# 11 – The rubber ducky
''Miss, are you sure you don't need any more help?'' the young man asked, closing the doors of the moving van.
''Yes, I'm sure.'' Anna smiled brightly, tucking her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. After years of living first with her parents, then sharing a room with Gwen at uni, and moving in with her now ex-boyfriend Tony right after that, she was finally moving into her first flat.
''A friend of mine will be here any minute to help me with the rest of the boxes. But thank you anyway.''
''All right,'' the man nodded and climbed into the driver's seat. ''Good luck, then!'' he added before pulling away.
Sitting down on one of the boxes on the pavement, Anna took a moment to look down the street that she now proudly called home. Downton Village was small, but she felt that she could not have picked a better place to start a new chapter of her life. The people seemed kind, she had everything she needed close by, and it was peaceful enough for her to work on her projects without being interrupted by anything of consequence. It felt perfect, but deep down she had to admit to herself that it was really only perfect because he was here.
Oh, Anna...stop with these silly ideas of yours, she scolded herself. Yes, he had helped her with the whole Tony mess, the flat, and literally everything she had asked of him, even though he knew that Vera would be all over him when she found out whom he had been helping. He was one of her best friends…and that was the main problem. He was just a friend...a good one, but nevertheless still only a friend.
''And they say I'm the one who broods.'' His deep voice made her turn to her left.
''Hello.'' She stood up quickly and smiled. He was wearing khakis and an open-collared black shirt, but what really made her knees weak was the pair of black glasses perched on his nose. Was he always that handsome or did her mind just run wild every time she laid eyes on him?
''I thought you'd forgotten me!'' she said with a grin.
''We both know that you are quite unforgettable, Miss Smith.'' He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
''Don't let Vera hear you,'' she laughed. He was always teasing her...always just on the edge of flirting, but never quite daring to cross that line.
''Well, thank god she's not here any more.'' He lifted two boxes. He and Vera had had one of their frequent quarrels a few days ago, and she had once again packed her belongings and moved out of their flat. John knew that she would likely be back at some point, but right now helping Anna move into her new flat was his first priority.
He had been elated when the elderly woman who owned in the flat opposite his had told him that she was moving to a retirement home and was looking for someone to rent her flat. She had asked him if he knew anyone who might be interested, and the first person he had thought of had been Anna. How very glad he had been when Anna had said yes. Having her so close made him happy, even though he knew that he was walking on thin ice.
''For now, you mean,'' she sighed, well aware of Vera's unpredictability.
''For now,'' he repeated and turned around, pushing the door open with his back. ''So I suggest we hurry before she comes back and happens to see who the new neighbour is.''
''You didn't tell her it was me?'' Anna lifted one of the boxes and followed him into the apartment building.
''Oh, don't tell me you don't want to see the shocked expression on her face,'' John chuckled, climbing the stairs to her flat.
''You'll get in trouble, John,'' she fretted. She knew Vera wasn't keen on her. She had only met her a couple of times in the last 3 years, but Vera had made sure that Anna knew just what she thought of her spending time in her husband's company.
''It wouldn't be the first time.'' He winked at her as they entered her new flat and set the boxes down.
''John…'' she persisted, but he interrupted.
''Anna, you needed a place to live, and all I did was tell you about Mrs. O'Neill moving out. That's it.'' He touched her shoulder and smiled warmly. ''It isn't my fault that you were the best candidate. Mrs. O'Neill chose you, not I.''
''It's just that...I don't want her to…''
''Anna,'' he interrupted once again, smiling. He was so happy that she was here. He hadn't been able to sleep for the last few nights due to his excitement, even though Vera had been making his life a living hell. ''You are here and she can't do anything about it, all right?''
''All right,'' she conceded. She wanted to discuss it more at some point, but he looked so pleased that she didn't want to ruin the moment for him.
''OK, then. Come!'' He practically sang as he disappeared down the stairs to get more of her boxes.
xXx
It was almost 6 in the evening when they finally finished stacking all of Anna's boxes into the middle of her empty new sitting room. She had asked him to stay for dinner, and it hadn't taken much persuading for him to agree, even though he was a little concerned about what the neighbours, especially Miss O'Brien, would say about him spending the evening in her flat. The last thing he wanted was for her to become the subject of gossip on her first day. They ate, talked, and simply enjoyed spending time together. And he would have stayed longer, if he hadn't seen her yawn.
''Thank you for today,'' she smiled, leaning against the front doorframe.
''Thank you for dinner,'' he replied, beaming. ''And really, if you need anything at all, just knock on my door.''
''Will do.'' She reached up and placed a soft thank-you kiss on his cheek. ''See you tomorrow?''
''See you tomorrow,'' he sighed, and walked backwards to his own door.
''Good night, John.''
''Good night,'' he whispered, before closing the door behind him.
For god's sake, Bates! he thought.
''What the hell do you think you are doing, you idiot?!'' he muttered under his breath. He walked to the fridge, grabbed a beer, and sat down on the couch. He knew that he shouldn't be acting like a lovesick schoolboy around her, but he couldn't seem to stop himself, no matter how hard he tried. She was simply too irresistible.
He had been flipping through the TV channels for some time, trying to find something worth watching, when he heard a knock at the door.
''Who could that be?'' he wondered. It was late, and he was certain that if it were Vera, she wouldn't have knocked in a million years.
''Coming!'' he called. Unlocking and opening the door, his heart skipped a beat. Anna was standing just a few inches away from him, with nothing but a white towel wrapped around her body.
''An-...? Wha-…?'' he began, but his brain was completely unprepared to see her in that state of undress.
''Hi,'' she said sheepishly, clutching at her towel. ''Sorry to bother you so late, but I think one of my water pipes just burst or something.'' She had been in the tub, enjoying a hot bath, when a strange sound had come from inside the wall.
''John?'' she prompted, when he just stood there, staring at her, his mouth hanging very slightly open.
''Ummm, wh-...what?'' he managed to choke out. She is breathtaking, he thought, trying not to let his gaze drift down her body.
''Are you all right?'' she asked innocently.
''Yeah, yeah, sure,'' he replied quickly.
''So can you help me?''
''Help you with what?'' he asked, still trying not to stare, but failing miserably.
''With my pipe?'' she repeated, trying not to laugh at his expression. ''Are you sure you're OK?''
''Umm, yes…just let me get my tools.'' He finally snapped out of it and disappeared into the kitchen. He needed a minute to calm himself and gather his thoughts. He offered her the use of his bath while he was working on the leak, then went across the hall to check out the problem. After assessing the situation, he decided that the safest thing he could do was to turn off the main water stop valve under the sink. The rest could be done by a plumber the next day.
''I've done what I can,'' he called through the closed bathroom door, after returning to his flat. ''But you'll need to ring the plumber in the morning.''
''I will, thank you,'' her muffled voice said through the door.
''No problem.'' He rested his head against the bathroom door, exhaling slowly. He could hear her moving around inside and knowing that the only thing separating them was one thin door really made his blood boil. She was in his bathroom, having a bath…naked…good god, John, don't go there. He tried to block the images running through his mind, but he knew he couldn't and, to be honest, deep down he knew that he didn't want to. It was simple, really - he was in love, and it tore his soul apart every time he thought of the fact that she could never be his.
''Can I use one of your towels?'' Her voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
''Towel…heart…''
''What?''
''Yes, they're in the cupboard under the sink,'' he said, a little more loudly.
A few minutes later, a freshly-bathed Anna walked into the kitchen where John was making tea. She was wrapped in her own white towel again and had her wet hair wrapped in one of John's.
''Did you find everything?'' he asked, focusing on the tea and not daring to look at her.
''I did, thank you. And I found this little guy behind the cupboard,'' she added with a grin.
''What…?'' John turned and saw that she was holding his old yellow rubber ducky. ''Oh, it's Billy!''
''Billy?'' Anna eyed him quizzically.
Moving away from the stove, he walked over to her and took the duck from her hands.
''Yes, Billy.'' He smiled lovingly at the toy. ''My mother gave him to me when I was about 2. He was one the few things from my childhood that survived the fire.'' Suddenly tears welled in his eyes, and he blinked quickly, clearing his throat.
''Oh, John - I'm sorry. I didn't want to…'' She felt terrible all of a sudden. He had told her a long time ago about how his drunken father had accidently set their family home on fire back in Scotland. John had been only 6 at the time, and since he had lost most of his possessions, she realized how important this little memento must be to him.
''No, no, it's all right.'' He shook his head. ''It's just...I thought that Vera had thrown him away. Thanks.''
''Why would she do that? Doesn't she know how much he means to you?''
''She does; that's why I thought she'd got rid of him.'' Vera was always doing things she knew would hurt him. ''Could I ask you a favour?''
''Sure,'' Anna said softly, pleased that his smile had returned.
''Would you take him to your flat? If Vera finds him, she'll…'' He didn't need to spell it out. She covered his hand with hers and gently took the duck from him.
''I'll keep him safe.''
''Thank you.'' He smiled shyly, relieved that she didn't seem to think it was a silly request. Billy was more than just an old toy; the duck reminded him of his mother.
''You're welcome. Just promise you'll come visit us,'' she teased, and held the duck close to her chest.
''I will, don't worry.'' He chuckled and turned back to the stove. ''Tea?''
''I don't think I should. I've already wasted enough of your time.''
''Don't be ridiculous. We're neighbours, and neighbours help each other, right?''
''All right. Just give me a minute to change into my pyjamas and put Billy in a safe place,'' she grinned, and headed toward the door. It meant the world to her that he trusted her with something as special to him as Billy. And she liked the idea of spending more time with him, sipping tea and just talking. But what she didn't plan on was being confronted by his wife when she opened the front door.
''Ve-...Vera!'' Anna gasped.
''Well, well, what do we have here?'' said Vera icily, narrowing her eyes and scrutinising Anna's towel-clad form.
''Ummm…'' Anna really had no idea what to say.
''Where is he then?'' Vera pushed her to the side and stepped into the flat. ''JOHN!''
''Vera?'' he said, surprised to see her back so soon. ''What are you doing here?''
''What am I doing here? Are you fucking kidding me, John!? I leave this place for two days and here you are...already screwing this little whore of yours!''
''HEY!'' he protested, but she cut him off.
''Don't you dare, John. And you…'' She turned to look at Anna. ''Get out of my flat…NOW!'' she yelled, making Anna jump. ''OUT!'' she screamed, when Anna opened her mouth to respond.
''Anna, it's OK.'' John turned to her and nodded, silently begging for her to leave before Vera lost control completely. ''Go.''
Without saying another word, Anna turned around and left. Her heart ached, knowing that she was leaving him alone with that woman. He had told her many times how nasty Vera could be, but this was the first time she had witnessed it in person. The woman was mad, and the way she had stared at her had really made the hair on her neck stand on end.
xXx
''You!'' Vera turned her attention back to John, when the door had closed behind Anna. ''You swine.''
''Let me explain…''
''Just shut up and listen.'' She took a step closer. ''I don't want you near that slut, you hear me?''
''Vera, nothing happened! The only reason she was here…'' he began, even though he knew it was hopeless to try to have a reasonable conversation with her.
''I don't care! Get rid of her or you will be sorry!'' she hissed, before disappearing into the bedroom and locking the door. John knew that would be sleeping on the couch tonight.
''Good god.'' He closed his eyes and leaned on the counter. What on earth had ever possessed him to marry her? Taking a few deep breaths, he pulled out his phone and sat down. He needed to make sure that Anna was all right.
''Anna I'm so sorry about everything. I'll talk to her in the morning.'' He sent the text, hoping that she'd answer. He felt horrible about the way Vera had acted and he felt even more embarrassed that he had not defended Anna.
''Don't worry about me. I'm OK. Are you all right?'' she replied almost immediately.
''I'll be fine. But I'm really sorry about everything.''
''Don't be. It's her, not you.'' She knew that the only reason he had asked her to leave was Vera; he hadn't wanted to make the situation even worse than it already was. But he had no idea how much she'd wanted to stay and stand up for him. ''I'm worried about you.''
''I can manage, don't worry. Can I check on you tomorrow?''
She knew it would be better to say no...to keep a distance...but just as he did, she needed to see him and make sure he was all right after tonight's fiasco. ''Sure.''
''Sweet dreams.''
''Sweet dreams,'' she replied, before changing to her pyjamas and falling asleep with Billy cradled in both hands.
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