The One. Maria Realf

could speak, Tommy’s mother rushed over and hugged her tightly. ‘Thank you so much,’ she sobbed, her chest heaving. ‘You’re an angel. If you hadn’t been there …’ She couldn’t finish that sentence. ‘I want to do something to thank you both. If there’s anything at all that you’d like, anything you need …’ She pulled her purse from the back pocket of her jeans, her hands shaking.

      ‘Oh no, you don’t have to do that,’ protested Lizzie. ‘I’m just glad that he’s alright.’ The other diners were still gawping, which was making her feel more uncomfortable by the minute.

      ‘Well, at least let me buy your dinner,’ said the mother. Her face was all red and blotchy, make-up streaked across her cheeks.

      ‘That won’t be necessary,’ said Alex kindly but firmly, his eyes hardly leaving Lizzie’s face. ‘I would like to buy this amazing woman dinner.’

      Just then the manager came over, the colour slowly trickling back into his face. ‘What you did was incredible,’ he said, pumping her hand vigorously. ‘Dinner is on the house! Pliss. Anything you want.’

      Lizzie looked at Alex. He was still staring at her like she’d just walked on the moon. She nodded at the manger. ‘OK, that’s very kind of you. Thank you.’

      ‘Can I get you some more wine, Miss?’

      She glanced back at their table where her glass and half-eaten dessert remained in situ, as if she’d simply stepped away to visit the ladies. The thought of consuming any more food or drink right now made her feel queasy.

      ‘Actually, I don’t think I could manage anything else,’ she said. ‘Thanks for the offer, though.’

      Alex took her arm, his grip firm and strong. ‘Are you OK?’

      ‘I’m fine, but I could do with a bit of fresh air.’ She hesitated. ‘Do you think we could go somewhere else for a bit?’

      ‘Anything for the heroine of the hour,’ said Alex, grabbing his leather jacket from the back of his chair and retrieving her wallet. ‘Let’s get you out of here.’

      Lizzie felt her sandals sink into Cliffstowe beach, enjoying the sensation of the cool grains tickling her toes. In the distance, the Dorset coastline was flecked with the lights from local houses, illuminating the night sky like tiny stars. A solitary seagull squawked overhead while waves crashed in the background, compiling nature’s own soundtrack.

      ‘How are you feeling now?’ asked Alex, as they set off along the shore.

      ‘Better, thanks,’ she said, inhaling that distinctive seaside scent as the wind tugged at her hair. The truth was she was feeling pretty strange: scared and relieved and alive all at once. It was as if she had stepped into the lion’s den and emerged the other side, exhilarated but also aware of how badly wrong things could have gone.

      ‘OK, good.’ His face relaxed a little. ‘That was way too much drama for a first date.’

      ‘I know.’ She exhaled loudly, shuddering at the memory. ‘It’s certainly not one we’ll forget.’

      ‘No, I guess not …’ His deep voice drifted off over the waves, and she could tell he was still shaken up, too. ‘You know, I really thought we were going to lose that kid for a minute there. I was smacking his back, and nothing was happening, and all I could see was that look on his mum’s face.’

      ‘Yeah, I know what you mean. I was totally starting to freak out.’

      ‘But you didn’t.’ He turned his head towards her, his eyes finding hers. ‘You kept calm and you saved him. How’d you learn to do that?’

      ‘I worked as a lifeguard the past two summers,’ Lizzie said. ‘I had to do a first-aid course as part of the training. I have to admit, though, I wasn’t really expecting to have to use it. The pool’s only about a metre deep.’

      ‘Lifeguard, eh?’ Alex smiled.

      ‘Yes, but don’t get too excited. We don’t run around dressed like we’re on Baywatch. We have to wear some pretty unflattering orange shorts.’

      ‘I bet you pull it off,’ he said.

      Lizzie blushed and looked away, squinting at the darkening stretch of shore ahead. ‘Are you sure we can get back to yours this way?’ she asked.

      ‘Of course – I do it all the time,’ he replied, suddenly catching the inference of what he’d just said. ‘Not usually with company,’ he corrected himself. ‘But I prefer to go this way when the tide’s out. It helps me think.’

      ‘About what?’ asked Lizzie. She had been thinking about him non-stop since Wednesday, trying to work out how he’d got inside her head in a way that none of Megan’s blind dates ever had.

      ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Nothing … everything. Sometimes I just like to get away from it all for a while.’

      As they continued their walk, she stole a sideways glance at his profile in the moonlight, admiring his strong jaw and untamed hair. Just the nearness of him made her feel both excited and nervous. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but he had a worldly confidence that belied his age; she, on the other hand, had been living a pretty sheltered existence for the past 19 years, and had only slept with three guys ever, if those clumsy fumbles could technically count. She wasn’t planning to fall into bed with him tonight, but she was glad she’d worn her favourite undies, just in case.

      ‘What’s on your mind?’ he said.

      ‘Er, nothing really. I was just thinking that this evening’s gone fast.’

      ‘I know. It wasn’t exactly the date I had in mind, though. So I’m hoping you’ll let me take you out for another one?’

      Her pulse began to race. ‘Yeah, I’d really like that.’

      Just then the autumn breeze wrapped itself around her again, causing her to shiver. It had been a surprisingly sunny day, but the temperature had suddenly dropped and she was starting to feel chilly. She felt a light splash of rain land on her arm and wished that she’d bothered to bring a coat.

      ‘Are you getting cold?’ Alex asked. ‘Here, take my jacket.’ He shrugged his arms free from the sleeves and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her closer as he did so. She felt his thumb brush against the back of her neck, almost imperceptibly, but it was enough to stop her in her tracks. Every inch of her began to buzz with electricity.

      ‘Alex …’

      He fixed those incredible slate eyes on hers, studying her face as though he might be tested on it later. Slowly, he ran one hand through her windswept hair, tucking several runaway strands behind her ear, his fingertips warm against her cool skin. Lizzie could barely breathe, afraid to even exhale in case it shattered the moment.

      Just then an almighty rumble broke the spell, as the sky began to spew raindrops with surprising force. ‘We’re going to get soaked,’ yelled Alex. ‘Come on, let’s get back to mine.’ He grabbed her hand and they raced along the shore, running fast and free, not knowing what would happen when they finally stopped.

      After minutes that felt like hours, he veered off to the right. ‘It’s just through here,’ he promised, leading the way along a dimly lit path.

      Lizzie followed him up a flight of stony steps and watched as he opened a side door, the rain still pounding overhead like the beat of her heart.

       5

       11 weeks to go …

      Irresistible. Sizzling. Orgasmic? Lizzie stared at her computer screen, trying to concentrate on the words floating around in front of her. She was writing