Page 48 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

Everything rushed back, and I gasped. “What happened?”

“An inspector arrived, having been alerted by what was happening on social media. As Lia had filmed it all, there was sufficient evidence to make multiple arrests. Those who tried to harm you have been arrested and charged. Karen is in the worst trouble. She was the instigator. Keith put her up to it, so a warrant has been issued for his arrest too. Joseph is chasing civil suits against those who trespassed and joined that mob,” Uncle Edmund said.

“Lia’s pretty scary,” I murmured.

“Absolutely terrifying,” Uncle Edmund agreed. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. That scene frightened me.”

“I bet it did. The girls have been cooking up a storm, making you meals so you can heat them up. Lia is going to stay with you for a couple of days.”

“Okay.” I smiled, and he got up. “Lyra, I’m not your father, but I want to be a good uncle. I’ve missed out on too much. Don’t be a stranger,” he stated, then left.

“You’re awake!” Thea exclaimed as she bounced in.

“Yes. Is Leafpoint safe?”

“Yeah. Uncle Edmund called an electrician in to check the wiring in the foghorn. Lia explained it sounded three times. He said it’s not original to Leafpoint but was installed somewhere around the eighteen-sixties. Begs the question of why and how it was added, to be honest, especially as Leafpoint had been abandoned by then.”

“Do all the others have them too?”

“Yes, which is really weird. Anyway, how are you doing? Lia, so much less of a mouthful than Ophelia, claimed it went off three times.”

“Yeah. Must be a fault in it,” I murmured. It had been William.

“Some defect. It’s operated by steam,” Thea said, her eyes alert for my answer. I shrugged, and disappointment briefly shone before she dismissed it away.

“Lia and I are going to take it in turns to stay,” Thea continued.

“No, I’m fine. Honest.” I didn’t want them around William. Not after how he’d made me ill.

“We’ll see,” Thea replied. “Let’s observe how you get on for what remains of today. Come on, it’s family time.”

Thea had no idea how good that sounded.

Chapter Eleven.

Lyra

I convinced everyone to go home, although Lia was clearly worried. After an hour of reassuring her, I finally agreed to let Lia come back tomorrow morning. I headed upstairs for a bath, needing to wash today away.

William’s casserole had been rich and hearty and had helped loads, even though I begrudged every bite. First, he made me sick, and then he cared for me. Did he have multiple personalities or something? Had being almost alive for so many years broken his mind?

Drying myself off, I wrapped a towel around my head and headed into the bedroom. I’d got dressed in the bathroom, unsure if I was being spied upon. Until I knew exactly what William was playing at and what he was doing, I wasn’t risking anything. William was dangerous.

I dreamed a dream the other night,

Lowlands, Lowlands, away, my John.

I dreamed a dream the other night.

Lowlands away.

Not again! Why did he keep singing that? “William!” I called.

“Yes?” He appeared in my bedroom.

“Why do you repeatedly sing that damn sea shanty? Are you trying to drive me mad?” I insisted as I crawled onto my bed and hugged my knees.