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“Is this the place?” she asked, but Bob shook his head and walked on.
“Here we are,” he said, stopping at a stone sign with instructions for anglers carved into it. He scrambled down a muddy embankment and Kate followed. Kate lost her footing and stumbled into Bob, who was standing on a beach of sorts, made from earth rather than sand. Bare tree branches hung over the wide river, tickling the water like fingers. The bank on the opposite side was grassy, jutting out into the water like a pontoon.
“That’s a great spot for jumping in,” said Bob, pointing to the bank. “The river over that side’s deeper than it looks. I’ll bring you here in summer if you like. It’s a great spot for a picnic and swim, and best of all, none of the tourists know about it. They squish like sardines onto the north coast beaches, while we have our own empty beach right here.”
Kate looked dubiously at the brown swirling water. “And you say this is where you washed?”
Bob laughed. “Yeah, Mum would be mad when we got home stinking of river, mud sticking to God knows where. She’d hold her nose and send us straight for a shower.”
“She didn’t come with you on your expeditions?”
“No, those were boys’ trips. She would sometimes bring a picnic down and meet us by the river.” Bob looked wistful, as though caught up in memories. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. Last time it was for Dad’s sixtieth, Ellie was with us then. She loved it here, not that I could ever persuade her into the water. That was a step too far for my city girl.” A sad smile played on Bob’s lips, his eyes glistening.
“You must miss her.”
“I miss them all.”
“All?”
“Oh, ignore me, I’m being a sentimental old fool. Come on, we’d better get going. It’s a fair old way back.”
Bob was quiet on the walk back. Kate left him to his thoughts, focusing instead on moving her tired legs forward. They can’t have walked more than five miles, but with all the hills, her legs were really feeling it. The worst hill was the one leading back to the house. She was relieved when Bob had to stop halfway, allowing both of them to catch their breath. When they reached the top, both were red in the face, too out of breath to hold a conversation.
The thought of a refreshing cup of tea drove them forward the final few hundred meters. As they turned the corner onto Kate’s road, she gripped Bob’s arm and pulled him to an abrupt stop.
“Oh no.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Look.” Kate pointed to her house, where two men were sitting on the doorstep, hiking back packs lying on the ground beside them.
“Who are they?”
“Well, I really hope I’m wrong. But I think they’re my next guests.” Kate checked her watch. “If it is them, they’re four hours early, and I’m in no way, shape or form ready for them.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
DESPITE HER LEGmuscles screaming in complaint, Kate ran the final hundred metres to her house. On reaching it, she leaned against the wall, waving her hand frantically in a greeting, whilst trying to get enough breath to speak.
“Hi… I’m…Kate. Are you… Nicholas?”
“Yes, I am. Pleased to meet you. This is Ryan, my son.”
Kate gave them both a wave and took a few deep breaths. “I’m so sorry. Have you been waiting long? I wasn’t expecting you till six.”
“Really? I’m sorry, I thought I’d said two in our messages, but I’m not great with computers, so it could easily be my mistake.” Kate saw the teenager roll his eyes and glare at his father before putting his head down to stare at his phone.
“Look, I’m really sorry, but I’m not quite ready for you. Are you OK to sit in the living room with a cuppa while I get the last few bits sorted?”
“I can do better than that,” said Bob, appearing by Kate’s side with a clinking carrier bag. Kate looked at him in astonishment. He gave her a grin and mouthed,nipped to the shop.
“This is my friend Bob,” said Kate, unlocking the door. “I’m guessing there are some beers in that bag of his, so make yourselves comfortable while I sort out your rooms.”
Kate showed them into the living room and settled them on the purple sofas. Bob followed her through to the kitchen to get a bottle opener.
“Are you OK? Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Entertaining them while I get their bedding ironed would be a massive help.”
