If you've ever been very poor or very lonely you never forget it. It's a feeling that will accompany you all your days. No matter how much money you make or how many people surround you, deep in a hidden place you will always be poor or lonely.
Sam turned over onto his side and punched the pillow so it moulded itself to his cheek. He shivered and pulled the rough blanket over his shoulders. The morning sunlight was trying to find a way through the shutters and a stray sparkling strand pierced his eye lids like a laser. Sam sat up and looked at Jo's sleeping form, her breathing was regular and slow and it soothed him, calming his nerves. He leant across and stroked her cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. She reached up and pulled his head down to meet hers and kissed him full on the mouth.
'Ready for another day in Paradise?' Her voice was low and husky. She smiled at him and ruffled his hair.
'You stay there Sam and I'll make our coffee.'
Jo went to the kitchen area humming.
Sam lay and watched her, taking delight in the way she moved so gracefully in the confined space, like a dancer.
It was the first day of their honeymoon and Sam felt confused. He knew he loved Jo and wanted to spend his life with her but he hadn't been sincere and was afraid.
Jo bounced on the bed carefully holding the tray with the coffee cups high above her.
'What would you like to do today Sam? There are some lovely walks round here along the cliffs. I used to go with my dad.'
She paused and Sam put down his cup and drew her towards him.
'You've got me now Jo, you'll never be alone again. I'll look after you.' He smiled down at her.
'A cliff walk and a pub lunch sound like a great plan, and then back here for some you know what. Start as we mean to go on, I say.'
Jo giggled, finished her coffee and went to grab her washing things.
When she'd left Sam lay back looking at the ceiling of the camper van and listening
to the sounds of the camp site. The bed was hard and his back hurt. He thought of his sister's favourite fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. She'd make him read it to her every night. It was all her idea not to tell Jo the truth. He sighed, what had he done? What was Jo going to say when she found out? Maybe he'd gone too far with the camper van plan. They could be in a five star hotel.
The door opened and Jo appeared bringing in a sweet smell of her favourite white musk perfume and the fresh Spring air.
'Your turn Sam, there's no-one in the showers now. I'll get the breakfast, bacon and egg ok?'
She put on an apron and turned round. She'd tied her hair up in a pony tail and he kissed the base of her neck. She turned to him and pushed him back on the bed, smothering him with kisses and hungrily reaching for him.
Later when they were walking along the cliff path and stopping every two minutes to take photos of the twinkling blue sea and the wild flowers growing along their path, Jo stopped and then hugged him hard. Then she ran ahead shouting into the wind
'I love Sam, I love him!'
Sam ran after her and catching hold of her pulled her onto the soft grass. A dog appeared and joined them thinking it was a game, they rolled over and over and then sat up breathless and gazing at each other. Then they both spoke together.
'I've got to tell you something.'
'You go first, no you go'.
Neither of them was laughing any more. Jo took a deep breath.
'Sam you are the whole world to me. When my dad died I felt so completely alone. I never knew my mother and had no relatives, just me and dad. The people at work were kind and everything but I knew I was on my own, a loneliness crept in my heart and has never really gone away. That feeling was so terrible and frightening and then when I met you , well I couldn't believe it, still can't Sam. I love you so much.'
Sam held out his hand to pull her up.
'Can't see any problem there, I love you too.'
'It's just been so quick and your sister and her husband helping us with the wedding and everything. She was so kind to let us have the reception in her house and do all the catering. I'm just afraid you'll feel sort of too responsible for me or something. I mean I've got no-one'.
'You've got me.' Sam shouted into the wind. 'You've got me! and you've got my sister, she thinks you're great.'
Sam and his sister Anna had been brought up in a children's home. They never really knew what had happened to their parents. When they were old enough Anna had become a hairdresser and Sam had trained to be an electrician. Anna had married Jonathan the owner of the salon and Sam had gone to live with them. Jonathan was so kind and like a brother to Sam
Then about six months ago Sam had met Jo in the queue at the Post Office. She'd been there to sort something out for her boss at the Estate Agent where she worked. They had waited so long in the queue, something had gone wrong with the computers, that they started to talk to each other and he had asked her out for a drink. He later told her that it had been love at first sight and she had looked at him with such tenderness and cried with joy and delight.
She was looking at him like that now, with such trust and love. His heart leapt.
'What did you want to say Sam?'
He sighed and took a deep breath.
'It's difficult Jo, please try and understand. It's, well it's that Anna, Jonathan and me, we did the lottery and well we won. A lot.'
An expression of panic appeared on Jo's face.
'What are you trying to tell me Sam? Have you changed your mind?'
Sam started to laugh, a nervous high pitched sound.
'Oh no, no no Never. I just didn't know how to tell you, I didn't know what you'd think.'
'Sam I married you for love and that's all I want, you can keep the money.' She looked confused. Sam grabbed her by the shoulders.
' That's not what I meant, I felt bad about keeping it from you. It's your money too. It was Anna's idea, She thought we'd be like the Princess and the pea.'
Jo thought of Anna growing up in the children's home, with no father and mother, she thought of the lonely nights and the hurt deep in her heart. She looked at Sam, his face pleading with her to understand. then she started to giggle.
'Well maybe you can be the Prince and the Pea Sam.'
The wind was blowing her hair away from her face and he pulled her to him. It was like coming home. He looked up at the sky and for the first time in his life felt at peace with the world around him.
They ran back down the cliff to the camp site and arrived at their camper van just as a silver grey car drew up beside them. It was Anna and Jonathan. They jumped out of the car and Anna ran to hug her sister-in-law tears streaming down her face
' I'm sorry Jo it was all my fault. I just wanted Sam and you to be like a fairy story.'
'Oh it is Anna, it's the best fairy story ever, it was my favourite too. Come on , let's make sure we all live happily ever after.'
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