003. WAVES

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Maverick was awake and out of the house before anyone woke, heading back down to the bar which was situated on the beach.

"You're getting earlier and earlier every day, Pete" Marcel, the bar owner, said as Maverick walked into the bar, dumping his stuff in the back room

"Years of a Navy routine can do that, but you could also say that I'm keen, Marc" Maverick said as he rounded the bar and tidied away from last night's cleanup as Marcel struck up a cigarette, standing by the open by-fold doors. The sounds of the waves crashed against the sand and the calls of seagulls echoed from overhead.

"Want one?" Marcel offered, holding out his tin of cigarettes as Maverick shook his head

"No, I'm alright" Maverick said

"Suit yourself," Marcel shrugged, "So, how's young Carole doing?" Marcel asked after dragging his last smoke and tapping the cigarette out in the ashtray by the window

"She's good. Our friend's staying for a while"

"Ah yes, young Ashley isn't it? Carole's mentioned her a few times" Marcel said

Maverick nodded, a smile creeping onto his face

"And from your reaction, your happy she is on the island?" Marcel asked, making Maverick tense

"I mean, it's weird to have her around again but it's her vacation and Carole and Bradley are happy" Maverick said before pausing in his comment as he thought, "I've avoided her, not since yesterday when she arrived but. . . For two years now. I left without saying goodbye"

Marcel patted Maverick's shoulder, not saying anything as the man was immersed in memories of Ashley but also the thought of approaching her after so long and connecting again.

• • •

Back at the house, Ashley woke to the sun shining through the net curtains that covered the doors to her balcony, and the waves crashing on the shoreline. She could hear Bradley talking constantly to his mom down on the patio as she let out a smile and sat up in bed. She grabbed some clothes to wear for the day and made her way down to the bathroom at the end of the hall before switching the shower on.

Once she had showered, she combed through her hair and twirled it up into a bun before changing into a pair of shorts, a white short sleeved tee and she tied a red chequered jacket around her waist before tying her boots. She made her way downstairs and was met by a small human wrapping his arms around her legs

"Morning, Aunt Ash!" Bradley said, excitedly

"Good morning angel, did you have a good sleep?" Ashley asked as she knelt down to his eye level

Bradley nodded, "Guess what?"

"What?"

"Mummy said we are going to the beach today!" Bradley jumped up and down

"Yes, but we can go after mummy and aunt ash has had their breakfast" Carole laughed as she stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a large bowl, "I hope you're okay with yogurt and fruit for breakfast"

"That sounds delicious" Ashley smiled.

She helped Carole take the bowls to the table outside and they settled down to eat. The conversation was mainly filled with Bradley telling Ashley about how he was so excited to spend the day at the beach, and the woman couldn't help but smile brightly at the boy. He was certainly Goose's son with how much he talked but how his bubbly personality lit up a room.

After breakfast was cleared away, the small trio made their way down to the beach, which was filled with tourists and islanders. They managed to find a spot just perfect between the pavement and the ocean, and they lay beach towels down and set up some beach chairs up, while Bradley immediately went to make sandcastles.

"We should go to the bar tonight, I can get Bradley's babysitter to come over" Carole suggested as she and Ashley sunbathed on the beach towels

"That sounds like good idea," Ashley smiled, "I've always wanted to party in Greece"

Carole sat up, "It's amazing, Ash! Just wait" She winked at the brunette as they laughed.

They spent the whole day on the beach, eating the small picnic that Carole had made and swimming in the ocean with Bradley before they decided to pack up and head back to the house to shower so Carole and Ashley could get ready to go out to the bar.

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