Forty-three
When Erica opened her eyes, it took her a few moments to realise where she was, then she remembered. She gazed around the unfamiliar bedroom… at the television perched on top of a chest of drawers, the old-fashioned curtains open to reveal a tidy garden, then her eyes fell on the heap of discarded clothes – hers and Jamie’s. She’d only come to return the blanket, to leave it on Jamie’s doorstep. She couldn’t believe she’d ended up in his bed. But there was no denying she was here. She glanced down at the face on the pillow and smiled. She guessed Rachel had her answer. This was what she wanted.
She also guessed Joe would be pleased, Gill too. But what about Kieren and Briony? Her heart sank as she imagined their reaction. But they weren’t here. She smiled again at the memory of the previous night, at the consummation of what had started so long ago. It had been worth the wait. Nothing had prepared her for the tumult of passion unleashed by that kiss, for Jamie’s gentle lovemaking. It was as if she had been waiting all her life for this moment.
The man lying beside her in the bed stirred. Jamie’s eyes opened. He gave a lazy smile. ‘I didn’t dream it. You’re really here,’ he said, pulling her into his arms.
Erica gave a sigh of pleasure as her head fitted perfectly in the hollow between his shoulder and neck. It was warm here. She felt safe. She wished she could stay here for ever. Then with one finger he tipped up her chin and their lips met in a searing kiss.
‘Good morning, beautiful,’ Jamie said when they finally drew apart. ‘No regrets?’
‘No regrets,’ Erica said with a smile. ‘Last night…’ Her smile grew wider.
Jamie pulled her into a hug, this one lacking the passion of his earlier embrace. ‘I’ve waited a long time for this.’
‘Me too.’ Erica hadn’t realised how much she’d missed Jamie. It was as if all the years between had fallen away, and she and Jamie were back together where they belonged.
They finally rose and with much laughter and more kissing, showered together before pulling on the clothes they’d discarded so hurriedly the night before.
‘Hungry?’ Jamie asked.
‘Mmm.’ She hadn’t eaten since the bread and cheese at Rachel’s the day before. ‘But I should get home.’ She looked down at her wrinkled clothes.
‘Why don’t I cook breakfast first? I do a mean omelette. Then you can go home and get changed into something suitable for a day’s sailing. I’m assuming you’re not averse to spending the day on Princess Two again?’
‘That sounds wonderful.’ Erica was glad it was Sunday, and she didn’t need to go into work. Work was the last thing on her mind right now. The prospect of spending the whole day with Jamie on his yacht sent a wave of anticipation through her. ‘I can pack some food for us,’ she added.
‘Great. Now, you’d better let me get to the kitchen, wench.’ He gave her a gentle tap on the bottom which was both affectionate and intimate.
It was almost two hours later when Erica and Jamie made their way to the marina where Princess Two was berthed. They were welcomed by a pod of pelicans who waddled over to greet them, and Erica and Jamie laughed at the large birds. The sun was shining, everything smelt fresh. It was as if they had awakened to a whole new world.
*
The day passed quickly, too quickly for Erica who was revelling in this new feeling of being with Jamie, of being on top of the world. They had sailed and talked, anchored, eaten lunch and spent the afternoon in each other’s arms. It was as if the rest of the world ceased to exist.
But now they were back in the harbour, making their way between rows of other boats in the marina, to tie up at Jamie’s mooring. At this time on a Sunday, the marina was a hive of activity as the local boat owners and visitors to Pelican Crossing returned from their day on the ocean, many preparing to spend the evening on their decks, and calling to each other across the water. It was so different from the peace she and Jamie had enjoyed.
Tired but happy, Erica helped Jamie tie up and secure the yacht, then hand-in- hand, they walked back to the row of cottages, stopping at Erica’s gate. ‘Do you want to come in?’ she asked shyly. Although they had spent the whole day together, their new closeness was so novel she was reluctant to leave him.
It seemed Jamie felt the same. ‘How about dinner at the yacht club?’ he asked. ‘I can pop home to shower and change, give you time to do the same. Pick you up in an hour?’
‘Oh, yes please!’ Erica said, then in case she sounded too eager added, ‘I’d like that.’
Jamie chuckled, gave her a brief peck on the cheek and left.
Erica stared after him, marvelling at how her life had changed in less than twenty-four hours, and headed inside to shower and change as he’d suggested. Standing under the shower, Erica looked down at her body which showed the ravages of time and motherhood. It was no longer the slim taut figure she had when she and Jamie first dated. Last night they had been in too much of a rush, too hungry for each other for her to worry about it, but now… Then she remembered how Jamie had told her she was beautiful, how he had caressed her, kissed her skin, and realised he didn’t care about the way time had ravaged her body. To him, she was still the teenager he’d fallen in love with, just as to her, he was still the tall godlike creature who all the girls yearned after but who had chosen her to spend time with.
This was what love was like, an acceptance of each other just the way they were. It was so unlike what she’d had with Geoff who’d always demeaned her, making her feel inferior, unlovely and insecure. She shook her head, scattering water drops everywhere. Why was she thinking of Geoff? The two men were so different, like chalk and cheese. It was Jamie who was in her life now.
Erica had just stepped out of the shower and was trying to decide what to wear to dinner, whether to choose pants with a shirt or a light wool dress, when her phone rang. Seeing Briony’s number, she flinched as if her daughter-in-law could see her, could know how she’d spent the previous night and the day, could read what was in her heart and know… She gave herself a shake for her overactive imagination and pressed to answer the call.
‘Hi Briony,’ she said, hoping her voice didn’t give away the fact she and Jamie had made love.
‘Mum. I wanted to let you know we’re home safe and sound. I tried to ring you last night and again this morning. I was worried about you.’
Erica bit her lip remembering how she had left her phone at home last night, expecting only to be gone a few minutes, then put it on mute today not wanting to be disturbed. ‘Sorry. It ran out of charge, and I didn’t notice,’ she lied. ‘I’m glad you caught me now. How was the trip?’
She listened as Briony described her plane trip in great detail, finishing with, ‘I’m glad to be home, but I wish you were here too. Ava misses you.’
While Erica doubted her five-month-old grandchild was really missing her, she was flooded with guilt at the knowledge she’d been with Jamie, first in his bed, then on his yacht, while Briony was trying to contact her. What if there had been an emergency? Then reason prevailed. She’d been out of contact for less than twenty-four hours, twenty-four hours that had changed her life, she reminded herself.
‘I miss her too,’ she said, remembering the feel of her granddaughter’s soft skin against her cheek, how she reached out her little fingers to grasp Erica’s. ‘And how’s Kieren?’ she asked.
‘He’s good,’ Briony said, her tone indicating he was there, listening to the conversation.
‘He must be pleased to have you back home.’
‘Of course. I’ve never been away without him before.’ There was a long pause, during which Erica could hear Kieren’s voice in the background. Then Briony said, ‘Kieren wants to know when you plan to come home.’
Erica took a deep breath. ‘This is my home now, Briony. You must know that. It’s where I grew up. My brother lives here. I have a job and friends. I told you and Kieren that before I left. I promised to visit… and I will, and you can come to visit me again. Kieren too,’ she added, though doubting her son would set foot in Pelican Crossing again, and not sure if she wanted him to.
When the call ended, Erica was unsettled, the bubble of happiness in which she had been floating suddenly burst. Making a decision, she pulled on the dress, brushed her hair and applied her makeup, determined to put Briony’s call out of her mind, to refocus on Jamie. But she found it impossible to dismiss the guilt which had resurfaced at Briony’s words. Was she being unfair putting her own happiness first?
Erica was still feeling shaken when Jamie knocked on the door. Her expression must have given her away.
‘What’s up?’ he asked, taking her into his arms and giving her the warm hug she was in desperate need of.
Erica hid her face in his chest, feeling her eyes moisten at his nearness, at the comfort of his strong body close to hers. ‘I had a call from Briony,’ she murmured, her voice almost inaudible. What must Jamie think of her? One minute she was bursting with happiness, the next she was acting as if her world had ended.
‘Sorry,’ she said, pulling away. ‘I’ll be right in a minute.’
‘It’s okay. I understand. I know what families can be like. What did Briony say to upset you?’
‘Only that Ava was missing me,’ Erica sniffed, ‘which I know is an impossibility… and that Kieren wanted to know when I was coming home.’ With the recounting of Kieren’s demand, it was as if Erica found the strength to regain her earlier mood. ‘It sounds ridiculous now I’m repeating it. I know it’s only another attempt to control me… just like his dad did. I won’t let it upset me any longer.’ She smiled and standing on tiptoe, touched her lips to his, the shivers of delight that resulted doing more to restore her earlier mood than anything else could.
‘Better?’ Jamie asked as their lips parted.
‘Much. You have a magic touch, Jamie Whittaker.’
He chuckled. ‘You still okay to go to the yacht club? We don’t have to if you’d rather not.’
‘No, I’m okay now.’ Jamie’s presence had managed to banish the guilt she’d been feeling. ‘Let’s go.’
As soon as they walked into the yacht club, Erica saw her brother. Joe and Gill were seated at the far side of the restaurant with a group of others who Erica recognised as Gill’s three friends and their partners.
‘Want to join them?’ Jamie asked, gesturing to the group.
‘No.’ Erica shook her head. She wasn’t ready for Joe or Gill to tell her, ‘I told you so’, though she knew Rachel would be more compassionate. ‘I’d prefer it to be just us. Do you mind?’
‘Mind? It’s what I’d prefer too. I only thought you might want to be with your brother.’
‘Not tonight. I think I may have had enough of my family for today.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Jamie took her by the arm and steered her to a table well away from the others. It was by the window and looked out over the marina.
Once there, Erica gave a sigh of relief. Although family was everything to her, the call from Briony had shaken her more than she wanted to admit, even to Jamie. She looked across the table at his kindly face, the wrinkles of age only increasing his attractiveness, and thanked her lucky stars she’d ignored Briony and taken Joe and Gill’s advice.
‘I think a celebration is called for. Champagne?’ Jamie asked.
Erica smiled and nodded, her heart racing at the memory of exactly what they were celebrating. When the wine came, they toasted each other, the touch of Jamie’s knees under the table sending shivers of delight through Erica with the promise of what was to come when they returned home. Would it be to her cottage or Jamie’s, she wondered, the reminder that she did have to work tomorrow intruding on her thoughts and threatening to ruin the promise of a night of lovemaking.
‘Penny for them?’
Erica shook her head and picked up the menu to hide her blushes.
After a delicious meal of crabcakes followed by seafood gamberetti – Atlantic salmon, cuttlefish and prawns tossed in a creamy tomato, garlic, fresh basil and chilli sauce and finished with bocconcini, smashed avocado and lemon – with a vanilla pannacotta dessert, Erica was ready for home. They were rising to leave when Joe caught sight of them and, a huge grin on his face, came over to greet them.
After hugging Erica and slapping Jamie on the shoulder, Joe said, ‘Glad to see you two have come to your senses. We’ll see you both at the walk next weekend?’
Erica and Jamie looked at each other and nodded. Erica had forgotten about the fundraising coastal walk in which she’d planned to walk with Joe and Gill.
‘Good,’ Joe said. ‘I’ll be in touch before then, Erica. I’ll let you go now.’
When they were outside the club, Jamie said, ‘What was that about?’
‘Just some brotherly advice Joe gave me… about you. He was right.’
‘He usually is.’
They laughed and set off arm-in-arm for the row of cottages, stopping only for a moment at Erica’s gate before heading inside.