Authors note.
This is my first ever story. And it came from an online chat with a lovely, married lady! Any and all comments or feedback welcomed!
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I was tired, I'd had travel troubles getting here, actually I wasn't even sure I knew where here was. Somewhere near the Northern Ireland coast, the train had taken awhile to get there from Belfast. I was late but not late enough to pop into the store to say hi to the store manager ahead of the meeting tomorrow. Best to say hi and then I can head to the hotel to rest, eat and well relax.
This was my first work trip since covid and whilst not always glamorous I secretly enjoyed the store visits I sometimes had to do. There was obviously the work but it was often fun meeting colleagues on the shop floor. They always had an interesting perspective. And sometimes, well sometimes...
And so there I was exiting the taxi and walking over to the entrance. Checking my phone to remind myself of the store managers name I wandered over to customer services to sign in. As I walked up there was a colleague standing behind the desk, all smiles.
"I'm here to see Natalie, the store manager" I say.
"Ah you must be Freddie from head office, Nat told us you were coming and that you were running late..." she said late with seemingly a twinkle in your eye.
"Let me take you to her, you'll never find her office through the maze of the warehouse!"
"Ah great, thanks" I said....and we exchanged the usual pleasantries as we walked through the store. I said "I was staying at this hotel, near the sea I think."
Straight away you replied, "oh that's lovely. It's right on the beach, only 10 mins from here, but a world away." And you added that you often run and walk past it.
Before we could say more we made it to Natalie's office and you bade me goodbye. But I swear there was that twinkle again. Putting it aside (for now) I knocked and went in to see Natalie....
"Jen, Jen..." 10 mins later Natalie popped her head out of her office asking if anyone had seen Jen. Moments later a familiar face came through her door..."Jen you live near where Freddie's staying. Could you drop him there...saves a taxi fare and you can tell him a few things to do tonight."
"Sure Nat happy to do so, my shift is finishing anyway."
And so a few mins later I found myself walking out of the store towards Jen's car. As we walked over she said..."I should warn you, it's not the cleanest inside! I've got 2 kids..."
"So have I" I replied. The drive to the hotel wasn't long and we chatted about the kids and that we were both married, and both happily so.
As she pulled up at the hotel, she pointed out the path to the beach and said, again with that twinkle, "if you fancy a wander I'll be back here in an hour..." And with that she departed.
Now I was tired but the thought of a sea walk was enticing. The hour passed in no time...quick shower and a change and I found myself on that path. And as I strolled down the sandy incline I could smell and hear the sea calling to me.
"Gorgeous" I said out loud, seemingly to no one.
"Yep it is," I turned and there walking towards me was Jen. Changed into a sports bra and the tightest gym leggings you could imagine.
"Wow!" I blurted out. Quickly followed by "sorry!"
"Why sorry?" said Jen, again with that twinkle! "Come on...there's this amazing spot a couple of kms down the beach. It's beautiful but hard to get to...it's a locals secret."
"Sounds great" I replied. And as I did she reached out her hand to grab mine and pull me along. Again with that mischievous twinkle in her eye.
20 mins later I found myself scrambling over some rocks and we found ourselves in this small but magical looking cove. Beautiful golden sand, dunes to one side and a cave at the other. I stood spell bound at this sight, seemingly miles away from anywhere and anyone.
And then Jen said, "fancy a swim?"
And as I started my reply to say, "it looks beautiful but I've not got any trunks on..." you'd already headed off to the cave.