Page 111 of Not Just for Christmas

Dylan was still too stunned.

Chapter 48

As soon as the beach was in sight, the sea air hit me like a tonic, sharp and clean and full of memories. The sky was a pale winter blue, the sun sitting low above the horizon, sending silvery sparkles across the waves. Sam led the way over the dunes, dancing and skipping excitedly. Dylan and I took our time, holding hands and carrying bags of towels, flasks of hot chocolate and extra layers for afterwards.

Down on the sand, it looked as though the whole village had gathered for the Christmas Dip and the air buzzed with laughter and chatter. Big family groups with deckchairs, rugs and picnic tables, teenagers daring each other to strip off first, elderly couples side by side in bobble hats and knee blankets, groups of rosy-cheeked children squealing at the water’s edge as waves threatened to soak trousers tucked into wellies. Some of the braver souls were already in the water, yelping as the freezing surf hit their legs. Most wore Santa hats, and many were in fancy dress. I spotted everything from glittery tutus to furry onesies, plus Santas and elves.

Dylan, Sam and I walked down towards the shoreline, looking for somewhere to put down our things, the damp sand crunching under our boots. And every few steps, someone waved or called out a greeting wishing us a Happy Christmas. We belonged here, I realised, these were our friends, our people. I was ridiculously nervous, but so far, glad we were here.

‘Morning, Lucy, morning, Dylan! Merry Christmas, young Sam!’ Pete shouted, his Santa cap pulled low against the wind. He stood with his two daughters and a gaggle of grandkids, all clutching mugs of hot chocolate.

‘Merry Christmas, Pete!’ I called back, my breath misting in the cold air.

‘Sam! You ready to make a splash?’ Miss Cooper, his teacher, shouted from a little further along the beach, already barefoot and braced for the plunge. She jogged over to us, clutching a towel around her shoulders.

‘I’m wearing my new wetsuit!’ Sam replied proudly. ‘Santa brought it.’

‘Very wise,’ his teacher replied, shivering. She noticed that Dylan and I were holding hands and couldn’t quite conceal a gasp. ‘Merry Christmas to you both, and Mr Wilde—’

‘Call me Dylan, please,’ he held his hand up.

‘Sure, Dylan,’ she giggled shyly, ‘I can’t thank you enough on behalf of Shell Shock for the shoutout on the radio yesterday, our downloads have gone through the roof and apparently all our upcoming gigs are sold out.’

‘Hey, that’s great!’ Dylan beamed. ‘Does that mean Lucy and I can’t get tickets to your next one?’

‘Yes!’ Miss Cooper gasped. ‘I mean no! I can get you tickets, I’d love you to be there. Oh, wow, best Christmas present ever. Wait until my sister finds out about this!’

She scampered back to her friends and a group of women in wetsuits and fairy wings came dashing towards us. It was the Wild Swim Girls laughing like maniacs on their way to the waves.

‘Come on, Lucy!’ one of them yelled. ‘It’s Baltic, but it’ll make you feel alive!’

They stopped for hugs and quick greetings, their cheeks red from the cold, their eyes sparkling with joy. Someone pressed candy canes into our hands, someone else squeezed my arm and said how good it was to see me back on the beach. I laughed and promised to meet them for a swim in the New Year, and even as the words left my mouth, I realised I meant them.

Caroline appeared then, with Tilly, both wrapped up in thick coats and matching Santa hats and scarves. She screamed with delight when she spotted Dylan and me, arms around each other.

‘This has made my day. Merry Christmas!’ she cried, kissing us both. ‘I’m so happy for you.’

‘Mummy!’ Tilly yelled. ‘Race you to the water.’

‘Catch you later,’ she grumbled. ‘Whose bright idea was this?’

Tilly ran straight to the sea and squealed as a wave hit her ankles. I shivered automatically.

‘You OK?’ Dylan murmured.

I nodded, though my stomach fluttered with nerves. Sam was already tugging at Dylan’s sleeve, his little wetsuit zipped up, his face glowing with excitement. I could see Jack in him; that same energy at being near the water.

‘Let’s put our stuff here,’ Sam exclaimed. ‘Everyone’s getting in, we need to hurry.’

I shook out a blanket, which Sam immediately covered in sand.

‘We can just watch, you know,’ Dylan said gently.

I shook my head. ‘We can’t, and I know you don’t want to.’

He grinned at me, tongue in cheek. ‘You can do what you did twenty years ago, the day I met you: sit on your blanket and read your book.’

I pretended to glare at him. ‘Reading is a very worthwhile activity.’