Bella was walking hand in hand with Jack along the boardwalk, autumn leaves crunching underfoot. She was perfectly capable of walking without holding his hand but Jack had insisted it was more slippery than usual with all the wet leaves on the ground. ‘And what if you do fall and break your fingernails?’ he said, which scared her.
‘Bella!’
Someone was calling her name from far away. Concentrating on working out who it was, she woke with a fright. ‘A dream,’ she said miserably.
She stared at her bedside clock trying to get her sleepy eyes to focus. She’d barely seen Jack during the past four days. But today was Guy Fawkes Day and they wouldn’t be able to avoid each other with the bonfire party on the beach to prepare for.
Megan would be back too, she remembered. Lying back down, Bella mused how much she now liked the scatty, flirtatious girl.
Jack. She couldn’t help wondering if he had left for the day, or whether he was lying asleep on the other side of the wall. One wall was all that separated them. How far would their kiss have gone if she’d let it? He hadn’t mentioned it since and neither had she.
She had spent the time focusing on her business and Jack had left early, most days, to go fishing with Tony. She couldn’t help wondering how he would have avoided her if his work hadn’t provided him with a reason to be out before she got up but assumed he probably would have gone surfing instead.
Bella was relieved her mother was staying with Betty because Claire would have sensed the tension in the cottage and want to sort it out. Bella wasn’t ready for that and didn’t think Jack was either.
No point lying here wallowing, she thought, unable to stay in bed a moment longer. She pulled open her curtains. It was barely dawn but she noticed someone crouching down near to the sea wall opposite her cottage. She peered down to try and see what the person was doing. It was a man wearing a dark hoodie. His hand moved back to reach for something to reveal a symbol built of pebbles. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a gasp, desperate not to alert him to her presence.
Moving slowly back from the window, she quickly dressed in her jeans and a jumper and went outside, unable to resist uncovering who had been behind the mysterious symbols appearing over the past few months. Thankfully, the sound of her footsteps were masked by the noise of the waves breaking on the beach. Bella barely breathed as she crept up next to the man.
‘Tony?’ She couldn’t believe it. Why would he be doing something like this?
He stood up, mouth open, seemingly lost for words. ‘Bella, I…’
She hated to think that she had given him a shock. And now that she was standing in front of him, wished she had left him alone. It wasn’t as if his symbols were hurting anyone. ‘Are you okay?’
He stared at her and then down at the partially formed symbol. ‘You must wonder why I’ve been doing this?’
‘We’ve all been curious about them,’ she admitted. ‘Do you want to carry on? I won’t tell anyone it was you.’
At that moment, her mother stepped out of Betty’s cottage and, seeing them, walked over to join them. ‘What are you two doing out here so early? Is anything the matter?’
Bella cringed. She didn’t like to share Tony’s secret. She exchanged glances with him.
‘It’s me,’ he said quietly. ‘I’ve been the one leaving the symbols. You probably think I’m a little odd.’
Claire frowned. She reached out and placed a hand on his right shoulder. ‘I heard your wife died a year or so ago,’ she said. ‘Are these for her?’
Bella didn’t dare speak, but watched as Tony nodded. ‘She had a tattoo of this symbol on her wrist. She designed it herself and said that it represented our family. When I have a difficult day coping without her, I come out here when no one’s around and leave a symbol as a message to her.’ He gave Bella a sideways glance. ‘I know she won’t see it, but it helps somehow.’
‘Are your children at home?’ Claire asked, pointing at his cottage a few doors down from Betty’s.
He shook his head. ‘They’re staying with my wife’s parents for a few days.’
‘Then why don’t you come with me to Betty’s? She still asleep, but you know you can always confide in her, and I’d like to think you could trust me too. I find it helps to talk to someone.’
Bella watched him consider her mum’s invitation, hoping he would accept. ‘There’s no harm in sharing how you feel,’ she said.
‘It’s so long since I spoke to anyone about her,’ he said, almost to himself. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. ‘Yes, if you’re sure you have the time,’ he said, staring at Claire. ‘I think I’d like that.’
‘Good,’ she said, smiling. ‘Let’s go.’
He looked at Bella. ‘Don’t look so worried. I’m glad you caught me. Will you put those pebbles back on the beach, so no one sees them?’
She nodded and watched her mother and Tony go to Betty’s cottage, thinking how everyone was fighting their own battle.
She tidied away the pebbles, trying to make sense of how lonely Tony must have been yet none of them had noticed because he had kept himself to himself and either worked or focused on his small children.
She remembered Megan was arriving mid-morning and that she had promised to take her for a walk along the beach. She was still surprised by the girl’s fondness for the place but secretly thrilled about it too. Returning to her cottage, she showered and dressed, then made her way to the bookshop to see Jools. The bell jangled to announce her arrival and she saw Mrs Jones seated at the counter, crocheting.
‘Good morning, young Bella. How are you today?’ She dropped a gravy bone treat for Teddy onto the floor. The little Jack Russell was popular with customers but had a tendency to run outside if the door was left open. ‘Quit your begging, or you’ll not have your walk on the beach.’ Mrs Jones looked up at Bella. ‘Jools has gone off to take photos of someone’s garden she’s been commissioned to paint,’ she said. ‘I’ve no idea when she’ll be back and this one is driving me nuts, whining.’
‘Would you like me to take him for a walk?’
‘No, lovey, you’ve got more than enough to be getting on with.’ She placed her crocheting onto the counter. ‘Now, tell me how your mum and Betty are getting along. I know your mother’s a free spirit, but I think the two of them will be fine living together.’
Bella had thought so too but it was a relief to hear Mrs Jones say so. ‘I agree. At least I hope it works out. I want Mum to be happy, but I know she’s used to her independence and living with me might have made her miss that a little.’
‘Do you think she’ll stay put now she’s back?’ Mrs Jones asked.
Bella shrugged. ‘I’d like to think so. For the first time since she’s been back, I can imagine it. I’ve never felt that before.’
Mrs Jones nodded sagely. ‘Well, it’s about time she settled down. It’s taken her long enough.’
Bella knew Mrs Jones was fond of her mother and wasn’t being mean, but still felt the need to defend her. ‘Some of us are freer spirits than others,’ she said.
‘Yes, lovey, and some are given responsibilities earlier than they should have them.’
Bella knew she was referring to the couple of years she’d cared for her grandmother when she was unable to do much for herself. ‘I was happy to be here with Nan, Mrs Jones. Mum would have felt trapped. It worked out for the best.’
‘Maybe so.’ Mrs Jones reached out and patted Bella’s left hand. Teddy barked, just once. ‘That’s him telling me he wants to go out,’ she said, sighing heavily. ‘If you want to fetch his lead from the back of the kitchen door. If you really wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate you taking him for a walk.’
‘I’d love to,’ she said, keen to help.
‘His ball is there too. Just be careful not to throw it up onto the rocks. It doesn’t matter how high it’s thrown up there, the little devil will charge up to fetch it. He got stuck twice before and the second time damaged one of his front legs.’
‘Don’t worry, Mrs Jones,’ Bella reassured her. ‘I’ll be careful not to do that.’ She attached Teddy’s lead, said goodbye to Mrs Jones, and left the shop.
‘So, shall we give Lexi a call and see if Megan has arrived yet?’ She took her mobile phone from her jacket pocket and located Lexi’s number. ‘Hi Lexi, how are you? Have you got any idea when Megan’s expected to arrive? I promised to take her for a walk on the beach and I’ve Mrs Jones’ dog, Teddy, with me. I thought I’d walk them both at the same time.’
‘She’s just arrived actually,’ said Lexi. ‘I’ll put her on.’
‘Hi Bella,’ Megan said, sounding very excited. ‘I’m so buzzing to be back here. I was determined to be at Jack’s party tonight, although my agent wasn’t very happy and we had a bit of a row. But I told her that I’m busy at the moment and I need a break. Being here over Halloween showed me that I really did need to take time out.’
‘Good, I’m glad,’ Bella said, thrilled to hear how happy Megan sounded. ‘I’ve got Teddy here, he’s a little Jack Russell and he’s desperate for walk on the beach. How about I collect you now and we go together?’
‘I’d love to, but no need to come and get me. I’ll walk down to you. I’m sure I won’t get lost. See you in ten minutes?’
Bella laughed. ‘That’s great, I look forward to seeing you.’ She ended the call, thinking how different Megan seemed now that she’d got to know her. If only she had been nicer in the first place, they could have been friends before now. Better late than never, Bella thought.
She decided to pop to the café while she waited for Megan to arrive. ‘Shall we go and see Sacha?’ she asked.
As if Teddy understood he gave a quick little bark and frantically wagged his tail. Bella wondered if maybe it was time she got her own dog. She loved dogs. She especially wanted one of the rescue dogs that had been brought to the island that she’d seen on online. She’d spotted one on the website. He wasn’t very cute and no one seemed to want him. Maybe she should make some enquiries.
She peered through the glass of the café door. As it was quiet, she decided that Sacha wouldn’t mind her taking Teddy inside. She opened the door and waved at her friend.
‘How lovely to see you,’ Sacha said, bending down to stroke Teddy ‘I’ve got something for you, little man. Let me go and get it for you.’
She disappeared into the kitchen and came back with some chopped up chicken, which she put on the floor in front of the little dog, and they watched while he wolfed it down.
‘I hope Mrs Jones doesn’t mind him being fed,’ Bella said. ‘I don’t want to annoy her the first time I take him out for a walk. It wouldn’t be the best thing to do, would it?’
‘She won’t mind,’ Sacha said. ‘In fact, whenever she comes in here with Jools I give him a little bowl of chicken. He expects it now.’
Bella laughed. ‘I can’t say I blame him.’ Something caught her eye. It was Megan, walking around on the boardwalk, looking for her. ‘I better go. I promised Megan I’d take her for a walk on the beach. I thought it would be more fun with Teddy.’
She gave Sacha a brief hug, and checking that Teddy had finished his chicken, patted him on the head. ‘Come on, Teddy, let’s go.’
She left the café and waved at Megan, who looked much more relaxed than the last time she’d seen her. ‘Lovely to see you,’ she said. ‘Shall we go straight down?’
Megan nodded and followed Bella and Teddy down the granite steps onto the soft sand where Bella unclipped the dog’s lead. She took his tennis ball out of her pocket and threw it for him to chase. He raced off after the ball, going so fast that he missed it. Turning around, he retraced his steps and grabbed it, bringing it back to be thrown once again.
‘What a cute little dog,’ Megan said.
Bella noted that she didn’t actually touch the dog and smiled to herself. ‘He is. How have you been?’ asked Bella.
‘Fine, thanks.’ Megan pointed in Teddy’s direction and smiled. ‘I think we need to throw his ball for him again.’
Bella reached it first, picked it up and threw it away from the rocks. Next it was Megan’s turn. She picked up the ball and threw it back the other way.
‘We have to be careful,’ Bella said, thinking of Mrs Jones. She had no intention of having to break the news to the old lady that her dog was stuck up the cliffs. ‘The owner is most insistent that we don’t throw the ball onto the rocks because apparently, Teddy has no sense when it comes to chasing after it. She said he’s already been stuck up there twice and once I gather, he hurt himself.’
Megan picked up the ball and hurled it. For someone so slight, Megan threw with a huge amount of strength. ‘Oh, no!’ she shouted, covering her mouth with her hand.
Bella looked over to see what was wrong, horrified to see the ball had bounced halfway up the rock face. ‘Quick! Grab Teddy.’
He’d scooted out of Megan’s hands before she could get hold of him and was running after his ball.
‘Teddy!’ Bella screamed, but the little dog completely ignored her and ran flat-out towards the rocks.
‘Surely he’s not going to run up there,’ said Megan, looking dismayed. ‘Aw hell, I think he is.’
‘We’re going to have to get him,’ Bella said, chasing after him, trying not to panic. ‘Otherwise he’s going to get stuck. I’m terrified of heights.’
‘You’re not the only one,’ Megan said, running alongside. ‘I can’t even climb up to the second rung of a ladder.’
‘Then we’re going to have to grab him before he goes too high.’ Bella sprinted as fast as she could, lurching towards the dog, missing him as he sprang forward, as nimble as a mountain goat, up the jagged rock face. She and Megan watched in frozen horror as it seemed to dawn on him, when he was about two thirds of the way up, that he was stuck and couldn’t get down. Neither could he reach his ball. He turned around and looked in their direction, as if willing them to do something.
Megan and Bella exchanged glances. Bella could see that Megan wasn’t in any rush to climb up the rocks and neither was she.
‘It’s okay, Teddy!’ she shouted, trying to keep her tone as calm as possible. ‘Good boy! We’re coming to get you!’
‘Well, I’m not,’ Megan argued, her old self returning.
‘Er, I think you are,’ Bella said. ‘You’re the one who threw the ball over there.’
‘Thanks for the reminder.’
The little dog started whimpering.
‘He probably remembers the last time he got stuck up there, when he got hurt,’ Megan said, panic entering her voice.
‘Which is why we have to get him down as soon as we can, before he does something silly.’ Bella surveyed the beach. ‘Shame we’re the only ones here,’ she said, half to herself. ‘I’m going to have to begin climbing.’ She took a deep breath and, focused on what she was doing, stepped onto the first rock.
‘Just don’t look down,’ Megan advised.
‘I wasn’t planning to.’
Bella climbed higher and higher, stopping every so often to take deep calming breaths. She swallowed, trying to stave off the panic that was threatening to overcome her. She’d almost reached the little dog when he seemed to become more fretful and started to climb higher.
‘Don’t move, Teddy. Stay still, there’s a good boy,’ Bella said, in the calmest voice she could manage. Why had she even thought this would be a good idea?
‘You all right up there?’ Megan shouted.
‘No, I’m not,’ Bella replied through gritted teeth. She reached up towards Teddy, but her fingers wouldn’t quite reach him. She tried once again, but it was no use. ‘He’s too far away!’ she called, aware that she was running out of options.
‘Hang on then, I’m coming!’
Bella glanced down, instantly wishing she hadn’t as a wave of nausea swept over her. She could see Megan gingerly making her way up the cliff face. What if Megan couldn’t reach him either? Bella took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, concentrating on soothing Teddy.
Megan reached her, slightly out of puff. ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ she said, her voice trembling with fear. ‘I don’t think I can get down now.’
Neither did Bella, but they were stuck here now and if they didn’t do something soon the dog was going to panic. She was terrified he would jump. The thought gave her vertigo and she clung to a rock as tightly as her hands would let her. ‘We still haven’t reached Teddy yet and we can’t think about going down without him.’
‘We can’t go down at all at the moment. We have to be brave and just do this,’ Megan insisted. ‘You try to move higher while I stay here.’
‘What’s that supposed to achieve?’
‘I could grab Teddy if he tries to run down.’
‘Good luck with that,’ she said realising that Teddy was as frozen with fear as they were.
She needed to work out how to get them all safely down to the beach and concentrated on placing one foot above the other in the little nooks and crannies of the rock face. ‘He’s on a bigger ledge than I expected,’ she called back to Megan, as she drew closer to Teddy. She took a deep breath and stretching her free arm up, managed to touch him. If she could just get hold of him now and somehow stay next to him, maybe they could call for help from there? With an effort, she hoisted herself up and was able to lean across the grassy ledge to where he was standing. ‘You’re all right,’ she said, stroking his trembling body.
‘Well done!’ Megan shouted. ‘Hang on to him, won’t you?’
She wasn’t going to let go of Teddy, or the ledge. In fact, she wasn’t sure what to do next. ‘Phone Jools,’ Bella said as calmly as she could. ‘I’ll give you her number.’
‘Ahh, I didn’t actually bring my phone.’
Hiding her disappointment, Bella wondered whether she could climb to the top and on to the headland, Bella looked up, immediately becoming dizzy. She heard panting behind her and tentatively glanced over her shoulder to see Megan approaching. Bella wasn’t sure now that insisting Megan should help was a good idea. The girl had guts, and she liked her even more for trying, but two of them stuck with Teddy wasn’t going to get them off the cliff.
‘Why is no one on the beach apart from us?’ Megan yelled.
Bella indicated a steel-grey weather front moving over the channel towards them. ‘That’s probably why.’
‘Great,’ Megan grumbled, slipping a few inches, sending small pieces of rock tumbling to the beach below.
‘Careful,’ Bella said, grabbing her arm and holding her until she found her footing again. ‘I don’t want to have to rescue you, too.’
Megan reached her and clung on. ‘I’ve already broken a few nails. And,’ she said, raising her designer eyebrows at Bella, ‘by the look on your face, I doubt you’ll be rescuing anyone, including Teddy.’ Her left foot slipped again and she whimpered. ‘Have you any idea how we’re supposed to get him down? I’m tired and that stormy weather will probably wash us off this rock.’
Bella didn’t relish the prospect of staying there much longer. She took a deep breath, wishing she’d never offered to take Teddy out for a walk.
‘Is that a fishing boat coming in to shore, do you think?’ Megan asked, her fingertips white from clinging on to Bella.
Bella focused on the distant boat. ‘It looks like it,’ she said, hopefully. ‘It’s painted red and white, isn’t it?’
Megan squinted out to sea. ‘Hang on. Yes, it is. Why? Is that good?’
‘Hopefully. I think it’s Tony’s fishing boat. Jack was going out with him.’ She could feel the relief, calming her slightly. ‘I have an idea.’ She carefully pushed her right hand into her jacket pocket, reaching for her mobile. She took it out and found Jack’s number. It rang for what seemed like hours, but was probably only seconds, until he answered.
‘Bella, hi!’ he said shouting above the boat’s engine noise. She sensed from his tone that he was still a little awkward after their close encounter a few days earlier.
‘Oh Jack, I’m so glad you’ve answered,’ she said, not caring that he would hear how frightened she was.
‘Bella? Where are you? Has something happened? Is it Betty?’ He wasn’t giving her time to reply.
‘No, Jack… please, just listen. Megan and I are stuck up the cliff at the beach.’
There was a pause. ‘What are you doing up there?’ he said. ‘You’re terrified of heights.’
She told him about taking Teddy for a walk and him chasing the ball. ‘And now all three of us are stuck and don’t know how to get down. The tide has come in too,’ she said, as the realisation dawned on her, that even if they did get down in one piece, they still had to get the dog to dry land.
‘Hey, it’s going to be fine,’ Jack soothed. ‘The first thing to do is not panic.’
‘And the second?’
‘I’m not sure yet.’ She could hear him speaking with Tony. ‘We’re going to bring the boat in as close as we can. If you can get lower down with Teddy then do, but if not, just wait for me. Okay? Don’t try anything heroic.’
She was past trying anything at all. ‘Yes, please hurry,’ she said, trying not to cry with relief. She cleared her throat after he ended the call. ‘Jack is on that fishing boat and he’s going to try and rescue us.’
Megan sighed heavily. ‘I knew he was a hero the moment I set eyes on him,’ she said, relaxing her grip slightly.
Bella cuddled Teddy as best she could with her free arm. ‘He’s shivering, poor little guy.’
‘Should we try and cover him with something?’
‘Good idea.’ She carefully unravelled her scarf and wound it awkwardly around the little dog. ‘It might make him feel better,’ she said, wishing there was something she could do to help her and Megan. Her teeth were chattering and her jaw was becoming sore from trying to stop them. ‘We just have to stay as calm as we can until Jack gets here,’ she added, as much to reassure herself as Megan.
‘I hope he gets here soon because I’m bloody freezing,’ Megan moaned. ‘I wish I’d never thrown that bloody ball.’
‘Stop blaming yourself. These things happen,’ Bella said, even though it had been Megan’s fault. After all, she specifically told her not to throw the ball at the rocks. ‘Anyway, knowing Jack, he won’t take long to get here. He’s very clever at anything outdoorsy.’ She hoped she was right. He’d never had to rescue her from a cliff ledge before
‘I was wondering,’ Megan said. ‘Should I try and climb to the top, do you think?’
Bella looked up without thinking. Again, her world turned on its axis. ‘That was a bad idea,’ she groaned. ‘I have no idea if you can find a way up there, but I can’t see one.’
Megan looked pensive, scanning the rock face back and forth. ‘Maybe we’re looking at this the wrong way,’ she said. ‘Instead of going up, we should go to the right or the left. Take our time getting to the top.’
Bella gave it some thought. She had a point. Neither of them could hang on much longer. She looked around but couldn’t see any way that they could go. ‘Jack did say to wait, and I think that’s our safest bet.’
‘We got up, though,’ Megan argued. ‘Why the hell can’t we get back down?’
‘Fine,’ Bella said. ‘I’m going to try again.’ She took one step and the rock gave way beneath her feet. Stones cascaded down, several of them giving Megan glancing blows. She shrieked, startling Teddy. Bella clung to him, making soothing noises as the rocks streamed noisily below. ‘Okay, that’s it, I’m not going anywhere. I’m waiting for Jack.’
A man’s voice bellowed from below. They looked down tentatively to see Alessandro, waving up at them. Cupping his hands either side of his mouth, he called, ‘Bella, you are okay? You wish for me to climb up to you?’
‘It’s not just us,’ Bella called back. ‘We’ve got a dog and we don't know how to get him down.’
‘I get help,’ Alessandro called. ‘You wait, I come back soon.’
Before Bella could tell him about Jack, he turned and ran off.
‘For pity’s sake,’ Megan moaned. ‘Who does he think is going to come and help us? The coastguard, I suppose, or the fire brigade. Oh hell, imagine the photos.’
‘It’ll be fine. I’m sure Jack will be here before anyone else,’ Bella said hopefully, scanning the sea to try and gauge how close he was.
Megan suddenly giggled. ‘You do know you’re going to laugh about this one day?’
Bella wasn’t sure about that. She couldn’t imagine ever laughing about something that had terrified her quite so much. But to keep the peace, and keep Megan’s mind off the fact that they were holding on tightly to a rock face, she nodded. ‘Yes, you’re probably right,’ she said. ‘But I think it’s going to be a long while.’
They waited, trying to remain calm, telling each other jokes to pass the time, watching as the boat came closer. Eventually, Bella spotted Jack, waving at them, and then she could hear his voice. She waved back, relief washing through her. Thank God he’d been close enough to take her call.
‘I phoned Alessandro!’ Jack shouted. ‘He’s getting my surfboard from the cottage and is bringing it down here.’
‘What the hell is he doing that for?’ Megan asked, frowning.
‘Shush,’ Bella said, quietly. ‘I don’t care how he does this, I just want to get down. So listen to what he has to say.’ She turned her attention to Jack. ‘Just tell us what you want us to do when you’re ready.’
Alessandro ran into view, carrying Jack’s bright orange surfboard. Bella and Megan watched while he pushed it out towards the boat and held it as Jack jumped into the water.
She heard Jack tell him to keep the surfboard close to the bottom of the cliff and saw Alessandro hand him what looked like a rucksack. Bella wasn’t sure why he’d been carrying it but maybe there was something inside it that would be useful. The girls waited silently while Jack made quick work of climbing the rock face.
‘I think he’s done this sort of thing before,’ Megan said, smiling for the first time since their escapade had begun.
‘You could be right,’
‘Hi, girls,’ Jack said, looking very comfortable as he joined them. Reaching Teddy, he checked him briefly. ‘You poor little thing,’ he said, giving the dog a one-armed cuddle. Teddy seemed ecstatic to see him, his whole body wagged with delight. Bella knew how he felt. ‘I can see you’re all freezing,’ he said, bringing the rucksack around to his front. ‘I’m going to put Teddy into this rucksack and zip it up slightly to hold his body inside.’ He slowly lifted the dog, and with a bit of effort, slipped him inside. ‘Can you help me get my arms through the straps?’ he asked Bella, carefully pulling the bag around, talking calmly to Teddy.
‘Of course.’ She was happy to agree to anything that would get them down.
‘That’s it,’ he said, quietly, once the rucksack was secure. ‘Hey, little guy,’ he said, when Teddy started panting. ‘You’re going to be fine. We’ll have you home in no time.’ He smiled at Bella. ‘You okay for a bit?’
‘I suppose so.’ She gave him a tearful smile. ‘I’m just glad Teddy’s okay. She wondered how she was going to break the news of Teddy’s adventure to Mrs Jones. She probably wouldn't be allowed to take him out for another walk and wouldn’t blame Mrs Jones for being furious, considering she’d done the very thing she had expressly asked Bella not to do.
‘I’ll be back as quick as I can,’ he said.
Bella and Megan watched his easy descent. He was soon at the bottom, where Alessandro was waiting on the surfboard. Sitting astride it, they paddled to the beach, where Alessandro got off and lifted Teddy from the rucksack.
‘Look,’ Bella said, watching the dog run up the beach towards the bookshop. ‘He’s taking him back to Mrs Jones. Isn’t he clever?’
‘Isn’t it sickening when they make it all look so easy?’ Megan said. ‘Maybe we should try and get down by ourselves.’
Bella had been considering doing the same thing. She was used to being capable and didn’t fancy waiting for Jack to rescue her as if she was some sort of nursery-story princess.
‘Urgh, I want to, but it’s not as if we’ve managed to even move a foot so far.’ She peered down and saw Jack already paddling the surfboard back to the bottom of the cliffs. He hooked the ankle strap over a narrow rock and began his second ascent.
‘Shall we try to come down to you?’ she asked, willing him to say no.
‘You’re probably better waiting for me to help you,’ he said. ‘Your muscles must be cold by now and we don’t want either of you falling.’ He waved at her to stay put and reached them so quickly it made Bella wonder why she was making such a fuss. Then again, she was scared of heights and Jack wasn’t.
‘Who’s coming down with me first?’
‘Take Megan,’ Bella insisted. After all, Megan was a guest, and a celeb, and she certainly didn't need the girl’s injury or death on her conscience.
Jack spoke quietly to Megan, telling her to follow exactly where he put his hands and feet and slowly they started their descent. It took a lot longer than when he’d gone down with Teddy. Soon though, Bella was relieved to see Megan sitting on the back of the surfboard. She smiled to herself, seeing Megan’s arms wrapped around Jack's waist. Even in times of stress, Megan was still able to make the most of any opportunity with a man. Jack paddled them over to the shore where Alessandro helped Megan off and wrapped a towel around her.
Finally, Jack was on his way back for her. Bella ached from the effort of being on a narrow ledge trying not to look up or down for so long. She was getting cramp in her legs and her whole body trembled from the cold. Feeling awkward that he was having to rescue her, she reminded herself that if she wanted to get down, this was her only option.
‘You alright up there?’ Jack said when he reached her. He put one arm around her. ‘You’re freezing. Don’t worry, this won’t take long. You saw what I did with Megan?’ She nodded. ‘Just take your time and slowly put one foot down at a time, finding a place to grip as you go.’
She tried to do as he asked but found that her body wouldn’t respond. Her heart pounded hard against her ribs. ‘I can’t move,’ she whispered. ‘I really can’t.’
‘Take a moment,’ he said gently. ‘Once you begin, you’ll be fine. I’m right next to you, so you won’t fall.’
‘Promise?’ She was barely able to force the words out of her mouth.
‘You know I won’t let anything happen to you.’ He rested a palm between her shoulders, the heat of his hand calming her slightly. ‘Shall we go then?’ He gave her a reassuring smile. ‘You can do this, trust me.’
At first, she didn't think she could. But one look at Jack's determined expression gave her the confidence to try and do what he’d asked. Taking a deep breath, she shakily moved one foot down. Finding a firm footing, she lowered the other foot.
Jack was right next to her. ‘You’re doing really well.’
She glanced at him, his confidence boosting her own. Relaxing slightly, she lowered her foot without checking it was secure and slipped. She screamed as she dropped and Jack grabbed hold of her jacket and held on tightly. ‘Don’t panic,’ he said. ‘Find your footing, take your time.’
Within five minutes, she realised her foot was wet. They’d reached the bottom and she was standing on a rock, ankle deep in the sea, which was rougher than it had been earlier.
Jack put his arm around her shoulders. ‘The storm will be with us in a few minutes,’ he said. ‘We need to get you home and into a hot shower.’
‘I feel such a fool,’ she said, tearful with relief. Her legs were shaky despite her exhilaration to have made it – with Jack’s help. ‘But I had to go after Teddy.’
Jack turned her to face him. ‘What else could you have done? You would never leave anybody in trouble without trying to help them, despite how frightened you might be. It's your natural instinct to do the right thing.’ He pulled her to him and gave her a tight hug. ‘You’re trembling,’ he said, kissing the top of her head. ‘You gave me such a fright when I saw you up there. I know how terrified of heights you are.’
She put her arms round his waist, resting her head on his warm chest as her breathing slowly began to return to normal. She hadn't realised quite how terrified she’d been until now. She wished she could stop shaking quite so much. ‘Thanks for being there for us, Jack. I really appreciate it, and I know Megan does too.’
‘I was only too pleased to help.’ He looked down. Bella followed his line of vision and realised that he wanted her to get on the surfboard.
‘Take my hand,’ he said, stepping down and sitting astride. ‘That’s right.’
He waited patiently, holding her hand to steady her while she put her leg over and settled behind him. ‘Put your arms around my waist and let’s get going.’
A wave crashed against the surfboard, pushing it against the rocks and narrowly missing crushing her leg.
‘The tide really has picked up,’ he said, paddling towards the beach.
She held on tightly and closed her eyes, resting her head against his muscular back. It was a relief to finally relax, despite being soaking wet and colder than she could ever remember. She relished the heat of his body against hers.
‘Nearly there, Bella,’ he said, over his shoulder. ‘Are you still up for the bonfire beach-party tonight? Don’t feel you have to help, you’ve had a traumatic day.’
‘Of course, I’m not going to miss it,’ she said. ‘And I want to help.’ It was the least she could do in return for him rescuing her, Megan and Teddy. ‘I’ve been looking forward to it. I know Megan has too. In fact, the entire village will probably show up, so it should be great fun.’ She tickled his side.
Jack laughed. ‘Hey, stop that. You know I’m ticklish.’
They reached the beach and Jack lifted her from the surfboard as Alessandro unfolded a large towel and wrapped it around her. ‘Here is one for you,’ he said, handing Jack a smaller towel. ‘Sorry, it is all I find.’
‘We need to get you girls home,’ Jack said, before turning to Alessandro. ‘You’d better go and help Sacha with the food for the party,’ he added. ‘Thanks for your help, mate, I’ll catch up with you later – let you know how the girls are getting on.’
On shaky legs, Bella accompanied Megan and Jack back to her cottage. ‘Go up and have a shower, Megan,’ she insisted. ‘I’ll light the fire down here for when you’re done.’
Megan ran up the stairs. ‘Help yourself to some dry clothes from my bedroom,’ Bella yelled after her. ‘It’s the one on the right at the top of the stairs.’
‘You go up, too,’ Jack said. ‘Get those wet clothes off and wrap yourself up. I’ll light the fire and make some hot drinks for when you’re both back down.’
Bella was grateful for his thoughtfulness. ‘But what about you?’
Jack shook his head and smiled. ‘I’m used to the cold water, don’t forget. You’re not. Now, for once, go and do as you’re told.’
Once they’d had their showers and changed, and were having a cup of tea, Jack said, ‘Don't forget we’ve still got the bonfire to sort out.’
‘In this weather?’ Megan looked horrified at the thought of going back to the beach in the wind and rain.
‘According to the forecast, the weather’s going to clear up. The storm should have passed by the time we light the fire at seven thirty.’
Bella suddenly realised no one had thought to tell Megan's manager or Lexi where she was. ‘Will they be looking for you?’ she asked. ‘Where did you say you were going today?’
‘It’ll be fine,’ Megan reassured her. ‘I told them I was meeting you, so no one will be waiting for me to get back, which,’ she laughed, ‘is probably a good thing under the circumstances.’
Jack’s mobile pinged. He read the message and nodded. ‘Alessandro said to tell you that he delivered Teddy to Mrs Jones and explained what had happened.’
Bella grimaced, waiting to hear what she had said next.
‘It’s fine,’ Jack smiled at her. ‘Apparently, she was perfectly fine and doesn’t hold anyone responsible. She knows how naughty Teddy can be when he’s chasing his ball.’
‘That’s a relief,’ Bella said taking a sip of her hot drink. Closing her eyes, she tried not to think of the state her hands must be in. She had had enough of drama for one day and would worry about them another time.