with his strong rugged features more visible without the long, unruly hair he had previously worn.
“I cut it all off after university when I started to go for interviews in London. I admit to having seen recent photos of you at Mark’s house and when I moved here Mark mentioned that you own The Tea Cosy, so I did have an unfair advantage in recognising you. May I ask one thing that has been intriguing me for weeks though?”
“Yes, although I’m not sure I want to answer any questions, after our previous meetings,” I stammer, anxious about what he may ask, given the situations in which he’s seen me.
“Well ... whatever possessed you to ballet dance in the woods–naked? I mean each to their own, and I’m very open-minded towards naturalists, if that’s your thing, but is there another reason? At first, I thought I’d disturbed two lovers, but when I realised you were happily dancing on your own, I have wondered about you,” he says. At this point I am wracking my brains with some possible reason for my actions and cringe even more thinking about my dancing – did my boobs wobble ferociously? I decide that after all my encounters with James, I might as well be honest because I can’t possibly become any more embarrassed in front of this man. After explaining my list to him and why I’m doing it, I’m surprised that he genuinely seems impressed. “Well good for you Lizzie. I admire you for facing your fears and trying new things. Am I allowed to ask what else you have on this list of yours?”
“Even though you know me more intimately than most as a result of my list, I am not telling you all of the items; however, reading this book is on my list and so is doing an adventurous activity. After tomorrow I can tick that off – I hope. What is gorge crossing by the way?” I ask curiously.
“Well there’s a very steep gorge about a mile over the hill and we have rigged up ropes going from one side to the other. You will wear a harness attached to the ropes and basically jump of the cliff, dangle in the air and pull yourself over to the other side – it’s good fun!” He must see the look of horror on my face. “What’s the matter Lizzie? You’ve gone slightly pale.”
My heart rate increases at the thought of the height and I feel slightly hot. “I have a fear of heights. This is my worst nightmare. I’m not sure if I can do it,” I reply. He gently touches my cheek and gazes intensely into my eyes, causing my heart rate to now switch from fast to over drive.
“Just come up and see what it’s like. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if it would make you feel better, we can do it together at the same time. You can be attached to me and I’ll make sure you’re safe Lizzie. Have a think about it; you don’t have to decide anything until tomorrow.” He smiles briefly before giving me a quick pat on the arm and turning more brisk. “Anyway I’ll leave you with your book. I need to sort out the orienteering groups for later.” With that he turns and heads back towards the centre. Whilst I sit and contemplate whether I can face one of my biggest fears, I also acknowledge the feeling warmth that has spread throughout my body–a result of the effect a certain man, seems to have on me.
Later on, we all meet in the dining room to be greeted by the smell of yet another of Peter’s mouth-watering concoctions. Ruth is beside herself with joy and admiration for this man. Pete has a bubbling pot of chilli on the stove and a huge tray of lasagne for us to choose from. We all select our choice before sitting down to join others already eating on the benches. Why does fresh air build up such an appetite? Ravenous and enjoying eating the food, everybody is in good spirits creating a cheerful atmosphere that has descended upon the centre. I now understand why they start with the hike, as this mixes people up so that they chat and feel at ease with each other, especially since
“I cut it all off after university when I started to go for interviews in London. I admit to having seen recent photos of you at Mark’s house and when I moved here Mark mentioned that you own The Tea Cosy, so I did have an unfair advantage in recognising you. May I ask one thing that has been intriguing me for weeks though?”
“Yes, although I’m not sure I want to answer any questions, after our previous meetings,” I stammer, anxious about what he may ask, given the situations in which he’s seen me.
“Well ... whatever possessed you to ballet dance in the woods–naked? I mean each to their own, and I’m very open-minded towards naturalists, if that’s your thing, but is there another reason? At first, I thought I’d disturbed two lovers, but when I realised you were happily dancing on your own, I have wondered about you,” he says. At this point I am wracking my brains with some possible reason for my actions and cringe even more thinking about my dancing – did my boobs wobble ferociously? I decide that after all my encounters with James, I might as well be honest because I can’t possibly become any more embarrassed in front of this man. After explaining my list to him and why I’m doing it, I’m surprised that he genuinely seems impressed. “Well good for you Lizzie. I admire you for facing your fears and trying new things. Am I allowed to ask what else you have on this list of yours?”
“Even though you know me more intimately than most as a result of my list, I am not telling you all of the items; however, reading this book is on my list and so is doing an adventurous activity. After tomorrow I can tick that off – I hope. What is gorge crossing by the way?” I ask curiously.
“Well there’s a very steep gorge about a mile over the hill and we have rigged up ropes going from one side to the other. You will wear a harness attached to the ropes and basically jump of the cliff, dangle in the air and pull yourself over to the other side – it’s good fun!” He must see the look of horror on my face. “What’s the matter Lizzie? You’ve gone slightly pale.”
My heart rate increases at the thought of the height and I feel slightly hot. “I have a fear of heights. This is my worst nightmare. I’m not sure if I can do it,” I reply. He gently touches my cheek and gazes intensely into my eyes, causing my heart rate to now switch from fast to over drive.
“Just come up and see what it’s like. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if it would make you feel better, we can do it together at the same time. You can be attached to me and I’ll make sure you’re safe Lizzie. Have a think about it; you don’t have to decide anything until tomorrow.” He smiles briefly before giving me a quick pat on the arm and turning more brisk. “Anyway I’ll leave you with your book. I need to sort out the orienteering groups for later.” With that he turns and heads back towards the centre. Whilst I sit and contemplate whether I can face one of my biggest fears, I also acknowledge the feeling warmth that has spread throughout my body–a result of the effect a certain man, seems to have on me.
Later on, we all meet in the dining room to be greeted by the smell of yet another of Peter’s mouth-watering concoctions. Ruth is beside herself with joy and admiration for this man. Pete has a bubbling pot of chilli on the stove and a huge tray of lasagne for us to choose from. We all select our choice before sitting down to join others already eating on the benches. Why does fresh air build up such an appetite? Ravenous and enjoying eating the food, everybody is in good spirits creating a cheerful atmosphere that has descended upon the centre. I now understand why they start with the hike, as this mixes people up so that they chat and feel at ease with each other, especially since
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