Page 60 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“W is an upside-down M. Letters are stupid,” Avery declared and folded his arms.

“Yes, they are, but when you can read them, you can escape into millions of worlds,” I said, smiling. I caught sight of movement and glanced up.

William leaned against the office doorjamb and watched us. My traitorous body came to attention. Oh God. William looked like the typical poster boy. He wore his usual thick trousers tucked into his heavy black boots. I wondered how he kept changing clothes.

Today, William wore a cream turtleneck jumper. With his dark hair and eyes, and his permanent five o’clock shadow (you can’t shave as a ghost, apparently), he resembled an old sailing captain. His flat cap only added to it. I wanted to jump his bones and strip him bare.

I couldn’t; he was a ghost. Then again… William could manifest. Now, that was going to give me naughty dreams. William would probably pass out if I came on to him. If that were true, why look at me like that? His eyes narrowed, and his lips quirked, and I felt a blush begin.

“Dad!” Avery grumbled. William’s gaze moved to Avery, and he smiled. Oh boy, I was in trouble.

“What?”

“These letters are stupid.”

“So you said. But you know who isn’t stupid? You.”

Avery puffed up at William’s compliment, and I melted inside. William would be a really great dad.

“Look at this,” Avery jabbed a ghostly finger at the offending G.

“I see it, lad, but you need to learn to tell the difference. You’ve been at this all morning, and already you’re able to recognise both,” William praised.

Avery preened, and William smiled. “Now’s an appropriate time for a break. Come with me. I’ll show you how the lantern works.”

Avery’s face fell. “I’m sorry for breaking it. Master made me do it. He needs the darkness.”

“Master can go screw himself,” I muttered, but didn’t realise how sharp Avery’s ears were.

His head cocked as he tried to work out my meaning, and then his expression lit up. “How can a man… oh, understand? The back way. That’s funny, Mum!”

“Go with your dad,” I remarked, flustered that an eight-year-old had awareness of sex. William was chuckling so hard that he was shaking.

“Come on, son, your mum needs some time,” William said warmly, offering me an amused glance.

“I’m heading into town to find some children’s books. Mine are for adults,” I informed them.

“Be safe,” William replied.

I nodded and scurried off as the two spirits I left behind laughed hard.

“Mum looked embarrassed.”

“She’s a lady,” William stated. If only he realised what I thought of him!

“Lyra!” Cale called as I walked towards the bookshop. Seriously? Was he still here?

“Go away, Cale!” I snapped as he got in front of me.

“Not until you leave with me. Come on, Lyra, you don’t want to stay here! You’re a city girl,” Cale stated.

“I’m going nowhere!” I exclaimed. Looking around, I realised we were starting to draw a crowd.

“Look, I understand, babe. Lyra, I screwed up; I was an idiot. It took me losing you to realise how good we were together and how much I loved you. Honey, you were the best thing in my life,” Cale said, reaching for my hands. On instinct, I tried to avoid his grip, but Cale grasped hold tightly.

“Let me go, Cale, and stop causing a scene,” I snarled.

Cale knew I detested being the centre of attention; hell, I hated any spectacle. This whole situation was making my skin crawl. Although Cale’s face was sincere, there was triumph in his eyes. The cheating ass was so sure he’d win me over. I yanked free, stumbling back.