Peter pushed open the door to Assumpta's hospital room and found her fully dressed and sitting on top of the bed reading the Robert Harris novel he'd bought for her a couple of days earlier.
"Morning, you look like you're ready to leave," he said noting the packed bag on the floor.
"Yes," she said emphatically. She stood up and he was relieved to see that she was putting a bit of weight on her injured leg and that the dressing on her head had completely gone.
He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She grinned at him and slipped her arms round his waist. "Are you going to get me out of this place Mr Clifford?"
He grinned back. "Oh I think I could manage that Miss Fitzgerald." He leaned down and his lips caught hers.
On this occasion it was Assumpta who broke away. "I can think of better places we can be doing this, with less chance of interruptions."
He picked up her bag and followed her to the nurse's station where she thanked various members of staff. She was limping slightly and he placed his arm round her shoulders for support.
Once out in the car park he still had his arm round her and she snuggled into him. She looked round for his car but couldn't see it.
"Oh new car," he said, sensing her confusion. He led her to a silver Ford Focus which, judging by the plates, was only a couple of years old.
"Were you skimming off the collection plate all these years or just scamming the books?" she asked incredulously.
"Yeah right and I use to empty the charity tin in Kathleen's shop whenever she wasn't looking." His voice was laden with sarcasm.
"Well, if not petty crime or fraud then how? Surely the church didn't pay this well?" she asked as she climbed into the passenger seat. He closed her door and moved to the driver's side.
"My inheritance," he said closing the door and looking at her.
"Oh Peter I'm sorry, it's none of my business."
"It's OK. It turns out my Dad was fairly canny and took out a few lucrative life insurance policies for him and me mum. He also had a few shares tucked away. Padraig mentioned that this car was for sale at a good price and I thought it was about time I got a car that actually worked. I mean it's not the Javelin but…"
"It's nice," she nodded.
"Anyway Assumpta," he continued, "How is this not your business? We're in this together now aren't we?"
She smiled at him and nodded. After a pause she looked sideways at him. "So just are rich are you?" she said cheekily.
"Well I won't be giving Richard Branson a run for his money just yet but enough for us not to have to worry about money until we sort everything out. Especially once the sale of the house has gone through," he added.
She looked at him seriously, "Are you sure about selling your mum's house?"
He nodded at her. "My life's not in Manchester anymore."
She frowned and looked out of the window. "What if life isn't here anymore either?"
He took her hand, clasping it in his. She was instantly reminded of the night months ago when they'd been sheltering in his car waiting for the protesters to return. He obviously had the same thought because he smiled and said, "Weird how much has changed." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"Changed for the better," she agreed, staring at her hand and remembering that night.
"Right," he said releasing her hand and turning the engine on, "let's get you out of here."
He put the car in gear and moved off. Before pulling onto the main road he reached down to turn on the stereo. REM began playing. "Oh cute," she shook her head suppressing a grin.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Assumpta stared at the scenery as they got closer to Ballykissangel. He'd have to drive past the pub to get to Siobhan's and she wasn't sure she wanted to see it just yet. Besides, she wanted to spend some more time with Peter without any interruptions. She turned to him, "Let's not go back just yet eh?"
"'Kay. Anywhere in particular you want to go?"
"The lake?"
He smiled, remembering the last time they'd visited that spot. "Perfect. Let me just stop at the supermarket in Kildargin to pick up a couple of things for a picnic.
After a quick stop he drove to a lay-by near the lake, collected some things from the boot and helped her down the path to the shore.
They settled down together on a rug and had lunch. Afterwards Peter sat back, leaning against a rock and Assumpta lay down with her head in his lap. She closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of the sun. This was such a peaceful spot, the only sounds were birds singing and the gentle lapping of the water. A huge grin spread across her face as she remembered the dream she'd had the night of the fire.
"What's so funny?" Peter asked, smoothing her hair out of her face.
"This is very like a dream I've had recently but even in the dream we were interrupted."
"Why, what should have happened next?" he spoke softly.
She sat up and turned to look at him. Several moments passed as they gazed at each other. Then, suddenly, they were in each other's arms, kissing with a new intensity. Assumpta lay back on the rug pulling Peter with her. She closed her eyes as his lips moved to her neck. She was completely lost in the moment as his mouth traced the line of her jaw. At some point her hands slipped under his shirt and trailed along his back as she felt his hands slip under her t-shirt. They moved to caress her stomach as his lips shifted down to her collar bone and she gasped with pleasure. He groaned, stilled and then carefully shifted away from her.
She looked questioningly at him and then berated herself for pushing him. "I'm sorry, we can take it slowly."
"It's taken three years to get here Assumpta. Any more slowly and we'll be going backwards."
She looked at him with surprise.
"I'm just not sure we should be doing this here." He gestured to the wide open space around them.
"So we're not moving too fast? Just say if we are."
He looked quizzically at her for a moment then realisation spread across his face. He chuckled and ran his hand nervously through his hair.
"Assumpta before I'd even considered going into the church I went to university."
"I know," she nodded.
"So I had three years of student life, parties and drinking."
"Peter, you got a first from Cambridge I doubt you did that much partying."
"Hey!" He said, feigning hurt. "Wild parties," he said, pulling a face at her as he emphasised the word wild. "Socialising and occasionally the odd essay and exam."
"Yeah, right."
He ignored her and continued, "And some dates, even the odd girlfriend or two."
She frowned, wondering where he was going with this. Then it was her turn to have realisation dawn on her.
"Peter, are you trying to tell me you're not as innocent as some might imagine you to be?"
"Eh yes." He looked deeply embarrassed.
She smirked, "I knew you were harbouring a dark side."
He caught her hand as she fiddled with a button on his shirt. "Right Obi Wan but can I also just point out that it has been a while so…" he trailed off.
"Well, we won't expect miracles," she said dryly. "But, everything has been very satisfactory so far," she mumbled as she leaned in to kiss his neck and tried to undo another button.
He caught her hand again. "So it's not that I don't want to continue with this, because believe me I do, but maybe this isn't the place to get so…" he paused, searching for a word.
"Intimate, hot and heavy, sexy?" she suggested with a grin.
"Caught up in each other." He frowned. "I just want it to be right, there's no rush."
"What happened to 'any more slowly and we'll be going backwards'?"
"Yes but we don't need to dive in head first either."
She spluttered with laughter at his choice of metaphor. He shook his head, rolled his eyes and smiled sheepishly at her. "Very mature! Anyway it's starting to rain so we should make a move."
They gathered up their things and made their way back to the car. Assumpta glanced over at him, he constantly surprised her. She bit back a smile and got into the car.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
They drove over the bridge and Assumpta gasped. The whole downstairs frontage of the pub was a charred mess.
"It's probably not as bad as it looks," Peter said quietly.
"Stop!"
"Assumpta," he said gently.
"No I need to see."
He pulled in just after the pub and looked up and down the quiet street. Predictably Kathleen had just looked out of the shop doorway and was shaking her head with a scandalised expression on her face. He sighed.
"Great, that's all we need," she muttered.
"Don't rise to it," he warned.
He got out the car and moved round to the passenger side to help her out. A figure pushed a pram passed the shop, it was Niamh. Assumpta saw her first and was limping across the road calling her name before Peter realised what she was doing. Niamh carried on walking.
"Niamh please will you just wait."
"I don't want to talk to either of you," said Niamh and sped up.
Assumpta tried to keep up but pulled up grimacing. Peter was quickly behind her and steadied her as she caught her breath and coughed. "Take it easy," he mumbled.
Niamh turned as she reached her front door, concern flashing across her face, but when she saw the two of them together she opened the door and slammed it behind her.
Peter felt Assumpta slump into him at the sight of the door being slammed shut.
"Come on," he said quietly and led her back to the car. Kathleen was still watching them and as Assumpta glanced in her direction she seemed to square her shoulders and pull herself together.
"I'm going to have a look inside."
"Assumpta…" he began but stopped when he saw the warning look on her face. He merely nodded instead and they made their way to the door and stepped inside.
Assumpta looked around at the devastation and sunk down onto a plastic crate which, apart from two melted corners, seemed fairly untouched by the fire. She rubbed her eyes and let out a long shaky sigh, it was all such a mess.
Peter crouched down in front of her and took her hands, "We can fix all this I promise, people will help, you'll see".
Assumpta shook her head "That's just it, I'm not sure they will. Niamh's my best friend and she won't even give me the time of day. It was always going to be hard, but now.." she tailed off desperately blinking back tears.
Peter ran his thumb over the back of her hand in a comforting rhythm. "We'll find a way to make it work, it's probably not as bad as it seems". She snorted and shook her head at his typical, misplaced, optimism. She'd come to love him for it though and heaven help her she could get lost gazing into those green eyes.
His lips descended on hers and she could feel all reasoned thought leave her as he wove his hands in her hair. They eventually parted, both breathing heavily and she leaned her forehead against his "Hmm you make an excellent point, definitely not all bad".
He smiled and caught her lips in another gentle kiss which proceeded to move along her jaw and down to her neck. The overactive butterflies exploded once more in the pit of her stomach.
"Bright side to everything" he mumbled into her neck.
She sighed softly and wound her arms around his neck. He leaned in further and wobbled in his crouched position, righting himself by grabbing her hand and knee.
She grinned "Maybe this isn't the time or place, again!"
He stood, smiled and held his hand out to her to pull her up and, lacing his fingers through hers, started towards the door.
"Where are we going?" she asked, squeezing his hand.
"No idea" he gazed back at her. "Just away from the stale smell of smoke".
She allowed herself to be pulled towards the door. She wasn't use to not being the one in control, but somehow, when it was Peter, she didn't mind.
He pulled the door open, or what was left of it, and stepped towards the daylight loosening the grip on her hand. Assumpta made to let go aware that they were about to step back out in public again, but Peter retightened his hold "What's the worst that could happen?" he shrugged, raising his eyebrows.
Assumpta slapped him lightly on the arm "Don't joke!" But, she took a deep breath and followed him outside, her hand still clasped in his.