Fast Forward 6 Months
Back From Brighton
Betty arrived back at work after her 5-day honeymoon in Brighton. She signed in the book as "Betty Peacock" and began uncovering the counters in the Ladies' Department and setting out her and Miss Brahms' sales books. She counted the starting money in the till and made sure there were enough shopping bags set out. Even though it was a typical workday, it was her first day at work as a newlywed. She walked on air.
The lift bell dinged and Miss Brahms stepped out, descended the stairs and signed in the book. She saw Betty's signature and smiled.
"Mrs. Peacock, how was your honeymoon?" she trilled.
"Oh, it was wonderful, Miss Brahms! We went to Brighton and stayed right across from the beach. We were in the honeymoon suite at the top floor of the Bed and Breakfast. It had a gas fireplace in the room and a dumbwaiter that they sent our tea and breakfast up in. There was a huge bathtub right in the room. There was a big four-poster with drapes and a featherbed."
"OOOOhhh.. It sounds right lovely. Did you go walking on the beach?"
"Yes. We went and walked the beach at night. It was beautiful: the stars; the sound of the waves; Stephen built a fire and we snuggled in a big blanket and had the loveliest wine." Betty smiled guiltily at the thought, "I brought some pictures."
Betty took out a small stack of pictures and handed them to Miss Brahms, "We went on the pier as well. I haven't been on amusements since I was a little girl! We went on the Ferris wheel and the carousel. He paid the man a fiver to get us caught at the top for 15 minutes!"
Miss Brahms slowly flipped through the stack and smiled, "It looks like you two half had a right lovely time. You do look happy!"
"I am, Miss Brahms," Betty said softly, "Let's get to work before Rumbold comes over and starts kibitzin'."
Stephen swept the stockroom around the locker area. He glanced down at his wedding ring and smiled.
"Newlywed!" Colin called over, goading, "You'll like that ring 'til it gets caught on a box staple and nearly rips your finger off! Then you'll be taking your ring off when you get to work and leaving it in your locker with your clothes."
Stephen ignored him and continued sweeping. He started to daydream about his honeymoon as he swept, eyes fixed on an infinite point…
"Let's go down to the beach; grab a blanket and I'll get one as well," Stephen suggested. "I've got a bottle of wine and two glasses."
"Now? It's late, Stephen. We could go in the morning."
"I like the beach at night; it's peaceful… and romantic."
Betty took a blanket off the bed and folded it. She and Stephen made their way down the stairs and out the front door of the Bed and Breakfast. They walked hand in hand as they crossed the street and trudged through the pebbles of the beach. The ocean roared in the darkness as they walked along. The pebbles made a scrunching sound and their feet sunk in a bit and the trudged on. They kicked off their shoes and carried them, plodding along. They arrived about halfway to the water; no one was about and Stephen spread out his blanket and dug a hole with his foot. Betty sat down and wrapped her blanket around her.
He found a few bits of wood, which had washed on shore, and set them in the hole. After some effort, he had a small fire crackling. He crawled under the blanket next to Betty and put his arm around her. Betty held her glass as Stephen poured the wine.
"To us," he toasted. They drained their glasses and watched as distant ships' lights passed on the horizon. It was a clear and balmy night.
Stephen leaned over to Betty, "I could take you right here," he murmured, his voice like silk.
"Here? In front of everyone?" she sputtered, eyes wide.
"Shh…Shh. There's no one here but us! Besides, we'll be covered with a blanket. We won't take everything off," he softly kissed her. Even in the dark, she could see his intense eyes, "Lay back."
"We've got a room…," she protested, the wine going straight to her head.
"I can't hear the ocean in the room. I can't smell the salty air in the room. I can't feel the sea spray in the room. There are no stars overhead in the room. We'll never have the opportunity to do this again."
She lay back. He pulled the blanket over them.
"Look up," he breathed, turning his head upward and pointing with his chin.
"They're so beautiful! One doesn't see them this bright in London," she cried, eyes sparkling.
"Now you can tell your friends your husband made love to you 'til you saw stars!" he snickered and kissed her.
"Oh, bloody hell! You cheeky thing, you!" she growled and smacked his shoulder.
Snapping back to reality, he laughed to himself and strode over to the drinking fountain. He stooped to take a sip and Colin came up behind him, "You took our advice and had it off on the beach, didn't you?" Colin chortled.
Stephen's eyes widened, eyebrows raised, and he scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous! Harrumph!"
He regrouped, swallowed hard, and clearing his throat, composed himself.
Colin leaned in, eyes narrowed, and arrogantly accused, "Oh, you're no different than the rest of us, Captain Peacock! You come in with your creased work trousers, polished work shoes, soft manicured hands, starched white shirts, Regimental tie and cufflinks, and think you're better than us. You act all uppity, but you like a bit of dirty nookie like everybody else! You know that that was the best lay you ever had!"
Stephen and went into a paroxysm of indignation and stormed back to the stock room and began breaking down cartons.
Colin's derision followed him, "Yeah, watch out for those staples, Stephen!" he called, chuckling, "Oh, by the way, while you were in the Twilight Zone, we drew straws. When you get through bustin' up them boxes, Mel needs you to rod out the Gents' on the third floor; they've got a bunged-up khazi," Colin tittered as he walked away.
"Wonderful," he sighed.