A Bump in the Night
Chapter Two
The first rays of sun on Wednesday morning found Jack and Ianto lying on their backs in the bed side by side. They were not touching. Both were awake although only Jack had his eyes open. They had had a troubled night.
Dinner the previous night had been excellent and they had shared a drink with fellow guests Darren and Anne Moss from Manchester in the bar afterwards before strolling round the grounds. Once away from the house, Ianto had slipped his hand into Jack's and they'd walked close together along the banks of the River Glaslyn talking quietly. The shadow of Moel Hebog stole over the valley as the sun sank behind it and they had taken this as their cue to return to the hotel. Both men were in a mellow mood and turned in early for a night of sex. It hadn't happened. Every time they had started to make love Ianto had shied away before the consummation, claiming that someone was in the room. As this was patently untrue – the room was not big enough for anyone to hide in – Jack had soon lost his sense of humour and they had slept back to back, three inches separating them.
With the coming of the sun, Jack decided to get up. It was 5.23 and he had lain in bed long enough. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he ran his hands through his hair and could feel his sexual frustration like static electricity on his body. It had been hell to lie beside Ianto and not touch him but the only time he had tried it had ended just the same as all the others. He didn't understand what was going on.
"Morning."
Jack twisted his head round to look at Ianto who was peering at him over the top of the duvet. "Morning." The Welshman looked young and adorable with his tousled hair and worried expression so Jack leant down and kissed him on the lips.
"What happened last night?" asked Ianto when the kiss had ended. He kept Jack close by fastening his arms round the man's neck.
"You tell me."
"I really felt someone, Jack. I'm not making it up." Ianto did not know how to explain the feeling of being watched and the occasional soft, cold touches on his bare skin. It had given him goose bumps and on one occasion he'd felt a shock like that one gets from being doused in cold water. "Really I'm not." He had to make Jack believe him.
Jack made to say something, stopped then tried again and stopped once more. He shrugged. "Are you sure it's not … well, not to do with Gwen? I know you're uptight about me and her. There's no reason to be," he added hastily, "but I know that saying it may not be enough for you."
Ianto released Jack and sat up, the duvet pooling round his waist. "This has nothing to do with Gwen! I truly felt something or someone in here."
"Feel it now?" asked Jack, more to humour than Ianto than because he believed any of it.
"No. It's only when we're … dabbling."
"Oh right." Jack smiled wryly and stood up. "Someone doesn't want us to shag so stops you. You expect me to believe that?" He walked to the bathroom and shut the door, afraid he'd say something he'd regret if he didn't leave.
Leaning back against the headboard, Ianto stared around the room. Everything was so normal. There was nothing here that was out of place so why did he get this feeling. He tried to analyse it more fully so he could explain it better to Jack and get him to believe that the feeling was real. He still hadn't come up with a form of words by the time Jack returned from a shower with a towel wrapped round his middle. The man was a cauldron of walking testosterone from his damp messy hair on down and Ianto felt a familiar stirring in his groin. Flinging back the duvet he rose quickly and went to Jack, removing the towel in one expert flick and pressing their naked bodies together.
"I want you," he breathed huskily and nipped at Jack's chin, neck and collar bone. "Take me." Surprised but happy to oblige, Jack grabbed a double handful of Welsh arse.
They fell onto the bed and rolled together. Jack ended up on top and had Ianto at a pitch of need and want, panting raggedly, when the man suddenly stiffened and dug his fingernails into Jack's shoulders. Looking into Ianto's face, Jack saw the wide-eyed fear in his eyes as he searched the room. Whatever had prevented them having sex before was happening again. Jack stopped too, watching Ianto properly for the first time. The man was genuinely perturbed, it wasn't an act.
"Don't stop," whispered Ianto, dragging his nails down Jack's back and drawing blood. "Carry on."
Not wanting to stop, Jack went back to his work but no matter how much he tried, he could not make Ianto respond and a few minutes later stopped trying. To carry on would be tantamount to raping Ianto, he was so anxious and uptight. "I can't." He sat back and let his breath return to normal. "I'm not going to force you."
"This is so frustrating!" cried Ianto, bringing both fists down and thumping the mattress. "I want you, Jack, I really do. Maybe if you just carried on I'd get over this."
"Whatever it is, raping you isn't going to help."
"It won't be rape, I want you to do this."
"Well I'm not going to." Jack moved to the foot of the bed and stood up. "You were really upset, I could see that."
"I don't know what's wrong with me," moaned Ianto, putting one forearm over his eyes to hide the tears that were forming. It was embarrassing as well frustrating.
"Forget about it for now. If you get showered, we'll have time for a walk before breakfast. Might help." Jack did not know what else to suggest. He turned and went back to the bathroom and cleaned himself up.
-ooOoo-
It was so early when they got downstairs, they decided to take the car and drive round the lanes to see some of the countryside instead of a walk. Ianto was preoccupied and allowed Jack to drive not really noticing their surroundings until the car drew up in a deserted, small car park. Pulling on jackets, they walked along a path to a viewing area and looked down on the Pass of Aberglaslyn, a rushing torrent of water running through a wooded cleft in the hills fifty metres or more below them. It was noisy with the sound of the water and they stood in silence leaning on the railing, once more comfortable in each other's company. At 6.40 they turned back to the car and strolled along hand in hand, stopping suddenly and marvelling when a deer ran across the path ten metres in front of them.
At the car, Ianto pulled Jack into an embrace, kissing him gently. He was nervous, given what had happened on all their recent encounters, but determined to persevere. Jack warily responded, ready to stop if Ianto froze up again. When things heated up, they climbed into the backseat of the car, giggling like teenagers, and continued to pleasure one another. They took it slowly but this time Ianto responded as always, as eager and needy as Jack.
"I don't understand it," said Ianto, sitting in the passenger seat afterwards as Jack prepared to drive back to the hotel.
"What does it matter?" assured Jack, his good humour restored by the satisfying shag. "Everything's back to normal."
"Is it?"
"Of course." Jack reached over and gently turned Ianto's head to face him. "There'll be no stopping you now." He kissed the Welshman. "I'm hungry and breakfast should be ready, let's get moving." He started the engine.
Ianto sat in silence. He was nothing like as sure as Jack that all was well. He had not felt the cold air or touch or presence, whatever it was, like the previous times but that didn't mean it had vanished for good. He hoped it had, of course, but it was his nature to consider all possibilities and to dwell on the unpleasant ones. Could it be psychosomatic? Was he in some way punishing Jack – and himself – for the older man's recent preoccupation with Gwen? It didn't seem likely given that the two men had enjoyed a normal physical relationship in Cardiff. It was only here, in this place, that the difficulty had arisen. He was still mulling over the problem when Jack pulled up in front of the hotel.
"Come on, Ianto, breakfast." He was out of the car in double quick time, a spring in his step once more. Caradoc came out of the open front door to greet him and Jack was grinning as he bent to pat him vigorously. Ianto followed more slowly.
Breakfast was a hearty meal of eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, tomatoes and fried bread with toast and marmalade to follow. With juice and coffee to wash it all down, the two men were well set up for the day's activities. In the bedroom they packed the rucksacks with all the things stipulated in their guide's instructions: a thick jumper, gloves and a woolly hat, rolled up waterproof capes and trousers, a couple of bars of chocolate and a bottle of water. Jack added his Webley, stuffed well down, and a large scale map to his bag while Ianto took a first aid kit and a camera. Both had fully-charged mobiles too. It was bright and sunny at present but they were about to climb Snowdon and were not going to take unnecessary chances; the weather could change in minutes. They were dressed appropriately too in warm shirts over T-shirts, thick jeans, socks and walking boots and wind- and water-proof lightweight jackets. At 8.50 they were ready. Ianto waited in the lounge, reading a local newspaper, while Jack walked up and down on the terrace outside talking to Owen. The team had kept in touch, as they'd promised, and so far reported nothing they couldn't handle.
"Mr Jones, Pete's just arrived." Geraint Evans, ever the attentive host, popped his head round the door.
"Thanks." Ianto stood up, replaced the newspaper on the side table and walked to the open patio door. "Jack, time to go."
"Gotta go, Owen," said Jack into the mobile, "off to climb a mountain!" There was a pause as he listened to the reply and then a laugh. "I'll tell him. I'll call you later, when I get a chance." He ended the call and put the mobile in his pocket.
"What will you tell me?" Ianto raised one eyebrow.
"To take notes if I fall from a great height. Owen wants to know how I mend." Jack picked up the rucksack he'd left by the door. "Even suggested you might like to push me off."
"I thought he might have mellowed given his … condition."
"Owen? Take more than being dead to do that."
Emerging from the front door, they joined Geraint who was talking to a stocky man of average height. The newcomer, who Ianto correctly assumed to be Pete Bursnall, their guide for the day, was about forty and balding but obviously tough and competent. They would be in good hands. After introductions and a final check they had everything they would need, the men climbed into the minibus which already contained three women in their mid-twenties. More introductions followed as the vehicle moved down the drive.
"Okay," said Pete from the driving seat, quelling the chatter behind him, "let's just run over the day again. We're tackling Watkins Walk, the hardest of the ways up Snowdon, and will be climbing 3,300 feet. Most of it is a gradual incline on good ground but there are some steep parts, a scree slope near the summit and steep drops so it's not to be taken lightly. Given the weather today there should be no problems, but you need to follow my lead in everything, no messing about."
The group indicated their assent to this, even Jack who nevertheless exchanged a mischievous grin with Ianto sitting beside him.
"Good. And here's the car park." Pete drove off the road, just five miles from the hotel, into a potholed clearing where two cars were already parked. He turned the mini-bus so it was facing out to the road, obviously in the place he preferred and turned off the engine. "Let's go."
The group gathered outside, settling rucksacks comfortably on their backs. Jack and Ianto decided not to wear their jackets, tying them to the rucksacks, and Jack took the opportunity to put his mobile in a zipped pocket for safety.
"This way," said Pete taking the lead along a tarmac path. "This is sheep country so don't be surprised if they come over to investigate. They mean no harm."
"This doesn't look too difficult," said Jack in a stage whisper. "I had visions of hanging off cliffs by little ropes."
One of the girls, Mandy, who was just ahead of him, giggled and turned round. "Me too. Glad it's not."
"You're not a seasoned walker then?" Jack quickened his pace and moved up beside her. She was short, barely five three, and he towered over her.
"No. Alex and Sue are," she indicated her friends further ahead who were talking to Pete. "I'm just a novice."
"Are you here for a holiday?" asked Ianto, coming up on Mandy's other side. "We are. Just three days."
The conversation continued as they walked along the path through oak trees and large rhododendron bushes. Mandy explained that the three girls worked for a water company in Chester but this was their first shared holiday; two weeks of which this was the second. They had enjoyed everything they'd seen so far but this was the first climb they'd attempted. Her friend, Alex, came back to join them and they walked together for a little but the path narrowed and they split back into pairs. Jack and Ianto were behind Pete and Sue when the ruins of old buildings appeared beside the path.
"There's a quarry up ahead," explained Pete as the group stood looking round and taking a breather. "This is, or was, the Quarry Master's house."
"How lonely," commented Sue, a fit-looking brunette in shorts.
"The workers had shacks round about, a number with families so there were more people than you might think. Come over here, this is the Gladstone Rock. William Gladstone, one-time Prime Minister, opened this path back in the late 1800s and gave a speech on this spot." Pete led the way to a large granite boulder with an inset brass commemorative plaque. They all gathered round to read it. "Over 2,000 Liberal supporters were here to listen to him."
Ianto looked around and wondered how they packed into the space. Sue and Pete moved on while the others continued to explore the ruins before ambling after them, Jack with Mandy and Ianto with Alex, a tall girl with dark hair tied back in a ponytail. The quarry opened up around them and there were many reminders of the miners who had hacked slate from the ground to be made into roofing tiles for thousands of homes. A sharp right turn took them out of the quarry and onto an earthen track and a series of steps as the path climbed steeply.
"Take it easy climbing up here," advised Pete, smiling at them, "there's plenty of time. No need to impress one another with your fitness. Besides, you'll be wanting to admire the views shortly, we'll be seeing Snowdon soon."
"What? I thought this was Snowdon." Jack sounded aggrieved.
"No, this is Cwm Llan. We'll be following it until it joins the shoulder of Snowdon. Now, let's climb."
The steps made the going easy but the gradient pulled at thigh and calf muscles and soon everyone – with the possible exception of Pete – was breathing hard with no time to talk. Jack and Ianto were fit from running around Cardiff but even they were grateful to sit down when Pete called a halt. A restorative drink and a couple of squares of chocolate revived them and soon the group was on the move again. Mandy was finding the going more difficult than the others and lagged behind with either Sue or Alex keeping her company. Finally the ground levelled out and they all flopped down, easing tired legs and chafed shoulders from the rucksack straps.
"What a fabulous view," said Sue, sitting near Jack. They were looking out on valleys between mountains with lakes dotted about at irregular intervals, fed by rivers which they had passed on the climb.
"Pretty spectacular," agreed Jack, lying propped on his elbows resting against his rucksack. He glanced over at her two friends. "Is Mandy okay?" he asked more quietly.
She followed his gaze to where Alex was rubbing Mandy's legs to relieve tight muscles. "Just less fit than us. She'll be fine."
They rested for half an hour then started on again along a pleasant, narrow path which was fairly level. Jack and Ianto hung back with Mandy, matching their pace with hers, encouraging her when she started to flag again. They caught up with the leaders at the foot of a scree slope.
"The next bit is tricky," said Pete, glancing anxiously at Mandy. He had no doubts about the others in the group, they had all kept up well, but she could have difficulties. "We need to go up this scree. It's loose," he demonstrated by walking on it a little, the stones all moving beneath his feet, "and steep and there's no clear path. The best way up is to the left and you may need to use your hands to keep your balance. Take it slowly and follow me and you'll be fine. If you get into difficulties, just stop and sit down until I can get to you. All right?"
"I don't know," said Mandy, looking at the slope before her with trepidation.
"You can do it, Mandy," assured Jack, putting an arm round her shoulders and pulling her against him. "I'm with you all the way."
"If you could stay with her, Jack, I'd be grateful." Pete smiled his thanks, recognising a natural leader when he saw one. "I need to be up front to lead the way."
"No problem."
Sue and Alex came to encourage Mandy too and the latter was more confident when the group started out once more. The going underfoot was treacherous and they all went slowly and made sure of their footing, as sure as they could be, as they scrambled up the slope. Pete led the way, scouting out the best path to the top and assisted Sue when a large boulder she thought was secure moved under her foot. Ianto and Alex plodded up, side by side most of the way, encouraging one another. Behind them, Mandy was able to keep her feet well – she was light enough not to disturb the scree too much – but she tired quickly and stopped often. Jack stayed with her step for step, stopping when she did and keeping up a constant stream of chatter and jokes that made her laugh and took her mind off her physical state. He invented a counting game and they took twenty steps then halted before repeating it, making better progress with regular rests. For the last few metres the others, who had already made it to firmer ground above, joined in the counting and cheered when Mandy reached them.
"Well done, Mand," said Sue, hugging her.
"Knew you could do it!" added Alex, making it a group hug.
"I wouldn't have … without … Jack," panted Mandy, smiling over at him. "Thanks."
"I'll let you into a secret," he said conspiratorially, "you helped me. I'm not fond of heights."
Ianto smiled at this blatant lie. Jack adored standing on rooftops, balancing on tiny ledges and even the flimsy girders of the Altolusso building which any saner man would avoid at all costs. But he said nothing, just handed Jack some squares of chocolate to eat. "Do we go back the same way?" he asked. "I don't fancy going back down there." He peered down the slope dubiously.
"No, we'll take a gentler way down via Bwlch Cwm Llan."
Pete got out his map and he and Ianto pored over it, soon joined by Alex. The others sat and rested, enjoying the sunshine. At this altitude the air was chilly but their exertions had made them hot and they welcomed the cooling breeze. All too soon for some, Pete hefted his large rucksack on his back.
"Time we were moving."
The path continued on for a while and they were feeling confident until they reached a steep scree path. Pete again led the way with Sue and Alex behind him. The footing was more secure than the earlier slope but it was a stiff gradient with steep drops on the left. Concentration was needed not to take a misstep and go crashing down into the valley below. Ianto walked ahead of Mandy and Jack followed close behind. As the climb grew steeper, they slowed but kept moving – neither man wanted to be stuck on the narrow path – with Mandy holding onto Ianto's rucksack and Jack giving her a push from behind when she needed it. In this way they negotiated the climb and reached a large flat area and rested once more.
"That's the worst of it over," said Pete. "Just a gentle walk to the summit now." He pointed ahead.
"Thank God," muttered Mandy, sitting with her friends sipping from a bottle of water.
Pete joined Jack and Ianto who were sitting on a rock outcrop a little way away admiring yet another incredible view. "Thank you, both of you. We could have had a problem without you helping Mandy."
"Our pleasure," smiled Jack. "She's just a bit out of condition, that's all."
Pete nodded. "She'll feel it tomorrow."
"We all will," said Ianto with feeling. His leg muscles were protesting already and he knew he'd be stiff and sore in the morning. Pete moved off to check on the girls and Ianto turned to Jack. "Suppose I've missed my opportunity now," he sighed.
"For what?"
"To push you off the mountain like Owen wanted." He kept his face straight.
"You wouldn't do that," replied Jack complacently.
"Wouldn't I?"
"No." Jack smiled at his companion. "You like shagging me too much."
"How will you falling off the mountain stop me doing that? You'd just get up again."
"But you'd have the hassle of explaining to everyone how I managed to survive. If I tumbled down there," he pointed down the steep slope, "and then got up and walked away without a bruise I think questions would be asked." He smiled smugly and drank some more water.
"I still don't see how that affects our love life." He felt he was on dangerous ground in this conversation given his … difficulties the night before.
"You'd be so embarrassed you'd make up some story and we'd have to go back to Cardiff where we'd be busy without a moment to ourselves. We'd have lost all our shagging time."
Ianto decided not to continue the pointless conversation. He wasn't going to push Jack off the mountain because he hated seeing the man die and resurrect; it tore at his heart every time. And thinking about sex just reminded Ianto of all their failed attempts which he wanted to put right out of his mind. If he didn't think about it maybe all would be well. To distract himself further, he took some photographs of the view and his companions.
The climb continued with a final stretch up a gently inclining slope to the summit of Snowdon. The ground opened up to a large undulating plateau with magnificent views all round. The group went first to the cairn which marked the highest point and touched it all at the same time, giddily happy at having reached the top and achieving their goal.
"As it's such a fantastic day, take time to enjoy the views," said Pete. "I'll be over there," he pointed to a large flat rock, "when you're ready to eat. I have lunch with me." They all went with him to the rock and deposited their rucksacks, taking only cameras and binoculars with them. As they stood around a familiar sound made Jack look round.
He stood rooted to the spot, staring. "It's a train."
"I can see that," said Ianto looking the same way.
"Ianto, there's a train."
"So?"
"You made me climb all the way up here and there was a train!" He was staring daggers at the Welshman who was trying very hard not to laugh. "You bastard!" Jack lunged for Ianto who dodged out of the way and ran off. Jack chased after him.