The Faraway People by Stacey Dighton

Author:Stacey Dighton [Dighton, Stacey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cranthorpe Millner Publishers
Published: 2023-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

Alison and Michael

July 2022

Alison wasn’t impressed. ‘It smells like mould,’ she groaned. ‘And old people.’

‘Oh, it’s not so bad.’ Michael reached across her and shook the wooden handrail at the foot of the stairs. ‘It’s sturdy enough.’

‘What the hell are these drawings?’

‘Who knows? Who cares?’

‘They’re ugly.’

‘Well, they’re not as pretty as you, that’s true, but then who is?’

Alison curled a lip and huffed. ‘It’s hardly the Seychelles.’

‘It was never supposed to be. Come on, it’ll be fun. Let’s go and check out the beach.’

The little cove was quaint and secluded, and they spent the afternoon swimming in the cool waters. Later on, they made love al-fresco behind a sand dune, only to be disturbed by Michael’s old school pal, Noah, and his pretty partner, Glanna. Michael spotted them first and leapt to his feet, clumsily pulling up his shorts and grinning. Alison, on the other hand, was left stranded in the sand in nothing more than the skin her mother gave her. Glanna spared her blushes by sliding in front of her and lifting her cream kaftan around them like a windbreak.

‘There you go, my dear. We really don’t want these men gawping at you, do we?’

‘I’m sorry, we didn’t think there was anyone around.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, it’s not a problem at all. It’s not like Noah and I haven’t done it from time to time.’

I can see that, Alison thought as she eyed Glanna’s baby bump.

From that moment on, the two of them grew close. Well, as close as anyone could get in the few days they spent together. Alison found Glanna’s personality inspiring, and a little addictive, too. Her lifestyle was so far removed from the hustle and bustle of their world back home. No rush-hour traffic, no early morning alarms, no difficult boss or bitching co-workers.

‘I love it here.’

‘It has its moments, I can assure you.’

‘No, I get that. It’s just…’ They were sitting in the garden of Excelsior. Alison had already drunk over half a bottle of pinot. It was early evening, and the sun was starting to dip beneath the horizon. ‘Well, it’s just so relaxing. So liberating. I feel like I could do anything here, be anyone.’

‘Everyone can be anyone or anything, my sweet. It just takes an openness to be, to simply exist in your own space in the form that you most prefer. Take Noah and I. Do I love him? Maybe. Does he love me? I think the jury’s out on that one too. Do you know what keeps us together?’

Alison shook her head.

‘Absolutely nothing,’ Glanna replied, answering her own question. ‘We’re free to do as we please, with whomever we please and however we choose. We own our own space.’

‘So, why do you live together in this house?’

‘Well, it’s my house. My family home, actually. I grew up here, as did my mother and her siblings, her mother and siblings too.’

‘And Noah?’

‘I allow him to stay, and he chooses to remain.’

Alison took another sip of her wine. It was cold and sweet and was going down way too easily.

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