Page 47 of See the Stars

It was late afternoon, and her fellow guests were lounging around in various relaxed poses.

Some dozed, some sipped from coconuts and others floated in the sea.

Alice walked towards an appealingly empty stretch of beach that seemed to curl around the cliffs.

She kicked off her flip-flops and stepped onto the white sand, feeling her feet sinking down, the tiny grains caressing her callused winter feet.

She walked to the sea and paddled, letting the waves wash her achy feet.

Taking a deep, salty breath of air, she finally realised she felt different.

Relaxed.

She was here. She’d arrived. She’d brought herself and her two friends halfway round the world.

She’d told them the flights were much cheaper than they were so that they’d allow her to pay, and even lied about the cost of the hotel.

If she were to see this comet, she couldn’t bear for Berti to miss it.

And truth be told, she wanted Matt here too.

She might not have mentioned his presence to Hugo, but it was innocent.

He was Berti’s uncle, and an old friend.

That was all. He’d helped her with the telescope. He deserved to be here.

Unbidden, an image of them kissing on Calton Hill sprang to mind. She blinked it away, trying to focus instead on the horizon: gorgeous blue sky meeting the sparkling blue ocean.

Alice didn’t usually believe in fate; it was an unscientific concept without empirical evidence.

But standing here, the waves lapping at her toes and the sky stretching out above her, its secrets concealed by sunlight, she felt that success was now out of her control – perhaps down to a power larger than herself.

It felt freeing, in a way. The comet would be there, or it wouldn’t.

Either way, she’d done all she could for her grandfather’s legacy.

She stood there for a long time, enjoying the sensations the beach offered. The sky gradually started to change, the blue less bright, the sun a little more orange.

It was time.

*

‘Alice!’

A smile spread across her face at the sight of Callum as he climbed out of his Jeep. They assessed each other for a moment, in the way that old friends do, before he opened his arms and she stepped into a hug. ‘It’s been too long,’ he said.

‘It has,’ agreed Alice.

‘You do live a long way away,’ interjected Berti. ‘You shouldn’t have moved so far if you wanted Alice to visit sooner.’

‘You must be Berti,’ said Callum, shaking his hand. ‘I’ve heard all about you. It’s an honour to meet you.’

Berti grinned. ‘You’re welcome,’ he muttered, clearly pleased.

‘And you’re Matt? I didn’t quite understand where you fit into the . . . ’

‘I’m Berti’s uncle,’ said Matt. ‘Shall we get on the road?’

‘Of course,’ said Callum. ‘Alice, it really is a pleasure to see you again.’ He paused for a moment. ‘I told you I’m married now, didn’t I? My wife, Malia, is from the island, she’s a marine biologist. We’ve got two kids, a boy and a girl.’

‘Congratulations,’ said Alice. ‘You deserve to be happy.’

‘Thanks,’ said Callum, seemingly pleased any awkwardness was done with. ‘You must come visit the family while you’re here,’ he offered.

‘I’d like that,’ said Alice, her voice warm.

‘But first things first,’ said Callum, opening the Jeep door for them.

‘As you’ll know, the very biggest telescopes are at such a high altitude you need a medical certificate before you can go up.

We’re going to one of the smaller observatories, a little lower, with a more traditional telescope.

It should still be powerful enough for our needs.

It’s quite a drive, though, and can get cold up there, especially at night.

’ He looked them up and down. Berti had of course checked the conditions and made them all wear long trousers and bring jackets. ‘You seem prepared. Let’s go.’

The road leading away from the hotel was smooth, with manicured verges, but the terrain soon changed as Callum drove them into the hills.

The paths became bumpy, the scenery more wild.

The light was beginning to fade, and Alice watched the first stars appear.

She’d thought the conditions in Yorkshire were clear, but she’d never seen anything like this. ‘It’s magnificent,’ she said.

‘Quite something,’ agreed Callum. ‘There’s a reason some of the world’s greatest telescopes are built on Hawaii. Clear skies, little light pollution, high altitudes.’ He took his eye from the road for a moment to look at her. ‘As near perfect conditions as you can get.’

‘We’re going to see that comet tonight,’ said Berti, bumping merrily along in the back seat. ‘I can feel it in my bones.’

‘We’re here.’

Alice opened her eyes. She hadn’t thought it would be possible to go to sleep, but jet lag and the gentle rocking of the Jeep had proved an irresistible combination.

She blinked herself awake and took a sip from the water bottle that Callum passed her.

‘Come on,’ he said. ‘There’s a bit of paperwork to fill in, and our slot on the telescope is booked for ten p.m.’ He smiled. ‘Perfect timing.’

‘Thanks,’ said Alice. She opened her door and stepped out. She wasn’t prepared for what she saw in the skies.

The others clearly felt the same, standing with their heads tipped back, their gaze to the multitude of stars that swirled above them.

‘Magnificent,’ said Berti.

‘Wow,’ said Matt.

Alice couldn’t say anything. There were no words to express the beauty of the night sky stretching over their heads like an upturned salad bowl.

‘I could just lie right here and look at these stars all night,’ said Matt. ‘It’s even better than the view from the desert.’

‘You’re not going to,’ said Berti. ‘Think of that telescope.’

‘It’s just over there,’ said Callum. ‘But look further up.’ He gestured to two enormous round buildings in the distance, protruding from the ground like giant golf balls. ‘The world’s largest infrared and optical telescopes,’ he added with a touch of pride.

‘And not a piece of peeling Sellotape in sight,’ said Alice, her voice hushed.

‘What?’ asked Callum.

‘Nothing,’ she said.

The four of them went inside. ‘I’ll show you around the lobby while we wait for our slot,’ said Callum.

‘Usually we’d be able to go straight in, but the dean has booked the earlier time, and you know what universities are like with their hierarchies.

’ Alice nodded, looking around. The walls were lined with huge prints of images taken from space.

‘Look, there’s Betelgeuse,’ said Berti. ‘Burning orange.’

Alice walked the corridor, but her mind felt jittery. Even the photographs, spectacular as they were, couldn’t distract her.

‘Can we get started now?’ she asked, glancing at her watch. ‘If it’s going to be visible tonight, it should be there by now.’

‘Just a couple of minutes,’ said Callum. ‘Don’t worry. I’ve got all your data on location already programmed in, so it won’t take long to find the right patch of sky.’

‘I hope so,’ said Alice. The anticipation was curdling with the jet lag now, and butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. ‘I’m so ready to get started.’

‘Ah, there we go,’ said Callum. ‘Looks like the dean is bringing his guests out now. We can go in.’

‘They’re running late,’ said Berti with a frown. ‘Don’t they know how important this is?’

‘I think a new comet is probably pretty small fry to these guys,’ said Matt.

‘Actually, spotting a new periodic comet is a big deal to anyone who loves the sky, amateur or professional,’ said Callum.

‘I’ve worked in the field my whole career, but I’ve never found one.

’ He grinned. ‘Who wouldn’t want a comet named after them?

This is exciting.’ He looked at Alice. ‘I’m so pleased you got in contact.

It really is a thrill to be a part of this. ’

But Alice wasn’t listening. She was looking at the man laughing with the dean and shaking his hand.

Boxley.