Page 65 of One Sweet Day in Lovely Bay
‘I might just put a bit more over by the church there.' Colin chuckled.
Cally wrinkled her nose. ‘More? We’re drowning in it! I'm not sure Lovely Bay can handle any more bunting. We'll be visible from space at this rate.'
'Nonsense,' Colin replied, puffing out his chest. 'You can never have too much bunting. It's all part of the festival! All joking aside, I've a feeling it's going to be our best year yet. It’s all come together so well, and let me tell you, some years, it doesn’t happen like that.'
‘Aww, that’s good to hear.’
‘Actually, there was something I wanted to mention to you. We're having a bit of a Lovelies gathering later. It’s a tradition that we all go up to the lighthouse after the first night. Sort of an after-party, if you will. Did Birdie tell you?’
Cally nodded. ‘Yes, yes she did.’
‘Rightio, good. I just wanted to make sure she hadn’t forgotten.’
‘What time does that go on until?’
‘Oh, whenever, really. It’s normally not too late because everyone is shattered. It's just a chance for all involved to have a few drinks and a debrief. Nothing too formal.'
‘I’m there with bells on.’
Colin beamed. 'Right, you are. I'll leave you to it, seeing as everything is under control here. I probably won’t see you again now, but I'll see you later at the lighthouse, yes?'
Cally nodded. 'I'll be there.’
As Colin left, Cally shook her head fondly. Living in Lovely Bay was never dull; that was for certain. Going back downstairs for one final check she smiled to herself. She’d actually quite enjoyed helping Nina and being part of the festival. The community thing was nice and there was a good feeling of optimism and celebration in the air. She might not have Logan, but something was telling Cally that things were okay and that it was going to be a very Lovely Bay kind of a night. That sounded good enough for her, even though there was a sorely missing puzzle piece right in the centre of her heart. She took out her phone and decided that she would message Logan. She tapped, hit send and her stomach lurched. As she watched the message indicate that it had been delivered, she sighed as there were no little flashing dots. Hopefully, at some point, Logan would respond.
40
It was later that evening, just after Nina’s speakeasy had wrapped up. The event had gone swimmingly and Nina had been over the moon at how her chowder had gone down.
Cally, Nina, and Nina’s husband, Robby, were on their way to the lighthouse. The view that greeted them as they walked along in the direction of Lovely didn’t seem real. It wasn’t just that everything that didn’t move was draped in gorgeous handmade bunting or that every other building sparkled with little festival lights. It was something about the lighthouse towering above it all standing up into the dark night. It always appeared magnificent as far as Cally was concerned, but for some reason, it looked even better than it normally did. She smiled at how the turning on of the lighthouse lights was a big thing for Lovelies and how it happened late when the locals gathered to debrief after the first night of the festival.
As if reading her thoughts, Nina sighed, ‘Wow, it looks so tall this evening. The sky is very clear, too, or am I imagining it? It always seems to me as if it’s darker here in Lovely than anywhere else. Maybe it’s because the lighthouse is so white or there’s no pollution. I don’t know…’
‘I was just thinking the same,’ Cally said with a shake of her head.
Nina pointed upwards. ‘That whole thing is going to be lit up shortly.’
Robby nodded. ‘It is, indeed. The team has done themselves proud this year.’
‘Rather you than me dangling off the side of that.’ Cally noted with a chuckle as she looked up to the top of the lighthouse.
‘I know, right? I won’t be ever finding out.’ Nina agreed and joked. ‘I’ll leave that to my other half. He’s good at some things.’
‘Shame little Faye’s not going to see it in all its glory and all her daddy’s work.’ Cally noted.
Nina shook her head. ‘She’s better off with June. No one wants an over-tired Faye in their life.’
Robby laughed. ‘Certainly not me. Thank goodness June is babysitting.’
There was something about the air, too. Cally took a deep breath, savouring the smell. 'You know, I never get tired of that sea air. So nice.’
‘You and me both.’
As they got closer to the lighthouse, the details of Colin’s excessive decorating became clearer as bunting fluttered in the breeze as far as the eye could see. It criss-crossed the street, hung down from lampposts, and draped between buildings.
'I see Colin's artistic efforts made the cut,' Cally said, nodding towards the bunting. ‘It’s everywhere!’
Robby followed her gaze and chuckled. 'He’s gone for his life this year.'
