Page 10 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
Scarlett’s stomach growled loudly as if to remind her that adventures required fuel. Reluctantly, she shoved aside the snuggly covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Padding across to the kitchenette, she crossed her fingers that she’d find something for breakfast in one of the cupboards.
After the excitement of getting the shower working the previous night, she’d fallen into bed without bothering to make herself a cuppa—so this was unexplored territory.
Opening the tiny cupboard above the sink, Scarlett found a small selection of cereal boxes. Things were looking up… until she opened the equally tiny fridge, only to discover that the promised bottle of fresh milk was missing in action. There was half a pat of slightly crumby butter—but a quick search of the bread bin revealed it was completely empty. A solitary apple sat in a wooden bowl in one corner, but its skin was wrinkled and starting to brown.
‘Dry cereal… no coffee… and a slightly mouldy apple?!’ Scarlett wrinkled her nose and then let out a chuckle. ‘Mmm, yummy!’
Her stomach might be rumbling, but she wasn’tthatdesperate! She’d grab a quick shower, throw her swimming things into a bag, and head off on a foraging mission.
Wasn’t there supposed to be a café nearby?
Worst-case scenario, she could always pop into Beachcomber Gifts and see if she could scrounge some milk from them.
Snagging her towel, Scarlett headed for the little shower and breathed a sigh of relief when the water started to warm up ten seconds after she’d set it going. At least she wasn’t going to have to beg a certain handsome van-dweller to come to her rescue again! That said, if push came to shove, she could always ask Pete to point her in the direction of the nearest corner shop for some basic supplies.
The thought of seeing him again made Scarlett grin. Sure, he’d glared at her more than he’d spoken to her last night… but hehadbeen stupidly gorgeous… if a little bit crumpled.
After getting showered, dried and dressed in record time, Scarlett pinged a text to Lou. She might have promised to meet her friend and the rest of the Chilly Dippers on the beach in time for the swim, but it had just occurred to her that she didn’t have a clue what time things were meant to kick off.
‘Good grief!’ she huffed.
This really wasn’t going well, was it? It was definitely time to go and hunt for someone who knew what was happening… and if pastries and coffee joined in the fun somewhere along the way, all the better!
Gathering her swimming costume, towel, goggles and swim cap, she threw everything into a canvas beach bag… just in case she didn’t have time to come back to the hut before The Big Dip kicked off in earnest.
With one last look around to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything important, Scarlett stepped outside. The sight that greeted her took her breath away. The shepherd’s hut might be tucked between the dunes, but from here on the porch, she had a perfect view of the beach.
Unlike Seabury, with its two distinct coves separated by a rocky headland called the King’s Nose, Crumbleton Sands boasted one long, uninterrupted stretch of golden beach. Right now, the tide was on its way in, but the beach still seemed to go on forever, dotted here and there with people walking their dogs.
The sea itself was a dazzling blue, sparkling in the morning sunlight. It looked inviting despite the fact that Scarlett knew it would be freezing. June in England was hardly tropical, no matter how bright the sun might be. A little shiver ran down her spine… she’d be in those waves soon!
‘Man up!’ she muttered. She was determined not to start freaking out about it again. Instead, she turned her attention back to the view, taking several long breaths as she drank it all in. ‘What a gorgeous place to live.’
It was certainly different to what she was used to. Scarlett lived in a small flat in Bath where the only view was of the neighbour’s brick wall and a sliver of sky if she craned her neck at just the right angle. Sure, the city had its beauty spots, but it was nothing like this. The idea of waking up to this view every day was almost unimaginable.
How could anyone be grumpy here?
The thought made her chuckle. Pete had managed it pretty well last night. Then again, ithadbeen pretty late… and shehadprobably dragged him out of bed!
Scarlett shook her head. The idea of Pete in bed had just sent her pulse racing… and another shiver ran up and down her spine. This one had nothing to do with cold water swimming, though!
‘Breakfast!’ she muttered, trotting down the steps and onto the boardwalk.
Scarlett had only gone a couple of paces when she came to an abrupt halt. She’d almost tripped over something right in the middle of the path—a large grey pebble with a piece of paper trapped beneath it.
‘What on earth?’ she said, her eyes wide as she bent to inspect it. Her name had been chalked on the top of the pebble, along with a crooked… mermaid? Was that squiggle meant to be a mermaid?
Curiously, she took the note from beneath the stone and unfolded it. It had been torn from a diary that was four years out of date. Loopy handwriting scrawled across it in meandering waves, completely ignoring the printed lines.
Morning Scarlett – Pete here! Sorry about not leaving you much for breakfast… and for forgetting the milk. If you’re hungry or thirsty, follow the breadcrumbs…
Scarlett smiled, absurdly pleased that he’d thought about her breakfast predicament. She glanced around and spotted another pebble a bit further along the boardwalk, and beyond that, another one. In fact, it looked like there was a whole trail of them leading away from the hut. She could see them dotting the path all the way past Pete’s van to the curve where the boardwalk disappeared out of sight.
Intrigued, she hurried to the second stone. This one had her name on it, too. She grabbed the piece of paper.
Follow the stones, and I’ll show you the way to the Limpet Café!
The third pebble’s note was even more informative.
