Sunlight over Crystal Sands: A gorgeous uplifting romantic comedy perfect to escape with this summer

by Holly Martin

  ‘Any luck?’ She turned to see how Nix was doing. He was examining every inch intently as if a chest of big precious jewels would be hidden among the tiniest cracks.

  ‘Nothing.’

  Lyra looked at the map again for any other clues. The cross was positioned directly over the bottom of one of the acorns. She ran her fingers over the nearest acorn and then tried to twist it. To her surprise the acorn turned like a doorknob and she realised it was screwed into the post.

  ‘The acorns come off,’ she shouted triumphantly, and she glanced over to see Nix frantically unscrewing his acorns from the posts too.

  The acorn she was unscrewing came off in her hand and she could see it was hollow within. She peered inside but there was nothing in there. She quickly moved over to the other acorn and started unscrewing that one too. It moved a lot more easily than the first one and, as it came away from the post, she noticed another tiny glass bottle tucked inside. She grabbed it and pulled it out. Another rolled-up piece of yellowy-brown paper was hidden inside.

  ‘I’ve found another scroll,’ Lyra said excitedly, as she teased out the cork and then pulled out the scroll.

  Nix quickly moved over to her side. Even Dexter came over to see what all the excitement was about. It was sealed with the same red wax seal as before.

  ‘Shall we open it?’ Lyra said.

  Nix nodded and she cracked open the seal and then spread the paper out.

  There was no map this time, just four lines of text in beautiful cursive writing, but as she looked closer she quickly realised that the words were in a foreign language, not one she’d seen before. She turned the paper over to see if there were any other clues but there was nothing, not even a little drawing.

  Where did they go from here?

  Nix watched Lyra across the table as she finished off the delicious lasagne. He wanted to know more about her, in fact he wanted to know everything. He wanted her to open up to him, to trust him, but he hadn’t been entirely honest with her so he didn’t really deserve that trust. He needed to confess everything before they got involved again. But telling her would probably stop any relationship before it got started. How was she going to react when she found out the truth?

  She pulled out the next clue and then moved to sit next to him, spreading it out on the table between them. He couldn’t help but smile at her evident enthusiasm.

  ‘Well, this is obviously a year,’ Nix said, pointing to 1697 at the end of the four lines.

  ‘I agree. And this word here, caelis. I feel like I’ve seen it before,’ Lyra said.

  ‘Me too,’ Nix agreed, watching her. He wanted Lyra to work these clues out; she was clearly enjoying herself immensely.

  ‘Our father, who art in heaven,’ she muttered. ‘Pater noster, qui es in caelis. It’s Latin, this word means heaven.’

  He smiled. ‘I love that you know that, did you study Latin at school?’

  ‘No, not at all. But I remember studying the Lord’s Prayer in Latin once in an English lesson, not sure why. It was something to do with language origins and the differences and similarities. Caelis is definitely heaven in Latin. But I have no idea what the rest of it means,’ she said, thoughtfully.

  ‘Well, if that word is Latin, that means the rest of it is, and fortunately, now we know what language we’re dealing with, we have good old Google Translate for the rest,’ Nix said.

  ‘Brilliant idea,’ Lyra said, pulling her phone out of her pocket. She spent a few minutes carefully copying the words over to Google Translate.

  She slid the phone across to him once Google had done its job.

  To find what you seek

  Look to our heaven

  Save our souls

  Beneath 1697

  Lyra stared at it. ‘Wow, should we be asking for divine inspiration to find the treasure?’

  ‘It does seem like the fisherman was of religious persuasion.’

  She frowned. ‘Don’t you think all this is a bit weird? Firstly, how many fishermen would have spoken fluent Latin, let alone be able to write it so beautifully?’

  Nix shrugged. ‘It’s entirely possible that he was educated when he was younger but then decided to pursue a life on the sea instead of some academic career.’

  ‘I suppose. But why leave clues for himself? This is a treasure hunt, not just a treasure map. Why would he go to this trouble to hide clues everywhere? He knows where he hid the treasure.’

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe he did all this so his family could find the treasure years later. If you were going to bury thousands of pounds’ worth of jewels, would you risk doing one map, saying the treasure is here? What if the map falls into wrong hands?’

  ‘I guess…’

  ‘And don’t you think following a treasure hunt is exciting?’ Nix said, keen that she didn’t give up on this just yet. The real Lyra was starting to emerge, the one who loved adventure. He longed to see more of this side of her and he wanted her to appreciate this part of her too.

  The frown on her face slowly faded to be replaced with a huge smile. ‘It is a bit.’

  ‘Imagine being the ones to find it after all these years.’

  ‘I know, it feels a little unfair for us to find it when we’re the newcomers to the island. Do you think we should tell Seamus? I’m sure he would love to be involved with this.’

  Nix considered how to answer this. He hadn’t thought that Lyra would want to involve other people in their little quest. He was enjoying it just being the two of them. Having spoken to Seamus about this, Nix was pretty sure the mayor wouldn’t really want to be involved.

  ‘I’ll ask him,’ Nix said.

  She nodded, seemingly happy with this. ‘OK, let’s have a look at this clue.’

  She read the lines again. ‘Look to our heaven. Does it mean the clue is in the stars? That’s a bit obscure.’

  ‘Is there some kind of observatory on the island?’ Nix asked.

  ‘Not that I know of.’

  ‘Save our souls. SOS. That’s the distress signal for when a boat is in trouble. Could the next clue be at the RNLI, the lifeboat station?’

  ‘We don’t have one of those on the island either. There’s one on the mainland a bit further down the coast,’ Lyra said.

  ‘I suppose the clues will stay on the island,’ Nix said.

  She shrugged. ‘Not necessarily. But I guess we should rule out different places on the island first before we go further afield.’

  Nix nodded, studying the clue again. ‘Beneath 1697 – could be some kind of plaque.’

  ‘Or a gravestone.’

  He pulled a face. ‘I’m really hoping this treasure hunt is not going to lead us to start desecrating a grave.’

  ‘No, good point, I’m not into grave robbery. If the treasure is buried with the dead, it can stay buried.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I suppose this clue could be more literal than we’re considering. Look to the heavens, save our souls. It could mean the church, but I’m not sure it’s as old as 1697.’

  ‘I wouldn’t let the date put you off, 1697 could refer to anything. Churches were heavily involved in smuggling back in the day. It’s definitely worth a look.’

  She nodded and he smiled when he saw her check her watch; she was obviously desperate to have a look now.

  ‘Maybe tomorrow,’ Nix suggested.

  ‘Yeah, I guess the church will be closed now.’

  ‘I’m sure it will be.’

  Lyra played with the clue for a few moments, feeling the paper, running her fingers over the cracks. She was clearly enjoying this. He wondered how she would feel once it was all over. Would she be disappointed if there was no treasure? Would she go scuttling back inside her shell once the adventure was finished?

  ‘Ooh, shall we have a look at those books Seamus gave me?’ she said. ‘There might be more information about the treasure in there.’

  He smiled at her enthusiasm. Whatever concerns he had about what might happen when this was finished, he was going t
o do nothing to curb her passion and excitement for it now.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next day, Lyra looked down her list of things to do for Heather and Jack’s wedding. It was just over two weeks away and there was a ton of stuff left to organise. Clover had written an overview of everything that was left to finalise and Lyra had broken that down into a much more detailed plan of things to do. For example, where Clover had simply written flowers, Lyra had divided that into three more bullet points to tick off: collating different options, talking to Heather and Jack to discuss the different options, and contacting the florists to book the flowers. Lots of other points on Clover’s list had been broken down like this. Lyra found it easier to work when there was a detailed plan. But her plan was now so big it was starting to look daunting.

  She glanced over at Nix, who was working hard on something on the computer. He must have felt her watching him because he suddenly looked up and smiled. ‘Hey, you OK?’

  ‘Yes, well… are you busy?’

  ‘I’ve always got time for you.’

  She smiled. ‘This wedding is coming up in two weeks and I think I need some help getting it all finalised.’

  Nix wheeled his chair over without getting up, so he looked like he was waddling like a penguin as he made his way across the floor. It made Lyra giggle.

  ‘What do you need?’

  She passed him the list and he let out a whistle. ‘This is quite an extensive list.’

  ‘Oh, it probably looks worse than it is. I just like to plan things out to every tiny detail, that way I know I won’t miss anything.’

  ‘That’s very organised,’ Nix said, and Lyra wasn’t sure if he was impressed or a little bit scared.

  ‘I know,’ she cringed. ‘When Dad left and Mum fell apart, I sort of had to become very organised, very quickly, and I was always so worried about forgetting something and letting someone down that it helped to make lists and plans and schedules. It’s a habit I’ve never grown out of.’

  ‘So you’re not a throw-caution-to-the-wind kind of girl.’

  ‘Sometimes I wish I was but my mum is like that and she’s not someone I’d like to emulate. In fact, the only time I’ve let my guard down was with you, you pulled down all my walls.’

  He pulled a face. ‘And then I made you quickly rebuild them when I left.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault. What were you supposed to think when you woke up to find I’d gone?’

  ‘It was never supposed to end that way. If I’d seen your note, I’d have been straight down to the lake to join you. And then I’d probably have made love to you on the banks of the lake before we came back to Judy and I cooked you breakfast.’

  She swallowed. That would have been a much better way to start the morning after the best sex she’d ever had. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about how she and Nix were linked in so many ways and whether by keeping Nix at arm’s length she was turning her back on something incredible. She pushed that wonderful thought away because, regardless of how lovely that would have been, it never would have lasted, it never did.

  ‘Then what?’ she said. ‘You’d have kissed me goodbye. Is that how it would have ended?’

  He frowned and shook his head. ‘I don’t think it would have ended at all.’

  ‘Oh come on, you said yourself you weren’t ready for a relationship.’

  ‘I said I wasn’t ready for something big and life-changing. But love doesn’t come along when it’s convenient.’

  She stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. ‘Love?’

  She watched him blush. ‘I’m not saying I’m in love with you, I think real love takes time, as you said the other day. But I’m saying we would definitely have had something special. I don’t think I would have walked away from that so easily, regardless of how inconvenient it was.’

  Lyra thought about what Jack had said about meeting Heather the morning his divorce had been finalised, that another relationship hadn’t even been on his radar and then there she was. Was that really how it would have gone for her and Nix? Was she missing out on something amazing because she was too scared to take that step? The morning after she’d met Nix, she’d woken up excited about what was going to happen next, but now she’d closed down any possibility of that ever happening because of a silly misunderstanding.

  She shook her head. ‘Being in a relationship was not part of my plan.’ Protecting her heart from ever being hurt again was the main plan.

  ‘Plans have their place, but there’s also something wonderful about spontaneity. Sometimes the things that can happen by chance are far better than anything you could ever plan for.’

  ‘What are you saying? That I should come round to yours tonight and recreate that wonderful evening?’

  Nix’s eyes darkened with need but he shook his head, clearing his throat. ‘I’d like nothing more but I think, if we do give this a go, we need to go slowly. Go out on dates. Spend some time getting to know each other properly. Learn to trust each other. Making love can come later.’

  She’d sworn that she wouldn’t get involved with another man without getting to know him first, but how could she really get to know Nix unless she gave him that chance?

  She shook her head. ‘I’m not ready for another relationship. I don’t want to get hurt again. You said if something were to happen between us it would be big and life-changing. That sounds like it would be even harder to get over when it ends.’

  ‘If it ends. I can’t make any promises about forever, but don’t you think something as important as what we shared is worth taking that risk for? I have loved getting to know you better over the last few days; we have a connection that’s a lot deeper than just great sex. Isn’t that worth exploring?’

  She wavered, because there was still a huge part of her that wanted that.

  ‘Just think about it,’ Nix said. ‘Don’t give up on us just yet.’

  She nodded. ‘I’ll think about it.’

  ‘Good.’

  Her hand was on her knee and he reached out and ran one finger gently over the back of it. ‘I’m really enjoying searching for the treasure with you,’ he said, softly.

  She turned her palm over, allowing her fingers to loosely entwine with his for a moment. She didn’t know why she was letting this small act of intimacy happen but holding back from anything else. ‘I am too.’

  He held her hand for a few moments longer, his eyes locked with hers before letting her go.

  He gestured to the list. ‘What is it you want me to do?’

  She turned her attention back to the list but now she could barely concentrate. It seemed she had a lot to think about.

  There was a knock on the office door later that morning and Nix immediately knew who it would be. He glanced across at Lyra and, judging from the smirk on her face, she did too.

  Nix got up to open the door and, sure enough, Sylvia was standing on the other side, Snowflake next to her wagging his tail.

  ‘Hello Sylvia.’

  He had to smile as she swept dramatically into the office, her purple cloak flowing behind her.

  ‘Beautiful morning, isn’t it?’ Sylvia said, admiring the spectacular view.

  Nix came to join her at the window. The sea was a wonderful bottle green today and, beneath them on the beach, children were playing on the golden sands. It was funny to think that almost twenty years ago he had been on that exact beach kissing Lyra for the first time. He had felt a connection then, something he’d been too young to understand. And here they were now, and their connection was stronger than ever. But as much as he loved the idea of fate bringing them back together, Lyra wanted to run from that. Following her heart was something her mum had done, abandoning her children because of it. He wanted to show Lyra that letting go wasn’t a bad thing, but he knew it would take time.

  ‘It’s lovely,’ Nix said.

  Sylvia turned back to face the office. ‘And how are two of my favourite event planners getting on?’
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br />   He watched Lyra smile. ‘Good, the job is fun, lots to do. We’re actually organising a birthday party for the hotel, at the end of August – it’s been one year since it’s grand reopening. We’re trying to find the right balance between something casual for the families and something a bit classier.’

  ‘Oooh, I love a party, especially if I have a handsome man to sweep me around the dance floor. Do you have a date for the party, Lyra?’

  ‘Well, I presume I’ll be going with Nix,’ Lyra said, calmly, and his heart leapt. ‘It makes sense that we go together, in a professional capacity, so we can sort out any problems that crop up.’

  Sylvia let out a little grunt of disappointment and Nix felt the same way.

  ‘But at the end of the night, when everything is done, you two could have a little dance together.’

  ‘I think at the end of the night, when every box has been ticked, I’ll be ready for bed, not a dance,’ Lyra said.

  ‘That’s the spirit,’ Sylvia said, mischievously.

  Lyra laughed. ‘To sleep.’

  Nix sighed. He didn’t mind the good-natured interfering, but it was probably more likely to drive Lyra further away than bring her closer.

  ‘Was there something we can help you with?’ he said. ‘Were you here about the launch party?’

  ‘Oh of course, I came to show you a cake I wanted you to organise for me. I saw it on the internet,’ Sylvia said, taking a phone from her cloak pocket, swiping the screen a few times and showing him a picture of a fabulous open-book-style cake with stars spilling out from the pages. ‘Only I’d want hearts, not stars,’ she said. ‘Or something to symbolise the magic of true love. Hearts are more in keeping for a romance author than stars.’

  ‘Aren’t your books more about sex than love?’ Lyra teased.

  Sylvia fixed her with a look. ‘Don’t you think the two are linked? Incredible, once-in-a-lifetime sex can only really happen if two people love each other.’

  Lyra cleared her throat. ‘I’m not sure I believe that. I think you can have amazing sex with someone without love being involved. I think real love takes time, it’s not something that happens overnight.’