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‘Let’s go then.’
She reached for his hand and they walked through the dark green waves together. The water was icy and she braced herself, knowing that this was the hardest part but that it would pass.Things are always changing, Amelia,she reminded herself. In a minute or so she would be fine and swimming along marvelling at the sky and the view of the beach from the sea. Being in the water gave the world around her a whole different perspective. Fergus wore his neoprene hood today, and she watched as he powerfully sliced his arms through the water. Remembering his advice, she stayed in her depth and floated on her back, splashing her legs to keep warm. Her spirits lifted as she saw Sammy the seal watching from a distance.
‘Better?’ he said, swimming over.
She nodded. ‘It can only get warmer, right?’
‘Actually, no . . . it drops to its coldest temperature in March.’
‘You’re kidding?’
He laughed. ‘No. This is still quite balmy for December.’
‘What is it about this that is so magical?’
‘When you’re exposed to the elements it reminds you what’s important.’ He dipped his shoulders under the water. ‘And being in the sea with Mother Nature, well, it’s quite humbling. You have to respect the tides and nature.’
She nodded. ‘You’re right. It just strips everything away, doesn’t it? All the crap in life.’
‘Come on,’ he said, when he realised she was shivering. ‘Time to get out.’
They waded out of the surf side by side, ‘I can’t tell you how much better that makes me feel. It’s amazing.’
He nodded. ‘It really recalibrates you, doesn’t it?’
‘When did you get into it?’
He unzipped his wetsuit and she tried not to stare at his broad chest and ripped abs. ‘When I moved back. I mean, I swam as a kid. But I hadn’t really bothered that much as an adult.’ He pulled a T-shirt on, followed by a fleece. ‘It saved me from . . . the hole I was sinking into after Ellen’s death.’
Amelia had managed to shimmy halfway out of her wetsuit to pull on a couple of dry layers. ‘It sounds like it has been really healing for you and I get that.’
‘Being in the water at first light, or last thing when the sun is setting, is therapeutic. Especially when it’s just me and Sammy.’
Amelia smiled. ‘Well, thanks for introducing me to it and being so encouraging.’ She felt calmer and now a cheery sense of anticipation washed over her rather than her earlier sense of dread.
‘Right, you had better go and get warmed up. I’ll see you later at the fair?’ He grinned lazily at her and she wondered if he was flirting.
‘Of course.’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘And remember your Christmas jumper.’
‘I will, if you remember your reindeer ears.’
‘I’ll go and put them on now so I don’t forget.’ With a laugh and a last lingering look, she turned and headed back along the bay.
Chapter Forty-Five
As the late afternoon light faded away, the fair took on a magical glow with the twinkling fairy lights strung between lampposts. Each of the shops had their own Christmas display and a myriad of coloured lights flashed from each window. As families with younger children started to drift off home, the feel was slightly more relaxed. The mulled wine stall had done a roaring trade, as had the bar. Amelia had been rushed off her feet selling wine and fizz and shots of the festive gin, which had sold like hot cakes.
‘I told you this was a great idea, Amelia,’ shouted Doris, who had clearly enjoyed a few tipples herself. ‘I should have produced more bottles. Next year for sure.’ Her face was flushed and her eyes bright. ‘Or maybe we could produce a special Easter blend or a summer edition.’
‘Great idea.’ Amelia was actually desperate to go and use the ladies.
‘And these jumpers have been a tremendous idea.’ Doris was wearing her sweater with the flashing Christmas tree. Amelia’s had a giant Christmas pudding on the front.
‘Can you cover me for a bit, please? I need to go to the loo.’
‘Of course,’ said Doris. ‘Away and have some fun.’
‘What, at the toilet?’ Amelia said, bemused.
