Free Harkett's Haven by Ally Forbes Page A

flame had lit inside her and she now found herself nurturing it, willing it to grow.
    ‘Eric...I ..’
    He put his finger to her lips. ‘My turn now.’
    ‘I met Sarah, my wife, at university. We had a brief relationship, split and six months later she reappeared, pregnant. I married her and we tried to give it a go for the sake of Esme.’
    Rachel held his hand. She had the feeling that this was the first time Eric had spoken openly about his relationship with Sarah to anyone. His words appeared to take a lot of effort and be emotionally draining for him.
    ‘Of course it didn’t work. We stayed together for Esme but I think now that that maybe wasn’t right for either of us. We were both desperately unhappy. It was easy for me to work long hours at the hospital, to stay away.....Sarah...well...she started to drink. I didn’t notice what was going on until it was too late and.....Esme had seen too much.’
    She held his hand, ‘She’s a wonderful kid Eric. Whatever’s happened, she’s come through it OK.’
    ‘She misses her mother, despite....everything.’
    ‘I think a girl of Esme’s age needs a mom. I’m sure Esme must miss Sarah very much......’
    He looked at the floor, not able to make eye contact with her.
    ‘I had a lot of women after Sarah. They were.......distractions.... and I have to admit that I used them for what I .....needed.’
    ‘Claire too?’
    He looked at her and nodded.
    She ran her hand through his dark hair and sighed,
    ‘We do what we have to do to get by sometimes........Come on Eric. Help me get the boat into the water. We’re going to miss the tide.’
    They left the car, Rachel grateful for the distraction. She watched him work with her, admiring his strength and physique. His dark hair was ruffled in the slight breeze and when he caught her eye he smiled, an open beautiful smile that Rachel couldn’t help respond to.
    As they worked, a lone figure on the skyline watched them intently.

5.
    After securing the dinghy and parking the boat and trailer further up the beach, they set off. The small boat bounced gently over the breakers, the final remnants of cloud gone from the sky.
    Rachel was in her element, never feeling freer than when she was near the sea. She loved the small motorised dinghy that played such an important part her job and she guided it safely and expertly to the small island that was where just now she spent as many of her working days as she could. They travelled in silence, the salty wind in their hair and the sound of the waves against the boat as they cut through the gentle swell.
    Rachel could fee l him watch her, his eyes playing over her and she deliberately avoided his gaze. She felt oddly self-conscious. The journey was short and smooth and she throttled the engine back gradually, pulling the boat up on to waDthe sandy shore of the small deserted island.
    Eric jumped easily out of the boat and held h is arms out for her to jump into. She stepped off the boat and into his arms and he held her close, kissing the top of her head.
    ‘You’ re quite the expert sea woman Rachel.’
    She smiled and winked, ‘I’ve many talents.’
    He pressed her close to him, almost painfully so and bent to kiss her neck.
    She chastised him gently, ‘I’ve brought you here to assist me Doctor,’ and pushed him away from her gently, ‘Go get the bags from the boat.’
    He stood and saluted, ‘Yes Captain.’
    He grabbed the heavy bags from the boat and followed her as she strode off along the beach.
    She turned to him as he caught up with her,
    ‘I come out here as often as the weather allows. Today I’m doing an intertidal survey, counting and recording the species we find in the various parts of the shore while the tides out.’
    ‘You must have one of the best jobs in the world Rachel. I used to love searching through the rock pools when I was a kid.’
    The pleasure of the task ahead was evident in his face and soon it was Rachel that had to increase her pace