A week later Sam seemed restless. Christopher watched her as she moved around the front parlor attempting to dispense with some of the dust that insisted on coating the furniture. Her movement was fidgety, almost frenetic and it concerned him. An hour later, a loud clatter sounded from the kitchen and he left his writing desk to see that all was in order. He found Sam near the hob, a pot n the floor and food splattered all around. But it was her sobs that concerned him. "Sam?"
She looked up, almost in a panic. "Oh, I didn't want... You'll think I'm terribly unfit for...I just can't believe..."
He moved toward her, sidestepping most of the mess and gently took her in his arms. "I'll not hear any talk of you being unfit for anything, my darling. Accidents happen, I'm just relieved you weren't hurt." He leaned back slightly and looked into her face. "You aren't, are you?"
"No... just... I was trying to make this new recipe I found in the ladies magazine and I... " she sniffed at least twice prompting Foyle to pull his handkerchief from his pocket for her. After dabbing her eyes gently, he handed it her. "You what, love?" he asked as he pulled her back to him. "Oh, I turned to look at the recipe again and must've caught the handle of the pot and it slid off the hob and... well, you see where it landed."
Christopher looked down at the floor and tried to make out what she might have been preparing. There was no meat that he could see. "Mmmm, mostly vegetables?"
Sam nodded. "I was to add a bit of ham later, only of course it would be Spam instead. And served over potatoes. "
Eyeing the disaster on the floor, he grunted. "Wull, least the Spam hadn't made it to the pot." An idea sparked in his mind. "Look, why don't you go up and have a nice soak in the tub, relax a bit while I clean this up. And then we'll go out. Been cooped up here for days; bound to make anyone a little out of sorts and edgy."
"Supper out?" He could see her eyes light at the thought of it. "Aand perhaps the cinema afterwards. I saw in the paper there is a new James Mason playing."
"But I can't just leave you to clean all this up," she cried.
Rubbing her back and holding her close he tried to calm her. "Sam, you're overwrought. Too much energy for just staying around the house. A warm bath will do you good and then we'll go out. Haven't had a night out in some time and that's my fault; too set in my old habits. Now off with you. I expect to hear the bath as quickly as you get upstairs. This won't take long," he said as he motioned to the mess on the floor. "Then I'll be up to change. Alright?" He released her and back up a step, looking into her tear filled face. "Please Sam, let me take care of this."
She looked down at their feet and sighed. "I just wish I were a better wife to you. I want so much for everything to be perfect."
Lifting her chin so that she had to look at him, Foyle smiled, his lips creeping up rather than down. "Darling girl, everything is as perfect as any man has a right to expect. This was just a mishap. I could be quite content the rest of my life cleaning up kitchen mishaps as long as you and now our little elf are safe and happy. Please don't make this more than it is."
Her expression lightened and the tears seemed to dry up as she took a deep breath. "Oh I do love you so, darling man."
Another smile twitched at his mouth. "And I love you. Now off to your bath," he said as he turned her, patted her bum and kissed the back of her neck. He watched to be sure she was doing as she was told and then set about cleaning the kitchen.
By the time the left Steep Lane, Sam was in better spirits, even laughing as they walked toward the small restaurant that Christopher had chosen for their meal. The food had been ordered and they were lingering over their drinks while waiting for it to arrive. Sam looked across the table at her husband, who was gazing at her with a twinkle in his eyes, and smiled warmly. "You are such a clever man, Christopher. I think I really did need a night out."
Twinkling blue eyes were joined by and answering warm smile. "My pleasure. Should have thought of this earlier in the week. Perhaps we'll make this a weekly habit, at least until the elf arrives." As he watched her expression brighten even more, Foyle thought he would take her out every night if this was her response.
The supper was delicious, considering how little the food establishments had to work with these days. Unfortunately, Christopher's choice in movies wasn't as successful. Sam was initially excited about seeing James Mason on the screen, but as the film progressed the dark tone of it seemed to weigh on her. Odd Man Out brought far too many memories of the broken lives they'd witnessed when they worked together as detective and driver. For Christopher, the list of broken lives was much longer than for Sam, but he'd found a way to distance himself from the sadness of it all. Sam, being far more sensitive and also much more inclined to believe something should be done about it, was caught up in the drama playing out on the screen. Next time I'll find a bloody comedy, he thought as he felt the tension rising in Sam.
Relieved when it ended, Foyle ushered Sam out into the open air, sucking in a deep breath of himself to relieve the tension. "I'm sorry darling," he said softly as they began walking back to Steep Lane. "Didn't realize it would be so ..."
"Noir," she finished. It was rather bleak, wasn't it? I mean, When the star dies in the end... "
"Yes, ddon't expect that," he said somberly.
Once they arrived home and had hung hats and coats on the hooks, Christopher went into the front room, turning on a lamp. "Wireless?" he asked Sam, hoping there would be something lighter to take their minds off the cinema.
"Yes, alright," she replied as she settled into what had been Andrew's chair but was now being claimed more and more as her own.
Christopher tuned in and found a music program. He recognized the opening notes of an Anne Shelton song that had been popular in the first years of the war. He turned to his wife, a knowing smile twitching at his lips as tenderness radiated from his eyes.
Do I want to be with you
As the years come and go
Only forever, if you care to know
Christopher took a step toward her and held out his hand in a silent request for a dance.
Would I grant all your wishes
And be proud of the task
Only forever if someone should ask
She looked up at him, surprised. But her smile answered his invitation. Standing, she let herself be pulled into his embrace and the two began to move in unison, as if they danced together often. He tightened his hold on her, bringing her hand to his chest as his other hand slid down her spine just below what was normally considered appropriate.
How long would it take me to be near if you beckoned
Off hand I would figure less than a second
"I thought you didn't dance," she murmured into his ear, her mouth only millimeters away, causing a thrill that reached his toes.
Do you think I'd remember
How you look when you smile
Only forever oh, that's putting it mild
"Nnot usually." he replied just as softly. "Making an exception... for you."
How long would it take me to be near if you beckoned
Off hand I would figure less than a second
It had been years since he'd danced and his steps didn't resemble the dances Sam was most familiar with, but somehow they continued to move in harmony. Their bodies melded, each perfectly content with the warmth that surrounded them as they danced in small circles around the sitting room.
.
Do you think I'd remember
How you look when you smile
Only forever and it's putting it mild
The song continued and the couple continued even after if ended. That is, until another tune began to play with a much faster tempo that Christopher wasn't inclined to try to match. Stepping back, he treated Sam to a rare full smile, complete with crinkles at his eyes that twinkled with delight.
"I think I'll always remember this dance," Sam cooed. "And your smile after. But I am a little put out with you for letting me think you don't dance."
He tilted his head slightly. "haven't danced in years, Sam; not since ..."
"Rosalind died," she finished for him.
"Mmmmm, yes; before actually, well before... I, erm... I never felt like I was very good at it."
"Christopher Foyle, you move like a dancer all the time. You might not know the particular steps for a dance, but you make up for it with your sense of rhythm." SHe looked at him with a mixture of frustration and determination. "This will not be our only dance, Mr. Foyle."
Christopher blinked. slowly, taking in her compliment and her command. "Er...um... 'spose not... as long as I can hold you close. You give me my balance, Sam."
Sam started to smile but then a shadow crossed her face. "What is this about, Christopher?"
Gobsmacked by her sudden change in demeanor and her question, his eyes widened. "What?"
"You take me to dinner and then the cinema, and then surprise me with a dance. What are you up to?"
"Sam, you were sobbing in my arms earlier. Just thought to give you a reprieve. Thought you might enjoy a break from our routine." He gave her his best innocent look and was gratified to see its effect.
"Suddenly she reached for his hand."Upstairs... now," she commanded as she turned and tugged at him to follow.
"At your service, M'am," he replied with a dip of his knees before he followed her out of the room.
Anne Shelton was very popular during the war years and beyond. She has been called England's greatest female singer. Check out some of songs on YouTube and you'll hear why.