Holiday
Palm trees fluttering in the breeze, a harmonious rhythm with the roll of the ocean. Waves curling upon the sand and retreating backward, a constant cycle that was both soothing and mesmerising. Nature produced its own music, if only one would listen, and she always did.
The place was almost deserted, apart from the odd passer-by, but they paid no mind. Too occupied with their own bliss. As if the world knew she was coming, the sand glittered gold, the sea a shimmering mixture of cerulean, turquoise, and teal. Each passing of light creating a multitude of colour.
"Did you do this on purpose?" Bert had asked.
"No, of course not."
This wasn't a Jolly Holiday. Not in the traditional sense. There had come a time when they had to experience a real holiday- for his sake, not hers. He had waited dutifully; the metropolis was his home, a jungle in its own right. But she knew he wanted more. To see the world.
She could not deny him that and so, she had brought him to Hawaii. Hesitant, he had said he would have been happy with Cornwall or Wales. It's nice that time of year. Still, she had insisted. And in relenting, Bert was prepared to admit that she was right. She was always right.
Mary had packed dresses that ended just below her knee; very scandalous, he would joke. She offered to make them longer, causing him to quickly apologise.
"You have lovely shins," he would argue. And she would roll her eyes.
Though a splash of colour did him good too; the tan skin and the various shirts he had bought were more than flattering. He was rather pleased with himself and he wasn't hard to miss if she lost sight of him.
Hand-in-hand, they walked slowly across the deserted beach, as if, somehow, Mary really did have a say in the weather. In the location. But this time, it was down to luck. They had found the perfect place to be together. Only for the time being. Yet, it was better than they could have hoped for.
"It's amazing, really," he said suddenly, their feet wading through the sand and water.
"What is?"
"You look beautiful everywhere we go. The sun has taken a liking t' you, I must say."
She chastised him, only half-heartedly, and he pulled her closer.
"Sun-kissed, Mary Alfred? You'll find it's my time to kiss ya," he grinned.
"Well then, hurry up and do so." She closed the space between them, his shirt crumpled in her fist as she yanked him forward.
He blushed, or perhaps it was the heat. Either way, they were preoccupied. It turned out that they were kissing for quite some time.