Begin Again Chapter 4: hazy
Will you say to me when I'm gone?
Your face has faded but lingers on
Because light strikes a deal with each coming night
The 9:00 from Illugan to Truro now arriving on platform 1 - the lady over the speakers said. Surprisingly the train was on time.
She had sent him a text confirming that she could come and a cheeky message afterward asking if anyone had snagged her spot because she had already booked the train ticket and do you know how they cost. She arrived on the platform, bright eyed with a large bag full of canvas - an artist like himself, he had found out. Two other bags lay on the ground beside her and Garrick wagging his tail with his lead in her hand.
"Any chance you could take them?" She smiled
"My pleasure Carne!" He picked up the bags slinging one of them over his shoulder "God what do you have in here?" he said when he felt just how heavy the bag was.
"Just my entire life and Garrick's, don't worry I gave you the heaviest one just in case you needed the workout"
"I do not need the workout" He murmured as they left the train station with Garrick trotting behind them and into the car.
A few weeks after settling in, doing in some farm work and Demelza spending the afternoon probably asleep in her room, Verity finally visited after arranging days previously with Ross over text and wanting to meet his "new redhead".
"This is my cousin Verity" He motioned towards her.
"Well bisexual cousin actually but I don't think people around here know what that means." Verity walked through the door in the early morning sunlight. There was a smile on her face, her eyes seeking out the redhead who she had been told about. Her eyes turned toward the sound of laughter and there she sat on the sofa her plait shirt loosely done up over a punky band top.
"They also don't know what to make of a redhead singer with some questionable fashion and lifestyle choices. I have heard so much about you"
"All good things I hope Ross! I hope he hasn't gone on and on like he does sometimes." She turned to Ross, her voice turned into a whisper "I need to talk to you Ross"
Sensing there was a private probably family matter to be discussed, Demelza coughed getting up off the sofa and straightening her shirt before heading slowly towards the kitchen. "So I'll just go and put the kettle on, Ross tea?" Her eyes met his.
"Ahh yes thank you, you can hopefully remember my order"
As soon as Demelza was out of earshot Verity smiled smugly to Ross, "So Ross have you added another notch to your bedpost, if you know what I mean!"
"Verity!" he felt slightly embarrassed "It's not like that with Demelza!" He said back in a harsh whisper.
"Summer jobs can turn long term Ross" She replied poking him playfully. He groaned
"Verity I wish you wouldn't be so invested in my love life" He hit her playfully.
"You are no fun Ross," Not long afterward Demelza came back in with the tea and Ross was thankful for the change of subject.
Verity stayed the rest of the afternoon without a mutter of displeasure from Demelza who usually hated guests. In fact she and Verity got on so well they seem to leave Ross out of loop for most of the conversation with him just putting in a few hushed remarks here and there reminding them he was still there. Had Ross left he suspected they wouldn't have really noticed his absence.
For most of the conversation he did tune out but did catch mentions of the girls' shared love of art although Demelza was the professional and Verity just the casual student. Verity also managed to recount some cringe worthy memories of her and Ross' time at school leaving out any mention of Lizzie- that was still a tough topic to touch upon. Demelza seemed to laugh the entire time her eyes meeting his, a few too many times for just friends - no he could not let this get too far. One or both of them would be hurt.
Ross looked up at the clock at what seemed hours later, by this time the alcohol had been pulled out and both girls seemed to be in the middle of some sorta odd drinking game.
"Verity don't you think, you should get going before it is too late and you are not too intoxicated!"
She looked up at the clock, exclaiming "Oh yes I better get going, Ross if you could just grab my coat. It has been lovely meeting Demelza and I hope to see some of your artwork soon!" Her words were slightly slurred but neither she nor Demelza looked that drunk.
"Yeah sure Verity can't wait; bring Andy along if you want to." The joy was evident on her face.
"Oh I don't she really appreciates the arts as much as I would and would most likely just sit there complaining wishing she was on a boat or something."
"Oh I truly understand my brothers were never really interested in it either so that makes two of us" Ross coughed lightly in the background. "Anyway I better be getting to bed, bye Verity" By bed, Demelza probably meant staying up for a few more hours painting and then sleep. Ross only knew this because if he couldn't sleep he would sometimes check up on her in the early hours and just casually remind her to switch off the fairy lights before she went to sleep. She would often laugh at his suggestion but by the time she did go to sleep and the lights were infact switched off.
Ross walked out the door with Verity's coat in hand before giving it to her before she reached the door. Ross could hear the creak of the staircase as Demelza went up to her room.
After putting her coat on, Verity touched Ross' arm to make him stop.
"Don't let the lines get hazy Ross. Define what she is to you" Verity murmured, her voice was slightly slurred with the alcohol but her eyes looked awake. She walked out the door before he could respond.
He lay in bed pondering on Verity's remark - Demelza was his what? He couldn't describe it; first she caused butterflies in the pit of his stomach from her light-hearted laughter with Verity. The next he was being moody with her and complaining about her work and not realising this was a summer job and she would have to do work, her harsh tones in reply filled him with annoyance. The next he was scolding himself when he saw her fallen face and she had rushed out of the room in a huff slamming the door behind her and out. Saying she was going for a walk to get away from it all, a cigarette in hand and a jacket over her shoulders. He would sometimes stay up worrying until he heard the sound of the front door closing and her whispering something that sounded like sorry through his door. More often than not he would whisper some nonsense back that she was forgiven even though he needed say it because she would really always be forgiven for him.
They were a pair of opposite and you know what happens with magnets. They attract and always collide.
AN- Please review. Love to you all!
I have finished my exams till next year and am now enjoying the summer sun which should explain the lack of an update. Wish me luck with my results!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and any mistakes tell me!
If I have updated this on the right day it should be on the premiere of Poldark season 1 in America so hello new American fan!
Song is Each Coming Night by Iron and Wine (and I really adore it)
Love as always to my sun and stars Rita. Nothing you recognise is mine.
SS xx
