Larkspur Hollow: Haunting at the Lighthouse

Chapter 3 - Harper

The beach is packed with tourists and locals, some buying food and drinks and others sitting on the white sand to enjoy their purchases. The water is grey as it reflects the clouds above it. At least it is not raining today, and hopefully, the rain will hold off until tonight. Tonight, there should be thunderstorms coming from across the ocean. I contacted the weather station yesterday to ensure we should keep the Storm Watch festivities from another day. But they assured me a storm is predicted for tonight and maybe tomorrow. The boat tours to the Lighthouse and down the coast are a massive success. People have been lining up for almost an hour to get tickets. Things couldn't have gone smoother. I can't wait for my father to see how many feet this year's Storm Watch Day brought to Larkspur Hollow. We will know before sunset if this year's is the most successful.  

While everyone is enjoying the beach, I could get something to drink at the Dirty Lobster, the local bar. I think the only thing I had to drink today was my coffee at five this morning. I tread across the sand and climb several wooden steps to get to the road and the docks. The parking lot in front of the bar and restaurant is full, and some cars turn around in their search for parking as close to the beach as possible. As long as everyone can make money today, everything is a success. That is all it is about: the people of Larkspur Hollow, only if they don't try to get complicated about nonsense. 

I pass some fishing boats that are not part of the tours and watch sailors unload their catches. One day, I would love to go with them and see what it is like in the stormy ocean, trying to pull in the heavy nets with silver, cold, and wriggling bodies. It must be my who-knows-how great-grandmother Emily's taste for adventure that I inherited because my parents are natural homebodies. I can count on one hand how many times they have been on holiday or gone anywhere that isn't this town. 

Some sailors spot me walking past them and lift their hands to greet me, and I welcome them back with a simple wave and a smile. I will check on them later to find out what the waters looked like today. Our water rescue vessel also pulls up to the docks and moves smoothly into its slip. Today, with all the people on and close to the ocean, they might have their hands full. It is better to prevent any disasters from happening than fix one that has already occurred. 

I walk into the bar, and the music hits me like a strong wind. The sea shanties that play on repeat at the Dirty Lobster have never changed all the years I've stayed in Larkspur Hollow. Knowing Gwen, the owner of this fine establishment, you will understand why. Her father, a retired fisherman, bought the place after he lost both his legs in a fishing accident. He sold his boat, purchased the broken-down building, restored it, and made it everyone's favourite hangout. But her father, a sailor at heart, only played music that the fishermen would enjoy. When her father got too old, Gwen took over, and business has been booming ever since. She didn't change a thing except the wiring in the building. 

"Look at you!" Gwen exclaims as she sees me, her reddish hair looking like a crow's nest but her smile as sweet as the wine she sells. "All dressed up in red. Make sure everyone knows that today happened because of you."

I shake my head and smile as I approach the bar. If I ever need a morale boost, I only need to find Gwen. She hands out compliments and positive words as quickly as one can blink. 

"Gwen, you are just the person I need to see right now," I say, groaning as I sit on the bar's wooden stool. "I need to sit down for a bit; otherwise, I might lose my legs." 

I can feel my legs and feet throbbing from all the walking today. I am way past the ten thousand steps I have to walk daily. 

"You are always welcome to decorate my bar with your beautiful smile. How is it looking like down there?"

"Crowded. If only we had a bigger beach to accommodate everyone. I didn't think advertising the event in more towns and cities would bring about so many people. I expected more, but this?" I groan and rest my chin on my hand, "I might need a week of sleep to recover from all the late nights we worked on getting everything ready,"