Page 40 of The Wedding Proposal
‘OK.’ Carmelo was never demanding.
Nothing in his life had encouraged demanding behaviour, Elle supposed. Her heart squeezed. ‘There’s a swing free,’ she said. ‘Maybe Kayleigh would hold your drink while I push you?’
‘Fine by me,’ put in Kayleigh.
Carmelo dashed off to secure the swing before anybody else got it and the two women followed. ‘I doubt that he needs to be pushed,’ Elle commented, apologetically. ‘But I thought he’d enjoy it.’
‘There are many interpretations of the word “need”,’ observed Kayleigh. ‘I’d say his need, in this case, is for your company. Whether he can work the swing alone is immaterial.’
‘I think so, too.’ Elle flashed a look at the other woman. ‘It’s obvious that kids are your thing.’
Kayleigh shrugged. ‘I help meet the needs of kids who are so sick they break your heart. You’re making life better for some kids whose problems might be less easy to diagnose.’
They reached the spot where Carmelo waited, glancing back eagerly over his shoulder. ‘Hang on tight.’ Elle grasped the black rubber swing seat and pulled it backwards, as high up its arc as she could manage. ‘Ready?’
‘Go!’ shouted Carmelo. And whooped and giggled as Elle thrust him into the air, leaning back so that he could see her upside down as the swing swooped, forward and back. Elle caught the seat every time he returned and shoved it with all her might. The play apparatus was in the full sun and she was soon wiping sweat from her forehead.
Kayleigh grinned as the swing arced forward once more. ‘I have a lot of time for anyone who helps children. And you don’t even get paid.’
Elle waited for Carmelo to make the return journey and soar away again. ‘He’s a good kid and his home life’s tough. It’s good to see him laugh. Besides, it’s you who gave him a drink and brought him over here.’
‘Only because Lucas thought you’d be back any time. We were just filling in time waiting for you. It’s you Carmelo wanted to see.’ Kayleigh, too, timed her comments to coincide with the furthest part of the swing’s arc, so that Carmelo couldn’t overhear. She nodded between the trees. ‘Here comes company.’
Elle turned and saw that Lucas was strolling up to them, three bottles of water in his hands. He offered one bottle to Elle. ‘Thanks.’ She stood back to take the drink gratefully. Swinging was thirsty work, especially having already walked through the streets baking in the early-afternoon sun.
Lucas gave his own bottle into Kayleigh’s keeping and moved to take over the swing. Soon Carmelo was squealing gleefully as Lucas’s height and strength sent him to new heights.
Elle watched the easy athletic grace of Lucas’s movements as he flung his arms up to catch the swing, the play of his muscles as he propelled Carmelo forward. He didn’t contribute as Kayleigh continued the conversation about working with children, nor comment when Kayleigh asked whether she could visit Nicholas Centre, and Elle agreed to ask Joseph.
Becoming restive at his silent presence, Elle finished her drink. ‘Thanks for the water, Lucas. I’d better get off to the Seadancer.’
Lucas nodded. ‘See you later.’
* * *
Shortly after Elle departed, Carmelo asked to get off the swing. He drank the rest of his Fanta and then clambered around on the climbing frame for a while. His wide smiles and wild giggles had faded away, as if Elle had taken the fun from the afternoon with her.
Lucas and Kayleigh retired to a shady bench. Kayleigh threaded her arm through Lucas’s. ‘Are you cross with me for getting friendly with her?’
He shrugged.
‘I’m not trying to freak you out or piss you off. I just like her and what she’s doing. I’d like to see that centre. Maybe I could do something for the kids, too. Maybe we could.’
‘Maybe,’ he agreed, neutrally.
He glanced across at the Shady Lady and the flash of a yellow dress as Elle disappeared inside.
‘Are you still in love with her?’ Kayleigh asked softly.
‘Drop it.’ Then, because it wasn’t Kayleigh’s fault, he said, ‘Please. Just give me a break, Kay.’
They sat in silence as Carmelo’s climbing became gradually less purposeful, until it wasn’t so much climbing as fidgeting while he watched the Shady Lady. His patience was rewarded when Elle emerged, her hair hidden by her hat, her gaze disguised by sunglasses, khaki shorts showing legs that were becoming tanned, her breasts moving slightly under a white T-shirt.
Carmelo bounded from the climbing frame and raced to join her. She smiled at him, saying something that made him laugh as he skipped along beside her. She glanced into the gardens and waved goodbye to Lucas and Kayleigh. Carmelo copied her, throwing them a brief salute before turning all his attention back to Elle.
Kayleigh sighed. ‘Any particular reason you’re keeping me away from the boat? Away from Elle?’
‘You’ve just been with her.’
