On a rare day-off, Sara and the rest of the team decided to head to North Beach for a well-deserved break. The sun was hot, and the air was dry, the cooling sea spray a welcome relief. With the parasols set up, Nip was the first to burst off to the water, joined soon after by Garrick’s youngest daughter, Hannah, who was almost as tall as the gnome.
Sara pulled at her bottoms, ensuring the fabric covered her backside.
“Quite the beach bum you have, Sara,” Garrick’s wife, Paula, smiled.
Sara let out a small laugh, “Thanks, Paula. Yours isn’t half bad either.”
Paula twisted around, taking a look for herself, “Really? Not enough time to look after my body what with the kids and all the housework. I’m a blob compared to you!”
“For someone twenty years older than me your body is great, no need to be modest,” Sara brushed her hair back with a hand, tucking it into a bun and securing it in place with a band.
“Aww, thanks love.” Paula took a seat next to their parasol, the sunlight casting a blue shadow through its translucent fabric. “How is work? Garrick is fairly quiet about it all.”
“It’s going well. Two jobs last week that paid fairly well. Some vampires had taken up residence down Franklin Street, on Sceptre Isle. And a group of Triumph University engineering dropouts created a mech suit and were terrorising the neighbourhood in West Dragmore Avenue. All dealt with little trouble.”
“I could never do what you lot do. Throwing yourself into such dangerous situations! I’m just grateful Garrick comes home in one piece each night. Your parents must be worried sick!” replied Paula.
“I try not to mention the jobs to them,” Sara smiled, and her voice shifted an octave up, “Kind of like why Garrick is so tight lipped with you, I s’pose. Probably doesn’t want to worry you.”
“Without you and Nip I wouldn’t have any idea of what you lot do! Please let your parents know once in a while, I’m sure it will put them at ease,” reassured Paula.
Sara contemplated it for a moment, knowing that it wouldn’t be so simple, “Thanks, Paula. I’ll think about it.”
Today's prompt: beach bum
If you'd like to participate too, the contest can be found here: @mariannewest/day-1591-5-minute-freewrite-monday-prompt-beach-bum
