Alison sat down with a scowl. “I can’t cope with this.”
“You know my philosophy; destiny, love, we can’t alter any of it, but I’m giving you space to deny it, if you insist.” He paused.
Her eyes narrowed, “I just need you out of my head.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t control that,” John smiled, “And for that matter, neither do you.”
“So, it’s preordained?”
“It would appear so but, if you disagree, walk away.” She stood to leave. “After you’ve had your cuppa.”
Alison sat down again and heard herself saying, “I swore never to see you again.”
Guilty love
Chapter 10 – Always Something There to Remind Me
Thoughts of guilt and despair crashed through her mind. Radio and daytime TV offered no succour. She needed to get out. She’d take her Kindle and treat herself to a cream tea.
Idling through town, woollen hat and scarf wrapped against the cold, she found herself outside the Diner. Remembering the music, milkshakes and good times, she regretted she couldn’t enter; John might be there. Head bowed, she hurried by. The doorbell tinkled as she stepped into the café, unwinding her scarf.
John looked up from a table, “What are you doing here?”
“Avoiding the diner,” she groaned with resignation.
Chapter 9 – Love the One You’re With
Staying in bed was only saturating the pillow. Wrapping a dressing gown round her, Alison threw herself at the cleaning, not daring to stop for a cup of tea. Struggling to control her inner debate, she turned on the hoover to drown it out.
Like a mantra, she narrated the clichés her mother would spill. “The grass is rarely greener, better the devil you know; be grateful for what you have.”
But nothing would dispel the voice of love iterating, “Compromise isn’t happiness. Love doesn’t know compromise.”
“It’ll pass,” she whispered, “No texts, no calls, I won’t see him again.”
Chapter 8 – Though You Treat Me Like You Do
Stuart stared at the stale mascara streaks betraying her sleepless night.
“Whatever’s up? You look awful.”
“Nothing, just a tough night, I suppose.” She averted her eyes.
“You were late. Something happen? You didn’t fall out with your friends? I know how you lot can be sometimes.”
His depiction of her and her friends’ relationship offered a welcome chance to laugh.
“No, everything’s fine. I told you, just had a particularly scary nightmare, silly to dwell on it.”
He pulled her close, “Hugs for my Darling. Don’t you worry! You’re safe with me.”
“Yes,” she echoed, “I’m safe with you.”
Chapter 7 – A Feeling I Don’t Want to Know
Alison laid down and listened to his rhythmic breathing. In the dark he was just a lumpy silhouette but she didn’t need light or him to be awake, to know the look of the ever-resident kindness in his still, grey eyes.
But, what beyond kindness? She involuntarily compared John’s dark spark to Stuart’s dullness and the pillow began to grow damp from her tears.
She felt guilty and assailed by irresistible forces. Reaching for a tissue, she sat up to wipe her nose.
Stuart stirred, “What’s up, babe?”
She stuttered a smile, “Just a scary nightmare. Nothing to worry about.”
Michael Wynn 