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Sweet Summer Nights

By: SamScribble



It seemed such a good idea: The Sweet Summer Nights with You Tour.

'Look, here's the plan,' Dougie said. 'We'll start on the Summer Solstice and go right through 'til the end of August. Yeah? Fifty dates. And as many local radio stations as we can find along the way. You know ... all those seaside towns, all those local radio stations. What d'you reckon? We'll get The Prickly Pair to open for you.'

Suzanne frowned.

But Dougie didn't really care what Suzanne reckoned. He was on a roll. 'We'll have two stages, two separate crews. While you're playing Whitstable, the second crew will be setting up Margate. And then, while you're playing Margate, the other crew will be setting up Folkestone. Am I a bloody genius or what?'

'Whitstable?'

'Yeah.'

'Why Whitstable?'

'I thought you liked Whitstable.'

'It's OK,' Suzanne said.

'Well ... I don't know ... Scarborough then. It's up to you.'

'What if ....' Suzanne tried to think what if what? 'What if ...' she said again, 'I mean ... what if I get a cold or something?'

'In summer? Don't be bloody silly. You didn't get a cold last summer, did you?'

Suzanne shook her head.

'There you go,' Dougie said. 'If it was winter ... then maybe. But it'll be summer. That's the whole point: Sweet Summer Nights with You.'

And still I will remember Sweet summer nights with you

But then, one morning, after 40-something nights of the Sweet Summer Nights schedule, Suzanne suddenly couldn't remember. She couldn't even remember where she was.

To his credit, Dougie had made sure that, at each stop, Suzanne's digs had been more than adequate. Maybe not five star. Five star was a bit pricey over the summer months. But definitely better than just OK. A good bed. And enough peace and quiet to ensure that Suzanne could snooze through until 9 or 10 each morning. Still, a different room every night? Yeah, it was taking its toll.

On that forty-second (or was it the forty-third?) morning, Suzanne was determined not to let it throw her. She looked around the room. It was pleasant enough. But it was definitely not a normal hotel or B&B room. It was not anonymous enough. Anonymous rooms were something that Suzanne had got used to over the past month or so. And then there was the guy in the chair.

'Sleep well?' he asked.

Suzanne thought for a moment or two. 'I assume so. I don't really remember.'

The guy nodded.

'And you are?' she asked.

'Daniel?' He said it with a rising inflection, as if to say: And you don't remember?

He did look vaguely familiar. Early-thirties. Good body. Sun-bleached surfer-type hair. Smiling eyes. Faded shorts and an Oxford University T-shirt. 'Are you crew?' Suzanne asked.

Daniel shook his head. 'No. But if you ever need another guitarist ....'

'That's Pete's department,' Suzanne said. 'And look, I don't mean to sound inhospitable, but what are you doing in my room?'

Daniel laughed. 'Well, actually, this is my room.'

'Oh.'

'My flat. Remember?'

'Oh. I see,' Suzanne said. Although she didn't. 'Did we ...?'

'Have the bacon butty I promised? No. Almost. I even had the pan on. But then you fell asleep.'

'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I'm on this tour.'

'Yes, I know. Days of Summer.'

'Sweet Summer Nights with You. Although, of course, not actually with you.' Suzanne didn't mean to sound aggressive, but she was feeling far from in control.

'That's what I meant. It's your new album, isn't it?'

Suzanne nodded. 'Have you --?'

'Heard it? Some of it. The title track, of course. That's been getting a lot of airplay. You must be pretty happy.'

'Yeah. It seems to be doing OK. But what I was going to say was have you got the time?'

'All day,' Daniel said, cheerfully. 'It's my day off.'

'I mean do you know what time it is?'

'Oh.' Daniel pulled out his cell phone. 'Nine twenty-seven. Why? Do you have to be somewhere?'

Suzanne couldn't remember. 'Probably,' she said.

'Would you like some tea?'

Suzanne nodded. 'Yes.' Her answer sounded terse at best. 'I'm sorry. What I mean is: Yes please. That would be nice.'

Daniel smiled. 'How do you like it?'

'Just some milk.' And then, again realising how that must have sounded, she added: 'Thank you.'

'OK. And if you want the bathroom, it's that door over there. There are clean towels on the shelf.'

'Thank you.' This time, Suzanne even managed a smile.

'I shall return.'

The moment Daniel was out of the room, Suzanne peeked under the duvet to see what she was wearing. It was some sort of oversized T-shirt. Well, oversized on her small frame. Probably one of his.

She threw back the duvet and sat, for a moment or two, on the side of the bed. Bacon butty? Yes, she vaguely remembered. There had been a group of them. Some people from the local radio station and a couple of guys from the record company. They had gone to a bar. Down near the harbour. In some sort of cellar. She remembered going down some stairs, past framed black-and-white photographs of jazz stars from the '60s -- Miles Davis, people like that. She remembered feeling very tired and someone offering to walk her back to where she was staying. But then on the way, she had suddenly felt really hungry. And he -- presumably this Daniel chap -- had offered to make her a bacon butty. After that? No, nothing.

She padded to the bathroom, turned on the cold tap, and splashed her face with cool water. She studied her reflection in the mirror. Was that really her face? It looked like the face of someone who had just run a marathon.

'Are you OK in there? I've put the tea beside the bed.'

'Thanks,' she said. 'Yeah, I'm OK.' And then she added: 'I don't suppose you happen to know where my clothes are?'

'On the chair by the window.'

'Thanks. And my bag?'

'On the floor beside the chair.'

Suzanne showered. Quickly. And then, after firmly closing the bedroom door, she dressed in the clothes she had been wearing the previous evening.

No sooner had she finished dressing than there was a sharp rap on the door.

'Phone!'

Suzanne opened the door to find Daniel holding her cell phone. It was playing the opening bars of Sweet Summer Nights with You.

'Thanks,' she said. 'Hello?' And then, for a long time, she said nothing. Finally she said: 'Yeah, well, I'm not there, Dougie. Also, I'm kind of busy. I'll have to call you back. Give me half an hour.' There was another long silence. And then: 'Look, Dougie, I told you: I'll call you back in half an hour.' And she pressed the End button. Firmly.

'Problem?' Daniel asked.

For a moment, Suzanne said nothing. Then she shook her head. 'You know, I'm not sure that I can do this.'

Daniel waited.

'I mean ... it's OK for Dougie. He doesn't actually have to do anything. OK, so he schmoozes. But he doesn't have to get up there on the stage night after night. I need a break. I need a day off.'

Daniel nodded. 'Can you do that?'

Could she? Suzanne tried to think through the implications of not performing, of taking a night off, of getting some rest, of getting her head back into a sensible space.

Daniel retrieved the untouched mug of tea from the bedside table and handed it to her.

'Oh. Thanks,' she said.

'What about some breakfast? You can't make big decisions on an empty stomach. I can make you that bacon butty that I promised.'

'That would be nice,' Suzanne said. 'Yes. Thank you.'

Daniel's idea of a bacon butty was rather more elaborate than Suzanne was used to. He started by thinly slicing some mushrooms and sautéing them in a little butter with some black pepper and a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme. While the mushrooms cooked, he grilled several rashers of bacon, and lightly toasted four slices of ciabatta. Finally, he assembled the butties, adding a couple of slices of gruyere and smear of crème fraiche. From start to finish it could not have taken him more than five minutes.

'There you go,' he said. 'Almost 12 hours late. But, hey, better late than never.'

'Bloody hell! You should be one of those celebrity chefs.'

Daniel just smiled.

They had barely finished eating before Suzanne's phone rang again.

'Look, Dougie, I said that I'd call you in half an hour -- and, by my reckoning, that was only 15 minutes ago. Which bit of that didn't you understand?' And then she listened while Dougie clearly had plenty to say at the other end. 'Oh. I see,' Suzanne said eventually. 'Oh, well, that's OK by me. I need a day off. And, no, don't bother picking me up. I'll get a train and meet you tomorrow afternoon. Yes, I'm sure. Bye, Dougie.

'Well, I have my day off,' Suzanne said. 'Tonight's show has been cancelled. Apparently the forecast is for torrential rain and the sparkies say it's not safe. I guess that's one of the risks you take with outdoor shows.'

'So you have your wish.'

'Looks like it.'

'In that case ... more tea?'

'Thanks. That would be nice.'

Daniel filled the kettle and placed it on the gas hob. 'So what are you going to do?' he asked. 'With your unexpected day off.'

Suzanne frowned slightly and then smiled. 'You know ... I have absolutely no idea. A day doing nothing would be nice. It's been ages since I had a day doing nothing. But first I'd better call the B&B and let them know that I'll need the room for another night.'

Daniel grinned. 'Would this be the same room that you didn't need last night?'

'I don't remember too much about last night,' Suzanne reminded him.

'Well I'm happy on the couch, so you can stay here tonight if you like. Up to you of course.'

'My bag's at the B&B,' Suzanne said.

'So? We can go and pick it up.'

'But you don't want me hanging around your place all day.'

'Why not?'

'Well ....'

'Look, we'll just have our tea,' Daniel said, 'and then we'll go and retrieve your bag.'

'I'll think about it.' Suzanne wasn't entirely convinced.

Daniel made the tea. 'So have you always wanted to be a singer?' he asked.

'No. Not really.'

'But you've ended up as one.'

'It would seem so. For the moment anyway.'

'So, how does someone who didn't want to be a singer end up as a singer?'

'I did a maths degree,' Suzanne said. 'I thought I might become a teacher. And, while I was at university, one of the girls I was flatting with wanted to audition for the Choral Society. I went along to the audition just to give her a bit of moral support really. And, to cut a long story short, we both ended up in the choir.

'I discovered that I really got a buzz out of singing -- well, out of performing, I suppose. I guess I just enjoyed being on stage and showing off.'

Suzanne took a sip of her tea. 'Most of the other people in the choir were either doing music or performing arts. I think I was the only maths student. Anyway, there were all these parties where everyone did a bit of a turn. For some reason -- don't ask me why -- I started doing contemporary country rock songs.

'And then at one of the parties I met a guy from GlowWorm Records who asked me if I wanted to sing backing vocals on a few tracks that Toss Marsden was putting together. After that ... one thing led to another. I guess I was just lucky.'

'And talented.'

'Well, luck was a big part of it,' Suzanne said. 'Being in the right place at the right time. Meeting a few of the right people.'

As they drank their tea, Daniel tidied up the kitchen, loaded the dishes into the dishwasher, and swiftly wiped down the hob and countertop with the assurance of someone who had done it many, many times before.

'Right,' he said, 'let's go and get your bag before you change your mind.'

Suzanne smiled. 'I didn't realise that I had decided.'

'Oh, you've decided,' Daniel assured her.

On the way back from collecting Suzanne's overnight bag, Daniel stopped the car outside a trendy-looking restaurant. 'I just need to drop off these keys,' he said. 'Won't be a moment.'

The restaurant was closed. But Daniel tapped on the door and, almost immediately, it was opened by a woman who, Suzanne noted, greeted Daniel with an easy familiarity. Daniel handed her the keys. The pair chatted briefly. And then Daniel returned to the car. 'Done,' he said.

'That place looks nice.'

'You think so?'

'I do. Do you go there often?'

'Umm ... yes. Yes, I suppose you could say that.'

'What sort of food is it? French?'

'Umm ... sort of European fusion. Bit of this, bit of that. Whatever takes the chef's fancy.'

'It's quite nice around here, isn't it,' Suzanne said as they drove back up from the harbour.

Daniel said that he quite liked it.

'First time I've ever been here,' Suzanne said. 'I just hope the rain doesn't get this far.'

Back at the flat, Daniel carried Suzanne's bag into the bedroom.

'Thank you,' she said. And then, suddenly: 'Oh, no!'

'What's the matter?'

'I think I've left Buddy.'

Daniel frowned. 'Buddy?'

'Buddy Bear. He's ... well, let's just say that he's been everywhere with me since I was about seven.'

'That's OK. We can go back,' Daniel said.

Suzanne fossicked in her bag. 'Oh, no. Here he is.' And she produced a small teddy bear wearing a slightly skew-whiff tartan bowtie.

Daniel grinned. 'A handsome little fellow. I can see why you might choose him as your travelling companion.'

Suzanne zipped her bag closed and carefully placed the small-but-sartorially-elegant bear on top of it.

'So ...' Daniel said, 'what would you like to do now?'

'What do you suggest?'

'Well, it's a bit overcast, but we could go to the beach. Go for a walk. Sit on the sand. Throw stones into the sea.'

Suzanne frowned. 'At this time of the year! The beaches will be overrun with kids, won't they? I was thinking something a little more ... relaxing.'

Daniel smiled. 'The beach I'm thinking of won't be overrun with kids. I wouldn't think it will be overrun with anyone. It's a secret beach.'

Suzanne nodded slowly. 'I see,' she said.

Daniel gathered up a couple of beach towels, some sun block, and a couple of bottles of water. 'Right. Let's go.'

They drove back through the village, and turned left and then left again onto a narrow B-road. Continuing on, they passed a faded-red barn and, just beyond the barn, they turned right onto what was little more than a bridle path. Six or seven hundred metres further on, Daniel pulled over into a small layby.

'Almost there,' he said. 'Just a short walk and you can kick off your shoes.'

Daniel led the way, pushing aside some scrubby foliage to reveal a narrow track that led to a set of steps cut into a low cliff. From the top of the steps, Suzanne suddenly saw the secret beach fringing a small horseshoe bay.

'Wow!' she said.

'I'm afraid the steps are a bit uneven,' Daniel said. 'So be careful.' And he put out a hand to steady Suzanne as they descended. 'And here we are,' he said, as they stepped off the last step and onto the sand. 'Not too overrun for you?'

Suzanne smiled as she scanned the near-deserted beach. There were just six other people. Although four of them did seem to be rather naked.

'Oh, I probably should have mentioned,' Daniel said, catching the faint look of surprise on Suzanne's face, 'among the locals, it's tacitly agreed that this is a clothing-optional beach.'

Suzanne nodded.

Within perhaps a minute of them stepping onto the beach, the cloud rolled away and the beach was flooded with warm summer sun.

'So, what do you think?'

What did Suzanne think? 'It looks pretty good to me,' she said.

Daniel spread out the towels, kicked off his shoes, removed his T-shirt, and started walking towards the water's edge. 'Coming?'

Suzanne, too, kicked off her shoes and ran to catch up with him. 'You know, I never think of going to the beach in England.'

Daniel grinned. 'We'll I'm not sure that I'd be racing off to Brighton or Margate myself. But then why would I when I've got this place on the doorstep?'

Together they walked along the water's edge from one end of the beach to the other. And then they turned and walked back to where they had started. Suzanne, who was wearing jeans, tried her best to avoid the occasional wave that made it as far as the beach. But her efforts were in vain.

On the return journey, Suzanne slipped her arm though Daniel's. She didn't even notice that she had -- until she had.

'These jeans weren't the best choice,' Suzanne said as they plonked themselves down of the outspread towels.

Daniel smiled and shrugged his shoulders. 'Just take them off,' he said. 'I won't tell anyone.'

Suzanne hesitated -- but only for a moment. 'Oh well ... I suppose I could.' And she wriggled out of the wet-bottomed denims and laid them out on the sand to dry.

'I'm not saying that your legs are white,' Daniel said as he passed her the bottle of sun block, 'but better safe than sorry. Don't want you ending up like a lobster.'

For the next couple of hours, Suzanne and Daniel just lay in the sun, chatting, talking about things they had done, places they had been. Daniel wanted to know how Suzanne went about writing new songs. But, as she told him, it was something that she couldn't really explain. She didn't have a process. Songs just 'came to her'. And what about Daniel? Was he really a guitarist?

'Depends on your definition of guitarist,' he said. 'Can I play guitar? Sort of. Am I the next Eric Clapton? No.'

For a while after that, neither of them said anything. Daniel just lay with his eyes closed, feeling the sun; listening to the water lapping and the gulls mewing and squawking. 'You know ...' he said eventually. But then he realised that Suzanne had fallen asleep. Oh well, she had said that wanted a rest day.

Suzanne was asleep for the best part of half an hour and, by the time she awoke, the cloud had returned and the temperature had dropped a few degrees.

'Sorry about that,' she said. 'I think I must have nodded off.'

'You did,' Daniel said. 'But I was here to protect you from invading Vikings. And marauding children.'

'Thank you,' she said, and she reached out and squeezed his hand. 'I felt very safe.'

Since the cloud appeared to be building, Daniel suggested that they should probably head back to the car and maybe go and find somewhere for a cool drink.

'Well, at least my jeans have dried out,' Suzanne said.

Daniel said that he knew a rather good pub just down the road. So, instead of heading back to the village, they drove in the other direction for a few minutes and came to a stop outside a picture postcard inn.

The pub was almost empty. But the woman behind the bar greeted Daniel almost as soon as he walked in the door.

'Hello, stranger,' she said. 'I thought you'd be chopping onions by now.'

'Day off,' Daniel said.

'Oh, yes,' the woman said. 'I had one of those. Back in 1998 I think it was. I remember that it rained.'

Daniel turned to Suzanne. 'A white wine spritzer?'

'That would be nice.'

'Two?' the woman said.

Daniel nodded. 'Thanks.'

'Take a seat and I'll bring them over.'

Just as they sat down, a new song began to drift from the speaker in the corner.

And still I will remember Sweet summer nights with you

'You're everywhere,' Daniel said.

Suzanne just smiled.

When they had finished their drinks, they drove back to the village and, once again, Daniel stopped the car outside the trendy-looking restaurant. 'Won't be a minute. Just need to pick up one or two things.'

The restaurant was still not open but, once again, Daniel tapped on the door and, once again, the door was answered by someone who greeted Daniel with an easy familiarity. For a few minutes, Daniel disappeared into the restaurant and then reappeared again carrying a shopping bag and a bottle of wine. 'A few essentials,' he said.

'Take out?' Suzanne suggested.

'Sort of.'

Back at the flat, Daniel again asked Suzanne what she wanted to do.

'Is nothing an option?'


Sweet Summer Nights



'Hey, it's your day off,' he said. 'Would you like to do nothing in the living room? Or in the bedroom? Or would you like to find some music and do nothing right here while I get about doing a little something for supper?'

'Or I could take you somewhere for supper,' Suzanne said. 'You know ... to say thanks.'

'Well, thanks for the thought. But I think it might be more relaxing here. And it won't take me long. Nothing fancy.'

While Suzanne selected some music, Daniel put a thick-bottomed pan of single cream on the hob and waited until it had almost reached the boil. Then he took it off the heat and let it stand for a minute or so before adding pieces of dark chocolate and stirring it until the chocolate was melted and smooth. Next he beat in a couple of dark yellow egg yolks, and added a generous slosh of cognac. Finally, he stirred in a knob of butter, and left the smooth, creamy mixture to cool a little before pouring it into individual serving pots.

'God, that looks good.'

Daniel smiled. 'And I promise it will taste as good as it looks. I take it that you do like chocolate.'

'What girl doesn't?'

Next Daniel quartered a couple of large plum tomatoes lengthways, arranged them on a baking tray, sprinkled them with dried oregano, drizzled them with a little olive oil, and put them into a medium oven. After about 15 minutes, he added a few slices of prosciutto and left the tomatoes to roast for a further ten minutes.

While the tomatoes were roasting, he tossed some finely-chopped garlic, some dried chilli flakes, and a couple of anchovy fillets in some olive oil, and let them cook for two or three minutes before adding about a cup and a half of drained white beans. Another couple of minutes and he added a generous splash of water and allowed the whole mixture to come to the boil.

'You're very handy in the kitchen,' Suzanne said with obvious admiration for his skills.

Daniel smiled. 'I do my best,' he said.

When the mixture had reached the boil, Daniel took it off the heat and, with the back of a fork, mashed it to a coarse puree. 'I hope you like scallops.'

'Love them.'

'Thank heavens for that.'

In a clean pan, Daniel seared ten plump sea scallops until they were just caramelised. And then, taking the pan off the heat, he dressed the scallops with a little more olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

'Just about there,' he said.

He took a large platter from one of the cupboards and began to assemble the dish. First the puree -- which he finished with a little more olive oil and lots of freshly-ground black pepper. Then the roasted tomatoes and prosciutto. Then the scallops. And, finally, a few wild rocket leaves.

'Help yourself,' he said, putting the platter on the table. 'Oh ... and we'll need some wine, won't we.' And he produced a bottle of Pinot Gris.

'Are you sure you're not one of those famous TV chefs?'

Daniel grinned and raised his glass in a toast. 'To days off!'

'I'll drink to that,' Suzanne said. 'I really needed today.'

The scallop dish was just about perfect. The scallops themselves, while lightly caramelised, were still soft and juicy. The oven-roasted tomatoes were sweet with just a hint of pungency. And the bean mixture was both creamy and textured.

'Mmm! This is fabulous,' Suzanne said.

Daniel nodded. 'Not bad, is it -- even if I say so myself.'

As they ate and chatted, Suzanne's cell phone rang. Twice. And Suzanne ignored it. Twice.

'Are you sure you don't want to get that?' Daniel asked.

'If it's important, they'll leave a message,' she said, smiling.

And they did. Or at least they sent a text message.

Suzanne waited until they had finished eating before getting up and checking her phone. Daniel watched as she swiped a few virtual keys, read the message, smiled again, and tapped out a brief reply.

'Just Dougie,' she said. 'Making sure that I'm OK.'

'And are you?'

'Oh, I'm better than OK,' she said. And then, on her way back to her chair, she stopped and gave Daniel a long lingering kiss. 'I hope you don't mind.'

Daniel grinned. 'Not at all. I think it was just a question of which one of us would make the first move, wasn't it?'

Suzanne kissed him again.

After they had finished the chocolate pots (which Suzanne declared to be one of the sexiest puddings she had ever eaten), she said that she thought she would like to take a shower. 'I feel that I'm covered in a layer of salt from our afternoon at the beach.'

Daniel said that while she showered, he would quickly tidy up the kitchen.

Suzanne kissed Daniel lightly on the lips and then headed for the bedroom and began to undress. This time, she didn't close the door.

Five minutes later, standing under the shower, the warm relaxing water cascading onto her shoulders and running down over her naked body, she heard the bathroom door open.

'Room for one more?'

'Oh, I think so,' she said.

Holding her, their now-wet bodies touching, Daniel gently ran the tip of his tongue up the side of her neck, from her shoulder to the lobe of her ear.

'Oh, yes,' Suzanne said softly. 'Oh, god, yes!'

'Just making sure that you are now salt-free,' Daniel explained.

'And your verdict is ...?'

'Well, your neck seems OK,' he said, 'although I may need to just check your breasts. Sneaky stuff that salt air. Some of it might have snuck inside your shirt.'

'In that case, yes, you had better check,' she said.

And he did.

For what seemed like an eternity, they stood together under the warm cascading water, gently kissing and caressing each other's bodies.

'Is it my imagination, or is there something coming between us?' Suzanne asked.

Daniel glanced down at his hardening cock. 'I can only assume that it has something to do with you,' he said. 'This doesn't happen when I shower on my own.'

Suzanne giggled. 'Really? Oh well, it would be a pity to waste it.'

'It would,' Daniel said.

They stepped out of the shower, hastily towelled each other dry, and then Daniel led Suzanne back to the bedroom and over to the bed. He had just pulled back the duvet when, from the kitchen, came the sound of his cell phone. It was difficult to ignore. But, for a moment or two, they both did their best.

'If it's important, they'll leave a message,' Daniel said.

And then, as if on cue, the phone stopped ringing. Daniel smiled. But, almost immediately, it started ringing again. This time, Daniel said that he had better check it.

'OK,' Suzanne said. 'Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.'

Daniel padded through to the kitchen and picked up the ringing phone. 'Hello?' And then: 'Oh, Marc. Umm, no. No, that's OK. I was just taking a shower. I thought I'd get an early night.'

For a while, Daniel listened to the voice at the other end. And then he said: 'No, that's OK, Marc. I'll sort it first thing. If you could just leave me a list, that would be great.'

The telephone conversation had only lasted for about three minutes -- four minutes at the most. But, by the time Daniel had returned to the bedroom, Suzanne was already asleep. He gently covered her naked body with the duvet, grabbed his bathrobe from the hook on the back of the door, and padded back to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.

About three quarters of an hour later, Daniel returned to the bedroom but Suzanne was still fast asleep. In fact she didn't seem to have moved. He briefly considered sliding in beside her. But then he thought: No, she needs the sleep. And he grabbed a spare blanket and headed for another night on the couch.

The next morning, Daniel woke bright and early, went to the kitchen, filled the kettle with water, and put it on the gas to heat. From the kitchen window he could see grey clouds rolling in from the west.

When Suzanne awoke that morning, it took her a moment or two to reconstruct the events of the previous day -- especially the events of the previous evening. She remembered the meal and the shower. How could she not? But after that?

From the other side of the bathroom door she could hear the sound of the shower once more. Or was she imagining it? No. No, it was definitely the sound of the shower. And, while she was trying to recall what had happened after her own shower -- their shower -- the sound suddenly stopped. And few minutes after that, Daniel appeared. Naked. And looking every bit as sexy as she remembered.

'Good sleep?'

Suzanne smiled. 'I assume so. It was another night that I don't really remember.'

'Well, maybe that's a good thing,' he said. 'Some tea?'

'That would be nice. Thank you.'

'Back in a moment.'

While Daniel was off making the tea, Suzanne tried to piece together the events of the previous day. She remembered the secret beach, and falling asleep in the sun. And the little pub in the middle of nowhere. And supper, of course -- the beautiful supper. And then, after supper, their shared shower. She certainly remembered that. But then ... then what had happened?

'There you go,' Daniel said. 'Tea, milk, no sugar.'

And then she remembered something else. 'Your phone rang.'

'It often does,' Daniel said.

'No, I mean last night.'

Daniel grinned. 'It did.'

'And did I go to sleep about then?'

'Well, you were tired,' Daniel said.

Suzanne frowned. 'Oh, god, I'm so sorry. You should have woken me up. I think we were about to ....'

'I considered it,' Daniel said. 'Believe me. But I decided that you needed the sleep.'

Suzanne reached out for his hand, put it to her lips, and lightly kissed his fingers.

'Look, I need to go into work for a couple of hours,' Daniel said. 'I should be back by about ten, ten-thirty. You know where everything is. And I've written my cell phone number on the pad in the kitchen.' And he bent down and kissed her on the lips.

Daniel's 'couple of hours' turned out to be a bit optimistic and it was just on eleven when he finally got back to the flat.

'Sorry about that,' he said. 'A couple of little things cropped up.'

'That's OK,' Suzanne said. And then she added: 'So what is it that you do? I take it from the shorts and T-shirt that you don't work in the local bank.'

'Funnily enough, I used to. At one stage. But only for about six months. We parted company by mutual consent.'

'And in your post-banking life?'

'I sort of play with food,' Daniel mumbled. 'Do a bit of cooking, a bit of consulting, stuff like that.'

Suzanne looked triumphant. 'So you are a famous TV chef!'

Daniel looked slightly uncomfortable. 'Well, I wouldn't say famous. And I haven't done that much TV work. Not really.'

'No wonder you can cook so well. And to think I was going to offer to make you something for lunch.'

Daniel grinned. 'Well, you still can.'

'Yeah, right!' Suzanne laughed. 'I'm not even sure that I want to try boiling an egg with you watching.'

'Pity,' he said. 'I quite like a good boiled egg. So ... what time's your train?

'Not until 3:10. I guess I'll need to get a cab for about 2:30.'

'That's OK, I'll take you to the station,' Daniel said. 'If I drive slowly enough, you might even miss your train -- and then I can have the pleasure of your company for one more night.'

Suzanne smiled. 'Sounds like a good idea to me. Although I'm not sure that Dougie would be quite so enthusiastic.'

Almost as if on cue, Suzanne's phone rang.

'Hello?' she said. 'Oh, Dougie! Just talking about you.' And then, after a moment or two, she said: 'Oh, only good things, Dougie. Only ever good things.'

For 30 seconds or so, Suzanne listened with a slight frown. And then, suddenly, a hint of a smile spread across her face. 'Oh, well, they're the experts,' she said. 'Disappointing, but there's not a lot we can do about it. Weather is weather -- even when it's unseasonable weather.'

She listened for another 30 seconds or so and then said: 'OK, Dougie, in that case I'll meet you in Caister. Day after tomorrow.'

She swiped the End button on her phone and turned to Daniel. Putting on what she hoped was a suitably grave expression, she said: 'Bad news, I'm afraid: tonight's show has also been washed out. Dougie says the venue is ankle-deep in water.'

'So what now?'

'What now? Now I have another day to do whatever I like.'

Daniel grinned. 'Well, you said that you needed a break.'

'I did,' Suzanne said happily.

'So, what would you like to do?'

'Well, we could always pick up where we left off last night. And I promise not to fall asleep this time.'

'And I'll turn my phone off,' Daniel said.

But the ringing that almost drowned out the end of his sentence was not coming from his phone. It was the doorbell.

'Perhaps if we ignore it, they will go away,' he suggested. But whoever was ringing the bell didn't go away. They just kept ringing. Reluctantly, Daniel went to the door.

'Oh, you are home!'

The young woman at the door gave Daniel a hug and kissed him on both cheeks before pushing past him and placing a recycled supermarket bag filled with fresh produce on the table. 'Darling, I've brought you a few tomatoes, and there's a lettuce and a selection of herbs.' And then the young woman suddenly noticed Suzanne. 'Oh, hello,' she said. 'I'm Celia.'

'Suzanne,' Suzanne said cautiously.

Celia smiled and turned to speak to Daniel. But then, suddenly, she turned back to Suzanne. 'Oh, god! You're that Suzanne, aren't you? I was at your concert in the weekend. How about that! It was great. I really liked it. And I really like your new album -- Sweet Summer Nights.'

'Thank you,' Suzanne said.

'I feel I should get you to sign my shirt or something,' Celia said. 'I didn't realise that you and Daniel .... Well, I didn't realise that you knew each other.'

Suzanne smiled.

'But I guess all you celebrity people know each other.'

'Celia grows the best tomatoes in the whole county,' Daniel explained.

'Oh, do you really think so?' she said.

'I do,' Daniel replied. 'Without a doubt.' And then, realising that Celia was not about to leave again anytime soon, he instinctively lined up three cups beside the coffee maker. 'Coffee?' he said.

Celia looked at Suzanne and then back at Daniel. 'Well, as long as I'm not interrupting.' And, before either of them had a chance to say anything, she sat herself down at the kitchen table.

'The thing about tomatoes,' Celia explained to Suzanne, 'is that most of today's varieties are bred for the supermarkets. They might look good -- all even and smooth and unblemished -- but they taste of nothing at all. Mind you, it's the same with most supermarket fruit and vegetables.'

Suzanne nodded politely.

Daniel made three cups of coffee and, for the next 15 minutes or so, they sipped and chatted. Well, Daniel and Suzanne mainly sipped; Celia mainly chatted.

And then, suddenly, Celia looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. 'Gosh! Is that the time? I was going to go to the butchers'. They close at twelve-thirty. I've probably missed them now. What do you think?'

'I think if you hurry ...' Daniel said.

'Yes,' she said. 'Probably. Well, it was nice to meet you, Suzanne. Gosh, it's quite exciting meeting someone famous.' And then, after giving Daniel another hug and a kiss on each cheek, she was gone.

'Celia's certainly one of life's enthusiasts.'

Daniel grinned. 'That's one way of putting it.'

He rinsed the coffee cups and stacked them in the dishwasher. 'Did you have any breakfast?'

'Umm ... no.'

'Then you must be getting a bit hungry. ' 'I guess I am a bit peckish,' Suzanne said, '-- now that you come to mention it.'

Daniel nodded. 'Let's stroll down to The Dirty Donkey.'

Suzanne frowned. 'Dirty Donkey?'

'Also known as The Black Horse. Pub grub -- but pub grub with flair and finesse.'

'OK. But it's my shout.'

Daniel smiled. 'We'll see.'

From the outside, The Black Horse looked like a typical village pub. But, once inside, you suddenly became aware of the spacious, airy conservatory that was attached to the back. When Suzanne and Daniel walked in shortly before 12:45, the place was already busy.

'Gosh, this place is popular,' Suzanne said.

'Tourists,' Daniel said. 'Which is good. They keep the place viable. If Michael had to rely on just the locals, he would have gone out of business long ago.'

'You eating?' The question came from a middle-aged man in a red check waistcoat who was gathering up empty glasses.

'Perhaps a little snack, Michael -- if you can squeeze us in. Oh, and Michael, this is Suzanne. Suzanne, Michael.'

'Nice to meet you,' Michael said. 'Corner table?'

Michael put the empty glasses on the bar and led Suzanne and Daniel to the far end of the conservatory where he removed a RESERVED sign from one of the tables. 'OK?' he said.

'Perfect,' Daniel replied.

Within less than a minute, a waitress arrived, her pen poised above her order pad. 'Hiya, Daniel.'

'Hello, Jilly. Oh ... this is my friend Suzanne.'

'Hello,' Jilly said. And then: 'Oh my god, you're that Suzanne, aren't you! I was at your concert the other night. It was fabulous.'

'I'm pleased you enjoyed it,' Suzanne said.

'And I love your new album -- Sweet Summer Nights. It's fabulous.'

Suzanne smiled.

Jilly fanned herself with her order pad. 'Oh, gosh. I'm all flustered now.'

'But hopefully not too flustered to get us a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio,' Daniel said.

'Pinot Grigio. Umm ... yes. Right. Pinot Grigio coming up,' Jilly said, nervously straightening her long black apron.

While Jilly went to get the wine, Daniel and Suzanne studied the blackboard menu. 'Ah ha,' Daniel said, 'mackerel's on.'

'Good?'

'Very,' Daniel said. 'Just simple fillets of fresh mackerel, dredged in seasoned flour, pan fried, and served with lemon zest, dill, and Jersey Royals.'

'Hmm, yes, that definitely does sound good. But I'm also tempted by the Devilled Chicken Sandwich.'

'Again, nice and simple. Thin slices of chicken breast, lightly marinated in lemon juice and lots of freshly-ground black pepper, grilled, and then served on lightly toasted Panini with a sauce of mustard, chilli, and thyme. The secret is not to overcook the chicken -- and I think these guys can be trusted to get it right.'

Suzanne smirked as she looked across the table at Daniel. 'You seem to know an awful lot about this menu -- you know, for someone who's just walked in off the street.'

Daniel grinned.

Later, as they strolled home from the pub, it started to rain. At first, it was just a few drops, large drops but few and far apart. But then the heavens opened. And, by the time they had reached the flat, they were both drenched.

'Well, it's been threatening for a couple of days,' Daniel said as he returned, shirtless, from the bathroom, carrying a couple of towels.

'I think I need to get these clothes off,' Suzanne said. 'I can't believe how wet that rain was.' And she pulled her top off over her head and began drying her hair with one of the towels.

'Looks like the rain has soaked right through to your bra,' Daniel said.

Suzanne gently placed a hand on her satin and lace-covered breast. 'And I suppose you think I should take it off.'

'Wouldn't want you catching a cold,' Daniel said. 'Perhaps I could help.'

Suzanne nodded.

'Maybe in the bedroom,' he said. And he steered her gently to the bedroom where he helped out of her remaining clothes, covering her body with little kisses as he went.

As her knickers descended to her ankles, Suzanne reached out and undid Daniel's belt. In no time at all, his shorts were also on the floor. And then Suzanne was kissing Daniel, urgently, passionately. At the same time, Daniel's fingers found the soft, damp valley between her upper thighs.

'Oh, god, yes!' she said.

Gently but firmly, Daniel eased Suzanne back onto the bed, sliding his index finger along her increasingly slippery cleft. And then, spreading her wide, he crouched down beside the bed and began to run his tongue along her pink inner lips.




Sweet Summer Nights



'Oh, god, yes!'

Up, up, and pausing briefly at her swelling clit. And then down, down to the slippery opening of her vagina. Up and up and round and round. Down and down and in and out.

'Oh, that feels so fucking good. You can't imagine how fucking good your tongue feels.'

As Daniel continued with his tongue, he also reached down with one hand and gave his erect cock a few encouraging strokes. Not that it needed a lot of encouragement. It was already hard, and Suzanne's moans and gasps were just making it harder.

Daniel grabbed a pillow and placed under Suzanne's hips. 'Ready?' he said.

Suzanne giggled. 'Oh, god, yes,' she said. 'Ready, ready, ready.'

Daniel produced a lubricated condom from the drawer in the bedside cabinet and rolled it onto his erect cock. And then, just for luck, he covered the tips of a couple of his fingers with Suzanne's lubricious juices and smeared the condom-clad head of his cock. 'Are you sure that you're ready?'

'You bastard. Stop teasing,' Suzanne said. 'I want you inside me. Now.'

Daniel smiled and watched Suzanne's expression glaze over as he pressed the now-glistening head of his cock against her hot, wet entrance. 'What do you think? Just an inch or so?'

'No, you bastard. I want all of it -- every last millimetre.'

So Daniel gave it to her. In one long, smooth thrust. Moving slowly, deeply, he plunged in and then pulled back, while Suzanne writhed beneath him, shaking with pleasure. In and out and in and out. And then his strong hands lifted her hips and turned her over, and he took her from behind, doggy-style, his hips smacking her bum as he reached under and flicked her clit with his index finger. And then, suddenly, Suzanne began to pant and squeal and giggle and shudder. 'Oh, fuck, yes! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!' And soon after that Daniel too reached the end of his tether.

Later, as they lay in each other's arms, Suzanne's head resting on Daniel's chest, Daniel asked her what she was thinking.

'Who said I was thinking?'

Daniel grinned. 'I can hear the cogs turning.'

She sighed. 'I was just thinking that, tomorrow morning, I have to catch the train.'

'Tomorrow morning is a long way away.'

But tomorrow morning eventually came and Daniel drove Suzanne to the station where they sat on the platform, holding hands but saying nothing. The train was due in at 10.17. Suzanne hoped that it might be late so that they could enjoy a few more moments together. But it arrived almost two minutes early.

'Oh, well,' she said.

They got up from the bench and Daniel took her in his arms and kissed her one more time.

'Thank you,' she said. 'For everything.'

And then it was time for her to board the train. As the train pulled away from the platform, Suzanne waved from the window. And Daniel suddenly felt a strange and unfamiliar emptiness.

'Oh, well, back to work,' he said -- to no one in particular. It was going to be a long day. But, as he drove back to the restaurant, he found himself quietly humming.

And still I will remember Sweet summer nights with you

The following morning Daniel phoned her. He waited until about ten-thirty, knowing that she would probably try to sleep late.

'How are you?' he asked.

She sounded sleepy. 'Just about coping. Only five more shows to go.' (He could imagine her smile as she said this.) And then she added: 'I was hoping that you would call.'

'Well, I thought I'd better let you know that you left Buddy behind.'

'Yes, I know.'

'You do?'

'I thought he'd be safe with you. You know ... just until I get back.'

It took Daniel a moment or two to realise what she meant. 'Oh. Right,' he said. 'Well ... that's OK then.'

'Look after him, Daniel, and I'll see you on Monday. I miss you.'

'I'll be waiting,' Daniel said.