This Love Affair wasn't Acting

My first attempt at a 'Romance' story. I've tried my hand at different genres, some with limited success, but I suppose it's horses for courses and if it's not to your liking you can say so, provided you've got the courage of your convictions and you don't rely on anonymity. Bear in mind I'm comparatively new to writing and my education was science based.

'Love' means different things to different people. If you've had it in your life you will know it!

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It had been a rubbish eighteen months.

Maria and I had decided to split up after thirty years of marriage. She had found a new man and despite that, had taken her share of the house and part of my pension.

To be honest the marriage had begun to go wrong once our daughter had left home. We drifted apart, I had an affair, she had an affair, and once we'd both admitted that, there seemed no going back.

I'd got a flat and come to terms with a different, slimmed down lifestyle. My portion of the pension allowed me to keep up my hobby of photography, and to run my old MGB, and there was enough left to have a holiday which is how I found myself sitting in the lounge bar of the Ambassador Hotel.

The Ambassador is one of two hotels in this busy Suffolk seaside town. The other one, 'The Regency,' was where I stayed with Maria when we took several holidays in this part of the country. It was the reason I'd chosen the Ambassador!

Sipping my beer, I looked around at the few other guests. The bar wasn't full, it was still only five 'o clock in the afternoon and people were arriving, booking in, and going to their rooms.

However, there was one couple who were obviously staying there, who'd come in from their 'day out' and were sitting at the next table, chatting rather loudly. I couldn't help but listen, and it became clear there was some sort of disagreement going on.

The guy, I guessed, was in his sixties, perhaps a few years older than me. Grey hair, immaculately cut, and dressed in a white shirt with dark trousers, seemingly rather formal for a late summer holiday.

The woman was extremely attractive, and quite a few years younger, maybe mid forties. She was shapely, had auburn hair, a few delightful freckles over her nose and below her eyes, and was dressed in a pale green v-neck top and white trousers, which were fitted enough to show the shape of her thighs.

"Please be quiet, everyone can hear, I told you I don't mind being left alone, it was you who insisted I come." she was saying.

"Well don't go moaning to me if you're bored. You should be pleased you haven't been recognised yet. Go out and buy yourself something tomorrow, you know that jewellers shop I bought you that ring from, where was it, in Aldborough?"

Two things fascinated me as I pretended to read the magazine I'd picked up. One was the familiarity of the way they were talking, so similar to the tensions I'd had with Maria in the last dozen years of our marriage. And secondly the statement about being 'recognised.'

There was indeed a vague familiarity in her, something about her face.

I was caught out when she glanced across and knew I'd overheard. She smiled and raised her eyebrows without her husband noticing. I blushed bright red and smiled back before looking away, burying my attention in the pages of the magazine.

A few moments later he said, "I'm going up to have a shower, I need to get something to eat before I go. Are you going to have dinner in the restaurant tonight?"

She was quick to reply, "Probably, I'll see how I feel, I might go for a walk along the seafront."

He left and I could tell that she was a touch self conscious about me overhearing their disagreement.

I looked up and she looked over and caught my eye again.

"Artist's temperament!" she smiled, almost shrugging her shoulders as if to excuse him.

"He's got a concert tonight, he gets uptight," she added in an explanation that wasn't entirely necessary.

I knew there was a famous classical concert venue just inland, about twelve miles away, and I presumed he was involved in performing there.

"It's okay, I get it," I replied, engaging in friendly conversation, "You're not going to it?"

"No," she said it with a guilty expression, "he doesn't like me attending, it makes him even more uptight."

Her broad smile seemed to light up the bar and, for the first time, I saw that she had green eyes. Her face seemed to resonate with me once again.

"I'm Tom, by the way, staying here for the week."

I didn't get up, it was a casual exchange of names between two guests.

"I'm Emily, pleased to meet you Tom. We're here until Monday morning, Ray has got performances tonight, tomorrow, and at the weekend."

"I might well go and see one," I replied, trying to seem enthusiastic.

"Then please don't buy a ticket, if you want to go I'll get you a complimentary one."

I was a bit surprised that a relative stranger would be as generous as that.

"Goodness, thank you, I'll look online and see which night, that's very kind of you."

She stood up. "I'd better go now," she said, "just let me know, we're bound to see each other in the next day or two."

I watched her pick up her bag and quietly held my breath as she seemed to glide out of the bar, my eyes riveted on her delicious backside.

As soon as she'd gone I got out my phone and googled the concert hall. Immediately I found her husband's name. 'Raymond Hertzog, international renowned pianist.' and then, as a sort of descriptor, 'married to actress Emily Reynolds.'

The penny dropped. The woman I'd just been chatting to was someone I'd seen in several films on Netflix, or perhaps it was Amazon Prime, and who my ex wife Maria would have been groaning at the fact that I hadn't recognised her.

"Jesus," I muttered under my breath, remembering some of the scenes, both funny and sexy, that I'd seen her in.

I finished my beer and went up to my room, still rather excited about being in the presence of a celebrity. My first instinct was to tell someone, anyone, but for some reason I resisted. I drew back on texting the obvious one, my daughter.

I showered and put on a fresh shirt and trousers and thought about dinner. The seafood around that coast was well known so I was looking forward to something special.

The restaurant was busy. I looked, but there was no sign of Emily. I enjoyed the meal along with another beer, and wandered out into the car park to check on my car. It was a lovely early September evening and I wanted to check the soft top for the next day. I'd planned to drive up the coast.

As I unclipped and re-clipped the hood to the windscreen I heard a voice behind me.

"Is that yours? It's beautiful!"

I turned to see Emily standing a few yards away, this time dressed in a flowing print dress and strappy sandals.

"Yes, it's my little baby," I chuckled.

"I drove one of those in a......."

She didn't finish the sentence and at the back of my mind I suddenly knew why. I remembered her in one of the films I'd seen, driving a red MGB. At the time I'd registered that it was the 'American' version.

Smiling sympathetically I said, "It was a red one wasn't it?"

She groaned, "Oh god, you know who I am."

"I do, but I didn't," I laughed.

She laughed too, "What do you mean, you didn't?"

I explained how useless I was at faces, and how I'd googled her husband.

She groaned again, "Please don't tell anyone else here, I just pray I won't get swamped with people wanting selfies!"

"Your secret is safe with me," I replied honestly, "but like I said I'm useless at faces, there's bound to be a few who will. You'd better hope that the clientele here have some sort of etiquette."

"Etiquette, what's that?"

It was my turn to smile, and when she giggled it was infectious.

"I'm just checking the hood, I'm off for a spin up the coast tomorrow if the weather holds."

"Oooh, can I come with you? Ray's rehearsing again... pleaseeee?"

I was blown away, here was a famous actress pleading with me to take her out in my car.

"Are you sure? Your husband won't mind?"

"Ohhhh, he can go hang. Seriously he won't mind as long as you drive carefully, mind you I'm well insured!"

She laughed again.

"Okay, but please tell him won't you. I don't want to be punched on the nose."

"I will. Wow! I'm excited now, will you let me drive?"

I thought to myself that that was a big ask, and muttered, "Hmmmm, I'm not sure about that!"

My concerned face cracked and I laughed, "Maybe, as long as you drive slowly!"

It was almost dark in the hotel car park as Emily turned to go.

"I'll meet you after breakfast, about ten, if that's okay?" she said, and as she passed me she squeezed my arm, "I'm looking forward to it."

I was on cloud nine and didn't sleep very well. I'd planned to drive to Aldborough, the seaside town that Ray and Emily had been talking about in their noisy conversation. I couldn't see why we shouldn't head in that direction.

In the morning I hadn't seen either of them at breakfast. Thank goodness it was another warm sunny day and I went out to the car just before ten to put the hood down. Exactly at ten 'o clock Emily appeared. She looked the vision of an actress.

Head scarf, large sunglasses, a loose floral blouse and white skin tight leggings.

"Good morning Tom, it's a lovely day."

She came straight up to me and gave me a peck on the cheek. The fragrance of her perfume hit my senses immediately.

Nervously I held her arms briefly and replied, "I'll drive first of all, when we get out on the main road you can take over."

"You don't have to let me, I know she's your pride and joy."

She said it with that joyous giggle as I opened the passenger door for her.

"It's okay, how can I refuse a film star?"

"Please!..." she said urgently, "don't mention the following words, film star, celebrity, Hollywood, anything to do with tv, or indeed Raymond!"

"Hmmmm, have you two been arguing again?... sorry, I'll shut up!"

She didn't reply except to say, "The one I drove in the film was left hand drive," which made me a little apprehensive, however I reversed it out of the car park space and got it through the market square and into a lay-by.

"Okay, your go!" I declared getting out and allowing her to go round and sit in the drivers' side.

I needn't have worried, she drove carefully at first then as soon as we were on the 'A' road opened it up a bit. She knew the way to Aldborough and even knew of a back street pay and display car park.

"Wow, thank you Tom, that took me back a few years."

Having parked we wandered towards the high street and after looking into one or two gift shops we came upon 'the jewellers'. Stopping to look in the window she exclamed, "Oh do look Tom, look at that, second one from the right!"

I was casting my eyes over the expensive men's' watches, but was forced to look at the ring that was being pointed out to me.

"Isn't it gorgeous?"

I tried to be enthusiastic, but failed dismally.

"You sod... it's absolutely wonderful, I want it!"

I was amazed that the price tag was pretty much what my MGB was worth. I was about to comment about that when Emily grabbed my arm and said, "We're going in."

The lady's face behind the counter lit up at the prospect of a potential customer, particularly when she showed an interest in the ruby ring. It was a matter of pure luck that it fitted perfectly on Emily's finger.

"It's so gorgeous Tom, don't you love it?"

"It's nice," I replied, not showing too much excitement.

The woman shop assistant smiled and calculated her response.

"I'm sure your husband's delighted, is it for a happy occasion?"

Before I could even think about a reply Emily had grabbed my arm and was cuddling it, holding one hand out to display the ring.

"He's so good to me, it just an anniversary of a something we'll both remember... isn't it Tom?"

"Oh yes," I almost groaned, feeling Emily's body up against me for the first time, and hoping that she had the funds to pay for it.

"I'll take it please," Emily said.

The deal was done and Emily looked at me and she saw the fear in my eyes. I detected some mischief in hers.

"Have you got your card with you darling?"

She was actually smirking.

"Don't worry I'll use mine," she said quickly, knowing that she'd saved my blushes.

"Thank goodness we've got a joint account," she added for the assistants' benefit.

She continued excitedly, "Can I wear it?" It sounded like a little child asking for a special favour.

The question was directed both at me and the assistant. The shop assistant just smiled and I awkwardly said, "Of course darling."

I was throwing in my part to the deception, and must have blushed when Emily put her arms around me and kissed me on the cheek, very close to my mouth.

"Thank you darling, you're so good to me."

We exited the shop and I was bursting to say something.

"No wonder you're a bloody actress, you put me through hell in there, I thought I was gonna have to pay for that, and what's the 'something we'll remember?"

Emily was giggling so much she could barely speak. Looking at the ring, holding it out in front of her in the sunlight she finally said, "Your face Tom, you're a star, you didn't let me down. Now come on, I'll buy you the best ice cream, I know a good place."

This time, as we walked, she tucked her arm under mine, and to anyone we must have looked like a happy couple.

Emily led me down a narrow side street towards the beach front. At the end, just around the corner, was a tiny shop with a jovial teenage girl serving ice cream.

We chose our flavours and took our cones across the road to a bench on the edge of the pebble beach.

"Mind your shirt, it's melting already," she pointed out, and I was already leaning forward to let it drip on the pavement.

"You're a sod, you know that?"

I was feeling totally relaxed with Emily now, and felt allowed to say that, which was strange.

"I do," she chuckled, as she tried to lick the cone before it ran down onto her fingers. "Ray's so boring, if I wind him up he just loses his temper, I think it's his way."

I sensed a regrettable tone in her reply.

"Anyway I'll have to be back before two 'o clock when he gets back from rehearsal."

We'd finished our ice creams and Emily got a tissue from her tiny bag to wipe her mouth.

"You want one?"

I took it and wiped my lips, and as she put her tissue away I said, "You've missed a bit."

I went to wipe a tiny smear from her cheek and suddenly she grabbed my hand and, looking at me, kissed my fingers.

For a moment the world seemed to stand still.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, looking downwards, "I shouldn't have done that."

"Don't be sorry... please," I replied just as softly.

"We'd better go, before I..."

I took her hand, the one that had grabbed mine, and looked at her directly.

"Yes, okay, but I want you to know that this morning has been special to me, the drive, the ring, the ice cream, it's a bit weird because of who you are, but special anyway. Now let's go and pretend we're strangers again."

"We won't be that, but yes, you can drive please."

On the way back there was a moment when we parked in the hotel car park and Emily put her hand on mine as I pulled the handbrake on, and said, "Thank you for this morning."

I said nothing, I ran around and opened the passenger door for her. As she went off on her own I shouted after her, "I do like the ring, you know that!"

I had lunch in the bar with a sandwich and a pint of local beer. I'd decided to have a walk along to the pier and I spent the afternoon watching both the anglers on the pier end, and then the kids in the paddle boats on the lake.

The weather forecast was good for the whole week so next day I planned to have another drive out to a windmill I knew, the idea being to take some photographs.

Getting back to the hotel around five thirty I sat in the lounge with another beer and chatted to a guy who was seeking refuge from his wife. When I'd finished my pint I excused myself and went up to my room.

Having dinner alone was not something I relished, but I was quite hungry. I took a shower and put on a fresh shirt and trousers and made my way to the hotel restaurant. Just as I was about to enter, both Emily and Ray were on their way out having had an early meal.

"Hello Tom," she said, then turning to her husband she introduced me.

'Ray, this is the gentleman who let me drive his MGB."

I shook hands and Ray didn't seem over concerned with who I was except to say, "So you're the man who helped my wife buy yet another ring! Every time we come here she manages to bump up our credit card."

"I should apologise," I replied, "I was only the helpless chauffeur."

Ray sort of smiled and Emily scowled.

"Get off to your concert Ray," she said ushering him towards the exit to the car park. "I'll maybe see you in the bar later Tom?" she added, and again Ray seemed unconcerned.

"Yes, I'd love that," I replied, and turned to go into the restaurant.

I'd finished my meal when Emily joined me.

"Can we go somewhere else Tom? I've been recognised by some people and I just want to get away from being peered at. I've already had one couple latch onto me."

Emily had changed into some old jeans and a casual sweatshirt and was leaning over to talk quietly in my ear. I'd been sitting in the lounge after dinner, and her distinctive perfume was raising my blood pressure again. I finished my drink and accompanied her out of the front entrance and onto the high street.

"Let's go to a pub, that one just before the cliff path," I suggested, and much to my delight once again she tucked her arm under mine.

"It must be a pain in the ass, being recognised I mean?"

"It is when you're on holiday or just chilling out, but I can't knock it, they're the paying customers!"

Emily had her hair tied up in a pony tail, perhaps not glamorous, and she didn't have a lot of make up on either, but she still looked gorgeous.

"Ray gets nasty sometimes. He doesn't get recognised so much, and it annoys him a bit."

"Well if he marries a beautiful woman who's as famous as you, what can he expect?"

Emily tugged me to a halt.

"Come on Tom, I've heard all the chat up lines, that's so cheesy!"

She was giggling. We continued walking and I replied, "I'm out of practice, you have to give me credit for trying!"

"You're so funny," Emily pulled a face, "I just love being normal with you."

The pub was a fairly small one and although it was on the edge of town it was pretty crowded with both locals and holiday makers. I suggested we sit outside in the dimming light so I got a couple of glasses of wine and I sat beside Emily on one of the benches. She was wearing her sunglasses even though the sun had disappeared.

"I think you look too much like a film star with those sunglasses on, take them off."

She pinched my arm, 'I said no reference to films!"

I chuckled and she removed them.

"That's better, I can see your eyes now."

For a moment there was a pause that felt significant, and Emily tucked her closest arm under mine. I looked sideways at her with a questioning look.

"Don't worry, I'm just being friendly, Ray wouldn't show any affection in public, he's a real stickler for 'good manners."

"So how did you two meet?" It was a genuine question that probably had its answer somewhere on the internet.

"Oh god, a bit weird actually. He wrote the music for one of my first films, before anyone had ever heard of me. He'd been invited on set and I liked his accent. He took me out to dinner and the rest, as they say, is history."

"Sounds romantic," I replied, to which Emily burst out laughing.

"Romantic? my god, Ray and romance are not even in the same sentence. He's a typical very formal Northern European." She hesitated, "I'm sorry, I mustn't speak like that about him, you must think I'm being a bitch."