Page 9 of Always Beth
I push myself up the bed and press against the coolness of the headboard. That was unexpected and new. It’s always actors or singers, never regular everyday people in familiar settings, but there I was in the light of day in the long grass of the paddock, being thrust into mercilessly by my neighbour. My extremely tall, dark and handsome, infuriatingly annoying neighbour. There’s no way I can let this happen again. It was a one off; I’m so sex starved, I would have thought of anyone. Wouldn’t I?
ChapterThree
Beth
Ice-cold water, that’s what I need. A refreshing burst of calm. I didn’t get the chance to swim enough when I was in London. Let’s face it, the Thames doesn’t cut it for a quick dip. Here, on the other hand, I’ve fresh water at my fingertips and I intend to make the most of it. It seems alien to be slipping into a swimming costume in the middle of February, but here I am, braving the chilly weather, all for a moment of clarity. I layer up, wrapping a scarf around my neck and pulling my bobble hat firmly down over my ears. I poke my head out the cottage door and it’s wet and uninviting. Still, in twenty minutes I’ll be so wet, I’ll barely even notice.
‘Come on, Pops.’ As she shoots past me, she pauses at the gate, impatiently wagging her tail. I’m not the only one looking forward to this.
The car engine turns over and I shiver as the cold air pumps from the heater. A new set of wheels, that’s the first thing I’m buying when this divorce settlement comes through. I can’t believe he left me with this heap of crap. Rubbing my hands together briskly, I slowly navigate my way along the lane. These roads are absolutely shocking, at some point I’m going to bust a tyre, I just know it.
After rattling along for ten minutes, I see the tiny car park I spotted on my now infamous walk last week and know that the lake isn’t far. I walked past it enough in the vicious loop I found myself in. Although if I hadn’t got lost, I would never have met my neighbour and I’m beginning to wonder if it was a blessing or a curse. For someone so handsome, he definitely is challenging in the personality stakes. As I step from the car, my nipples immediately harden, and I have to take a moment to contemplate if it’s the cold weather or the thought of him.God, I need to push him from my mind.At the water’s edge, I jog on the spot, psyching myself up to strip down to next to nothing. Even Poppy is shaking and I’m starting to wonder if this was a good idea. Stephen used to berate me constantly over my love for wild swimming, and no matter how many times I begged him to come with me, he never would. I guess we were never compatible after all.
Jesus, it’s cold.I pile my clothes up neatly and tiptoe precariously into the water.Straight in, Beth. Straight in.Sinking down to my shoulders, I paddle slowly away from the side, and as my body acclimatises to the water, I close my eyes as a sense of calm passes over me. This is exactly what I needed to clear my head, nothing or no one can ruin this for me today.
James
There’s a distinct chill in the air and it’s as frosty as the reception that Lauren gave me across the breakfast table this morning. We don’t have time for animosity, we need every day to count. The days are slipping away, and we still have nothing more to show for it. Not one new significant memory carved since I returned. A heaviness consumes me as I think of all the women that I’ve chosen to spend my time with over the last five years, when I could have been with her. They haven’t meant anything, not one of them, they were never going to be Mrs Taylor. It all seems such a waste. It’s probably a good thing no one turned my head, as in times like this, I’ll always choose her. No one will ever come close to what Lauren and I have.
I haven’t been down to these lakes since I was a child. The memories I have of the endless summers wading through the water when the hours would roll by. If anyone was ever looking for me, they would be sure to find me here. Although the landscape’s pretty different now; the water looks distinctly murky and uninviting and wading in is the very last thing on my mind. As I turn the corner, my view opens to the huge expanse of water before me and Dick tugs eagerly on his lead. As I bend down to free him, I stop as I spot the object of my current frustrations paddling away from the edge, leaving her precious pooch guarding her clothes. I hesitate for a moment as my brain screams at me to turn and leave, reminding me that I’m here for Lauren and can’t let anyone get in the way of that. But the thundering in my chest is too much and despite all my reservations, I let Dick off the lead. He scurries, kicking up the soil beneath his feet as he comes to a screeching halt beside Poppy. As Beth slowly turns in the water, her face contorts as she stares back at me.
‘What on earth are you doing?’ I ask.
She stares blankly at me, after all, the answer is obvious. ‘Swimming.’
‘In case you haven’t noticed, this is a site of national heritage, not the local pool.’
‘Wild swimming.’
I lean against the closest tree to steady myself as I take her in. ‘Wildly dangerous and damaging to the environment you mean?’
Tossing her head back in annoyance, she starts to swim further away, ‘Oh you’re one of them.’
‘One of what?’ I question.
‘Funny how it’s only men who always knock wild swimming. It’s not dangerous nor damaging to the wildlife actually. I think you’re too afraid to get into the ice-cold water in case your balls drop off.’
‘Pfft. Yeah, that’s right, I’m afraid of a little cold water.’ I laugh at the suggestion.
‘Prove it.’
Shit. There could be anything in that lake, waiting to feast on my cock. ‘How cold?’
‘Freezing.’
I raise my brow in surprise. ‘Like your heart?’
‘Chicken.’
‘I don’t have my swim shorts unfortunately. Maybe next time.’ I sound almost disappointed, but I’m secretly relieved.
‘Go commando.’
‘I couldn’t subject you to that, it would be too much for you to handle, the sight alone may make you faint.’
‘Really?’ she mocks.
There’s no way out of this, I either lose my pride or my dignity. She grins at me with her head bobbing above the water and it’s like she’s calling to me. I have to do this.
