"Hey, I can do romance!" he replies, indignantly.
"You wouldn't know romance if it hit you between the eyes." She laughs and turns to him.
"I take offence at that." He stops in front of her and I press my face against Alec's chest as I laugh.
"Oh yeah? Prove it then," Jen challenges him.
"Fine." He stalks towards her and grabs her, tipping her back so the tips of her hair graze the sand. She grabs his neck to stop herself falling as he plants a deep, thorough kiss on her mouth.
"Think they need a room?" Alec laughs into my hair. I nod my head in agreement and smile.
Carl releases Jen and she stands up, staggering slightly. She looks slightly dazed and I cover my mouth with my hand.
The two of them are crazy.
"Romantic enough, baby?" Carl asks smugly, catching her dazed expression.
"Uh, yeah." She fans herself and blinks dramatically. "Phew."
She looks over at me and Alec still wrapped in each others arms and grins.
"About time you two sorted your shit out." She waggles her finger at us and sits down on my towel. Carl sits next to her and she snuggles against him.
Alec moves to sit back up and pulls me up with him, sitting me between his legs. He wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face in my hair. Subconsciously I turn my head towards his and smile.
"It's so cute," Jen sighs. "Did you feel that tension before, Carl?"
"Jen, baby, they're right there. No need to talk like they're not." He rolls his eyes and squeezes her shoulders affectionately.
"I'm just sayin'," she says sarcastically. "It was tight, like, oh my god someone get me some scissors to cut it, or for god sake just kiss her already, you get what I mean?"
Alec begins to shake behind me and I know he's laughing. I smile widely at her and Carl sighs dramatically.
"You have such a way with words," he tells her.
"Well duh, someone has to be smart with them because goodness knows you're not,'' she jokes.
"Nice to know I'm loved.'' He raises his eyebrows at me and Jen punches his arm.
"Shut up."
"Can't do that baby."
"Why not?"
"Because you like what I do with my mouth too much." He winks and grins cheekily. Jen gasps and the laughter explodes out of me. I rest my head on my arms as I laugh like I haven't in a long time.
Something about Devon has revitalised me in three short weeks. It's reminded me of the girl I used to be, the girl I buried away each September when it was time to go back to London.
Something about the Bay has stripped away my defences, and I'd bet anything it's Jen and Carl's easygoing, loving banter. Not to mention the guy sat behind me. Alec has always been a dangerous gamble, but despite my thoughts earlier, I know he's something more than everyone else sees. I saw it in his eyes, and I can feel it in the way he's holding me against him tightly, like he's afraid I'll still run.
Even though I won't.
I don't know if anything could tear me away from him now.
~
''It's about bloody time, Alexis Edwards!" Grammy waggles her finger at me the second I step through the door. "Three weeks I've worked my butt off trying to get you to see sense!"
I smile at her theatrics and release Alec's hand, hugging her.
"You're crazy, old lady."
"Crazy?!" She pulls back, horrified. She grins, then winks. "I was right though, wasn't I?"
Her eyes twinkle and I kiss her powdered cheek.
"You were."
"I presume Alec is staying for dinner then?" Dad puts his paper down onto the table.
A smile is playing on his lips and I glance up at Alec. He raises an eyebrow and I step back towards him. His arm snakes around my waist and I curl into him, looking at Dad.
"If that's okay, Daddy," I say sweetly.
"Oh, I'm not sure."
"Don't tease the girl, Simon!" Mum admonishes. "You've been moaning for the last week because you're sick of them not sorting it out." She turns to me and smiles, a wide beaming smile. "Baby girl, I'm happy for you. Of course your young man can stay for dinner."
"I think you're all forgetting something very important," Grammy huffs, leaning against the sink. She crosses her arms across her chest, her cloth waving absently in the air.
"What's that, Vi?" Alec asks, his chest rumbling with his restrained laughter.
"This is my house. No one has bothered to ask me if I mind if the boy stays for dinner!"
Mum purses her lips and turns away, hiding her laughter. Dad snorts silently and I sigh, amused.
"Fine. Grammy?" I turn my innocent eyes on her.
"Yes, Lexy girl?"
"Would you mind if Alec stays for dinner?"
"That depends. Is he your boyfriend?" She clasps her hands together and I realise she's tricked me.
"I, Er.." I glance up at Alec and he looks down, smirking. He dips his head and kisses me fully on the lips. I feel my cheeks flush as Grammy whoops.
"I'll take that as a yes!"
I touch my lips and duck my head down.
"Put my sister down, you Neanderthal!" Bing calls from the front door. I groan.
"Bing!" Mum scolds.
"Just saying, Mum, just saying." He slaps Alec's shoulder as he walks past. "Good luck, mate. You're gonna need it."
"Bing," I start.
"Lexy," he mimics my voice.
"Go play in traffic."
"Only if you come with me, sister dear." He smiles wolfishly at me and sits down, slouching in the chair.
"Samuel Geoffrey Edwards," Mum snaps. "Sit up straight like the young man I taught you to be, and for goodness sakes pull up your trousers! No-one here is interested in the colour of your boxers."
"But I'm sure the girls would like to know about the pink ones," Dad snickers. Alec looks at me and I shrug.
"Welcome to the crazy," I mutter.
~
Bing's angry shout wakes me the next morning. I rub my eyes and roll out of bed, practically crawling to the window to see what the matter is. I pull back my curtains and see Gram's neighbours doing the same. Old Mrs Jenkins across the road shuffles out in a robe that's seen better days.
I look down at the garden and shriek out a laugh.
Grammy has strung Bing's pink y-front boxers to the front of her cottage.
I have no idea how she's managed it, but as I run down the stairs to get a proper look it doesn't matter. All I know right now is that Grammy has completely embarrassed Bing in front of the whole town. I would bet my leopard print onesie Mrs Jenkins will be at the post office at 9am ready to tell everyone collecting their pension. They'll tell their children, who'll tell their children, who'll tell their friends.