Smitten

Toby raced across the beach towards the water. Warm sand caressed his toes as he prayed he wasn’t too late. He headed for the swell of the shallow waves as they crashed and glided their way closer to shore. He heard his parents call his name in the distance, warning him not to go far as he searched through the faces baking in the summer sun.

He was late, thanks to his dad. Why did they have to stop for ice cream? They knew how important it was to get here on time. Besides, Toby was allergic to ice cream, and it was torture for him to watch them eat it. He secretly hoped they would make it up to him later with a treat of some kind. After all, he had been a good boy all day.

But it was beside the point; he might have missed her.

He anxiously searched the beach, hurrying between sunbathers and swimmers as they revelled in the afternoon bliss. He glanced back at his parents as they placed down their towels before getting comfortable on the sand. His dad looked over at him, briefly confirming he was still in sight, before succumbing to the sun with his foil reflector; Toby had no idea why people did that to their skin.

He knew he had better not venture too far, or else he’d get a scolding. There was nothing he hated more than getting told off. In fact, he prided himself on making his parents proud; he was nothing, if not a good boy. He padded his way along the sand, looking for any sign of her presence.

His heart began to weigh heavy as he failed to recognise anyone. The beach was full of strangers; it looked like he would have no one to play with. Crestfallen, he turned around and started back towards the safety of his parents. He walked along the waterline, letting the shallow waves cover his feet, blissfully cooling them before disappearing to replenish.

He had nearly reached their side when he heard a familiar voice echo in the distance. His ears perked up as he stopped in his tracks, listening with bated breath. Could it be? He heard it again - his name carried across the wind.

He spun around. A goofy grin overtook his face as he saw Molly bounding towards him, kicking up sand. She was running with all the power her little body could muster, her parents close behind, undoubtedly heading for their daily catch-up with his own.

Toby cried with relief as he hurried to greet his friend, shouting her name with every step. He heard his dad yell another warning, but he couldn't contain his excitement, springing into a run.

Before he knew it, his warm body embraced hers. They squealed in delight as they spun around, splashing in the shallow water. Toby didn’t need to look at the people watching to know they would be gushing at such a sweet display of young love.

He didn't care, being with Molly was all that mattered.

It was always the highlight of his day. Toby used to be anxious about playing with others until he met Molly. His folks had been so relieved that he'd made a friend that they decided to make it a regular thing.

Toby revelled in the sunshine as they splashed, played and chased each other through the shallow surf. Molly’s dad joined them by the water, bringing them a beach ball to play with. He kept a watchful eye on them, making sure they didn’t venture too deep.

They squealed and yelped as the salty spray billowed around them, covering them in a cool haze as waves broke between their legs.

Molly’s smile was contagious as her mouth stretched towards the sky, her big blue eyes twinkling in the sunlight.

The sun baked them slowly as they hollered and splashed, gleefully chasing each other up and down the beach.

They played for an hour before their mothers called them over, with the knowing look of home time on their faces. Toby panted with exhaustion as he raced to his mother's side.

‘Good boy, did you have fun, baby?’ She asked as she gave him some cold water to drink, ruffling his hair.

‘Same time tomorrow?’ Molly’s mum asked.

‘Of course, we’ll try not to be late this time.’ His mum replied, causing him to roll his eyes; what a close call it had been.

Molly glanced back at him as her parents led her away. His chest became heavy, he missed her already. He began to whine.

Toby was smitten.

He watched her beautiful golden hair bouncing in the sunlight as she got smaller and smaller and finally disappeared in the distance.

‘Don’t worry, boy, we’ll see her again tomorrow,’ his dad whispered, attaching the lead to his collar and leading him back across the beach.