Summer Loving by Rachel Ennis Page B

eyes and raising her face to the sun’s warmth. It was only as she began to relax that she realised how tense she’d been.
    ‘This was such a good idea.’ She smiled across at Tom.
    ‘I’ve been known to have them.’
    Wind sighed through the halyards, the mast creaked, and water hissed against the hull. Gazing at the sea as the boat cut through it, Jess was entranced by the varied shades of blue and green and the streaks of glistening white foam from the bow wave.
    She could hear the rhythmic beat of music from a marquee at the top of a field. The mournful mew of gulls floated on the breeze.
    They passed sprawling bungalows surrounded by landscaped gardens. Some had private jetties and boathouses. On the opposite side of the estuary, recent hay-cutting had left some fields pale. In others, ripe wheat rippled in the breeze and the faint roar of a combine came from over the hill. A patch of gorse-covered moorland sloped gently down to rocky coves where white-edged waves lapped at crescents of sand.
    They anchored up one of the inlets and ate the ham and salad rolls Jess had brought.
    ‘You’re very quiet,’ she remarked, realising neither of them had spoken for a while.
    ‘I’m enjoying your company, and being away from the yard and the phone. Anyhow, that was the point of bringing you out, so you’d have a rest from people telling you their troubles.’
    ‘You are a dear.’
    ‘I try.’
    The breeze had strengthened, making the boat heel over so the sail back was exhilarating. When Jess took the tiller the boat felt alive as it dipped and rose, knifing through the choppy waves towards calmer waters of the river. Spray dampened her face and her lips tasted salty.
    Tying the boat to her mooring, they clambered into the dinghy for the short row to the yard slipway. Then Tom drove her home. Holding the bag while she unlocked the door, he followed her inside.
    Jess went to the kitchen and switched on the kettle. ‘Tea?’
    He dropped the bag on the worktop and slid his arms around her waist. ‘I’d rather have you.’ His nose against her neck, he breathed in. ‘Smell lovely you do.’
    She turned and linked her hands behind his head. ‘I’ve had a wonderful afternoon, Tom. I didn’t realise how much I needed it. Being on the water was such a treat.’
    ‘I want us to be together, Jess. And don’t say we’ve just had a whole afternoon. That’s not what I mean and you know it.’
    The kettle boiled and she moved away to fetch mugs from the dresser. ‘Please don’t, Tom. This isn’t the time. Anyway, I’m happy the way things are.’
    ‘Well, I’m not. It feels like you want to keep one foot on the doorstep.’
    ‘What on earth makes you think that? We’re a couple. The whole village knows that. Why do you want to change something that’s working perfectly well?’
    ‘Hark at you,’ he teased. ‘Isn’t that usually the man’s line?’
    ‘I wouldn’t know. There have only been two men in my life, you and Alex, and my marriage to him turned out to be a total sham. I don’t want to ever go there again.’
    ‘I’m not Alex, Jess.’
    ‘I know that. I’m also as sure as I can be that you would never do what he did. This isn’t about you, Tom. It’s about me.’
    ‘That’s just an excuse.’
    She folded her arms, protecting herself and shutting him out. ‘I don’t want a row, Tom. You want something I don’t. You getting angry with me won’t change how I feel. I’m flattered that you –’
    ‘Bloody hell, woman! This isn’t about buttering you up.’
    ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean – That was the wrong word. I do love you, Tom.’
    ‘You got a funny way of showing it.’
    ‘Because I won’t give in and do what you want?’
    He shoved a hand through his curly hair in frustration. ‘Listen to yourself. I love you. I want to wake up next to you each morning, and for your face to be the last thing I see each night. That’s why I want us to live together. I like being with you. I