by CJ Morrow
Jackson got up. ‘I’ll make a pot.’
While he clattered in the kitchen Lily collected up their plates and glasses and took them inside. They stacked the dishwasher together before sitting down on the sofa to drink their tea.
‘I’m already enjoying having you here,’ Jackson said, stroking Lily’s hair away from her eyes.
‘Me too.’ She closed her eyes and enjoyed his attention.
‘Did I tell you I love your hair? I love the way it waves and curls.’
‘You won’t say that when I have to wash it and you see me fighting it into submission.’
He lifted her hair up and watched it fall. ‘It reminds me of mermaids.’ He laughed.
‘You said that before. Do you see a lot of mermaids in Devon?’
‘Thousands.’
‘My hair’s okay here, on holiday I mean, but it’s a right pain everyday for work. I keep meaning to get it cut much shorter. But, part of me likes having long hair.’
‘It would be a shame to cut it short.’ His voice was quiet as he leaned in and held a tendril of Lily’s hair to his nose. ‘It even smells nice.’
‘God knows how.’ Lily laughed. She felt self-conscious.
Jackson took her hand and put it up to his lips, kissed the back of it.
‘Bed time?’
There was only one answer to that.
‘You’re back sooner than expected,’ Gemma said as she let Lily into the cottage the next morning. ‘How was dinner with Jackson’s friends?’
‘Great. Thanks.’ Lily manoeuvred her way around Gemma and headed for the bedroom to find the curtains closed and Tess still in bed. ‘You okay?’ she asked her friend.
‘Headache,’ Tess said.
‘Hanging?’
‘Maybe. Just a little bit.’
‘Did you drink more of that cider in the pub?’
‘Yep.’ Tess pulled herself up, it was a slow, exaggerated movement which ended with her sinking slowly back onto her pillows. ‘What are you up to?’ Tess asked, as Lily started rifling through drawers and pulling out her clothes.
‘I’m going to bunk in with Jackson. Only for a week or so; he has to leave middle of next week.’
‘Oh. Oh?’
Lily slumped down on her friend’s bed, realising that this might be a kick in the teeth for Tess. ‘I’m sorry if I’m abandoning you with…’ Lily jerked her head in the direction of the closed bedroom door.
‘I can handle Gem. I’m more concerned about you.’
Lily stood up and started stuffing clothes into her suitcase.
‘Lily?’
‘I’m just doing what you said. I’m having a holiday romance,’ she muttered into her packing.
‘You’re moving in with him. That’s not quite the same, is it?’
‘Only for a week or so, then I’ll be back on that lovely camp bed.’
‘If it’s about the camp bed, I’ll swap with you.’
Lily turned to Tess and raised an eyebrow. ‘With your hangover?’ she said. ‘Anyway, it’s not about the camp bed.’
‘But you hardly know him and you’re locking yourself away somewhere with him. Actually, where is his place?’
‘I’m not locking myself anywhere. I’ll see you most days down on the beach or in the sea for our surf lessons. How many more have we got?’
‘Don’t change the subject, Lily. What’s his address?’ Tess pulled her phone out from under her pillow. ‘And his phone number.’
‘I don’t know his address. Here’s his number.’ She swiped through her phone before tossing it to Tess who put Jackson’s number into her own phone.
‘So where does he live?’
‘It’s near the beach; well, down some country lanes. You can see the sea.’
‘That narrows it down.’ Tess’s tone was sarcasm dipped in concern. ‘Is he here waiting for you?’
‘No. I’m meeting him down the lane.’
‘When you meet up with him can you message me his address? Just to put my mind at rest.’
‘I thought Gemma was the mum among us.’ Lily zipped up her suitcase and stood it on its wheels; she put her hand on the door.
‘I’m your best friend, Lily. Aren’t I allowed to be concerned?’
Lily stopped, let go of the door handle. ‘Sorry. Of course you are. You’re right. It’s better to be safe. I’ll message you. You sure you’re okay? Do you want me to get you some headache tablets?’
‘No need. Gemma is cooking me a fry up. That’ll sort me out.’
Lily laughed. Tess joined in as much as her hangover would allow. ‘That’s good of her.’
‘Yeah, she even went down to the village and bought the bacon and eggs. Well, it is her fault. We only drank that stuff at her insistence.’
‘Didn’t she have a hangover too?’
Tess shrugged. ‘Not as bad as mine. Apparently. Anyway, she’s more preoccupied with a rash she’s developed on her legs.’
‘Rash? What’s caused that?’
‘I don’t know. I could hardly see it when she showed me this morning. Mind you, I could hardly see anything.’ Tess rolled her eyes and smiled briefly.
‘I’m going now. If you’re okay?’ Lily said, feeling a little bit guilty.
‘I’m fine. Have fun. Be safe. Message me.’
‘I will, I will.’ Lily kissed Tess on her hot and sticky forehead. ‘I’ll see you later for surf school.’
‘Urgh.’
‘Do you mind if I don’t tell Gemma? Only I don’t want a lecture from her.’
‘As well as me.’ Tess managed a low laugh. ‘No. You go. I’ll tell her. Not that it’s any of her business.’
‘That’s my girl.’ Lily laughed. ‘You should be more like that with her.’
‘Don’t worry about me. You go now.’
Jackson was waiting at the beach car park entrance; he smiled broadly when Lily came into view, then stepped forward and grabbed the case.
‘I could have come with you. I could have carried this.’
‘It’s fine. I’m strong. Anyway I wheeled it here. ’ Lily got her phone out of her bag – almost as heavy with the wetsuit in it. ‘What’s your address?’
‘What?’
‘I have to let Tess know where you live; just in case you plan to murder me or something.’ Lily forced a little laugh, and realised how that comment didn’t sound at all funny.
Jackson didn’t laugh either as he told her his address.
They walked in silence down to the beach. Lily felt stupid. She imagined Jackson felt insulted but he just looked sad.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said as they stepped down onto the sand.
‘About what?’
‘The murder joke.’
‘Oh. That’s okay. I know it was a joke.’ But he wasn’t laughing. ‘Do you fancy sunbathing round by my beach hut until it’s surfing time? I can make tea and coffee too. And there might even be a cake in the tin.’
‘That’d be great.’ Lily gave him her best, grateful smile, then grabbed his hand as they walked along. ‘Who made the cake?’ She imagined him covered in flour.
‘It comes from the café, of course.’
Jackson brought out sun loungers that were hanging from the wall of the beach hut. Lily hadn’t noticed them before when they’d spent the night during the storm, but then it had been in weak battery light and she had been rather preoccupied.
Because it was already too hot for tea or coffee, they sat in the sunshine sipping lemonade from cans that Jackson kept in a cool box. Lily closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of the sun on her skin.
‘It’s lovely here,’ she said. ‘I almost wish I could live here. It must be so nice; by the sea, on the beach every day.’
‘Yeah. It is.’
‘Oh well,’ Lily said, feeling slightly morose. ‘Let’s enjoy it before I have to go back to horrible reality and you have to go wherever you’re going.’ Lily suddenly felt self-conscious; she hoped he didn’t think she was fishing.
‘Yeah, let’s,’ he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
Lily was dozing when Jackson nudged her awake to tell her it was time for the surf lesson.
‘Oh, must I?’
‘Yes, you were really getting the hang of it yesterday.’ Jackson stood up and went inside the beach hut to retrieve his wetsuit. He began to pull it on. ‘You should get changed here,’ he said, as Lily heaved herself up from her sun lounger.
They sauntered down the beach towards the surf shack, both with their wetsuits hanging down around their waists; it was just too hot to put them on properly until they hit the cool water.
Tess and Gemma were already there, Tess still looked hung-over and Gemma had a face like thunder. ‘I’m telling you it was your wetsuit,’ she shouted at Davey.
‘What’s going on?’ Lily asked as Tess cringed.
‘Gemma’s rash; she’s blaming Davey.’
‘What rash?’ Jackson asked.
‘This rash, this rash.’ Gemma pointed at her legs, which looked suspiciously smooth and tanned beneath her shorts.
Both Lily and Jackson leaned in for a closer look. Tess looked away.
Jackson shook his head. ‘I can’t see anything wrong,’ he said. ‘Far from it.’
‘Are you wearing tights on the beach?’ Lily bent down to get a better look. ‘Are they flesh-coloured opaque? I didn’t even know you could get those.’
‘Nude. The colour is nude. They’re my yoga and Pilates tights.’
‘Why are you wearing them on the beach?’ Why had she even brought them with her?
Gemma glared at Lily. Jackson had a look of puzzlement on his face. Tess struggled to suppress a smirk and Lily shook her head.
‘Because. Of. The. Rash.’ Gemma narrowed her eyes. ‘Caused by his festering wetsuit.’
‘Whoa.’ Davey put up his hands. ‘The ones you wore yesterday were the good ones, not the skank…’ He stopped speaking.
‘Were you going to say skanky ones? Like the ones we wore on the first day?’
Davey shrugged. ‘There’s nothing wrong with the one you wore yesterday. And your friends are okay, aren’t they?’
‘Lily didn’t wear yours yesterday. And I have a rash, irrespective of whether anyone else does.’ Gemma put her hands on her hips, stood astride and waited for Davey’s response.
Davey, knowing when he was beaten, nodded. ‘Okay. You can have them for nothing.’
‘For the rest of our lessons?’
Davey exhaled slowly through his nostrils. ‘Yes, okay.’
‘All right.’ Gemma stomped towards the wetsuit rack. ‘Not,’ she called over, ‘that that helps my rash. Does it? I’ll be choosing a different one today.’
Davey didn’t reply. Lily, Tess and Jackson exchanged glances. No one spoke as Gemma flung a wetsuit at Tess and proceeded to choose one for herself.
Jackson and Lily pulled up their wetsuits and did each other’s zip up.
‘How cute,’ Gemma said, almost, but not quite, under her breath.
Lily, remembering what she’d said to Jackson, smiled sweetly. Sickly sweetly.
They waddled with their boards down to the sea and Davey gave everyone the obligatory safety reminders. It was only when Lily and Jackson started to move further down the beach that Gemma called after them, her voice not quite drowned out by the waves. Lily turned around and frowned.
‘I said,’ Gemma called again. ‘That I don’t know why you even go through the pretence of joining us when you just sidle off at the first opportunity.’
‘Okay, bye. See you later.’ Lily pretended she had misheard what Gemma had said. Inside she seethed.
‘She has a point,’ Jackson said. ‘We can surf any time we like. I’m teaching you. Davey doesn’t mind; after all he’s been paid.’
‘Gemma minds. But I’m not letting that influence me. Yes. Let’s please ourselves.’
Later, Lily couldn’t help taking guilty pleasure in Gemma’s sudden inability to stay on her board, especially as Lily, and even Tess, were starting to get the hang of it now.
‘Your friend’s not so good today,’ Jackson said, noticing Gemma too.
‘Mmm.’
‘Is she still wearing those tights? I mean, under her wetsuit?’
‘Oh yes.’
‘Do they have feet? That would account for it.’
‘I don’t know. I doubt it; she said she wears them for yoga.’
Jackson frowned. ‘Maybe she’s just losing her grip, then.’
‘Yes. I think that’s it.’ Lily bit her lip to prevent a snigger escaping; she wasn’t sure if Jackson had intended to make a joke.
Ten
‘What are your hopes and dreams for the future?’ Jackson asked as he twirled Lily’s hair around his finger while they lay on their sun loungers outside his beach hut.
Lily sat up and looked at him. ‘I thought we weren’t having any serious conversations. Remember we’re just having a holiday fling. No past and no future.’
‘I know. Okay. Let me rephrase. If you could do anything in the world what would it be?’
‘I’m quite enjoying lying here soaking up the sun, listening to the gulls, inhaling the sea air.’ She wasn’t going to tell him that what she really wanted, or at least had thought she wanted, was a commitment of some sort from Will. That would be divulging just too much.
‘Me too,’ Jackson said, dropping her hair so it fell around her shoulders. ‘I’d be happy staying here.’ His voice had that pensive tone again.
‘I suppose we all have our mortgages and bills to pay.’ Lily sighed and got up to get herself a drink from his cool box.
‘The money isn’t really my driver.’ Jackson’s voice was quiet, so quiet that Lily only just caught it. He smiled at her, then jumped up. ‘Fancy another surf lesson?’
‘But we were out there this morning.’
‘There are no limits to the sea. You’re not bound by the rules of surf school.’
‘The what?’
‘You can surf whenever you like, weather permitting. Since you have decoupled yourself from your fiery friend, Gemma, you can please yourself. Now would be good; the sea is frisky enough but not too violent.’
‘Ha. You use some funny terms to describe the sea. Okay, come on then. But after that I want a decent meal, all this surfing makes me hungry.’
Lily’s surf lessons were going well. With Jackson’s careful schooling Lily was not only mastering the techniques, but actually enjoying it. He’d taught her how to recover if she lost her board, how to ensure she didn’t drown – he’d spent a laborious amount of time on that, but after the pseudo-drowning incident on their first acquaintance, perhaps he had a point. Lily could stand up and ride a wave like a pro. Well no, not like a pro, but not like an idiot either. So good, she thought, that she probably didn’t need him to accompany her. He’d then spent another laborious amount of time telling her that only a fool surfed alone, that it was the equivalent of setting out for the South Pole without telling anyone and he made her promise she would never do it.
They spent their days surfing, swimming, sunbathing – the weather was very generous and kind – eating, drinking and most importantly making love. They were very busy. Although Lily kept telling herself it was sex, not love. This was a holiday fling, not a great romance. This was a no-strings affair. They were just having fun. Jackson’s attentiveness was the bonus she deserved after Will’s neglect. He was lovely to look at, full of interesting facts about the sea and his adventures – with the odd hint at another life, which she never questioned him about – and a generous lover.
Everywhere they went, people knew Jackson. They patted him on the back and asked how he was now – so much so, that Lily began to wonder if he’d been seriously ill. But, as they’d agreed to never discuss their past, she stopped herself from asking him.
There were times when Lily almost forgot about Will. But only almost. He had, after all, dominated her life for the past ten years, even when
he hadn’t actually been in her life. She had taken to sending him daily messages with selfies of her on a surfboard, lying on the sun lounger, sipping wine with a fabulous sunset behind her. In the pictures she was always alone; she didn’t want to give Will any ideas, not that it was any of his business. Occasionally he replied with a ‘cool’ or ‘hot’ depending on the picture, but some days he didn’t reply at all, even though Lily could see that he was online, or had been recently. He sent two pictures of himself during that time, both taken by someone else. Lily spent a lot of time scrutinising them for hints of what he was up to, then chiding herself for wasting that time. She took a few sly shots of Jackson when he wasn’t looking. She’d delete them if she got back together with Will. And if not, they’d be a nice memento.
If Jackson noticed what she was doing he never asked about it. They’d reached a happy place where nothing mattered except the present. Lily’s tan grew deeper, she felt rested and relaxed. She forced herself not to think about Will too much, she stopped herself from fretting about work and from worrying and wondering if she would get the finance director job – which she felt she rightly deserved. She’d been told they wouldn’t make a decision until after her return anyway, so there was no point in dwelling on it. In truth, she didn’t know what she’d do if she didn’t get it; because it would mean that either she or Damon would have to leave. There could only be one head of finance, not two. She had deliberately not brought her work phone with her, so had no idea what was going on – well wasn’t that the whole point of a holiday?
Lily saw Tess and Gemma everyday and was happy to hear that Gemma’s rash had cleared up and that Tess had finally managed to stand up on the board, even if it was only for four seconds. Tess’s worries about Jackson and his murderous intentions had evaporated, especially after he’d invited her and Gemma to his place for a lunchtime barbecue. The date was set for the day before he left – secretly Lily wished he hadn’t invited them, but it seemed to set Tess’s mind at rest. It also endeared Jackson to not just Tess, but also Gemma.
‘Are either of your friends vegetarians?’ Jackson said as they lay in bed on the morning of the barbecue. ‘Only I’m going to the butchers to pick up some nice cuts.’