Page 46 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“You went with the guy you’d had a huge crush on since the previous year!” Jennifer reminded her smugly before putting the diary back where it had been. “Now, let’s go find that crazy trio of unlikely friends.” She took two flashlights from Caroline.
They grabbed yellow rain jackets as they slipped through the front door, heading for the steep stone stairs carved into the cliff wall that separated Cobble Cove from an expanse of sea.
Caroline and Jennifer stepped onto the stone stairs that carved a winding path down the sheer cliff face. A cool breeze cut through the balmy night air as they gripped the hand railing to steady themselves on the slippery rock stairs beneath their feet. Above them, the stars blinked against the brightness of the full moon reflected in the dark ocean running beside them.
The beams of their flashlights illuminated the stone, revealing its weathered yet resilient surface. Although undergoing upgrades through the years, the stairs had been etched into the cliff centuries ago. They served as the passage to perfectly arched Cobble Cove below.
As they descended, the rhythmic crashing of the waves below became more pronounced. The sea roared, a symphony of nature echoing in the hidden cove. Cobble Cove lay shrouded in darkness, its secrets concealed beneath the cloak of night as Caroline and Jennifer stepped onto the pebbled shore.
“Are you okay, Jenny?” Caroline eyed her friend, who sounded slightly winded. “Are you out of breath?”
“I’ve just had my hip injured.” Jennifer pointed out. “Navigating those treacherous stairs in the dark was a little hard for me.”
“You’re going to hold the hip injury over me for some time, right?” Caroline helped Jennifer down the last trick stair and onto the cobbles that tiled the floor of the cove.
“I’m not letting it go anytime soon, no!” Jennifer warned her. “You hit me with a skillet!” She looked at Caroline accusingly. “A cast iron skillet.”
“I said I was sorry,” Caroline reminded her. “And you were the one who broke into my house.”
“I didn’t break into your house. I have a key.” Jennifer pointed out.
Caroline turned and started to make her way across the arched cove, calling for Sandy a few times before glancing in the direction of Beach Plum Cottage, an outline in the distance.
“Why didn’t you stay at your Aunt’s house?” Caroline aimed her flashlight at Beach Plum Cottage perched high above the facing cliff.
It was where Jennifer and Liam had been raised by their Aunt Betty.
“Aunt Betty’s in Boston visiting friends,” Jennifer explained. “You know I don’t like staying there on my own. Besides, I thought staying with you would be more convenient for us working on the television series.”
“Are you still afraid of the ghost of Beach Plum Cottage?” Caroline couldn’t hide her amusement at the thought. “You know that’s just one of Aunt Betty’s wild stories.”
“You didn’t live there!” Jennifer scanned the cove with her flashlight. “Where are these animals?”
Caroline shone her flashlight over the boardwalk, and there was no sign of them. They walked over the rocky shelves scattered around the coves until they neared the Midpoint and stood staring at the rock face.
“You don’t think they’ve gone in there?” Caroline shuddered as she aimed her flashlight at the three openings in the rock that formed into a cave.
“I hope not.” Jennifer also gave a little shudder. “After the last time we went in there, I swore I’d never do it again.”
“Agreed!” Caroline nodded and drew a breath to calm her hammering heart at the thought of entering the caves. “Let’s get closer to the entrance, and I’ll yell for them.”
As they neared the cave entrance, their attention was caught by excited barking and squawking coming from the stairs that led to Beach Plum Cottage.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Jennifer’s hand splayed out on her collarbones as she breathed a sigh of relief. “Now we don’t have to yell into a cave filled with bats.”
Caroline shared Jennifer’s sentiment as a flood for relief washed away her worry over her pets. She turned and hurried toward the stairs, where three excited animals greeted them.
“Hello.” Caroline’s voice became animated as she patted Sandy’s head before catching Melton, who leaped at her. At the same time, Blue Beard perched on her shoulder.
“You look like a character from a Disney movie laden with all your critters.” Jennifer laughed as they made their way back toward the lighthouse.
“I’m just glad they’re alright,” Caroline said, glancing back toward Beach Plum Cottage. “I wonder why they were at your Aunt’s cottage?”
“Aunt Betty has told me they visit her often,” Jennifer informed her. “But usually when you’re at work, and Jules is at school.”
“Maybe they went there because Jules and I were out for the evening.” Caroline shrugged. “I hope they don’t make a nuisance of themselves when they visit Aunt Betty?”
“No, she loves it and keeps treats especially for them.” Jennifer ran her hand over the soft fur on Sandy’s back. “I was thinking of asking Jules to find Aunt Betty a dog as a companion.”
