Lucy had imagined that she and Eden would have to lug the picnic hamper between them all the way downhill through the trees. However, when Lucy had gone down to the lake, she had taken a path along the side of the castle, which had a steep embankment. By going out the front doors, there was only a gravelled drive to walk along, then an easy stroll across to the lake.

The lake was no longer pink and golden, but a clear blue that seemed to absorb all the colour of the sky and reflect it back in twinkles of sunlight. There was a stone boathouse shaded by green willows, and a jetty which edged into the lake like a finger, a boat docked beside it.

The girls left the picnic hamper under the willow trees, and walked out on the jetty. Lucy did so rather slowly, because she could see water under her feet through the gaps in the planks, and it didn't feel secure, even though Eden told her it was perfectly safe.

The boat was a solid little craft, broad in the beam, made of varnished wood, and painted white inside. Eden dropped gracefully into it, taking up her position in the bow, where the rowlocks were. Lucy hesitated on the jetty, not knowing how to get safely into the boat.

"Just step into the stern," Eden called, and when Lucy looked unsure, she added, "That's the back of the boat, where it goes flat across. Sit facing opposite me."

At last she held her hand out, helping Lucy into the boat. Lucy sat down gingerly. The boat rocked slightly on the water, and she braced her hands against the seat on either side of her.

"It's alright," Eden said, as she untied the boat and shoved off, taking up her oars. "You'll get used to the feeling soon enough."

"It's nothing like the royal barge," Lucy said solemnly. "We're so close to the water, it feels as if we're part of the lake."

"That's how I always feel," Eden said, rowing with even strokes. "I can't put things like that into words very well, but when I'm in a boat, I'm one of the lake creatures, like a duck or a moorhen. I belong here, just as they do."

It was surprising to Lucy how quickly she felt at home in the boat. She sat back in the stern, as Eden plied her oars diligently with strong arms, the boat smoothly moving through the clear waters of the lake.

"I feel as if I'm the country of dreams," said Lucy in hushed tones. "The blue sky reflected in the lake making a mirror world. The castle surrounded by green hills ... and then to be actually out on the lake, to be in the mirror world, under the clear sky and over the clear water. This is a magical country, Eden."

"There's nothing half so nice as messing about in boats," said Eden, more practically.

"Can I have a go rowing?" asked Lucy, envious of Eden's skill.

Eden shook her head briefly.

"Not right now. We're a bit too far out. I'll find a quiet spot close to shore to teach you rowing. And if the wind ever comes up, we can have a sail."

"Please, Eden, I really think I can do it, I've been watching so carefully," said Lucy, and then she made the fatal mistake of standing up, in an attempt to exchange seats with Eden.

Lucy overbalanced, and fell into the lake with a robust splash, the boat turning over in the process.

"I can't swim!" Lucy spluttered, just before she sank into the lake.

There was a horrible choking watery silence, her lungs seared in pain, her dress dragging her down, before she felt Eden haul her to the surface.

"Hold onto the boat, you muff," Eden barked in her ear.

A wet Lucy, shivering from fright more than cold, held onto the side of boat while Eden swum for the oars, tucking them under her arm awkwardly before returning for the boat.

Eden grimly pulled the boat to shore, along with Lucy, who even while holding on for dear life, was lost in her own thoughts ...

Notes

There's a cheeky little semi-quote from The Wind in the Willows in here, and this scene is inspired by it.