Don't Say My Name

Chapter 4

Later, as they lay together covered with blankets, he turned to her. "I can't stay, Penny. I have to leave by Friday."

"I know. You said you were only here for a week."

"I don't want to go."

"I don't want you to go either, but I expected you to leave." Her fingers drew patterns on his skin.

"Why?"

"Why, what?"

"Why did you offer yourself to me?"

"If you're going, and don't return, I have something good to remember."

"I'll be back, Penny; if you'll wait for me?"

"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

She kissed him tenderly. "And here was I, thinking the season was over... then you came along."

"You're the singer to my song." He breathed as he nibbled her ear. "I just needed to find you."

Early Friday morning, Clive settled the cost of his stay at the guest house and shrugged the rucksack on his back, his guitar in his hand. There was a bus leaving in twenty minutes to the nearest railway station. From there, he would be in London in two hours. He hadn't said goodbye to Penny, as he intended to return as soon as he could. He glanced down at the headland. The tide was in and the rocks were covered by the sea. He sat on the wall and strummed his guitar, playing his new song, The Greatest Lie, the one intended for release that day. Halfway through, he realized that Penny stood near him, listening.

When he had finished, she said "I love that. I thought you'd be taking the first train to London, and hoped you would be waiting for the bus here. I couldn't let you go without saying goodbye, Clive."

"It's not a goodbye, Penny. I will be back."

"What will be, will be. Either way, it's been great. I'll miss you."

As he kissed her, he heard the bus driving up the road. "I'll be back, Penny. You'll see." He held out his hand and the bus stopped to pick him up. When he found a seat, he looked back, but she was nowhere in sight.

The headland had not felt the same. It looked bleak and dangerous again. There was no sun; grey clouds hid the blue. The sea was fierce and the beach was empty. Even the gulls were quiet. She had tarried on her way home, stopping at the places they had visited during the week, remembering each event with a mix of sadness and joy. Back home, Penny tried not to cry as she entered her room. The bed was still mussed up from her sleeping. She crushed a pillow to her face and inhaled deeply. She could still smell the scent of Clive in it. "I'm going to miss you." She whispered tearfully. "You were the best thing to happen to me – ever. I should have gone with you. You asked, and I turned you down."

To ease her sorrow, she turned on the radio while she made her bed, hoping for some upbeat music she could sing along to. As she smoothed down the top blanket, the last bars of music died away.

".... now it's time for On The Mic, the surprise guest of today's show. To tell us about his latest album, we have SlimJim on the mic, to answer listener's questions, and to promote his latest single... The Greatest Lie. Tell me, Jim, now you've completed your worldwide tour, what's next for you?"

Penny sat on the bed to listen. SlimJim was one of her favourite singers.

"Well, Simon, a rest would be good. It was a long tour, probably the longest of my career so far. I worked on the album and the new single during that time, between concerts – there were a few gaps in the schedule. The backing group were extremely good; it was a shame to waste their talent, so it was put to good use. If I may, I'd like to give a shout out to someone I met recently?"