All Tomorrow's Parties (14 page)

“Looks like you guys have had a good day, Laine?” said John, catching her gaze as she walked into the kitchen. As before their eyes lingered just a fraction too long, each trying to read the other.

Laine was curious to know whether John still felt how she was feeling – excited, confused, an emotional wreck! His eyes told her that he was. Whoever said the eyes were the window to the soul had known what they were talking about. Now as she looked at him any slight niggles that had worried her throughout the day just disappeared. She handed him a coffee.

“Why thank you m’lady”, he said, giving her a slight nod as he accepted the strong smelling steamy cup.

Could nobody else hear the thunderous beating of her heart? It was deafening. He was flirting with her just as he had before they had made love last night. How the hell do you keep it together when your emotions are trying to bust out in every direction? She thought: I have never had to be so controlled in my life. Each step towards the lounge was talking all of her focus. She was desperate to be wrapped in John’s arms, to feel his closeness, to smell his scent. How rude would it be if I just took him off to the bedroom right now? she thought, smiling to herself: no, that would be a step too far!

John lit two cigarettes and handed one to her. She inhaled deeply. Until yesterday Laine had never smoked, but now it seemed the right thing to do. Feeling the nicotine inside her lungs somehow brought about a sense of calm.

John had made his way to the sofa where he was now engrossed in conversation with Mary and Rod. Ella and the others were seated on the balcony, from what Laine could hear they had started playing cards. Laine made her way to her bedroom; her lips dry from the sun needed an added boost and a quick touch up with some Vaseline. Heaven 17’s “Temptation” played loudly throughout the apartment. As Laine opened her bedroom door she had a sense that someone had just left. A cold aura came over her and for the second time that night she shivered. God why am I getting so spooked all the time? Pull yourself together woman. Her window was open, which was strange as she had made sure it had been closed before they went out earlier in the evening. It appeared nothing was missing except the golden slipper brooch that Tony had given her. She was convinced she had left it on the bedside table, in fact she knew she had as she had taken it off her dress just before they left to meet the others. “It must be here somewhere”, she thought. Surely no one would have come in through the window? The same sense of unease she had felt outside of the restaurant was back. Now I’m just being stupid, she thought. Ella was calling her from the lounge.

“Laine we’re gonna go for a walk along the beach then off to find a bar and dance the night away – you coming?’” said Ella, pulling on her sandals.

“Sure”, said Laine, assuring herself that she would find the brooch in the morning; she was being silly wasn’t she? She pulled the door shut behind her and ran down the hall to catch up with the others. John had hung back waiting for her.

“How about we go for a short walk, then head back here?” said John, placing his arm around her waist. As he pulled her towards him she could smell his scent, a rough mix of sandalwood and pine. Laine inhaled deeply, she had waited all day to do this. His smell made her feel safe, wanted, and above all his.

“That sounds like a plan to me”, whispered Laine as they caught up to their friends.

The beach had been as it was the night before, deserted except for a few merry tourists enjoying the soft sea breeze and balmy night air. The sand was still slightly warm from the day’s sun. The full moon gave a magical feel to the night, its ethereal presence sending a soft sheen of glistening light across the sea. As they walked John told Laine more about his life. He was the son of a strict Southern Baptist minister who did not suffer fools gladly. He and his brother David had been somewhat fearful of their father. He had married young and gone into the army by the time he was 19: he met his ex-wife Kimberly whilst based at Fort Jackson, South Dakota.

It was after being posted to Germany he discovered Kimberly had for the last few years been having various affairs around the base. She had gained herself a reputation for being a bit of a good time gal. Her drinking and embarrassing behaviour were becoming a problem affecting not just their relationship but also his kids and his work. His children Kayla and Zaltana, aged two and three were sent back to the US to go and live with his mum in Wisconsin. When his tour was over he headed back to the states to look after them. The army had to physically put Kimberley back on a plane as she had refused to leave Germany. It was at that point that John had sought a divorce. As if the humiliation of having a wife who was out of control wasn’t bad enough, he had been shocked to discover that she was entitled to alimony, and a large amount at that. He was the one looking after the kids, she was the one who had been unfaithful on many occasions, however she was still entitled to take him to the cleaners. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He had to carry on working to support his kids and also his ex-wife. As the law stood, whatever debts she ran up were his also. On her return to the US Kimberley had gone on a bit of a spending spree and racked up over $10,000 worth of debt that John was liable for.

As he talked Laine sensed no bitterness. He was not looking for sympathy but just telling it like it was. Her admiration for him grew. He was not saying what a raw deal he had had or how unfair life was, he was simply telling his story, without embellishment or hatred. His love for his children had cast out any bad feelings he may have held: he had to do what was necessary to support his family whatever the personal cost to him. Laine was gaining a glimpse of John’s true nature, humble and understated. As they walked Laine realised that her problems really weren’t problems at all. She explained the situation she had left behind in the UK as honestly as she could. She had felt comfortable enough with John to be honest; she knew he would not judge her. She explained about Danny and about Tony, and had felt at liberty to disclose her thoughts, fears and hopes. She had never been able to be so honest with anyone. They continued to walk along the beach in silence. Their conversation had cleansed them. It had blown away the remnants of embers now unable to ignite. It had proved a cathartic experience. Their life experiences, dilemmas and hurts were out in the open, now carried off by the gentle breeze. Empty vessels were now ready to be refilled and restored.

The tide was coming in fast. Laine looked up. In the distance she saw Ella and the gang turn and wave. They were off to dance the night away, they knew that Laine and John were not coming. Waving back Laine and John turned making their way down to the shoreline. Just minutes before what had been sand was delicately being reclaimed by the sea. Laine took off her sandals; the water was cool but not unpleasantly so. She sat down onto the temperate sand allowing the sea to just play with her feet. John did the same. For what seemed like an eternity they sat and looked out to sea. The rhythm of the tide sang its song of love, a siren call to those with an ear to hear.

John put his arm softly around Laine. “You know Laine, I don’t think I have ever felt so peaceful”, he said, playing with a wisp of her hair.

“Me neither, I wish tonight would just go on and on.”.

She took his face and cupped it in her hands.

“I have known you only a day yet I feel as if you know me better than anyone. You know I have fallen for you John don’t you? I never knew I hadn’t ever loved anyone until I met you”, Laine stared back out to sea.

She had been given the space to be honest. The realisation that until now she had not known love had not taken her by surprise. She had known the depths of her soul had not yet been awakened, but now? Now she knew what it felt like. John started to place small kisses onto the nape of her neck; he gently took hold of her and laid her down onto the soft dolomite sand. As the tide came in he slowly and passionately made love to her. They had found the answer to the siren call.

A deep earthy need had carved its way through their bodies, setting a positive charge, fusing and bonding the saltiness of the waves. They were being absorbed each by the other, drinking in the pleasure of touch, of lust, of want through their impassioned bodies. Every crevice, every curve infected with desire.

They lay on the sand for what seemed like an eternity, the darkness of the night hiding their delicate frames.

Laine sat up glancing quickly from side to side. She had never in her life been so totally and utterly out of control. The moment had lifted her like a tidal wave and carried her higher and higher, any inhibitions left behind in its wake.

“Don’t worry Missy, no one here but us”, said John quietly, as if sensing her sudden embarrassment.

Laine felt around and found her clothes. She stood; straightening her sand drenched dress and turned to look at him. He really was the most gorgeous man she had ever known. “Let’s go back to the apartment”, he said. Laine nodded.

It took them about fifty minutes to walk back: had they really walked that far? As they approached the apartment block, dawn was just starting to make itself known. Song birds could be heard starting to warm up their vocal cords in anticipation of the new day.

An orchestra of birdsong was warming up, practicing for the new day’s performance.

Once inside the apartment they had taken a shower together, slowly and delicately washing away the call of the sea. Laine borrowed Ella’s dressing gown for John. They laughed at how ridiculous he looked; pink was most certainly not his colour. Sitting on the balcony together with a cup of tea they watched the sun rise and listened to the warblers now reaching the finale of their performance.

There was no sign of Ella or the rest of them as Laine and John headed for the bedroom. “Laine, I was thinking Venice, maybe we can take a trip to Venice today?” Could my life get any better than this? thought Laine as they curled up tight together and fell asleep.

She had not known for how long they had slept but was awoken by the sound of giggling coming from the other side of the bedroom door. As she sat up she recognised it to be Ella’s dulcet tones. The bedroom was stuffy and hot. It must be late morning judging by how hot it is – how have I managed to sleep? she thought as she grabbed a t shirt and pulled it over her head.

John was still fast asleep; the sun was piercing through a gap in the curtains and shining across his face giving him an almost angelic quality. Laine opened the door a fraction and a warm coffee-infused breeze welcomed her.

Ella, Andrew, Pete and Mary were seated at the table with various tourist maps and paraphernalia scattered around and about.

“I reckon we get a bus from the bus station and then a boat over to Venice - should take about an hour and a half all told, that’s what we did last time”, said Andrew, his finger tracing a route on the laid-out map.

“Morning troops, another day in paradise then is it?”said Laine.

“We’re gonna go to Venice Laine, these guys said it’s amazing”, said Ella, turning to face the others.

“Well that’s a bit spooky, that’s exactly what John and I discussed doing last night, looks like great minds and all that. Is there any coffee?’” asked Laine as she opened the cupboards in search of a cup.

“You’ll have to make some more, sorry, we’ve not really had any sleep”, said Ella, yawning and resting her head on Andrew’s shoulder.

“You lot are a right bunch of crazy daises - how on earth are you gonna make it through Venice?” Laine laughed.

‘We are hard-core Laine, it’s Venice or bust”, said Andrew, pulling some kind of Muscle Man pose.

“Ah well, you may all prove to be very entertaining, especially if you start hallucinating. I’m gonna wake John - shall we leave in about an hour? What about Rod and Tessa?” she asked.

“Oh they’ve crashed, couldn’t stand the pace - lightweights. They’re gonna stay on the beach today”, said Pete, talking very quickly, adding “Lunch in Venice now that’s got to be good.”

He had appeared to say both phrases without breathing, and inhaling a cigarette at the same time. Laine realised she was staring and swiftly turned and headed back to the bedroom.

As they approached Venice, Laine’s breath was taken away. She stood holding onto the boat’s guard rail in stunned adoration for the city that was revealing itself before her. The boat itself was nothing special - a bus by another name, calling it a “vaporetti” made it sound much grander.

“Don’t get caught up in the forthcoming bun fight Laine, John”, said Mary. “The boat will turn shortly and they’ll…” she said pointing at the gargle of tourists, ‘…they’ll all be on the wrong side you see.” She smiled knowingly, giving a nod and a wink.

Laine had no idea what Mary was talking about but took her advice anyway. She and John stayed where they were, despite the best view now being on other side of the boat.

The vaporetti cut through the water. The little water bus seemed to be keeping time to its own musical metronome. The natural ebb and flow of the water was keeping the little boat on its toes as it tried to maintain it beat. Each inflective turn and slight deviation keeping time as it headed forward towards the port. The melody of the city was starting to rise in front of them. From the moment it left Porto Sabbioni the little vaporetti had its work cut out. The powder blue cloudless sky and the warmth of the day had brought the Glitteratti and their variety of boats of fortune out into the bright sunlit fray. As they approached the islands Laine and Ella could make out people in gondolas being ferried along the various waterways.