“I’m not sure, I think it’s called The Great Race.”
“Is that the one with Tony Curtis in it?”
“That’s it, will you come too?”
“I might, we’ll see.”
“Did your mum tell you about the holiday?”
“What holiday?”
“Daddy’s booked us all into a hotel in Spain for two weeks, isn’t that fab?”
“Spain? Why?”
“Why not? We’ve never had a holiday abroad, so it should be brilliant.”
Amber thought about it for a moment.
“Yeah, it might well be,” she said, a smile coming to her lips.
While Amber was settling back into family life, Matthew Rider was pacing the floor outside the Brigadier’s office.
Thoughts of Amber filled his waking consciousness, so he knew that if this were to continue, he would be wholly ineffective. The age difference and the whole circumstance were impossible, so he was planning to ask his boss to be returned to active service.
“Come in, Matthew.”
Matthew entered as the older man finished his telephone call.
“Sorry about that, the minister was after an update.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Now, what did you want?”
“Sir, I am very grateful for the position I’ve been permitted to hold, but I believe if my credibility as a soldier is to be maintained, I should go back to active duty.”
The Brigadier looked over the top of his half-moon spectacles at the younger officer.
“Hmm, go on.”
“Sir, you’re aware of my record. I just feel that things are settled now, and, well, the subject doesn’t need me anymore.”
“The subject doesn’t need you, or you don’t need the subject? Which is it Matthew?”
“Sir?”
“Come off it, man. How transparent do you think you are? The girl has a crush on you, you’re a man, she’s stunningly pretty, do you think I’m completely senile?”
“Yes sir, that is, no sir.”
“Matthew, you’re a damn good officer and a friend. I can see what is happening. She’s too young and you don’t want to give in to temptation, do you?”
“No sir.” Matthew muttered, thinking of the ten times he had.
“Fine, then just tell her what’s what and get on with your job. You are crucial to her development, as she trusts you implicitly. We could never replace you, so your inclusion on the programme is vital.”
“Sir, I’m not sure I can.”
“Why not?”
Matthew struggled for the words. “Sir, she’s .. she’s, sir, I find myself drawn to her. I’m emotionally involved.”
“Good! Then you will do anything to protect her interests.”
Matthew frowned, attempting to find the courage to tell the Brigadier that he was screwing a sixteen year-old.
<Don’t be an arse, Matty, it won’t help!> Amber’s mental voice cut through his mind like a knife.
<I have to, Amber!>
<No, you don’t, not yet. I promise. Trust me, I need you!>
She was gone as quickly as she had arrived.
“Matthew, are you all right?” The Brigadier looked concerned.
“Yes sir. I’m sorry, but I suppose I’m not used to this sort of thing.”
“None of us are, my boy. If it’s any consolation, I’m fond of the girl too.”
“You sir?” Matthew was surprised.
“Yes. I’m still wary of her powers, but I find her a delightful person. I pity her really.”
“Pity her, why sir?”
“Well, what chance has she got to lead a normal life?”
Matthew thought about it for a moment.
“I see what you mean. Not much, I suppose.”
“So, she needs all the friends she can get. It’s such a pity, really.”
“Pity, sir?”
“Yes, she’s a very pretty girl, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to become intimate with her, not with those powers.”
Matthew smiled. “I’m sure she’ll manage, Brigadier.”
“Maybe, still, are you happy to continue?”
“For the moment, yes sir.”
“Capital! Look Matthew, it’s been several years since the divorce, have you found anyone?”
“Not really, sir. I find the work doesn’t help.”
“Then maybe you need a break. Take a spot of leave, go to the French Riviera or something, try to find a good woman.”
“I’ll stay on, if that’s all right.”
“Right, then I’ve something for you. It might fit the bill in more ways than one. The Lowe family are going to the Coast Brava for two weeks. They’ve booked into the Agua Blava Hotel near Parafuegel. I’d like you to fly out and keep a beady eye on our girl.”
Matthew was stunned. It meant he would see Amber, but with her family close, they would have little or no chance of snatching time together.
Taking his silence for acquiescence, the Brigadier stood up.
“Fine, that’s settled. You’re booked on an Iberia flight from Heathrow in four days time. It wouldn’t do for you to be too close to the family, so we’ve booked you into a room in the hotel annex near the beach. You never know, you might just find love,” the Old Man said, chuckling.
“You never know, right, sir.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The warm sun of the Mediterranean resort shone for all but two days of their holiday. Amber and Charlie, as reasonable responsible and sensible girls were left to their own devices for most of the time, as their parents coped with the two young boys.
They had booked three twin rooms on the ground floor, with two inter-joining for the adults and the younger children. Charlie and Amber shared a room that was at the end of the corridor, with a double door that opened up onto the swimming pool area.
It took until the first evening meal for Charlie to start flirting with the dark eyed Spanish waiter called José. Much to Charlie’s disgust, José seemed to have eyes only for Amber, who showed no interest in the lad at all.
As soon as she’d walked into the hotel, after a rather sick-making ride from Barcelona airport in a dilapidated bus, she saw Matthew at the bar.
She knew he was going to be there, but to actually see him made her heart quicken and she smiled.
He was dressed in a pair of tan shorts, a white tennis shirt and rope-soled loafers. He glanced her direction and winked.
He was shocked at his reaction. Not really knowing what to expect, he was surprised at her appearance. She was wearing a very short skirt and a small top that concealed very little. Her long hair looked luxurious and her smile lit up his life. Next to her sister, she looked older and far more attractive. Though Charlie was a pretty girl, she did look like a schoolgirl on holiday, whereas Amber looked like a model off the front of a magazine cover.
The hotel wasn’t a huge one, but it was well appointed with facilities for all ages. There was a beach, but it was small and rocky. There were steps attached to the rocks, and loads of swimming areas. With the exception of strange black-spined sea urchins, it was a very safe place, as long as one kept clear of them.
The swimming pool had no such hazards, so the family tended to base themselves next to the pool, so they could keep an eye on the two little boys. Amber found the family situation increasingly stifling, so she took to walking to the shore and swimming off the rocks. There was a large raft moored about fifty metres from the shore, with a ladder attached for swimmers to climb out and sun themselves on the wooden deck.
She swam out, climbing out and lying down in the hot sun. After a few moments a shadow fell across her. She didn’t open her eyes or look up.
“Hello Matty,” she said.
He kissed her, so she wrapped one arm around his neck, pulling him down onto the deck beside her.
“I’ve missed you!” she said.
“I know.”