guess I’d be classed as a beginner.”
He nodded, pushing open a wooden door neatly labelled ENQUIRIES. “That won’t be a problem, we have lots of holidaymakers looking for an easy trek. It’s just a case of how soon we can book you in. Where are you staying?”
“ Um, I haven’t decided yet. Can you recommend anywhere local? I came up here on a whim.”
He settled into a swivel chair and opened a large desk diary, flicking through the pages and glancing up at my words. “You might be in luck. Anita, my business partner, mentioned her parents had a cancellation this morning. They run a B&B up here. It’s a nice place. D’you want me to see if it’s still free?”
Even better, a chance to meet her parents and really uncover the truth about her marriage. At this rate, I’d be home again tomorrow.
3.7 Suki
I left Gabe in bed. Sneaking for an early shower, I then dressed rapidly in work clothes. The first suit that came to hand. Tiptoeing out of our dressing room, pausing only to collect my phone, I left a hastily scrawled Post-It note on the fridge.
Researching today, call me if you need me. Might be home late. S xx
I managed to hold myself together as I drove away, putting as much distance as I could between us before I eventually broke down in tears. I’d driven blindly up the M56 motorway, apparently heading for North Wales. My direction was unimportant. This had simply been the first junction I came to.
Pulling over to the side of the road, I parked on the hard shoulder to regain my composure. Lorries and commuter traffic thundered past me, the car rocking slightly with each vehicle. I needed my head together, otherwise I’d end up in a mangled heap.
Deep breaths. I had to cover my tracks. A text to Katy at work.
If anyone’s looking for me, pls tell them I’m researching today. Gabe might call. Thx, Suki
Another round of deep breaths. I dug out a tissue and wiped my eyes, blew my nose.
He’d treated me like a whore.
I stared out at the lorries, just feet from my car. If I stepped out, they wouldn’t be able to stop in time. It was tempting, for just a moment.
Another breath. The trembling started to recede.
He’d been normal when he came to bed, loving, kind and affectionate. He’d kissed me and screwed me again, but slowly this time, more gentle. He muttered my name when he came, then rolled over and snored.
Had I dreamed it all? Imagined the porn sex in his den? Every one of Mum’s psychotic episodes was preceded with her having hallucinations. She’d accuse Dad of all sorts, none of which had happened. My heart rate sped up even further.
A stabbing pain fired in my temples and I massaged them with my fingertips, rubbing slow circles as I thought again about last night. It was real. I couldn’t have made up something like that. I groped in my handbag for the elderly packet of chewing gum I knew was there. It was a poor substitute for coffee, but it would have to do. I hadn’t wanted to stay at home a minute longer than necessary.
Back in traffic and heading west, away from Cheshire, I had a brilliant idea. Anita and Jon lived off the North Wales coast and she’d urged me to call in, if I was ever in the area. I’d go and visit them.
* * * *
Anita sounded delighted to hear from me. Of course I should call in. Did I have the address? How long would I be?
“I’m just, ah, coming across the bridge at the moment, onto Anglesey. How long will it take me?”
“ Oh, twenty minutes, tops. And that’s if you take the scenic route. Listen, I’m not at home at the moment. To save you hanging around, go to my mum’s next door. I’ll warn her. She’ll be fine with that, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Her kind, friendly voice soothed my jagged nerves. I desperately needed something, I just wasn’t sure what. Maybe I’d find it here in this tranquil countryside. I found her mum’s sprawling guesthouse easily enough. It was only a short
He nodded, pushing open a wooden door neatly labelled ENQUIRIES. “That won’t be a problem, we have lots of holidaymakers looking for an easy trek. It’s just a case of how soon we can book you in. Where are you staying?”
“ Um, I haven’t decided yet. Can you recommend anywhere local? I came up here on a whim.”
He settled into a swivel chair and opened a large desk diary, flicking through the pages and glancing up at my words. “You might be in luck. Anita, my business partner, mentioned her parents had a cancellation this morning. They run a B&B up here. It’s a nice place. D’you want me to see if it’s still free?”
Even better, a chance to meet her parents and really uncover the truth about her marriage. At this rate, I’d be home again tomorrow.
3.7 Suki
I left Gabe in bed. Sneaking for an early shower, I then dressed rapidly in work clothes. The first suit that came to hand. Tiptoeing out of our dressing room, pausing only to collect my phone, I left a hastily scrawled Post-It note on the fridge.
Researching today, call me if you need me. Might be home late. S xx
I managed to hold myself together as I drove away, putting as much distance as I could between us before I eventually broke down in tears. I’d driven blindly up the M56 motorway, apparently heading for North Wales. My direction was unimportant. This had simply been the first junction I came to.
Pulling over to the side of the road, I parked on the hard shoulder to regain my composure. Lorries and commuter traffic thundered past me, the car rocking slightly with each vehicle. I needed my head together, otherwise I’d end up in a mangled heap.
Deep breaths. I had to cover my tracks. A text to Katy at work.
If anyone’s looking for me, pls tell them I’m researching today. Gabe might call. Thx, Suki
Another round of deep breaths. I dug out a tissue and wiped my eyes, blew my nose.
He’d treated me like a whore.
I stared out at the lorries, just feet from my car. If I stepped out, they wouldn’t be able to stop in time. It was tempting, for just a moment.
Another breath. The trembling started to recede.
He’d been normal when he came to bed, loving, kind and affectionate. He’d kissed me and screwed me again, but slowly this time, more gentle. He muttered my name when he came, then rolled over and snored.
Had I dreamed it all? Imagined the porn sex in his den? Every one of Mum’s psychotic episodes was preceded with her having hallucinations. She’d accuse Dad of all sorts, none of which had happened. My heart rate sped up even further.
A stabbing pain fired in my temples and I massaged them with my fingertips, rubbing slow circles as I thought again about last night. It was real. I couldn’t have made up something like that. I groped in my handbag for the elderly packet of chewing gum I knew was there. It was a poor substitute for coffee, but it would have to do. I hadn’t wanted to stay at home a minute longer than necessary.
Back in traffic and heading west, away from Cheshire, I had a brilliant idea. Anita and Jon lived off the North Wales coast and she’d urged me to call in, if I was ever in the area. I’d go and visit them.
* * * *
Anita sounded delighted to hear from me. Of course I should call in. Did I have the address? How long would I be?
“I’m just, ah, coming across the bridge at the moment, onto Anglesey. How long will it take me?”
“ Oh, twenty minutes, tops. And that’s if you take the scenic route. Listen, I’m not at home at the moment. To save you hanging around, go to my mum’s next door. I’ll warn her. She’ll be fine with that, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Her kind, friendly voice soothed my jagged nerves. I desperately needed something, I just wasn’t sure what. Maybe I’d find it here in this tranquil countryside. I found her mum’s sprawling guesthouse easily enough. It was only a short
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