After their midnight adventure, both Patsy and Delia slept late on Saturday morning, neither of them giving a second thought to the incriminating trail of sand which led up the stairs and across the landing to the door of their room. By the time they emerged, Trixie and Barbara had already unpacked and put away the grocery order that had been delivered earlier that morning.

"What time do you call this?" demanded Trixie in jest, as the pair wandered, still yawning, into the kitchen.

"It's Saturday morning" protested Patsy "we're allowed a lie in".

"Practically Saturday afternoon, actually" scoffed Trixie. "From the look of you both, anyone would think that you'd had a wild night out last night!"

Early evening found the four young women sat on the beach, each sipping a glass of cool, crisp rosé. Barbara had insisted that this was the perfect evening for a picnic and had taken responsibility for packing what the others subsequently discovered was a decidedly random and mismatched selection of delicacies. Patsy looked bemused as she picked up a marmite sandwich;

"Well, this is... unusual," she grinned.

"I like marmite, food of kings!" retorted Barbara.

Trixie rolled her eyes. "Classy!" she teased, helping herself to a handful of pickled onion Monster Munch crisps. "I didn't even know you could still get these".

"They're my favourites...my mum sent them to me".

"There's something seriously wrong with your tastebuds" muttered Trixie.

Delia lay back on the picnic rug, sucking enthusiastically on a sherbet lolly. "I think it's wonderful," she sighed happily, "takes me right back to my childhood".

The sun was beginning to set and the girls relaxed, grateful for the relief provided by the gentle sea breeze after days of relentless, stifling heat.

"Perhaps we should just sleep down here tonight" sighed Trixie.

"Hmmm, I bet the beach is beautiful at night" agreed Delia, unable to resist the temptation to flash a mischievous grin at Patsy.

None of them really paid much attention the change in the weather until a sharp gust of wind sent Patsy's wine glass tumbling.

"Wind seems to be getting up" observed Barbara, "I hope we aren't going to have a storm."

"No, not happening," murmured Trixie lazily, determined that nothing should interrupt her perfect evening.

It soon became evident, however, that a storm was indeed on the way, and quickly. The pale blue evening sky darkened as storm clouds gathered and angry white peaks appeared on the hitherto calm water; in a matter of minutes, they felt the first drops of rain begin to fall.

"Sorry Trix, it definitely IS happening!" Patsy grinned.

Hastily gathering everything together, they made for the steps and began to climb.

"You have to be kidding me" laughed Patsy as the initial spots rapidly escalated into a torrential downpour. "Trix, come on! Never mind the wine" she called to the blonde who was desperately trying to protect her precious glass of rosé. The rocky stairs became increasingly treacherous as the rain increased, and twice Delia and Patsy had to pull Barbara back up when she slipped and landed in an untidy heap at their feet.

"Hurry!" giggled Patsy as Delia fumbled with the fob for the gate.

"I think it might just be a trifle too late for hurrying," observed Trixie, looking at her bedraggled friends. "I'm not sure we could be any wetter."

They piled through the gate laughing then proceeded to fall through the back door, dripping water indiscriminately onto the floor as the first ominous rumble of thunder sounded.

"Well, at least I'm not hot anymore" observed Delia.

Trixie chuckled "Hot? You have never looked sexier, sweetie." she winked, as they traipsed upstairs to shower and change, leaving yet more puddles in their wake.

Once alone in their bedroom, Delia grinned at Patsy and threw her a towel.

"Well that was fun!"

She began peeling off her sodden clothes and couldn't fail to notice Patsy's stricken expression as her cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson. Unable to cope with the alluring sight of a scantily clad Delia, Patsy pretended to busy herself, towelling her hair. Delia stopped, eyeing her in concern.

"Pats?"

"Hmmm?" muttered Patsy her head still buried beneath her towel.

"Patsy!" demanded Delia more forcefully, "Look at me".

Patsy hesitated then shook her head;

"I can't" she stammered in a low voice.

Delia crossed the room and sat beside her.

"Hey!" she teased, as she tugged the towel away, her face crumpling in dismay as Patsy instantly fixed her gaze on the floor. "Why won't you look at me?"

Patsy sank her head into her hands, her mind racing.

"Patsy, please" begged Delia gently touching her shoulder. That one act of tenderness was all that it took, and Delia looked crestfallen as the redhead broke down. "I'm sorry Pats" gasped Delia, pulling her hand back, fearful that it may somehow be the reason for her distress. Patsy looked up, shaking her head as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks, then stood and ran for the bathroom. "No!" said Delia determinedly, darting after her and sticking her foot out to prevent her from closing the bathroom door. "You're not going to run away from me."

Patsy retreated to the far side of the bathroom and sank to the floor, curling up like a small, frightened child. Delia didn't hesitate and was knelt at her side in seconds. She slid her arms around Patsy and peppered the top of her head with soft kisses.

"I'm not leaving you until you tell me why you're upset".

From her tone, Patsy was in no doubt that the Welsh woman meant exactly what she'd said; she slowly raised her head a little so that she could rest her cheek against Delia's shoulder. She tentatively lifted her hand and lightly traced her fingers along Delia's collarbone. Delia inhaled deeply, relishing the contact as Patsy's hand skimmed up over her shoulder then journeyed downwards, tracking the strap of her bra.

"I want so badly to be close to you; I want to hold you, to touch you and to share myself with you," she sniffed. "You are the most beautiful woman that I have ever laid eyes on, the kindest, funniest person I have ever known. Deels, I think I am falling in love with you and it scares me so much. I don't know how to do this because the fear never goes away." Delia listened with tears glistening in her pretty blue eyes.

"Oh cariad...what happened to you when you were a child was unforgivable. Of course you feel vulnerable but if you trust me, then I promise that I will help you. We'll take our time and do this at your pace." Patsy nodded, kissed Delia's bare shoulder and gratefully pulled her into a tight embrace, as if attempting to dredge some strength from the steadfast Welsh woman. "Now, first things first, you need to get out of your wet clothes and get yourself into a hot shower before you catch your death...besides," she added, her lips curling into a cheeky smile "..that t shirt you're wearing is entirely see-through and I'm not sure how much longer I can control myself."

When they finally returned to the kitchen, Trixie was apparently still mourning the loss of her precious glass of rosé which had proved too waterlogged to salvage, and being presented with yet another cup of tea had seemingly added insult to injury. If Trixie and Barbara noticed Patsy's bloodshot eyes, they chose not to enquire as to the reason. Perhaps that was why, when Delia yawned and stretched, announcing that she was going to go to bed considerably earlier than usual, they passed no comment. Initially Patsy made no attempt to follow her roommate but Delia soon rectified this.

"You look exhausted Pats, come on, let's get an early night."

Patsy obediently followed her.

Entering their bedroom, Patsy looked uncertainly at Delia who smiled reassuringly and held out her hand.

"Come here sweetheart. It's alright, nothing will happen that you don't want," she whispered. Patsy nodded. "I need you to know that you're completely safe with me."

Delia was so very gentle; her hands stroked Patsy's face as though it were made of glass, her lips caressing her with infinite care and sensitivity. Patsy let out the tiniest sigh of contentment and Delia felt a smidgen of the redhead's tension dissipate. She smiled to herself then guided Patsy to sit beside her on her bed.

Delia kissed her again, this time more passionately, her hands gliding effortlessly through Patsy's hair. Locking eyes with the shy redhead, Delia's hands skimmed down Patsy's sides and slid carefully underneath Patsy's t shirt. Patsy gasped nervously but Delia continued to hold her gaze,

"Trust me" she whispered and gently, but deliberately, she allowed her hands to explore the soft skin beneath. Patsy closed her eyes, inhaled deeply then tentatively reached forwards.

"Go on" encouraged Delia taking Patsy's trembling hand and placing it on her waist then leaning in to kiss her again.

"Pats" breathed Delia "Please don't panic, keep looking at me, OK?" Patsy watched trustingly as Delia slipped her own t shirt off and then reached for hers. "You're safe; I'll take care of you" she repeated easing the shirt over Patsy's head. Patsy was holding her breath, fighting so hard to overcome the fearfulness which made her want to run. "Breathe cariad" coaxed Delia pulling her securely into her arms. "I've got you".

Patsy was overwhelmed, absolutely certain that she had, never before in her life, felt a more wonderful sensation than she was enjoying at that moment. Enveloped in Delia's embrace, their breasts separated by nothing more than two fine pieces of fabric, the feeling of skin on skin and the delicious and heady fragrance that was so uniquely Delia's made her feel so alive. She moaned involuntarily, her hands frantically reaching out; desperate for more contact, for more of Delia.

Lips meeting again, Patsy's desire was now taking control, sidelining her self-conscious anxieties. Her hands luxuriated in the feel of Delia's glossy dark hair before drifting to her shoulder and boldly easing her bra strap down. Delia moaned in anticipation instinctively deepening the kiss, their tongues now eagerly exploring.

"Please Patsy" begged Delia, imploring her to find the courage to continue.

Patsy's hands were shaking but for once, her longing was stronger than her fear; she reached for the fastening of Delia's bra and fumbling momentarily, she released it. Delia let out a shaky breath, full of pent up desire as Patsy eased the soft cotton forwards and away.

Patsy swallowed hard, her eyes wide, as she took in the sight before her. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out; Delia giggled.

"Are you OK babe?"

Patsy nodded, unable to tear her eyes from Delia's perfect breasts. "Is it OK if I...?"

Delia smiled seductively, reaching forward to kiss her, muttering softly against her lips,

"What do you think?"

Patsy needed no further encouragement, her expression of awe quickly becoming one of unabashed desire as first her hands, and then her mouth discovered this new and irresistible territory. Delia gasped in delight; clearly her careful instruction was not as necessary as she had anticipated. Her head fell back as Patsy continued her increasingly confident journey of discovery.

Delia could resist no longer, she needed more of Patsy and her hands honed in on the redhead's bra strap. She paused briefly, waiting for any sign that Patsy may be uncomfortable, but sensing no fear, she continued, her nimble fingers deftly unclipping the redhead's bra and sighing contentedly as she ran her hands down Patsy's fully exposed back.

"Pats, you feel like heaven" she whispered as she sat back and gently slipped away her bra. Patsy's face revealed the tiniest flicker of unease but Delia was quick to bring her back into the refuge of her arms, kissing her neck, continuing to whisper reassuringly to her.

Patsy struggled with the overwhelming sensuality of breast on breast. She had never before felt such closeness and love from another human being and her eyes glistened with tears of happiness and gratitude. She sought Delia's lips again, needing to complete their connection. Delia sighed contentedly, pulling Patsy to lie with her. She propped herself up on one elbow, her other hand continuing to gently caress Patsy's stomach.

"And that, my darling, is why you don't ever need to be scared with me." she whispered. Patsy's flushed face and euphoric expression told her more than any words could ever express.