A Gentle Seduction
Chapter 1
The sea water gently lapped against the side of the small sailing boat. The heat of the day warmed the wooden deck. The sun's rays kissed the chrome fittings, bouncing off and sending white-shiny messages here and there. The pocket cruiser, named 'Ars Amatoria', was moored a long side the tiny marina.
***
Charlie Buckton stared out across the green lawn and into the distance, where the sun was glinting against a sapphire-blue sea. Her life was at a standstill. It was dull and miserable; her work, uninteresting and neither promised any sign of improvement. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back into the deck chair where she sat with her long-suffering sister, Ruby.
Ruby glanced at her sister. She frowned, wondering when Charlie was going to snap out of this near-depressive state she had been in for so many months. Her father wouldn't have wanted Charlie to live like this. She had been a lively, charming individual, willing to take part in life and meet head on, all that life could offer.
"Charlie." Ruby said, turning to her sister.
"Mmm."
"What are you doing this weekend?"
"Why?" Charlie asked, half heartedly.
"I just wondered. Has Angelo asked you out, again?"
"No."
Ruby observed her sister, as she answered her questions with words of one syllable.
"Charlie."
"What?" Charlie answered, a little curtly.
"Isn't it time you snapped out of this?"
"Out of what?"
"This...whatever it is?"
Charlie was silent.
"It won't bring him back, you know!" Ruby said in frustration.
Charlie sighed.
"I'm going indoors for a shower." Charlie announced, preparing to rise from the deck chair and leave her nagging sibling.
"Charlie, don't go yet, I want to speak to you." Ruby said, taking hold of Charlie's arm.
Charlie looked at her younger sister and settled herself back in the chair.
"Charlie, you're beginning to worry me. I miss him as much as you, but life goes on and to be honest, I don't want to feel like this anymore!"
"And do you think I want to feel like this?" Charlie replied; her words sounding bitter.
"Then don't! Snap out of it before I drown myself!" Ruby exploded.
Charlie sat watching the sea again. After a few minutes she turned her attention back to Ruby.
"I'm sorry, Rubes. I just can't explain how I feel. Please don't worry about me. I'll be okay."
"Charlie, I think you need a break. Why don't you take yourself off for a few days; get some sun and relax." Ruby suggested, eagerly.
"What? By myself?" Charlie asked, turning to her sister with a frown.
"Yes, why not? Maybe you could drive up the coast. A change in scenery will do you a power of good."
"You wouldn't come, I suppose?"
"Charlie, it's still the School term, in case it's escaped you!"
Charlie was silent for a few moments.
"I dunno, Rubes, I'll have to think about it."
"What's to think about? Just ring into work and get them to change the rosters. You can do that, Senior Constable, can't you?" Ruby asked, with an exaggerated gesture.
"I'll think about it." Charlie said, rising and leaving her sister in the garden, alone.
***
Two days later, Charlie was driving along a coastal road. Her suit case and back pack were secured in the boot of her car and with her sunglasses perched on her head, she felt, with each passing mile, she had made a mistake in leaving the bay.
Charlie pulled over to the side of the road and consulted a map. She could see a small town up ahead, which overlooked a bay. Her finger traced the outline of the map. The town was named Runeshead; population approximately 800. Charlie looked down at the town again. She glanced at her watch; it was eight fifteen. Now might be a good time to stop and find a hotel for the night.
Charlie sat on the balcony of the Runeshead Hotel, sipping a glass of white wine. Her meal, half eaten; pushed aside on her plate.
"Can I get you something else, love?" The waitress asked, looking at Charlie's poor attempt at eating.
"No, that was fine thanks." Charlie said, with a smile. "I wasn't very hungry."
"You look like you can't afford to go without ya tucker, love. Need to put some flesh on those bones, if you ask me!" The waitress advised, as she walked away with Charlie's half finished supper plate.
Charlie knew she was right. Since her father's death, she had eaten very poorly and had dropped weight too easily from a frame which, had little flesh to spare. She took out her mobile phone and called up Ruby's number and waited.
"Hi, Rubes. How are you? ... Good...I'm fine. I've stopped for the night in a little town called Runeshead... Yeah, that's right. I'd not heard of it, either. I've just had some dinner and I'm going to turn in soon. I'm feeling tired...Yeah, I miss you too... Okay honey, I'll speak to you tomorrow...Sweet dreams."
And with that, she flipped her phone shut, ending the call.
***
The following morning, Charlie awoke to squealing and squabbling seagulls outside her window. She slipped out of bed and opened the blind to look out. The town was constructed high up on a hill overlooking the sea which sparkled in the morning sun. Charlie yawned and scratched her head. She contemplated going back to bed, but fought the impulse; instead, picked up her wash things and headed for the shower room.
***
After she'd had coffee and a slice of toast, Charlie picked up her phone and purse and headed out to explore Runeshead. By the looks of it, it wouldn't take very long. Like most small towns, it had a few shops, a couple of pubs, a cinema and a hotel or two. She purchased a chocolate bar from a newsagent's and prepared to follow the long footpath from the town down to the tiny marina in the bay.
The sun was warm, even for that hour of the morning and Charlie was pleased to be wearing only shorts, T-Shirt and flip-flops. She wiped away a bead of sweat from her cleavage.
Half way down the path, Charlie stopped to look out into the ocean watching the sea birds ducking a diving, in and out of the waves in the clear blue water. A sharp light caught her eye from down at the marina, where a host of small boats were moored, all bobbing about in the water; their rigging tinkerling in the warm breeze. She continued to walk and the sharp light caught her eye again. She squinted, trying to focus on which boat was sending out signals; at last she saw it. It was moored on the very edge of the boat park and it looked like someone was on board.
Charlie continued to walk and from time to time, the little flash of light would claim her attention again. As she neared, she could see the person on board was polishing its chrome rails.
***
Eventually, the land became level with the marina and she walked towards a map on a notice board which highlighted areas of local interest; coastal and countryside. Charlie stood reading for a while until she heard the mad shrieks of some local boys on their bikes precariously weaving in and out of the bollards placed along the edge of the marina. Charlie frowned; her Policing instincts kicking in and was contemplating explaining the risks the bikers were taking, when one swerved a little too far over and almost fell into her arms. Charlie was taken unawares and knocked off balance; falling to her knees.
"Hey!" Someone yelled at the boys who had turned quickly; making for safety.
Charlie picked herself up and dusted off her hands. One knee felt sore. It was badly grazed and a little blood trickled from it.
"Hey, are you alright?" Someone called as they came running from behind.
"Yeah, thanks." Charlie answered as she looked up into the largest pair of sparkling brown eyes she'd ever seen.