CHAPTER 7: The Hunk and the Beach Bar

Sitting down after tea, Dan said to his two ladies:

"Just leave the dishes and stuff, they'll keep. I'll do them later. We're on holiday."

"Dan, you did the cooking so us two clearing up is fine. It'll only take five minutes."

"Dad, hush up. Our dinner was lovely. I had actually forgotten how good a cook you are, particularly with the Italian and Mexican recipes. And as Italian dishes are my all-time favourites you couldn't have picked anything better. So the clearing up is the least I can do."

"OK. I know when I am brow-beaten. Shall sit down like a good boy and do what I am told."

Both Emma and Hermione laughed at the pouted lip expression Dan had given them.

"Dad, you could look at the Information Booklet while your sitting. See what's about locally."

"Any place in particular in mind then, Hermione?" asked Emma. "Maybe a beach-bar for instance? With a particular hunky Australian barman?"

A slight blush from her daughter confirmed to Emma that she had hit the mark without too much trouble.

"Oh yeah, there's a beach-bar. I forgot about that?"

"Yeah, right. Your nose gets any longer you will look like Pinocchio!"

Dan Granger laughed at the banter between his wife and daughter. They had definitely become comfortable again in each other's company.

"OK you two. I'll go look."

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"Ah, you're here. Right. I have had a look at the information booklet I was on about. The beach bar is called 'Poseidon's' and from a small map that is with the advert it cannot be more than five or six hundred yards away, along the beach to the left of this cottage. And it is open most nights around 6pm. All day at weekends but closed on Mondays."

"Does it say anything else about it Dan?"

"Let's see. It does food Wednesday and Friday nights, all day Saturday and Sunday daytime till 7pm. There is a band night on a Wednesday as well, and a DJ/Disco on Friday and Saturday nights. No menus in here though.

"Well that sounds all right, love. We have already eaten, but nothing to stop us taking a wander along there tonight, have a look at the food that's on offer and have a listen to the band. Even if it nothing special it will be ideal for tonight. Not far, neither of us has to drive, we can have a drink, Hermione can eye up her 'greek god', well Australian one in this case, and maybe have a dance to the band if they are any good. That OK for tonight?"

"Mum. Calum is NOT my 'greek god' so don't you or dad go embarrassing me again please. This morning was once too many so I would rather not have a repeat, thank you very much! But, I agree about the evening. You OK with it dad?"

"Yup. Suits me, so what time we going?

"Dad, does it say when it shuts?"

"Oh, let me see. Uuh…just 6pm till late. No closing time. As it's a beach-bar probably when the last customers stagger off."

"That'll be us!" piped up Emma. As the other two laughed, she added'

"How about heading there for 9pm? I cannot see the band starting before then, most of the food will be served and it will probably be easier getting a table. And I just had a thought, as it's a beach-bar then easy casual stuff to wear should do. Shorts and T's. OK?

"Sounds good mum. Nine it is and no dressing up.

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So, with still a couple of hours to spare, Hermione had an early evening dip in the pool, grabbed the last of the days sunshine to dry off, them headed for her bedroom. Not being a girl that took very long to get ready and, having her new pixie style grooming therefore now had a lot less hair to worry about, she had plenty of time to sort so she decided to try on her new bikinis. So, digging them out of the box and standing at a full length mirror, she slipped them on. The look on her face when she saw her reflection was, first of all, one of shock.

.'I can't wear these, they're indecent'!...

The three tiny bits of cloth held together by string that constituted the bikini basically covered about a quarter of her boobs and the bottoms were only barely bigger than a thong, offering a thin strip of flimsy material to cover her modesty and nearly all of her bum on show. Her second reaction was very girly, …'Oh, the colours are really lovely and I can mix and match the tops and bottoms and the beach wraps will go with both!'…..

so a bit of a decision was made that they could, just maybe, be worn with a bit of cover-up; the third reaction was….

'Well, they may be indecent but WOW! I look great in these!'….

so a realisation and acceptance that she was a bit of a looker and had a body that was worth showing off ; and a fourth reaction of…

'What a great suntan I would get if I just wore the bottoms. Definitely mimimum tan lines!'….so getting a bit bolder in her thinking. So, overall, a positive reaction albeit with some trepidation about wearing them. 'Hmm. I'll think about it'!

Now getting herself in going out mode, Hermione put the bikinis aside, showered, sorted her hair and some light make-up, looked at what she would wear and decided on an off the shoulders, gypsy style white top with mid-thigh length, short ra-ra skirt in pale pink. A pair of flat, white and pink trimmed canvas pumps, ideal for walking on the sandy beach, finished off the outfit. Adding a small white bag with a thin over-the-shoulder strap, delicate silver necklace, bracelet with matching earing's set and her new silver watch, Hermione decided she was good to go.

"Mum, Dad. I'm ready!"

"We are too, love" came Emma Granger's reply. "Just coming!"

'Again! Lucky mum!' thought Hermione and then actually blushed at her own rude joke! 'Mum is definitely getting to be a naughty influence on me!'

"OK. We are here so off we go," came from Dan Granger as he and his wife walked into the lounge. "Let's make a move. Our night out awaits!"

As he spotted his daughter in her casually smart outfit, he was very complimentary.

"Wow Hermione. You look great and a bang on right style for a beach bar. A well good choice, love! You'll knock them dead."

"I agree Hermione." Echoed Mum Granger. "Considering you have never been to a beach-bar in the evening before you have chosen an outfit that's just right."

"Thanks mum, thanks dad. Looking forward to it as it's something different and new. And a band as well. Hopefully, it will be a good night."

"And the eye-candy should be good love!"

"Yes mum, there is that too!"

And so the Grangers headed out.

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The beach bar was indeed only a few hundred metres away, the subdued lights from it becoming more visible in the advancing evening twilight. An easy walk along the flat, sandy beach got them there in just a few minutes. As they arrived, they saw a small stage area set up on the beach and a four-piece band was just about finished their setting up, speakers and instruments all in place and the sound check going on. The beach bar itself was not large, about 8 metres by 8 metres, but like the stage area, there were a good number of tables and chairs set up in front of it on the sand. A very recognisable blonde haired, handsome Hunk was serving drinks to a group of six sat at one of the tables. He looked up to see who his new customers were as they arrived at the bar. He smiled and nodded to the Grangers, instantly recognising them.

"Hi. Good to see you here. Be with you in a minute."

"No rush, Calum. We are here for the evening." Replied Dan Granger.

The Grangers also saw that there were a few high stools at the bar and spotting three unoccupied ones together at the side of the bar, they made a beeline for those. They saw that the bar itself consisted of a two- sided counter facing forward and down the beach for serving drinks customers, the other side facing back along the beach towards the village and small harbour was a food serving counter and there was a smattering of food only tables just beyond that. The stage area was in fact set up beside these tables facing down the beach so any noise was be going away from the village.

The area behind the bar showed an island counter in the middle with a three sided, raised dresser type illuminated shelf section on which were an assortment of optics and bottled spirit drinks, fridges beneath holding wines, bottled beers and mixers. The non-bar area behind the island section held a kitchen and food preparation area.

The bar was made in a very interesting and quirky way, being from recycled materials that had been found either washed ashore or from dismantled boats; old wooden guard rails screwed together to form the bar edge, the whole underside of a rowing boot being the front of the bar, the counter tops were from old doors now highly polished, more guard rails screwed to the bottom of the bar now acting as footrails for the bar-side customers. Port-hole windows had been screwed on the bar sides and dresser-optic area and adapted to take light fittings which held coloured bulbs which gave a lovely low-light ambience to the whole bar. The roof was made from heavy canvas sails stretched out between old ship masts situated at each corner of the bar and a couple in the middle giving further support and a bit higher than the edges allowing any water to run off. Around the centre masts, two actual ships wheels had been dropped over them and secured to the wheels were ships lanterns with again multi-coloured bulbs to shed a gentle glow over the beach seating area. All in all, a very relaxed, easy-going beach bar.

Calum appeared from his serving duties and now behind the bar, approached them saying,

"Well good evening you three. Good to have you here at my little bar and so quickly. Considering you only got here yesterday and after this morning I wasn't sure if I would see you here at all. Particularly you Hermynee!"

Hermione did blush as he nodded his head towards her, but she had expected some comment so she was ready for it.

"I won't let our unexpected and disastrous first meeting put me off you, honest. Let's start again. I'm Hermione Granger. And you are?"

Calum laughed at her repost to him, her parents somewhat shocked. This NOT tongue-tied Hermione and was not at all what they expected.

"OK" said the Aussie Hunk. "I can do that. Pleased to meet cha' Hermynee Granger. I'm Calum Delapourt." And he reached forward and offered his hand over the bar. But to his and the parent Grangers total surprise, Hermione partly stood up on the bar-stools foot rail, leaned over the bar, placed a quick kiss on the young barman's cheek and then hurriedly sat down again. She was a light shade of pink, amazed at her own actions. She had not been expecting to do that either!

"You are forgiven, Calum Delapourt. Just don't give a girl such a shock in the morning again, especially BEFORE coffee!"

The young Aussie, recovered from the total surprise of the peck to the cheek from this girl he had only just met and with a big smile on his face, replied

"Well I wasn't expecting that! Thanks, Hermynee, and I promise I'll be good from now on."

"Not to good, I hope!" replied Hermione, with a slightly hopeful smile, and got a cheeky look back.

"We'll see! Now what are you three drinking tonight? And the first one's on me as I was the cause of all the commotion this morning."

"That's good of you Calum" replied Dan Granger. "Mine is a beer, what are my two girls having then?"

"I will have a medium dry white wine please Calum" said Emma.

"And I will go with my mum, Calum. Medium dry white wine for me too please."

"Coming up. Are you staying here at the bar or grabbing a table?"

The Grangers had a quick look at each other, Hermione stating

"Stay here?" and the nods of the head confirmed it. "Yes, staying here Calum."

"Righto."

As Calum was pouring the drinks, Emma Granger observed her daughter giving him the once over similar to that which Calum had given here that morning, seeming to enjoy what she was looking at. With Calum dressed much the same as the morning but just cleaner in surf shorts, baggy vest and flip flops, with the same mop of unruly blonde curls, the 'eye candy' seemed to be to Hermione's taste.

"Enjoying the view, love?" Emma said to her quietly.

"What….Oh!" and Hermione blushed slightly but smiled gently at her mum. "Mmmm, definitely worth coming out for mum!"

"Thought you might say that and I do agree love. Mmmm!"

"Mum, behave yourself!", and then Hermione laughed, giving her mum a very naughty look, and continued quietly, "And remember, you said dad needed a rest, not some crazed randy woman!"

"He can have a rest….just later. But the Beach Bar Hunk doesn't look knackered dear, anything but, so fill your boots. A little holiday romance would certainly bring you out of your shell, and you have made a good start. Loved the little bit of banter between the two of you. You are definitely trying to loosen up a bit. Well done."

The drinks were served just as the band started up, their style being light rock music, along the lines of Dire Straits, Bruce Springstein, Brian Adams, Simple Minds. As the evening progressed a number of other customers arrived, the band played, a few people ventured up to dance and there was plenty of business at the bar. The Grangers did not really get much of a chance to speak with the young barman, who even with two other bar staff assisting him, was kept busy for a couple of hours.

The band were good, playing many popular covers that went down well with the audience. All three Grangers danced, a couple of young men chatting with Hermione during the evening. Four more drinks were had, the last two for Hermione being just coke. The band finished at 11pm and shortly after the customers gradually started to drift away although in no hurry. By 11.30pm, although still with good custom at the tables, Calum was able to leave the serving of those remaining to his two staff. The Grangers had moved from the bar stools to a vacant table and Calum came to join them, bringing a tray of drinks over to them.

"Hi again. You brought me good luck tonight and brought the customers with you. It's the busiest we have been this season so far, non-stop the last couple of hours or so. The atmosphere has been great. The band loved it. So, these drinks are on me again. Beer for you and me Dan, and for you two lovelies, a couple of cocktails to celebrate the start of your holiday."

"That's really nice of you Calum. Thanks again." said Dan. "Beer suits me fine."

"OH!" exclaimed Hermione. "I have never had a cocktail before, Calum. This is my first ever. Has it got a name?"

"Tequila sunrise for you, Hermione, and a brandy sour for you Emma. Hope you like them."

"Thank you again Calum." Replied Emma. "I am sure they will go down well. On top of my five glasses of wine I will definitely be staggering down the beach!"

All four of them laughed, Dan adding, "Emma will be out like a light tonight Calum. Well done. I just might get some kip!"

"No chance, dear husband. Well, not for a couple of hours anyway."

This made them all laugh again.

"Do you mind if I join you for a bit?" asked Calum, directing the question at Dan then looking at Hermione.

"Not at all Calum. Please, join us."

Hermione gave her dad a big smile, nodding her head in agreement.

The conversation continued between them all for another twenty minutes, past midnight now, both Emma and Hermione getting quite giggly, until Calum asked'

"Well ladies, what do you think of the cocktails?"

Hermione answered first.

"Lovely, but strong! I am just glad that I had a couple of cokes and not stayed on wine like mum!"

"Yesh young Calum. Deffff-inately stwong! My mou-se not working wight!"

Dan, Hermione and Calum laughed at Emma as she giggled at herself.

"I'm just a bitt skiffwy! No more for me, I s-ink!"

"I fully agree darling. Half a dozen beers for me as well is well enough. Time to finish up and head for home. Young Calum here still has a few customers left and then some clearing up to do. You coming with us Hermione?"

"Eh, can I stay just a bit longer dad? I'm alright. The cokes in the middle of the evening have helped a lot, and I won't be having another drink, well except a coke or something soft. The music at the bar is nice and there is still a good atmosphere. And..and…I would like to chat with Calum a bit longer. Is that OK?"

Dan gave Hermione a look. "OK love. No more than an hour though. Or when the bar shuts." Then looking at Calum asked him,"I know it's not far, but will you get Hermione home safe for me Calum? Walk her back to the cottage?"

"Proud to Dan. Hermynee will be fine here. All the remaining customers are regulars, all as good as gold. No trouble at all. I will be shut up shop by about half-one. That time enough? That suit you Hermynee?"

"Please Dad?"

"OK love. I trust you. Be good. Mum and I will be off. See you in the morning. Keep her safe for me Calum."

As the parent Grangers went to leave, they gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek. As Emma put her lips to her daughter's cheek, close to her ear, she whispered

"No need to be TOO good, love. Live a little. And night night love. See you in the morning….eventually!"

And off they staggered.

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As Hermione watched her parents leave she smiled but felt a few butterflies kick in in the pit of her stomach. This was a brand new experience for her and she was definitely out of her comfort zone, at a bar on her own and it was past midnight and she was hoping the barman would chat her up…or she would chat him up. If she had the bottle!

She jumped in surprise and turned around when she heard Calum speak a bit loudly behind her.

"I am shutting at 1am folks, so you've got 40 minutes to get yourselves some more drinks in. I am under instructions so I have this lovely young lady called Hermynee" and he nodded at her "to escort home tonight so I want to be cleared up and gone by half one!"

Hermione smiled in surprise when she heard Calum name and describe her as a 'lovely young lady' in front of everyone and felt her blush rise. 'Thank goodness the lights were low' she thought. She was also very impressed with the authoritative but relaxed charm of the young Australian. She had watched him quite a bit throughout the evening, as he served at the bar and at the tables and also the way that he helped out his two female bar staff if they were stuck on a particular order. He wasn't that much older than her, only a couple or three years at most she thought, yet here he was running this beach bar and chatting to the customers with the confidence of a veteran. She had also noted his actual skill around the bar. He knew where every bottle of drink was, the type of glasses for each style of drink, the polite but cheeky way he chatted to the ladies while he was letting them decide on a cocktail, the easy going but 'bloke' manner he immediately switched to when there were lads at the bar.

Hermione had moved over to one of the side bar-stools she had occupied earlier, so to get a closer and clearer view of her man interest as he worked. 'He could charm the pants of anyone' Hermione thought, and then realised WHAT she had thought. 'And me!' She blushed at her own naughty thoughts as she looked at Calum serving the small rush of customers to the bar. 'He is one gorgeous guy and seems really nice with it. I could think of a lot worse blokes to charm my pants off for the first time!' As she watched him, her thoughts continued to stray to the more earthy type, imagining the two of them in the sand dunes, round the pool, on a deserted beach, her wearing her tiny bikini, or just the bottoms, or not at all! Hermione was getting seriously turned on just thinking about what she and the Hunk could get up too. Totally in her own naughty carnal world, which was pretty limited as she had no experience at all with blokes apart from a few kisses with a very polite Bulgarian, she jumped in surprise when Calum appeared right in front of her on his side of the bar but leaning towards her only about a foot away.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked her.

"OH! Um..eh…no thoughts really. Just watching you working. Your really good at this bar stuff. How long have been doing this?" she asked, quickly changing the subject from her to him.

"Here in France or altogether?" Calum replied.

"Well, both."

"I started at my older brother's bar in Brisbane when I was only 14, so five years ago, a weekend and holiday job to get me some pocket money. My brother is ten years older than me so he was well set up. I was just cleaning tables, serving food, helping out around the kitchen, that sort of thing. And he paid me pretty good too. The bar work, the serving drinks and stuff, started when I was 16. My brother had worked in a couple of cocktail and wine bars before he set up for himself so he had learned a lot at those places. He taught me."

"Your brother taught you well." stated Hermione. "You really can operate behind there. I'm impressed!"

"So how many barmen have you seen working then?"

Hermione realised she had been caught out with that question and her answer was going to highlight her inexperience and how young she was.

"Um…..well, none actually. You're the first."

"OH! So you have never been in a bar before, not anywhere?"

"No, I haven't. First time. I am a bar virgin!" (Hermione wasn't including the Three Broomsticks or other bars around Hogsmeade as she had never had alcohol in them or watched a barman!). Hermione said, blushing at her forwardness. "I'm only 16, 17 in a couple of months. I have been in a few restaurants with mum and dad, but never a bar until tonight."

"Well, this is a celebration. What can I get you drink then? Anything you like, on me."

"I was only going to stay on soft drinks now. I'm not really sure about how much I can have before I start getting a bit drunk. I had four glasses of wine last night with dinner and I was feeling really giggly on the walk home, but as I was with mum and dad that was fine. But, well, I won't be with them tonight so I am a bit nervy about having any more alcohol. I have had a three drinks already so…well maybe one. But not a strong one, OK?

"Tell you what Hermynee, I will do you a 'Mocktail.' Have you heard of them? All the ingredients are mixed the same as a cocktail, but no alcohol. Still in a cocktail glass, with all the ice and fruits you get normally. Really refreshing. I don't want you or your parents thinking I have an ulterior motive by getting you drunk. So, how does a 'mocktail' sound?"

"Yeah, sounds really good." Then Hermione asked shyly "What ulterior motive were you thinking about, then?"

"Sex and drugs and rock'n'roll! What other ulterior motive is there when you have a pretty girl to talk too! Well, maybe not the drugs, I don't do them."

"OH!" Hermione was surprised at his candor but at least he was honest. "So you don't think I'm worth getting drunk then? For rock'n'roll and…sex?"

Not expecting the come on, it was Calum's turn to get a bit flustered.

"No, no. I didn't mean that! I meant that…that…well, yeah you are, but not get you drunk for that….oh shit! I've put my foot in it. Put it this way, you are lovely and….and…"

Hermione was laughing at the predicament the Hunk found himself in.

"So you think I am lovely and worth the rock'n'roll and sex but you would not want me drunk? Sober would be good then, would it?"

"Yeah…I mean, well….well, sober would be good if we…..eh…do you want that drink? The 'mocktail?"

Hermione laughed at Calum's embarrassment and his change of the subject.

"Oi, You don't get out of it that easy! I am just getting my own back for this morning. I am enjoying seeing you squirm a bit. I did not expect you to be the one all embarrassed talking about sex. In fact, I am totally surprised at myself even talking about it, especially with a stranger! Not really my thing!"

"We're not strangers! We have met already and I have seen you…with not a lot on, and a bit wet!"

Now Hermione blushed.

"Yeah, you have, haven't you. More than anyone else has ever seen!"

'SHIT!' thought Hermione. 'I have virtually told him I'm a virgin!'

"OH Yeah! More than anyone else? No previous boyfriends then?"

Hermione knew she was going scarlet. He had realised what she had said.

"UHH! Well…..no actually."

"WHAT? Are you serious? Your gorgeous. Why no boyfriends? And what do you mean 'not your thing'? …..Oh!…em..are you..eh!...Gay? You prefer girls?"

Hermione gave a very happy peal of laughter at that question.

"No, I am not gay. I definitely like boys and men. When I said 'not my thing' I meant talking about….well, sex and stuff. I get really embarrassed normally. My mum has been trying to get me to loosen up a bit. She would be amazed at this conversation. Not me at all."

"So why now? With me?" asked Calum.

"I don't know. I can guess at a few things, I suppose. Obviously, this morning is a factor, then we kind of started again with mum and dad here, we have had a chat here and there throughout the evening while you have been working, my parents seem to like you, although I am no where near drunk I have had a couple of drinks so that helps. Maybe other reasons too…and maybe it's just that we seem to have hit it off and ….well, I like you. You seem fun, your easy to talk too, you are a nice guy! And you are a bit different from the boys I do no, very different! And I am talking more to you about stuff than I have ever talked to any guy before without curling up in embarrassment!"

Calum looked at her then nodded his head.

"Yeah, I can see those reasons. Their good. You threw me a loop earlier, about the rock'n'roll sex thing. I just wasn't expecting it. But….yeah. We are talking up a storm aren't we Hermynee? …OH! I better get you that drink! Em…how does a 'Blueberry Mojito' sound? Crushed blueberries, mint, lime juice, soda all over ice?"

"WOW! Yes please! Sounds delicious."

"OK. One 'blueberry mojito' coming up! I will bring it over but I will have to start clearing up so I will have to ignore you for a bit or I won't get anything done". Then Calum bent low to Hermione's ear. "And eh…Hermynee. I like you too!" and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek!

Hermione did not blush this time, turned to him and said,

"Good" and kissed him gently on the lips. "Now go get my drink. I have talked too much!"

They both smiled at each other and off he went.

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As she sipped her drink, she watched Calum work the remainder of the customers, clear the tables, wish everyone good night, pay his bar staff from the till. He was very efficient, seeming to have in his head a good routine for the closing down of the bar for the night. Now only the actual clearing of the bar counter and washing the remaining glasses was left to do.

"Calum, can I help? I have never been behind a bar before never mind worked in one. And I would like to help. It's something different to do."

"Sure, if you want too." He replied. "Not much left, but if you stack the glasses from the bar just here by the sink I can wash up. You want to wipe round for me, then dry the glasses? I can put them back on the correct shelves for tomorrow. Be finished all the quicker then."

Now that's what Hermione wanted to hear. A quicker finish meant a chance for a walk on the beach a bit quicker than planned, so probably a few extra minutes with him.

"Will do." And Hermione jumped off the bar stool. "Give me a cloth and I will do these tables first."

So the two of them did just what was suggested and Calum had the bar covers down and all locked up by quarter past one.

"Thanks, Hermynee." Taking her hand in his. "Quarter hour quicker. The girls that work for me usually whizz round at the weekends but they are both up for their college during the week so I let them go as soon as the last customers have gone, so thanks a bunch."

"Your welcome. I enjoyed it. But I have one thing to ask you."

"Well go ahead, fire away."

"Do I get a thank you kiss?"

"I think I can manage that." And he turned her to him, leant her against the side of the bar and kissed her gently, on the lips, for about 10 seconds.

"Now that's something different for me, Hermynee. The first time I have thanked the bar help with anything more than a peck on the cheek!"

"Mmmm. And it was really nice. My turn."

Hermione put her arms on Calum's shoulders, pushed her hands round his neck, pulled his head down to hers and took her lips to his, this time the kiss being a lot longer than 10 seconds. Their lips parted and although there was no tongue dancing they did snog for a few seconds.

"I will have to work for you more often Calum, particularly if you are going to send me back home with a lovely kiss."

"Yeah, definitely. But come on, let's get you back to you home. I promised your mum and dad I would get you back when the bar shut."

"OK, but walk slowly. And the odd stop for more staff kisses would be good.!"

"I think I can arrange that!"

The 600yd walk took half-an-hour, with frequent stops. When they eventually got to the Granger's holiday cottage, as they stood on the beach near the front door, they kissed once more and this time there was dancing tongues.

A slightly breathless Calum broke the kiss and came up for air.

"For someone who has had no boyfriends you sure do know how to snog Hermynee. That was great!"

"Mmmm. I must have learned really fast from you then because kissing you is brilliant. The fact that I really do like you even in just a few hours just might help though. Can I see you tomorrow?"

"You know where I'll be. I set the bar up, check and re-stock and other stuff in the morning from around 10 till midday. If I need to get anything I jump in the car and go to get it. If not, I am usually around the beach or surfing a few miles away. So, if you pop along after 10 you will get me at the bar. That'd be magic!"

"Magic? Now there's a thought!"

"What is?"

"Magic! But that's another story. Time to go in. Give me one more kiss!"

"With pleasure."

A few seconds later:

"G'night Hermynee." "Good night Calum".