Chapter Thirty-Eight

He heard the door close, Jacob had avoided his parents on purpose as he made his way out the bedroom. Walking downstairs to greet Henrietta, knowing it was just them in the house now. Though to his slight surprise, he found the older woman crying to herself in the kitchen; she was usually so composed too. When she noticed she had company; she quickly wiped away her tears and gave him a smile.

"Jacob...I'm sorry you had to see me in this state, I haven't had the best of days" Henrietta tried to explain.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing"

"There must be something wrong...you don't cry if there isn't; you can talk to me about anything you know"

Henrietta looked towards him with a sigh, making her way towards the couch in the living room. He keenly followed her and sat besides her, wanting her to tell him things. He just felt so lost himself. Hearing somebody else's troubles was something he could actually deal with right now (anything to avoid his own). Besides, he generally wanted to help Henrietta with whatever it was because he was slightly infatuated with her at this point. She reminded him of Maya and he has clung onto her like a leech.

"It's silly really...I was awful to Rodney and I feel terrible, I didn't even realize I was leading him on until now" Henrietta began to explain.

"Oh...well it's not your fault that he misread the signs"

"Yes, you're right...silly old woman, I bet that's what you're thinking" Henrietta spoke with a small laugh.

Though the lad shook his head as if to say that wasn't what he was thinking. She just gently held onto his hand, he was too sweet. Henrietta really did want to help him because she be damned if she was going to let what her daughter did ruin him. He deserved to be back to normal. He mistook her kind gesture as something different though, like he was having flashbacks of Maya.

"No...I don't think you're a silly old woman" Jacob told her.

"You're too kind...you know that, don't you? Why don't I go and order what you youngsters call a takeaway?"

"Sounds good"

Henrietta gave him another small smile, letting his hand go and standing up to ring one of the local takeaways. Anything to take her and Jacob's minds away from everything. Besides, she didn't trust herself with cooking dinner tonight.

...

"I can't believe you sometimes, Cain...it's getting beyond a joke now, you seem to show more attention to everyone else but me!" Moira yelled.

"And you wonder why with the mood you're always in?"

"Just get out of my sight!"

Cain put his hands up and agreed without much fuss. Due to their last encounter, Cain got into his car and drove away. He was driving to Henrietta's house, Moira was getting on his nerves. This Henrietta was easy for him to talk to (despite her circumstances) and besides, he was willing to take the bait. It was around half 9 however he gathered she wouldn't mind a night visit (he just hoped Jacob was out the way). Getting out his car, he walked up the path and began knocking. The older woman having to switch on the hall light so she could see who it was, she hesitantly opened it...

"Cain? Surprised to see you here...I was just about to go to bed" Henrietta complained.

"It's only half 9" Cain reminded her.

Giving a slight shrug, she stepped back so he could come in. Jacob was in Maya's old bedroom by this point. Cain smiled when he saw the coast was clear, he made his way into her living room and sat down. The quiet was lovely to hear, he was in the doghouse with Moira so a nice peaceful quiet house suited him just fine. Henrietta wrapping her dressing gown around herself tightly. It's been a long time since she had to entertain a man in her own house like this.

"Anything to drink?" Henrietta asked him.

"You choose"

She just widened her eyes as she made her way into the dimly lit kitchen. Pouring two glasses of scotch. Returning back with them as she sat besides him, he just took a rather long swig from the glass.

"Let me guess...you had an argument with the wife?" Henrietta correctly presumed.

"Always"

"I don't know why...you're the epitome of the perfect husband"

"So much so that it's rather scary"

Henrietta laughed in response, taking a small sip from her glass. It was nice to have actual grown-up company for once. Usually, she would only having Jacob to speak to and that was no fun. She felt like she was back fostering again with him in the house (which she was in essence).

"Thanks for the outfit by the way...like you knew I was coming" Cain teased.

"Oi! Stop that talk!" Henrietta responded.

"I will when I'm convinced you don't like it"

Making her nudge him slightly. She generally did like him (despite him being a bit of a rogue). She didn't mind so much, it was nothing more than a silly crush on her behalf. Such a bit of fun really, she didn't expect anything but a bit of harmless flirting. Cain though wanted a bit more (anything to take the load off). He gathered once he had his way, he could forget her and put his focus back on Moira.

"I hope Jacob is going to stay out our way" Cain told her.

"He should do"

"Should do? Let's take these up to your room, he won't dare go in there; would he? Come on" Cain pressured.

Henrietta just gave him a simple nod, he grabbed onto her hand in response. She telling him to be quiet. He gave a slight laugh as she led him upstairs and down the hallway, this was perhaps a bad idea. Though Cain was rather persistent, she opened her bedroom door and told him to go in. He watched as she locked the bedroom door, she just hoped Jacob heard none of that.

"I don't think this is the best idea, is it? What about your wife?" Henrietta nervously asked.

"Don't mention her...just come to bed and we can talk"

She scoffed slightly, talk being the last thing on his mind she supposed. This wasn't good, not for a while has she done this. Last man she had in here threw up actually, put her off for a long time. Yet she couldn't stop herself, Cain pulled her in closer and gave her a rather long kiss. This would soon lead to more and both of them knew it.

...

Lying in bed after the fact (for they did have sex). Cain had fallen asleep while Henrietta was just looking up at the ceiling. She felt a little bit dirty, doing this with another woman's husband. Her family are already hated enough in the village and this will be just be another thing to add to the list. A knock on the door slightly startled her, this would no doubt be Jacob again. Cain giving her an annoyed expression as he told her to get rid. The lad obviously had no idea that anyone else was in here. Henrietta having to quickly put on her clothes to make herself look decent, her dressing gown being tightly shut. She braced herself slightly before unlocking and opening the door...

"Jacob?" Henrietta nervously asked.

"Hey...sorry to disturb you, I was wondering if I can stay with you again; I promise I won't touch your hair this time"

"No! I mean...now isn't a good time"

"Why? What's going on?" Jacob further questioned.

He couldn't see much in the dark bedroom as he made his way past her. Only to be rather embarrassed what he realized what he walked into. Looking quite sad, the lad just glanced over at Henrietta and made his way out. Rushing down the hallway towards the other bedroom once again.

"Jacob!" Henrietta called to no avail.

His only response being the slamming of the bedroom door. She just gave a rather large sigh, shutting the door again. Cain just clearing his throat, she turned back to face him and just shook her head. Gosh, that wasn't the first time she had that happen to her either. Why does she never learn?

"I think I should leave now...thanks for your time" Cain finally spoke.

"See you tomorrow?"

Cain just gave a slight snort, no he didn't want to see her tomorrow. He was satisfied that he got his way and now he was going. Though Henrietta didn't quite see it that way, he was good company for her. She didn't realize she was being used right now, Cain just got dressed and made his way out. He doesn't want to see her again for he didn't want Moira to find out about this little hook-up (for that's all it was to him).Though she didn't quite get the message yet it seemed.

...

TBC