August 2012
Jessica woke to find the sunlight streaming through the plain windows of her bedsit, on the outskirts of Truro. She was excited. Today was going to be special. She was going on a real date with Tim. She had been out for drinks with him and a group of friends a few times in the two months since she had joined the solicitors firm.
Tim was a young partner in the firm and seemed a real gentleman. He was always friendly and pleasant to all the girls who worked in the office. Always ready with a joke and a smile. He was the only nephew of the senior partner, and everyone knew he was likely to inherit the firm.
Yesterday he had come to her desk, and to her surprise asked her out, for a whole day together. Just them. He was going to pick her up at 9.30 this morning. He had advised her to dress casually and to bring her swimming costume. He was going to bring a picnic.
Time flew and suddenly there he was at her front door, his red Porsche parked nearby. Jessica was impressed and felt very lucky.
Soon they were on their way to the coast. Their conversation was light hearted and general. There was music playing in the background. Tim was a good driver and the car was comfortable. After some time on twisting roads, Jessica could see the sea ahead of them.
Tim parked the car near the quay; they collected their things and a picnic basket and started walking alongside the water. Soon they arrived at the marina and Tim pointed Jessica in the direction of a beautiful boat. 'Whirlwind' was painted on the bow. Tim explained that he had borrowed it from his uncle, so they could go round to one of the quieter coves for their picnic and swim. It was lovely just sitting there, watching the beautiful scenery slide past as they floated along the coast, over clear blue sea, passing many beaches and coves. Tim was a superb sailor, and all Jessica had to do was sit there and enjoy it all.
Soon they reached their cove for the day; Tim let out the anchor, pulled the dinghy in closer, put everything into it, helped Jessica in and then started to row towards the shore. He helped Jessica out, passed the picnic basket and their things to her, got out himself and pulled the dinghy further up the beach.
The cove was beautiful, high cliffs to the rear, soft sand, a few shells and a gentle slope to the water.
Tim pointed to a small cave in the cliffs where Jessica could change, and in no time at all they were both enjoying a gentle swim. Sometime later, they had their picnic; Tim had packed all sorts of delights, it was like no other picnic Jessica had ever had. When they had finished they packed the basket and put it into the dinghy. They spent some time relaxing, in the quiet and sun. Soon they were both so relaxed they fell asleep.
Suddenly Tim woke with a shock, it was cooler and the sun had gone in. He woke Jessica up. They looked around and realised that the water was closer than before and not as smooth. Tim looked around and realised, with horror, that the dinghy was no longer on the beach . . . it was floating away, past the rocks at the edge of their cove. It was too far and the waves were now too rough for him to be able to get to it. Without it they could not get back to the boat at anchor.
What could they do? He realised, and so did Jessica, that the tide was still coming in and their patch of beach was gradually getting smaller. They rushed to the cave where their clothes were and dressed. Tim knew they had to climb higher to get away from the water. He helped Jessica to start the climb up the cliffs and followed her. He indicated to her a ledge part way. They managed to get to it and both clambered into the shelter of a small cave there.
Fortunately he had his mobile phone with him and was able to contact help, giving them information as to where they were. Until rescue came, they were stuck there on the rocks, just the two of them. Not quite the date Jessica had expected, but perhaps a chance for them to get to know each other better.
One should always make the best of a situation.