Page 40 of Lie For Me

It gratified Lucy when they got down to the water’s edge, and Tristan told Jack he had his life vest on back to front.

She stood and grinned as Tristan monitored Jack to ensure he put it on properly.

‘Oh, that’s much better,’ she nodded. ‘Good to see you have it all in hand now.’

Jack shoved her. ‘Shut it,’ he said, and she giggled and pushed him back.

‘No messing about on the water!’ Tristan shouted.

‘Sorry!’ Lucy trilled as they dragged their kayaks into the lake.

‘Hurry,’ Jack whispered, eyes wide. ‘Run!’

Lucy was giggling, and the laughing made her lose all strength as she tried to drag the kayak.

‘I think you mean paddle!’ she replied, and Jack snorted.

He passed her an oar as Tristan watched on disapprovingly. Lucy clambered into her kayak.

‘Save yourself,’ Jack intoned, in a doom-laden voice. ‘Don’t look back.’

Lucy chortled and started paddling out into the lake.

‘I won’t leave you, Jack!’ she called over her shoulder. ‘I’ll wait for you.’

She turned the kayak and saw Jack pushing off from the shore, as Tristan shook his head, no doubt disapproving of banter on the water. Jack caught up with her.

‘Quick, go!’ he said, ‘before he catches us!’

They paddled out toward the rest of the group, but the others were far ahead of them now, and spreading out across the lake.

Plenty of people were out in search of some relief from the afternoon heat. Off to the side, in an area of the lake cordoned off from kayaks and water sports, clusters of people splashed in the water, and an ice-cream van did a roaring trade.

‘Race you to that buoy,’ she said, pointing, and started paddling like crazy. She leaned forward into the strokes, her arms felt like they were whirring she was moving the oar so fast. She revelled in the feel of the boat surging through the rippling water and the relief of a breeze in her face. Jack overtook her in just a few swift strokes of his oar.

‘Oh, fuck’s sake,’ Lucy gasped.

Her initial spurt of energy and adrenaline rapidly evaporated in the heat, and she wiped sweat from her eyes.

‘Argh, that’s not fair. You’re bigger than me,’ she shouted as Jack drifted to a stop beside the buoy ahead of her.

Jack shrugged and flexed his arms in a muscle man pose. All the football and yoga obviously paid off.

‘Best not to challenge me to feats of speed or strength, then,’ he called back. ‘I don’t want to make you feel bad about yourself.’

‘Oh har-dee-ha.’ Lucy panted, as she pulled up alongside him. ‘I thought you might give me a head start.’

‘Luce,’ Jack said, and looked at her earnestly. ‘I know you’d only want to win on your merits. And lose on them, too.’

She flicked water at him with the end of the oar.

‘Mmm, nice and cool.’

The rest of the group was heading towards the far side of the lake. Lucy was in no hurry to catch them. She enjoyed not having to make small talk or remember people’s names.

They drifted lazily up to the next buoy, oars just skimming the water. They were close to the centre of the lake and Lucy, tired from effort and sun, announced that this was where they should stop for a rest.

Jack swung around the buoy and pulled his oar out of the water. The boats bobbed gently, occasionally bumping into each other and to the buoy.

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