this showed otherwise.
‘He back-pedalled a little but I was so furious that I walked out.’
‘Have you seen him since?’
‘He has messaged me, asking to meet, but I’ve ignored it. Haven’t seen him for over a week now. Like all fireworks, we appear to have enjoyed a spectacular display and then fizzled out.’ She grinned. ‘And at least I’m now able to get my beauty sleep. Now, don’t worry about me. You worry about this trip. I hope you’ve no intention of packing those “sensible” knickers I saw in the laundry basket. Trust me, it won’t end well …’
A few days before their trip, Marina invited Lachlan round for dinner while Tiff went to a Pilates class at the community centre. She said she’d probably go to the pub with some of the other women afterwards so they had the place to themselves.
A warmth stole into her cheeks at the thought she might not have quite so much sleep over their weekend away, if they took things further than kisses.
Lachlan brought their plates through and sat down but didn’t even pick up his knife and fork. ‘It’s no good. I can’t wait any longer. I want to tell you something.’
‘Oh? What?’ She readied herself. Lachlan seemed twitchy. What was about to happen?
‘I’ve got a bit of a surprise. I hope you won’t be disappointed … there’s a slight change of plan for our trip.’
‘Oh … I see,’ she said, readying herself for disappointment. Was he going to say the whole thing was off? Was that why he’d spent a while on her iPad and gone quiet before dinner?
‘We’re not going to Scilly on the boat,’ he said, with a smile.
‘Oh no! Have they had to cancel?’ she said.
‘No. We’re going by air.’
‘What? But we’ve booked the Scillonian tickets already.’
‘We had … but I rebooked them earlier and upgraded to Skybus. They’re all part of the same company and they managed to squeeze us onto an early morning flight. It’ll be much faster and give us more time on the islands to relax. Don’t worry, I’m paying for the upgrade,’ he added, possibly seeing her jaw drop in amazement.
‘No. I’ll pay for my share. I don’t mind at all and I’d love to fly but … how will you handle it? I thought you wanted to sail?’
‘I want to fly, Marina. I need to try and get back to the way I was or at least regain some confidence. I’ll be honest and say that I am bricking it but I need to do this. And besides,’ he added with a smile, ‘you’ll be there to hold my hand, won’t you?’
No wonder he’d seemed on edge, she thought. It was a bold and unexpected step. Wow. ‘Yes, of course! This is … very brave of you.’
‘Brave?’ His brow creased and she worried she’d said the wrong thing. ‘It’s not brave,’ he said. ‘Brave is flying out in dangerous conditions to save a stranger or going into battle.’
‘You are going into battle. You’re facing up to very real fears when your instincts are screaming at you not to. I understand a little of what it’s like to decide to re-engage with your fears, to decide to come back to the world instead of hiding away. I respect that and I’ll help you in any way I can.’
He looked at her with what she thought for a second were eyes glistening with tears but then he reached for her. ‘Better toughen up, hadn’t I? If I’m to live up to you.’
‘I don’t expect a “tough guy” or a “hero”. I’m happy to have a kind, decent man who’s prepared to face up to life, even when it gets difficult. You don’t need to prove anything to me.’ And one she fancied like mad too, of course.
‘Ah, but I want to and I’m going to do my very best to show you what I was – what I can be.’
She didn’t argue any longer and after they’d eaten, they wandered down to Porthmellow Beach with a bottle of wine and some glasses. Lachlan put his arm around her and they drank their wine, watching the waves break softly on the sand. There were still people strolling, walking their dogs and watching the sunset. She’d missed this so much: the pleasures of sharing a meal with someone special in her little back garden or walking on the beach on a summer’s evening.
Most of all, she was touched that Lachlan was ready to set his fears aside