Dan put the book back on the shelf with a squelchy thump. ‘We’ll salvage what we can and clean up the mess but I think this cyclone might have killed our plans to open the island to the public. There were enough hoops we were working through before, but now …’

He let out a long sigh. ‘We’ll have to get structural engineers out to check the integrity of the castle. This hut shouldn’t be too hard to rebuild—or maybe we’ll just demolish it as the castle is what people will hopefully come to see. Either way, it’ll cost us a lot of time and money when we’re short of both.’

Dan’s despondence broke my heart and I desperately wished there was something I could say, or, better still, do to help.

‘Are most of the community behind your plans for the island?’

‘Yeah. As I said, Bill was a local legend, but even putting that aside, most of us were in awe of his craftmanship. We’d like to preserve his legacy and show it off, use it to draw more tourists to the Point outside of the usual summer season.’

I loved the passion Dan had for the island and this community.

‘What about getting some kind of benefactor or corporate sponsorship?’ I said, recalling the discussion in the cafe yesterday about his family having the funds.

‘There’s only one company round here that might have that kind of money and …’

When his voice trailed, I prompted. ‘The Lobster Factory?’

He nodded. ‘And unfortunately Dad isn’t too keen to invest in something that might lure tourists away from his business. Which is bullshit—we won’t have a cafe or anything here and people go to the Factory to learn about the local lobster industry or buy a sea experience. Here, the most anyone will be able to do is bring a picnic to enjoy the island while admiring the castle. If they’re lucky, they’ll see some sea lions, but with our tours, they’re almost guaranteed.’

‘Can’t you explain this to your father?’

‘Believe me, I’ve tried. But Stephen Emerson is a stubborn man, and this is something he won’t budge on.’

So much for the community spirit I’d heard people mention when talking about the Emersons; it sounded like the head of the family only cared about his hip pocket.

‘What about the shire?’ I asked after a few moments’ deliberation. ‘Surely they’re interested in bringing more tourists to the region?’

Dan chuckled. ‘Maybe some of the council, but my father is the president and they all kowtow to him.’