Lynn comes to realise that love and fleeting passion are not the same thing at all and sometimes true love comes in unexpected ways...
*
I met Alex about three years ago. Wendy said then he had to be a rat -- nobody could be that handsome and nice with it. She was my best friend and knew she could say anything she liked, so she did. She always spoke her mind and it was that part of her that endeared her to me.
I laughed it off of course, but deep down I hoped for once it wasn't a case of true words spoken in jest. So often my impetuous nature had been steadied by her perception and good sense. But I had to convince myself that this time she was wrong -- or might be. I'm afraid I'd fallen for Alex Morton, hook, line and sinker as they say and I didn't want to listen to any advice, no matter how prudent and well-meaning it was intended... not if it put a downer on a my latest romance.
If it had just been a matter of looks, (and he was gorgeous) it wouldn't have been so bad. But Alex was a charmer, witty and well-mannered and fun to be with.
We first met when he came to visit Joe, who lived in the flat opposite mine.
Easy-going, good-natured, tousle-haired Joe -- he was no oil-painting, but a lovelier guy you could not wish to meet. I always felt safe somehow whenever he was around, and most times he seemed to be... like he was part of the furniture. He was always fixing things for me and helping me out with stuff.
He'd knocked on my door one evening to borrow some milk and just over his shoulder I saw Alex for the first time. I tell you, my toes curled just seeing him. I felt myself blushing when he looked at me. He had the most devilish smile. Was an introduction too much to hope for?
I didn't have to bother my head about that, for two minutes later there was another knock on my door. It was Alex this time. "Sorry about this," he said, grinning mischievously. "You see... we're out of coffee too!"
I didn't care if this was a lie or not because my heart leapt with an intense excitement, as if a thousand butterflies had taken flight in my tummy.
"Joe thought you might like to join us for a cuppa," he added. And that was how it all began.
I trod warily at first, forbidding my heart to sing every time I heard the throaty roar of his sports car arriving for me, but my heart just wouldn't listen. I'm pretty easy-going overall, but I still get hurt and I knew I wouldn't be able to laugh off this relationship if it all went bottoms up. I was madly in love with this guy... end of!
Spring quickly gave way to summer, and one shimmering afternoon we decided to drive out to a beauty spot in the country. I settled in the seat beside Alex, wearing a light cotton frock in coral and a white blouse. I could tell by the way Alex kept glancing at me he approved.
He had the soft top down and it was so invigorating having the wind in my hair as the road stretched out before us. I felt free and reckless, kind of born again.
We came to a little village on the way where we stopped for some refreshment -- The Tudor Tea Rooms, a charming half-timbered cottage with sweeping lawns and a duck pond. A black cat stretched lazily in the sunshine on one of the tables. We sat outside and spoiled ourselves with jam scones topped with thick cream and a pot of breakfast tea. It was fun to be indulgent and not worry about the waistline for once.
Alex watched me pour the tea with an intent expression which I didn't understand, like there was something troubling him. He caught my eye and smiled quickly, once more cool and unflappable. Later we strolled down shady lanes and along bridleways and country paths, across corn fields and through bluebell woods. It was simply wonderful.
There was a drowsy stillness about the afternoon, broken only by the occasional flutter of a bird in the trees and distant sounds of motorway traffic. We found a gap in the hedge and pushed through, flopping down on the lush green grass. The smell of hay came to me and I lay back under the vast blue sky. I listened to a grasshopper while Alex propped himself on one elbow beside me.
I looked up at him. His fresh white shirt, open at the neck, curved smoothly against a tanned throat, the brooding brown eyes seemed to bore into me. I reached out for his face and touched his black hair. A little strand fell over one eyebrow. His mouth relaxed into the devilish smile, showing perfect teeth and I once again felt that strange fluttering inside me.
"Happy, Lynn?" he asked. I nodded. I was happy any time we were together. The sunshine and birdsong were just a bonus.
"And you... are you happy?" I whispered.
Again the thoughtful look. "Don't I look it then?"
"Of course," I assured him. "It's just -- oh, I don't know. You seem restless sometimes. Perhaps it's my imagination." I sat up and looked intently into his face.
"No wonder. You're a very disturbing young woman," he replied, pulling me down beside him. His strong arms were about me then, and I was lost in the urgent sweetness of his kisses. His nearness was an intoxicating wine, and all the doubts vanished as I gave myself to him completely.
On the drive home I leaned back and studied his face. His eyes never left the road, and he kept both hands on the wheel this time. When we had set out today he had been more tactile, touching me in a flirtatious way, even while driving.
Now I detected a coolness in the atmosphere and it wasn't anything to do with the sun disappearing behind the gathering clouds. He seemed different since...
***
After a while we pulled up at a pub which oozed warmth and light and cheerful chatter which drifted out through open windows into the gathering dusk. We parked up and Alex fixed the hood back up on the car.
"Looks like it might rain," he said. "Better be on the safe side."
We found a secluded corner seat and Alex fetched drinks.
