Page 63 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

‘And the weather’s going to be amazing, according to the papers,’ added Frankie.

Everyone turned to look at Alex.

‘There’s a lot to sort out,’ he told them before stealing a quick glance at Hannah but even she was nodding thoughtfully.

‘It might just bring in a few more people to the hotel and the café,’ she said quietly.

Alex looked at her and found himself saying, ‘Well, if it helps the café,’ he began.

There was a general whooping around the table as everyone began to talk at once excitedly.

He was somewhat surprised at himself. It was another impetuous decision. But as he felt Tiny settle down next to his feet, he realised that the dog had been another impulse choice and had worked out for the best. Perhaps he’d been sensible for so long that it was time for a change.

‘This is great,’ said Ben, getting up and coming around the table to clap him on the shoulder. ‘Thanks for the support. I think it’s a cracking idea. And who knows where it will lead?’

Alex glanced across at Hannah once more. Who knows, he thought, and found himself smiling back at his friend.

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Hannah stood on the beach and looked down at the paddleboard that Alex had just inflated.

‘This looks good quality actually,’ she said.

‘Let’s hope Dodgy Del has finally delivered something decent,’ he replied. ‘Otherwise we’ll both end up in the water sooner than we’d envisaged.’

It was only two days after the idea for the swim and paddleboard club but Alex had already got to work on buying some of the equipment needed. As the Boathouse Café was still extremely quiet, Hannah had offered to close the café early to give him a hand.

‘Have you used one before?’ asked Hannah, as she tested out the firmness of the other board that he had already inflated.

Alex straightened up. ‘No. But how hard can it be?’ he asked.

‘It depends on your sense on balance,’ she told him, smiling. She looked across the lake. ‘Well, at least the sun’s out.’

The weather had turned for the better in the past week or so and finally the warm sun was shining down on them, warming up both the air and more importantly the water temperature as well.

Not that Tiny seemed to mind as he dashed in and out of the water nearby, his long black coat growing wetter and darker.

Deciding it was now or never, Hannah stripped down to her swimming costume and picked up the paddleboard before taking it into the water. The cool temperature made her gasp briefly before she continued to head into the water up to her knees.

Then she turned around, wondering where Alex was. She watched as he played around with Tiny at the shoreline.

‘Come on,’ she teased him. ‘You can’t put it off any longer.’

Already in his swimming shorts, he picked up his own paddleboard and strode into the water, as confident as always.

‘So,’ she said. ‘How do we go about this then, teacher?’ she asked, looking down at the paddleboard she had placed to float next to her.

‘No idea,’ said Alex, with a grin. ‘But how hard can it be, right?’

He steadied the paddleboard on the water next to him and then carefully stepped onto it. But he was too quick and almost immediately the board flipped over, causing him to crash into the water.

Because they were standing in such shallow water, his bottom bounced off the sandy base of the lake and he sat up, spluttering.

Hannah burst into laughter, whilst managing to hold on to both of their boards and the oars as well. She couldn’t believe that he had fallen in!

He stood up, looking a little embarrassed. ‘OK. So that wasn’t good for a first try,’ he muttered.

She grinned at him. ‘I’ve got to say,’ she told him, ‘I wish I’d had my phone on me.’