Previously: Carly was on a weekend break and met Zeb in a club. By the end of the evening they were smitten with each other…
At 2 am, he took my hands and kissed the fingertips before saying, “Come away with me? It won’t be easy. I’m a modern day nomad really, and tomorrow I leave for Ireland, where I’ll be working the fields for the summer. I can promise you one thing though… I will love you until the day I die.” Previous Episode One.
Or read it on my blog here
Sounds unbelievable but that’s what he said.
I didn’t need to think twice. I had a boring office job in London. What did I have to lose? Throwing my arms around his neck, I screeched,
“YES.” Feeling brave, but something told me to risk, I knew he was the one for me too.
He’d been sleeping rough in the old deserted lighthouse for a week and we arranged to meet there as soon as I had gone back to the hotel and collected my case.
“If you don’t come, Carly, I’ll understand. But I know — in my gut — you’re the one for me.”
When I tiptoed over the beach stones towards the entrance — my mind awash with optimism, my heart bursting with love — I could see a small nightlight at the top.
I reached the spiral staircase with my bag on my shoulder and started the climb. Immediately I felt woozy. I’d never been in a lighthouse before. By the time I reached the first landing and window, I looked out and thought I may be sick.
I could hear the faint sound of rhythm and blues music from above and covering my mouth tackled the next stairwell.
Halfway up, I collapsed onto the stairs, dizzy and disorientated.
At that point I realised I was suffering from acrophobia. (Vaguely I recalled a time as a child when my dad was driving over a bridge and I looked out of the car window, down into the valley, and nearly vomited.)
I knew, I couldn’t go up any further.
I called out to him.
Waited.
Nothing. Zeb couldn’t hear me above his music.
I decided the best thing would be to go back to my hotel and return in the morning.
Laying on my bed, I slept until daylight — still dressed — and then, with hope in my heart, I ran back to the lighthouse.
There on the door was a message —
“I waited until dawn. But still you didn’t come. Couldn’t miss the train. I forgive you and will remember you always.”
What could I do? I didn’t even know his full name.
Now looking out at the lighthouse thirty years later, I wonder what my life would have been like if I had managed to climb those stairs?
Instead, I returned home and within a year had married a neighbourhood lad, Dan. He gave me two wonderful kids and a divorce.
To be honest, it’s surprising the relationship lasted three decades. He wasn’t the one, and I never forgot Zeb and a life that could have been…
To be continued… Maybe!
Memes:
Header image of Spiral Staircase from Pixabay
