Page 23 of Ride the Wave

‘He doesn’t like me because of my job,’ I sigh, throwing my hand up in exasperation. ‘In his head, I represent the entire British press.’

She watches me curiously as I drink my wine. ‘I said he was upset with you; I didn’t say he doesn’tlikeyou.’

‘It’s okay, Marina, my feelings aren’t hurt,’ I assure her. ‘I’m used to it. It comes hand in hand with this kind of work. Certain journalists give the rest a bad name; my best friend is with a tennis pro and he has told meexactlywhat he thinks about reporters. Obviously, I’m an exception.’

‘Obviously.’

‘If Leo would give me a chance then maybe he’d agree. I’m on his side. This article is about his big comeback and how exciting that is. I’m not here to make him look bad. I’m here to… I don’t know…’ I throw my hands up in the air ‘…be inspired?’

She nods pensively.

‘Sorry,’ I mutter, taking another sip of my drink. ‘I don’t mean to rant.’

‘It’s okay,’ she assures me. ‘I know what he’s like. He’s stubborn.’

Glancing over her shoulder to check she’s not needed, she quickly pulls out the chair next to mine and perches on the edge of it.

‘He is also scared,’ she says simply, her seriousness prompting me to lower my glass to show I’m listening properly. ‘People like Leo don’t like to let others in. He’s mistrusting at first, guarded – but once you get to know him, he’s sweet and easy-going. He knows his mum wants this and I think he does want to help. But now you’re here and maybe… maybe you surprised him.’

‘You think I came in too strong?’

‘No. What I mean is, it’s obvious you can’t be fooled.’

I sit back in my chair. ‘What was he expecting? A journalist who would accept a couple of soundbites and hop on a plane back to London?’

She shrugs. ‘Maybe. He hadn’t even told me about the interview. I think he was trying to convince himself it wasn’t a big deal.’

‘Then I show up and freak him out completely. Okay, so what do I do?’ I ask, frowning at her. ‘How do I get him to trust me?’

‘That I can’t help with, mainly because I have no idea whether hecantrust you myself. We only just met.’ She smiles mischievously at me, jumping to her feet and tucking her chair in. ‘But I can help in giving us the opportunity to get to know you. My girlfriend’s birthday is this weekend and I’m throwing a party here Saturday. You want to come? It would be nice to have some new blood.’

‘Really? Yeah! I’d love to,’ I say warmly. ‘Thanks.’

‘Leo will be there,’ she assures me. ‘He’s said he’ll show up at some point.’

‘From my experience, I’m not sure that means much,’ I warn, gesturing to the empty chair on the other side of the table.

She waggles her finger at me. ‘See? You’re wrong there. If Leo says he’ll show up, he’ll show up.’

‘Not today.’

‘When it matters.’

‘Marina,’ I sigh, leaning forward on the table and looking up at her, ‘that’s the Leo I’m desperate to meet.That’sthe one I want to write about. I’m writing this feature whether he talks to me or not, and right now, the Leo Silva that’s going to appear in it isn’t that great.’

‘I’m not going to persuade him to talk to you, Iris,’ she says sternly. ‘All I want to do is make your stay a little more comfortable.’

‘Well, you’re definitely succeeding there,’ I tell her gratefully, tipping my glass at her. ‘And I get that you can’t help me with him. It’s frustrating, that’s all. I want to do him justice. I don’t believe that he’s a lone wolf, or whatever he was going on about yesterday.’

She looks confused. ‘Lone wolf?’

‘Apparently, surfers don’t need anyone but themselves,’ I mutter. ‘He’s out there alone and that’s it. But I’ve followed sport all my life, and I know that that’s not how it goes. Nobody gets that far alone, not really.’

Marina watches as I knock back the last of my drink and then she takes a deep breath.

‘Have you been to the surf shop yet?’ she asks.

‘No, not yet.’

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