Learning to Breathe Read Free Page B

why?” It took all of my strength not to burst out laughing at his baffled expression.
    He looked at me intently and then smirked. “You’re just screwing with me, aren’t you?”
    I nodded. “You deserve it – using a line like that. Please tell me no girl has actually fallen for that.”
    I watched as his nos e crinkled up when he laughed. “You’d be surprised!” He then threw me that cocky lopsided grin and winked again.
    I rolled my eyes . “Well then, I’m disappointed in my fellow females.”
    He chuckled but then h is face turned serious. “Didn’t you even consider calling?”
    “Please!” I scoffed, “I threw it in the bin as soon as I noticed it.”
    His disappointment was obvious by his frown. “Ouch, not even a second glance then?”
    I felt a little guilty about making h im feel bad so I smirked at him. “Well maybe I did stare at it for about ten minutes.”
    The cocky grin was back. “I knew it! So, now that’s out of the way, what’s your story? Why’d you move here?”
     
    We sat down on the towel I had brought and I wondered what I would tell Danny. I really didn’t want to dredge up everything about my past but I guessed that it wouldn’t hurt to tell him the short version. I sighed and glanced at those mesmerising hazel eyes before I told him all about my mother getting a new job.
    Throughout our conversation, I noticed that he looked genuinely interested in what I was saying. I didn’t read too much into it though – the last thing I needed was someone prying into my private life.
    We happily sat in silence for a while, watching everyone joke around and mess about in the water. Then Harriet got out and declared that she was hungry which resulted in a fight to get to the sandwiches.
    Once everyone had eaten, Danny was dragged into competing in the races. I happily sat watching again, glad that nobody approached me – it didn’t last long. I was too busy watching Harriet that I didn’t notice James running at me. By the time I realised what he was doing, it was too late.
    He hoisted me over his shoulder and ran to the water’s edge. I tried to protest but he ignored me – probably thinking that I was just playing along. I was terrified and I could already feel my lungs tightening. The next thing I knew, he had thrown me in.
     
    My lungs felt like they were on fire. I could taste the salty water but there was nothing I could do to stop it from rushing into my lungs. I was chokin g while I screamed out for help and I could feel myself slipping in and out of consciousness. Suddenly, I could feel strong arms around me and hear someone comforting me.
    “Darcie, you’re going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise …”
     
    I don’t exactly remember what happened after that but I vaguely recall that I started screaming and then someone pulled me out. Once I was out of the water, it took around ten minutes before I could make sense of anything. I could hear Danny telling everyone to back off and that I was fine.
    I managed to open my eyes and found Danny looking down at me. I could also see Harriet staring at me with a worried look on her face. I tried to sit up but Danny pushed me back down and looked over at Harriet.
    “Harri, she’s fine. She just needs some space, okay?”
    He was speaking in quite an authoritative tone and I noticed how Harriet nodded obediently and walked off.
    Danny looked at me again. “Sorry but I figured you wouldn’t want an audience.”
    I tried to sit up again and this time Danny let me. I felt quite cold now since I was soaked to the skin. I shivered and then felt Danny placing something over my shoulders – my towel. I huddled beneath it, determined not to look at Danny or even talk to him but I knew I needed to thank him. I sighed and was about to speak but he beat me to it.
    “So, I take it you’re not a big fan of swimming.”
    I shook my head and he nodded.
    “That’s understandable … but most people don’t