Love Hurts

I'd planned on having this story out months ago but I've had some health problems which delayed the writing. To add to my woes, a few days after I started writing again my computer crashed and I had to wait a couple of weeks before it was replaced (fortunately I'd backed up the work to date). Anyway, back in the saddle again.

In my story 'Twilight Time', Niamh Cassidy told new girlfriend Vicki Clarke how she had been badly hurt once by a woman called Marti. 'Love Hurts' is Marti's story. In a way, it's both prequel and sequel to the Vicki/Niamh element of 'Twilight Time' but is somewhat darker than that story. It's not necessary to have read 'Twilight Time' but it may help you to know some of the characters. 'Love Hurts' is a long love story?there is sex but it's secondary to the plot. I hope you enjoy it.

Characters in sex scenes are eighteen years old or over. All characters and most places are imaginary?any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

Copyright © 2016 to the author

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"Love hurts, love scars / Love wounds, and mars..."

The Everly Brothers 1961

Now

Have you ever hurt anyone so badly that you've torn yourself apart at the same time?

I have.

Her name was Niamh Cassidy and she was young and she was beautiful and I loved her and then I crushed her. And I did a pretty good job on myself while I was at it.

And now, five years or so after that bitter and shameful act, I was back in my home city, on my way to see a solicitor who supposedly had important business to discuss with me. Nearing his office, I glanced at my watch and saw that I had a good forty minutes before my appointment. Since I was last here, a new shopping mall had been built in the city centre and some way inside the entrance I could see a couple of coffee shops, not quite opposite each other, both with tables set out on the main concourse. I could kill time by having an espresso and people-watching.

I was impressed. The mall appeared vast and there'd been no expense spared in its construction, what with its marbled floors and fluted columns and cleverly concealed lighting to simulate daylight. As far as I could see, all of the major stores were represented and it looked as if some of the smaller units had been rented to independent traders, particularly those on an ample mezzanine floor. In addition to the coffee shops there was a good selection of food outlets and I suppose those so inclined could have a full day's outing without sampling fresh air. On reflection, I decided it wouldn't do for me long term, accustomed as I now was to open spaces and wind and rain in my hair.

I idly scanned my fellow customers in both coffee shops and then I think I did a double-take. A young woman, nursing a baby, who was sitting at a table outside the other place, had caught my attention. Her back was largely turned towards me but surely there couldn't be too many women with such a cascade of flame-red hair. If it was who I thought it was...

I drained my espresso, stood and walked over. As I neared I could see over her shoulder that the pretty infant had a thick mass of identically-coloured hair. Big blue eyes gazed up at me and the baby chuckled as it waved its arms.

"Niamh...?"

The young woman turned with a ready smile which faded instantly when she saw me. She gave me a brief nod of acknowledgement. "Marti." There was no welcome in her voice but then I hadn't expected any.

"Niamh, I..." Suddenly I was having trouble thinking what to say. "Niamh, I... I know it's been a long time but I owe you an apology and an explanation..."

"You owe me nothing, Marti." Her lovely sapphire eyes were cold.

"Please, Niamh, if you'd just give me a few minutes..."

She made a dismissive gesture. "You'd better go, Marti. My wife'll be here with our drinks any moment. Just go, please."

I suppose I deserved it. I turned away. As I did so, from the corner of my eye I had an impression of another woman approaching the table and a voice said: "Who was that, sweetheart?"

"Just someone I used to know," I heard Niamh reply, "Nobody worth bothering with."

Christ, but that hurt. I guessed I was meant to hear, and I know that from Niamh's viewpoint it was fully justified, but that didn't stop it hurting...

Then

...I met Niamh in a club called Guys