Page 47 of Changing Tides
Joey squeezed her knee. “Maybe I will. But at the moment I’m enjoying Mari’s company, and Denny’s, and I like helping her out when I can.”
“Okay.” Kasia put her hand over Joey’s. “But I’m here if you need me.”
“I know.” They restarted the engine. “Thank you.”
They drove on in comfortable silence, but before they reached the beach, two instantly recognizable figures stepped out onto the path in front of them. Kasia laughed. “I wondered why you wanted to swim down here.”
Joey ignored the warm feeling that filled them at the sight of Marianne and Denny. “I swear I didn’t know. Do you want to swim from the harbor instead?”
Marianne was swinging a beach bag from one hand, while she firmly clutched Denny’s smaller one with the other. She turned at the sound of the engine and her face lit in a smile.
“Because turning around now wouldn’t look weird at all.” Kasia waved at Marianne. “Let’s go and join them, and I can practice being child-friendly.”
Marianne greeted Joey with a fierce hug and Kasia with a more restrained one. “Hey, fancy bumping into you two. I hope you weren’t planning a quiet swim.”
“Joey, Joey, Joey. Swimming.” Denny had extracted himself from his mother’s grip and was determinedly trying to drag Joey by their shorts toward the sea.
“Denny, hang on. We’re all going to swim.” Marianne followed behind with Kasia as Joey was propelled toward the water.
They scooped up Denny and held him high, making him squeal with laughter. “Calm down, shrimp. You need your wetsuit on.”
They selected a spot behind the sea wall sheltered from the ever-present wind, and Marianne wrestled Denny into his wetsuit and arm bands. “Sorry, Kasia, you’ve got some competition for Joey’s attention.”
Kasia spread Marianne’s rug on a flat rock. “It’s fine. I’ll let these two wear themselves out, and then I’ll have a nice sedate swim.” She sat down and leaned back, her face bathed by the warm sun.
Joey hoped Kasia didn’t mind spending her free time with her newest employee as they rushed down to the sea with Denny. He splashed about excitedly, but quieted when Joey picked up a shell to show him or pointed out a shoal of tiny fish.
Joey kept one eye on the beach where Kasia and Marianne appeared to be having a relaxed conversation. They were glad Mari was able to chill out while they entertained Denny. After half an hour of splashing about, without the exertion of swimming and wearing just board shorts and a rash vest, Joey shivered.
“Hey, shrimp. How about we go and sit on the beach in the sun for a while? You can build castles.”
“Nooooo.” The word ended in a shriek as his little hand pulled out of theirs and he launched himself back into the shallow water. “Denny swimmin’!”
“Hi, Denny.” Joey turned to see Kasia approaching and threw her a grateful smile. “Would you like to come and look for crabs in the rock pools?”
“Yes. Cwabs.” Denny ran toward her, making pincer movements with his hands.
“Crabs don’t run forward, they go sideways.” Kasia was saying as Joey ran up the beach.
They dropped onto the rug next to Marianne, who lounged on one elbow, gaze following the antics on the beach. Kasia was leading Denny sideways across the sand toward the rocks, both of them imitating crab claws with their hands.
“I think becoming a parent will be good for Kasia.” They leaned back on their elbows to bask in the sun, but also so they could throw a side glance at Marianne in her emerald green tank top. Suncream was slathered over her freckled skin.
“Yeah, it’s a strange mix of having to slow everything right down, but also learning to multitask in a way you never knew was possible.” Mari’s smile was lazy and relaxed, warming Joey more than the sun.
Marianne looked away toward the shining sea. “It’s like paradise here when the weather behaves.”
“I think we appreciate it all the more because it’s not the norm.” In truth, Joey loved Inishderry in all conditions. The soft rainy days; the wildness of the wind. It was perfect whatever the weather. “It would be a very different island if we had this for three months of the year. But I agree, on days like this why would you want to be anywhere else?” They sat up. “But I guess it must feel very isolated and quiet compared to what you’re used to.”
Mari turned back to them, shading her eyes. “And why would that be a bad thing? Your home is the most wonderful place I’ve ever visited, Joey. I love that you don’t take it for granted.”
But only wonderful enough to visit.Joey pushed themself up from the rug. “I’ll rescue Kasia and let her swim.”
Mari jumped up. “No, Denny has had enough free entertainment. I’ll take him home, and you can finally relax.”
She ran down the beach before Joey could object and was soon returning with a squirming child in her arms. His howls echoed across the bay. “Denny find cwabs!”
“I know you did, sweetpea. You’re a clever boy. But it’s time to go home. We’ll come back soon. Say goodbye to Joey.”
