Page 34 of Riding the Waves

“Sorry I’m late,” she said to Damian. “I got caught up. Did you see my message?”

“Yes. It’s no problem.” He smiled a greeting and swigged at the can of Sprite in his hand.

“It’s been a while,” Hugh said, standing to hug her. “You haven’t aged, which seems unfair.” With a grimace, he ran his finger through the dark hair at his temples which was peppered with grey. “I suppose I’ve got a few years on you though.”

“You look great,” Amy replied, thinking he was one of those guys who grew into their looks. “It’s really good to see you.” It was true as well – he’d instantly erased any concerns she’d had.

“How’s your summer going?” Hugh asked as they sat around the patio table.

“Boys!” Damian shouted down the garden to where Billy and Marty were having a whale of a time with a hosepipe and a slide leading into a paddling pool. “Come and say hi to your mum.”

“Hi, Mum!” they shouted in unison, only giving her a cursory glance before going back to their fun.

“Leave them to it,” she told Damian, before opening her mouth to answer Hugh’s question.

“We already ate,” Damian said, hovering over her. “The kids were starving. I saved a couple of burgers for you, if you want?”

“That would be great.” Again, she went to speak to Hugh, but Damian turned back halfway to the kitchen.

“What do you want to drink?” he asked.

“Water’s fine, thanks.” She smiled at how flustered he looked.

“Sorry.” He scratched at his jaw. “You can chat to Hugh now.”

“Thanks.” She chuckled and launched into telling Hugh all about her time with Lizzie, Emily and Scarlett. While she ate, Damian asked her questions about the job, and she found herself hardly able to stop talking. She only really paused when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

At the sight of Anthony’s name flashing on the screen, she felt instantly uneasy. He’d messaged that morning, wanting to arrange a time to talk to the boys, but she’d completely forgotten to reply. She wasn’t sure how to go about navigating a call between him and the kids while they were at Damian’s place. Even if she could get the boys to concentrate, it would feel awkward around Damian. Sending the call to voicemail, she sent him a message saying they were in the middle of dinner with friends but she’d try calling him later.

“Look what I found,” Emmy said, breaking her thoughts as she sat beside her and deposited a handful of daisies onto the table.

The distraction was welcome, and the action of threading the flowers into chains felt therapeutic while she continued to chat with Hugh and Damian, then switched to asking Emmy about school and her hobbies.

“She mostly likes to read,” Hugh said, tipping his head to a book on the table next to Emmy’s arm.

“I love that cover.” Amy smiled as she reached for it, amused at how she looked at books in a whole new light now. “I didn’t think I liked fantasy books, but I’ve read two this week and loved them. One of them was Scarlett’s.”

“I love her books,” Emmy said. “I read the first two, but she says I’m too young for the third book. Actually, she just didn’t know if it was okay for me to read it or not. Dad was going to read it and check, but he still hasn’t.”

“I don’t get a lot of time for reading,” Hugh said. “But I assume if Scarlett thinks it might not be appropriate for you, it probably isn’t.”

“You could always ask Lizzie or Emily,” Amy suggested. “But I don’t think it will take me long to get to book three, so I can also give you my opinion when I’ve read it.”

“Just tell Dad it’s fine, please.” Emmy grinned as she deposited a ring of daisies on Hugh’s head. “I really want to read it. I need to know if Alissa and Matteo get together. I’m guessing they do, and that’s why Scarlett thinks it’s unsuitable. I can’t imagine it gets any more violent or anything.”

“Book one was already pretty gruesome in parts.” Amy tied off her ring of flowers and held it out to Emmy. “Would you like a necklace?”

“Damian needs it,” she replied immediately. “It’ll make him pretty.”

“I’m not sure I like what you’re implying there.” Reluctantly, Damian leaned forward and bowed his head for Amy to loop the daisies over his neck. Her fingers brushed his ear, and her mouth felt suddenly dry as his eyes locked with hers.

“There you go,” she said, trying to keep her breathing even. “All pretty now.” She cringed at the words and was relieved that Marty chose that moment to run over and climb onto her lap. His swim shorts were sopping wet, so she removed him again immediately and pulled the towel from the back of Damian’s chair to wrap around him.

“I think you boys might need a shower before bed,” Damian suggested, wrapping a shivering Billy in a towel and pulling him onto his lap.

Hugh raised his arms above his head, his back cracking as he stretched. “We’ll head off and leave you to get the boys settled.”

“No rush,” Damian said. “Stay for another drink.”

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