by Helena Lamb
“But not many women in their mid-50’ have none, are still virgins” her voice still muffled, quiet, embarrassed.
“Maybe not. But you don’t need to worry.” Put his fingers under her chin again, lifted her face until she was looking at him. “Or be embarrassed. It will all happen naturally. And I will never, ever hurt you, you know that. Please, just trust me; believe me that it will be alright.”
“I want to. Oh Tom, I really want to.” Her lovely eyes looked up at him for reassurance and he put his hands back on either side of her face, kissed each eyelid tenderly.
“Then just stop worrying, sweetheart, we’re going to be fine.” His voice shook.
He leant back again, pulling her round so she was lying across his lap, her arms round his neck as he held her close, stroked her hair. “Just love me Beth, love and trust me.” He rocked her gently, kissed the top of her head, held her closer and closer.
“I do, Tom, I do.” She moved her head and gazed up at him, saw the love in his eyes and felt she had come home. A wave of joy swept her from head to toe and she stroked his neck, ran her fingers through his hair, revelling in the feel of his skin, the softness of his hair. She smiled up at him and Tom saw the shadows begin to melt away and a look of love, hope and happiness shine in her eyes.
He gave a sigh of relief and leaned back, pulling her with him, gently kissing her forehead, tightened his arms and swore he would always keep her happy and safe.
Epilogue
It was the following Saturday. Beth had stayed at Tom’s on Sunday night then he had taken her to collect Charlie on the Monday morning. The little dog looked none the worse for his adventure, except for a shaved and stitched patch behind his ear. Nell arrived in the evening, nearly suffocating Beth with hugs.
Tom stayed for dinner. Beth had made Nell’s favourite pasta dish and she served it up as they sat around the kitchen table. Nell had expected to see her aunt looking shaken and pale, but she was relaxed and glowing, her blonde streaked hair tumbling around her face, her eyes shining. She wore jeans and a T shirt, flat brown sandals, the simple clothes showing off her curves. Her skin was golden brown against the white top. She caught Tom’s expression as he looked at Beth and she caught her breath. So that was how it was, smiled to herself. After dinner they sat in the living room with a glass of wine, Charlie on Beth’s lap, she couldn’t bear to have the little dog out of her sight. Tom sat opposite the two women, his long legs crossed, his smile affectionate as they listened to Nell’s chatter. The phone rang and Beth went into the hall to answer it, handing Charlie to Nell. She looked at him anxiously. “How is Aunty Beth really, Tom? She seems fine but it must have been a terrible ordeal.”
“Better for seeing you” he smiled across into her worried bright blue eyes. “And yes it was, of course it was. But honestly Nell, she’s alright. It was terrible, but it’s over and she’s going to be okay.”
Nell looked at him, a question in her eyes.
He leaned forward, squeezed her arm. “I’ll make sure she’s okay. Always.”
Nell nodded, understanding, grinned at him. “Oh Tom, I’m so pleased!”
Beth came back into the room and the conversation became general, Nell planning what they would do that week.
“I can’t do too much” protested Beth. “I’m supposed to be off sick, remember?”
“Then I prescribe lots of long walks on the beach, lots of fresh air” declared Nell. “And lots of relaxing in the garden, doing nothing. I shall thoroughly spoil you for once.”
“Well, I’m not going to argue with that!” Beth smiled at her niece. “Breakfast in bed?”
Nell snorted. “Do you really think Charlie will let you get away with that?”
The little dog heard his name and opened one eye, wagged his tail.
“No” laughed Beth, picking the little dog up and hugging him. Tom felt a pull at his heart as he looked at her, so soft and lovely, and she loved him. His heart swelled and he felt his eyes fill; how lucky he was.
Beth stayed off work for the rest of the week; her shoulders still aching from where they had been twisted back and her ankles bruised from the tight binding. Nell stayed with her then went home on Saturday morning, torn between wanting to stay with Beth and seeing Will.
“Go!” Beth had laughed. “I’ll be fine. I’m out this evening anyway, then church tomorrow. Then back to work. And I’ve got Carol and Ken, and Gina.”
“And Tom” her niece gave her a sideways look.
“And Tom” agreed Beth, feeling a bubble of happiness.
Nell hugged her. “I’m glad. He’s so nice.”
They had talked about Tom in the week, Beth playing it down, insisting it was early days. But Nell wasn’t fooled, knowing this was serious for both Beth and Tom.
“Now you go on home. Go and see Will, have a good weekend.”
Now it was Saturday evening and Carol, Gina and Beth sat at their usual window table at Waves, overlooking the sea. Ken and Tom were with them.
“So we don’t know if she was mad or bad?” asked Carol.
Beth hadn’t been keen on discussing the matter, but knew it was inevitable and was keen to get it over with, then change the subject.
Tom shook his head. “Mad, I would say, or rather mentally ill. I can’t see her standing trial. But that’s for the powers that be to decide.”
“Where is she now? Gina asked quietly.
“In a psychiatric unit while they assess her.”
The five were silent, each thinking their own thoughts.
“And to think none of us realised. She lived amongst us all these years and we didn’t have an inkling what was going through her head.” Carol marvelled. “How can that be?”
“I suppose we see what people want us to see” Gina said quietly. “People put on a front, an act. And you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.”
The discussion continued and Beth gazed out of the window. The island was clear this evening, she could see Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House as though they were postcards or photographs. The visitors were out in force, strolling along the beach path and sitting on the beach. It was a warm, sunny evening. The jet skiers were out playing, small yachts tacked back and forth and a large cruise ship was making its slow, stately way out of Southampton.
Beth remembered sitting at this same table with Melissa, the evening she had met her. It seemed so long ago. Was it really less than three months ago that she had moved to Bride’s Bay? And how much had changed in the little town since. The weeks of fear and suspicion; gossip and grief; the breakup of a marriage; the loss of a beautiful, vibrant woman who had brought colour and life to the small town for a few short weeks and the sad, shocking realisation that someone they thought they knew so well should turn out to be so evil, or so ill. Whichever it was, thought Beth, it was devastating. But life would go on. And Melissa hadn’t been the only newcomer to bring change to the little town. Beth looked over at Tom, laughing at something Ken was saying, and her heart leapt. He was so good looking, so solid and dependable, and so special. He looked up and caught her watching him, smiled at her with so much love that her eyes filled.
“Beth, are you listening?” Carol, poking her arm. “I asked you...”
Back to the present. Back to the meal, and the wine, and conversation about grandchildren, the auction of promises, the school fete, the tourists, the unwanted new supermarket. Back to normal.
They walked out to the car park together. Gina climbed into her little sports car, roof down, waved as she drove away. Carol and Ken turned out of the car park to walk the short distance back to their house.
Tom opened the passenger door and looked down at her before she climbed in, eyes warm and gentle.
“Alright?”
Beth nodded, smiled back into his eyes and climbed in.
And maybe, just maybe, it would be.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue