Rain didn’t hesitate but jumped straight in after the kids.
“They can swim!” both Thatch and Allegra yelled, and Shotgun paused.
“They can?” he asked.
“Yes!” Thatch said, smirking at Rain before beginning to frown. Shotgun yanked his boots off and dumped his phone, and dived in and grabbed Rain around the neck.
“Stop panicking!” he ordered as the twins swam over and splashed them. He got Rain to the edge of the pool, and Rain caught hold, gasping.
“What the hell?” Thatch demanded, peering at Rain.
“Can’t swim,” he spluttered.
“Then why the fuck jump in?” Thatch asked, bemused.
“Because I thought the kids were in danger!” Rain spat as he hauled himself out. Shotgun shook his head and followed suit. He watched as the twins swam around like fish. His tee and jeans clung wetly, and Shotgun caught Allegra checking him out.Shotgun casually wrung his tee out before letting it slap back against his abs.
Keep watching, baby!
“They grew up on a yacht. The twins learned to swim as babies in the sea,” Thatch explained, a bit kinder.
Shotgun shook his head. Shit. The kids were naturals. He noted Allegra seemed a little tense as she ordered them out of the pool, as they were still fully dressed. Thatch was laughing as he scooped Darcy out.
“Welcome to being a dad,” Thatch hissed at Shotgun, who grinned. Thatch bristled and marched off to dry Darcy. Score one for him!
Allegra
As I walked down the street, I reflected on how well or not yesterday had gone. Rain had earned Thatch’s respect and derision at the same time for jumping into the pool to save the twins. The rest of the day had been a little stiff. Several times, Rain or Shotgun caught themselves from saying the dreaded phrase, ‘Do you remember?’ Thatch also bit his tongue a bit.
Everyone struggled because they had their memories, and I didn’t. I couldn’t argue with anyone’s opinions or recollections because I had none of my own. Some would think amnesia a blessing; all those embarrassing and stupid moments were forgotten. But weighed up against everything else I’d lost, I’d rather have them. A fresh start isn’t what people believe it to be. It’s harsh, cruel, and lonely.
I mean, my family, they’ve tried so hard, but they laugh about things, and I’m left out. There are pictures all over my grandparents’ house, and I’m seeing people I don’t recognise inthem, even in photos of the children and me. I’m viewing the life of a woman who was loved, and that Allegra isn’t me.
Everyone expects me to betheirAllegra.
I eat pizza, she didn’t. I enjoy classical music; she liked rock. Apparently, old Allegra never would have cut her hair as I had. Old Allegra would have had extensions inserted until it grew back. Me? I shaved it all off. The differences were astronomical. Old Allegra preferred bold colours, and I like pastels. What if my memories returned? Would that cause me to lose my current self?
Not watching where I was going, I bumped into someone. “Oh God, apologises!” I exclaimed.
Her disgusted and hate-filled gaze caught my eyes as I went to go around her.
“Can’t believe you’re back,” she spat.
Ah, shit, and this was amnesia kicking me right in the butt. “Sorry, I don’t know who you are.”
“Really?” she demanded. “That’s the route you’re taking?”
“No, honestly, I have amnesia, I’ve no idea who you are.”
“What a load of bullshit. Can’t take accountability for your actions, and now you’re lying to escape the consequences?” The bitch was furious, which triggered my temper too.
Angrily, I yanked the headscarf off, and the stranger’s eyes flew to my bald scalp and the raised scar.
“As you were fuckin’ saying?” I hissed.
“Oh my God,” she muttered in horror.
“Shut the fuck up. You don’t get to apologise after the vile shit that just came from your lips. Any idea how upsetting it is not to recognise people and pass them by? Or have assholes, like you, approach and accuse me of crap I can’t defend because Idon’t remember!” My voice rose, and the woman flinched.
