Chapter 29.

Joey went to pick VJ up from the diner at 3pm for his surfing lesson. She'd borrowed Anna's car now she was back from work.

He'd already got his shortie on by the time she got there, and couldn't wait to go.

"Haven't you forgotten something?" Joey asked him.

"No" he huffed at her.

"I think you have." VJ stomped off back to his bedroom, and picked up his lifejacket.

"I don't need it. I can swim just fine." He pouted at her.

Joey tried not to laugh at him "Well, if you don't wear it, I won't be taking you out. You know the rules." She said seriously.

She'd already arranged to borrow a short surfboard from the surf shop. The guys from there would always lend her anything she wanted. She used to do a bit of free advertising for them, and they never forgot that.

The small one would also do for Ruby later, as she'd never surfed before as far as Joey knew.

Joey parked up, and took the board to the edge of the sea.

"Right, how much do you remember then?" she asked him.

"Loads" he said eagerly.

"Right, put your lifejacket on, and lets get out there then."

She told him to hop up on the board and he lay flat, trying to paddle out, 'good start' Joey thought. She walked out up to her neck, then told him to stop. She turned the board round, waiting for a small wave. VJ jumped up, and she let go. He immediately fell in.

She swam over to him. He looked very embarrassed. "Lets get out again then" she said. "you need to move your left foot forward more if you go to the right OK VJ. Or you'll lose your balance."

They made their way out again, and waited for another wave. "This one" said Joey.

VJ stood up, and she let go, off he went, and made it quite a way, before he fell off.

Joey had been swimming close behind him, making sure he was OK. "Well done, that was great." VJ beamed with pride.

"Lets have a couple more goes, then go out a bit further eh. A bit of a bigger wave, what do you say? Don't forget I'll be right behind you, and you've got a lifejacket on, so you'll be fine."

"Yes please!!" he replied enthusiastically.

"Right. Lets stop now. I think these tail-enders will be big enough for you to try. In fact, get ready VJ, there's a great one coming now. Remember, left foot forward, to keep your balance. OK. Here you go…."

He stood up, and the wave took him away. Joey swam behind him, letting the wave carry her forward as well. He was doing really well, then he fell in. She quickly swam over to be by his side.

"OK, now reach for the cord, and pull the board towards yourself VJ. Just like I showed you before."

He did just that, and pulled himself onto it.

"Very good. Looks like a may have a bit of competition soon doesn't it?" She laughed.

"Right, we'll have to go in now. I'm taking Rubes out at 4pm. But don't worry, next week we'll go out again. OK."

He looked disappointed, but at least he'd get to go out next week with her as well.

"Do you want to ride some smaller waves back into the beach then?"

"OK." He said.

"Off you go then. I'll see you there." She watched him go in as she swam back into shore, letting the waves do most of the work.

She left the surfboard sticking up in the sand, and walked VJ back to the diner. Leah was impressed when Joey told her how well he'd done, and gave him a large strawberry milkshake.

"Thanks Joey. I really appreciate it" said Leah.

"No problem Leah, he's a great kid. I like hanging out with him. I'll take him out next week if you like. I'm a bit busy this week I'm afraid."

"That would be great Joey. Thanks." And quietly she said "by the way I'm really happy for you, you know." Winking at her, trying to be discreet about her and Charlie.

"Thanks a lot Leah." Said a blushing Joey "I'm very happy too!!" Grinning widely.

Leah could tell how smitten Joey was with Charlie. It was so obvious. The way Charlie had spoken about Joey last night as well, it was obvious that Charlie felt the same. 'How very sweet' she chuckled to herself.

"Right" said Joey looking around " where's my next pupil?" scanning the room for Ruby.