24. Lovers Pier

The soft touch of his hand stroking my stomach under my top woke me. I lay there, relishing in the feeling of warm fingers drawing lazy circles on my skin. Alec shuffled closer and peppered light kisses on my shoulder.

Before rolling over to face him, I lifted my phone to my face. Catching sight of the time, my nerves kicked in.

07:01. I forgot to set an alarm last night and needed to be in work by twenty to eight.

Kicking the blankets off, I wriggled out of Alec's arms. "No, no, no." I searched for some clean clothes and hurried to the bathroom to change. I splashed water on my face and under my armpits. Toothbrush in mouth, I hopped out of the bathroom while trying to get my socks on.

Alec sat against the headboard of his bed, looking startled. He rubbed his fist into his eyes and yawned. "What's the hurry?"

I popped back into the bathroom and rinsed my mouth out. "New job? I'm late. I didn't set an alarm," I shouted out while smearing moisturiser over my face.

"Oh shit. Right. Let's get going then. I'll drive you." Alec tugged his jeans on and joined me in the bathroom to brush his teeth. I watched him through the mirror as I dotted concealer under my eyes. The shift in our relationship only made me want him more and seeing him in this new light, caused my entire body to come alive.

He grinned as he vigorously brushed. "What?" he chuckled after he spat into the sink.

"Nothing." I returned to covering up any dark circles under my eyes.

"I'll run to the house to grab something you can eat in the car. Meet me down there when you're done." He planted a kiss on my cheek and left me to finish my make-up.

The car engine rumbled as I made my way into the courtyard. I slid into the passenger seat and took the croissant Alec held out. He placed an apple and a water bottle in my lap and drove to The Tea Spot.

Without my morning cup of coffee, I felt like a zombie as I chewed the buttery pastry. Yawning between bites, I closed my eyes for a few minutes.

I swallowed the last morsel and turned to Alec. "So what happened with Ben's girlfriend? You were gone ages."

Alec sighed, "Not his girlfriend." He shook his head. "He brought her to the house, slept with her and then refused to help her home. Poor girl was stranded. No wonder she went crazy. I gave her a cup of tea to calm her down and drove her home."

I raised my eyebrows as I listened to his explanation. "That's so shady. I know Ben's your brother, but he's an A-hole."

"Oh, you can call him worse than that. I did. That's one of the reasons I was so late." Alec parked up outside the Tearooms with two minutes to spare. "I wish she didn't interrupt us last night." He rested his hand over mine and ran his thumb over my knuckles.

"Same." Out the window of the car, I saw Layla unlocking the front door and turning the lights on. "I have to go now."

Mid stroll to the tea shop, I spun around and sprinted back to Alec's car. "Tonight? Make sure it's just the two of us," I said as I leant in through the open car window.

He grinned as he sagged into his seat and ran his hand through his silky brown hair. "Tonight."

Layla was wiping down the glass cake display as I entered the Cafe. She packed the cleaning products away into a bucket and motioned for me to come forward.

"Hi, Nat. Thanks for helping with such short notice. Here's your apron. Pop it on and I'll show you where everything is," she said in a peppy sing-song voice. So Layla was a morning person.

Hooking the loop around my neck and tying the straps around my waist, I followed her into the prep room. A one-desk office, closed by a glass panel door, stood to my left. Away from the customers' prying eyes, the prep room seemed clean and sparse. The dishwasher looked easy enough to use, the triple sink and mop sink were spotless, as was the oven. To my right, a wooden blue door opened onto the smallest cobbled courtyard, surrounded by stone walls with creeping ivy pouring over the top.

A metal gate, leading to the main road, hid to the side of the wall. Layla pointed out she rarely used the exit, but I needed to keep it free for emergencies.

"Sandwiches are prepared fresh on the premises. You'll find every ingredient in the fridge. Cakes, scones and tea cakes are made the night before. We only hold three regular varieties of cake, and I make a new speciality cake each week. Most of the customers are regulars, so the menu is fine-tuned to their taste. Myself or Margie will always be here to help. So don't worry, l'll do all the cooking until you're settled in."

She scanned the room and strolled out into the tearoom. "I'm sure you'll pick everything up once we get going. Any questions? Oh, have you used one of these coffee machines before?" She flipped the on-switch of a silver duel serving coffee machine and set an espresso cup and a cappuccino cup on the drip tray.

The machine whirred to life. "They're all pretty much the same, aren't they?" Without hesitating, I grabbed the coffee grounds, popped them in the portafilter and made the drinks. As I went to froth the milk in the cappuccino, I forgot to angle the wand properly and foam shot out of the cup and landed on my shoe.

Mortified, I stared at the machine and felt my face heat up. Layla burst into laughter. "Margie does that all the time. Between you and me, she isn't allowed near any appliance. I make sure she sticks to the books or looking pretty behind the counter." She crouched down and wiped the mess I had made with a wad of blue paper towel.

After my clumsy mishap, Layla arranged her freshly baked cakes in the display cabinet and flipped the sign on the door to open.

Five minutes later, a steady stream of customers entered the tearoom. As warned the previous day, most of them were builders seeking their milky teas with plenty of sugar, a few joking they needed enough to make their spoons stand up, and their bacon butties.

Layla got to work on the sandwiches, and I stuck to making the beverages.

***

The cafe quietened down around ten-thirty am and Layla spent some time going over some of her favourite cake recipes. We even managed to make a batch of scones, ready for the afternoon teas.

Sitting amongst the empty tables with a piping hot cup of coffee, I cut into a freshly baked scone and plopped a dollop of jam onto each half, then clotted cream. The bell above the door dinged, and an energetic Lily bounded into the room and threw herself onto my lap. Alec and Chloe followed after her.

"Woah, watch out, Lily. I have a hot drink here." I grabbed her in my arms and squeezed her tight. I glanced up at Alec and smiled. "You picked the right time. I'm just having a break."

Alec yanked a chair out and dragged it round until he was sitting next to me. "Lily, why don't you go up to look at some cakes. You can ask Chloe to help choose one and get a drink." He pointed towards their sister at the counter and put some money in her hand.

Alec placed his hand over mine. He chewed on his bottom lip before leaning in. "What are the chances you don't have to work all day?" He kept his voice low enough, only I could hear him and the depth of it sent a shiver up my neck.

I picked at a loose crumb on my scone. "Slim to none. I've just started. I can't leave early on my first day. Why?" I peered up and caught him staring at my mouth as I spoke. His eyes fixed on my lips until he straightened up and blinked.

"Well, some of the boys rang, and they're heading straight from the campsite to the amusement park off the pier. Lily and Chloe want me to take them, but I don't want to go without you. We can wait for you to finish. It stays open until nine tonight." His hand had a mind of its own as he traced each of my knuckles with his thumb.

Shuffling closer, I flipped my hand over so I could interlock my fingers with his. "I love that you'd wait for me, but that's just silly. Go and have fun. I'll see you when you get back, but stay and eat with me first."

Alec reluctantly let go of my hand and joined his sister to choose some food. He bent over to whisper something to Chloe, but Lily caught his words. She spun on her heels, and with a look that I can only describe as pure disgust, shouted across the tearoom, "Why don't you want to come to the fair with us?"

Alec winced and crouched down to her level. "Shush, will you? I didn't say she doesn't want to, I said she can't because she's working," he whispered.

Layla, who was still waiting for them to order, heard the whole conversation. She chuckled at Lily's outburst. "You can leave at one today. Margie will be here to go over the books and there are no coach trips planned so we won't be busy. You helped me out by coming in this morning so take it as a trial run that you passed."

Alec beamed from ear to ear, and Lily jumped up and down before focusing back on the cakes.

With my shift ended, I cleared their plates, returned my apron to its hook in the prep room and headed for Alec's car.

"Who's going?" I asked while clicking my seatbelt on.

Alec steered out onto the road, heading straight for the Pier Amusement Park in Southsea. "Sian, James, and a few of the others will be there. Rosie and Daniel wanted to get back. Oh, and I think Finn's coming with Abigail once they drop Hope off. She has work tonight."

I turned to Chloe in the backseat. "And you are still coming?" I tried discreetly whispering.

She shrugged and faced the window.

I pulled my hair tie out and raked my fingers through to untangle any knots. "I look a mess. I wish we had time to pop back to yours, so I could wash or even change." I glimpsed into the sun visor mirror and wiped away the mascara smudges with my finger.

"You look gorgeous," Alec mumbled through a cough, his cheeks flushing.

I turned in my seat, a wide small plastered on my face as I admired his button nose, full lips and strong jaw. Alec glanced over before returning his eyes to the road, and the corner of his mouth curled up.

Chloe scoffed from the backseat, "Euh, gag."

Alec tensed up as Lily and I giggled at her comment. I placed my hand on his thigh, giving it a light squeeze, and felt him relax as I did.

From the road, we could already see the Ferris Wheel that took centre stage in the park and looked out to sea. At night, the whole place would light up even a moonless sky, in reds, yellows, greens, and blues. In the day, the yellow and blue chequered pavilion stood proud against the cloudless azure sky.

Alec found a spot in the busy parking lot, and we walked towards the entrance. I cranked my neck up to see the bright-red Clarence Pier sign above us. Long queues, into the arcade, edged slowly forward. The line buzzed with excited and increasingly impatient customers. Music from inside the arcade drifted out into the air, adding to the atmosphere.

Lily darted in and out of the line as she squealed with a little boy she had met while queuing. Alec never took his eyes off her, the corners of his mouth raising each time her piercing laughter reached our ears.

While he was busy, I took a step to the side, slipped my phone out of my pocket and snapped some photos. Mainly of Alec. He raked his hands through his dark, messy hair and I paused for a moment to drink him in. Gorgeous. The flash from my last photo went off. He twisted around, his eyes creased at the corner as he grinned.

He dragged me back into the line and wrapped his arms around my waist. "What are you doing over there?" he whispered as he stroked my hair out of my face, still holding onto my waist with one hand.

"Something caught my eye," I coyly answered as I tugged him forward.

Lily slipped in between us and held on to our hands. Cheering, gunfire and pinging noises hit my ears before the rows and rows of brightly coloured lights flashed in our faces. We dodged children, screaming and running from one game to another.

***

Chloe led us outside, onto the wooden boards of the pier. Beneath our feet, the sea crashed onto the shore, and Lily squeezed my hand as we passed each minuscule gap.

The sea breeze and the smell of doughnuts were oddly comforting. Seagulls swooped dangerously close to a lady's fish and chip cone, and despite my lunch at The Tea Stop, my mouth watered at the sight of her food. I was as bad as those pesky birds.

Familiar curly blonde hair ran towards me, and Sian swept me up into her arms, knocking Lily into Alec.

"Careful, you big oaf," I giggled and shoved her shoulder as she put me down. "Did you miss me that much?"

"Always. Alec rang to tell me about your job. Welcome to the real world, baby." She wrapped her arms around me to whisper in my ear. "We'll talk about your shitty parents later."

I nodded as she held me out at arm's length, her smile slipping and her eyes filled with kindness.

James walked up beside me and gave my shoulder a gentle pat. "Alright, Wilson? Tough week for you."

"I've had better," I sighed.

"No moping today. We're here to have fun and cheer you up. I think we should go on the bumper cars first." Sian picked her phone out of her back pocket and typed.

"I kind of want to go on the Ferris Wheel. I haven't been on this one for years," I said to Alec, hoping we could ride it alone.

Sian pocketed her phone and scanned the entrance to the arcade. "Ah, there they are." She waved her arms above her head, and I turned to see Finn and Abigail walking towards us.

I glanced over at Chloe, who sighed and grabbed Lily's hand. She pulled Alec aside and whispered in his ear, then crouched down to speak to her little sister. "Come on trouble. Alec said I can get you the biggest candy floss we can find. We can even go on the balloon wheel ride." As soon as Finn reached the group, she was gone.

Andy pushed through the crowd, a mustard covered jumbo hot dog in his hand. I laughed as he scoffed it down, his face speckled in sauce. "Little something on your face there, Andy boy."

He wiped his mouth on a napkin and shoved an eye-watering amount down his throat. "Rollercoaster?" he asked after his mouthful.

Everyone agreed to go there first. Hopefully, Alec and I could slip off to be on our own since Lily left with Chloe. I knew Sian and the gang wanted to spend time cheering me up. I loved them for that, but I selfishly longed for time with just Alec.

Alec and I rushed to an empty cart. He held my hand as the ride gradually climbed to the top. I glanced over at Alec, and the anticipation of the drop, mixed with the regular butterflies I felt every time I was with him, had me on edge. It was one of these flight or fight moments. I wanted to run to avoid handing all my feelings over to this amazing boy, but I also wanted to throw myself at him and never look back.

He smiled, and I giggled, our gazes no longer fixed on the incline. It was too late to turn back. Screams pierced the air around us. Alec squeezed my hand and looked away as we dropped through the sky. Uncontrollable laughter erupted from both of us as we fell.

"I'm going again," Andy shouted as we stumbled off the ride.

"Good," Alec whispered in my ear as he pulled me into his side. "Now to get rid of the rest of them."

Pins and needles crept up my toes and fingers, and my belly flipped. The adrenaline rush from the rollercoaster wasn't the only thing keeping me breathless. I snuggled in closer as we wandered towards the Ferris Wheel, the others not yet noticing our escape.

The queue to the Wheel had quietened down compared to the other rides. Alec and I faced away from our friends, hoping they would get the hint and leave us to it. Each car could fit up to six people, so if we were quick enough and let the couple behind us skip in front, we could have one to ourselves.

Just as our plan looked successful, Sian bounced up behind us and wrapped her arms over our shoulders. "Can't wait to be up there. We should go at night when the park's lit up."

James, Finlay and Abigail entered the ride with us. Sian sat beside me while Alec's knees touched mine from the opposite seat. She kept the car animated with her usual banter and filled us in on James' argument with his brother.

Alec's gaze held mine for a minute. "Okay?" he mouthed; I nodded in reply, and we glanced back to take the view in. Sian's voice filled the car but faded out as I watched the park get smaller as we neared the top. A lifeless, turquoise sea blended into a cloudless sky. If it weren't for a few boats speeding across the surface and disrupting the calm, they would have been one.

My nerves from earlier had subsided as the tension between Alec and me lessened. Our friends were buffers without even realising. With no kiss to anticipate or time alone with Alec, I could store my butterflies away for later.

We strolled between each stall on the pier, hand in hand. Andy and a few of the other boys were done with riding the Rollercoaster and wanted all of us to head inside the arcade.

Alec hadn't said a word since we left the Ferris Wheel, his eyebrows furrowed as he walked off, deep in thought. I slammed into his back as he abruptly stopped in his tracks and spun round to face me. His features softened as he stared at me through his lashes. He took a step closer and ran his hands up my arms.

I could hear the blood pounding in my ears as he leant in closer, his hair falling onto his forehead. "Sorry, I can't wait anymore," he muttered before his lips slammed against mine.

I froze for a mere second, and everything melted away. Alec was kissing me and the butterflies I had set aside erupted in my stomach. My pins and needles moved from my extremities to the tip of my nose. Our lips moved together, and I didn't want to be anywhere else.

His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me firmly against his body as I clutched onto his T-shirt to pull him even closer. His lips traced mine, and I tilted my head as his tongue slid between my parted lips. Our kiss was gentle yet filled with so much passion. My heart beat hard against my chest as everything around us vanished into the distance.

I vaguely heard someone gasp and a few people cheer and hoot. We broke the kiss as someone patted Alec on the back. He pressed his forehead against mine, my eyes still closed as I focussed on our erratic breathing.

***

Hello readers,

Well, it happened. Alec and Nat finally kissed.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback.

Clara ❤️