Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
PETE
P ete’s fingers and toes had turned into wrinkled prunes by the time he finally waded out of the water. He’d stayed in far longer than was strictly necessary, watching as the last of the swimmers made their way back to shore. Some of them moved with the exaggerated swagger of those trying not to show how cold they were, while others openly shivered and made a beeline for their towels.
Pete breathed a sigh of relief. The first event had gone well—better than well, actually. There had been no major incidents, just the usual handful of people underestimating the cold or overestimating their swimming abilities. And Scarlett, of course, with her seaweed-or-fish encounter, but even that had been easily managed.
Scanning the beach, Pete squeezed water from his hair as he searched for any sign of her. He’d watched to make sure she got out of the water safely at the end of the swim, but now he couldn’t spot her among the huddled masses wrapped in towels and jumpers.
‘Pete! Over here!’
He turned to see Mick approaching, already changed back into dry clothes and looking none the worse for his time in the water. The older man held out a towel, which Pete accepted gratefully.
‘Good session,’ Mick said, nodding towards the sea. ‘No disasters this year.’
‘Don’t jinx it,’ Pete warned, rubbing the towel vigorously over his hair. ‘We’ve still got tomorrow’s fancy dress swim to get through.’
Mick laughed, the sound carrying across the beach. ‘True enough. Though I reckon most people will be too busy trying to keep their costumes from disintegrating to get into any real trouble.’
‘Like that mermaid tail of yours?’ Pete couldn’t resist reminding him.
‘That was a work of art,’ Mick protested. ‘Not my fault it wasn’t designed for actual swimming.’
‘Mate, it split right up the middle as soon as you hit the water. The entire beach got a view of your?—’
‘Yes, yes, ancient history,’ Mick interrupted hastily. ‘Anyway, I’m heading up to the café for a hot drink. You coming?’
Pete shook his head. ‘I just want to check in with the rest of the team first to make sure everything’s squared away. I’ll be up afterwards, though.’
‘Just don’t forget to get warm and dry yourself!’ said Mick before wandering off.
Pete continued his survey of the beach as he headed towards Dylan, who was still dutifully manning the first aid tent.
‘All good?’ he said, ducking under the gazebo and grabbing his fleece from the back of one of the camp chairs. He pulled it on over his wetsuit with a sigh of relief.
‘Yep, nothing much to report,’ said Dylan with a shrug. ‘I had to clean up a coral cut, get a lost kid back to his mum, and let someone sit down with a bottle of water because they’d had a bit too much sun. But that’s all.’
‘Excellent,’ said Pete, with a satisfied nod.
‘Yep,’ said Dylan. ‘I figure, when you’re doing first aid, you actually want it to be quiet and a bit boring.’
‘Exactly,’ laughed Pete. ‘Don’t worry, though, I’ll make sure you’re in the water tomorrow.’
‘That’d be brilliant,’ said Dylan, his face lighting up. ‘Thanks, Pete.’
‘Not sure you’ll be thanking me afterwards,’ he chuckled. ‘Right, I reckon you can stand down now.’
‘Not until you promise me to go and get dry and warmed up yourself,’ said Dylan. ‘You’re looking a bit cold.’
‘I will the minute I’ve checked in with the others,’ said Pete.
‘No need,’ said Dylan. ‘Everyone apart from Mick has stopped by already, and they’ve all gone up to the café.’
‘I’ve just seen Mick, and he’s heading up there too… so that’s us done for the day,’ said Pete. ‘I’ll just give you a hand to clear this lot up and take the tent down, then?—’
‘Oh no, you don’t!’ chuckled Dylan. ‘You’re going to go and get that wetsuit off, and then you’re going to grab yourself a hot drink.’
‘Oh, I am, am I?’ Pete laughed in surprise.
‘Pete, man. You’re shivering. Go get warmed up!’ said Dylan, his young face suddenly serious. ‘You’ll be no good to any of us tomorrow, otherwise.’
‘Good point,’ said Pete. ‘I’ll catch you in a bit.’
Pete jogged away up the beach, still clutching his towel. He fully intended to head straight for the Surf Club for a warm shower before changing into his dry clothes… but then he spotted Scarlett and promptly changed direction.
What was it about this woman that made him throw common sense straight out of the window?
Scarlett was standing at the edge of the crowd, looking a bit lost. Her hair was still damp, curling wildly around her face, and she was huddled in her cardigan, her hands tucked under her arms for warmth. It clearly wasn’t working—she looked chilled to the bone.
‘You alright?’ he said, coming to stand next to her and noting the slight blue tinge to her lips. ‘You look frozen.’
‘I’m fine, thanks,’ said Scarlett, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her, along with the fact that she was clearly having trouble smiling because her face was so cold. ‘Just trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do next. I thought I’d get the chance to head back to the hut to shower, change into something warmer, and then hang out with the others in the café for a bit, but…’
She trailed off and gestured to Brian Singer, who was doing an admirable impression of a sheepdog herding a reluctant flock, as he corralled the still-soggy Chilly Dippers towards the minibus.
‘One at a time on the steps!’ Brian called. ‘And don’t forget your plastic bag!’
Pete watched in amusement as he handed out black bin liners to each passing swimmer, complete with detailed instructions on how to sit on them to protect the upholstery of his precious minibus. ‘I want these back, mind!’ he added. ‘Don’t go thinking they’re souvenirs!’
Pete snorted. He might have missed the event for several years, but some things never changed!
‘Well, I guess you can either grab a bag from Brian and head over to Crumbleton with the others,’ said Pete, ‘or chill out here for the rest of the day.’
Scarlett nodded. ‘All my stuff’s here, and I could really do with warming up!’
‘Hold that thought,’ said Pete, shrugging out of his fleece. ‘Here, put that on. It’s a bit damp but better than catching a cold.’
‘Thanks!’ said Scarlett, pulling it on without a hint of an argument. She snuggled into the collar with a grateful sigh. ‘You know, I think I’ll stay put. I could do with a bit of a rest after all that excitement.’
‘Good call,’ said Pete. ‘Head back to the hut, grab a shower and warm up properly. The café’s open all day, so you could always wander back over later for something to eat.’
‘Okay, I might do that.’ She opened her mouth to say something else but then got distracted by Brian slamming the minibus door.
‘You coming, coffee queen?’ he called over to her, waving a spare plastic bag.
Scarlett hesitated for a split second before shaking her head. Pete watched as she waved to her friend, who waved back frantically and then started making little hearts at her with her fingers as Brian pulled away.
‘Right… I guess I’d better head back to the hut, then,’ she said, letting out a sad little sigh and looking decidedly forlorn.
That was all it took for Pete to make his mind up about something that had been plaguing him for days… or, if he was being honest… for years. He’d had no intention of ever setting foot in the Big Dip Dance again. Not after what had happened the last time he went. But now…
‘By the way, I meant to say… I’ll be driving Libby over to Crumbleton for the Big Dip Dance this evening,’ he said. ‘I can give you a lift too if you’d like?’
It was only a teeny, tiny white lie… but Pete didn’t think his dad would mind him stepping into the role of designated taxi driver for his little sister. Libby definitely wouldn’t mind. As long as she could get to the dance and home again afterwards, she wouldn’t give two hoots who played chauffeur!
‘Dance?’ said Scarlett, shivering slightly as she turned to him. ‘What dance?’
‘Didn’t the others tell you?’ said Pete.
‘I think Lou vaguely said something about it,’ said Scarlett, ‘but I was too busy freaking out about the swimming to pay much attention.’
‘It’s at the Dolphin and Anchor. It’s part of Big Dip tradition. You don’t want to miss it!’
Pete stopped talking abruptly. Until three seconds ago, he’d have done anything in his power to miss it! But Scarlett had just turned everything on its head. The idea of going with her… of spending the whole evening together… of wrapping his arms around her while they danced? That changed everything!
‘So… what do you reckon?’ he said, trying to ignore the fact that his fingers were now numb with cold and he was having to really concentrate to stop himself from shivering.
‘I don’t know,’ said Scarlett. ‘I was kind of a last-minute addition to the trip. I don’t have a ticket… I’m not even sure if I’m invited.’
‘Everyone’s invited,’ said Pete. ‘It’s pretty relaxed—a proper knees-up. Good food, local musicians, dancing and a few drinks, that sort of thing. Come with me. I mean us. It’ll be fun.’
‘Okay,’ said Scarlett, her chilled lips spreading into a broad smile. ‘I’d love to go with you.’
‘Cool!’ said Pete, doing his best to reign in the temptation to fist-pump in triumph. She’d not said “catch a lift”. She’d said she wanted to go with him. Pete did his best to swallow his grin.
‘Erm… do you know your way back to the hut? I’d walk you, but I think I’d better go and get changed before bits of me start to drop off!’
‘Just as well I know my way, then,’ chuckled Scarlett. ‘We definitely don’t want that to happen before our date!’
Date?! It was official… Pete was a goner!
‘See you later, then,’ he said, his face feeling like it might crack in half with the effort of not grinning like a total idiot. ‘Pick you up at seven?’
‘Great,’ said Scarlett, turning to head off towards the boardwalk. ‘Oh, wait… your fleece.’
‘Keep it for now,’ said Pete.
‘I owe you one… again,’ said Scarlett.
‘You can pay me back with the first dance later,’ said Pete.
‘Done,’ said Scarlett, shooting him a wink before turning and jogging away towards the gift shop and the little path that would lead her back towards the shepherd’s hut.
‘Right… blimey… right…’ muttered Pete, running his hand through his wet hair and wincing as cold droplets slid down his neck.
‘Oi!’ said Dylan, appearing in front of him looking unusually stern. ‘What did I say about getting warm and dry?!’
‘Yes, boss!’ chuckled Pete. ‘Hey… I don’t suppose you’ve got a spare tux I can borrow, do you?’