Long Time No Sea, page 20
Even hearing him say this to a five-year-old makes me a little bit sad somewhere in the back of my brain, which is just so silly.
The kid runs off, leaving the two of us to our stint as lifeguards, while our two colleagues dressed as fish lead a water dance class. They’re more like professional… somethings, whereas Cam and I are more like clowns, but I swear the kids have more fun with us chasing them around the water, screaming with a mixture of fear and delight, than they do dancing to corny kids’ music.
Cam and I have been working here together all summer. It’s not exactly theatre, wearing a shark fin while you essentially babysit kids, but we’re enjoying it.
The indoor kids’ pool is a brightly lit, lagoon-shaped pool with a tropical theme. The walls are lined with large windows that let in natural light, making the space feel airy and open. All of the trees are fake, of course, but it still gives the place a sort of summer holiday vibe. The pool has a large slide and so many inflatables it can sometimes be hard to spot the kids between them, but we do a good job taking care of them, and we haven’t had any accidents yet, even if we do have a regular six-year-old called Daniel who always forgets he can’t swim and keeps jumping in the deep end, only for us to have to help him out, time after time. I’m not even sure that Daniel can’t swim, I think he can, but somewhere between feeling brave enough to charge towards the edge of the pool and jump in, and splashing around in the water calling out for help, he just loses his nerve. You can’t fault his initial confidence and bravery, though.
‘You seem really happy,’ Cam tells me with a smile. ‘It’s nice to see.’
‘I feel happy,’ I confess. ‘Which is funny, given how nervous I am about my exam results.’
‘Have you heard DJ is throwing a results day party at his house?’ Cam says. ‘While his parents are away.’
‘I have,’ I reply. ‘That’s a cool house, for parties.’
DJ lives on the outskirts of the village, in a house surrounded by woodland. Well, I say in a house, he lives in a sort of granny flat, in a separate building, above the garage and his dad’s workshop. You would think this would make it easy for him to sneak Maxi in but his dad works all sorts of hours, sculpting things out of wood, and he’s the naturally suspicious type so he keeps a close eye on his only son. DJ’s parents are really religious, and really strict, so even though he’s eighteen, he still has to pretend he doesn’t drink and stuff like that, he says it’s not worth the lecture. However, now that DJ is going off to uni, they’ve decided to invest in one of those caravans at a holiday park. It’s not too far from here, but I suppose it’s a nice change of scenery for them, something to distract them from their soon-to-be-empty nest. Anyway, apparently they’re spending their first night there on results day, going later in the day after taking DJ out for a celebratory lunch, so DJ is shooting his shot, and throwing a house party. He says it’s to celebrate all of us getting our results but Maxi has pretty much told me this whole thing is just so the two of them have an opportunity to sleep together – but I suppose isn’t that why every teenage boy throws a party?
‘Do you think Mikey will be there?’ I ask him. ‘I haven’t spoken to him since…’
‘I’m sure he will,’ Cam says. ‘Don’t take it personally, that you haven’t heard much from him, no one has. He’s working for his dad over the summer, it sounds like it’s keeping him pretty busy.’
I nod. ‘I know I did the right thing, breaking up with him, I just wish we could go back to being friends,’ I reply.
‘The party will be a good place to start,’ he reassures me. ‘I think his pride is hurt but he’ll get over it.’
‘I really hope so,’ I say. ‘I know we’re all busy working summer jobs, but I hate that we don’t all hang out like we used to. We’re not seeing each other as often, or people will be missing – it’s strange.’
‘It is, but I guess this is what growing up is like,’ he replies. ‘Leaving school, leaving all your friends behind. We’re lucky we’re all going to the same uni.’
‘Yeah, I love that we’re refusing to grow up properly,’ I add with a laugh. ‘But it will be weird, all being on different courses. Apart from us, obviously.’
‘Yeah, although I’m kind of looking forward to spending more time, just the two of us,’ Cam says, keeping his eyes on the pool.
I glance at him, trying to read his mind. We’ve been getting on so well this summer, having a laugh – flirting, even. I don’t know why neither of us can just come out with it.
Daniel goes charging past us, making his way to the pool before belly-flopping into the water. He goes under before quickly popping back up. We wait to see if today is the day he’s going to swim and for a second it seems like he might, but then he starts flapping his arms, calling out for help.
‘I’ll get this one,’ Cam says, jumping into the water to help Daniel out.
I sigh, but then I smile. With determination and bravery like that, he’ll get it one day. Perhaps that’s what I need, I need to be more like Daniel. I need to be confident, determined, and brave if I’m going to get what I want. I can’t spend my life in the shallow end hoping things will change, just because I want them to.
After returning Daniel to his mum – who is always far too engrossed in a novel to realise what is going on – a soaking wet Cam sits down next to me again. He runs a hand through his hair, to get rid of the excess moisture, and then grabs a towel to dry his face.
Come on, Jasmine, be more like Daniel. You can do this.
‘Taking the plunge is actually the hardest part,’ Cam says as he dries off.
‘What?’ I blurt quickly. How does he know what I’m thinking? God, tell me he can’t read my mind. I know he can’t, of course I do, but I still blush at the idea.
‘Daniel,’ he says, so I know what he’s talking about. ‘Running up and jumping in is the hardest part.’
I know just how he feels. But I need to do this.
‘Jas?’ Cam says, half-concerned, half-amused. ‘Are you okay? You look like you’re trying to sneeze but you can’t get it out.’
‘I like you,’ I blurt.
I quickly place my hand over my mouth, as though I can’t quite believe that just came out.
Cam smiles.
‘I like you too,’ he replies.
‘No, I, like, like-like you,’ I tell him in an attempt to clarify what I mean, even though that sounds incredibly confusing.
‘I like-like you too,’ he says with a laugh.
‘Really?’ I squeak in disbelief, because I’ve always wanted to hear him say those words, but never really believed it would happen.
‘Of course,’ he says, smiling widely, as though he’s as relieved as I am to finally get it out there.
‘Oi, no heavy petting,’ June, one of the water dance teachers, says as she passes us. ‘And it’s your turn to get back in the pool.’
I puff air from my cheeks.
‘Come on then, let’s go,’ Cam says. ‘Oh, but before I forget, have you heard about that crazy golf place that’s opening?’
‘No,’ I say with a laugh, amazed he’s bringing it up now.
‘It looks awesome,’ he replies. ‘It’s opening in about a month. Do you fancy going with me?’
‘Just me, or me and the gang?’ I can’t help but ask, still worried I’m getting my wires crossed.
‘Just you,’ he says. ‘Just me and you. Like a date.’
Just when I thought I couldn’t smile any wider.
‘I’d love that,’ I tell him as I grab our shark fins from next to us, ready for us to get back in the water.
I’ve taken the plunge. Now all I have to do is swim.
27
NOW
As tragic as it sounds, I feel butterflies in my stomach when I spot Cam in the hotel lobby, waiting for me.
His smile is beaming from ear to ear.
‘Hello,’ he says.
‘Hi,’ I reply, trying to sound a lot cooler than I feel.
‘Are you ready for… this?’ he asks cryptically.
‘Let’s do it,’ I say, allowing myself to show a little bit of excitement – I say allowing myself, I can’t stop it from spilling out of me.
‘Okay but, first of all, let’s grab a bite to eat,’ he suggests. ‘They have a street food area and the scent is pulling me in, like a cartoon character smelling a pie.’
I laugh. ‘I suppose you can keep me in suspense just a little longer, if there is going to be food,’ I say with a smile.
Never mind the food – although obviously I’m really into the eating segment of… whatever this is – but the thought of making it last longer floods every inch of my body with excitement. Forget the journey, forget the baggage – hell, forget the destination. For this part of the holiday, none of it matters. We’re in international waters (jokes aside, we could actually be), the rules are out of the window, I’m focusing on the here and now, even if it’s only for a day.
Cam leads me outside and down a pathway I haven’t been down before until eventually we reach the street food market.
My senses are overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells that surround me as we walk through the busy market. The scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and simmering sauces fills the air, and I can hear vendors calling out to passers-by, enticing them with their wares. I don’t think I’m going to take much persuading.
Cam walks beside me, his eyes wide with wonder as he takes in the scene, his head tilted up slightly, which makes me smile – he really is like a cartoon character following the whiff of a pie. I can feel my stomach grumbling with hunger, and my mouth watering at the delicious smells. I don’t even know where to begin, I just know that I want everything.
As we walk, we come across a vendor selling arancini, and Cam orders a few for us to share.
‘Don’t worry, we can charge it all to the room. I told Maxi I’ll sort it out later,’ he reassures me. ‘But she says this whole trip is on her, even the detour. We’ll see.’
Oh, they’re going to taste even better, if they’re free.
The crispy golden rice balls are stuffed with a warm, savoury tomato sauce and melted cheese. I take a bite, savouring the flavour.
We continue our way through the market, sampling various bites from various vendors. Cam orders another slice of pizza, while I choose a bowl of pasta for my next snack.
‘The pesto in this is incredible,’ I say as I take another bite. ‘I’m not sure I’ve ever had anything like it.’
Cam agrees with a nod, his mouth full of pizza.
‘It’s a thousand times better than what we’re used to back home. I’m not sure I can go back to the pizza at home after this.’
‘And to think, we’ve not even started on the desserts yet,’ I point out. ‘I’ve already scoped out a few flavours of gelato, and a sweet arancini filled with rice pudding and chocolate.’
‘Well, that should probably wait,’ he replies, wiping his hands with a serviette, before putting our rubbish into one of the nearby bins. ‘I’m sure we’ll regret eating too much before we do the thing we’re about to do.’
‘Well, that’s terrifying,’ I point out through a laugh. ‘But so very exciting at the same time. Come on, let’s go.’
‘Follow me,’ Cam says with a nod of his head, his face giving nothing away.
Cam leads me to another part of the resort that I haven’t visited yet – honestly, this place is massive, I’m surprised we didn’t hear it sooner – but as we arrive at our destination, it all becomes clear.
I laugh.
‘Is this a minigolf course?’ I ask. It so very clearly is, but I can’t quite believe it.
‘Well, we always said we would play minigolf together,’ he reminds me – as though I needed the reminder. It hit me like a ton of bricks the second I realised where we were. ‘So when I realised they had a course here, I knew we had to give it a go. Although it’s certainly not like the “under the sea” one we were going to go to when we were kids.’
As I look around, my mouth drops open. I’ve never seen a minigolf course like this one. It has a sort of romantic, if not outright sexy, theme. Some of the obstacles look nothing short of hilarious. I can’t wait to play.
‘I can’t believe you’ve done this,’ I say through a smile.
Cam shrugs causally.
‘A million years ago, I promised you minigolf,’ he says. ‘And you promised me it would be our first date.’
I’m holding my breath. I need to breathe.
I’m amazed that he remembered, that he’s kept it – me – in his thoughts all these years. Of course, I’ve done the same.
‘I remember,’ I tell him. ‘Does that make this a date then?’
‘I upheld my end of the bargain,’ he says with a cheeky smile. ‘You tell me.’
‘Let’s give it a go,’ I reply. ‘See if it’s any good. I’ll decide if it’s a date if I enjoy it.’
‘No pressure then,’ Cam laughs.
We step up to the first hole where a giant heart-shaped structure stands tall in the middle of the green. Cam lines up his shot, takes a swing, and then we both watch as the ball ricochets off the side of the heart and rolls right back towards us, gently hitting my foot.
‘I always have been hopeless in love,’ he jokes.
‘Let’s see if I’m any better,’ I reply.
I line up my shot, hit the ball, and send it exactly where it needs to go. My ball goes straight through the heart. We walk round to look to see that it’s gone straight in.
‘Unbelievable,’ Cam says with a laugh. ‘A shot straight through the heart.’
I curtsy playfully.
As we play on, I am pleasantly surprised to discover that I’m actually quite good at minigolf – well, it feels more like luck than skill, but I’ll take it. Cam’s not bad, he seems like he has actual skill behind him, but I keep getting lucky, doing just a little bit better than him on each hole.
At the heart of the course, hiding away from the view around it, is a hole with an interesting obstacle – a gigantic plastic couple having sex, and the aim of the game is to get the ball in her open mouth. Subtle. So subtle.
I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous it all is.
‘The eye contact is putting me off,’ I joke.
‘Good,’ Cam replies. ‘Perhaps I’ll beat you on this one. I actually learned to play golf a bit, loads of people I meet through work play, it’s one of the few ways serious businessmen know how to relate to one another. I like to think I’d thrash you if we were playing eighteen holes, but you’re clearly the better minigolf player.’
I laugh because I know he doesn’t really care.
‘I think you’re right,’ I reply. ‘I can throw the club further than I can hit the ball. Luckily I’m not a serious businessman – although you don’t seem much like one either.’
‘I’m not,’ he insists. ‘I had a word with Maxi earlier, about my creative hub, she wants to invest in it. I think it might actually be happening.’
‘Oh, Cam, that’s amazing,’ I reply – grabbing him and hugging him without really thinking about it.
‘Thanks,’ he replies. ‘Well, if you ever get tired of your job, or fancy a new challenge, you know there’s a place for you.’
I don’t know how much he means it but I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by.
‘If you’re serious then I would love to join you,’ I tell him, but then I backtrack slightly. ‘But if you’re just being polite, never mind.’
‘I’m definitely serious,’ he says. ‘But don’t quit a good, stable job that you love for my silly venture that might not work out.’
I think for a second. Screw it, it’s about time we started being honest, and if I am about my less-than-ideal situation then maybe he will be too.
‘I’m not working there any more, actually,’ I confess. ‘I finished there, just before this holiday. I was too embarrassed to admit it because everyone else seems to be doing so well but, yep, that’s me, unemployed. But I don’t just want this job because it’s a job, I want to be involved, I want to make a difference.’
‘Oh, Jas, I’m sorry,’ he replies. We’re still holding each other. ‘You should never be embarrassed about something like that, especially with your friends.’
I take a step back, stepping on the golf club I dropped to the floor when I went to hug him. I lose my footing and stumble towards the water trap that surrounds this hole.
Cam extends his arm like a flash and grabs me, stopping me in my tracks, before pulling me back.
‘Whew, that was lucky,’ he says. ‘You’re having a run of good luck today. A new job, crushing it at minigolf. What do you say we make this more interesting?’
‘Go on,’ I reply, allowing a little flirtation to creep into my voice.
‘How about if you make this shot, we call this a date,’ he suggests. ‘And if you miss, well… no hard feelings.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ I reply.
I smile to myself, filled with confidence. I take a deep breath, line up my shot, and swing.
The ball rolls effortlessly over the loved-up couple and lands in the woman’s mouth with a satisfying clatter. I let out a triumphant cheer, as if I’d just won the Masters, around the same time my ball triggers some kind of mechanism in the woman’s mouth that plays the sound of a screaming orgasm.
‘Well, that sounds like the perfect end to a perfect date,’ Cam replies.
‘It doesn’t have to be the end,’ I tell him. ‘It’s the end of the world tonight.’
‘The end of the world?’ Cam replies.
‘That’s what the club night is called,’ I tell him.
‘Oh, well…’
We’re interrupted by a man clearing his throat. We’ve clearly spent too much time on this hole, there’s a couple waiting to take their turn.
‘I’d invite you back to my room, but it’s full of our oldest friends,’ Cam jokes.
I laugh. ‘We should head back there anyway, get ready for tonight,’ I tell him. ‘But I’m looking forward to seeing what happens, at the end of the world.’
