Contents ( 57)
- Prologue
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- Also by Sharon Gosling
Rachel turned this over in her mind, testing for weaknesses.
‘The camera obscura is of historical importance,’ she pointed out. ‘Do we have the right to dismantle it?’
‘No one knows about it,’ said Crosswick. ‘No one has ever known about it. If they did then yes, it would probably push the tower’s listing status as a building of historic importance to the highest level and we wouldn’t be able to touch a thing. But as it stands, it is not at that level, and we will be legally free and clear to do as I’ve proposed. The papers will still exist and we will preserve them. If at some point in the future the status quo changes, they will still be available. As it is, I don’t see that dismantling the camera obscura now is any different than if Eveline MacDonald herself had decided to do the same in the wake of her husband’s death.’
Rachel nodded. ‘I see.’
‘Anyway, this is what Trudy wanted me to speak to you about.’
‘Why?’ Rachel frowned. ‘It’s none of my business really, is it? Neither of you owe me an explanation or need my agreement in any decision.’
‘True,’ Crosswick agreed. ‘But as I’ve said before – I think Trudy Goodwin is a decent sort. She’s trying to do the right thing by everyone involved. Which,’ he added, ‘I think is also worth thinking about. There’s also the matter that you and Toby Hollingwood are the only other two people who know about the camera obscura. This plan would rely on the discretion of you both.’
‘I don’t think that will be a problem,’ Rachel said. It wasn’t hard for her to imagine that Toby would understand and appreciate this point of view too. ‘I’ll talk to Toby.’
They were both quiet for a moment.
‘Well,’ said the solicitor, with the air of one who has completed a task he set out to accomplish, ‘I have to say, it’ll be sad to see the lighthouse pass out of the MacDonald line. But I think we’ve done the best we can in the circumstances.’
‘How long will it be until the sale goes through?’ Rachel asked. ‘It’s just… it’s going to take a lot to empty the place and the bookshop is supposed to be hosting the wedding of two of the regulars in a month’s time. It’d be a pity to start stripping everything out before then, but—’
Crosswick nodded. ‘We haven’t formally accepted the offer yet and I can delay the exchange until after the wedding. Perhaps, though, it would be useful for that event to mark an end point. Keep the bookshop open until then, but afterwards close for good. Perhaps you could put feelers out to other dealers who might want to take bulk stock. I’ll talk to Trudy about hiring extra help to clear the place out – you’ll never manage it on your own. The camera obscura, though…’
‘I’ll take out as much as I can myself,’ Rachel said. ‘Although I’ll need help to break down the plinth and take out the mirror and lens.’