He watched gulls circling overhead and how the clouds, few today, scudded across the sky like kittens with wool. Oh dear, maybe he had been spending too much time with five-year-old girls. He’d burst into a range of showtunes soon if he wasn’t careful, whiskers on kittens and such like.
‘Hey mate.’ Ben paddled out back to join him, thankfully dragging him from his current train of thought. ‘Waves are a bit mushy.’
‘Yeah, but you know, this is what I needed. It’s been a full-on week.’
‘Yup. It’s been weird getting used to not having you about the place, that’s for sure. You settled in okay on the south coast?’
‘Yeah, it’s a whole different vibe, Penmenna. Well, I suppose Treporth is where I’m living. Both are very different to Newquay, but I like it. I really do.’
‘You back to work with me though now, right?’
‘Yup.’ Kam agreed. ‘I’m only contracted two full days a week in school at the moment so you’ve got me the rest of the time if you need me. Although, I’ve said I’ll do any supply they’ve got coming up. That’s okay isn’t it?’
‘Sure, of course. You need to get that foot in the door, and I imagine the day rate for teaching is better than what I can afford to pay you.’
‘About double. How did you do this week without me, anyway?’
‘Yeah good.’
Ooh, I recognise that smile. What have you done?’
‘Nah, I haven’t done anything.’
‘But?’
‘But I gave that new girl your hours this week and it worked out well. She’s cheerful and gets the job done. The punters love her.’
‘I bet they do.’
‘And she’s happy to pick up any casual hours that you can’t do, so if you do get extra work at the school then I’m covered.’
‘That’s great. That works well for me and from the grin on your face that works pretty well for you too.’
‘Well, she’s helluva cute, and we’ve got this mad chemistry. I was thinking about seeing if she fancied coming out with us to Motion tonight.’
‘That’s a line you shouldn’t be crossing just yet, not if you want her to carry on working for you. I’ve just been subject to the same conversation delivered by my new head, and trust me: workplace relationships are a definite no.’
‘Okay, fair point. I could just see if she was planning on going there anyway, and then mention we would be. I reckon it would be alright though. A surf hostel is kinda different from a school. You are still on for tonight? Teaching hasn’t put you off having fun has it?’
‘Yeah, of course.’
‘Excellent. And don’t think you got that past me either. What’s this about you being given an inappropriate relationship talk in your first week? If anyone had ever asked me if that was a conversation someone needed to have with you, I would have bet a fair hundred quid that no way. Not in this universe. You are the shyest man I know with the ladies, an absolute gentleman at all times. If anything, girls in the bar have asked how to get you slightly less gentlemanly.’
‘That was one. One! Not girls plural.’
‘Doesn’t matter. Point is, how on earth have you suddenly become some kind of predator? Last week it was surf beats and laid-back riffs and now?! Now you’re getting called into the headteacher’s office for being a bit too handsy. That makes no sense, mate, no sense at all. It just doesn’t fit with who you are, let alone your damn five-year thing.’
Kam trailed his fingers through the water, revelling in the feel of it against his fingers, laughing as his friend delivered his opinion, the kick of salt biting through the air.
‘Ha! I was not being handsy, you’re right about that. It was just a misunderstanding. You should have been there. I’m surprised I got off as lightly as I did to be honest.’
‘What did you do?’ Ben cocked his head as he looked at his friend, unable to believe what he was hearing.
‘It wasn’t me as such…’ Kam started and his friend snorted with triumph, head rocking back as his faith in his friend was confirmed. ‘It was just that the teaching assistant and I were looking for Sir Squeaks—’
‘You what?’
‘The teaching assistant and I were looking for the school hamster, which had escaped. When we found it, she was so excited that she put her arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek.’
