Page 31 of Hold On

“God no. My mother offered. We’d not reached the end of the road before she told me to stop and turn off the engine. We changed seats, she drove back and signed me up for lessons. I did pass first go, but when I’m driving her anywhere, she still grips the sides of the seat and presses her foot down on an invisible brake.”

“How many goes did it take you to pass, Col?” Theo asked.

“One.”

“Oh,” Theo mumbled. “Wow, the sea looks lovely.”

Everyone laughed, including Dominic.

“Shall we guess?” Col asked.

“No. It’s more than five but less than ten.”

“Are you sure you’re the right person to teach Dominic?” Col asked.

“Obviously, yes! I’ve taken the test more than you lot so I’m an expert.”

“In not passing it.” Col chuckled.

“But I did pass eventually. Is the tide going in or out?”

Cue more laughter.

“Nine?” Col asked.

“Bastard,” Theo whispered. “How come you went for the highest number first?”

“Is it nine?”

“Yes. But the point is I’m a good driver now, aren’t I?”

“You are,” Col said. “An excellent driver.”

Dominic tipped his face to the sun. He’d have to be careful not to burn. Though he was as yet undecided as to whether to take off his T-shirt.

When they finally reached the sand, the beach was deserted. Dominic’s heart pounded, and the wide-open vista stole his breath. The sky looked huge and ahead of him lay a sweep of golden sand and a sparkling sea.Remember to breathe.

“Wow.” Ren’s voice at his ear made him jump.

“Good beach, right?” Theo was still trundling away from them along the sand with the cart.

“How far are you going to go?” Col called.

“I want to find a spot that’s not busy.”

Ren laughed, and he and Dominic followed.

“Wouldn’t it be good to have a dog to throw a ball to?” Ren asked.

“You want a dog?”

“Eventually, yep. I’ve not had a lifestyle that worked for a dog but maybe one day. What about you?”

“I’ve not really thought about it. We didn’t have one growing up, so…”

Theo finally found a place he was satisfied with and began unloading. Dominic watched in fascination as Theo set everything out. Two large blankets, towels, an umbrella over the food which was still in the cart in a cool box, all the sports equipment on one side of the blankets, the digging stuff on the other.

“Take your T-shirt off, Dominic,” Ren whispered at his ear. “You can’t keep it on all day. They’ll have to see sooner or later.”

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