ONE AND ONLY

Chapter 81

“There is something scary about watching your only daughter paddling out to sea on a board “ Emma said removing her sunglasses
“She’s fine – if she gets into trouble there are two instructors with them and Bette has all her swimming certificates – they are fine “
“I am more worried about her being eaten “
Kate smiled and looked out to where Bette and Tina were learning how to surf. They were both wearing wet suits and the only way to tell between the two girls was the colour of  their hair – and that was difficult from so far away.
“Would you like me to see if I can call Chief Brody ?” Kate teased.
“That is not funny “ Emma said not taking her eyes from the girls – one of them managed to stand on the board and promptly fell into the sea again
“They are not that far out – sharks wouldn’t come this close to the shore”
“And you know this how ?”
“Its obvious – they are not going to risk getting stranded -there are plenty of other people much more in the middle of their larder rather than Tina and Bette “
“You are teasing me “ Emma accused
“I am just making the point that its unlikely there are any sharks looking for a snack. You are worrying too much”
“She is my only child “
Kate frowned “ And she’s not my only daughter either ?. Don’t be silly Emma – you should be relaxing – they are fine and its something they wanted to do. What’s wrong with them wanting to learn to surf”
Emma could hear the irritation in Kate’s voice
“Am I being an idiot ?”
“Yes “ Kate said smiling  – she took Emma’s hand “ She’s nearly 18 years old – in a years time she will be preparing for college. She is a great girl – smart and loving. If you can accept that she and Bette are lovers why do you worry so much about her having some fun “
“It doesn’t look fun to me”
“It looks fun to me – I think we should give it a go “
“What !! “
“Why not – why can’t we learn to surf – it always looks like a lot of fun to me. I wouldn’t mind giving it a bash “
“Are you aware of how old you are ?”
“Younger in spirit than you – God Emma – what the hell has got into you – this is a holiday. We are supposed to enjoy ourselves – I am not sure why you wanted to come down here and watch them. We could have stayed by the pool or found somewhere else”
“I just wanted to make sure they are okay”
“Are we going to spend the whole two weeks mothering them ? The whole plan was to let them do their own thing so we could do our own thing”
Emma sighed “I just want to watch her “
“So you can convince yourself that Jaws is out there just waiting to eat her up ?”
Emma looked at Kate “ You said it yourself  – in a years time she will be going away to college – I want to treasure the last few months “
“We have over a year – and when I said that one of the reasons we should accept them was because I wanted a row free senior year for her. “
“I am just getting sentimental I know – maybe it is because she has suddenly stopped being an awkward  teenager and started to act like a young woman “
“They are good for one another – you know what Bette was like before Tina came along. Safe to say she would not have been out there learning to surf – and falling into the ocean”
“I like Bette “
“So do I – and Tina totally adores her”
“Maybe we should have left them to come down here themselves.”
“She’s enjoying herself Emma”
“It doesn’t look fun to me “
“I am serious – we should think about giving it a go”
Emma’s snort told Kate what a crazy idea she thought it was.
“It might make you think about something other than work”
“Who says I am ?”
“You are – you always take a few days of a holiday before you actually relax. I had hoped that this morning might have relaxed you “
Emma grinned “My mind was definitely not on work this morning – god I love sex with you “
“Is the right answer “ Kate said “You have two choices – either you convince me that you are relaxing and letting Tina and Bette enjoy themselves – or we both go surfing and I get the girls to video it and they post it to the firm’s website”
Emma looked at Kate – there were times when she was kidding about threats like  this and there were times when she was 100% genuine – it wasn’t always certain to Emma when the threats were real.
“I am relaxing “
“You are fussing “
“It doesn’t worry you one little bit that they are out there in the ocean ?”
“No- because she can swim really well, because they have two instructors with them and because there is no force on earth that would let any harm come to her when Bette is there. She’s having the best time – much more than you so if you don’t want to be out there on a surf board this afternoon with me and billions of gallons of water and thousands of hungry and huge sharks – you WILL relax “