Beyond the Past - By Pam Charles

Abstract

In the height of his playing days, Mark Smith was a talented rugby player and the consummate professional. He was accused of raping a girl in a totally fabricated story that could have ended his career. It did end his marriage. He never found out the whole truth surrounding the allegations. Decades on, Mark is retired and works as a TV pundit. At a charity event, Annie Swift caught his eye. Slender and radiant, she lit up the room. Their relationship begins to blossom but out of the blue, Annie and Mark start to receive malicious texts, notes and being followed by a car. When Mark approaches the car, he is knocked off his feet. DCI Fisher, the investigating officer realises the gravity of the case when they are run off the road in a horrific motorway accident. He requests assistance from DS Phillipa Davies, someone he had admired from afar after sharing a Christmas party kiss. Together they unravel the case and find they share a love for rough, playful sex. The extent of the twenty conspiracy against Mark unfolds with disastrous consequences

Beyond The Past - By Pam Charles

Part One – Why Us?
- 1 -

 

Just passed the Halifax junction on the M62, Mark Smith noticed a car tailing him. It had been there for about three miles. After recent events, he changed lanes a few times, the car followed. Annie sensed his anxiety and watched him cautiously looking through his rear-view mirror. Suddenly the car overtook them and lingered at their side. Mark looked across to see the driver but the tinted windows prevented any identification. He slowed down, the car slowed down. The cat and mouse antics went on for a couple of miles.

“Annie! Ed! Keep your wits about you. Annie ring Harry and let him know. When I slow down see if one of you can get the registration number,” Mark instructed.

Annie’s heart was pounding but she was more concerned she had one of her precious boys with them. Ed wasn’t at all fazed. He was watching Mark intensely. Mark braked suddenly and the car skidded to the left. It was enough for Ed to take a note of the registration number. However, the car slowed down and pulled in front of them. Mark was forced to brake hard to avoid a collision.

Annie Swift’s life flashed before her eyes. She’d not had an easy life; her first marriage was violent and the only good thing to come out of it all was her eldest son, Matt. Oh God! Matt she thought. He was on the verge of re-signing a contract to play rugby league for his home town, the club she had supported as a child with her Grandpa. She didn’t want her life to end now! Her Mum and Dad needed her, her boys needed her and most of all she’d finally met someone she could grow old with, who loved her unconditionally and made her happy at last. Life had been cruel but it was worth the heartache to have such beautiful boys and now a new partner. She had come through so much and was finally in a good place in her life. It was inconceivable it could end now.

“Shit!” Mark shouted as he swerved out to the middle lane. As he tried to overtake the car, it too increased its speed. Then, without warning the pursuer swerved into the middle lane, again Mark’s defensive driving avoided contact but this was getting really scary.

Annie was shouting down the phone to DCI Harry Fisher.

Ed turned to Mark, “Mark keep calm you are doing great. I think we should try and get off the motorway at the next exit.”

Annie interrupted, “Harry suggested that too. I am going to put the phone on loudspeaker so we can tell him what’s happening.”

Just as she said this, Mark managed to manoeuvre passed the car. He was an ex professional rugby player, not a racing driver! He put his foot down and was doing 95 mph when the car came right up behind him. There was no getting away from it. Mark was shaking but was trying his best to get them out of trouble.

“The next junction, junction 24, is coming up. I’m going to let him pass us and then slip off the motorway”.

DCI Fisher’s voice bellowed, “Mark, listen to me, do not do anything stupid! Stay within the law, we will be there shortly. The motorway police are three minutes away and the helicopter five. Stay calm but do not, I repeat do not speed.” Mark realised it was stupid trying to out run the car. The shaking subsided a little as he reduced his speed to 70. The car overtook him again but this time rejoined his lane and slammed on again in front of him. Annie and Ed screamed and Annie lifted her hands to her face.

Mark swerved again and braked but it was not enough. The passenger side front wing clipped the rear of the car in front. It spun the BMW out of control and into the central reservation. The airbags activated.

For what seemed an eternity the three of them said nothing. Annie could hear the faint sirens of the emergency vehicles. The searing pain from her leg was unbearable.

“Mum, mum you ok?” she recognised Ed’s voice

She tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come out. She nodded but wasn’t sure if her head actually moved. The pain was taking over, it was so, so intense. She could hear Ed and Mark’s voice and a strange distant voice calling her name, she recognised it was Harry but couldn’t understand why he was there. She passed out.

Ed and Mark walked out of the mangled mess and sat in an ambulance close by. Both shocked, Ed had a small cut on his left cheek and on his hand where a splinter of glass had hit him. It seemed a very strange situation to him. He was sitting calmly in an ambulance whilst the scene outside was pandemonium. None of it seemed real. It resembled a scene from a Bruce Willis blockbuster.

Panicking Ed stood up, hitting his head on the roof of the ambulance and shouted “MUM, Mum I have to get to her”. Mark grabbed his arm and beckoned him to sit down.

“Ed we can’t do anything, leave it to the professionals mate. They know what they are doing.” Mark was trying to stay calm for Ed’s sake but inside he was erupting like a volcano. He wanted to hold her; please god please let her be all right, he thought, tears welling in his eyes.

Ed held his arm. They stayed together watching the carnage. The cutting equipment grinded on the car’s frame and made them both cringe. They watched intently as Annie was released from the vehicle. She was now talking and semi-coherent. Mark and Ed came out of the ambulance to greet her on the stretcher. She had a drip in her arm, and blood all down her face from a gash on the bridge of her nose, she whispered “I’m fine” to both Mark and Ed who now had tears rolling down their faces. The paramedic told them she had a suspected broken leg, concussion and bruising from the airbag but they weren’t listening. As they lifted her into the ambulance, a familiar face emerged from the flashing lights.

“Mark, she is going to be ok,” Harry said. “The same can’t be said for your car. I will come to the hospital shortly and see you all. Take care of each other”.

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary was not a place any of them liked, especially Annie as the last time she visited was to say goodbye to her beloved Grandpa. The buildings were old and resembled blocks of flats built in the 1960s. Inside the paint was peeling from the walls in spite of recent refurbishment.

Mark was impatient with the nurse and considered any time spent on him was wasted. He had a couple of bruises on his face and sore ribs. All he wanted to do was be with Annie.

Ed was pretty much the same, but he found amusement in telling the nurses he was a professional rugby player and enjoyed their fussing over him. They told him the cuts were superficial and he laughed that they wouldn’t spoil his good looks.

Finally Mark and Ed were free to see Annie. She was being treated in the next cubicle but the Doctor was with her when they arrived. They paced up and down until he emerged from behind the curtain

“Mrs Swift has concussion and a broken leg,” The Doctor declared. Ed thought, tell me something we don’t know but he didn’t say it. The Doctor continued, “We are going to send her for a CT scan and an x ray. She will be staying with us this evening and we may need to operate on her leg depending upon the extent of the damage. You can see her now if you like”

If we like, Mark thought as they raced like school children behind the curtain. Annie smiled back at them but her facial injuries made them both stop in their tracks. Ed hugged his Mum; he wanted to hug her tightly but was afraid of adding to her pain. Mark stood back and let mother and son have some time together. Ed was sobbing into his Mum’s chest.

“Ed its ok, I, we are all fine. We will sort this ok. Come on baby you will be ok, it’s just a shock.”

Ed lifted his head up and wiped his face on his sleeve, “but Mum I don’t know what we would do if we lost you. You are everything to me and Matt and if we’d have lost you,” he laid back onto her chest. Annie looked at Mark; tears were running down his cheeks too.

Annie soothingly rubbed her son’s head and gestured for Mark to come towards her. With her other hand she held Mark’s hand too.

“You’re a right pair you two aren’t you. I’m the one laid here waiting in this crappy place for people to prod and poke me and you two go to pieces. I will be fine, you will just have to run round after me for a bit that’s all.” Mark squeezed her hand, which made her grimace. She was concealing the fact that her whole body hurt from her head to the tips of her toes.

Ed composed himself, “I’ll do anything Mum, anything. I am coming home from London after this season, I want to be near you, Matt and Mark.” She hugged him and suggested he went to call Matt. As Ed walked out of the cubicle, Annie stroked Mark’s hand and said, “Look at me Mark. You haven’t looked me in the face since you came in”. It was true Mark had not looked at her; he was ashamed that he had not protected her. He wished it was him lying there instead of her.

Mark’s eyes welled as he spoke “I am so so so sorry Annie. This is all my fault. I am bad news and look at my beautiful, beautiful angel laying here”

Annie was firm, “Mark, listen to me. This is not your doing. This is mad, nothing you have brought on. We need to get it sorted; this is more sinister than we thought. I am scared someone could get killed, we could have got killed but it’s not your fault. In fact I believe you saved our lives. Your driving was great Mark, great.” Just as she finished, Harry walked in. The shock on his face was self -explanatory as Mark and Ed had had the same look when they first saw Annie.

Harry cleared his throat, “I need statements from you but not tonight. The car you hit was abandoned by the time we got there.” The disappointment was clearly visible on his face.

He continued, “We are going to leave a policeman here with you tonight Annie. What are you intending on doing?” he said turning to Mark.

Without hesitation Mark confirmed, “Ed and I will be staying here. We have already discussed it and we are not leaving without Annie”.

“Ok I have sent a car for Matt to come here too,” he paused. “This is now an attempted murder case.”

Annie and Mark looked at each other. This was no longer just a few notes and strange happenings. This had taken a turn for the worse, much worse.

“I will be back in the morning for your statements. Look after each other”. Harry smiled and left.

It seemed hours until the Doctor re-emerged even though it had only been half an hour. “Right Mrs Swift, I am sending you down for your CT scan now”

“Can I go with her please?” Mark asked.

Shaking his head the Doctor said, “I’m afraid not, you can go with her for the x-ray but not the scan. I’ll show you to the relatives room and you can come back to see Mrs Swift when she returns.”

“Annie, please call me Annie,” Annie interrupted.

The Doctor raised a faint smirk and continued, “you can come back to sit with Annie when she returns”.

The curtain burst open and Matt, Annie’s eldest son, ran through throwing himself at his Mum. They hugged and both cried.

Annie reassured her son, “I am ok Matt honestly.”

Matt got up and moved towards Mark. “My god Mark, you ok too?”. He hugged him tightly. It was an adoring hug, which took Mark completely by surprise. He felt sure he would come in and smack him in the mouth, after all it was because of him they were in there.

Annie was wheeled out for the CT scan. The boys moved into the relatives room, adjoining the ward. It was going to be a very long night. Matt and Ed went to find some refreshments and left Mark on his own.

Mark sat staring at the pale blue wall. The room was bright but cool but had a sense of grief in its walls. What had just happened tonight? He remembered the car but just couldn’t remember how they had come to rest in the central reservation. He shut his eyes but could only see the flashing blue lights and Annie; oh Annie’s blood soaked face. He cupped his hands around his face and wept uncontrollably. He heard the door open but didn’t care. His baby was hurt and his past had caused all this. He shouldn’t have tracked her down.

“Mark,” he heard a voice and looked up “Mark, where is she?” Andrea, Annie’s Mum wept.

“They have taken her for a CT Scan,” he said wiping his eyes.

Annie’s father, Charles sat down at the side of him and Andrea at the other side. Andrea held Mark’s hand, “the Police have told us what happened, you are all safe now thank god”. She squeezed his hand.

Mark looked up at her and at Charles. They had both been crying. What had he done – these beautiful people adored Annie and he had caused all this pain. He started crying again. Andrea just held him. Matt and Ed returned with the drinks.

Matt, shocked at Mark’s state said, “What’s happened, what?”

Andrea replied, “Nothing more love, your Mum is ok.”

Ed stood behind Mark and laid his hands on his shoulders “Come on mate, we can all work this out together”.

Over the next few hours, Mark and Ed filled Matt, Andrea and Charles in with the whole story. Mark was convinced they would hate him but to his surprise they did not. On the contrary they wanted to help, not just Annie but him too. He loved this family they were so supportive and positive. It’s a shame his family had not been the same.

The doctor interrupted the discussion, “Annie’s CT scan is clear. If you want to see her you can. She will be going for the x-ray shortly. If you could keep the noise down and say two to the bed at a time.” They all nodded.

They agreed Andrea and Charles would go first. Mark was going to accompany Annie to the x-ray and Ed and Matt would go see her when Grannie and Gramps had finished. Andrea and Charles fussed over Annie and made her feel exhausted. When they returned to the relative’s room, Matt and Ed ran into to see their Mum. She looked a lot better with her clean face. The nurse came in once or twice to calm the laughter down until it was time for Annie’s x-ray.

The porter wheeled her down to the department with Mark tagging along, not letting go of Annie’s hand once. It was confirmed that Annie had broken her left leg but thankfully didn’t need surgery. By 3am she had her plaster cast on. Mark slept in the chair beside her bed and the boys and grandparents occupied the relative’s room.

 

-2 -

Days before the incident …….

 

Annie couldn’t help but smile. It had been a lovely evening, one she hadn’t expected. Her experience of dates, although limited, was dull and boring but this one had been different. Climbing into the taxi, she shouted, “96 Pembroke Place, please.” She sank into the back seat and slipped into deep thought. In reality she had only ever had two men in her life and one fling but they had left her mentally and physically scarred. She wondered why this one felt different even after only two glorious evenings. Her instinct told her she could trust Mark but she’d been wrong before.

“That will be £17.95 miss” the taxi driver broke Annie’s thoughts. She grappled around for her purse, paid and exited the car. The gate was bolted when she tried to push it open, almost dislocating her shoulder. Smiling to herself she unlatched the lock. Stepping inside she couldn’t help but turn and scour the street, she felt sure she was being watched. The paranoia continued inside the house. Annie quickly drew the curtains and lit the open fire. The house was a semi-detached and too big now the boys had grown up and moved on but it was her home. She spent most of her time in the bright airy kitchen. At one end was the range oven she had longed for and now only used once or twice a year for cooking and at the other a farmhouse kitchen table that held so many happy memories she felt loathed to depart with it. Instead it had become her make shift office. During the summer months sunlight beamed through the large double glazed windows and in winter the warmth from the range provided a homely feel the rest of the house sadly lacked. From time to time the house would be once again filled with laughter and childish behaviour but for now the boys were pursuing their own lives.

Nights out with colleagues and friends were great but coming home to an empty house didn’t always suit Annie. At 47 it seemed to take her weeks to recover from one night out! After a drink of tea and flicking through the 40+ channels, Annie retired.

Annie had barely reached over the threshold when she was bombarded with questions.

“So come on, how was last night? Did you see Mark again? What happened? Did he come home?” demanded Lucy as Annie walked into the café at the College. Simultaneously Annie’s phone chimed twice in quick succession notifying her of two text messages.

Annie looked at Lucy, a 25 year old slight build girl, with long blond hair and so full of life. She was a good companion when things were tough even though she was incredibly naïve. “Let me grab a coffee and we’ll sit over there in the corner. I’ll tell you the boring details…” Annie added, “it was only the second time I have seen him so don’t expect too much.” She smiled, walked over to the counter and ordered two skinny lattes. Once she had her fix within her grasp, she turned towards Lucy to find another colleague had joined them. John, a senior lecturer at the college, insisted on letting everyone know he was the longest serving member of staff. He was in his fifties, silver hair and well maintained. His wife had died 8 months previous. Since her death, Annie and he had spent a number of hours talking about their lives. Annie was very fond of John and considered him a good friend yet her colleagues felt he had more than friendship on his agenda.

Annie joined her two colleagues, hidden in a corner near the window, both eager to hear of her escapades the night before. The September sun was beaming through the window, reflecting off the metal tables. Annie was particularly cagey, as she did not really know what to say. Yes, she had enjoyed Mark’s company but she couldn’t really admit to her friends, let alone herself that she was deeply attracted to him after just two evenings.

“So come on I can’t wait any longer, I would have text you last night but I didn’t know whether he would have been there with you,” Lucy was beyond excited; she was like a child waiting for Christmas. Although this childish anticipation was endearing to Annie it wound John up.

“Oh Lucy it’s not that big a deal,” he moaned.

Lucy cross with his tone, “well it is to me. I’d love to see my best friend in a happy and loving relationship, god knows she deserves it after all she has been through.”

John reacted angrily to the accusation that he did not share Lucy’s desire for Annie to be happy and snapped, “and I suppose I don’t want her to be happy”.

Annie interjected, waving her hands in the air, “guys, hi I’m here”.

There was an awkward silence before Annie spoke again, “last night was great. I really enjoyed being treated like a lady. He has this sophistication about him that I can’t put into words but he is lovely, down to earth and nice, “Annie paused to think of last night and how Mark had behaved. The perfect gentleman.

They had met at 7.30pm at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Lucy had warned Annie the previous day not to meet at a hotel, it might give off the wrong signals – Annie smiled wryly at this thinking it wasn’t such a bad idea!! Mark was waiting outside the hotel and they had walked to the local pub just around the corner. Annie remembered being really nervous but her fears were dispelled when they had sat down in the corner with their drinks. Mark had ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and two glasses. At first, there was an awkward silence between each sip of wine but as the wine flowed, the conversation loosened. During the silent moments, Annie had the opportunity to study her companion. Mark, a former rugby player, was tall and well built. He had thick brown hair, greying around his ears and the most striking blue eyes. It was obvious he had still maintained his fitness after retirement. Apart from the battle scars of a broken nose he had a fresh clean look. Annie suspected he was in his early 40′s but it was hard to gauge from his looks.

“ANNIE!” shouted Lucy. Annie jumped and so did the other occupants of the café, “Jeez you’re not telling us it was a “good” night and he was “nice” when you sit there in a deep trance with a smile on your face. SPILL the beans now!!” she demanded, leaning over the table towards Annie.

Annie, startled out of her daydream, looked at her watch, “Guys its 10am. I should be in class now.” Getting up, Annie turned to Lucy, “I’ll catch up with you at lunchtime”. With that she glided out of the café.

The morning’s lessons were torture for Annie - two first year lessons full of freshers, keen to start their new ICT courses. Annie was glad she had spent hours preparing work and lessons. Students were given their tasks. She pretended to be busy but her mind wandered. Lunchtime took an eternity to arrive. Annie dismissed her final morning class and suddenly remembered the unread text messages from the morning. Fumbling around in her handbag, she finally located her phone – there were three unread messages. Eager to find out the details, Annie closed the lecture room door and sat down on the first available seat. The first message was from Matthew, her eldest son, checking up to see if his mum had survived the night out. Matt wasn’t yet aware it had been a date, there was no point raising suspicions until Annie was sure something was to come of it. The second message was from Mark, oh my god from Mark she thought. Suddenly she remembered exchanging mobile numbers with him as they left the pub to say goodnight. With trepidation she opened the text and read it out loud, “hi, really enjoyed last night. Would love to see you again as soon as possible, tonight if you’re free? Let me know, I have a meeting in Manchester at 3pm but can be back for 5. M x”. Annie read the message over and over again. Finally she closed the message and read the third message which was a reminder from her Mum that they were having lunch on Monday, Annie’s half day.

“Shit!” Annie exclaimed. She had completely forgotten her promise of lunch with Lucy. Annie gathered her belongings and ran to the café where she found Lucy sat at the same table as this morning, this time alone.

“I am so so sorry,” Annie said whilst throwing her coat and bag onto the chair. “I was catching up on a few things when ….”

Lucy shaking her head said, “it’s ok Annie, I don’t mind being stood up” and they both laughed.

“I am glad we are alone this time Lucy. I wanted to tell you everything this morning but I don’t think John approves of me dating or looking for my soul mate at my time of life”.

Lucy mocking, “at your time of life oh Annie, don’t you know he fancies the pants off you and he’s jealous.”

“Nonsense,” interrupted Annie. “Anyway about last night… Mark was a perfect gentleman. He met me at the door of the hotel and we went to the West Riding Pub around the corner. Nothing flashy, just nice wine in a quiet quaint pub. It was lovely…. he is lovely.”

Lucy stared straight into Annie’s face, “oh Annie you really do like him don’t you? I have not seen you this distracted before. Just be careful Annie but if he is the one go for it!!”

Annie smiled but didn’t really have anything to say, “oh god, what is wrong with me,” she said as she grappled around in her bag. “He sent me a text message and I’ve forgotten to reply”. Annie read the message out to Lucy who beamed with pleasure.

“Meet him tonight,” she said hastily. “Don’t mess him around Annie, give him a chance”.

Lucy knew Annie had a tendency to dither when it came to decent men and that the longer she logically thought about things, the more likely it was for Annie to talk herself out of it or worse she would start to doubt who he was.

“There,” Annie declared. “Done it, I am meeting him tonight.” Before the sentence had been completed, a reply had been received confirming the rendezvous time and place.

The girls chatted over lunch and Annie departed to her afternoon lessons with a very light heart. At 4.30pm she left the college and returned home, once again feeling sure she was being watched as she entered the garden gate.

 

- 3 -

 

Although September was drawing to a close, it was a beautiful evening with a warm southerly breeze, still summer clothing weather. Annie had settled on a three quarter length print dress, which had seen a revival that summer, covered only by a white crotched shawl her Mum had made her.

Mark was waiting, once again on the front walkway of the hotel. He was dressed in smart black jeans and a semi tight short-sleeved shirt that emphasised his well-built physique. He opened the taxi door for Annie to alight and placed his hand on her back giving her a loving kiss on her cheek. She felt sure she had gasped a little.

Still holding her in his grasp, Mark whispered, “Have you eaten? I’d like to take you to one of my favourite pubs tonight?”

Annie replied, “No I haven’t eaten and that would be lovely “.

“Then we need to go by car as it is just on the outskirts of the city”. A little wary, Annie complied and Mark led her to his car, a navy blue BMW M3 convertible. They headed south of the city. Annie again had the opportunity to survey her suitor. She never had him down as flashy and was surprised at the car. Mark interrupted Annie’s daydreams,

“So this pub is owned by one of my friends, someone I used to play rugby with. He is a bit rough around the edges but a good mate. I hope,” he paused to check the traffic then continued, “you don’t mind me introducing you to some of my friends but I have to confess I really like you.”

Annie blushed. He continued, “I am sorry Annie I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just thought it would be great to go somewhere where we can continue chatting.”

Annie apologetically said, “Mark I just wasn’t expecting what you said. I am more than happy to meet your friends and I really want to spend as much time as I can with you…” there, she thought I’ve said it. He now knew her interest. With that, he slowly lifted his hand and placed it on Annie’s leg. They looked at each other, smiled and Annie returned the gesture by placing her hand on his.

The pub was situated close to the river and as they pulled up to the car park, Annie was delighted to see the evening sun reflecting over the rippling water. She got out of the car and couldn’t help but stand for a moment to take in the peaceful still of the September evening. Her trance was broken when Mark gently placed his arms around her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck. Annie clasped her arms around him.

Mark whispered in her ear, “I told you it was beautiful… Annie I wanted to share it with you.” With that he kissed her ear once more before slowly turning her to him. He kissed her again on the lips and Annie offered no resistance. Annie felt she was walking on air as he led her into the bar.

“Now then Mark,” said a portly, bald man from behind the bar. “How are you big man? Err. This must be your latest conquest…..” It was obvious this last remark both hurt and embarrassed Mark. Annie was taken aback and suddenly felt she had been thrown into yet another situation where she was going to be left hurt and wounded. Garry grabbed Annie and gave her a big squeeze.

“Oh Garry, you’re such an idiot. This is Annie.” Mark glanced at Annie who was clearly mortified at being the latest conquest.

Garry went on, “I’ve saved the table by the window for you.” He led the couple to the back of the room. The building looked like an old mill that had been converted. The bare stonewalls were littered with rugby league memorabilia, including pictures of Mark in his playing days. Annie tried to maintain interest in Garry but couldn’t help but glance at all the framed shirts and photographs. The rear of the bar was beautifully lit partly from the setting sun and the large amount of conservatory type windows servicing it. To Annie’s delight the table overlooked the gently rippling water.

Mark pulled the chair out and signalled for Annie to sit down. He sat opposite and looked straight into her eyes.

“Don’t take Garry too seriously, he’s an old rugby mate.”

Annie interrupted, “so I’m your latest conquest?”

“No Annie. I have had two serious women in my life.”

“So how many not serious?” Annie interjected.

Mark smiled but blushed, “I think you have completely the wrong impression of me. I have not seen anyone for the last ten years, well actually 12 but who’s counting! I admit I have had dates but nothing that has led to even the third date,” he laughed.

Annie smiled too, “so there’s hope for me then,” she added.

Mark stood up to pour the wine into the glasses. As he did, he leant over Annie’s shoulder and gently whispered, “There is more than hope “.

He placed the bottle in the middle of the table and sat back down.

An awkward silence was interrupted by Garry who plonked himself in the chair next to Annie.

“I will leave you alone shortly but I just want to say I was only joking when you walked in. Mark is a sound guy and if you are half as lovely as he says you are, you will be well suited. I do hope you can make this sorry bastard happy again.” Garry left the table.

Annie and Mark watched him leave the room, then looked at each other and laughed. That one moment seemed to break the ice between them and the conversation flowed all night. Mark told Annie he had been married but it had ended in a very messy and nasty divorce. He explained his wife was insanely jealous and insecure. With his career in its prime, she used to be paranoid about losing him on drunken nights away with the lads. She never understood how much Mark actually loved her and according to his account, he would never have cheated on her especially as he doted on his daughter. In the end the paranoia drove them apart. They divorced and he was banished to spending every other weekend with his daughter. Sophie was at University now in Manchester and that was where he had been that afternoon. His face beamed with pride.

It struck Annie how honest he appeared to be and how he wasn’t afraid to show he was upset. It was an endearing quality she loved. Annie was thankful they had spent the evening talking about Mark’s past, if she unleashed her terrible past he would run a mile in the opposite direction.

Mark continued his story during coffee. He had won the rugby league title twice, once with Garry.

“Shall we set off back now,” Mark suggested. Annie nodded.

They bid goodnight to Garry who scuttled around the bar and landed a huge kiss on Annie’s cheek. “Be seeing you,” he said. He turned to Mark and warned, “You better keep hold of this one.” They hugged.

Mark reached out for Annie’s hand and led her to the back of his car. He pulled her close and tenderly kissed her, squeezing her gently. Annie obliged and really did not want him to let go. Only the flash of another set of headlights made the couple retreat to the car.

Mark started the engine, put the gear into reverse then stopped.

He put the handbrake on and leant over to place his hand over Annie’s right cheek, he whispered, “Thank you.” and with that his lips caressed hers. Annie sighed, closed her eyes and sank against the leather interior of the car. His warm tongue slowly moved around her mouth. She had never been kissed with such fervour or passion but yet tender. She held her hands around his tight muscles feeling very safe and secure. When Mark tried to sit upright, Annie did not want to let him go. He looked straight into her eyes as she did his as he moved back over to the driver’s side.

For what seemed an eternity neither moved nor spoke.

“I’ll drive you home,” he said as he reversed the vehicle out.

Not much was said during the journey home. They both glanced every now and then at each other but neither could really find the words.

Annie directed Mark to her house. They arrived outside. Mark leant over to kiss Annie but before he could she said, “Would you like to come in?”

There was no hesitation when Mark replied, “Yes I would love to and I promise not to bend your ear about my sorry past.”

Annie grabbed his hand, “that’s how we get to know each other”.

Getting out of the car, Annie was determined it would be coffee, chat and then the night would be over. She repeated this to herself as she unlocked the door and put on the kettle. She was reaching up for the coffee cups when Mark came up behind her and reached over her for the cups. Once he had placed the cups on the side his hands were drawn to her waist. Her hair was tied up and her bare neck was too inviting not to be kissed. Mark kissed her and she felt her legs buckle. She wriggled round to face him, found her body consumed by his and sank into him with such ease. He held her tight. His hands roamed up and down her back whilst he kissed her slowly over her neck and lips. Annie kicked her shoes off and shrank by a further three inches.

The couple broke apart when the kettle reached boiling point. Annie, full of excitement and passion, hurriedly made the coffees and led Mark into the living room. They sat close together on the sofa but stared into the fire drinking their coffee. Annie could not stand the suspense any longer; she put her cup on the table, took Marks cup off him and placed it next to hers. She knelt on the sofa next to Mark and kissed him on the lips. He reciprocated and pulled her across his lap.

Mark whispered in her ear, “take me to bed please”. Getting up, she held her hand out to Mark and he obliged, stood up and they walked upstairs holding hands.

Both were like teenagers on their first date and had longed for this from the first time they had seen each other at the rugby league benefit dinner. Annie was there representing one of the sponsors and Mark had been the guest speaker recalling his antics as Great Britain and Wigan star. They had briefly talked at the end of the evening but nothing more. Mark had gone to great lengths to track Annie down although Annie was not quite sure how he had and at this point in time she didn’t really care.

Annie led Mark into her bedroom. She whispered, “I must warn you I am not very good at this.”

Mark kissed her on the lips and slowly unzipped her dress, which fell to the floor. He led her to the bed and they stumbled onto it never letting their grasp loosen. He slipped his shoes off whilst Annie undid his shirt buttons to reveal his tight and well-formed torso. She couldn’t help but run her hands across his smooth skin. As she did Mark shuddered a little but he never stopped kissing her. Slowly Mark fumbled with her bra cursing, as he couldn’t open it fluently. They giggled.

Resuming their composure, Mark pulled Annie close to him, both their bodies now entangled and warm. She could feel his manhood through his jeans trying to burst out. Slowly, she ran her hands down his massive thighs. She moved her hand over to the right and brushed his erect piece. It was his turn to let out a sigh of pleasure. Annie struggled to undo his button and unzipped his jeans. Soon they were both naked. Annie caressed his manhood whilst he lovingly played with her breasts. His touch was slight but very effective and not at all like a clumsy teenager. Annie felt his fingers slowly move down her body and he rubbed her wet lips. It wasn’t long before Annie could not take much more; she had not been intimate in such a long time. Sensing this, Mark slowly inserted himself inside her. She let out a gasp then enjoyed every moment of his well-formed body inside and out until they both reached their peak and he slumped at her side. Both lay holding each other.

Judging by the alarm going off at 7am they must have fallen asleep. Annie reached over Mark to turn the alarm off. She kissed his ear whilst rubbing her warm hands along his side and upper thigh. Her breasts rubbed his back. She repeated this motion a few times then reached over and rubbed her hands on his inner thigh. With that, Mark was aroused and he turned and placed his hand onto Annie’s face and kissed her with such passion it took her breath away. Annie climbed onto him kissing his face, his chest and moving down to his groin. He moaned with satisfaction. Annie played with him and teased him until she took his full length into her mouth. It was warm and hard and thick but she loved every minute of it. So did Mark, he was writhing when suddenly he burst with pleasure. She clambered up to him, kissed him on the cheek and returned to her position at his side. A few moments passed, then Mark spoke, “Good morning!” she returned the words with a smile and they kissed.

Saturday mornings were always good but this was especially pleasing. The dull house seemed alive again and as Annie made the coffee she daydreamed of last nights and this morning’s events. Daydream soon turned to worry as she thought she had given herself too early. What if he gets bored? What if that’s all he wanted? What if he turns out to be like the others?

“Shall we go out today?” Mark announced entering the room fresh from his shower. Annie jumped as he kissed her on the cheek and grabbed the cup of coffee off the side. Thankfully Annie’s paranoia subsided.

“Yes I would love to go out.” She replied. “Where would you like to go?”

“Well,” Mark said. “Do you fancy a drive over to Widnes, they are playing Wigan this afternoon. We can grab something to eat?”

Mark was unaware of the full extent of Annie’s ties with rugby league and she had not yet told him that her eldest son played for Leeds. Without hesitation, Annie moved towards Mark and put her arms around him, “Yes I’ll go to Widnes with you today if you will come to the Leeds and Castleford game tomorrow with me”.

Mark looked extremely confused but hugged her all the same. Annie looked up into his eyes and realising his confusion explained, “Rugby league is one of my passions. I’m not just a fundraiser and trustee of the charity, my eldest son plays for Leeds”. He put his cup down and held her tight for what seemed to be an eternity.

He rested his head on hers and sighed, “How lucky am I, finding someone so special who shares my love of rugby”. He squeezed her, then released and walked into the hall.

“We going now?” she shouted after him.

“No,” Mark picked up his car keys from the table in the hall, “I have my rugby shirt in my gym bag in the car.” He sprinted out to the car whilst Annie watched him from the lounge window.

He returned with his Wigan shirt, promptly changed and said, “Come on then let’s get going.”