In Too Deep

by D C Grant

Chapter Fourteen

  Josh surfaced, still on a high. He was now quite close to Lion Rock. He turned and paddled out again, ready for the next wave. Hayden was still where he’d left him.

  “Did you see that?” Josh asked as he got close.

  “See what?”

  “The tube, man. I rode in the tube!”

  “I couldn’t see from here. You just vanished.”

  Josh was disappointed. He wanted to share his excitement.

  “How about you?” he asked.

  “I just can’t get it. I’m always falling off. It was much easier in the shallows.”

  “You’ve got T.O.A.D. syndrome,” Josh said with a laugh.

  “Toad, what’s that?”

  “Take Off And Die,” Josh said and laughed even more.

  “I don’t think that’s funny.”

  “I do. I’m going to catch another one.”

  He was soon catching some great waves and he gave Hayden no more thought.

  Much later, when he went back to where he’d left Hayden, he was gone.

  “Hey, did you see where Hayden went?” he asked a nearby surfer.

  “The grommet? He gave up - couldn’t catch a cold.”

  Josh looked to the shore. He could see Hayden walking through the shallows towards where they had left their towels. Someone was sitting amongst them. It had to be Gina.

  Josh quickly caught the next wave in. Gina waved at him as he walked up the beach towards them carrying his board.

  “Hi, Gina, do you want to go back to my place?” Josh asked as he picked up his towel and dried his face.

  “What’s at your place?”

  “Lunch,” he said, thinking quickly.

  “Yeah, sure,” she replied as she stood up.

  “I suppose I’m not invited,” Hayden said, frowning.

  “Well … um …” Josh stuttered.

  “Don’t worry, I know when I’m not wanted.”

  Hayden picked up his board and ran into the water.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Josh said, staring after him.

  “Lovers’ tiff,” Gina said with a laugh.

  Josh playfully flicked his towel at her, but she laughed as she side-stepped so it missed her.

  He bent down to pick up his board and said, “I’m starving. Let’s go.”

  “Is Hayden going to be alright?” Gina said, watching him push his way through the waves.

  “He’ll be fine. He’s a strong swimmer and if he gets into trouble, the lifeguards will bail him out. He needs the practice.”

  “Okay, then,” Gina said as she slipped her arm through his as they walked off the beach onto the road. “I saw you in the tube.”

  “You did?” He thought no one had noticed.

  “Yeah, it was awesome. How long have you been surfing?”

  “Since I was about eight.”

  “Ever thought of going pro?”

  “Me? No, I don’t think of it like that. I just like to get out onto the waves. I’m not interested in prizes.”

  “Ever got into trouble out there?”

  Josh shook his head. It was only in his dreams that he got into trouble.

  “No, I just know it so well. It’s only the visitors and grommets that get into difficulties.”

  “Like Bevan?” she suggested.

  “Where is he? I thought he’d be surfing today.”

  “Some guys chased him off. They didn’t like him dropping in on their waves. I think he’s given it up. Besides, he’s met this girl, Debbie, or Denise or something.”

  Josh smiled at the news, but Gina frowned as she said it. For a moment he felt uncertain and then a car horn went off right beside them and made them jump.

  “Hey, guys, want a lift?”

  Josh recognised the black convertible and his heart rate quickened, but Bevan was not in the car, just his brother Rhys.

  “No thanks, Rhys, we’ll just walk,” Gina said.

  “Whatever,” Rhys said and drove on.

  “What does Rhys do?” Josh asked as he watched the black car disappear down the road.

  “Something to do with the internet and computers. Don’t ask me what, but he’s making a ton of money.”

  “And Katie wants to be a model,” Gina said. “She got an agent when she was in the States. She’ll make it, too.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yep. The whole family knows how to make money, except Bevan. He’s the middle child. I think that’s why he’s such an asshole – Middle Child Syndrome.”

  Josh didn’t think Bevan needed any reason to be an asshole. He just was.

  “Come on, you can meet my dad,” Josh said as he turned towards the bach and stood still in horror. There was smoke coming from the door and open windows. He dropped Gina’s hand and ran across the lawn while he shouted, “Dad, Dad, the bach is on fire!”

  “Not the bach,” his father said as he opened a window from the inside to let more smoke out. “Just the fry pan.”

  “What happened?” Josh said as he ran into the house.

  “I thought I’d cook hamburgers for lunch,” his father said. “But I think I had the fry pan on too high. Next thing I knew, there were flames to the ceiling. I put a couple of wet tea towels on it to put it out, but now we’re left with the smoke.”

  “You could have burnt the place down!”

  His father slumped into a chair. “Is that all you care about, Josh?”

  “No … I mean, are you hurt, Dad?” Josh said, coming closer and peering at his father through the smoke.

  Gina followed Josh in and stood just behind him.

  “I burnt myself a little bit,” his father said and held out his hand, where part of the skin was red.

  “You have to get that under some cold water,” Gina said when she looked at it.

  “I know. I’ll just sit here for a while. I got a fright.” He looked at Gina. Josh turned towards her.

  “Dad, this is Gina.”

  “Hello Gina. Sorry about the smoke.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll cook the burgers. Josh, you look after your dad.”

  “Nice girl,” his father said as they made their way to the bathroom. “Where’d you meet her?”

  “Here at the beach.”

  “Ouch!” his father exclaimed as cold water poured over the burn. “I’m such a useless cook.” He hesitated and said, almost to himself, “I wish your mother was here.”

  This was just what Josh was thinking as well.