Surf School (7 page)

The wind whipped foam tops off the waves, sent umbrellas cartwheeling along the beach and sand stung the children's legs so they jumped and squealed, trying to outdo each other. Marlee loved the littlies class. It was always the most fun. The kids wriggled and giggled as Pink painted sunscreen across their noses, dishing out tickles when they weren't looking. Lined up, they resembled a squealing caterpillar of excitement and Marlee thought back to her first surf classes with Tilly, Pink and Fran.

‘Marlee, Pani and Kyle, can you take the littlies down to the tiny shore break?' Tilly asked.

Marlee's face clouded over as Kyle put his arm up. ‘Let's get a line happening here.'

The kids stomped in the sand, forming a wiggly line in front of Kyle, breaking formation with each stinging gust of wind.

Marlee glanced at Tilly trying to hide her disappointment. This was her gig. She and Tilly had discussed it.

There was a desperate appeal on Tilly's face. ‘Sorry, Marlee. It's a full class and there's a big surf. I really need all three of you there.'

Marlee nodded but couldn't meet Tilly's eyes. ‘Sure.' As she brushed past Kyle, she added crossly, ‘But this is my class. Be useful or be quiet.'

Marlee jogged down to the water, finding a suitable spot and waved the kids towards her. This was her first time doing the warm-up and she wanted to get it right but Kyle had other ideas. He took off down the beach towards her followed by a wild line of over-excited children. He ran them in a wide circle, then back into a line. Then he stopped suddenly and the kids piled into the back of him, giggling and shrieking as boards and bodies flew in all directions. The more the wind blew, the louder they shrieked and Marlee marvelled at how such a racket could come out of these tiny bodies.

But there's only one thing worse than a pack of eight year olds on a windy day – a hyper two year old in a sixteen-year-old boy's body. Kyle circled the kids, trying to get them to form a group around Marlee.

‘Okay,' she yelled over the wind, ‘let's warm up.' She stretched her arm behind her back, catching it with the other hand. The kids copied as best they could with Kyle moving from child to child, correcting their stretch, giving them headlocks, hamming up Marlee's stretches but stopping whenever she turned around, so the kids laughed even more. Marlee felt like the straight guy in a pantomime act and scowled at Fran who was laughing too.

Kyle yelled, ‘Let's go!' He picked up his board and raced to the water, followed by a screaming tribe of eight year olds. Fran brushed the sand off her knees and caught up with Marlee.

‘Spot the kid,' Marlee said, glaring at Kyle. ‘He makes me feel like the parent. I hate that.'

As Kyle hit the water, four kids climbed onto his board, hung around his neck and jumped off into the waves. Kyle lined a couple of kids up on boards, pushing them into the small shore break. Fran smiled. ‘At least he's making it fun. It's far too rough for them to do much else.'

A little girl squealed loudly, lifting her board, tongue stuck out in concentration as she manoeuvred it back to the water. Kyle scooped her up and tossed her into the wave. It could have been the world's biggest roller coaster judging by her scream. The sound cut above the waves, uninhibited and packed with a joy that made Marlee feel like she was eight again, being thrown over the wave by her dad, the higher the better, over and over until the sun set and she had to be coaxed out of the water. She felt sure Kyle was thinking the same thing and when he grinned at her she grinned back.

‘Lighten up,' she told herself, forgiving him a little, then ran down to the water to help him out.

Tilly arrived near the end of class with the School's new camera to take photos as the kids played in the surf, knelt on their boards, wrapped themselves around Kyle, stood next to Marlee. Finally she nodded to Marlee.

‘Time to come out,' Marlee called reluctantly. ‘You can all come back tomorrow.'

The wind blew harder and they retreated to the warm, calm side of the club house working hungrily through the pile of sandwiches Tilly had bought. She passed the camera around, showing photos of sandy bottoms, half a nose, a tongue poking
out and one or two of a child standing on a board, their arms out wide, eyes bulging, mouth always open.

‘I didn't think it was possible to take an out-of-focus shot with a digital,' said Fran.

Tilly looked a little hurt. ‘They're practically my first action shots. I'll get better.'

‘Don't get me wrong, the shots are great, you can see what a fantastic time they're all having,' Fran added, passing the camera to Kyle. ‘Maybe you should put some on the School website and see if the parents want to buy them.'

‘What a great idea! I might just do that. Some of the parents were asking me to email them copies, but selling them makes more sense. I don't know what you guys did, but all the parents rebooked. With a return rate like that we'll be running all summer.'

Marlee nodded towards Kyle. ‘It was Super Kid here.'

‘Mr Super Kid to you,' Kyle said, feigning indignation. He glanced at Tilly. ‘Great pics.' He held the camera out to Marlee. ‘Wanna look?'

Marlee had pulled the brim of her hat down low and was watching Kyle. It was like he was two people. The one she'd seen on the bus and today, and then Kyle with his angry head on, the one who pushed her around at the School and bullied other surfers. Which one's going to jump out of the box next, she wondered, still a little peeved that he'd ended up taking over her class.

‘Hoooo, wake up,' Kyle pushed the camera into Marlee's arm, startling her. ‘Good shot of you sprawled in the wet sand.'

Marlee pressed the quick view on the camera, but was still watching Kyle.

He stood, arching his back, arms stretched above his head. ‘I'm going for a surf.'

Tilly collected the sandwich wrappers. ‘Hey, Kyle, I was wondering if you'd like to help out some more.'

Kyle nodded. ‘Yeah, love to. I need all the money I can get before I go to Hawaii.'

Tilly clapped her hands together. ‘Great. Next class starts in an hour. Don't be late.'

Marlee watched Kyle run down to the surf, heart pounding as though she was running too. ‘Do you think you've made the right decision, Til?'

‘Yeah, he's good for business, I'd be crazy not to have him on board.' Tilly laughed uneasily. ‘Why? I thought you'd agree.'

‘I do,' Marlee said quickly. ‘It's just that he's … he's so unpredictable.'

Pink threw herself down on the sand next to Marlee, biting into the last sandwich. ‘I'm stuffed, I've just slicked up fifty little wrigglers with sunscreen. Do you have any idea how hard that is?'

No one spoke.

‘Whaaaat?' Pink mumbled, mouth full. ‘Have I missed something?'

‘Kyle,' Fran said. ‘Tilly just hired him for the summer.'

Pink pointed her sandwich at Kyle paddling out through the waves. ‘Mr Grumpy?' She chuckled. ‘What if he beats up a student because they've taken his wave?'

Fran laughed and Marlee hid her face under her hat.

Tilly flushed red. ‘He can be like that but mostly he's a nice guy. Anyway it was my call,' she said defensively, plucking the camera out of Marlee's hands. ‘Stop making such a big deal out of it.'

I
t was early evening. The girls sat in a row at a picnic table facing the surf. The water was streaked with silver in the fading light, gulls hovered in holding patterns above the waves, swooping to catch fish. Tilly passed the hot chips and mango smoothie along.

‘Dinner,' she grinned. ‘Can't face another pizza. Thanks for helping today everyone, the classes are going well.'

‘I'm not cut out for all this work,' Pink grumbled. ‘I practically fall asleep before Dad, and he's usually in bed with his hot milk about now.'

Fran and Tilly laughed.

‘As if, Pink. Anyway,' Fran said, ‘it isn't like you're ever going to have to work unless you want to.'

Pink's neck flushed red. She covered it with her hand.
‘How's the training going?' she called to Marlee, who was stretching on the grass, flexing her back first one way and then the other.

‘Fantastic. I've got two pamphlet runs now.' Marlee winced, easing off the stretch.

‘Two! How'd you get the time to do all this stuff?' Pink asked.

‘I squeeze them in. It's not forever, just so I can have a bit of money in the bank,' Marlee said. ‘I'm so psyched to win that board. That'll be the start. The beginning of my luck turning round, the start of my campaign for more contests – the beginning of winning. Hey, I like that, it sounds good.'

‘You'll be able to buy ten boards with all the money you're making,' Fran added.

‘Maybe, but if I can get one for free I'd rather save my money. There's plenty of other things I'm going to need, like wetsuits, boardies, travel expenses …'

‘What if you don't win?' Tilly asked gently.

Marlee held her fingers up in a cross shape. ‘Negative thinking, negative thinking – stop!'

‘Sorry, Marlee. I'd hate to see you get hurt, that's all.'

Marlee laughed. ‘Nothing you haven't seen before.' She rolled onto her stomach, grabbing her ankles and pulling them towards her head. ‘No plan B – but I've got a good chance. If you work it out, there are eighty members in the club, and not everyone will go in the competition. And there's a board for the juniors and another for the seniors. The juniors I've got to worry about are Jamie, Kyle, Sam, Sienna
and you guys. Some will be taken out in earlier heats, so I just need to hang in there.' She grinned. ‘I have a good feeling about it. Once I get a good board I'll try and win some junior contests, get a bit of sponsorship, a wildcard into the World Qualifying Series, then the World Championship Tour. That's our plan isn't it, Tilly?'

Tilly nodded uncertainly. ‘You make it sound so simple.'

Marlee's smile faded. ‘I never said it would be simple.'

‘Sounds great,' Pink punched Tilly's arm. ‘I know you can do it. The whole Island Breeze team is right behind you.'

There was silence as three awkward moments collided: Tilly gave a fake laugh to cover her reservations about the WCT plan; Pink realised, too late, that she'd promised Marlee sponsorship too, and Marlee fought back tears, worried that maybe she was on her own.

Fran sucked up the last of the smoothie. ‘Well, you can tick me off the list. I'm over the competition thing. They're so annoying. All that hype and hanging around, then hassling in the surf and what for? A board? No thanks.'

‘It's not just the board,' Marlee said quietly. ‘It's about winning. And who knows what else might happen? I could get talent spotted. Last year Tilly picked up a sponsor.' Marlee turned away from Pink, giving her left leg a second stretch.

‘Not for me, Marls,' Fran said emphatically. ‘I'm a weekends, holidays, just-for-fun surfer.'

‘What about you, Tilly?' Marlee sat up, waiting for an answer.

‘Yeah, I'm in. I love competition day, even if it is just a small
club thing.' Tilly tried to sound positive and upbeat but she wasn't sure anymore. It was okay for Marlee she thought, annoyed, she didn't have her father or the School to worry about. It was all so clear cut for her.

‘Yep, I'm up for it,' she said, trying to convince herself.

13 DECEMBER 2 AM

Hey guess what? Your amazing friend has nearly set up the School's website. When it's finished, it'll have an archive, class info
and
a database. I know, I can't quite believe it myself. Sam helped with the geek stuff but now I'm typing everything in.

I'll have 575 names on the database – mainly ex-students, some repeat offenders and a few high schools. Schools have got to be the way to go. And corporate – can't forget Barb Cook. I bet Dad hasn't even thought about schools yet. The plan is to get the newsletter happening then email it to everyone in the database.

It's good to turn that screen off. I feel like my eyelids are fried open! I'd planned on putting some more photos on there but I'm too tired now.

You can have the book for a while. I haven't got time to write in it.

Gtg.

Love T xx

 

Tilly was curled up in an old armchair, covered in a beach towel, fast asleep in the deep shade of the verandah.

‘Tilly?' Marlee placed her wet board against the wall of the house and pulled her towel off the line. ‘Tilly,' she called again.

Tilly stirred, rubbing the stiffness out of her neck. ‘Yeah?' She climbed out of the chair stiffly. ‘Boy, this chair is uncomfortable.' She stretched again. ‘Is it morning?'

Marlee hosed her feet. ‘Yep. Did you sleep out here last night?'

‘Must have. I worked on the database till late then came out here for a break. Ohh, I feel like I haven't even slept.'

‘You'll end up getting sick if you keep working like that.'

‘It's a surprise for Dad. I want to do something to make him happy.'

Marlee followed Tilly inside, opening the fridge for milk.

‘What about Sam? Can't he help?'

‘Sam? He can't type. He's doing most of the design stuff anyway. It'll be so great when it's all done. We'll save heaps of time with the bookings and accounts and we can use it to advertise like that woman who came into the School to see Dad.'

‘Did you contact her?'

‘No, but she left a message saying she'd get back to us. Blew that one I guess.'

‘Can I help?' Marlee offered.

Tilly sliced the plump cheeks off a mango, leaving plenty of flesh on the seed, the way Marlee liked it. ‘You're already doing heaps at the School.' Then, without thinking, added, ‘Especially when Kyle's around …'

‘You're imagining things,' Marlee stuck the whole seed in
her mouth, smiling a sticky orange smile at Tilly. ‘As usual,' she mumbled.

‘Maybe,' Tilly pushed the mango cheek inside out, biting into the soft flesh. ‘Maybe not.'

‘One minute you're saying I'm mean to him and now I'm spending too much time with him. I can't win.'

Tilly disappeared into her room and returned waving the Blood Book. ‘Well if you can't fess up to me, tell the Book.' She shoved it into Marlee's hand. ‘Don't look so panicked, I'm only joking. Besides, I haven't got time to write in it now so it's all yours. You can tell me all about the training I'm missing.'

‘Hey Pink! Wait up.'

Pink only had to be near the beach for five minutes and Jamie would zoom in from somewhere, Marnie trotting behind. Today he was at the boys' seat watching the surf. He jumped lightly onto his skateboard, his long, lanky body weaving backwards and forwards as he skated towards her, deftly spinning the board around to head in her direction. Pink patted Marnie's head but kept walking. Jamie cruised slowly beside her.

‘What's in the bag?' he asked finally.

‘T-shirts.'

‘Freebies?'

Pink nodded.

‘Can I have one?'

Pink opened the bag wide so Jamie could see the pink Island Breeze T-shirts.

‘Er, well, maybe not. Are you going to wear those?'

‘Not all of them, stupid. They're for a conference my mum's organising. Hey, why don't you come?' Pink tipped her face to one side, finger on her lips, giving Jamie a flirtatious look.

‘What happens at a conference?'

‘We get to eat nice food and sneak drinks from the tray while my mum isn't looking.'

‘Sounds okay. Is this like a date?' Jamie asked hopefully.

‘Um, maybe.' Pink gave him an impish grin.

Jamie looked like a man who'd just won the weekly Lotto draw. He beamed with good luck and good fortune. ‘Great. Tell me where and when. I'll be there.'

‘Next Thursday at 7 pm.' Pink rummaged through her bag and pulled out a T-shirt. ‘Here, this is the biggest one I've got. You have to wear it.'

Jamie stopped skating, stretching the pink T-shirt tightly across his chest. The hem shrivelled above his navel. He looked at Pink to see if this was some kind of joke, holding it out to read the white lettering: I
SLAND
B
REEZE
S
UMMER.

‘If anyone sees me in this I'll never live it down.'

‘Can't come unless you have it on,' Pink teased. ‘Gotta go.' She waved and ran across the road.

Jamie looked at the shirt in disgust then held it up to his nose. It smelt of Pink's perfume. ‘Okay,' he called after her. ‘For you, I'll do it.' He flung the T-shirt over his shoulder and watched Pink walk away.

Tilly's head nodded forwards, sliding off her hand, and her body lurched onto Phil's bed, jerking her awake, and startling Phil. He gasped in pain and annoyance, gingerly moving his leg away
from her. Tilly pulled herself upright in the chair, shaking her head back, trying to wake herself up. ‘Sorry, Dad.'

‘Matilda, you look exhausted,' Phil said curtly, tapping at the drip, hoping for more pain relief. ‘I really appreciate what you're doing, but Shane's got it under control. He's worked for me for years. Let him run things. Go home and get some rest.'

Tilly ran her hand over the soft cotton cover on her dad's bed, her fingers absorbing the bump of the weave.
Not really,
she thought.
If I wasn't there, there'd be no bookings, no-one to set classes up, no-one to do the banking or get change or pack up.

She tried again. ‘But, Dad, I've nearly got the website happening. I was going to do that anyway. And the girls are all help —'

‘I don't have the money to pay all these people.' Phil cut her off sharply. ‘I run it as tight as I can and now there's all the new equipment to pay for. Who knows how long I'm going to be stuck in here. We'll be lucky to make the end of summer.'

Tilly felt her insides crack and fall into a hole somewhere deep inside her body. ‘These people,' she said, struggling to hold it together, ‘these people aren't just
any
people, they're my friends. And,' she choked back tears, ‘they offered to help, not for money but because they care about me and they care about you. They've been a part of our life since I was little. You, Dad, you've been their second home. And now they want to help you.'