Chapter 26
BACK THEN
Nancy’s eyes lit up when The Reader stood watching her rip the wrapping paper off the bike. Of course she knew what it was by the shape, but not the colour, or any of the specs.
‘It’s beautiful!’ she said, taking in the purple and white bodywork.
‘We will soon be going on our bike tour of the Highlands,’ he replied. ‘But I think we should get some practice in on them first.’
‘I agree,’ Nancy said, smiling.
‘I got us helmets, and lights and all the kit we’ll need.’
‘When you said touring, you did mean we would drive up there first, then cycle around?’
He laughed then, not sure if she was serious or not.
‘Of course, honey. I’m not as young as I used to be, but I can give it some stuff on the bike in the gym.
’ He held up a hand. ‘I know it’s not the same; we’ll have hills to climb, but since we’re both gym members, we’re halfway there.
If we go out every night, we can build up to the tour. ’
She hugged him then, pulling him in close, smiling, her eyes shining. ‘This is going to be so much fun.’
‘I know a honeymoon in Aruba would be more fun, but I would rather go there when it’s miserable here.’
‘Do they have midges in Aruba?’ Nancy asked with a laugh.
‘I hope not!’
He held on to her then, not knowing what was about to happen, or how his life was going to change forever. But in that moment, he had never been happier.
It wasn’t going to last long.