“Of course!” Michael promptly dumped her in the water.
In fairness, the water wasn’t as cold as she’d thought it would be, though it was still a shock.
She stood up, the water reaching just past her middle. She turned to face Michael, now busy grinning. She pushed her wet hair back out of her face.
“You thought that was funny, did you?”
“I’m afraid I did,” he admitted. “Though I wouldn’t be surprised if your shrieking burst one of my eardrums.”
“Not at all sorry,” Carrie said, splashing him.
“A water fight? Really? Are you a sucker for punishment?” He readied himself to send a huge splash her way.
“OK, OK.” She held her hands up. “Truce.” She walked towards him and lowered her hands, extending one to him.
“Good decision,” he said smugly, reaching out to shake her hand.
Carrie grabbed his arm with both her hands and pulled him forward into the water. Her planwouldhave worked — had Michael not been quick enough to sweep her legs out from under her as he was going down. Carrie went under again, this time with her mouth open and emerged from the water coughing and spluttering. Michael was next to her immediately, steadying her, his hands on her waist. She caught her breath and realised quite how close Michael’s chest was. And how much of it she could make out through his wet T-shirt. She’d never been more grateful to be wearing a bra — and a new one at that after the last bra fiasco.
“That was a dirty move.” His grin was huge. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Carrie was becoming acutely aware of how warm his hands felt against her skin. “Genuine truce though?”
“Genuine truce now,” agreed Michael. His wink sent a tingle down her spine. They were staring into each other’s eyes and everything seemed to go very still.
Then Carrie felt something on her arm. She flinched and Michael immediately let go of her as she looked down to her side; Monty was swimming next to them. He gave her arm another little lick.
Carrie scooped him up. “Oh, Monty! Were you coming to rescue me?”
“I had no idea he could swim.” Michael said incredulously. “I guess you’re not quite as useless as I thought, eh?”
Carrie threw him a glare.
“Oh, come on! He leaves fur everywhere and I have to be medicated to have him in the house! I’m allowed a little dig every now and again!”
“Not in front of him,” Carrie said. “Come on, brave boy, let’s get you back to the beach.”
They trudged back to shore, Monty in Carrie’s arms.
“Look at the state of me,” said Carrie laughing once they were out of the water.
“I actually think you look pretty good . . .”
“Michael!” Carrie slapped his arm playfully. “We’ve only got ten minutes before we need to pick up Poppy! I can’t turn up like this. Plus I’ve got book club tonight!”
“Hand me the dog,” Michael said, and Carrie gave him Monty. “OK, so the plan is... race you to the bookshop! The last one back owes the other a drink.” With that he set off up the beach.
“You rotten cheat!” Carrie shouted as she started after him. Her legs were burning by the time she reached the road running along the beach, and there was no chance she was going to beatMichael, but that didn’t mean she was ready to give up. Plus, the faster she got back to the shop, the fewer people would see her in this state!
She ran up the hill, keeping Michael in her sight. Her trainers were full of water and sloshed with every step. She saw him reach the shop and took some delight that he needed to wait for her to claim his victory. She slowed down to a walk as she got close, waving at a shocked Lucy who was mopping the floor of The First Sip.
“You are the most dreadful cheat!” she said as she neared Michael.
He shrugged. “You owe me a drink.”
“You should owe me one after dunking me!”
Michael laughed. “I’ll just be a minute getting changed, then I’ll run back down to get Poppy.”
