A Summer Storm by Alyson Hilbourne

Would the lightning spark something between Becky and Oliver?

IT was hot. Becky tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear as she tipped the last of the balcony chairs up against the tables. The air was thick and it was hard to breathe. The pressure had been building all week, and although everyone had been enjoying the sunny weather, most agreed it was about to break.

Becky watched huge white clouds, edged with navy and grey, billowing over the sea like the smoke above a volcano.

The waves were getting bigger and crashing on to the sand in a jumble of white foam.

Families were packing rucksacks and cool boxes, rolling up towels and collecting toys in a bid to hurry off the beach.

She gave a shiver. The wind had picked up.

The paddleboard guy, bronzed in surf shorts and a skinny T-shirt, his floppy blond hair hanging over his face, was moving his boards up to the trailer parked by the prom.

Becky had watched him for the last month. They’d smiled at each other but she hadn’t spoken to him.

She’d convinced herself he wouldn’t be interested.

He usually had a gaggle of girls in skimpy bikinis hanging around him, coquettishly asking questions or leaning against his stack of boards.

Still, Becky couldn’t resist a quick look over at what he was doing as she stood watching the sky darken.

Then, as the first large raindrops fell, she went back into the café.

There were no customers. Everyone was too busy escaping the incoming storm.

Becky picked up her phone just as a flash of lightning illuminated the café in a stuttering brightness and, startled, she dropped it.

She gasped and crawled under the table to reach it, just as she heard the café door chimes jingle.

Someone coming in to shelter from the rain, she thought, but before she could back herself out a clap of thunder shook the air.

****

Oliver pushed open the door to the café and looked around.

The cute girl with dark hair and deep brown eyes who had worked here all summer was nowhere in sight.

He’d watched her for the last month since he’d set up the paddleboard station.

She was so cheerful with the customers, always smiling and making the kids laugh.

He’d seen her when the café was heaving with customers, running in and out and not appearing to get disgruntled.

He was sure that many people demanding things would drive him crazy.

But where was she now? Oliver frowned. He’d only seen her a moment ago, tipping the chairs up out of the way of the rain.

He’d thought he might catch her on her own for once.

He knew the storm would be over in half an hour or so, so there was no point in going home. He’d wait it out in the café.

He looked around and then spotted a leg and shoe poking out from under a table.

He bent down. “Hiya,” he said. “Are you all right?”

“Sorry, just . . .” The girl waved her phone at him.

“Why are you under the table? Are you frightened of the thunder? It’s OK, you know.

“My gran used to say it was the gods banging their pots and pans. The chances of being hit by lightning are quite small, too.

“You’re much more likely to die in a car accident or from salmonella poisoning.”

Oliver smiled as the girl looked up sharply.

“Oh, sorry.” He realised what he’d said. “I’m not suggesting you have unhygienic kitchens here.

“The customers all look very happy from what I can see. I’m just saying . . .” His voice trailed off as he realised he was gabbling.

****

Becky looked up at the head that had appeared. For a moment she couldn’t work out who it was as it had become so dark inside the café.

Then she realised she was staring at the suntanned face of the paddleboard guy.

She wondered if he was laughing at her, but seeing a frown of concern on his face and hearing the warmth in his voice, she decided he wasn’t.

“Actually, I –” she began, but before she could say any more the guy dropped down and sat on the floor beside her.

“And thunder won’t do you any harm,” he added.

“Yes, I know, but –” Becky started.

“But if it makes you feel any better I could sit here, too, until the storm has passed. It should be gone in half an hour or so and then the

visitors will be back.”

He eased himself under the table next to Becky and held out a hand.

“My name’s Oliver. I look after the paddleboards.”

Becky switched her phone to her other hand and shook hands.

This was slightly surreal, sitting under a table in the café with the man she’d been watching from the window for the last month.

“I know,” she said, giving a half smile. “I’ve seen you working. The paddleboards seem popular. I’m Becky.”

She glanced at the phone in her hand.

“Were you about to call someone? I can stay. The storm should pass soon –” Oliver stopped as another flash of lightning lit the sky and the café. Becky saw him wince.

She was about to tell him she’d only dropped her phone, but as she lifted it she felt his hand fold over hers and wondered what it would be like to be wrapped in his arms.

Her face prickled with heat and she was glad it was dark under the table. Where had that thought come from?

Before she could consider the situation further a clap of thunder filled the air, making everything shake.

Becky jumped and felt Oliver’s grip tighten on her hand. The warmth of his body ran through her fingers and her heart pumped harder.

She felt light-headed. He leaned closer and she smelled fresh air and coconut suntan lotion on him.

“It’s OK,” he said. “Thunder can’t hurt. It’s just the saucepan hitting the frying-pan.”

Becky couldn’t help grinning.

****

Becky’s hand was soft and Oliver felt a tremor as he touched her. He didn’t want to let go.

He’d wanted to do this for the last month but he tried to keep his voice light and easy going.

“How long have you worked here?” he asked.

“It’s just a summer job,” Becky said. “I live in town. You?”

“It’s my uncle’s business and he’s expanding so he needed people to help for the summer,” Oliver told her.

“I jumped at the chance to spend three months on the beach. I get to paddleboard, too, so that’s a bonus.”

“What do you do when you’re not here?” Becky asked.

“I’m at uni,” Oliver said. “The idea was I could do some work in the evenings, but it’s hard to concentrate when the sea is so inviting.”

Another flash of lightning lit up the window of the café. Oliver kept his eyes on Becky.

“What about you?” he asked. “I see you every day – opening up, putting the chairs out, taking orders and running in and out. The café seems busy.”

He was rewarded by a bright smile.

“It is,” Becky said. “The Beach Café is quite well known around here.”

The lightning was followed by another resounding crash of thunder. Oliver gave a shiver.

“It’s got chillier,” he said. “I can go and get a blanket?” Becky offered.

“No, no. I’m fine. Didn’t mean to moan.” He pulled his knees up and squeezed his arms to his sides.

“What are you studying?” Becky asked.

Oliver flicked his hair back from his eyes. “Marine biology.” “Ah, that figures. Wanting to spend the summer by the sea.” Becky laughed, making Oliver’s pulse race.

“It’s not all as glamorous as sitting on the beach renting out paddleboards,” Oliver said with a grin.

“We have field trips to muddy estuaries where we measure and collect small slippery creatures, usually in the pouring rain with a strong wind blowing.

“Or boat trips out in the middle of winter in choppy seas to look at tides and ocean flow.”

“Oh, I imagined a tropical island with coral reefs, crystal clear seas and hundreds of coloured fish.”

“I wish! Unfortunately beaches like that are not readily available in the UK.”

****

Becky was acutely aware of Oliver’s hand over hers. She’d also noticed a slight tightening whenever there was a flash of lightning or a clap of thunder.

She looked past him into the café. It was getting a little lighter.

“Probably that’s the worst of it,” she said. “The storm should clear the air and the beach will be nice again tomorrow.” Oliver nodded. “Hopefully the crowds will be back, too.”

Another flash of lightning lit up the beach but the dark clouds were rolling away and it was getting brighter.

“It’s a lot of carting stuff around, bringing the boards down to the beach every day,” Becky said. Oliver shrugged.

“It’s not that bad.”

“I keep thinking I should give it a go before the summer is over,” Becky said.

“You should!” Oliver turned to her and smiled. It was now light enough in the café to see a dimple in his chin.

“I could take you out one evening when you’ve finished work.” Becky’s heart leapt. At that moment there was a distant growl of thunder, more like the deep throaty rumble of a happy cat than the angry behaviour of the skies.

“I think it’s over,” Becky said, pulling her hand free from Oliver’s.

She surreptitiously wriggled her fingers to check they all still worked.

****

Oliver climbed slowly out from under the table and looked out of the window. The clouds had blown away and blue sky was beginning to appear.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Becky asked.

“Love one,” Oliver said, smiling at the thought of staying longer with her.

Becky went behind the counter and filled a teapot.

“Perhaps you’d like to try the paddleboarding this evening?” Oliver asked, leaning over the counter as she pushed a mug of tea across to him.

“And maybe we could go for a drink after?”

He watched her closely, waiting for her reply. Becky smiled.

“I’d like that,” she said. They sat at a table with a mug of tea each clutched in their hands, watching the sea calm down.

Oliver drained his mug. “Right, better get the boards out again,” he said. “I’ll come over when I’m ready, shall I?’

Becky nodded and smiled.

As Oliver walked up the beach to the trailer he had to stop himself skipping.

He’d got a date with the lovely girl from the café, something he’d been dreaming of for the last month.

He hoped he hadn’t come on too strong, but he’d only had eyes for her since he first spotted her.

Who’d have thought she was afraid of the storm? If he’d inadvertently let her think it worried him, well, he’d set her straight at some point . . .

****

Becky watched Oliver getting out the paddleboards.

It was a shame she hadn’t got any photos of the lightning – it would have been spectacular over the sea – but she’d managed to talk to the gorgeous guy in charge of the paddleboards.

Not only that, but tonight she had a date with him.

Who’d have thought he was afraid of the storm?

If she’d inadvertently let him think it worried her, she’d have to put him right at some point.

Perhaps when she told him she was off to university in the autumn to study meteorology.

And as for the thunder and lightning, it was a perfectly natural occurrence in the summer.

Pots and pans indeed! ■