THE Dark Light
THE STORY SO FAR: Following the death of her mother, Flora Marchant is taken to live with her uncle in his large coastal house. Apart from her grief and feeling betrayed by family friend, Barney Beddows, Flora senses things are not quite right in her new home. Her uncle Saul, a magistrate, seems secretive and constantly distracted by his work, it’s clear that Milly the maid is hiding something, and there’s a lighthouse opposite the house that never lights up. Then, while exploring one day, Flora accidentally discovers a secret passage into a large cave and is horrified to learn that her uncle, Barney and their new unsavoury acquaintance Uriah Clutch are smugglers. It’s the arrival of a new light-keeper that has brought the three men together and they’re determined to be rid of him before he ruins their smuggling plans, by any means necessary…
Gardening again, Miss?’ Milly came up the stairs with her bucket and mop, almost colliding with Flora who was deep in thought. ‘Me granda’s ever so pleased. He says you’re a good help.’
‘It’s just a bit of tidying up,’ Flora said. ‘I like to be outdoors. Even when it’s cold.’
And it kept her away from her uncle. Behaving civilly towards him was hard now she knew his true character.
‘Eeeh, Miss, almost forgot – have you heard the news? There’s to be a new light-keeper.’
Her heart squeezed. ‘Indeed? When?’ How she wished he
