Читать книгу The Number 8 - Joel Arcanjo - Страница 13
Оглавление“Do you need help down there, mate?” came a voice from behind him.
“Erm… No… No thanks, I’m fine,” Dante mumbled as he tried to get himself together.
They were at Hot Water Beach and Dante had been the last to disembark. In his haste to catch up with the rest of the group he had rushed down the stairs, tripped and fallen flat on his face. He felt the sand beneath him, hot on his skin from a full day of sun. He must’ve been on the ground a second or two before instinct kicked in and he thrust himself to his feet with ease. As he brushed the sand off his face and clothes he turned towards the kind soul that had offered his help. It was the bus driver.
“Kid. Watch your step next time. Lucky it was only me that was here to see that. I’ve seen the same happen to other kids and they were legends for the rest of the trip,” then, just to rub it in he added, “in a bad kinda way.”
His physique was not what Dante had come to expect of bus drivers. Muscular, but not tall. He was sat on the edge of his seat facing the doorway so Dante couldn’t be sure but his height must’ve been around 5’10. His salt and pepper hair was neat and combed to the right. He was clean shaven and seemed fairly upbeat. He must have been in his late forties and he had something about him that drew Dante in.
“Thanks for the warning, Mr…” Dante said, walking back towards the driver.
“Mr nothing. Call me Ben.”
“OK, Ben. How long have you been driving these tour buses then?”
“A few years now. Mostly this route. It never gets old.”
“So I guess you aren’t from here originally?”
“No, lived in England for most of my life but…I much prefer it here.”
Dante was sure he heard his voice crack a little but didn’t push it any further.
“Where do you live now then?” Dante asked.
“Here and there. Most of the year I’m driving these tours so I don’t really get a chance to settle down.”
“Did your family move out here with you?”
“What is this, twenty questions?” He smiled, then quickly changed the subject. “I wouldn’t miss out on the beach if I were you. Some pretty amazing views down there and after your little…accident,” he smirked, “you need a swim to clean yourself up.”
Then, before Dante had a chance to respond, he used a lever by his foot to close the doors.
Rude, Dante thought.
Dante got the hint and made his way down the sandy path. He had a strange feeling about this driver. He wasn’t your average bus driver and he clearly hadn’t taken this job to make any friends. But then again, Dante had gotten a little personal pretty quickly. If someone had asked him certain questions he would be taken aback. He wasn’t in the habit of telling strangers his personal business.
Everyone has secrets, Dante, he thought.
But Dante was here to do, not to think, so he wandered off.
