Chapter 16
16
The sand is soft between my toes, but the water is freezing, splashing over my feet and up to my ankles. I step backwards with a shriek. I look up and out to sea, the water a deep grey-blue, the sky a brighter aquamarine. Deep black clouds hover on the horizon ready to pounce. The waves lap gently at the shore, against seaweed-covered rocks, and I feel my heart lift.
Arms snake around me from behind, someone nuzzles into my neck, and I sigh happily, turning to receive a kiss.
‘Happy?’ the voice whispers, and I nod as my body tingles at his touch.
I could stand here forever, just watching the sea and the sky, and feeling these strong arms around me. But I know it has to end, so when the clouds begin to blur, and the horizon starts to drift further and further away, the arms around me go limp and the air turns cold, I’m not surprised by any of it.
I open my eyes and I’m back, my heart racing, in my dark bedroom. Again.