by Sophie Hart
‘That doesn’t excuse anything,’ he insisted, shaking his head. ‘I need to tell you why.’
‘No, you don’t.’
‘I do,’ Nick burst out. ‘I need you to understand. I felt scared and trapped and insecure and… jealous. This baby, which hadn’t even been conceived yet, was taking up all of your time and all of your energy. And I could just see the whole life we’d built together disappearing. I don’t want to turn into one of those dull, boring couples whose life is over as soon as they have children, who never go out and who never have sex any more.’
Julia linked her arm through his, kissing him on the shoulder. ‘We won’t. I promise you.’
‘I know that now,’ Nick acknowledged. ‘There was just so much going on that it was hard for me to articulate how I felt. I didn’t even understand how I felt at the time – except that I was angry and resentful and you were the person I took it all out on.’
‘I never meant to make you feel pushed out,’ Julia said softly. ‘We’d talked about having children, and agreed it was what we both wanted, and I just took that decision and ran with it. My entire focus was on getting pregnant, and I didn’t want anything to get in the way of that. And to be honest,’ she said, taking a deep breath, ‘I think I’ve felt quite lonely this past year, since the move. You were always working, and I don’t have any family here. I don’t really have any close friends either,’ she admitted. ‘Although that’s changed since I met Zoe and Linda. They’ve both been great. And I guess I thought having a baby would help with all of that.’
Nick listened to what his wife was saying. ‘I never even thought of that. I guess this move’s been harder on us than we expected.’
‘True. But we’re starting to properly make a go of things now, aren’t we? We’re building a new life for ourselves, and everything’s getting back on track.’
Nick stopped walking, turning to face Julia. ‘You know, you’re absolutely the most important thing in my life. I lost sight of that for a while, but I don’t want anything to jeopardise that ever again. I want you to be happy, and I’ll do anything I can to make sure you are.’
‘I am happy,’ Julia whispered, wrapping her arms around Nick’s neck and pulling him close. ‘I’m happy as long as I’m with you.’
Nick let his arms encircle Julia’s waist, and the two of them kissed, lost in the moment and each other, utterly oblivious to the presence of hundreds of people on the packed beach.
Held in Nick’s arms, Julia felt safe, secure and a huge sense of relief. They’d weathered the worst of the storm and come through it stronger; everything that came afterwards would be plain sailing.
* * *
Ray and Linda were sitting in a cafe overlooking the seafront, two cups of tea and a Chelsea bun to share on the table in front of them. They’d decided not to go back to the Pleasure Beach after lunch, and had instead spent the afternoon looking around the town itself, browsing in the shops, and just generally enjoying pottering around with no particular place to be.
The clock on the cafe wall read 4.45 pm. Linda drained her teacup and looked at Ray.
‘I suppose we’d better make a move. We’ve got to be back at the bus by five, and we don’t want to be late.’
Ray bit his lip, looking at Linda with a strange expression on his face. ‘About that…’
‘What?’ Linda demanded, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
‘Well, I have a bit of a surprise,’ Ray confessed. ‘I hope it’s a good one.’
‘What have you done…?’
‘I’ve… Well, I’ve booked us into a hotel for the night.’
Linda almost dropped her teacup. ‘You’ve done what? When?’
‘It’s all arranged – Annie knows about it,’ Ray explained hastily. ‘She’s not expecting us back at the minibus. Unless you’d rather go home tonight, that is.’ The look in his eyes gave away how much Ray wanted them to stay.
‘So you’ve planned some sort of dirty weekend?’
‘Don’t think of it like that! I thought it might remind you of that first night we spent away together, in Cromer.’
‘What’s everyone going to think when we don’t get back on the bus?’
‘It doesn’t matter what they think. This is about you and me.’
‘Well, how are we going to get home if we miss the bus?’
‘We can catch the train. Look, Rose printed the timetable out for me,’ Ray explained, pulling a sheet of paper from his back pocket.
‘Rose knows about this?’ Linda said incredulously. ‘She helped you plan it?’
‘I think she thinks it would be good for us.’
‘But I don’t have anything with me,’ Linda realised suddenly. ‘No toothbrush, no change of underwear.’
‘We’ve got just over half an hour before the shops shut. I’m sure we can grab a few essentials before then.’
Linda clapped her hand over her mouth as she realised something else. ‘I don’t have a nightgown – and you don’t have any pyjamas. We can’t go buying a whole new set of nightclothes.’
‘We could always… sleep in the buff,’ Ray suggested, his eyes twinkling at the suggestion.
Linda flushed bright red, her mouth falling open in shock. ‘Ray Anderson, you’re a real devil you are.’
‘But you love me for it,’ Ray teased, trying to keep his tone light, but hoping for confirmation.
‘Yes. Yes, I do,’ Linda acknowledged. She knew what it meant if they stayed here for the night – she’d be expected to do the deed. They’d be making love for the first time in over a year, and the thought made her extremely nervous. Nervous and yet… excited, she realised, butterflies dancing in her stomach as though it was her first time all over again.
‘So what do you say?’ Ray asked, as he checked the clock. ‘We’ve got ten minutes before the bus leaves. Or do you want to stay here and have a dirty weekend with your husband?’
Linda paused for a moment, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. ‘I think… we should go buy me a toothbrush and a fresh pair of knickers,’ she smiled.
Ray winked at her. ‘That’s my girl.’
32
Chapter Thirty-two
‘I think women are sexy when they got some clothes on. And if later they take them off then you’ve triumphed’ – Groucho Marx
‘Oh my,’ Linda exclaimed. ‘I can’t believe you booked The Grand. You are splashing out!’
The Grand was situated on Marine Parade, part of the Golden Mile that ran alongside Great Yarmouth’s seafront. It was a stately Victorian building, built when the British seaside holiday was at its height of popularity. It had faded somewhat since the glamour of its heyday, but it was still a sight to behold, and the finest hotel in the town.
‘Nothing but the best for you,’ Ray replied.
‘It’s a little different to that tiny B&B back in Cromer,’ Linda murmured, as they walked into the reception. The inside reflected the outside, with a grand, sweeping staircase, Roman pillars and ornate chandeliers. Once again, it had clearly seen better days, but there was a beautiful sense of faded grandeur.
‘Mr and Mrs Anderson,’ Ray announced to the young woman on reception. As she checked the booking, Ray leant over to whisper to Linda, ‘Do you think she believes that we’re married?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Linda giggled. ‘Maybe she thinks I’m your bit on the side.’
‘So you’ve booked our honeymoon suite, is that correct?’ the receptionist asked, looking up expectantly.
‘Yes, that’s correct,’ Ray confirmed, as Linda’s mouth fell open in shock.
‘That’s on the top floor, with a sea view. You’ll find a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine in your room, and breakfast is also included in the tariff, served between eight and ten in the dining room,’ she finished, handing over the key.
‘Thank you very much,’ Ray smiled, as they walked away.
‘Honeymoon suite?’ Linda hissed.
Ray shrugged. ‘Why n
ot? I thought I’d splash out.’
They took the lift up to the top floor, following the corridor right to the end, where there was just one single door.
‘Oh, this is lovely,’ Linda breathed, as Ray entered the key card and they walked in. ‘I think it’s bigger than our living room at home!’
The room was extremely large and decorated in an old-fashioned, chintzy style that reflected the era of the property. There was a grand four-poster bed in dark wood, a flowery bedspread and matching curtains with a pelmet and tie-backs. One of the windows was open to air the room, and they could hear the screeching of gulls, and smell the fresh, briny tang of the sea.
‘So, Mrs Anderson, should I open the bubbly?’ Ray grinned, as he pulled the bottle out of the fridge.
Linda shook her head, suddenly feeling self-conscious. They were alone, together, and she knew what came next. She just didn’t know if she was ready for it.
‘This feels silly,’ she giggled. ‘What on earth are we doing?’
Ray looked crestfallen, and Linda instantly regretted being so flippant.
‘I didn’t mean… Go on then, pour me a glass,’ she said brightly, thinking that it might help her nerves.
Ray uncorked the bottle with a pop, then looked round in confusion. ‘I can’t find any glasses,’ he laughed in disbelief. ‘We could use the mugs?’ he suggested, looking at the two teacups sitting on a tray beside a selection of teabags and instant coffee sachets. ‘Or I could ring down to reception?’
Linda wandered out of the bathroom, where she’d been admiring the large whirlpool bath. ‘Don’t bother them. There are a couple of glasses in here,’ she said, bringing out two plastic tumblers that had been sitting by the sink.
Ray poured out the bubbly, and they sat down beside each other on the edge of the bed, clinking their tumblers together.
‘This is the life, eh?’ Ray chuckled. ‘Drinking cheap sparkling wine out of a tooth mug in a hotel that’s seen better days.’
‘Don’t say that!’ Linda chastised him. ‘I think it’s absolutely perfect.’
‘Do you?’
Linda nodded. ‘I’m here with you, and that’s all that counts.’
Ray leant over and softly kissed her. He felt Linda instantly stiffen up, and sat back again.
‘Sorry, sorry,’ she apologised. ‘I’m just so nervous. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?’
‘No,’ Ray shook his head. ‘But I don’t want to rush you, and we’ve got all the time in the world, so we can take things at your own pace. If you want to, that is?’
He looked so hesitant and so hopeful that Linda couldn’t help but feel a surge of love for him. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes, I do want to.’
‘And no more silly talk about whether I wanted to marry you, or whether I wanted to chase after whatshername. None of that’s important. I married you because I loved you, and I still do. In fact, I love you more than ever.’
‘I love you too,’ Linda whispered, feeling close to tears. ‘And I want this to be a fresh start for us. I feel like we’ve missed out on so much.’
‘It will be,’ Ray promised. ‘And we’re not going to miss out on any more. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do,’ he murmured, bending his head closer to hers.
Linda gazed at him. He was no longer the young, handsome man she’d married; he’d lost most of his hair, and the little that remained was grey and sparse. His face was lined, and his body was soft and sagging, where once it had been hard and firm. But he was her husband, and the father of her three beautiful children, and she loved him.
Linda knew that she was no longer the woman he’d married either – the skinny young livewire in the short skirt with long, luscious hair and a smooth, unlined face was gone forever. In her place was a soon-to-be pensioner, with a thicker waist and rounder hips, her stomach criss-crossed by stretch marks. But she knew that Ray loved her too, and that his love was unconditional.
This time, when he moved to kiss her, Linda didn’t resist. She kissed him back, feeling the passion stir, all the long lost emotions that she’d kept buried for so long slowly resurfacing. Slowly, deliciously slowly, Linda fumbled with the buttons on her husband’s shirt, as Ray bent down to kiss her neck and she let out a contented sigh. Outside their window, the evening grew dark, the moon rising over the sea. But Ray and Linda paid little attention, oblivious, as they were, to anything apart from each other.
* * *
Linda was woken by the light streaming through a gap in the curtain. For a moment, she couldn’t remember where she was, but then it all came flooding back. She rolled over in bed, shocked to find that she was wearing nothing at all – the last time she’d slept naked had been about thirty years ago, on holiday in Spain when the heat had been unbearable. The sheets were rumpled and warm against her skin. As she remembered the events of the night before, she couldn’t help but break out into a wide smile.
Beside her, Ray stirred, blearily opening his eyes. When he saw that Linda was already awake, he broke into a smile that mirrored her own. ‘Morning, gorgeous.’
Linda giggled, knowing that she was behaving like a teenager, but too happy to care. ‘Morning, handsome.’
Ray moved across to kiss her, and Linda responded straight away, sliding her leg between his.
‘You know, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do,’ she murmured seductively.
‘Are you sure?’ Ray wondered. ‘We’re going to miss breakfast.’
‘Who cares?’ Linda grinned. ‘I’ve got everything I need right here.’
* * *
When they checked out a couple of hours later, it was a different receptionist on duty to the one who’d checked them in the night before. Linda was relieved – she was all too aware that they were looking pretty dishevelled, and wearing the same clothes that they’d worn yesterday. Both of them stood there holding hands, with silly, soppy grins on their faces.
‘How was your stay? I trust everything was to your satisfaction?’ the receptionist smiled, as she took the key from them.
‘Oh yes,’ Ray nodded, with a knowing wink at Linda. ‘Everything was absolutely perfect.’
33
Chapter Thirty-three
‘Life is like sex. It’s not always good, but it’s always worth trying’ – Pamela Anderson
‘Julia! Over here! Oh, and Linda’s here too!’
Zoe stood up, wobbling dangerously on her stilettos as she waved her arms to try to catch the women’s attention across the crowded bar.
‘Zoe!’ Julia exclaimed, as she spotted her. ‘You look stunning.’
Zoe was wearing a short black skirt paired with a gold sequinned top, and the tight-fitting outfit showed off what a great body she had. Her copper hair had been left long and loose, while a cheap, glittery tiara was perched on top of her head, and a pink sash across her shoulder read ‘Bride To Be’.
Zoe hugged Julia and Linda tightly. ‘Thank you so much for coming,’ she beamed, looking just the tiniest bit drunk. ‘Everyone, this is Julia and Linda,’ she bellowed across the table at the dozen girls seated there, who all waved and said hi.
‘Here you go,’ smiled a pretty brunette wearing a ‘Chief Bridesmaid’ sash, as she handed Julia and Linda ‘Hen Party’ sashes of their own. ‘You’ve got to wear them – it’s compulsory,’ she grinned, as the two women gamely wriggled into them.
‘This is my friend Claire,’ Zoe introduced them. ‘She’s my best friend, and she’s come down all the way from Chester, specially for me. We’ve known each other since we were four, and we used to sing Grease together. I was always Frenchy, because of my hair,’ she rambled happily.
‘Nice to meet you, Claire,’ Linda smiled, as Julia hugged her.
‘Come and sit down here, you two,’ Zoe insisted, patting the banquette seat beside her. ‘Sit right next to me, and we’ll get you both a cocktail.’
‘Oh yeah, how did the cocktail making go?’ Julia asked.
Zoe had been to a class that afternoon with the
rest of her hens, but Julia and Linda had agreed to turn up later in the evening, worrying that they’d feel a little out of place amongst a group of twenty-somethings.
‘I had so much fun! They were all totally delicious. Here, Linda, try this one.’
‘What is it?’ Linda asked suspiciously, as Zoe pushed a lurid green concoction across the table towards her.
‘Vodka and blue Curacao mixed with pineapple juice. Turns out if you mix the blue and yellow, you get green. Just like painting at primary school!’
Cautiously, Linda took a sip. ‘It’s very… sweet,’ she finished, but had to admit it tasted better than it looked.
‘I’ve drunk quite a few of them already,’ Zoe admitted, as Linda passed the glass to Julia and she took a large gulp, wincing slightly afterwards. ‘Let’s get something else if you don’t like that. How about Sex on the Beach? Or a Screaming Orgasm? God, I’d kill for either of those right now,’ Zoe groaned, and Julia realised she wasn’t just talking about the cocktails.
‘It won’t be long until you can have both,’ Julia giggled. ‘Only two weeks left before the wedding.’
‘I’m counting the days. Both of us are going out of our minds, but we’re determined to do this.’
‘Good for you,’ Julia told her. ‘Has it been worth it?’
‘I’ll tell you after my wedding night,’ Zoe winked. ‘Nah, it’s been a really interesting experience. One that I don’t ever want to repeat…’
‘Funny how things work,’ Linda mused. ‘There’s you and Simon desperately trying not to… you know… and then Ray and I…’ Linda trailed off, looking as though she wished she’d never started speaking. ‘Well, the opposite.’
‘Really?’ Zoe’s eyes widened, as she beckoned over one of the bar staff and ordered another round of cocktails. ‘So that’s why you were going to see Annie?’