A Pretty Beach Wish Polly Babbington (the lemonade war series .TXT) 📖

bottle it and put it in the shop as a Locals Only thing.’

‘You should. It’s really, really good. I didn’t think I would say that, either.’

‘I know. Trust me, it’s even better in the evening when the sun’s going down with a dash of vodka and a few ice cubes in it.’

‘You don’t need to tell me - I can tell it’d be nice with something a bit stiffer.’ Luke said as he scrolled through the weather app on his phone. ‘Okay, sorted, that’s what we’ll do tomorrow then. According to the weather on here, it’s going to be full sun and warm all day - we’ll do the kayak hire, then a BBQ and a vodka and lemonade in the garden. Fancy that?’

‘I do, I certainly do. Will there be a nice ending too? You know, right at the end of the day,’ Juliette asked, giggling.

‘Juliette Sparkles, what are you proposing? Next thing we know you’ll be asking me to get a room. Oh no, wait, you already did that when we hadn’t even been going out very long. You wined me and dined me, and whisked me up to a hotel room at the end of the night.’

Juliette swirled the straw and slices of lemon around in her glass and laughed.

‘Has to be said Juliette, that night in the hotel is up there with one of the best nights of my life.’

‘Up there with? Not sure if I’m happy with that Luke. I thought that would have been the best night of your life.’

‘You’re kidding me! Have you forgotten the night I moved in here?’

Juliette smiled to herself. How could she have forgotten that night? The night when the trombones in her head had moved into a whole new league and entered the arena as a full-on all-singing, all-dancing marching band.

Chapter 2

Juliette, with her hair in a high ponytail, cut off denim shorts, oversized white t-shirt, and big sunglasses, held tightly onto Luke’s hand as they walked down the jetty to Pretty Beach Kayak Hire.

‘Are you sure this is a good idea, Luke?’ Juliette asked, nervously.

‘What do you mean? Look at the water - it’s a glorious day. You couldn’t ask for better and the bay is like a millpond. You don’t see it like this very often. Take it from me; these are perfect conditions.’

‘Hmm, I’ll take your word for it. I just don’t like the idea of falling in. I’ve always looked out wistfully at the boats when the weather’s nice in Pretty Beach. The dream version is me paddling along all confident, sea breeze in my hair, and then I think of the reality and, you know, ending up in the water. A bit like a drowned rat.’

‘You’d be hard pushed to fall in in one of those things,’ Luke said, pointing to the long line of orange kayaks tied up to the jetty rocking back and forth on top of the sparkling blue water.

‘What? There’s not a lot of chance of one of them capsizing?’ Juliette asked, lifting her sunglasses and peering at the line of kayaks assembled together.

‘Juliette, one of those won’t capsize, trust me. And even if something did happen, firstly, you’ll be wearing a life jacket, and secondly, I’m a swimmer, remember? I will be able to save my princess,’ Luke replied and winked.

‘I know. But I read an article that there are a lot of accidents out on the water - boating accidents are very common apparently.’

‘They are. If you are an idiot and don’t take safety precautions and don’t be sensible. You have Captain Sensible right here with you. Plus, I’ve swum in Dover harbour, and if I can survive that we can certainly manage this. May I point out also, Dover harbour did not, in any shape or form, look like this,’ Luke said, pointing out over the very blue, very flat bay of Pretty Beach.

Juliette looked up at the lighthouse far off in the distance and crossed her fingers in the pocket of her shorts. She knew she’d be fine, but she’d had a bit of an uneasy feeling about it all for some reason.

‘Maggie would have loved this!’ Luke exclaimed, as they walked over the old silvery-grey weatherworn slats of the jetty.

‘She would, true. It’s a shame she had the horse riding camp this weekend. I’m glad she’s more into horses and ballet though at the moment,’ Juliette replied about her daughter Maggie and followed behind Luke as they navigated their way over the creaking timber boards down to the end of the jetty.

As the sun shone and the kayaks bobbed around on top of the water, they walked up to the door of the kayak hire centre to see Ed the owner sitting inside the little cabin with Pretty Beach Radio playing on a small old-fashioned radio beside him.

‘Jools! Haven’t seen you for such a long time! How are you my lovely?’ Ed said with a huge smile, and hauled himself out of his chair.

‘I’m really good thanks, Ed. How are you?’

‘Can’t complain, can’t complain. I’ve had a lovely Winter off as it goes. We had a trip to Lanzarote for some sun, and now Anna’s cake decorating business is going gangbusters. In fact, it’s doing so well that I’ve been dragged into being the delivery boy. So much for semi-retirement.’

‘Ha, well no rest for the wicked, eh?’

‘Not at all! It all started with the wedding cakes she did for the Boat House and Sallie putting Anna’s stuff on her social media accounts. It’s making us a very tidy little income to fund our trips away. Now, what can I do for you? I didn’t see your name on the booking today.’

‘We’re here for kayak hire. Lovely day for it,’ Juliette replied.

‘It certainly is. Did you book? No Sparkles on here as far as I can see,’ Ed said as he scrolled through the bookings.

‘That’s because I didn't book it, Ed, Luke did - this is Luke, Luke Burnette, my partner.’ Juliette said and gestured