Page 7 of Always Beth
‘Dick got his dick out. Again,’ I call through the cottage.
‘James. I told you to keep him on the lead, and stop calling him Dick, his name’s Richard.’
‘I’m not wandering the village calling out Richard.’
Lauren comes into view, her hands gripping the side of the armchair. ‘Because Dick’s so much better, is it?’
We smile at one another. I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve had this conversation. I would have it forever if I could. Bending down, I kiss the top of her head and drop the paper into her lap.
‘Why do you insist on buying a paper? Read the news on your phone like any other millennial.’
‘I like the paper, Lauren,’ I say dryly.
‘You’re so stuffy.’
‘Says the woman who wants me to call the dog Richard.’
She rolls her eyes and tosses the paper towards me. ‘You read it, I’ve better things to be doing.’
I sit up abruptly as my eyes follow her across the room. ‘Such as? I thought we were spending the day together?’
‘Just some things I need to sort out. Nothing for you to worry about.’
‘Lauren, I took a career break so we could be together, I don’t want to waste this time.’
‘It’s one afternoon, James.’ She sighs.
‘Fine.’ I pull the pages of the paper apart and sink back into the chair, then watch as she leaves the room with Dick tottering behind her. The silence is deafening in this cottage when you’re alone and each day it becomes a little bit quieter. It’s like a dress rehearsal and I’m the unwitting male lead. I stare out the window and my mind casts back to the paddock. A smile spreads across my face as I relive how exasperated Beth was, it’s quite possibly the highlight of my day. Maybe walking Dick won’t be such a chore after all, if it means I get to run into delightfully cheery dog walkers.
‘I need you to check on the other cottage,’ Lauren calls from upstairs.
I toss the paper on the side table and drag myself from the chair. ‘Why, I thought the letting agent was sorting it?’ I hover by the doorway with one hand on my jacket.
‘He’s useless. Please just check she’s settled in, okay?’
‘She? I thought you’d gone with the couple who were paying the rent upfront for the year?’
‘Look, just go and check on her, will you?’ I sense the annoyance in her voice and figure this is one of these times where it’s best that I do as I’m told.
I pull my jacket on and glance down at Dick who is waiting patiently by the door. ‘Not this time, buddy.’
* * *
Check on the cottage, James. Walk the dog, James.
If I’d known what I was signing up for I think I would have stayed at work. It’s not like she even asked me to take the time off, I had to, for both of us. She’s putting on a brave front, I know her better than anyone. We can’t function without one another. God knows we’ve tried. Now we need each other more than ever and at every given opportunity I feel like she pushes me away. As I wander along the lane, the cottage comes into view. We should have got rid of this place years ago, but we’ve never been able to let it go. It holds too many memories. For the most part, I left Lauren dealing with it, which meant nothing was done for years. Finally, she’s rented it out.
It’s an investment, James.What she knows about investments, she could write on a postage stamp. As I walk along the hedge, I spot the familiar sight of honeysuckle climbing across the arch of the gate. This cottage is a gardener’s paradise. I hope this woman is green fingered, because Lauren used to tend to the garden, but she doesn’t have the energy now and well, I don’t have the inclination. The path to the cottage is silent, a stark contrast to the memories I have of the place. Lauren and I used to drink and play music until the early hours; it’s a blessing there are no neighbours as we would have fallen out. I knock lightly on the door and take a step back turning my attention back out to the lane.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi… Sorry to… Oh.’
Her eyes narrow. ‘What the hell do you want?’
‘It’s you.’ I roll my lips together, trying to remain composed.
‘Yes, it’s me. What do you want? Why are you at my door?’
