Cabin 22 : David and Jackie Posted on June 19 , 2017 by Derek Knight AUTHOR NOTES : This is very much a first draft - I wanted something less " happy " to occur in Cabin 22 , and this story came to mind . Actually , a variant came to mind first , but as I put it down the story re - wrote itself in my head . I am not totally happy with the Journal entry at the end , but re - wrote that a dozen times until I came up with the current version . It was David and Jackie 's 24th wedding anniversary , and they had decided to celebrate it at Silver Oaks Cabins this year . They always did something to mark their anniversary , and as she parked and stretched her legs , Jackie tried to remember all of them . There was the honeymoon , of course , when they went to Lanzarote . She remembered the first anniversary was in Paris , and then Rome - or was that year 3 ? That 's right , she thought , on their second anniversary she was pregnant with Julian , and they 'd gone to a place in Wales where she was sick every morning ! Then the 4th anniversary was that trip to the hotel in the Highlands of Scotland , were David had tried golf for the first time . She smiled when she remembered that for year 5 they had tried Wales again , but she was sick each morning , and it turned out she was pregnant with Jessica , and they had laughed that they would have to stop going to Wales if that kept happening ! After that there was Dublin , Cyprus , a cruise on the Mediterranean and , well , it became a bit of a blur after that , so many celebrations , and so many places . She was already wondering about next year , and the big quarter century of marriage ; they would have to mark that with something special , surely ? Maybe they would go on a Caribbean cruise , they had never done that . Or , instead of a vacation , they might have a big party at the house , and invite all their family and friends . Her thoughts were interrupted by David driving into the parking place next to hers . He had suggested they both drive their own vehicles to the cabin , so that they would have both his big Land Rover , and her smaller hybrid . That way , he said , they could be flexible about which car to take out when they went sightseeing . It seemed like an unnecessary expense to Jackie , especially as she had thought they would walk in the woods and sit on the beach most of the time , but she went along with it . In any case , money wasn 't really a problem with David 's new job , and her own little design business ticking over nicely . " OK Jason , I 'll talk to you soon . " David looked up from the call to his assistant at the office and saw Jackie standing by her car , waiting for him . She really was an exceptional wife , he told himself for the thousandth time . Talented , witty , charming , a good hostess , a pleasant companion . And she had kept her looks over the years too , a little bit plumper , maybe , and her hair was tending to gray a bit , but really , not too bad for a women her age . Our age , he corrected himself . He left the thought uncompleted , smiled at Jackie and climbed out of his car . They kissed briefly and then they busied themselves unpacking and settling in the cabin , which they agreed was charming , romantic and quaint . Jackie noticed the Journal , and flicked through its pages while David finished unpacking . She would have to put something really nice in there , she decided . The meal was excellent , the service attentive , the bill huge , and they both thoroughly enjoyed the experience . As they got back in the car , Jackie suggested they drive along the coast road north to Cromer . David hesitated at first , but then agreed that it sounded fun , so he sat back while Jackie maneuvered the narrow lanes and byways . The drive was splendid , and the sun was setting as they made their way back to their temporary home in the woods . David took over driving on the way back , and it was Jackie 's turn to relax and admire the scenery . She thought it was a really romantic setting , and the idea crossed her mind that maybe they would make love that evening . They both lived such busy lives that there was hardly any time for intimacy nowadays . Jackie tried to remember the last time , and realized with a shock that it must have been before David got this new job , so probably 8 or 9 months ago . She had an idea , and decided to put it into action as soon as they got back to the cabin . Looking through her suitcase , she quickly hid her nightdress , and then told David that she had forgotten to pack one . As David poured them both a whiskey , Jackie took off her clothes and laid on the bed in just her panties . David was feeling conflicted . He was aware that they had not had sex for quite some time , but there were a lot of reasons for that . They had been married for a long time , after all , and then there was the stress of his job , and Jessica 's business took a lot of effort too . And then of course there was … No , David told himself . No , this vacation is all about Jackie and I , nothing more . Not that there was anything ' more ' , really . Nothing . Even so , he somehow couldn 't bring himself to acknowledge Jackie 's clear intention . He had seen her pack her night clothes , just like she always did . In a moment of insight he wondered if she missed the physical side of their marriage . It had been OK to start with , but he thought that really they should be over all that sort of adolescent stuff by now . There were really good friends , and liked each other 's company . They were content , wasn 't that enough ? Their actually anniversary was on the last full day of the vacation , and they decided to celebrate with a nice lunch at the restaurant they had been to the first night they were there . Rather than have to drive , which meant one of them had to be careful of what they drank , they got a cab there . The meal was splendid , with a different wine accompanying each course , and brandy with the coffee after the meal . Neither of them were really drinkers , so they were both somewhat light headed as they were driven back to the cabin , and Jackie flirted outrageously with David in the back seat of the cab . Rather than go into the cabin , David suggested that they go for a last walk in the woods . Jackie pouted ; what she really wanted was for David to grab her and carry her off to bed , but , she reluctantly realized , that was not going to happen . So she took his arm and let him lead her into the woods . It was cool and calming in the woods , and they strolled along , sometimes commenting on a view or a bird song , but mostly just walking arm in arm . Jackie was slowly getting less drunk , but at the same time her bladder was starting to scream that it needed release . She was enjoying the walk , and the alone time with David , so she didn 't say anything for the longest time . Eventually , however , it became too urgent not to do something about . " No , " Jackie replied . " I need to pee right now or I 'll wet myself . I 'll go behind this tree , you stand guard and make sure no one is coming ! " " Sorry about that , " she said as she returned to find David staunchly guarding the path . " I 'd wet my panties a bit , so I left them off . " So saying she flicked her skirt so that David could see that had nothing on underneath . David blushed slightly , and they carried on along the path . Coming to a bridge over a stream Jackie stopped and lent against the railings , looking out over the water . " Stand behind me . " She said to David , and as he did she guided his arm around her waist , then moved his hands up to cup her breasts . She sighed . " Doesn 't that feel nice ? " She said . She let go of David 's arms , and bent slightly over the railing , pushing back ever so gently into David 's . She started to slowly move up and down , in a way she was sure was irresistible . David spluttered . He knew what was expected of him , and he was willing himself to just do what Jackie wanted . But somehow he could not bring himself , either physically or emotionally , to do it . " What the fuck David ! I 've given you all the signals I could , and I can 't be any more obvious that I want us to have sex , so what 's the problem ? And don 't give me that ' I 'm tired ' crap , we 've been here a whole week and nothing . Don 't you find me attractive anymore ? Or , " Suddenly a horrible thought crossed her mind , " Oh shit David is that it ? You 're having an affair ? Some young bitch of a secretary has her hooks in you , is that it ? " David felt like he had been backed into a corner , that there was nothing that he could do anymore to hide from reality . He didn 't want to admit it , and he 'd hid the truth even from himself . But Jackie was right , there was something wrong , and it was time he admitted it . " You know you were my first real girlfriend . " David started . " Growing up I always thought that I 'd never find someone special to love , and then you came along and we were happy . " " We are happy ! " Jackie said , even though she was starting to cry tears of fear , and her stomach was trying itself in knots . She felt something bad was coming , it must be an affair , she told herself , sex with a younger woman that was OK she could win him back , she knew it . " The thing is , when I started in my new job , I got a personal assistant , Jason . Well , you 've met him , he 's openly gay , and well , I find I 'm attracted to him . Actually , I think I 've fallen in love . I couldn 't stop myself and I 've tried to ignore it , or suppress it , but … " Once again he stopped , unsure of the words he needed to express himself . With a growing dread , Jackie slowly started to comprehend what David was trying to say . " Are you saying that this Jason is your , She struggled with the word that had to be spoken , " boyfriend ? " The thought was ridiculous , but at the same time , it made sense of the late night phone calls and how David hurriedly hung up whenever she came into the room . She had thought he was being polite , but maybe it was something else . " What the fuck does that mean , you think you 're gay ? We 've had 2 children together , was all that a lie ? Just you joking along and laughing at me behind my back while you screwed rent boys ? " " No Jackie , I have never been with anyone , I promise you , not to this day . " It was important to David that Jackie understand the struggle he had been going through . " All through school I kept having feelings for boys , but I was taught over and over that it was wrong . So I smothered those feelings for years , and we were a happy couple and I thought that was enough . " But then I met Jason and all my resolve came crashing down . I 've never said anything to him about it , but I 'm pretty sure he knows anyway . I 've never done anything with him , and I don 't even know if he would have me , but I can 't deny it any longer . I thought , no , I hoped that being here with you this week would make it all go away , but being away from him is just making me more sure . Jackie , meanwhile , was trying to make sense of it all . " So what happens now ? Are you going to throw me aside like a used rag ? Are you going to make a mockery of our 24 years and our children ? What about all our plans for the future , are you going to give that up just to try being gay for a while ? You turn down sex with me , but want it with some little … " She didn 't have the words , so she left the sentence unfinished . " I don 't know what 's going to happen , all I know is that I can 't go on living a lie anymore . I just have to take this chance to be true to myself , to the real me . " He looked pleadingly at her . He didn 't want this to end badly , but at the same time , he knew deep inside that it was going to . Without a word , David turned and headed back to the cabin , packed a few things and got in the Land Rover . As he drove he put in a call . " Hi Jason it 's David . No , nothing to do with the office , I just wondered if you were free tonight ? Maybe we could have a drink and talk ? " Jackie stood on the bridge for a long time , reliving over and over the conversation that had just turned her world upside down . Only as dusk fell did she move , and made her way to the cabin . She had a fleeting hope that David 's car might still be there , and that he would plead with her to forgive him , which she would have done without a seconds thought . But his car was gone , as was his bag . She fell on the bed wept herself to sleep . Jackie woke to a gray dawn outside . She had the momentary hope that it had all been a bad dream , but the empty space next to her in the bed told her that it was all too real . She was angry at David . How could he ruin all her dreams and let her world crumble around her ears . Why couldn 't he just have had an affair and got it out of his system . He wasn 't gay , how could he have been ? It must be an excuse , she concluded , there must be something else behind it , some reason why David wanted to hurt her so . She packed up her things and put them in the car . Coming back in the cabin to check she had not left anything , she spotted the journal . A bitter smile crossed her lips , as she recalled her thought that first day to put something nice in it when she left . Instead , there was only one thing on her heart that she wanted to share . Selwyn looked around the cabin . There was no desk , nowhere to set out his laptop or sort through his papers . He checked his phone : only 3 bars on the connection , and no Wi - Fi network that he could connect to . He sighed , and once more complained under his breath at the stupidity of taking a " vacation . " It was true that he had not taken even a Saturday off for the last several years , but he was happier like that . He wouldn 't be here now if the other partners at Tomlinson , Jackson and Smithers hadn 't insisted that he take a break . He looked out of the window . He might be only 100 miles from London , but the view outside was strange and slightly scary , to be honest . He returned his view to the interior of the cabin , and soon managed to hook up his laptop , set up a hot spot on his phone , and was ready to check emails . Only 256 unread since he had left the office , and his virtual assistant had categorized 26 as urgent , and 2 as critical . He was soon busy dictating replies and organizing his schedule , when the phone rang , and he was momentarily annoyed to see that it was Bridget , the newest partner in the firm , and quite the rising star . Fun ? Selwyn wanted to say . Fun ? What has fun to do with anything ? There were profits to be made and deals to be struck , and he was here in this back end of nowhere , without even a fast internet connection . But he knew the latest fad was to have a ' work - life balance ' , and so he gritted his teeth , and said he 'd shut down the computer and go for a walk . Selwyn could not remember the last time he had just walked , without any idea of a destination , and with no thought other than the physical activity of walking . He followed a path through the woods , noticing that it did not seem to be taking the quickest route , but was twisting this way and that , apparently at random . He crossed a dilapidated bridge over a small untidy stream , and was annoyed to see the path continued to wind back and forth in an unstructured manner . He had been walking for probably about 30 minutes when he noticed the first drop of rain . Before long the rain was falling in sheets , and he hurriedly retraced his steps , trying to get back to the relative safety of the cabin as soon as he could . He was just approaching the bridge when there was an enormous clap of thunder , and the ground seemed to shake under him . He found himself tumbling forward from the shock of the blast , and before he knew what was happening he was knee deep in the rushing stream . He struggled to shore , drenched through from the river and the pouring rain . Another clap of thunder was followed by what sounded like an explosion , and there seemed to be a secondary flash from closer by . More lightening illuminated the area , and he struggled to the cabin , wondering where all the lights were . He soon found out , when flicking the switch in his cabin he discovered there was no electricity . He reached for his phone , only to find that it was missing ; he assumed it must have fallen out of his pocket when he fell into the water . Cursing all the way he went back out into the night , and was soon hopelessly lost in the dark and dank forest . Eventually the rain stopped , the clouds cleared and by the light of the full moon Selwyn was able to make out the river , and followed it until he found the bridge . He searched , and eventually found his phone , covered in mud , but apparently unharmed . He wiped it off as best he could , but when he pressed the power button , nothing happened . He trudged back to the cabin , and collapsed onto the bed , too tired even to take his wet clothes off . Suddenly power was restored , and light filled the cabin , shocking Selwyn awake . He got up , ran the bath , slipped out of his sodden clothes , and relaxed into the hot water , grateful for the simple gift of warmth . Drying off , he found that the top of the bed was wet where he had laid on it , but he managed to find a dry area , and he pulled the blankets up to his ears , and fell into a deep dreamless sleep . He didn 't even think about checking emails . The next morning he awoke slowly , luxuriating in the warmth of the bed , before jolting awake to check on his phone . It was as he had feared , the drenching in the river had been too much , and it showed no signs of life . He dressed in his still damp clothes and went out to the campground office , made some calls and arranged for a new phone to be expressed delivered . Even so , it would be mid afternoon before the delivery could reach him , and so he was out of communication for the next few hours . He decided that he 'd walk to the beach following the directions he found in the office , and he set off . He felt strange . This was the longest he 'd gone without being able to check emails and social networks for - well - for longer than he could remember . It was scary , but also somewhat exhilarating . He soon found himself on the beach , and realized that his Giorgio Armani Moccasins might not be the most appropriate things to wear on the sand . He couldn 't take them off , obviously . To even think of walking barefoot along the sand was ridiculous . Soon , however , the sand was finding its way into his shoes making it really hard to walk , so he reluctantly removed them and his socks , rolled up the legs of his trousers , and carried on . He wanted to hate it . He wanted to be having a really bad time , so that he could complain bitterly to Bridget and the other partners and say that he was coming straight back to London . He wanted to feel out of place and awkward . For as much as he didn 't like to admit it , the feel of the cool sand between his toes was soothing and refreshing . Much as he tried to scowl at the world , the bright sun reflecting off the water made him smile . Even though he tried to ignore it , the gentle breeze coming off the sea , with its slight salt tang , made him feel light and alive . He went into the café . He ordered a Full English Breakfast , extra toast , marmalade and tea , and was soon happily eating his way through a huge plate of freshly fried food . It wasn 't the sort of thing he was used to , of course , no fine dining experience , and he inwardly labeled it as " carb city " food . It also came with conversation , and the serving lady , Dorothy , who also seemed to be the cook , cashier and cleaner , talked nonstop about the storm of the night before , and Selwyn recounted his own story of falling in the stream and almost getting lost in the woods . He ordered more toast and marmalade washed down with more tea , and his hunger was eventually satisfied . When he got the bill , Selwyn was shocked at how little it was , considering how stuffed he felt . He reached into his wallet for his corporate credit card , but it was not in its normal place . He checked through the wallet , but no card . He stared to go through his pockets , when it suddenly struck him ; when he had called for a new phone , he put his card on the desk while he read the numbers , but he didn 't recall picking it up again . In fact , now he thought about it , he had a clear picture of his card sitting on the desk in the campground office . He went back through his wallet and his pockets , getting together all the loose change he had , but he came up short . He could feel a cold sweat coming over him . How embarrassing was this ? He had visions of being carried away to sit in the police cells , and what his partners would say at his criminal record . " Don 't worry , darling , you put your money away , this one 's on me . " Selwyn looked up , shocked and unsure of what to say . Dorothy went on , " I 've lived rough myself a few times , and I know how hard it can be , even round here . So call it me playing it forward for the day I need a helping hand . You keep that money you have for later , and here . " She scribbled an address on a napkin and slid it over to a totally confused Selwyn . " This is our local charity shop . Go there and tell them Dorothy sent you for some decent shoes . When you 're on the road the one thing you really need is good footwear . " Selwyn was speechless . He , Selwyn Smyth - Tomlinson , was being mistaken for some down and out looking for a handout ? Then he looked at himself , at his sand covered bare feet and his dirty disheveled clothes . He stumbled a few words of thanks , and left the café , stunned . He started out along the trail , wondering at all that had happened . Soon he found himself at the bridge over the stream , where he had lost his phone the night before . Now , instead of the dark gloomy place he had thought it , it seemed bright and alive , full of joy and promise . He let that word run around in his head as he stood , transfixed by the babbling water of the stream . There were many things that made him happy , many things that gave him a sense of achievement . Buy joy ? He realized that he had seen joy in the face of Dorothy when she had helped what she assumes was a destitute man . When had he seen joy around the boardroom table at Tomlinson , Jackson and Smithers ? Where was the joy in his expensive clothes and exquisite dining experiences ? He was just about to look at these when his phone rang . Without thinking he answered and was greeted by the voice of Bridget . " Ah ! Glad I got you at last Selwyn . " She was all business , all the time , Selwyn thought , and he wondered if she ever found any time for joy in her life . Bridget 's continued talk broke into his thoughts . " It 's about the Hodgkin 's case , we have a couple of issues and I 'd like to run them past you . " Selwyn could tell that she was about to continue , but he cut her short . " I 'm sorry Bridget , but I 'm having a hard time hearing you , " he lied . " Anyway , why don 't you put it in an email , and I 'll get back to you after my vacation . Only I 'm quite busy right now , I have some things to sort out . " With that he cut off the call . He told the Virtual Assistant to categorize all his unread emails as non - urgent , closed his laptop and switched off his phone . He sat wondering what had come over him , but whatever it was , it filled him with excitement . First , he would go to the café and pay the money he owed , he thought . No , much better would be to go there after they close , and secretly leave them the money , plus a tip , a really generous tip ! First , he would go buy some unfashionable swimwear , flip - flops and a cheap tee shirt , and go and laze on the beach . And if it rained again , he 'd sit in the rain , and feel the joy run through his body . Then last year he had a stroke , and in the hospital , they found that he had cancer too . That time was a blur to Veronica , and Arthur seemed to go downhill so fast . When the end came , it was mercifully quick , but it left her totally unable to cope or to quite take it in . The excitement and novelty had carried her through the drive , the checking in and the unloading , and now she was here . Veronica looked outside . Even though it was almost July , the weather did not look promising , and there was rain in the forecast . Even so , she pulled on her hiking shoes , wrapped a coat around herself against the possibility of rain and set off for a walk . As she left the cabin , being careful to ensure that the door was locked and the key safe in her inside pocket , she noticed that someone was just arriving at Cabin 23 , next door to her own home from home . She was a younger woman , wearing a smart business suit , and Veronica wondered if she was going to a wedding nearby . She nodded an acknowledgment to the woman 's smile and went on to find a trail . The walk started well . It had been warm and sunny earlier in the month , and the rains of the last few days had made everything just burst into life . Reaching an opening , she found herself gazing down onto a small valley . At the base she could see a stream , running fast with rain water , and even from this height , she could hear the gurgle as it rushed over the river bed . Over to her left , Veronica saw a path leading down to a bridge over the stream , and she decided it would make an excellent place to explore . She was almost on the bridge when the heavens opened , and in no time she was soaking wet even through her coat . Wondering if the adventure had been such a good idea , she headed back along the now wet and slippery path towards the cabins . Veronica looked up and saw her new neighbor standing with her hand outstretched , while her other hand held a big golfing umbrella . She accepted the proffered hand and tried to regain some composure . " I 'm so sorry ! " she said . " It just seemed suddenly too much for me , sitting in a puddle in the rain ! Just the sort of thing Arthur always warned me about . " The thought of her late husband , never far from her mind , was suddenly clear and sharp . She thanked the stranger and hurried off to her cabin to dry off and get changed . Her plan all along had been to eat in the on - site restaurant , but now the time came to go there , she had second thoughts . She hated eating alone , and the idea of people 's pitting gaze at her single state was frightening to her . Nevertheless , eat she must , so she put on a brave face and set off . She had found a table , ordered and was sipping her water when she saw her neighbor walk in the restaurant , wearing an expensive looking evening gown . Without quite thinking , she smiled and indicated the empty chair on the other side of the table . The woman smiled back , and come over to her table . " Oh , I 'm so sorry ! How insensitive you must think me ! " Tracey looked mortified , and it was Veronica 's turn to be apologetic . The food arrived , and they two ladies ate , drank , and talked , and somehow another bottle of wine was ordered . By the end of the meal , they felt like old friends . The second bottle had been emptied , and Tracey suggested having a cognac to round off the meal , and Veronica accepted before she realized that cognac was another name for brandy . As they sipped their drinks , they agreed that breakfast the next morning followed by a brisk walk would be great , and they stood to go back to their cabins . " Do you think you could help me ? " Veronica said as the mechanics of unlocking and opening the door seemed too much for her . Soon they were inside , and Tracey helped Veronica out of her coat and shoes . If Tracey was shocked by Veronica 's unkempt appearance , she didn 't show it . " No it 's my fault , I shouldn 't have persuaded you to another drink . Listen , you go to bed , and I 'll see you in the morning , but only if you 're up to it , OK ? " Veronica was aroused by a knocking at the door . She tried to hide under the covers , but it would not go away . Eventually , she wrapped a blanket around herself and went to the door to see what monster was making all that racket . " I think last night was the most I 've drunk since , well , ever ! " Veronica replied . She suggested that Tracey should go off to breakfast without her , and then went into the bathroom and took a long , hot shower . Veronica swallowed the pills , then grabbed some cloths and went back into the bathroom with her coffee . There she brushed her hair , dressed and applied some lipstick . Coming back out she felt almost human again . " This Journal thing is a cute idea , " Tracey said as Veronica came out of the bathroom . " The one in my room is nearly full , and is fascinating reading , but I see yours is a new one , with just a couple of entries . " She looked Veronica up and down . " There , you look a ton better sweetie , " Tracey reassured her . " Now eat up your food and let 's get out on that walk ! " " Yes , great idea ! " Veronica looked at Tracey 's feet , and the 5 - inch heels she was wearing but decided that her friend must know what she was doing , so decided not to say anything . Soon they were walking along the path that , the map said , would lead to the beach . " This is unbelievable ! " Tracey said as they emerged from the forest , climbed the dunes and saw a vast expanse of sand ahead of them . " They were right about coming here to unwind . " " I hate smoking , " Tracey said as she noticed Veronica 's look . " I only took it up to be one of the boys , and now I 'm hooked . " Although they had been talking non - stop all the time they had been walking , this seemed the most open thing that Tracey had said . " I 'm an options trader , " Tracey replied . Her face , normally smiling and carefree , took on a dark look , and her eyes narrowed as she continued to talk , " And a fucking good one too , but according to my firm , I 'm burnt out . I gave those fucking people 5 years of my life , and then they just throw me out like a piece of trash . What a load of assholes . " Veronica tried not to look shocked at the casual vulgarity . Up to that moment , she hadn 't heard Tracey complain or swear , had not seen anything but a bright and cheery disposition . She noticed that Tracey 's hand was shaking as she lit another cigarette . " And they don 't even sell booze in this God - forsaken place . Let 's get back to the cabin I 've got some there . " Without even waiting to see if Veronica was ready to leave , Tracey got to her feet and started along the road inland . She had got only a few steps before she realized this was a gravel path , and her shoes were still stuffed in her bag . She put them on and stomped off , Veronica following along in her wake , wondering who this person was ; it was certainly not the care - free girl who had been playing in the water just a few minutes ago . Suddenly one of Tracey 's heels broke , she tripped and landed in the sand at the side of the path . When Veronica caught up with her , Tracey was just sitting there gently sobbing . Not knowing quite what to do , Veronica sat next to her , gently put her arm around the crying woman , and started to make soft , loving noises , like she had when one of her children had hurt themselves . " It 's OK , I understand , " Veronica said , even though she really didn 't comprehend how someone could change so quickly and dramatically . " Look , you can 't walk like that with one heel broken , let me break the other one off and then at least you 'll be able to get somewhere . " Veronica helped her friend , and then they started off along the path into the forest . " Can we have a break for a minute ? " Tracey asked . She stopped in the middle of the bridge , took what remained of her shoes off , and started to rub her feet . Veronica stood watching Tracey and then broached the subject that she had been fretting over since their stop at the café . " So , not wanting to make you angry or hurt or anything , but your job … " She wasn 't really sure what the question was , just that there was something that seemed odd . Tracey gave a half smile . " I 'm sorry about earlier , it 's just that I recently realized that I 've wasted so much time . I wanted a big city career , and that is what I got . I worked hard , and there was always the next promotion and a bigger bonus to aim for . But after a while , it all seemed sort of pointless , and much as I tried , I think the Bank saw that in me too . " They ' let me go ' 2 months ago , and I 've been angry ever since . Well , angry and relieved too in a way , I would never have found the courage to leave on my own . But I 've been feeling adrift and not knowing what to do next . I thought the Bank job would be the pinnacle of my achievements , but when I got there , all I could see was years and years of doing the same thing , over and over . It didn 't fulfill me , but then , what did I really want to do ? " Just a week ago I was just looking on Instagram , and pictures of this place came up , so I thought , why not take a break ? I called and got a last minute booking , and left before I had a chance to have second thoughts . Then when I got here the first person I saw was you , sitting in a puddle in the rain . You made me smile and feel sad all at the same time , and I started to feel the ice inside melting . " Tracey let out a long sigh . " You know , I came from a small town , and my parents wanted me to stay , but I thought that it was too stifling to live in a close knit community like that . But now , I wonder … " She left the sentence unfinished , the regret unspoken . There was silence for a while , and then Veronica started talking about her husband , how they had had a good life together , but that she had always wanted something different , something ' other ' , without quite knowing what it was . She talked about her new home , and about feeling being adrift too . Then she mentioned an idea that had been percolating in her head for a while , unspoken to anyone . She stared to talk about her idea of doing something in the line of catering , while also saying that she had no idea about how the business side of it would work . " I guess it 's just a pipe dream of mine , I 'm too old to be starting up something all by myself . " Veronica said wistfully . " We could call it VeeTee 's after our initials " Tracey said . " I 'd look after the business said , and you could run the café . " She looked excited , just like the girl that had been on the beach splashing in the water . " Wait , what ? Us ? Are you suggesting we go into business together ? " Veronica was struggling to get her head around the plans that had suddenly appeared in front of her , when she thought it was going to be another day with nothing much to do . " Absolutely " Tracey smiled as she replied . " Sorry , I 've been up most of the night going over this , but I didn 't mean to spring it on you . Your talk about catering sparked a thought in my mind too . I AM good at running a business , but I need someone with the creativity that you obviously have to spark my ideas . Of course you 'll need time to think about it , but I really do think we could make a go of this . " Veronica paused before responding . In her head , she could hear her Arthur saying " you be careful of those City types , they can 't be trusted . " She thought she knew what her children would say too , that she didn 't know this person , and that she should not get involved . All her sensible instincts were telling to run , not walk , from this obviously crazy woman . And yet … I have dreamt of coming here many times , but the actual experience was totally different than I expected . Wonderful place , great walks , wonderful restaurant , altogether one of the best vacations I remember taking . Do take the walk down to the sea , along the beach and back over the bridge , it really is magical . I feel like my life has been on pause for the last many years , and now I am ready to move forward again . I am a strong and resourceful woman , and I can do anything I set my mind to . Jill shut the door behind her , and squealed with excitement ! At 14 she was grown up enough to have a cabin to herself , and not have to share with Mum and Dad anymore . Her brothers , Ben and Don , had moaned that they had to share a cabin , and said they should have one each too , but Jill didn 't think they meant it , they just liked to argue . She quickly unpacked and hung her clothes in the dresser , then looked around to see where she could hide her drawing paper and pencils . She never left them in sight in case one of her brothers found them , or , even worse , Mum or Dad . She sighed . No one would understand the fascination she found in her drawing ; she knew that , so she never shared this secret passion with anyone . Dad worked long hours in a factory , and Mum worked in the local grocery store . She had it drummed into her from an early age that it was important to get a job and make money . Hard work was all that counted , and she had studied hard so to get good grades in Math and English so that she could get a well - paid job in an office one day . No , Jill knows that her passion fro drawing was a waste of time , but still , in the quiet moments of the night , she dreamt of drawing and art and longed for the time when she could steal a few minutes with her book and pencils . She picked up the journal on the table next to the bed and was momentarily disappointed to see only one entry in it , and that it was a very short one about some old couple . But the mention of a bridge over a stream interested her ; now that would be a good idea for a drawing . Without further thought , she gathered up her paper and pencils and headed down to the stream . Only when she was half way there did it occur to her that maybe she should have told someone where she was going . Then she realized she 'd left her phone back in the cabin , but it was too late to go back now . In any case , she was sure she 'd be back before anyone noticed her absence . It was about that time that Ben and Don were getting ready to go to the beach . The sea was a 20 - minute walk away , 15 if you ran , and the boys were keen to get there as soon as possible . Just as they were packing up , Mum came and told them to knock on their sister 's door , and see if she wanted to go as well . They grumbled a bit ; Jill was OK , but she was a girl , and always wanted to stop and look at things along the way . So when they knocked and got no answer , they weren 't too upset . About an hour later , Mum tapped on Jill 's door too . She didn 't get an answer , so she peeked round the door , and saw that Jill had unpacked but was not in the room . Mum smiled , thinking that Jill had gone off with the boys to the beach . She did worry about Jill sometimes , just recently she seemed to be preoccupied , and always having her nose in a book , or staring off into the distance . Jill was a sensible , hard working girl and was doing really well in the academic subjects at school , but Mum felt that something was troubling her daughter . She was hoping that this time away from the regular day - to - day routine would bring her out of it , whatever " it " was . She went back to her own cabin and found her husband busily cleaning the barbecue grill , ready for tonight 's supper . Here was another one who could not stop working , she thought , not for the first time . She was proud of him , of course , and amazed at the hours he put in at the factory . Still , it would be nice if he would relax a bit sometimes , not everything had to be about work . Meanwhile , Jill had discovered the perfect spot for her drawing . She had found the bridge over the stream that she had read about in the journal , and thought it was full of action , and yet calming at the same time . Jill looked around and found somewhere to sit , with her back to an old gnarled oak tree . The location also had the advantage that anyone walking along the path would not be able to see her , so she was sure there would be no interruptions . Soon she was entirely focused on her work , trying to get the reflections and the shadows just right , even though they kept changing by the minute . As she sat , the sun filtering through the treetops had a mesmerizing effect , and a gentle warm breeze further relaxed her . She tried a number of times to capture the essence of what she was seeing , each time being pleased but unsatisfied at the same time . The warm sun had a soothing effect on her , and without being entirely aware of it , she slipped into a deep sleep . Within a few moments , she was back . " She 's not there , and her phone is on the counter . Dad , where is she ? Where 's my Jill ? " Mum was trying desperately to keep calm , despite thoughts of her baby girl being abducted and murdered , or worse , while she had just been enjoying the sun . " OK , there is no need for anyone to panic " Dad tried to reassure his increasingly tearful wife and overexcited sons . " Mum , you go to the office and let them know what 's happened , and then came back here in case she turns up . I 'll go and search the woods . Don , Ben , you go back along the beach road , maybe she followed you and you missed her . Call me if you find her , but come straight back here if you don 't , is that clear ? " The boys said they understood and set off , calling Jill 's name every few minutes , Mum ran to the office , and Dad ventured into the forest . He met a few people coming the other way , but none of them had seen a young girl , and his grip on the composure he had tried to show the family was slowly ebbing away . His phone rang , and it was just his wife reporting that the boys were back , but with no news . He told her to get them to try around the campsite and hung up . He had reached a bridge over a stream and was unsure what to do next . He was not a religious man , but as he sttod there he suddenly found himself praying with all his heart that his little girl was safe . He called Jill 's name for the hundredth time , and then held his breath ; had he heard a reply ? In her dream , Jill was floating along a red river on a golden sailboat , the wind gently wafting the sails . Someone far away was calling her name , over and over , and she idly wondered how to bring her boat to shore . Then the voice was nearer , and Jill became aware that the red was not a river but the sun setting across the valley . She started to wake slowly , groggily wondering where she was , and then suddenly she was jolted awake by the sound of her father 's voice calling her name . When Dad spotted movement , he ran towards the old oak tree , more in hope than expectation . Then he saw her , his beloved daughter , standing in a clearing surrounded by papers . He gathered her up in his arms , and for the first time in her young life , Jill saw her father cry . " Oh , it 's nothing " Jill tried to stop him looking , but he picked up a few of her sketches and looked them over . " I know it 's silly ; I need to study and get qualifications so I can get a proper job , just like you and Mum . It 's just that , well , this is what I love to do . I love sketching , drawing , all that art stuff . But it 's stupid , I know . " She blushed and looked away , as her father reached for the remaining pages and studied them . " Stupid ? " he said . " These aren 't stupid ; these are excellent . I tell you what would be stupid , and that would be not pursuing your talent . " " And you think being an artist isn 't hard work ? " Dad looked at his young daughter , no longer the baby he had once held in his arms , and not quite a woman yet . A thousand memories came to mind all in an instant , and he sat down on the soft earth , patting the ground for Jill to sit next to him . " Let me tell you a story . " He started as Jill looked at him in amazement . " When I was a young kid , maybe a year or two younger than you , I dreamt of being an actor . I just loved the whole thing about being on stage , I was in all the drama at school , and nagged my Mum and Dad to take me to all the plays that were on in anywhere in town . Then when it came time for me to take exams , my English teacher said I had talent , and suggested I go on to drama school . This is the first time I get to stay in a cabin by myself , and that means I get to write in the journal too ! I am 15 , well , almost , I will be later this year , and I am Jillian Mary Robertson , I have two older brothers , who are a pain , but I love them anyway . Mum and Dad are here too in one of the other cabins , and Ben and Don have one to themselves . Oh ! Ben and Don are my brothers , and I 'm called Jill , not Jillian , that is just my given name . This is a magical place , and something about the magic has rubbed off on me this week ! I have discovered that I am not a misfit , that I have Talent , and that it is OK to dream . My Dad is an amazing man , who gave up so much for us and I love him more than anyone in the whole wide world . " I 'm surprised they still keep up that tradition ! " Bill replied with a chuckle . " Yes , we 've certainly made some memories over the years , haven 't we ? And maybe we can make some more tonight ! " " Bill ! " Mary shouted , trying to sound annoyed , but smiling at the same time . That was her Bill , a lot older now , but still a kid at heart . She remembered back to her 16 - year - old self who had come with her parents to join in a family party . They had had smaller vacations before , but nothing as grand as staying in cabins in the woods . As an only child , she spent much of her time alone but was just at the age where she was starting to come out of her shell emotionally . Bill had been with another family party , and the two groups kept running into each other , as they hiked the trails , played on the sand , and swam in the sea . Bill told her later that he had spotted her right from the start , but she certainly had not been looking for anything other than a fun time with her family . One evening Mary was walking alone along the " sunset trail " when she caught her heel on the overgrown path and found herself slipping down a grassy bank towards the stream . Mary was sure that nothing could stop her fall when suddenly strong hands grabbed her , and there was Bill . He had seen her stumble as he was fishing the stream and ran to help her , getting there just before she would have fallen in the water . The rest of the vacation seemed to fly by . Mary discovered that Bill was a year older than her , and was going to join his father at the family manufacturing company in the East End of London . They took long walks together and talked nonstop . The younger children in both families giggled when they saw them hand in hand , and Mary 's Mum remarked how her little girl was growing up fast . Soon , however , they were packing up to go home , and Mary was convinced in her heart that they would never meet again . After all , he lived in London and had a job to go to , while she was in a tiny village in Yorkshire . She was still at school and was sure that the attractions of London would soon divert Bill 's thoughts from her . It was an odd sort of game they often played ; " what if " this or that had happened , what would their lives have looked like . What if Bill 's father 's business had not gone bankrupt just six months after he started there , leaving him out of a job . What if he hadn 't traveled to her little village for a visit , and fallen in love with the place . What if he hadn 't found a job in the local car repair shop , which came with a caravan out back where he could live ? What if he hadn 't been asked to go with her family again to Silver Oaks , and they hadn 't walked that day along the path by the stream ? Her Dad was doing well on the farm , and for once they were in funds . Mary was due to head off to University in Brighton , and her Dad offered to talk them all to Silver Oaks again . By this time , Bill and Mary were " an item , " and he was invited to come along . Bill got to share a room with one of Mary 's cousins , and she had a cabin to herself . " Yes , but it 's a different happy . And you broke my heart when you said no . " He said it without bitterness or self - pity . It was just a fact from the past , one that they had discussed often . " That 's not fair , " Bill replied , but without the heat that these discussions had generated in years gone by . " You had turned me down and gone off to your studies , and Linda was , well , she was there . I admit we hadn 't planned on getting wed , but when we had to , we made the best of it . " Mary 's heart softened as she heard the real concern in Bill 's voice . " I know , " she said , " and you did make the best of it . You were a great Dad . " " Well , then you wouldn 't have married Robert , and you wouldn 't have had his babies . Of course , you might have had mine . " He looked over at Mary , worried that his words , although meant in a light - hearted way , might have hurt her . " They were just looking for different things . " Bill paused again . " If it hadn 't been for our vacations here , I don 't know what I would have done . " Robert had been a senior executive in the Merchant Bank that Mary joined , and after the initial passion had faded away , their marriage became one of convenience for both of them . She got a lift up the social ladder , and a nicer place to live , and he got a smart and intelligent wife to stand by him at cocktail parties . The first time Mary found out about one of his affairs she cried for a week and threatened to leave , but she was already six months pregnant , so she resolved to accept the situation . It had been when Billy was 3 and her second child , Jessica , just six months that their paths had crossed again . Robert and Mary had planned to take the children to visit with Mary 's Mum and Dad , but at the last moment Robert had ducked out . He said that there was a significant deal that he had to be in London to supervise . Mary suspected that the " deal " was , in reality , the young female intern that had just started at the bank , but she was past caring by that stage , as long as they were reasonably discreet about it . On the drive down her car started to overheat , so she took it to the one repair place that was in her parent 's village to get them to look at it , only to find that Bill was now the owner . They caught up on the events in each other 's lives as Bill looked over the car , and he let slip that he was going to Silver Oaks in a couple of months , to do some fishing . Linda was staying home with the children , three of them now , and this was to be Bills first solo vacation for many years . They reminisced about the place , and Mary started to feel wistful about the Norfolk coast . Her house in London was beautiful , but something about the woods and the open spaces seemed to be calling her . Without really knowing what she was doing , she got details of the dates Bill would be there and booked herself a cabin too . Back in London , she started to question her decision . What was she doing , chasing half way across the country for some fantasy of a country idyll ? But when she broached the topic with Robert he was all for it , and even suggested that they employ a nanny to look after the children while she was away . " Well , I wanted to be open and not raise your expectations . " She had thought it through and realized that Bill might have been expecting them to sleep together , so she called him and told him that they were just going as friends only , nothing more . She had meant it too ; she had no intention of breaking her marriage vows or cheating on Robert , no matter how many times he cheated on her . At Silver Oaks , they had a wonderful time of walking and relaxing , and each evening before going to their separate cabins they exchanged a kiss . Then on their last day , they went for one last walk . When they got to the bridge where Bill had proposed , they both stopped and stood wordlessly for a while . Then Bill let out a deep sigh and started to speak . " Mary , I have to tell you something . I 'm in love with you . Always was , always will be . I know it 's hopeless , you have your life in London , and I have my work and Linda and the children , but all you ever need to do is say the word , and I 'll come to you , whenever or wherever . " Bill stopped , trying to judge what Mary would do or say next . What she did blew him away . " Oh , you silly man . " She said with tears starting to fall " I love you too , more than I can say . " She reached up and kissed him , and they stayed locked in that embrace for a long time . Then wordlessly they started to walk back to the cabins . Bill saw Mary to her door and kissed her briefly before turning to go to his cabin . " You know I often wonder that ! " Bill replied . " I was so churned up inside that I might have come and pounded on your door in the middle of the night . Or maybe not , maybe I would have put it down to the magic of the setting , and we would never have seen each other again . " And so it was that they got into a routine . Once a year , Bill went on a fishing trip , and it just so happened to be the same time that Mary would be having her break from town on the Norfolk coast . At first , they were circumspect about it , booking separate cabins and making sure that they were rarely seen in public together . After a while , they started to be more open , even reducing the cost by booking just one cabin . They never tired of Silver Oaks , and the place grew to have a special place in their hearts . Eventually , Robert found a younger woman who was not content to be a mistress , and he divorced Mary . She moved back to Yorkshire to look after her father , who was now a widower . Only six months later , Linda got tired of the solitude of the small town and ran off to London . There she was swept off her feet by a young executive type , and soon Bill was single too . There was nothing to stop Mary and Bill getting together after that , except that there were different people , and had gotten used to living alone . Even so , once a year they took their trip to Silver Oaks . Then they were standing on the bridge , their bridge , side by side with the water trickling below them , and the trees making a silent canopy above . It truly was a magical place . Bill routed in his pocket and produced a small box , scuffed and slightly the worse for wear . Well let me see , what can I write ? Well , Bill and I have been coming here almost every year for 40 years , and both of us just love it ! It truly is a small piece of paradise that God left on this earth ! Bill and I met here , and he courted me here . He proposed to me on the bridge over the stream , but it was the wrong time , and I said no . Cabin 22 - new work in the making Posted on March 17 , 2017 by Derek Knight A couple of months ago we had a really nice mini - vacation in a real log cabin in the woods in rural Illinois . In the cabin , they had a journal , which several visitors had written in over the past couple of years , and it was interesting to read all the various stories . A lot of them were simple " we had a lovely time in the woods " type of comments , but there were also some heart - warming ones , and you could tell from the handwriting that all ages had written in it . This train of thought brings me to where I am now , starting a new novel , or rather , a series of stories all rooted in a single location , cabin 22 in the fictional " Silver Oaks Woods " in Norfolk , UK . So far , the stories that have told themselves in my head are funny , inspirational and romantic , but we will have to see what future guests record in the journal ! For now , here is the opening . Romantic & Weekend Getaways At Silver Oaks , our traditional , yet modern accommodation take you back to the good old days with 32 one - room log cabins all with gas fireplaces . Set among towering oaks , the cabins have beautiful hardwood floors and authentic rustic furnishings . There are 20 detached cabins with open - beamed ceilings . Another 12 cabins are built in groups of three under one roof . Each cabin offers a private entrance and bath , but there are interconnecting doors which make them ideal for large families . Pillows , blankets , and towels are provided . Modern conveniences include heat , air conditioning , phones , mini refrigerators , TVs and DVD Players . You may be relaxing in cabins in the forest , but you 'll be as comfortable as you are at home . An old tradition , going back to our founders in 1938 , is that each cabin has a journal . Please feel free to record your thoughts about your stay , and to read what others have shared with the community . Completed journals are preserved in our office library , going all the way back to the beginning , so do come along and browse through them ! December Release Posted on December 1 , 2016 by Derek Knight Well , after nearly 2 months of proofing , editing , reviewing , and polishing December 1 mean that the publication of Being Tony has finally taken place ! ! ! I 'm still waiting the first proper print run to arrive here , but due to the miracle of technology , the book is already available online , and I was amazed to see that it pops up all over the world . Here 's the list that I have :