Page 74 of My Summer of Magic Moments

‘Jeez, you peeping Tom, you.’

‘Good view from the upper balcony,’ she quipped. After all the tension, it was good to joke.

‘Well it won’t happen again. I can assure you.’

‘Spoilsport.’

‘Oh Christ, I hope the news hasn’t got hold of it. Can you imagine the headlines? “Naked Man Rescued at Sea”.’

‘Hmm, might just have to make a call to the Herald office.’

‘You dare!’

It was wonderful seeing him smile again.

‘Well, come on. If you really do have to go out dressed like that, we’d better get you into the car as quickly as possible. And I know someone who’s going to be very pleased to see you.’

They thanked the nurses on the ward and set off. Ed walking slowly, as though finding his feet on solid ground.

Bess went mad in the car as he approached, so excited to be reunited with her beloved master and friend, and plastered him with big greedy licks as soon as the door was opened.

‘Okay, time to settle down, girl.’ He patted her to calm her. ‘So let’s hit the road, Claire. I’m ready for home.’

And by ‘home’ she knew he meant the little cottages by the sea.

32

I love the feel of my partner’s skin, knowing that with him next to me I can get through anything

Heidi, Southampton

It was pitch-dark, nearly eight p.m., by the time they turned into the gravel driveway. She led him into his house, offering her arm as support. He was still a little weak. Then she fed Bess and let her out into the back garden whilst Ed sat in the lounge.

‘Can I get you something to eat? A cup of tea? A cold beer, if you have any?’

‘I’m still feeling a little chilled. Maybe something warm. I might have some Bovril, hot in a mug. Yeah, I could fancy something like that. There’s a jar in the kitchen. Thanks.’

She busied herself, feeling comfortable in his house, glad that he was letting her take care of him, for now at least. In the back of her mind she couldn’t help wondering what next. When would it be polite to head back across the drive? She did not want to head back across the drive.

Later, by the warmth of an open fire, with the hope of tomorrow, he asked her to stay. She sensed this wasn’t going to be a night of passion. He seemed too shattered, too fragile. But they both needed to be together.

She followed him up to the room where they’d stayed before. The covers were cold as she slipped in next to him, naked. No need to hide. She was no longer afraid of her scar. She nestled up beside him with a sigh. He was here and gorgeous, and oh so alive. She slipped her arm around him as he lay on his side, with his back to her for now.

Soon his breathing slowed to a peaceful rhythm, and he fell asleep with her close around him. As she lay there, she could hear the rush and pull of the waves outside, calmer now. A sea that demanded respect and fear, yet held beauty and awe in its changeability. The fundamental power of water. A patch of ice on the road. How scary and arbitrary the world could be. Whoa – the extreme events of the day were still buzzing through her mind. But she snuggled against this man beside her, felt so very happy to be here, safe, with him.

She awoke the next morning, taking in the bedroom and the gorgeous man next to her. The photo of his wife and child was there on his bedside table. And that was fine. That was good. They would always be a part of his life. A part of him. And they deserved to be.

Then she was struck by the realization that it was Monday morning. She glanced at her watch. She was due at work in less than an hour, in Newcastle. Ah, shite! She flew out of bed.

‘Ed, I have to go. I have to work.’ But as she was saying it and pulling on her jeans, every bone in her body ached to stay with him.

‘Do you have to? Stay with me, please. Just for today at least. We’ve got some catching-up to do.’ The look in his eye made her melt, then ignite.

All she wanted to do was to take her jeans right back off and jump back into bed with him. She felt torn inside at the thought of leaving him.

He stood up from the bed, and, in his full naked gorgeousness, made his way to her. Her top half was still bare. He smiled at her, took her in his arms – he was all warm and bed-cosy. He kissed her tenderly on the lips, oh-so-deeply. She felt his tongue on hers. His hardness, oh-so-sexy, at her hip. Oh, Jeez. His hands in her hair, on her back, tracing her breasts.

Don’t go to work. Do not go to work today. He’s bloody amazing. He wants to live. He wants you, Claire Maxwell. You, with your scars and your wonky breast.