A Changed Man – Chapter 13
"I love this, we get an evening off and you spend it on the couch watching Masterchef and eating chocolate!"
"That's the epitome of a night off." She dangled her wine glass at him, "Please..."
"I'm a house-husband." He muttered but took the glass anyway and filled one for himself too.
He joined her on the couch, her legs in his lap, the newspaper open on top of her feet.
"This is some kind of domestic bliss right," she teased sipping her wine.
"Hmm..." He mumbled turning to the sports section.
"I need the loo," she said some time later, drawing her legs slowly out of his lap so as not to disturb him and getting up, she moved to the window, tidying the curtain where it had curled round.
"Hey, you're blocking the TV." He said.
"Says the man who wasn't watching it."
"Alright, alright. Might have a go at making that."
"You are a house husband!"
"Don't push it Reid."
"So, what time is the appointment?" She asked as she finished her hair.
"6:30, let's hope nothing comes up cause I virtually had to sell my soul to get that slot," he took a tie from the wardrobe, "I'm down to my last shirt. Have to nip home tonight."
"Want me to stay at your place?"
"Sure," he stood behind her, doing his tie in the mirror and watching her tidy her hair. He smiled.
"What?"
"Just thinking how well it's going."
"Don't jinx it."
He kissed her head, "Never. Gonna grab a coffee before we go."
"Okay." He was right, things were going well. She still occasionally felt a little like she was on eggshells waiting for the bomb to drop, but for the most part she was happy. And that in itself was oddly unnerving.
Relationships had never really lasted longer than a couple of months, despite her marriage and she even failed at that. Yet here they were, over six months in and doing well. The odd spat now and then over silly things like whose turn it was to cook and the fact Robbie never rinsed red wine out of glasses before he went to bed. The memory of his brief, half-infidelity was almost erased and she wasn't quite so doubtful or nervous when he was home late or out with friends. It hadn't disappeared completely, but she was getting there.
6:40 she pulled up, skidded to halt and jumped out of the car, dragging her scarf behind her and trying to tie it as she ran, clattering up the path to the house. She'd almost forgotten how gorgeous it was.
The estate agent greeted her at the door.
"Ms Reid?" The young lady said holding out a hand. "I'm Susan."
"Yes, I'm so sorry I'm late. Couldn't get away and then traffic was... well," she shook her hand. "Here I am. Is he already inside?"
"Robbie hasn't arrived yet."
She noted the use of his first name.
"Oh, he went out a few hours ago on a call, thought he'd beat me here."
Susan smiled, "Shall we go inside or wait for him?"
"No, no, let's go in. Thank you."
The kitchen, as she'd remembered from the brochures, was grand and she loved it – instantly. A large window on one side and then patio doors leading out to the garden. It flooded the space with natural light and she imagined how wonderful it would be in both summer and winter, the freshness during summer, the sight of a garden iced in snow in winter.
Despite her resolve not to she found herself already making plans. Where the table might go, the shade of paint she'd like. Upstairs, which spare room would be hers, which his. And she found herself laughing at the size of the bath and wishing Robbie was there to appreciate it.
He never did make it and she thanked the estate agent for her time, apologised for Robbie's absence, shook her hand and left.
Her overnight bag was in the boot ready for a night at his flat and she headed directly there, only stopping to pick up something for dinner and milk for the morning, he never did think to shop.
His flat seemed oddly small and cold after the grandeur of the house, it wasn't cold outdoors but she turned the heating on for a while anyway realising it had been a couple of weeks since Robbie had spent a night there.
Figuring he was working she took a shower, watched the news and prepared dinner whilst wearing his robe.
She had just slipped a pasta bake into the oven when the door opened.
"Bloody work!" He complained dropping his keys on the table by the door and almost tearing his tie off. "Look at this, almost 9 o'clock again. I'm knackered."
"Why can't they kill at decent hours of the day hey." She teased.
He met her in the kitchenette, circling her waist and kissing her cheek, "Hi."
"Hi. You didn't call."
"Sorry, got way-laid."
"Mmm, dinner shouldn't be too long, if you wanna shower."
"Yeah I might. Need a drink."
She watched him pour, snacking on a slice of pepper as she did so.
"You forgot something."
"What?" He took a gulp of wine. "Is it an anniversary?"
"Robbie..." she probed, patient to the end.
He took another sip, leaning back on the counter and mulling it over.
"Oh shit! The appointment, I'm sorry."
"It's fine, amusing you set it all up though and I was the only one to turn up."
"Aw fuck, I'm really sorry."
"Its fine, these things happen."
"What was it like? Good?"
"Very large!" She smiled, sipping her own wine.
"Well that's good, thought you appreciated size."
"Ha ha."
"You're worried it's too big?"
"It's certainly a step up from either of our places. We might not see each other for a week."
"There are weeks we might not want to."
"Oh great," but she laughed with him.
"I'll make another appointment, check it out too, you gonna come?"
"Maybe, I've been thinking we should go see that flat we discounted, maybe it's not too small after all. It's not like we need all that space."
"Thought you wanted a garden."
"I do but... when do I have time anyway?"
"Jacks," he sank onto the couch, "if you want a garden then we'll have one. Hopefully we won't be moving too often, best get it right. Besides there are other houses if this one is too big, doesn't have to be a flat."
"I guess."
"You guess." He smiled, flipping through the mail she'd placed on the table.
"Thought you were gonna shower."
"I can't be bothered to move," he laughed.
"Old man," she laughed but moved to rub his shoulders. "You know, we can't keep this up forever."
"What?"
"The long hours, nothing but work..."
"I'm not quite ready for retirement Jacks."
"I didn't mean that," she squeezed his shoulders. "I just mean there's more."
"Yes, and we're making a change aren't we." He glanced back at her. "Sorry I missed the appointment."
She leant down and kissed his cheek, "That's okay, don't let it happen again."
Morning showers were never the best time for him to make his move, she was always rushing it seemed. But he surprised her, his fingers trailing down her spine until she shuddered back against him.
"Not a good idea," she whispered, but she leant her head back to his shoulder anyhow and let him kiss down to her collarbone.
"We'll be late," she added moments later.
"I don't care."
"I always wondered exactly what you'd been doing every time you rolled up twenty minutes later than the rest of us... always distracted."
"Too busy staring at you."
"Flirt." She turned, very slowly, her mouth meeting his in a slow, deep kiss. "This is turning into a bit of a habit."
"Shh, we don't have time to talk."
"Romantic til the end."
She stepped back, leaning against the cool tiled wall as his hands covered her body, sliding over her skin like silk.
"We have time for foreplay though?" She murmured, eyes closed.
"Always time for that."
She giggled, threading her hands into his hair, "Come here DI Ross."
She watched as he kissed his way up her stomach, between her breasts, right up to her mouth.
"Too good at that."
"I aim to please."
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pushing her body against his. "You always do."
She was hanging up her coat when Burke snapped at her, "Jackie, you're late."
"Sorry sir, traffic."
"Traffic today, sloped off early yesterday, something I should know about?"
He was already slamming his office door before she could form a reply.
She caught Robbie's sly grin as she slid into her chair.
"Don't."
"Shouldn't take so long getting dressed."
She gave him a smug smile as she flicked through the files on her desk.
"Maybe you shouldn't take so long, full stop."
He leant forward, "And if I rushed there'd be more complaints."
"Shh..."
"Just saying." He got up, pulling his coat on. "Right, I believe I have an appointment."
"You're out again and I'm stuck here with the computer work? Who do I have to sleep with to get the best jobs?"
He brushed past her arm as he left.
"Jackie." Burke popped his head out of the office.
"Yes sir."
"Go with Robbie, might need the softer touch on this one."
She felt almost jubilant as she put her coat back on and followed him down to the car park.
He was talking to a desk sergeant when she got down there, leaning against the counter laughing at something she'd said. Pretty young thing, new, she believed.
"I thought you had an important appointment."
"Ahh Jackie, now tell Yvonne here that it's a set requirement of the job that newbies buy the pints."
"Take no notice of him."
"You're joining me?"
"Apparently it needs my soft touch..."
His eyebrows raised, "Burke knows you've got it?"
She headed outside, Robbie close at her heels.
"Called the estate agents by the way, apologised profusely and used my charm to get another time."
"I bet you did," she muttered. "Charm personified."
"Gotta practise on someone. Could only get today, 5:15, so, if I go you cover for me."
"Sure."
He started the engine. "Right. Could be home owners before we know it."
"Burke's going to notice sooner or later you know, we should talk to him now."
"Cross that bridge when we're at gunpoint."
"Wonderful imagery!"
She was asleep when he came home. She half woke when she heard the creak of the bedroom door and then him tip-toeing about as he undressed. The bed dipped as he got in bedside her, rolling over and tucking his body up behind hers.
"Your hands are cold," she mumbled into her pillow.
"Sorry."
"What time is it?"
"Too late to even tell you." He kissed her cheek. "Sorry."
"Hardly your fault, I'm glad you got the late night and not me."
"Wasn't pretty."
"Never is."
They were silent for a while, Jackie returning to sleep and Robbie easily settling into the warmth and softness of the bed and her body in it. His hand lay across her waist and she reached for it, folding her fingers with his.
"How did it go?"
"What?" He was slurring a little now, sleep coming quickly.
"The house, did you think it too big?"
He was silent again and she listened to his deep, laboured breathing.
"Robbie?"
"I forgot," he finally said, "got caught up with things.
"Again?" She twisted her head to look at him now, sitting up slightly in bed. "You forgot again."
"Work. I'll call tomorrow and apologise."
"I don't think you should ever call that woman again, she'll hate you."
"I can charm my way out of it."
"I'd rather you didn't." She flopped back onto the bed. "Just forget that one. We'll start looking again. Wasn't to be."
"Okay."
She'd half expected more of an argument.
She tapped her fingers against his, her mind too busy now to rest; she knew he was already asleep.
"Your breath smells of whisky." She said to the darkness.
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