Chapter 4

As Anh and Terry were realising their love for one another, three families were celebrating. Amy, the twins and her parents were together. Beth, James and both sets of parents were in the large house in Westley. Jessica, Dave, Jenni and Marty and Marty's parents, with Alison, were gathered at Felixstowe Ferry. All were enjoying their holiday and there is no need for details about the festivities in each place.

But as the day wore on, Sarah Gardiner cornered her daughter. "Amanda ... Amy, dear, I don't like to think of you raising the twins on your own."

Amy opened her mouth to answer, but Sarah went on, "you're doing a fantastic job, and we're doing our best to support you. I know, I mean, I really know, how much Barry meant to you, but..."

"Mum, I made a big mistake with ... well, you know ... but because of Barry, I know what it is to be in love. I am not going to settle for second best. Barry's gone, but the six years I knew him ... it was worth it. It was worth it if I go for the rest of my life without a partner. The twins have got you and Dad, Jamie and Beth, they've got Jenni and Marty, Jessica and Dave – and Ally, of course. I don't think you met Terry; he's a young man who took Beth's place on board Emily Jane, but he's been coming every week or so and takes them out, too. We get on really well, but no matter how well, how friendly we are, I've got to be certain before I go any further. I promise you, though, that if I meet someone, I'll give them a chance."

Sarah embraced her daughter, but couldn't find the words she needed beyond, "I'm sorry, dear. I can't..."

"Hush, Mother. I know. And I promise I'm not looking for some impossible superman. I can't replace Barry. I don't want to replace him. That doesn't mean there isn't someone out there for me to love. Barry was special, but he was human, with faults like anyone..." she broke off and swallowed hard, her mother's arms tightening on her.

"Anyway, Mum, Beth asked me to back up Terry with a work-experience lad on board Emily Jane. Jessica and Dave are having the twins for a couple of weeks. Who knows what might happen?"

The twins, who had been awake since five o'clock in the morning, were carried to bed sleepily protesting at seven in the evening. Alison held out a little longer, but was unconscious by eight, and the adults collapsed with glasses of wine or, in a couple of cases, whisky. Amy's name was on several lips.

"Do you really think Terry is right for Amy, Beth?"

"He's the only man I've seen her take any interest in. They certainly got along well at Mersea," Beth told her husband

At the Yeomans' home, Jenni was also wondering much the same thing.

In Huntingdon, Anh was snuggling in the crook of Terry's arm. "But what about Amy? I didn't want to steal you from her..."

"You haven't. I... 'I once was blind, but now I see' ... Annie, I love you. Yesterday, Mum asked me whether I loved Amy, or was sorry for her. I love her, and Andrew and Lucy, but it's quite different from the way I feel about you. Look at the way we're sitting. We fit together ... physically and emotionally. I want you to meet them. I want to keep seeing them, but I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you."

She sighed, and moulded herself against him.

Somewhat later, in their room in Westley, Beth was naked on her knees in front of James. Her pregnancy was showing.

Jenni and Marty were in their own bed, making love. Jessica and Dave, in theirs, were just cuddling ... and thinking of Amy.

Amy ... was asleep, and dreaming of Barry ... not as she last saw him, though. Lucy was in the dream, too; they were, all three, naked and splashing in the sea, which was warm, not like the North Sea at any time. She could not have said how old any of them were; they might, from appearance, have been any age from eighteen to thirty – and they were laughing. Lucille and Andrew were playing, too; she blinked as she looked at them, because they were neither young, nor old. Somehow, she, Barry and Lucy (the 'older' Lucy) were embracing and Barry was speaking – or was it Lucy?

"We're so proud of you," they were saying. Then, "Amy, precious one ... you will meet your life-mate soon. We can't tell you when, or who, but it will be this year. And you will know. There is someone else, too ... someone who has been badly hurt..."

They separated, and opened up to the twins; one, large, loving embrace, immersed in joy.

Terry was undressing in his room when Anh entered from the bathroom; she stood, quite naked and, suddenly, shy and blushing. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful. After what seemed like an eternity, he finished removing his t-shirt and boxers and sat on the bed, opening his arms in invitation. She crossed the room, slowly, nervous, not meeting his eyes; sat on his lap and rested her head on his chest, inhaling his unique aroma, as he breathed deeply, enjoying hers. Her nipples popped to attention and ached; she took his hand and placed it on her breast. They both gasped as they experienced something very like an electric shock and he jerked his hand away, only to have her press it back, her breast warm, firm and round, her nipple hard against his palm. She lifted her head, eyes closed, and he kissed her.

"Sweetheart," he began, rather later, "darling ... I need to go to the bathroom before we go any further. I don't want to have to get out of bed and leave you once we're there..."

"Go," she smiled, "just ... don't take too long!"

When he returned, she was in bed, the duvet drawn up to her chin; he switched off the light and slid in beside her.

"Annie..."

"It's okay ... I'm on the pill."

"That's ... not what I was going to say. Annie, you are so beautiful and sexy. I, well ... I never..."

She giggled, "don't worry, you will," as she guided his hand to her breast and reached down to hold him, producing a groan and, shortly after, several jets of semen. "Wow ... you are keen..."

"Sorry..."

"Don't be," she said, climbing over him to go to the bathroom for a damp flannel and a towel. Returning, she cleaned him up, and settled alongside him again. "I'll take it as a compliment. Terry ... are you ... not ... experienced?"

In the dark she could not see his blush.

"It is not something to be ashamed of." Reaching down, she found he was still hard. She pushed him onto his back and straddled him, lowering herself onto him.

He groaned again. "Annie... !"

"Just relax, my love. Let me do the work - this time." She moved on him, rocking her hips. "You can use your hands, though," she encouraged him, her smile evident in her voice.