"Christopher Pike - The Immortal" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pike Christopher)

"You can see why I wanted to come back."

"I can't see why you left."

We had towels that we'd borrowed from the hotel. We didn't have snorkeling equipment, however, or
sunscreen. I had frequented the beach since school had let out and had a good tan. Indeed, I never
burned, no matter how long I lay out. But Helen had a problem. It was a priority to get her fair skin firmly
shielded behind sunblock, thirty or better.

We took care of the screen for Helen in a small store and were directed to a stand farther down the
beach that was supposed to rent masks, fins, and snorkels. All at once Helen was not anxious to get in
the water. She said she wanted a drink and pulled me toward the bar, located at the rear of the beach
under a thatched roof.

"There was this guy from England who worked here last summer," she said. "He said he'd be back this
summer."

"Is he the reason we're at this beach?"

"It's a nice beach."

"I understand," I said.

"His name's Tom Brine. We went out a couple of times." She added unnecessarily, "I liked him."

"Maybe he has a friend," I said hopefully. I wasn't looking for a quick vacation romance, I told myself.
On the other hand I wasn't swearing off one, either, which was, I thought, the best attitude.

The bar was crowded. There was no sign of Tom. A shade subdued, Helen ordered a beer, and I did
likewise, after a moment's hesitation to note that they weren't asking for ID. I didn't drink a lot, even at
parties, because I invariably woke up with a headache. But I had to watch Helen when it came to booze.
She had a tendency to do things to excess. We turned our backs to the bar and sipped our beers,
enjoying the view.

"He could be here this summer but taking the day off," I ventured.

"I didn't expect to find him," Helen said quickly, lying.

"What was he like?"
"Funny. Smart." She added, perhaps in reference to the Ralph episode, "You would have liked him."

"Was he cute?"

"Who?" a voice asked behind us.

We turned in unison and Helen's face broke into a big grin. I didn't have to ask. Tom Brine was a cutie.
His face was pale, typical of many English young men.
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