At the Edge of This Summer: Dana, a Quiet Librarian, Wins a Dream Holiday by the Sea, Saves a Teenager from Drowning, and Discovers Unexpected Romance with a Single Father and His Son as the Season Draws to a Close

On the Edge of This Summer

Working as a librarian, Alice always considered her life a bit dull. Visitors were scarce these days; everyone preferred browsing the internet from home. She would regularly rearrange the books, dusting the shelves, but the real perk of her job was the sheer number shed managed to read: romances, philosophy, you name it. By the age of thirty, shed suddenly realised that all this romantic fluff had somehow passed her by.

She was at a respectable age, should probably be thinking of settling down, but she never bothered changing jobs. Her looks didnt command attention; her salary was modest. The library drew mostly students, some schoolkids and the occasional pensioner.

Not long ago, thered been a professional competition among county librarians. To Alices delight and utter surprise, she won the grand prizea fully paid two-week seaside holiday.

How brilliant! Ill definitely go, she told her mum and her friend with a giddy smile. Id never afford something like this on my wage. Its as if good luck finally landed in my lap!

Summer was drawing to a close. On her third day at the coast, Alice wandered along the nearly empty beach; most holidaymakers had retreated to cafes since the sea was particularly rough. She fancied a bit of time to stroll alone, to think and dream.

Just then, she saw a wave knock a boy off the pier and into the churning water. Without a second thought for her own safety, she dashed in. He wasnt far out, thank goodness, and though she wasnt a stellar swimmer herself, shed always managed to stay afloat.

The waves alternately pushed her and the boy toward shore, then seemed to pull them back again. Alice managed to reach him and, inch by inch, got him closer to where she could stand, her beautiful dress soaked and clinging. Finally, she was able to haul him to safety.

Looking at him, she was taken aback. Hes just a kida tall one, maybe fourteenbarely older than a schoolboy, she thought. She asked, What on earth made you go swimming in this weather?

The boy murmured his thanks, swayed a little, and walked away, not looking back. Alice, shrugging, watched him disappear. The following morning, sunlight streamed through her hotel window; the sea shone bright and blue, restless but cheerful, as if to apologise for yesterdays temper.

After breakfast, Alice headed to the sun-soaked beach, stretched out on a lounger, and let her worries drift away. Closer to the evening, she fancied a stroll and ended up in the pier arcade, where she noticed the shooting range. Shed been a decent shot back at school and university, but her first attempt was wide of the mark. Her second hit dead centre.

See that, son? Thats how its done, a man joked behind her, making her turn. To her amazement, the voice belonged to the boy shed pulled from the sea.

His eyes widened in recognition, but she quickly realised the father didnt know anything about yesterday. She offered a small smile.

Perhaps youll show us a thing or two? asked the boys father, introducing himself as Jack. My Toms useless with these things, and Im not much better, sadly. He smiled warmly.

After the arcade, they all wandered around together, then moved to a café for ice cream, followed by a ride on the Ferris wheel. Alice expected Toms mother might join them soon, but neither Jack nor Tom seemed to be waiting for anyone else.

Jack turned out to be a fantastic conversationalist, full of stories, and with every passing minute Alice liked him more.

Alice, have you been here long? Jack asked.

This is just my first week, she replied. Got another to go.

London, originally, she admitted, surprised when they discovered all three hailed from the same city. They laughed at the coincidence.

Isnt it funny? Jack grinned. Cant meet up in town, but all the way out herehere we are! He was clearly taken with Alices calm and gentle nature.

Tom joined the chat, having cottoned on that Alice wasnt going to mention his adventure in the water. The group split late into the night, Jack and Tom seeing Alice back to her hotel and agreeing to meet her again on the beach tomorrow.

She arrived early, but her new friends were running late, turning up nearly an hour behind.

Morning, Jack called, apologising profusely. Honestly, Alice, you wont believe itwe overslept and completely forgot to set our alarm.

Dad, Im off for a swim, Tom announced and headed to the water.

Alice suddenly called, Wait! You cant swim!

Jack raised his eyebrows. Of course he canhes on the school swim team, entered in races all the time. Alice was surprised but said nothing. Had she imagined that he couldnt swim?

Theyd booked rooms in neighbouring hotels. The following days flew by in a dream. Every morning started on the beach; they parted only late into the evening, exploring sights together. Still, Alice longed for a chat alone with Tom, sensing he was troubled, though perhaps she was imagining things. By now, she knew Jack and Tom were lodged next door.

The chance came. One morning Tom appeared on his own.

Hiya. Dads a bit poorlytemperature and all that, Tom explained. I asked if I could come down told him Id be with you. Hope you dont mind, he grinned, I just couldnt sit in that room all day.

Tom, give me your dads mobile number. Ill ring and check on him, Alice suggested; Tom rattled it off.

Hello, Jack? she greeted. Sorry to hear youre under the weather. Dont worryToms in good hands, hes promised to listen to everything I say.

Thanks, Aliceappreciate it. Ill be up and about soon enough! Jack replied.

After a swim, Tom sprawled on the lounger beside her and suddenly burst out, Do you know youre a real mate? Alice looked over; he was smiling.

What makes you say that?

Because you didnt tell Dad about well, the pier and the sea. Tom blushed. Honestly, I didnt plan it. Got knocked straight off by a wave and lost my nerve a bit.

No worries, Alice smiled. Then after a pause, she gently asked, Tom, wheres your mum? Why are you two on your own?

He went quiet, thinking it over, but then nodded, deciding to trust her. As it turned out, Tom felt he was grown up enough to know the truth.

Jack sometimes travelled for work. Whenever he went away, Tom stayed with his mum, Susan. Everyone thought they were the perfect family, but appearances were deceiving. The trouble, it seemed, was with Susan.

One day Jack told her, Listen, Susan, Im off to Manchester for a three-week training course. They say Ill probably get a promotion after, maybe even become deputy manager. The pay goes up a lot

Surprisingly, Susan seemed almost pleased. When Jack left, she stayed at home with Tom.

A couple of days later, Susan told Tom, Were having guestsmy colleague Paul and his daughter Rosie. Paul and I have drawings to finish, so youll have to entertain Rosie for a bit. Shes a couple of years older than you, but Im sure youll get along.

Rosie turned out to be quite the character. After a short chat in Toms room, she suggested, Come on, lets see whats happening in the park.

Susan handed Tom a crisp tenner. Take ityou can at least buy Rosie an ice cream. Go on, have some fun! He was shocked; his mum had never given him that much pocket money.

They spent the afternoon togetherTom, nearly fourteen and already tall for his age, found Rosie mature and worldly. The weeks slipped by.

Just before Jack was due home, Rosie said, Thank heavens your dads back soon. Im tired of looking after yougot my own life, you know? Dad made a deal with me: keep you distracted while our parents well, occupy themselves. She gave a cynical laugh. My parents split up ages ago, still fighting over the house

Tom felt sick hearing Rosie talk about his mum and her dad like that. He believed her and didnt, but the facts were hard to ignore. When Jack returned, Tom didnt know what to do. Should he keep quiet? Tell Mum off? Or tell Dad instead?

It wasnt long before the truth came out. Tom noticed his mum becoming increasingly distant with Jack. One evening, back from football training, Tom entered just in time to overhear a blazing row.

Yes, Im seeing someone else. What are you going to do about it? Susans voice echoed through the flat.

Nothing, Jack replied. Ill file for divorce. Tom will be staying with meits clear youre not bothered about him.

Fine by me, Susan snapped. Im starting a new family anyway.

Tom dashed to his room, listening as his mum admitted, Paul and I have been together behind your back for ages. Im moving out tomorrow.

On Saturday, Tom stayed in bed on purpose, knowing his mum was packing. Jack sat quietly behind his laptop. Tom already knew he wanted to stay with his dadPaul and Rosie had never been his cup of tea. He heard the front door slam as Susan left.

Jack tried to explain, but Tom said, Dad, theres nothing to explain. Ive known for agesalmost told you myself. I love you. Well be fine together.

Jack ruffled his hair. Turns out youre more mature than I thought, he smiled. If you want to see your mum, do it for your sake. She left menot you.

But Tom didnt want to see Susan yet. He just couldnt quite forgive her. That afternoon, Alice and Tom popped to see Jack, bringing fruit. Jack was in good spirits, promising hed join them on the beach the next day.

In three days, Jack and Tom were heading home, while Alice had two days left herself. The summer was ending. On the very edge of it, they said their goodbyes. Jack promised to meet Alice at the airport, Tom beamed.

Alice had no plans, just a blissful smile, rereading Jacks kind messages where he confessed he missed her already and couldnt wait to see her again. Before long, Alice moved into the flat with Jack and Tom, and it seemed Tom was the happiest of them all: for his dad, for himself, and for Alice.