ChapterSix
SKYE
I stand under the shower, the water blisteringly hot in an attempt to wash away the shame that had been my companion throughout the night.
What on earth did I do wrong? Or was it that I simply didn’t live up to expectations?
I run out of hot water long before I run out of shame and humiliation.
Back in my room, I check the time on the bedside clock, to find three-fifty-five glaring back at me. I’m a little ahead of my usual schedule for week-days, although not as much as I’d like if I’m to avoid Seth. That’s if he even turns up. It might be he’s had a crappy night’s sleep like me.
Over and over, I’d replayed the scene with Seth, to no avail. It hadn’t mattered how much I’d analyzed it. I was still in the dark as to what had gone so terribly wrong.
The only plus this morning is that I’m so used to getting ready for work in what equates to the middle-of-the-night for many, that I can do it on autopilot. After brushing my hair, I drag it back into a high ponytail.
Clothes are next, with white being my preferred color as it doesn’t show the flour so much. Finally, I lace up my running shoes, ready for the walk to work. I’d deliberately set my alarm clock early as I wanted to be well away, just in case Seth turned up to take me to work as he’d promised.
Although after last night, I can’t imagine why he would. Either way, there isn’t a chance I want to risk being stuck in his truck with him this morning. It would be too much to bear. A walk might also go some way toward clearing the last of the cobwebs.
Morning hasn’t deigned to get out of bed when I inch my front door open. However, a quick peek shows the road outside to be mercifully free of Seth’s truck. Actually, the streets are as good as deserted, with no-one crazy enough to be around at this time on a Tuesday morning.
With the main tourist season well and truly over, the town is quieter.
After dropping my keys into my backpack, I shrug into it, tighten the straps and take off. It shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to walk to the bakery. That’s plenty of time to work out where I’ll go to from here. The first thing I need to organize is for someone, other than Seth, to collect my car from the headland.
If I can avoid facing him altogether, then I’m going for it.
This idea has barely crossed my mind when I hear the familiar rumble of a truck from further back down the street. Despite the shortness of my legs, I lengthen my stride as much as I’m able. There isn’t a chance I want to face him in the cold light of day.
Even the warm light of day doesn’t hold much appeal.
All too soon, Seth catches up with me. I was dreaming if I thought I could outpace him. There aren’t even any alleys I can cut through, and I am definitely not accepting a ride from the guy.
It’s only good manners that have him trying to follow through on his promise to take me to work. The last thing I want from Seth is pity.
Ignoring him completely, I look straight ahead as I walk resolutely along, counting down the steps until I’m safely inside the bakery.
SETH
Last night had been hell from that first clap of thunder through until the sleeping tablets finally did their job of holding the nightmares at bay.
Actually, who am I kidding? It’d been crap after the alarm went off, too.
I’d usually give myself more time to get over an attack like that.
Often it took days.
This time was different. I couldn’t leave Skye under the impression I’d found her to be anything other than desirable. The trick will be doing so without revealing just how bad my P.T.S.D. is, because talking about is a sure way to ruin a relationship.
Sad to say, this is something I know first-hand.
If only my guilt and shame at surviving were as easy to avoid. I wasn’t the only one there that day. I was, however, the only one to make it out alive. Those guys were like brothers, their families like mine.
I still don’t understand why I was spared. It wasn’t as if I had a wife and kids waiting for me back home. They were the ones who should have returned, not me.
I’m fighting that final image of our world exploding in a flash of fire and surplus hardware when I spot a familiar figure.
I kinda knew that would be the case after I’d arrived at her place to find it in darkness. Despite this, I’d still knocked on the front door in case she’d slept through her alarm.
