By Allie X

by Anna Samuels

  ‘I, uh…I just…I don’t often meet other nice, friendly lesbians,’ I murmured.

  ‘Well, we’ll have to be friends then,’ she smiled.

  I smiled up at her, but in my mind I was thinking ‘friends?’ In one simple sentence, she had set the parameters of our relationship. I continued to walk, but considered that it was just probably early days. I liked this woman, and I wasn’t going to give up on the opportunity to see if there might be something more to this friendship that we had started.

  ‘That sounds nice,’ I replied.

  ‘It’s always good to have more friends.’

  ‘What do you do with your friends, Allie? I mean what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?’

  She laughed. ‘Spare time? What’s that?’

  ‘You don’t have much?’

  ‘I work a lot…and I paint and make a lot in my spare time. If I do socialise, it’s kind of quiet things…’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘A walk…the cinema…a meal out perhaps…’

  ‘Those all sound nice.’

  ‘What do you do?’ she wondered.

  ‘Same…I like walks in the forest and by the sea, I love the cinema or even better a film at home with some popcorn…I like meals out too but one on one is better-I go to a lot of dinner parties with my friendship group but I don’t enjoy them.’

  ‘No…and they even had one for your thirtieth…’

  ‘Yeah…’ I sighed. ‘It wasn’t quite what I had hoped it would be…’

  ‘Bet you had a cool cake though!’ she exclaimed.

  ‘Nope! Just a nice meal…and some weird company!’ I chuckled.

  ‘No cake! No way, that’s awful!’

  I shrugged. ‘I may buy some on the way home later.’

  ‘You can’t buy your own cake!’

  I smiled at her. ‘Well, who else is going to know to do it?’

  ‘I don’t know…’ she admitted, and then looked at me with a strange expression.

  ‘What?

  ‘Well, tell me what you would have done…if you had a partner…if you could have done anything for your thirtieth?’

  My eyebrows rose. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes! Go on, tell me!’

  I met her eyes. ‘I…I would have had a quiet evening in…she would have bought me flowers and chocolates and a nice romantic comedy DVD to watch together at home. We would have shared a meal and some wine and then eaten the chocolate as we watched the film…after that she would surprise me with a cake and balloon with ‘30’ on it and I’d blow out the candles and wish for a happy future together. After that, we’d cuddle up and fall asleep in each other’s arms. That’s my idea of perfect,’ I told her.

  ‘Lovely,’ she murmured, gazing down at me with a far off look in her eyes.

  ‘Yeah…’ I sighed, ‘but not to be…maybe on my ‘31st’ who knows?’

  ‘Maybe,’ she replied.

  We turned back to the sand and kept walking.

  Chapter 5

  A lovely birthday surprise

  Allie led me to the side of the cliff where we were faced with a steep set of stairs which led up the side of the cliff. An old wooden sign read ‘Iron age fort. Coastal path.’

  ‘Where does this lead?’ I asked her.

  ‘Ah! You’ll see…it’s a bit of a climb but well worth it.’

  ‘I’m up for that! I could do with the exercise anyway!’ I laughed.

  ‘Oh hardly!’ she said, turning to me and giving me a once over with her eyes. ‘You look pretty perfect to me!’

  I felt myself blush crimson at her blatant appraisal of my frame. I had never felt so drawn to someone than in that moment. With my lack of luck in the love department, I had felt all urges disappear as of late. I simply wasn’t thinking that way. With the arrival of Allie in my life, I suddenly felt differently. ‘Uh…thanks?’

  She nodded. ‘Always accept a compliment…that’s what my mother always tells me anyway!’

  I smiled. ‘I’m not that good with compliments,’ I murmured, as we began to ascend the steps.

  ‘No? How come?’

  ‘I don’t know…I’m not used to getting them I guess. Also, I never had a dad around growing up and I think a lot of girls get used to being told nice things by their fathers.’

  ‘Maybe,’ she agreed, ‘but you should take a compliment when offered, because I meant it. You’re a very attractive woman, Cass.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be absurd!’ I exclaimed, looking away I embarrassment.

  She stopped in her tracks and stared at me.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding!’

  ‘What?’ I asked again.

  ‘You’re gorgeous, Cass! Surely you know that, right?’ she questioned, a frown marring her forehead now.

  ‘I’m not gorgeous, Allie! If I was I’d have women lined up waiting to date me! Look! I don’t!’ I told her emphatically.

  She shook her head in a despairing manner. ‘Oh dear…’

  ‘What?’ I asked again.

  ‘Cass,’ she said, looking down at me with a serious expression. ‘You are without doubt, pure and absolutely gorgeous. Inside and out…’ she told me, her features unwavering.

  I gazed up at her, stunned. ‘But…’

  ‘No but, honey. You’re gorgeous…get used to it.’

  I frowned.

  ‘If they’re not queuing up, maybe it’s because you down-sell yourself. I see it though…you’re a natural beauty-even without any effort. Heaven help us if you went to town and dressed up!’

  I smiled. ‘I don’t do that much.’

  ‘Maybe you should.’

  ‘You really think I’m pretty?’

  ‘You’re more than pretty, Cass.’

  ‘And you’re not just saying that?’

  ‘Why would I? We only met today! I owe you nothing and know you only from what I’ve heard so far. There would be no reason to give you a false line.’

  ‘I suppose not,’ I murmured, and then glanced back up at her. The sunlight was shining on her golden hair and gave her an almost ethereal glow as she stood there on the cliff side. ‘Can I give you a compliment too, Allie?’ I asked.

  ‘Sure! Go ahead!’ she said, smiling widely.

  I looked up at her happily. ‘You, are without doubt, the nicest and kindest woman I have ever met. You’re intelligent, funny and good company and to top it off, you have the most stunning green eyes I have ever seen. I could stare at them for hours. You’re beautiful too,’ I told her shyly. ‘Really beautiful.’

  She smiled at me slowly, a gradual change came over her features along with a soft blush of rose. ‘Thank you, Cass. That was a lovely compliment.’

  I smiled at her. ‘I meant it.’

  She cleared her throat and pointed up the hill, breaking the intimacy of the moment. ‘We should, uh…we should keep going…’

  ‘Okay,’ I agreed, falling into step beside her. ‘This is exciting!’

  ‘Wait till we get to the top!’ she said happily.

  We navigated the narrow, mud path together.

  By the time we had reached the top, I was panting with exhaustion. It truly had been quite the climb and I felt puffed out. Thinking to myself that I should exercise more, I didn’t notice Allie turn.

  ‘Cass, look!’ she said.

  I turned around and faced the way she was facing and gasped. We were looking back at a glimpse of heaven. From this vantage point, we could see the whole bay and it was spectacular. A strange sense of homecoming settled over me and I felt shaken by it. This wasn’t my home and yet I felt like it could be. That was strange, I mused. I wasn’t even considering changing location of where I lived.

  ‘What do you think?’ Allie prompted.

  ‘I’m thinking I want to pack a bag and live in this spot in a tent for the rest of my days…’ I murmured dreamily.

  Allie threw her head back and laughed. ‘Oh Cass, you’re funny.’

  ‘No, really! It’
s just beautiful! I’ve been to lovely places but this one is everything I could ever imagine it being.’

  ‘I’m pretty fond of it,’ Allie murmured, sitting on the grass which overlooked the bay.

  We were right at the top of the headland and from here it felt like the top of the world. I gazed back at the beach for a moment and then sat down beside her.

  ‘Thank you for bringing me here today, Allie. I know you must have had loads to do…’

  ‘Nothing that can’t wait, and besides, Mum is there today so it’s fine.’

  ‘Is she okay there alone?’ I asked.

  ‘Oh sure! She often holds the fort without me.’

  ‘How come?’ I asked.

  ‘So I can work,’ she told me. ‘I sometimes come up here, actually.’

  ‘You come here to work?’

  ‘Yes. I find the view inspirational.’

  ‘I can see why! It’s beautiful! I would spend as much time here as possible if I was based here.’

  ‘You said that about the beach!’

  ‘Yeah…well, I’d divide my time between the beach and this vantage point.’

  She smiled at me.

  ‘Thanks for today, Allie,’ I said then, feeling very grateful. ‘You didn’t have to do all this for me today.’

  ‘I know. I wanted to, and it’s been really lovely getting to know you, Cass.’

  I nodded. ‘It has…but thanks for making the effort to take time away from work.’

  ‘Oh, we’re not done!’ she exclaimed.

  ‘We’re not?’ I asked confused, looking at my watch. ‘But it’s been over two hours already!’

  ‘I know,’ she nodded, ‘and I may have to pop back over lunch time, but don’t go yet, Cass…I had some ideas.’

  ‘You did?’ I questioned, feeling hope bloom through my stomach.

  ‘Yes! If you’re enjoying it here, stay! Come and spend some time in the gallery, have some lunch and then when I close up, we could have some dinner or something.’

  I stared at her dumbfounded. Was she asking me out? Or was she just being friendly? ‘I, uh…I don’t know what to say!’

  ‘Say yes!’

  ‘I…yes!’ I said happily.

  ‘Good.’

  ‘I think this is turning into the best weekend ever,’ I told her, grinning widely.

  ‘It’s barely even started. Let’s make it even better…’

  I smiled, thinking I couldn’t be much happier than I was in this moment. Meeting Allie had already changed my life, I mused. Excitement filled me about what the future now held.

  We stood and wandered back down the coastal path towards the beach. When we reached the bottom, Allie took me to the ‘Reading Room,’ which was a little piece of history from the village. It was a little old construction where the women of the village used to meet in the old days. There were plaques to read and a cannon in the small garden. It all spoke of a time long ago, when things were different and the village had survived by fishing. It was interesting to read and by the time we left, I felt like I had a better understanding of how the village had come to be what it was now.

  ‘I better head back to the gallery for a bit now,’ Allie said almost apologetically as we left the reading room.

  ‘Yes, of course. Do you want me to make myself scarce for a bit?’ I wondered.

  ‘No! Not at all!’ she exclaimed. ‘But I do want some lunch. Do you fancy going to the shop-they make baguettes there...we could eat in the gallery and I could show you around.’

  ‘That sounds great!’ I smiled.

  ‘Excellent. Come on, we’ll pick one up for Mum too while we’re there.’

  We walked to the centre of the village and paid a quick trip to the shop. Everyone greeted Allie with recognition and seemed friendly and kind. I smiled to myself at the warm welcome everyone gave. It seemed like a nice village to be a part of.

  We walked back to the gallery side by side. When we arrived back, Allie’s Mum smiled widely at us.

  ‘Hello you two! Been having fun?’ she asked with a cheeky grin.

  ‘I’ve shown Cass around but we thought we better come back for lunch and check you’re okay?’

  ‘Yes, I’m fine, honey! We’ve had a few sales but I’ve been mainly been reading. It’s been nice…you two are welcome to go and enjoy yourselves a little more if you like!’

  I glanced at Allie and saw her give her mother a look as if to say stop embarrassing me. Her cheeks were tinged with rose and she looked slightly uncomfortable.

  ‘We got you a baguette, Mum,’ she told her.

  ‘Thanks honey!’

  ‘So, you’re alright?’ Allie asked.

  ‘Yes, yes! Go on! You go and enjoy yourselves!’

  ‘Well, alright…what time do you need to go?’ she asked.

  ‘Hmm…three would be good. I have the ladies from WI over this evening so some preparation time would be appreciated.’

  ‘Of course, Mum!’ she said, looking at her watch. ‘It’s one o clock now…we’ll make sure we’re back by three.’

  ‘Thanks honey! Enjoy Hope, Cass!’ Allie’s Mum smiled.

  ‘Thank you! I will!’ I replied happily.

  We turned and left once again.

  ‘So, where are we going?’ I asked Allie.

  ‘We need to eat, and I know the perfect spot,’ she told me.

  ‘Oh really?’

  ‘Yes. Quiet, secluded, gorgeous…’

  ‘Where’s that?’ I wondered.

  ‘My place,’ she replied with a smile.

  ‘Oh lovely!’ I exclaimed, happy to be going back there.

  Allie led me up the hill to where her picturesque little home was situated. Instead of going inside, she took me around to the far side of the hut and sat down on the grass. I sat beside her and realised she was right. This quiet spot afforded the perfect view of Hope. We looked down onto the beach, which was filling up now that it was lunchtime. Sat in our little peaceful spot, we could relax and still enjoy the area without being bothered by other people.

  ‘This is great!’ I exclaimed.

  ‘You’re so easily pleased, Cass!’

  ‘No, I’m not,’ I told her, ‘I’m just having a happy day.’

  She smiled at me. ‘What else makes you happy, Cass?’

  ‘What makes me happy? I don’t know…what do you mean exactly?’

  ‘I mean, what are those things that you do to make yourself feel good? Like mine would be painting, making art and walking on the beach…’

  ‘Ah I see…well, I like walking on the beach…reading…a hot bath…hmm, I don’t know. Perhaps I should think about that one more.’

  ‘Yes, you should…and then do all the things on the list as often as you can!’

  I nodded.

  Allie handed me the baguette we had bought from the shop and we both sat and ate whilst admiring the view.

  ‘Yum, this is delicious!’ I commented after a few minutes of silence.

  ‘I know. They cook the bread fresh and it makes a difference.’

  ‘It sure does!’

  ‘What’s your favourite food?’ she asked me.

  I grinned at her, ‘I’d have to say chocolate but I’m being healthy as of late!’ I laughed.

  ‘Are you?’

  ‘Yes. I’m a veggie too so am making better choices food wise.’

  ‘What brought that on?’ she asked curiously.

  ‘I figured it might make me more in shape…you know, attract someone by my slender gorgeousness!’ I joked.

  She threw her head back and laughed. ‘You don’t need to lose weight to do that!’ she chuckled.

  ‘No?’

  ‘No definitely not. Hey, I’m a veggie too.’

  ‘Are you?’

  ‘Yes, but I eat fish…so technically a pescetarian.’

  ‘Oh, me too…I couldn’t maintain it if I didn’t eat fish. And it makes me brainy!’ I joked.

  ‘I’ve heard that!’ she commented. ‘I like my fish,’ she
told me. ‘I make a mean fish pie.’

  ‘Ooh do you? I love a fish pie.’

  ‘I’ll make it for you some time.’

  ‘Will you?’ I questioned.

  ‘Yeah of course! I’ll see you after today, won’t I?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, sure! I mean…if you want to.’

  ‘We’re friends now, aren’t we?’

  ‘We are,’ I murmured. ‘Which is a wonderful change for me.’

  ‘It is?’

  ‘Yes. I mean this morning I came out feeling content but not happy. Then I met you and all of that changed.’

  She looked away from me for a moment and I thought I saw a blush touch her cheeks. ‘It’s been nice today,’ she said softly.

  ‘It’s nice to have a friend. More than nice…’

  I looked at her shyly.

  ‘How’s your sandwich?’ she asked, with a clear decision to change the subject.

  ‘It’s really nice…how’s yours?’

  ‘Gorgeous,’ she murmured. ‘So…this afternoon?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘What do you want to do?’ she wondered.

  ‘I’ll do anything you’re doing,’ I said, meeting her eyes and feeling a connection like I had never experienced.

  She smiled and I felt a strange buzz rush through my system. I smiled back and felt happy.

  Chapter 6

  A very special evening

  After eating our lunch, we sat on the hill for a while before wandering back down towards the gallery.

  ‘There’s a few bits that I need to finish of this afternoon, but if you’re interested in hanging around a little, I could show you where I work and how I made your driftwood art piece,’ she offered.

  ‘That sounds wonderful!’ I replied, intrigued to see more. Truth be told, I didn’t want to go anywhere-not if it meant spending more time with this incredible woman.

  ‘Let’s go then. Mum will be pleased that I relieve her earlier too.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  We walked over to the gallery where we were greeted with a smile.

  ‘Hello you two! You look like you’ve had a good afternoon!’

  ‘It’s been lovely!’ I smiled.

  ‘Yeah…but we’re back now, Mum, so I can take over now,’ Allie told her mother.

  ‘Oh great! I’ll make a move then,’ she said, standing. ‘It was lovely to meet you, Cass,’ she said, coming over to me and placing a kind hand on my arm.