But then when they came to a bend, Veronica attempted to turn and leaned too far. The kayak shuddered. Her paddle dipped awkwardly, and she overcorrected. A second later, theboat flipped with a splash, tossing her off. She surfaced, spluttered out a curse, then grasped the upturned kayak.
“Don’t panic,” Kathleen called, guiding her own kayak toward her. “You’re okay. Keep hold of the side.”
Veronica nodded, coughing up water. Her cap had floated off somewhere and her soaked suit clung to her. She looked more embarrassed than apprehensive. She tried to pull herself up, only to slip off with a splash and a sharp gasp.
“Wait,” Kathleen called out. “Let me steady it first. You’ll flip it again.”
Veronica clung to the side, water dripping down her face from her soaked hair. “This wasnotcovered in the agency brochure.”
Kathleen chuckled, looped around to the far edge and braced her paddle across both kayaks, and locked her knees. “Okay. Kick up, belly across the seat slowly. I've got you.”
Veronica kicked hard, muscles straining as she awkwardly heaved herself onto the kayak. It wobbled wildly and she slipped off again.
Kathleen braced herself and leaned into the weight. “Try again.”
With a grunt, Veronica pulled herself up and this time managed to manoeuvre into the seat. The kayak rocked again alarmingly.
“Keep still,” ordered Kathleen. “You’re making it worse.”
Veronica blinked at her. “Are you always this bossy when someone’s drowning?”
Kathleen gave a little snicker. “Some people don’t listen.”
Veronica sat for a moment, breathing heavily, then reluctantly smiled. “I must look like a drowned rat.”
Kathleen ran her eyes over her. Her top was wet, outlining her nipples that were hard from the cold. Her eyes lingered there a beat too long. She felt the heat rush to her face when she caughtVeronica’s knowing look. She cleared her throat. “Do you want to go back?”
“No,” Veronica said. “I want to keep going. I want to see the rookery again.”
Kathleen pointed to a patch of spatterdock, explaining its role in oxygenating the water. She described the seasonal changes; how migratory birds used the wetlands as a critical resting point. Veronica asked questions now, quiet, genuine ones.
And when they reached the edge of the far shore, they floated. Not speaking, simply existing and enjoying the peace.
“I guess we’d better get back,” Kathleen said reluctantly. “You must be getting hungry.”
“I’m famished,” said Veronica with a grin.
They paddled toward the car park, and pulled their kayaks back to the shed. Kathleen spread out a blanket from the boot of her car on a patch of dry grass, and opened the cooler. She pulled out sandwiches, cut fruit, and a thermos of iced tea.
Veronica flopped down beside her with a groan. “If you tell anyone I fell in, I’ll deny everything.”
Kathleen passed her a sandwich. “You’ll be a local legend.”
They ate in companionable quiet, the kind that only came after shared adrenaline. The food was simple but good—cool, fresh, perfect for the warmth of the day. For once, Kathleen didn’t feel out of place. No awkward silences, no second-guessing. Just sun, laughter, and the occasional teasing jab.
When it was time to pack up, Kathleen lingered. She folded the blanket slowly, letting her fingers trace the fabric. Her chest felt tight in a way she couldn’t quite explain.
“I wish we didn’t have to go back yet,” she said, trying to sound casual.
Veronica glanced at her, and murmured, “We don’t. Not yet.”
But eventually, the light shifted, the breeze turned cooler, and the spell broke gently rather than all at once. When Kathleen started the car engine, she felt something sink a little inside her.
She’d never had so much fun and didn’t want the day to end.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Marise leaned back in the seat as Kathleen pulled up in front of the Alderidge. The buzz of the city felt distant here, softened by the trees lining the sidewalk.
