The Contest

My breath caught, and with my hand covering my mouth, I raced over to help him. “Oh Hugh, let me help you out of there,” I offered, giggling uncontrollably at his dilemma. But it was obvious he hadn’t heard, as he continued to stare blankly into space, lost in thought.

“Penny for them,” I shouted, into his ear.

“Oh, I was miles away, just thinking what a wonderful day it’s been.”

“Yes it has, really wonderful.”

It’s such a beautiful evening, why don’t we go for stroll outside?” I suggested, grabbing his hands and hauling him out of the broken chair.

The night sky was clear, illuminated by dazzling stars, the evening tranquil and warm. Nothing stirred, even the tall trees stood like huge leafy statues.

We wandered hand in hand down the long winding driveway, with just the sound of chirping crickets invading the silence of the balmy summer night.

A sense of tranquillity washed over me as I breathed in the heady scent of sweet sunnyhockle, tangled in the hedgerows. “This is just magical, don’t you think?”

When he didn’t respond, I realised he was still locked inside his own world, oblivious to everything around him.

I scanned his handsome face, but was shocked at what it revealed. Outlined in the shadowy moonlight his strong features were etched in hard, tense lines and a nerve in his tight jaw ticked rhythmically. But it was his dark, menacing eyes that really disturbed me and despite the warmth of the evening, an involuntary shiver surged through my body like ice cold water.

“What’s the matter Hugh? You seem so, oh I don’t know, just distracted, as if your mind is somewhere else. If there’s something bothering you, then please tell me, because we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”

“Oh I’m just a bit tired, it’s been such a thrilling day, please don’t spoil it now,” he said, taking my hand and challenging me to a race back to the courtyard.

He sprinted up the driveway like an Olympic athlete, and stood waving at me from the archway, beaming broadly.

“What kept you? He asked, when I eventually caught up with him.

“I thought you said you were tired.”

“Oh I just needed a bit of a kick start, that’s what too much good food does for you.”

I tried to focus on the wonderful day we had spent together, and hoped that I would soon be able to put Scott out of my mind for good. But I could not dismiss the nagging doubt that he was hiding something from me.