After her shift Sheelagh walked into the front office to find Patrick waiting for her.
"Have you been waiting long?" Sheelagh asked.
"No."
"Okay."
"Come on." Patrick stood up and put his hand on her back and led her out to his taxi. "I hope you don't mind."
"No, course not. I'm hardly one for flashy things."
Patrick laughed. "Good, because I had to cook. I couldn't find anywhere."
Sheelagh smiled. "Are you a good cook?"
"Why don't you tell me later?"
"Okay, deal."
They got into the cab and Patrick drove them back to his flat. He led her up to his flat and let them both in. He took Sheelagh's coat and hung it on a hook near the front door. Sheelagh could smell cooked food and Patrick led her towards the kitchen. In the oven, warming, was the dinner. He had cooked lovely vegetables and some mince meat. On the table were two wine glasses and a bottle of wine. The table was set for dinner already and Sheelagh was taking it all in.
"It looks lovely." She said.
"Thank you."
Sheelagh turned to face him then leant up and kissed him quickly on the cheek. They sat down and Patrick poured them both a glass of wine each. He then stood up and served up the vegetables.
"We would've had a starter but I dropped the prawns." He explained as he sat back down again, in front of his meal. Sheelagh laughed.
"It's fine as it is."
"Do you say grace?"
"Yeah, my husband doesn't like it but I still make him."
Patrick smiled. "Do you want to now?"
"Okay." They put their hands together and Sheelagh said grace. "Dear Father, for what we are about to receive please think us truly thankful, Amen,"
After grace they started eating in silence. About half-way through the meal Patrick asked.
"Is it okay?"
"It's fantastic. You're a great cook!"
"Why thank you!"
Sheelagh laughed. There was silence again for the rest of the meal.
-------------------------------
After the meal they took their wine into the living room and sat down next to each other on the sofa. Patrick cocked his head to tell her to relax back against the sofa. They didn't talk for a while, they just sipped on their wine. Patrick put his arm round the back of the sofa where Sheelagh was sat.
"You okay?" Patrick asked after five minutes of silence.
"Yeah. It's great."
"You like it like this?"
"Yeah."
"You sit like this with your husband?"
"No."
"Aww, I'm special." Sheelagh laughed and Patrick moved his arm so it was resting round her shoulders. Sheelagh stood up.
"Can I use your toilet?"
"Yeah, it's just through there."
"Thanks." Sheelagh put her wine on the table and went through to the bathroom. Patrick waited for her to go into the bathroom before going and hiding behind one of the chairs. Sheelagh came back a few minutes later and was surprised to find Patrick not there. She walked around the room looking for him. When she got close to the chair Patrick was hiding behind he jumped out making her jump and he wrapped his arms round her waist, sending her into a fit of giggles. She leant her forehead against his shoulder, still giggling and he tightened his grip around her. When she lifted her head up she had stopped giggling and they looked straight into each others eyes. Patrick slowly moved their lips closer together. When their lips were only millimetres apart Patrick moved so their noses were touching, causing their lips to be a little further apart than they had been a few seconds ago. Sheelagh giggled slightly then Patrick found Sheelagh's lips with his. Sheelagh let him for a few seconds then kissed him back. The kiss was slow and gentle, but also passionate in its own way. They stayed in the embrace for a couple of minutes before Sheelagh pulled away and turned away from him. She walked away and Patrick let her, he knew what she was thinking.
"We shouldn't have done that." Sheelagh muttered. Patrick kept quiet and just watched her torturing herself. He waited for a couple more minutes before saying.
"Don't torture yourself Sheelagh. Nothing happened." Patrick said softly. Sheelagh turned round and looked at Patrick through teary eyes. Patrick hadn't realised that she had been crying. He opened his arms out to her, not forcing her to do anything. Sheelagh went up to him and put her arms around his waist. Patrick wrapped his arms round her shoulders and he let her cry freely on his shirt. Once in this embrace Sheelagh wasn't crying for very long. When she had just about stopped crying Patrick pushed her away slightly and moved his hands to her cheeks. He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. Sheelagh smiled at him.
"Sorry." She whispered.
"It's okay," Patrick answered, his voice not much higher than a whisper, "there's nothing for you to apologise for."
"I ruined your evening."
"No you didn't," Patrick insisted, "tonight's been perfect."
"You mean it?"
"Yes."
Sheelagh smiled at him and he pulled her back into a hug. They broke away and sat back down together on the sofa. Patrick handed Sheelagh her wine glass back and they drank and chatted until about 11pm.
"I'd better be getting back," Sheelagh said regretfully, "Des'll be waiting up for me."
"Oh." Patrick didn't try to hide his disappointment this time. Sheelagh put her hand on his arm and stood up. "Do you want me to call you a cab?"
"No thanks. I'll walk."
"If you're sure."
Sheelagh nodded so Patrick walked her to his front door and opened it for her. Sheelagh stroked his cheek then leant up and kissed his other cheek gently.
They said goodbye and Sheelagh walked home.