Disclaimer: Don't own any of these characters, just having a little imaginary fun!
Author's Note: Never has the word 'finally' seemed more apt! I'm very sorry this has taken so long to update, i stressed and chopped & changed this chapter so many times, but now i'm quitting messing with it & just posting. I hope you enjoy - and i hope even more the next one won't take so long!
Fallen - Part 31
Clarisse clapped her hands together with a short sharp slap and watched as the young ladies silently filed out of the pool area. She was in no delusions though and smiled quietly to herself when she heard their chatter float in from the changing rooms as soon as they were out of her sight. Moving to the sidelines she reached for her jacket and looked up brusquely when she heard clapping coming from the stands.
Rose. Clapping away with an amused grin on her face.
Clarisse shook her head. "And just what are you doing here?"
Rose leant on the rail in front of her, leaning down to watch as her sister tidied the girls' boards away. "Thought I'd check out the village's new coach, I always thought you should have been a teacher of some kind, far too bossy."
"Funny, what are you really doing here?" She asked shrugging her jacket on.
"Was bored, thought I'd come see you off, give you a lift to the train station if you so wish."
"That would be wonderful thanks, saves me leaving my car at the station."
"What time's your train?"
"5:30. I'll eat on the train, several hours to kill." She rolled her eyes.
"The things you do for love darling."
"Very bloody funny, I'll meet you in the car in ten minutes."
"Five." Rose called down. "Do your make-up in the car."
"Bugger off…" Clarisse answered over her shoulder as she disappeared into the office.
Harry was on the telephone and waved at her as she entered, watching as she filled in her record sheet and placed it back into the folder she'd begun to put together. He always knew she'd be methodical and organised; those girls were certainly getting a thorough training session with her.
Sliding the receiver down on the phone he swung round in his chair and folded his arms.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself out there tonight."
"Hmm, they're improving." She replied without looking up from her folder. "And Lucy is very cute, all those blonde curls. But goodness can she talk."
Harry chuckled, his eyes resting on her back as she stood on tiptoes and slid the folder onto the empty top shelf she'd claimed.
"Anything exciting this weekend?" She asked retrieving her handbag from the cupboard.
"Not really, unless of course you're free for dinner?" he said the words with an air of lightness and a smile, inwardly he'd been wondering how to ask her this for the past three weeks.
"Afraid not, maybe in the week one night." She said opening her purse and digging out her phone to check it for messages.
"Exciting plans for you?" He said nonchalantly turning back to the work on his desk.
"Hmm, visiting a friend, friends." She quickly corrected herself. "In fact I better get going, my sister is waiting outside for me. Dropping me off at the station."
"Anywhere nice?"
"Just up to London. Last train."
"Well have fun." He said without looking up.
"I will indeed. Night Harry. See you next week." She called as she headed out of the office.
"The guy fancies you." Rose smirked settling herself behind the wheel of the car.
"Shut up. You always have to gossip."
"I am not gossiping, I'm telling you the honest truth. The guy fancies you."
Clarisse threw her sweater into the back of the car and pulled on the fitted black top, running her hand through her hair and checking herself in the mirror.
"He's far too young for me."
"He's what, 38? Come on, and you know you look good."
Clarisse chuckled and dropped her head to the side offering her sister a bashful look. "Surely that isn't a compliment."
"More a fact." Rose added as she swung the car into the station car park. "Now when will you return from Mr. King?"
"Don't call him that, I shall be back late Tuesday night, I'll get a cab don't worry."
"Not staying Valentines night too."
"He's heading to Paris Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately."
"You're not going with him?" Rose said tapping her hands on the steering wheel as she watched Clarisse stuff her clothes into a bag in the back seat.
"Obviously not, and don't start that again."
"Oh yes, this is still a big secret."
"I know you don't approve."
"It's not that I don't approve, it's just that it seems silly, for heavens sake you're both adults why the hell should you hide away?"
"You know how I feel…" sighing heavily she paused and stared at Rose. "You will feed Holly won't you."
"No I'll leave the little nuisance to starve… of course I'll feed her."
"Thank you." Clarisse smiled warmly and leant over to kiss Rose. "Enjoy your weekend."
"Oh well yes, I live a glamorous life. Enjoy yours, give my love to Joseph."
"I will." She swung her legs out of the car and Rose waited as she removed her bags from the car boot. Waving through the window as her sister headed into the station.
King Joseph was exhausted; he had flown direct from Washington, after a 14-day trip, into London. It was now 6:30 in the morning and he still had to get off the plane and through customs, into the limo and finally to Claridges. All he wanted to do was sleep, yet the mask was in place.
He reached down and buttoned his jacket as he saw Richard approaching, time for the masquerade.
Clarisse hadn't been able to sleep. Yes the rooms here were probably the most beautiful she'd ever stayed in. The service was beyond reproach. The food exquisite. The suite divine. She could have swum in the bathtub, or held a ball in the lounge. And yet with all that she hadn't been able to sleep.
Those king size beds were marvellous but not for one sleeping alone. Certainly not when she was lying there in the centre of the bed with the sounds of the rainfall outside and the memory of arriving at that self same hotel and having to check in under some obscure name, being escorted around like a china doll and 'placed' in the King's suite.
So here she was at 7:30 in the pool. A private pool at that. She wasn't even with Joseph and yet nobody was allowed near her, she was angered beyond belief by the presence of her 'security guard' standing discreetly at the entrance to the pool and pretending not to watch her swim, his eyes focused on the walls.
She dipped her head down beneath the surface and was swept away into the silent world of the water. The outside world disappeared and she forgot all about the stoic guard by the door.
At the top of the pool she felt a dark shadow appear over the water and immediately lifted her head pausing mid-stroke and rubbing her eyes.
She expected the guard to be standing there but instead a pair of grey soft eyes greeted her, a tired smile on his face.
Dropping her feet to the tiled floor of the pool she stood just a metre away from the edge, hands on hips
"Hello." He whispered. "Been a long time Miss. Arcenciel."
"Too long sir, and I don't like him being there." She indicated the guard with her chin and Joseph smiled again.
"Good job I sent him on his way then."
She glanced over her shoulder to the door. "Ahh, well you have that authority, but please don't ever set me up with one again."
"Well, we'll talk about that later."
He slipped his jacket off and she watched amused as he kicked his shoes off as well.
"You realise madam it's been 37 days since I saw your face."
"I do."
"And 37 days since I kissed you."
"Yes."
"And 38 days since I last held you in my arms." With that last line he jumped down into the water and reached for her, drawing her into his embrace.
His chin rested on her forehead and he closed his eyes as he held her tight against him.
"You just ruined a very expensive suit." She whispered, kissing his chest through the damp shirt.
"I don't care." He brushed her hair as she lifted her face to his. "God you're beautiful."
"Hmm, flatterer."
"I have been practicing."
"Oh?" she pouted. "On who?"
"Just in here." He tapped the side of his head. "Imagining being with you again, it seems forever."
"I know. January was slow."
"Incredibly."
"But how impressed am I that you handily arranged this little visit around Valentines."
"I'm good aren't I. But it was pure coincidence you understand."
"Oh I'm sure."
Finally he lifted her chin with his finger and closed his eyes as her mouth touched his. It was a gentle kiss. A moment of intimacy between them, soft and warm, they gripped each other as their mouths confessed the thousands of unsaid words.
Breathing deeply Joseph was reluctant to open his eyes and end the moment; he felt Clarisse's hand on his cheek gently brushing his skin with her fingertips.
"Darling you look exhausted."
He chuckled and stared down at her. "Thank you very much, I am. I need to sleep, couldn't manage it on the flight, was too busy counting down the hours. Minutes. Seconds." He squeezed her body again to emphasise his point.
"Then go to the suite, I'll get my things and be right there."
"Afraid that's not possible."
He visibly saw her shoulders drop with disappointment. "Surely not a meeting now, you only just landed, you need a break."
"That's not what I meant, what I meant was I'm not sure I can let go of your body now."
"Oh…" she smiled warmly and stood on tiptoes pressing herself against him. "Then are you going to carry me down the hallways to the suite?"
"I would if you'd allow me."
"I won't, so let go and let's get out of here. I'm going all wrinkly." She held her hand in front of his face to show him her wrinkled fingers. "And before you say anything it's the water not age."
"I would never dare."
Laughing she dived back into the water and swam to the steps, Joseph sighed heavily and rubbed his chest as he slowly waded through the water towards her.
"You know I still stand by my words," he added staring at her backside as she climbed the few steps out of the pool.
"Which is?"
"Last Summer, when I said you should get a pool in your garden."
Clarisse chuckled as she tied her robe and draped a towel around her shoulders. "You make it sound like an incredibly normal act, popping down to the market for a pool dear, won't be long." She laughed again hooking her arm through his. "You are a little insane Mr King."
"Mr King?" He queried glancing sideways at her.
"Rose's new nickname for you, kinda cute don't you think?"
"I think I prefer Joseph from you." He smiled patting her hand. "Or something adorable like 'my love', 'sweetheart', 'my all.'"
Clarisse screwed her nose up and shook her head. "What do you think I am, straight out of the pages of some Mills and Boon novel? Goodness no. Joseph it stays. Or sir if I'm pushed."
With a deep chuckle he pushed open the door that led out of the pool area. "Alright, shall we have some breakfast then Madam?"
"Lead the way sir."
Waiting until she was sure the maids had gone Clarisse stepped out of the bedroom and moved to sit with Joseph.
"Ahh good morning sleepy head, was wondering if you'd make it out for breakfast."
"And here I am." She smiled sweetly placing a napkin into her lap. "I didn't want the maids to see me."
"They're paid not to see you sweetheart."
"How fabulous, now I feel like a well-treated and overlooked prostitute."
Folding his paper and putting it to one side he placed his hand over hers. "Never." Lifting her hand he kissed it, "you aren't wearing the bracelet."
"Joseph, it's 8:30 in the morning, I'm not dressed, I'm not showered. I'm hardly likely to be wearing an expensive diamond bracelet at breakfast."
"But you do like it?"
"Like it? It's the best-damned Valentines gift I've ever had. Now can we eat?"
"Go ahead, I'm not that hungry."
Gazing steadily at him she watched as he took a sip of juice. "You hardly ate yesterday neither. Slept until lunch then were out meeting and greeting."
"All part of the job, besides we ate last night."
"No we ordered to the room and I ate and you picked at it."
Leaning closer to her he nudged her soft cheek with his nose. "But I ate you, and you tasted delicious."
"Joseph!" She exclaimed scandalised. "One doesn't expect such lines from a King." She buttered a piece of toast feigning shock as he continued to nuzzle her neck.
"You always smell so good Clarisse, always." To emphasise his point he breathed deeply, his warm breath tickling her skin.
"Joseph," giggling she twisted her head round to look at him and accepted his brief kiss. "When did you get up? I didn't hear you."
"You don't really want to know."
She raised a questioning eyebrow. "6:00?"
He shook his head.
"Earlier than 6:00, you're right I don't want to know, those days are behind me." She bit into her toast. "So you're in meetings all day, more meet and greet."
"Afraid so, for most of it, but I have booked us a private table you'll be pleased to know, dinner at 7:30 ish."
"7:30 ish? That sounds a little negotiable."
"I may be earlier than that, if we're lucky."
"Hmm, and does that mean, you might also be late?"
He shook his head kissing her again, "No, I won't be late, I promise, I'm going to be looking forward to spending the evening with you. My love."
Dropping her half-eaten slice of toast back to her plate she rested her hands on his shoulders. "Joseph, how long before you have to disappear again?"
"Ahh," he looked at his watch, "about, well 30 minutes, 40 at a push."
"Good," she nodded loosening his tie. "Then you have time for me to thank you again for the diamonds."
He chuckled tracing his finger tenderly down her face. "What are you suggesting Madam?"
"I'm suggesting, Sir, that I take you back to bed for 30, maybe 40 minutes. And you turn up late to this so-called meeting. After all I am going to be spending the day without you."
"That is true. And I am the King, they're all here to see me right, my prerogative to be late."
"Indeed it is." She pulled his tie and dropped it to the floor standing and holding his hand firmly in hers as she led him back to bed.
It wasn't often Clarisse wore white, she found black dresses so much simpler, sexier, and more sophisticated. Yet now, after finding the most fabulous Dolce and Gabbana just-off white cocktail dress, she had changed her ways for one evening only and wore it with style. If there was a place to shop London was it, once again she'd managed to spend a small fortune on this dress, a new pair of shoes and some treats for the new love of her life… Holly. A rather fetching bright sparkly pink dog collar for her, she would look stunning next time they went walking on the beach together. Joseph wouldn't believe it if he saw how much she'd grown already.
Thinking of him made her relax, she uncrossed then re-crossed her legs in the opposite direction, took a sip of her champagne and looked to her watch. 7:25. He should be here soon.
The bar wasn't overly full, just acceptable, not too quiet that she felt she was the object of scrutiny, nor to full that she felt crowded. Glancing around she took in the people seated at the dining tables, the young couples holding hands across the table, older ones saying it all with their eyes. The families celebrating an anniversary of some kind. And then she saw them, two body guards by the entrance, eyes fixed on her, when she looked at them they stared back stonily and she found she had to look away before she blushed.
Turning around quickly on her stool she took a gulp of the expensive champagne and closed her eyes as she swallowed it. Damn Joseph, she'd told him no more guards, she hated those strangers' eyes watching her every move. She hated the fact somebody knew where she was and what she was doing all the time. It infuriated her to think that they had been there all day, following her from store to store, surely not; surely Joe wouldn't do something like that.
Well, that was settled, she would have it out with him tonight. Put a stop to the nonsense, when he got there of course. 7:45 now.
Edging round in her seat again she scanned the room being careful to avoid the doorway where the black suits stood motionless and poised. No sign of him yet. She could grant him a few minutes late, she knew how strained these meetings could get, these duties he had to perform.
Cradling her Champagne flute she tentatively sipped it and let out a long deep breath. A man in a business suit was walking toward her, she looked away and didn't notice when he stood next to her at the bar.
"Evening."
Craning her neck round she shot a look to his face, "Oh, good evening."
"Classy here isn't it."
"Incredibly."
"Would you like another drink?"
She looked to her half-empty glass and shook her head. "No, no thank you. I'm, I'm err waiting for someone."
"Oh right, I'm sorry, thought you were alone."
"It's fine."
Feeling a hand touch her arm she turned to her right again a smile in place ready for Joseph.
"Richard?"
"Clarisse, a word please."
Slipping down from her stool she reached for her purse and placed her glass back down on the bar taking Richard's offered arm and following him to the opposite end of the empty bar.
Joseph nervously glanced at his watch as the last of the papers were shuffled away and the gentlemen around the table got up and prepared to leave. He wanted to rush from the room leaving his briefcase behind and to hell with all those dignitaries. Yet politely he stood, straightening his jacket and shaking the hands of the men that passed him.
Richard approached him discreetly from the corner of the room leading Joseph over to one side out of the earshot of the remaining group.
"Is Clarisse still in the restaurant?" He whispered anxiously.
"No, I'm afraid not sir. She returned to the suite about half-an-hour ago."
"Right." Joseph glanced at his watch again and absently shook his head. "Right, well, a late supper I think. Meeting was rather exaggerated. Did you get the notes?"
"Yes sir, I'll go over them before tomorrow. You have a breakfast meeting at 10, we could meet at 9 and prepare."
"Yes, yes of course. Excellent work." Joseph fiddled with the signet ring on his left hand. He didn't care at all about breakfast meetings, for the last two hours his brain had hardly been focused on the task of work, he was desperately worried about Clarisse and the response he was going to get from her.
Clarisse threw her dress across the room to the bed; it landed in a heap in her open suitcase. She tightened her dressing gown and brushed her hair back from her face as she leant over the open set of drawers and retrieved a selection of tops throwing them to join the dress in the case.
She didn't hear the bedroom door open or Joseph drop his dinner jacket to the bed.
"What's going on?"
She spun round angrily, more than ready for the ensuing argument. "Packing!"
He dropped down onto the bed loosening his bowtie. "I'm sorry, the meeting ran over, I know I'm terrible, I'm sorry."
"And that's it." She stood firm across the room from him, hands on hips. "That's it, sorry. I sat down in that restaurant for two hours, TWO hours! Watching your bloody security guards casting me sympathetic glances, 'she's the one he's fucking at the moment, stupid bitch!' Well I won't be, I won't."
She tossed another item of clothing into the case.
"I don't appreciate your choice of words, and I won't rise to it. You know this is more than sex, you know there isn't and never has been another. You're angry, I understand that and I'm sorry."
"Don't patronise me." She stormed over to the bed slamming her case shut. "I told you from the beginning I won't be some cheap whore who you use, pick up and put down as and when you like, you can't buy me with jewels and fancy hotels."
"I wouldn't try to, please stop packing, stop and sit down and we'll talk about this properly. I'm not using you."
She leant against one of the heavy wooden posts on the bed. "You make me feel cheap, YOU make me feel expendable."
"How the hell…"
"I arrive alone in the middle of the night, meet you here the next morning, you sleep for hours, go to a meeting, come back, we have sex, we go to sleep. I wake this morning, we have sex again, you have no time for breakfast, I eat alone, I spend the entire bloody day alone! And then stupidly I spend so much time getting ready to meet you for dinner and you never show up, no note apologising, no message…"
"Wait, I sent Richard to explain."
"Richard isn't you. Richard isn't your words, your sentiments. He told me you were stuck in a meeting, a note from you wouldn't have taken a second to scribble down."
"Then I apologise, you know I'm no good in these type of situations."
"Oh screw you! You can't keep falling back on that excuse, you know me by now, you know what I expect, what I need, and I really need something from you right now. I really…" She held her breath and squeezed her eyes tightly shut; she refused to let any tears fall.
"I'm trying to damned hard with this Joseph, I know you're busy, I understand that, but if you knew you wouldn't have time why invite me up here?"
"You know why, I need to see you, I missed you." He sighed. "I always miss you. I don't wish to argue, not anymore."
"But don't you understand this can't be all there is, I need something more."
"And I don't know what else to give Clarisse, you don't want to marry me, you don't want to even come live in Genovia as my partner."
"Because I have a life here, a life you seem more than willing to simply brush aside when it suits you. I had plans this weekend, I dropped them all when you snapped your fingers and said you'd be in London, just like that, in a second." She took a deep breath. "I won't do it again Joseph."
"I wouldn't expect you too, I messed it up and I'm sorry. You're right I knew this would be a chaotic weekend, but the thought of being here and not seeing you was unimaginable. But you know there is no other woman, nobody waiting at every port of call, the security guards don't stare at you filled with empathy… and whatever you think I don't see you as a cheap whore."
He stood up abruptly and took his shirt off and dropped it to the floor. "I'm exhausted Clarisse, I've been up since 4:30 this morning after only a few hours of sleep, I've had about 20 minutes break where I grabbed a sandwich. I need a shower and to sleep. I'm sorry, we could argue all night but I really don't have the strength." And with that he disappeared inside the en-suite.
Clarisse sat on the bed for several minutes listening to the running water in the adjoining bathroom. With her hands knitted together she glanced at her suitcase on the bed, it was getting late, 10:15, too late for a train home.
She lifted her suitcase to the floor and slid her dressing gown off along with her underwear before making her way into the bathroom.
Silently sliding open the door of the over-sized cubicle she watched as Joseph lifted his face to the steam of water, his eyes were closed, he brushed a hand across his face wiping the water from his brow. She noted the muscles in his back flexing, his bronzed skin glistening with water droplets, the tired sag of his shoulders.
Stepping in behind him she rested a hand on the small of his back, another on his arm and her chin on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry." She said quietly.
He instantly relaxed back against her body. "No, I'm sorry." He whispered. "I haven't treated you well, certainly not how you deserve to be treated."
"You have, you've shown me more love than anybody, I over-reacted."
"Shall we agree to forgive each other and let the matter rest?" He twisted his neck around glancing to her face.
She smiled. "Yes. Now, let's see if we can get you relaxed shall we."
She rubbed his lower back with the palm of her hand, kissing the side of his neck as she did so.
"You know we both have some sacrifices to make if we want this to work."
"Anything." He reached for the hand that rested on his shoulder and squeezed it. "Anything."
"The same goes for me, now I haven't eaten and I've drunk rather a lot of Champagne, so let's get you clean and relaxed and order some supper shall we."
Turning and resting his chin on her head Joseph closed his eyes. "I'm terribly tired Clarisse."
"I know, and I'm going to look after you this evening. Force you to relax. Finish your shower and I'll ring room service."
"Bossy." He smiled tilting her chin with his finger.
"I always have been," lifting her head she kissed him slowly. "I love you."
"Oh and I love you, so much…" He kissed her this time, forcefully, pressing his body against hers. "So much Clarisse."
"I know," disentangling her arms from his she smiled. "Now hurry up, I'll even get you cocoa before bed."
Joseph watched as she climbed out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body, when she left the bathroom he sagged back against the wall. Exhaustion sweeping over him all over again.
His eyes closed Joseph gasped for air and sat bolt upright in bed. Nausea washed over him in violent waves, rocking his brain and shuddering through his torso.
Holding his head he squeezed his eyes shut and forced air into his lungs, reaching blindly for the glass of water on the bedside table.
There was a clatter and splash of liquid as it hit the floor. Somewhere in the back of his mind a light went on and he audibly moaned at its presence.
"Joseph," Clarisse grasped his shoulder. "Joseph what's wrong?"
"Migraine… god the light Cla…"
Again he moaned and she turned the lamp off climbing out of bed and going to the window, she parted the curtains a little to give her some light and bent to retrieve the now empty glass from the floor.
"What shall I get you?" She asked gently watching as he tried to lay back. "What do you take?"
He shook his head and she scanned the room, she had no idea he suffered from migraines, he never said, she didn't know anything about his medicines or allergies or health issues. She remembered his private doctor though, an elderly man who'd been with Joseph for years. She honestly didn't relish the idea of having to venture out into the hallway in the middle of the night to ask Joseph's bodyguard for a doctor.
Sighing heavily she went to the en suite and soaked a cloth in cold water then returned and gently placed it on his forehead before finding her robe.
The hallways were brightly lit and she felt her eyes close involuntarily at the light. Folding her fingers together she glanced up at the guard standing directly across from her at the door, another a little further down, and another even further down. They all avoided her gaze, instructions she supposed.
Coughing lightly she deliberately stared at the one across from her.
"Erm, I'm sorry to bother you." She whispered. "Joe… his majesty isn't feeling well, I wondered, does he have a doctor here or…" she wrung her hands together almost embarrassed. "I'm sorry I'm not really sure of the procedure."
"I'll take care of it madam." The guard said curtly turning to look at the other one, she wondered if that was a smirk that passed between them. What exactly did they think she and Joseph had been up to?
"Thank you." She slid back inside the room and cursed herself for being so stupid, she overreacted and acted impulsively and didn't think straight. Of course she should have rung Richard, that would have been easier.
"Clarisse?" Joseph groaned.
"I'm here." Padding barefoot back into the bedroom she knelt on the bed and gazed down at him taking his hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Awful."
"I sent for the doctor, well a doctor, I didn't know what else…"
"It's fine," he said quickly, obviously talking wasn't what he wanted right now.
She squeezed his hand lifting it up and kissing the back of it.
Within minutes there was a polite knock at the door and she stood up as Richard entered with a younger man. From the looks of it both straight out of bed, Richard still in his pyjamas his hair ruffled, his face flustered.
She moved toward him as the doctor leant over Joseph.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't sure what to do. Didn't mean to wake you all."
"It's fine," Richard squeezed her upper arm. "Go get yourself a strong drink, he'll be fine in a few moments."
"Alright, does he get these often?" She enquired.
Richard's face remained passive for a moment then he smiled gently. "Not too often, he has some good medication, knocks him straight out but he'll be fine tomorrow."
"Good," she breathed deeply, she hadn't realised just how worried she'd been until she heard him say that. "Good."
Yawning and stretching her arms out above her head Clarisse felt the sunlight on her bare skin, a smile crept onto her face, she could smell his cologne, knew he was still next to her in bed, could feel his warmth.
"What are you smiling at?" She heard him whisper, the pillow beneath her head dipped slightly and she pictured him leaning on his hand, elbow digging into the pillow as he looked down at her.
"Shh," she replied, "I'm still dreaming."
"Oh? And what are you dreaming?"
"That I'm somewhere incredibly hot, a secluded island, distant and exotic, completely alone with you."
She heard the grin in his voice as he stroked her hair. "Sounds perfect."
"It is." The memory of last night flashed into her mind and her eyes flew open. "Goodness Joseph, are you okay?"
He was nodding before she finished her sentence. "Fine, yes, sorry I startled you, woke you in the middle of the night."
"That I don't mind." She shuffled up the bed reaching for his free hand that lay atop of the bed sheets. "I was just, concerned. You were sleeping when I came back to bed."
"Yes, the stuff they give me, it always knocks me out."
"What 'stuff?'" She asked wrinkling up her nose.
He smiled his eyes softening as he gazed down at her. "Just to ease then pain, nothing to worry about. Over work and not enough sleep. You're keeping me awake late at night."
"I'm doing no such thing." She snapped then seeing his expression laughed with him. "Ohh as long as you're okay now," twisting onto her side she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest. "I don't like you being ill, it unnerves me."
Making no reply Joseph closed his eyes and kissed her head. "I'll take today off, Richard can send word out I'm suffering from a migraine, not a complete lie. And you and I can hide away in here, play Chess."
She giggled and pulled her head back to look at him. "Chess? All day?" Moving to lean against him she pushed him back to the bed. "Really Joseph, have you thought of nothing else for us to do to kill the time."
When she kissed him he felt the bed beneath him slip away, her body was warm and soft above his, so very comforting to him to have her touch again.
"I miss you so much when we're apart." He breathed. "It's getting worse, I can hardly bare to leave you now."
"I know, and Holly misses you too."
"The little rascal doesn't even like me, honestly I buy her and give her to the best person I know and she either ignores me, chews my socks or sniffs me with disdain."
"Oh you've only spent a few days with her over Christmas, next time you visit she'll treat you better. She likes to play on the beach, though she has a tendency for going in the water which I'm not too comfortable about."
"Why ever not?" He laughed holding her above him.
"Because," she smirked realising how silly it sounded now she was saying it out loud. "Because I keep thinking of that scene in that film when the dog is missing and never comes back out of the water."
"Which film?" He chuckled.
"You know, Jaws."
Now he positively heaved with laughter. "Jaws!"
"Stop laughing, it's not that funny."
"Oh it is, you think they have great whites swimming around the shores of Cornwall waiting for young dogs chasing balls."
"I know its preposterous but I worry about her, it's like having a baby to look after. I've grown attached."
"I know, I'm glad, she'll be fiercely loyal to you and then I know you'll be protected."
"Oh," she kissed his smile, "and do you think there are great whites after me also?"
"Well, a different kind of great white but one can never be too careful."
Kissing him again she stroked his chest. "You're sure about taking the day off? I don't want it to cause problems."
"It won't, a hundred percent sure."
Her face was the picture of joy; "Marvellous… and Joseph you will come and stay again won't you, soon?"
"Of course soon, I'll speak with Richard about it, organising some time. Pierre is getting a little suspicious though."
"Of me?"
"In a way, he doesn't know of you of course but he knows something is different, he isn't dumb. I think he's rather intrigued by it all, it was the festive break that did it, we've always done it as a family."
"I guess it was risky."
"Yes, but worth it."
"Worth every second, shall we order breakfast?" She snuggled against him.
"Yes, I'll call Richard first, lets stay in bed though, eat it in here, and you can tell me all about rascal Holly. And who know, we could maybe watch a movie later."
Shaking her head she lay down tucking her head beneath his chin. "Don't tell me, Jaws!"
Please leave me a little review, thanks! x Rhonda
