Page 83 of The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday
‘Because you’re worried that I’m inexperienced and I’ll throw myself overboard?’
‘Exactly,’ he said. ‘And also, it’s quite a nice place to stand.’
She didn’t disagree with that. She loved the way his body sheltered her from the wind, the way his arm brushed her side. They felt close again, even though their lifejackets were air bubbles between them.
‘Are you guys focusing on the fish, or what?’ Stan called.
‘Or what,’ Ben whispered into Thea’s ear, then said loudly to Stan, covering her giggle, ‘one hundred per cent on the fish.’
‘I believe you,’ Stan said in a way that made it perfectly clear he didn’t.
Thea reeled the line in, gasping in delight as it revealed not one, not two, but three shimmery mackerel. Ben helped her pull them over the side of the boat, and Stan unhooked them.
‘Big enough for your barbecue, Benny Boy?’ he asked.
Thea looked at the wriggling, writhing fish, and felt Ben’s fingers drift down her arm. ‘We don’t have to keep them,’ he said. ‘I’ll go to the market.’
‘I just … I don’t—’
‘Let’s throw them back,’ Ben said. ‘Thanks, Stan.’
‘You’re the boss.’ Stan threw the fish over the side, and with a flash of silver they were through the blue glitter of the surface, swimming down into the depths.
‘Thank you,’ Thea said quietly. ‘I know it’s hypocritical. I like eating fish, but—’
‘I get it,’ Ben said. ‘Really.’ He gently lifted the peak of her cap, and the sea breeze slipped in to caress her hot cheeks. ‘It’s very different, seeing it like this.’
‘It’s been a beautiful trip, though,’ she said. It would have been peaceful, romantic, even, if it weren’t for Stan’s constant commentary and the sound of Alex retching over the side.
Ben grinned, and she realised how much she’d missed it: the change in his face when his smile took over. ‘Maybe I should charter a boat for the two of us?’
‘Really?’ Did she have time? Could she escape Alex and Esme for half a day? She knew it was an uncharitablethought, that she should be doing everything she could to make their few days here perfect, but it was clear Alex wouldn’t want another boat trip, and he could do something with Esme while she spent time with Ben.
‘Let me have a word with Stan when we’re back in the harbour,’ Ben said. ‘Speaking of which …’ He glanced over Thea’s head, his brows creasing. ‘We should get back. Alex must be feeling pretty rough.’
‘I know.’ Thea sighed. ‘I’m really sorry.’
Ben dismissed her apology and went to talk to Stan, while Thea trod carefully across the deck to where Alex was slumped. ‘We’re going home now,’ she said.
He turned to her, his blue eyes watering. ‘You’re sure you don’t mind?’
‘It’s for the best,’ Esme said. She was holding Alex’s hand, a water bottle between her knees, poised to give it to him when he asked for it.
‘This wasn’t supposed to be a horror trip,’ Thea added. ‘It was meant to be fun.’
‘I expect me hauling my guts up hasn’t been the best soundtrack,’ Alex replied, then shut his eyes as the boat bobbed jauntily.
‘I meant foryou,’ she said. ‘We’re going to get you back on dry land and get some fluids into you. Give you a chance to rest.’
‘That would be great,’ Alex said. For a moment his bleak expression brightened, but then, as the engine began to chug, he turned back to the side and retched again. Esme rubbed his back and Thea winced sympathetically, then decided he wouldn’t appreciate being crowded, not when Esme was already looking after him.
Ben was sitting on one of the small plastic seats on deck, looking far too big for it, his tanned legs stretched out in the sunshine. Thea sat next to him, deliberately pressing her knee against his. It was a small boat, and the engine was loud, but she still felt wary about saying anything too personal.
‘Do you feel prepared for Friday?’ she asked.
‘As I’ll ever be. I’m nervous, but I don’t want to pass up the opportunity of getting to cook with Marcus.’
‘I can’t wait to come and watch you – and taste your food, of course. I know it’s going to be amazing.’
