Thank you so much for taking the time to read my first story and for the very encouraging response.
When you have the time, here is my second story, which I hope you will enjoy.
Bye for now,
Best wishes,
Philip
The Swimming Lesson
“Ok, ok, but are the tables ready? I need the tables by Wednesday, get it?” Lucio slapped down the mobile. “What do I need to do to get a simple set of tables produced?”
He wiped the sweat on his brow and rubbed his hand on his shorts. There was still plenty to be done before Wednesday, at least two more projects in the pipeline. They could wait or could they? But why wait when it was so easy to begin planning?
He switched programmes and began tapping the keyboard.
“Aren’t you coming down for breakfast?” His wife was standing by the open door of the chalet with their little boy tugging at her tea-shirt.
“Come, Dad”, he whined.
“In a minute, son. Just let Daddy finish this”
His wife didn’t bother to respond but began making her way down the steps that lead to the hexagonal room where breakfast was being served.
“We’ll go for a swim later, ok Duda?” Lucio kept his eyes fixed on the screen. “Ok, Duda?”
But Duda was already ahead of his mother and hadn’t heard him.
Tap, tap, tap. “If I could just get this started”…
The mobile began to buzz – confidential number. It could only be his boss.
“Yes, sir!”
“Yes, lovely thanks. Wonderful weather, very hot”.
“Yes, absolutely, I really need the break”.
“Yes, they’re fine – enjoying themselves very much.
“Of course! – they‘ll all be ready by Wednesday. You know me. Once I set my mind to something I get it done”.
“Don’t you worry, plenty of time to relax”
“Yes, we will. Thanks”.
“Yes, I’ll be there. Bye.”
Tap, tap, tap. The sweat was trickling constantly; it dripped onto the keyboard.
“Bugger it!”
He could go down for breakfast but then there’d be the conversation and his wife would be sure to want to make plans for the day. She was so exacting. Why couldn’t she understand that work couldn’t wait? Weren’t they all on holiday together? Hadn’t he taken time away from the office to get them all away to the beach? And who was paying for this holiday anyway?
Tap, tap, tap. He’d grab a coffee later, or get something down at the beach. There’d be plenty of time.
His wife was tired. “Laptops and mobiles are transforming the business world”, Lucio had announced to her one day. She didn’t need Lucio’s speeches to know that her own life was certainly transformed. He had less and less time for her and certainly much less for little Duda. His promises had become mere banalities. She had stopped believing them long ago and more sadly, so had Duda.
A couple slightly older than she and her husband were staying in the adjacent chalet. They had struck up a holiday friendship and Sara was glad of their company. This time, they beckoned her and Duda to their table. They had warm open faces and conversation seemed to flow so easily. How comfortable she felt. Their friendly easiness soothed her irresistibly and she fell readily into light, undemanding chatter. Lucio could stay as long as he liked with his lap top. Just at this moment the mellow smell of coffee and the table littered with breakfast temptations was all that she needed.
Duda swung his legs restlessly under his chair. “Why do adults have to talk so much?” Don’t they get bored just sitting and sitting and talking and talking?” There were so many other things much more interesting to do. He couldn’t see any attraction in being grown up at all and felt almost relieved to be so much younger than them all. The wicker chair was wide with a silky slippery green cushion. He slowly began to slide down it until his feet just touched the parquet – nobody noticed. He inched a bit further down and then slithered to the floor and waited to be called back to his seat. There were his mother’s slim brown legs, two rather fat, white legs of Mummy’s friend, and two skinny legs of the man, covered in silky black hairs, not like his father’s at all which were smooth and muscular. The conversation continued on and on. There was a space between the man’s chair and his own – just room enough to squeeze through without attracting attention. He pushed forwards on his hands and knees, keeping his eyes fixed on the open door. Just a bit further, a little bit further… and he was out! What a laugh, and no one had even noticed! There at the bottom of the grassy slope was the swimming pool; a lovely turquoise blue shimmering in the sunlight. He ran down the slope eagerly and stopped at the edge. There was nobody around. They’d been at the resort three days and he’d still not been in. “Just my toes”, he said. “It’ll be so nice to splash them”. He sat right at the edge, slipped off his flip-flops and lowered his feet into the water.
“So cool, so delicious” – he wriggled a bit further forward. How good to feel the water creeping up his legs – too good to resist. And suddenly, he slipped! It was so fast, too fast! The turquoise blue and sunlight was all around him and in him and choking him.
From up at the chalet’s you could have seen the frantic disturbance on the surface of the water, could even have heard the anguished, burbling cries.
“Just five more minutes and I’ll be done”, said Lucio, frowning at the screen – and then I’ll see about that swim for Duda!”
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