Alone Again Naturally

The cliff walk reminded her so much of how she missed Martin – but today Leah’s life was to take a different turn

- Della Galton

I’ll always be there for you,” Martin had said. “Whatever you need. Wherever you are. Call me and I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”

When he’d said those words, Leah had believed him. She’d had to believe him, because him not being there was unimaginable. But now the unimaginable had arrived and he felt so very far away.

She paused at the five-bar gate, rested her booted foot on the bottom rung and stared out over the patchwork of fields that meandered down towards the sea. The air smelled of heather and brine.

This view was as familiar as her own back garden and yet somehow that made it worse, the ache of the Martin-shaped space beside her.

A family had just begun to walk up the footpath ahead – mum, dad, little boy and a dog. The dog was darting this way and that through the grass, totally out of control. The family was clearly oblivious to the National Trust sign and the command to keep your dog on a lead.

For a few seconds, Leah resented them bitterly. For disrupting the peace. For being so happy. For having each other.

Cut them some slack, Leah. She heard Martin’s voice in her head. They’re young, they’re enjoying themselves. Live and let live.

She shifted the backpack on her shoulders and climbed the stile beside the gate, hurrying to get ahead of them. The path led along the edge of this field and then veered up towards the cliffs where it split into two – she would soon lose them.

She would soon be alone with her memories, the warmth of the midday sun on her face. Surrounded by the sheer ozone peace of the ocean. She wasn’t sure whether she would feel closer to Martin up on the headland, or further away.