The Strawberry Heart

by Finella Vane

  “How could you be so careless? Why didn’t you say something this morning?” Anselle stood, looked down at the brunette and ran her fingers through her hair, “I’ll check us in and ask where the nearest pharmacy is. Are you good here?”

  “’M fine,” Niav picked the camera bag up from the floor hugging it to her chest, letting her head fall forward to use it as a pillow.

  The attendant behind the desk checked her in in record time before giving her the address and directions to the nearest drug store. She even went as far as to lend her her extra-large umbrella. The blonde returned to her snoozing partner, “Niav, are you ready?”

  Niav’s head snapped up when Anselle touched her shoulder and shook her gently, “Huh? Oh.”

  “I know where the pharmacy is. Will you be able to make it or do you want to go up and lie down while I go?”

  “I’ll be alright besides I will probably have to call Elise from the pharmacy to verify the prescription," Niav gingerly got up from the chair still clutching the camera bag.

  “Come on; let’s get you your drugs. It’s not that far and the receptionist lent us her umbrella,” she took Niav by the arm to help her stay upright.

  The two huddled close together under the oversized umbrella while they walked the few blocks to the drug store. Niav leaned into Anselle for support to walk and stay awake. The woman was right when she thought that the chemist would want to talk to her doctor and thankfully Elise called Niav back quickly after she left an emergency message with her receptionist. She got the pharmacy information from the chemist and had her assistant fax over a copy of Niav’s prescription. Five minutes later Niav popped a pill into her mouth. Before they left the store they bought their own umbrellas so Anselle could return the one they were using to the hotel desk attendant and still be able to go out if they wished.

  They have to pass the hotel on the way to the car to collect the luggage so Anselle ran into the hotel first to return the borrowed umbrella. But then Niav didn’t have Anselle to lean into for support and it was slow going to get the luggage and get back to the hotel. The woman managed to hold on until they got into their room but as soon as she put her bag down she collapsed diagonally onto the bed.

  Anselle unpacked the few things they’d need for their one-night stay before placing the bags into the closet. Anselle knelt on the bed next to her lounging love, “Niav,” she brushed a stray lock of hair away from the brunette’s eye and tucked it behind her ear.

  Niav groaned, “Anselle, please, I know what you’re going to say but don’t say it, okay? I know I messed up and I’m sorry. But please don’t say it.”

  Anselle laid down to rest her head on Niav’s back, “I won’t say it then. How are you feeling now?”

  “I have a bit of a headache and I could use a nap but otherwise I’m fine.”

  “Do you want to rest or start the ring hunt?”

  “Anxious are we?”

  “No,” Anselle fibbed, “I know that it’s important to you and you were looking forward to doing it and you know how much I want to make you happy so…...”

  “Uh-huh. Five minutes, okay?” Niav crossed her arms under her head and closed her eyes.

  “Okay, Baby.”

  Five minutes turned into thirty which turned into sixty before Niav started to stir. Anselle was curled on her side reading a book, using Niav’s hip as a bookrest. “Has it been five minutes?”

  “It’s been twelve of them,” Anselle replied cryptically.

  The artist scrunched her eyes and thought about what Anselle just said for a few seconds, “What?”

  Anselle grinned, “It’s been twelve segments at five minutes each.”

  “I’m still asleep, Anselle.”

  “It’s been an hour, Matt.”

  “Oh,” the woman muttered sleepily, laying her head back down. Her head popped back up, “Oh. Why did you let me sleep so long?”

  “You looked like you needed it and aside from that we’re on holiday. There’s no schedule to keep; nap if you need too.”

  Niav turned on her side to face the blonde next to her, “You’re so good to me.” The woman ran her fingers through her love’s hair and gently cupped her cheek.

  “I know,” Anselle leaned in for a deep kiss.

  The sparkle returned to Niav’s eyes, “Let’s go find you a diamond.”

  “And maybe get some lunch, I’m starved.”

  ***

  Once she was fully awake Niav took a look around the hotel room. They were staying in an executive king room; she guessed that it was a king room because it has a king sized bed (which was very comfortable) though it didn’t look any larger than other hotel rooms she had been in. Other than that it held what any other hotel room would, dresser, closet, desk, two chairs, table, nightstands and TV. The en suite had marble floors and walls, walk-in shower (no bathtub), double sinks, toilet and bidet. The bedroom had muted, beige striped wallpaper and the bathroom was painted a tasteful, neutral beige. The room was sterile-cold but comfortable. The lobby of the hotel was more cold marble and lots of medium-dark wood and gold trim and light fixtures. The artist decided she much preferred Jeremiah’s cozy B&B to this modern, sterile hotel.

  Picnic in the Park Café was highly recommended by the concierge and was within walking distance from the hotel so Anselle and Niav decided to give it a try. The café looked very new and very trendy. The wall behind the counter was brick, the front wall all windows, the other walls painted ivory. Glass display cases held a variety of bottled beverages and ready-made sandwiches and sides for people to grab and go and there were a few tables for those lucky enough to get one. The rain had let up and people were making their way out of shops back into the streets quashing Anselle’s worry that they wouldn’t be able to get a table. Their luck held out as they grabbed the last one free. Anselle ordered the honey-roast ham, cheese and tomato Panini for Niav and a caramelized onion, brie and spinach Panini for herself and bottles of water for both of them.

  After lunch they stopped in at several jewelers Anselle found with her phone but none of them had what Niav wanted to get for her fiancé. Anselle liked a lot of what they did see but Niav had a picture of what she wanted in her head and she wouldn’t settle for less. They even went into a store that sold jewelry made with fossils which kinda creeped them out and they left quickly. But Niav had at least learned Anselle’s ring size so if she had to special order a ring or find one online she knew what size to get. The brunette felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders with the knowledge and she eased the pressure had she put on herself to get Anselle a ring in Bristol. Anselle sensed Niav’s lightened mood when the woman swung her partner’s hand back and forth as they strolled back to the hotel.

  Back at the hotel they tried out the walk-in shower when they came to the realization that it was big enough to fit both of them comfortably. When they discovered the shower’s steam feature which would keep both of them warm (instead of just the one under the hot, running water) they were both very, very, very happy indeed.

  They had each packed one ‘good’ outfit in case they were in the mood to go to a ‘fine dining establishment’ for dinner one night. Since that night was the last night of their official holiday they made that night 'the' night. Niav wore the dark, red dress shirt she first wore when they had their first date at Gina’ Steakhouse (before she changed into white and blue). The color set off Niav’s naturally, tan skin, dark hair and golden-brown eyes. Anselle told her that even though she looked amazing in it she could hardly wait to take it off the artist again. The comment caused a bit of a delay in their leaving the room because Niav made a comment of her own, “Why put off until later what you can do right now?”

  They chose to go to Piccolino, an Italian restaurant around the corner from the hotel which they had passed on their way back from shopping. They noticed that the restaurant had a large, outdoor seating area but they didn’t think they’d be able to sit there due to the rain that afternoon. When they finally g
et to the restaurant there were a few people sitting outside because the restaurant staff had toweled off the tables and chairs but Niav asked if they could sit inside. A wall of glass separated the kitchen from the dining room and the hostess seated the couple near it. The angle at which they sat let them watch the goings on in the dessert prep area.

  The Italian restaurant’s colors were dark reds and varying shades of brown with bright green napkin, flower vase and candle accents. The table tops were white marble and the chairs and benches were upholstered in brown leather. The restaurant reminded Niav of the hotel; it was modern, sterile and cold. It lacked the warmth she felt at Gina’ steakhouse with its brick, dark wood and cloth covered tables.

  For starters they went with the minestrone a la Genovese (spring vegetable soup). As their entrées they chose rigatoni con agnello (slow braised lamb, mint and pecorino cheese) and spaghetti carbonara (crispy pancetta, parmesan cream and a soft poached egg). To them they were the only two in the restaurant. They shared each other’s entrées; feeding each other while staring into each other’s eyes. Niav would have liked nothing more than to have a glass of wine but she knew she couldn’t and Anselle, out of respect for her, didn’t have one either. It was just one more little thing Anselle did that made Niav love her even more. They shared a torta di fragula (strawberry cheesecake and passion fruit compote) for dessert. They couldn’t pay their bill and get out of there fast enough for Niav.

  They begin kissing on the way up to their floor when Anselle pinned Niav to the mirrored elevator wall and didn’t stop until they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

  ***

  The next morning the couple has a lazy morning, ordering room service instead of going down for breakfast. Anselle stayed in bed while Niav slipped on one of the hotel-provided dressing gowns to open the door for the trolley. They would have liked to breakfast in bed but there weren’t any trays so they had to eat at the table. The artist uncovered each plate with dramatic flair before placing the lid on the table. There was a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, a plate of chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and a smaller plate of bacon. There were also small pots of coffee and hot water for tea, a box of assorted tea bags, a syrup dispenser, a small box of sugar packets, a small carafe of cream, a metal stand holding buttered pieces of white toast and another small box containing sealed, plastic pots of assorted flavored jellies.

  Check-out time was eleven so they ate fairly quickly but not too quickly that Niav couldn’t tease Anselle with the whipped cream from her pancakes. The woman made a show of getting the cream just to the side of her mouth every time she took a bite of pancake and Anselle, of course, had to kiss it off. By the time the pancakes were half eaten Anselle would have liked nothing more than to sweep all the dishes and plates onto the floor with her arm and take Niav right there on the table. She controlled herself and was able to sweep the woman up into her arms and have her on the bed instead.

  Anselle took a quick shower while Niav cleared the table. She’d never met anyone (not that she’d met that many people or been in hotels with them) who could replace all the items from the trolley back onto it in any kind of reasonable arrangement resembling the neat order in which they were taken off. When Niav showered Anselle packed away the few things they still had out and searched the room for anything she may have missed. The couple was ready to go just as the clock hit eleven. Anselle stopped at the front desk to sign the bill and turn in their key cards.

  They had plenty of time before they're scheduled to be at the black, beetle statue in Anchor Square for the pirate walk but Anselle drove to the harbor area anyway instead of walking. After finding a spot in the underground car park the couple headed over to the SS Great Britain but the ship was not allowing visitors because a couple had booked it for their wedding. Making their way back toward the beetle statue Anselle spotted a sign for the aquarium but they didn’t have as much time as they would've liked to take to explore the exhibits. They decided to come back to the aquarium after the pirate walk.

  The two sat by the beetle statue people-watching and soaking up the early afternoon sun. A few more people gathered around the statue waiting for the tour to begin. By the time the hour long tour started there was a group of about twenty people milling about the statue. The tour conducted around the harbor showed people the key areas used by the slave traders and pirates in Bristol’s past. They were shown Blackbeard’s home and Smuggler’s Cave, old pubs that were the favorite haunts of the pirates, the old tax collector’s office and even the first consulate of the United States.

  After the tour they returned to the Mud Dock Café and Cycleworks for lunch. Niav ordered the Mud Dock burger with chips and Anselle began her diet by ordering the chicken Caesar salad with croutons and parmesan dressing. Niav didn’t make it obvious that she spied her fiancé happily stealing chips from her plate every time she turned her head to look out the window. While they ate they talked about the rest of their day and decided to skip the aquarium and get back on the road for home.

  A little over two hours later Anselle saw the first, familiar sights of home. She slowly maneuvered through the Saturday evening traffic to drop Niav off with the luggage at the flat before she returned the car to the rental agency. When the taxi dropped her off a short time later the blonde practically ran up the stairs and into the flat. Niav was in the bedroom unpacking when Anselle came in and tackled her to the bed, “I loved being away with you but I’m so happy to be home and in our own bed.”

  “Me too,” Niav rested her head on her fiancé’s chest, “and I miss cooking for you and talking to Gina.”

  “You miss talking to Gina, huh?”

  “Yeah, I’ve never had a friend like her before,” Niav drew lazy patterns into the fabric over Anselle’s heart. “I love you, though, you know?”

  “Yes, Baby, I know. I love you too.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Monday morning Niav got busy getting the flat back in shape; she sent off the laundry, ordered groceries, found places to display Anselle’s lighthouse, ‘Spike’ and her ceramic brother, dusted and opened the sliders to air out the flat. Gina had been stopping by every day while the couple was away to pick-up their mail and Niav was expecting her for lunch. The woman was cutting it close with the grocery delivery or she'd have nothing to serve.

  As it turned out the grocery delivery did not arrive in time for lunch so Gina asked if Niav would like to go out. She didn’t really want to, having eaten out every day for the last week, but Niav had no choice but to agree. Gina took the artist to the Montparnasse Café on Thackery Street. Niav ordered the cheddar cheese soufflé and Gina has her usual ‘four season salad’. When they arrived at the café there was only one other couple sitting at one of the tables but the cafe began to fill up once peak, lunch time came around. Niav tried to focus on what Gina was saying and tried taking deep breaths. Her mind wandered and she reprimanded herself to concentrate on Gina and to stay calm.

  Gina noticed Niav’s distress anyway, “Do you want to leave?”

  “I don’t understand what’s happening. I was out all week with Anselle and I only had attack symptoms when she got too close to the cliff edge. Why is it happening now?” The artist couldn’t control her feelings any longer; her head was starting to spin and she was starting to perspire, “I’m sorry, Gina.” Niav got up and ran out of the café.

  Gina threw some bills down onto the table and rushed out after Niav. She found the woman leaning against the next building, doubled over and breathing heavily. The older girl leaned over and rubbed Niav’s back, “Are you alright?”

  Niav could only manage to shake her head, loose curls swaying back and forth. She reached out and grabs a handful of Gina’ shirt.

  “You’re alright,” Gina remembered Anselle’s instructions about what to do if Niav should suffer symptoms. “I’m here. I won’t let anyone harm you. It’s okay, just breathe.” Some people slowed their pace and watched the two against the wall. G
ina noticed and wanted to move Niav away to a more private area. “Come on. Let’s go find a quiet spot in the gardens,” she put an arm around Niav’s shoulders and gently guided her away from the building.

  They sat on the same bench Gina and Anselle had sat on a few months ago. Niav leaned into Gina as she shivered and wrapped Anselle’s, green hoodie tighter around herself. Her breathing was easier but she was still a little dizzy and she was more than a little frustrated that it happened at all. “I don’t understand why this is happening to me. I was fine last week.”

  “Maybe you should call Elise and move up your appointment.”

  “Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll do that,” Niav took out her mobile and left a message with Elise’s service. "If you don’t mind me asking," Niav said when she finished her call, "how are things going with the two of you?”

  “I don’t mind you asking. Things are great with us. She’s a wonderful woman, so smart and funny,” Gina had a few other things to tell Niav about her relationship with her doctor but right then was not the time.

  “Oh, that’s good. I like her a lot too. I don’t know where I’d be without her help this year. You know, of course, that she’s cutting her hours back.”

  “Yes, I know. It’s not a decision she made easily.”

  Niav was dying to ask but the artist respected the privacy of both her friend and her doctor, “How are things with Evelyn?”

  “You don’t know?” Gina wasn’t really surprised. Evelyn never seemed like the type to mix business with pleasure. And she certainly wouldn’t want to be fuel for the gossip fires at work.

  “Know what?” Niav was calming down; distracted from her symptoms by the news she hadn’t heard yet.

  “She’s seeing someone else. She met a girl at a book convention a month or so ago. Her name’s Orlando; she’s an editor in the fiction division of your publishing company’s biggest competitor.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” the woman leaned heavier onto the older girl trying to give her some support.