Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
PETE
P ete glanced at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. Three minutes to eleven. The safety briefing had run longer than expected, and now he was cutting it fine to get everything set up on the beach before the swimmers descended en masse.
‘Got to dash,’ he announced to no one in particular, untying his apron and tossing it onto the counter. ‘Flags need setting up.’
Scarlett looked up from where she was wiping down the coffee machine. ‘Need any help?’
The offer was tempting. He’d love nothing more than to spend a few minutes pottering around on the beach with her… but Pete shook his head. ‘Thanks, but I’ve got it covered. Besides, you’ve done more than enough already. Time for you to enjoy the event!’
Scarlett smiled at him, but there was something strained about it. Pete quietly vowed to keep a close watch on her in the water… and not just because he was having a hard time keeping his eyes off her anyway.
Grabbing his bright yellow lifeguard vest from behind the counter, Pete slipped it on, doing his best to ignore the way Libby was smirking at him from across the café. His sister had been making knowing faces at him all morning, ever since Scarlett had stepped in to save them from the coffee chaos. He’d deal with her later. Right now, he had a job to do.
‘See you guys in a bit,’ he said, dashing for the door.
Outside, the sun was beating down on the beach, turning the sand into a golden carpet that stretched as far as the eye could see. The tide was still on its way in, meaning the swimmers wouldn’t have too far to walk when they’d had enough of playing in the chilly waves.
Pete jogged down the wooden steps from the deck, his feet sinking slightly into the soft sand at the bottom. He headed for the Surf Club’s equipment shed, which was tucked just behind the dunes. Its weathered blue paint was peeling in places, and its door was perpetually stuck in its frame. He gave it a practised shove with his shoulder, and it swung open with a familiar creak.
Inside, the musty scent of neoprene and damp wood greeted him. Pete quickly located the red and yellow flags they used to mark the designated swimming area, along with the rescue boards and the bright orange buoys. He hefted it all into his arms and headed back out onto the beach.
The rest of the lifeguard team was already assembling near the water’s edge. They were a motley crew, to say the least—a mix of ages and backgrounds united by their love of the sea and their commitment to keeping people safe in it.
Despite their laid-back appearance—all sun-bleached hair, nose piercings and elaborate tattoos—Pete knew he could trust them implicitly.
‘Cutting it fine, mate,’ called Mick. He’d already changed into his wetsuit, which was faded from years of sun exposure. His grey beard was twisted into two small plaits, giving him the look of a weathered Viking.
‘Blame your little speech,’ Pete retorted, dropping the equipment onto the sand. ‘Next time, maybe stick to the point instead of telling everyone about your spiritual connection with the jellyfish population.’
Mick laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to come from his toes. ‘The people need to know, man. The people need to know. Anyway, someone had to step in when you lost the plot staring at that pretty new waitress!’
‘Waitress?’ Pete blustered. ‘I wasn’t staring.’
‘You looked like you were hypnotised,’ laughed Zoe, Mick’s other half. ‘Can’t blame you, she is gorgeous.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ muttered Pete.
Nightmare. He was never going to live this down.
‘Who is she, anyway?’ said Jade, pulling her swim cap into place.
‘One of the visitors from Seabury,’ said Pete. He added a little shrug.
Casual. Disinterested.
Yeah right!
‘What was she doing behind the counter?’ said Jade.
‘Helping Libby out,’ said Pete. ‘Anyway—are we going to get on with this swim, or what?!’
The others grinned at him and gathered closer. Pete heaved a sigh of relief that he was off the hook for the time being, and quickly started to outline the plan. They were all familiar with the routine, having done this many times before, but as it was his first time running the event in years, he wasn’t taking any chances.
‘Jade and Finn, you’re on the eastern perimeter,’ he said. ‘Keep a close eye and stop anyone getting too close to the rocks.’
They both nodded, already checking their gear.
‘Mick and Zoe, you’re with me in the central area. That’s where most of the swimmers will be. And Dylan—’ Pete turned to the youngest member of the team, who definitely had more enthusiasm than experience in the water, ‘—you’re on first aid station duty. Set up under the blue gazebo and make sure you’ve got plenty of water, blankets, and the defibrillator within reach.’
Dylan’s face fell slightly—he’d clearly been hoping for a more exciting assignment—but he nodded obediently. ‘Got it, boss.’
Pete suppressed a smile. He wasn’t anyone’s “boss.” ‘You’re in charge up here. You’ve got the most recent training, and you know your stuff better than any of us.’
‘Cheers, Pete,’ said Dylan, looking chuffed.
‘Right, let’s get these flags in position,’ he said, handing out the equipment. ‘Remember, we’re looking for a safe swimming zone with enough space for everyone but not so large that we can’t keep an eye on the whole area.’
The team dispersed, each heading to their assigned positions with the quiet efficiency that came from years of practice. Pete had been dreading this event for weeks… hell, maybe even months. But as he waded into the shallows, feeling the cold water swirl around his ankles as he positioned the first flag, he couldn’t help smiling. It felt good to be back with the team again.
Maybe it was time to stop letting the past ruin his present…
Pete’s thoughts drifted back to the café and Scarlett as he worked. Something about her had caught him off-guard from the moment she’d knocked on his van door. Yes, she was beautiful enough to take his breath away… but it wasn’t just that. He felt drawn to her like a magnet. She was both calm and a force of nature all at once.
‘Idiot!’ he chuckled.
Still, he couldn’t help being moved by the way she’d seamlessly stepped in, taking charge of the coffee machine like she belonged there, laughing with the locals as she worked. Pete had known Scarlett for little more than twelve hours, and she already felt like part of his world… which was just daft!
Tomorrow, she’d be gone. The thought left a hollow feeling in Pete’s chest that he wasn’t quite ready to examine too closely.
With the flags securely positioned and the lifeguard team briefed, Pete jogged back up to the café. It was nearly time for the swimmers to make their way down the beach, and he needed to make sure no one was left behind.
The Limpet was still buzzing, though most people were now finishing up their drinks and preparing to head outside. Pete spotted Libby clearing tables, her arms full of empty cups and plates.
‘Everything set?’ she asked as he approached.
‘All good to go,’ Pete confirmed. ‘Listen, can you keep an eye on people’s stuff while they’re in the water?’
Libby nodded. ‘I can do one better. Mum said I can lock the door while the swim’s going on so I can come out to watch. Then I’ll leg it back up the beach and open up again as soon as people start coming out of the water.’
‘Good plan,’ said Pete.
‘Don’t sound so shocked,’ Libby retorted. ‘Some of us in this family can plan ahead, you know!’
Pete grinned and glanced around the café. ‘Where’s Scarlett?’
‘Why? Miss her already?’ Libby teased.
‘I just want to make sure she knows what’s happening,’ said Pete, trying to sound casual and failing miserably, judging by Libby’s knowing smirk.
‘She’s in the kitchen,’ she said, nodding towards the swing doors at the back of the café.
‘Right,’ said Pete, already heading in that direction. ‘I’ll just let her know we’re about to start.’
‘Wait… Pete, don’t?—’
Pete pushed through the swing doors.
‘Scarlett, we’re about to?—’
The words died in his throat.
Scarlett stood with her back to him, dressed only in the bottom half of a navy blue swimming costume. She was in the process of pulling the top half up over her shoulders, and at the sound of his voice, she spun around, eyes wide with shock.
Pete froze.
‘Well don’t look!’ squeaked Scarlett, hastily crossing her arms over her chest.
Pete’s brain short-circuited, and for a moment, he stood completely still, his eyes taking in the gentle curve of her waist and—oh God—even more curves a bit higher up as she hastily turned her back on him again.
‘Sorry!’ he yelped, suddenly unfreezing and executing the fastest U-turn of his life as he practically threw himself back through the swing doors.
His heart was pounding, his face burning with embarrassment.
Libby appeared at his elbow, eyebrows raised.
‘You could have warned me she was changing!’ Pete hissed, too mortified to look his sister in the eye.
‘I did try!’ said Libby. ‘You just marched in there anyway. What happened?’
‘Libby!’ Pete groaned, running a hand through his hair. ‘That’s not— I didn’t— You can’t just?—’
He was saved from further spluttering by the kitchen doors swinging open again. Scarlett emerged, now fully dressed in her swimming costume with her huge cardigan thrown over the top. She looked a bit flushed, but otherwise pretty calm.
Pete, on the other hand, felt like his entire circulatory system had relocated to his face.
‘Scarlett, I am so, so sorry,’ he began, the words tumbling out in a rush. ‘I had no idea you were changing in there, I should have knocked! I didn’t see anything... well, I mean, I did, but not really, and?—’
‘For the record, I did try to stop him!’ said Libby, shooting her an apologetic look.
‘It’s fine,’ laughed Scarlett. ‘Really. No harm done. You just gave me a surprise, that’s all!’
‘Still, I’m really sorry,’ Pete insisted, wishing the café floor would open up and swallow him whole.
Scarlett’s lips twitched, and for a horrible moment, Pete was worried the laughter was just a front, and she was going to burst into tears instead.
‘Honestly, it’s okay,’ said Scarlett, grin still firmly in place as she shrugged. ‘These things happen.’
‘Right,’ said Pete. ‘Well, um, sorry. Um… so… everything’s set up outside. We’re about to start.’
‘Great,’ Scarlett said, pulling her cardigan more tightly around her. ‘I’ll just grab my towel and goggles.’
As she moved past him to collect her things, Pete caught a whiff of her light, floral scent, and his mind immediately flashed back to what he’d just seen in the kitchen. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to banish the image. This was not the time. He was about to spend the next hour or more in the sea in charge of more than a hundred mad swimmers. He needed to focus!
‘Everyone ready?’ he called, raising his voice to be heard over the chatter. ‘We’re about to get started. You can leave your belongings here if you’d like—Libby’s going to lock the door while you’re in the water, and she’ll be here when you get out.’
There was a general murmur of gratitude as a few people dumped heavy bags and shoes onto the floor before making their way towards the door.
As the swimmers filed out, Pete found himself standing next to Scarlett once more.
‘I really am sorry,’ he said quietly, unable to let it go.
Scarlett looked up at him, her eyes softening. ‘And I really am fine about it,’ she assured him. ‘Though maybe knock first next time?’
Pete nodded, unable to keep a smile off his face. Was it his imagination, or was there something about the words “next time” that held a hint of a promise?