Joyce snuggled next to Rupert. "I'm glad it's Saturday. A day away from the hamster wheel. Why do we flog our guts out to improve the lives of others? Catch the bad guys, get spat and sworn at. Turn around and start again. The dammed wheel never stops turning."

Rupert rolled onto his back. "We do it because it's what we are good at, but you're right. Life evolves for better or worse."

"I woke up during the night thinking about us."

He raised himself and leant across her and kissed her. "I need to get up. What would you like for breakfast?"

"The usual. Coffee and marmalade on toast. I'll get up, can't stand bread crumbs all over the bed."

." I have an idea. How about we drive anywhere, find a country hotel and stay over? We haven't done that for a long time."

She smiled at him. "Breakfast first. I'll pack a weekend bag. I prefer a cosy pub or hotel in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere, no one can find us."

"Perfect. I'll drive. You can tell me when to stop."

With a good breakfast inside them, they dumped their overnight cases into the boot of Joyce Audi."

"Would you like to drive?"

"For a change, you can drive me. I might even sit in the back seat and wave to the people in the street."

He laughed. "Yes, dear."

She clambered into the passenger seat. "I'll navigate."

Once he had adjusted the driving position, he asked. "North, South, east or west."

"South coast. If I remember, there are many quaint pubs/hotels between Margate and Ramsgate."

He started the engine. "Your wish is my command.

. "She smiled. "Do you realise we haven't had any real time off since you supposedly retired?"

"I know. We both need good food, a good laugh and a good bed to sleep in."

"We'll get all the sleep we need when we are dead. Open the windows and let the fresh air brush the cobwebs away."

He smiled as the side windows lowered. "You're stark raving mad but right."

Joyce understood and felt the same. They both needed this.

Rupert stopped at a village café for lunch before moving on. Today was a different day for them both. The sun shone across fields filled with wheat, waving at them in the light breeze as they drove past. After a few hours of driving, they stopped on the crest of a hill. In front of them, a blue sea stretched unending into the distance.

The tide was out, and the bright afternoon light bounced off the sand and rocks below. Groups of two or three people wander along at the high water mark.

Joyce stands close to Rupert. "I don't think I've been here before. It's a different world to the crap we deal with every day."

He checked the time. "It's almost five. I suggest we find a B and B."

"I agree."

Back on the road, they drive until Joyce shouts. "Stop and go back a few hundred metres."

"What have you seen?"

"I'm not sure."

Rupert drove the car into a layby a few hundred metres ahead.

"Let's stretch our legs."

Together, they strolled hand in hand back along the road.

"There it is," said Joyce. "Windy Point Lighthouse, Bed and Breakfast."

Rupert gazed around. "I can't see it. It must be on the beach. Come on, I can't wait to see our bed for the night."

Rupert turned the car and drove to where the sign pointed. The narrow track meandered to the beach. Ahead of them stood a two-story white-painted building with a tall lighthouse behind.

"Hope they have a vacancy. Oddball places like this are usually booked up way ahead."

"May I suggest we go and ask?"

"Great idea," said Rupert as he exited the car.

A man wearing blue jeans and a white shirt strolled towards them.

Rupert held up his hand. "Don't tell me you're fully booked."

The man smiled. "David Shepherd. For my sins, my wife and I own this. We haven't opened yet, but Nancy wanted to test the water, so I stuck the sign on the main road. You're the first to venture along the track. How did you find it?"

"Not a problem, providing nothing comes the other way," said Rupert. From what you said, there are rooms available."

"You can take your pick. We are a B and B, but my wife Ruth is happy to produce an evening meal. It's pretty basic. A beef stew with dumplings and crusty bread. We have a drinks licence for guests only. The wine cellar is limited."

"Sound perfect," said Joyce, "Can we book for two nights?

David appeared bemused. "You haven't asked the price?"

"And you haven't answered the question. Okay, how much?"

"B and B eighty pounds a night. The rest is up to you, whether it's value for money."

Joyce laughed. "This is the first weekend Rupert and I have had together for a long while. I'm sure your rooms are lovely, but only the best room will do, as we are your first guests."

David smiled. "Please follow me. Would you like the guided tour now or later?"

"As this is my first Lighthouse visit, I'd like to know more. I'll get our bags."

Three minutes later, they followed David into the house.

"To build Windy Point, the company used men to remove the existing cliff until they hit the solid rock. Trinity Lighthouse constructed the house and light in 1900. They mothballed the light in 1914. For years, it remained vacant but became damaged by a German bomber dumping its load during the Second World War. A London businessman bought it in 1950. He aimed to turn it into a casino. He went broke and forgotten until my wife and I bought it at an auction five years ago. Blood, sweat and tears turned it into a bespoke hotel. Don't laugh. We live in the lighthouse, and haunted." At the top of a stone staircase, he stopped and opened a white-painted door. "Your room.

Joyce entered, stopped by the large four-poster bed, and stared out the window. "Love it. The view is breathtaking. I've been thinking. Could we order the stew for about eight this evening?"

"Take it as done. Enjoy your stay. If you have any questions, please ask."

When the door closed, Joyce went to the window and took in the view. "I never knew this place existed."

Rupert came and stood next to her. "It almost didn't. Must admit it's what we wanted. Fancy exploring the beach before the evening chill sets in."

"Great idea," said Joyce. "I'll grab my coat."

As they left the house. Joyce looked back. "Don't laugh, but I felt someone was watching us.

Rupert rubbed his hands together. "You have an active imagination. We should have asked about the tides."

"If we stay above the high water mark, we should be okay.," said Joyce.

"The evening stroll became hard as they walked over pebbles and seaweed-covered rocks.

"You see the headland," said Rupert, pointing. "I suggest we go no further."

I agree. I don't fancy wading in ice-cold water When we have a great bedroom with an en-suite bathroom."

Rupert stopped and stared at the cliff, its base undermined by erosion. "Standard sandstone washes away at every high tide. "If you look over at those large blocks of concrete. I assume it was part of the original Victorian sea wall. Where we stand would have been the actual cliff at that time. Over the years, the lack of repairs and fierce storms did the damage."

Joyce folded her arms. I suppose with the lighthouse out of use, no one bothered."

"Governments and money," said Rupert. "Unless people's homes are threatened, sea defences are not a priority."

Joyce joined him. "The government should have repaired the sea defences but didn't. It's a bit late now; it would cost millions."

"And the rest. What you see here is only a fraction."

An hour later, they entered the house.

David appeared. "Ruth only has to reheat the stew. I assume you are going to clean up. Your meal will take ten minutes when you are ready."

Rupert nodded. "In truth, having been travelling, we will have an early night. If it's okay, we'll tidy up and return in about fifteen minutes."

"Great. I'll let Ruth know."

On entering their room, Joyce asked. "So, we're having an early night."

"I have a plan. I intend to buy a bottle of wine from our host. On our return, we can enjoy a hot bath together. Long time since we've had the opportunity. And what happens after is up to you, my love."

She chuckled. "I feel a headache coming on."

"He gave her behind a gentle slap. "One or two aspirins."

"Children playing," said Joyce. "I never thought of David and Ruth having children."

"It's not unusual for young couples to have children."

"I know, but this is somewhat isolated and no one to play with."

"He frowned. "Why? We do not know who may live at the top of the cliff."

Joyce shrugged. "You were driving and keeping your eyes on the road. I never saw any houses close by, but you could be right.

"Ready," said Rupert.

"As I will ever be."

Together, they descended the stone staircase.

David must have heard them as he waited at the base of the stairs. "Where would you prefer to eat? The residents' lounge or our kitchen. It's your decision, but the kitchen is warmer."

Rupert turned to Joyce. "What do you think?"

"Kitchen gets my vote."

Decision made, David.

He strolled towards a large white-painted door, opened it wide and waited for them to pass."

The smell of freshly baked bread and the stew floated from the kitchen. "My wife Ruth. The best cook around."

Ruth, a beautiful woman, tall with dark hair and stylish features, gave a huge smile. "I don't know about the best cook. I'm the only one for miles."

"How far are your nearest neighbours? Asked Joyce as she squeezed Rupert's hand.

"The closest is Frank Jenny Fitzgerald. They own a farm roughly four miles away," said David.

Joyce peered around the spotless kitchen. "Must be lonely for your children."

There was an awkward pause. "The children, as you put it, like you. Usually, they are silent when strangers are in the house. Unfortunately, we cannot have children of our own. What you hear, we believe to be the previous keepers' children. Sometime before the keeper left, a gale-force storm and Spring tide struck the area. From the story, the keeper's children were walking along the sea wall as they often did. Although an extensive search took place, it was assumed a rogue wave dragged them from the wall, and they drowned. Ruth and I believe the children are still here but in spirit form. They can be naughty at times by moving things and hiding them. If the thought of them disturbs you, we understand. Enjoy your supper, and then, with our good wishes, you can leave."

"The stew has the aroma of what my mother used to tell me stuck to your ribs. I'm hungry. Can we please eat?"

"The idea of ghostly children doesn't bother you," asked Ruth.

"Not at all," said Joyce. "Should it?"

"Please sit at the table. I'll serve supper as quickly as I can," said Ruth, smiling.

Rupert pulled out a kitchen-style chair for Joyce before seating himself. "I would advertise your spiritual guest. You'll be surprised how many people would love to visit and stay in a haunted lighthouse."

Ruth placed a large bowl of stew and a plate full of crusty bread straight from the oven before their guests. "Enjoy. Shout for Davis if you need anything."

"You don't have to leave," said Rupert. Joyce and I are happy to chat."

For the duration of the meal and after, they discussed the world's problems. "The time was approaching ten when Joyce patted Rupert's hand. "I'm tired, and these good people have to tidy up. Shall we give them some peace and go to our bed."

"Best idea you've had today." He stood. "Great stew and lovely company. What time for breakfast."

Ruth smiled, "I know tomorrow is Sunday, but no later than ten thirty if you don't mind."

"We'll be down long before then. Goodnight."

As they climbed the stairs, Joyce held Rupert's Hand. "What a lovely couple."

Joyce asked Rupert to sit on the bed as she closed the bedroom door.

"You're looking serious. What have I done?"

"I can't get out of my mind the sudden death of Hugh Talbot."

Rupert frowned. "The world is a better place without the like of him."

"It's his death which troubles me. Here, one moment, and in a flash, it's over. What I'm trying to say is I want to marry you. I always have, but I thought it wouldn't make any difference. I was happy and believed you were. For us, it worked. Talbot made me understand that marriage is a life commitment, and I need to make it so."

Rupert stood and held her hands in his. "This silly old fool thinks you're wonderful and would have married you a week after I met you. I began to think it would never happen and blamed that you couldn't have children. I am happy, and of course I'll marry you. Name the day."