What did I think would happen? I would launch flames?
Chapter Five
Andi
With the last heatwave of the season amongst us, the fabric of my dress clings to my legs as my swollen fingers pick a multitude of blackberries for tonight’s desert. Wiping my brow, I gather my long hair and braid it into a bun on the top of my head. Allowing the breeze to cool my neck for a brief moment before the sun beats down on me again.
Even with the shade of the trees, the heat of the day threatens to boil me alive—what I wouldn’t give for a lounge in the lake today. But no matter how much I long for the cold water to skate across my skin, I can’t bring myself to step further into the forest. All those years spent with Dad exploring the woods—making dens, maintaining habitats, and swimming in the lake—made these woodlands our escape.
Now there are too many memories. Too much pain.
Mum is busy cleaning when I thump the full basket on the dining table, pouring some water into a wash bowl to splash on my face, savouring the temporary relief. Mum is swift in handing me a note with some ingredients to source in town. Groaning, I walk back into the sweltering heat.
Children splash in the river at the edge of town, cooling off, and their playful laughs are enough to bring a smile to the grumpiest of folk.
“I can see our kids playing here someday.”Myles sneaks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I lean into him, feeling an instant ease despite his balmy skin. I spin around to face him, brushing my hand through his wet hair sticking to his forehead, breathing in his calming scent.
“Our kids?” I say with my eyebrow raised. For once I’m glad of the heat to hide the flush rising on my cheeks, the palpitation thumping from my chest.
He brushes his finger along my jawline, leans down, and kisses me gently.“Oh yeah, I have it all planned out,” he says as he spins me around, pointing down the river. “We’ll build a little cottage over there, by the big willow tree. Our kids will spend hours climbing it.”
Myles leaves a trail of soft kisses down my neck, savouring each taste. Instinctively, I tilt my head to the side, his hand spreads out on my stomach, and my heart stops for a split second.
“You do want kids, right?” he questions.
“Of course,” I lie. “One day,” I whisper as his hands grip the nape of my neck, turning my head.
“You would make a great mother, you know,” he whispers. His breathy words calm my nerves, pulling me down from the ledge that is my anxiety.
Myles brushes loose strands of hair off my shoulder. “Your scar looks… different?” he says, tracing the scar on my back.
“Different how?”
“I don’t know. More pronounced. It kind of looks like…”
I wait for him to finish his sentence, but he drifts into thought. “Looks like… Never mind. How did you get it again?”
“Climbing the oak tree in my garden when I was younger, always trying to reach the very top. One time I slipped and fell. Scratched right down my back, there was blood everywhere.”
A curious expression grows on his face.
“What’s up?” I ask. “I’m fine now.”
“Nothing, it’s just… It’s an unusual scar.” He continues to trace the lines with his finger, kisses the scar, and squeezes me tighter.
We watch the folk below playing in the water, and the trees sway as a cool breeze sails over us. Maybe forever with Myles isn’t the worst way to spend a life.
I moan, remembering that I have a list to collect. “Mum’s making chicken, and blackberry pie for tonight. I’m supposed to be getting some stuff from town.”
Myles rubs my shoulders. “Come on, I’ll walk with you.”
“A few more minutes.”
Myles laughs. “You can’t put this supper off, you know.”
I screw up my face as he hooks my arm and tugs me into town.
