Page 24 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
CHAPTER9
PETE
Pete’s fingers and toes had turned into wrinkled prunes by the time he finally waded out of the water. He’d stayed in far longer than was strictly necessary, watching as the last of the swimmers made their way back to shore. Some of them moved with the exaggerated swagger of those trying not to show how cold they were, while others openly shivered and made a beeline for their towels.
Pete breathed a sigh of relief. The first event had gone well—better than well, actually. There had been no major incidents, just the usual handful of people underestimating the cold or overestimating their swimming abilities. And Scarlett, of course, with her seaweed-or-fish encounter, but even that had been easily managed.
Scanning the beach, Pete squeezed water from his hair as he searched for any sign of her. He’d watched to make sure she got out of the water safely at the end of the swim, but now he couldn’t spot her among the huddled masses wrapped in towels and jumpers.
‘Pete! Over here!’
He turned to see Mick approaching, already changed back into dry clothes and looking none the worse for his time in the water. The older man held out a towel, which Pete accepted gratefully.
‘Good session,’ Mick said, nodding towards the sea. ‘No disasters this year.’
‘Don’t jinx it,’ Pete warned, rubbing the towel vigorously over his hair. ‘We’ve still got tomorrow’s fancy dress swim to get through.’
Mick laughed, the sound carrying across the beach. ‘True enough. Though I reckon most people will be too busy trying to keep their costumes from disintegrating to get into any real trouble.’
‘Like that mermaid tail of yours?’ Pete couldn’t resist reminding him.
‘That was a work of art,’ Mick protested. ‘Not my fault it wasn’t designed for actual swimming.’
‘Mate, it split right up the middle as soon as you hit the water. The entire beach got a view of your?—’
‘Yes, yes, ancient history,’ Mick interrupted hastily. ‘Anyway, I’m heading up to the café for a hot drink. You coming?’
Pete shook his head. ‘I just want to check in with the rest of the team first to make sure everything’s squared away. I’ll be up afterwards, though.’
‘Just don’t forget to get warm and dry yourself!’ said Mick before wandering off.
Pete continued his survey of the beach as he headed towards Dylan, who was still dutifully manning the first aid tent.
‘All good?’ he said, ducking under the gazebo and grabbing his fleece from the back of one of the camp chairs. He pulled it on over his wetsuit with a sigh of relief.
‘Yep, nothing much to report,’ said Dylan with a shrug. ‘I had to clean up a coral cut, get a lost kid back to his mum, and let someone sit down with a bottle of water because they’d had a bit too much sun. But that’s all.’
‘Excellent,’ said Pete, with a satisfied nod.
‘Yep,’ said Dylan. ‘I figure, when you’re doing first aid, you actuallywantit to be quiet and a bit boring.’
‘Exactly,’ laughed Pete. ‘Don’t worry, though, I’ll make sure you’re in the water tomorrow.’
‘That’d be brilliant,’ said Dylan, his face lighting up. ‘Thanks, Pete.’
‘Not sure you’ll be thanking me afterwards,’ he chuckled. ‘Right, I reckon you can stand down now.’
‘Not until you promise me to go and get dry and warmed up yourself,’ said Dylan. ‘You’re looking a bit cold.’
‘I will the minute I’ve checked in with the others,’ said Pete.
‘No need,’ said Dylan. ‘Everyone apart from Mick has stopped by already, and they’ve all gone up to the café.’
‘I’ve just seen Mick, and he’s heading up there too… so that’s us done for the day,’ said Pete. ‘I’ll just give you a hand to clear this lot up and take the tent down, then?—’
‘Oh no, you don’t!’ chuckled Dylan. ‘You’re going to go and get that wetsuit off, and then you’re going to grab yourself a hot drink.’
‘Oh, I am, am I?’ Pete laughed in surprise.
