Free 06 Educating Jack by Jack Sheffield

I glanced down at the expensive-looking bags. ‘You’ve been busy.’
    There was an awkward moment of silence and then Laura turned. ‘Well, I’d better get back to the girls.’
    I put my hand on her arm. ‘Laura, are you OK?’
    She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. ‘It’s just
life
, Jack. It’s complicated.’ She bowed her head and her long hair hung loosely around her shoulders. I knew she was right. Life had never been that simple for either of us … rather a maze of mistaken opportunities.
    ‘Laura, you must know there never was anything
serious
between us,’ I said. ‘Nothing
permanent
. And nothing really happened. We were just friends.’
    ‘Were we?’
    ‘I chose Beth because I loved her, Laura. You know that.’
    ‘Love makes fools of us all, Jack.’
    ‘And I’m happy with my life,’ I said.
    ‘That’s good, but who knows where we shall come to rest,’ she stepped into the shade of the Colonnade, ‘in shade or in sun,’ she said with an enigmatic smile and I wondered at the meaning behind these words.
    ‘I don’t understand,’ I said.
    Laura looked at me with sadness in her eyes. ‘You will one day, Jack, and, in the end, you’ll see … she’ll hurt you.’ Then she turned and I watched her slim figure stride confidently across Stall Street.
    ‘I still don’t understand,’ I said, but my words were like seeds on the wind, scattered thoughts cast upon the soft breezes of the approaching night.
    There had always been something about Laura that intrigued me, but I couldn’t understand what it was. Then I looked around me. Above my head a huge triangular stone pediment surmounted the nine perfect archways of the Colonnade. On its face was a carving of Hygieia, the goddess of good health, and her companion was a serpent. With a wry smile I picked up the bags and walked back towards the tea shop near the Abbey.
    Later, back in Henrietta Street, there was a tap on our bedroom door. Beth and I were relaxing before going out. It was Pippa. ‘Bad news, I’m afraid,’ she said. ‘Laura’s not well, so it makes sense for me to stay with her and you two can go out and enjoy your last evening in Bath.’
    Beth went across the landing to see Laura and returned ten minutes later. ‘She’ll be fine, just a headache after overdoing it at work and then suddenly relaxing,’ she said in a matter-of-fact voice. ‘So where shall we go?’
    ‘Well, we passed a cinema today, but I don’t know what’s on,’ I said.
    ‘Let’s find out,’ said Beth, grabbing her coat. She appeared full of energy again.
    When we arrived outside the cinema we stared up at a large poster. It read:
    Lewis Collins in
Who Dares Wins
(AA)
    and
    Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
    ‘Well, what do you think?’ I asked dubiously.
    ‘I think I’d rather buy a bottle of wine and go back for an early night, Jack. How about you?’
    It suddenly occurred to me how much I loved this beautiful woman and I couldn’t recall feeling so at peace with my life. Ragley School seemed far away now and, as I held her in my arms and kissed her, the wind changed direction and a scurry of fallen leaves scattered around our feet like the wings of fragile butterflies. A turbulent past was behind us and we had relaxed in the harmony of our lives, together at last and sharing a new pathway.
    ‘I think we should go in peace and prosper,’ I said. ‘At least that’s what Mr Spock would say.’
    ‘Sounds good,’ said Beth with a mischievous grin and she held my hand and led me back to the house, via the nearest wine bar. Finally, in the early hours and in each other’s arms, we shared the time of the quiet mind when peaceful slumber descends like a tranquil mist.
    On Wednesday morning the wind had turned in its groove and an iron-grey sky was filled with a cold rain that stung our faces as we packed the car.
    Goodbyes were brief, and Laura stayed in her room as Beth said farewell to her. Pippa gave me the obligatory double