Isaac was running back and forth, trying to hasten the easy pace which she and Edward had fallen into.
‘There’s plenty of time. Don’t you want to go and find Sam first?’ Sam was Isaac’s best friend from school. ‘Look, there he is.’ Charlotte waved to Sam’s mother and Isaac ran off across the grass, leaving her and Edward to follow in their own time.
‘It’s a nice day for it.’ Edward was surveying the water.
‘Yes. It gets a bit crowded sometimes on Sunday afternoons, but if you come before lunch and bring a picnic—’ Charlotte broke off, shading her eyes against the glare. ‘What are those two boys up to?’
A small boat was rocking precariously as two boys in their early teens took it into their heads to start a mock-fight in the deepest part of the lake. One caught the other with a flailing fist and they both crashed into the water, the boat rocking wildly and threatening to capsize.
‘Edward...’ She caught his arm and then started to breathe again as two heads bobbed to the surface of the lake and the boys started to doggy paddle towards shallower water. ‘Those kids—they could have hurt themselves... Where’s the attendant?’
Heads turned as the park attendant jumped into a boat, quickly pushing off towards the boys. Then a shrill wail floated across the still air.
‘What’s that...?’ Charlotte scanned the water and located the source of the scream. She’d thought that the boys were alone in the boat, but there was also a shock of blonde curls just visible inside of the boat. ‘Sit down!’ she screamed at the child, even though it was unlikely that her voice would carry that far, much less be heeded.
The child managed to get to her feet and the boat bucked wildly.
‘Edward, she’s going to fall in...’
Her words met thin air. The bag he’d been carrying lay where he’d dropped it, and Edward was already powering down the steep slope which led to the lake, throwing off his jacket and shoes. By the time the other adults gathered around the lake started to notice the little girl he was already wading into the water, then swimming towards the child with long, easy strokes.
The little girl had calmed down now, and it seemed as if he would soon reach her. Charlotte glanced quickly in Isaac’s direction and saw that Sam’s mother had both him and Sam firmly in her grasp, stopping them both from running down to the lake’s edge.
Edward was nearly there. Only another fifty yards.
It was fifty yards too much.
The wake from another boat made the craft wobble and the child screamed again, panicking, throwing herself from one side to the other. The boat capsized, taking her with it.
No time for the curse of disbelief which sprang to her lips. Charlotte ran to the waterside, one eye still on Isaac. Sam’s mother shouted a reassurance that she’d look after him and Charlotte hitched up her skirt and began to wade into the water.
Edward had reached the spot where the upturned boat lay in the water and was looking around for the child.
‘Edward... She’s under the water.’
He didn’t turn his head, but he must have heard. His body seemed to rise in the water, and then disappeared as he dived beneath the surface.
Long moments.
The water was almost opaque here at the edge of the lake, and Charlotte could only hope that it was a bit clearer further out. He had to find her.
How long was it now? Thirty seconds? A minute? Charlotte knew that Edward wouldn’t come back up until he’d found the child, and prayed that it would be soon.
The surface of the lake erupted in a frenzy of bubbles and water as Edward broke the surface. He struck out immediately for the shore, not stopping to take a breath although his lungs must have been screaming for air. As soon as the water was shallow enough he gained a footing and waded, the little girl clinging tightly to his neck.
For a moment all Charlotte could feel was relief. Water was sluicing from Edward’s chest and legs and the child moved in his arms, leaving a watery red stain on the shoulder of his white shirt.
‘Edward...’ She waded further into the water, meeting him as he strode towards the bank. ‘You’re bleeding...’
‘It’s not my blood.’ He nodded quickly towards the little girl, who was whimpering now, holding on tight to his shirt collar. ‘Clear a space for me, will you?’
Charlotte stumbled, splashing up onto the bank. ‘Some space, please, guys. My friend’s a doctor—give him some space.’
Two women assumed the responsibility of moving everyone back, and someone threw a waterproof sheet down onto the ground. Edward dropped to his knees, ready to examine the child, but she wouldn’t let go of him.
‘All right, honey. You’re such a brave girl, and you’re safe now. Let me look at your arm...’
He gently tried to move the child and she hung on even tighter. Charlotte could see a gash on her forearm, which was gushing blood.