by Angela Peach
Danny waited patiently, pretending not to be too interested as he lounged out next to us, but when the scraps arrived, he behaved wonderfully. At home I'd been trying to teach him things like giving me his paw and waiting for my command if I put food in front of him. This wasn't always successful, but to my delight he followed all my orders today, almost as if showing off how obedient he could be.
We shared a lime and ginger cheesecake for pudding, which was divine and melted in our mouths and I made a mental note to ask Freddie if she could put it on the café menu after Christmas.
Once our dinner had settled enough for us to move, we paid up and headed out into the crisp afternoon, ready to tackle the trail. I let Danny head off on his own to check all the wee-mails left by other dogs, calling him back every now and then with treats when I couldn't see him, and Sophie and I linked arms, ambling at a leisurely pace.
“Okay, I've got one.”
“Are you sure? The last one wasn't really an embarrassing moment, more a funny one.” Sophie let go of my arm to duck under a low branch.
“It was embarrassing!” I insisted, going under the same branch and hurrying to catch her up. “I think you're just trying to get as much juicy information out of me as you can.”
“Accidentally sending a sex message to a group of friends instead of your girlfriend is funny, but not embarrassing. I'm not telling you mine until you come up with something better than that,” she said, throwing a stick for Danny. He watched it fly ahead, and promptly ignored it and went back to sniffing a bush. “Hmm, not a stick-fetcher then.”
“No, but he does get obsessed with balls.”
“Well, he is a boy. Now come on – I want something juicy.”
“Okay, okay. So, a couple of years before I got together with Mel I was sharing a house with two guys and another girl in London and I'd just come out of a pretty serious relationship with a girlfriend. Well, I was on the healing end of it anyway and ready to step out and find someone new, so I decided to have a clear out of everything that reminded me of her and start afresh.
“I went through all my stuff and bagged up the letters she'd written me, cards, clothes and cd's she'd left, the lot. Then I tossed in every single sex toy we'd bought together – vibrators, strap-ons, sexy police-woman outfit with handcuffs...I needed closure and it felt great chucking it all in the bin! I put it out for the rubbish collection the next morning and went to work feeling like a new woman.
“But when I got home from work, some of my sex toys were lined up on the doorstep with little faces drawn on them.”
Sophie gasped, smiling.
“No!”
“Yes! I grabbed them and ran inside and found my housemates sat casually watching tv...one of them wearing the police-woman outfit, and the other two wearing a strap-on each. I was pretty humiliated.”
I nodded, laughing as I remembered the sight of them all watching Hollyoaks while their shoulders shook from trying to hold their laughter in. Sophie didn't try to hold hers in, and shrieked gleefully.
“Oh my god, okay, that is definitely a worthy embarrassing moment! I can't believe they went through your bins though!”
“They didn't! That's the other embarrassing part of the story. One of the guys got home at lunch, and he said some foxes must have torn the bins open because there was debris all around our entrance. The bin-men never touched anything that wasn't bagged, and I suppose that went for my collection of personal toys as well. They must have been on full view for everyone passing by to see for hours!”
We both laughed again, receiving amused looks as we passed an elderly couple out for a stroll.
“So spill – what's your most embarrassing moment, and it'd better be worth it.”
“Man, mine's awful because it's kind of still ongoing! About five years back my brother and his girlfriend, now fiancée, came over to stay with my parents for the weekend and we all got a curry and drank lots of wine. The next morning I really needed to wee, so I ran to the bathroom and opened the door without even thinking...I hadn't noticed the shower was running, and there was my brother's girlfriend sat naked on the toilet having a poo!”
“Oh no! Who was more embarrassed?” I asked.
“Oh definitely her, but because she was so mortified, it made me feel even worse. She wouldn't speak to me for the rest of the weekend, and even now she sometimes refuses to look me in the eye. She's like super posh and never even burps in front of my brother, Leo, so it must have been like something out of a nightmare seeing me walk in!” Sophie explained, squinting up at the sky as we came out of the wooded part of the trail and into the open.
“Do you see her often?”
“Whenever my mum and dad have family get-togethers. But the funniest thing is that she has never told Leo about it, and obviously I kept quiet cos I didn't want to embarrass her further, so everyone thinks she just doesn't like me because she's always so off with me!”
Danny came running back at that moment, carrying something in his mouth that turned out to be a small rotting mouse. He dropped the corpse proudly at our feet much like a cat would, then when we ignored it, picked it up again and chewed happily away as if to say ‘Waste not, want not.' He trotted away, happy and obliviously ignorant to our cries of disgust, and continued exploring.
We were all having such a good time, and I couldn't remember ever feeling so content. The banter was easy, and I felt so much more comfortable with Sophie than I ever had with Mel. There'd always been an edge with her that had made me unable to completely relax in her company, but I'd never even really noticed it until now. I mean, I'd tried for ages to get Mel to come up here with me, desperate to share such a beautiful experience with her, but she'd put her foot firmly down and said never.
When Sophie and I reached the top of the hill, we were greeted by a fresh breeze and a stunning view that we both marvelled over, in awe of the sight before us. The sun had turned most of the sky a plethora of rich, psychedelic colours, with the clouds adding three-dimensional aspects to please and tease the eye. There were deep coppery oranges, golds and reds that mingled into purples and pinks.
And if the sky wasn't enough to catch your attention, the landscape that spanned below and stretched across the horizon in every direction might have. You could see for miles from up here, even catching a glimpse of the sea on a good day.
Sophie came up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling our bodies close for warmth.
“This is amazing, Hanna. Thank you for bringing me here,” she said, resting her chin on my shoulder as we both watched the sun disappear behind a small round cloud.
“I'm so glad you came. I haven't been up here for years.”
“It kinda reminds me of Glastonbury Tor, with the view and all.”
We were silent for a few minutes, then she chuckled.
“Look at the sun! It looks like it's got a giant afro!”
I looked to where the sun had dipped out of the bottom of the cloud and smiled. It did indeed look like the cloud was a big afro.
“Hanna?”
“Hmm?”
“I'm falling in love with you as well. I know I didn't say it in the car earlier, but I am.”
I felt my breathing quicken at her words as they flew to my heart and gave it a hug, and turned my head slightly to look at her. But our mouths made contact instead of our eyes and we shared a tender kiss that melted my core. It was quite possibly the most romantic moment of my life.
When we managed to pull apart, we both shivered at the same time and laughed. I called Danny, and we began our descent while there was still plenty of daylight. We smiled the whole way home.
CHAPTER 17
Something was very, very wrong. If I hadn't been able to sense it with my heightened senses, if Danny hadn't started growling before I opened the front door, well, I know the extreme freezing temperature in the lounge would have definitely given it away.
My first instinct was to turn around and run from the flat with Danny
and not look back. Stupidly, I ignored my instincts and continued walking through to the kitchen, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Mel?”
She turned from the window to look at me, and for a second I could have sworn her eyes were black. In fact, the very energy she was made from seemed dark, as if she was behind a see-through screen.
She knows about Sophie.
Danny's growls were louder now, more threatening.
“What's going on?”
“Tell your mutt to stop growling at me or I'll growl back,” she said, her voice low and dangerous.
“He's frightened, that's all.” And he's not the only one, I thought.
“Had a nice day, did you?” she sneered, watching me carefully. I found it hard to swallow, feeling her building up to losing control. This had been scary in real life, but now? Now I was absolutely petrified.
“Yeah, it was good to get out.”
“Did you fuck her?”
I tried to remain calm and not react while also trying to work out how to escape.
“What? I don't know what you're talking ab...”
“That blonde fucking whore you've been seeing behind my back!” she screamed, taking me by surprise. I involuntarily took a step back, feeling her fury pulsing from her in thick heavy waves. Escape was no longer an option. The front door was much too far away to outrun her, and I knew she'd waited for me in the kitchen for this very reason.
“Okay, just wait a minute, I don't know what you think I've been up to...”
“Are you calling me a liar? Do you think I'm a total idiot?” she was suddenly right in my face, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase 'in a cold fury.' Danny started barking and snapping at her, gallant in his effort to protect me, but he had no chance. Mel rounded on him, arms open wide with a full blast of hatred.
“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”
I gasped as he immediately crouched to the floor in fear, his bladder emptying on the floor. A new strength buzzed through me.
“Get the fuck away from my dog,” I shouted, bending down to comfort him.
“I'll ask you one more time. Did. You. Fuck. Her?”
“No! No I didn't, okay?”
“STOP LYING TO ME!”
“I'M NOT LYING!”
I was suddenly picked up and thrown with considerable force into the kitchen wall. Stunned, I fell to the ground, but before I could recover and stand up, I was lifted and thrown again, this time a good five feet into another wall. My head cracked hard on impact as it hit something jutting out from the wall, and I crumpled to a heap on the floor. I forced myself to move, blinking away at the darkness until my vision returned and dragging myself to my feet. Something didn't seem right...Danny had gone quiet...
Danny!
I ignored the sharp pains in my head and spun round, looking for him frantically.
“NO!”
Mel had both her hands around his neck and was holding him in the air, his furry legs hanging inches above the ground helplessly. His tongue was hanging out of his mouth and his eyes were closed - he wasn't putting up any kind of fight. I slammed towards her, a guttural battle-cry wrenching out of my throat. She smiled at me, smug and certain, but not prepared for what happened next. Hell, even I was surprised to make contact with her. I saw balls of white energy surrounding my hands and as I reached her, the energy pushed her away, feeling similar to when two magnets repel each other. She bounced backward, releasing Danny as she cart-wheeled her arms uselessly. I bent down and awkwardly scooped up his limp form, knowing I had to be quick, and stumbled to the front door. I could feel her following me, but now there was an uncertainty surrounding her temper as she tried to work out how I'd pushed her away. I wasn't sure myself, but whatever I'd done had drained a lot of energy out of me and I had to dig deep into some unknown reservoir inside to keep going.
In a last ditch attempt to stop me, she threw a heavy mix of my belongings at my head - books, mugs, plates, even a plant hit me. But I made it to the front door and wrenched it open, sobbing as I fell through it into the hallway outside. When I got to the stairs I glanced back, waiting anxiously. I needed to know if she could follow me out before possibly leading her to Sophie. A neighbour opened his door and peered at me warily.
He would only have heard me shouting, and now here I am with an unconscious dog. This looks very bad.
“And you'd better be gone by the time I get back or I'm calling the police!” I shouted toward my open flat door, hoping to avoid being reported to the RSPCA who might pay a visit to confiscate my pet. To my pleasure, a random mug came flying out and smashed against the lift door. The neighbour quickly shut his door, but at least I had an alibi now that it wasn't me mistreating Danny.
I ran down the stairs, my legs straining with his weight, and by the time I got to Sophie's floor I was light-headed and on the verge of passing out. But I pushed forward until I was banging on her door, and just as my vision started swimming, it opened.
“Hanna? What the hell...”
“Please, help him?” I whispered, feeling myself cave to the intense pain splitting through my skull. I was vaguely aware of Sophie taking Danny from my limp arms and then everything went dark.
I very gingerly opened my left eye, having been semi-conscious long enough to realise anything quicker would cause intense pain. My head was throbbing painfully, and it felt like a bowling ball was rolling around the inside of my skull (a bowling ball covered in huge spikes, more specifically) but I needed to know if Danny was okay. I cleared my throat and attempted to sit up so I could look around the room for him.
“Danny?”
“Whoa, not so fast. He's fine, you're not.”
I tried to turn to the voice beside me but a wave of pain came with a strong hit of nausea, and I rested my head back on the pillow.
“He's...he's okay?” I croaked quietly, trying to open my eye again.
“He will be - he's pretty traumatised, but he'll live.” Sophie gently placed a cool cloth on my forehead, stroking hair from my face as she watched me. “I couldn't lift you so I just kinda dragged you in here. Sorry.”
I gave her a small smile of gratitude. She'd also placed a soft pillow under my head and covered me with a blanket, and I felt the welcome warmth from her flat, despite being on the carpeted floor.
“I've got to ask you some questions to make sure you're not concussed, otherwise I'm getting you to the hospital,” she said, her voice soft and concerned. I gave a small nod and she proceeded to ask me random questions - easy things like my name, date of birth, what the current date was, as well as some basic arithmetic. She still seemed concerned that I felt nauseous and that my vision was blurred slightly, but decided to keep an eye on me and make sure my symptoms didn't worsen.
“So, do you feel up to telling me what happened?”
“It was Mel. She went berserk and attacked us.”
“What? Hold on, she did this to you? You didn't fall down the stairs or get mugged or anything? I thought she couldn't touch you or...or...move things,” Sophie said, sitting forward and looking anxious.
“She couldn't. Obviously she's been very productive with her spare time in the last couple of weeks.” I filled her in on what had happened in the flat and she went very quiet as she listened before insisting on examining my head properly. The back of my head was covered in cuts and bumps, one in particular that looked quite deep and had bled a small stream of blood down the back of my neck. I decided to pass on a self-examination.
Once she was satisfied I was fully conscious and alert she helped me onto the sofa before disappearing for a while, returning with painkillers, two cheese toasties and a mug of hot sweet tea. She told me that once I’d finished them, I was to go and take a nice soak in the bath she’d run for me. I found myself overcome with emotion, and suddenly tears were dropping from my eyes. Mel had never looked after me when I felt ill or sad, and I wasn't used to a girlfriend being so sweet. Sophie hugged me into her comfortingly, and I felt like sh
e was dropping more of her defences, allowing herself to feel without fear.
By the time we separated, our toasties were the perfect temperature to eat without scolding our mouths. She'd defrosted a pack of mince for Danny, who enjoyed his gourmet meal and thoroughly deserved every mouthful. He seemed completely subdued though, and sat close to us the whole time.
Sophie helped me to the bathroom, but instead of leaving she hesitated in the doorway.
“I'm going to sit outside and talk to you. Y'know, just in case you pass out or get dizzy or something.”
“Oh, yeah, sure.” I suddenly felt nervous. I was going to be naked in the bath, and she was going to be mere feet away. A thousand inappropriate thoughts entered my mind, creating a little party amongst the pain.
“Unless…unless you don't mind if I sit on the toilet and just look the other way? The hallway’s a bit drafty.”
The party turned to a rave, and I felt my face flush.
“Um...” I wouldn't mind you getting in the bath with me. “No, that would be fine.”
It wasn't that I had any illusions of sex right now. Despite the inappropriate images flying in my head, I was mostly wanting to just be close to her. And naked. Naked and close. Naked and close and wet.
(Okay, so maybe there were some sexy thoughts there, but with Sophie it wasn’t always about the physical connection. I enjoyed every level we connected on.)
She waited outside the door while I undressed and got into the tub, then she came in and perched on the toilet, politely averting her eyes.
“How are you feeling now?” she asked, sounding as nervous as I felt.
“Loads better, thanks. My head's still banging, but I think I was just more in shock than anything else. This bath is just what I needed.”
“Good, that’s really good.”
We were quiet for a few minutes as I soaked my head in the water, wincing as all the knocks and bangs came to life. When I sat back up, I smiled.
