “I’m your boss!”

“Nope. Since I’m not working, you can’t order me about!” Serena gaped. For years, I’d taken her bullying. Not anymore.

Smugly, I shut the door to the Mercedes and locked it.

“That’s a Mercedes-Benz G-Class G63 Mango Edition. That’s easily over two hundred and twenty thousand. Who the hell is trusting you with that?” Cale demanded, stepping towards me.

“How much?” I gasped, looking at the car in disbelief.

“What’s going on here?” Cale realised something was wrong.

“Nothing,” I muttered and shoved past, racing for my bedsit. I wanted them to go away. After what they both pulled at work—wait—I didn’t have to stay there. What was I thinking? A laugh escaped me. I was free from Serena’s bullying, Cale’s constant lies, and his friends ridicule.

I opened the bedsit door and headed inside. The landlord had been paid a little extra to get rid of the furniture, but knowing him, he’d rent the bedsit out as furnished. I grabbed the last bag and turned.

Cale and Serena stood in the doorway. Serena’s dainty nose wrinkled in disgust, and Cale… I was unsure what Cale looked like.

“Where are your things?” Cale asked, staring at me.

“None of your business. You dumped me, remember?” I replied quietly. I just wanted to leave. Why had Cale brought Serena here? To embarrass me further? To show me I wasn’t Serena’s level? I didn’t need telling; I already knew that. Serena was prettier, classier, cleverer, and a total bitch. Yup. Serena won, hands down. Whoop-de-doo.

“Stop sulking! Act like an adult!” Cale snapped, and I looked at him. I slowly walked over to the closet and opened it. Cale drew a deep breath at his sports coat hanging there.

“That’s what you want. Take it and leave.”

“Where’s your clothes? Lyra! What’s going on? Where did that Mercedes come from?”

For a moment I considered taunting him about what he’d thrown away, but in the end, Cale wasn’t worth it.

“Shut the door on your way out. Serena, consider this my notice,” I said as I walked past them both.

“What?” Serena screeched. “You can’t just quit.”

A laugh escaped. “How are you planning to force me to return? For once, Serena, it looks like you’ll have to work instead of strutting around the office and taking credit for everyone’s efforts.”

Her hand snapped out and gripped my arm.

“Don’t push me, because I will slap you stupid. You’ve earned that,” I threatened.

Cale strode over and shoved Serena behind him. Before he could say or do anything, I bravely waggled my fingers in his face.

“Lock up,” I said and made my way outside. I stopped and threw my head back, drawing in fresh air, and then headed for my Mercedes. As I pulled out of my space, I saw Cale staring at me from the street, looking completely perplexed.

Good for him! I’d an adventure to find.

As it was getting late, the roads remained clear. Luckily for me, I had missed all rush-hour traffic and was merrily driving along the M5 heading towards Bristol. I’d taken a break to eat and rest before continuing. I should have been shattered considering that I had been up since six, but I was wired and excited. The money was nice, but the lighthouse called me with a promise of adventure.

I was uncertain whether Poppy and Ophelia would come, but Thea was on her way. It was the early hours of the morning when I arrived in Cornwall. The roads remained clear, and the Mercedes ate up the miles. Despite the winter cold, I opened the window and sniffed the fresh air from the sea. There was a hint of brine, and I smiled. Something told me I’d made the right move. Snow lay thick on the ground, which tempered my speed, but the Mercedes hugged the road, making me feel safe.

Finally, in the distance, it appeared.

A smile crossed my lips as I stared at the bastion that had saved countless lives. It stood stalwart in the darkness, with the moon breaking through cloud cover every so often. The light came from its lantern, shining over the dark expanse of sea. It was a silent witness to those who’d lived and died by the water. I was aware nobody had inhabited it for a while, but I hoped there was at least a bed.

I turned off the road and turned down a snow-covered lane. Worried, I paused, unsure for a few moments, but drove onwards. I just prayed I wouldn’t get stuck. Of course, I should have trusted the car, as she handled it like a pro. The surface was bumpy, but the Mercedes didn’t care. I pulled up and parked outside.

Leafpoint lighthouse surprised me. It was very tall, which I had imagined, but far wider than I’d believed. Also, I’d not expected the wear and tear. A white picket fence had blown down. A small garage nearby was covered in graffiti, and the road definitely needed repaving.