Page 74 of One More Time

‘Touché,’ she said, softly.

The following day, they were up to watch the sunrise burst over the water in a daybreak that was worthy of a standing ovation, its fiery rays momentarily setting the few listless clouds ablaze. Taking sips from their blue cups, both Grace and Charlie sat in amazed silence until the day was gloriously ready and waiting for them. Grace slipped her new gladiator sandals on, and they headed down the steps that would lead them to the winding streets below. Greek sunlight heated Grace’s back as she breathed in a heady combination of sea, flowers and coffee. After experiencing her very first Greek caffeine hit yesterday, she would be on the hunt for another as soon as they reached the village. Then they were off to explore the other side of the majestic island.

A leisurely twenty-minute bus ride later, past cone-shaped slopes sweeping down to black sand beaches lined with sun loungers on one side and agricultural wine terraces on the other, they had arrived at their destination. Spending most of the day lazing on the beach, eating delicious food and wandering the shops, they joined the line of equally eager tourists and made their way up to the ruins of the castle of Agios Nikolaos, a church that had been carved into the rock and was destroyed in an earthquake that made most of it collapse into the sea – there was only the watchtower left.

The views of the Aegean Sea were sublime, enticing the people gathered together to hush and watch Mother Nature at her finest. Sunset was upon them. The tangerine sky alight, Grace watched with bated breath as the sun dived into the sea. Once it was fully submerged, she and Charlie joined the crowd in applause.

His arm around Grace’s waist, Charlie leant into her ear. ‘Sunsets like that are proof that every day, no matter good or bad, easy or hard, long or short, can finish beautifully.’

Grace’s heart filled to the brim with the love he forever gave her. ‘Every day I get to enjoy and finish with you is beautiful, my darling Charlie.’

After getting off the bus back at the main village, they chose to dine at a restaurant that clung to the edges of the sharp mountainside, with jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean Sea. The chatter and laughter of the other diners filled the pink and purple bougainvillea-vined terrace perfectly.

‘You could almost feel seasick sitting here, if you were that way inclined,’ Charlie said, his gaze glued to the ocean.

‘I know, right?’ Grace savoured her sip of Assyrtiko, the famous local white wine, along with the far-reaching ocean view, with a horizon that seemed to drop off the edge of the earth. ‘Isn’t it all so surreal?’

‘It sure is.’ Charlie exhaled a satisfied sigh before reaching across the table and taking her hand in his. ‘I’m so blessed to be sharing this adventure with you, Grace.’

Choking up with emotion, she smiled softly. ‘I’m blessed you went and organised all of this.’

Charlie’s expression was filled with so much, and his eyes conveyed all the sentiments Grace felt deep in her heart and soul. ‘Aren’t you glad we made it through everything, to be here, so in love, and so happy?’

‘I sure am, my wonderful husband.’ Grace squeezed both Charlie’s hands, now held across the table. ‘We were made for each other, you and me.’

The days and weeks rolled on in one big bubble of dreamy bliss. Before they knew it, they were saying goodbye to their taxi driver and checking in to their flight back home. As the plane rose into the sky, her hand clutched within her husband’s, Grace took one last look down at the islands that had stolen a piece of her heart. Something about this magical place had anchored her and Charlie even closer together.

After decades together, battling through thick and thin, and loving each other eternally, theirs was a true love story.

CHAPTER

22

15 Years Later

Grace woke to rays of golden sunshine reaching through the parted curtains. Blinking into it, her senses roused to the sweet birdsong that was carried on the soft breeze, along with the scent of freshly cut grass and lavender. A wispy smile claimed her lips.

Rolling over, she discovered Charlie’s side of the bed empty, but unlike times of the distant past, he’d left a note resting on his pillow. Quite often, she’d find notes left around the house from him, reminding her of how appreciated and loved she was. Picking it up, she held it at arms-length and tried to focus on his cursive writing. The letters rolled into one another. There was no way she could read it with her deteriorating eyesight. Grabbing her glasses from the bedside table, her soft smile spread as she began to read:

Good morning my wonderful wife.

Happy Golden Wedding Anniversary. I hope you’ve had an amazing sleep. I’m downstairs preparing a delightful breakfast for us to enjoy out on the verandah.

See you soon. I love you, always and for evermore.

Charlie xx

After a night spent relaxing in the sitting room, chatting over glasses of port and a platter of cheese and cured meats, with their favourite records playing in the background, Grace felt absolute peace within her heart. Even after all these years, they still had so much to talk about, and so many adventures to relish, near and afar. After trying so hard to find their companionable cadence in their earlier years, and failing several times, age had given them the patience and wisdom to try again, and to find that natural, easy rhythm.

Climbing from the bamboo sheets and feathery duvet, she found her slippers and, collecting her robe from where Charlie had slipped it from her shoulders before they’d fallen to the bed and made the sweetest of love, glided it back over her body. Making love wasn’t like it used to be when they were younger and more virile, charged with raw passion and made easy with limbs that bent in directions she dared not try these days. But it was way more satisfying now, in her opinion. Their lovemaking was more of a slow burn, with tender touches, whispered words and lingering kisses, it was far more quality over quantity. It affirmed the deep, undying love they shared every single day, just by being together, laughing, talking, sharing experiences and quite often just sitting in the same room, curled up against one another, with their noses buried in a book or holding hands while they watched their favourite films from the 1960s – Breakfast at Tiffany’s was her favourite, whereas Charlie loved anything starring Elvis Presley.

Freshening up then following her nose, Grace padded down the staircase, where she found Charlie in the kitchen, humming to the tunes of Buddy Holly while busily preparing their brunch. Unlike her, her was a messy cook, and pots and pans dotted the benches. ‘Good morning, my handsome husband. I see you’ve been busy.’

Spatula in hand and wearing the apron Ava had got him for his birthday, which read Mr Good-looking is in charge of the Cooking, he greeted her with a dimple-clad smile. ‘Good morning, my beautiful ray of sunshine. Did you have a good sleep?’

Grace grinned sassily. ‘You wore me out beforehand, so yes, I did.’

Charlie couldn’t hide his pride, nor should he. ‘It’s nice to know I still have it.’