CHAPTER36
‘Do you feel like getting a quiet spot…just me and you?’
Becky narrowed her eyes. ‘Not if just you want to talk about my fat arms again.’
Christine smiled. ‘Nothing of the kind, I just thought some time alone might be nice.’
Becky liked the way Christine’s eyes twinkled. A few wines, nice food, music and now she wanted some alone time. Finally, Christine had relaxed enough to enjoy herself. They might be leaving tomorrow but Becky would take what she could get.
‘Sure,’ she replied, giggling. ‘We can move up the beach a little.’
Lifting their drinks, they shuffled off to the side, allowing the rest of the group to continue partying. ‘Dynamite’ by BTS.Damn, I love this song, she thought, but she’d refrain from dancing if it meant some quality time with her girlfriend who’d probably disapprove of her gyrating around the beach anyway.
‘Sláinte,’ Becky said, raising her glass. ‘Did I tell you how gorgeous you look tonight?’
‘You did,’ Christine responded. ‘I really wanted to get you on your own for a while. Be able to talk openly without everyone around.’
Becky ran her fingers along Christine’s arm and over her hand. ‘Well, I’m all yours…’
Christine smiled and brushed the hair from Becky’s face. ‘You know… I feel like you’re regressing.’
Becky frowned. ‘I’m sorry?’
‘Regressing. I mean, it is understandable, that you’d slip back into old habits and patterns when you’re around old friends. I’m just not sure how beneficial it is to —’
‘You brought me over here for this?’
Christine nodded. ‘I thought it was important you hear it.’
Becky removed her hand and ran it through her hair. ‘Jesus wept, are you shitting me?’
‘Sorry?’
‘I though you wanted to move away to have a bit of a kiss and a cuddle, maybe feel me up, you know – show me some affection.’
‘I hardly think being intimate in front of strangers is appropriate.’
‘But instead, you brought me over here to give me a lecture like you’re my mammie or something. I cannot believe this.’
‘I think you’re overreacting,’ Christine informed her. ‘All I was saying was that sometimes we—’
‘Oh, for the love of fuck, will you just stop!’
Christine flinched as Becky sprang to her feet. ‘I’m so sick of this. You just can’t help yourself, can you? Jesus, it’s like going out with a feckin’ textbook.’
‘Well, I’m sorry you feel that way.’
Becky brushed the sand off her skirt, absolutely fuming. ‘I’m not regressing, Christine, I’m remembering what it’s like to have fun. Do you remember what that’s like?’
‘Fun is subjective,’ Christine replied as she watched the others fling themselves around.
‘Perhaps you should try some regression therapy,’ Becky insisted. ‘Maybe back to when we first met because I have no fucking idea who you are anymore. I used to be dazzled by you – your face, your body, your intellect. Do you remember the sex we used to have?’
‘Can you keep your voice—’
‘It was intense. We’d be at it for hours and now? Now it’s barely worth mentioning. I’ve forgotten what your mouth feels like on my—’
‘Enough!’ Christine yelled. ‘I’ve tried so hard with you, Rebecca, but you have no capacity for change.’
