Page 67 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

‘How will we monitor everyone and get their payment?’ asked Frankie.

‘What about a separate reception area?’ said Faye.

‘We don’t want everyone trudging through the hotel reception in their swimming costumes,’ said Ben, making a face.

‘What about that old storage barn?’ said Walter. ‘The one just outside of the boathouse and next to the clearing we’re going to use as a car park.’

‘Barn?’ asked Alex, trying to recall if he’d seen anything that big in the location.

Ben shook his head. ‘We call it that but it’s more an old woodshed but that’s a good idea, Grandad. It’ll catch everyone arriving so nobody gets missed. It’s also weatherproof for whoever is manning the reception.’

‘I’m happy to muck in,’ said Frankie.

‘Me too,’ added Faye.

‘I’d also like to add a couple more safety rules,’ said Alex, who had been mulling everything over and researching online for the past few days.

‘Yes, teacher,’ murmured Ben, giving his friend a wink to bely his teasing.

Alex ignored him. ‘Thinking back to my triathlon days, everyone always wears a swimming cap.’

The ladies all began to protest but he shook his head.

‘The reason behind that was that it was easier to see if anyone got into difficulties in the water,’ he carried on.

The protests faded as quickly as they had begun.

‘Well, at least it’ll keep my hair dry,’ said Dotty, with a shrug. ‘Perhaps I can go for shocking pink!’

‘Also, I’ve seen floats used as well,’ said Alex. ‘Fluorescent ones which can be used to keep people’s car keys safe and dry, as well as a buoyancy aid if the swimmer gets tired.’

There was a general murmur of assent around the kitchen table.

‘Better that we’re safe rather than get the wrong kind of publicity if someone gets into trouble,’ said Walter.

‘I agree,’ said Faye, biting her lip. ‘It would be terrible if someone got hurt. After all, this is our land. It’s our responsibility to keep everyone safe.’

Alex nodded. ‘Absolutely.’

‘Does it all seem a bit professional though?’ asked Frankie, looking concerned. ‘You know, not for the likes of, well, us, I mean?’

Alex shook his head. ‘The idea is that there is no judgement on anyone going in the water,’ he told her. ‘We want to invite all abilities who can go as little or as far as they want. But they need to be safe.’

‘Fair enough, I guess,’ replied Frankie.

As the family all agreed with the ideas, Alex felt pleased that they were being so positive about the water sports centre and just hoped that it would be the success that everyone was praying it could be.

36

As another week went by, business continued to remain slow at the Boathouse Café, much to Hannah’s dismay.

She tried to be positive, especially with the idea that the new water sports centre might bring in some much-needed customers, but it was hard.

She found herself confessing as much to Alex one morning when he was out on the beach watching Dotty’s swim club in the water.

‘I’d better get ready for when the ladies are finished,’ she told him. ‘They might be my only customers today.’

‘I’m sure things will turn around,’ he told her.