‘At least it isn’t sexist,’ he said. ‘But isn’t it a bit light-hearted? Does it meet with health and safety requirements?’
Ali grinned. ‘Probably not. But those three do.’ She pointed to three even larger signs, positioned strategically so that at least one could be seen no matter where a person was in the vestibule. ‘We’ve got them in the shower rooms, locker rooms, boathouse, lunch area. You name it, we’ve got one there. We’ve even got a couple upstairs, and no one should go up there unless they’ve checked they’re as dry as a bone.’
Aidan matched Ali’s grin. ‘Water in a water sports centre. Who’d have guessed it?’
‘Are you ready for this?’ she asked, still grinning.
‘Oh I’m ready, Ali. And not just for this.’
Clearly flustered, she looked away, tugging at her ponytail as she did so. She obviously hadn’t brushed her hair, so maybe her comment about being stuck on the phone was true.
‘Um. This way then,’ she said, walking towards the door.
Aidan fell into step beside her, close enough to occasionally brush her hand with his, but far enough away so as not to look as if he meant to. Each time he touched her, he could feel her flinch, as if she had received a little electric shock. Oddly, he felt it himself a couple of times. It must be something to do with the floor surface. Certain carpet material produced static electricity. Perhaps this rubber matting did the same.
‘Have you done this before?’ Ali asked, as they stepped outside onto the wooden dock, where a row of four kayaks bobbed up and down on the glistening water of the Shimmering River.
‘No. I’m a virgin.’
Her head shot round, the startled expression, almost comical.
‘In a kayak,’ he continued, after a few seconds of watching her turn the lovely shade of red he had hoped for. ‘In most other areas, I’m an experienced hand.’ Another few seconds before adding: ‘Like on a yacht, for example. I’m an expert, on a yacht.’ The various pauses had the desired effect. He could tell by the way she was avoiding his eyes, she wasn’t sure if he was talking about sailing, or sex. ‘I’m in your hands. And completely at your mercy.’
Her mouse-like little squeal delighted him. Much more of this and she’d be falling at his feet. Time to be serious.
‘Are you OK, Ali? If you’re not feeling well, I can ask one of the others to take me.’
She shook her head wildly. ‘No. No, don’t do that. I’m fine. Just a little nervous. You are my boss, after all. I’d hate to drown you on our first outing.’
Nice recovery. He had to admire her for that.
‘I’m a good swimmer. There’s no need to worry about me. And I’m sure you’d rescue me, in any event. Or at least throw me a lifeline.’
She nodded. ‘But that reminds me. You did sign the waiver form, didn’t you? It doesn’t absolve us of responsibility, but it’s a requirement in case of an insurance claim.’
She was grinning but he wasn’t sure whether she was serious or not, although as he had signed the form that one of the team had handed him in the locker room, she was probably serious.
‘Signed and as good as sealed.’
‘Good. Let’s get to it then.’ She threw him an incredibly sexy smile. ‘Trust me. I’m a professional. I have certificates to prove it.’ Unexpectedly, she raised herself on her tiptoes and, leaning towards him, just centimetres below his ear, whispered: ‘You’re in for the thrill of your life.’
As he watched her saunter towards the river, her long ponytail, a rope of dark red gold glinting in the sunshine, swishing to and fro in time with the sway of her incredibly sexy bottom, a strange feeling swept over him. One he didn’t recognise, but instinctively knew meant trouble.
Chapter Fourteen
Ali was having the time of her life. Admittedly, Aidan did come out with some clichéd chat- up lines and innuendos, but playing him at his own game was proving to be rather fun. Judging by some of his reactions, her flirting was having a similar effect on him as his was on her. The more the day went on, the stronger the excitement and anticipation for their dinner date became.
‘I suppose we should head back,’ Ali said, glancing at her watch, and craning her neck and body to look at him, seated as he was, behind her. ‘It’s half past twelve. We’ve covered all the parts of the Shimmering River that are safe for novices and you’ve seen the lake and the waterfall. You’ve even battled against this faster section. We wouldn’t usually bring people here until they’ve had at least a couple of days’ experience.’
‘I have a confession.’ He resembled an angelic demon, if such a thing were possible. ‘I’m not a complete virgin.’
‘I think I grasped that much.’
He leant forward. ‘I’d like you to grasp something else.’ He grinned as she pulled a face. ‘I like a challenge. The thrill of danger is one of the things that excites me. What do you say about tackling the rest of it? I saw the section of rapids from the road on my previous visit. I think I can handle that. Are you up for it?’
She shook her head. ‘No. What if something happens to you?’
‘I’ll be OK. You don’t have to worry about me.’
‘It’s your lawyers I’m worried about, if you drown.’
A burst of laughter filled the air. ‘I won’t drown, Ali. I’m looking forward to this evening far too much to let that happen. Besides, I’ve been on wild water before. And on wild women, but that’s another story.’ He winked and leant back, flicking the tip of his paddle in the river and tossing a spray of water towards her.
She held up her hands. ‘Your choice. But I’m not risking my life to save you.’
‘I think we both know that’s not true. I think we also know the rapids aren’t as bad as you suggest. Live a little, Ali. Take a risk.’
‘I really should get back. The centre won’t run itself, you know.’
‘I think you’re forgetting I’m the boss. I don’t want to pull rank on you or anything, but I’m sure the rest of the staff will understand how important it is for me to get a feel of the place. You’re showing me the ropes. Think of this as work, with a little bit of pleasure thrown in.’
‘I’d better call and tell them where we are.’ She fished around in her pocket and came up empty. ‘Damn. I must’ve left my phone on the desk. We’ll have to head back to let them know. We can stop for lunch and then head out again this afternoon.’
‘No need.’ He pulled his phone from the pocket of his jeans, swiped his finger across the screen, and pressed.
‘You’ve got our number on your phone?’
He nodded and gave her a mischievous grin. ‘And I’ve got your personal number on speed dial.’ He held up a finger before she could reply. ‘Hi. This is Aidan Rourke. I’m with Ali. She’s left her phone on her desk, so I’m calling to tell you we’ll be out for most of the day. I’ve asked her to show me around.’ He rang off and slid the phone back in his jeans.
‘Did you give whoever it was a chance to speak?’
He shrugged. ‘No point. There was nothing for them to say.’
‘Do you always get what you want?’
‘Yes. Don’t you?’
‘Very rarely.’
‘Well, let’s hope we can change that tonight. Is that a diner on the other side of that bridge ahead?’
Ignoring his questionable remark, Ali nodded. ‘It’s the Shimmering River Diner. It’s run by Josie Tate who’s lovely and a brilliant cook, but who unfortunately believes, or would like to, that we’re living in 1950s Hollywood, not 2017 in Shimmering-on-Sea.’
‘I think that solves the lunch issue. We can pull the kayak onto the bank ahead.’
‘Oh can we? Sorry. I’m forgetting. You’re the boss.’
She smiled, though a little irritated. He was clearly used to getting his own way. But was that such a bad thing? There was no point in arguing, even if she wanted to. He was the boss.
‘I’ll pay.’
‘You’ll have to. I’ve left my purse in t
he office too. I don’t usually need it on the river.’
He pulled out his wallet and waved it in the air. ‘Boy Scout. Always be prepared.’
‘Show off.’
They paddled under the arch of the bridge to the bank in front of the diner but before Ali could get out, Aidan beat her to it. He held out his hand and steadied the kayak with the other. She leapt out on her own, making the kayak wobble to and fro in the water.
‘Show off,’ he threw back at her. Then together they lifted the kayak onto the bank.
‘At the top of those stairs, there is a wooden deck. We can sit outside as it’s such a beautiful day.’
‘After you,’ he said.
‘No. After you. I insist. You’ve spent the last hour or so looking at my bottom. I think it’s about time I did the same to you.’
He laughed out loud. ‘You noticed? Even with your back to me?’
‘The seat felt as if it was on fire. Yes. I noticed.’
‘You can’t blame me for that. It’s a very nice bottom.’ He walked up the stairs before her.
‘And so is yours.’
It was. And not just his bottom. His trim waist, his broad shoulders, and not forgetting his long, sportsman-like legs. The man was a vision, front and back. She could almost picture what he would look like naked.
‘Cold?’ He was waiting for her at the top of the stairs.
‘No. Just a little shiver. I think I’m rather hungry.’
His eyes raked over her. ‘You and me both.’
She glanced at her watch. Still so many hours to go before tonight, but she could hardly contain her excitement.
Chapter Fifteen
Simon tidied his desk, took a final look around the classroom and headed into the hall. The last day of term was always frenetic, but it was also fun, and he had the rest of the summer to look forward to. A summer he hoped, that like every year, he would help out, on a voluntary basis, at The Shimmering River and Water Sports Centre. As a local, Maths teacher, all the necessary and enhanced DBS checks had been carried out. Additionally, he held qualifications from the Royal Yachting Association and British Canoeing. Water sports had always been a passion of his. That was something else he and Ali had in common.
Smiling as he exited the two storey, River School building, he pressed the icon for Ali on his phone, and walked towards his home. With one hand, he shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves whilst waiting for her to answer, revelling in the warmth of the late afternoon sun on his skin.
‘Alison Warner’s phone.’ It wasn’t Ali who answered.
‘Grace?’ Simon asked, recognising her voice. Grace had worked at the centre for years and they knew each other well.
‘Simon?’
‘Yeah, hi. How are you?’
‘Fine, thanks.’
‘Great. Um. Is Ali there, please?’
‘No, sorry. She’s out with the head honcho. Sorry. Aidan Rourke. He wanted a tour of the river and stuff. To see the local sites and what we have to offer, I suppose. From the water, that is. She dashed out without her phone. Aidan called to say they’d be out for most of the day, but his number was withheld, so we couldn’t contact him if we wanted to. We do have a number for his next of kin though.’ She giggled. ‘Sorry. That wasn’t funny.’
A knot formed in Simon’s stomach. ‘How long have they been gone?’
‘Ages. They left just after eleven, I think. Maybe a bit later. On her way out, she did tell me she would be working through lunch because she wanted to leave early this evening. If being in a kayak with Aidan Rourke is working, I’ll do overtime.’
‘A kayak? They only took one?’
‘Yeah. A two-man kayak. Or in this case one man and a woman. One of the new guys, Ben, who I don’t think you’ve met, told us he overheard Aidan say he was a virgin. In a kayaking sense. If that’s not a come on, I don’t know what is. It’s a good thing Ali knows how to take care of herself in the man department. I only met the guy today and have spoken to him just a couple of times. Aidan that is, not Ben. I talk to Ben all the time. Can never get the guy to shut up. What was I saying? Oh yeah, Aidan. I don’t know him, but I got the distinct feeling he’s here for more than just the water sports, if you get my drift. And I don’t just mean Ali, either. It’s the way he looked around the place. And when he was signing the waiver, I got the impression he wasn’t seeing a locker room but something else entirely. Of course, I could be completely wrong. It’s just a feeling in my water, as my mum used to say. I’ll tell Ali you called, if she ever gets back. That was a joke. Do you want me to give her a message? Simon? Are you still there?’
‘I’m here. And I think it’s me who’s got the message.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Nothing, Grace. Yeah. Please just tell Ali I called.’
‘Will do. See you soon, I hope.’
‘Yeah. Me too.’
Simon rang off and shoved his phone into his trouser pocket. He needed to meet Aidan Rourke, or at least get a good look at the guy. From his conversation with Ali earlier in the week, he knew that she found Aidan attractive. Grace had made it clear she felt the same. For both women, who had completely different taste in men, if their previous boyfriends were anything to go by, to be attracted to him, meant he must be something special. Ali wasn’t shallow enough to be interested in Aidan purely for his looks, Simon knew that, but if the guy was good-looking and rich – which Aidan was – he already had two of the qualities a lot of women looked for. Simon needed to know if Aidan was also romantic, kind and had a good sense of humour. If so, Simon might as well kiss goodbye to his hopes of a future with Ali.
He had called to see if she fancied going to The Golden Dragon tonight. Jules and Bruce were going away, and John had told him that he and Sasha were going to John’s parents for a curry. But if Ali was planning to leave work early she obviously already had plans. Didn’t she say something a few weeks ago about her mum having a dinner party tonight? She must be going to that. That made him feel a little better. At least she wouldn’t be seeing Aidan.
He turned into Baker’s Lane. He would go for a quick pint in The Golden Dragon now. It was on his route home anyway. Heat radiated through his shirt onto his back as he walked. On second thoughts, he would go to the Shimmering River Diner instead. It was a twenty-minute walk, all uphill from here, but it would be worth it to sit out on the sun-drenched deck and soak up some rays, listening to the gurgling river below. He might as well eat there, too. That would save him cooking anything when he got home. His mum and his aunt were on the way to Southampton, or possibly already there, having both been collected from their respective homes this morning in chauffeur-driven cars, so he didn’t have anyone to rush home for.
That was quite a depressing thought. No one at home. Was this what the future entailed? Perhaps he should get himself a dog.
He smiled. His mum only left this morning and already he was feeling lonely. What a prat. But he knew it wasn’t really about his mum. It was about Ali. And about realising once again that she may not always play such a significant part in his future.
He tried to concentrate instead on the various fragrances filling his nostrils as he pounded the dusty streets of the village, passing window boxes, courtyards and gardens containing a kaleidoscope of flowers and plants. He recognised geraniums and pelargoniums, roses, poppies and lavender but there were many other delicate blossoms and fragrant plants, the names of which he didn’t know. The whirr of lawnmowers heralded the lettuce-like smell of freshly cut grass and the wheat in the fields as he approached, reminded him of breakfast in a bowl with cool, fresh milk.
His mood lifted, he glanced at the stepping stones in the Shimmering River, at the bridge, and back again. Grinning, he skipped lightly across the stones, laughing like a schoolboy when he reached the other side. Several people seated at tables on the wooden deck of the diner applauded him and cheered. He gave a little bow and dashed up the wooden, creaking steps two at a time.
‘Well done, Simon.’ Tom Warner stood at the top of the stairs, grinning. Simon had to stop himself from falling backwards in his surprise.
‘Mr Warner. Hello. I didn’t expect to see you here at this time on a Friday.’
Tom ran a hand through his dark brown, silver-grey spattered hair and stood aside to let Simon pass. ‘You can call me Tom, Simon, as I believe I have told you repeatedly over the years we’ve known each other. I’ve given myself the day off. Several days off, in fact. I’ve got a few things requiring my attention, as you have no doubt heard.’
Simon nodded. There wasn’t much he could say to that.
‘It’s strange. When we moved out from the house next door to your family, we had no idea it would end like this. We were happy in that house. I often wish we had stayed.’
Again Simon nodded.
‘Sorry.’ Tom coughed. ‘I’m embarrassing you.’
‘Not in the least. But I don’t know what to say. Is it really over?’
Tom shook his head as if the gesture exhausted him and a strangled laugh escaped through half-open lips. ‘Is it ever really over when you love someone?’
Simon didn’t respond. He didn’t think Tom wanted him to.
‘Despite all my years as a divorce lawyer,’ Tom continued, ‘I’ve never precisely understood how it’s possible to both love someone and hate them at one and the same time. Until now.’
‘You mean, your wife?’
Tom squinted. ‘Yes, Tabby. Who else could there be? Oh, let me guess. You’ve heard of my alleged affair with this non-existent woman half my age. Though why would I love and hate her, if she were real?’
‘Um. You hate her because she’s the cause of your marriage break-up, and love her because, well, because we never seem to be able to pick the women we fall in love with. We just fall in love with them and pray to whoever we believe in, that one day it will all work out.’
Tom eyed him curiously. ‘I’m not sure we’re still referring to me, are we? Unrequited love, Simon? With Ali, by any chance?’
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