Merryn Fawkner eyed her daughter across the breakfast table. Their reunion had been emotional when she saw her daughter for the first time in 9 years this morning. Some would think it strange that it had been so long, and it was. Piper had never wanted to come back and visit and Merryn and George had never left Cornwall.
Piper's return was so sudden that her suspicions had been peaked. But as usual, her daughter pretended that everything was fine. But she knew better - Piper was hiding something. All she could do was hope that when Piper was ready she would open up. A problem shared and all that.
"Have you made any plans today?". Merryn asked.
"I thought about going for a walk and maybe to the beach. That's the one thing I missed most about living in London. There was nowhere to escape to and it was always loud and busy." Piper replied.
"That's why dad and I would never come and visit. The thought of being exposed to the hustle and bustle of a big city left us with a feeling of dread. I can't tell you how happy we are that you decided to come home. We've missed out on so many special occasions and it's time to make up for it". Merryn replied ruefully.
Piper couldn't even argue about why her parents never came to visit her as she hadn't made the effort herself. And there wasn't one good reason why. Her upbringing had been amazing and so had her childhood. She'd just got caught up in her new life, career, and Dale. Looking back she realised how selfish she was. There was no excuse for the distance she'd created with her parents. They deserved so much better than that.
"Mum, I know it may be a little too late, but I'm sorry for never making time for you and dad. I got selfishly caught up in my own life and just assumed you were both ok with that. I promise to make up for it".
Merryn teared up " I know you are darling. But what's done is done and we can't change it. We just need to make up for it. We all know how short life is and it can be gone in a heartbeat".
Somehow Piper knew that her Mum was referring to Miles - the sadness in her eyes obvious...
The walk from her parent's cottage down to the beach was a straight road that only took Piper 2 minutes to walk. The sea air assaulted her nostrils and the breeze was comforting against her face. The heat from the sun radiated straight through her body and warmed her from the inside. The sand gently caressed her feet like that of a lover. Nothing could ever compare to this beautiful gem of a town. Piper laid out her towel and sat watching the waves gently stroke the shore. A sense of calm enveloped her that she hadn't felt in such a long time. It was so reassuring to just sit and take in her surroundings. Families were swimming in the sea, making the same memories Piper had as a young girl. The laughter of the children made her smile - this was what life was all about. Piper was disturbed by the loud ringing of her mobile. When she looked it was a private number which she thought was strange. "Hello?". No answer - just breathing."Hello?" again Piper was
Seb finished his second boat trip of the day. His customers seemed happy so he was happy, and getting paid was always a bonus as the boat wasn't cheap to run. He'd been doing fishing trips and coastal cruises since he'd left the Army 3 years ago. When he was medically discharged, he knew immediately what he'd wanted to do. For the 6 years, he was in the Army he'd thought of nothing but home. Being out on the open sea made him feel free and helped him to forget the atrocities he'd seen whilst enlisted. The injury he sustained whilst actively serving was a blessing in disguise as the decision was taken out of his hands as to whether he should continue serving. And now here he was, sitting on his own boat that he'd called Pip, making a living doing what he loved. Sometimes the hours were long, but they kept him busy and out of trouble. Seb kept his honey blonde hair short and unlike his brother Will, he was 4inches shorter and muscular. The Army had made s
The Harbour Inn was full of Cornish character and charm and also provided a bed & breakfast service. It was right on the harbour of Porthleven and was another firm favourite amongst the locals and tourists who flocked there. Seb decided on the cheddar cheese and chutney sandwich with a flat white. He ordered at the bar and then went and found a seat by the pool table where he could watch customers come and go. From his years in the Army, he always made sure he never had his back to the room and knew where all the exits were located. To others, this would be a tad over the top, but to Seb, it had become a way of life. Gone was the naive 18-year-old and in its place a careful and cautious man. Seb's food arrived and he ate in silence, enjoying his own company whilst still listening to the conversations around him. He found the gentle hum of voices comforting when he wasn't having to take part in idle chit-chat. He wasn't rude, he just didn't find speaking n
Piper was suddenly winded at the piercing green eyes staring back at her - Seb Clemens as she lived and breathed. Standing in front of her oozing a quiet sex appeal just like his brother Will.He was so muscular and looked to be hard in all the right places. As she scanned him, he chose that moment to lick his lips. Oh god, she thought, what luscious lips he had. But, she shouldn't be looking at him like that, he was her friend.What should she say to him? Should she hug him? No, best not as he didn't look happy to see her. It was agony as they stood there in silence, so Piper decided to bite the bullet and speak first."Hi Seb, how are you?".It felt like forever until he replied "I'm well, thanks, Piper. When did you get back?".Even his tone was cold, or was she misreading him? Seb had always been hard to read as kids and even more so as a teenager. But she could swear she felt nothing but disdain emanating from him.Seb stood roote
That wasn't how Seb thought his first meeting with Piper would go at all. He'd been so rude! God only knew how Piper was feeling now. Seb considered going back in and setting the record straight, only, he wasn't sure he wanted to. He'd felt so angry at her when they were face to face, but for what he wasn't sure? The anger had just appeared out of nowhere and had dissipated as soon as he'd left the pub. "You're such an idiot!" Seb scolded himself as he headed towards his trusted boat Pip. He knew he could be difficult and moody at times, but generally, he tried to keep a lid on it. Showing any kind of emotion was a weakness in his eyes, at least that's what being in the Army had taught him. His parents were constantly comparing him to Will, and always questioning why he couldn't be more like his brother who was outgoing, gregarious, and flirtatious. Or, in Seb's own words - a male slut! To their parents, Will was the golden goose o
Piper could feel someone touching her all over her body, fingers roaming, stroking, and teasing her. Her skin was alive and on fire at the hands caressing her - more, she wanted more!Her heart quickened, licking her lips she groaned in pleasure. It had been a long time since she'd been touched like that.She writhed on the bed in pure pleasure, a moan escaping her lips, sweat pouring out of her entire body and dripping everywhere.She clenched her thighs together to try to help the ache between her legs but it made no difference. She needed whoever it was inside of her now! But it was dark, so she couldn't see who the mysterious man was.The moonlight reflected through her bedroom window, exposing a profile. She could make out chin-length wavy hair and reached out to touch it.As she ran her fingers through it, something felt very familiar. His scent too - she would know that smell anywhere! He smelt of dove soap with a hint of spice.
Seb and Will sat drinking a pint outside The Ship Inn, overlooking the harbour. It was such a lovely day and tourists were flocking everywhere spending their cash which was helping to line the pockets of all the local businesses. "How's business brother?" Will asked Seb. As always, Seb took his time to reply " Booming which will help me get through the winter if it carries on". "Good to hear! Will paused "Listen, Piper's back in town and I'm not sure if you know? Anyway, I went to see her and she is looking HOT!". Seb could see the glint in his brother's eyes and knew exactly where this was going "Let me guess, you're already thinking of trying to get into her pants? Did it ever occur to you that she might not be interested? And, she's our childhood friend Will!". Will laughed out loud "Who said I was trying to sleep with her? You have me all wrong brother. I was simply stating that she looked good that's all. When you see her you'll kno
Piper decided to take a stroll down past the harbour towards The Ship Inn. It was only a matter of time before she ended up at her old haunt. Plus it gave her the headspace she needed to think about the awful nightmare she'd had about Dale last night. A little perspective was all she needed and the sea air would do that for her. The trained therapist in her knew that she couldn't brush how she was feeling under the carpet, but at the same time, it was hard to think about Dale again. She was naive to think moving home would solve all her issues.As Piper neared the pub she saw two familiar figures sat on the bench at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled as memories came flooding back once again of the three of them sat in that exact spot many years ago. For just a moment it felt like no time has passed until she felt two sets of eyes on her.She approached Seb and Will with a little trepidation as she hadn't expected to bump into both of them so soon, especially Seb. He