Even though she had only been training for 2 months the difference in Lara's body had been nothing short of amazing. Although she had been slim before she now looked healthy, her stomach more toned, her arms more defined and although she was exhausted from the constant workouts David was a good teacher. She started to feel happier and prayed for time to go quick till she could have her next lesson. Her wounds had fully healed and the cut on her stomach was now nothing more than a pink scar. A reminder to her that she was now stronger than she had been and could face anything he tried to throw at her.
It had come as even more of a surprise to her when James had started to be attentive and take an interest in what she was doing. Despite what had happened she decided it should be in the past and hoped if he could see her doing this, he would maybe realise she was a force to be reckoned with.
David would go through the same moves with her everyday so she could improve them to perfection before moving on so she wouldn't get too confused or try too much too quickly. Today David was going to try a new move with her and even he had found that he was enjoying working with her.
"David, I don't get it!" Lara told him sharply as she sat down hard on the parched brown grass.
"Listen, this is something we haven't tried before I didn't expect you to get it first time." David told her.
"I didn't have any problems before with the other moves." She sighed. "I'm sorry Dave I'm just getting frustrated."
"You think I got this straight away when I was taught? Now stop sulking and get up." He smiled at her and held out his hand for her to get up. She slapped it away and smiled back.
"Come on then." She stood up and David showed her a difficult boxing combination. She tried to copy him but couldn't get her footing right and stumbled. Stamping her foot in frustration she tried again and stumbled the same way she had before. David moved nearer her.
"Look, try it this way." He went behind her and put one hand on her hip and another on her thigh. Immediately Lara froze under his touch and he heard her breathing quicken. "What's wrong?" he asked. Lara suddenly found her body lurch forward and turn to face him.
"Why did you do that?" She fairly shouted at him when there was a good gap between them.
"Lara I was only trying to show you how to do it easier." He told her calmly, not understanding what was going on.
"No, why did you feel the need to touch me?" She was still shouting at him. Hillary was in the kitchen watching them out of the huge window and saw that something was kicking off. He heard her shout at him and left the sink and ran through the door to the gardens.
"I thought it would be easier to show you." David said still trying to be calm, he was walking toward her with his hands in the air to show he meant no threat to her. The closer he moved the more she backed off.
"Why is it that men think they can do things like that?" Lara yelled, then spotted Hillary who was running towards her. She fell into his open arms and burst into tears. He stroked her hair and told her to go inside and wash her face and he would be in in a minute. She did as she was told and didn't look back outside. Hillary walked over to David who stood there looking really concerned and confused.
"What happened just there Hillary?" He asked. "One minute she was fine then she just froze on me and started yelling."
"How do you mean she froze?" Hillary asked.
"I put my hand on her hip, then she…"
"Oh, listen David, after James beat her as savagely as he did she is very weary of men touching her." Hillary told him, he knew that wasn't the real reason but he was ever faithful to his employer and would not divulge other information without her permission.
"I thought she trusted me, after all the work we have done together and how long we have known each other." David looked hurt that he could have upset her.
"She does trust you, but remember she has been though a lot. Her bruises may have healed but mentally it may take her a long time." Hillary put his hand on David's arm. "She will come round." As he said it Lara came though the kitchen door. They both watched as she walked over to them, her face red from crying and she then put her arms around David's neck and hugged him. Hillary nodded to David that it was ok to hold her and he wrapped his arms around her slim body.
"I'm sorry Dave, forgive me?" She whispered as she still held him. He hugged her tighter.
"Of course I forgive you. I'd never hurt you Lara, and I'm sorry if I frightened you." She loosened her grip but still stayed close to him.
"Do you think you could show me that combo again?" She asked him with a smile. "If I promise not to shout at you or freak out." He smiled back at her.
"Come on then. Now I'm going to have to touch you to get this right."
"That's ok Dave. I trust you!" She laughed as he put his hand on her hip and tickled her.
"You had better trust me, no-one else would put up with you!" He laughed but stopped when Lara turned and hit him square in the chest. He looked up at her and she shrugged.
"What?" She asked him. "Didn't you always tell me that the first rule is to pay attention to your surroundings and not drop your guard." She smiled sweetly at him.
"Very funny Lady Croft! Now drop and give me 20 push ups." Her smile faltered and one appeared on David's face. She did as she was told. "Now that is what you get for cheeking me back." Secretly Lara was smiling inside. He was right, she put enormous pressure on him sometimes and she felt stupid for over-reacting earlier and yet she knew no matter how bad her behaviour with him he would be there for her.