Secret Love

Shutters...

Tom lay on his back, arms behind his head, eyes closed. The warmth of the sun and the sand through the soft towel cocooning him into a relaxed doze.

To his left, Jenny and Flick played with a couple of small bats and a ball, the occasional shout of "not fair" and "you cheater!" breaking the otherwise calm atmosphere.

He grinned and opened an eye, watching them with an overwhelming sense of contentment. A family holiday, HIS family, seemed almost within reach, even despite Clare's resistance. She'd been nothing if not polite. Some days she'd been almost chatty. Today, however, was a cold shoulder day.

Almost a week and a half in, she was determined not to give in without a fight. Her underlying nature made it almost impossible for her to be incessantly rude, and she'd even gone so far as to smile at him once or twice when she forgot to be annoyed.

Nancy was back at the villa, reading her book in the shade of a large pine tree. Feet up, she'd shaken her head as the girls invited her to come with them to the beach. "No, you go on my lovelies. I'm too long in the tooth for all that sand nonsense. I'm quite content with my cushioned seat; my fruit punch, and Mr Le Carre thanks. Have fun and don't get sand in places sand shouldn't go, ok?" she smiled and waved them away.

They'd piled into the hire car, bags and towels and a small picnic. Jenny, who'd completely abandoned ANY pretence at holding Tom at arm's length, called shotgun. Flick smiled and happily waited until she climbed in, making sure she buckled up before getting in the back. Clare scowled, but a mother's sixth sense told her there was something other than annoyance in it. Was there.... jealousy? She smiled to herself and passed Clare the bags.

"Ready? Got your swimmers? Water shoes?"

Clare nodded... and then shook her head. "Oh bobbins!"

"What?"

"Left my water shoes in the villa...." she considered going back then sat back. "Doesn't matter mum, I won't need them." she crossed her arms. "Not going in the sea."

"Why not?" her mum was surprised, Clare had always been a water baby. "You feeling ok?"

"Well... SHE will be playing with HIM, so what's the point?" she glared at the back of Tom's head, virtually sticking her tongue out.

"Since when did ANYTHING your sister does influence you? You don't usually play with her in the water?" Flick was gentle with her, well aware this was just another in a long line of made-up excuses to justify her attitude.

Silent reproach emanated from the sullen girl as she shrugged and looked out of the window. Tom glanced into the rear view mirror, and Flick smiled and shook her head in an "ignore her she's just being awkward" gesture.

He started the car, and they were soon settled on the little beach.

Not long after Flick and Jenny started playing, Clare had declared she was "bored rigid and was going to paddle in the sea. And SHE..." She pointed at Jenny, "SHE is not to come. She play with someone else." Her eyes glared at Tom as she spoke to her mum.

"Clarebear... please... It's not Jenny's fault...." Tom started to defend her little sister but fell silent, realising he was probably only making it worse. Flick turned to them both.

"Jenny will be playing with ME so don't get all high and mighty, Miss." She said firmly. "Tom is just as much on holiday as us, he deserves some chill time too."

She glanced across and he got the real meaning instantly. He nodded and lay on the towel, pulling his cap over his eyes.
Clare stomped off to the shallows and the other two began their battle.