Page 49 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“Can I buy us lunch in Bamburgh?” Devan asked.
“Not hungry.”
“I am.”But I want to kiss a smile onto your face more than I need food.
“I’d rather go back to Seahouses and find a fish and chip shop.”
“Bamburgh’s nearer. We’ve walked this far, and I’d like to take a closer look.” Devan grabbed Jonty’s hand, held tight, and tugged him around to face him. “And I’m not going to be thwarted by a dog. I couldn’t live with the shame.”
His reward for that comment was Jonty’s wide smile and everything was right again.
“You’ve got some competition,” Jonty said. “Jester was a good kisser. Little bit too much tongue, but lots of enthusiasm. I love enthusiasm.”
Devan laughed. “I have something to aim for then, to kiss better than a dog.”
“A little less slobber would be appreciated.”
“I’ll make a note.”
“Though the wet wipe was a lovely touch.” Jonty looked down at their linked hands. “You can let go if you want. I’m not going to run off.”
Devan stroked Jonty’s palm with his thumb and felt him tremble, heard the catch in his breath. “Are you cold? You want my jacket?”
“I’m not cold,” Jonty whispered. “It’s just…no one’s ever held my hand before. I don’t even remember my mum doing it. My dad definitely didn’t, not unless he was yanking me somewhere private to hit me.”
Devan’s heart cracked. “Can we find a quiet spot and I’ll try to do better than Jester?”
“You mean you want me to trek all the way up that duneagain?” Jonty widened then narrowed his eyes. “Maybe you could carry me. Think of the great exercise that would be.”
“Think of the strained back I’d get.”
“But I’m light as a feather. Oh, I ate that Flake. No, I’m not light as a feather.”
“Last one up buys lunch.” Devan had already started to climb when he heard Jonty coming behind him, cursing and spluttering.
No way was Devan going to let Jonty pay for lunch, but he needed to make losing look authentic. As it was, the climb nearly killed him, the loose sand shifting beneath his feet. By the time he got to the top, he was exhausted. Jonty had just beaten him.
“If I have…that idea again…talk me out of it.” Devan slumped on the sand.Christ!
Jonty dropped down at his side breathing heavily and they stared out to sea.
“This is…so beautiful.” Devan was becoming more and more enamoured of the Northumberland coast. Not only the coast.
“Yep.”
“Can you ride horses on this beach?”
Jonty nodded. “There’s a place to hire them… If you’re experienced, the people who own the stables will even let you canter and gallop.”
“Have you done it?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe I can fit it in before I go back.” His breathing finally eased. “It’s so peaceful here. No rush. No pressure. Does it get busy in the summer?”
“Not really.”
“If it was warmer, this beach would be packed.”
