Chapter 12

When I got into the house, I saw there was a note from the home help. We needed more washing up liquid and bin bags. I made a coffee and then checked the cupboards and the fridge. I made a list and then did some online shopping. I got a delivery slot for Saturday afternoon which was a bonus. There was a shop in town, but I was still not sure I could carry back any heavy shopping bags.

Then I sat and read the exercise sheets I had been given by the physio. They were all to get the strength back into my arm and used household items so there was no need to get any specialist equipment.

I went back into the kitchen and took a tin of beans from the cupboard and did some reps of the exercises. I worked through a series of exercises for a good half an hour before I started to feel that I had done enough, the sheet said to work it for twenty minutes, so I had overachieved.

I looked out of the window and saw it was still raining. I grabbed a coat from the hooks by the door and headed out into the evening deluge. I was soaked within seconds as the rain was hammering down. It was a typical end-of-the-summer English evening.

I walked to the town and went into the little supermarket. I was hungry but did not know what I fancied. I soon settled on a stir fry. I got all the makings and then headed home.

After eating I took a shower and then watched some TV before heading to bed. The following morning was beautiful. The sun was already high in the sky by the time I woke up. I did not waste any time, I got dressed in my walking gear. I pulled on my boots and headed down into the town, the harbour café was open. I bought a takeaway coffee and a bottle of water and headed out and over the coastal path.

There is nothing like the view over the sea when the sun is shining. There is something great about walking after a good rainstorm, it is like the scenery has been washed and it looks brand new.

I walked for a good two hours through the countryside, before heading back. I was conscious that shopping would be coming between three o’clock and six o’clock, so I decided to up the pace, I fancied lunch at the café.

I could feel rivulets of sweat rolling down my back as I strode back toward the town. There were a few walkers and dog walkers out, hellos were exchanged as we passed.

I got back to the café around One-ish. I ordered more coffee, water, and ploughman’s lunch. I sat at one of the tables outside and watched the world go by. My food arrived and I wolfed it down. The walk had given me a good appetite.

Then I sat back and enjoyed the sun and the coffee. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the heat on my face. Then a voice broke me out of my daydream. I looked up, it was a police officer, well it was not any old police officer it was the gorgeous Sergeant Sarah. She was togged up in the full gear, stab vest, radio, cuffs, and a baton that I knew would spring out and become a proper weapon. She had her sunglasses on, and her blonde hair was in a ponytail. She looked very sexy and very professional at the same time

“Hello there Zak,” she said and smiled a knee-weakening smile, “fancy bumping into you here!”

“Hello Officer, it is good to see you,” I said unsure of both her second name and the right way to address a police officer

“It’s Sarah please” she smiled and took her hat off, “so would you mind some company?”

“No that would be great,” I said and realized I had sounded seriously overeager

“Great, I am going to buy myself a coffee, would you like a refill?” she asked and put her hat on the seat of one of the chairs.

“Please let me go and get you one,” I said and stood up

“No, it is my round, you can buy the next one,” she said with a smile

“Yes, please a flat white would hit the spot” I replied, she shot me that smile and headed into the café. She came out ten minutes later carrying a tray with two coffees and two slices of Battenburg cake. She was a lady after my own heart. She sat down and sipped her coffee before nibbling on a slice of the cake.

“So why are you down here today?” I asked.

“Oh, it is just a normal beat, a patrol around the town, a chance to have a chat with a few locals and show that we are here to support the community, “she said.

“Okay well, it’s a nice job I guess, out in the sun!” I responded.

“It is okay, some of the shopkeepers are having issues with shoplifters but all in all, all is good in the world.” She said with a wink and then took a second to nod and wave at a delivery driver that was walking into the next shop.