This is an all Banna chapter! It couldn't be anything else if they are off on an adventure. Word count is 13.4K. There is a lot of dialogue, as John has much to explain, so, I hope that it reads well for all of you. We finally reveal some secrets…There's M content also, although I really struggle to make my descriptions sound both adult and non-technical. Writing M doesn't come easy to me, so, I am wearing the bag over my head and sitting in a corner.
I haven't thanked my beta, Cherry88 in a while. She is great! She calms my nerves with her insight before every chapter is posted and has given great feedback that has prompted me to make changes in the past. Dank je!
To last night's guest reviewer – your wish is my command!
Anna looked at the street sign one more time, before turning. This was Well, North Yorkshire, where he would be picking her up. She always thought it was a funny name for a town and she had passed by several times in the past. There was never an occasion to turn down the road that led to it and now, here she was. At a mere 20 minutes from her home, it was rather convenient too. She had instructions to find Mrs. Drake's farm, the last on Phlashetts Lane and to park her car there, wherever she was told to, then to wait until he landed behind the house.
As if on cue, the lane was ending and she could see the quaintest little cottage on the right. A small sign on the mailbox had the correct name, Drake, and she turned into the small lot. She chose to stop on the brick lane, until she could get alternate instructions. By the time she had completely parked, a stout and friendly looking woman came to greet her. She stepped out as the woman arrived.
"Are you John's friend?" She asked, as she smiled.
"Yes. Anna Smith." She offered her hand. "So nice to meet you, Mrs…." She hesitated for a moment and the friendly lady completed the statement.
"Drake." She took Anna's hand and sized her up discreetly. "…but you can call me Patricia." She gestured towards her car. "That's a perfect place for it. You can leave your car there, darling. I can assure you it will be safe all weekend. Nobody really drives down this way and I let Jethro loose at night."
Anna didn't think anybody would be interested in her old jalopy. Since Mr. Bates had it towed to the compound and Tom had William had taken a look at it, it was driving better than ever, but it was far from new. Still, it was nice to know that it would be here when they returned.
"John said 10am, so he should be here soon. Why don't you come on thru? I have a pot of tea ready. We can sit on the back terrace and have a cup as we wait for John's grand entrance."
Mrs. Drake was making her feel very welcome and she appreciated it. She was really very nervous, although she oughtn't to be. She couldn't put it out of her mind that she was being picked up for a date in a helicopter, even if this was Mr. Bates. Before this, the fanciest ride a date of hers ever owned was a BMW. This was very different. Anna took her case and handbag from her car and followed the woman into her home and all the way to the back where a small terrace overlooked several large fields. She could see many cows at a distance and a large, industrial looking barn. The fields were empty, probably grazing grounds and she guessed this would be where Mr. Bates would land. The view was perfect and she was happy she wouldn't miss it.
She sat down as instructed.
"When John called me yesterday, to ask this favor, I was only very glad to help. He's such a nice lad. I don't mind at all letting him land here to fetch you. I owe him so much more."
The nice lady was intent on making conversation and Anna didn't mind. She loved to find out more about him, especially after the negative things Vera had said. It didn't hurt hearing pleasant things from other people.
The lady poured two cups and continued. "Did he tell you how we met?"
Anna graciously accepted the cup and nodded negatively, "No." She took a sip and immediately started to feel the calming effects of the tea. This is exactly what she needed.
"I have a heifer, Marjory, who is a little wayward. Past those trees, you can't really see it from here, there is a ravine and she's gotten caught in it twice, with no way to push her out. The first time it happened, my husband, also called John, suggested a helicopter might carry her out. I thought it was a crazy idea, but, I called Bates Airlift when I discovered they were local and just up at Elvington. The lady who answered thought I was crazy, but took my information."
Anna imagined it must have been Sarah and she could clearly believe that Sarah might have been rude. As Mrs. Drake continued her story, she felt the slightest vibration. She couldn't see him, but that must be Mr. Bates making his way to her.
"I was thrilled to get a call back from John and he drove out here personally, and immediately, to see Marjory and together with my John, to assess the situation." The pot, saucers, and cups, began to rattle as the noise increased. She finally caught a glimpse of Maggie in the horizon.
"Oh there he is." Mrs. Drake also acknowledged his impending arrival. Anna's heart was beating faster. "Just like the first time. He hovered beyond the trees while my John fastened the harness that came under Marjory to the helicopters tracks and pulled her out in two minutes, setting her on the ground several feet away. My husband was able to release the harness and John landed safely there, where he's landing now."
Mr. Bates was setting down the bird and she couldn't even take another sip of her tea because of her excitement. She tried to contain it, not wanting to be a source of amusement to their host or Mr. Bates himself.
She could barely hear her host now, the loudness of the rotors invading the peace and quiet of the countryside, but she did make out Mrs. Drake's last comment. "You know, he wouldn't take payment but for some homemade cheese, a cup of tea and some biscuits. He said we're neighbors and neighbors are supposed to help. He's a generous man and I am more than happy to do anything for him, whatever it may be."
When the rotors stopped spinning and she could finally hear herself think, Anna reflected on what she had just heard. He hadn't charged them, and apparently, it had happened twice. Her day was already starting out brilliantly. She already knew he was generous, the Make a Wish project had taught her that, but this was lovely too.
Just then, he jumped from the helicopter and made his way towards them. Anna swooned internally when she saw him wearing the outfit that she had met him in. He was wearing jeans, a white polo, brown loafers and a brown aviator jacket. His black sunglasses gave him a mysterious air. Anna could tell her host swooned too. They were both stood on the terrace, with their mouths open, admiring him as he came forward.
"Hello to the most beautiful looking ladies in Yorkshire," he greeted them and they both smiled bashfully. Anna hadn't seen the flirty version of John Bates. He was adorable and he took off his glasses to see them properly. "Patricia, thank you so much." He leaned down to kiss the owner's cheek and Anna could see her blush. She was glad to know she wasn't the only one affected by his charisma.
"Nonsense. You know you can count on us." If Mr. Drake had been around, he might have been jealous, as his wife was gazing at Mr. Bates like a teenager would her idol.
He turned towards Anna and her insides melted. Mr. Bates looked younger, happier even, than all the other times she had been with him. He leaned in and kissed her chastely on the cheek. She wanted so desperately to catch his lips with hers, but, it wasn't right, not when they weren't alone. He remained in that position for seconds, his lips to her cheek and a thrill ran down her body. His hot breath would drive her mad if he didn't pull away. He did, slowly.
"Are you ready, Anna?" He asked and all she could do was nod.
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"Kiss me. I can't wait another minute," John exclaimed excitedly after he had helped her up into the front seat. She was just as desperate and reached down to his lips, not waiting another instant. They still had an audience, at a distance, so they contained their zeal. His lips were warm and loving, and exactly what she needed to set their adventure on the right track.
"Was that alright?" she asked bashfully, as she pulled back.
"That was perfect, love." His eyes twinkled as he let out a breath.
He then took her case and put it behind her seat. "What do you have in here?" he asked as he feigned duress. "It's a bit heavy for two days."
Anna laughed at John's bemused face. "You didn't tell me where we were going or what we were doing. I had to bring more than one thing, in preparation for anything, so sorry, if it's not as light as you'd like."
John's eyes crinkled in amusement and Anna was tempted to get off the aircraft and repeat what they'd done only two days ago, wiping the smirk off his face. He was just so handsome. She would have liked to at least give him another kiss, but she was sure Mrs. Drake was watching them from her house. She'd behave, if only until they were out of sight.
He closed the door on her and made it to his side, taking his seat quickly. He checked his gauges, monitors and their seat belts. He handed her a pair of protective headphones to minimize the decibel impact of the rotors and for them to communicate. "If you wear this, we'll communicate better."
She put them on appreciatively.
"Any questions before we take off?" He docked his head to one side, amused with himself. He was obviously enjoying the fact that she had no idea where they were going.
She would ask anyway. "Yes, you can start by finally telling me where we're headed? Or at least how long it will take us to get there?" She put her hands on her hips, her petiteness allowing it even in the limited space and her eyes playfully demanded a bit of information. Not knowing was exciting, building up the suspense inside her.
He took her arm by the elbow closest to him and extended it completely, outlining the skin of her wrist and palm with his fingers. It produced another jolt of electricity within her and she flushed completely. If it was a ploy to distract her from getting an answer, it was working. She could suddenly care less where they were bound, as she concentrated on the feel of his skin on hers. He kissed her palm reverently. He looked as if he were lost in her too, forgetting what it was that she had asked.
A few seconds later, he realized he owed her an answer. Still with her hand in his¸ he brought it up to his cheek and answered.
"It's not the Seychelles, or a lodge in St. Moritz, or anywhere else fancy. I hope you don't mind. It's just a little place close to mountains where you'll understand a little more about me. We're flying to Dumfries, Scotland, but that is not our final destination. It shall take us just about two hours of flying and another half hour on the road to Balmaclellan, so, sit back, relax and enjoy the sites."
With that, he turned back to the controls, started the rotors and they were off. This was her first time in Maggie and you could tell it was a personal aircraft. It was smaller, and thus less stable, moving around a bit more, and a bit noisier than Ava and Marilyn, the other helicopters she'd flown in. A scan of the interior revealed some good-sense staples like a medicine box, life jackets, an extinguisher and a cooler which she assumed had snacks and drinks. There was a fold down seat, affixed to the back wall that could accommodate a third person, tightly, between them. She couldn't imagine that it was very comfortable and if it were down, the cooler, currently occupying its space, would not fit. He had other surprising comforts too. There was a blanket and a pillow. Anna could not understand why he would have these unless he did random camping. A smile crept up her face when she theorized that maybe he intended for them to be used in the near future. She tingled inside at such a thought. The cabin's interior had stickers from different restaurants and tourist attractions from all over the UK stuck to the fiberglass walls. It made the décor interesting, if a little busy. The most significant thing she saw was a picture of a much younger version of him, hugging an older lady. They shared the same cheekbones and hazel eyes. Her hair was already white. What struck her about the picture was the look of devotion that the woman had for him. It was unwavering love and could be nobody else but his mother.
"Is this Maggie?" she ventured to ask as she pointed to the picture before her.
"Yes," was his short but truthful answer. She turned away and smiled, pleased that she could at least take credit for solving one riddle from his life.
They didn't speak of anything important while they were in the air. He commented about the places they were flying over, pointing out interesting sites in the rolling fields and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales. It was a magical site to behold; the little villages and farms that dotted the landscape and their herds of cows and sheep that abounded. If it weren't for the cars they occasionally spotted on the roads below, Anna would have thought she had gone back in time. All the little villages retained their charm. John seemed to be avoiding big cities on purpose, and that made the sites below more delightful to enjoy. He even hovered a few seconds over a beautiful waterfall so she could see it. He said it was the Cautley Spout. It wasn't too large, but it was lovely. His route also included flying over the ruins of Middleham and Brough Castles. Both were similar - a few stone walls standing erect amid piles of stone and crumbling facades, surrounded by fields of green. They passed over a manor home, Appleby Castle, and it was large, but could not compare to the grandeur of Highclere. At one point, they were flying on the coast and then temporarily over the water.
Soon enough, John pointed ahead and announced that they were arriving at their destination.
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"Anna, this is Daphne Bryant, a friend of mine." Anna shook hands with the woman. "Daphne, this is Anna Smith."
No sooner than they landed on the remote side of the Dumfries airstrip, an unassuming car, with the woman she now knew to be Daphne, pulled up alongside. John and Daphne hugged and she speculated what their connection was and why she was there to pick them up. Perhaps a distant relation? She wondered if Daphne knew who she was and was judging her. It produced some anxiety. John wasn't divorced yet and anybody who knew of Vera would call her the other woman. While technically true, she, herself had spent many hours convincing herself that this was not wrong and questioning looks from anybody could set her back. The concern faded when Daphne looked at her warmly.
"Welcome to Galloway Forest Park in Southwest Scotland," she added most sincerely. "I hope you enjoy your time here." There wasn't any evidence of deception in her tone or look and Anna relaxed completely.
"We'll be staying in a little cabin on Daphne's property," John offered, as Daphne opened the boot of the car to store their bags. "It's quite lovely. I hope you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will." She didn't care if it was an inn on a highway or a desolate moor, as long as they were together, she would love it.
He took her hand and led her to the car, letting her sit in the front to get a better view. Within minutes, they had parted from the airstrip, leaving Maggie alone and locked up. Houses occasionally lined the road, and some stores, but there was not a lot of urbanization in the direction they were driving. A few quaint inns dotted the landscape and she saw several signs advertising for "Dark Skies Tours." That intrigued her, but she didn't ask. It was very quiet. The flora was forest-like, confirming what Daphne had said. Large trees such as pines, junipers, oaks and yews abounded as far as the eye could see. They'd only passed two other cars on the highway they were on, which was good. If it was as remote as it seemed, both of them could relax without the nervousness of being found together.
When she least expected it, Daphne drove onto a rural road, which she kept on for a few feet and finally stopped when a lot with many small houses became visible. She turned off the engine and they all descended from the vehicle. Anna was still not sure what type of adventure she was in for.
"Welcome to Bryant Landing." She turned to Anna. "I'll be leaving you now. If you need anything at all, you can find me here." She pointed to the first house that was visible, slightly larger than the rest, and then turned to John. "You know the way, so, I'll take my leave. You'll want to show Anna around on your own. The refrigerator is stocked too, but if you need anything, you know where to find me and the keys to the car." They exchanged kisses and in an instant, she was gone.
"What is this Mr. Bates?" She asked curiously. "Is this like a vacation lodge?" She bent down to pick up her bag, but John brushed her away, taking hold of it himself. "Not precisely. It's a shelter for abused, exploited and vulnerable women."
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He was sure she had a million questions. The look on her face when he explained where they were was priceless, but to her credit, she said nothing, maintaining her quiet curiosity within herself and giving him space to share at his own pace. He didn't intend to keep it from her, not for long – just until they had deposited their things in the cabin and could take a walk in the surrounding area. It would be nicer that way; better than standing at the entrance with their bags around them.
It was a short walk to their cabin, through a narrow mountain trail. It was the farthest away from the entrance, not really visible from where they'd left the car and it was bordered in the back by a stream of clear running water. Through his work with Daphne, he came here often and she usually let him stay as long as he wanted. He'd escaped Vera's antagonism here, in the last few years, and it brought him much peace.
"It's so calm," exclaimed Anna as he set their bags down in front of the door.
John was pleased to hear her say that, but he still worried she might have been expecting something more grand. He took her arm and tugged at it, wanting to hold her close. She came willingly and wrapped her arms around him. This was the first moment of alone time that they could share and it felt wonderful to hold her.
"Do you like it?" He asked bashfully. "Are you not put off by where we are?"
"Of course I am not put off. What I've seen so far is lovely." Anna noticed he was second guessing his decision to come here. On impulse, she closed the gap between them and gave him a quick peck. "Don't worry about me, Mr. Bates. I'm quite happy." She wanted to add, "Anywhere you are", but there were still some things that might be off limits in their budding relationship. She smiled for him instead.
The grin on her face made John believe she was telling the truth. There was nothing but pure light radiating from her face. If it had been dark, she would have illuminated the forest. He brought his hand up to cup her face and brought her in for another kiss. She was marvelous and her mouth was a source of comfort for him. He held her reverently as they continued to kiss. They pulled apart and she put her head on his shoulder. It was too early to escalate things and he had a lot to tell her.
"How about I show you inside, then we take a walk in the woods? The stream behind the cabin is a sight to see and we can take a small picnic with us."
'I'd love it," she responded. They separated and she walked inside when he held the door open for her. The decoration was minimal, but the cabin was inviting. There was a bed against a wall, a desk, a tiny dining area and a miniature kitchen. It reminded her of her and Mary's apartment at university. This version, though, with a little bit more space and rustic décor. The central decoration to the room was a mock fireplace. It was electric, she could tell, as she had a similar model at her flat, but it made the space look homey.
John put their bags on the bed and hoped Anna would not be offended that there was only one in the room. He did not want to imply anything by it; this was just the typical décor and set up of the cabins.
He decided to broach the issue directly, as he did not want any misunderstandings.
"Anna, there is only one bed in the room, but there are plenty of linens and space for us to sleep separately. I can make up a bed on the floor."
Separately? Over her dead body. "Let's not worry about that just yet," she answered and sauntered close to where he was standing. "We'll just see where the day takes us." She reached up on her toes to catch his lips again and gave him a deep kiss, letting him know that it wasn't really a problem. A moment later, she pulled away and smiled cheekily at him, hoping that he had understood. Judging by the grin that erupted on his own face, he did.
When their bags were put away, food items from the well-stocked kitchen sourced, a blanket for the ground found and appropriate shoes donned, they took a walk outside, behind the cabin, and came upon the stream that had been mentioned. A ten minute walk along the edge, they discovered a lovely patch of land ideal for a blanket. Anna spread it out and sat down, waiting for Mr. Bates to join her. She had not noticed until now how difficult it was for him to kneel and sit. It took some calculated effort. Not enough to cause concern, but just enough for it to be noticed. She hoped that as part of their excursions this weekend, he would share about that part of himself.
"I'll not keep you in suspense much longer," he said as he bit into the simple sandwich of ham and cheese that he had made.
"I am rather curious, but do take your time." She said as she sat on her haunches, searching for napkins inside the basket. "Don't feel like you have to share everything at once. I'm in no hurry."
He reached out to kiss her and she met him half way. She was so beautiful and patient, but he wouldn't keep her waiting.
"I met Daphne six years ago at a transportation convention in London. I had a stand, much like the one you worked in at the Oil and Gas Summit. I didn't have Richard yet, so, I was by myself. She approached me and when she discovered I was the owner, she asked me to help her organization. Of course I intended to write her a check, but that is not what she wanted." He hesitated for a moment, and then changed the course of the conversation. "The little cluster of houses you saw, there's 20, in case you didn't count….. They each house a woman who has been exploited, or abused. I don't know all their stories, but I know that for them to be here, they were in a really bad place. Daphne and a small team of people who live in the village that is down the road, they treat them psychologically and medically until they feel comfortable facing the outside world again. She tries to build their confidence."
"That's so admirable," Anna exclaimed as she felt her throat constrict. Some people in this world were just amazing. She was trying to not become too emotional. Stories of perseverance and good people helping in the world usually made her sensitive. She often thought she should do more herself.
"Many of these women feel that they are worthless. They've heard it so many times from their abusers that they don't think they are able to make it on their own. They are counseled and as part of their stay here, they are taught a skill, depending on their level of education. They take online classes at the media center. If they are educated, because some women who end up here are, they teach the other women until they are ready to leave. With a skill, they stand a better chance of improving their lives."
Anna thought that Daphne's work was impressive, but she still didn't understand what Mr. Bates' role was if it wasn't monetary. "If she didn't want your money, what was it that she did want? What is it that you do for her?"
John hesitated for a moment. He had to tell Anna, but he didn't want to come off as a hero. Others did far more impressive things than he did.
"I'm the man they call in the middle of the night when a woman needs to be extricated from her situation immediately. I've made myself available 24 hours a day to fly anywhere and pick up these women to bring them here." He noticed as Anna's jaw dropped in amazement. "Daphne is affiliated to Women's Aid, the UK organization that helps battered and abused women. Some cases are more extreme, and the abusers more vindictive. Some can be helped at home; some often have children and a more extensive family network to support them. Some don't, or are considered more vulnerable. Those more extreme cases are the ones that get referred to Daphne and she takes everybody she can."
Something clicked in Anna's head. Vera's accusations of Mr. Bates' absences in the middle of the night must be those times he was executing these rescues. He was performing the work of an angel, literally and figuratively, rescuing women and ferrying them to safety.
His revelation brought a surge of emotion within her and she would fail at holding back. Tears accumulated in her eyes and a few escaped down her cheeks. She wanted to hug him and eschewing convention, she lunged at him, embracing him fully.
"I never, in a million years, expected to hear a story such as this. You are amazing, you know that?" She looked him in the eyes and she saw his rejection of her praise. He didn't want to take any credit for his part in this.
"I'm a deeply flawed man, Anna. I have a lot of penance to do for my sins, but this, I am doing in my mother's name, to pay it forward." His hand came up to rub away the wetness from her cheeks, but he would look away, ashamed at her praise.
Anna pulled away, wondering what he meant by his last words.
"Paying it forward?" she asked quietly.
"I must have been about four years old when my mother ran away from my father. I remember all of the yelling and her crying. He drank too much and hurt her physically, often. Then one day, I was put in the back of a car, in the middle of the night. I was lying down. They expected me to be asleep, but I could hear my mum crying and there was a man in the car, but there was no yelling. It wasn't my father. I was scared, very scared. I could see out the back window and I focused on the sky and the stars for as long as I could until I fell asleep. When I awoke, we were in London and we had nothing. We had left Dublin, under the cover of the night, helped by a priest and the nuns of St. Agatha's."
Anna was sure that by the end of the evening, she would have no more tears left. The image of a very terrified Mrs. Bates, carrying around a small child in such a big city, came to her mind and it provoked a sob.
"I do this in her memory. Whoever this man was that escorted us all the way to London, even accompanying us on the ferry, gave my mother and I another chance at life. Mum's been gone for seven years now, a cancer took her, and she never got to see me doing this for her."
"She'd be so proud." Anna could only imagine what his mother would say. She knew she would be proud if a son of hers did what he did.
"I failed her in many ways, but that is a different story." He had a reserved smile on his face, the one she absolutely loved.
"Who pays for all of this? Do you provide any monetary support at all?" Anna wondered how a place like this could be funded.
"Daphne, a middle class professional woman, married into wealth and the aristocracy. Her husband was a verbally abusive bully, sired by a long line of men who thought that it was their duty to rule with an iron fist. His money and power fueled his sense of entitlement. Fed up, Daphne left him, with her son in tow, and her husband realized the error of his ways soon after. He sought support and counseling and was turning his life around. To show her that he understood how wrong he was, he created a foundation and set up an endowment so that he could sponsor a center such as this and so that it could pay for itself. He never saw the result of his work, dying from an unfortunate heart attack soon after. The land was purchased from the endowment, so Daphne owns it herself. She has some funds, but cannot run it completely without some help. Apparently, she has royal backing, but she won't say what member of the royal family sponsors her."
Anna grew quiet. She looked like she wanted to ask a question and wouldn't dare.
"What is it, Anna?" He laced his fingers with hers. "I'm an open book today. You can ask me anything."
"I take it Vera doesn't know?" It was most definitely a question, but her inflection was off, coming out as a statement.
"No, she is not aware. By the time Daphne approached me, we were living separately, although under the same roof. I do this with Maggie, my personal helicopter, not with company assets. She didn't need to know and I didn't trust her to keep this a secret, more than anything else. I couldn't take the risk."
"Is this a secret, then? What you do here?...I mean, wouldn't you want people to know that you are involved? Wouldn't it be good for business for you to be seen involved in charitable causes?"
"These women's livelihoods are at stake. Daphne seeks positions for them, far away from their prior lives, making them self-sufficient and able to fully function again. Some of their aggressors are still out there, having never seen a day of justice in their lives. I cannot risk any of them being found out and victimized again because of careless conversations, or a need for false gratification. You will not see this place in any directories and you will not see any of the people who work or volunteer for Daphne, clamoring for attention. So, to answer your question…. It is a secret."
"Why tell me, Mr. Bates? Am I not a risk too?" Anna was both honored to know and mortified of the new responsibility for secrecy that this knowledge gave her.
"I made the decision to tell you, because, in your line of work, you manage a vast amount of sensitive information and you are bound to not divulge it. Am I right?"
Anna nodded.
"I know that it's not like lawyer-client privilege, doctor-patient conversations, or even priest-sinner confessions, but I believe you uphold an ethical code. I'm taking my chance, and Daphne trusts me, because I believe you to be moral and I think you understand what is right, and more importantly, my heart told me not to keep this from you."
"You're fabulous, you know that?" Anna leaned forward and kissed him.
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Anna couldn't imagine that spending time with Mr. Bates, so leisurely, would be this comfortable. After his first revelation, things between them became easier. The initial awkwardness of not understanding how they were supposed to coexist faded away. There were no more doubts. They sat and laid on the blanket for a while, taking in the sunlight. At one point, he pulled some wild flowers from nearby and wove them into her hair, stating she looked like a forest fairy. They shared sweet kisses too.
After their picnic, they walked through the woods hand in hand, Mr. Bates pointing out trees, birds, scenery and anything of interest. They stopped to kiss and cuddle on many occasions, talking about their favorite colors, discussing the tastiest ice cream treats, most tantalizing books ever read, and triviality in general that all couples know about each other. They had similar interests in the types of movies they watched and novels they read, dissenting only in the football teams each supported. Anna was disconcerted to discover that Mr. Bates was a fan of Manchester United while she was a fan of Leeds. They laughed as each defended their squad. At one point, they ran into a group of two women who were taking a stroll and Anna watched with enthusiasm as he was recognized and greeted by the thankful women. They came and hugged him effusively, then were off again.
"Do you transport them back whenever they are ready to move on?" she dared ask, with curiosity, after they were no longer in the vicinity.
"Not usually, no," he answered. "Their extrication is fraught with tension and they are often too emotional during the journey. Afterwards, they often remember that day with terror and that includes the helicopter ride. I've offered, but in five years, I've had no takers."
All she could do was hug him again. She really did think that what he was doing was admirable. As the day progressed, Anna knew that there was still much for Mr. Bates to share with her, but she did not want to push him.
That afternoon had Mr. Bates borrowing Daphne's car to take her to dinner in a local pub a few kilometers down the main road. The "Star Struck" had some local favorites, and Anna tried everything that Mr. Bates suggested enthusiastically. She was a firm believer of the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans," and her parents had taught her to try being gastronomically adventurous. Perhaps they ordered too much, Mr. Bates wanting her to try everything he thought was good. They had bridies which was a local meat pie, haggis with tatties and neeps, and for pudding, he ordered a clootie dumpling which Anna enjoyed best.
"Mr. Bates, what are the dark skies about? I saw it on many signs as we were coming here." Towards the end of their dinner, there was some nervousness. The night had come and they hadn't discussed anything regarding their sleeping arrangements. Rather than dwell on it further, since it would come soon enough, she decided instead to quell her curiosity.
"That, love, is the attraction about this part of Scotland. This forest is supposed to be one of very few where star observing is at its prime. It's so dark out, that almost 7,000 stars are visible to the naked eye. It is an astronomer's delight to be out here."
"How enchanting." Anna remembered her father taking her out to count stars in the evening. Those were fond times for her. She had sensed, as the evening wore on, that there were not many lights about. It all seemed a little dark to her and now she knew why.
"If you are up for it, I thought we might sit out tonight, trying to catch a glimpse of a shooting star, or the Aurora Borealis."
"That sounds perfectly lovely," Anna agreed as she finished the last bit of pudding.
0-0-0-0
Anna was filled with enthusiasm. The night sky was exploding with stars, aided by the low light density of the area. Residents used very low wattage bulbs to illuminate their surroundings and this helped make the stars visible. According to Mr. Bates, this was the only certified place in the UK where the dark skies allowed such clear visibility and she loved it. They had already been there an hour and she didn't think she had ever seen more in her life. "What is that, Mr. Bates?" she pointed again to a cluster of stars in a W shaped that shone in the distance. He'd been very patient looking up all the constellations for her.
John gazed at the guide in his hands, courtesy of Daphne, to read information, but pointed his mobile phone towards where Anna pointed. His app would tell him what they were looking at. Anna couldn't see his expression, but he cringed. After everything they had shared, he would have hoped that she would call him John by now. He was used to it at the office, but in this setting, it made him feel old and it didn't help that he was aware of the vast age difference between them. He'd not brought it up before, but was getting his nerve up to ask her.
"Let's see. That would appear to be Cassiopeia." He instructed her further. "Now follow the right-hand V down to that bright star and then perpendicularly up past a faint star to a fuzzy patch of light. That's the Andromeda galaxy and according to this, that's 2.5m light years away and contains around a trillion stars."
They were outside, all bundled up, as the cool night air had made itself known. They'd brought out a blanket and pillow so that they could lie on the grass, behind their cabin, and look up into the night.
"That's brilliant," she answered. "I never imagined that star gazing could be so beautiful." She turned towards him. Although they were sharing the pillow, there was still some space between them. They were being respectful. It was not lost on them that they would soon go back to the cabin and the question of intimacy would arise again. Both of them wanted very much to share that part of themselves with the other, but their first time had been frantic and rather unexpected. This experience, and how to start it, would be different.
He turned to face her too. "Can, I ask you something, Anna?" It was dark out, but her eyes had adjusted to the darkness and she could see some concern etched on his face.
"Of course you can."
"There is an age gap between us. I don't know, I must be at least 15 years older than you, or something close to it. It would help me if you stopped calling me Mr. Bates. I feel like I'm your teacher and robbing the cradle. Can you call me John?"
How precious of him. She wanted to laugh at his analogy, but she wouldn't dare. It probably took a lot of him to say such a thing. It was unfortunate that she could not honor his request.
"You are not robbing the cradle, you know. I'm 26, but will be 27 in about a month, and if I remember correctly, you are 41. So, yes, there is a 15 year age difference, but it means nothing to me." She reached towards him with her hand to caress his hair that had flopped forward. It would help reassure him. "I promise I'll stop calling you Mr. Bates as soon as we finish the case. If I try to change now, I might make a mistake and call you the wrong thing in the office. I don't think you'd want that."
"No, I wouldn't." He reflected sadly. She was right, but he desperately wanted to hear her call him by his first name.
Wanting to lighten the situation, she added some options of her own. "If calling you Mr. Bates makes you uncomfortable, I'll try not addressing you by that name at all." She reached forward and kissed him quickly. "I'll call you, 'silly beggar', or 'hey you', or 'cheeky monkey'."
He emitted a chuckle that sounded more like a snort. Her suggestions caught him of guard. He didn't expect those alternatives, as funny as they were. He loved that she was so quick witted. His natural reaction was to bring up his arms to envelope her within his embrace. "What? Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"Of course! If you don't want me to call you Mr. Bates, I must call you something." She was being flirty with him and he loved it. Both on the blanket, facing each other and only inches separating them, she was starting to feel an incredible intimate pull towards him.
As Anna was captive within his arms, he started to tickle her as a sign of protest. She squirmed, playfully and followed along. "Which do you prefer? I like cheeky monkey best."
"I'd rather be Mr. Bates than be called cheeky monkey in public." He increased his tickle attack and they began to tussle good naturedly. After a few seconds of movement, he stopped when he suddenly realized that he found himself on top of her, her body pinned down under the weight of him. She was unable to move any part of herself. She wasn't trying anymore either. She had become still and quiet. The same realization had dawned on her and she was gazing at him with expectant eyes. In this position, he felt a wave of heat envelop him. Her eyes were calling to him.
The weight of him above her was delicious. She'd separated her legs as they'd tussled and this had allowed their bodies to be perfectly aligned. They were both aware of it and Anna swallowed hard in anticipation of what could come next. It was up to him, as she couldn't really move. It was dark, but she could still see the outline of his face. There was a deep level of concentration that she had only seen once before, the day they had come together. She could hear his breaths as he made up his mind on what to do next. It was ragged and he was clearly as affected as she was.
He slowly dipped his head to catch her lips and exquisite sensations started within her. They had shared many a sweet kiss that day, but there was intensity to this one that only matched his actions from against the helicopter a few days ago. A tingling crept across her body and she welcomed him, opening up to him. With her response, he relaxed his grip on her, moving his arms to support his weight on his elbows. Her arms, freed from their prison, came up around his head to bring him closer. The kiss was deepening as was their desire. As they were perfectly aligned, she smiled when his arousal made itself known against her. He moaned when he felt her shift underneath him, the action causing him to feel the movement keenly. He pulled himself away to look at her.
"Let's go inside," he offered with a shaky breath. This was his way of asking permission to move forward.
"Let's," she responded with fervor as she pulled him in for another all-consuming kiss.
Somehow, they got up off the grass, collected their things and made it back to the cabin. The temptation to start shedding clothes, while still outside, was great, but they both remembered that they had neighbors, most of whom had traumas to overcome, and it would do them no good to encounter a pair of randy visitors. They kept their clothes on and instead, they touched and massaged and kissed until they made it through the door and were out of sight.
With the click of the door, their anxiety set in. It changed the mood to one of nervousness. Although they were still holding each other, they separated enough to look into each other's eyes.
Could he please her? Their last time was explosive and they were both overcome by the passion, brought on by their argument. This was different. They had time to think and they had spent the entire day together already. If things did not go well, it couldn't be pinned on an impulsive and reckless move. She'd not seen all of him either. He wasn't as young, or as fit as the young men her own age. He had many scars on his body. He suddenly felt very self-conscious. It was a cacophony of emotions that weren't helping. He wasn't sure how to proceed next.
She really wanted him, but reminders of the conflicting interests played in her head. She had to continue convincing herself that this was not wrong. This was right, being with him was right. He was no longer emotionally attached and very soon, he'd be legally available. He looked nervous too. She didn't want to force him into anything if he wasn't ready, no matter how badly she wanted him.
Her eyes bore into his as she asked timidly, but bravely, "Would you rather we didn't?" It would kill her if he agreed.
"No, I absolutely want to. It's just…." He paused and sighed, building up the courage to speak his mind. "Thursday was so unlike anything I've ever done. It happened so quickly and I am not sure I was thinking much. It was so unexpected for both of us. I loved it, but, today is quite different… We've had time to get to know each other better and to think of what we are doing….. and, well, …... I'm not exactly young and it's been such a long time….I'm not sure how to start or how to get it right, for you. "
He cursed himself for saying that. He sounded like such a fool, but there was only kindness in Anna's smile.
He responded again, before Anna even had time to formulate her answer. "I'm sure I sound like an idiot. That's probably not very enticing, is it?" He looked down and away from her, embarrassed by the words coming from his mouth.
Anna felt so much love for this man. A wave of warmth spread through her body when he spoke. His honesty was something she valued and it made him more special in her eyes. To ease his concerns, she responded the only way she knew how. She brought her lips to his neck and started to plant small kisses up towards his jaw and across it, until she reached the sensitive part underneath his ear. She heard him moan with appreciation. It was easier to allow him to feel and be convinced by that, than to listen solely to reason. She'd use a combination of both.
"Our first time, as tempestuous as it became, was amazing. That was all you and I. Where we are, now, doesn't change anything at all. It is still just the two of us," she added between nibbles, then stopped. She brought her head back be in front of his and when she had his attention, she continued. "I want you to make love to me. There is no pressure, no expectations. It's just you and I. Do what comes natural to you."
She was irresistible like that. She was a mix of tenderness and assertiveness. He couldn't help it and his lips found hers again. He felt her hands come up and pull at the collar of his jacket. In an instant, she had pulled it back and she already had it down as far as it would go. Since he was still holding her, he needed to shift his arms to help her release it, but it was a start. Shed of his first article of clothing, he was ready to move forward. She made everything easier.
He pulled on her lip again and her mouth welcomed him. His tongue pushed through, finding hers and they deepened their connection instantly. Both their hands were busy, and while their lips were melded together, refusing to separate, he could feel the pulling and pushing of clothing. He was sure his shirt and jumper were off, and he was most certain he had her down to bra and pants. They had separated once, to breathe, and at that time, he recalled seeing her pull something over her head. It couldn't have been more than a second or two, as his lips had been busy seeking out the spots he knew would arouse her.
He had a broad torso and it was full of curly black hair. It felt divine to run her hands through it and it send tingles down her body as they brushed against her sensitive breasts. She needed him soon. She didn't know why he was worried about not pleasing her. He was doing a damn good job with his lips and hands already. She was sure he would do fine. As the urgency within her built up, she realized that they were far from the bed, as they hadn't really moved since they entered the cabin. He had her against the front door. Conscious of their location, she moved him backward, slowly, towards the bed.
"The bed," she managed to say raggedly and they moved the few feet needed.
John felt the back of the bed hit his knees and he sat down, on the edge. Anna was planted between his legs. Their mouths had finally separated, and they gazed knowingly at one another. She ran her hands through his hair and he unbuttoned her pants. Without saying much, he slowly pulled them down. His hands grazed both sides of her thighs and as they slid off, he heard her breath hitch. He was now able to see her perfect silhouette for the first time. She was still wearing her undergarments, but she was beautiful. He couldn't wait to see the rest of her. He hadn't had that privilege before, gazing at her, since he'd been a frantic beast during their first joining. He'd not even removed her knickers, pushing them to the side before taking her. He wanted to do a better job this time, to be more considerate, to enjoy her completely.
After he removed her pants, she followed suit and reached down to him, unbuckling his own. She took advantage of a lull in action as he stared at her body. She didn't get too far, as his arms came around her back and he pulled her flush against him. In one swoop, he fell back, bringing her with him. She yelped at the unexpected tug that had her falling on top of him, but she giggled soon after. "Mr. Bates, I was taking off your pants!" she exclaimed as he held her down and rolled her over until he was on top of her.
"Oh, you can still do that," he teased as he rolled them around again. Anna was now on top of him. "Is this better?"
"You silly man." She straddled him, just beneath his groin, and managed to finish what she started. She unfastened them and brought them down, just a little, revealing his boxer shorts. She liked what she saw, a lot.
"Let's see what we have here." His erection was straining within and she teased him by running her hand along the length of the hardened member. He bucked at her touch and gyrated his hips. "My, somebody is eager."
"Very eager, indeed," he responded as he sat up to catch her lips in another searing kiss. He left her without air and the urgency of their joining was apparent to her, as his mouth claimed her incessantly. She didn't even notice, as affected as she was, when his hand snapped the hooks of her bra and he flung it off. She realized this had happened when his hands came to cup her breasts fully. He massaged them in tandem to the movements of his mouth and Anna thought she might die. The pleasure was unbelievable. She protested when he pulled his mouth away, but soon enough, his ardent lips made their way across her collar bone and down to the rosy peaks that beckoned him. She couldn't coordinate anymore. She felt like putty as his mouth latched on and sucked from one to the other. She just sat there, on her haunches, unable to do anything else.
The little temptress had unleashed him when she ran her hands across his hardened length. He was enjoying her breasts, suckling them as a babe would. He could tell she had lost all concentration. His tongue continued to work on them. He wanted to get rid of his pants, but Anna in this state would not manage them.
"Come forward," he commanded and when she did, he turned them around again until he was on top. It took only a few seconds to pull everything off and he returned to her, finally naked. He hooked his fingers underneath the elastic of her knickers and she knew to raise her hips. They were down immediately and he could finally gaze at her exquisite body. He didn't deserve such perfection. She was flawless, like a Michelangelo sculpture. She had curves where they needed to be and smooth perfect skin everywhere. He wanted desperately to take her and make her his all over again.
"I'm waiting, Mr. Bates." Her voice was impatient. He had disappeared from himself momentarily and she needed him back. All his ministrations had worked their magic and she was burning inside. The fire within could only be quenched with him. She looked at him imploringly.
He came back from his gazing to focus on her. "What do you want, love?" he responded to her pleas. He kissed the length of her body slowly. He wanted to make sure he pleased her.
"I want you, now." She hesitated, and then demanded further. "No, I need you. Take me now, Mr. Bates."
He wouldn't be told twice. He positioned himself, then took her hands into his and raised them over her head. Firmly held together, he entered her slowly, and then finished by thrusting in completely. He felt a wave of pleasure register through is body as she took him in. Their moans were loud and in unison. She was perfect and tight.
His length was ideal for her small body and she felt him deep within. Her face said it all. Her mouth was gaping and her eyes were open wide. She could barely reason, the sensation was overwhelming.
"Are you..." He meant to ask if she was ready, but he was cut off by her insistence.
"Just go, please. You're killing me." She reached out to kiss him, pulling on his bottom lip and biting it slightly. She was more than ready.
Their rhythm was frantic, but continuous. Both did what they needed to do for the sensations to build within them. Anna was vocal, very much so, and that excited him beyond reason. It threatened to make him come sooner than he ought, but he focused on his actions. He didn't want to fail her. He plunged deep, then shallow, alternating his movements every time he pulled in and out. With every additional stroke, Anna's cries intensified until he felt he could control himself no longer.
"Are you close?" he could barely get the words out, but he did. He didn't need a response and he wouldn't get one. Anna's body tensed beneath him and her eyes rolled back. She stopped her movements and he could tell she was gone, transported to a world in an alternate universe where everything was peace and pleasure. She trembled around him. Without a care in the world, he moved once more, eliciting his release and joining her on the trip across the universe.
0-0-0-0
A very dim light, from the nightstand, illuminated the bed. Anna was on top of him slightly, covering his right ribs, but tucked into his side. Their legs were intertwined. Her head lay nestled underneath his jaw and her blond tresses fanned across his chest. The hair across his broad torso tickled her cheeks, but, the sound of his heart beating, after their exertions, anchored her to that spot. She enjoyed listening to the pulsating rhythm as they diminished in intensity. One of his arms held her to him and he dragged his fingers across her spine. The other, played with the strands of her hair.
They were still very much unclothed and thanks to the heat in the cabin, they were in no rush to cover themselves up. From her vantage point, Anna could see the thick lines of scars on the hip she was not resting atop of. She had seen them, briefly, when they were coming together, but in that same instant, her mind was occupied with more pressing concerns and she forgot immediately about it. His injury had not constrained his ability, at least, not that she could tell. His performance had been masterful. Now, her curiosity got the better of her and she trailed her fingers playfully across his abdomen until they were tracing the evidence of his surgery. Her index finger moved gingerly down, as far as the length of her arm would allow, then she brought back up to where she had started. John was awake, and he tensed slightly when she did this.
"Did it hurt?" she asked boldly as she removed her fingers. He was supposed to be an open book this weekend. She may as well help him get the conversation started. She held her breath as she waited for him to answer. Her hand now lay protectively over his hip.
Before he did, he took a deep breath and his chest rose. Anna felt his movement and worried she might upset him. He sighed deeply, probably willing himself to start the conversation. With resignation, he finally spoke.
"It did. I spent months in rehabilitation and had three surgeries, but it was not as painful as losing my best friend, Callum."
She placed a kiss on his chest and looked up at him. His head was propped up by a pillow and their eyes met. Anna could see, through his eyes, that the story was painful. They reflected a sadness she had seen in him before.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want," she offered genuinely. She sought to know more about him, everything he was willing to share, but she did not want him to suffer either.
"I'll tell you. That is what this weekend is about." His fingers that had been playing with the ends of her hair sought hers out and instantly, they were intertwined and laid across his chest.
"Callum and I met in the RAF. We trained together as helicopter pilots and we formed a solid friendship. We were young blokes of 18 with similar backgrounds. He was a mix of Scottish-Irish like I was and had been raised in England by a single parent. We had similar vices. We both smoked and drank and we couldn't get enough of women. We were young and felt on top of the world. We served initially in the first Iraq war of '91 shortly after basic training. We met Robert there and although he was married and older, and already had Mary and Edith, he hung out with us a lot. He was in a different group, but we just sort of got along, meeting at the mess hall. After the war, we were posted differently. I was sent to Church Fenton base in Tadcaster and he was posted to Waddington at Lincoln. It was close enough that we saw each other regularly. Our friendship grew and he came home to meet my mum and at one point, I went to his home to meet his mum and his sister. That sister….."
He paused and hesitated, then continued.
"That sister was Vera."
Anna knew that sooner or later, she would come up in their conversation this weekend, but she had not linked her to this. It was surprising.
"Did you start dating her?" Anna asked when after a minute, he had not continued with his story.
"No, not then. That came after. Vera and her brother were very close. Similar to what my mum went through, their father was also abusive, and so, Vera and her brother were inseparable. He tried calling her as much as possible and he always sent her cards and letters. By that time, we were 20 and Vera was 19. I thought that was nice, you know – having the support of a sibling – because, I didn't have one. It was only just my mum and I. I saw Vera on and off through the next two years. I thought she was pretty, she always has been, but I never stood a chance with Callum as her brother. He was very protective. At that time, I did not understand their dynamic. I showed some interest once and he shot me down. I assumed that it was because he knew of my many female liaisons - I was a loose cannon back then. I had a military uniform and a lot of swag. I had my pick of women and I didn't blame him, although I sometimes thought that he took it to an extreme. She could have had suitors, but I never knew of any. It would be years later until I understood how their relationship worked and if I would have known, I would have never married her."
"Did you love her?" It pained Anna to ask, but, he did marry her. There must have been love.
"There was affection, not love, but at the time, I couldn't tell the difference."
"So, he finally gave you permission?"
"No, we became close when Callum died… That's the whole center of this story."
Anna laid other kisses on his chest, providing him with more courage to continue speaking.
"We were stationed on the outskirts of Mostar, Bosnia. It was 1995, towards the end of the conflict. Callum and I were part of the peacekeeping forces and in the same unit. We'd been there at least one time before, in 1994, but separately. Now we were together, reunited. Robert was also there, supervising the logistics of the entire operation. We didn't report to him, but we shared several great weeks of camaraderie. Our missions were not complicated. We ferried soldiers and supplies across several cities. There was occasional gunfire, but we were not really in the thick of it. Our assignment was to be for one year, but it was cut short by what happened."
"What happened, Mr. Bates?" She rubbed his chest to reassure him.
"We got the call on New Year's day. There was supposed to be a ceasefire from both sides. Nobody expected to be called into duty. I had drunk several beers and had taken a couple of shots of Bosnian brandy, or Rakija. I wasn't drunk and neither was Callum. All these drinks were consumed over several hours, thus, my blood alcohol level could not have been high. I made the terrible mistake, though, as the pilot on duty, of drinking that night and thinking that the truce would be respected. It wasn't. Several of our peacekeeping forces at Banja Luka were ambushed as they celebrated and there were many wounded soldiers that needed to be airlifted. We were called to extricate them. Callum and I immediately went to our MH-53 helicopter. It was new, having been delivered to our base just that day. It hadn't flown but for the trip on which it was brought in. We were excited to be the first to get to give it a spin."
"What happened next is blurry. We took off and when we were about 20 meters in the air, we lost control and crashed. It was not a terribly high distance, it is considered survivable under certain conditions, but Callum did not make it. It was a freak accident, really. The blades snapped from the rotor mechanism upon impact and were propelled all over. We had been thrown from the wreckage, separately, and one of the blades found him." John paused, considering what to say. "Let's just say that his was a horrific death. I didn't see any of it, as the impact knocked me unconscious. I broke both my hips and several bones along this leg, including shattering my kneecap." He smoothed his hand over the affected leg.
"I awoke two days later and Robert told me. They had patched me up physically, but my heart was broken. I was shipped back home the next day, as I would need further surgery and extensive rehabilitation. I reached out to Vera, his next of kin. Their mum had died the year before, so, she was alone now. She started coming to the hospital to see me. Both of us, in our immense grief, found mutual comfort in each other. Nobody in the world knew how we felt at losing him and this shared pain brought us together. It was quick. We were married by the hospital chaplain before I could realize what had happened. Our entire courtship must have been less than a month. I never even told her that we had been drinking, as I felt too guilty. When my mum met Vera, she told me we were not cut out for each other and when the grief subsided, we would see that. At the time, I was 23 and Vera was 22."
"Did it? Is that what happened?" Anna was very curious. She imaged what it would feel like to lose her best friend and could imagine how grief might bring them together. She remembered how she felt when her parents died. Had she been any older, she might have made the same mistakes. It really was a devastating feeling.
John continued.
"Yes and No. I knew a couple of weeks later that I had been rash, as I did not love her. I wouldn't have done anything about it, though. I felt responsible for his death, as I had been at the main helm. He had taken the position of co-pilot, so, I was the one with ultimate responsibility. Even if we had both been drinking, I felt guilty about that. I wondered if that had impaired me at all. Ultimately, I felt that I needed to protect her, to do this for him, now that he was gone and she was alone. She didn't love me either, but she meant to give it a go, as best as she could, also for his sake. That, and he hadn't really let her have any formal suitors. She wasn't an innocent, that was apparent to me the first time we were together, but, she didn't know how to deal with men. She was even awkward around me."
"When did it all change?"
"When the accident records were released. A few weeks after the accident, shortly after we were married, we were visited by a solicitor. We were told the helicopter was defective. It turns out that it had been flown in by Sikorsky, the manufacturer's company team, and they certified that it was ready for use. Apparently, something on the delivery checklist was missed. That was the version we were told. The solicitor said that Callum's next of kin and I would each get one million pounds as compensation. I hadn't expected that and neither did she. We didn't ask more questions, or try to get more money. It couldn't replace Callum, so what was the point? I just felt relieved that I had not been pointed out as having caused the crash. They made us sign liability release forms and we did. We were instantly rich. We had two million pounds between us."
"A year must have passed. I was rehabilitated to the point where I could walk without a cane, albeit slowly. I was discharged from the army without any pomp or circumstance. We moved on. We had decided not to spend our money rashly and wait until I was completely well before making any decisions as to our next steps. We had talked, on and off, about what we could do with it and decided that we should buy a helicopter and offer our services ad hoc. We reasoned that if we did not make money from the venture, we could sell the asset and nothing would be lost. It was the only skill I had, flying, so it made sense. We decided to move to Yorkshire, having surveyed competition. Bates Airlift was born. It started slow and we marketed ourselves as a charter service. I did all sorts of things - carrying heavy loads, scenic flying, executive services, etc. – anything to keep money coming in and little by little, we had our hands full. Our relationship wasn't great. She had a mean streak and was very lazy at work. We ended up hiring somebody to do the administrative duties because she couldn't keep focus. Our marriage survived because I kept reminding myself that I owed it to Callum."
"After five years or so of flying, Vera decided she wanted to see the full accident record. I didn't know why she needed to see it. It wasn't public record. I wasn't sure that opening old wounds was the best course to follow, but she campaigned the Office of Military Records against my will, hired a solicitor and a year or so later, we were sent the whole investigation. We had been married almost eight years by then and that is when my life changed."
"What happened, love?" She had shifted during his explanations and now had her chin in her hands and both were propped against his chest. She was gazing at him with much concentration. The more he explained, the more interested she became.
"The records stated that the alcohol content in my blood .07. The legal limit in England is .08, but in Bosnia, it is .05. I never had a clue. Why they did not tell me, I don't know. It turns out that initially, there was a disagreement as to whether I should be held liable for the crash, and there were issues as to the jurisdiction and whose laws applied in the particular incident. The Bosnian government confronted the head of NATO forces of the area. The crash happened, on the base and when on a base, military law applies. For this particular incident, the laws of England would be honored. Since no Bosnian citizens died, the government had been convinced to let it go and they did, as their resources were thin. They had the ethnic war in their country to think about. The report also reinforced what I did know. It also stated that there was a step skipped in the delivery protocol. Sikorsky did not want the negative publicity, as it could impact their contracts with other nations, so, they decided to "bribe" us, which is essentially what happened."
"Why was Vera upset if you were not found liable?" It just didn't make sense. His blood alcohol was under the legal England level, proving, as he had stated, that he didn't feel impaired.
"The fact that two governments decided that they had other things to do, rather than pursue my guilt, does not mean I was not, in fact, a party to the crash. The truth is, I did not feel drunk, but, my blood alcohol content was close enough to the England limit that Vera would take that as a definite proof of my responsibility. I had always felt it was my fault anyway. Regardless of the defect that contributed to the crash, which was described in detail in said report, to Vera, I was the one who killed her brother, and the fact that I never disclosed to her that we had been drinking that night, made me the worst human being in her eyes. Our not so good marriage became unbearable. She was filled with rage. She said things, out of desperation and hurt, and it was not until that time that I realized what type of relationship Vera and Callum had. I had heard things, while Vera slept, or when we were intimate and it always left me confused. She once yelled his name when we were together. I was shocked, but, I let it go. Now, I understood why that could happen."
Anna did not understand where he was going with that last information. John realized it by the confused look on her face.
"She never said it outright, but I am now sure that with the harsh childhood they shared, they were co-dependent on each other for everything, including sex. She wasn't a virgin when we married, but she never once mentioned any other boyfriend and I did ask. She said that I was her first boyfriend, which at the time surprised me."
Anna was shocked. She didn't know what to say or do at this revelation. Incest?
"Is that too much for you?" he asked when he read the anxiety on her face.
"No, I can handle it," she assured him, even when her face reflected something different. She shifted again, now sitting beside him, contemplating everything he had just said.
"Are you sure? I am not trying to shock you, just for you to understand Vera's motivations and hardships these last years. We can stop if you prefer."
"I am surprised, I won't deny it. I just needed a moment for my head to stop spinning." After a few seconds, she added the thoughts that were in her mind. "I'm curious, though, if after reading the report and coming to her conclusion that you were unequivocally responsible, why would she remain married to you?"
"Ah, well. That's easy. Pure vengeance. From that moment on, ten years ago, she made my life a living hell. She reveled in humiliating me, in trying to hurt me. She would still come to me for sex, but she was intent on belittling me. At work, she wanted the company to fail and started to covertly cause problems. At first, I thought it was the penance I had to do for my part in his death. Whatever the report says and whatever Sikorsky thought, I was at the helm. If I survived, and if I took Sikorsky's hush money, then I would have to endure. I managed to convince her, after a particularly disastrous customer cancelation, that if she continued to cause problems, then it was her loss too. If the company failed, both of us failed. Both our money had been used for this and that she would be penniless if we went bankrupt. After that, she became more cautious with the company and little by little we managed to make it grow. A little over five years ago, we saw our biggest expansion and Vera has accepted that if she wants to continue with this lifestyle, she must not exact her revenge on the company."
That made sense.
"What changed your mind? I mean, if you were so intent on staying, on letting her make you wretched, what changed?" She couldn't imagine that he had spent so much time with her, miserable. He had the patience of a saint.
"You wouldn't believe it, but this place changed me. It's meant for women, but many a conversation with Daphne has made me understand that I've paid enough penance. In some ways, I am just as abused and exploited as these women are. My experience cannot compare, as some of these cases are really unimaginable, but Vera's slow and lingering torture has battered my self-esteem and confidence. She's been my oppressor and victimizer and I have let it happen. I realize now that allowing Vera to do with me what she wants does nothing, but make it worse for her too. She cannot begin to heal herself unless I stop her. Making up my mind, though, was hard. I see the change that so many of these broken women have made and they inspire me. If they could do it, then I could. I started asking for a divorce a while after I started flying here. Of course Vera shot me down, and by then, I was aware that Vera had turned to other men as a way to humiliate me further. She was never really a flirt when I met her. She developed that trait as new men started to arrive in the company. She wanted me to look a fool in the eyes of the others. She's accomplished that... I am sure the men see me as weak, but, I don't care. Even with all of that, it was only until recently that I decided to hire a private investigator and now, I'm here with you."
He gave her a bit of a shy smile and she responded by leaning forward to kiss him sweetly. She pulled back and sighed. She decided to address his self-assessed label of weakness.
"For the record, I've not heard anybody, besides her two friends -you know you I am talking about - say anything against you. I think the majority of your staff recognizes your leadership and your humane qualities. They, and I, know what a great man you are."
Anna leaned in to kiss him again and he accepted it, sincerely. He felt great comfort from that contact. Anna was not rejecting him after such a story. He pulled her closer and kissed her deeper. She moved apart from him for a moment, and she looked like she had something to say. She traced her finger on his lips, as she decided on the words.
"Your story is amazing Mr. Bates. I can't believe what you've suffered, and what Vera has suffered. I feel sorry for her, and I feel very inspired by you and by what you've overcome. I understand what you meant when you said you were deeply flawed, but I hope you realize that in the midst of all of that tragedy and sorrow, you too deserve some happiness. I think you've been sad long enough."
"I am happy, Anna. You make me happy."
She smiled at his warm words and the implication of what he was saying. No other words were spoken as they loved each other again, long into the night.
A/N: I thought I should bring up that the RAF does not actually have any Sikorsky helicopters. I based the actual accident on a legal case I found about another military accident from another country under similar circumstances and that was a Sikorsky. If I wanted to give full disclosure, I would also add that military helicopters that are used to extricate wounded personnel, or soldiers, are rather large and require 3 to 4 crew members to operate. They can accommodate 24 to 55 troops. The RAF uses Chinook and Merlin models for that purpose and those are the helicopters currently deployed in Afghanistan.
The Dark Skies of the Galloway Forest National Park are also real. After discovering them for this story, it is on my list of places I want to go. There are some amazing videos on Vimeo and YouTube for you to get an idea of just how beautiful the nights are in that part of the world.
Thank you to my dedicated and loyal reviewers. I am late on answering your comments, but, I will get to it before I post the next chapter! You are all wonderful. I've run into a lot of major challenges in RL, but I've continued writing because your comments are all awesome and I will not leave you without an ending.
Now that their adventure is over, how will they handle themselves in the office? The next couple of chapters will be big! Stay tuned...