Never Forget (Memories)

a quick journey. Just think, you finally get to snorkel.''
    ''You do realise I've only snorkelled twice, right?''
    ''I didn't know that, but I do now.'' He takes my bag from me. ''I've snorkelled at Lundy a few times now. You'll be fine. Come on.''
    He hops up onto the boat and holds his hands out for me. I take a deep breath, put my hands in his and let him pull me up. The boat rocks with the movement and I freeze, gripping his arm. He shakes his head.
    ''Do you really think I'm gonna let you go overboard?'' Alec chuckles.
    I glance up at him. ''Maybe.''
    He laughs and wraps an arm round my waist.
    ''Alec, is that you?'' A voice calls from below the deck.
    ''Sure is, Reg.'' Alec calls back.
    ''Come on down!''
    Alec leads me down to the cabin. It's nothing special. A standard black couch sits in the corner, there's a small table with two chairs and a small cupboard. Standing in the middle of it all is Reg. His hair is cut short, almost right to his scalp, and his darkly tanned skin makes it hard for me to tell if he's just really tanned or if he's naturally darker-skinned.
    The boys shake hands and I'm introduced.
    ''Damn, Alec, where did you find her?'' Reg slaps his shoulder.
    Alec winks at me. ''She found me.''
    Reg shakes his head and looks at me. ''If you ever get bored of this prick, you know where to find me.''
    He turns to go up to the deck and I laugh. ''I sure do.''
    ''Oi,'' Alec growls to Reg's laughter.
    ''Yes?'' I bat my eyelashes at him.
    ''You're not gonna get bored of me.''
    ''Am I not?'' I walk back and sit on the sofa.
    ''Not a chance.'' He stalks towards me, a predator like gleam in his eye. I look up at him through lowered lashes and see him swallow. I delight in his expression and take it one step further.
    I bite my lip.
    ''Um,'' Alec whispers, stopping and running his hand through his hair.
    ''Mm?'' I tilt my head to the side.
    ''Oh, boy.'' He sinks into the sofa next to me and leans his head on the back of it.
    ''What's wrong?'' I turn my head to the side, facing him. He rolls his head towards mine.
    ''You. When you... Do that. It drives me crazy.''
    I smile at him. ''Good.''
    ''Good?!'' His eyes widen.
    ''Yep.'' I shrug one shoulder. ''Maybe I like making you go crazy.''
    ''Okay.'' He shakes his head and sits up, propping his chin up on his hand. ''What happened to the girl who tried to run away from me yesterday, all shy?''
    ''She decided to keep her promise and not run away.'' I look into his darkened, stormy coloured eyes. ''So, she's being honest instead.''
    Alec nods and moves forward, his breath fanning my face. ''Then maybe, I shouldn't hold back much either.''
    My breath hitches and I shake my head slightly.
    ''I don't want you to,'' I whisper.
    His eyes search my face. I move my body closer to him and he runs his fingers through my hair.
    ''Princess?''
    ''Mm?''
    He moves closer to me yet, his lips brushing mine as light as a feather.
    ''You're beautiful,'' he says softly. I smile against his mouth.
    ''You told me that yesterday.''
    ''I know.'' He cups my head. ''And I'll tell you every day, too.''
    His lips press against mine and I automatically kiss him back.
    I don't notice the starting of the boat. I don't notice how we bob on the open water. I don't notice anything but the guy sitting next to me.
    But I do notice how he's stealing both my breath and my heart with a simple kiss.

    ~

    ''See? It wasn't bad.'' Alec grins devilishly at me.
    ''Okay, okay.'' I wrap my arm around his waist and lean into him. ''It wasn't bad.''
    His arm goes over my shoulders and he picks up the bag he brought from the boat.
    There's something magical about the three mile long island that is Lundy. It's the place where the Atlantic Ocean and Bristol Channel meet. Look to the west and you can see nothing but open sea for miles, and that's because there's nothing between Lundy and America besides the open water.
    It's peaceful here. No one pushes past anyone, in fact, there's hardly anyone here at all. When I look up I can see the famous puffins bouncing on the cliff edges, taking flight and landing again. The Old Light stands proud and tall, the brickwork glistening in the sun.
    I breathe deeply, a sense of peace and serenity settling into my body. That's the effect Lundy has on you. It makes you feel at home, happy, relaxed.
    ''Come on.'' Alec steers me towards a hut. ''Get changed and we'll go find you some seals.''
    I take the bag from him, kiss his cheek and shut myself in a cubicle of the hut. I pull