Page 16 of The Summer Escape

“Oh, I didn’t mean … I’m fine, thanks.”

Ellie nodded. “You can swim if you want, Mummy. We’ll finish the sandcastle.”

Looking longingly out to sea, Beth couldn’t say she wasn’t tempted. They’d done a lot of paddling in the shallows over the last few days, but she hadn’t managed a proper swim. “I suppose a quick dip would be nice.” She caught Trystan’s eye. “Are you sure you don’t mind keeping an eye on Ellie?”

“She seems like a handful, but I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“Thank you,” she said, ignoring his playful tone.

At the water’s edge she turned to check on Ellie, who was deep in conversation with Trystan while they worked on their castle.

With the crystal-clear water around her thighs, Beth paused to take in the scenery. From the white sand to the turquoise water and the bright blue sky overhead, it was easy to see why Scilly had left such an impression on her mother. A wave rolled in, bringing a rush of cool water around her midriff and snapping her from her trance.

Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she dived under the water. After a couple of strokes she resurfaced with a huge smile on her face. Swimming made her feel freer than she had done in a long time. For fifteen minutes she didn’t need to think about anything but the cool water on her skin and the warm rays of sunshine beating down on her.

Making her way back towards the beach, she caught snatches of Ellie’s high-pitched laughter.

“We finished the castle,” Ellie said, grabbing excitedly at Beth’s hand as soon as she was back on the beach. “Trystan ate another sandwich and said he’d blame it on me, but it was him!”

“Hey!” Trystan called, standing proudly beside the sandcastle. “I helped you build this and now you’re trying to get me into trouble!”

Hastily, Beth wrapped her towel around herself. “I got to go for a swim,” she said brightly. “A couple of sandwiches and a few grapes sounds like a good trade. I can see why you like to start your day that way. It’s absolute bliss.”

Trystan crouched down and patted the side of the castle.

“Can we build another one?” Ellie asked.

“I think I should go and get on with some work, but maybe another day… if you decide to stay longer.” There was an intensity to his piercing blue eyes as he looked up at Beth. “Do you think you will?”

“I don’t know. It’s very tempting. Maybe for another week.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know how long your mum was offering for us to stay. I’ll go up and talk to her again this afternoon.”

“Did you see the drawbridge?” Ellie asked, putting an end to the conversation.

“That’s pretty impressive,” Beth said, looking at the collection of twigs which bridged the gap over the moat.

“I should go.” Standing, Trystan brushed sand from his legs.

Ellie stood too and put her hands on her hips. “Do you promise to build another castle with me another day?”

“Be careful how you answer,” Beth told him. “Five-year-olds take promises very seriously.”

“If you stay longer I’ll definitely build another sandcastle with you.” He held up a hand to high five Ellie, his eyes sparkling warmly. “So it’s up to your mum really.”

“Hey!” Beth called as he set off, his feet sinking into the soft sand with each step. “You realise I’m going to have no choice but to stay now. I’ll never hear the end of it otherwise.”

“It wouldn’t be so terrible, would it?” He walked backwards for a few steps, his flirty smile making Beth’s heart rate increase.

“No,” she murmured, though he was too far away to hear. “I don’t suppose it would be.”

“Are we going to stay in Mirren’s house?” Ellie asked, parking herself in Beth’s lap when she sat on the blanket.

“Yes. I think that would be nice.” Beth’s eyes didn’t leave Trystan as he walked up the beach with his towel slung over his shoulder. As though he could sense her watching, he stopped when he reached the lane and turned to wave.

Heat flooded Beth’s cheeks as she waved back. Had he been flirting with her or was she imagining it? She could’ve sworn he had been. That couldn’t be right though. He was gorgeous, and she suspected he was a lot younger than her. Probably around thirty. It was fine to check out guys ten years younger than you when you were on holiday though, wasn’t it? A little bit of flirting was harmless.

“This is the best sandcastle I’ve ever made,” Ellie announced, moving over to it. “Trystan’s much better at building than you.”

“Thanks!” she said, lying on her back.