Abbi... Read online

  “George, what are you doing today?” she asked her husband. George Hammond at that moment answered his mobile phone as it rang and left the table to speak in privacy. “Well that’s cleared that up” she said tartly and went on with her breakfast.

  Chapter 2

  Moonlit Ocean

  Abbi was picking out an outfit to wear for tonight. She had pulled out five dresses, two pairs of jeans, six skirts and eight different tops and they were all laid out on her bed. She was trying different combinations on. Eventually after about an hour of choosing she had decided on a blue halter neck top and jeans and some flat sandals.

  She turned up on the beach at five to nine wearing a light green patterned summer dress and her blonde hair down. Abbi sat down on the sand staring at the ocean. It was still daylight- just. It was at that moment between day and night, when it looked like both but it wasn‘t either. There were only a few people out on the beach. No one was particularly near her. She was staring into the crashing waves when she heard footsteps behind her. Abbi got up and turned around to find Mark watching her. He was wearing jeans and a brown T-shirt. He looked better than she had remembered. He also had a white rose in his hand.

  “Hi,” Mark said. “You look beautiful.” She could see the look in his eyes and knew it wasn’t just a line but that he actually meant it. She took a few steps nearer him and without either of them knowing quite how it had happened he bent his head and set his lips on hers. They were perfectly soft. His hands were going through her hair. It was beautifully long and thick. She was kissing him back too, enthusiastically now, her hands settling lightly on his back. Suddenly Mark stopped.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked her face puzzled. She looked so beautiful at that moment with her blonde tresses framing her face that he kissed her lightly again. “What is it?” Abbi repeated

  “Nothing. Nothing at all,” he said. “It’s just you don’t know anything about me at all besides my name.”

  “So What?” Abbi asked lightly and smiled. She kissed him again. He handed her the rose and she took a few moments to look at it. The flower was really pretty.

  “I wanted to take you somewhere tonight,” Mark said.

  “Oh Yeah,” Abbi said smiling slightly. “Where would that be then?”

  “It’s a surprise,” Mark said. He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Come on!” Mark and Abbi ran along the beach. He was leading the way and they were still holding hands. They came to the tiny harbour, which had four or five small sailboats gently bobbing up and down with the tide.

  Mark jumped onto the furthest boat and started to make the boat ready and putting the sail up. “Whose boat is this?” Abbi asked gingerly stepping onto the boat. She looked around. It had only one sail and a small engine attached to it but it was an okay size though.

  “It’s mine actually,” Mark said without looking up as he was tying the sail into place. “She’s new. I haven’t actually taken her out yet.”

  “But you know what you’re doing don’t you?” Abbi said anxiously as the gentle wind had gently started them moving away from the harbour. She looked back at the slowly shrinking shore.

  “Don’t worry,” Mark said grinning. “I’ve been doing this since I was about eight years old.”

  Abbi sat down on the wooden beams slightly relieved by the knowledge he had done this for years. After a minute Mark came and sat next to her. “How on earth can you afford all this? I mean going on two-month holidays and buying sailboats. How do you manage it?”

  Mark took a deep breath and sat back against the side looking at Abbi. “Well, the money comes from my parents really. My mother, Julia was an heiress. She had inherited quite a substantial amount of money from her own parents. She was an only child and inherited everything when her father died. She was seventeen when she got everything. Houses, cars, servants, the lot. My father, George Hammond, came from a middle class family and he got into property development. He then started his own business doing that. You know, buying, renovating then selling them on. He made a lot of good money and he invested some of it. When my parents met it was a good match.”

  “A good match. That sounds terribly romantic,” Abbi said sarcastically.

  “Yeah.” Mark said matching her tone. “You know what I mean. Money-to-Money and they did really like each other as well. They met and got married within a year. Together they have been stinking rich since that day forward. They have more money than they could ever spend. I now go to Oxford University. I’ve got one year left and then I will leave to help my father in his property business.

  Silence fell for a moment. “Future all set up then,” Abbi said.

  “Yes something like that,” Mark said. By now the shore was only a vague line and they were far away enough that they couldn’t see any of the few people who were on the beach. “I’m forgetting the reason we’re here. Go and lie back and look at the sky.” Abbi said nothing and she laid back so that she was flat on the boat. Mark lay next to her looking at the sky.

  “Wow,” she said softly. It was practically dark by now and the stars were all shining through the sky. They were far enough away from land that the lights from the houses had faded away and weren’t disturbing the view. There was no cloud around at all and it was a full moon. They spent a long time just staring at the boundless sky. There was one bird flying above them slowly.

  In the boundless sky the bird is soaring

  Above, one lonely gull is cawing

  For her loved one that was left behind

  The one that she can no longer find.

  “Sorry,” Abbi said briefly. She was blushing a little. “It’s a verse. I read a while ago.” She was still blushing.

  “Tell me about your family history then,” Mark said.

  “There isn’t much to tell really,” she said but she carried on. “Certainly not as grand as yours. My mother lived in this area all her life since she was born. She met my father and they got married. It’s just me and my mother in the house now. My father died in a car crash when I was six years old.”

  “I’m sorry,” Mark said.

  “It was a long time ago,” she said simply. “I don‘t really like talking about him.” They were both now looking at each other. He softly kissed her once more. They were still laying on the floor of the boat. “We should be getting back,” she said.

  Mark got up reluctantly away from Abbi and went to the little engine. He started it off to go back the way they had come. Eventually they reached the harbour and they both got out of the boat. “I want to see you again,” Mark said quietly.

  “So do I,” Abbi whispered. “I’ve got to go. My mum’s going to be worried. You’ll see me at work anyway.” She said with a little grin. “I’ll give you my number,” She got a scrap of paper out of her pocket and Mark gave her a pen. “I’ll see you soon.” She gave him a lingering kiss goodbye and walked away up the beach. He watched her go and stayed where he was for a good while longer. It had been a good night.

  Abbi rushed into her room as soon as she got home. The bungalow was quiet and all the lights were off when she came in. Her mother had gone to bed before she got in. Abbi started getting undressed while thinking about the evening she had had. It had been a very good evening she thought as she put her pyjamas on. She placed her earrings on her dressing table and was brushing her hair out when her mother suddenly came into her room.

  “Had a fun night?” She asked serenely.

  “God you made me jump!” Abbi was breathing hard.

  “Who is he?”

  “Are you sure your career isn’t reading peoples minds. You would make a fortune!” Her mother didn’t say anything, she just looked at Abbi. “There is absolutely no point in hiding anything from you is there?”

  “No,” her mother agreed. “Go on tell me who he is I’ve been dying to know!”

  “How did you know?”

  “Abbi it’s a Sunday night. Nothing here is open on a Sunday night and you never even work on Sunday evenin
gs either. You haven’t mentioned any friends recently that you are meeting so I just assumed.” Her mother shrugged.

  “You are the most astute person that lives within a fifty mile radius. You know that?”

  “Yes I do.” Her mother said. “Go on I’m dying to know,” she repeated.

  “His name is Mark and you are not getting anymore out of me,” Abbi said smirking slightly. Now can I go to sleep?”

  “Fine! Goodnight,” and her mother left the room leaving Abbi to her (very contented) thoughts.

  Mark was lying on his bed staring into space thinking hard. God he couldn’t wait to see her again. She was just so beautiful and fascinating. He had thought that seeing her again would make her seem somewhat less than what memory was showing him. He had never really met someone like her before. She was completely complicated while being straightforward in her manner. It had felt wonderful to kiss her and hold her. He was definitely going to call her tomorrow. He had to see her again. As he drifted of into sleep Mark wondered if she was thinking about him as much as Abbi was on his own mind.

  The next morning Abbi woke up very happy. She got dressed and tied up her hair and hurriedly ate breakfast. She then went out for a walk along the beach. She was walking by the edge of the ocean when she bumped straight into someone without even noticing where she was going.

  “Oh God I’m sorry,” Abbi said.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Abbi had bumped right into Rosalyn. Rosalyn was a waitress that Abbi worked with about once or twice a week. She was a nice quite plain brunette girl around the same age as Abbi.

  “How are you doing?” Rosalyn asked cheerfully. They started walking together along the coastline.

  “I’m fine. How are you doing?” Abbi asked. They fell into friendly conversation. Rosalyn told Abbi about her family arguments and her on off and on again relationship with her boyfriend Roger.

  “How is your love life going then?” Roselyn asked. “I can tell something has happened because you have a huge smile on your face.”

  They worked together but they were only half friends so Abbi was careful of what she said. “I have met someone,” she said smiling. “He is really good looking too.”

  “Always a plus,” said Rosalyn grinning. They passed the next half an hour or so speaking of nothing in particular except general gossip while each of their thoughts ran in their own direction.

  Chapter 3

  Second Date

  Mark had programmed Abbi’s number into his mobile phone as soon as he had got up in the morning. He decided he couldn’t wait any longer to call her no matter how desperate it might look. It was eleven o’clock the following morning. He grabbed his phone and speed dialled her mobile number. One ring. Would she pick up? Two rings. She wasn’t going to answer. Three rings. God please pick up. Four rings. Click. “Hello?” Abbi’s voice brought her image clearly to Mark’s mind.

  “It’s Mark here.”

  “Oh Hi!” She sounded more cheerful already. He felt better by the thought that he had that effect on her. “How are you?”

  “I’m good,” he replied. Silence descended on the phone line.

  “This may be to early to say but I can’t stand the silence anymore,” Mark said. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” It was very early in their relationship but it was true.

  He heard her smile in her voice. “I’m really glad to hear you say that.” Abbi said. “It is completely crazy,” Abbi said nervously.

  Mark was internally breathing a sigh of relief. She seemed as interested as he was. She was right too. It felt insane to be thinking about her as much as he was. “When can I see you again?”

  “Well tonight is a possibility”, she said. “A strong possibility”

  “Okay then. Where do you want to go?”

  “No it’s my turn to pick. You took me out on the sailboat. I have somewhere I want to go,” Abbi said.

  “Right I won’t argue with you,” Mark said. “Where shall we meet?”

  “Where we did last night would be good at about half six. Is that okay?”

  “Yeah. Sure. That’s fine.”

  “Oh one more thing,” Abbi said. “Wear comfy shoes.” With that Mark heard the click of his mobile telling him that she had hung up.

  At quarter past six Mark went down to the beach wondering where she was going to take him. He was wearing comfy clothes as Abbi had suggested but he had made sure that he looked good before leaving his hotel room. He was early he knew but he simply couldn’t wait to see Abbi again. He paced up and down the beach waiting for her. He looked at his watch and was startled to see that it was twenty to seven. She was late. He decided he would wait a little while longer to see what was holding her up. At five to seven when Mark was really starting to worry Abbi came racing into view. He was very relieved to see her. Half of him was beginning to think that she wasn’t going to show up.

  He gave her a kiss in greeting.

  “Where are we going?” Mark asked with a grin.

  Abbi had been rushing around her house trying to grab everything she needed in her rucksack. Right she had her mobile phone, her water bottle, her keys and a lot of other little things she needed. Abbi grabbed her camera and then picked up her watch. It already six thirty! She chucked everything into her bag and immediately dashed for the door, shouting a goodbye to her mother in the process.

  By the time she got down to the beach she saw Mark waiting for her. He looked a little upset now. She was hidden from sight by a small shed. Mark did look worried she realised. He wasn’t merely upset, he was concerned that she hadn’t showed up. Abbi wondered how long he would wait for her before he gave up and left. She stayed hidden for a little while longer and was very pleased to see that he hadn’t left. Mark obviously quite liked her.

  Abbi ran into view, her blonde hair streaming behind her and opened her mouth to apologise for being so desperately late but before she could say anything he had kissed her tenderly.

  “Hi,” she smiled. “We’re going for a walk okay?” Abbi asked.

  “Lead the way.” They both smiled at each other and left the beach.

  Abbi was leading Mark on a footpath up a steep hill. “Why were you so late?” He asked her, not unkindly.

  She smiled. “I was getting ready for our date and then I realised I couldn’t find everything that I wanted to take with me like my phone and my keys. Before I knew it I looked at my watch and it was already twenty to seven.” Abbi smiled apologetically at Mark. “It took me ages to find my keys and then find you.” She paused. “Am I forgiven for being so horribly late?” She had a cheeky twinkle in her eyes

  He looked at her intently. “Yes you are.” He looked deeply into her eyes and she didn’t look away from his gaze. Abbi had a small smile on her face.

  “Where are you taking me anyway?” Mark asked her.

  “Don’t worry we’re nearly there,” she said. They had been walking over identical green fields for the past twenty minutes, mostly in silence. Mark was not at all sorry to hear they were near the end of their journey.

  “Here we are,” she said finally. Abbi was about ten feet ahead of him and had already reached the crest of the hill and was sitting down. About thirty seconds later Mark could see why.

  They were looking down into a valley. However the sun was starting to sink down and turning all the clouds beautiful oranges, reds, pinks and yellows. You could see fields and villages for miles around and the sun was casting everything into a beautiful light.

  “Was it worth the walk?” Abbi asked teasingly. As Mark sat down staring at the view he said. “Yes, absolutely.”

  After he overcame the shock of the sight he asked. “How long from now will it take for the sun to set?”

  “Well it’s about an hour from now.” Abbi said checking her watch. “The sun won’t actually have set then but you won’t be able to see it from here anymore and it comes over all dusky here.”

  “Okay.”

  Mark sat and watched Abbi as
she watched the landscape and the beautiful colours of the sky. It was about ten minutes before she realised he was watching her.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Looking,” he said.

  “Yeah,” she said. “But the sunset is that way.” She pointed at the valley.

  “But I am looking at something far more beautiful,” he whispered. He leaned towards her and kissed her deeply. He felt her start. She had not been expecting that he would kiss her that quickly. Abbi closed her eyes and returned his kiss. Her hands wrapped around his neck to bring him closer.

  He slid his hands around her waist. He felt he couldn’t get enough of her and it was making him slightly dizzy. Her arms slid down from his neck to his shoulders as he kissed her neck. She gasped slightly and his hands moved to her hair. He delighted in the feel of her.

  She was eager to be kissed and their next kiss was slow and satisfying. He drew away from her with his hands still in her hair smiling.

  “I couldn’t help myself.” He seemed to be trying to apologize to her she thought.

  “Neither can I,” she said and with a playful grin kissed him back. The sunset behind them going on unnoticed by either of them as they delighted in each other.

  Abbi suddenly noticed it was dark. Funny she hadn’t noticed the light dying. She and Mark had been kissing each other passionately for the last hour or more. She just couldn’t seem to bring herself to stop. Or to keep her hands off him. They had ended up laying down on the grass and they were now looking at each other, their eyes alight with passion for each other.

  “I have to get home,” Abbi said making no effort to move. She was too comfy.

  “What time is it?” Mark asked.

  “Ten thirty. Why?”

  “The hotel locks at eleven.” He sighed. “With a half an hour walk I’ll never make it back before they lock the front door and I left my key in my hotel room.”