I woke the next morning to the smell of bacon, and Beth appeared in the doorway with a tray. "Thought I'd treat you," she grinned, sitting on the edge of the bed.
I bit into a bacon sandwich. "Mm."
Beth picked up her mug, sipping, and I detected a hint of anxiety in her expression. "Are you OK?" I queried.
"I'm fine, really. But Mum will be back later, and I'm not sure how she'd feel if you stayed over again."
I nodded. "Do you want to tell her about -- well, about us?"
Beth puzzled for a few moments. "Of course I want her to know."
She smiled softly, putting her hand on mine. "I want everyone to know. But -- well, it's still really new to me, and maybe I need some more time before she asks me loads of questions."
"Like 'are you being careful?'" I sympathised.
"Exactly."
The look in Beth's eyes changed to one I was starting to become familiar with. "Anyway," she murmured, "I want you all to myself for a while yet."
I leaned over to kiss her. "You've definitely got me, love."
From somewhere an idea dropped into my head. "I know -- why don't we go away somewhere for a few days? We can say it's a last trip before we have to put our heads down and study."
Beth's eyes lit up. "Perfect."
I could see her beginning to try out different possibilities in her mind. "Where do you fancy?" I queried.
"How about... You know that place we always used to go -- Herefordshire, wasn't it?"
"Mm-hm."
"Well, I remember there was a hotel on the main street, a small one. We never stayed there, but whenever we walked past I noticed that on the sign it said they had a swimming pool, and I always wanted to try it. Especially when the weather's as warm as this."
I was momentarily distracted by a picture of Beth in a swimsuit -- a one-piece cut high at the sides, or maybe just a barely-there bikini...
"Earth calling Tim," Beth teased. "I promise that all your fantasies will come true."
I chuckled. "You don't know what you're letting yourself in for. OK, let's take a look."
I picked up Beth's iPad and tapped in a search. "Here it is."
Beth leaned closer to look at the screen. "Great -- do they have space?"
I pulled up the booking calendar. "Oh, wow."
"What?" Beth queried.
"There's one room that's next to the swimming pool, and whoever's staying in it gets sole use of the pool first thing in the morning and last thing at night."
It was Beth's turn to let her imagination run away with her. "I could so swim naked."
I clicked again. "OK, it's available from tomorrow night -- shall we?"
"You bet."
I made the booking, and my phone buzzed with the email confirmation. "Sorted."
Beth leaned over to hug me. "Thanks, Tim. This is going to be amazing!"
She sighed. "But I think it would be a good idea if we spent today with our parents -- I know Mum's already thinking about missing me when October comes around."
I nodded. "We still have time for a shower, though?"
Beth grinned. "Always."
Again she enjoyed the sensation of my hands smoothing soapy foam over her body, but we resisted the temptation to go any further -- "We'll have all the time in the world at the hotel," Beth promised, her voice full of anticipation -- and I watched as she dressed and brushed her hair. "You look like butter wouldn't melt in your mouth," I teased.
"What in my mouth?" she riposted, grinning wickedly, and I kissed her hard on the lips. "Beth, I am so lucky to have you."