The Mermaid Garden(91)

“You seem to know a lot already.”

“The more you know, the more you realize what there is to learn.” He poured another glass of wine. “Need a refill?”

She nodded. “You know, you’re going to have to carry me back up the path.”

“A few more drinks and I might carry you all the way home!”

The tide crept in as they sat chatting on the sand. The orange sun sank low on the horizon, turning the clouds a deep purple against the pale blue of the sky. It was so romantic, against the hypnotic rhythm of the waves and the melancholy cry of gulls, that Clementine was sure he was going to lean over and kiss her. Inside, her heart began to thump with anticipation. The intense way he looked at her, the jaunty way he smiled, the playful way he teased, all indicated that he was attracted to her. The wine had made her senses more acute, and she could feel every vibration that passed between them, as if they were made of electricity.

At that moment, just when she thought he was going to kiss her, there came the barking of a frightened dog, way out at the other end of the beach, where the sea was crashing against rocks.

Rafa stood up. “Can you hear that?” He scanned the beach. “I can’t see him. Can you?”

Clementine was mildly irritated that the moment had been interrupted, but the panic in the bark soon distracted her. “Let’s go and see.”

They hurried down the beach, leaving their picnic on the sand. The barking was constant and insistent, and the terror in it fired them with a sense of urgency. Soon they were running. They stopped at the end of the beach and listened. Rafa looked at her solemnly. “It must be stuck on the rocks.” They both scanned the cliffs, but saw nothing.

“How can we reach it?”

“I’m going to swim round.”

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“I hope not. But there’s a dog in trouble, and I’m a sucker for an animal in pain.” He quickly stripped down to his underpants.

“Then I’m coming with you.” She, too, started to undress.

“You’re very brave, Clementine.”

“Reckless, you mean.” But the way he looked at her gave her courage.

They waded out to sea. The water was cold, but after a while their bodies grew accustomed to it. They swam together, but neither said a word, they were too busy listening to the barking and trying to ascertain the dog’s whereabouts. Clementine would never have dared swim out so far on her own. The waves crashed against the rocks, and the beach seemed way behind them.

“Look, there’s a cave!” Rafa shouted. “I think it’s coming from in there.” They swam round to the cove where the water was calmer, and hurried up the little beach. The tide was coming in fast, it wouldn’t be long before the cave was full of water. The dog sensed their arrival and began to whine.

“It’s okay, boy. You’re going to be all right.” Rafa crouched down and stroked him. The dog wagged its little tail excitedly.

“Look, it’s been tied to a rock.” Sure enough, the animal had been deliberately sentenced to death in that cave. “I can’t bear it!”

“Can you untie it?”

“Yes.” She set about undoing the knot, aghast that anyone could be so cruel. Once it was untied she joined Rafa on the sand to stroke it. “What sort of dog is it?”

“Mongrel. Which is why its owner probably didn’t want it anymore.” He began to talk to the animal in Spanish.

“How are we going to get it to the beach?”

He glanced at the mouth of the cave. “We’d better get going. It’ll be dark soon, and the tide is coming in. We don’t want to be stuck here for the night.”

“I don’t think we’d survive the night. This cave is probably underwater at high tide.”

“Okay, boy, you’re going to have to come with us.”

At first it looked as if it would be impossible to move him. The dog was so upset and frightened that his trembling legs wouldn’t budge. If they hadn’t had to get across the sea, Rafa could have carried him, but they had no choice; if the dog was to be saved, he had to swim.

Rafa took his face in his hands and looked him in the eye. Then he spoke calmly but with authority, as if he were speaking to a child. “You’re going to come with us, little friend. We’re going to look after you and take you to safety, but you have to trust us.”

He stroked the dog’s ears and muzzle, and after a while, as the sea crept into the cave, the dog calmed down. He followed them out and into the water. All the time Rafa spoke to him, encouraging him, coaxing him, praising him. Clementine swam on the other side of the dog so that he felt protected on both sides. Slowly, they made their way round the corner. The wind had picked up, and the sea was choppier now. It required more effort to swim, but Clementine gritted her teeth and kept her eye on the beach. The little dog swam with all his might, his nose in the air, nostrils dilating, eyes wide with anxiety. But on he swam, his courage greater than his fear.