AllFreeNovel
Share Us
30
An ambulance was waiting for the lifeboat at the quayside, with its blue lights flashing, and Lettie’s insouciance about causing a fuss began to fade.
‘I really don’t want to go to hospital,’ she insisted, but she let herself be checked over in the back of the ambulance by a nice paramedic called Shaz, who told her she was ‘absolutely bonkers’ to risk her life for a dog and asked, ‘What would your mother think?’ Lettie shuddered, hoping against hope that her mother would never find out, or she’d never hear the last of it.
Shaz and her crew mate wanted to ‘pop’ Lettie to the local hospital for a check-up but Lettie refused. The weather was filthy and the ambulance, she was sure, would be needed elsewhere tonight. And most of all she wanted to go to bed, to sink into a soft mattress and try to forget the sensation of churning water all around her.
Anyway, she was feeling so much better now. A woman who lived nearby, someone she’d never even met, had brought some spare clothes to the ambulance in a heartening display of community spirit. So she was in a dry jumper, and jeans held up with a belt because they were too big, and she was feeling much warmer. A hospital trip just wasn’t necessary, she decided.
As Lettie stepped out of the ambulance, Claude came running along the quay, his hair flying in the wind. Buster spotted him and, leaving Lettie’s side, started racing towards him. Claude got onto his knees and the dog leapt into his arms, his tail wagging nineteen to the dozen. ‘Buster, you came back,’ said Claude, burying his head into the dog’s fur.
Lettie watched for a moment, tears in her eyes, before turning to go. It seemed too raw a moment to intrude upon. But Claude called out her name.
‘Lettie Starcross.’ When Lettie turned, he stood and walked towards her. ‘I heard what you did to save Buster. Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine, Claude. There’s no need to worry.’
‘You’re lucky that the sea is so warm at the moment. What you did was brave, and foolish.’
Lettie raised an eyebrow. ‘Don’t worry, Claude. I’ve already been told off by Corey.’
Claude stood looking at her, his mouth trembling as though he wanted to say more but couldn’t. Then he suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into a huge bear hug. He smelled of fish and damp. ‘Thanks,’ he said gruffly into her ear. ‘I’ll never forget what you did. Never.’
Lettie could see Corey standing behind Claude, watching as Claude released her. With a nod of thanks to Corey, Claude went back to his cottage with Buster trotting at his heels.
‘You’ve made a friend for life, there,’ said Corey, moving to stand beside her. ‘And once Claude accepts you, you’re a part of Heaven’s Cove.’ He looked down and smiled. ‘Let’s get you into the warm. I still think you should have gone to hospital for a check-up.’
‘I’m fine, honestly. I don’t think I swallowed any water. Someone very wise once told me to float on my back, so I did.’
Corey nodded, the lines around his eyes crinkling as he smiled. ‘Excellent advice, but you need someone to keep an eye on you tonight and I heard that Rosie’s away.’ He paused, before continuing. ‘You can stay with me and Gran.’
‘No, I’ll be fine. I don’t want to cause even more of a fuss.’
‘Do you really want to be alone tonight at Driftwood House, up there on the cliff, after what happened?’
Lettie really didn’t, but staying with the Allfords could be awkward.
‘I’m sure Gran will be fine with it when she hears the whole story. So what do you say?’
As Corey looked into her eyes, the gusting of the wind and the waves crashing against the quayside faded away. He leaned closer and for a moment Lettie thought he was going to kiss her. She wasn’t sure how she’d react if he did. But he stepped back as a car screeched to a halt nearby and Simon jumped out.
‘Bloody hell, Lettie.’ To her surprise, he flung his arms around her and pulled her tightly against his chest. ‘Are you all right? Oh, you smell of seaweed. I can’t believe you went into the water to save a stupid dog.’
‘I’m fine,’ said Lettie, disentangling herself. ‘I’m sorry I worried you and thank you so much for raising the alarm. I know it was a daft thing to do.’
‘Your sister would have killed me if you’d drowned.’
‘She really would have, but I’m OK, honestly. Just a bit cold.’
‘I’ve got your handbag. You left it on the beach.’ He handed it over before glancing at Corey. ‘Were you on the lifeboat?’
Corey nodded.
‘Corey came onto the rocks and rescued me,’ said Lettie, shivering again at the thought of being stranded with darkness descending and the raging ocean all around her.
‘Did he? That was very heroic of you, Corey,’ said Simon, his nostrils flaring.
‘It’s my job,’ said Corey gruffly.
