had he gone off her? Was he pulling away because he didn’t want to be with her anymore? No. That couldn’t be it. Until the non-anniversary, he’d still kissed her every day with passion – not just a perfunctory peck on the lips. They still made love regularly, despite the time apart, and it never felt like just-a-quickie-because-perhaps-they-should. So what was it? If it wasn’t for Steff being gay, Karen might have been worried that they were having an affair. How did Steff’s girlfriend, Mia, feel about all the time Steff and Ryan were spending together? Was she finding it a problem or was she supportive of the new business venture? Perhaps that’s all there was to it: Ryan was distracted with the work involved in making a success of something new and he wasn’t impressed at Karen’s lack of support. She’d try to make a bit more of an effort, but he had to accept that some compromise was needed on his part too or there was no point in being together.
Karen shuddered and turned up the volume on Bay Radio, trying to push the idea of life without Ryan firmly out of her mind. They’d been together for so long. Facing the future without him didn’t bear thinking about.
Ryan’s car was parked on the drive when she arrived home and, for a brief moment, hope filled her that he’d have told Steff to manage Bay Runners on her own. As if. Steff would have picked him up and Karen would be spending the night in front of the TV eating a microwaved jacket potato and salad for one. Whoopee.
With a heavy heart, she unlocked the door, hung her backpack up on a peg and kicked off her trainers, inhaling the unmistakable aroma of Ryan’s special chicken Balti. He must have made it ready for his return. Her stomach growled and she hoped he’d made enough for her. Shower time first, though.
Halfway up the stairs, she stopped. What was that on the carpet? She bent down and picked up what looked like a pale-pink rose petal. A few stairs further up, there was another one and, when she reached the first-floor landing, there was a trail of them, mixed with red ones, leading to the bathroom door.
‘Ryan…?’
No answer.
Karen tentatively pushed the bathroom door open and gasped. The blackout blind had been pulled down and there were lit tealights and church candles everywhere. The bath itself was full of bubbles and rose petals, and there was a glass of white wine perched on one corner with a square cream envelope propped up against it. Karen reached for the envelope and ripped it open. Within a circle of tiny red hearts were the words: I’ve been a complete and utter idiot! I really am very sorry. A cartoon bird holding an olive branch made her smile. She opened the card and read Ryan’s scrawling script: The card says it all. Please forgive me. Relax and enjoy the wine. Dinner is ready when you are. No coming down before your bath or you’ll spoil my surprise! Happy 13 years and 8 days’ anniversary. Looking forward to the next 13. And the 13 after that. And… well, I think you get the picture! I love you always. Ryan xxx
Karen sighed contentedly and shook her head. The soppy git. She wasn’t really into the whole romance thing. She didn’t need cards and flowers and couldn’t bear cuddly toys. For her, the important things in a relationship were the things you couldn’t touch: honesty, respect, trust, compromise and commitment. However, the card was sweet, and the bath was definitely a winner, especially as there’d been a chilly wind down on the seafront.
‘Thank you,’ she called, stripping off and sinking beneath the bubbles.
She wasn’t sure what to expect after her bath. Would they be eating then going out, or would they be staying in? She pulled on a loose blue summer dress and added a silver pendant, reasoning that she could easily bling it up with a pair of sparkly heels and grab a jacket if they were going into town.
More rose petals now littered the hall downstairs, leading her to the kitchen-diner at the back of the house.
Ryan, dressed in a tux with a frilly pink apron over it, stood by the kitchen table, which was covered in more rose petals. A bottle of champagne rested in an ice bucket.
‘You look gorgeous,’ he said.
‘You’re looking pretty hot yourself. I’m liking the tux. Not quite so sure about the apron.’ She wandered over to him. ‘Very James Bond, and you know I have a thing for Daniel Craig.’
‘I know. So does that make you my Bond Girl?’
Karen giggled. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, putting his arms round her. ‘Can you forgive me?’
‘Yes. But don’t do it again. You really hurt me by forgetting.’
‘I know. I really am sorry.’
Karen stepped back from his embrace and nodded. They needed to talk about the reality of their demanding schedules but now wasn’t the time. He’d apologised and, even more important to her, he’d obviously asked Steff to manage Bay Runners on her own that evening which was a huge sign of his commitment to their relationship. ‘Fancy showing me how sorry you are?’ She unfastened his apron and lifted it over his head.
‘The curry…?’
‘Food can wait.’ She unbuttoned his shirt and ran the tips of her fingers down his muscular chest. ‘This Bond Girl would like to play with James Bond’s loaded weapon. What do you say to leaving me shaken, but not stirred?’
Ryan laughed. ‘Go on then.’ He unzipped his trousers. ‘But this is for your eyes only.’
7
Alison
‘Are you sure I can’t tempt you with anything else?’ The waitress at Waterfront Lodge passed Alison her takeaway cup of tea.
‘Just the tea, thanks.’ Alison glanced at the glass cabinet loaded with sumptuous cakes and traybakes and her stomach rumbled appreciatively. Must be strong. Must be strong.
‘The salted caramel shortbread is freshly made and to die for,’ the waitress added. ‘Perfect mid-afternoon snack. But, if you’re sure…?’
Alison’s mouth watered. But she had to say no. It had been three weeks since she’d handed over her chocolate to Sarah and made a commitment to take control of her eating. And how long had that commitment lasted? Five hours? Six? What was wrong with her? Don’t do it. You don’t need it. But it looked so delicious.
‘Oh, go on then,’ she said. ‘Two slices please.’
Alison handed over the money and took the paper bag with a smile. It was a Saturday and what person in their right mind dieted on a weekend?
She’d barely stepped away from the counter before she opened the bag and took her first bite. Mmm. Closing her eyes, she savoured the buttery crumbliness of the shortbread, the saltiness of the gooey caramel, and the rich sweetness of the chocolate. Divine.
The warm early June weather had brought out dog walkers galore on the beach below her. Crossing the road and looking back towards North Bay Corner, she could see that the beach in front of the colourful beach huts was alive with kids playing and people soaking up the sun.
Finishing her first piece of shortbread, she took a sip from her tea, then reached into the bag for
