Power of Nature by C.L. Peache

Author:C.L. Peache [Peache, C.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Saga Fiction

Chapter 21

Now

Last Night…

Harriett had never eaten so much. Sandra was adamant that she needed feeding up.

‘Just eat it, Harriett. It’s easier, else she will just nag you until you do. Trust me. I’ve learned to do as I’m told.’

Sandra pointed the BBQ fork at Martin. ‘If that were true, you would have fixed those lights the other night when I told you to.’

‘I told you I didn’t have the bulbs! Where do you expect me to magic up bulbs from when we’ve been banned from using any form of electronic devices whilst we are on our anniversary retreat?’

‘How long have you been together?’ Paul asked, smiling at their exchange.

‘Fifteen long years,’ Sandra and Martin said simultaneously. They laughed and chinked glasses.

‘Wow, congratulations. The longest I’ve ever managed is two years,’ Paul said.

Harriett took another bite of the burger Sandra had given her. She didn’t want them to ask her. Didn’t want them to find out that at the age of thirty-eight, she had never had a relationship, had never slept with anyone. As the day moved into dusk, they spoke about the nights they’d had as kids. Sandra had been a bit of a wild child. Paul and Harriett had shared a look as Martin raised his eyebrows.

The outside lights came on and Martin declared it was fire time. He expertly lit the fire pit as Sandra topped up their glasses. Harriett was feeling the wine, even though she’d managed to swap it for lemonade later on in the evening. She didn’t want to tell them she was on medication, she just wanted it to be normal. She wanted this to be a normal evening where she could pretend that she’d told Paul about her past and he didn’t care and they were a couple. Here they were on an evening out with another couple. Normal.

Hours later, as the night started to turn chilly despite the fire, Sandra stood up and announced, ‘Right. Spin the bottle time!’

Paul and Harriett put up their hands. ‘Sandra, come on. We are not American teenagers at a frat party. We are not playing spin the bottle.’

Sandra sulked as Martin took the bottle of vodka from her. Sandra swayed and Paul stood up.

‘Listen, I’m shattered. Had a long drive. It’s been fabulous, but this old guy is going to have to say thank you for a wonderful evening and good night.’

Sandra tried without success to change Paul’s mind as she swayed in Martin’s arms. Finally, to shrieks of laughter, Martin lifted her in his arms.

‘Right, woman. Bed for you. Stop embarrassing us with your drunken behaviour.’

Sandra giggled as Martin carried her into the house, waving her hand as Paul put the lid on the fire pit and opened the front gate. Harriett looked back, not wanting to forget this night. Once she’d told Paul, this might never happen again. Who invited random strangers to a party? A couple, yes. But not a random single person, although—Harriett thought—Sandra probably set up her friends on blind dates. She was one of those kinds of people.

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