A Light Between Oceans Episode 04
On the train from London to Belmouth, Lucas’s head began to pound in cross rhythms with the chug of the train, and he cursed himself for not having hired a taxi to drive him straight to Belmouth.
He could have afforded it, but he’d been seized with the romantic notion of travelling by train through the English countryside,.
In his jet-lagged haze he hadn’t thought to book a first-class train ticket, and the journey had been noisy and uncomfortable, with his long legs feeling stiff and cramped.
Nor had he considered the buffet car running out of bacon sandwiches, or the coffee not being quite what he was used to.
He had flown from New York to London a number of times before for business, and the taxis and hotels and restaurant reservations had been arranged by his secretary.
He would then meet with company directors, advising on investments and how best to spend the vast fortunes they made each year, and encouraging them to sign contracts with Haverstock and Ward, where he’d been a partner for the last five years.
This accomplished, he’d fly back to New York to shower and gather his wits before climbing into yet another taxi that would take him back to the office.
He closed his eyes, imagining the fresh, salty air and the rolling waves that would lull him gently to sleep when he was finally in his hotel room overlooking the sea.
First, he’d need to phone Mr Haverstock to let him know he’d arrived.
It had been kind of him to ask Lucas to do that, because this trip was different.
He was travelling on his own steam, and would not be courting any companies or clients, so there was no need to report back.
Mr Haverstock and his wife had been good to him these past years, taking an interest in his career, and even having him to their home for Christmas.
But he was still Lucas’s boss, and had been concerned about the sudden request for time off.
“You’ve been working hard, Lucas, and deserve a break,” Mr Haverstock had told him.
“But this is unexpected, and not the best moment to be away. Can it wait until summer?”
“I realise I’m putting you in a tough position, Mr Haverstock, and I’m sorry about the timing, but I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t very important.”
There was a silence.
“It’s about some property that has come up for sale.”
“Ah! Interesting. A good investment for you? Or is it something we might be interested in, too?”
“No.” Lucas replied a little too abruptly.
“It’s – I’m sorry . . .” he stammered, knowing that he owed him at least a little information.
“I know it sounds crazy,” he continued, “but there’s a lighthouse for sale in a little town on the south coast of England.
“I’ve become captivated by it – for a number of reasons,” Lucas finished.
“A lighthouse? How extraordinary.
“What do you intend to do with it?” Mr Haverstock asked.
“I’m not sure,” Lucas admitted.
“I’m sure it sounds a strange thing to be doing, and I’m afraid I can’t tell you more than that just yet.
“But I promise that it’s crucial to me to find out more about it.
“I’m sorry to be so mysterious.”
“I didn’t know you were interested in lighthouses, Lucas. It’s a quirky idea.
“There are plenty on this side of the Atlantic, you know.
“We could help you investigate, if you were looking to buy one or invest. Unless this is some sort of lark?”
“It’s not a lark – I promise you that,” Lucas insisted.
“And it’s only this one that I need to see.
“I hope I can tell you more at some point, but I’d be grateful if you could please give me the time off.
“The lighthouse has been on the market for a while, and I need to go before it’s too late.”
For the first time since his interview at the firm several years ago, Lucas thought he detected a faint look of disapproval on his boss’s face.
If that were the case, so be it.
Lucas knew he would be unable to go forward in his work, or in anything else in his life, until he saw this through.
Three weeks ago something extraordinary had happened out of the blue that had stopped him in his tracks.
It had catapulted his every thought back to his childhood, and to his parents, who had died some years ago.
It was as if he’d been plunged into the middle of a treasure hunt.
Quite by chance, he’d happened to stumble upon a clue, and that had led to another.
It had all been too mysterious and personal to tell anyone about.
“Tickets, please.”
With a jolt, Lucas opened his eyes, then fished in his pocket for his ticket.
“Could you tell me if there will be plenty of taxis at the station? I need to get to Belmouth.”
“Yes, but they’re pricey. Plenty of buses, though.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll go by taxi.”
“The weather’s been nice there this week,” the conductor replied. “Are you on holiday?”
“Not exactly.”
“You have business in Belmouth?”
“No, not business. It’s very difficult to explain,” Lucas mumbled uncomfortably.
That was perhaps the most wholly honest statement he’d made for the past three weeks.