Language of Love

Chapter 48 - Heat and Heroes

The heat was searing and the temperature seemed determined to continue to climb as mid day approached. Beach goers ran across the hot sand and tourists and locals alike were succumbing to heat stroke.

Abi was thankful she'd been able to remain in the air conditioned tower for most of her shift, the guys taking pity on her British constitution, which was struggling to handle the heat.

Now, at shifts end, she crossed the promenade and headed for the Bucket List. Sam was already there and had found a table under the shade of the canopies. Abi sat heavily in the chair opposite her and sipped gratefully at the iced coffee Sam had waiting for her.
"Tough shift?"
"Constant medicals. Heat stroke can be really scary." Abi said.
"Yeah. You can definitely have the beach contract. New Year's Day was an experience! I am not cut out for all that craziness."
"I love it. It's always different." Abi said. "Ben spoke to me. Channel 10 have had 2 translators leave. Both worked on translations for the Bondi production team. He wondered if we'd be interested in applying for the contract."
"Translating the stuff they film on the beach?"
"Yeah. They send the clips and we'd send back the translations." Abi passed Sam the application information.
"I'll get on that for us." She said. "I've officially set up the business account. We might need an office space."
"Hop suggested we ask the Pavilion or North Bondi surf club."
"Okay, you enquire at the Pavilion, I'll ask the surf club. No more business talk. Girl lunch. Where's Caitlinn got to?"
Abi checked her phone. At Sam's exclamation of "No way!" Abi looked up and saw Caitlinn strolling along the promenade with Mouse. She watched as Mouse pecked her on the cheek, gave a teasing bow and headed over to the tower.

Exchanging a look with Sam Abi shook her head.
"Nah! That's just Mouse being Mouse."
"Look at her smug grin Abi! That girl finally got a lifeguard."
"But Mouse?!" Abi was still disbelieving.
"Don't tell me you wouldn't! Even I think he's attractive!"
Abi couldn't reply before Caitlinn appeared beside them.
Sam gave her a look.
Caitlinn pulled up a chair and sat down, looking even more smug.
"Mouse?!" Abi asked
"Mouse!" Caitlin practically squealed, doing a little dance in her chair.
"Okay spill." Demanded Abi.
"It was just a one off thing. But he didn't disappoint!"

Abi's phone rang. She answered without looking at the screen.
"You lose, babe! Yeeew!" Troy crowed down the phone, the noise of the tower behind him. She could hear Maxi chanting 'Mouse and Caitlinn sitting in a treee.'
"Alright. I lost. I'll sign up for the damn swim!"
Abi hung up to find the girls looking at her confused.
"We had a bet. Troy said Cait would get her night with a lifeguard. I said she wouldn't. I lost, so I've got to sign up for next year's Bronte to Bondi Ocean swim."
"What did he have to do if he lost?" Sam enquired.
"Apply to swim the English Channel."
"I can't believe you had such little faith in me." Caitlinn humphed before nearly falling off her chair with laughter.

Lunch involved hearing far too many details of Caitlinns escapades. Abi wasn't sure she needed those images of Mouse in her head.

Eventually, the 3 women headed for the language school where classes of eager learners awaited them. Abi had 2 classes of Russian, a French class and a new to English class that afternoon. They were done by 8pm and headed out together for a late dinner on Hall Street.

Sam's girlfriend, Jasz, joined them around half 9, and they headed down to the promenade. They decided to head for the Icebergs and walked along the green.

A scream broke through the night noises. Abi had become far too familiar with that desperate cry for help and knew instantly that someone was in the rip. A quick glance in the fading light showed at least 1, possibly 2 heads moving out to sea fast. She pulled out her phone and threw it at Sam.
"Call Whippet or Deano. Then the police and Hoppo." She shouted as she sprinted down the green slope and along the paved walkway. Ignoring Caitlinns demand that she stop. She ran at her top speed down the ramp. In the distance, she saw other figures rushing onto the beach up towards the tower, but she was closer and her feet carried her on towards the cries for help coming from the South End.