On the Edge of This Summer Working in the local library, Diana always considered her life rather dull—nowadays, almost everyone is online and visitors are few and far between. She’d spend her days rearranging books, wiping away dust, the only real perk being that she’d devoured countless novels—romantic, philosophical, and everything in between. By the age of thirty, it dawned on her: all those whirlwind romances she’d read about had somehow passed her by. With her age considered “respectable,” her plain looks, and a modestly paid job, Diana’s prospects weren’t bright. Yet it had never occurred to her to change jobs—she was content. Only students, the occasional schoolkid, or elderly neighbour would drift through to borrow a book. Then, Diana unexpectedly won the county library competition: the grand prize was a fully paid two-week stay at the seaside. “How wonderful! I must go!” she told her friend and her mum cheerfully. “On my salary, I’d never get a holiday like this—happiness just fell into my lap.” Summer was drawing to a close. Diana strolled along the deserted British beach; most holidaymakers were tucked away in cafés—today, the sea was choppier than usual. On her third day at the coast, she decided to have a solitary wander, to think, to daydream. Suddenly, she saw a teenager swept off the pier by a wave. Without thinking of herself, she dashed into the surf. The boy wasn’t far from shore. Diana wasn’t a strong swimmer, but she’d grown up near water and knew how to keep afloat. The waves helped carry the teenager towards the sand, though more than once it seemed they’d drag them both back out. But Diana managed; almost waist-deep, all she could think was: just stay on your feet. Finally, they made it. Soaking in her nice dress now plastered to her skin, she looked at the boy and realised—he was tall, already a full head above her, but barely fourteen. “What were you thinking, swimming in weather like this?” she scolded breathlessly. The boy mumbled a thank you and staggered off. Diana simply shrugged and watched him go. The next morning, as sunlight streamed through her hotel window, Diana couldn’t help but smile: the sky was clear, the sea glistened blue. Yesterday’s storm already seemed forgiven. After breakfast, she strolled back to the sand, lazed in the sun, then whiled away an hour at the arcade’s shooting gallery. She remembered hitting every target back at school, though the first shot now missed its mark. The second—bullseye. “Look, son, that’s how it’s done,” she heard a man’s voice behind her. Turning, Diana was stunned—it was yesterday’s teenager. A flash of fear crossed the boy’s eyes; he recognised her too. She realised—his father didn’t know what had happened. “Perhaps you could show us a few tricks?” said the tall, friendly man, smiling. “My son Jamie is hopeless at shooting—and, truth be told, so am I.” Afterwards, the three of them wandered the pier, sat in a seaside café for ice cream, and rode the Ferris wheel. At first Diana half expected Jamie’s mum to join them, but neither of the men seemed to be waiting for anyone. The boy’s father—Anton—was charming, clever, and easy to talk to, growing more appealing to Diana with every passing minute. “So, Diana, have you been here long?” “Only my first week. I’ve another one yet to enjoy.” “And where are you from, if you don’t mind my asking?” It turned out, against all odds, that Diana, Anton, and Jamie all lived in the same city back home. The three of them laughed at the unlikely twist of fate. “Funny—couldn’t cross paths back in London, but here we are, together on a seaside holiday,” Anton grinned, warming to this gentle, intelligent woman. Jamie finally relaxed: he realised Diana didn’t intend to mention what had happened yesterday. They said goodnight late, the men walking Diana to her hotel before arranging to meet again in the morning. The following days felt dreamlike. They saw each other each morning, exploring local castles, walking the beaches until late. Diana noticed Jamie seemed troubled sometimes, and hoped for a chance to talk to him alone. As luck would have it, one day Jamie turned up at the beach by himself. “Hi, Dad’s a bit under the weather—temperature,” he explained, “so I said I’d meet you here. Hope that’s all right—I didn’t fancy sitting in the hotel room all day.” Diana got Anton’s number, checked in—he joked about Diana keeping Jamie in line until he recovered, and she promised to look after him. Jamie settled onto a deckchair next to her and, after a pause, said, “You know, you’re a real mate. Thanks for not telling my dad about what happened… I really did get swept in by the waves and panicked.” She smiled, then gently asked, “Jamie, where’s your mum? Why are you and your dad on holiday together?” Jamie hesitated, weighing whether to confide in her. At last, he decided it was time. Anton, he explained, travelled frequently on business. Even though their family always seemed happy to everyone else, things had fallen apart because of Jamie’s mum, Marina. When Anton went away on a three-week training course—hoping for a long-awaited promotion—Marina wasted no time. She’d a “colleague” come over with his daughter Kira, a few years older than Jamie. Marina sent the kids to the park with money for ice creams, and Kira bluntly told Jamie the real reason: their parents wanted them out the way so they could “have fun” at home. When Anton returned, the truth spilled out: Marina was leaving for her new boyfriend, and Jamie would stay with his dad. His world destabilised—yet in the end, he was glad to stay with Anton. The two were close, and with Marina gone, maybe both could finally be happy. On their last day at the beach, Anton told Diana, “We’re heading back tomorrow, but let’s meet up once you’re home. I’ll meet you at Heathrow, if you’ll let me.” Jamie, already beaming, nodded enthusiastically. Diana had no particular plans—she simply basked in the afterglow, reading Anton’s affectionate texts, each one signing off with “Can’t wait to see you again.” Soon after, Diana moved into a bright new flat with Anton and Jamie. And the one who seemed happiest of all? Jamie—watching his dad, himself, and Diana finally become a family at the edge of that unforgettable English summer.

On the Edge of This Summer

August 27th

Working in a small village library in the English countryside, I often thought my life was awfully uneventful. These days, most folks find what they want online, and the number of visitors has dwindled to a trickle. Mainly, its university students, the occasional schoolchild, or pensioners passing through. Between dusting and rearranging books, Id read through more novels than anyone could imagineromantic dramas, philosophy, travelogues, you name it. Yet, now that Im turning thirty, it dawns on me that while I read so much about romance, none ever happened to me.

Its about time for family, really, but my plain looks and modestly-paid librarian job havent helped my prospects. It never occurred to me to seek another job; I was content enough. That changed recently when a surprise came my way: at a regional event for librarians, I somehow won the grand prizetwo weeks, fully paid, at the seaside.

How lovely! Im definitely going, I excitedly told Mum and my good friend Jane. Id never manage such a trip on my wage, but sometimes life just hands you a gift.

Now, here I am at the tail end of summer, wandering along an empty stretch of beach. Most holidaymakers hid away in the cafénot surprising, with the sea rough and winds high today. I was only three days into my trip. Craving a bit of solitude, I decided to stroll and let my thoughts roam with the waves.

Suddenly, I spotted a young lad swept off the pier by a surge of water. Without thinking for a second, I dashed to help. Though Im no champion swimmer, Ive always been able to keep my head above water since I was a child. Luckily, he wasnt far from shore. The waves carried him towards me, then tried to drag him back. Somehow, I managed to pull him in, wading until the water was up to my chest, just thinking: Stay on your feet, just get him in.

Finally, we made it to the shallows. Soaking and draped in my best summer dress, I glanced at the boy and was surprisedhe was only about fourteen, but taller even than me.

What on earth possessed you to jump in with the sea like this today? I asked as he caught his breath.

He just thanked me, wobbled a bit, then wandered off. Shrugging, I watched him go. The next morning, sunlight streamed in when I woke. The sky and sea were bright and blue, as if making amends for yesterdays storm.

After breakfast, I stretched out on the sand until late afternoon, then wandered to the park. By chance, I wandered into the shooting gallery. It had been ages since Id handled a rifle at school and uni, so I had a gofirst shot, missed, second, right on target.

Look, son, thats how its done! came a mans voice from behind me. I turned and saw, to my surprise, the same boy from yesterday. There was a flicker of recognition, maybe a dash of fear, in his eyes.

His dad, introducing himself as William, was a tall, affable sort. Perhaps you could give us both a lesson? he grinned. Neither of us are much good with this, Im afraid.

We ended up spending the evening togetherwalking, chatting over ice cream in a seaside café, even taking a whirl on the Ferris wheel. At first, I half expected Williams wife to join us, but they seemed perfectly content on their own.

I quickly found William to be keenly intelligent and wonderfully easy to talk to. The more we talked, the more I liked him.

So, how long are you here for, Anna? he asked.

First week. Another to go yet, I replied with a small laugh.

Which town are you from, if you dont mind me asking?

To all our amusement, it turned out William and his son, Oliver, lived in the same village as me. We all laughed at the coincidence.

Funny, isnt it? William grinned, We never meet in town, and here we are, on the same patch of sand.

Oliver warmed up and joined in; I could tell hed sussed that I wasnt about to mention the mishap from yesterday. When it grew late, the two of them walked me back to my guesthouse and we promised to meet again at the beach next morning.

I was there first, but they were almost an hour late.

So sorry, Anna, William said, setting up beside me. Believe it or not, we just plain forgot to set an alarm. Slept right through.

Dad, Im going in for a swim! Oliver called and dashed to the water.

I startled: Wait, you cant swim!

William gaped at me: Of course he can! Took second at the school gala last term.

I was left confusedwasnt he the one I hauled out in a panic? Perhaps Id misread the whole scene.

That week passed in a dream: morning swims, late-night walks, outings to ancient ruins and local museums. I longed to speak to Oliver alonesomething in his eyes hinted at a private worry, or maybe I was imagining things. All I knew for certain is that father and son were staying at the hotel next to mine.

My chance came when Oliver turned up on his own one morning.

Morning. Dads under the weathercaught a bit of a fever, he said with a grin. I promised him youd keep an eye on me. Hope thats all right, I just couldnt stand sitting in the room all day.

Give me your fathers number just in case, I said. He did, and I called William.

Good morning, William wheezed. More like a grim one. Temperatures shot up out of nowhere. Please, look after my boyhe swore hed do as you say.

Of course, get some rest. Hes a bright lad and nearly grown. I promised to visit later.

After a swim, Oliver stretched out on the next lounger and piped up, Youre a real friend, Anna.

Whatever gives you that idea? I smiled.

Thanks for not telling Dad about what happened at the pier, he said quietly. I didnt mean to end up in the waterit just swept me off my feet, honestly.

Its nothing, I answered, then, after a pause, asked, Oliver, wheres your mum? Why are you and your dad here on your own?

For a moment he seemed to debate whether to answer, then shook his head and said it all.

William travels for work, sometimes going off to London for days at a time. Oliver stays behind with his mum, Caroline. Outwardly, they were a picture-perfect family. But as he explained, truth was something else. Caroline wasnt who she appeared to be.

Once, just before a trip, William told his wife, Im being sent to a training course in London for three weeks. When Im done, theyre thinking of giving me a promotiondeputy manager, better pay for all of us.

Surprisingly, Caroline looked almost pleased. The day after William left, she told Oliver, Love, were having a couple of guests overmy colleague Tom and his daughter, Libby. Tom and I need to work on some plans, so can you take Libby out for a bit? Maybe the park or the arcade?

Libby was my age, sharp as a tack too. After a while at the house, she winked, Lets skip out for a bit, see whats on in town.

Caroline handed Oliver a fifty-pound note, saying, Heretreat her to some ice cream. Be a gentleman.

That was more than hed ever been given before. The three weeks dragged onLibby and Oliver entertained each other while Caroline and Tom worked. Before William returned, Libby pulled Oliver aside.

Well, little man, your dads due home. Ive kept you out of the house long enoughdone my part, plenty to do myself anyway, she scoffed. Tom and my mum split ages ago but still fight over the house.

Oliver found her bluntness rudeand resented her attitude toward his mum and dad. Still, his suspicions grew with every passing day. By the time William returned, he could see that his mothers affection for his father had cooled. He felt his family teetering on collapse.

The night everything changed, Oliver intended to tell his dad everything, but instead he overheard his parents arguing.

Yes, Ive been seeing Tomwhat will you do about it? hissed Caroline.

Nothing, William replied softly. Ill file for divorce. Oliver will stay with me.

Fine by me. Im starting over, Caroline retorted, slamming their front door on the way out the next morning.

That Saturday, Oliver took his time getting out of bed, listening to the strange quiet in the house. His mum bustled around, packing. His dad brooded over his laptop. When at last she left, William tried to explain, but Oliver stopped him.

Dad, I know everythingI was going to tell you. I love you, and well be better off, just us two.

William ruffled his hair, a sad smile on his face. Turns out youre more grown-up than I thought. If you want to see your mum, thats your choiceshe left me, not you.

For now, Oliver had no desire to see Caroline. After the beach, he and I picked up fruit and stopped by Williams room to cheer him up. He was in much better spirits. Ill be back on the beach tomorrow, he promised.

Three days later, it was time for William and Oliver to go home; I still had a couple more days on my own. The summer was winding down. Our goodbyes were surprisingly warmWilliam promised to collect me at the airport when I returned home, and Oliver smiled with genuine happiness.

I made no plans, but as my holiday ended, Williams gentle messages made me feel hope again. Soon after, I moved in with William and Oliver, and no one seemed happier than Oliver himselfa new beginning for all of us.

Personal lesson: Sometimes, when you least expect it, life flings you into the seanot to drown you, but to carry you to unfamiliar shores, where you finally find your place.