Life Begins at 40- Jersey Jaunt

by Bethan Lewis

  Erin groaned, closed her eyes and rested her head on the table. ‘Oh no. I was only doing a good deed for an elderly couple, anyone would have done the same.’

  A rustling close to her ear made her lift her head, and a piece of paper landed in front of her. Written on it was a simple message. ‘Well done.’ Swivelling in her seat Erin watched Dan retreat from the room.

  ‘Mum please don’t make light of the situation, it was dangerous. What if he had been carrying a knife? You could have been hurt.’ Marcus was still talking and Erin turned her attention back to her son.

  ‘Well I wasn’t, and no one else was either. This is a lot of fuss over nothing.’

  ‘Both myself and Lily are proud of you for helping. I never thought my mother would go on holiday and come back famous. The boys in the garage will tease me about this for weeks.’

  ‘Famous!’ Erin guffawed. ‘I think one shot wonder is more accurate. This will all be forgotten about by the time I come home.’

  ‘Don’t bet on it. You’re on the web now mum. The video is available for everyone to view, day in day out. You already have over 8000 views.’

  Erin visibly paled, the thought of all those people watching her and judging her, was more than she could bear. Did everyone agree with how she had handled the situation, or were they laughing at her expense? Did they think she was a silly middle-aged woman who had acted recklessly and was seeking her five minutes of fame?

  Erin sighed, there was nothing she could do, once something was uploaded to the internet there was no way of getting it off. She chatted with Marcus for a few minutes more then rung off, but not before promising him that she would behave for the remainder of her holiday.

  With a shaky hand she picked up her cup and took a long sip of tea, trying to quell the nauseous sensation in the pit of her stomach. Her palms were sweaty as she picked up the newspaper to read the article.

  Holidaymaker to Hero

  A local youth has been arrested, and charged with the attack on an elderly couple in the quiet village of Gorey.

  The teenager approached the pair as they exited a jewellery store at 14:25 local time on 15th September. A scuffle ensued and the youth made off with a handbag. The couple, both in their eighties, received minor injuries and were treated at the local hospital, before being released later the same day.

  Without a thought for her own safety, holidaymaker Erin Turnbull, 40, a paralegal from Bristol, who witnessed the commotion, ran after the thief and tackled him to the ground, and sat on him until the police arrived to apprehend him. ‘Anyone would have done the same,’ Ms Turnbull claimed. ‘I am happy I was able to retrieve the lady’s belongings.’

  Eye witness Sally Collins said, ‘Gorey is a peaceful village and nothing like this has ever happened before. It was all very exciting. The lad grabbed the bag and ran down the road with the lady in pursuit. When she caught him, we all cheered. She was so brave.’

  The youth remains in custody, and will be sentenced at a later date.

  Erin was gobsmacked, how did they know all about her? No reporters had approached her about the event. Where could they have obtained the information from, no one here knew her. And to put her age as well! That was just wrong, no one needed to know how old she was. Being forty wasn’t something she wanted to advertise.

  Casting her mind back to the previous day, she remembered the geeky looking guy wearing spectacles who had been loitering about while she was giving the police her details. Had he been a reporter and eavesdropped on her conversation? Wasn’t it against the law to steal someone’s information and use it to make money from?

  Erin folded the newspaper, and tucked it under her arm as she rose from the table. What was done was done, there was nothing she could do about it now. ‘It will all blow over in a few days anyway,’ she thought. No-one would give two hoots about a middle-aged nobody like her for long. By tomorrow, she would be yesterday’s news and someone else would be gracing the front page and becoming an internet sensation.

  In her room Erin gathered together everything she would need for her day by the pool; towel, sun-cream, book, sunglasses and hat, and placed them in a beige canvas shoulder bag. She was dressed in white shorts and a red vest top, with a pair of red and yellow flowery flip-flops on her feet.

  Picking up the navy blue bathing suit she had discarded earlier, Erin held it up in front of her. Was she brave enough to bare so much skin in public? A few days ago she might have been, but Dan’s words still echoed round her head, taunting her. Throwing the suit back into the suitcase she glared at herself in the mirror in disgust. Why was she letting him get to her? She wasn’t fat by any means, and the bathing costume fitted her alright, but there was no denying that Dan had dented her confidence.

  Hoisting the bag on to her shoulder, she gave the swimsuit one last glance before leaving the room. The lift took her to the ground floor and she followed the signs to the rear patio; an area she hadn’t visited before. As she stepped out of the patio doors the heat enveloped her. Squinting against the bright sunlight she stared longingly at the swimming pool. The clear, blue water glistened in the sun, beckoning her in. Erin almost changed her mind about the swimsuit, but then she caught a glimpse of the people occupying the loungers. No, she was definitely not confident enough to strip in public.

  Weaving her way through the tables and chairs, she headed towards an unoccupied lounger on the far side of the pool, under the cover of a giant palm tree. One woman, slightly overweight and bulging out of a bright yellow bikini, raised her head from the lounger as Erin passed by. The woman nudged the man lying next to her, and whispered something to him. He took off his sunglasses and stared at Erin. Recognition registered in his eyes, and he nodded at his wife in secret agreement. A newspaper lay on the floor next to them, and Erin bowed her head, avoiding eye contact as she hurried on.

  Spreading her towel on the recliner she sat down, placed the wide-brimmed sun-hat on her head and put on her sunglasses, not only to stop the glare of the mid-morning sun, but to shield herself from prying eyes. Even though she was seated in the shade, she proceeded to smother herself in sun-cream; she was taking no chances after the other day.

  She lay back, closed her eyes and tried to relax, but she couldn’t. It felt like a million eyes were watching her every move. She lifted one eyelid and glanced around; she was right, everyone was staring in her direction. Closing her eye again she took a deep breath. How did celebrities do this day in day out? A shadow fell across her and she sat upright.

  ‘Can I help you?’ Erin asked the yellow bikini woman.

  ‘Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to come and congratulate you for what you did for the elderly couple. It’s not every day I meet a real life hero,’ the woman said with a thick American accent.

  ‘I am not a hero,’ Erin said as her cheeks grew warm. ‘I did what anyone else would have done.’

  ‘I disagree. Not everyone would have been brave like you. These days, people are too afraid of repercussions. Most of them would stand by and gawp without bothering to lift a finger. Others would have filmed the whole thing on their phone to upload on to the internet to gain attention themselves.’

  ‘Oh there were plenty of them. Apparently I am becoming quite an internet sensation,’ Erin grinned and the woman laughed.

  ‘My husband Bob and I, will be in the bar this evening about eight o clock. Come join us, let us buy you a drink.’

  Erin considered the invitation and was about to refuse, then the little devil sitting on her shoulder took over. What the hell, she was on holiday and the kids were always telling her to get out and make new friends; she didn’t know any Americans, it might be fun getting acquainted with them. ‘Thank you that would be lovely.’

  Left in solitude, Erin picked up her book and was soon engrossed. An hour later she realised that everyone else had departed, and she had the swimming pool to herself. Slipping off her flip-flops she wandered over to the pool. She seated herself at the deepest part and dangl
ed her feet in the water. Her head fell back and she closed her eyes. Ah bliss. This was what being on holiday was all about.

  ‘Geronimo!’ a young voice shouted.

  As Erin opened her eyes a boy of about ten years old, came hurtling towards the deep end and jumped in. The water went everywhere and Erin squealed, she raised her arms to shield herself from the drenching, but it was too late, for the second time in a week Erin found herself soaked to the skin.

  ‘You shouldn’t run near the pool,’ she reprimanded the boy. ‘Where are your parents?’

  The boy raised his chin stubbornly, poked out his tongue and swam to the far end of the pool. Erin was infuriated. Where was this child’s manners? Voices neared and a young couple stepped through the patio doors. The boy hauled himself from the pool and raced over to them. ‘They must be his parents,’ Erin thought, as she debated whether to go over and say something.

  She stood and wrung out her clothes, but before she could take a step away the boy launched himself into the pool again, displacing the water and soaking her once more. He bobbed up by her feet, poked his tongue out again and swam away.

  ‘Ooh you little sh...,’ Erin started to say, but then glanced at the parents and held her tongue. She didn’t want any trouble. It was only water, and the boy was having fun. Wrapping a towel around herself she gathered her things together, that’s enough lazing about for one day.

  Back in her room, Erin changed out of her wet clothes and went to sit on the balcony, where a refreshing cool sea breeze blew around her. Drinking in the atmosphere, Erin barely noticed the faint voices drifting up from the patio and the beach, or the cars, as they sped past tooting their horns.

  For the remainder of the afternoon she read, and before she knew it, it was time for dinner. Instead of eating in the restaurant, Erin opted for a bar meal and upon perusing the menu she found the meals were a lot cheaper and less exotic. Burger and chips, much more her thing.

  The only downside was, the bar was busier than the restaurant. A group of men were gathered around a television watching the game, and now and again either a loud cheer would go up, or there was an eruption of swearing.

  ‘Hi, what can I get you love?’ the barmaid, a busty blonde in a tight, white t-shirt asked.

  ‘The chicken burger and chips please, and a glass of white wine.’

  ‘Food will be about twenty minutes. Sorry about the noise this evening, the bar is usually quieter than this, but the rugby is on.’

  ‘Men and their sport, I don’t understand why they get so het up over it,’ Erin laughed.

  Less comfortable and sure of herself as she had been the previous days she had eaten by herself, Erin headed for a quiet corner away from the TV. The bar maid soon placed her burger on the table, and she ate with haste, washing it down with the wine.

  She finished eating, and as the table was cleared the American couple sauntered in. They spotted her in the corner and came over.

  ‘Hello. What are you drinking?’ Bob asked.

  ‘Hi. White wine please,’ Erin said smiling.

  ‘Kath? You want your usual?’

  Kath nodded and pulled out the chair opposite Erin.

  ‘So how are you enjoying Jersey? Are you here on holiday?’ Erin asked.

  ‘Oh it’s fabulous here. So relaxed. Although I must admit the roads are a bit narrow and scary. We’ve had quite a few near misses. Have you seen much of the island?’

  ‘I haven’t ventured that far yet. I am going to hire a car next week, as there’s a few places I want to visit.’

  ‘I would ask for the smallest car they own. Unless you’re a mouse, you won’t fit up half the lanes around here.’

  Erin laughed, feeling instantly at ease with Kath. She had heard that Americans were friendly. Bob came back bearing a glass of white wine and two bottles of beer.

  ‘Have you been to the States?’ Bob asked.

  ‘No not yet, but it is on my bucket list. Where in America are you from?’

  ‘Originally from Texas, but we moved to Florida two years ago for a more relaxed way of life. We love it there, and wish we had done it sooner. You should come over on your next holiday.’

  ‘I might just do that,’ Erin said. The kids were always talking about travelling to America, perhaps she could persuade them to go with her.

  They chatted until the table was littered with beer bottles and glasses. At some point a round of shots appeared, and they each tried a different exotic cocktail. Erin wasn’t sure where the couple were putting it all; for every one drink she had, they were knocking back three.

  As the alcohol took effect, the room started to spin, and the music playing on the jukebox became a dull drone in her head. The barmaid rang the bell signalling last orders, and Erin was stunned to discover that it was eleven o clock. Where had the time gone? She giggled, it was past her usual bed time.

  ‘What’s so funny?’ Kath slurred.

  ‘It’s past my bed time. I don’t usually go out drinking anymore, and I never stay out this late.’

  ‘Well my lovely. You’re on holiday, you deserve a little fun. Everyone needs to let their hair down once in a while.’

  ‘You’re right. I do deserve it, don’t I?’ Erin slurred, as she tugged her band out of her hair and shook her locks free. ‘I am letting my hair down.’

  The two women collapsed in a fit of giggles.

  Bob laughed and rose to his feet, ‘Come on ladies, I think that’s enough for one night.’

  Erin stood and the room spun as if she was on a fair-ground ride. Gripping the back of the chair for support she whispered to Kath, ‘I don’t think I can walk.’

  ‘Hold on to me and Bob.’ Kath staggered unsteadily to her feet and held out her arm for Erin to hold on to.

  The three of them swayed from the room and got into the waiting lift. The elevator reached the third floor and the couple helped her to her room.

  'Thank you for a lovely evening. We must meet up again before we go home.'

  Kath reached out and hugged Erin, 'Most definitely. Sweet dreams poppet. Drink plenty of water before you go to sleep, it will help with the hangover.'

  'Will do. Good night.'

  The couple retreated down the corridor and Erin locked the door behind them. On a sudden whim she picked up her mobile. The screen blurred, and she squinted as she struggled to focus. Her fingers moved over the keys in slow motion, but finally she managed to tap out a text.

  She smiled to herself, all was going to be okay now. Erin lurched towards the bed and collapsed face first. Still fully clothed and with her makeup on, she fell into a deep drunken slumber.

  Chapter 12

  Erin rolled on her back, pried open her eyes and almost cried, she was sure a thousand pins were stuck in her eyes at once. Bright light penetrated, dazzling her, and she instantly closed her eyes again, blocking out the sunlight. Rolling on to her side, so she was facing away from the window, she groaned as the pain in her head intensified. Was this what death felt like? She lay cocooned in the warmth of the bed willing herself to go back to sleep, but to no avail.

  Finally, her bladder won, and she dragged her body to the bathroom. Her stomach heaved, and once again she found herself sat on the floor with her head down the toilet. Erin was disgusted with herself. A woman of her age shouldn’t be in this state. She should know better. How many times had she lectured the kids about this? And here she was, behaving like a blooming teenager herself. Erin paused her train of thought. Why shouldn’t she behave like this? Because society frowns upon this kind of behaviour? There is no law against women drinking and enjoying themselves. Men go out and drink excessively all the time and no one bats an eyelid, so why was it different for women. A hangover was not something she wanted to experience on a regular basis, but once in a while it would do her good to let go and have some fun. Having condoned her behaviour, she pulled herself up from the floor.

  She glanced in the mirror and didn’t recognise the woman who stared back at her. Her m
akeup had smudged in the night and a bright red streak stood out across her cheek where she had wiped her lipstick. Black circles encompassed her eyes making her resemble a panda. She extracted a cleansing wipe out of her toiletry bag and cleaned off the makeup, then splashed her face with cold water. It didn’t help. Her head still throbbed. Had she banged her head whilst drunk or had someone hit her? How was it possible for it to hurt so much from a few drinks?

  Rummaging in her bag she found some painkillers and glugged them down like sweets. She drew the curtains, plunging the room into complete darkness. ‘Much better’, Erin thought as she lay back down on the bed. She drifted back off to sleep, and when she woke again the clock was chiming midday.

  The headache had subsided, but Erin moved slowly afraid the pain would come back. Her stomach growled, but this time with hunger, having missed breakfast she was ravenous. Taking off the crumpled clothes she had slept in, she jumped in the shower and then pulled on a pair of blue jeans and a pale pink t-shirt. After blow-drying her hair she brushed it until the locks shone. Next she applied some makeup, dabbing a bit of concealer under her eyes as she desperately tried to hide the dark purple bags. A final swipe of lipstick, and she was ready to face the world again. Surveying herself in the mirror she smiled. No one would be able to tell she was hungover.

  After popping some more paracetamol she left the room before doubling back to grab her sunglasses; her gut told her she would need them more than anything.

  Convinced the fresh air would be beneficial in curing her hangover, she crossed the lobby intent on heading in to the town to find a quiet café. As she reached the pavement Bob and Kath called out to her from the patio where they were sat having an afternoon drink.

  ‘Hair of the dog Erin?’ Bob grinned, pointing to his glass

  ‘No, not for me thanks. I think it will be awhile before I partake again,’ Erin laughed, then groaned as pain shot through her head.