Page 53 of Code Mages & Empty Pages
“Good morning, what can I get you?”
“Hi.” I peered into the glass display. “Can I get a cappuccino and one of the cupcakes, please?”
“For here or takeaway?” the Selkie asked. A strand of wet looking hair fell onto his high brow as he bent to retrieve the cupcake for me.
I threw a glance around the bleak room. “To take away, please. I want to walk up the coast a bit. There’s a lighthouse, right?”
“Yes, there is. It’s not too far, maybe twenty minutes.” He took one of the branded paper blue and yellow paper bags, put the cupcake in it, and turned around to make my drink. “It’s quite pretty, too. I head up there for a morning swim when I’m not working,” he said before his mouth snapped shut.
“Thanks.” I wished I was better at small talk. I bet Dawn would get his entire life story out of him in ten minutes, but I didn’t want to make him feel like I was nosing around.
The sad tinkle of the bell above the door announced another patron.
“Oh, Luc. I see we had the same idea.” Alaric joined me at the counter.
“Yeah, I am just grabbing a quick breakfast. I want to check out the area before our meeting.”
“A morning walk sounds like a fantastic idea to get the creative juices flowing.” He grinned at me.
“That’ll be six fifteen,” the barista’s voice cut through our conversation.
“Oh right.” I turned and paid him, then dropped the change in the tip jar. It wasn’t his fault the place looked like shit.
“Thanks,” he said in a slightly softer voice.
I just nodded, told Alaric I would see him later, and left. Then I set out up the coast and let the salty air clear my head.
Seabirds wheeled over the cliff on which the lighthouse stood. I paused for a moment and looked out over the water. I followed the rough-hewn steps carved into the cliff’s face to the beach. It was low tide and the tidepools sparkled in the morning sun.
I perched on a rock and savoured my breakfast. I’d just finished my cupcake when my phone buzzed with a message.
Dawn: Good morning
She sent a picture of Ruffles snoozing in a sunny spot.
Dawn: He misses you so much!
Another picture came through, one of Roe smiling at the camera.
Dawn: Me too. We can’t wait until you’re back home tomorrow!
I snapped a picture of me and the view and sent it back.
Luc: Good morning, Roe. I wish you were here to enjoy this view with me. I miss you x
Maybe I was saying too much, or not nearly enough.
Chapter 19
Dawn
Without Luc, the house was way too quiet. I’d been here alone with Ruffles plenty of times, but the air felt heavier. It was like the rooms were waiting for him to get back, too.
“I’ll be back in a bit, baby,” I told Ruffles as I put on my shoes. I grabbed my keys and got in the car. The cottage waited, silentand empty, in the warm morning air. It didn’t feel like mine anymore.
I parked, got out, and the key scraped in the lock as I opened the door. All the construction materials were gone. The scent of fresh paint and cleaning products dominated; it didn’t smell like mine. I let out a shaky breath and walked through every room. It was like nothing had happened, as if I’d never left at all.
Gerry and his crew had emptied the fridge and tossed all the perishables. They had even taken out the trash. My garden looked abandoned in the morning light. It was more desolate than I remembered.
