‘That doesn’t sound too expensive.’
‘You’d be surprised. And on top of the work needed to be spent on the house? Well, let’s just say any bright ideas you have would be welcome.’
‘I’ll have a think.’
‘Come on,’ said Seb, ‘if you can tear yourself away from the lake, I’ll continue the tour.’
‘Sure.’
‘Actually, before we go, there’s one more thing I should tell you about the lake.’
‘What?’
‘It’s safe for swimming, should you want to?’
I laughed and looked at him like he was crazy. ‘Swimming? In March? No thanks.’
‘It’s something to bear in mind. Harry’s got a wetsuit you could borrow to get you started. It… um… it works wonders if you’re going through stuff. Cold water is better than anything you get from the doctors if you’re feeling a little… well… you know.’
‘Thanks, I think. Now, what are you going to show me next?’
Chapter Sixteen
Somehow, over dinner the night before, I’d been railroaded into agreeing to try wild swimming. I couldn’t imagine anything worse, but in the face of everyone’s kindness, it seemed churlish to refuse.
By halfpast seven, Bertie was happily munching through his cereal and I was fidgeting with my clothes. There’s nothing as uncomfortable as wearing a swimsuit beneath three layers of clothing and I shuffled against my seat to dislodge my wedgie.
‘Morning, campers,’ said Pat, his cheeks even redder than usual thanks to the cold.
‘Morning, Pat. Thanks so much for watching Bertie whilst I indulge in some early morning torture.’
‘My pleasure. I’m always up with the lark so it’s no bother. Besides, I want to hear more about Bertie’s day helping Harry with the animals. From what I gathered over dinner last night, the lad’s a natural.’
‘I’m going to be a farmer when I’m older,’ said Bertie. ‘Or maybe a vet, but I think being a farmer would be more fun.’
I smiled at the thought of Rob hearing of his son’s ambition. He’d better come out of the woodwork soon, or any hope of his son joining the family firm would be long buried beneath Wellington boots and a lingering smell of manure.
‘Sorry, sorry,’ said Harry, rushing into the dining room. ‘It took me ages to find my cossie. I’ve not worn it for years and it was buried beneath my socks.’
‘I thought you go swimming most days?’ I asked.
‘Yes, but I like the feel of water on my skin… onallmy skin.’
‘Oh, right, well, thank you for making an exception today.’
Harry laughed. ‘Didn’t want to scare you off so soon into your stay. But I’ll bet you’ll be joining me for a skinny dip before you leave.’
‘No chance,’ I said, shivering at the thought. ‘Is that your spare wetsuit?’
‘Yes. I hardly use it these days. Only on the rare occasions I go surfing.’
‘Where’s the nearest beach?’
‘It’s only about a fifteen-minute drive, but there are no waves on the south coast. It’s the north coast you want for that, and I can rarely spare the time to drive up there. Anyway, today is about swimming, not surfing. Come on, let’s go.’
Harry led me out to her mud-covered Land Rover. ‘Will you be able to get through the forest in that?’
Harry laughed. ‘Seb took you on the scenic route yesterday. We’ll take the track today. It’s much quicker.’
