Love Is A Pain

By Layla Langtry

This is a story of romance when Sally finds a man she can finally trust and love in her mature years, but unfortunately, Joe is married.
Sally reflects back over her life and discovers she experienced pain every time she had loved anything or anyone over the past years. She begins to recognise how the hurt has shaped her behaviour and views on life.
As Sally reflects back on her life she presents a snapshot of what life was like across the decades from the 1940’s to the present day. She realises how some experiences are sad, bad, risqué, and quite humorous at times. It highlights how life and its standards have changed over the 60 years.

Joe experiences a family tragedy that dramatically affects his life.

Will they be able to share their twilight years happily together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Langtry
• Release date: Jan 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311726339

Book preview

LOVE IS A PAIN

Layla Langtry

Published by Layla Langtry at Smashwords

Copyright © Layla Langtry 2014

Layla Langtry has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the author’s prior consent in any form of binding, or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

RESUME

This is a story of romance when Sally finds a man she can finally trust and love in her mature years, but unfortunately, Joe is married.

Sally reflects back over her life and discovers she experienced pain every time she had loved anything or anyone over the past years. She begins to recognise how the hurt has shaped her behaviour and views on life.

As Sally reflects back on her life she presents a snapshot of what life was like across the decades from the 1940’s to the present day. She realises how some experiences are sad, bad, risqué, and quite humorous at times. It highlights how life and its standards have changed over the 60 years.

Joe experiences a family tragedy that dramatically affects his life.

Will they be able to share their twilight years happily together?

Layla Langtry lives with her partner and beloved pet dog in a small market town in rural Hampshire. She moved to Hampshire from the Midlands over thirty years ago.

Most of her working adult life was spent teaching, until she retired early to diversify into a career in fashion. She has two adult children.

She spends her spare time gardening and teaching Tarot cards and running meditation and psychic development classes.

AUTHOR’S NOTES

Some of what follows is based on actual events. However, some names and other identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

The following quotes are used in the Preface:

God is LOVE. from 1 John 4:8.

’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. is from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I must thank Mr Milk Tray for giving me the incentive and courage to write down my thoughts and feelings in a coherent way. I could not have achieved this without the support and encouragement from my two long-suffering friends, Mark and Audrey.

I love my own two children very much and I hope they will not be too distressed to discover elements of themselves portrayed in this story.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my friends who have helped and supported me throughout my life.

Thanks also to Martin’s expertise in the editing and formation of the book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface - LOVE

Chapter 1 - THE AWAKENING

Chapter 2 - THE EARLY YEARS

Chapter 3 - GROWING UP AND LIBERATION

Chapter 4 - THE FIRST MARRIAGE

Chapter 5 - THE FIRST DIVORCE

Chapter 6 - HAPPINESS AWAITS IN THE SECOND MARRIAGE

Chapter 7 - A NEW HOME AND A NEW BEGINNING

Chapter 8 - LIFE ALONE

Chapter 9 - THE END OR THE BEGINNING

Epilogue - TRUE LOVE?

Preface

LOVE

What is love?

Love is a sentiment and a powerful emotion.

Love makes the world go round.

Without love the world would be a very sad and lonely place.

God is LOVE.

The whole ethos of the Christian religion is based on this quote from the Bible.

Love is the strongest and most potent of feelings known to mankind.

There are many types of love, love for your family, love for your children, love for your pets, love for your friends, love for your belongings, love for your God, but the most powerful love of all is the love between two people in a relationship. That true love becomes a bond that unites lovers together, whether they be a man and a woman or same sex, it is an overwhelming feeling.

Two people fall in love over a period of time as their friendship and relationship develops. However, there maybe an instant spark that ignites their love on a first meeting. This feeling of love is not to be confused with lust and/or sex.

As the impact of love is felt, it brings a glow that permeates every cell in the body and resonates out into the person’s aura and may be recognizable to others. You respond to your loved one’s merest touch and kisses.

If the other person in the relationship reciprocates the feeling of love, a deep, meaningful happiness is communicated to each other, bringing joy and fulfilment that has no boundaries.

If your love is not returned, the pain of rejection or abandonment will hurt as if your body has been stabbed and your heart physically torn out. You may literally feel as if your heart has been broken in two.

Often this feeling of love will be accompanied by a strong desire to share each others bodies in the act of making love. If it is truly love and not just a sexual encounter for self-gratification, as two bodies become one, the two souls will unite and the pleasure is ecstatic and a far-reaching experience.

Love permeates all areas of your life, frequently infiltrating your thoughts and dreams day and night. Your desire to care for and protect your loved one becomes the paramount ambition in your life with the need to be together and share your life’s experiences, as it develops into a full and loving marriage or relationship.

True love allows you to accept your loved one for who they are and whatever they do with full respect for each other. You should not want to change them in any way. You love them just the way they are. But of course, we are only human and not perfect ourselves so at times we may get irritated and upset by our loved ones. However, just because you don’t like them at that moment, you never stop loving them. If your love is strong you can overcome all obstacles and problems as you develop together.

LOVE is like a flowering plant. It needs constant care and attention, as without water and tenderness the flower will fade and wither and the plant will eventually die. Just so with a relationship, without time and affection, love will fade and die.

There is no greater happiness than from the reward of love. It is worth all the effort.

’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

LOVE is always there waiting for you at any age or time in life. Ignore it and refuse it at your peril. The joy of love surpasses all.

Reach out, take it and embrace it.

GOD GAVE US LOVE AND GOD IS LOVE.

Chapter 1

THE AWAKENING

Sally lay wrapped in the arms of Joe, realising she was experiencing love for the very first time in her long life. This was not lust, but pure unadulterated love. If only he could say those three little words, to let her know that he felt the same, Sally would feel the full ecstasy of the moment.

Never before had she been made love to with so much tenderness, feeling and passion. Joe made her feel a complete whole being, aware of every nuance of her body and senses. He was conscious of any pain she felt from his movements, caring so much for her pleasure, discounting his own discomfort, so as not to hurt her.

Joe had made her reach such dizzy heights over and over again, as he helped her climax repeatedly, touching her and kissing her in places, she never knew existed, with such tenderness, until they both exploded together. They had waited a very long time for this moment. At last, Sally knew what true love really meant and could fully understand how people described love as pleasurable, wonderful and complete happiness. If only he could say he loved her.

As they clung to each other entwined in the aftermath of passion, Joe stroked her hair away from her face and whispered in a choking voice, I really do love you.

Sally gulped, close to tears, as she digested his words and responded with the same emotion and whispered back, I love you too.

Sally was in her mid-60s and had experienced many lovers, including two husbands but never at any time had she ever felt like this. It was magic. Such tenderness linked with passion, but without pain or fury. This was truly a uniting of two souls that were meant for each other.

There was no pain in their love.

Well, not for now.

How long could this euphoria last?

As they lay close together for the next few minutes not daring to speak or move in case the spell was broken, each one was dreading what was to come next.

***

Sally lived alone, and had done so since her divorce 16 years earlier, but Joe was married and had been so for 38 years. He had thought he was happy in his marriage, until they had slipped over this line on his special day in February. He no longer felt he had a wife, but he had a commitment.

Sally had once said,If you always do what you have always done, then you always get what you have always got.

How right she was. She was always right. She knew exactly how to get deep into his soul. It was like magic, a new wonderful experience.

But what?

But how?

Would he ever be able to?

Sally seemed to know and understand these thoughts that were going through his mind as they lay there. Time was running out for them.

Opportunity to meet and enjoy each other would be taken away from them very soon. They both knew in their hearts, that this was to be the last time they would ever share their souls like this, unless a major change took place.

Joe, after working 28 years in a partnership of the small engineering company, was being forced to retire in four days time, the end of September. It was now the 25th of September.

Strange how Sally had decided to sell her business and retire from the cleaning company at the end of that very same month, without even consulting Joe or knowing about his change of working practice. She knew things were about to change.

How strange such circumstances were happening! Coincidence?

Surely this was fate taking a helping hand. But would this mean an opportunity for them to build a life together or tear them apart?

The answer would begin to unfold in a few days time. One thing for sure, life could no longer continue as it had been for the past nine months.

Joe moved slightly and spoke those fateful words, the words that Sally had become to dread as the time approached for him to leave, I'm sorry Gorgeous, but hate this, and really don't want to, I want to stay here with you for ever, but I'm late already. I really must go.

He leaned over and kissed Sally with such feeling that Sally trusted and believed him. As time went by, she recalled these words many times and allowed doubts to develop and began to put him in the same category along with the other worthless men she had known in the past. Surely this had not just been a passing and fanciful experience with benefits. It had seemed to Sally, pure love. Love she had never known in her wildest dreams and ever imagined it could be like this.

As they dressed, Sally wound her arms around Joe and muttered longingly into his ear, That was amazing. I have never experienced so much pleasure, ever in my life. I love you so much. You saved the best till last.

With tears in his eyes Joe replied, Not the last---- Never.

Both seem to realise that life was to change and Joe turned as he was leaving and said, Thank you for being you. I will see you Friday. Then left.

Sally struggled to understand what could happen to their relationship, whilst still continuing to cope with her recuperation from her major operation, waiting for, but dreading Friday to arrive. She half hoped that Joe would not come on that fateful day. She had indeed said to him, I don't expect to see you on Friday as it will be your last day of work and I expect you will be very busy.

She never once believed it may be the very last time she would see him, let alone make love together. It never ever entered her mind that Friday would be the end.

Sally was so convinced, that she would not see Joe that Friday, she was so surprised when she came out of the kitchen, and there he was standing, waiting for her, that she let out a shriek, Oh my God! It is you.

He looked tired, old and grey. There was no spark, or enthusiasm about him at all. Sally had never seen him look like this in the five years she had known him. She could sense a feeling of doom surrounding him.

She made coffee and took it into the lounge. They sat together on the settee holding hands as Joe explained, I can't stay long but I just had to see you and I always keep my promise.

Life was surreal - nothing was making sense.

They both knew this wasn't the time to jump into bed, it was clear this was just a short visit. Joe seemed very emotional and twice criticised his wife, something he never had done before, in front of Sally. He seemed so angry, trying hard to control himself. They went upstairs together for more privacy. Both of them were very near to tears as they kissed, it was so very different from four days ago, when they were in the same room together, so much sadness permeated them now.

Joe explained, choked with emotion, I can't expect you to wait for me. I love you.

Sally put her finger on his lips to stop him from further speaking. It was as if he continued talking he would break the spell, but already Sally knew that the feeling of love and pleasure was now over. The PAIN of love, so familiar to her was back once more. She looked deep into his brown eyes and saw the conviction there, together with love. But still she couldn’t believe he truly loved her and doubted him.

Joe had to leave shortly afterwards and Sally reassured him that she loved him and would always love him. Words she had found so hard to express in the past.

As days, weeks drifted into months, Sally would recall these moments over and over again. What had she done wrong? Why didn't he call her? Would they ever meet again? What would the future hold for each of them?

***

They had met five years ago, when Sally was running a very successful cleaning company and had needed a part for some equipment and had been having difficulty locating a rapid response supplier. She had been speaking to a close friend who worked in a nearby office and Sally had been moaning about the time it took to deliver machine parts if you could ever locate such a supplier. Annie without hesitation recommended her supplier, saying how brilliant they were and what a dishy man did the delivery.

On this recommendation, without delay, Sally placed a small order for the broken machine part in August 2007. The very next day as promised, it was delivered by Joe. It was several visits later before Sally actually learnt his name. On this first delivery day, it was raining and Sally was very conscious of wearing a rather tight white trouser suit, when she opened the door to find the most gorgeous, middle aged man standing there. Normally, quite a polite and sociable person, she would have invited him in for a coffee, or at least out of the pouring rain. So affected by his presence, Sally had a conversation to this wonderful man on the doorstep. He was medium height, not much taller than her 5'8", so unlike the usual very tall men to which she was usually attracted, he was of slight, but perfect build (which she discovered to be accurate when he divested his clothes many months later) a wonderful body and blond, greying curly hair. He had the most amazing brown, twinkling eyes and a magical, sexy look, exuding sex appeal.

This instant attraction shook Sally somewhat, as she had never felt like this before. She was approaching her 61st birthday and was living a settled and satisfactory life. She was comfortably off, with pensions, earnings from the cleaning business and private tuition fees. She had a very good supportive circle of lady friends of all ages, which provided her with many fun evenings and social activities. She had become over time a self-contained person. There were also her five ardent admirers who provided candlelit dinners and the occasional sexual intimacy if she so desired.

Life was not bad, not terribly exciting, but satisfactory, suiting her lifestyle. Sally had long since passed the stage of wanting a man permanently in her life and even dreaded the thought now of living with a man, let alone sleeping next to one, even only for one night. On the occasions Sally was invited away for a few days she always insisted there were twin beds. No way did she want to sleep with anyone. Sex was only something on her terms and only if she had the desire.

Sally couldn't get this man out of her mind and thought, as he was a partner in this company, it was a one-off, to deliver such a paltry order by person to her. Nevertheless, she decided to give it a try and order something else from his company hoping it would be that man again. However, a month had passed and meantime Sally had fallen and broken her left ankle in the process. She had continued working and was planning a cruise of a lifetime, also embarking on a diet to get fit for this trip on the Queen Mary 2, in the following February, 2008.

Much to Sally's surprise and delight, the delivery man was this handsome hunk again. This time, Sally wasted no time and invited him in and offered coffee. Of course he accepted and stayed chatting for over an hour. Sally's questioning gave her the knowledge that he was married with four grown-up children and grandchildren, all of which he was very proud. His great love was playing golf every Saturday morning. Over the next five years they talked about holidays, the birth of his grandchild, his youngest daughter's trip to the States, they talked about his walks and bike rides with his wife, his fitness regime of badminton and squash. They shared jokes and likes and dislikes together. They found they had so much in common. They had similar aims and desires in life. They discovered they liked the same books and programmes and many other such things.

Although there seemed to be a lot of information about this man and his family, Sally couldn't seem to understand the real man. There seemed to be something missing. He was always busy and active, but was he totally happy? There seemed so much hidden. He never really talked about his wife and his marriage, even though Sally tried to draw him out on this subject, all he did reveal was that he loved his house as he had done so much work on his home, he never wanted to sell it and leave for somewhere else.

Whenever in his presence, Sally was always nervous, on edge, fidgeting with what ever was near, her rings, mobile phone or pens. She could never understand the effect this man had on her. How she envied his relationship with his wife. Sally had always desired a happy marriage where you shared your spare time and did things together. This had never been part of either of Sally's marriages, and she had never had a deep and meaningful relationship with anyone since. It took over 12 months and as many visits before Joe turned round one afternoon, as he was leaving and kissed gently on her lips. It felt right and appropriate at that time. He even began to call in for coffee, without necessarily an order. His visits were beginning to get more frequent.

It was as early as the third visit that Sally found herself telling this man about things that had greatly affected her over the years. She had in the previous 12 months had repair surgery. It was about the cause of this, that Sally began explaining to Joe. The reason being, the anal rape from her first husband, which had resulted in internal damage, manifesting itself more so after childbirth and the menopause. Sally had taken the opportunity before corrective surgery to have counselling regarding this problem and this type of rape. It allowed her to at last discuss and understand the ensuing affects, both physically and psychologically. Obviously, the surgery had helped to correct the physical damage, but Sally had kept the mental pain and anguish buried for over thirty years. Very few people knew about the abuse and the guilt that she had carried with her all those years. Eventually with help of the experienced counsellor, Sally was encouraged to talk about her repressed feelings. She was told to go away and write a letter of forgiveness to herself about the episodes, then burn the letter, thus giving her the opportunity to move forward in her life. But for two whole weeks Sally agonised over this letter, unable to forgive herself, she felt responsible and weak for allowing everything to happen. At last, she found the courage to face her demons and wrote the letter, but not one of forgiveness, but one that was damning, full of condemnation of herself and her weakness. She was angry with her young self, for being spineless and not standing up to this bullying and ruthless husband, especially when she was young and fit, in a job of responsibility, teaching young children. As she made these accusations, Sally felt the fear of abuse, being dirty and used so repulsively, begin to subside, after all the years of carrying this burden with her constantly. This fear of abuse in such a way had always been with her and never more obvious than in the sexual act with anyone. She was constantly afraid that such debased acts could happen again, and at any time.

As this guilt was acknowledged, Sally went on to write the letter of forgiveness. She was able to forgive herself for being intimidated and compromised in this fashion, because of her innocence and trust. She had been unable to resist the sheer force and strength of the bully that had been her husband. Sally had tried to talk to both her mother and her sister about these indecent acts, but her family dismissed it and quickly changed the subject, they too didn’t understand and didn’t want to get involved.

At last, forgiveness was felt within, and the repression and guilt was lifted, allowing Sally to feel clean and whole once more. It was as if she was given renewed freedom and hope. This emotional enlightenment had coincided with the meeting of Joe. It was about this situation and her actions that Sally spoke to Joe. His reaction was shock and horror that someone so loving and kind could have been treated so badly, but he asked the question, Why tell me, I am almost a stranger to you?

Sally’s reply was strangely heartfelt, I knew you would understand and I can trust you. Even in those early days, Sally felt the trust and openness they shared together. She felt he would never hurt her, or thought she knew.

Time passed and the visits became more frequent, almost weekly. Joe noticed when Sally lost weight, wore new clothes or changed her hairstyle.

Sally desired this man to touch and hold her in his arms, and caress her gently, but she knew he was married and on many occasions said so, intimating that if he wasn’t spoken for, she would have taken advantage of him. Yet she still allowed herself to be drawn in by his charisma and his charms. She knew what the consequences would be eventually, even if it took years. Sally teased him by taking him upstairs, to show him some new clothes, on another occasion to see her newly decorated bedroom and even to see the new underwear she had bought to wear on Valentine’s night -- his birthday-- but not for him. And still he resisted her charms and teasing. He was married and quite rightly refused to take advantage of the situation. She knew he was married and therefore out of bounds. This should have been end of story. Married men were to be avoided at all costs. Yet he captivated her life and her thoughts like no other man.

He visited her when she was looking rough after her eye operation, without any make-up, and even when she had a long spell of food poisoning. It was on one of his visits that Sally nearly fainted and his concern and care was so moving, as he ensured that she went safely to bed and brought her a glass of water before leaving. Such were the acts of kindness that were always around. They brought little but meaningful gifts for each other for Christmas and birthdays, the Teddy still sits on the settee and is cuddled regularly by Sally as she remembers those glorious hours with her lover.

November 2011 became Movember, when Joe grew a moustache to raise money for the prostrate cancer charity. He looked unshaven and unkempt which did not go with his immaculate image, always wearing a suit and tie. As the moustache developed, Sally offered to give a donation to him on the condition she could try out the feel of the moustache.

In return for a donation, you must let me taste your moustache, before you shave it off, offered Sally.

Yes, I see no problem with that, instantly answered Joe.

And, erm I will need to find out the difference afterwards, she insisted.

Mmm, perhaps we ought to try it out right now, was the answer. Joe went over to her and pulled her up from the settee and held tightly her against his body and gently began kissing her lips. The effect was electric, the sexual tension was immediate as they continued to discover their most erogenous zone of their mouths, it was amazing the effect on both of them. When they finally separated, neither expected the way they felt.

I’m shaking, mumbled Sally, I haven’t been kissed like that for many years. I feel like a teenager again.

Me too. I don’t think I’ve ever kissed anyone like that before, stuttered Joe.

From the first time they kissed, Sally knew it was only a matter of time before they would sleep together.

Christmas and New Year came and very early on in 2012, Joe came back for more. This was to be one of the most monumental years of his whole life. His father was getting more frail and was now in hospital, both of his sons were to get married this year and he was to visit his youngest daughter in America.

No longer did they sit on different settees, they sat together and Joe held Sally’s hand firmly, but gently as they talked to each other about what had happened during the week and weekend. Sally was getting more immobile as the pain in the right hip increased. Still this man visited, kissed and called her Gorgeous.

January became February and on Valentine’s Day, Joe’s birthday, he came for his usual coffee and cuddle. What happened next was amazing. Sally suggested they went for more privacy upstairs into her bedroom. After a rather prolonged and passionate kiss she began to under his belt on his trousers. She could no longer resist him and took advantage of the situation. Thinking back, Sally had no recollection of how they got to that position and how few people had she ever wanted in such a way. It seemed so natural and so very pleasurable. Joe responded in the way only a gentleman would, and moaned deliciously as he relished the moment

His pleasure outweighed any embarrassment.

He had to sit down for a while and needed another drink before he left that day. This was a birthday, he would never forget, a first for him and for Sally. He even rang Sally to say thank you, when he arrived at his office, later that day.

Three days later he returned. Sally had thought she had blown her friendship with him after such a daring act and thought he would never visit again. Oh yes, he came and came and came, now twice weekly. He told her about the death of his father, the problems he encountered, the funeral and about the selling of the property, the accident of his friend’s son, the two weddings and a golf trip to Ireland.

Sally listened as an onlooker and began perhaps to see into this man’s life, the things he was constantly doing, without full enjoyment. There was little or no pleasure shared with his wife. As their lives became more intimate and often ended in bed, Sally began to feel that this man was no longer happy in his marriage or he would never been so willing to participate in their lovemaking. It became quite apparent Joe and his wife had little or if any sexual contact in their marriage, and certainly had not done so for quite sometime. Joe could not say with any certainty when and why he had stopped loving his wife but like middle-age or a change of the season, it had crept up on him, a gradual dawning that the marriage had run its course and they had become more like brother and sister. He began to feel choked and stifled by his situation. It had been Sally’s independent spirit and sense of self-containment that had attracted him to her.

After their first sexual encounter, the inevitable had happened and after coffee, Sally invited Joe who was nicknamed Mr Milk Tray upstairs. He always followed her so he could admire her rather curvy backside. Sally thought this was for fun only; she was not a marriage wrecker, however good or bad. She knew this was going nowhere and she would be the only one to get hurt.

Sally appeared to the outside world, a very confident, capable and attractive woman. Inside, was a very different person, after years of being put down and criticised by her mother and husbands, together with the physical abuse from her first husband, she had very little self-confidence, feeling worthless, often with the words of her second husband constantly echoing in her ears, You are old, fat and past it. No wonder I have found someone thin and half your age. At that time, Sally was only 46. Now 20 years later and several stone heavier and hardly able to walk, Sally felt like crap. She was used to having meaningless sex, with men she did not love, albeit on her own terms. She was used to making the right moves and noises and so it was over in no time. She was more concerned about what the man thought about her body never daring to undress in front of her lovers. Strangely, they were never bothered by her fears, but captivated by her charms, which she could not recognise in herself.

As Joe began undressing her, blind panic set in, he could not see her fat, ugly body with operation scars, was her first thought. She pleaded with him to stop and explained that she never let any man see her undressed. In answer to her pleas, he removed his shirt and showed her his massive scar running down his chest and explained that it was from a life-saving heart operation when he was a young man, then he too had felt ugly and embarrassed by his body. Why? He had a beautiful body, he was toned with muscles in the right places and a wonderful bum. It only seemed fair that he should remove her clothes too.

Their lovemaking was soft, tender, yet passionate. Each trying to please the other yet both receiving so much pleasure in return. Sally had never been treated in this manner before, with every consideration for her. My, how she enjoyed it, and pushed the guilt out of mind. She knew she was encouraging this man to commit adultery. This was far better than her two marriages and other relationships.

All too soon, the pleasures would end as he whispered at 3 o’clock the fateful words he must go back to work even though he did not want to. His consideration was for her even when they were apart, sending her texts whenever she went a hospital for tests and examinations on her rapidly deteriorating hip.

Joe looked happier than ever, with a smile fixed to his face. She loved it when Joe laughed and his face lit up. He confessed he thought about her more and more, and she was constantly in his thoughts. So they both felt the same, as Sally was thinking about him so frequently.

As the end of May approached, Sally’s operation became more imminent and more urgent, their lovemaking intensified. He confessed, this was no meaningless shag, this was making love, and he never wanted to hurt her. Sally thought such wonderful things would end when she went into hospital, as it was going to be a long, slow painful road to recovery, if she even managed to keep her leg, she may never walk again properly.

True to his word, he sent her a text as she sat waiting to go into the theatre for operation. This was to be the third attempt of a hip replacement in 11 years.

After a six-hour complicated operation Sally was told it was a success, she was told everything looked healthier now and she should make a full recovery eventually. This was Tuesday. By Friday things were much better, the cannulas and the drains and the catheter had all gone, Sally could shuffle in bed, but still experienced immense pain by just moving her big toe. As her fellow patients settled down for a rest, before their visitors arrived at 3 o’clock, Sally’s mobile rang. It was Joe at reception and he was being allowed up to the ward to see his lover early. So before all the other visitors, Sally had a most welcome visitor at the bedside.

Hello Gorgeous! were the first words, her most welcome visitor uttered.

How come you managed to get in early? enquired Sally. Visiting time isn’t till three.

I just told them at reception, I needed to see my lover and I couldn’t wait any longer. Well how ya doing? You look just as amazing as ever.

Sally knew she could not look any worse, she had tried to use dry shampoo on her hair, and applied just the merest hint of make up, unaware that he had planned this visit.

He found a chair and pulled it up close to her bed and gently held her bruised hand.

It‘s so lovely to see you. I didn‘t think you would manage to come and visit me here in hospital.

Why not? I said I would and I never lie or break a promise. Well, tell me how is it going? What’s the food and entertainment like in this place?

Sally told him as light-hearted as possible about the other patients and what was happening.

Can’t we close the curtains and be a bit more private and then you can just move over and I can join you in bed? he joked and teased her.

Just his mere presence, did so much for the morale of her and it cheered her up no end. It was so natural to be together and the conversation flowed as usual. The other patients were obviously intrigued by this well-dressed man by Sally’s bed, mistaking him for a doctor or at least someone from the medical profession. He only needed a stethoscope. They soon changed their mind when at 3 o’clock he came round the bed and leaned over and kissed Sally full on the lips with such tenderness, feeling and care. It was at this very moment, she fell in love with him. She forgot that her love usually meant pain and refused to think about it. This was a love that had no boundaries and was fulfilling.

A week later, Sally was back at home, and true to his word, Joe came to see her and so his twice weekly visits continued. Sally still in pain and very tired, usually went to bed every afternoon and there she waited for him, giving him a key to let himself in.

What a pleasure he was, he never pushed, he gave her reassurance when she was down and encouragement to overcome the pain. He watched her recover slowly and surely from no weight bearing on two crutches to partial weight bearing on sticks. August came