Broken Strings

Who is she?

There is something funny about waking up by someone who shares the feelings you possess toward them. A strange tickling feeling in the pit of your stomach, a twinge in your chest. It’s too complicated to explain in words but only those who find that one person who they’ll hold a place for in their hearts forever can feel its full wrath.

I awoke to find an arm around my waist. A hand clutching my thigh and a foot entwined with mine. “Peter,” I hushed.

“Mm?” drowsy and unpredictable, Peter joined me in the real world. “Oh,” he mumbled, “Mm,” as though remembering last night Peter tightened his arm around my waist and I turned to snuggle myself into his chest. “So that wasn’t all some miracle of a dream,” he mumbled, eyes shut.

“Not by a long shot,” I mumbled back. I saw a smile venture onto his cheeks. Cute. 

“Do we have to get up?”

“There is no law against staying in bed all day is there?” I pleaded.

“Let’s hope not,” Peter kissed me on the cheek and I turned my body so that my head snuggled into his chest. “This is nice, being here with you I mean.”

“I’m not gonna argue with the truth.” Peter’s fingers entwined with mine as the silence reared its head.

“You’re hungry aren’t you?”

“How on earth would you know that?” I ask. He smiled, eyes still closed.

“I heard you’re stomach,” he chuckled. Oh. “So, pancakes?”

“Love some.” He knows me so well.

Peter treated me to pancakes and hot chocolate in the restaurant while we planned our day. “So what do you feel like doing?”

“Well I know we had a relaxing day yesterday but I was thinking we could just lay by the pool?” I said hoping he felt the same way.

“That sounds quite nice,” he chuckled. “You ready?” he took my hand and helped me up. Lucky I’d worn a nice bra this morning. I was still without a swimming costume.

The poolside was packed with people. Young families and couples socialised with friends while trying to keep a close eye on their swimming children. “There sure wasn’t this many people here yesterday,” he said, his eyebrows raised.

“There sure wasn’t.” Peter took my hand and led me to the water’s edge. With a countdown from three we jumped in, the cool water taking my breath away momentarily. Before reaching the surface Peter planted a kiss on my cheek.

“So how long should it be until we reach your Uncle’s house?”

“probably by tomorrow night if we leave early tomorrow morning,” he smiled. Thank God. I’m not sure how much longer I can let Peter get away with paying for every meal.

“Great, so what is he like? You’re Uncle I mean?”

“He’s in his mid-thirties. The youngest of five brothers, he’s pretty much the opposite to my Father.”

“So does he know? About your Father?”

“Yes. He was happy to hear we were coming up. Oh one thing,” Oh dear.

“What is it?” I asked.

“He is the kind of guy that likes detail so no doubt he’ll ask about us,” Was there really anything wrong with that. As long as he’s a decent guy, right?

“That’s okay though.”

“You’re happy to spill you’re life story to my Uncle”

“You trust him, don’t you?” Peter nodded.

“Yes, of course. With my life,” he said.

“Then that’s enough for me.”

Peter helped me from the pool as it began to fill with small children. “It’s getting a bit crowded,” I smiled as a passer-by shot me a questioning gaze.

“Glad I’m not in there,” she giggled. I smiled back at her before wrapping a towel around my body and taking a seat on the beach chairs, Peter taking the one next to mine.

“Well hello Peter!” came a shrill voice from my left. “Hello,” she wore dark clothing but surprisingly gave me a smile. My smile quickly faded when a familiar man took his place by her. Simon? The guy from the carnival? “Don’t tell me you don’t remember me?” she chuckled. Her features grew slightly evil. I looked to Peter who wore much the same expression as me. His lips are curled into a frown and his eyebrows furrowed. His eyes look angry, dumbfounded.

Peter stood and I stood with him. Worried as he clutched a hand around me, his body protecting me I asked him “Who is she?” quietly in his ear.

As if he hadn’t heard me the next thing out of his mouth took me by surprise and my body rocked with fear, “Nicole?”

OOOH What a twist!! Hello again, hope everything is running smoothly. Love you all!! xxx