“Wow, that’s come from left field,” Brian said, looking completely bemused.
“I didn’t actually mean to say that.”
“Oh, so you don’t want a divorce?”
“No—yes, yes I do. It may not have been what I meant to say, but I think it’s what I needed to say.”
Brian just looked at Lucy but didn’t say a word. They both sat looking at each other in a state of stunned silence.
A few minutes went by when finally Brian stood up. He was deflated. “You’re right. I think we both know this marriage has run its course.”
Lucy was staggered. From thinking about getting the marriage back on track it was completely derailed. If only she hadn’t mentioned the D word. But then if it wasn’t what she really wanted, why had she put it out there? Lucy thought about this and realized it was the only course of action. In reality their marriage was not at a stage where it could be salvaged. They’d drifted too far apart for them to ever be on the same course again. How had it happened? How had it become this bad?
“Was it my fault?” she asked. “Was it me going to night school and doing other things?” Lucy feared the answer, but needed to know it at the same time.
“No love, it wasn’t just you, it was both of us. We let it happen without realising it.”
“We both needed to be in this marriage and let’s face it, I haven’t been of late.”
“Lucy, I could have said something, I could have joined you. We could have done things together but we didn’t,” Brian said gently.
He was right of course. They were both absent from their marriage. It had crept up slowly and once there, the inclination to do anything about it had gone. Apathy had come in and taken up residence.
“I suppose it’s better to end it while we’re still friends, and not throwing the china around,” Lucy said. She mentally laughed at the image that flitted across her mind.
“True, as you could bet your bottom dollar, it would be my half that would get thrown.”
Both Brian and Lucy laughed at that, and it occurred to her there had been very little of that in the last few years.
“You haven’t asked me if there’s anyone else,” she said.
“That’s because I know there isn’t. You wouldn’t do that to me. You wouldn’t do that to us,” Brian said, sounding very sure of what he was saying.
“Well, you’re right I wouldn’t, and there isn’t.” Although there was some part of Lucy that was disappointed Brian hadn’t asked her if she was having an affair. Didn’t he think she was attractive enough?
Lucy realised then they were more like brother and sister, than husband and wife. It was the right decision, and at the right time. If they’d left it any longer they would have ended up hating each other and that wouldn’t be good for them or for—“Oh my god, what about Alexi, what are we going to tell her?”
“I’m sure Alexi has already figured it out, she’s very astute you know,” Brian said.
“Very true, but we really need to have a talk with her, and get it all out in the open.”
“Let’s do it on Sunday when she comes round for dinner. We should tell her together,” Brian said, practical as ever. David was away for the weekend and Alexi was coming to them so the timing was perfect. Not that telling her about the impending divorce was perfect.
“I totally agree—I want her to know it was a mutual decision and that there’s no one else involved.”
Lucy looked at Brian and wondered why they couldn’t make it work. They got along so well, but only as friends it would seem. Lucy loved Brian, but was not in love with him. She’d always wondered what that meant, now she knew. In a way it was good they were friends, as it would ensure that the divorce and everything else would go smoothly. Hopefully Alexi would see that and not be too upset at the news.
SO HERE SHE was about to sit down to her first meal on her first holiday in Yorkshire. Not that it was her first time in Yorkshire, but it was her first time to the North Yorkshire Coast region and Whitby in particular. Lucy set the table, poured a glass of wine and sat down to eat her dinner.
She looked at her journal sitting on the table, and was pleased she’d actually managed to make a start on it. Lucy had never been much of a wordsmith, but had really enjoyed writing even that small amount. Having started, she decided she’d write every evening about her daily exploits. If nothing else it would serve as a reminder for when she got together with Alexi and David, to tell them all about her holiday.
After finishing her meal, Lucy cleared everything away, washed up, and then settled down to relax and watch television for the rest of the evening. She switched the gas fire on and sat in one of the armchairs with her feet underneath her. It wasn’t long before her eyelids started to droop. Realising she’d actually been up since five that morning, Lucy switched everything off, made sure the doors were locked and went to bed.
Chapter Two
LUCY WOKE EARLY the next morning, and was ready to face the day. She decided on a cooked breakfast which would keep her going until lunch. She’d found a coffee machine but no ground coffee. She’d put that on her shopping list. Lucy loved her ground coffee.
She settled for instant, preferring coffee first thing in the mornings to help her get going.
“How decadent do I feel?” Lucy asked herself, as she sat at the table to enjoy her breakfast.
She started reading her Whitby guide book to see what she fancied doing. The Abbey looked spectacular, and would be a great subject for another of her favourite hobbies, photography. Lucy had found a couple of good books showing walks in the area, each one had its own little map so she shouldn’t get lost. One of them included the Abbey and she looked in the book at the description of it and the one hundred and ninety-nine steps that led up to the top and the Abbey.
“Wow that will certainly be a challenge,” Lucy said out loud. “I really must stop talking to myself, or at least keep it to inside the cottage, otherwise they’ll be locking me up.”
She made another cup of coffee and sat back at the table. She perused the guide book some more. There were plenty of places to visit, so she knew she wouldn’t be lost for something to do.
Lucy consulted the map and decided to walk to the Abbey, looking at the shops along the way. She hoped the quaint part of Whitby would live up to the guide description.
Lucy chucked a bottle of water and her camera in her backpack.
After her shower, she dressed in hiking trousers with walking shoes, and a t-shirt, over which she wore a zipped fleece. She put her waterproof jacket in the top of her backpack in case she needed it quickly. It was warm out and she knew she would probably only put it on when she stopped walking.
She locked the door of the cottage, hoisted the backpack on her shoulders and set out for the town centre and the Abbey. The weather was bright with just a few clouds drifting lazily across a beautiful blue sky. In the direct sunlight it felt very warm with no wind to cool the temperature. This was one of those typical September days. Crisply cool in the morning and evening, and warm during the day.
There was a swing bridge over the river Esk, which ran through the centre of the town and would be operated whenever a boat couldn’t get under it. Lucy walked briskly to the shops she could see over the river. They were an eclectic mix and very interesting for indulging in some window shopping. Whitby certainly lived up to what the guide book said to expect. Once she crossed the river to the old part of town, Lucy found she was walking on a cobbled roadway. Too narrow for cars to pass side by side, but somehow they managed to avoid a collision and crushing any pedestrians. She started on one side of the road on the way to the Abbey with the intention to do the other side on the way back. There were a lot of what Lucy would class as touristy shops, but also a lot of curio and antique ones, each selling something different. Lucy noticed a lot of the jewellery shops had the local Jet on display. Some of the pieces were beautiful and she thought she’d get something for Alexi. Lucy went into one of them th
at dealt mostly in Jet and read the information leaflet, which told her it was made of decomposing wood under extreme pressure. It took millions of years to create this wonderful material. Some people referred to it as petrified wood and she read it came from the Jurassic period.
When Lucy arrived at the bottom of the steps and looked up she found it quite a daunting prospect. She couldn’t see what was at the top from where she stood, which made it all the more intriguing. She knew, of course, that St Mary’s Church and the graveyard were up there. Along with the mysterious Abbey ruins that still provoked Lucy’s imagination.
“Wow, that’s a lot of steps, isn’t it love?” a male voice to Lucy’s left said.
She looked across to see a young couple looking up the steps.
“It sure is, Jim, shall we go up? Let’s see if we can make it in one.”
“Okay, Lindsey, I’ll race you. One, two, three go!” Jim made his move before he’d finished saying three.
“Typical man,” Lindsey shouted after him, and then followed at a brisk pace to try and catch up.
Lucy smiled at their youth and enthusiasm. She resisted the urge to speak aloud and kept her thoughts in her head.
Maybe I should I try to get up there in one go? Do I really want to get up there in one go? Why not, why should the young have all the fun? I know, to make it more interesting I’ll give myself an incentive. If I complete my mission I’ll treat myself to something nice.
Mission, get real Lucy, it’s only a few steps.
She got out her camera and took a couple of pictures of the imposing steps. There were plenty of people of all ages and sizes making the trek. She looked at them, noticing some would take it at a steady pace while others rushed, only to have to stop and take a breather. As she watched them she decided to leave the Abbey for another day. She would spend the first day of her holiday mooching around. She felt the steps needed careful consideration before she tried to go up them. Lucy put her camera away and walked down the other side of the road continuing to window shop as she went.
One of the shop windows she looked into was JJ’s Gallery. It was split into two separate halves. In one half were all the original art works and in the other prints, photos and postcards. In the centre of one window, was a lovely painting. It was a seascape with bright eye catching colours. She’d never really thought about buying a painting, but this one was about to make her change her mind. Feeling emboldened, she opened the door and walked in.
Lucy wandered round the small gallery looking at the paintings adorning the walls.
“Good morning, how can I help you?”
Lucy turned, and looked at the speaker. She saw it was a woman about her own age.
“Good morning. I’d like to have a look at the painting you have in the window. That one there,” Lucy said, pointing to the one in the centre of the window display.
“That’s a very good choice. I’m rather partial to that one myself.”
The shop assistant got it out of the window and put it on the display easel.
Lucy stepped back to get a better look at it.
“How much is it please?”
“It’s one hundred and seventy-five pounds.”
“I really like it, and know just the place I can hang it at home,” Lucy said excitedly.
The assistant smiled at Lucy’s enthusiasm.
“Is it an original, and what medium is it painted in?” Lucy asked. She didn’t know much about art but knew enough to ask those two particular questions.
“Yes it’s an original and painted in acrylic. It’s by a very popular Yorkshire artist. We’ve sold quite a few of his works.”
“Does he live locally?”
“He lives in Pickering, which is about a half hour journey from here. He’s got a website you can check out. We have all the details on an information sheet. I’ll put it in with the painting.”
“It’s very evocative, the sweeping sky and the vivid red, mauve and blue he’s used. I love the lonely little boat it—” Lucy’s voice faded as she stared at it. She was studying it intently, every brush stroke and every line of the boat. It seemed to be transporting her somewhere, if the smile on her face was anything to go by.
Lucy finally came out of her reverie.
“Would you hold it for me please? I promised myself that if I climbed the Abbey steps in one go I’d buy myself something special. This fits the bill perfectly.” Lucy stopped and realised how she sounded. “You must think me completely mad.”
“Not at all. From my point of view, I hope you do manage the steps in one go so I can make the sale,” the assistant said, and smiled.
“Do you want a deposit or—? I’m sure your boss won’t be happy to take a painting off display, especially on a customer’s whim.”
The sales women grinned. “Not a problem. I am the boss and happy to act on this customer’s whim.”
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry to be rude, I just assumed—”
“It’s quite all right. I’m Jamie Jones, more commonly known as Jamie or JJ,” Jamie said, as she introduced herself.
“Hi, I’m Lucy.”
Lucy shook hands with Jamie, and as they held eye contact for a little longer than was considered good etiquette, something seemed to pass between them. It was an intangible, fleeting but strong feeling that defied description and floated on the edges of Lucy’s consciousness.
“So when are you going to climb the Abbey steps?” Jamie asked.
“I’ve just had a look, and there are an awful lot of them.”
“Yeah, a hundred and ninety-nine to be exact.” Jamie's voice held a teasing quality to it.
“Yes I know, but they are one hundred and ninety-nine very high steps. Will I need oxygen?” Lucy joked, to try and hide the fact that she wasn’t at all sure she’d be able to manage them.
“No, you’ll be fine. I’m sure they won’t pose too much of a health hazard.”
“I suppose you’ve been up and down them loads of times.”
“Well maybe once or twice.”
“Mmm, more than that I’ll bet.”
Lucy liked the easy way she and Jamie were talking. It was as if they’d known each other for a lot longer than the ten minutes she’d been in the gallery. She felt very comfortable in her company.
Lucy looked at Jamie, taking in her slim physique. Jamie was taller at five ten, and slim with short dark hair, in which the occasional strand of grey made itself known. Jamie’s face was quite masculine, with a chiselled jaw and very expressive hazel eyes. She was casually dressed in a pair of black jeans topped with a cream shirt over which she wore a black jacket. Her face was lightly tanned, indicating to Lucy she spent a lot of time in the open air.
Once or twice my arse, she probably climbs those bloody steps as part of her morning ritual.
Her lips were full and sensual and Lucy found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss them.
Where on earth did that come from?
Lucy felt her face going red at her wayward thoughts, and hoped Jamie hadn’t noticed.
“Are you hot?” Jamie asked, with an upward quirk of her lips.
Apparently Jamie hadn’t missed Lucy’s appraisal of her.
So much for hoping she wouldn’t notice.
Lucy tried to cover up her embarrassment. “I think it’s all the walking I’ve done so far, it’s warmer out there than you think.”
“Okay, I’m sure it is. I’ll put the painting out the back for you. It’ll be wrapped and ready for when you come to collect it.”
“You seem positive I’m going to come back.”
“I’m confident you’ll be able to manage a few little steps,” Jamie teased.
“Easy for you to say. I’m just a semi-fit Londoner. Not like you hardy hill-walking northerners,” Lucy said. “I shall make an attempt on Kilimanjaro tomorrow.”
“The steps aren’t that high, you know.”
“Maybe not to those of you who are used to them.”
“Tru
e, well I’ll see you tomorrow then. Your painting will be waiting for you.”
“I’m glad you have faith in me. Do a lot of people attempt to go up in one go?”
“Yes they do. I often hear them challenging each other, especially the young boys. You look the determined type, so I’m sure you’ll manage to reach the summit.” Jamie smiled.
Lucy could see Jamie thinking about something and wondered what it was. She didn’t have to wait long.
“To celebrate maybe you’ll let me buy you a coffee. That is if you don’t think I’m being too familiar.”
Without showing her amusement at Jamie’s quaintly worded invitation, Lucy answered her. “That would be lovely, thank you. Well I’d better get going, I’ll see you tomorrow, I hope.”
“You will indeed.”
LUCY FINISHED HER window shopping as she continued her walk down the other side of the road. She stopped outside a quaint looking café. It was a double-fronted building and looked very old. Inside it had all the modern equipment of the food industry. The smells that assailed her as Lucy walked through the door made her mouth water. The tables and chairs weren’t on top of each other, so there was room to sit down without bumping the person behind you. She decided to have lunch there as her stomach was protesting its emptiness quite loudly. Afterwards she intended to pick up her car, go to the supermarket and get some supplies in.
Lucy returned to the cottage after her trip to get some groceries and struggled through the front door with four bags of shopping.
Anyone would think I was feeding the whole of Whitby.
She put the groceries away and relaxed in the garden with a glass of wine and her journal.
Sunday 9th September
What an interesting first day out and about. I saw the Abbey steps up close and personal, and I’m not so sure I can manage them in one go. There were plenty of people of all shapes and sizes walking up them, so I don’t know why I’m worried. It was quite funny to see the young boys chasing each other up them and then running out of steam before they carried on. People older than me were making their way up there without a care in the world it would seem. I guess I will have to do the same.
199 Steps to Love Page 2