Like treading on fresh dog vomit on a shag pile carpet the soft wet sand flooded the gaps of my toes as I walked along the beach.

It had been a while since I'd been back here but the memories came flooding back as though it was only yesterday. The bright white foam of the lapping sea on the shore broken only by the rotting flesh of a dead jelly-fish covered in seaweed. I closed my eyes and saw myself as a twelve year old child running up and down the beach, watching boats bob along the coast and people on air-filled death traps floating on the reflective surface of the water.

A breaking wave, bigger than I’d been expecting, broke me from my memories as it splashed water over my feet and up to my knees, soaking my jeans and showing the world that I was unprepared for where I was. When I looked up she was there.

Her beauty was stunning and the sunset on the beach had given her a radiance I’d not seen for so long.

“You look good,” I said.
“Thank you.”
“I hate that.”

As her face broke into a smile I realised I’d missed her so much more than I knew. I’d paid for that smile and not seen a penny in return but if I asked her for it she’d tell me that her years of ‘service’ had been repayment enough.

“What do you want?” she asked.
“To give you this.”

I handed her the envelope. She looked hopeful, as though she was expecting a letter from me announcing my unending love for her and telling her I so desperately wanted her back.

“Are you having me one?” she asked with a wry smile.
“No. The totals are correct. If you could pop a cheque through the door that’d be great. Anyway, I’ve gotta run, I’m meeting the lads for a beer. See ya later.”