Page 67 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Amelia,’ I say to myself as I place my glass of water back down on the table, and my head back down on to my cool pillow, ‘you must never drink this much alcohol again – do you hear? Never.’
Twenty-five
The next time I open my eyes, the sunlight is much stronger through my curtains, and I know this time it’s time to wake up.
I try to sit up, but my head is still pounding, and so I reach for the water again. I gulp down what’s left in the glass, and then I pull myself into a proper sitting position – and try to recall the night’s events.
There had been the pub . . . yes, I remember most of that. I smile as I recall my victories at the pool table, and how no one had expected it of the lady of the manor. And then there was the walk home with Tom . . . It’s a little hazy, but I remember bits and bobs of our journey together. Then we’d climbed the spiral staircase – ooh, that cheeky monkey had had his hand on my bum – I feel my cheeks redden at the memory.
Then Benji had been here when we’d got back . . . I wonder if he’s still here. I glance at my watch – golly, it’s 11 a.m. already, I have slept in. I’d better check on Charlie.
I take another sip from the glass. Damn, it’s empty; I’ve gulped that down quickly, and it’s as I stare at the empty glass that I remember . . . Ruby.
That must have been a dream – surely? Yes, I had an awful lot to drink last night – my mind must have been playing tricks on me. Perhaps I was still dreaming and never even awoke to have that drink of water . . .
But then why had my glass been half empty just now when I’d gone to take a drink from it? If I had been dreaming, then my glass would have been full.
I shake my head.Gah, why won’t my brain work properly? It feels all fuzzy.
I decide to get up and see what’s going on upstairs. I look down at what I’m wearing – pyjamas, great; at least I’m decent if anyone is still in the tower.
Wait, how had I got into my PJs last night? I don’t remember putting them on. But then I don’t remember quite a few things about the last part of yesterday.
I check on Charlie’s room, which as I expect at this time of the morning is empty. He’s probably taking advantage of the fact I’m late up and is upstairs watching TV. So I quickly freshen myself up in the bathroom and then head slowly downstairs to the kitchen to put the kettle on. Then I climb just as carefully back up two flights of steps to the sitting room.
It’s funny – the awkwardness of this multi-storey living hasn’t bothered me at all before. Now that I’m feeling under par, all this up and down stairs seems such hard work.
‘Morning,’ Benji says from my sofa as I enter the top floor of the tower. ‘I thought I heard you up. Making tea, are we?’
‘Yeah – well, trying to. Where’s Charlie?’
‘I sent him off with Joey for the morning, so you could sleep in.’
‘Thanks, what’s Joey doing today?’
‘They’ve taken Chester for a walk along the beach, I believe. You might see them if you look out of the window.’
I walk over to the window, but I can’t see Charlie or Joey in amongst the several groups of people walking their dogs along the beach this morning.
‘How are you feeling?’ Benji asks.
‘Rough.’
‘I thought you would be. Tom said you had a fair few yesterday.’
‘Yeah . . . how . . . how did I get to bed last night?’ I ask tentatively. ‘Everything from the pub onwards is a bit hazy.’
‘Tom brought you back and managed to get you up the stairs, and then I helped you into your bed.’
I look down at my pyjamas.
‘Yes, I helped you into those as well – you did most of it, mind,’ Benji insists when he sees the look of dismay on my face. ‘I was very discreet.’
‘Oh good,’ I say, still feeling embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry I caused so much trouble, Benji, and that you had to stay over.’
Benji shrugs. ‘Not a problem. Besides, you have much better views here than I do from my room. I enjoyed seeing the stars last night and the sunrise this morning – nature at its very best!’
‘Unlike me,’ I reply dismally. ‘I am not at my very best right now.’
