Beach Buoy arrived at the beach car park at 7-25 p.m.
He turned off the van's engine and ....... silence.
No dog movement in anticipation of a beach walk.
It had been sunny, but now paler colours filled the bay.
Beach Buoy headed for halfway between the dune edge and the sea.
The tide was well out.
A bright yellow and orange pop-up tent had indeed popped up in the dunes.
A couple walked by the sea; heading south.
A couple walked on the strand-line heading north.
A couple stood looking out to sea.
Beach Buoy headed south.
He paused to try and picture Stubborn Dog running here and there.
He got one of those sad smacks in the face; the ones that sting.
He carried on.
The mildest of breezes blew off the sea,
carrying unmistakable sea air inland as it did so.
Skylarks sang high in the air above the dunes as Beach Buoy approached the stack with stones in-hand.
"Hiya mate."
He headed back down to grab a large heavy stone to add to the edge of the stack.
Beach Buoy sat down near to his mate as he watched a Large Green Ship sail out of The River Tees.
"C'mon mate."
Beach Buoy headed for Sand Martin Corner.
He only went half way
His heart just wasn't in it.
He returned to the stack.
He added a large awkward heavy triangular rock .
He stroked and patted "The" rock.
"Night night mate."
Beach Buoy headed back alone with watery eyes and puffing cheeks.
He headed back with the sea as a new temporary best friend.
At the end of the dunes, the pop-up tent now had a campfire nearby.
Driftwood crackled in the fire's heat.
Beach Buoy drove to the sea front, parking in front of the Village Green.
He made a coffee.
He imagined his mate was curled up asleep out of sight on the passenger seat, as he often would.
Beach Buoy rested his head in the palm of his hand and slept.
BEACH BUOY.
