On the Edge of This Summer Working in the town library, Dana always thought her life was boring—these days, visitors are few, most people spend their time online. She dusts shelves and rearranges books, the only upside being that she’s read an unbelievable number of novels: romance, philosophy… At thirty, it suddenly hit her: all that romance she loved in books had completely passed her by. She’s a respectable age now and ought to be thinking about family, but she’s plain-looking, her job is low-paid, and the thought of changing it simply never occurred to her—she was comfortable. Only students, school kids, and pensioners stopped by the library now and then. Recently, there was a regional professional contest, and to her own surprise, Dana won the grand prize: a fully paid fortnight on the English seaside. “Brilliant. I’m definitely going,” she excitedly told her best friend and her mum. “On my salary I’d never travel so far—this just fell in my lap!” Summer was winding down when Dana strolled along the empty stretch of Brighton’s beach; most holidaymakers sat in cosy cafés today, the sea especially rough. Though only her third day by the sea, she savoured wandering alone, letting her thoughts and daydreams drift. Suddenly, she saw a lad swept from the pier into the water. Without thinking, Dana dashed in to help—luckily, he wasn’t far from shore. She wasn’t a great swimmer, but could keep herself afloat since childhood. The waves, in a strange way, helped and hindered her, pushing them both back and forth. Eventually, Dana managed to drag him to safety, soaked in her lovely dress clinging to her skin. She looked at him in astonishment: “He’s just a teenager, about fourteen, but already taller than me,” she thought. “What made you go swimming in weather like this?” she asked. The boy thanked her and, wobbling slightly, walked off. Dana simply shrugged and watched him go. The next morning, she woke in her hotel, beaming—the weather was glorious, sunlight sparkling on the sea, which looked calm and forgiving today, as if apologising for yesterday’s storm. After breakfast, Dana basked in the sun on the beach. Towards evening, she ambled off to the seafront park and spotted a shooting gallery—she hadn’t shot since school, but her second shot was a bullseye. “Well done—you show him how it’s done, love!” she heard a man behind her say. Turning, she recognised yesterday’s teenager and, to her delight, realised his father had no idea what had happened the day before. “Perhaps you could give us a demonstration?” joked the tall, cheerful man. “I’m Anton, this is my son Jamie—we’re both dreadful at this, I’m afraid.” What began as a chance meeting turned to an impromptu trio: they strolled, ate ice creams at a beachside café, and took a spin together on the pier’s big wheel. Dana wondered if Jamie’s mother would join them, but it was clear father and son were both alone and unhurried. Anton, as it happened, lived in Glasgow—the same city Dana called home. All three laughed at the coincidence. “Isn’t it typical,” Anton said, grinning, “you don’t meet in your own city, but here you are—on the English coast!” Jamie soon relaxed, relieved that Dana hadn’t told his father about the near-drowning. They parted late that night, the men walking Dana back to her hotel, promising to meet again at the beach. From then on, every day was a small adventure. Beach mornings, evening strolls, trips to local landmarks. Dana noticed Jamie seemed troubled and longed to speak with him alone. Eventually the chance came—Jamie showed up solo, explaining his dad was unwell and that he’d told him Dana could keep an eye out. After their swim, Jamie thanked Dana for keeping yesterday’s secret. She gently inquired after his mother—why were they just the two of them? Jamie hesitated, but steeled himself and told Dana the truth: his parents’ marriage had fallen apart. While his dad was away on business, Jamie’s mum entertained not just work colleagues, but also let Jamie’s classmate’s older sister distract him. When the truth emerged, his mother left, uninterested in fighting for custody. Jamie stayed with Anton, and the two worked through their grief together. When Anton felt better, Dana and Jamie visited him—Anton promised he’d be back at the beach tomorrow. Soon enough, Anton and Jamie had to return to Glasgow. On the edge of that fading summer, Dana watched them go. Anton promised to pick her up at the airport in a week, Jamie smiled his goodbye. Dana didn’t make plans, but couldn’t stop smiling—reading Anton’s sweet messages, confessing how much he missed her already. Not long after, Dana moved in with Anton and Jamie—no one was happier than Jamie himself: for Anton, for himself, for Dana, and for the way new chapters can begin even as summer ends.

At the Edge of This Summer

So, you know, for most of her adulthood, Alice felt like her life was a bit grey and ordinary; working in the local library in Brighton, she watched visitor numbers dwindle year on year, everyone glued to their phones and laptops instead. Every day was a bit the same reshelving books, dusting the spines, and generally pottering about. The one shining perk was all the reading she could squeeze in: romances, philosophy, you name it. But as she perched on the cusp of thirty, Alice couldnt help but notice how the romance people wax lyrical about had sort of skipped over her.

She wasnt exactly old, but youd expect that by now shed have started a family or at least have more excitement in her life. But, truthfully, she was pretty unremarkable in looks, her job didnt exactly rake in the pounds, and it had never crossed her mind to change jobsshe was perfectly content. The only people who showed up now were keen students, the occasional school kid, and pensioners with time to spare.

Then out of the blue, Alice found herself the unlikely winner of the countys Librarian of the Year competition. To her own amazement, she took home the top prize: a fully paid two-week holiday on the English coast.

Fab! Im definitely going, she told her best mate and her mum, grinning. You dont get far on my salary, but this just landed in my lap!

Summer was winding down by the time she made it to the seaside. One evening she was wandering along an empty section of the shoreline, as most holidaymakers were huddled inside the little caféstoday the sea was especially choppy. It was her third day by the water, and she fancied a bit of solitude to let her mind drift.

Suddenly, she saw a teenager swept off the pier by a crashing wave. Without a second thought, Alice sprang into actionluckily, it wasnt far from shore. Although shed never been a star swimmer, she could keep afloat since she was little. The current pushed as she dragged the boy by the collar, sometimes helping, sometimes pulling them both back. But somehow, legs trembling, Alice managed to reach shallow water.

Standing there, soaked to the bone in her favourite summer dress, Alice blinked at the boy in surprise. You must only be about fourteen, though youre nearly taller than me! she thought, then called out, What on earth were you doing swimming in this weather?

The boy staggered to his feet, mumbled his thanks, and tottered off. Alice just watched him go, shrugging.

The next morning in her B&B room, she woke up smilingsunshine poured through the window and the sea shone a bright, tempting blue, as if yesterdays wild waves were the seas way of apologising. After breakfast, Alice headed to her favourite sunspot on the beach to stretch out. Later, she wandered into a nearby amusement park, tried her hand at the shooting galleryshe had been a decent shot at school. First shot, she missed, but the second hit the bullseye.

Take note, son, came a cheerful voice behind her, Thats how you do it! She turned and, wouldnt you know, it was yesterdays waterlogged teenager.

In his eyes, she thought she glimpsed a flicker of panic, as if he knew she might spill the beans to his dad. But Alice just offered a reassuring smile.

Would you show us your skills then? asked the tall, pleasant man beside the boy. Jack heres hopeless at it, and to be honest, so am I! He grinned with such warmth that Alice couldnt help but smile back.

After their little shooting contest, the three of them ended up strolling together, having an ice cream at a beachside café, and rounding off the evening on the big Ferris wheel. Alice wondered if Jacks mum would turn up, but neither he nor his dad seemed to be expecting anyone.

The man, who introduced himself as Peter, was great companyfunny, smart, and genuinely kind-hearted. With each minute, Alice found herself liking him more.

So, Alice, been here long? Peter asked.

Its my first week. Got another still to go, she replied.

And where are you fromif you dont mind me asking?

As it turned out, by some brilliant twist of fate, they were all from the same townBrighton. The three of them burst out laughing. Can you believe it? Peter grinned. Months in the same town and never meet, and then this!

Jack joined in easily, clearly trusting Alice not to mention his little misadventure to his dad. They said their goodnights late, after Peter and Jack walked Alice back to her guesthouse, promising to meet again the next morning on the beach.

Alice got there first and waited, the air full of that crisp, salty tang. Peter and Jack showed up nearly an hour late.

Morning Aliceoh, please forgive us! Honestly, we just slept clean through and forgot to set the alarm! Dreadful, I know, Peter apologised, settling beside her.

Dad, Im going for a swim, Jack announced, heading for the water.

But Alice cried out, Wait, you cant swim!

Peter looked confused. Of course he can, he does competitions at school! Alice fell silent. Maybe shed imagined itthe panic yesterday, the flailing limbs. Perhaps it was just the sea.

They were staying at a guesthouse just nearby and, honestly, the following days felt like a dream. Every morning they met up at the beach, exploring together, then off on day trips, only parting late in the evenings. Alice was especially keen to talk to Jack alonesomething about him seemed a little weighed down. Then, as luck would have it, one morning Jack turned up by himself.

Hi Alice. Dads come down with somethinghes got a temperature, Jack told her. I asked him if I could come find you; I just didnt fancy staying cooped up in the room.

Alright, but give me your dads number so I can check in with him. Jack rattled it off and Alice called.

Hello, Peter here. Not feeling my best to be honest, bit of a fever. Take care of my boy for me, wont you? He promised to do exactly as you say.

Dont worry, Peter, Ill keep an eye outand he is nearly a grown-up, Alice promised. Ill pop by later with some fruit.

Later, as Jack sprawled out on a sunbed next to Alice, he piped up quietly, You know, youre a real mate.

She looked at him, amused, What makes you say that?

Thanks for not telling Dad about, you know, the other day. Jack flushed as he explained, The wave just took me by surpriseI got a bit panicked.

No bother, Alice smiled. After a pause, she asked, Jack, wheres your mum? Whys it just you and your dad?

Jack hesitated, but after gathering himself, he finally told her his story, seeming older than his years.

Peter sometimes travelled for work, and when he was gone, Jack stayed with his mum, Claire. Everyone thought they were the model family. But it turned out, that was just for showit was Claires doing, really.

One day, Peter told Claire, Im off to London for three weeks for a training course. If all goes well, Im moving up at work, more pay

He thought Claire would be pleasedbut she seemed more relieved than anything, as if shed been handed a break.

Soon after, Claire told her son, Jack, weve got visitors todaymy colleague James, and his daughter Megan. James and I need to crack on with some work, so you can keep Megan company, alright? Shes a little older than you.

Megan was sharp and confident, and after a bit of small talk, she nudged Jack. Lets go outpark, shops, anything but sitting in your room.

Claire even handed Jack a fifty-pound note. Treat Megan to something niceat least buy the girl some ice cream! He was amazed; his mum never gave him that much pocket money.

They hung out for hours. Honestly, it was funMegan was older, and Jack felt grown up around her. So three weeks slipped by.

But as Peter was due back, Megan admitted, Im glad your dads coming back, Jack. Looking after you was cutting into my life. Your mum made a deal with my dad: I kept you occupied, so your parents could, you know do what they want. She cackled, clearly bitter. My parents have been at each other’s throats for years, but cant agree on who gets the flat.

Jack felt sick. He didnt want to believe Megan, but so much added up, it hurt. When Peter came home, the house felt tense, Claire cold and dismissive, Peter gloomy. Eventually, Jack overheard a thunderous row one evening.

Yes, Ive been seeing James! What are you going to do about it? Claire snapped as Jack walked in from football.

Peters voice was tired. Nothing. Ill file for divorce. Jack stays with me. Hes clearly not your priority.

Please yourself, Claire replied, Im moving in with James tomorrow.

Jack slipped into his room, hearing the rest of the argument from behind the door.

The next day, Jack stayed in bed, knowing his mum was packing up. Peter sat silent over his laptop. When the door slammed behind Claire, Peter tried to offer Jack some explanation, but he just shook his head.

Dont worry, Dad, I get it. I even thought about telling you first. I love you; well be fine, just us two.

Peter ruffled his sons hair, surprised. Blimey, youre all grown up, arent you? And listendont feel bad if you want to see your mum. She left me, not you.

But Jack didnt want to see his mother, not yet; he still felt betrayed.

After the beach that day, Alice brought Jack to Peters place, carrying a load of fruit from the market. Peter was already looking brighter and promised to join them on the beach again the next morning.

Three days later, it was time for Peter and Jack to head home, while Alice still had two more days by the sea. Summer was almost over. On the edge of that summer, they said their goodbyes. Peter promised to meet Alice at the airport, and Jack smiled shyly.

Alice didnt make any grand plansshe just beamed dreamily, rereading Peters sweet texts about how he missed her already and couldnt wait to see her again. Soon enough, Alice moved into the flat with Peter and Jack, and honestly, nobody seemed more thrilled than Jackhappy for his dad, for himself and, more than anyone, for Alice.