The Lie of Love Page 7

  He turned to her and forced a smile. ‘I suppose I can’t complain if it means more bake sales. I could definitely eat more leftover stock.’

  ‘I’ll make some for you today,’ Darcy said, relieved that the awkward moment was over. ‘We can have apple crumble after tea if you like.’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’ He placed a plate of toast in front of each child and kissed Darcy on the cheek. ‘I’ve got to hurry in today so I’d better get ready, but I’ll be looking forward to that crumble later on.’

  After a frantic school run, Darcy arrived home and changed straight into her tracksuit and a pair of dusty trainers dragged from under the bed. It hadn’t seemed like a good time to mention to Ged that one of her ideas the previous night had been to enter a local ten kilometre run to help raise some sponsorship money. She knew what Ged’s reaction would be to the idea, and what her reaction would be to his scoffing that she couldn’t run more than ten metres without passing out. But she was determined, now that the idea had been given life, to go through with it. She had decided that she would train for a while in secret, and then break it to Ged when she was good enough to prove his doubts wrong.

  Just as she was heading for the front door, the phone in the hallway rang. With an impatient sigh, Darcy halted to answer it.

  ‘Mrs Blake?’ the suave voice at the other end of the line asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’m Ethan Reeves, from the Echo… I wondered if you would be able to chat to me about your fundraising activities some time. I’d like to run a feature in the paper about it.’

  ‘Um… sure, of course. When were you thinking?’

  ‘I can pop over to yours today if you like.’

  ‘The kids will be at school,’ Darcy said, ‘so if you wanted photos…’

  ‘That’s ok. I can come to do the words and our photographer can come any time you like to get some shots. Would that be ok?’

  The thought of another interview was like torture, but she knew that it could only be a good thing for Sophie’s cause. ‘That would be great,’ she said with forced enthusiasm.

  ‘Fantastic. How are you fixed this afternoon?’

  Darcy paused for a moment. He had thrown her a lifeline. Perhaps by this afternoon she could enlist some support in the form of Amanda. ‘This afternoon is good. About two?’

  ‘Great. Let me have your address and I’ll see you then.’

  After managing a mile and returning home dripping with sweat and red-faced, Darcy stripped and showered and phoned Amanda immediately. As soon as Amanda answered the phone, Darcy realised that she should have called before she went out for her run, but she was so afraid that any tiny excuse would deter her from even venturing out for exercise that she had made the decision to go out no matter what and deal with everything else when she got back.

  ‘I’m sorry, darling, but I have a dentist appointment this afternoon and it’s just too late to cancel it now.’

  ‘Right…’ Darcy said, a vague sense of dread washing over her. ‘It’s just that…. it’s alright, I can manage.’

  ‘I know you can. But if you’re after a bit of moral support, perhaps Julia can help.’

  Darcy paused as she mulled over the possibility. Perhaps that wasn’t such a bad idea. ‘I’ll phone her, see if she’s free. She knows loads about what’s coming up for us and she is really good at talking.’

  ‘By which you mean she never shuts up,’ Amanda laughed.

  ‘Of course not,’ Darcy grinned. ‘But she does rather like the sound of her own voice, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.’

  ‘So do I,’ Amanda said. ‘Let me know how you get on with your reporter.’

  ‘I will.’

  Julia had been only too pleased to be involved, and so, just after two o’clock Darcy sat at her kitchen table with her and Ethan Reeves – a man who looked every bit as suave and silver fox-like as his voice had suggested – nursing a mug of tea each and a plate of fairy cakes between them. A brief introduction to the cause and to Sophie and her family followed, where Julia put the subject back on course whenever Darcy forgot what she meant to say or didn’t quite make it clear. Then the subject of Harry’s lifeguard Olympics came up. As Ethan listened, his eyes began to shine. Clearly, he was intrigued by this particular event.

  ‘It sounds fantastic,’ he enthused. ‘And you say they already have permission to do this all on the beach?’

  Julia nodded. ‘Anyone can come along and watch, we only ask that they leave donations in the buckets that will be going around.’

  ‘Your son has organised all this?’ Ethan asked as he scribbled on a pad.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And his name is…’

  ‘Harry Simmons.’

  ‘I’d love to come down to the event and chat to some of the lifeguards, Harry included of course, bring a photographer, that sort of thing.’

  ‘Of course,’ Darcy said as Julia nodded in agreement. ‘I think that’s a great idea.’ Even Darcy, as publicity shy as she was, knew a good PR stunt when she saw one. That sort of coverage could give Sophie’s Steps a real boost.

  ‘Brilliant,’ he said, flipping onto a clean page of his pad. ‘I think then, I will just do a small write up for now, and then we’ll save the bigger feature for that day, make more of a splash. Would you be agreeable to that?’ he asked, looking at Darcy.

  ‘Absolutely,’ Darcy said, more than a little relieved that the spotlight would doubtless be taken off her somewhat in the face of all those lithe young bodies leaping about on Lyme Regis’s tiny stretch of imported sand.

  ‘You’ll mention the Olympic day in the paper beforehand, won’t you?’ Julia asked. ‘Help to drum up a little bit of support? We’d appreciate the help.’

  ‘No problem.’ Ethan reached for his mug and took a sip. ‘You can be sure that the Echo loves to get behind a good local cause and we’ll support you as much as we can.’

  Darcy pushed the plate of cakes towards him. ‘That would be so helpful. I just know that with your assistance we can reach that target so much quicker.’

  ‘Absolutely. And if it helps more, we’ll add a link for your donation page to our website, see if we can’t get you some casual donations that way.’

  Darcy beamed at him. ‘Really? That would be incredible. Thank you so much.’

  ‘No… thank you,’ Ethan smiled. ‘After all, without people like you I’d have no stories to write.’

  ‘I never thought about it like that.’

  ‘People don’t.’ Ethan checked his watch and drained his cup. ‘I need to be off to my next appointment. So I’ll just get the details of the Olympics and I’ll see you there.’

  The forecast had given rain, but although a sparse layer of smoky-grey cloud scudded across the bay and out to sea, not a drop had been felt on the beach and the day was balmy. Harry had said, as he, Julia, Amanda and Darcy studied the sky together, that he was glad it wasn’t red hot anyway; the weather they had today was the best sort to race up and down in. Darcy tried not to think about him sweating, topless in the sun as she watched him, eyes trained on the horizon as he spoke. They had been the first to arrive at the beach ready to set up, but as they organised collection points, prizes and the council officials who turned up shortly afterwards, the rest of the participants of the Olympics, along with a steadily growing crowd of curious onlookers, began to fill the sand. That particular stretch of the beach was always busier on any normal day, being much softer on the feet than the shingle that formed the town’s natural beach, but today promised to really challenge the space. As she watched the day come to life, Darcy felt a thrill of anticipation. This promised to be their most successful venture yet if the early signs were anything to go by.

  ‘Harry’s got all the actual sports stuff covered,’ Julia said. Darcy glanced across the sand where he had a crowd of orange-clad colleagues standing around him listening to instructions. She never failed to be impressed by his easy charm and confidence, qualities which he
was displaying in spades now. Julia’s voice brought her back to earth. ‘So all we need to worry about is collecting from the crowds.’

  ‘Don’t forget that Ethan is coming down,’ Darcy reminded her. ‘I might be busy with him for a little while… that’s if Ged shows up with the kids like he promised. I don’t see how we’re going to do a family photo without him.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Amanda said, ‘they can do wonders with Photoshop these days.’

  ‘I think he’ll want some of Harry and the other lifeguards too, so the paper can always use those if necessary,’ Julia agreed.

  ‘He should just come anyway,’ Darcy muttered, feeling her optimism dissipate even as she spoke. ‘What sort of husband wouldn’t?’

  ‘He’ll be here,’ Amanda said in a reassuring tone. ‘Have a little faith.’

  ‘I expect Sophie and Jake are desperate to come,’ Julia added. ‘I can’t imagine he’ll get much peace if he doesn’t bring them down at some point to see the fun and games.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Darcy said. ‘I’m being silly.’ Her attention was drawn to Harry, who was making his way back towards them. His dark hair was tousled, obviously not even combed that morning, tracksuit top zipped right up, teamed with his regulation shorts and a pair of battered trainers worn without socks. The whole effect was effortless sex-appeal. Darcy noticed admiring glances from one or two female colleagues and a few onlookers who had gathered, and she could see why.

  ‘I’ve persuaded Mark to do the commentary and announcements,’ he said airily. ‘Not that it took much…. Any excuse to hear his own voice,’ he added with a grin. Darcy imagined that a tiny amount of persuasion from Harry would usually take him a long way, no matter who the subject of his persuasive powers was. ‘I’ve got a list of the events if you need one…’

  Julia nodded. ‘Might be a good idea.’

  ‘Right, I’ll get one…’ Turning on his heel, Harry sprinted up the beach to the lifeguard hut. Moments later, he returned, brandishing a sheet of paper which he offered to his mother.

  ‘Body Board race… Dinghy pulling… hundred metre dash…’ she read the first few events out loud and then handed the list to Darcy, who ran her gaze down it, with Amanda looking over her shoulder.

  ‘Sounds like the day is going to be a hoot,’ Amanda grinned. ‘I’m particularly keen to see the Sandcastle Long Jump.’

  ‘I thought of that one.’ Harry rubbed a hand through his hair with a sheepish smile. ‘You have to build a sandcastle first, jump it, and then keep building them further away until you can’t clear them… Not exactly your average Olympic event, granted…’

  ‘Almost makes me wish I was taking part,’ Amanda said. ‘Almost…. but not quite.’

  ‘You know that any form of physical activity makes you come out in a rash,’ Darcy said with a sly sideways look.

  ‘Alas, so true.’ Amanda smoothed a hand over her pencil skirt. As usual, she was dressed outrageously inappropriately for her current surroundings, but where other people would look silly in heels on a sandy beach, Amanda still managed to look glamorous, as if stilettos on sand was the most natural and sensible choice of footwear in the world. ‘It’s lucky my surgeon does the job that a treadmill does for other women.’

  ‘And that Howie is happy to foot the bill,’ Darcy said.

  ‘Naturally.’

  Harry grinned. ‘Well, I think you look amazing…’ as Amanda shot him her most radiant smile, his gaze travelled the group of women, coming to rest on Darcy. ‘You all do, of course,’ he said, his eyes locking onto hers. His expression seemed to have an intensity, a hunger that was suddenly unnerving. Darcy found herself flustered under the weight of his stare, all at once lost in it but terrified that the meaning would be obvious to anyone catching the exchange. She had thought lots of times that he was flirting with her, and she had put the idea firmly out of her mind as nonsense, but this time there was no mistaking the lust in his eyes.

  Darcy forced a self-conscious laugh. ‘You should see me first thing in the morning; your opinion would soon change.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ Harry replied, his fearless gaze continuing to consume her.

  ‘You’ve not seen anything until you’ve seen the state of Harry in the morning,’ Julia cut in, breaking the spell of the moment. Darcy looked across at her. She seemed relaxed and unaffected by the conversation. Perhaps, Darcy mused, she was so certain that her son was a good Christian boy who would date appropriately and marry a suitable girl from their own church that it didn’t even occur to her to question such an overt display of flirting. But if Harry had worn a sign declaring his desire to know Darcy in a way that was distinctly biblical, he couldn’t have made it more obvious in her eyes. And knowing that she felt the same was dangerous, like walking through a field of hidden mines – one step off the path and both lives would be blown to kingdom come. She had to be the voice of reason here, she had the family, the reputation, the friends, everything she had built during her life; she had it all to lose. All Harry had to guide him was his inexperience and his libido – not a combination likely to guide him to safety.

  ‘I’d say I look like someone who has been asleep all night in my soft bed with my sweet dreams,’ he grinned.

  ‘Something like that,’ Julia replied, rolling her eyes.

  ‘We should probably get on,’ Darcy said, trying to change the subject to something altogether less treacherous. ‘People are gathering now and I think they’re expecting entertainment.’

  ‘They’ll get that alright,’ Harry said. He winked at his mother. ‘See you later. Collect lots of dosh, won’t you?’ he called behind him as he raced over to the orange and yellow-clad group waiting by the lifeguard station.

  ‘Ooop, there’s Ray Matthews from the council,’ Julia said, twisting her head to see a man in a navy suit and tie that was completely at odds with the laidback, holiday environment, step onto the sand. ‘I’ll just go and grab a quick word with him before we start.’

  ‘No problem,’ Darcy said. Julia took off across the beach towards the man, long purposeful strides marking her out as someone who meant business. Whatever it was she wanted to speak to Mr Matthews about, Darcy was in no doubt she would get her point across. Distracted from her musings by the peal of laughter coming from a nearby family, Darcy ran her eyes over the crowds, reminded that she was still waiting for the arrival of her own. There was no sign of Ged and the children.

  ‘He’ll be here,’ Amanda said, guessing Darcy’s worries.

  ‘I hope so.’ Darcy chewed her lip and glanced in the direction that Harry had just taken. Right now she needed Ged to be there more than ever, if only to save her from her own foolish thoughts. She needed him to be the man she loved, she needed him to remind her why she had married him and vowed to forsake all others, because right now, the Ged-shaped hole in the crowd was doing a terrible job of that. ‘Perhaps I should phone, make sure he’s up and getting the kids ready. When I left he was still in bed but he promised he was getting up.’

  ‘If he promised to get up then he will have done.’ Amanda handed Darcy a bright yellow bucket with a coin slot in the lid. ‘You and I have too much work to do to worry about that. Check out that crowd of purses and wallets, untapped, right over by the harbour wall. They’ll be off to the shops with all that lovely silver and gold in no time if we don’t go and relieve them of it.’

  Darcy laughed, anxiety draining away. It was hard to stay fretful when you were within range of Amanda’s infectious optimism. ‘Ok…. So what’s the plan of attack?’

  ‘You hold them down and I’ll rifle in their pockets.’

  ‘You should hold them down,’ Darcy said. ‘You could use your stilettos to pin their arms to the ground.’

  ‘Yes, but you have actual physical fitness on your side,’ Amanda countered.

  ‘Oh yes,’ Darcy wryly, ‘those two runs I’ve been on lately have turned me into a ninja warrior.’

  ‘You’re still training, though?’ Amanda ask
ed as they started to walk towards the crowds.

  ‘Sort of. It’s hard to stay motivated though.’

  ‘It is when you’re training on your own. You need a partner to run with.’

  ‘I don’t know anyone. Ged certainly wouldn’t come. He’d be too busy rolling on the floor laughing at me to run anyway.’

  ‘What about Harry? He’s a fitness nut.’

  Darcy halted. ‘Harry?’ It was a terrible, disastrous idea. So why did it sound so appealing when Amanda suggested it? As quickly as the thought had lodged itself in her mind, she pushed it out. ‘I’m sure he wouldn’t have time to jog around after a middle aged lump just in case she had an asthma attack.’

  ‘You’re not middle aged and I don’t recall you having asthma.’

  ‘I will after this race is over.’

  ‘If you’re worried about looking bad, why don’t you do a little more training alone, get your fitness levels up, and then ask him. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.’

  ‘No,’ Darcy said, shaking her head vehemently to reinforce the negative. ‘I’m quite capable of doing it myself. And Ged’s scorn alone should be motivation enough. Perhaps I should just staple a photo of him laughing to a stick attached to my head and run after it.’

  ‘That could work,’ Amanda said as they resumed their walk. ‘Sometimes I do think you’re a secret genius.’

  ‘Only secret? Not an out-and-out bonafide Einstein? How disappointing.’

  ‘Darcy!’

  Both women turned to see Ethan Reeves from the Echo hailing them as he strode along the sand. He was in a casual polo shirt, open at the neck, and a pair of slacks with canvas shoes. It was a far cry from the slick suit he had worn to Darcy’s house.