‘We must make more time for each other,’ he murmured, as if reading her mind. ‘It’s stupid we don’t. I know we both work hard but we should start making a conscious effort to do things together, don’t you think?’
‘Uh-huh.’
With fairy fingers, she softly traced the lines of his ribs, one by one, before moving down to his hip bones and up to his collarbone, all the while feeling for any little bumps or tiny indentations.
‘And I don’t just mean this – what we’re doing now.’ He turned and smiled briefly at her before closing his eyes again. ‘Although it’s very nice.’
Her finger strayed to his left thigh where she drew more small circles, widening into bigger, swirling ovals and back again, then his right.
‘I’d love that, I really would. But you’re always in your office.’
‘And you’re always disappearing upstairs to do your marking.’
‘True.’
She paused, with her hand resting on his leg, and thought about the parallel lives they led at home. You could be lonely even in a marriage. Fact.
He was always so reluctant to do anything with her or go anywhere different. He was stuck in a rut and neither of them had prepared for the children leaving home.
Without even realising it, they’d sunk into their own little pits of despair – so much so, she’d even considered divorce. Perhaps he had, too.
‘Edie?’ he said, realising she’d gone quiet. She removed her hand and pulled up the duvet, because she was suddenly cold.
‘It’s been such a long day,’ she commented, before yawning conspicuously. ‘I’m exhausted. Aren’t you?’
Sensing the sudden change of atmosphere, he gave a small sigh. ‘I am – absolutely knackered,’ he agreed. ‘Night.’ He kissed her lightly on the forehead before rolling over to face the other way.
‘Sleep well,’ she replied in a small voice, turning her back, too, and curling into a little ball.
A painful lump appeared in her throat, but she was determined not to cry like a silly little girl.
For a few wild moments, she’d allowed herself to imagine they could get back to how they once were. But the truth was, some wounds just won’t heal, no matter how many doctors you consult or different treatments you try.
7
‘Here’s a cup of tea, lazybones.’
Edie opened her eyes and smiled gratefully.
‘Careful, it’s hot.’
Gingerly, Ralph placed a yellow pottery mug on the table beside her.
Propping herself up on an elbow, Edie took hold of the mug in her free hand and blew on it, making the steam disperse in all directions.
Ralph went over to the shutters and opened them wide before walking to the other side of the bed and sitting down.
They both stared in wonder at the sky, which was such a perfect, even shade of cornflower blue, it looked like a picture postcard. Edie couldn’t see the sea from where she was but Ralph could, when he straightened up and craned his neck.
‘It might be quite cold at this time of year but I’ll definitely go in,’ he commented. ‘It doesn’t look rough.’
He was dressed already, in a plain navy polo shirt and tan shorts. Edie noticed his broad shoulders and upper legs, which were quite strong and muscular, thanks to all the running.
She took a sip of tea and replaced the mug on the bedside table before flopping back on the pillows.
‘I was so tired yesterday.’
‘Me too,’ said Ralph.
