A sliver of a starter before the main course you've all been waiting for

Alice and I had a difficult few weeks, my master kept talking about going off to Pendle and it was making Alice uneasy. When we lay together in bed at night we'd lie on our sides with her back towards me so she could feel safer. I'd hear her snuffling some nights and I'd kiss her head and stroke her hair until she stopped crying and fell asleep.

She'd started drinking a poultice she'd made to help cure her melancholy and it seemed to be working although she still seemed a little withdrawn. She hadn't wanted me with her usual hunger and passion but I hadn't wanted to say anything. It would sound terrible and, besides, I knew it was the result of her inner turmoil rather than a diminished attraction. Or, I hoped so at least.

"Tell me what you're thinkng, Alice." I whispered.

She was silent for a few moments and I thought perhaps she was pretending to be asleep to avoid answering me.

"Your window looks like mine, Tom." She answered eventually.

"Upstairs?" I asked, a little confused.

"At my parent's house when I was a little girl. My bed faced the window like this too and you could only see through the top two panes. I used to lie in bed and look at the moon until I fell asleep with the moon watching over me... Felt safe then, I did, but I couldn't sleep if the moon wasn't out."

I held her closer. "You can sleep safely now, Alice."

A lot happened in Pendle and it really brought us closer together. It also brought an end to Alice's melancholy as well as completely refreshing our relationship and stregnthening our trust. But that wasn't why I'd remember Pendle forever. It was just after Pendle I gave my virginity to Alice...

But more of that next time ;) x