This is for Jay!
I lay back eyes closed, I was shattered, it had been an incredibly tough day at work, I had been there almost twenty-four hours solid.
John had insisted on giving me a lift home for which I was very grateful, I was drifting to sleep in the warm comfort of John's car.
I could hear John chatting away, reviewing his fifteen hour shift from what I could gather. I made noises in what I hoped was the right places.
Eventually the gentle movement of the car pushed me into sleep.
I was jolted awake by John calling my name:
"Claire? We're here"
"Urgh" I groaned as I shook my sleepy body awake
I got out of the car supported by John, once the cold night air hit me I was fully awake.
I opened the door to let myself in, on a impulse I turned to John:
"Fancy a coffee?"
"You should get yourself to bed Claire"
"I know, I know, but I don't want you driving tired"
"Alright, coffee would be great thanks" John followed me inside and closed the door behind him
"Sit down make yourself at home" I called "You'll find the T.V control behind the sofa" I added as an afterthought
I brought the coffee through and found John watching The Simpson's:
"You like them too?"
"Yeah 'bout the only thing I watch apart from Rugby"
We were silent as we watched The Simpson's, when they finished John turned to me:
"So you don't go for blondes?"
"No, I don't, both my parents were blonde and I really hated my hair when I was young"
"Blonde hair suits you" John said "What do you go for then?"
"Redheads or brunettes" I replied, suddenly realising I had given John and open invitation to flirt.
"No chance for Don then?"
"You think I would stoop so low as to go out with him?" I paused before thinking of something "If I married a redhead any children I have would turn out ginger"
"Don't marry a redhead then" John joked
Silence fell as we both turned our attention to the television, I was aware that I was beginning to drop off, shifting my position in the chair I laid my head on the arm.
I awoke to the sun shining in through a crack in the curtains, I realised I was lying on the sofa, my duvet covering me.
I sat up wondering where John was, looking around I saw he was curled up asleep in the chair.
I got up quietly determined not to wake John; I crept into the kitchen and filled the kettle to make coffee.
I stood in the doorway and watched John sleeping while the kettle boiled, retreating back into the kitchen, I caught sight of the clock on the wall:
"Oh my god!" I exclaimed out loud
"Claire?" John's voice made me jump
"Shit!" I dropped the cup I was holding and it smashed as it hit the floor
"Are you alright?" John rushed over to me
"I'm fine" I said bending down to pick up the pieces of the mug "You scared me that's all"
"Sorry, anyway I should be heading home" John yawned
"Oh no you don't, you're going to bed properly" I grabbed John's hand and pulled him up the stairs to my bedroom:
"You'll find T-Shirts in one of the drawers" I pulled the door too behind me and made my way downstairs
"Claire?"
"Yeah?" I retraced my steps and stood in the doorway watching John take off his shirt
"You should have the bed"
"Nah, I'm alright I prefer to sleep on the sofa" I made sure John was in bed before I went back downstairs.
Settling down on the sofa I was soon asleep.
Upstairs, John was stirring as the clock turned to half past seven, getting up he had a quick shower before getting dressed, making his way downstairs he found Claire asleep on the sofa, glancing up, a figure outside caught his eye.
Suddenly there was a furious pounding on the door, looking over at the sleeping Claire he decided not to wake her, dashing out into the hall he wrenched the door open, standing there was a surprised Kerry:
"You're needed at work like now!" She said
"Right O.K, I'll meet you there" John said closing the door
Heading back into the living room, John found a piece of paper and a pen, resting on the coffee table he wrote a short note:
'Claire,
Have been called into work, I hope you don't mind but I had a quick shower, I used the blue towel.
Thanx for letting me stay overnight
Give me a call and I'll bring you into work
John x'
John left the note on the table by Claire's watch, leaning down he kissed Claire gently on the cheek.
He watched her sigh and turn over before he pulled the duvet up and tucked it in.
There will be more to come when I can get access to a computer. Feedback greatly appriciated!
