Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,16

Marty’s car broke down on the way here so he’s waiting for a tow truck. He’s probably not going to make it in.”

“Freddie’s away for the weekend,” Tim said with a sigh, “and Caroline isn’t answering the phone.”

“How many kids have we got signed up?” Lexie asked.

“Sixteen,” Tim said.

“It’s not so bad,” Lexie said.

Damian frowned. “Abseiling’s out.”

Lexie nodded. The other staff were all certified instructors. She’d done a few basic courses over the years – collected a few certificates – but she was the least qualified member of staff and never took the lead on groups.

“We’ll have to change the schedule,” Damian said. “We can take them over to the obstacle course and do games there.”

“I still don’t like the ratio,” Tim mused.

“You could come,” Lexie suggested.

“Someone needs to man this place. I’ve got canoes out for hire that will be coming back later.”

“I could ask Leana to help out.” Leana had helped with the activities occasionally in the summer when they were short-staffed. “Except I think she’s working in the pub today.”

Tim checked his watch at a noise from the next room. “That better not be the kids arriving already,” he said, moving to the doorway.

“I’m just leaving,” Nick called to him. “See you soon.”

“Hang on,” Tim called. “You’re a teacher, right?”

“Aye.” Nick walked over to the office door, glancing over Tim’s shoulder and nodding a greeting at Lexie and Damian. “Why?”

“You must be good with kids?”

Nick’s eyebrows twitched upwards. “I teach adults. Mainly young adults but the youngest are like seventeen so I’m not sure you’d call them kids.”

“Any chance you could help us out for a few hours?” Tim asked, ignoring the comment. “We’ve got a load of kids arriving soon and not enough adults to supervise.”

“I’ve got some stuff to be getting on with actually—”

“You can have unlimited access to activities and rentals for free for a month,” Tim said. “And you’d be doing me a massive favour.”

“I don’t know.” Nick shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“You won’t even have to do much. Just stay by Lexie. She’ll tell you if she needs you to help with anything.”

Nick looked to Lexie, then shrugged. “Okay. I suppose I can manage that.”

“Brilliant.” Tim gave Nick’s shoulder a friendly pat before moving back behind his desk. “So you think you can keep the kids entertained out at the obstacle course?” he asked Damian.

“No worries.” Damian looked to Lexie. “We’ll take it slow going up there. Stop off for a few warm-up activities to kill some time. Then we’ll do team games and competitions once we’re up there.”

As instructed, Nick stayed firmly by Lexie’s side, asking questions and jumping in to help with whatever she asked. It meant she got a break from carrying the backpack with the first aid kit and other supplies. Nick took it from her as soon as she picked it up and slung it on his shoulder.

Once all the kids had arrived, they set off along the track into the wooded area. Damian took the lead while Lexie and Nick hung back making sure no one got left behind.

The kids were surprisingly enthusiastic when Damian stopped the group in a small clearing and got them jumping around with him. His energy was infectious. Kids always responded well to him.

“I didn’t realise this was going to be so energetic,” Nick said as he half-heartedly joined in with the star jumps.

“When we get to the obstacle course we won’t have to join in. All we’ll have to do is cheer the kids on.”

“I can probably manage that,” he panted.

Except it turned out Lexie was wrong about them not having to join in. When they reached the obstacle course, about a mile from the activity centre, Damian volunteered Nick and Lexie to do a circuit to show the kids how it was done. Lexie was fairly certain Damian was having fun at their expense, especially considering she was sure all of the kids had been before and didn’t need a demonstration.

“This is going to be embarrassing,” Nick said as he stood beside Lexie on the starting line. The course was designed so two could run it at once in a race.

“I’ll go slow,” she said, grinning at him.

They shot into action when Damian blew his whistle. Lexie had done the course often and hopped nimbly through the tyres that made up the first obstacle. She was equally as fast across the balance beam, but was surprised when Nick overtook her on the monkey bars. She’d never had