Sanditon Melodies

Chapter 42: Surfing and singing (again)

Charlotte omitted a rather large squeal as she dipped her toe into the sea.

"Sidney – it's f***ing freezing!"

Sidney laughed. "You're wearing booties."

"It's still cold!"

"Heywood, stop being such a wuss. Come on."

Charlotte turned to him. "But Sir, I've only been in the sea in the summer. These Autumn temperatures are really not doing it for me." She said playfully.

"You'll change your mind when you start riding the waves Heywood." He said looking out at them, eager to dive straight in.

"Hmm... Can't you go a little easy on me today Mr Parker? I am a bit out of practice." Charlotte teased.

Sidney turned towards her. "Well, seeing as you are now teacher's pet, I guess I can cut you a little slack." He said as he leaned towards her to give her a quick kiss. "Only a little mind."

Charlotte took a deep breath. "Very well. Lead the way." She followed Sidney as they strolled purposefully out to sea. The cold didn't seem to have any effect on Sidney, but Charlotte was struggling with it. She bit her lip to keep from squealing as the water rose higher up her body. However, the deeper she went in, the quicker her body seemed to get used to the temperature until she was able to nearly (but not fully) forget about the cold and begin feeling the thrill of being in the ocean again.

As they walked out side by side, Charlotte started singing quietly (more to distract herself from the cold than anything).

Somewhere beyond the sea

Somewhere waiting for me

My lover stands on golden sands

And watches the ships that go sailin'

Somewhere beyond the sea

She's there watching for me

If I could fly like birds on high

Then straight to her arms

I'd go sailing

Sidney just listened as Charlotte sang, very much enjoying the private performance which reminded him of the first time he heard her sing right here on this very beach. He still felt the chills as she sang in her husky sexy tones. Spellbound, he somehow kept walking out further into sea, until they got deep enough to start paddling when he stopped.

"Well, that was beautiful." Sidney said.

Charlotte smiled apologetically. "Sorry... I sing a lot. Sometimes I do it without realising. Tell me to shut up if it gets annoying."

"Why are you apologising? I don't think your singing will ever get annoying. I could honestly listen to you all day."

"You say that now..."

"No I mean it. And now you're with me, I get to have my own private performances." He said, smiling and attempting to get closer to her until a wave came by and caught him unawares, breaking over him making them both giggle. "Shall we paddle the rest?" He suggested chuckling.

"Sure."

Charlotte hauled herself onto the board and followed Sidney as he paddled out further. The waves were strong today and kept breaking over her, but she didn't mind... in fact, it was rather refreshing. They got out a decent distance and stopped and sat on the boards waiting for the right wave.

"Enjoying being back in your natural habitat Mr Parker?" Charlotte said smiling at him and he grinned back.

"God yes!" Sidney said, taking it all in. "So are you going to take the first one prone or attempt the pop up?" He asked her.