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Perfect Strangers
By Anonymous
As she stood
watching her life fall apart she felt like her life was
over, feeling the sadness rising deep within her. Slowly turning to
walk away she realised she had no real idea of where she was going, or
where she would go after this. Wandering through the city streets she
contemplated her life as she tried in vain to find somewhere to go to
get out from the pouring rain that seemed to be getting heavier with
each passing moment, but having no money and looking the way she did
she wasn't having any luck. “... So you see if you could just let me
come in for a moment to dry off I'd be most grateful?” she asked for
what seemed like the hundredth time, and after getting turned away
again she sadly walked away. Hurt lost lonely and dejected, she hoped
and prayed that her prince would come along and save the day.
As he walked away from the banks of the River Thames and the devastation
of this last case, he felt totally lost and in need of salvation. ‘It's
my fault.' Was all that went through his tired and weary mind, as he
walked through the city streets, getting soaked in the pouring rain he
had no idea where he was going just that he needed to go somewhere.
With his mind full of all the hurt and pain in his heart he walked
through the deserted city streets desperate to find some solitude,
thinking about the people he'd lost it all started to become too much
for him as his tears threatened to fall. Not being able to take anymore
and as he came to a stop in the middle of the street, outside of the
Ritz Hotel his tears just couldn't stop falling. As thoughts of his
wife and son mixed with that of his team his tears continued to fall,
mixing with the falling rain that didn't seem to want to let up either.
“Look sir, I know you're upset but you'll have to move on as it's
putting people off coming inside.” The uniformed man said, his blank
expressionless face gave nothing away. At any other normal day or time
his reaction would have been to kick scream and shout until he was
heard, but instead today all he could do was blink a few times put his
head down and walk away sadly. With tears still flowing from his eyes
he walked blindly through the streets, carrying the heavy painful
weight of it all upon his shoulders and the tightness across his chest
of his heart breaking. Looking for somewhere, anywhere to rest his
weary soul and find salvation. Walking through the back streets he came
across this small café, walking inside he looked at himself in the
mirror behind the counter and realised he was a mess. Ordering a coffee
and sitting out the way in the corner he tried to make sense of it all,
knowing deep down inside the pain in his heart and soul was still
immense and it would take a small miracle to ‘fix' him once more.
As she passed by the small café she almost passed by feeling like she
couldn't really stomach getting turned away again, but standing outside
the door she felt something deep within her telling her that she
shouldn't walk by. Walking inside and heading for the counter she too
caught herself in the mirror and realised what a mess she looked,
trying to smile as best she could to the man who approached her from
behind the counter she was determined not to cry this time. Taking a
deep breath and smiling a smile she knew would never reach her lips;
she spoke and told of her plight to the man behind the counter. “Excuse
me, please can you help me?” She started; preparing herself for the
moment she was turned down again and told to leave. “What's happened my
dear?” The man behind the counter said as he looked with concern and
worry, shocking her for a moment with his concern. Smiling a little she
continued after he had introduced himself. “I just need somewhere warm
to sit and dry off while I think, I've had a really bad day and I need
to....” Pausing as her voiced trailed off, the tears she swore wouldn't
fall did.
Looking up to see this beautiful young woman walk in, the first thing he
noticed was her sad eyes. Then he noticed the bruises and cuts, tears
and dishevelled look that he himself was now sporting. Sensing this
beautiful woman had also been through hell something deep inside him
drove him to instinctively head towards her, and as he listened to her
plea for help almost on auto pilot he offered his help along with that
of Jack's; the man behind the counter. “What's the matter my love?” He
said as he handed her his handkerchief, wishing he could take this
beautiful young lady's pain away. “My life is over, I've lost
everything.” She said tearfully as she took the handkerchief, turning
to face the man and thank him she came face to face with a handsome man
that looked just as lost and hurt as she did. Both became captivated by
each others eyes, the seemed to say so much and for a long time silence
surrounded them both. “Thank you, you're most kind.” She said as she
let her hand linger upon his for as long as she could, not wanting this
moment to end. Is this my Knight in shining armour? She thought to
herself as she wiped her eyes.
Seeing her shiver he put out an arm for her to follow him and asked if
she'd like to join him, noting her fear he spoke. “My name's Peter,
would you care to join me for a coffee?” Smiling she could just somehow
tell she was safe with this man, and nodding slightly she followed him
over to his table. Sitting opposite each other he poured her a cup of
coffee and silently tried to work out just what each others ‘story'
was, and just why both where sitting in this small back street café
lost hurt and lonely. “Thank you for your kindness Peter, I'm Sarah.”
She told him as she tried to search his eyes and reach his soul,
smiling back at her the best he could he too was trying to search her
eyes and reach her soul. Both praying that the other would be what they
needed to take their pain and fears away, hoping that the pain and
loneliness each felt would soon go away. “Do you want to talk?” He
hardly heard himself say as the silence surrounded them that only
seemed to enhance the moment, trying to smile she looked up into his
brown eyes that showed so much of his pain and hurt. “I was just about
to ask you the same Peter!” As they both smiled and looked deep into
each others eyes both felt something stirring deep down inside that
neither would be able to explain, taking a deep breath he spoke first.
“I'm a Policeman with the Met; I head up a unit specially assigned to
solving ‘cold cases.' We just lost another member of the team today, I
just feel like...” His words trailing off as he thought about Stella's
lifeless body laying in his arms, biting his lip to try and stop his
tears from falling he sat staring down into his coffee. “Oh Peter, how
awful for you. What happened?” Sarah said as she instinctively placed
her hand on top of his, trying to comfort him the best she could. Even
though she had lost everything, she still knew how to care, watching
his gaze shift to her hand upon his she smiled. Touched by her comfort
and concern, Boyd smiled slightly and tried to find the words he
needed. “One minute we were talking and the next she was laying in my
arms covered with blood.” As a tear left his eye, he tried not to let
her see but as she squeezed his hand gently he knew she had. “Is there
anyone I can call for you Peter, your wife or girlfriend maybe? You are
obviously in shock.” Sarah said before she realised, thinking she was
doing the right thing. Not knowing it was all too much for him, as he
broke down unable to stop his tears or the pain he felt.
“My wife died after we divorced when Joe...” Not being able to finish
the sentence, Boyd could no longer be strong or hold on. Seeing the
pain and hurt in his eyes Sarah knew whatever he was going through or
had been through was enough to break him, wondering how such a kind man
could have been so hurt she spoke. “Oh Peter I'm so sorry, I didn't
mean to upset you.” With tears in her own eyes, the silence surrounding
them again Sarah thought of his pain. Realising that something was
still stirring deep down inside her, Sarah wondered how a perfect
stranger could create such feelings within her. As two strangers, hurt
lost and lonely sat crying to each other neither could have known that
their lives would start to get better. “I was ten when my parents died
in a terrible car crash and I had to go stay with foster parents. I
wish I had died in the crash with them, my ‘new family' abused me.
After five years I want in and out of care homes, until I met Steve.”
Sarah managed to say through the tears, noticing that he had now begun
to stroke the back of her hand he had started to hold. Both knew it was
for comfort but somewhere deep inside Sarah felt a longing desire that
she thought had left her forever.
“Joe was a wonderful child but as things began to go wrong between
myself and his mother, he would run away...” Pausing for a moment
unsure why he felt so comfortable tell a perfect stranger his deepest
darkest fears Boyd realised he had been stroking the back of Sarah's
hand, feeling a yearning desire deep within him for the first time
since Mel Boyd looked up into the eyes of an angel and knew instantly
he had fallen. “At sixteen Joe ran away for good, I've not seen him
since...” Biting his lip once more to try hold the tears back, noticing
how she squeezed his hand and looked back into her eyes. Sarah sat
trying to find the right words not only for comfort but also to explain
what she was feeling, looking into his eyes she was surprised to find
that her own fears and questions were being returned. Captivated by his
eyes she saw the tears fall from them and instinctively wiped them
away, softly speaking to him. “Oh Peter.” Was all Sarah could say as
she saw all the hurt and pain running through his eyes, sitting there
in silence knowing neither needed to say anything. “What happened
between you and Steve?” Boyd asked, knowing that something had happen
to her.
“He's all I've ever known since we started seeing each other when I was
sixteen, I feel so lost without him.” Seeing the disappointment in his
eyes, Sarah tried to search for what he was feeling as she continued.
“I thought he loved me, he was my first.” Feeling embarrassed Sarah
paused, trying to find the right words. The pain and hurt in her voice
was evident and as she tried to hold back her tears again, she lost the
fight and let them fall silently. Gently wiping the freshly fallen
tears away, Boyd continued to silently hold her hands hoping that it
was a comfort to her. As Sarah looked up into Boyd's eyes she could
tell he wasn't like the rest, and sighing deeply she continued. “After
breaking me mentally Steve then began to break me physically after I
hit eighteen.” Sarah said as she searched for a sign in his eyes that
he felt the same, knowing she had fallen for this handsome kind
stranger. Wishing he could understand how any man could do that to a
woman let alone such a beautiful one, Boyd sat there trying to search
for signs in her eyes that she felt the same way he did.
“How could Steve do that to you Sarah? I'd never...” Boyd started,
trailing off when he realised neither of them were in any fit state to
go down that road, staring back down to his coffee Boyd hoped she'd not
heard him. “I know you wouldn't Peter, you're not like him. After he
had cheated on me for the tenth time I confronted him.” Pausing as she
looked deep in Boyd's eyes she saw something she wasn't expecting, love
and surprisingly enough she realised he saw that in her eyes too.
“After a huge row today, he did this to me...” Indicating to the
bruises and cuts that adorned her beautiful face, seeing the sadness in
his eyes as Boyd tenderly touched her cheek, gently squeezing her hand
with his free hand. “He kicked me out of my home and left me with
nothing but what you see in front of you now.” Holding her palms up
indicating that all she had was what Boyd saw in front of him, a
lost
hurt and broken woman.
Looking into his eyes Sarah could just tell that he would take care of
her, and that she would be safe with him. As Boyd ordered food and
reassured Sarah it was ok he realised he wasn't ready to let her go
yet, telling her that she deserved better Boyd finally allowed someone
into his heart again. “You are such a beautiful woman Sarah, you
deserve so much better. You remind me of Mel...” Boyd's voice faded as
he couldn't stop himself from mentioning her name, feeling the sadness
rise deep within him at the thought of the young woman he never got the
chance to tell the truth to. The tears pricking his eyes, Boyd wanted
to look away but found he couldn't. “Mel was the first member of my
team; she lost her life after she apprehended a victim that became a
suspect too.” Pausing as he tired to hold back the tears, Boyd hadn't
talked about Mel or how he felt since that fateful day. “She fell and
hit my car...” He sobbed through the grief and pain, as his tears fell
silently. “It's my fault, I couldn't protect her...” Boyd cried feeling
all the years of hurt and pain flooding out, sensing his pain Sarah
moved to his side and held him instinctively in her arms.
Whispering soft reassurances into his hair as he continued to weep,
softly rubbing his back for comfort, Sarah wished she could take his
pain away. “I couldn't save her... She didn't know, I never told I...”
Boyd managed to say through the tears, wishing he'd got the chance and
praying he got a second chance with this beautiful kind woman holding
him tightly in her loving arms. Sarah held Boyd closer and continued to
whisper soft reassurances into his hair, trying as best she could to
sooth away his pain and hurt. “I never told her I loved her, I never
said I love you.” Was all Boyd could manage before his grief and pain
took over, feeling her own tears fall Sarah thought of the pain he must
have gone through. “Oh Peter!” Sarah tenderly cried into his hair as
she tightened her arms around him, feeling how he buried his head into
her chest and sobbed silently. Both became oblivious to their
surroundings and as time passed them by both stayed in each others
arms, comforting and crying upon each other.
As day turned to night, Boyd and Sarah still held each other in the same
close embrace as the customers came and went. It was only when Jack
approached and spoke to them while clearing tables that either of them
realised that had been there all day, or that it was time for them both
to start thinking about where they should go from here. “If you love
someone you should tell them every chance you get, you know?” Jack's
deep voice startled them both slightly, both looking up at him through
tear stained red eyes both questioningly looked at him before he went
on. “When I met my wife Tina, I swore I'd never forget to tell her
everyday that I loved her.” Sitting down at the table next to Boyd and
Sarah, Jack went on noting how they still hadn't let go of each other.
“I just wish I'd had the chance with Lucy...” Jack's words trailed off
as he thought about the woman who had stolen his heart all those years
ago, holding back the tears as he continued. “We worked together and
although I felt instantly in love with her I could never say anything,
I never had the confidence to do so.” Pausing to say goodbye to his
last customers, Jack locked up and came back over to Boyd and Sarah who
was now sat perched upon Boyd's lap.
“Lucy was due to leave and go abroad and I felt like I would be able to
tell her before she left...” Pausing to hold the tears back still, Jack
thought about that last day he saw Lucy. “When she didn't turn up when
she was meant to I got worried, I searched everywhere for her. When I
finally found her she was laying in a hospital somewhere after being
involved in a car crash...” Turing away to hide his tears, Sarah held
onto Boyd tightly feeling him do the same. “I never got the chance to
tell her I loved her, and it destroyed me. So now that I have my Tina,
I never let a day go by when I don't tell her I love her.” Jack said as
he regained his composure, getting up to leave Boyd and Sarah alone for
a while Jack turned to leave speaking before he left. “Sometimes you
don't get a second chance to say I love you, you should always take the
chance when you can.” Walking away Jack sighed deeply, hoping it would
be enough. Sitting in silence both Boyd and Sarah felt Jack's words
hitting home, knowing he was right and that they couldn't just walk
away now.
“Thank you for coming to my aid today Peter. You have restored my faith
in men, I finally feel ready to love again.” Sarah said softly as she
moved slightly so she was perched on his lap but facing him, smiling at
him with her beautiful blue eyes he could see the tears drying up and
hoped that they never felt that pain again. “I feel the same way Sarah,
I know I never got he chance to tell Mel I loved her but now I feel
like I have a second chance I have no intention of letting it escape me
again.” Boyd answered as he gently caressed her back and looked deep
into her eyes, feeling like he could finally become the man he wished
he was Boyd smiled. Both saw something in each others eyes and just
seemed to know what the other felt and was thinking, neither were ready
to walked away or let the moment go. “I know we have only just met
Sarah, but I can't imagine my life without you in it. I couldn't stand
being apart from you for even one day, I'd really like you to stay with
me and to get to know you better.” It wasn't so much of a question,
Boyd just said what he was feeling and thinking smiling at how Grace
would be laughing at this new sensitive side he was showing.
“I feel the same way about you Peter, I can't envision not knowing you.
I would love to stay and spend time with you...” Sarah said as she
smiled the smile of an angel, leaning into Boyd's ear she whispered to
him how she felt. “I can't imagine you not being here by my side.”
Wanting to say that she had fallen, Sarah moved within inches of his
lips. He could feel her breathing slow and how she seemed to take each
breath in unison with his own, slowly Boyd inched further towards her
lips feeling his own desires were as strong as hers he softly whispered
the words he could never normally say. “I love you Sarah.” He felt how
she smiled gently, moving inches further so that their lips were almost
ever so slightly touching Sarah spoke. “I love you too Peter.” Softly
she whispered her desire, and now as they sat having admitted their
feelings both felt ready to love and feel again. Moving forward, they
shared a tender kiss one that would linger for the longest time.
Finally they pulled away and would spend the rest of the night falling
deeper in love with each other, knowing that neither would ever be
along again.
As the time came for them both to finally leave, the both headed towards
the door. Taking her hand in his own, Boyd kissed the back of it and
softly whispered ‘I Love You' against the back of it. Smiling at each
other, they left together and headed for his home. As Jack watched them
leave Tina came and wrapped her arms around her loving husband and
spoke. “Just like the old days hey Jack?” Kissing his back and thinking
of the two perfect strangers that had just left and who reminded them
both of a past that neither could forget, smiling and turning to take
his wife in his arms Jack spoke. “Aye my darling aye, here's hoping
they have just as much as happiness as you and I my love.” Smiling at
his wife Jack knew that if Boyd and Sarah felt half they way he did for
Tina then they'd make it, turning away Jack spoke once more before the
pair went to bed. “I'm glad you came in that day, my beautiful perfect
stranger.”
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