Page 34 of Deep Waters

Incredible, he thought. He had come to Nyemouth hoping to find a story. He hadn’t expected to find such intimacy and passion with a local boy.

Chapter Twelve

“What have you got to look so happy about?” Antoni asked as he approached Harry in the marina the next day.

“Aren’t I allowed to smile?” he shot back with a breezy grin.

“Oh, that’s more than a smile,” Antoni said. “Besides, there aren’t many people around here with much to be cheerful about lately.” Antoni was dressed in jeans with a thick hoodie and a baseball cap. Though it was another sunny day, there was an autumn chill in the air that had not been there the day before.

“Where are you off to?” Harry said, changing the subject. He gestured to the camera hanging from a strap around Antoni’s neck. He rarely went anywhere without it. “Taking photos today?”

“Maybe. The light is good. I thought I’d walk along the north pier, maybe the beach, and see if I can come up with something interesting. How about you? No charter today?”

“Tomorrow,” Harry explained. “Fishing trip. The boat is already prepared, so I’m free until later. I’m having tea with my parents. If you’re heading along to the pier, do you mind if I tag along? I might grab a bite and a coffee from one of the kiosks.”

“I’d love that.” Antoni checked his watch. “I could do with something myself. I hadn’t realised it’s almost lunchtime.”

The sun was in their eyes as they walked along the harbour side. Harry had tucked his sunglasses into the neck of his shirt earlier. He pulled them out and slipped them on. The good weather had brought some late season day-trippers to the town, though he suspected the sensation caused by the double murder earlier in the week also had something to do with it.

“How are the Jasinski family doing?” he asked.

“Still in shock. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. They are still so busy. The police are asking so many questions and going through Niko’s personal things. And there are a load of people getting in touch and offering help, but really, they are just being nosy. I doubt they’ve had a minute to themselves all week. I’ve kept a distance myself, yesterday and today, but they know where I am if they want my help.”

“You’re a good friend, Antoni. I’m sure they appreciate it. They’ll need people like you once it all this quietens down and those nosy bastards disappear.”

“I’ll be there, though I’m not sure they will ever come to terms with losing Niko. How could anyone?”

“How is Roger doing?” he asked about Antoni’s brother.

“He’s fine…as always. He’s started seeing a girl from Morpeth, so he’s in the early stages of love.” Antoni laughed and rolled his eyes. “He wants to leave early tonight so they can go to the cinema. That’s why I’m looking to take photos now. I need to get back to close the shop and gallery later.”

They reached a line of kiosks at the end of the harbour. In days gone by, it used to be the old fish market. Now it accommodated a bunch of stalls selling seafood, baked goods, hotdogs and burgers…all the usual tourist fayre. Aware that he would be eating with his parents later, Harry wanted something light for his lunch and opted for a tray of fresh oysters from the fish seller.

“What about you?” he asked Antoni. “My treat.”

“Oysters.” He grimaced. “No, thank you. I’ll have a tub of crayfish tails.”

With a smile, Harry placed the order, keeping a keen eye on the man behind the counter to ensure his oysters were freshly shucked, which they were.

“Anything with them?” the man asked. “Onion? Tabasco sauce?”

“Just a wedge of lemon,” he said.

Antoni wanted vinegar on his crayfish.

“Watch out for the seagulls,” the vendor quipped as he handed them over.

Once served, they moved to the side of the quay. All the benches were taken with tourists, so they leaned against the low wall while they ate. Harry squeezed lemon juice over the three oysters on his tray and tipped the first one into his mouth, savouring the delicious salty flavour before swallowing.

“They look disgusting,” Antoni said, eyeing his lunch with disdain.

“But they taste great.”

He screwed up his face. “So you say. I have no intention of finding out.” He mixed the crayfish with the vinegar in his tub before taking the first forkful.

A steady progression of people walked by as they ate. There were more tourists around than Harry had first thought. As it was school-term time, they were mainly older folk, retired types who had the luxury of taking a trip to the coast mid-week, the kind who usually came to Nyemouth for their fish-and-chip lunches and a walk along the beach. They would disappear mid-afternoon, ensuring they were home in good time for tea.

Antoni startled him by suddenly calling out in a loud voice, “Gemma.”

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