Josephine Cox Mother’s Day 3-Book Collection: Live the Dream, Lovers and Liars, The Beachcomber

His mood was instantly changed. ‘Let’s have some lunch.’

‘Yes, I’m ravenous.’ Kathy had seen the swift change of mood in him and she knew why. Yet she daren’t open that particular conversation, for fear it might drive him further away. Instead she answered in light-hearted vein, ‘The sea air seems to have given me an appetite.’

‘So, what do you fancy?’

‘Let’s see … As you’re doing the cooking, I’ll have roast beef, Yorkshire pudding – oh, and an apple pie.’ She felt full up just saying it.

He laughed. ‘I’ve got a bag of sandwiches, and some lemonade.’ He grimaced. ‘Sorry. It’s not much of a choice, is it?’

Kathy smiled brightly. ‘That sounds wonderful to me.’

In fact, Kathy thought everything was wonderful. Lazing here in this pretty bay, with the late summer sun shining down, and the sea sparkling all around them, was wonderful. More than that, just being here with him was the most wonderful thing of all.

Watching her, Tom was torn. He longed to take her in his arms and ask her to be his wife, but always the same crippling memories held him back.

He wanted Kathy, more than anything in this world, and yet too much of him was still back there … going over the cliff-edge, with the sound of his family screaming in terror. And, though he tried hard to put it behind him, it continued to haunt him day and night.

Suddenly, Kathy was standing before him. He had been so steeped in those vivid, crippling images that he hadn’t even noticed her approaching. ‘Do you want to go back?’ Her voice was soft, gently soothing.

Ashamed, he apologised. ‘I’m sorry.’

Kathy wished with all her heart she could do something, but it wasn’t in her power. ‘Don’t be sorry,’ she urged. ‘I understand.’

He wondered how anyone could understand, yet she really did seem to. It was the amazing way she lifted his spirits, and her genuine, heartfelt compassion, that made him love her all the more.

Coming closer, he looked into her face and saw the anguish there. ‘I know how difficult it must be for you as well. But I meant what I said before,’ he promised. ‘I do love you. And our time will come.’

She slid her hand into his. ‘I know.’

His smile was tenderly intimate, yet teasing. ‘So, are you hungry?’

‘Starving … I told you! But I’ll get the sandwiches.’

‘Absolutely not!’ With a stern expression, he playfully demanded, ‘Who’s the captain on this ship … you or me?’

‘You, sir!’ She snapped her heels and saluted smartly.

‘Exactly,’ he laughed. ‘So sit yourself down and enjoy the view, while I get on with my duties.’

Smiling happily, Kathy obeyed the order. It was all a game, and she was content to play along. She was with Tom, and nothing else mattered. But in the back of her mind, the questions never went away. Would he ever be free of those nightmares? Was there a future for them? Or would it all end in tears?