The Siren's Code

Surf Competition

Cassie woke early, in fact it had been difficult to sleep at all, why is that always the way when you really need to sleep? She closed her eyes again trying to reactivate some form of slumber but nothing, she was nervous, really nervous.

Nerves are just excitement, she told herself pulling the pillow over her head, squashing it around her ears, go away thoughts, go away I don't want to go over the rules again, I don't want to imagine what if my Dad turns up, I don't want to imagine winning... because I won't. Aaaggghhh, it's no use, I can't even count sheep, they turn into waves.

She threw the pillow off, it was getting stuffy and not really helping anyway, and untangled herself from her sheet, putting her feet on the floor, groaning and clambering down the ladder to make coffee.

The ritual took her mind off things for a while, unlocking the glass doors and pushing them open, she could never get bored of that warmth – back home it was pretty grey and cold right now – and the noise of every creature coming in with the light, a full sensory work out each morning as she breathed in the smell of jasmine from the vine climbing her roof. Back to the coffee machine she emptied yesterday's grounds into the bin, found a filter and spooned in a few doses of new, before filling up the back with water and flicking the switch on. Pouring milk into her favourite mug she put it on forty-five in the microwave then stepped down into the bathroom while it brewed, had a pee, splashed water over her face, looking at herself in the mirror, you can do it girl.... you have to do it girl as you don't have three hundred quid or whatever all these lessons have built up to, AND and you need to impress Jay, perhaps just perhaps he might like you?

Uurrggh, that sounds so desperate, she thought as she turned away and climbed back up into the kitchen, grabbed her mug from the microwave filling it with coffee and a sugar sachet, from the eclectic mix nicked from cafes she frequented before padding out to sit on her veranda and be still.

I'm doing it for myself, she told herself sternly, I can do it and I will do it, but for me, not the money and definitely not for him.

She took a deep breath, hoping to settle into some form of cleansing meditation, smelling the sweet smell of the coffee. Margo always kept her in stock from what they grew at the perma-cycle project which was kind, and it was great coffee, strong but sweet. So she challenged herself to keep going; she visualised a barista back home with a whole list of aromas and tasting notes. Breathed in again, closing her eyes, chocolate, earthy, smokey? Oooh some sort of spice, she took a sip, well milky and sweet of course, the barista would not be happy with all the pollutants I've dumped in! But mmmm caramelly, nutty, oooh wet dog ewhh, she opened her eyes and there was Basta wagging at her, soaked, what happened to you buddy? She ruffled his ears, as he shook and soaked her, hey no, she leapt up to move from the line of fire but he thought it was a game and just got closer. Ok boy where is Jay then and what have you been up to? You went chasing iguanas again in the fountain weren't you? You've got to be careful you silly dog they are angry old beasts. No, no you're not coming in here you can dry off there, he rushed off again looping the house and back down the path, mad dog.

The competition opens its gates at ten and then the novice heat is the first one, so I need to be there to sign in by ten thirty and get my number and vest. She felt her stomach flip again. I'm going to go and get pancakes, then come back, then get my stuff on and go down. Ok, deep breaths, you can do this.

Basta was still pegging it up and down the path when she locked her door with the fob and headed to the restaurant, what was going on with him.

"Hey, surf girl, how you feeling?" Bear was just serving food to a table, who all turned around, Cassie winced.

"Are you doing the competition here today?" One of them asked.

"Yes, and I'm pretty nervous to answer your question Bear."