Seventeen #2
Josh’s laughter broke the moment. He swam to her, brushing hair from her face. ‘You alright? First wipeout’s always a bummer.’
Fiona forced a laugh, though her chest felt heavy. ‘I’m fine,’ she lied, her voice strained.
‘Bet this is a ton more fun than swotting up for an exam you don’t need, eh? Ready to catch another wave?’
Ru’s presence burned at the edge of her vision.
She couldn’t look again. Guided by Josh’s firm arms round her waist, Fiona waded out into the water again, her eyes searching for an incoming wave big enough to surf.
She put Ru firmly out of her mind and caught herself smiling when the next wave washed through her.
She couldn’t think of the last time she had felt this invigorated.
When she passed that exam, maybe she would grab hold of a bit more of life.
The following afternoon, Fiona was sitting in a bay window at Prosecco Josh felt like a supermarket fizz beside vintage Champagne.
There was a sparkle to Josh, but no complexity, no depth.
On the other hand, he was fun to be around and that was something she needed in her life right now.
‘What are you worried about? That you might enjoy yourself again like you did in the surf? Come on, girl, lighten up. Live for life. It’s just an evening out. I’m not asking you to marry me.’
Josh was right – it would be good to get out.
‘Alright, but not dinner,’ she said. ‘I don’t want you spending too much on me. Besides, I’ve enjoyed teaching you.’
‘What about the movies?’ he suggested. ‘There’s a really great little independent cinema in Barnstaple.’
That sounded quite safe, and not too expensive. She didn’t want to lead him on. ‘Sounds lovely, you choose the film. Anything except for sci-fi or horror.’
‘I’ll check the website. Monday, when the restaurant is shut?’
She smiled, her heart tugging slightly. Not that Josh wasn’t great, but he wasn’t Ru .
She knew she must stop clinging to the past. It felt too early for her to be interested in someone else, but going out on a date with Josh might be just what she needed.
But as she nodded, a quiet voice in the back of her mind questioned if she was doing this for the right reasons – or if she was just running away from the shadows Ru had left behind.