AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Five
Huh. Tammy looked acrosstowards the lighthouse. At least she’d found it. How she was going to get across was another issue, though. A narrow rocky path protruded slightly above the sea level between the sand of the beach and the rocky outcrop the lighthouse stood on. She wouldn’t even be surprised to learn that the path was completely submerged when the tide was in.
Taking a deep breath, Tammy began walking across the rocky pathway. Seaweed clung to the surface of the rocks, and she hoped she wouldn’t slip. Focusing on each step she took, she tried to ignore the water splashing against the rocks and catching her ankles.
Tammy paused as she felt the boxes shift in her arms. Please don’t fall. Please don’t fall. Especially with that ornament Carrie and created. It must have taken days to make. She couldn’t be the reason it got smashed. Not this close to the party when Carrie physically wouldn’t have time to remake it. She was sure Brooke had mentioned Carrie had volunteered at the bakery, too. It must have been a while ago now, though, if she’d started her own business.
As she steadied herself, Tammy looked towards the door of the lighthouse as it swung open and a man wearing a bright yellow high-vis jacket stepped out.
‘Can I help you?’
‘Hi, I’m just bringing some bits for Ian’s party.’ She called ahead, squinting against the sun. Did she recognise him? The dark stubble and the gruff voice. She was sure she did, but where from?
‘Great.’ The spoken word didn’t sound quite as enthusiastic as its meaning.
She did! He was the man she’d run into on the beach. The one she’d quickly run off from, too. Feeling a shoot of warmth flashing across her cheeks, she looked down before steadying herself again and glancing back up.
‘Here, I’ll come and help you. It looks as though you’re carrying enough food to keep me until Christmas.’
‘Oh, it’s not food. Just decorations. I think Elsie will get the food ready for the day of the party.’ She watched as he came towards her, his footsteps across the rocky pathway confident and assured.
‘Of course.’ Stopping in front of her, he held out his arms. ‘What shall I take?’
‘Umm.’ She shrugged, the boxes teetering in her arms.
He took the stack of boxes before they fell, holding them easily against his chest.
‘You didn’t need to take them all. Shall I have some back and help?’ Tammy frowned. She wouldn’t have dropped them.
‘Don’t worry, these paths can be quite slippery.’ He smiled, a quick short smile which briefly illuminated his face.
‘Okay, thank you.’ Smiling back, Tammy relaxed as she followed him across the rest of the path towards the door. ‘I’m guessing the pathway disappears under the water during high tide? How do you get across after that? Or do you get trapped inside?’
His shoulders bounced up and down as he chuckled. ‘It does, but I have a boat. It wouldn’t do any good being trapped inside for half the time.’
‘Right. No.’ She laughed at herself. Why hadn’t she realised he’d have had a boat? ‘I’m glad to hear you don’t end up being imprisoned. Although I’m sure the lighthouse is perfectly nice inside, I just mean...’
‘I know what you meant, and I quite agree. I certainly wouldn’t want to feel holed up half my working life.’ He paused next to the door and turned before trying to catch the door handle with his elbow.
‘Here, let me.’ She stepped forward just as the box on top of the pile slid from his arms and she somehow grabbed it before it reached the floor.
‘Good catch!’ Looking at her, he raised his eyebrows.
‘Huh, thanks. All those years of playing table tennis down the local youth club weren’t wasted then. My hand-to-eye coordination is better than I thought.’ She laughed as she turned the handle and pushed the door open.
‘Thanks. Come on in.’ He walked through first and stood using his back to hold the door open for her.
Stepping inside, she looked around as he shut the door behind them. They were in a large room with curved walls, moving boxes were stacked precariously on top of one another covering most of the floor, and bags and clothes covered a sofa and armchair by the window. Towards the back of the room, an archway opened through to a kitchen.
‘Let’s put them...’ He looked around the room before stepping forward and lowering the boxes onto a surprisingly empty coffee table. ‘Over here.’
‘Thank you for helping me bring them across.’ Tammy placed the box she was carrying on top of the pile he’d just placed down.
‘No worries.’ Placing his hands on his hips, he surveyed the room. ‘Sorry about the mess.’
‘Don’t worry. You’ve only just moved in, haven’t you?’
