Page 12 of Ask Another Day

Owen:

Come on, you know you want to. Are you free on Thursday night?

She could do Thursday. Dinner on a Thursday felt like less pressure than a Friday. But Rose’s words from their chat on that chilly beach came back to her. She’d been right. Dating Owen whilst she had all their lessons scheduled was not a good idea. Part of her wanted to sack off the lessons and date him. But something had clicked into place on the side of the pool with him on Sunday. She’d had enough of her phobia ruining the water for her - ruining her shared experiences with Natalie. And something about Owen was whispering to her that he was the one who could help her with this; he could teach her to not be afraid of the water.

She grabbed the battered grey plastic cube from her bedside table and gently pressed the rubber button beneath the screen, asking the powers within what they thought.

‘Is it a good idea to go on this date with Owen?’ she asked out loud in her quiet bedroom. She opened her eyes and focussed on the small words as they flickered on the plastic screen. The Truth Remains Hidden stared back, which was good enough for her.

Holly:

As much as I’d love to, can we put a pin in it?

Owen:

?

Holly:

I mean, can we focus on the lessons for now?

And the mammoth task you’ve got in teaching me to swim?

Maybe we can go for dinner to celebrate you doing the impossible?

After we’ve finished our lessons?

Owen:

Mr Fincham really did a number on you

Holly shuddered as she thought back to her primary school teacher.

Holly:

I can still picture his wiry face

His scruffy moustache scowling at me

She grimaced as a vision of his pasty face and oily hair filled her head. A memory sparked to life of the flat cap he wore to and from school. Each morning he’d place it on his desk. Sloane once dared Holly to wear it. Usually, Holly was so scared of getting into trouble she’d never risk breaking the rules. But emboldened for some reason, she took the bait this time. When she’d snatched up the hat, a folded square of oily kitchen towel had slipped out onto his chair. She’d baulked then as she did now at the memory. That oily square had squashed any thoughts of putting his hat on her head. Sloane had laughed at her, crowing that she knew Holly wouldn’t be able to complete the dare. It had been Seb who had come to her rescue, scooping up the hat and wearing it with a flourish just as Mr Fincham had strode back in from the staffroom. Seb had received a lunchtime detention and a phone call home for his chivalrous behaviour. When he’d taken the hat from her hand, Holly and Seb’s friendship had been cemented. Her phone buzzed, bringing her back to the present with a welcomed nudge.

Owen:

It’s a deal

I teach you to swim

Then we go out - somewhere nice

Holly:

Deal

Owen:

And it might not be after the 10 lessons

Holly: