The beach

2. Longing from a distance

Chapter 3

Amelia sat half on her breakfast bar stool, surrounded by packing boxes as the light shone through the kitchen window. She was swinging her left leg, skimming through the local paper.

"Nothing of great interest," she yawned and started to strip and throw her dripping clothes towards the washing machine.

Suddenly, Ralf jumped up on the counter. "Ralf! You scared me! Silly boy!"

Ralf had knocked the paper across the floor, Amelia saw a story she must have missed earlier when she picked it up.

"Ralfy, there's a story in here about the local pet centre. Look at all the cute cats and dogs!"

He meowed.

Amelia continued with her morning routine, radio on, fresh coffee brewing. She didn't notice the quiet knock at the door.

I smelt it first, a sweet, nutty aroma. It can't be me, I'm salty and sweaty from the beach but this smells heavenly. I searched around the house, nose upright like a blood hound, then saw a shadow on the frosted glass, "Huh," the scent became stronger the closer I was to the door. I opened it carefully, not really sure of the dangers or risks of Kempton, but it was daylight, how worried should I be?

A man stood at my door, about my height, not particularly tall, ruffled hair bleached by the sun. I barely had time to study him before he spoke.

"Hi! Sorry to interrupt, I erm... " he paused and red flushed his tanned cheeks.

I followed his eyes, "Oh s**t, sorry," I grabbed the nearest cloth-thing, "I've just- I've just been at the beach, sorry, you caught me by surprise." I felt my own cheeks blush. We stood there awkward and crimson in perfect unison.

Looking away, he apologised and explained he was my neighbour, and he held out the most picture-perfect treacle tart I had ever seen. "I brought you this as a welcome to the neighbourhood, I live in the next beach house along, the blue one," He added.

As he continued to look away, yet holding out the pie, I had time to study him further. He looked younger than me, well-built, 'Clearly looks after himself,' I thought.

"Wow, thank you very much," I took the pie with one hand, still clutching the fabric which I now realise was a gross tea towel, "I am Amelia, I moved here from Tulton."

"Hello Amelia, I'm Sam-" He seemed to trip up over his own name, "Well, I'll let you get back to your day, so welcome and I'll see you around."

He turned quickly and I saw his ears and neck were still flushed pink. Hmm, cute.

Chapter 4

Oh my God, how bloody embarrassing Sammy! I could barely stutter out a couple of words, let alone string a sentence together. Eurgh, and I almost used 'Sammy', I am a full adult now, Sam is my name. Sam.

After the initial embarrassment had simmered, I remembered how I had seen her arrive on Friday, but wow, was she pretty close up. I probably should have said something at the weekend, but late shifts and the need for sleep took over. I'm sure she didn't even notice me when she was unpacking.

As I slipped out of her front garden, I picked up the pace to my house; that encounter has meant that I'm going to be late for the bus, glancing at my watch, I started in a half-jog.

-

I watched him run off, clearly in a hurry. What a strange experience! I still clutched the teatowel which was kind of damp and a bit oily. Throwing it on the pile of clothes, I went straight to the bathroom for a shower. "That's what you get for choosing a small town with bungalow beach houses, Amelia" I muttered to myself, "Quite a contrast to the towering and cramped streets of Tulton."

Hmm, I don't recall ever being so much as looked at by the other flats, another change I'll have to get used to.

Amelia had her shower, head full of thoughts of neighbours, tall women and cute men, fluffy corgis and concerns of peeking toms.

She quickly dried herself and threw on some clothes, nothing too smart as she was about to get messy.