Down The Lane Ch. 08

It's a thursday night down the lane...

"Yes... yes... yes... yes... fuck me... fuck me... fuck me granddaddy... fuck me granddaddy... oh my god yes... oh my god... yes... yes... yes... YES!" Becky's final yes is not fervently whispered like the other words but shouted out loud causing conflicting emotions within old Harry, pride in the fact he'd just made a teen beauty climax, and worry that someone perhaps nearby may have heard and decided to investigate.

With his hand clenching her hair tightly, pulling her head back just how she likes it, he feels her trembling before him as it passes through. There's a brief silence before Becky's heavy breathing resumes, slowly coming under control.

Looking about himself in the gloom, trying to see anything out the windows is useless, they are all steamed up and it's pitch dark outside, a cold december wind whistles around the car. The likelihood of anyone being down the lane this evening was extremely slim, although they had encountered the odd passing vehicle during previous car fun sessions.

Parked where they are, just off the lane in the entrance to a field, the rolls is partially obscured to anyone passing by a tall hedge. Pushing worrying thoughts to the back of his mind Harry focuses attention back onto his girlfriend, it's been a big one, he can tell because he can feel her juices on his balls... the tickle of a trickle informing him he's done a good job.

Releasing his grip on her hair, Harry places both hands on the young ladies broad hips and begins to build up a healthy rhythm. The backseat of the rolls was certainly spacious but even so it still felt crampt, albeit in the nicest possible way. On his knees behind Becky with his trousers and underwear down around his thighs was hardly dignified, but oh my, what an amazing thrill to do it in the car like this... so... very naughty.

Speeding up his thrusts, a soggy squelching noise can be heard from low down between them and Becky purrs softly at Harry's deep, powerful strokes... she can sense his impending climax.

"You wanna do it like this?... or in my mouth?" She asks, having regained some composure Becky teases Harry by giving him a difficult if not wonderful choice... decisions... decisions.

Harry briefly considers how good Becky's wriggling tongue will feel, but decides that he wants to hear the young lady curse... finding her foul mouthed goading... intensely exciting.

"I... want to... hear you."

In the dark, a wicked grin spreads across Becky's face, Harry's gasped words are music to her ears. As exciting as taking him into her mouth is, she prefers to feel him come in her fanny, and takes delight in goading for she knows how much Harry loves it.

And so, as Harry's balls begin to boil and he thrusts ever faster, Becky whispers to him in the gloom.

"Come on granddaddy give me it... I wanna feel you come in me... oh fuck yes... oh yes... your cock feels so good... yeah that's it faster... fuck me harder yes... go on do it... give me your fucking spunk."

Getting right down with her face on the blanket covered seat she reaches back with one hand and can feel Harry's large sack jiggling away behind her with each frantic thrust.

"Oh yes!... come on that's it... fuck my cunt harder... keep going don't stop... spunk in my cunt... go on... please... please!"

The exquisite sensation of Becky's sharp nails prickling his balls pushes Harry headlong into a powerful climax, thrusting hard into her he suddenly goes still, gripping Becky tightly and somehow resisting an urge to make a whole lot of noise.

"Mmmmm." Becky purrs beneath him, her hand grasping hold his scrotum, she can feel the heavy, slow pulses, both deep within and through her fingers as Harry delivers the goods.

"Oh granddaddy... I can feel you... oh yes there's loads of it... fill me... fill me with that creamy fucking spunk... god yes!... that feels so fucking good... mmmmm."

Harry puffs and pants behind her, keeping a tight grip while it passes, his old heart thumping madly away. Eventually beginning to relax, he lowers himself down across her back as she lets go his balls and resumes an all fours pose.

"Mmmmm." She purrs approvingly at Harry's touch, a soft kiss on the back of her head and heavy breathing near her ear as he settles upon her, hands moving from hips to around her clothed belly, "Oh my... oh my." He gasps, breathing slowly coming under control. The twitching sensation from within has stopped and she can feel him beginning to shrink down.

Another kiss, this one on her ear followed by the words she adores, "Good girl... you're my... good girl... such a good girl."

Harry's panted expression stirs up something within her she can't fully explain, it's so simple, just two words, and yet they have such a powerful effect when spoken by Harry... and in the current situation... Becky has to rein in her renewing arousal.

Instead focusing attention on Harry's exhausted state, even through their combined upper clothing she can feel his heart thumping away heavily against her back and his face feels hot on her neck.

"You alright sweetheart?" She whispers. Harry takes a few breaths to reply, indicating with a nod and weary, "Yes... very... thank you my dear."

With this he plants another kiss on Becky's head and lifts up off her back, sitting down carefully on his haunches head bowed resting against the roof, he reaches for a handful of tissues to catch any leakage as his flaccid cock slips out of her. Retrieving a torch from the centre console Harry now gives Becky and himself a clean, in what has become a familiar routine over the past months.

A cautious man, he takes care not to leave any trace of what he's been doing with young Becky, making sure any drops and spillages particularly on clothing are removed.

Happy that there's none on his trousers he struggles to pull everything back up, eventually getting himself all put away and zipped up. Turning his attention back to the gorgeous site of the young ladies ample bare bottom, checking the neat, tight little pink slit for leakage... none so far... he pulls her panties up from where they were wrinkled around her thighs and then pauses to once again take in the thrilling site of Becky's fleshy rump in the torch light, before pulling her skirt back down.

This evening, at his request she is wearing her knee high, heeled leather boots. Women wearing leather boots had always attracted Harry's attention, and even in the cramped confines of the backseat, illuminated only by a torch, Becky was a sight to behold wearing them.

With everything clean and covered up it was time to get back up front, Becky exiting first, bracing herself against the icy wind as she opens the door and quickly gets back in the front passenger seat. Harry is a moment longer joining her as he has to gather the blanket up and place it in the boot.

"Oh my goodness." Harry exclaims as he pulls his drivers door shut sharply, "That wind is like ice... wouldn't surprise me if we woke up to snow tomorrow morning dear."

As she's about to comment Becky hears a tinkle of keys in the ignition and suddenly the dash lights come on, not wanting to part just yet she places a hand on Harry's, he glances at her and she asks if they can stay a little longer.

"Alright." Smiling warmly, he starts the old roller up anyway, to begin demisting and warm the interior.

And so, with the engine purring quietly, the two lovers enter into easy conversation. When they first met this evening, both Becky and Harry were more than eager to express their love for one another, so the focus was on that, but once their desires had been satisfied it was time for a catch up.

Firstly, Becky enquires to the condition of poor Charlie, who'd been at the vets for the past couple of days after having a cancerous tumour removed, he was recovering but still too weak to go home, at least another day the vet had advised.

Next, the hot topic of Liz and David's friends with benfits arrangement was discussed. The latest development being that Liz had a very special offer for her elderly romeo, a friend of hers, Sarah, whom Becky knew of but didn't have much to do with, was offering to join them for a threesome.

Apparently, Liz had told Sarah about her secret affair with David, and being of the same ilk as Liz when it came to sex, she had suggested joining them, mainly out of fascination, as she found it hard to believe a guy of David's advanced years was capable of anything.

"He's more than excited about the idea I can tell you." Harry confides, "But at the same time he's really rather anxious... I don't know if he'll actually go through with it."

"Well you were nervous but that didn't stop you." Becky comments, grinning at Harry in the dim light cast by the dashboard.

He grins back then replies that he didn't have a choice, "What you and Liz did... that was sprung upon me without my prior knowledge... if I'd had time to think about it like David has... well..."

Here Harry pauses briefly to chuckle, imagining what David is going through, "... I'd be stewing in my own nervous excitement." He concludes.

It was true that David faced a more nerve-racking experience, his was not some birthday treat, but the offer of full sex with both Liz and Sarah, both of them spending the whole night with him. Liz had already promised Harry's friend that the two of them would be bringing some toys, large dildos in particular, and David could watch as they both used them at the same time.

"You know." Harry continues, "He asked me recently if I'd ever had a threesome with you and one of your friends."

"Ooooh really?... what did you say?... awkward or what!" Becky's over the top response contains a good deal of excited curiosity.

Grinning, Harry replies that he told David no of course, then made a comment to his friend about him being braver than he. Liz had fortunately been true to her word and not revealed what happened in the copse to anyone, recognising that Harry and David have a close trusting friendship.

"I know they haven't got what we have." Harry refers to Liz and David's casual arrangement as compared with he and Becky's loving relationship.

"But I still feel a little guilty about what we did... he's been a loyal friend for so many years."

Here Becky airs her own views on the situation, commenting that it's normal for Harry to feel like that, before referring back to Harry's earlier words... what we have.

"I wish we could be together all the time." Becky's comment hangs in the air for a brief moment, both her and Harry acutely aware of what it means.

Outside, the wind picks up, a strong gust rocking the car gently, spits of rain appearing on the windscreen.

It was not the first time the couple had reflected on their own predicament, madly in love but unable to enjoy a normal relationship. Harry, recognising where this could be leading, decides to focus on the positive, turning to Becky and reaching out for her hand.

"My dear... we have each other and that's all that matters... so what if we have to sneak around... we are together... that's the important thing."

Harry's warm smile in the half light is instantly contagious and chases away Becky's negative thoughts, filling her with the love she feels for him.

"Come here." Becky says, before leaning across the seat to Harry and enjoying a slow sensual embrace. Breaking away, Becky tells Harry she knows he's right but just wishes things could be different and they didn't have to sneak around.

At this, the couple consider what it would be like in an imaginary scenario, Harry not being with Ann.

"Ooh now... that would give Derek something to talk about." Harry chuckles, "The whole village would have their tongues wagging I shouldn't wonder... and what would our families think?... your mum?... what would she say?"

"She'd get used to it." Becky replies, a grin beginning to form on her face as she sees an opportunity to tease Harry, "Especially when the children came along."

"Children!" Harry exclaims, "You must be joking... I can hardly look after myself these days never mind a baby."

"I'd do most of the looking after." Becky reassures, before adding, "Just think about it... I stop taking the pill and you do your bit... every night."

Harry knows it's in jest and hypothetical, but can't ignore the kinky images this idea conjures up, something so wonderfully wicked about a guy his age getting a teenager pregnant.

"You'd really want that if we could?... have children?"

In response to Harry's question Becky leans in once more for a smouldering kiss, the old fella experiencing stirrings down below at the intensity Becky brings.

Breaking off, she nods and then says, "I've never loved anyone like this before... yes... absolutely... I want all of you... I want to feel you grow inside me."

Although partly a tease, there is some truth here, having previously confided a breeding fantasy to Harry, in the past he always treated this idea as a daydream, but the look she gives him tonight leaves no doubt of her true feelings.

For a brief moment he is speechless at the prospect of fathering a child at seventy eight. So many aspects of his relationship with young Becky are so wonderful, but this seems the most exciting.

"Oh my dear girl... what would I do without you... you are everything to me."

It's a tender, sweet moment, the odd couple sharing another embrace before Harry reluctantly announces he will have to be going.

"Alright... but promise to make it up to me on saturday." Becky's response is backed up by her hand in his groin and a gentle squeeze, prompting Harry to wholeheartedly promise he will. And with that Harry puts the rolls in reverse and backs onto the lane before moving off for Becky's village.

Arriving a few minutes later Harry stops several doors down from her house and the pair enjoy a loving goodbye kiss, first making sure nobody is about, it was nice to fantasise about being 'normal' but the couple know that secrecy is their best policy.

"Love you... see you saturday... I'm looking forward to it." Becky adds the latter part as she's getting out, giving Harry a brief but meaningful flash of pure lust with her big blue eyes.

"Love you too my dear... I'll be counting the minutes." Harry replies before blowing a kiss, pretending to catch it, Becky winks and closes the door, waving as Harry drives off.

She stands there on the pavement watching as the rolls slowly disappears around a distant bend. Suddenly feeling a strange sense of unease, an icy gust of wind blows a stray tin can down the road beside her, harsh clattering reminding her of little Charlie's bark.

Shrugging the feeling off while continuing on to her home, Becky instead focuses on the next meeting with Harry... little realising... she will never see him again.

**

Suddenly shocked awake, Becky gasps, clutching a hand to her bosom, although the house is cold in the early hours of this friday morning, she is bathed in sweat.

The nightmare, the recurring one she hadn't experienced for years, had returned. After her father died she'd experienced a strange frightening dream, in which there was a large white 'big button' telephone right in front of her. The phone was ringing with an old style american tone and there was an exaggerated sense of urgency for her to answer it, the strong impression was that if she didn't, then something very bad would happen.

However, no matter how hard she tried, Becky couldn't get her arms to move, she was paralysed. All she could do was sit looking at the phone, feeling helpless, and listen to the ringing getting louder and louder until it finally just stopped, then she'd wake up screaming.

But this time was different, Becky had managed to slowly move her hand to the phone and pick it up, only to hear Charlie's shrill barking on the other end, however, this wasn't the only noise that had awoken her...

Sitting up in bed, her breathing returning to normal, looking around in the gloom feeling scared... there was something else... she was sure of it... then it happens.

A loud roar of engine outside on the main road and the bedroom briefly plunged into the electric blue of emergency vehicle lights, a fire engine by the sound of it, quickly followed by another smaller vehicle perhaps an ambulance, racing off to an emergency somewhere.

The relief of waking up from the nightmare is suddenly replaced by a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, a deep unease.

Laying back down, the street outside now quiet save for the wind, Becky tries to ignore the bad feeling inside her, tries to convince herself that hearing Charlie's bark in the dream was just down to the tin can earlier, and not some prophetic connection to Harry.

The ominous feeling that something bad could have happened to him was backed up by the emergency vehicles, as if this was proof. It was a battle between her common sense and creeping foreboding that kept Becky awake for a long while, eventually able to convince herself that she was being silly, it was just a dream, and the vehicles just a coincidence, Becky was able at long last to fall into a thankfully dreamless void.

**

All the next day, as Becky went through her daily routine, the memory of the dream and emergency vehicles troubled her, unable to shake it this time, the feeling of foreboding intensified. She knew it was foolish but just couldn't help dwelling on it.

She'd checked her phone several times that morning and throughout the day, there was nothing from Harry, as normal, they only got in touch this way when absolutely necessary, so everything was alright, or so it seemed.

Then, on her way home from work riding a bus, she receives a phone call from Liz, who's voice sounds worryingly serious, "Bex?... I need to talk to you... it's important... somethings happened... are you on your way home?"

At the unfamiliar tone of her friend's voice Becky's heart suddenly sinks into her stomach, and she knows.

"Bex?... you there?" Liz's anxiety can be heard in her voice as Becky's mind runs amok at the possibilities, her mum?, no, she was fine this morning and had recently called her from work.

"Becky?... are y..."

Becky interrupts with questions that feel like poison on her lips, "Yes... I'm on the bus now... what's matter Liz?... what's happened?"

Now it's Liz's turn to be quiet as she struggles with the news she has to tell her friend, after a pause Liz's awful tone comes back through.

"Bex... I've got something to tell you and I don't want to say it over the phone... look... I'm nearly at your house now I'll meet you there ok?"

"Just tell me." Becky's reply is little more than a whisper.

"I can't Bex... I'm sorry... not over the phone."

"It's Harry isn't it?... just say it."

There's a brief pause, Liz not wanting to reply but knowing she must.

"Yes... I'm sorry Bex... there's been a terrible accident... he... he's dead... I'm so sorry."

A single tear runs down Becky's cheek as she slowly lowers the phone to her lap, Liz's anxious voice calling out her name again and again, but Becky doesn't hear. Nor does she feel or notice anything for the rest of the ride home, simply operating on autopilot.

Getting off the bus and walking the short distance home feels surreal... as though in some strange, horrible dream.

She's greeted and hugged by Liz outside her house, who then has to take the front door key from her and use it, apparently Becky's hands were trembling too much.

She's taken inside and sat down at the kitchen table, kind comforting words are heard... hauntingly familiar, a large glass of brandy appears, Becky drinks it... without any effect.

Next come the details... some.

David told Liz by phone an hour earlier, there was a fire at Harry's house in the early hours of this morning. At the mention of fire, panic is added to Becky's grief, she can't stand to think of him suffering.

Liz calms her... more soothing words... more details.

David said the fire crew found them both in bed, just as though they were sleeping, smoke inhalation, yes, Ann too, it took them both.

At the mention of Ann, Becky becomes a little more coherent, thinking of others and not just her own grief... that poor family, David too, has lost a good friend.

There's more comforting words and hugs from Liz as the tears begin to pour, Liz too, seeing her friend so distraught is stricken by weeping.

When it seems no more tears can be shed, her eyes sore, Becky has more questions, but at this early stage there are few answers.

There's a long pause in the mournful conversation, was the kitchen clock always that loud? The repetitive ticking noise suddenly reminds Becky of the phone in her dream, she tells Liz about it, and the fire engines speeding past in the dead of night, undoubtedly on their way to Harry's burning home.

A firm believer in all things paranormal, Liz is astounded, setting it as an example of a precognitive dream, except that's not true, she had the dream at the same time as the tragedy and there was no reference to fire within it, but Becky doesn't correct her friend.

Instead Becky tells her that she needs to be alone, sorry, I hope you understand. Liz does, a good friend, yes I'll be alright, no I don't need anything, thank you for being here for me, yes I'll see you tomorrow, bye.

After Liz has gone Becky moves to the living room, needing to get away from that awful ticking. And there she stays, sat on the sofa in the dark staring straight ahead at nothing in particular, feeling numb, deep in thought. Her memory of Harry triggering fresh bouts of sobbing, from time to time.

And it's between these weeping sessions, while contemplating her bad dream, that Becky is suddenly startled by her mum's return from work. Amazed to discover many hours have passed, it's ten thirty, she quickly tries to put on a facade, can't let mum see her like this.

However, Pat knows her daughter too well and instantly sees through Becky's semblance of normality. While trying to deny anything is out of the ordinary Becky once again breaks down and is comforted by a surprised and concerned mum.

When the sobbing stops Becky finally opens up to her and reveals the truth about Harry. Pat can hardly believe what her daughter tells her but can see she's distraught so knows that Becky really cared for this much older man, and so the pair of them have a heart to heart talk about love, and life, and loss.

Eventually, after what has been a very long day for poor Becky, she's ordered to bed by her mother, sleep will help, a little.

So off she goes to bed, drifting off quickly, mentally and emotionally exhausted... to a sleep so deep no dream good or bad can follow.

**

"Becky?" A strangers voice from behind calling out her name suddenly startles Becky, causing her to turn quickly, feeling panicked.

A month has passed since Harry's death, and after plucking up the courage she has attended the funeral. Worried that members of the family may question who she is, Becky has waited while most of the large group of mourners has dispersed, watching from a nearby bench for an opportunity to lay a bunch of red roses at the graveside.

Having placed them and saying a little prayer for Harry in her thoughts, she now faces a chubby bald man in a black suit.

"Sorry... I didn't mean to startle you." The man says, beginning to smile. She continues to regard him with suspicion for a brief moment longer before realisation softens her expression, "David?"

The man's warm smile broadens and he nods, "The very same... pleased to meet you at long last... I'm glad you could make it." He holds out a hand and Becky shakes, after which David suggests they go for a stroll together, have a chat.

Walking deeper into the cemetery, the pair initially make light conversation about the big turn out for Harry's funeral, the weather, etc.

Although the first time they've met, the pair feel as though they know each other, Becky has heard so much about David through Harry, and David likewise her.

During the aftermath of the tragedy, David had kept Becky, via Liz, informed of events as they transpired, as a close friend of Harry's family he was privy to all the private information. It was through him that she learned the fire had started in the living room. The mention of an imitation coal fire electric heater rang bells from early conversations with Harry regarding Ann's strange and potentially dangerous behaviour.

The investigation confirmed that flammable materials were placed against this heater and lighted. It appeared that during one of Ann's early hours wanderings throughout the old house, she had decided to warm the place up. With her fragile state of mind the poor woman must have thought she was doing a good deed, she got the fire going then calmly went off up to bed, oblivious to the danger.

Now, as they sat down on a bench together, the conversation settled onto the fateful events of that night, Becky telling David about her dream and the emergency vehicles flying past her house in the dead of night.

"Strange." David agrees, then enquires to the time of the incident, after Becky tells him he continues, "Yes that was almost certainly the fire at Harry's they were on their way to... the times match."

Brushing the strange aspect of Becky's experience aside, David instead focuses on the cause of the fire and Ann's worsening behaviour leading up to it.

"I told him a thousand times... she was going to harm herself or someone else... but he wouldn't listen... and now look what's happened... if she'd have been in a home..." David trails off shaking his head, sighs resignedly, then goes on.

"Well... there's no point dwelling on that now... it doesn't do any good... I've been over the what ifs time and again... what if Charlie had been there... his barking might have alerted them... what if their smoke alarms worked... that's something else I told him about... put batteries in the bloody things I'd say... but he never paid attention... oh I'm sorry love... here's me rattling on."

Noticing Becky's silence, David has turned to see her near tears, reaching out a hand he grasps hers and squeezes, "Please don't... you'll set me off." He urges, showing her a warm smile.

She manages a smile and squeeze of the hand back, "He loved you dearly you know... was always talking about the first time he met you... down that lane... how he knew you were special from the first moment he laid eyes on you."

There's a brief silence here, Becky recalling that day, which now seems like a lifetime ago, she then tells David that she hasn't been down the lane since Harry's passing, "I can't face it just now... maybe one day but not for a while... I associate that place with him... so it would be too upsetting."

"I understand love." David acknowledges, then focuses on the positive by pointing out that she was concerned about coming here today, but has managed it.

Having told Liz of her fears about attending the funeral, David knows through their mutual friend about Becky's worries, he had suspected she wouldn't come and so is pleasantly surprised that she did.

Recognising her through Harry's descriptions, and a photo Liz showed him, David is even more in awe of Becky while in her presence, his old friend's account of her beautiful blue eyes hardly does them justice... captivating... is the word.

Realising he's being drawn in by her beauty, David distracts himself with news of Charlie, it just wouldn't be right to be lusting after his best friend's girl at his funeral.

He tells Becky that the little dog is doing fine and has settled in with his new owner, Harry's great granddaughter, she lives in the city but there's a large park nearby so he gets plenty of walks, and he's spoilt rotten.

After Harry's death, Charlie developed a post op infection and almost died, it was as though he had given up on life and wanted to follow his master, it was touch and go for a while but he eventually pulled through.

The pair chat for a little while longer, before David realises that Becky probably needs some alone time, beginning to stand up he announces his departure, offering a hand to shake once more, and that warm smile that makes her feel at ease, "Well... I'll leave you in peace Becky... and I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances... but I'm glad that I've had the pleasure of your company today... take care love... you'll be alright you'll see."

Becky wishes David well, smiling back and watching as he begins to walk away, only to halt while reaching into his jacket pocket, "Oh... sorry... almost forgot."

He brings out a small mobile phone and hands it to Becky, "It was in the rolls glove box... I know he used it to message you so I took it to save any trouble."

Becky gazes down at the mobile, an old Sony Ericsson that Harry kept just for contacting her, if there was a change of plan or something unexpected turned up.

Looking back up at David to thank him, he nods then smiles again before turning and walking away, leaving her alone on the bench.

She looks back down at the phone, hesitating, knowing what she will see may be upsetting. Not able to resist, Becky first flicks through some old messages then pauses again over the gallery icon, he never took any photos of her as a precaution in case the device was ever discovered... but.

But there are photos of Harry and his family, as Becky's burning curiosity confirms. These images, a day out with Ann and Margaret, a birthday party for one of the younger members of Harry's family, are all old, but as she keeps scrolling, more recent pictures cause a lump to form in Becky's throat and her eyes to well up.

The images that greet Becky are very familiar, her reaction to them unavoidable, the lane in summer with everything in full bloom, landscape shots across the fields... becoming blurry as the tears flow.

Putting the phone quickly down, Becky concentrates hard on stopping crying, she'd promised herself she wouldn't do this today, having cried so much over the past month.

She was right about the lane being upsetting, if photos of it could do this then what would the real thing be like.

Becky sits there on the bench while she has herself under some control, some. Then she slowly gets up and wanders off out the cemetery, passing Harry's grave on the way, saying another silent prayer for her beloved.

It is to be a long while before Becky feels ready to return to her old haunt, but time as they say, is a great healer.

**

It's a lazy sunday morning in early march and having just gotten up Becky is sat at the kitchen table eating a boring breakfast of cereal, refusing one of her mum's famous full english feasts had been hard enough but now Pat's constant fiddling with the radio was adding to her annoyance.

"Mum!... just find a station and leave it or turn it off will ya."

Pat ignores her initially, then says quite nonchalantly, "I hate the adds... it's all there is on here these days... and dieting is making you crabby young lady."

In the wake of Harry's passing, Becky, initially off her food, had in the new year begun to indulge herself, piling on the pounds. So, for the past couple of weeks she'd been on a strict diet, something Pat disapproved of.

Further annoyed by her mum's dig, Becky is about to reply but the next song stops her in her tracks.

"Finally... something good at last." Leaving the radio alone Pat resumes her washing up, humming along to what she can't know, is Harry's old favourite, a piece of music he always turned up loud when it came on the car radio.

Puccini's nessun dorma, it doesn't sound the same through their tinny old radio as compared with the rollers sound system, but the effect upon Becky is still powerful.

Initially bringing a lump to her throat, she fights back the tears, instead focusing positively on the rousing music. And that's when it happens, instead of feeling sad Becky begins to feel uplifted, mentally shaking off months of negativity she sees the music as a sign from Harry.

Finishing off her breakfast, she knows what she needs to do, knows it is time. Getting up and handing her mum the empty bowl and spoon, she then retrieves a jacket from the hallway and heads for the front door.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Pat enquires, gazing at her daughter with surprise.

Opening the door, Becky doesn't stop, addressing her mum as she's leaving, "Just off out for a walk... won't be long... love you bye."

"You haven't been for a walk in ages... wh...."

Pat's reply is cut short as Becky closes the door behind her and heads out into a fine early spring morning of blue skies, bright sunshine and birdsong.

Walking at a good pace she is soon out on the field path, all the old familiar sights and sounds begin to fill her senses, a welcome return.

The oak tree where she and Harry made love... a hundred years ago, stands in a field of new growth, pale green against the skeletal dark brown branches.

As she gets closer to the lane, each step evokes fond memories, scolding herself inwardly for leaving it so long, this, is what she's needed all this time, the healing power of nature.

She passes the little copse where they engaged in passionate lovemaking so many times, through a gap in the hedge and finally steps foot on the old cracked asphalt of the lane, a thin sliver of grey surrounded by the bright green of spring, stretching out before her.

She has a moment to take in this happy, familiar sight, then sets off strolling down the lane... where the first daffodils were beginning to bloom.

The end.

Epilogue.

From that first time back down the lane onwards, things began to improve for Becky. She pulled herself out of the mire of grief she'd been drowning in, and got on with her life, it was what Harry would have wanted.

The heartache and pain of his loss were still felt but became manageable with time. The lane itself was the key, the very place she'd been avoiding helping the healing process.

As old Harry once said regarding nature, 'It acts like a sponge... soaking up one's worries.'

Having lost Harry, whom she deeply loved, and being betrayed by Sean before him, Becky had no interest in finding someone else, not for a while at least. She was happy just taking one day at a time.

Going for walks in and around the lane once more became routine, it was like getting an old friend back, a happy memory everywhere.

In the fullness of time, Becky would find another love, and although accompanying her on walks to the lane, she never told him about Harry... he was her secret... and that place would always be theirs.

As for David, he never did take up the offer of a threesome with Liz and her friend. After Harry's death, the focus was on comforting the family and helping them get the legal matters sorted. Liz too, felt awkward discussing the subject at such a delicate time for her friends, it was best to wait.

However, as Liz patiently waited, something else happened that would ultimately end her arrangement with David. Just six weeks after Harry had gone, David's wife died in her sleep at the care home.

Her passing had a profound effect upon David, he was devastated and became racked with guilt. Convinced his wife was watching him from beyond the grave, he ended the special friendship with Liz.

Liz took it reasonably well, she'd been confiding in Becky that David's 'performance' had become rather poor anyway, so it was probably best that things between them ended.

David's remorse at betraying his wife on two occasions eventually led him to religion, joining the local church he now attends all services, missing not a one, his life of sin... over.

Author's note.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my good friend John for providing me with guidance and support while writing this story, he gave me the confidence to keep going when I had little in myself.