by Lucy Wild
We clambered out and splashed our way onto the sand. “So where do you live?” I asked.
“Alnwick.”
“Then let’s go,” I said, walking around the barrier to my camper van.
“I wondered who this belonged to,” she said as I opened the door. “Don’t you lock it?”
“Good luck to the thief who can get it started,” I replied, shoving the key into the ignition and doing the half turn then kick that got the wires aligned. The engine roared into life and I backed it onto the road. “Is that your car?” I asked as we started moving.
“Yep. It’s going to be a hell of a hassle getting back to get it. Neither of my housemates drive.”
“Tell you what,” I said. “I’ll give you my number. When you get a key sorted, give me a ring and I’ll drive you back over.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve already done so much for me.”
“It’s no bother, really. I’d like to see you again.”
“You would?”
“I would.”
Again she fell silent. There was something she wasn’t telling me but I couldn’t work out what it was. It was like she was scared of admitting she had feelings too. I didn’t push the point but I did insist she took my number. “It’s really no trouble,” I said as she protested again.
She climbed down when we got to Alnwick and I got a last look at her with the slip of paper in her hand, my number scrawled on it.
“It might be a while until I get a mobile,” she said. “Is that all right?”
“That’s fine,” I replied, smiling warmly. “Ring me when you can and I’ll see you soon, Joy.”
“Bye, Rich,” she said with a wave. I waited until she’d walked up and pushed the front door open before setting off.
I had a pile of things on my to do list but they had all just been bumped down. Top of the chart was a new number one. Get together with Joy and stay with her. That was the priority. But until she rang, all I could do was wait.
SEVEN - JOY
THE REST OF SATURDAY WAS spent on the phone but not to Rich. I had to source a replacement car key and that meant speaking to the garage, not my favourite task.
The man on the other end of the phone seemed to take personal offence, as if I’d done it deliberately to irritate him. “We only sold you the car six months ago.”
I didn’t know what to say. In the end, I established it couldn’t be done until the end of the week at least and even then, they’d need me to tow the car across to them. One more thing I was going to need to sort out.
I got through to the bank next, cancelling my cards and arranging for new ones to be sent out. Until they arrived, I couldn’t hire a car to keep me going so I was a bit stuck for getting to the new job. No driving licence or bank cards to prove my identity meant no car for me. That was when it occurred to me to ring Rich and see if my knight in shining boilersuit could help.
I used the house phone, glad we had chosen to get one. I remembered the argument when the three of us had first moved in. “We all have mobiles,” Geri said. “What’s the point of spending more on something we don’t need?”
“The signal’s shit round here,” Mike rejoindered. “I say we do it.”
I had the deciding vote and went for it, though I rarely used it, only when my Mum rang, the idea of ringing my mobile was anathema to her.
Rich’s phone rang at the other end of the line and I was surprised to find my heart was thumping in my chest. Why did I feel so nervous?
It rang and rang but he didn’t answer. I gave it just over thirty seconds before hanging up. I’d try again later. He was probably still driving.
I spent the rest of the day trying to calm myself down. I was getting increasingly anxious about starting the new job, potentially without any means of getting there.
I could get a taxi but my finances wouldn’t stretch to doing that all week until the garage found a slot to fit me in. I tried Rich again at six but no answer. I started to get worried. Was he blanking me?
I knew I’d been cold on the way across the water but I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to act. When he’d told me he had feelings for me, what was I meant to say? I couldn’t admit that I had them too, what kind of girl would he think I was? I needed time to mull over his words.
I had plenty of time, neither Geri nor Mike turning up home until I was in bed. We mostly kept to our own schedules, the two of them working hard during the week in the same office, partying hard over the weekend.
I was still awake when they got in, although it was gone two in the morning. I’d been worrying too much to sleep.
I’d tried Rich a final time at nine but still no answer. That was it. He was clearly ghosting me. The lovely words in the boat and when driving me home were all for show, keeping me sweet until he could get away from me.
I was surprised by how hurt I felt. I’d known him less than a day and I had no right to a connection with him, not that quickly.
It was there though, whether I liked it or not. I felt a strong bond that, if I was honest, was so strong it scared me. I’d not felt anything like it in any of my previous relationships, a physical pain at separation.
I’d been able to ignore it while keeping busy on the phone but as the night drew on I was unable to ignore the feelings rumbling within me, the need for him.
I couldn’t live on an island anyway, it would be impractical. I couldn’t take a boat across to the mainland every day for work, be apart from the world, closed off, shut in with just the two of us for company.
It was probably for the best that he’d ghosted me. It hurt but I’d get over it eventually.
I lay with my eyes closed, wondering if that was true. What if I never heard from him again? Why would he give me his number and then ignore it when I rang? Was he married? Or would he just get back to me next time he wanted a fuck?
My mind moved to dwell on what we’d done at the lighthouse, the feel of him inside me, the look of his body, the way he’d touched me, like he was worshipping my skin. I sighed, sitting up in the dark. I was going to try him again. One last shot.
The phone would make the decision that my churning mind could not.
I hadn’t been able to answer him honestly on the boat, tell him I thought I was falling in love with him. It was madness anyway to even think that. I wisely kept that to myself, there’d have been the first instance of a man walking on water in two thousand years. No, not walking. He’d sprint over the waves to the shore at the thought of me being in love with him. He was clearly such a free spirit and me, I was about to embark on a world of nine to five that would bore someone like him rigid.
I didn’t want to have feelings for him. I didn’t want complication in my life. I wasn’t looking for love. But it seemed to have found me anyway.
The phone rang. If he answered, there was a chance, a shot at happiness. If he didn’t, that would be that. I wouldn’t try again.
I put the phone down when he hadn’t answered in over a minute. Sixty seconds of waiting but it was no good. I said a silent goodbye as I hung up before rolling onto my side. Why had he teased me by telling me those things on the boat only to then ghost me?
I hated him. I hated him because I loved him. I did not sleep well that night.
EIGHT - RICH
IT WAS ONLY WHEN I got to the office after dropping Joy off that I realised what I’d done. I’d left my phone in the lighthouse. I made a mental note to return to collect it that evening before calling the team into the boardroom. We needed to talk.
The meeting lasted the rest of the day but by the end of it, I had the next month planned out. Ed was going to submit the grant proposal to the National Park people, Mary was on top of the council assessment and I had the list of new starters to take home with me. Everyone else was ready to hit the ground running when they came in.
We’d only recently received enough of a cash injection to take on new people and expand, something I’d been itching to do for years.
I spent the last part of the working day trying to catch up with my to do list, finally leaving at eight with the hope of catching Larry in time. I got to the bay at nine but there was no sign of him. The boat was locked up tight in the shed and I didn’t have a key. I’d have to wait until the next day to get my phone back. I just hoped Joy hadn’t tried to phone yet. I had no way of finding out her number so having the office phone next to me most of the day was no help.
I thought about going back to her house but reasoned against it. There was interested and then there was appearing like a stalker. I’d speak to her on Sunday.
But it wasn’t to be. I was called out to the forest first thing on Sunday as one of the fences between a sheep field and the edge of the trees had fallen over in the night. The farmer wasn’t happy.
Technically, the fence was our responsibility and with his sheep straying into the forest, it needed sorting as quickly as possible. I stayed on site until the contractors got there but they were down one man so I had no choice but to give them a hand. That meant the entire day was spent rebuilding, the last hour spent working by the light of their van. I was worn out by the time I drove home and any thought of getting to the island was gone. The rain began as I was driving and by the time I got home, a hell of a storm meant the waves would be too much to risk for the sake of getting my phone, even if I could track down Larry.
At least the lighthouse was still up and running, I had no desire to be called out there again any time soon.
I lay on my back on the sofa for a little while when I got in, listening to the wind howling My mind filled with thoughts of Joy. I’d thought about her a lot that day, I’d thought about her a lot since dropping her off.
I knew she wanted me. I knew she wanted to be with me. What I didn’t know was why she didn’t admit it, why she’d tried to pretend to be indifferent, not to be as excited as I was.
She’d been hurt by people in her past, that much was obvious. But I wouldn’t do that to her. If she’d give me a chance, I’d show her just how well I would treat her, like the princess she was. Though if I had my way, she’d be a princess who didn’t wear panties too often.
I thought about the timeframe for Monday. Go in, get the new starters settled, show them the type of place I ran, then head over to the bay. Get my phone back and hopefully see a call from her. I could then ring her back and then, what then?
Then I would see her that night. Then I’d see that body of hers again and then, then we’d have the first of what would be many nights of love making. I had no intention of giving up on love, not when she made me feel things I’d never felt before. It was strange to think we’d been together for such a short space of time, she’d been in my head longer than I’d actually seen her in person.
My muscles ached as I climbed into bed with the last of the paperwork I needed for Monday. I didn’t want to run through it but it had to be done, the pressures of being in charge, I guessed.
It was when I was running my eye down the list of new starters that I smiled for the first time that day. We were meant to be together after all. I wasn’t a big believer in fate but the fact that her name was there told me everything I needed to know.
All of a sudden there was no rush to get my phone back. Instead, I just needed to wait until tomorrow. Then I could get what I needed more than anything, a chance to speak to her, to see that perfect smile of hers, feel those soft lips. She was going to be mine. She had to be mine. I needed her more than I’d ever needed anything.
It had happened suddenly, the need for her. I didn’t care about the suddenness. All that mattered was that it had happened. If we weren’t destined to be together, why would the universe have made sure she was given the job of admin assistant at the Trust? She’d be working directly under me.
The thought made my cock twitch as I pictured just how hot she would look under me, her pencil skirt raised above her hips, me sliding into her as she asked if this was how I greeted all the new staff. It was a daydream that kept me up long after I should have gone to sleep. It was still with me in my slumber, only dissolving when I fell into a deeper sleep, knowing that tomorrow we would be together. We had to be together.
NINE - JOY
THE TAXI WAS LATE. THAT wasn’t a good start. I’d spent Sunday at home, refusing to go out on the tiny sliver of a chance that Rich might call round. I didn’t really think he would but just in case, I didn’t join Geri and Mike on their hangover recovery trip to the pub for a full English.
I waited and waited, burying myself in a book to keep busy but of course he didn’t come. I refused to phone him again, trying to wean myself away from my need for him.
I booked the taxi for eight but it didn’t come until quarter past on Monday morning. That meant I got to the office with three minutes to spare after throwing my money through the cab window.
The other new starters were all already in so I tiptoed into the back of the conference room, drawing a few glances as I took the last chair. Just as I sat down, the door opened and in came the woman who’d interviewed me, whose name I’d already completely forgotten. I just hoped she wouldn’t speak to me first. She didn’t.
“Good morning, everyone,” she said as she walked to the front of the room. “What lovely keen expressions you’ve got, so earnest, so enthusiastic. Don’t worry, we’ll soon knock that out of you.”
There was a ripple of polite laughter in response.
“Only joking,” she continued. “Now, my name is Audrey and I’m going to be taking you through the initial training. We should get most of it done today and tomorrow and then we can let you loose on the world of conservation. What’s your name?” She was looking at someone on the front row.
“Erm, Sarah.”
“Well, erm, Sarah, would you mind passing these packs around?”
As the paperwork made its way around the room, Audrey continued. “The big boss will be coming in later to introduce himself to you all. Don’t be too intimidated, for the most part you’ll never see him. He’s always off doing something or other but his email address will be available if you have any specific concerns. I would ask that you not trouble him with trivia though, we all have enough to be doing without getting tied up in that sort of thing. Right, if you turn to page one, we’ll get started with the dreaded ice breakers.”
I cringed inwardly but it wasn’t too bad in the end. We went around the room, introducing ourselves and then having to work in groups to come up with potential new recruitment ads to create a hypothetical membership scheme.
It was just gone twelve when we stopped for lunch. Just as we were all putting our things away, the door opened and in walked the one person I was not expecting to see.
My stomach suddenly felt tight as I looked in bewildered shock at Rich. He looked so different in a suit. It was a proper suit too, not a boilersuit. Jet black, with a blue shirt and a deep red tie. He looked good. He strode to the front of the room and ran his eyes over all of us, lingering for the briefest moments on me. If he was surprised to see me, it didn’t show in his expression, curt and businesslike as he didn’t smile at anyone before beginning a speech that sounded well rehearsed.
“You’re all here because you love nature, right?”
A few nods.
“Good, we need more people like you to make a difference. Now things might seem overwhelming at first but you’ll soon settle in and get the hang of things. My door is always open if any of you have any questions. Remember, we’re not here to make a fortune, we’re here to try and protect our little corner of the world. I’ll be back later on to take you through the boring terms and conditions part of things but for now, go and enjoy your lunch.”
I wanted to speak to him but he was deep in conversation with Audrey when I passed so I didn’t get chance. He wasn’t even bothering to look my way.
Was he the boss of the place? Did he not live at the lighthouse then? I had so many questions I wanted to ask but after hovering outside the conference room for five minut
es, he hadn’t appeared so I headed off to lunch with the others, hoping to be able to catch him at the end of the day instead.
When I got back, he was nowhere to be seen. I settled back down in my seat, trying not to be disappointed. Was it even a good idea to talk to him after he’d ignored my calls? Was this not destiny mocking me, letting me get so close to him but without a shot of actually being with him.
Because I knew from the moment he’d walked into the room that I’d been lying to myself. I couldn’t just let him go. He’d attached himself to me in a way that I couldn’t define. I had been wrong to think I’d be able to move on. I had to know why he hadn’t answered the phone, why he didn’t think I was worth speaking to. Was I just a single fling to him? A one off fuck? I had to know the truth, it was killing me.
I realised I was tuning out from the afternoon presentation so I did my best to shift my focus, only possible until I saw him outside in the corridor towards the end of the day. My heart leapt at the sight of him, thoughts of that body of his coming unbidden into the forefront of my mind. I wanted him, I ached for him. All the locked up feelings I’d done so well to shut off came roaring back.
How had my feeling become so strong so quickly? I had no idea. I just knew they were real and if there was any chance he felt the same way, I needed to find out. I had to know. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Then he came back in. “Sorry, Audrey,” he said with a nod to her. “Could I have a quick word with Joy?”
TEN - RICH
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING here?” she asked as the door closed behind her.
“Is the boss not supposed to meet the new starters?” I asked, smiling broadly at her.
She scowled. “You never answered your phone. Why not?”
“Come in here,” I said, taking her hand and leading her into my private office. I shut the door, locking it at the same time before turning to face her. “I can explain.”
“It better be a good one. I tried to ring you three times and you never picked up. Now you stand there grinning at me and just expect me to forgive you?”