Amelia got upset, Caroline explained, because Brian said something shitty about her being flat — chested. Adam frowned over his message. All the more beer for us! Phil cried. Theatrically surreptitious, he began to pour from Amelia’s glass into his own and Caroline’s. The girl had the coarse, hearty look of someone who couldn’t be enjoying themselves more. I thought you were Amelia’s best friend, Vince said. Speaking, he realised that these were almost the first words he had addressed to Caroline. So? the girl asked. I was just surprised to see the others rush away after her and you stay put. Her men! Caroline said archly. She doesn’t need me. Brian’s got a crush, Phil explained. Hopeless case.
Adam was shaking his head. Can’t keep up with you youngsters, he complained. Vince asked if the message was serious. Adam began to explain that his wife tended to get a little hysterical when she knew they were going to run a difficult river. Why d’you tell her, then? Caroline demanded. Phil drained his own beer and reached for Brian’s. I didn’t, Mark did, Adam said. The idiot! He seemed to enjoy shaking his head at the perversity of the world. That was what was so great about Gloria, he turned suddenly, enthusiastically, to Vince. Like, nothing fazed her, you know, whatever river …
Now Vince pushed back his chair. Need a pee, he announced. He walked across the dance floor and around behind the bar, very conscious of the slight unsteadiness that three beers can bring on. I won’t sleep well tonight, he knew. I must be on form for tomorrow. Instead of going into the loo, he crossed the track beyond the entrance to the site and walked into the pine trees beyond. This is where they must have come.
The ground sloped steeply down towards the river bank. The trees were scrawnier here, but closer together. Vince stopped. The cushion of pine needles beneath his feet created an impression of silence, though he could still hear the beat of music from the bar. It was as though the distant sound actually increased the silence in the wood. When the path became too dark to follow he stopped and listened. I am completely disorientated. He stood still. The drink made him sway. This week has rubbed out my ordinary life. It was amazing how dark it could be, black even, and so near to where he had been in bright light and company. It has rubbed out the pain, but all the things that made sense too. Gloria was never fazed, Adam said.
Vince breathed deeply. What a powerful smell there was, of freshly cut wood and dung and smoke. He took a step, caught his foot, lurched. Even staying vertical is a hard thing when the darkness is so complete. Then he heard a little cry and a giggle. Vince was electrified. They had come here. But why did I follow? What do these shenanigans mean to you? He was swaying on his feet. He didn’t know which way to tread. A fifty — year — old widower with a big job in the City? Should I tell Clive? Now there was a sharp intake of breath, followed at once by a quiet whimper, and this time a boy’s laugh. I’m so, so sorry. Get out of here! Vince began to move. He stumbled. Gloria was never fazed. Which was the way back? Twigs cracked. Shit! In a second’s stillness he was aware of low voices. Then someone else was banging through the undergrowth. It’s a dream. The noise was so loud. I must go the other way. Just as he turned, a bright light flashed up from very low. He was on the edge of a steep bank. The torchlight swung towards him through the trees. There was a cry. Vince ran away from it, up the slope.
Back in the tent he went through his bedtime routine with great deliberation. The branches had scratched the back of his hand, the side of his neck. Don’t think anything, he kept repeating, don’t think till your mind is calm. He slipped off his socks and put them in his shoes under the fly — sheet. But now there were rapid footsteps. Dad! No sooner had he stretched out on his sleeping bag than a torch shone in. Louise dived into the tent. Dad, weirdest thing happened. Just now. God! She plunged on her stomach. Turn that thing off, he complained. You’re blinding me. Really frightening! Tell me. Vince began to pay attention. Are you okay? I was with Mark, you know. I guessed, Vince said. Oh, he’s all right. We were just kissing a bit, in the trees behind the bar. The other side of the track where it goes down to the river. Kissing? Oh, nothing heavy, Dad, come on! When this pervert comes along trying to spy on us. Really! Like, he was only a yard or two away. I mean, he could have been a serial killer or something. It was like a horror movie. I pretty well wet myself.
Vince lay back on his sleeping bag. Did you see him? Mark did. He turned on the torch and made a dash, saw the bloke running away. Some old guy. Anorak type. Wasn’t it a bit dark, Vince asked, to be fooling around in the woods? He knew what he had heard there. No, there’s plenty of light when you get used to it, she said. Oh God, the phone, she announced then. The torch came on again and in the glow Vince watched his daughter’s face as she rummaged in her rucksack. There was a healthy blush on her cheeks. Strands of blonde hair fell over her eyes. Where did I hide the damn thing? There. Sure enough, just a few moments after she turned it on there came the beep of a message arriving, followed by a low giggle, the sound of a thumb on the keypad. Vince said: You have a boyfriend back home, don’t you? That’s what all these messages are about.
None of your business, she laughed. Then she said. Course I’ve got a boyfriend. What do you think?
Only that you’re two — timing him, obviously.
What a funny expression.
I don’t know what the current word is.
And so?
Well, it’s not altogether nice, is it?
Altogether?
It’s not nice.
I’m enjoying it.
Louise, I’m trying to talk seriously for once! By the way, your clothes smell of cigarettes.
He’ll never know, she said.
And Mark?
I told him.
And he doesn’t mind?
Dad, it’s a holiday! Everybody does this on holiday. It’s what they’re for. And even if you don’t, everybody imagines you do.
I thought it was a community experience.
She giggled. More like an orgy sometimes. But I mean, Phil and Caroline, Amelia and Tom, it’ll all be over when they’re home. You can’t believe Tom doesn’t have a girlfriend, can you? At college. A fab — looking bloke like that.
Was it you smoking or Mark?
She said, Mark.
I’ll try to believe you.
She leaned over and kissed him. You’re a treasure, Dad. Then he knew she had been smoking. Do your teeth, he said.
When she came back from the bathroom, he asked:
And what if I did the same thing?
How do you mean?
Went kissing in the woods.
Dad!
Because we’re on holiday.
But you wouldn’t, would you?
He didn’t answer this. She was right, he wouldn’t. The air quickly grew warm in the tent when the two of them were together. The smoke on her sweater gave it a stale smell. They were so near each other inside here, father and daughter, and outside there was so much space and air, a tinkle of distant voices, occasional footsteps across the breezy dark in the flat of the valley beneath the mountains towering in their emptiness, trickling with the water that tomorrow would rush them down the river. Go to sleep, Vince told himself, you need sleep.
Then she began to giggle again. Who with anyway? Mandy?
What?
You kissing in the woods.
Mandy? Vince was surprised. Actually, I got the feeling that Mandy had something going with Keith. Don’t they?
Oh that was yonks back, Louise objected. I remember Mum telling me. It’s been over at least two years. She’s been following you all over the place. She even got you to rescue her!
Oh come on. You don’t get yourself nearly killed just to have me bang into your boat.
Don’t underestimate a woman! Louise cried. The girl was full of confidence.