Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Brighton

"There's plenty of time." Will smiled, leaning his head back to feel the sun on his face. "It's a nice walk to the shore." He wasn't wrong, after being cooped up in my cabin for the crossing it was pleasant to get out. The crowd heading towards the pier was quite a mix, I could see fashionable ladies with their parasols and Paris fashions mixed with families who had obviously taken the day off of work to go have fun. Most of them were carrying bags, no doubt their swimming costumes were inside.

The beaches, separated by breakwaters that extended out into the surf, were already populated and the bright striped changing huts were doing good business as people swarmed them. But the main goal was the piers extending out into the deeper water, and I was already smiling as I saw them. Theaters and show halls reared up, I could see staircases to climb to board steeplechases and other rides and everything was brightly painted.

Will must have noticed, for he gave my hand a squeeze. "I don't know who's more excited about this, you or the boys."

"The boys." I shot back, nodding to where Lights had just had to dart forward to grab the boys before they crossed a street while a car was driving. "But I must admit, I can't wait to get there."

"I take it you prefer this to the opera?"

"Obviously." I rolled my eyes, glad to feel the boards of the pier under my shoes. "Now, what shall we do first?" That led to a pair of shouting voices as the boys each demanded something different. Roger wanted to go play games on the midway and see the shows, while Trevor demanded that we ride every ride.

Lights interposed himself between the boys. "Now, now, let's calm down you two." The boys quieted, but each had a pout on. Charles looked out, considering the pier that was already fairly busy. "I think that we start with rides, then games, then shows and then we can get some food."

"And the aquarium." Sylvie raised a brow, "You know it's my favorite."

"Of course, love." Lights leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Should we head to the aquarium first?" The boys loudly disagreed, and we joined the crowd heading towards the various rides.

I gripped Will's arm tightly as I pointed with my other hand, "Look, a steeplechase! We should do that first."

Will considered the wooden horses racing down their metal tracks, the hills and valleys of the track making the horses look like they were jumping. The riders whooped and hollered as they came down, each horse on a single track and side by side so at the end there was one winner. He rocked his head back and forth, "I don't know, I'd hate for the boys to lose to you."

Roger, who had hung back with us while Trevor held his father's hand, looked up at me. "Aunt Anna is good at the horses?"

"She's one of the very best." Will leaned down and picked the boy up, "They have a huge amusement park in New York and she went to it all the time when she was your age."

I blushed and looked away, "He's teasing Roger, I only went once."

"Then it's time to see if you still have your skill." Charles smirked, stepping forward to hand over some change to the attendant. He looked to Sylvie, "Would you mind staying with Mavis and I'll take her when I come down?" She nodded, bouncing the little girl who appeared delighted with the bright colors and the strains of music coming from a nearby carousel.

The five of us climbed the stairs together, the boys getting more excited the higher we got. The ride attendants at the top were glad to get the boys situated on their horses, and I drew a few hoots and whistles when I mounted mine astride and caused my skirt to rise up a bit. Will, next to me, glowered at the men in the line who were eyeing me. "Christ, it isn't like you lifted your skirt all the way up."