Page 66 of Summer at Harbour View House
Natasha lifted an eyebrow. ‘Exactly nine pence?’
‘It was ten, but I asked for a discount. You know, the arm.’ Ben grinned again. ‘He gave me ten percent off.’
‘How do you take so much joy out of life?’
Ben shrugged. ‘What is there not to like?’
Natasha looked up at the grey blanket overhead, immovable for the last three days.
‘That it’s supposed to be the summer but it’s hardly ever sunny?’
‘Ah, but the upside of that there isn’t anyone on the beach, so I can put up the red flag and take you for ice-cream over at the café.’
Natasha smiled. ‘Isn’t it a bit cold for ice-cream?’
‘We’ll sit inside. And I have this nice new t-shirt to wear, so I definitely won’t get cold.’
‘I think I’d prefer you bare-chested than wearing that.’ She lifted an eyebrow. ‘Plus, you should probably keep it as a surprise.’
Ben nodded. ‘You’re right. So, ice-cream?’
Natasha patted her stomach. ‘Well, I don’t think I’ll be needing my beach figure any time soon, so why not?’
‘Don’t worry,’ Ben said. ‘Once September comes around and we get some decent rollers coming in, I’ll teach you to surf. The pounds will fly off you.’
‘September?’
He tilted his head. ‘You get weekends, don’t you?’
‘Weekends.’ Natasha smiled, feeling a little tingling sensation in her stomach. ‘Yeah, I do.’
‘Good. So do I. And you know the way down here now, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, I do.’
‘Although there are better beaches a little closer.’ He winked. ‘Especially for a beginner.’
‘What are you trying to say?’
Ben shrugged. ‘Just that I can tell you’re really interested in learning, so it would be best to learn from an expert. That way we can make sure you get your technique right from the start.’
‘Lucky me.’
‘And in the evenings, after a hard day in the surf, we can drink wine and watch some of my DVDs.’
‘You have DVDs?’
Ben laughed. ‘I’m in three, I think. I get about five minutes.’
‘That’s still pretty good.’
He shrugged. ‘Right. Ice-cream?’
‘Let’s go.’
Ben, being all manly and everything, had a triple, a monstrous combination of mint choc-chip, honeycomb, and strawberry, all held together with a flake speared down the middle. Natasha opted for a more sedate vanilla, although she did indulge with a spoonful of clotted cream on the top.
They sat at a table by the window, with a view of the harbour now being lashed with rain.
