Page 115 of The Village of Lost and Found

‘It’s true!’ she told them. ‘I’ve got a photo on my mobile. I took one accidentally when I was screaming my head off. It’s a little bit blurry, but it’s here.’ She brought out her mobile and found the photo, handing Tom the phone to show him.

He peered at the screen. ‘That is one ugly lizard thing.’ He held the mobile out for Josh to see. ‘Have you ever seen anything like that?’

Josh frowned and took the mobile from Tom. As he stared down at the screen, he took a massive intake of breath as if in shock. ‘Do you know what that is?’ he asked, his eyes blazing as he looked up at them both.

Lucy shuddered. ‘Extremely ugly as far as I’m concerned.’

Josh shook his head. ‘How big was it?’

Lucy gestured with her hands. ‘Over a ruler long. Thirty centimetres or so.’ She shuddered at the thought.

But, to her amazement, Josh broke into a huge smile. ‘That,’ he said, pointing at the mobile screen, ‘is a great crested newt.’

The group leaned forward to look at the screen.

‘Is it poisonous?’ asked Lucy, hoping that maybe it would bite one of the quarry owners.

‘It’s better than that,’ said Josh, laughing. ‘It’s a protected species.’

Everyone looked around at each other in stunned amazement.

‘What does that mean?’ asked Lucy.

Tom smiled at her as he pulled her close. ‘It means, my love, that the land and this gorgeous newt should be protected for its habitat, preventing all building works. It means they can’t have their horrible, smelly, dirty, quarry next to our village!’

There was a shocked intake of breath and suddenly everyone was cheering and hugging.

Uncle Frank was almost in tears when Lucy hugged him. ‘I knew there was a reason you were my favourite niece,’ he told her, with teary laughter.

She smiled and kissed his soft cheek.

Tom was still laughing and looking overjoyed as he took her in his arms.

‘I told you I’d think of something,’ said Lucy as she drew him in for a kiss.

‘You’re wonderful, you know that?’ murmured Tom, kissing her.

‘I’m just lucky,’ she murmured against his lips. And she knew that she was because she finally felt as if she had the happy ending that she deserved.

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Tom sat back in his chair and smiled to himself as he looked at the words he had just typed: ‘Site of failed quarry declared a nature reserve! As revealed byTheCranbridge Timeslast week, legislation is now being passed to afford protection to the great crested newt which has made the site its home.’

The decision to cancel the quarry had been the big story for the past week and had even caught the attention of the national press. Tom knew that Lucy still had no love for the great crested newt, but even she had to admit that it had saved the day. When the conservation experts had inspected the land, they had found three nests of the endangered species and had declared the land to be off limits for any development. Conservation of the local lands and buildings had subsequently become a hot topic and there was even talk that a few more structures may be renovated, including the old mill.

Tom could barely keep up with the articles that he needed to write for the website but he was now more motivated and happy with his writing than he had been for a long time. He no longer had to rely on his archive of old articles. His creative mind was full of new ideas and his fingers flew over the keyboard every time he sat down at the computer.

Tom looked up from his desk and into the main office beyond. Molly was hard at work, typing into her computer. The new and improved website was hugely popular and gaining momentum by the day, along with all the social media posts that she was placing.

Beyond Molly, a couple of older people were sitting on the sofa chatting over a coffee. Two of the hot desks were currently in use by local people who had needed a change from their own homes to work in. The main noise was coming from the Mother and Toddler group, where the mums were chatting and laughing whilst the kids played.

Life had returned toThe Cranbridge Timesand to his own as well. He now had hope, love and best of all, Lucy.

Lucy had been as thrilled as Tom had been when the national press had contacted him for further stories about the fight against the quarry and the ecological impact on the local area. Once more,The Cranbridge Timeswas the heart of the community and he found that many people were coming into the hub for his advice on local matters. He woke up each morning feeling a renewed sense of purpose. His brain buzzed with ideas these days and he had a spring in his step.

He knew it was all down to Lucy. They were a team. But more than that, he felt as if he could do anything if he had her by his side.

Hearing a familiar woof from outside, Tom stood up and wandered out to find Lucy and Keith.