Epilogue

*

The drive to the beach took longer than any of them had anticipated. The weather was dry, with the heat rising to a dangerous level. Twice, they had to stop to fix a punctured tyre.

"Are we there yet?"

"Just a little further," he replied, wading through the traffic. "It won't be long now."

They had left his uncle's house early that morning, with a picnic basket which they filled along the way. They had hoped to beat the traffic by leaving early, but even so they only managed to cover eighteen miles in an hour.

By the time they finally reached the beach, it was a few minutes past noon. The sun was high up in the sky, and their shadows had disappeared underneath them. There was a small crowd gathered on the sand, which surprised him as it was a weekday.

"Come," he said to her, offering his right hand while he took the basket in the other. "I know the perfect spot for us."

He led her away from the crowd, keeping his hold on her tightly. He recognized the group as students from the