Aunt Daisy's Letter

by S J Crabb

  “Do you think they know we can hear?”

  “Probably not, they are too distracted.”

  I start to giggle as the moans intensify and Finn says, “Seriously though, what’s with the Hannibal Lecter mask? I thought my time was up for a minute back there.”

  “If you must know, it was a detoxifying face mask that rejuvenates your skin while you sleep. Don’t knock what you don’t understand.”

  “And the hat? That’s something else entirely, it kind of matches the socks which are seriously weird by the way.”

  “My friend made them, so it would be rude not to wear them.”

  “It’s rude to wear them if you ask me.”

  “Nobody is asking you, so shut up.”

  The warmth from his body is so comforting, and despite my better judgement, I snuggle in a little more and don’t even care that this man is technically a stranger. Maybe this is what Aunt Daisy did when she met the stranger on the beach. Suddenly, I stiffen up and Finn says, “What?”

  “Um… nothing, but, um… maybe I should go back to my tent, you know, I’m sure it’s safe now.”

  Turning to face me, Finn’s eyes sparkle in the darkness and his arrogant smirk makes me hitch my breath as he says in a low voice, “You’re over thinking this.”

  “What?”

  “This, being in my tent with me.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. You suddenly realised you’re in a stranger’s makeshift bed and now you’re thinking about that list you appear to be basing all your decisions in life on.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, of course I’m not thinking about the list.”

  “Out of interest though, what else is on it?”

  Seeing Finn up close and looking so incredibly sexy and masculine is interfering with my rational thought, so I turn onto my back and look up at the canvas ceiling and whisper, “Oh you know, the usual stuff, dancing in the rain, singing in a crowd, boring stuff really.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “What about?”

  “That it’s all boring. I mean, I saw Felicity’s face when she read it. By the looks of it there was some inspiring stuff in there, judging from the effect it had on our conservative friends.”

  Thinking of the racier elements of the list, I feel myself almost reach boiling point inside and squirm a little. My voice is high even to my own ears as I say with a nervous laugh, “No, nothing out of the ordinary, quite boring really, maybe not even worth considering.”

  A loud piercing scream, followed by a deep, almost primal, groan, cuts through the air, followed by a giggle and Finn laughs. “At last. Maybe we can get some sleep now.”

  Reaching out, he pulls me into him and as his arms wrap around me and pull me tight, he whispers, “Sleep well and just for the record, this is purely a survival tactic, nothing more.”

  I don’t answer him because I don’t trust the sound of my own voice right now. I have never felt so comfortable in my life, and I don’t even care that I’m technically sleeping with a stranger under the stars that are well hidden under a bank of cloud because this should be on everyone’s bucket list.

  ♥15

  Voices wake me in the morning, and for a moment I forget where I am. As the realisation hits me, I feel the shame wash over me. I slept with a stranger. Me. Lily Rose Adams slept with a stranger and thought nothing of it. The fact that the stranger’s arms are still firmly encircled around my fleecy body is a little awkward. It’s also awkward to hear voices outside because the sight of me emerging from our fearless leader’s tent in knitted and fleecy finery is sure to raise a few eyebrows. Coupled with the fact it’s out there in black and white that this is on my ‘to do’ list, I almost hyperventilate with mortification.

  The stranger’s arms tighten around me as I try to shift away, and as my full senses come back to me, I am surprised to find I’m in no hurry to leave. In fact, this feels so warm and cosy. Finn was right. Body heat is a lifesaver in the wilderness in January because I certainly don’t feel as if I’ve slept outside.

  Finn stirs behind me and whispers in my ear, “Morning Adams.”

  I just manage to squeak whisper, “What are we going to do?”

  “About what?”

  “This. Me in your tent. I can’t go out there and face the others, they’ll think we… you know.”

  Finn laughs softly and I whip up my hand to cover his mouth. “Shh, they’ll hear you. Think of something because my reputation as Editor-in-Chief of Designer Homes - on a budget, is at stake and I am definitely not that kind of girl.”

  Finn appears to be finding this whole situation very amusing and doesn’t appear to be bothered at all, and then we hear deep guttural German voices outside. Finn answers, sounding almost the same as the German who spoke and then I hear footsteps walking away.

  “What did you say?”

  “I told them to give us a minute, we weren’t done yet.”

  I open my mouth to protest extremely loudly and this time his hand covers my mouth and his eyes twinkle as he whispers, “Relax. They were just telling me they’re going for a morning run. Apparently, they are the only ones up, so the coast is clear.”

  Moving his hand away, I whisper, “Are you sure, maybe you should go out there first.”

  Rolling his eyes, he unzips the sleeping bag and in one swift move, rolls me over so I am where he was sleeping. Then he winks as he grabs a warm fleece and his jacket and crawls out of the tent.

  Watching him leave is a strange feeling. On the one hand, I would like nothing more than for us both to stay where we are, but then again, I am in an extremely embarrassing situation and need his help and the sooner the better.

  Almost immediately, he taps the roof and whispers, “Clear.”

  Quickly, I scramble out and without looking back, run for my tent in all my knitted glory. Just as I reach the entrance, Felicity emerges and says in surprise, “Oh morning, Lily, you’re up bright up and early.”

  As she rubs the sleep from her eyes, she looks at me in astonishment and says quickly, “Um... nice onesie by the way.”

  “Oh, this old thing. Yes, it’s recommended in campers weekly as an add on to your sleeping bag. It also enables you to do your stretching exercises before getting dressed for the day.”

  Quickly, I start stretching from my waist and then to my toes in the vain hope that she believes a single word that comes out of my mouth.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Finn laughing and quickly say, “Ok, all done, must get back inside and change. See you in ten.”

  As I crawl into Cath Kidston paradise, I groan and fall on my now freezing, damp sleeping bag. Why am I such an idiot?

  Luckily, my hard case has kept my belongings dry and I quickly select a warm pair of leggings and some thick walking socks. I shiver as I quickly change into a polo neck jumper and then pull an Arran jumper over that, before shrugging on my ski jacket and thick snow boots. Then, for an extra layer of warmth, I wrap the sleeping bag around me and attempt to do something with my hair. Luckily, I managed to bring a mirror with me and justified it as a means of lighting a fire if the need arose. I’ve watched films where they do just that and feel quite proud of myself for remembering it.

  Feeling slightly annoyed, I see that the mask obviously didn’t do what it said on the packet because I look haggard and drawn. Quickly, I remove my makeup from the case and apply liberal amounts in an attempt to make me look human again. Before I join the others, I quickly check my phone and see mum and Heidi have returned my texts. The first was mum.

  Mum

  Good to hear from you, although one text in 24 hours is almost grounds for a missing person’s report. Don’t you worry though, you keep on having fun and adventures while your mother dies a slow, painful death from worrying about you. Talking of death, things are hotting up at our end. The funeral’s been put back by two weeks!!! Yes, you read that right, two weeks!!! Because they won’t release the body due to the sudden death verd
ict. Well, I told your father they may suspect murder, but he laughed at me. Yes, actually laughed at me for voicing what everyone’s thinking. Anyway, text, or perhaps remember you can actually call someone and I’ll fill you in properly.

  PS: Please reassure me there are no strangers to be ticked off that infernal list of yours. I’m your mother – I worry. xxx

  Goodness, murder! Surely not. Who would murder Aunt Daisy? All sorts of things go through my mind as I think about mum’s text. Maybe it was a jealous lover – the Italian, perhaps? Maybe he didn’t just slam the phone down and die; he could be on the run as we speak. Maybe he’s a member of the mafia. Possibly the Godfather himself and Aunt Daisy’s death was the work of a hit man. Gosh, I need to get home and fast.

  Trying to distract myself, I read Heidi’s text.

  Heidi

  For goodness’ sake, text me the picture already. I am so jealous. Why do you get to have all the adventures while I run knitting for the under-fives? It may be a good money earner but my sanity is surely worth more than this. Saskia Smithson stuck a needle up her nose and needed an ambulance. I can’t deal with the reports I now need to fill in and the mother is blaming poor supervision. The fact she was next to her at the time doesn’t seem to count. Oh no, I should have followed you and given myself a break from the crazy people that live around here.

  Love you xx

  PS: I hope the hat and socks came in useful. I’m working on a vest for you next.

  Quickly, I dash off some replies before I can even think of breakfast.

  The first is to mum.

  Lily

  Don’t panic, I’m sure it’s not murder just a precaution. At least it gives us more time to rehearse for the big day. Any luck with the gospel choir yet? Also, I had a thought and smoked salmon blini with mustard jus are quite in fashion at the moment. Maybe you can suggest that to Francois from the pink squid when he draws up the menu? Got to go, need to head back to civilisation, and I need to extricate myself from under this stranger. Love you xx.

  Grinning to myself, I text Heidi.

  Lily

  No update on the photo yet, but guess what – I did the walk of shame this morning in your happy socks and knitted hat? How’s that for news! Yes, yours truly spent the night in the arms of the hottest man on the planet, and there wasn’t a knitting needle in sight. There are now many ticks on the bucket list, so mission accomplished. Home soon, we can catch up then.

  Love you xx

  PS: You may want to hold on the vest, I think my camping days are over.

  Making sure to plug my phone into the portable charger, I take a satisfied look around my orderly space and venture outside in pursuit of breakfast and that photo I now need more than life itself.

  ♥16

  The atmosphere is different today. Everyone seems more relaxed, and as we sit around in our little circle it feels much more friendly than before. James is positively beaming and is chatting away to Finn about compass directions and Felicity whispers, “You know, that bucket list idea is seriously good. It got us thinking and we drew up one of our own.”

  I say nothing but giggle inside as I know they’ve made a start already. Instead, I look interested. “What have you written?”

  “Well, the first one was ticked off last night.” She shifts closer and whispers, “Sex outdoors among strangers.”

  I almost spit the tea that Finn made me across the campsite as she grins. “Good one, hey. You know, I’ve never seen James this animated. You should see the ideas he’s had, well, it will keep us busy at the weekends, that’s for sure. We may even have to include a Friday night in the diary of events.”

  “What else?” Now I’m interested because it appears their list is going to make mine seem tame in comparison.

  She giggles and looks around furtively, before saying, “Skydiving, mountain climbing, sailing and scuba diving. Those were James’ ideas, of course.”

  She rolls her eyes and then says excitedly, “Mine were much more romantic. For instance, I want to eat ice-creams on a gondola in Venice. Sing loudly at the top of the Eiffel tower. Snog in the back row of the movies and run through the tulip fields in Amsterdam.”

  She looks a little wistful as she whispers, “I also told him I want to get married on a sandy beach in paradise.” Shrugging, she looks down and says in a small voice, “We may have to wait for that one.”

  Reaching out, I squeeze her arm and say reassuringly, “It will happen. Have faith in your relationship, it will all work out in the end.”

  She nods and then smiles mischievously. “Anyway, I detect a slight thawing in the temperature between you and our luscious leader. What happened during lights out?”

  Trying extremely hard to act normal, I shrug. “Nothing.”

  “Are you sure, I mean, he is looking at you every five seconds, something’s changed?”

  “No, he’s not.” I quickly look in his direction and instantly find myself staring into his eyes from across the circle and look quickly away. “That was just a coincidence.”

  “No, it’s not. He can’t stop looking at you this morning. Something happened, you can tell me, it won’t go any further.”

  “Ok, everyone pack up, we’ve got distance to cover if you want to sleep in your own beds tonight.”

  I try to ignore the wink he throws me and just pray Felicity never noticed because that couldn’t have been more obvious.

  Jumping up quickly, I almost run to my tent and at a breakneck speed, pack all my belongings and squash down my tent, cramming it into the case, knowing that as soon as I open it the tent will pop right out again.

  However, I am still glad I brought the suitcase because even though I know it’s unlikely to be of any further use, it has been a lifesaver this weekend and worth every discounted penny I spent.

  As expected, Walter and Ryker are packed up efficiently and well before the rest of us, and I see them deep in conversation with Finn. Nudging Felicity, I whisper, “I still can’t make them out. Do they speak English at all because I’m sure they understand us but never actually say anything except to Finn or each other?”

  She shrugs. “James said Finn told him they all work together. I’m not sure what they do, but James mentioned it had something to do with public relations.”

  “Interesting. I wonder who they work for? You know, I know a lot of the big PR firms in London, maybe I’ll find out which one they work for and use them on our account. Who knows, I may even end up as Finn’s client or something? I would quite like bossing him around for once.”

  I turn away because I can’t bear the knowing smirk on Felicity’s lips. Ok, it’s true, I am actually quite interested in Finn since last night – who wouldn’t be, but that’s how it’s going to stay – an interest. I have no time for romantic involvement in my new brave world, so I push any feelings I may have developed for the fearsome one aside and wait to follow orders.

  For most of the day we appreciate the joys that the New Forest brings. Beautiful landscapes that spread for miles housing all sorts of wandering livestock. I take many photographs of sweet little donkeys and horses and even some cows and goats to add variety to our southern safari. I even manage to get a group photo and make sure Felicity takes one with me and Finn, which I instantly send to Heidi and look forward to seeing the jealous waves roll back towards me like a tsunami when she receives it.

  For once James is entrusted with leading us and armed with his compass and bearings, he ropes Felicity in to be his assistant – as usual, leaving me and Finn to walk together for the first time.

  “That suitcase is seriously irritating me.”

  “You’re seriously irritating me.”

  “Good.”

  We grin at each other and I have to admit the case is a little annoying. The noise the wheels make is spoiling the sounds of nature all around us and drones on in the background as we forge forward towards civilisation. After a while, he stops and says desperately, “Ok, one-time offer. Let me carry the
damned thing for at least five minutes, so we can enjoy some peace and quiet and before you get all uppity, I’m doing it for my own sanity.”

  Actually, I wasn’t going to protest because the sooner I never see this case again is not soon enough for me, so I roll my eyes and hand it over. “If you insist.”

  Effortlessly, he lifts the case and the welcome reprieve from the noise it makes causes me to relax almost immediately.

  We hang back a little and Finn says with interest. “So, what’s next on the list?”

  “I don’t know, really. I need to go home and get organised. I also need to see my family to find out if Aunt Daisy was really murdered or not.”

  “Murdered, you’re kidding.”

  He sounds shocked and I laugh. “As if. It appears they won’t release the body until the cause of death is determined. Apparently, it was a heart attack, but there could have been foul play. I told mum it was just procedure, but she is imagining all sorts, so I’ll need to get home and reassure her.”

  Laughing, Finn shakes his head. “Your mum sounds a lot like you.”

  “I hope not, she’s mad.”

  There’s a brief silence and then I say with resignation. “Ok, I’ll admit it, yes, we are alike. However, even I know Aunt Daisy wasn’t murdered because anybody who ever met her loved her and would never want to harm her in any way.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes, of course I am. Honestly, you’re as bad as my mother. Anyway, what about you, I heard you’re in public relations?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Explain.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” I stare at him in surprise and he grins cheekily. “There’s nothing to tell. I do sort of work in public relations, it’s true but you wouldn’t understand and I can’t be bothered to explain.”

  Feeling slightly miffed, I speed up and say tightly, “Fine be like that. If you won’t tell me about yourself, then I’ll keep my list to myself.”