Page 33 of Rescuing Rosie
Madison took an enormous pair of sunglasses from her backpack, slipped them on and stared out of the opposite window. ‘Case in point,’ she muttered.
Ashley opened the van’s back door, passing a bag of gear to Dale. ‘With love from Veronica,’ he said.
‘Morning, ladies,’ Dale said, dipping his head in and winking at Rosie. ‘Nice day for it.’
‘Amazing weather – I can hardly believe this is the same place as yesterday!’ she said.
‘Could you two step into the shop while I change?’ said Dale. ‘Ant’s fussing, as per.’ He rolled his lovely eyes.
Madison glanced at Rosie. ‘You go,’ she said, curtly.
Dale shrugged, and smiled at Rosie. ‘Okay – out you hop.’ He held out a hand and squeezed hers as she stepped onto the pavement. ‘They’ve got this so wrong,’ he said in a low voice. ‘It’syouwho should be modelling.’
She bit her lip and smiled back, then looked down as Wainwright appeared in front of her, wagging his tail. ‘Oh, hello boy!’ she said, bending down to pat him. ‘I wish you were coming with us today.’
‘He’d love to,’ said Ant, appearing in the doorway. ‘But we have a different fell to tick off his list today.’ He was already kitted out, all in black again. Like the Grim Reaper.
Rosie’s cheeks burned as she remembered Ant spotting her on the terrace last night. Wanting to steer his thoughts away from that, she said, ‘Hey, Ashley’s going to take me up Hell … Hell Crag?’ She pulled a face. ‘What’s it called again?’
‘Ashley’s taking you up Helm Crag?’ he said, looking astonished. ‘Is that a good idea?’ His eyes swept down her clothes.
Everythingthis man did – every look, word, gesture – felt like a judgement.
‘Ant,’ she said, her hackles rising. ‘Just because my clothes are pink, that doesn’t mean they’re unsuitable. Or that I’ll be shit at walking.’
‘No, I didn’t mean …’ He looked awkward, which was satisfying. ‘Have you got waterproofs?’
‘We’re not climbing ittoday– we’re going on Tuesday,’ she said. ‘I’m staying up here next week. Today will be like a try-out for me, to see if I’m up to serious fell-walking.’
‘But–’
‘He says we’ll take the beginners’ route. And no, I don’t have waterproofstodaybecause –’ she waved her hand at the sky ‘– it’s not going to change in the next hour and half, right? And even if it does, it’s not–’
‘Come with me,’ Ant interrupted, his tone exasperated.
Sighing, Rosie followed him into the shop and over to a rack of accessories. He unhooked a small square pouch, unzipped it, and in a flash turned it into a rain poncho with a generous hood.
‘You’re a magician!’ said Rosie, forgetting to be annoyed. ‘That’s extremely cool.’
He stuffed it back in its hood-pouch, unhooked another and passed them to her. ‘For you and Madison. Put them in your backpack,’ he said. ‘You’ve got plenty of water?’
‘I have water, yes.’
‘What have you got to eat?’
‘One of Grasmere Heights’ famous packed lunches, I’m hoping.’
‘Hoping?’
‘I haven’t actually asked Ashley.’
He pursed his lips, headed to a dump bin near the till, and scooped up a handful of energy bars. ‘For the crew,’ he said.
‘Hey – thanks,’ she said, stuffing them in the puffer’s generous pockets.
‘Have you got a stick?’ he asked.
‘I’m not a dog.’
