The Burnout(92)

“Terry!” I say, stepping forward. “It’s me, Sasha. And this is Lev.”

“Of course it is!” Terry says. “Good to see you both again!” His blue eyes dart around uncertainly. “Now, you’ve both surfed before, haven’t you? Because the beginner class is full today.”

“Yes, we’ve surfed before,” I say, nodding. Then I turn to Lev and murmur, “He’s not quite … Just go with it.”

“I’ve never surfed,” says Lev, ignoring me. He steps forward and engages Terry’s gaze intently. “I know nothing. What can you tell me, Terry? The single most important thing I should know.”

For a few moments Terry looks bewildered, and my heart wrenches. But then a sharpness returns to his eyes.

“You still don’t remember, after all these lessons?” he addresses Lev tetchily. “You haven’t learned the most important thing? Are your parents paying for you to stare at the sky all day? Am I wasting my time?”

“Sorry,” says Lev humbly. “Tell me again. I’m listening.”

Again, Terry looks momentarily caught out—but then he frowns impatiently.

“Well, look, look, look. You know it, really. You all do.” He sweeps his arm as though addressing a class. “You have to enjoy the ride. Why else are you learning to surf? The ride is it.”

“Enjoy the ride,” echoes Lev, and a strange half smile spreads across his face. “Of course. How did I forget that?”

“The ride is it,” says Sean, winking at us.

“The ride is it.” I smile back at him.

“But where are the others?” Terry’s gaze drifts along the empty beach and he frowns, looking distressed. “They’re all late. Class should have begun ten minutes ago. And where’s Sandra got to?” He swivels around in confusion. “Have you seen Sandra?”

“She’s fine, Terry,” says Sean quickly. “She just had to pop out. But I’m not sure the class is happening after all. Maybe tomorrow, mate.”

A light in Terry’s face slowly dies away. He looks around the deserted beach, then nods, as though accepting something he has no control over. He looks defeated, and I feel an overpowering sadness. I don’t know how aware Terry is of his situation, if he can really tell what he’s lost. But right now he looks desolate, and I want to give him back something. Anything.

“Terry, I’m here!” I exclaim impulsively. “I’m here for class. I just need to go and change into my wetsuit. Can I still rent a board?” I add quickly to Sean.

“Sure,” says Sean, looking taken aback. “But …” He glances at Terry and back at me. “You’re not serious?”

“Terry’s up for teaching,” I say simply. “And I’m up for learning. There’s the sand.” I gesture. “There’s the sea. Let’s do it.”

“I’m up for learning too,” says Lev firmly. “Can I rent a suit and a board?”

Sean looks a bit freaked out. “OK, listen, if you’re really doing this … This is not a lesson.” He glances at Terry. “This is not insured. This is nothing to do with me.”

“Understood.” I nod.

“Then go for it.” Sean’s face crinkles in a smile. “Maybe I’ll join in. Let me get you both boards.”

As I jog back to the lodges, I’m looking around for Finn, but I can’t see him anywhere, so I send him a text and hope he’ll get it in time.

Surf’s up. Class is on at the Surf Shack. Terry says you’re late. X


It’s like going back in time. It could be the old Terry teaching us. It’s unbelievable.

As he runs through the familiar warm-up routine, yelling instructions all the while; as he makes us lie down and paddle on the sand; as he gets us crouching and standing up … It’s Terry. He’s assured, he’s funny, he has gimlet eyes and notices every error.

“Look, look, look,” he keeps saying to Lev. “You’re going to need to be strong. Got it?” He jabs him in the stomach, and Lev wobbles on his board. “See? That’s no good. You need to be strong.” His gaze drifts away down the beach. “Now, who’s this?”

I turn to see—and my heart lifts. It’s Finn, in his black wetsuit, running along the sand with his board. He meets my eyes with a kind of disbelieving What the hell? expression, and I smile back.

“You’re late!” I call.

“Sorry,” says Finn. “Sorry, Terry.”

“Sorry is no good, young man!” Terry calls to him, exasperated. “Sorry is no good! You’re not warmed up, you’ve missed the basics.…”

“I’ll catch up,” says Finn quickly, then walks right over to Terry. Despite everything I’ve told him, I can see he’s shocked at Terry’s frail appearance but trying to hide it. “How are you doing, Terry?” he says. “I’m Finn. Finn Birchall. I don’t know if you remember me—”

“You’re late is who you are,” says Terry crisply. “So I wouldn’t be wasting time on words if I were you.”

“Fair enough.” Finn grins. “Glad nothing’s changed.”

By the time he reappears with his board, Terry is midstream again, and Finn flashes me a grin.