Solomon waited until the rest of the passengers had disembarked before he helped Mathieu stand, “You’re not going to die. You’re going to be just fine because you have to get me the ring you want. And we have to set a date and get wedding bands and plan a honeymoon.”
“No cruises, okay?”
Solomon laughed, “Okay, Baby, no cruises.”
Mathieu managed not to vomit until he was seated in the car. Solomon was barely able to get the window rolled down before Mathieu retched all over the outside car door. Solomon helped his Irish lover out of the front seat and into the back so he could lay down before he took out his mobile to look for local car washes.
CHAPTER 29
Back in Woolacombe Mathieu was feeling better but not by much. They stopped to pick-up sandwiches at Hungry Jack’s Restaurant. Mathieu stayed in the car while Solomon ran in to buy two ham and cheese sandwiches, diet cokes and bags of crisps hoping that Mathieu would be able to eat later and keep the food down. Back at the inn Mathieu still wanted to go to the beach so Solomon left him at a table in the side yard while he went into the house to get the artist’s bag. Solomon set his camera and the artist’s bag on the table in front of Mathieu so he could have his hands free to get the chairs.
Mathieu slung his bag and the camera over his shoulder before getting up from the table to follow Solomon down the footpath to the beach. They settled down not too far from the path just in case Mathieu’s stomach acted up and he had to rush back to the inn. Solomon took a few pictures of the surfers in the distance, watched them for a while then took out his book. Mathieu watched Solomon watch the surfers, took out his sketch pad and began to draw. He started with drawing the guidelines for the surfer’s bodies and the basic outline of the wave. Next he added details to their faces, body positions (focusing on how they held their arms for balance) and clothing. Details were added to the waves to give them motion. The last thing he did was add some color to the sketch before showing it to Solomon who thought it was excellent. He suggested signing it and giving it to Jeremiah as a thank you gift. Mathieu agreed happily.
Solomon unwrapped the sandwiches handing Mathieu his. The artist sipped his diet Coke while he nibbled on his crisps and some of the bread from the roll. His stomach was feeling better but he didn’t want to take any chances by eating too much too soon. He returned the rest of the sandwich and crisps to the bag but kept the Coke next to him in the sand. “Solomon?”
“Yes, Love.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I know. I’m sorry I tried to push you into revealing it at breakfast.”
“That’s alright. I would’ve had to tell you eventually.”
“Yeah,” Solomon grins, “like when we were in the jewelry store you wanted to go to.”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe we’ll find what you’re looking for in a shop in Bristol. We’ll be there for a few days. We’ll make it our mission. You know I’d do anything to make you smile.”
“I know and I like the idea of looking in Bristol as long as we can go on the Pirate Walk too,” Mathieu’s smile reached his eyes; it was the one Solomon loved to see.
They spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach. Mathieu ate the rest of his sandwich and crisps (with Solomon’s help) and by the time they were ready to leave the brunette was feeling much better. He even managed a short nap, lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves washing onto the shore. Back in the room they discussed what to do that evening. They’d see a movie at the theater in Ilfracombe but there was nothing out they wanted to see. They’d go to a pub but Mathieu still couldn’t drink because of the medication. They decided to grab an early bite, come back to the inn to watch the sunset then turn in early (maybe snuggled together on the bed while watching TV).
It’s a short drive to The Smuggler’s Rest in Mortehoe. The restaurant and bar was just off the main street. The interior of the small establishment looked like a stereotypical English pub except for the fact that it was brighter. The walls were painted a bright shade of yellow that contrasted dramatically with the dark wood tables, chairs, floors and bar. Black and white, framed photographs that showed the coastal region through the years lined the walls and held Solomon’s interest as they made their way around the restaurant looking for a table.
The table they found was in a cozy corner not too far from the fireplace. The instructions that came with the menu on the table told customers to note the table number then place their order at the bar. The couple perused the menu, Solomon noted the table number then went to the bar to order their dinner. Mathieu wanted the bangers and mash with onion gravy and peas (he was very disappointed that fish and chips wasn’t on the menu) and Solomon ordered the homemade steak, ale and mushroom pie with roasted potatoes and peas (Mathieu teased him about telling Anders that he’s ordered steak somewhere other than Anders’ steakhouse).
The restaurant wasn’t that busy and they were served rather quickly. A couple with a black lab on a lead came in and sat at the next table. The dog was very friendly and Mathieu was easily distracted from his meal. Solomon had to laugh at his child of a fiancé as he reminded him over and over again to eat his dinner. By the time the couple is done eating Mathieu was begging Solomon to let him get a dog.
“Mathieu, you know I hate saying ‘no’ to you when you give me that face but we can’t get a dog. Our place is too small. One of us would have to walk it and we’d have to find somebody to watch it if we wanted to go away.”
“We could get a small dog. I’m still going to work from home so I could watch it and walk it during the day and we could come here when we want to get away. They allow dogs here and I’m sure we could find other dog friendly places to go.”
“Mathieu, please. I’d rather not have a dog, at least right now. We just moved in together and I’d like it to just be you and me. Okay?”
“Okay, Solomon," Mathieu agreed but frowned anyway, "You’re right. How about a cat?”
“Mathieu.”
“Okay, okay,” Mathieu smiled, “No cat either. Goldfish? What about a hamster?”
“Mathieu.”
***
Later that night the two walked hand in hand on the beach to watch the sunset before retiring to bed to watch TV but ended up doing everything but that. Mathieu apologized for being so whiny and dramatic when he was seasick earlier and thanked Solomon for taking care of him. Solomon said it was no bother at all but as Mathieu’s kisses and touches reached below Solomon’s hips the brunette was forgiven entirely.
***
When Solomon and Mathieu went down for breakfast the next morning they were actually surprised to see another couple in the dining room before them. The man was older than they were with a receding hairline and a large waistline. He was dressed rather formally for being on holiday at the seaside; pressed trousers, shirt buttoned up all the way with a tie tight around his neck and a suit jacket draped over the back of the chair. The woman was younger, maybe a daughter Solomon guessed; red hair stylishly cut, floral print dress which hung past her knees, sensible shoes and no make-up on her plain face. They ignored Solomon when he said ‘hello’ as he passed their table. The man leaned over the table and talked in whispers while casting decidedly unfriendly glances at the two men at the table by the window. The woman looked so uncomfortable Solomon thought she was going to run out of the room any moment.
Solomon and Mathieu tried the best they could to ignore the couple but a tension grew in the room. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, Solomon turned to the couple, “Can I help you with something?”
The man spoke up, “We didn’t think they allowed people like you here.”
Mathieu flinched at the term 'people like you'.
“People like me?” Solomon asked, “People from New Zealand?” He knew exactly what the man meant but he decided to play for a while.
The man rolled his eyes and smirked, “No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, you mean,” Solomon pointed
at Mathieu, “people from Ireland.”
“No,” the man said, “I mean you gays.”
Mathieu didn’t want to hear Solomon get into a verbal sparring match with the guy, “Let’s go somewhere else for breakfast.”
“No, Matt. Why should we? We paid our money just like they did. If Jeremiah didn’t want us here he wouldn’t have taken my reservation or he would ask us to leave. If they don’t like it they can go someplace else.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” the man snapped.
“I don’t really care,” Solomon snapped back.
Jeremiah entered the dining room with the other couple’s breakfast. Solomon heard the man tell Jeremiah that if his inn was the kind of place where ‘those people’ were accepted then he wouldn’t be staying there anymore. Solomon wanted to laugh out loud when he heard Jeremiah reply, “Okay”. Put in his place, the man didn’t have anything else to say. The innkeeper gave Solomon a wink as he took Solomon’s breakfast order; a ham and cheese omelet with white toast and coffee. Mathieu requested French toast with bacon and tea.
The other couple ate their meal quickly and left but not before the woman caught Solomon’s eye and mouthed ‘I’m sorry’. Solomon only nodded in response.
“That guy reminds me of my dad,” Mathieu said softly as he gazed out the window. “I told you, yeah?”
“Yeah, you told me. I’m sorry.”
“Solomon?”
“Yes, Love.”
“You’re so lucky to have parents that accept you and understand.”
“Maybe someday your parents will come around.”
“I doubt it. My mum won’t go against what dad says.” Mathieu glanced back out the window and appeared lost in thought, “Solomon?”
“Yes, Love.”
“Maybe we could go to New Zealand for our honeymoon.”
“Really, you’d do that for me?” Solomon had thought about it but didn’t think it would make a good honeymoon spot and didn’t want to press it in case Mathieu wasn’t able to make such a trip due to his disorder.
“You know I’d do anything for you,” Mathieu took Solomon’s hand across the table, “and I’d get to meet your parents. We could stay with them for a few days, if they want us too and then go someplace else to see some of the sites.”
Solomon sniffled back a tear, “That would be wonderful. My mom already loves you. She was so excited when I told her I was going to propose and when I told her you said ‘yes’ she cried.”
“Her baby is getting married." Mathieu hiccupped as he rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand, "I miss my mum, I wish she could meet you and be happy for us. I know she’d love you.”
“I think we should send her an engagement announcement and an invitation to the wedding anyway. You never know. Maybe she’ll come.”
Mathieu shrugged and went back to looking out the window to try and keep the tears from falling.
Solomon understood that Mathieu and his mom were very close while Mathieu was growing up though he still didn’t know why his parents kept him as physically close as they did. He also knew that Mathieu hadn’t seen or spoken to his mother in over three years. He couldn’t imagine what that would be like. Solomon owed everything he had become to his parents. If his parents hadn’t supported his dream to go to school in London he didn’t know where he’d be. Solomon stood, stepped around the table and put his arm around his love’s shoulder. Mathieu threw his arms around Solomon and buried his head in Solomon’s middle as he cried.
***
After breakfast they headed to the ceramics shop to pick-up their fired items. Solomon loved his lighthouse and Mathieu couldn’t wait to show his starfish to ‘Spike’. That day they had decided to go to The Valley of Rocks near the village of Lynton. They thought about going on a bicycle tour but not having been on a cycle in years and not sure how much certain intimate parts of their bodies would hurt afterwards (and liking to have more holiday sex) they decided against it. Lundy Island was also an option but that would mean that Mathieu would have to get back on a boat and neither of them wanted a repeat of yesterday.
Their walk began at the Lynton station then they made their way up the gentle slope of Church Hill and Lee Road. When they passed St Mary the Virgin Church they took a short detour around the churchyard and graveyard (respectfully keeping to the path). Solomon took photos of the 13th Century tower and the rest of the church’s architecture including the stained glass windows. They didn’t enter the church but Solomon took one last photo of Mathieu in front of the Thomas Baker Memorial.
Hand in hand they walked down North Walk Hill then crossed the bridge over the railway to join North Walk. Soon they passed through a wooden gate and entered the area where the feral goats lived. Solomon challenged Mathieu to a contest to see who can locate and photograph the most goats; the loser of the friendly competition had to buy lunch. They spotted black and white ones, some with patches of red, some with horns, small ones probably only a few months old eating the grass or climbing on the rocks and large goats resting on the rocks or grass. By the time they were out of the area Solomon only had twenty pictures and Mathieu only twenty-two though there are supposed to be one hundred or so goats in the area.
Half a mile away from the goats Castle Rock appeared in the distance and they entered the Valley of Rocks. The views over the Bristol Channel were breathtaking; they could see out to sea for miles. There were a few fishing boats full of tourists heading out and the ship they were on yesterday, the Ilfracombe Princess, passed by on her way toward Woolacombe. There was one spot that looked like it overhung the cliff edge and Solomon wanted a picture of Mathieu standing on it but the Irishman refused. He reminded Solomon that he couldn’t even go out onto his own balcony and there was no way in hell he’d ever stand by the edge of a cliff. He didn’t want his fiancé to stand there either and as he watched Solomon approach the edge he felt the beginnings of an attack. The artist turned his back to the view, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He felt his partner’s arms around him in support. Solomon let Mathieu work through the symptoms on his own except for his light embrace.
When Mathieu’s breathing returned to normal Solomon apologized, “Sorry, Love, I forgot. I mean I haven’t forgotten it’s just that these last few days have been so wonderful….”
“I know. This week has been really great so far. I don’t want this to spoil it though and if you want your picture taken out there just have someone else do it, please. I’ll be over there.” Mathieu turned his back again and walked a few feet away while Solomon asked another tourist to snap his picture on the cliff edge.
Once through the valley they turned left past a few car parks to find the café and the picnic area. They weren't hungry enough for lunch at the café but they did use the public toilets and sat a bit in the picnic area. Sufficiently rested they started their return walk past Chimney Rock and Rugged Jack onto the Coast Path back to Lynton.
On the way back to the B&B Solomon spotted The Boardwalk Bar and Restaurant and pulled into the car park. The restaurant was bright and open though the bar was separated from the main dining hall by a half wall. Large windows along the back and side walls let in the intense late summer sun light. The outdoor seating area was full but they were lucky enough to find a seat by one of the side wall windows overlooking the terrace.
While looking over the menu Solomon remarked, “I’m eating too well on this trip. I’m going to have to go on a diet when we get back.”
Mathieu didn’t look up from his menu, he couldn't believe the place didn't serve fish and chips either, as he responded, “You’re fine, Solomon. There’s just more of you to love now.”
Solomon gaped at his partner, “You think I’m fat?”
“Not at all,” Mathieu replied, face still buried in his menu (fish and chips must be on it somewhere), “You’re pleasantly plump.”
“I was hoping you’d disagree with me,” Solomon's frown was epic.
The brunette finally looked u
p when he heard the attitude in his partner's voice, “You’re fine Solomon. You don’t look any different from when we met. You’re still the same gorgeous, sexy, blue-eyed, blonde I fell in love with. But,” he added, “I can pack salads for your lunch instead of sandwiches for a few weeks if you want.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Solomon winked, “but I’ll let you know about the salads.” Even though he felt like he gained weight it didn’t stop him from ordering a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and onions and a side of chips. In his head he evened out the calories by ordering a large, diet coke.
Mathieu shook his head at Solomon’s order and requested the seafood linguini and a diet coke for himself.
When they’re done eating Solomon winked at his partner and suggested returning to the inn for a little ‘lie down’.
***
Still cuddled on the bed hours later Mathieu had an idea, “Solomon?”
“Yes, Love.”
“Let’s stay here forever.”
“Forever?” for a moment it sounded like a very appealing idea to Solomon until reality set in, “that’s a long time but it would be a hell of a daily commute for me unless you want me to stay in the flat during the week and come home to you on the weekend.”
“No, I wouldn’t like that,” Mathieu frowned, “but can we come back again for another holiday?”
“Sure. I’d like that very much.” Solomon patted Mathieu on the bum, “Let’s go grab something to eat. We’ll borrow some blankets from the gazebo and have a picnic on the beach and watch the sun set.”
It was a short drive to Woolacombe Fryer for the fish and chips Mathieu had been craving. They also got small servings of mushy peas, diet cokes and a cheese and onion pasty to share. When they got back to the B&B they stopped by the gazebo for the blankets before heading down to the beach. They spread one blanket out on the sand to sit on and the other they put off to the side so they could use it to snuggle under if they got chilly; which they did as the sun slowly sank below the horizon.
The Sweet Tooth Page 26
