Chapter 4
Claire had been in hospital for two months. She was completely better and able to go straight back to work if she wanted to, and knowing Claire, she would. She'd been in hospital that long because everyone knew she wouldn't rest and would probably make herself worse.
Claire was looking forward to getting home, but wasn't quite sure what to expect the condition of the place to be in. she didn't know that Alex and Nick had been helping out when they could, along with Brick and Terry. Liz and Harry now knew the truth about the baby along with everyone else. Alex had tried to see Claire as often as he could but with working two farms and not wanting it to look obvious that they were together, he hadn't exactly seen that much of her.
"I can't believe she's finally coming home tomorrow" Jodi commented as they all sat down to dinner, Nick and Alex too. "Maybe she'll come out of this foul mood she's been in once she comes home." Tess said "What foul mood?" Alex asked. She'd always seemed happy when he was about. He then got a very big head when he realised she must only be in a mood when he's not around. "It's just the way she gets when she can't have her own way!" everyone gave a knowing look, including Alex. "Are you two still coming over tomorrow?" Meg asked Nick and Alex. "Sure, who's picking Claire up" Nick asked. Everyone turned to Meg. "Don't look at me, I can't do it. I thought you were Tess?" "Not me, I've got work to finish before Claire gets back" "I'll do it!" interrupts Alex. "Are you sure" "Got nothing better to do. What time?" he asked digging into his dinner. "The doctors should finish giving her a last check over at about four" "no probs" Alex said, shovelling another piece of meet into his mouth.
"What are you doing here?" Claire asks as Alex walks into the room. Claire had been sitting on her bed, impatiently waiting, looking at her watch every 30 seconds. "Nice to see you too!" he bends over and they kiss. She smiles "I've come to take you home" "Well you're late!" she laughs and storms out of the room, Alex following.
In the Ute driving back, Alex pulls over on an empty road. "What are you stopping fo..." Alex leant over and started to kiss her. Claire pulls away "there expecting us" "well I can't help it if you need another check up now, can I?" Claire laughs at Alex's words. He places his hand behind her head as they kiss again. He quickly pulls away from her as they are beeped by another car approaching. Alex sticks his head out the Ute and notices it's Frank, the police officer. "What's wrong officer?" Alex asks with a cheeky grin, as if he had been up to something he shouldn't have been. "I thought there might have been a problem" Frank says as he walks over to Alex's Ute. "No" "Hi Claire. I didn't know you were out of hospital" "Alex is just picking me up and taking me home" "why have you stopped?" Frank looks from one to the other until Alex came up with an excuse. "You know these country women, can't handle anything. She was feeling sick cos of my driving" "you alright Claire?" Frank asks with a concerned look on his face. "I'll be fine" she replies quickly, not looking at Frank, but kicking Alex in the leg. Alex was trying not to show that it hurt. Unfortunately for him, Claire knew how to hurt him. "Well I better let the two of you get going" and with that, he got in his car and drove away, as did Alex. "What did you do that for?" He asked rubbing his leg and looking at Claire as a grin formed on her face. "You deserved it!" she said. They laughed. They felt like naughty teenagers who had nearly got caught, the only thing was, Alex was used to it, Claire wasn't, and Alex really did care about the girl this time.
When they pulled up at drovers, Claire started to walk off in the direction of the stables. "Where you going Claire?" Alex shouted. "to check the horses" "you can do that tomorrow" he said catching up to her. "I want to do it now" "well you cant" he said grabbing hold of her arm and trying to drag her in the opposite direction. She wasn't having any of it and pulled away from him. "No, I want to do it now" "Fine!" said Alex as he picked her up in his arms. Claire was shocked, she couldn't move. Alex was enjoying it. He had total control over Claire. He quickly took her to the back of the house where everyone was waiting but not without a struggle from Claire "put me down, I want to see the horses! Put me down now Alex, I'm not an invalid" "SURPRISE" everyone shouted as Alex turned the corner, Claire in his arms. Everyone laughed at the situation Claire was in. she was embarrassed. They had planned a BBQ and everyone was waiting for them to return from the hospital. Claire and Alex didn't spend much time together, but they exchanged looks every now and then and everyone had a great time. The food was great and there was plenty of beer.
Claire was the first one up the next morning, way before anybody else. The first thing she did was to go riding. She saddled the horse and got on. All of a sudden she started to get flash backs of the accident. She got off the horse and kicked the dirt. She was angry at herself more than anything. She just wanted to forget about the whole thing, but she knew the only way to do that was to face her fears. She took a deep breath and thought about Alex. She got back in the saddle and just started to trot around. She was riding around Drovers with the wind blowing her hair back as she took in the fresh air. She was so happy. She was checking everything was ok as she was riding about. She came back to the stables and started to check to see what needed to be done. She checked the sheep and they were fine and everything seemed to be in order everywhere she went. She was impressed. By now, everyone else was awake, had eaten and started on the everyday chores. Claire was cleaning out the stables, when Alex arrived. He came up behind her and made Claire jump, not that she'd ever admit it. "So, what do you think of the place? Has it fallen to pieces without you?" he said. He wanted to kiss her, but knew that anybody could walk in at any moment. "I think they coped alright without me" she said in an off handed way. "Coped?" Alex said shocked. The place looked fantastic. "Fine, the place looks great. Everyone's done a brilliant job" she admitted even though she didn't want to think that the place could do ok without her. "Well, you see, all it needed was a mans touch!" Alex said with a cheeky look on his face. He was looking Claire right in the eyes to see her reaction. She couldn't believe it. He had been helping out and he hadn't said anything? Her face turned from shock to annoyance and hit him on the arm. They started fighting and in ended up with Alex on to p of Claire who was on the floor. He looked into her eyes and he just wanted to kiss and hold her and never let her go. She smelt wonderful and looked great. Her skin was so soft and her eyes were sparkling. Claire wanted him to do something, but knew he couldn't. She loved him so much and never wanted him to leave. They just laid there staring at each other, neither wanting to move. That was how Jodi found them. Jodi looked shocked and all she could manage to say was "sorry, am I interrupting something?" Alex sat up still kneeling over Claire. "No. Claire can't take the fact that all this place needs is a man" with that Claire pushes him off her and he falls to the side. Jodi laughs as Claire gets up, starts to clean herself off and says "And where am I going to find a real man around here then?" With that, Alex pulls Claire back down as he gets up and walks out the barn, winking at Jodi and says "You must be losing your touch Claire; you used to give up more of a fight than that before I beat you!" Claire sat up and just saw the back of Alex walking away. All she could do was glare at him. She loved him so much.
Claire was getting on her horse when Alex came over to her with a stick. She hadn't noticed him there. Alex saw her ass tighten as she was about to get on the horse. He thought how much he loved her. Claire had one foot in the stirrup when Alex flicked her ass with the stick, he couldn't resist. The only trouble was that he caught the horse first. The horse kicked up onto its hind legs, sending Claire flying. Becky say what had happened and came running over. When she got to the horse and calmed it down, she saw Claire lying on top of Alex on the floor. As Claire had fallen, she'd fell straight on top of Alex. They were staring at each other again. Claire had a dreamy look on her face, but the way her hair had fallen around her face, nobody but Alex could see it. "Claire, are you ok?" Becky asked as she calmed the horse down. "Claire?" Becky said again. Claire was oblivious to everything around her except Alex, but he had heard Becky and pushed Claire off of him. She came to her senses then. Alex got up and started to walk away when Claire tripped him up slightly, giggling at him stumble, turn around, give her a look and he then said "she's fine" in a I don't give a damn attitude. He turned away and laughed to himself. He had to try hard not to let anyone know how he really felt. Every time he was around Claire he just wanted to touch her and smell her and kiss her and. he had to pull himself together. Nobody else knew. He liked it that way, but couldn't wait until him and Claire could spend some time together alone. He then realises he hasn't got a clue what he's doing so goes back to the where Claire has now started training the horse. She looked fantastic. She knew what she was doing. She was in her element. Alex loved seeing her so happy. He could remember how low she was after she found out about Peter. It hurt that she had been so sad, but to look at her then, you would never had known. Claire was in her own world, oblivious to everyone around her, including Alex. Although she didn't know he was there, he was all she could think about, along with what she was doing. That was why she had a grin on her face. She had hated being in the hospital without him. She couldn't talk to anyone either. Tess had asked her questions, but she just didn't want to say anything in case she jinxed what she had with Alex. In theory she and Alex would be great together, but could he honestly love her forever? She thought Peter would and look what happened there. She was relieved that they could still mess about like they used to, and nobody had taken a blind bit of notice, at least that was what she had thought.
It was dinner time. Alex had been helping Claire train the horses. They were both glad they had become business partners because it was another excuse to spend more time together if they wanted. "Where are Claire and Alex?" Meg asked the other three women at the table. "Last time I saw them, Claire was lying on top of Alex" Becky said in a matter of fact tone. Tess had just taken a sip of her juice and practically spat it out again at what Becky had said. "When I saw them this morning, Alex was lying on top of Claire" Jodi said. Tess couldn't believe what was being said. Because she knew what was really going on, she wondered if everyone else did, but they didn't. They thought they knew that Alex and Claire were just friends and messing around like they always had done. This was just another chance for Meg Becky and Jodi to tease Claire. It was then that Claire and Alex walked in. "So what's been going on with you two then?" Meg asked. Alex practically walked into the back of Claire as he followed her in because she stopped dead at Megs words. She slowly sat down and shot Tess a look. She didn't know if they'd all found out her secret. "I don't know what you're talking about Meg!" Claire replied slowly. "Always on top of each other from what I hear" Alex burst out laughing. He'd seen the look of horror on Claire's face and couldn't help but think the whole thing funny. Claire had calmed down now and realised nobody knew. That's when she started laying into Alex. "I can't help it if my best mate is a complete moron!" "Hey, you the one who can't face the fact that all you need is a man about the place" "did you have a nice trip Alex?" she said smiling at him "how's your bum McLeod?" he said with a smug look on his face. "You must be desperate for women Ryan, if you're spending all your time round here" "fancy another roll in the hay then McLeod?" He'd got her again. He loved the fire in her eyes when they fought, but poor Tess sat there with a look of confusion. Claire then had to explain how they started fighting in the barn, and how he whipped the horse and she went flying. It was Alex who added in the little extras that had everyone in fits of laughter by the end of the story.
Claire walked out with Alex to say goodbye. He got in his Ute and Claire lent on the open window. He started up the Ute, kissed her and drove off. She stood there wanting to be cross with him, but found it funny and walked inside with a smile on her face. "What's up with you?" Meg asked "Oh nothing, just glad to be home!"
Alex didn't come around the next day, or the one after hat. He didn't want anyone to get suspicious. He knew Claire didn't want anybody to know yet. He did go around the next day though and couldn't wait to see her. It just so happened that the evening he went around to see her was the evening Tess had gone to Nicks so they had the house to themselves for the first time. Claire was in the office doing paper work when he arrived. She saw him in the doorway where he'd been standing watching her. "Hello stranger" she said. She stood up as he walked over to her. He pulled Claire into his arms and they kissed so passionately for the first time in a while. "I missed you Claire" "I missed you to" they kissed again but Claire pulls away "you do love me don't you, because if you don't we can end it now" "well" Alex teased "it's a close call between you and my chopper" Claire hits him around the head "hey. Did I tell you I've named my chopper?" "No" Claire replies wondering what he's going to come out with next. "I called her Claire!" that meant a lot coming from Alex and she kissed him completely letting herself go. He never wanted it to end. They went upstairs. Claire was in heaven and she never wanted it to end.
She woke up the next morning in Alexs arms. She felt safe and warm and slowly turned around to find Alex awake staring at her. She just smiled and he kissed her. He rolled over on top of her and it wasn't until an hour later that they finally left Claire's bedroom. Meg was up and cooking breakfast. "Is Alex here?" she asked Claire as she Claire walked in. "why do you ask?" Claire said shocked. "I thought I saw his Ute outside" Alex walked in then, having heard the conversation. He says to Claire "thanks for letting me use the spare bedroom last night. I don't think I'll drink so much next time I come over" "no problem" was her only reply and then she left and went straight to work. Everyone thought Claire was in a mood, but that was usual for Claire. It was very rarely she was happy in the morning. Alex stayed and explained to Meg how he had been at a lose end last night, knew Claire was going to be on her own and so popped round with some beers. He ended up drinking too much to drive home. Alex went in search of Claire over half an hour later after he'd eaten. He found Claire when she had just finished cleaning something and it had turned all muddy with the water. Claire was trying to wipe a splash of mud off her cheek when Alex scooped up some mud and chucked it at her. She couldn't believe it. When she turned around and say it was Alex she couldn't help but take her muddy hands and wipe them down the front of his shirt. He was shocked at what shed done. That was it. She pushed her into the mud and started to rub the dirt all over her. Claire fought back and within five minutes they were both covered in mud from head to toe laughing their heads off. That was when he decided to help clean Claire. He got a bucket of freezing water and poured it over her head. Claire froze. It was freezing! She grabbed the hose at her feet. She decided Alex needed hosing down. He tried to get the hose off of her but failed. They were wet and muddy when Becky found the two of them. She couldn't help but laugh to herself at the state they'd got them selves into.
Claire had been in hospital for two months. She was completely better and able to go straight back to work if she wanted to, and knowing Claire, she would. She'd been in hospital that long because everyone knew she wouldn't rest and would probably make herself worse.
Claire was looking forward to getting home, but wasn't quite sure what to expect the condition of the place to be in. she didn't know that Alex and Nick had been helping out when they could, along with Brick and Terry. Liz and Harry now knew the truth about the baby along with everyone else. Alex had tried to see Claire as often as he could but with working two farms and not wanting it to look obvious that they were together, he hadn't exactly seen that much of her.
"I can't believe she's finally coming home tomorrow" Jodi commented as they all sat down to dinner, Nick and Alex too. "Maybe she'll come out of this foul mood she's been in once she comes home." Tess said "What foul mood?" Alex asked. She'd always seemed happy when he was about. He then got a very big head when he realised she must only be in a mood when he's not around. "It's just the way she gets when she can't have her own way!" everyone gave a knowing look, including Alex. "Are you two still coming over tomorrow?" Meg asked Nick and Alex. "Sure, who's picking Claire up" Nick asked. Everyone turned to Meg. "Don't look at me, I can't do it. I thought you were Tess?" "Not me, I've got work to finish before Claire gets back" "I'll do it!" interrupts Alex. "Are you sure" "Got nothing better to do. What time?" he asked digging into his dinner. "The doctors should finish giving her a last check over at about four" "no probs" Alex said, shovelling another piece of meet into his mouth.
"What are you doing here?" Claire asks as Alex walks into the room. Claire had been sitting on her bed, impatiently waiting, looking at her watch every 30 seconds. "Nice to see you too!" he bends over and they kiss. She smiles "I've come to take you home" "Well you're late!" she laughs and storms out of the room, Alex following.
In the Ute driving back, Alex pulls over on an empty road. "What are you stopping fo..." Alex leant over and started to kiss her. Claire pulls away "there expecting us" "well I can't help it if you need another check up now, can I?" Claire laughs at Alex's words. He places his hand behind her head as they kiss again. He quickly pulls away from her as they are beeped by another car approaching. Alex sticks his head out the Ute and notices it's Frank, the police officer. "What's wrong officer?" Alex asks with a cheeky grin, as if he had been up to something he shouldn't have been. "I thought there might have been a problem" Frank says as he walks over to Alex's Ute. "No" "Hi Claire. I didn't know you were out of hospital" "Alex is just picking me up and taking me home" "why have you stopped?" Frank looks from one to the other until Alex came up with an excuse. "You know these country women, can't handle anything. She was feeling sick cos of my driving" "you alright Claire?" Frank asks with a concerned look on his face. "I'll be fine" she replies quickly, not looking at Frank, but kicking Alex in the leg. Alex was trying not to show that it hurt. Unfortunately for him, Claire knew how to hurt him. "Well I better let the two of you get going" and with that, he got in his car and drove away, as did Alex. "What did you do that for?" He asked rubbing his leg and looking at Claire as a grin formed on her face. "You deserved it!" she said. They laughed. They felt like naughty teenagers who had nearly got caught, the only thing was, Alex was used to it, Claire wasn't, and Alex really did care about the girl this time.
When they pulled up at drovers, Claire started to walk off in the direction of the stables. "Where you going Claire?" Alex shouted. "to check the horses" "you can do that tomorrow" he said catching up to her. "I want to do it now" "well you cant" he said grabbing hold of her arm and trying to drag her in the opposite direction. She wasn't having any of it and pulled away from him. "No, I want to do it now" "Fine!" said Alex as he picked her up in his arms. Claire was shocked, she couldn't move. Alex was enjoying it. He had total control over Claire. He quickly took her to the back of the house where everyone was waiting but not without a struggle from Claire "put me down, I want to see the horses! Put me down now Alex, I'm not an invalid" "SURPRISE" everyone shouted as Alex turned the corner, Claire in his arms. Everyone laughed at the situation Claire was in. she was embarrassed. They had planned a BBQ and everyone was waiting for them to return from the hospital. Claire and Alex didn't spend much time together, but they exchanged looks every now and then and everyone had a great time. The food was great and there was plenty of beer.
Claire was the first one up the next morning, way before anybody else. The first thing she did was to go riding. She saddled the horse and got on. All of a sudden she started to get flash backs of the accident. She got off the horse and kicked the dirt. She was angry at herself more than anything. She just wanted to forget about the whole thing, but she knew the only way to do that was to face her fears. She took a deep breath and thought about Alex. She got back in the saddle and just started to trot around. She was riding around Drovers with the wind blowing her hair back as she took in the fresh air. She was so happy. She was checking everything was ok as she was riding about. She came back to the stables and started to check to see what needed to be done. She checked the sheep and they were fine and everything seemed to be in order everywhere she went. She was impressed. By now, everyone else was awake, had eaten and started on the everyday chores. Claire was cleaning out the stables, when Alex arrived. He came up behind her and made Claire jump, not that she'd ever admit it. "So, what do you think of the place? Has it fallen to pieces without you?" he said. He wanted to kiss her, but knew that anybody could walk in at any moment. "I think they coped alright without me" she said in an off handed way. "Coped?" Alex said shocked. The place looked fantastic. "Fine, the place looks great. Everyone's done a brilliant job" she admitted even though she didn't want to think that the place could do ok without her. "Well, you see, all it needed was a mans touch!" Alex said with a cheeky look on his face. He was looking Claire right in the eyes to see her reaction. She couldn't believe it. He had been helping out and he hadn't said anything? Her face turned from shock to annoyance and hit him on the arm. They started fighting and in ended up with Alex on to p of Claire who was on the floor. He looked into her eyes and he just wanted to kiss and hold her and never let her go. She smelt wonderful and looked great. Her skin was so soft and her eyes were sparkling. Claire wanted him to do something, but knew he couldn't. She loved him so much and never wanted him to leave. They just laid there staring at each other, neither wanting to move. That was how Jodi found them. Jodi looked shocked and all she could manage to say was "sorry, am I interrupting something?" Alex sat up still kneeling over Claire. "No. Claire can't take the fact that all this place needs is a man" with that Claire pushes him off her and he falls to the side. Jodi laughs as Claire gets up, starts to clean herself off and says "And where am I going to find a real man around here then?" With that, Alex pulls Claire back down as he gets up and walks out the barn, winking at Jodi and says "You must be losing your touch Claire; you used to give up more of a fight than that before I beat you!" Claire sat up and just saw the back of Alex walking away. All she could do was glare at him. She loved him so much.
Claire was getting on her horse when Alex came over to her with a stick. She hadn't noticed him there. Alex saw her ass tighten as she was about to get on the horse. He thought how much he loved her. Claire had one foot in the stirrup when Alex flicked her ass with the stick, he couldn't resist. The only trouble was that he caught the horse first. The horse kicked up onto its hind legs, sending Claire flying. Becky say what had happened and came running over. When she got to the horse and calmed it down, she saw Claire lying on top of Alex on the floor. As Claire had fallen, she'd fell straight on top of Alex. They were staring at each other again. Claire had a dreamy look on her face, but the way her hair had fallen around her face, nobody but Alex could see it. "Claire, are you ok?" Becky asked as she calmed the horse down. "Claire?" Becky said again. Claire was oblivious to everything around her except Alex, but he had heard Becky and pushed Claire off of him. She came to her senses then. Alex got up and started to walk away when Claire tripped him up slightly, giggling at him stumble, turn around, give her a look and he then said "she's fine" in a I don't give a damn attitude. He turned away and laughed to himself. He had to try hard not to let anyone know how he really felt. Every time he was around Claire he just wanted to touch her and smell her and kiss her and. he had to pull himself together. Nobody else knew. He liked it that way, but couldn't wait until him and Claire could spend some time together alone. He then realises he hasn't got a clue what he's doing so goes back to the where Claire has now started training the horse. She looked fantastic. She knew what she was doing. She was in her element. Alex loved seeing her so happy. He could remember how low she was after she found out about Peter. It hurt that she had been so sad, but to look at her then, you would never had known. Claire was in her own world, oblivious to everyone around her, including Alex. Although she didn't know he was there, he was all she could think about, along with what she was doing. That was why she had a grin on her face. She had hated being in the hospital without him. She couldn't talk to anyone either. Tess had asked her questions, but she just didn't want to say anything in case she jinxed what she had with Alex. In theory she and Alex would be great together, but could he honestly love her forever? She thought Peter would and look what happened there. She was relieved that they could still mess about like they used to, and nobody had taken a blind bit of notice, at least that was what she had thought.
It was dinner time. Alex had been helping Claire train the horses. They were both glad they had become business partners because it was another excuse to spend more time together if they wanted. "Where are Claire and Alex?" Meg asked the other three women at the table. "Last time I saw them, Claire was lying on top of Alex" Becky said in a matter of fact tone. Tess had just taken a sip of her juice and practically spat it out again at what Becky had said. "When I saw them this morning, Alex was lying on top of Claire" Jodi said. Tess couldn't believe what was being said. Because she knew what was really going on, she wondered if everyone else did, but they didn't. They thought they knew that Alex and Claire were just friends and messing around like they always had done. This was just another chance for Meg Becky and Jodi to tease Claire. It was then that Claire and Alex walked in. "So what's been going on with you two then?" Meg asked. Alex practically walked into the back of Claire as he followed her in because she stopped dead at Megs words. She slowly sat down and shot Tess a look. She didn't know if they'd all found out her secret. "I don't know what you're talking about Meg!" Claire replied slowly. "Always on top of each other from what I hear" Alex burst out laughing. He'd seen the look of horror on Claire's face and couldn't help but think the whole thing funny. Claire had calmed down now and realised nobody knew. That's when she started laying into Alex. "I can't help it if my best mate is a complete moron!" "Hey, you the one who can't face the fact that all you need is a man about the place" "did you have a nice trip Alex?" she said smiling at him "how's your bum McLeod?" he said with a smug look on his face. "You must be desperate for women Ryan, if you're spending all your time round here" "fancy another roll in the hay then McLeod?" He'd got her again. He loved the fire in her eyes when they fought, but poor Tess sat there with a look of confusion. Claire then had to explain how they started fighting in the barn, and how he whipped the horse and she went flying. It was Alex who added in the little extras that had everyone in fits of laughter by the end of the story.
Claire walked out with Alex to say goodbye. He got in his Ute and Claire lent on the open window. He started up the Ute, kissed her and drove off. She stood there wanting to be cross with him, but found it funny and walked inside with a smile on her face. "What's up with you?" Meg asked "Oh nothing, just glad to be home!"
Alex didn't come around the next day, or the one after hat. He didn't want anyone to get suspicious. He knew Claire didn't want anybody to know yet. He did go around the next day though and couldn't wait to see her. It just so happened that the evening he went around to see her was the evening Tess had gone to Nicks so they had the house to themselves for the first time. Claire was in the office doing paper work when he arrived. She saw him in the doorway where he'd been standing watching her. "Hello stranger" she said. She stood up as he walked over to her. He pulled Claire into his arms and they kissed so passionately for the first time in a while. "I missed you Claire" "I missed you to" they kissed again but Claire pulls away "you do love me don't you, because if you don't we can end it now" "well" Alex teased "it's a close call between you and my chopper" Claire hits him around the head "hey. Did I tell you I've named my chopper?" "No" Claire replies wondering what he's going to come out with next. "I called her Claire!" that meant a lot coming from Alex and she kissed him completely letting herself go. He never wanted it to end. They went upstairs. Claire was in heaven and she never wanted it to end.
She woke up the next morning in Alexs arms. She felt safe and warm and slowly turned around to find Alex awake staring at her. She just smiled and he kissed her. He rolled over on top of her and it wasn't until an hour later that they finally left Claire's bedroom. Meg was up and cooking breakfast. "Is Alex here?" she asked Claire as she Claire walked in. "why do you ask?" Claire said shocked. "I thought I saw his Ute outside" Alex walked in then, having heard the conversation. He says to Claire "thanks for letting me use the spare bedroom last night. I don't think I'll drink so much next time I come over" "no problem" was her only reply and then she left and went straight to work. Everyone thought Claire was in a mood, but that was usual for Claire. It was very rarely she was happy in the morning. Alex stayed and explained to Meg how he had been at a lose end last night, knew Claire was going to be on her own and so popped round with some beers. He ended up drinking too much to drive home. Alex went in search of Claire over half an hour later after he'd eaten. He found Claire when she had just finished cleaning something and it had turned all muddy with the water. Claire was trying to wipe a splash of mud off her cheek when Alex scooped up some mud and chucked it at her. She couldn't believe it. When she turned around and say it was Alex she couldn't help but take her muddy hands and wipe them down the front of his shirt. He was shocked at what shed done. That was it. She pushed her into the mud and started to rub the dirt all over her. Claire fought back and within five minutes they were both covered in mud from head to toe laughing their heads off. That was when he decided to help clean Claire. He got a bucket of freezing water and poured it over her head. Claire froze. It was freezing! She grabbed the hose at her feet. She decided Alex needed hosing down. He tried to get the hose off of her but failed. They were wet and muddy when Becky found the two of them. She couldn't help but laugh to herself at the state they'd got them selves into.