Page 27 of A Summer of New Beginnings
Regardless of his sexy-as-hellaccent, his monotone response was the hint she needed. ‘Well, I suppose I should be on my way. This magazine piece isn’t going to write itself, I guess. Have a lovely day.’
The man snorted. ‘Not likely.’
Instead of leaving well alone as her gut was insisting she did, she inhaled deeply in an over-exaggerated manner and gestured out at the stunning vista of mountains, trees and water. ‘But justlook at that view and that bright blue sky. I mean, I didn’t evenwantto be up here but, honestly, how can anyone be in a bad mood today when they look at that?’
He huffed. ‘Look, I don’t mean to be rude but I’ve just returned from my second funeral in as many weeks, one relative and one dear friend, and I have a hellish time ahead of me, so I’m not really in the mood to be happy or to enjoypretty views with total strangers I meet in lay-bys. So please excuse me if I don’t share your enthusiasm.’
His attitude stung and Zara clamped her mouth shut. She really would have to stop trying to fix things that weren’t hers to mend. ‘I’m very sorry for your loss…es…losses. Please forgive me for interfering. I’ll leave you to it.’ She clambered onto her bike and pushed off, trying not tobe affected by the man’s unfriendly nature. He was the least amenable person she had encountered on the trip so far. Good thing she wasn’t likely to see him again.
As she cycled a car pulled up alongside her and she tried to stay focused on the road in spite of the fear that knotted her stomach.You hear about people being dragged into cars. Please just let them pass.
‘Excuse me!’
She glancedto the side to find handsome Mr Smart Suit shouting to her through the passenger window from his position in the driver’s seat.
‘What?’ She huffed as she pedalled faster in a bid to escape.
‘Look, I wanted to apologise. I’m not usually an arse like that. It’s been a crap few days and I shouldn’t have been so snappy.’ She didn’t reply. She just continued to pedal. ‘And you were right. That viewback there… one of the best.’
She glanced at him again and he smiled but she was still rather wary so she returned her attention to the road.
‘I just wanted to say sorry,’ he called again.
‘Well, you’ve said it now. You can be on your way.’ She was aware that she was feeding him a taste of his own medicine and that it was a tad unkind considering what he’d just told her, but she was on an isolatedstretch of road and was feeling uneasy.
‘Okay… well, have a good journey.’ She heard the motor of his window and he suddenly sped away.
‘Not likely. Have you seen what I’m riding?’ she shouted after the car. ‘No offence, SD, but you’re not a bloody sports car, are you?
*
By the time she reached the coastal town of Ullapool she wanted to collapse and cry, but she wasn’t sure in which order.She found a quiet spot up from the harbour and clambered off her bike. She removed her helmet and slumped onto the grass, resting her head in her hands and her elbows on her knees. She was exhausted, emotional and still sore. Angry tears cascaded down her face and she let them, unsure which was pissing her off the most: the aching, the loneliness or the fact that she was crying to begin with. Anothercyclist pulled into the lay-by and she wiped at her face, desperate not to look like a wimp.
‘Hi, are you okay?’ the man asked. She guessed he was from Yorkshire by the accent.This place really is a melting pot.
She nodded. ‘Yes, thank you. I’m just tired.’
He nodded. ‘Aye, I get you. I was bloody knackered the first time I did this ride.’
‘You’ve done it before?’
‘Oh aye. And I wasn’t asfit back then either. I thought a bit of cycling round’t park’d be enough training. I was wrong.’ He laughed and his words resonated with her as she cast her mind back to her nice little rides round the common. ‘Anyroad, you’ll get used to it. Just keep going, lass. Don’t let the buggers eat you alive, though, eh? I looked like a bloody dot-to-dot puzzle when I got home first time. I brought bettermidge repellent this time.’
‘I haven’t really had much of an issue, to be honest.’
His eyes widened. ‘Pfft, it’ll come. Take it easy.’ He waved and cycled off into the distance.
Suddenly feeling homesick, she pulled out her mobile and dialled her parents’ number.
‘Hello?’ Her mum’s familiar sing-song voice filled her with relief and she had to bite back tears.
‘Mum, it’s me, Zara. How areyou all?’
‘Oh, sweetie, it’s so good to hear your voice. Hang on… Everybody! Zara’s on the phone! I’ll put you on speaker phone, darling.’ There was a clink and suddenly her whole family shouted hello simultaneously.
Hot tears streamed down her face and for a moment she struggled to speak. ‘I’m… I’m… not great today, truth be told. I’m so tired. And I feel… I feel quite lonely.’ Her voice wobbledand she swallowed, trying to force her emotion down but failing miserably – literally.
‘Oh, sweetheart, it’s just the tiredness talking. You’re doing so bloody well. We’re so proud of you.’ Her mum’s voice wobbled too.
