Page 84 of Wish You Were Here
Something comes over me and I stop thinking, worrying about first words, first kisses and I run towards him. I just want to be with him, feel him for the first time, and yes, I want to kiss him! I run straight up to him. He’s smiling, I’m smiling, and he puts his bag down.
‘Hi,’ says Ben.
‘Hi.’
We’re a foot away from each other. After all this time, we are finally in the same place at the same time, and he’s even better looking in real life. He might not be as aesthetically perfect as Brad, not as tall or as tanned, but he’s Ben – the love of my life.
‘I—’ says Ben.
‘Don’t say anything,’ I say quickly, and then I move closer, the space between us disappearing, and then I lean forward and let my lips fall against his. My arms are around him and his arms are around me, and we kiss for the first time and all my worries, thoughts, and the rest of the world fall away because this is incredible. This is our first kiss, and I want to remember it forever. It’s everything I wanted it to be and more. It’s Ben. It’s me. And whatever happens next, whatever we decide to do, I know that this is it. This is the love story I always dreamed of.
When Dad was in hospice, in one of his more lucid moments, I remember I was sitting next to him, and he reached across and held my hand and said.
‘One day, Sassie, you’re going to meet the love of your life. I wish I could be there to meet him, to see you happy and in love, but I can’t. Instead, when it happens, I want you to remember this. Cherish the moment. Love is the most precious thing in the world, and when you find it, hold on to it and never let it go.’
I have often thought of those words, and it isn’t until I kiss Ben that I truly understand the sort of love he was talking about.This isn’t like other kisses I’ve had. This is otherworldly. It transports me to a different place, another time, and I feel every emotion possible as our lips come together, pressed against each other, and I know this is it. Eventually, we pull apart, still with our arms wrapped around each other, and I look deep into his eyes.
‘What now?’ says Ben.
I leave a pause and then I say to him.
‘Let’s go home.’
35
One year later
Ben
The venue couldn’t be more beautiful, and with it being the height of the Australian summer, the weather is glorious. If anything, it might be a little too hot for us pasty white English folk. Mum is already sunburnt, Dad has taken to wearing a large Panama hat, and Hugh is doused in sunscreen, so he looks like a ghost. Fortunately, while I am getting myself ready, Hugh is using the small electric fan he bought, and he’s trying to cool me off while Simon is straightening my tie.
‘I can’t believe you’re getting married in Australia!’ says Hugh, and then Poppy pokes her head around the door.
‘Hugh, I need a hand with Elsie. She just did the smelliest poo I think the world has ever seen. I can’t change it. Even Mum took one look at it and left the room in disgust. Sorry, brother dearest, you look great.’
‘Thanks, Sis.’
‘Sorry, Ben, but duty calls,’ says Hugh, turning the fan off.
‘It’s all right, go take care of my niece.’
‘And goddaughter.’
‘And goddaughter. Good luck with the smelly poo!’
‘I don’t know what’s happened to her,’ says Poppy. ‘But since we arrived in Australia, it’s like her bottom has been on overdrive.’
‘I know what you mean,’ says Simon. ‘I’ve been trumping like mad since we landed.’
‘I’m sure Abs loves that,’ I say, as Hugh and Poppy disappear.
‘Actually, she’s fine. Since the engagement, it’s like we know that this is it now, so all bets are off. The other day I was in the shower, she walked in, sat on the toilet and went poo!’
‘While you were in the shower?’
‘While I was in the shower.’
‘Blimey! You’re like an old married couple.’
