Page 22 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
Taking a deep breath, Scarlett ducked down, disappearing under the waves. The cold hit her like a physical force as the water closed over her head, driving the air from her lungs and sending shockwaves through her body.
For one disorienting moment, she couldn’t tell which way was up. Then her feet found the sandy bottom, and she pushed herself back to the surface, breaking through with a gasp that turned into a whoop of pure joy.
‘That’s the spirit!’ called the blue-capped woman, now treading water a few metres further out.
Scarlett grinned, surprised to find herself enjoying the shock of the cold. After the initial impact, it wasn’t so bad. Invigorating, even. She’d never been much of a sea swimmer, preferring the controlled environment of a warm pool, but there was something undeniably exhilarating about being in the open water, feeling the push and pull of the waves.
All around her, people were splashing and laughing, some swimming proper strokes while others were content to bob around in the shallows.
The flags Pete and his team had set up marked a clear boundary, and Scarlett could see the lifeguards positioned strategically around the group, their yellow vests standing out against the sea.
Despite the joyful chaos surrounding her, Scarlett found her eyes drawn back to Pete. He was all business now, his gaze constantly scanning the water, alert for any signs of trouble.
There was something undeniably attractive about his quiet focus. It was a far cry from the slightly grumpy, crumpled man who’d opened the van door to her last night.
‘Earth to Scarlett!’ Lou’s voice broke through her thoughts. Her friend had swum up beside her, water streaming from her cap. ‘Having fun?’
‘Actually, yes,’ Scarlett admitted, surprised to find it was true. ‘Once you get past the initial shock, it’s quite nice.’
‘Told you,’ said Lou, smugly. ‘Us Chilly Dippers know what we’re talking about. Though I suspect the scenery might be contributing to your enjoyment?’ She nodded meaningfully in Pete’s direction.
Scarlett rolled her eyes but didn’t bother denying it.
‘Well, I can’t say I blame you,’ said Lou. ‘He isveryeasy on the eyes.’
Scarlett splashed water at her friend, who dodged with practised ease.
‘Don’t you have someone else to annoy?’ laughed Scarlett.
‘Probably,’ Lou conceded cheerfully. ‘But my focus is firmly on you while I’ve got the pleasure of your company! Come on, let’s swim out a bit further.’
Scarlett hesitated, suddenly aware of how far out of her comfort zone she already was. Bath was a fair few miles from the sea, and her swimming was limited to a few occasional lengths of the pool at the local leisure centre. The idea of heading into deeper water, where her feet wouldn’t touch the bottom, was mildly terrifying.
Lou gave her an encouraging smile. ‘I’ll be right beside you the whole time. And we’ve got Mr Cutie-Bum watching over us anyway.’
Scarlett glanced over at Pete again, who happened to be looking in their direction. Their eyes met briefly, and he gave her a little wave. If it was meant to be reassuring, it had the opposite effect, kicking up a flock of butterflies in her stomach.
‘Okay,’ she said, surprising herself. ‘But not too far out.’
They swam further away from the shore, staying within the flagged area but venturing just deep enough that Scarlett had to tread water rather than stand. Lou was a strong swimmer, cutting through the water with confident strokes, but to start with, she kept pace with Scarlett, never straying more than an arm’s length away.
The water felt different out here—more powerful, more alive. Scarlett could feel the subtle pull of currents beneath the surface, the rise and fall of swells that hadn’t yet broken into waves. It was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.
‘This is amazing!’ she called to Lou, who beamed back at her.
‘See? Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is exactly what you need,’ said Lou, flipping over and executing a perfect backstroke that Scarlett could only envy. Her friend’s strong arms cut through the water, propelling her away at speed.
Scarlett was about to give chase when she felt something brush against her leg—something soft and slippery. She let out a startled yelp, instinctively jerking away and losing her rhythm in the water. For one heart-stopping moment, she felt herself slipping under the surface, water closing over her head.
Panic seized her as her mouth filled with salty water that instantly burned her throat. She flailed wildly, arms and legs thrashing. Her lungs began to burn, and this time, she really couldn’t tell which way was up.
Just as her lungs felt like they were going to implode, strong hands wrapped around her arms, and she was being pulled upwards. Scarlett’s head broke the surface, and she gasped in precious air, coughing as water streamed from her nose and mouth.
‘I’ve got you,’ said a calm, steady voice in her ear. ‘You’re okay. Just breathe.’
Pete. Of course it was Pete.
Scarlett clung to him, her heart hammering, embarrassment warring with residual panic as she gulped in breath after breath.
