CHAPTER 14
The honeymoon had been a great success in more ways than one. Marie and Donald had taken great delight in discovering so much that was new about each other. It felt as though they must be the very first people who had ever done so. She had been worth waiting for. As Marie herself confessed, Donald had been worth waiting for too.
’I suppose we could have done what many people seem to do the night before the wedding,’ she had said one night as she snuggled in close to him, using only a fraction of the available width of a generous sized double bed. ’But I’m glad we didn’t. There wouldn’t have been so much to look forward to. Just the same, I don’t think I could have gone another day without... you know.’
Donald smiled in remembrance and drew her closer still.
The natural frustrations and tensions of the previous weeks disappeared in an explosion of seemingly relentless activity, easing naturally in the course of time, yet not ending. Not quite ending. Underneath, the passions were smouldering, awaiting only the opportunity of bursting out again. Both knew it. Both were aware of it. Both gave constant and far from subtle hints of a reoccurrence of the first explosion. It was during this relatively quiescent period that Donald found time to jot down a few notes about their travels with an aim of getting a story out of it one day. It amused Marie, but she helped where she could making many suggestions, refreshing his memory about a good many incidents.
They had travelled far and seen much, too much to take in properly. Some things stood out. The Viking boats in Roskilde, the beautiful tree clad slopes of central Sweden, the semi erotic figures of Vigeland Park in Oslo, the fiords and lakes, these and many others were indelibly imprinted on the memory, forming a foundation of commonly shared experiences for the rest of their married life. Not least was the music. Donald had taken a selection of cassette tapes to play in the car. Inevitably most remained in their boxes, unheard, while others were listened to over and over again. One in particular became their favourite.
’I think I like this better than anything,’ mused Marie, as she lay clasped in Donald’s arms. ’Who would have thought that Beethoven was so erotic? One day, we must make the effort to see how the piece ends.’
They arrived in England, tired and more than slightly ill, as the North Sea crossing had been unusually rough.
’I think the Martians must have landed,’ mused Donald, over a bottle of mineral water that constituted their breakfast, shared through the medium of two straws.
’Martians?’ said Marie, unable to understand.
’Look around you. Have you ever seen so many green faces in your life?’
’I don’t need to look so far,’ she groaned. ’Just across this table and if my face is anything like yours, you might do me a favour and tip me overboard.’
Donald gave a smile of sympathy. ’I think the boat is turning now to enter the channel. The motion should get easier.’
The boat was turning. It entered the channel and as Donald predicted, sailed on steadily without a hint of uneasy movement. In less than five minutes, Marie had regained her natural colour and her queasiness had entirely disappeared.
’Let’s go on deck,’ she said. ’I want some fresh air. I’m not sure about food yet, but maybe later, when I’ve fully recovered, you might treat me to... to dry toast. Maybe half a slice, shared. It’s incredible. Only a few minutes ago I was ready to die and now, suddenly, I feel just about normal again, apart from a headache.’
’Yes,’ said Donald drily. ’It has to be admitted that you haven’t suffered from any headaches so far this holiday, I’m very glad to say.’
Marie giggled. ’That’s only because you’ve kept me too busy to think about it, that’s all.’
The fires flamed up again as they reached their new home. Marie had been so affected on the boat that she became travel sick again in the car on the way to her parents house where they planned to stay overnight. It was an unusual occurrence for her and Donald tucked her into bed with especial care and concern. By morning, she had recovered totally and felt fit to continue the journey.
Three hours after leaving, they stood in front of their house, looking at it with new interest. Marie turned to Donald.
’Well,’ she said, with a wicked gleam in her eyes. ’Aren’t you going to do the conventional thing and carry me over the threshold?’
’Of course,’ he answered, opening the door, then stooping down and lifting her as easily as lifting a child. In truth, she wasn’t much larger. He walked inside and stopped in the entrance hall.
’Where would your majesty like to go?’ he asked.
In answer, Marie simply lifted her eyes upwards and said, ’We can unpack the car later. There’s plenty of time. It’s only early evening. We have all night ahead of us, and my headache is quite gone.’
Donald kissed her willing lips and steadily mounted the stairs to their very own bedroom, where his slightly trembling fingers unfastened a variety of buttons and clasps before placing her gently between the sheets.