In memory of Nathan Hudson
Forever in our hearts
From his loving wife, Marina,
and the people of Porthmellow
Marina frowned at the plaque on the outside of the station and rubbed at it with her sleeve. There were few materials it could have been made of that would survive the elements so they’d raised the extra cash for a bronze one, but even that was spattered with mud and salt.
She’d fetched a stool to stand on and was rubbing hard at the grime but the plaque really needed unscrewing and taking down for a proper clean. She’d ask Trevor if he’d do it when he came on shift. He was a kind soul and Marina didn’t feel she could bear to see it come down.
Marina heard whistling.
‘Hi, it’s me,’ Lachlan called cheerfully, then added, ‘Oh. I’m sorry.’
Heart sinking, Marina stepped down, the cloth still in her hand. ‘It’s weathered …’ she said. Why did he have to come across her at this moment?
‘I’m intruding. I’ll leave.’
‘Lachlan! Wait!’ She grabbed his arm and he swung round. ‘You’re not intruding. Please don’t walk away.’
He glanced at the plaque and at her. ‘I don’t want to go.’
‘Then stay … come inside?’
He followed her into the lookout. ‘I came to ask you something … after we talked at the beach night, I’ve been thinking about you – about us.’
The cloth was still in her hands. ‘I think about us too. Please don’t think I don’t just because you found me here, with Nate’s plaque. Because that’s all it is; a sign on a wall – a memorial to him – but not a shrine. You understand me? Please don’t let it hold you back from saying what you feel.’
‘How I feel? I—’ He didn’t finish his sentence but reached for her and drew her closer to his body. She went more than willingly and a moment later, they were kissing each other. It was gentle and warm; the first kiss she’d had in however long. Kissing Lachlan felt as natural as breathing.
Yet it was strange, touching another man, skin on skin, his mouth on hers as they explored each other. She’d stepped into a new world – a strange and wonderful land – that was as thrilling as it was unknown.
The kiss ended but they stayed entwined, her head against his shoulder, cheek against the soft cotton of his T-shirt. She was enjoying the moment, enjoying the scent of freshly washed clothes, the touch of his hands resting lightly on her waist. She felt that sunshine had broken through into her world of semi-shadows, and it was the sunshine of a new morning when the day stretches ahead, ready to be filled with good things … happy things.
Lachlan pulled back. ‘Wow, that was a surprise,’ he murmured. ‘To both of us. I didn’t plan for it to happen … perhaps it shouldn’t have?’
‘No, it absolutely should have. I wanted it to happen. Lachlan, that comment you made about us being friends after the picnic … It was a lovely thing to say but I have to admit that I’d been wondering – hoping – that lately, we might be something more?’
‘I want that too. I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks but I don’t want to push you. I’ve held back because of Nate, especially as this is a sensitive time for you and you’ve so much on your plate with the legal stuff. I don’t want to come blundering in and make life even harder.’
‘You haven’t blundered in.’ She smiled. ‘And it is a tough time, but it’s a turning point too. That’s why I didn’t want to spoil our evening at the beach picnic by telling you. But Craig had to stomp in …’
‘It was a shock to find out that night was the anniversary, I’ll admit.’ He picked up her hand. ‘Marina, you must know I care about you. You’ve brought me out of my shell, even when I didn’t want to be dragged out of it.’
She winced. ‘I haven’t meant to bully you.’
‘I needed a kick up the arse.’ He rubbed her hand. ‘And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather did the kicking.’
‘That’s nice!’ she said, through laughter. ‘I’ve had to come out of my shell since Nate died, so perhaps I go over the top.’
‘No. No you’re just what I needed,’ he said. ‘I wish I’d said this sooner and not spent so many nights fretting about whether I should tell you how I feel.’
‘I’m really glad you did,’ she said, before adding, a little shyly, ‘And about what just happened …’
His eyes lit up in pleasure. ‘Then let’s do it again. Properly.’ He leaned in to kiss her.
‘Yoo hoo!’
They sprang apart.
‘It’s Trevor and Doreen!’ Marina hissed. Lachlan turned away and picked up the binoculars but his shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter. Marina wasn’t so blasé; the last thing she wanted was to be caught in a passionate kiss while on duty.
‘Hello!’ she said, far too blithely. ‘Lachlan was just visiting.’
‘Hi there,’ said Lachlan, nodding a hello to the couple who exchanged knowing glances, much to Marina’s horror. Had they guessed they’d interrupted something? Even if Lachlan was poker-faced, Marina’s fiery cheeks might have given them a clue.
Lachlan said his goodbyes and Marina did the handover to the couple. When she went outside, she found him waiting for her on the path above the station.
‘I got your text!’ she said. ‘I almost gave the game away by grinning like an idiot.’
‘I thought I’d let you know I was out here. I think we were rudely interrupted. Shall we go to our bench?’ he said.
Our bench. She liked the sound of that, although there was still a possibility they’d be seen by prying eyes. She led the way into the gorse and they sat down. At high summer, the scents were heady and butterflies joined the bees buzzing around them. The path was busy with walkers and families so there was no way she could resume the kiss, however much she longed to.
‘There’s no hiding place,’ Lachlan said.
She nodded vigorously. ‘No …’ A daring thought struck her. ‘I can’t help thinking we should get away from Porthmellow completely,’ she said.
‘For a day, do you mean?’ he asked, then shared a look that thrilled her. ‘Or longer?’
‘Longer if you want to. Maybe …’ She was thinking on the hoof, becoming more daring. ‘We should find somewhere without any memories or history. Somewhere new to both of us.’
He considered for a few seconds. ‘I’d love to. I can’t stay away from the new business for long, but I’m sure Aaron could spare me for a few days over a long weekend. He won’t mind.’
‘I have a free Friday and Monday coming up, and I can rearrange my Wave Watchers shifts.’
‘Did you have anywhere in mind?’ he asked.
She remembered the ad in Tiff’s magazine. ‘There is somewhere, actually. It’s not far away and they might have a last-minute vacancy. Tiff was invited to a new set of luxury cottages that have only opened this week on the Isles of Scilly, but she couldn’t spare the time. They were coastguard houses and they’re on St Agnes, the most remote island. The views are to die for and I’ve always wanted to go to the Scillies.’
‘Remote sounds perfect.’ He quickly kissed her again. ‘If you can bear to be stuck with me alone.’
‘I think it’s exactly what we need and …’ Her brain worked overtime. ‘We can get there by boat, so shall I look into it? Tiff says the owners are keen for visitors and I could report back to Tiff so she can write about it.’
‘I’ll check it’s OK with Aaron. We could go early on the Friday and come back Monday evening, maybe? Have the whole four days to relax?’
‘Sounds great. I’ll ask Tiff how I go about booking it.’
‘And I’ll call Aaron as soon as I get home and we’ll take it from there.’
They walked home, chatting about the weekend plans like kids. The kiss had been thrilling but, somehow, it felt too soon for anything else – or perhaps they were both waiting to get away from prying eyes and bad memories. But if this break came off, she was well aware that four days meant four nights too.