The Secrets of Black Dean Lighthouse

by Jack Dey

  Brett raised his eyebrows and then conceded maybe this would be a good connection with Becky’s father to finish his book.

  “I’d be delighted for you to finish it, Becky,” Katarzyna bubbled, “but just a simple point... your father, Majiv, was going to call the book, The Secrets of Black Dean Lighthouse.”

  “Then that’s what it will be called, Aunt Katie.”

  *~*~*~*

  Chapter 64

  Dear Miss Gavin,

  Aunt Katarzyna has asked me to drop you a quick note, apologising that she can’t write this email herself as her talking computer has had to be sent in for repairs. It ‘s hard to believe that it’s been almost twelve months since we first got together and found each other after so many years. The joy and heartache are still very real for me and even now, I can’t believe the lengths my family went to, to protect me.

  Aunt Katie has settled in well with us in our new home and she is such a blessing. The new house is only a five minute walk from Mum’s place, with Katie and Emma getting together daily and chattering like sisters. Little Emma-Marguerite only has to cough and she has a great-aunt or grandma picking her up from her cot and cuddling her. I love having them here all the time and it gives me a lot of freedom to do other things and know that Emma-Marguerite is in good hands.

  I haven’t had much time to look at Dad's book yet since Emma-Marguerite was born, but now she’s almost one, Mum and Aunty have decided to give me the time and babysitting prowess to make a start. Jacqui and Smiley and Mum and Dad come over on Friday nights and we all sit around together in the lounge and read five or so chapters of Majiv’s story. It has become a regular thing and now that we have finished up to where Dad stopped writing, everyone is keen for me to complete the ending. I think I understand the story and where Dad left it, but the challenge for me is to try and figure out how he would have written and do justice to the ending. I’ve made a connection with Dad through reading his thoughts in the book and sometimes I imagine I can hear him speaking to me.

  Smiley and Jacqui’s wedding is next week and I feel a little apprehensive, as my figure still needs some work and I am not sure I can fit into the dress Jacqui has chosen for me to wear. Maybe a corset will be in order. I didn’t want to eat at the wedding, anyway! I don’t doubt Smiley’s love for Jacqui, but he is really nervous about the impending wedding, yet Jacqui has the glow of a woman deeply in love and her calming influence on Smiley just astounds me.

  Everything is ready for your visit. You have the room overlooking the backyard and just opposite Katie’s. Jacqui has seated you with Emma and Katie and Dad at the reception, right up close to the bridal table.

  I can hear Emma-Marguerite crying, obviously wanting some of my time, too, so I’d better sign off for now. See you Thursday afternoon at the bus station.

  Love from the Redden clan.

  Becky pushed the send button and shut down the computer. When she made her entrance into the room, Emma-Marguerite stopped crying and grinned from ear to ear with the presence of her mother. Becky picked up her baby, assured Aunt Katie that the email had been sent and sat down with the older women.

  *~*~*~*

  Smiley’s fingers were thumbs as he nervously tried to do up his bow tie. He stood in front of his bedroom mirror, frustrated with the article that just wouldn’t behave itself and sit square in the middle of his shirt.

  Brett heard a frustrated moan from the bathroom and went to see what was going on. “I’ve never seen you so nervous, Smiley. Here, let me tie it for you.”

  “Thanks, Boss,” Smiley conceded defeat.

  “I’ve seen you walk fearlessly into battle zones and report from fires, earthquakes, floods and human catastrophes of all kinds, but going through a simple ceremony marrying a wonderful woman like Jacqui and you fall to pieces.”

  Smiley flopped on the bed. “I just don’t know if I am going to be good for Jacqui, Brett. I’m so afraid that I will mess it up... for her and for me. I’m wondering whether I should just call the whole thing off,” Smiley huffed despondently.

  “Have you seen the glow surrounding Jacqui? She has loved you since she laid eyes on you and if you call it off, you will be making the greatest mistake of your life,” Brett pressed.

  Smiley eyed Brett. “Do you think so?”

  “Smiley, I know life hasn’t been easy for you, but you made Becky face up to making crazy decisions that would have wrecked her life, mine and her parents'. You now need to face up to the same decision with Jacqui. That girl is just nuts about you and I am not going to let you walk away from the best thing that ever happened to you. I appeal to you as a friend and as your boss, face your fears. I assure you the fears have nothing to do with Jacqui, but everything about what your mother did to you. Jacqui is about to make a promise to you that she will always be there for you and not reject you like your mum did. I will be standing right beside you, blocking your escape; and in a week, I guarantee you will be thanking me for it.”

  Smiley stood and threw his arms around his friend. “Thanks, Boss,” Smiley drew in a big breath, held it for a few seconds and then let it out. “Well, let’s go and make this thing happen.”

  Brett’s pep talk had worked.

  *~*~*~*

  Brett and Smiley stood at the front of the church, with Smiley nervously playing with his bow tie and looking back toward the church entrance. Brett couldn’t work out whether he was looking for an escape or waiting to see his bride. The crowd in the church was quickly gathering and getting seated before Jacqui arrived, with Brett recognising many faces from the newspaper.

  The minister gave the two men a nod, the music began and the crowd stood to their feet with Brett and Smiley turning to face the church entrance. Brett beamed with pride as his beautiful Becky walked slowly up toward the altar, preceding the bride with her purple dress fitting just perfectly... she was stunning. Seeing the adoring stare, Becky smiled at Brett and then at Smiley, but Smiley had his eyes riveted on the entrance.

  And with the moment everyone had been waiting for, Jacqui stepped into view, holding onto Jacob’s arm. An 'aww' went through the crowd and Smiley’s mouth dropped open, catching the softness and love in Jacqui’s eyes; and when she smiled at him, he nearly collapsed.

  After witnessing the exchanged expressions between bride and groom, Brett knew Smiley was smitten and he wasn’t going anywhere.

  Jacob took Jacqui’s hand and then joined it to Smiley’s, and then moments later, they made their vows. At the end of the proceedings, the minister announced to the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present... Mr and Mrs Smiley Williams.”

  *~*~*~*

  The telephone bellowed into the dark stillness of the Redden home, waking Becky and as she shook her husband awake with a raspy, “Honey, the phone,” Brett responded quickly and strode to intercept the caller. Just before reaching the jangling device, Brett ran his hands through his hair and glanced sleepily at the kitchen clock: 1:30 am. It’d been almost a week since the wedding, with Smiley and Jacqui honeymooning somewhere on the other side of the world.

  “Hello.”

  Smiley’s relaxed and ecstatic voice came over the phone. “Howdy, Boss.”

  “Smiley, what are you doing calling at this time of night,” Brett’s sleepy voice demanded. “Is everything okay?”

  “Night...?! Oh... it’s 9 am in the morning here. Sorry, Boss. I just wanted to tell you, you were right about facing my fears. Jacqui’s one heck of a woman. And guess what...?”

  Brett was still shaking the sleep from his mind. “What?”

  “We’re pregnant. Well, Jacqui is. She did the test thingy this morning and it’s positive.”

  “Oh, Smiley, I am so happy for you both. You deserve it,” Brett exclaimed. “Pass on our congratulations to Jacqui.”

  When Brett returned to bed, he had a grin on his face.

  “What was that all about?” Becky asked.

  “That was Smiley.”

  “Smiley?! At thi
s time of night?! Are they all right?!”

  “Yeah. He just wanted to tell me he got over his intimacy issues,” Brett laughed.

  “What?!” Becky seemed confused.

  “Jacqui’s pregnant,” he laughed again.

  “Wow! That’s wonderful,” Becky exclaimed. “It’s amazing what happens when we face our fears.”

  *~*~*~*

  Chapter 65

  Brett finished wiping the last of the dishes, while Becky put away the washing. Aunt Katie had cooked the meal, surprising everyone at her ability to find her way around the kitchen and the meal she’d cooked was unbelievable. Katie was reading a book in Braille, sitting contentedly on the lounge and when Becky strolled past with another armful of washing, she stopped and bent to kiss her aunt.

  Katie smiled. “Thank you, Becky.”

  “I love you, Aunty.”

  “I love you too, Becky.”

  Becky continued on to the linen closet, but paused at Emma-Marguerite’s door, peering in at her baby and found her fast asleep in her cot. Satisfied all was in order, Becky smiled warmly and closed the door again. Then finding the family linen cupboard, Becky unloaded her armful, neatly stacking the piles in their proper places, afterward making her way back to the kitchen but dwelling at the open door to the office. Staring at the computer from the doorway, a voice beside her made her jump.

  “You need to start sometime. Now is as good a time as any,” Brett challenged. “Face your fear.”

  She smiled back at her man and leaned into his embrace. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “You’ve been staring at that computer every time you pass by it for days now,” Brett chided. “The first step is always the biggest in any project.”

  Ambling into the office and running a finger over the screen as if she was checking it for dust, Becky stared at the keyboard whimsically. “I’m not sure I have what it takes to finish Dad’s story,” Becky admitted, probing Brett’s face for reassurance.

  “I know you have it, Becky. You just need to sit and concentrate. Majiv’s creativity flows through your veins, too,” Brett pulled out the chair and removed the plastic cover from the keyboard and pushed the power button, with a whirring noise indicating the start up process had begun. He pointed to the chair and Becky hesitatingly sat. Heading for the door, Brett left his wife to the story. “I’ll make you a cup of tea and bring it in shortly,” Brett added as he pulled the office door closed.

  Becky stared at the screen and then configured a new document, trying to think. Half an hour passed, but the story wasn’t coming and she was getting frustrated. Brett knocked and pushed open the office door, holding a steaming cup of tea and placed it on the table, noticing the blank page on the screen and the discouraged expression on Becky’s face.

  “I don’t think I can do this, Brett. It’s harder than I thought,” her frustration sounded through.

  Brett stood behind her and rubbed her tense shoulders. “You can’t write a story from the outside. You have to live in it and feel the emotions of each character from their point of view. When they feel pain, you have to feel their pain and then write so your reader can experience what the character is feeling. Whatever you write has to come from your heart, Becky. Now... don’t tell me about the words of your song. Let me hear the music of your heart.”

  Becky’s mouth fell open. “That’s beautiful, Brett. What about if you write the story?”

  “You can do it, Becky,” Brett encouraged. “Write a love song for your parents,” Brett kissed her head and pulled the door closed behind him again.

  Becky recalled the last part of the story. Mouse was missing from the barge platform and Desapo had just entered the office to find that Tess and Katie had disappeared also...

  Back to top