It is inky black when I arrive at mydestination. When I pull up at the apartment and exit the car, I gazeheavenward and see a blanket of stars. With very little light pollution on Skyethe stars are on display in all their glory. It is breath-taking and I realiseI have been star gazing for quite some time as my neck aches when it snaps backinto position.
Well Thomas, you certainly have chosenwell! I’m looking over the harbour and the lights from all the propertiessurrounding the harbour are twinkling and give the whole place a mystical,ethereal quality. The sound of the waves lapping up is hypnotic. It iscaptivating at night, but I imagine through the day it will be equallycaptivating or even more so as the colours explode.
Wearily I haul my luggage out of the carand drag it in the direction of the apartment. Once inside I am pleasantlysurprised, and it lifts my mood. It is very quaint. Someone with a keen eye hasbeen involved in dressing the place, picking out some beautiful bespoke pieces.I particularly like the brass telescope set in front of the picture windowwhich I see holds the same view out over the harbour I had just bore witnessto. There is also a wood burner and large stockpile of wooden blocks sittingadjacent to it so before I do anything, I set about getting the fire going.
In no time at all I have a roaring fireand the sight and smell of it seem to evoke a sense of calm in me. I startwandering around the apartment, finishing up in the kitchen where to mysurprise there is a welcome basket. Happily, I realise I won’t have to leave mycosy fire because the owner has provided some pasta and accompanying sauce.Perhaps not my favoured cuisine but it certainly beats trailing around outsidelooking for food after the long day I’ve had so I quickly rustle this up.
With feet up resting and a full belly Ifeel somewhat contented and decide to phone Thomas. I realise just the thoughtof phoning him has caused my whole body to tense up then I chastise myself forfeeling like this. This is the man I fell in love with and went on to marry. Hehas to be given a chance to explain everything. He answers after only a coupleof rings and it takes me by surprise (I was half expecting the call to gostraight to voicemail).
We start by going through all thepleasantries. Then I enquire about what he’s been up to today and I get fed apack of lies about how he’s visited one of the potential candidates for theposition; him going into great detail about the imaginary fellows credentialsand it simply becomes too much to bear. I’m straight out with it, “You’re lyingto me.” I give him the opportunity to change his story and tell the truthinstead.
“I don’t know what you mean, Janey.”
He’s not going to give me any otherversion of events, so I press on; “I know you’re lying to me because I’vespoken with your work when I was unable to contact you and they told me therewas no recruitment drive so I’ll ask you again, what were you up to today,Thomas, and where are you now?”
There’s silence on the other end of theline. He is clearly gathering himself and fine tuning his cover story. I don’t interrupt,too interested in what he’s got to say for himself. Eventually, “I’m sorry,Janey. It’s quite hard to explain and I don’t like lying to you, but I saidwhat I said thinking it was the best way to deal with the situation to avoidyou getting involved or upset. I’m sorry if you’ve been worried but pleasedon’t be. I am in Skye on a personal matter, but it is honestly nothing for youto worry about. Just give Michael a big hug from me.”
“That won’t be possible, Thomas.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well Michael is in Galashiels and I’m inSkye sitting in the apartment you rented for yourself wondering where you couldpossibly be!” He buys time for himself again, not addressing his whereaboutsstraight away.
“Who is Michael staying with? He’s notbeen left on his own?”
“Of course he’s not been left on his own! He’sat Amy’s. So I’ll ask again, where are you?”
“I’m just staying with a friend.”
“Would this friend happen to be male orfemale, Thomas?” My voice falters with that last statement as my mind conjuresup a vision of him sitting cozied up with another woman.
He wastes to time in replying to this,“Male of course. I know I’ve lied to you, honey, but I have never been involvedwith anyone else – EVER!”
He sounds so convincing when he says thisand emphasises what he’s saying with such determination that straight away anyconcerns I had about his fidelity just dissolve instantly. Of course my husbandisn’t cheating on me. My Thomas: I feel my heart open. However, this wasclosely followed by a feeling of concern. What was he up to then? It had to besomething to do with his past.
“OK thank goodness for that,” I venture.“Thomas, please just be honest with me, what’s going on? Where are you and whyhave you come to Skye?” He asks me to fetch a pen and paper and he relays anaddress to me of where he’s staying. He asks me to drive out there in themorning so we can chat further. I object and say I’ll come out tonight, but heinsists
