I’m in the shower when I hear the doorbell ring, my hair covered in a cascade of soapy bubbles. There’s little point in rushing, as Nic is in the kitchen, anyway.
When I do make my way downstairs there’s a large box on the worktop and I suck in a deep breath. I totally forgot Olwen told me that Rhys would be popping in some shopping today. Nic is watching and when I look across at him he shrugs his shoulders. He’s bare foot, has nothing on his top and is wearing only a nicely cut pair of trousers.
‘Sorry, I forgot.’ I chew my lip as I berate myself for forgetting. ‘Was it awkward?’
Nic screws up his face and clearly, he too feels a sense of unease.
‘Rhys will mention it to Olwen. She’s discreet, but that’s two people who will know that we’re… um… acquainted.’
I burst out laughing.
‘Well, nice to make your acquaintance. I hope we meet up again at some time in the near future.’
He leans back against the counter top, folding his arms over his chest and those taut abs. I try not to drool as his arms flex and a flashback from last night is catapulted into my mind.
‘You can bet on it. Actually, it was quite a bonus being able to dive into a wardrobe and grab some clean clothes. I will take my dirty washing with me, though.’ He reaches out and pulls me into him, nestling my head against his neck.
‘Cheeky!’
‘Anyway, good morning, Tia.’ It’s a half-whisper and his breath tickles as I sink into him.
We stand, holding onto each other and I can’t ever remember feeling this comfortable with anyone, the morning after the first night before. Not that there has been a whole string of them, just a few over the years. Most of which I regretted shortly afterwards, because sex is often just about fulfilling a need. But that satisfaction seems to dissipate very quickly when it’s over and then things are back to where they were before. The actual act of having sex doesn’t touch that little bubble of inner loneliness that won’t go away. Like the heat from a fire only briefly warming the skin, when the chill permeates through to the core.
‘That’s a serious face.’ Nic’s eyes search mine.
‘That was a serious night.’
‘No regrets?’
‘No lies, no pretence, no guilt and no regrets – I think we covered all bases last night. Now I’m looking forward to the fun bit.’
‘You’re a bit of a surprise, Tia, that’s for sure. I will admit that I’m a little out of practice when it comes to having fun.’
‘Well, that will make it even more enjoyable. And now I think we’re both running late.’
We glance in tandem at the clock.
‘Ooh, I can see that you’re a bad influence on me already. I’d better head off as my shift starts at nine and I have the hill to climb. Guess impressing you with a chauffeured car wasn’t the brightest idea.’
‘On the contrary, it went down well. Although it does rather show that I was a forgone conclusion.’
The look on his face as he stoops to kiss me on the lips is priceless.
‘Stop flirting with me, I have to go and you have people to interview.’
‘Will you come back after work?’
‘Try stopping me.’
*
I force myself to settle down to work as my brain and body are buzzing. A call from Clarissa soon focuses my attention on the job in hand.
‘Great first draft, Tia. Couple number one are photogenic, too. Who are you pairing them with for the first part of the feature?’
‘Couple number four. I’ve done the interviews and I’m writing it up now. They’re mid-forties, so it’s a ten-year age difference and they have four kids. That’s obviously higher than the national average for the size of a family in the UK. But it’s a perfect example of how everything changes once you make that decision. Keeping the love alive in a relationship with a lot of family pressures to contend with has a rather dramatic impact. It’s opened my eyes to a few things.’
What Clarissa doesn’t know is how close I came to pulling this couple’s story, until I received an email from Carol shortly after I’d spoken to them. She explained that the morning of the interview she’d received a recall for a mammogram she’d had done the week prior. They were both worried sick about it and she admitted their heads were all over the place. Carol went on to say that everything is fine and that she wanted to explain what Christmas meant to them in photos.
When I opened the attachment, I saw that it was a collage. It was a collection of crazy, mad snapshots which summed up the chaos that is a normal Christmas day for their family. But every face had a smile; every eye reflected happiness. In the centre was a photo of Carol and Steve beneath the mistletoe, but I could clearly see the arms of a child wrapped around her waist. Even as their lips touched, Steve seemed to be looking over Carol’s shoulder, keeping a watchful eye on what was happening behind them. The same way that on the day of the interview Carol’s problem had been in the forefront of Steve’s mind and nothing else had mattered to him. I knew then that I had everything I needed to make this article work and that there would be many families who would connect with the chaos, and the love.
‘Great stuff, Tia. We want to keep this real, get our readers to engage and see aspects of their own lives reflected in this feature. Then give them practical ideas they can go away and try for themselves. Family life is tough at times and it’s comforting to be reminded other people struggle, too. I’ll be interested to read the complete thing, once you have it. Will you be able to meet the deadline?’
‘It shouldn’t be a problem. I’m getting lots of exercise here and sleeping well, so my energy levels are through the roof.’
I’m sure Clarissa can hear the change in my voice and I have to explain it away somehow. I am re-energised and I’m feeling positive again.
‘Good to hear. Something interesting has come up and it’s sitting on my desk at the moment. I’m not sure if I should push it Finlay’s way, but my gut is saying you’d do a better job of it. We’ve been offered the chance to shadow a Formula One driver. He’s a former test driver working his first season on the grid. The working title is On and Off the Track. Give it some thought. It would tie you up over the summer and involve a fair bit of travel. I don’t know if you’d prefer a period back in the office after your time on the Gower coast.’
Clarissa assigns jobs and you have no choice other than to go with it. In much the same way as she handed me the file for this feature and she wasn’t expecting a refusal. It’s odd she’s asking me what I’d prefer. I mean, I don’t think that’s a term I’ve ever heard her use before.
‘I’m… um, well I hadn’t given it any thought. Of course, it sounds like a great opportunity and I haven’t made any plans for after my return.’
Fleetingly, I think that it would be nice to maybe come back to visit Caswell Bay in the height of summer. But after this… little fling, let’s call it, with Nic, that might make it rather difficult. When I leave at the beginning of July I have to look back with no regrets.
‘I’ll pencil you in for that, then. We’ll discuss it on your return. In the meantime, keep me posted of any developments. I’m here if you want to talk.’
What? As the line goes dead I find myself staring at the phone in my hand. Something is up and I quickly text Hayley.
Morning Hayley. Interviews now done for couple number 4. Can u let me have an up to date schedule? Is everything OK there?
Seconds later my phone rings and I knew if she was free, she’d call.
‘Did Clarissa just offer you the F1 thing? I took some papers into her while you were talking and overheard a bit of the conversation. Finlay will be furious.’
I can imagine the beam on her face. Finlay went through a phase of telling Hayley to fetch his coffee, something she only does for Clarissa, obviously. We all make our own and he knew that. She ignored him every time, of course, but he tried it on for well over a week. In the end, she span around on her heels, glared at him and said, ‘Get it yourself, Finlay. I work for the boss, not for you and I doubt you’ll ever find yourself in that position.’
It was in the open office and everyone put their heads straight down, but secretly we all wanted to give her a round of applause.
‘Well, she’s offering it. If I don’t have plans for the summer.’
‘What?’
‘I had the same reaction. What’s going on there, Hayley? I was a bit worried about Finlay trying to undermine my position and walking back into an uneasy situation, but Clarissa is acting strangely.’
‘Hmm.’ Hayley pauses for a second. ‘There’s no change this end. It’s busy, which is good and things are ticking over. To be honest, she’s as demanding as ever but when I heard her talking to you I couldn’t believe it. He will feel aggrieved, that’s for sure. He’s a big fan of F1 and she knows it.’
‘Maybe it’s a test.’
‘Of Finlay, or of you?’
‘Who knows?’
That makes two of us without a clue about what’s really going on.
‘Anyway, what’s happening? Any promising little interludes on the horizon?’
My mouth suddenly feels very dry. Hayley knows I’m not going to spend every single waking hour working.
‘I went to a barn dance on Saturday night. I danced with the local postman, Tom. I’ve not met him before as the owner has his post diverted. Tom is a great dancer.’
‘Sounds interesting.’ I can hear Hayley’s mind working overtime.
‘He’s in his early sixties and has three grandchildren. But he was a good teacher and it was actually a lot of fun. You should try it sometime. How’s Jack?’
Nicely diverted, Tia.
‘He’s wonderful. He wants us to have a weekend away together and I’m so excited about it.’
‘That’s lovely to hear, Hayley. Has he met your parents, yet?’
‘Yes, we’ve been out for a meal with them. That’s partly what the weekend away is about, as his parents live in the Lake District and he’s trying to organise a family gathering. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything that might be of interest to you. I think there’s a plan afoot, so be aware and tread cautiously. And try to have some fun. There has to be at least one handsome, unattached guy hanging around, even if it is a very sedate place.’
‘If I see one, I’ll grab him. How’s that?’
‘Well, make sure you do. It’s about time you got laid again and reminded yourself what life is all about.’
My coffee mug is halfway to my mouth as she speaks and as my arm wobbles I miss my aim. The result is a fine spray of brown dots down the front of my teeshirt.
‘Working on it. Speak to you later.’
Actually, I’m way ahead of target on that front.
*
‘Hey, how was your day?’
As Nic steps inside he catches my hand. I step back and with a gentle kick, he pushes the front door closed behind him.
‘Good thanks and yours?’
He raises my fingers to his lips, looking over the tops of them into my eyes. He seems genuinely pleased to see me but it’s a look of relief, as if he’s trying to shrug off something that’s weighing him down.
‘There was a break-in up at the farm. I can’t believe they had the nerve to do it in broad daylight. It’s a sprawling place, admittedly, but people are coming and going all the time. It means they’ve been watching the property for some time and that’s a real concern.’
I’m shocked by his words. ‘Was much stolen?’
He nods his head. ‘They stole yesterday’s takings from the office and left a fine mess behind them. They also ransacked one of the bedrooms and stole a jewellery box. Irreplaceable family heirloom stuff by all accounts with some real value to it, but it’s the sentimental attachment that has struck home. What’s worrying is that there are a lot of bedrooms in that old place and yet they seemed to hone in on the only one worth combing through. Mike’s convinced they’d tried before but were disturbed, maybe. Second time around they knew exactly where to head and that’s the only way they could have pulled off something as bold and risky as that.’
A slight shiver travels down my spine.
‘If you want to head back up there to help out—’
‘No, it’s fine. I know I said I’d return and I have, but I don’t want to crowd you. If it’s not convenient, just say and I’ll make it a brief visit.’
I wasn’t trying to send him away and I pout. He grins back at me.
‘Seriously, we are two consenting adults and it won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t want to spend every waking minute with me.’
We are now standing so close together that he rests his chin on my head, playfully.
‘I wonder how different the world is when seen from varying heights.’
He’s implying I’m short and I take a step back, tilting my head to peer up at him.
‘The taller they are, the harder they fall.’
He still hasn’t let go of my hand and it’s clear we’re both waiting to see what the other person wants to do.
‘How about a walk along the beach?’
He nods his head and I wriggle free from his grasp, so I can grab my jacket and slip on my shoes.
As we close the garden gate behind us, and head down to the water’s edge, I see that Max is out fishing today. He’s too far away to acknowledge as Nic and I stroll hand in hand along the full length of Holly Cove.
‘I’ve been meaning to say, I love the sea views you have hanging on the staircase walls. There are some really great photographs there. I keep forgetting to bring my iPad and take a few snaps of my own.’
‘Thanks. It’s an outlet for my creative side now I work solely to pay the bills.’
‘Oh, I don’t think you mentioned what you did for a living before you bought the cottage.’
His jaw tightens a little, but he turns to look directly at me as he answers.
‘I was a Marketing Director for a large publishing company in London. Unfortunately, most of my money was tied up in property and house prices dropped at the same time I lost my job. I walked away with just enough equity to buy the cottage and start doing it up. Now I’ve run out of funds and, as I mentioned, I’m barely getting by financially at the moment. The big problem is next winter, as the roof needs an overhaul and when the boiler was serviced the plumber said they no longer manufacture spare parts for it. And then there’s the garden. Then there’s the fencing at the front which needs re-painting and at the back I need to take down a few trees to let in more light. It’s an endless list, I’m afraid.’
I push back the strands of hair being whipped across my face by the light breeze coming off the water. As I look into his eyes, I can see the uncertainty weighs heavily upon Nic’s shoulders.
‘You’ve done a wonderful job of the renovation work, Nic. You have a real sense of design, too. The rooms in the cottage flow beautifully and that’s quite an achievement. Everything takes time.’
He looks pleased and I’m glad the opportunity has arisen to tell him that. When you’re on your own, there isn’t anyone you can share your highs and lows with at the end of the day. That’s tough at times. Even now, I catch myself thinking I must call Mum and tell her about something that’s happened. Then I remember the cold reality that still doesn’t seem quite real.
‘Hard work is good for the soul. Bashing down walls with a sledgehammer and carrying out hundreds of buckets of rubble is exhausting. But it was cathartic at the time.’
It must have been a huge adjustment for him. I know that I’m fooling myself if I think that when I’m back in London it isn’t going to be a massive step for me, too. I wonder if I’m losing my appetite for the cut and thrust of an industry where your instincts have to be sharp and your conscience flexible.
‘It’s funny, but life seems to tick over and we rise to each little challenge that comes our way, thinking nothing changes very much. Then suddenly our world is turned upside down and everything changes overnight. It’s only with hindsight anyone can appreciate how blinkered we become.’
We’re almost at the point where the projecting headland cuts off the beach and we loop around to pass in front of the cabins. There are boards laid out over the softer area in two parallel lines down to the firmer sand. Looking back towards the workshop, the metal fencing is locked and I can see the boat trailer inside.
‘That’s quite a big boat. It must be hard launching it from here.’ I turn towards the sea, raising my hand above my eyes to shield them from the sun. The boat is bobbing around, but it’s still too far out to be more than a shape.
‘The boards take the weight and stop the trailer wheels from sinking into the sand. Once it’s on the firmer stuff a boat like that simply slides off the rollers on the trailer with ease. It’s a one-man job. The shore falls away quite rapidly here, so it’s a good spot. It’s easy enough to winch the loaded trailer back up, afterwards.’
I had wondered about that because I knew there was no way you could drive along the beach.
‘It must have been really hard to transport the building materials for the huts to this spot, then.’
I’m thinking as I speak and when I look at Nic, he simply shrugs.
‘People don’t always do what’s sensible. I should have bought a nice tidy little house on one of the little developments off Caswell Road. Instead I chose the difficult option, so who am I to judge someone else’s idiosyncratic ideas. Anyway, I’m getting hungry. How do you fancy some hearty pub grub?’
‘Great, it’s my treat tonight, though. Not quite as special as last night’s trip to the Brasserie, for which I forgot to thank you.’
Nic stops, then circles around in front of me.
‘You are still OK about this, aren’t you? No second thoughts?’
‘I am, and I have a suggestion to make, but I’ll save that for later. Much later.’
Finally, he seems to relax a little and I can see that aside from the fact that I’ve made him curious, he’s relieved by the implication. Anyway, he’s going to have to wait until I’ve had at least one very large glass of wine before I proposition him.