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The place would have looked a damn sight better if the tide had been in. Instead of
the golden beach he expected, ahead of them lay craggy stretches of ugly black scars,
dotted with pools left by the retreating sea. All his recent holidays had been spent on
white sandy beaches washed by warm turquoise water. Robin Hood s Bay looked as
grim and menacing as an alien planet.
When did you last go to the seaside? Addie asked.
A year ago.
Whereabouts?
Antigua. With Vee. There had been a lot of sun bathing, drinking and sex.
These rocky outcrops might look unappetizing, but there s something special to
see here. Watch your step.
She was more sure-footed and also wearing suitable shoes. Addie was already
crouched down looking at something by the time Will picked his way to her side.
An ammonite, he said in surprise.
Addie looked up and beamed. These scars are one hundred and seventy million
years old, limestone and blue shale pressed under the sea. The place is teeming with
fossils.
They spent so long bent over, a little boy came up behind them with a fishing net.
Have you found a crab?
No, a fossil. It s called an ammonite, Addie said. Can you see any more?
The boy touched the mark with his fingers. I d rather catch crabs.
Will and Addie shared a smile.
Mum, the boy yelled. Come and look. They ve found a satellite.
* * * * *
As Will stepped over the next lot of rocks, he slipped, and without thinking, Addie
reached out and grabbed his hand.
Thanks.
You re welcome.
He didn t let her go. Addie raised her eyes to his face and he tightened his grip. She
curled her fingers around his and had to fight hard not to burst into tears of joy.
Let s walk down to the sea, Will suggested.
Let s throw ourselves into a snake pit. No problem, Addie thought. Just keep hold of
my hand.
They picked their way around the seaweed-fringed rock pools, the clouds casting
such dark shadows, the water around them looked bottomless.
What are you thinking? Will asked.
That she d never had her hand held like this.
You re going to wreck your shoes and get your feet wet. Addie was so pathetic
she wanted to kick herself in the head.
As soon as they reached the sand, he let her go. Race you, he said and started to
run.
Look out for quicksand, Addie shouted and Will slammed to a halt. She shot past.
Wow, this is quick sand, she yelled.
She heard him laughing as he came after her. Will reached the water before her, but
Addie didn t mind. Years of her brothers beating her meant she never expected to win
anything.
The sun came out and Will whirled around on the sand with his arms outstretched.
This is great.
The wind was whipping the surface of the sea into foam. The wind direction and
strength were just right. Too tempting for Addie. She took off her backpack, unzipped it
and pulled out a red packet. She knew she was about to show off, but couldn t help it.
Will came to her side. What s that?
Power kite.
Addie shook the material and twisted out the lines. The wind caught the kite and
she dug her heels in the sand as the red and blue fabric shot straight up.
Shit, Will yelled as she let it pull her into the air.
Addie laughed with delight. She had to be careful doing jumps. She didn t want to
end up in the water and she still ached from yesterday. Out of the corner of her eye, she
could see Will desperate to have a go. He stood there looking like a model out of a
glossy magazine, with the sea and the light behind him, the wind whipping the yellow
jacket. She wished he was hers.
Addie performed a few more maneuvers and then called him over. You know
you re going to ruin your shoes.
Will smiled. Do you think I care?
And your trousers and my jacket, Addie thought as Will crashed onto the sand, but
after a few mishaps he got the hang of it and Addie smiled as he whooped and yelled.
She slipped her camera out of her bag and took a few shots while he wasn t looking.
They took it in turns to fly, but the wind was strong and it didn t take long before
Addie s arms ached.
I m hungry now, Will said, helping Addie wind in the lines.
If you re a good boy you can have an ice cream.
Will grinned. Last one back buys the chips and no more jokes about quicksand.
He paused. Unless there really is quicksand. In which case, please tell me. I still have
nightmares about that scene in Lawrence of Arabia.
And The Neverending Story?
I wasn t going to admit to watching that.
* * * * *
Clutching open trays of fish and chips, they made their way to the harbor wall and
sat with their feet dangling over the edge.
Delicious, Addie mumbled, stuffing a huge chip between her lips.
Will watched Addie devouring the greasy food and thought again about Vee, who
would have starved to death rather than put a single chip in her mouth. Vee was so
determined to keep her fabulous figure, that eating wasn t fun, it was a trial. She
repeatedly told him he was the reason she went to such extremes. All the dieting,
exercise, skin treatments, hair, nails, everything, it was for him, because she loved him
and wanted to make him happy by looking beautiful for him. Will had wanted her to be
happy, to do things for herself, not for him, but he couldn t make her see that.
He didn t want to think about Vee. He smiled at Addie.
I need a drink, he said as she put the last chip in her mouth. Coffee or beer. You
choose.
Addie led him to the pub.
What would you like? Will asked.
Anything but gin and tonic.
He grinned. I did wonder. Go and find us a quiet corner.
Will came back with a beer for himself and white wine for Addie. He sat next to her
on the bench seat.
You know, when I saw you on Monday morning I thought I was hallucinating, he
said.
At least you didn t hide in a cupboard.
Only because I didn t know where they were. I thought you said you were a
teacher?
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