Brighton

Laurence’s got a new job because the pain-in-the-arse, southern guy retired. 65 couldn’t come soon enough for his employer or clients. Laurence was asked to cover the UK. Joy. Not. He accepted only if he was allowed to fly to certain parts. Glasgow to England’s south coast was two days’ hard driving, when flying meant an extra day’s business.

On Monday, Laurence took the 06:40 flight from Edinburgh to Southampton. He collected his luggage, rented a car and was on the road by 10:00 to see his first client. By Wednesday night, he had worked his way to Brighton, where he had reserved a room at the Queen’s Hotel, overlooking the pebble beach and the pier. He could play slot machines, eat fish and chips on the seafront, feeling the tingle of salt on his skin. He arrived a little late, having had a beer with his last client.

It had been four years since he’d last seen Josie. There had been an occasional message and two phone calls. When Josie suggested to meet, Laurence nearly fainted. He’d spent the previous two years unravelling from her.

Laurence wheeled his case into the hotel and saw Josie instantly. They kissed. She put her hand on his neck.

‘It’s so good to see you,’ he said, heart hammering. He could smell her perfume and taste her breath.

‘You look good, Lol.’ She kissed him once again.

‘Want a drink?’

Laurence returned with a red wine and a beer. They held hands as they drank.

‘I can’t believe you’re here, Josie.’

‘Me neither.’

‘Where’s the time gone?’

‘All too quickly, Lol,’ she said, ‘but seeing you makes me feel it was yesterday.’

‘What time do you need to leave on Friday?’

‘Oh! Want me gone already?’ she jibed.

‘I don’t want to waste a single second I have with you.’

‘I’ve missed you.’

Laurence kissed her fingers. ‘How are you, and I mean really?’

‘A promotion, more travel, kids growing like fury and a husband who bores me shitless.’ Josie’s eyes lowered.

Laurence ignored the comment. He wanted an uncomplicated time with Josie and the opportunity to be intimate, which scared him. He had rebuilt life without every her occupying every waking thought. Josie asking to spend two nights together smashed through an emotional wall.

He had made Thursday a busy day, leaving early, but finishing mid afternoon a short drive away from Brighton, so they could spend the afternoon enjoying the seaside. The weather was warm enough for shorts. Josie put on a lightweight dress with a cardigan over her shoulders. They held hands. He won a little money on the slot and horse race machines.

‘I beat you at air hockey!’ she announced.

‘How do you make that out?’

‘I scored more goals than you.’

‘In your own goal!’

Laurence put a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. She wrapped her arms around Laurence’s waist.

‘This is so much fun!’ she said, head buried in his chest.

They went for dinner at a pizzeria, sharing a bottle of wine, ice cream and a night walk on the shingle beach. The stones made a different sound from sand, clattering on each other as the ebb of the sea washed over them.

Laurence and Josie lay on the bed at the Queens Hotel with the curtains open, watching the street lights and darkness. They could hear the noise of people below.

‘I wondered what it would be like with you,’ said Josie. ‘I was worried you would be different.’

‘In what way?’

‘You were always tender and caring. I want to feel that emotion, the love and the intimacy.’ Josie turned on on side, shielding Laurence from the window. ‘Can I ask you something?’

‘If you want.’

‘Have you got someone else?’

‘Does it matter?’

Her figure was silhouetted by the moonlight. ‘I try to imagine your life in Scotland. What you do each day and how I would fit in.’

‘That could only happen if I come to England.’

‘Is that likely?’

‘I could make it happen.’ He stared at the ceiling. ‘Are you still unhappy?’

‘I’m very happy with you,’ she smiled, running a hand over his chest. ‘Our song said and it breaks my heart to leave you,’ Josie whispered. ‘Which it will.’

They had breakfast together, but all too soon it was time for him to go. Josie’s eyes reddened as they hugged their final goodbye. He hated these scenes. He felt her hand slip through his fingers until they were no longer joined. He walked to the car park and drove to Southampton.

The moment he prayed would never come had passed, and the distance between them was ever growing. He was comforted by the thought that their next meeting was drawing closer, but he didn’t know when that might be.

Monday’s helicopter flight lifted off from Aberdeen and the long journey began to the Andrew oilfield. They were a minimum of 12-hour days and he would work bruisingly hard until he flew home 10 days later.

He sat on his bunk and read a WhatsApp message from Josie.

Brighton in 6 weeks? Same hotel?

Only 42 days, 1,008 hours or 60,000 minutes to wait.