Page 47 of The Secret Beach

‘I’m just going to dodge in there to get dressed.’ Adam pointed behind the rock towards the caves, which were often used as impromptu changing rooms.

For a moment, Nikki remembered a clandestine rendezvous. It was the safest place in Speedwell to be hidden, away from prying eyes.

‘Oh my God,’ hissed Juno as Adam disappeared. ‘He’d be perfect for you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Nikki laughed.

‘You’re blushing,’ said Juno.

‘I am not.’ Nikki touched her cheeks. ‘It’s the cold water.’

‘Yeah, right. Seriously, though. Why not?’

‘There’s just one problem,’ said Nikki, pulling on a pair of thick socks. ‘He’s in love with his wife.’

‘He’s married?’

‘Widowed.’

‘Oh.’ Juno frowned. ‘How long since his wife died?’

‘Three years, maybe?’

‘That’s long enough.’

‘Not necessarily.’ Nikki shoved her socked feet into her Crocs, and grabbed her bobble hat.

‘How long does it take to get over someone?’ Juno looked perplexed.

‘I think it’s different for different people.’ Nikki pulled her hat down even further to cover her cheeks.

‘I guess so. Look at Granny. It’s taken her twenty years to even think about dating.’

Nikki burrowed in her bag, not sure what to say. Sometimes you never got over someone. But she couldn’t explain that to Juno.

‘I’m not an expert,’ she said eventually. ‘But I think it takes time. Or the right person to come along.’

Juno looked at her. She seemed to be scrutinising her.

‘What?’ Nikki wondered if her guilt was evident. Her niece was perceptive. She picked up on things other people missed.

Juno burst out laughing. ‘You’re never going to pull him in that outfit, anyway.’

Nikki put her hands out to one side and did a twirl as if she was on a catwalk, showing off her regalia: bobble hat, fleecy robe, socks and Crocs.

‘I don’t know what you mean. This is seaside chic. Everyone’s wearing it.’

They were still laughing when Adam reappeared. In comparison to them he looked ruggedly cool in his cable-knit sweater and cashmere beanie. To his credit, he didn’t seem disconcerted by their get-up.

‘Hey, I just thought,’ he said, ‘I’m making burritos later if you’d like me to bring you some round.’

‘Burritos!’ Juno’s eyes lit up.

‘It’ll save you cooking. You’ve been working hard, if the skip’s anything to go by.’

Nikki hesitated. She didn’t want to set a precedent, for she couldn’t repay the favour any time soon, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings either. And who didn’t love a burrito?

‘Are you sure?’

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