It was at the biannual St Peters
Church getaway when it all began.
St Peters was an evangelical church,
sometimes described as charismatic, and the getaway was organized for the
members of the congregation to examine and develop their faith.
Each such event normally
had a theme, this one was no exception and was named "Footsteps" as
in walking in the footsteps of Christ and it was all about the individual and
collective spiritual journey.
It was a week-long
residential event which provided seminars, workshops, meditation, prayer, and
worship, and in addition to the spiritual itinerary there was also a host of
fun activities, with something for everyone.
It was at the Millmoor Hotel and
Conference Centre, which comprised the Old Country Manor house, which housed
meeting rooms and the more select accommodations, fine dining and bars and a
newly built modern styled facility housing family friendly rooms, dining and
various entertainments.
Russell Day checked into the hotel
late on Friday afternoon and was met with embraces from all and sundry, almost
without exception.
He was rather overwhelmed in truth,
he had lost his wife Glenda since the last getaway and as a result he hadn’t
participated much in church life over the previous year, in fact that week away
was his attempt to reconnect with God after his bereavement.
He found the first evening rather
exhausting, with all the hand shaking and hugging and Saturday morning was
almost as bad.
So, after lunch when he had a period
of free time, he knew just what he wanted to do with it.
He was on his way to the plush
residents lounge in the old manor house where he thought he would use his two
hours of free time to enjoy a pint or two of Guinness in the residents bar
while he read a few chapters of his book.
As he walked down the gloomy mahogany
panelled corridors, he passed numerous likewise panelled doors to modern
furnished meeting rooms, leather chaired reading rooms and comfortable bars.
Some room doors were unmarked and
were of a more mysterious purpose, also his route took him through the
occasional intersection where another corridor running from the front steps to
the rear terrace crossed his path, and it was along one of these intersecting
corridors that he heard the sound of a sobbing girl.
His first instinct, he would have
been ashamed to admit, was to ignore it and hurry on to the bar and a welcoming
pint of the black stuff.
He even got a yard beyond the
intersection, but he stopped and turned back, because in the end he could not
ignore her.
He took a deep breath and walked
along the corridor to investigate the source of the sobs.
When he had tracked down the precise
area the sobbing emanated from, he discovered a girl pressed into the corner of
a recessed doorway.
He didn’t recognise her; he just saw
a small wailing creature with her shoulders shaking in unison with the noise.
He placed a hand on one of her shaking
shoulders and said
“What on earth is the matter?”
Her immediate response was for her to
turn around abruptly, which was when he first realised who it was, and her
utter embarrassment was apparent.
When the crying girl turned, he was
surprised to see it was Cathy Granger, a particularly close friend of his
deceased wife.
Though she was a friend, she had not
been such a close friend of his as much as his wife because she was 9 years his
junior.
He had known her for quite a few
years however as she had sat on numerous committees with his wife Glenda.
He had got to know her better during
his wife’s illness, and to his mind she had been an absolute Godsend when
Glenda passed and was an absolute rock in the months that followed the funeral.
As he had not participated much in
church life over the preceding eighteen months, he had subsequently not seen
much of her.
He had always really liked her
because she was funny and quirky, always had a smile on her face and she was
always full of beans.
Which is why it was such a surprise
to find her crying.
He had never once seen her down in
all the years’ he’d known her, and she was universally loved.
It had always amazed him how she had
remained single; she was so attractive with a nice figure and a bubbly
personality.
But he had never once seen her with a
man, or a woman for that matter.
He had supposed at one time that she
might be gay as she shared a flat with a large mono browed woman called Deidre,
but then he heard that Deidre was engaged to a man from a neighbouring church.
Her second response to his
discovering her was to apologize
“I’m sorry” she sobbed and tried to
push passed him “I’m so sorry”
“Don’t be silly” Russell said and
blocked her exit “Tell me what’s wrong”
Cathy looked up at him through tear
filled eyes and then buried her face in his chest and sobbed her heart out for
a full five minutes as he just held her and made all the appropriate noises.
His head was filled with scenarios
that may have brought her current state about, had she been attacked? Had there
been an accident? Had someone died? His imagination ran wild.
When she had calmed down a little,
she lifted her head up from his chest and said through the sobs
“I’ve got…. Your shirt…. wet”
“That’s ok” he assured her
“And snotty” Cathy added
“That’s ok too” he said with a
chuckle and fished a hanky from his pocket so she could dry her eyes and blow
her nose.
Further along that corridor there was
a small lounge filled with an assortment of leather chairs and comfy sofas, at
the back of the building that looked onto, but could not be accessed from, the
terrace.
Which meant it was more private so
there was less chance someone would be witness should she break down again.
“Let’s go in there” he said “and you
can tell me what’s wrong”
“It’s ok” she said wiping her eyes
“I’ll be fine now”
“Nonsense” he stated in his best
avuncular tone “you’re far from ok”
“Really” she insisted but she could
not disguise the catch in her throat and just gave her a knowing look and she
conceded.
They sat on a big leather sofa in
silence for about 5 minutes while she composed herself and then Cathy took a
deep breath and began
“I’m fine when there’s lots going on
and it’s all busy, busy, busy” she said
“But “free time” when everyone goes
off with their families or partners, well that’s when it hits me”
“What does?” he asked
“Loneliness” she replied, and her
eyes filled with tears again.
“I’m just so lonely”
“I didn’t know” he admitted, he was
no stranger to loneliness himself in the 18 months since his wife died, but he
had come to terms with it.
He was surprised that Cathy hadn’t
though.
She was such a great organizer, a
natural organiser, which is why the Church events were always such a success.
But ironically it seemed as if she
organised everything so well that she had forgot to organise herself a life.
“But you have so many friends, and
everyone loves you” he said, “You must know that?”
She nodded
“I know and I could easily tag along
and not one of them would mind” she said “and quite often I do”
She paused and then added
“But that’s not the same as having
someone”
“So, is it always like this for you?”
he asked
“Yes” she admitted “but I normally do
it in my room”
“But this time you didn’t make it”
Russell said
“My room is so bloody far away” she
said
“I’d blame the organiser” he said,
and she laughed
“But I thought I was sufficiently
hidden away” she concluded
“Well this won’t do” he said “this
won’t do at all”
“What do you mean?” she asked
“This is only the first “free time”
of the week, I’m not having you running off to your room for a cry two or three
times a day while everyone else is having fun”
“But” she interrupted
“You and I are going to sign up for
every event we can cram in, so you won’t have time to be lonely and you’ll be
too exhausted to cry”
“You don’t have to do that” she said
“Nonsense” he said “you will be
helping me out”
“How”? She asked
“Well I’m a lonely widower after all”
“But”
“But nothing” Russell said and
brooked no protest
“Ok, ok” she submitted
“Right then, how about a walk” said
the avuncular
“Fine” she said without enthusiasm
So that was how they began the quest
with the kind and helpful
avuncular helping the reluctant young woman to leave her no time for loneliness
and no time for tears.
Every free session or lull in
activities, he took control and filled every moment with every activity
imaginable you name it they did it.
The first afternoon most of the group
activities had already started so they just walked around the grounds in an
uncomfortable silence, Cathy just wanted to go to her room, but Russell knew
she would just break down again.
So, they carried on walking, with her
tolerating his well-meaning interference and he tolerated the angry silence
until they reached the climbing wall.
“Do you fancy a climb?” Russell asked
“or the tree walk”
“What I fancy is going back to my
room” she replied angrily
Russell thought for a moment and then
suggested a contest
“Ok I’ll make a deal with you” he
said
“What deal?” Cathy replied
suspiciously
“If you can beat me to the top” he
said “I’ll leave you alone”
“As simple as that?” she said
“As simple as that” Russell confirmed
“You’re on” Cathy agreed
What he failed to tell her was that
he was no stranger to a climbing wall but even taking that into consideration
he didn’t beat her by much having not taken into account her hitherto
unappreciated competitive streak.
After beating her by a whisker she
seemed to have burnt off some of her hostility as she suggested they do the
tree walk.
Despite harbouring the suspicion that
she only suggested it so she could shove him off, he agreed, and she was in a
much brighter frame of mind.
That evening there was a busy
schedule of events however he was concerned she might regress the next day.
Sunday had more free time than any
other day so he thought he might use her competitive nature to his advantage,
so when they got back to the Hotel, he said
“Tennis or Golf tomorrow?”
“Oh, I think I can manage from now
on, thank you Russell” she replied
“Oh ok” he said “I understand”
“You understand what?” Cathy asked
suspiciously
“Well having lost to the old man on
the climbing wall” he said “I can understand why you don’t want to lose to me
at anything else”
“What utter conceit” she exclaimed
“I’m sorry if I’ve got the wrong end
of the stick” Russell said innocently
“Well “old man”” Cathy said defiantly
“let’s make it Tennis and Golf tomorrow”
Before Russell could respond Cathy
had gone through the door to the lobby so he walked slowly towards his own room
with a wry smile on his face.
Well come the next day he had to go
and find her and thought she may have had a change of heart, but she was
already waiting for him at the pro shop.
“Good afternoon Cathy” he said
She was standing scorecards in hand,
with a determined look on her face.
“Hello” she replied in a tone
suggesting they get straight on with it and the wry smile returned to his face
when he saw how fired up, she was.
He had sowed the wind; he was now
about to reap the whirlwind.
Because she had elected to play Golf
and Tennis on the same day, they only had time for nine holes.
After three holes the wry smile had
gone, and he was wondering if he had bitten off more than he could chew as she
was destroying him.
At the end of the nine holes her
victory was comprehensive.
“Now we’re even” she said
“Well played Cathy” Russ said “let’s
have a drink”
“Oh no” She answered “Tennis now”
“Oh shit” he thought “she’s got her
dander up now”
“Ok” he said out loud “Tennis first”
He could tell by the look on her face
that she would do to him on the Tennis court what she’d done on the links.
As luck would have it there was only
one court left and the Vicar, Donald Cox, and his wife Hannah, had been waiting
to play all afternoon.
So, Cathy reluctantly agreed to play
mixed doubles instead in a less adversarial match.
After dinner Cathy had threatened to
take the contest to the games room, but when he suggested an early night, he
was pleased to see a look of relief cross her face.
As he slipped beneath the covers he
reflected on what he had set out to achieve and he could certainly vouch for
the fact there was no time to be lonely and by the end of that day he was
certainly too exhausted to, he hoped the same for Cathy.
The next day Cathy’s competitive edge
had returned though her aggressive edge had been somewhat tempered, however she
completely dominated him on the Croquet lawn.
After which she showed her more
compassionate side when she allowed him to level the contest playing Crazy
Golf.
On Monday evening, having had a less
gruelling day, they did manage a couple of games of Pool and a couple of drinks
before fatigue set in, Cathy was now 3-2 up.
“I’ll give you a chance with
something less energetic tomorrow”
Cathy said
“What do you suggest?” Russell asked
“Archery and Shooting” she replied
“Oh, taking pity on me” he asked
“Something like that” she replied and
kissed his cheek “Goodnight”
On Tuesday morning Cathy was hovering
outside the restaurant as Russell arrived.
“Hello Russ” she said
“Hi Cathy” he replied, “Have you
eaten already?”
“No, no” she replied “I just got
here”
“Well perhaps we could eat together”
Russell suggested
“If you like” she replied
indifferently, so they went into breakfast together.
Unusually after breakfast they
remained together for the worship and both discussion sessions, normally she
would go and sit with friends.
Before lunch they went off to their
respective rooms to change but agreed to meet at the top of the stairs for
lunch.
Cathy was waiting for him again when
Russell started up the stairs.
He looked up and he could see here
pacing back and forth.
Russell was late and it looked like
she was angry so when he got there, he said
“I’m sorry Cathy, I couldn’t decide
what to wear for today, tweeds or Lincoln Green”
“That’s ok” she said with a laugh
“Although I’d like to see you in tights”
“Really?” Russell said and Cathy blushed
and walked briskly into the restaurant.
Cathy was very chatty and animated
throughout lunch as they both ate Mushroom Stroganoff.
“So, are you going to be gentle with
me today?” he asked as they finished their desert.
“I’m always gentle” she replied and
blushed again then added quickly
“You should do ok today”
As predicted Russell beat her at both
the target disciplines so he now held the advantage, but he suspected she
wasn’t really trying.
So, he suggested they fit in a round
of Forest Laser quest.
Cathy was reluctant but she was
easily persuaded and then Russell let her win to square the contest.
As they walked back to the Hotel
Cathy said
“I think we should call it quits now”
“What no more activities?” Russell
asked
“Oh no” she said with alarm “I didn’t
mean that”
“What then?” he said
“No more contest” she replied
“Ok” Russell said “I agree”
On Wednesday, the weather took a turn
for the worst, so they amused themselves inside, firstly in the Gym and then
swimming in the pool.
But the rain did clear away by the
evening, so they went for a walk around the grounds again and discussed their
plan for Thursday.
Thursday was a glorious day, so they
spent the afternoon on the river punting which led to them both falling in on
separate occasions and they laughed as they squelched all the back way to the
Hotel.
As he relaxed in the bath before
dinner, he thought a lot about the week in which he’d begun the quest in the
spirit of the avuncular.
There was a positive side effect for
him, spending the week as he did and that was that he had no time to miss his
wife, however the down side was that he’d fallen in love with Cathy and he had
no idea what to do about it.
On Friday morning, which was the
start of the final day they had breakfast together again.
Things would conclude by midday and
they would be checking out after lunch.
“Well did I succeed?” he asked
“With what?” she replied
“Banishing the loneliness” he said
“In a way” she answered enigmatically
“Oh?”
She sighed and in a rather gruff
response she said
“You have filled every spare moment
with companionable fun and I’ve really enjoyed it”
“But?” he asked sensing there was one
“But we go home today”
“And you think that you’ll have too
much time on your hands once you leave here. Is that it?”
“No” she shouted “that isn’t it”
She got up from the table and added
“You haven’t got a clue”
“Oh shit” he thought to himself as
she blundered out of the dining room
He quickly got up to follow her, a
table of 12 stood up to leave just as he was approaching so that by the time,
he got outside she was already at the bottom of the stairs.
“I have got a clue” he shouted from
the balcony and everyone stopped and turned to look.
“Really? Because you think I will go
to pieces if you’re not there to hold my hand” she barked
“No” he replied as he descended the
stairs
“Because I’ll go to pieces without
you to hold mine”
“What?” she asked
“I wasn’t lying when I said
“everybody” loved you” he said
“Huh?” she uttered as he reached the
bottom of the stairs
“I love you” he continued “and I need
you in my life”
There were tears welling up in her
eyes as he said it and then she ran to him and hugged him and then they kissed
totally oblivious to the spontaneous applause and cheers echoing around the
lobby.
