The Lighthouse

Half a mile off the North coast of Scotland lived Sidney and his only companion, Barnaby, a grey Scottish Fold cat. Sidney was a lighthouse keeper back in the early seventies, and lived in a one room, shack like house, next to his lighthouse on a rocky mound in the sea. Today his shack is rented out to people wanting an escape from civilization, and with the desire to spot local wildlife, such as the seals, which can be seen in the autumnal months, and sometimes even dolphins. Anna was an avid bird watcher and was visiting the lighthouse for only three days.

She arrived at the main land; a local fisherman rowed her across to the mound, and arranged to pick her up in a few days. After crossing the choppy sea she made herself comfortable in Sidney’s old home. Being from the city, she only got to enjoy the fresh crisp sea air when she embarked on these trips. Anna tried to get away from the city as often as possible. The busy lifestyle wasn’t for her; she couldn’t indulge in her bird watching passion, but she needed to work and earn money. She was a journalist for a woman’s monthly, but she didn’t want to write about trivial matters such as ‘how to dress for your body type’ she wanted to write about what really mattered to her; the environment and wildlife. She had her own blog online but could only write and update it when she was totally immersed in this world.

She needed to get away from all her problems at home. She had just split from a long term partner and wasn’t ready to face up to the fact their relationship was over. She needed closure but didn’t necessarily want it. She was also having issues with her landlord; he was threatening to sell up as he had an offer for the building to be turned into office spaces. At least all the changes would give her a good chance for a fresh start, but she didn’t know what to do.

After travelling all day, it was late and Anna was too tired to partake in any form of activity. She made herself a hot cocoa on the stove and just pottered about in the shack. It wasn’t luxury but it contained everything she needed; a kitchen enough to cook in, a bed, table and chair for one, an area to wash in and an old school styled writing desk. Over the years the desk got tarnished with previous visitors marking their names and year of stay on it as if it were a tradition ‘John 1998’, ‘Sara 2002’, ‘Andy 1989’ and so on. Anna started to ponder what experiences they may have had here in the lighthouse; then she added her name ‘Anna 2006’. She lifted the lid of the desk, it was stiff and hard to do so, clearly it hadn’t been opened in a very long time. 

Inside was empty, except for a leather bound notebook. Maybe it was a guest book, she thought to herself. She blew away the dust on the book and gave a wheezy cough. The book hadn’t been touched in years; it just lay neglected in the wooden desk, like a corpse in a coffin. She debated opening the book, after all it didn’t belong to her, but then did it belong to anyone anymore? It had been left. She threw caution to the wind, no one would even know anyway. She opened it carefully not wanting to cause any damage the old delicate pages. She read aloud:

 

‘This diary belongs to Sidney and Barnaby only.

It is of no interest to anybody else.

If you are to read this it will only bore you.

Who wants to read the ramblings of a lonely old lighthouse keeper and his cat?’

 

Anna certainly did. She was intrigued; Anna knew it was going to be much more interesting than Sidney gave credit for. She sat herself down in front of the window; the moonlight was enough to illuminate the room. The foamy waves crashed against the rocks of the mound; Anna found this sound strangely therapeutic as she read on.

 

‘Today was a good day. The summer sea air was fresh as it hit my face. A Guillemot has nested on the balcony to lay her eggs. Better keep those safe and away from Barnaby; he’ll play with them and possibly even eat them. He’s a naughty cat at the best of times. But he’s all I have here on my lonesome mound in the middle of the sea. Granted, I’m just a boat trip from the mainland. I am only half a mile out. But it’s the effort. I’m happy here with just my cat. I wouldn’t get to see the birds nesting so close; I wouldn’t get to see the seals in the autumn. No here is where I want to stay. I’m closer to the natural world here. I don’t need human company. They just complicate things with their conflict and opinions. At least nature can’t answer back.’

 

What an extremely lonely man, Anna thought. And how could he say nature couldn’t answer back? Of course it could. To Anna nature was the most powerful force on the planet, and was one to be reckoned with. She closed the book and placed ii back inside the desk. It was really late now anyway and was time for her to get some rest. Anna had a long day of bird watching planned; she was determined to spot a Puffin, and now was interested to see a Guillemot. She even hoped one would come to nest again, as if it was a well known sanctuary to all Guillemots. 

            The morning fog caused havoc with Anna’s plans. ‘Now tell me nature can’t answer back Sidney’ she muttered. The thick grey fog fell heavy around the lighthouse and it would’ve been impossible for Anna to spot any form of bird. She decided to wait for the fog to lift; she picked up Sidney’s book and flicked to a random page. She hoped to read something a bit more positive than the last passage she read.

 

‘First day of autumn is here. My favourite season. It’s much less predictable than the others. While I was at the top of my lighthouse cleaning the glass, I kept seeing something bobbing in the distance. I went to get my binoculars to get a good look. On further inspection I learnt it was baby grey seals popping their heads out of the sea. I’d heard somewhere before that they can be seen at this time of year, and with this being my first autumn in this particular lighthouse, I was pleased it was this easy for me to see them. I like to see animals in their natural habitats rather than manufactured synthetic zoo types. My cat Barnaby however, needs to be with me. He wouldn’t survive the wilderness, it would eat him alive. He’s just a domestic pet. Not a wild seal.’

 

Anna found herself smiling after reading a calmer side to Sidney. She never imagined the man she read about last night, moaning about everything, would have such a passion for the wild. Anna was starting to warm to him. You could even go as far as saying she was developing a little soft spot for the grumpy old man.

            The fog showed no sign of lifting. Anna felt no need to hide her disappointment; after all she only had two full days left to spot as many birds from her list as possible. She thought back to her life in the city and how unhappy she was there. The hustle and bustle of people rushing everywhere and the noisiness and the fumes from all the vehicles seemed unnecessary to Anna. She knew that in order to feel content with her life she needed to get away, but what she didn’t know was how. With regards to Anna’s bird watching the day was wasted. She was left with only her thoughts to occupy herself. Anna was reluctant to sit around wallowing; she knew there were more important issues in the world than her lack of job satisfaction.

            After making some lunch she snuggled down into Sidney’s only arm chair with a cup of tea to continue reading. For some reason Anna was finding this diary so un-put-down-able it could have been mistaken for the best selling book of the year.

 

‘Today I received a letter. A terrible letter. A letter I knew one day would come. But always hoped it never would actually arrive. I’m being replaced. That’s right Barnaby and I are no longer needed here. They’re replacing me with an automated light bulb. What is it with technology? Things are so advanced now in 1973 it’s scary. Everything is automatic; we’ll all turn fat and lazy. But the main thing I really have to consider is what is next?  What can I do with my life now? I’m too old to get a job or learn a trade. Where am I going to live? I don’t know anyone so I can’t even bide my time with someone. I wouldn’t function in society I’m used to this environment; stick me anywhere else and I wouldn’t survive. I always thought I would die here in my lighthouse. I thought it would be me and Barnaby on this mound until the end.’

 

Anna found herself feeling guilty for being so wrapped up in her own little world. It had never occurred to her that people, like Sidney, had to go through things that truly turn their lives upside down. She couldn’t help, however, but let out a little chuckle at Sidney’s fear of the modern world. He had no idea. If he was scared of 1973 then imagine him now in 2006. Things are changing all the time. To Anna an automated light bulb seemed almost prehistoric in terms of developing technology. She pondered the irony of Sidney desperately wanting to stay where he was, and her need to get away from where she was.

 

***

Since leaving the mound, Anna was determined to make the most of a bad situation. She didn’t want to continue feeling sorry for herself when she knew people were worse off than her. In London her life was couldn’t be more different. She thought back to her time in Scotland and wished she was back there permanently. The problems she left behind were still there. Her landlord, who had been threatening her with eviction, sent her a final warning. She thought about how her ex-lover had announced his engagement since she had been away, the one thing she knew would happen, but hoped it wouldn’t. Then suddenly she remembered Sidney’s book. She hadn’t read it since she was at the lighthouse. Anna didn’t even remember putting it back in the desk.

            When she got home from a mind-numbing day in work, she rummaged through her bags. She still hadn’t unpacked; that would’ve reminded her that her dream was over and she was back in the real world. In amongst her maps and bird lists she found his book. She must have subconsciously packed it up with her things.

 

‘This is my last entry. Today I leave for my new home in Birmingham, why Birmingham? I don’t know. It’s just where I’ve ended up. I got offered a caretaking job at a local comprehensive school and it came with cheap rent on a bedsit. My only saving grace is that Barnaby can come with me. I will leave this diary in the place I also wrote it. In my desk; I highly doubt anyone will find it. I don’t even know what will happen to my home. The possessions aren’t mine; they were here when I moved in. Well if it is kept here and someone is reading it, which I wish will be the case, then I hope you find happiness with your life. Don’t be pushed into or out of anything you don’t want. Life is too short to settle for second best. Look at me; I was happy on my little mound with my cat, with the sea around me and all the beautiful wildlife. Now I’m being taken away to a city right in the middle of the country which is totally landlocked. To think, I was never claustrophobic in my shack but I feel I will be in the city.’

 

Oh Sidney, sighed Anna. She was desperate not to end up miserable and lonely like Sidney. She felt inspired to change her life around for the better. No longer would she begrudge the Monday feeling. She wanted and needed to be happy. With everything that wasn’t working for her, and all the excuses she made not to change things; this was exactly the kick she was waiting for.

            She spent the next half an hour typing, and re-typing, her letter of resignation. She also found time to swallow her pride and send an email of congratulations to her ex and his new fiancé. That filled her with some satisfaction. However, she still had the issue of unemployment and being homeless. She had savings that would keep her going for a while, but still was in need of a home.

            Anna realised the only time in the last eighteen months, that she had been truly happy, was in Scotland on the mound. She typed in the address to ‘Google’ just to remind herself, not that she needed to, of how beautiful it was. She clicked on the link to the bookings page and noticed it was for sale. This couldn’t be more perfect if she had planned it herself. Before even thinking about it she was on the phone to the estate agent.

 

                                   ***

Three years had passed since Anna moved to, the renamed, ‘Sidney’s Mound’ just off the coast of North Scotland. She also treated herself to a Scottish Fold cat, aptly named, Barnaby. She had spent the entire time writing her debut book. She was due to travel back to London for the release. It was the first time she had gone back. Anna had been able to write her book and speak with her agent without having to leave. Sidney would have a fit if he knew there was now internet access. May not be the strongest of connections but nevertheless there was internet in the shack. She had her laptop set up on Sidney’s old desk. She thought it ironic that once upon a time he sat there to write his memoirs, and now she was sitting there to type hers. It reminded her of how Sidney voiced his fears of the developing world in 1973, and smiled. Anna loved the juxtaposition of the nature and the technology; it meant she could combine her passion of writing with her passion of animals and the natural world.

                        Anna sat on the balcony of the lighthouse preparing her speech for her book launch. The sun was shining but was behind the clouds, so there was a slight chill in the air. A quiet bird song caught her attention. She walked around to the other side and finally saw a Guillemot nesting. She had been waiting to see that since the first time she read Sidney’s diary, almost four years ago.

           

 

 

Reviews

[Adam Hayers]

A great start to writing.

After the first few paragraphs I got pulled into the story and didn't want to stop reading until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed how you gave Anna's perspective after she read each part of Sidney's journal. And, how the story was left open for Sidney moving into a new and busier world than that which he is used to at the lighthouse. It's also really nice that Anna ended up with the lighthouse, as is continues on the legacy that is 'Sidney's Mound'.

Loved it and can't wait for more.