Silly Games - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

When Laura opened her eyes, she could hear voices. It was dark, the TV was off, but there was a light shining in from the kitchen. Stretching, she savoured the sensation for a moment, before dragging herself to her feet.

In the kitchen, Alana and Ben were sitting with Adam, a bottle of wine on the table, and three full glasses. Hearing a sound it was Adam whose eyes found her first.

                “Hey sleepy! How ya feeling?”

He was dressed in some of Ben’s clothing and it all looked a bit ridiculous, Ben wasn’t as tall or as broad as Adam, so nothing really fitted. “I’m good.” She smiled at the three, “though I’m missing the party?”

Alana jumped up and hugged her, “you ARE the party! We called the hospital and John, the man you rescued, he’s doing well, his family wanted you to know how indebted they are to you...we’ve ordered a Chinese, but were hoping you’d wake in time. You looked so comfortable that we didn’t really want to wake you.”

She yawned, then stretched again, “I don’t know why I feel so bloody tired.”

Adam was sat back in his chair studying her, “the effort of pulling a grown man from the bottom of the sea is more than heavy work and under such pressure, I’m not surprised you’re exhausted!”

She nodded in acceptance, “do I get wine?”

The three laughed as another glass was found.

Two hours later, half a dozen empty cartons sat between them, along with a few more empty wine bottles. Laura was leaning against Alana, smiling happily, this had been a great end to a strange day, and the fact that Adam was part of it, and they weren’t fighting was both a surprise, and a welcome relief.  If nothing else she realised that fighting was pointless, today’s events were indictment to that.

                “I should be going!” He offered standing finally, “I’ll bring these back once they’re laundered.” he gestured to the clothes he wore.

Ben brushed that off, “don’t worry about that!”

                “Well I’ll be back for lessons in the morning,” he glanced up at Laura, hoping she wasn’t going to resist that.

Instead she smiled, “I’ll take the early lessons, you won’t be needed until eleven.”

Smiling he stood, “I’ll be here for nine regardless!”

Sunday was a glorious morning. The early morning sun shone down on the receding tide and burned off any mist. Laura climbed to the veranda of the cafe and tossed her board onto the floor. She’d wondered whether the previous day had ruined her confidence in the sea, so she’d been determined to head out for some early surf, just to check. It hadn’t!

As she turned her salty face up to be warmed by the sun, a voice called across the patio.

                                             

                “I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to surf today! You should’ve rested!”

Opening one eye she saw Adam lounging against the railings, then closed it again. “If this is how today starts, I suggest you turn around and leave!”

When he chuckled her eyes snapped opened and she glared at him, he was smiling and she realised he was joking, giving him a suspicious look she closed her eyes again, turning back to the sun, “either sit down or go away...this is my meditation time!”

Laughing she heard the cafe door open and realised he’d gone inside.

Ten minutes later he placed a mug of coffee in front of her, by now she’d stopped worshipping the sun, and was sat looking out to sea.

                “Nervous this morning?”

She smiled, still watching the angry waves break against the beach, “I always knew the sea was strong...you just forget sometimes.”

He nodded, “and it has a habit of reminding you every now and again!!”

They drank their coffee in a companionable silence before Laura turned to him, “you came in case I bottled it, didn’t you? You were worried I’d freak out getting back in the water.”

A smile slowly spread across his face, “I could lie, but I’m enjoying our civil conversations! I thought you may need someone, me, on the beach just keeping an eye on things. And I also know you’ll hate me saying that!”

He braced himself for a barrage of abuse, but instead she smiled, “thanks. That was really thoughtful!” Then her eyebrows waggled dangerously, “but completely unnecessary!”

Adam had felt annoyance at Laura since the moment he’d first met her, but there had always been enough affection, curiosity maybe to keep him interested in getting to know her better. As she walked into the cafe with their mugs, he realised that those emotions had been replaced with respect, she was brave, fearless, and he was starting to appreciate the reasons for her living here, like this. She was almost celestial in this environment, natural, happy, striking. And he was feeling humble for trying to change things, for questioning her.

When Laura emerged from the building, she’d tidied her hair and changed out of her wetsuit to shorts and a t-shirt.

                “I told you I’d do the early shift. You’ve blown your chance for a lie-in!”

Adam shrugged, “I’m not one for sleeping much anyway.” She didn’t need to know just how little he’d slept the previous night, for SO many reasons.

She dropped the diary between them on the table, “I’ll take the ones circled in blue, you can do red?”

He looked at the page, as predicted she was doing more than him. “Well review at lunchtime, you may find yesterday will catch up with you.”

Her answer was a dramatic huff, and he chuckled as he started to help her prepare for the day.

By lunchtime Laura hated to admit that Adam was right, she felt exhausted, but her pride was as usual her downfall. As she was on the veranda of the cafe preparing for her one pm lesson she was approached by a couple.

                “Are you Laura Marshall?”

She nodded.

The female smiled, “I’m Brenda Davidson, I’m a reporter for the Daily Post, I was wondering whether you’d answer a few questions, tell us about what happened yesterday, saving John Reilly’s life.”

Laura started to shake her head, there was no way she wanted to make a fuss out of this, but as she opened her mouth to decline a voice spoke from behind her.

                “Of course she would! She’s a hero you know!”

Laura turned around to see Adam grinning, she was about to argue, protest, but he leaned close and whispered, “think of the impact on the business. Everyone will want surf lessons with a life saver! This is a great business decision. And I can do your next lesson - maybe then you’ll start looking a little less tired then.”

As she made to challenge him, he raised an eyebrow in challenge, he could see how tired she was, he wasn’t stupid. Turning back to the couple she smiled, “a few questions?”

An hour later they left, and her ego had been well and truly massaged, the reporter and photographer were so complimentary, so in awe of this amazing braveness that they described. It made Laura embarrassed, she’d only done what came natural, it was instinct, she didn’t feel comfortable with that level of adoration. And later that afternoon it seemed to get worse when a woman arrived bearing a huge bouquet of flowers.

Laura was storing things in the shop ready for the next day when she looked up at a voice.

                “I’m so glad I found you, I don’t know how to thank you, these flowers are so inadequate...but I don’t know how else to begin to express my gratitude.”

The woman looked exhausted her face pale, and it took a moment for Laura to register what was going on.

                “It was your husband?” The woman nodded, tears appearing in her eyes. Laura rushed over to her, “how is he? Is he ok?”

The woman smiled and despite the tears it lit up her face, “John. He’s getting there. He’s still in hospital, but hopefully he’ll be home tomorrow. If you hadn’t been there...”

Laura smiled, “it was nothing, we’ve all got in to trouble out at sea.”

                “Don’t play it down, you were amazing. He was trying to get a football, one of the boys let it drift off...almost died for a ten pound football!”

Laura could see the confusion, the fear, the pain in the woman's face, she’d been to hell and back watching someone she loved suffer, almost lost them, “well maybe you should all look at some lifeguard lessons, then you’d feel more confident. Don’t blame the sea for this; it’d be a pity to not go in it again. It was just a terrible accident, it could have happened to anyone.”

The other woman wasn’t in a position to really think further than getting her husband home safe, but as she departed Laura hoped she’d start to feel better, it was time to appreciate what she had, not worry about what could have been.

                “So can I take you out to dinner tonight?”

Laura was in the cafe closing up when the door opened. It had been a strange day, and now Ben and Alana were away for the night, he had an appointment the following morning with a shoulder specialist in a hospital two hours away, so they had left at six to spend the night there. So Laura was winding everything up. Glancing up she saw Adam leaning against the door frame smiling, he’d been an invaluable help that day, she’d never be able to thank him enough, but the thought of dinner with anyone was beyond her at the moment, she just wanted to sleep. And dinner with Adam? She hated him didn’t she???

                “Before you refuse, you need to eat, I need to eat. You’re alone here, you’ve had a real hard weekend...all the more reason why we should go to the local pub, have a couple of drinks and something to eat. On me.” He could see the conflict in her eyes, so he added, “I hear the local here does a mean steak pie!”

The thought of Al’s special pie was enough to make her mouth water.

                “I’m going home to change; I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes.”

With that he left.

               

                “Where’s the hero?”

She was just about to lock the door when Michaela burst in, for fifteen minutes Laura explained in dramatic detail the rescue as she remembered it, though it was all becoming fuzzy as the details seemed to blur into one another. Her friend wanted a night out to celebrate, but she had to explain she had plans, Laura had only glossed over the subject of her family the last few weeks, and Michaela had no clue about her father’s son, now, in the ten minutes she had left, was not the time to explain...but if Michaela was here when he arrived, or if she bumped into her friend later that evening, she’d have a lot of explaining to do.

She smiled at her friend, “look I’m going to say a few words, I’m sorry that it’s this rushed, but, well...the other week I found out that my father has a son, and even thought I hate him, I’ve agreed to meet him for dinner tonight. Can me meet tomorrow and I’ll fill you in on the gossip properly?”

Her friend looked stunned, so she added, “I know not telling you makes me a shit friend, but I’m struggling to come to terms with it...”

Michaela shook her head, “you’ve got a brother?”

Laura snapped defensively, “NO! My father has a son, that’s different!”

Ten minutes later, her hair was wet, so she parted it along the centre of her skull and braided it into two thick plaits, she’d pulled on a knitted sweater, her favourite, over a short denim skirt and her ankle high cowboy boots, she knew that she dressed a little non conventional, but if he expected different, then he really didn’t know her. She was almost disappointed when she opened the door to him later to find him in combat shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops...she’d honestly thought he’d be a little more conservative. Maybe he did know her far better than she thought.

                “You ready?”

She nodded, “just about. Seems yesterday’s news isn’t quite today’s history yet!”

He laughed, “saving a man’s life is kind of a big deal! You’ll be news for a little while yet. Wait until the newspaper article comes out tomorrow, it’ll be the hot topic all over again!”

Grunting, she followed him out into the street.

There was nothing else to order in the nearest pub The Anchor but the steak pie, Al the landlord had been a chef on a London hotel before retiring out west, he’d brought with him many good recipes, but since putting the pie on the menu, he’d barely sold anything else.

When they sat at a table near the back of the pub with a beer each, Adam lounged opposite her and smiled.

                “So what did you want to talk about? You’ve been talking about talking since you came into my life!”

Adam smiled, “and you still resent me for that?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know what you want from me, from my father. I figure you’re too old to be searching for a male role model, the Daddy you never had...”

                “So you think what that I’m after his money?” He paused for a moment, “are you thinking that I’m going to somehow steal your inheritance?”

Laura laughed sarcastically, “that says more about you than it does about me. Do I look like I’m waiting for a huge inheritance cheque? I LOVE my parents, and I don’t want to see them hurt. I can’t imagine how much this must be stressing them out. And I have no interest in what happens to my father’s money now...I refuse to imagine a time when they’re not here.”

Adam sipped his beer thinking her words through for a moment, “I have no agenda Laura. A few months ago I find out that my ‘Dad’ isn’t and never was my father.” He gazed out the window for a moment; the sun was starting to set on the horizon, “Bill Purcell wasn’t the nicest man. Your father...our father, seems like a nice guy. Things could have been a lot different...I bet you had a great childhood. I’m just keen to know as much as I can about a man I should have known better, sooner.”

                “You really only just found out?” Laura had built up all sorts of scenarios in her head, all of them involving Adam and an ulterior motive. Now as he spoke he seemed to have a genuine look on his face.

              “My father, the man who brought me up died about ten weeks ago, cancer. Precipitated by the smoking, drinking, hard living. Until that moment, for thirty one almost thirty two years, I had no idea that he wasn’t my biological father. I don’t think I loved him the last ten years or more, as I say, he wasn’t a nice man. But it seemed that his resentment to me was because of all that.”

He paused as Al himself laid two plates piled high with the infamous pies, sauté potatoes and vegetables, all lathered in thick homemade gravy. The two made small talk with the gushing man who wanted the inside gossip on the hot topic that was the rescue the previous day.

Once he’d left, Adam took a mouthful of the pie and moaned with pleasure, “this is better than good!”

Laura agreed with her non verbal communication, but once they’d started to demolish the food, she encouraged him to continue his story.

Adam lay down his cutlery, and leaned back in his chair, “my mother had been married to my father...to Bill, when she slept with your father, my father...Wow this is so confusing, I’m using first names...so basically, after a one night stand, my mother returned home. No one was any the wiser when I came along nine months later, apparently, that was until my mother didn’t get pregnant again. After tests, well it turned out that Bill shot blanks, and always had. So he knew that I was some other guy’s kid.

                “He had my mother where he needed her then, she couldn’t leave him, he had the money, the insurance, she’d given up work to have me. So they stayed in a sham marriage, and he hated me more and more as every day passed. He made my mother promise never to tell me the truth, probably not to dent his pride, he was your typical alpha man, women and children listened to every word he said, or else.”

He didn’t mention violence, but Laura got the inference to it, and felt awful, a small brown eyed little boy scared of his father came into her head and he saddened her. “My father loved me too much, how ironic that my mother couldn’t have children either, after that one night neither of them could have more children with their partner.”

He nodded, “as soon as I got Stafford’s name I ran a few checks, and your name came up...I’d never had a sibling, always wanted one...and I have to admit I was a bit jealous, wondering of you had a better life than I had.”

                “I can’t imagine how that might feel.”

                “Oh yeah! It’s been great building a life away from that bastard, only to find everything I knew was wrong. It has kind of knocked me off balance. When I saw you were adopted, then I thought the same thing that you did, the irony.”

They both took a contemplative drink of their beer, then Adam ordered them another each.

                “I’ve never had a family to talk about, I mean I resented my mother for putting up with Bill, she was good to me, but she never broke away, even when I was financially solvent, when I could look after her. I wasn’t expecting happy families with your father, but I was hoping for a better gene selection than I thought I had. I wanted to know where I came from, find my identity, largely because I had no roots whilst Bill was my father. Stafford and I have more in common that I ever thought possible, I like him a lot, and with the history I’ve got of fathers, that’s a good thing!”

Laura had a lot of food for thought, she’d had so many prejudiced ideas about this man, but as he sat exposing his most raw thoughts, he was almost as vulnerable as the small boy she’d envisaged earlier. This could be a ploy, him playing her, but she couldn’t see any gains for him, she wasn’t lying when she said she had no interest in her father’s wealth. She valued his love above everything, and she couldn’t imagine her father stopping loving her now, after twenty eight years. Saying that she wasn’t opening her life to him, she was still a little suspicious of him, and if he wanted any friendship with her, he’d have to earn it.

Silly Games - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

How he knew exactly how to wind her up was a mystery. Her wealthy family and her childhood were something she was a little embarrassed over; any reminder of that made her feel a fake. His ‘little rich girl’ comment sent her out into her afternoon lessons with anger still simmering below the surface.

The lessons passed without event, she could do this in her sleep, and the patrons were ecstatic, all booking more lessons over the coming days. After the final person had left, Laura dropped onto the sand and started to clean and wax the boards that had been used, then she had to store the life rafts they had available when they were on the beach. There was a local lifeguard station up on the headland, but the beach itself wasn’t fully manned after four pm, so part of the procedure for lessons was to be prepared for sea rescue.

Stacking the boards in the shop storage, she was making her way back to the life preserves when she heard Adam call out to her.

                “Do you need a hand? They look heavy?”

Without looking back Laura shrugged, “I can manage, I usually do.”

The life saving equipment wasn’t heavy, that wasn’t a lie, but the steel box it all fitted in to was rather cumbersome, it had wheels that you could tip it on to drag across the patio to the shop, but they didn’t work on wet sand.

Adam was sat on the patio watching her struggle, waiting for her to ask for help, when he saw her head snap up. Following her eyes, he spotted three people dancing and waving near the sea’s edge. Only this wasn’t a disco competition. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Laura reach for one of the small buoyancy aids and sprint toward the water, but he was halfway towards her at that point.

Laura could see the head bobbing under the waves, roughly sixty metres from the shore. A woman and two teenagers were screeching in the shallows, the woman, presumably the mother of the children was trying to restrain the boys who seemed desperate to enter the waves.

                “It’s my husband...” She wailed, “He’s struggling!”

Laura nodded, “call 999, and ask for the coastguard at Rhys Point.” Glancing over her shoulder she spotted Adam sprinting towards them. “This guy will help you!”

With that she ran into the water diving beneath the first breaking waves. He was a lot further out than he appeared, and once she was out of her depth she literally lost sight of the man’s head. After another dozen strokes she presumed she was level with where she’d last seen him. So she dived under the water, knowing the life preserver would float and alert people to her location.

The tide was turning and the water was anything but clear, thick with swirling sand the visibility was nonexistent. Remembering all the discussions she had with various lifeguards on the numerous sea rescue update courses she’d been on, she was methodical, diving in a pattern trying to judge how the tide would move the man.  Time was against them, but keeping her head was essential, she had to override the tension of her racing heart, the pain on her air deprived lungs, all she could think of was making repeated trips from the surface to the floor.

Laura could hear splashes somewhere near, but she didn’t waste time looking at anything else. On her fifth dive she felt something, she didn’t know what, but it evaded her, so she came to the surface, gasped as big a breath into her lungs as she could, then dived again. This time she was luckier, she felt fabric, grabbing with both hands, she pushed hard with both feet from the sea bed, and dragged whatever it was up with her.

It was heavy and her lungs were screaming, she hadn’t taken in enough oxygen and pulling this heavy weight was making it hard to reach the surface, to get another breath. When she finally emerged and gulped frantically, she could barely pull the man up with her. It was then that two arms, reached around her and pulled at the body that she‘d managed to tow from the depths.

Exhaustion washed over her as she watched Adam pull the body of the missing man out of the water.

                “Can you make it back? I’m not losing you!”

She nodded, but had to hang onto the buoyancy aid as she kicked herself back to shore. She watched Adam ahead of her, dragging the lifeless man behind her, just as a lifeguard quad bike came bouncing over the sand.  Fighting the weakness that threatened to drag her under the water, she watched from a distance as the man was rolled onto his back. Adam initiated CPR, but then the lifeguards were there, and weren’t as tired as him, so they took over.

Saved him! She smiled to herself.

Adam jumped to his feet as the two men sprung off the all terrain buggy and pulled out various pieces of medical equipment. Hopeful that the distraught family in front of them didn’t lose their father and husband, Laura had reached him seconds after he disappeared under the water, she’d given him the best chance that she could have.

Turning to smile at Laura, congratulate her, apologise, he froze. She wasn’t on the sand beside him, glancing into the sea, he spotted the red float quite a way out, then he saw her clinging to it, exhausted, her eyes half closed.  Sprinting back in to the water, his heart racing, fear engulfing every inch of his body, he called her name repeatedly, desperate for her to stay above the water. If she slipped, if she gave up...

It felt like an hour until he reached her, but it was probably a few seconds, but as he grabbed her arm, he felt her limp and almost unresponsive. The rescue had exhausted her, she was a strong swimmer, he knew that, but he tried to work out how long she was searching for the man, it was too much for her.

                “Come on Laura, don’t do this!” He shouted as he tried to shake her, rewarded with a groan, that was good enough, he started to drag her to shore, exactly the same way he had a few moments earlier with the man they’d rescued.

By now quite a crowd had gathered on the beach, and an ambulance had sped over the sand. As he reached the shallow water, he managed to stand and scoop her slim, floppy body into his arms and stagger a few steps. Someone approached, one of the lifeguards and tried to take her from him, ease his load, but he fought him off, continuing to stagger onto the sand, before laying her down gently at his feet.

Squatting beside her he felt her throat, she had a strong pulse, her chest was rising and falling. She was just exhausted! He couldn’t describe the relief, the euphoria that washed over him.  Taking her in his arms, he propped her up, waving off the lifeguard, and started to talk to her.

Laura had never felt so tired, but since things had gone dark she’d finally relaxed. Her mind for a moment was vacant, unoccupied. Then a voice broke through her silence.

                “Come on Laura.”

There was a desperation that belied the casual nature of the words.

                “You’ve got to wake up in the next few seconds or these ambulance folks are going to drag you off to hospital. Don’t think you’ll like that.”

Then she felt lips touch her forehead.

Suddenly everything came rushing back to her, the rescue, Adam helping her, then the fatigue...the water.

With a gasp she opened her eyes, she’d almost succumbed to the water, she could have...The eyes that met hers were calm, reassuring. Adam. He smiled.

                “Thank God for that! You ok?”

Laura took a moment to take in the situation, she was in Adam’s arms, he was staring at her with relief on his face. Pulling herself to sitting, she ignored the light headed sensation that buzzed through her head, and braced her arms either side of her thighs on the cool sand.

                “Laura? You ok?” Adam scooted around onto his knees in front of her, “do you need a doctor?”

She smiled, the first genuine smile he’d seen on her face, “you saved me!”

He laughed, “you were almost to shore, the reality is you rescued that man there...” he gestured backwards with his head, and when she looked past him, she saw that the man had been attached to various drips and machines and was being transferred onto a stretcher.

                “He’s ok?” Thw relief was immense.

He shrugged, “sure looks that way, all thanks to you.”

Laura shook her head, “no, if you hadn’t taken him from me...”

Taking her hand Adam smiled, “I’d not have got there quick enough, if you hadn’t located him, he’d be gone. I was too late. This is all you.”

 A paramedic came and squatted beside them, “we have to check you out Miss, that’s out job.”

Nodding she cooperated with the medical team for a few minutes.

                “I’d really rather see you kept in for observation Laura.”

She shook her head, “I can’t go to hospital.”

                “She’ll be observed and accompanied. I promise.” Adam reassured the man, “she doesn’t live alone, and we won’t let her out of our sight!” Whilst he was a bit reluctant to leave her, the man they’d rescued was obviously demanding a lot of attention, so he withdrew to travel in the ambulance.

Relieved Laura closed her eyes and leaned back against the hard wall of Adam’s body, and his arm’s instinctively wrapped around her.

                “You up for walking back to the cafe? Or shall I carry you?”

Laura sighed, “I can make it.”

He helped her back up the sand, dozens of people patted her on the back, congratulating her on her bravery, and Adam beamed proudly as eh ensured she could walk safely to the cafe. Inside Ben and Alana rushed over. They’d seen the action from the cafe, but had been unable to leave as the place had been full.

Adam smiled at them, “she’s a hero, but needs to chill out, is it ok if I take her up?”

They both nodded enthusiastically, and Laura felt amusement from her bewildered state at the fact that Adam was controlling her life, and for once she wasn’t shouting at him. Upstairs he pushed her into an armchair.

                “Are you cold?” squatting in front of her he studied her with concern. She was still wearing the shorts and vest she’d worn all day, and they were still damp from the sea. Suddenly she realised she was cold. And wet.

Nodding she climbed to her feet, “I’ll just get changed.”

                “Will you manage?”

She laughed, “I don’t need you helping me!”

Groaning he rolled his eyes, “I was about to suggest I get Alana to help you?”

                “I’ll manage,” she nodded towards the kitchen, “I could murder a coffee though.”

As she left the room, Adam chuckled; finally he knew she was going to be ok. He hadn’t finished filling the coffee machine when Ben appeared carrying a pot of homemade soup.

                “Alana wanted to warm you both up...and you’re as cold and wet as Laura.” He shook his head, “thanks so much for helping her today. We were both so worried.”

Adam smiled, “it was instinctive from her, she was gone before she even realised...amazing. He’d have died without her. Has anyone heard how the man is?”

Ben shook his head, “not yet, but it has been in local radio...” He dived into his bedroom then emerged with some fleecy joggers, a sweater and some towels, “here, dry off, have a shower if you like. Alana is closing up downstairs, then we’ll order a Chinese or something.”

                “Great!”

Adam hadn’t realised how cold he was until the hot water hit his body. Shock he told himself, seeing Laura almost sinking had scared him beyond belief. He needed heat, food and alcohol, then he might feel his poor heart calming, as it wasn’t recovering yet!

Laura felt weak, tired, but at least she was safe. And warm. She’d managed to shower really quickly, and now in her winter pjs with a thick fleece over the top, she was starting to feel better. In the kitchen the aroma of coffee was enticing, so she filled a mug and headed for the lounge. Curled up on the sofa, she flicked on the TV, the news told of financial crises in Europe, the red carpet launch of Brad Pitt’s new film, and England’s latest cricket result. The world was still turning, despite her near death life saving experience.

Silly Games - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Adam didn’t process why he felt so annoyed, he just knew he was. Being snubbed by Laura wasn’t a real threat, he had confidence that he could work out their differences, but seeing her slope off with one of the entertainers, some cheap cover singer who seemed to think he was an artiste extraordinaire, really riled him. He took his beer and sulked in the corner of the garden, hating that he was being so childish, but he’d come to feel protective of her.

Reaching into his pocket he grabbed his phone, then groaned to see more missed calls from Kristi. Making a quick call to his right hand man, he felt relieved once he’d put him on the case. Then he thought about his girlfriend, if you could call her that. Since his mother’s revelations about his paternity nothing else had mattered, and as he thought back to the blonde model he’d been loosely dating for a month, he felt nothing but irritation. He’d had as much interest in her as the other women he’d dated, when he’d returned to the States the previous week to deal with business that couldn’t wait, he’d not bothered to contact her. But she deserved an answer. So he connected a call to her.

Twenty minutes later, with a burning ear, he headed in the direction of his hotel, safe in the knowledge that he had pissed off yet another woman! The old Mars/Venus adage came to mind, and it couldn’t be more true, he’d never understood one of them yet. Three months ago he’d have excepted his mother, but not anymore. Nope, they were all one mad bunch of unpredictables, and he was no closer to working them out than when he was five, and he was thirty three at the next count.

Sliding the phone into his pocket, he drained his beer and stepped out onto the dark deserted street, he was staying at a hotel a few hundred yards away, by far the best accommodation in this small village. As he strolled down the street, kicking at the loose gravel on the floor, hoping that would ease some of his tension; he almost bumped into someone who was rushing up from the beach. Taking a step back he looked down to see a rather ruffled Laura trying to brush sand from her bare feet, her hair was tangled and her face flushed. But her contented expression faded as she caught sight with the man she’d collided with.

With a huff of exasperation, she slipped on her flip flops, then stomped off in the direction of the cafe.

Adam felt that spark of excitement; the thrill of a verbal battle with her was just what he needed to lift him from the bizarre feelings of depression that had engulfed him since the call to Kristi.

                “What’s up sis?” he threw the comment casually as he slotted into step with her.

She hmphed, her anger and frustration palpable, as her smooth gait became sharp and aggressive, “I am not your sister!” With a sigh, she turned to him, “I am nothing to you, so why can’t you just get out of my life?”

His responding chuckle hit the spot, he could tell, her eyes widened, her nostrils flared, and he smiled smugly. The final spark that lit the fuse.

“Are you getting off on this? Does it please you aggravating me? Is your life so shit that you have to crash mine?”

It was exhilarating, and he could barely hide his joy at how an angry Laura made him feel, instead he offered a weak laugh, “if you bothered to hold a single conversation with me, then you’d know more about my life, and what my intentions were here. But you insist on playing these stupid games, and I am not gullible like your father. So don’t act the fool with me!”

Laura brought her hands to her hips and scowled, and that response elicited a laugh from Adam, “I rest my case!”  Calling her bluff he turned and made to walk away from her and managed just a few feet before she reached out and pulled him around.

                “What the hell does that mean? I don’t care about you; I don’t want to know you, so why the hell would I ‘play games’ with you? You are tapped in the head Adam whatever-your-name-is. Do you hear me?”

He gripped both of her upper arms in his hands and pulled her close, “you may have your parents in a position where they’ll accept all your bullshit just to spend time with you, but I’m not them. You manipulate and use them to your own advantage, someone like me who didn’t grow up with daddy to pay for everything...”

Laura stepped back as though she’d been slapped, it took a moment for her to compose herself, “Adam, you really are a piece of work!”

Despite her words, she had lost her aggression significantly, “cat got your tongue Miss Marshall?”

Laura stared at him, with his back to the moon she could barely see his eyes, but she could feel the animosity emanating from every poor. He hated her too, despite what he said. “Like I say, I don’t have to answer to you.”

He leaned closer, his face just an inch from her, “you apparently don’t have to answer to anyone, you and your silly games...” When her eyes widened again he laughed, “Hmm where do I start? Not turning up this weekend after promising your father you would...then there’s the school friends, I mean even I was impressed with that get out! You’re in one of the best restaurants in London, and some guys you haven’t seen in more than ten years appear out of the blue! What a great escape route! Let’s not forget to mention that unlike your parents, I do my homework, YOU went to an all girl school. Not just any school, but the best girls school in the country. SO unless you recognised some guys from kindergarten, then I’d say you are a liar and a manipulator!”

Laura was reeling, she’d not anticipated anyone seeing through her like that, she’d been desperate to escape that evening, not just from Adam, but from Jonathan too, the man her father seemed keen to force into her life. But then he was right about one thing, her parents were always so busy, that they’d never paid that much attention to the details of her life. She wasn’t unloved, but she had always had a free reign over her life and she’d used that to her full advantage. And to hear that analysis coming from the lips of this imposter, this threat, almost broke her in two.

Taking a few deep breaths she hated the fact that those home truths had caused tears to build up behind her eyes, she wouldn’t let him see how much his words had hit home.

                “You’re entitled to your own opinion.” She gave what she hoped was a sickly smile, then turned away from him.

But as she walked as fast she could into the darkness, she heard his words echo around her.

                “Truth hurts hey sis? See you tomorrow for our first working day together!”

Adam was looking forward to leading surf lessons, he’d supplemented his college allowance by teaching rich tourists how to stand on a board on Californian beaches for many years, and now that he was so absorbed in his usually hectic business it was a great reminder of how care free his life had been. Those were the days; college through winter, then surfing all summer, the only thing to worry about had been whether his fake id would get him served beer.

He’d had a fairly comfortable upbringing, and suddenly the argument with Laura from the previous night came rushing back. Her face as he’d delivered the final blow had occupied his mind all night, she’d looked so sad, so exposed. Suddenly he felt like a heel, a complete bastard. He’d overstepped the mark big style, but whenever he was near her he just wanted to push her...

He pulled on a pair of board shorts, and a sleeveless t-shirt, then finger combed his hair that was still wet from the shower. He opted out of breakfast, instead he left his hotel room and out into the early morning sun. It was an exceptionally good summer according to the TV weather reports, and he was glad, as much as he loved surfing, the ice cold Atlantic in a storm was no fun. The sunshine made everything beautiful, and despite it only being six am, the early morning glow warmed everything in his sight.

Including the EarlyBird cafe.

Laura had cleared the tables, started the preparation for lunch, and began breakfast in the cafe when the door tinkled, the chime indicating the door was opening. Ben hadn’t slept the night before, his shoulder was giving him grief and he was waiting to see a consultant. If he needed surgery it’d be unlikely that he’d surf again this summer. He was low, depressed, and she wanted to help him, and taking over the cafe and the surfing was her part of sharing the load.

But every time she thought of the day ahead, she grimaced, she’d inadvertently agreed to Adam helping her with the surf lessons the previous day, and now that was about to become reality. She flinched as she remembered his harsh words from the night before. She still wanted to hit him, to make him feel the pain that his accusations caused, but it all honesty, she knew that would serve no purpose, the man was worse than devious, she wanted to pay him back, see him flounder as she had, but it might take some time, this was not a revenge that should be rushed, that was for sure.

One of the youngsters that helped out at weekends arrived, so after filling her in on where things were, Laura headed into the adjacent surf shop and was studying the day’s diary when she felt eyes on her.

She paused for a moment, taking in that there were five groups of lessons through the day of various levels, then there was the young lifeguard group mid morning. Composed and in control, she looked up to see Adam lounging against the door frame watching her. He looked so different to the horrible bully she had remembered in her head, instead in his shorts and t-shirt, his hair unruly he looked almost human, cute even. Laura almost gasped aloud, unsure where that thought had come from.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at him again, “I’ll take the early lesson, then the lifeguard training. You can do a group of four at ten, they’re here on holiday, never surfed before, then there’s another group of four at three. This is their third week of lessons, so they know the basics.”

Adam nodded, “the gear?”

She nodded to a store room adjacent to the shop, “boards, wetsuits, and all you need are in there. Doubt you’ll need to go in, but there’s enough for you if you need it.”

She looked back to the diary, dismissing him from her thoughts and plans, but she should have known that he’d not take a hint as subtle as that.  When she stood back up, he was right beside her studying the diary over her shoulder.

                “So you take a group of six, followed by twelve children, then another five at four o’clock?”

She shrugged, “I’d be taking the other two classes if you weren’t here.”

                “Let me take the earlier class...”

Shaking her head Laura glared up at him, “you might think that this is crushing your alpha male ego, but actually, you have never taken a lesson here, you don’t know where things are...I’m just giving you a chance to settle in.”

With that she turned on her tail and marched off to the store cupboard.  

Teaching enthusiastic people to surf was second only to surfing in giving pleasure to Laura. She’d sailed through the hour with the first group of six; they were all keen, and managed to get out on short boards by the end of the session.  Excited they booked for the following day, tide dependent. The Lifeguard School were a crazy bunch, she loved them all, and an hour of body boarding in the shallow surf passed quickly. She’d been aware of Adam leading his own session between hers; there were apparently no issues, so she headed back to the cafe for lunch.

 A broadsheet open on the table, and Laura flicking her eyes between it and a large bowl of chicken Caesar salad, was the sight that greeted Adam as he entered the cafe. He was tired after his lesson, he was ten years older than the last time he’d taught anyone, and he hated to admit that she’d been right in the way she’d split the events of the day.

When she finally lifted her eyes, Alana had provided a huge turkey and ham sandwich and an equally large mug of black coffee.

                “Lunch is free!” She smiled as he took the items gratefully. “Ben is really grateful for all your help Adam.”

Adam grinned, “It’s been a revelation to me too. Taken me back fifteen years! Only things hurt a bit more!”

Alana was still chuckling as Adam approached Laura and kicked a chair out from under the table opposite her. Setting down his plate and mug, he lowered himself in to the chair and smiled.

When Laura’s eyes lifted from the sports section she scowled, “just because I agreed to you doing these lessons doesn’t mean I want you in my face all day!”

Adam smiled, those perfect lips parted to reveal dazzling straight white teeth, “hey little rich girl, you can’t always get what you want!”

Silly Games Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Ben and Alana were looking at her expectantly; relief on their faces, Adam behind them had a smug look, a challenge in his eyes.

Laura took a deep breath, her friends didn’t deserve her wrath, and it seemed apparent that they had no idea who Adam was, other than a charmer who’d won them over so quickly. She had no desire to involve her friends in this battle, so she smiled sweetly.

                “Don’t worry Ben, I don’t need help, it’s all in hand. Honest! Now excuse me but I really have to shower, Michaela’s calling for me in an hour.”

With that she left them alone and focused on getting herself ready.

It was a warm evening, perfect for an outdoor show, and as it was the weekend before the big festival, there was a full showcase at the Pilot pub. Several local bands were lined up in a ‘warm up’ gig. Dan was sandwiched between a three piece cover band and a new metal band. Laura was relieved he wasn’t last on, she was tired and wanted to speak to him, but wasn’t looking at hanging around until two am.

Michaela was dancing beside her, partly because of the music, but mainly because Paul had appeared and was holding her hand. The place was full; the local community really came into its own in the summer. She’d been there long enough that she was almost seen as a regular and she was inundated with 'hellos' and questions about the surf forecast.

Dan appeared on stage a little after ten. As usual he had rearranged his set to incorporate the crowd he was playing to. By eleven the whole place was bouncing. Laura was really glad to spot Ben and Alana across the garden. She owed them an explanation. She'd stropped like a child when she'd seen Adam talking to them, and hadn't apologised or explained herself since. She didn't think they were even aware who he was. Dicing through the throng of people, she was just about to reach them when she felt eyes on her.  Looking towards the pub she saw the man in question lounging against the wall as though he didn't have a care in the world. Suddenly the need to tell him to get the hell out of her life overwhelmed her. But as she made to change direction and head for him in a blaze of anger, Ben spied her and waved. 

After awkward hugs Ben half smiled, “sorry if I offended you by getting help in for the week.  I wasn't suggesting you couldn't cope. It was more to assuage my own guilt for landing it all on you."

Laura had never felt so bad, here was Ben really struggling at his worst being incapacitated, and she'd added to his confusion and frustration by being childish. Taking a deep breath she tried to smile, “I’m the one who should apologise. I was angry and I took it out on you guys. Adam is..."

Ben stopped her with a raised hand, "he told us he's the prodigal son. If we'd known I'd never have entertained him."

Laura nodded, "I should have explained that this morning."

Been smiled, "he was really gutted that he'd upset you. He seems like such a nice bloke." 

Laura felt the nausea rise. Here it was happening again.  Was no one immune to his charm? Adam had some sort of ability to cast a spell over everyone he met. Oblivious to her internal torment, Ben carried on, “so he's at a loose end for two weeks, we've been inundated with bookings for lessons...and he's a great surfer. We can't cope without his offer Laura...but if it’s too much for you I'll tell him no..."

She could hear the distress in her friend's voice and knew this was important to him. Things weren't just about her, were they? 

Taking a very deep breath she gave a half smile, “just don't expect me to be nice to him!"

              "Why break the habit hey?” And in an instant the hostility, anger and her own frustration came flooding back at the sound out that annoying drawl coming from behind.

Spinning around she glared at him, "first my family, now my friends...anyone would swear you've got such a shit life you have to infiltrate and steal mine!"

The arrogant laugh that greeted that comment caused her to almost self combust. But seeing Ben's stressed expression she merely offered a pasted on smile, "I'm going to see Dan. Catch you TWO later!" She stressed the 'two' in the futile hope that he'd piss off out of her life as quickly as he'd appeared in it. 

Adam watched her go and hated that she'd wiped the confident smile right off his face. He'd really expected to wear her down by now, but instead she was...dare he admit it?  Winning!  Not that this was a game, not to him. But he already knew enough about Laura to know that she got off on childish games. Slugging at his beer he grinned at Ben.

             "She always this feisty?"

Ben chuckled, "hmm. I'd say this is particularly apparent...though she is definitely no mug."

Despite the fact that that behaviour was directed at him, he was pleased to know she could look after herself.

She cut a striking image as she manoeuvred through the crowd. But he suddenly felt extreme anger when he saw her fall into the arms of the man who'd just left the stage.

They walked hand in hand across the sand. Laura enjoying the feel of his long fingers wrapped around hers. She was headstrong and independent that was no lie, but out was so relaxing to have someone take control, even if our was only for a few minutes. Dan had been so non committal on their previous two 'encounters', they could hardly be called dates, that it was a welcome change even he took her hand and led her away from the pub. 

The beach was deserted, and suddenly Laura felt a little heat flush her face and neck. Maybe tonight she'd feel some reciprocation from him.

            "Where do you stay when you come to town?" She asked as they slowed to sit on the wall that separated the beach from the road.

He sat and pulled her against his thighs, "it depends. Tonight I'm staying up at Porth Ely; it's half away between here and tomorrow's gig."

Laura groaned, "And an hour from here!"

Smiling he cupped her cheek, drawing her face around to look at him. "But...I don't have to leave for an hour!"

She tried to hide the disappointment at this with a quippy, "So we get to snog like horny teenagers instead?”

Her bluntness was rewarded by his eyes widening with desire, "well I definitely qualify on one of those qualities...and it's been years since I was eighteen."

Now THAT was more like it! Was her last thought as his lips covered hers. And Dan Martin proved to be just the distraction she needed. All the tension of the last few days dissolved in that almost familiar kiss. Dan's lips were both expert and very persuasive. For Laura it was just what the doctor ordered, and she responded hungrily.

His hands wrapped astound her pulling her body into the cocoon of his parted thighs, and she was rewarded by the sensation of his rather impressive erection against her stomach.  When she wriggled against him he groaned and they both seemed to up a notch in the intensity of their desire. 

In the end it was voices crossing the path behind them that dragged them from their reverie. Laura pulled her lips clear, dropping her head so that the top of it rested against his chest. Then she slowly disentangled their limbs.

It was for the best, she refused to lower herself to being a cheap screw on the beach, and that was what they were moments away from.  She deserved more.

           "Will you be here for the festival?” Dan asked as he straightened his clothes.

Laura's heart swelled at that. It was the first time he had made any attempt at an arrangement between them and the following weekend...the festival was a great opportunity for them to see each other.  "I will of course.  Maybe we'll get the chance to spend some time together."

He grinned, "sounds great...I have a room at the Red Lion both nights!"

Laura's heart boomed at the thought of some unadulterated time together, as they made their separate ways home.