Autumn Antics: Escape to the seaside with the perfect autumn read! (The Boardwalk by the Sea Book 2)

by Georgina Troy

  “Urgh, I want to, but it’s not as if we’ve managed to even move a foot so far.” She peered down and saw Jack already paddling the surfboard back to the bottom of the cliffs. He hooked the ankle strap over a narrow rock and began his second ascent.

  “Shall we try to come down to you?” she asked, willing him to say no.

  “You’re probably better waiting for me to help you,” he said. “Your muscles must be cold by now and we don’t want either of you falling.” He waved at her to stay put, and reached them so quickly, it made Bella wonder why she was making such a fuss. Then again, she was scared of heights and Jack wasn’t.

  “Who’s coming down with me first?”

  “Take Megan,” Bella insisted. After all, Megan was a guest, and a celeb, and she certainly didn't need the girl’s injury or death on her conscience.

  Jack spoke quietly to Megan, telling her to follow exactly where he put his hands and feet, and slowly they started their descent. It took a lot longer than when he’d gone down with Teddy. Soon though, Bella was relieved to see Megan sitting on the back of the surfboard. She smiled to herself, seeing Megan’s arms wrapped around Jack's waist. Even in times of stress, Megan was still able to make the most of any opportunity with a man. Jack paddled them over to the shore, where Alessandro helped Megan off and wrapped a towel around her.

  Finally, Jack was on his way back for her. Bella ached from the effort of being on a narrow ledge, trying not to look up or down for so long. She was getting cramp in her legs and her whole body trembled from the cold. Feeling awkward that he was having to rescue her, she reminded herself that if she wanted to get down, this was her only option.

  “You alright up there?” Jack said when he reached her. He put one arm around her. “You’re freezing. Don’t worry, this won’t take long. You saw what I did with Megan?” She nodded. “Just take your time and slowly put one foot down at a time, finding a place to grip as you go.”

  She tried to do as he asked, but found that her body wouldn’t respond. Her heart pounded hard against her ribs. “I can’t move,” she whispered. “I really can’t.”

  “Take a moment,” he said gently. “Once you begin, you’ll be fine. I’m right next to you, so you won’t fall.”

  “Promise?” She was barely able to force the words out of her mouth.

  “You know I won’t let anything happen to you.” He rested a palm between her shoulders, the heat of his hand calming her slightly. “Shall we go then?” He gave her a reassuring smile. “You can do this, trust me.”

  At first, she didn't think she could. But one look at Jack's determined expression gave her the confidence to try and do what he’d asked. Taking a deep breath, she shakily moved one foot down. Finding a firm footing, she lowered the other foot.

  Jack was right next to her. “You’re doing really well.”

  She glanced at him, his confidence boosting her own. Relaxing slightly, she lowered her foot without checking it was secure and slipped. She screamed as she dropped and Jack grabbed hold of her jacket and held on tightly. “Don’t panic,” he said. “Find your footing, take your time.”

  Within five minutes, she realized her foot was wet. They’d reached the bottom and she was standing on a rock, ankle deep in the sea, which was rougher than it had been earlier.

  Jack put his arm around her shoulders. “The storm will be with us in a few minutes,” he said. “We need to get you home and into a hot shower.”

  “I feel such a fool,” she said, tearful with relief. Her legs were shaky despite her exhilaration to have made it – with Jack’s help. “But I had to go after Teddy.”

  Jack turned her to face him. “What else could you have done? You would never leave anybody in trouble without trying to help them, despite how frightened you might be. It's your natural instinct to do the right thing.” He pulled her to him gave her a tight hug. “You’re trembling,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “You gave me such a fright when I saw you up there. I know how terrified of heights you are.”

  She put her arms round his waist, resting her head on his warm chest as her breathing slowly to return to normal. She hadn't realized quite how terrified she’d been until now. She wished she could stop shaking quite so much. “Thanks for being there for us, Jack. I really appreciate it, and I know Megan does too.”

  “I was only too pleased to help.” He looked down. Bella followed his line of vision and realized that he wanted her to get on the surfboard.

  “Take my hand,” he said, stepping down and sitting astride. “That’s right.”

  He waited patiently, holding her hand to steady her while she put her leg over and settled behind him. “Put your arms around my waist and let’s get going.”

  A wave crashed against the surfboard, pushing it against the rocks and narrowly missing her leg.

  “The tide really has picked up,” he said, paddling towards the beach.

  She held on tightly and closed her eyes, resting her head against his muscular back. It was a relief to finally relax, despite being soaking wet and colder than she could ever remember. She relished the heat of his body against hers.

  “Nearly there, Bella,” he said, over his shoulder. “Are you still up for the bonfire beach-party tonight? Don’t feel you have to help, you’ve had a traumatic day.”

  “Of course I’m not going to miss it,” she said. “And I want to help.” It was the least she could do in return for him rescuing her, Megan and Teddy. “I’ve been looking forward to it. I know Megan has too. In fact, the entire village will probably show up, so it should be great fun.” She tickled his side.

  Jack laughed. “Hey, stop that. You know I’m ticklish.”

  They reached the beach and Jack lifted her from the surfboard, as Alessandro unfolded a large towel and wrapped it around her. “Here is one for you,” he said, handing Jack a smaller towel. “Sorry, it is all I find.”

  “We need to get you girls home,” Jack said, before turning to Alessandro. “You’d better go and help Sacha with the food for the party,” he added. “Thanks for your help, mate, I’ll catch up with you later – let you know how the girls are getting on.”

  On shaky legs, Bella accompanied Megan and Jack back to her cottage. “Go up and have a shower, Megan,” she insisted. “I’ll light the fire down here for when you’re done.”

  Megan ran up the stairs. “Help yourself to some dry clothes from my bedroom,” Bella yelled after her. “It’s the one on the right at the top of the stairs.”

  “You go up, too,” Jack said. “Get those wet clothes off and wrap yourself up. I’ll light the fire and make some hot drinks for when you’re both back down.”

  Bella was grateful for his thoughtfulness. “But what about you?”

  Jack shook his head and smiled. “I’m used to the cold water, don’t forget. You’re not. Now, for once, go and do as you’re told.”

  Once they’d had their showers and changed, and were having a cup of tea, Jack said, “Don't forget we’ve still got the bonfire to sort out.”

  “In this weather?” Megan looked horrified at the thought of going back to the beach in the wind and rain.

  “According to the forecast, the weather’s going to clear up. The storm should have passed by the time we light the fire at seven-thirty.”

  Bella suddenly realized no one had thought to tell Megan's manager or Lexi where she was. “Will they be looking for you?” she asked. “Where did you say you were going today?”

  “It’ll be fine,” Megan reassured her. “I told them I was meeting you, so no one will be waiting for me to get back, which,” she laughed, “is probably a good thing under the circumstances.”

  Jack’s mobile pinged. He read the message and nodded. “Alessandro said to tell you that he delivered Teddy to Mrs Jones and explained what had happened.”

  Bella grimaced, waiting to hear what she had said next.

  “It’s fine,” Jack smiled at her. “Apparently she was perfectly fine and doesn’t hold anyo
ne responsible. She knows how naughty Teddy can be when he’s chasing his ball.”

  “That’s a relief,” Bella said taking a sip of her hot drink. Closing her eyes, she tried not to think of the state her hands must be in. She had had enough of drama for one day and would worry about them another time.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Several hours later, calmer and much warmer, having drunk several hot drinks, Jack, Bella and Megan were ready to start preparations for the bonfire party. Alessandro had joined them.

  “We’re lucky that it's a low tide tonight,” Jack said. “It means that if we start preparing the bonfire now we could build it fairly close to the wall. We don’t want it to be too big. I had a call from my friend who’s supplying us with the fireworks,” he went on. “He’s bringing them down just after six. I thought we could set them up further down the beach. It shouldn’t take long.”

  “Sounds good,” Bella said. “As long as they’re a safe distance from everyone.”

  “He’s bringing buckets,” Jack said. “We fill them with sand, stick the fireworks in, and light them when we’re ready. The sand can be poured back onto the beach afterwards.”

  “Perfect,” Bella said, unsurprised that Jack had thought everything through so thoroughly. “And these are the silent fireworks? I've never seen them used before.”

  “What a brilliant idea,” Megan said. “My mom hates fireworks because she's got two little dogs. I’ve got a friend back home who has a couple of ponies who have to be taken into their stables when people set them off around bonfire night, and for wedding receptions. There’s a venue near where she lives. She was saying how much worse it seems to be getting.”

  “I know,” Jack agreed. “The worst thing is that it's not one night, it’s a week or two before and after. It's not as if you can plan what to do with the animals, especially outdoors. It must be horrendous for farmers,” he said. “Silent fireworks are a great idea. I just wish everyone would buy them.”

  “Maybe our display will persuade them,” Bella said. “Are they expensive?”

  “I didn't have to pay for them,” Jack said. “It was the assistant manager, Charlie, who works at the Sea Breeze Hotel. We had a drink in the pub a few weeks back, when I mentioned trying to find some. He told me he had been trying to persuade the owners of the Sea Breeze to have a party, but replace the fireworks with silent ones. They weren't sure it was a good idea, or whether they’d work as well, or be much fun. He said he’d source them and arrange a display, and if they thought it was worthwhile, next year they could use them for wedding receptions and New Year celebrations.”

  “That’s brilliant,” Bella cheered, liking Charlie even more for being so forward-thinking. “It’ll make all the difference to the villagers.”

  “And they can all come to the party tonight and give their opinion, and it won’t even cost them anything.”

  “You are clever, Jack Collins.” Bella gave him a cheeky smile. “I might have known you’d do something to benefit everybody else.”

  “I won’t miss the loud bangs,” Megan said. “I think it's outdated, having to listen to that ear-splitting noise. My father said last year that the whole house was shaking, the explosions were so loud around where we live. He thinks they should be banned, and I agree.”

  Aware that time was speeding by, Bella asked Jack what he wanted them to do.

  “I suppose the first thing would be to collect wood for the bonfire,” he said as they went outside and began walking along the boardwalk. He pointed to a spot on the sand in the middle of the beach between the cliffs, where he had recently helped her and Megan down, and the red and white painted lighthouse to the left of them. “I think somewhere in the middle,” he said. “That way, everyone along the boardwalk will have a clear view and we can set out the buckets at a decent distance from the railings, where the locals might be standing.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Sacha’s making hot dogs, toffee apples and drinks for the party, at five pounds a pop. Two pounds for children and pensioners.”

  Megan said. “What sort of drinks?” asked Megan.

  Alessandro thought for a moment. “It is a warm drink,” he said, glancing at Jack for input. “I cannot think its name. It is made with wine.”

  “Do you mean mulled wine?” Bella suggested, hoping that was the case. She hadn’t sampled any since Sacha’s Christmas party at the café the previous year, and it had been delicious.

  “Yes,” he smiled. “Is good, she tells me.” He looked at Megan. “And the children they have blackcurrant juice, also warm. Is good, I think, don't you?”

  “Yes, that’s a brilliant choice,” Megan said. Linking arms with Bella, she gazed from her to Jack. “This is such a cool place to live,” she said. “I’m definitely going to come back as soon as I can.”

  Bella was pleased. She was relieved that she and Megan had got over their differences and were friends.

  “Hey, you lot.”

  They all looked towards the bottom of the hill to see Lexi running towards them waving a large brown envelope excitedly.

  “I wonder what that is?” Bella asked Jack, exchanging glances with him.

  Megan gasped. “She sent it. I bet this is the magazine with my interview and those photos that were taken the other day.”

  Lexi reached them and handed the envelope to Megan. “This came by courier a few minutes ago.”

  They watched as Megan tore it open and peeked inside, giving an excited scream. “It is. Come on, let’s get out of the wind and go to the café to have a proper look.”

  Without argument all of them raced to the café. Jack got to the door first and held it open for them to go inside.

  “There’s a free table, at the back,” Bella shouted pointing.

  Sacha looked up from taking an order and shook her head, smiling. “What’s happened?” She finished what she was doing and walked over to join them.

  They each took a seat, staring wide-eyed at Megan. She pulled out the magazine and held it up for them to see a stunning photo of her taken on the beach with Jack emerging from the sea in the background, his tanned muscular body dripping with water.

  Bella’s stomach did a somersault.

  “Bloody hell Jack, you look gorgeous. I don’t look too bad though, do I?”

  “You look amazing, Megan,” Bella said, unable to take her eyes of Jack’s glistening six pack in the photo as he pushed his hair out of his eyes seemingly oblivious to the camera. He was a natural.

  “They’re more appealing than the ones in the paper taken by the paps,” she said raising an eyebrow at Jack.

  He coughed. “Never mind that. What about the photos of the café, your antique shop, Jools’ grandma’s bookshop and Lexi’s cottages?”

  Megan licked her finger and quickly ran through the pages. “Centre spread,” she said, flattening the magazine onto the table so they could all have a good look.

  Bella leaned forward and saw that the larger photos were all of Megan, which was only right as the feature had been about her, but she smiled to see that each of their businesses had been included in smaller photos. “What do they say in the interview?”

  Megan began to read the article. As Bella listened to her relating to the journalist how difficult she had been during the original photoshoot in London and how grateful she was to Bella and her friends for looking after her during her extended stay on the island, she realized that she had misread the girl. Megan wasn’t as shallow as she had initially seemed. She had certainly done her best to make amends ensuring that each of the group and their businesses had received a mention.

  “It was generous of you to include us all,” Lexi said. “Thanks, Megan.”

  Megan blushed. It was the first time Bella had seen her looking so awkward. “It was the least I could do after you’ve all looked after me so well.”

  “I’m going to use this in my next promotion for this place,” Sacha said.

  Jack checked his watch. “We ne
ed to get a move on,” he said. “Could you two stay here and help Sacha make the food, and anything else she needs you to do,” he said looking at Megan and Alessandro. “That’s if you want to?”

  Megan nodded, beaming at him and linking arms with Alessandro. “I'd love to. This is such fun. We’d love to, wouldn’t we Alessandro?” she said, giggling.

  Bella smiled at Jack unable to wipe away the picture of him from the magazine. “What would you like me to do? Fetch the wood, I suppose?”

  “Yes, please,” he said. “We could go together. Can we borrow your car again, Lexi? We can get some logs from a farmer I know. He keeps them in the barn, so they’ll be dry and should burn well.”

  Bella nodded, pleased to have something to do to take her mind of the photos, even if she would be spending it with Jack. She wondered if he would mention the incident earlier, when she’d been holding on to him as they’d sat astride his surfboard, but he didn’t say anything.

  ◆◆◆

  As they drove up the hill in Lexi’s car, Bella said, “Is there anything else we should have thought of. For tonight, I mean?”

  “No, I don't think so.” Jack thought for a moment. “Firelighters,” he said. “We’ll need to light the fire with something, won't we?”

  “It would help,” she laughed. “Isn't it funny how it's always the most obvious things that people forget?”

  “I know, but we are doing this at very short notice,” Jack said with a grin. “We’ll stop at the garage at the top of the hill before getting the wood. They sell firelighters, and those long matches. We can ask them if there’s anything else we might need.”

  They drove on in silence for a couple of minutes. Bella spotted him giving her sideways glances, and could see something was on his mind. She waited in the car while he went into the garage shop, wondering what he was thinking. He returned with a bag that looked rather more filled than she would have expected.

  “Now, I think we have everything,” he said, grinning.