by Sarah Pond
Rachel sniffed, and wiped her eyes. 'Sorry. The thought of losing Lea scares the shit out of me. I still have nightmares about it sometimes.'
'Well, I think that's natural, to be honest. It's all still quite fresh. Just don't bottle things up.'
'Thanks, Tom.' Rachel kissed him on the cheek, as Lea walked in.
'Not interrupting, am I?'
Tom smiled at Lea. Rachel said, 'Actually, I was just about to come and find you.' She took Lea's hand, and led her back to her office, closing the door behind them.
It didn't escape Lea's notice that Rachel had been crying. 'Are you okay, Rach?'
Rachel nodded, and planted her mouth firmly over Lea's. She kissed Lea urgently, holding her close. After an age, she pulled back, her eyes shining.
Lea looked at Rachel, smiling. 'What brought that on?'
'I love you so much.'
'I love you, too.'
A movement caught Rachel's eye, and she stepped back as she saw Lisa heading over to the office. Lea said that she would make drinks for everyone, and made her way to the kitchen. As she was preparing the drinks, she thought about what had just happened. She knew that look of Rachel's. It was a combination of fear and wanting. She knew that Rachel would get overcome by a feeling of potential loss. If that had been Rachel laying in that hospital bed, Lea didn't know what she would have done. Also, Rachel wasn't treating her like a piece of porcelain now. She was still very attentive, and worried about her if she had so much as a headache, but she was getting over it. The way Rachel had grabbed and kissed her just now was something she wouldn't have done even a week ago.
That evening, they went from work to a nearby restaurant. They chatted a lot about the upcoming exhibition with Lea and her friends. As the evening wore on, Lea was becoming quieter. Rachel could see that she was getting tired, and leaned over to her, 'Do you want to go now?'
Lea said, 'Only if you're ready. Don't go on my account.'
Rachel squeezed Lea's hand, and told the others that they were going to head home. They said their goodbyes, and left the restaurant. Lea had enjoyed seeing everyone again, but was now feeling very tired, and was looking forward to getting back to Rachel's flat. As they walked along the road, the evening breeze felt refreshing on Lea's face, and she felt less tired. Rachel took Lea's hand as they made their way home, asking, 'How are you feeling?'
'Okay, a bit more awake now, actually. It was quite warm in the restaurant, I felt sleepy. The fresh air is nice.'
'London seems so busy and enclosed after Cornwall. Having spent so much time with you, I really notice it now.'
Lea was thinking about something Rachel had said when she was back in London after her holiday. 'Rach, can I ask you something?' Rachel nodded, and Lea continued, 'When you came back after your holiday, you said that unless I was thinking of moving to London, it would make things harder if we stayed in touch. I thought it was just a throw away comment at the time. Was it?'
Rachel looked at Lea, then straight ahead again. 'I don't know, really. I was feeling pretty confused about things. I hated having to leave you behind, but I couldn't see how we could make things work. I had had the most amazing time with you, and to be totally honest, I was scared by the strength of my feelings for you. What happened at the cove felt almost unreal, and at the same time, it was the most truthful thing I've ever experienced. Does any of this make any sense to you?'
Lea stopped, and turned towards Rachel, looking deep into her eyes, 'You take my breath away,' and she kissed Rachel.
When they reached the flat, Lea's lips were on Rachel the moment she closed the door. 'Hey, I thought you were tired!' Rachel laughed.
Between kisses, Lea said, 'I was. But I don't think I'll ever be too tired for you. Take me to bed.'
They untangled for long enough to put their bags down and take off their shoes, then they were back in one another's arms. Rachel led the way to her bedroom, and they fell onto the bed.
A couple of evenings later, Rachel and Lea were getting ready to meet Rachel's parents for a meal.
Lea said, 'I haven't got anything smart to wear.'
'We haven't got to dress up. My parents are very relaxed. Wear whatever you're comfortable in.'
'I'm feeling so nervous.'
'Don't be, I'm sure they'll love you like I do.'
Lea raised her eyebrows, an amused expression on her face, 'Um, I hope not quite like you do!'
Rachel laughed, 'You know what I mean! I don't think I've ever seen you this nervous. Relax, it'll be fine.'
Lea smiled tightly. 'Well, it's just that you were into guys until we met. What will they think?'
Rachel had never seen Lea like this before. She stopped and turned to Lea, her hands on her shoulders. 'They'll think that you're wonderful, and that they've never seen me so happy,' and she kissed Lea.
As they walked into the restaurant, Rachel could see her parents already seated. 'Hi Mum, Dad. This is Lea. Lea, my parents, Jean and Jonathan.'
Rachel's parents shook Lea's hand, as they exchanged pleasantries. Rachel and Lea sat down opposite Rachel's parents. Rachel could see how nervous Lea was, and held her hand under the table.
Jean said, 'So, Rachel says that you're an artist.'
Lea nodded, 'We're currently preparing for an exhibition at the gallery, along with some artist friends of mine from home.'
Rachel said, 'Lea is very talented. We sold a few of her pieces at her first exhibition last autumn.'
Jonathan said, 'Well, that's excellent. What subjects do you paint?'
'Mostly nature. Flowers, the beach and boats most often.'
Rachel showed her parents a few photos of Lea's work that she had on her phone. Jean said, 'They are really beautiful. You certainly have a gift.'
Lea smiled, 'Thank you.'
As the evening wore on, Lea started to relax. She really liked Rachel's parents. They were very interested in her, and asked a lot about where she lived. 'If you ever want to come and stay, you're very welcome. The cottage is very cosy, but I do have a spare bedroom. Just let us know.'
'Thank you, that's very kind.'
Rachel said, 'Oh, it's so beautiful there. I've been spending most of my time at Lea's over the last couple of months. I've been working from Lea's, and liaising with Tom and Lisa. I couldn't leave Lea after the accident.'
Jonathan said, 'You look very well, Lea. Are you recovered now?'
'Yes, thank you. Rachel has been wonderful, looking after me. I don't know what I would have done without her.' She turned and smiled at Rachel.
The way that Rachel looked back at Lea made her parents feel like spare parts, and Jonathan cleared his throat. Rachel came to, saying, 'It's the first time in ages that Lea has come to London.'
'I take it the gallery is doing well?' Jonathan asked.
'Yes, Lisa has been a star covering for me when I'm away. You'll be pleased to know that I'm taking much more time off now.'
Jean said, 'That's good to hear. Katy said you've been keeping in touch more, too. She was really pleased about that.' Then she leaned forward conspiratorially to Lea, 'Rachel used to spend far too much time working.'
Rachel threw her hands in the air, 'Yes, so everyone was telling me! I rather like the extra social time that I have now,' and she snuck another look at Lea, smiling.
At the end of the evening, Rachel's parents insisted on paying for dinner, and they all left the restaurant together. Lea said, 'It was lovely to meet you.'
'And to meet you. Hopefully we'll see you again soon.'
'Remember, if you'd like to come and stay, just ask.'
'Thank you, we'd love to.'
They all kissed and hugged each other goodbye, and went their separate ways. Jonathan and Jean turned to look back, and saw Rachel and Lea holding hands, walking up the road. They smiled at one another. They had never seen their daughter so relaxed and happy.
'I love your parents. You're so lucky. And they seem so happy together.'
'They are great. I think I'll make mo
re effort to see them more often. I could tell that they like you. Well, who wouldn't, you're so sweet and gorgeous!'
Lea laughed. 'How much wine did you have this evening?'
'You know it isn't the wine talking. I love you so much, and I'm so glad you've met my parents.'
'Actually, I really enjoyed this evening. You're quite like your parents in some ways, particularly your mum.'
'Really? How about you, who are you most like?' As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Rachel regretted them. 'Sorry, I didn't mean...'
Lea said, 'It's okay, don't worry about it. I'm not like either of them. When I was a child I used to wonder whether I was adopted, I felt so different.'
Rachel was still feeling awkward, but Lea squeezed her hand and kissed her, and Rachel felt reassured.
At the gallery, a few days before Rachel and Lea were going to be leaving, Lisa said, 'I saw Jasmine and Olivia recently, and they were asking after you. Do you fancy meeting up with them for a drink?'
Rachel said, 'I'd really like that. Lea, I'd love you to meet them. I'm not sure whether I mentioned them to you or not. I met them at a party one of Lisa's friends was having. This would have been last December. It was after talking with Olivia and Jasmine that I decided to come and find you. Obviously, I didn't know at the time that you'd gone to Italy.'
'Ooh, I'm intrigued.'
Lisa said, 'Great, I'll call them to arrange a time.'
The following evening, Lisa, Rachel and Lea had arranged to meet Jasmine and Olivia at the cosy pub in the centre of Covent Garden. They hadn't been there long when Jasmine and Olivia arrived. Introductions were made, and hugs and kisses on the cheek were exchanged. Jasmine said, 'It's lovely to meet you, Lea.'
'You too. I understand you may have helped get Rachel back to me!'
Olivia said, 'I think it was inevitable, the way Rachel spoke about you.'
Lea exchanged a look with Rachel which didn't go unnoticed by Jasmine and Olivia. They smiled at one another, and Jasmine winked at Olivia.
Jasmine and Olivia were intrigued to hear their story, and were shocked to hear about the accident. 'Are you okay now?' asked Olivia.
'Yes, I'm fine. To be honest, it brought us closer together. This is the first time I've been to London since. It's not been that long since I had the plaster off.'
Olivia said, 'I'm so pleased you're well. You forget how things can change in an instant, it's so easy to take things for granted.' She took Jasmine's hand and squeezed it gently.
Lea asked, 'So, how do you find London after living in St Ives, Olivia?'
'I love it. We also love going back for holidays, but London feels like home now. I couldn't imagine being anywhere without Jasmine.'
'That's so lovely to hear. We've been finding the commuting thing a bit of a nuisance, although for the past couple of months, Rachel's been living with me, which has been wonderful.'
They chatted a lot more about living in Cornwall, the gallery and Jasmine's publishing business. At the end of the evening, as Olivia was hugging Rachel goodbye, she said, 'I'm so glad you worked it out with Lea, you are so good together.'
Rachel was touched, 'Thank you. And thank you again for your advice at the party.'
As they were walking home, Lea said, 'What a lovely couple, they are adorable. I'm also very grateful to them.'
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When they were back in Kingsand, Lea arranged to visit Mr and Mrs Anderson. The walk to Fort Picklecombe along the coastal path took about half an hour, and Lea could manage this easily now. 'When I was a child, I used to make up stories about the Fort. I always wondered what it was like inside. I wouldn't have expected that having the accident was the way I would find out!'
Rachel didn't say anything. Lea squeezed her hand, she knew that Rachel was still very sensitive any time that Lea mentioned the accident. Still, it had happened, and as terrible as it had been at the time, it had brought Rachel and Lea closer than ever, and for that, Lea was grateful.
Mrs Anderson welcomed Lea and Rachel in. She was quite little, with light grey wavy hair, and twinkly blue eyes that shone in her friendly face. 'I'm so pleased to see you looking so well. We've been so worried about you.'
'Thank you, I really am fine.' Handing Mrs Anderson a bouquet of mixed flowers, Lea said, 'These are for you.'
'That's so kind of you, dear. Thank you. I'll go and put them in some water.'
Mr Anderson came over to greet them both, and welcomed them in. He was a broad set man, and his face was craggy and square. His white hair was parted at the side, with the same short back and sides that he had had since he was a boy.
The flat was spacious, with pale blue walls and a wooden floor. The floor to ceiling windows stretched across the whole front of the open plan flat. The view was stunning, a wide vista across the Plymouth Sound. Looking off to the right, you could see Kingsand and Cawsand in the distance.
'Do come and sit down, dears.'
'Thank you.' Lea and Rachel sat side by side on the sofa overlooking the view. Mrs Anderson sat down, and Mr Anderson went to make drinks for everyone. Lea said, 'It's beautiful. I've always wondered what it was like in here. I can see the fort from Kingsand. Have you lived here long?'
'Yes, many years. Ever since it was converted in the seventies.'
'It's very peaceful here.' Rachel smiled at Lea.
Mr Anderson brought the teas and coffees over, and set them down on the coffee table. Once everyone was settled again, he said, 'I'm so sorry about what happened.'
'There's no need to apologise. I'm sorry I walked out in front of you and gave you such a fright.'
'We're just glad that you're okay. You were in such a state when we called the ambulance, we feared the worst.' Rachel swallowed hard, and Lea turned to see a strained expression on her face. She discretely squeezed Rachel's hand and smiled at her. 'We did want to visit you in hospital, but we weren't sure whether you would like that.'
'It's very sweet of you to be so concerned.'
'So, are you fully recovered now?'
'Yes. The doctors and nurses were wonderful. Also, Rachel came from London to look after me, I couldn't have been in better hands.'
'That's good to hear. Are you sisters?'
'No,' Lea looked at Rachel, wondering whether to expand on her short answer.
As it was, Mrs Anderson spoke again, 'Well, you're lucky to have such a good friend.' Rachel and Lea smiled at one another.
They had an interesting chat, and Mr and Mrs Anderson were very interested to hear about Lea's painting, and Rachel's gallery. Lea and Rachel found out that the couple, 'Do call us Ethel and Edward, no need to be on ceremony,' had met when they were in the Navy. Edward said, 'I knew the moment I met Ethel, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Do I sound like a silly old fool?'
Lea looked wistful, 'No, not at all. It's terribly romantic.'
Edward looked directly at Lea, a hint of mischief in his eyes, 'You look like you know exactly what I'm talking about.'
Lea paused, and said softly, 'Yes, I do.' She stole a look at Rachel, who blushed.
The look didn't escape the notice of Ethel or Edward. Ethel asked, 'If it's not too personal a question, how did you two meet?'
Rachel's face showed a look of surprise, and Lea laughed. 'Rachel came to stay in Kingsand, and I was looking after the cottage for my friend. I walked in to see her dancing to the radio, and I knew then I was smitten!'
As they chatted, they found out that the couple didn't have any children. The Navy life meant a lot of travelling and living all over the world, and as the years went by, it became too late to think about starting a family. Still, they had had a very fulfilling and interesting life. Now, they were enjoying their retirement.
It was late afternoon when Lea said it was time to head back home. 'Thank you for inviting us. It's been lovely meeting you.'
'Thank you for coming, dear. Will you visit again?'
'Of course. Goodbye.'
As they walked back to Lea's, she said, 'What a lovely couple. They're like the grandparents I never had.'
'Did you never know them?'
'My Mum's parents died when I was little. They were quite old parents when my Mum came along unexpectedly. My Dad's parents lived a long way away, and I haven't seen them since I was a kid.'
'It makes me sad to think how little family you have.'
'I don't know why. You're just thinking how you would feel. Like I said before, I've got Sue. I have lovely friends. And I've got you.'
Over the next couple of months, Rachel was beginning to travel to London more frequently, and the visits were getting longer. Lea was spending her time between the cafe and the studio. Although Rachel spent more time with Lea than she had done when they were first together, things were starting to revert to how they had been before Lea's accident. Some weekends Lea couldn't travel to London because she had to work. She didn't mind too much to start with, as when they had been apart for quite a long time and got back together, the sex was extra hot. The problem for Lea now was that even when Rachel was staying with her, she still seemed to be working, and was always on her laptop or on the phone to Lisa or Tom. Lea had tried talking to Rachel about it, but she would just say how much work there was to do for the exhibition, and that it was in everyone's interest to make the exhibition a success.
Lea was visiting Ethel and Edward quite regularly now. In the same way that she regarded them as her surrogate grandparents, they looked upon her as the grandchild that they never had. They always looked forward to her visits, she was such a lovely and vibrant girl. Lea enjoyed learning more about the history of the area, and loved hearing about Ethel and Edward's life in the Navy. They sometimes went out together to visit places, and Ethel and Edward would always insist on paying for lunch. Most of the time, Lea would visit them on her own when Rachel was in London. They always asked after Rachel, and Lea said that she would bring her again soon.
Rachel was right about the exhibition being a success, and back at home afterwards, Lea and her friends were celebrating. On the evening before Rachel was heading back to London, Lea said, 'The exhibition was great, thank you. I have to say though, I'm looking forward to having more time with you. You've been so busy, I feel like I never see you.'
