Cally chuckled. ‘Actually, I make you right. No one would dare.’
Clutching her drink, Cally stood with her head back, looking up at the lighthouse, and counted down along with all the other Lovelies. ‘Five, four, three, two, one!’
There was a momentary pause, a flicker, and then boom, the huge white tower above her was transformed. Cally’s breath caught in her throat as the lighthouse dazzled in an array of twinkling lights that spiralled from its base all the way up to the top. It looked as though someone had taken handful after handful of tiny brilliant stars and scattered them across the whole of the structure. The huge, tall, spherical white building shimmered and twinkled in the night air.
'Oh my,' Cally whispered. ‘I’ve seen it all now. It’s so pretty. I want to live in there.’
There was no doubt that Lovely Lighthouse was an impressive landmark, but lit up from head to foot, it was truly magical. The whole thing appeared to gently pulse into the inky dark sky.
Birdie’s voice cut into Cally’s thoughts. 'Isn't it amazing? I feel the same every year, but this year, it’s spectacular. There are so many lights! It’s like we’re standing in the middle of a star.’
Cally nodded, still somewhat overwhelmed. 'It's incredible. I can't believe Colin pulled this off. This will definitely be seen from space, let alone the bunting.'
Birdie cackled. 'Between you and me, I think he's trying to let us believe it’s all him, but Robby’s lot have done a stellar job.'
‘They have. It really is very well done. Who would have thought?’
‘Speak of the devil.’ Birdie laughed as Colin approached. ‘It looks fantastic. ‘We were just talking about you.’
Colin beamed, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. His chest puffed up. ‘It’s better than I hoped.’
Cally gestured upwards. 'How on earth did you manage all this?'
Colin grinned like a Cheshire cat. 'Oh, you know, just a bit of Lovely Bay magic. And a very understanding electrician. Not tomention a certain few climbers I know who are a lot fitter than me. They made it happen.’
Birdie chuckled. ‘Well, you’ve done brilliantly as far as I’m concerned. Well done you.’
Colin basked in the praise. ‘Thanks. Right, I’m just going to make a little announcement and then we’ll head up for a cuppa or whatever anyone wants and then I think it will be time for me to call it a night. I’ve had a very long day.’
‘See you later. See you up there, our Colin.’
Cally turned to Birdie. 'Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live here now, but this brings it right back. All of this and the community. Thank God I found you all.’
‘I know. It never gets old as far as I’m concerned and just you wait, you'll soon have a little slice of Lovely all to yourself.’ Birdie smiled.
‘I hope so.’
‘Iknowso. Good things are coming your way, my girl.’ Birdie raised her eyebrows. ‘So, what happened? Did you message Logan?’
‘I did.’
‘And?’
‘Nope, nothing. No response.’
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Colin, illuminated by the thousands of lights above him, tapping on a glass, calling for everyone's attention.
'Friends, Lovelies, countrymen. Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you're enjoying this little display just before the big day we’re all going to have tomorrow.'
There was a murmur of appreciation from the crowd. Colin beamed, clearly in his element.
'As you know, the Chowder Festival has begun. Now, I know that everyone has been working their socks off, but I wanted tojust reiterate that if you see any spots without bunting, please plug the gaps.’
'Is he serious?' Cally whispered to Birdie.
Birdie shrugged, looking both amused and slightly alarmed. 'With Colin, you can never really tell, can you? Hemustbe joking. We can’t move for the stuff.'
As Colin launched into more about the rest of the festival, Cally looked up at the lighthouse and thought about how the whole town had rallied together for the event. When Colin had finally finished, people started to shuffle towards the lighthouse door and some filtered the other way to head off home.
