So - chapter 4, this is part 2 of the longer chapter that is split into 3 and 4. I split it up because I wanted a bit more tension ect.
hope you all enjoy and review away!
"Well then what?" Anna tried not to sound hurt, but she could tell she was looking it, her face burning up. This was the precise reason why she was so sensible and closed, too many men with baggage, and now she had found a really lovely one, one who made her heart flutter. And when she did try and be open he knocked her back – had she done it wrong? It struck her – 'uncomfortable' was what he said, did he feel like that? Had she made him uncomfortable? She had acted on her heart, a rare experience for her, and it had backfired.
"It's complicated … when I say I was married – I am married, that is to say … legally speaking I'm married. We separated years ago, but it's all very messy and argumental. My wife is a cruel woman who sets out to destroy everything good in my life, she's been known to telephone my landlords and employers and tell them things about me, so that I lose my house or my job. If I took you home, she would seek you out and destroy you too."
"But why? I mean … I understand if she's bitter, but that …"
"Vera is not a normal woman in her emotions, she was always a woman ruled by her heart, with fire in her belly. That's fine when she's happy – but it's very hard when she isn't. She sees any happiness that I achieve in my life without her, as me rubbing her nose in it."
Anna sipped her drink, John Bates had baggage, even by her own standards of Boyfriends with Baggage, he had a hell of a lot.
"So, why did you ask me out then? If you're so worried about her."
"Because I liked you, you made me smile, and once I left the hospital, the day after I met you I couldn't stop thinking about you. And I knew that, even if I only got a nice evening with a beautiful woman, and a friend out of it, it would be worthwhile."
"You should stop calling me beautiful."
"Why?"
"Because it's starting to make me feel bad, I try and jump you – and you just sit there calling me beautiful."
"Point taken, so now you know my dark and murky past – or the beginnings of it at least. Oh yeah – there's more, I'm a crack dealing kitten murderer too. No – come on, tell me about you, I doubt you can compete in the mad ex-wife category, but you must have at least one Skelton in the cupboard?"
"No – sorry, lots of dull and rude ex's with more issues than … something with a lot of issues?"
"John Prescott?"
"Satire – I like it! I am sorry – for propositioning you, I just … you know."
"I don't mind, and as I said – another day, another time, another situation – I'd have taken you up on the offer."
"Would you like to come back to mine? Just for a cup of tea, not for my own nefarious motives."
"I will you know – yes."
Anna stepped back into the living room, closing the door with her foot in a vague attempt to shield John from the mess of the kitchen. She handed John a mug of tea, dark – no sugar. He had taken off his coat for the first time that evening, his suit was nice, nicer than Anna was used to. Doctor's in the hospital were always being covered in various bodily fluids – so no-one wore anything that they didn't mind getting covered in crap. A well fitted suit, Anna decided, was extremely attractive.
"So," he began, "tell me, nurse, 26 years old, questionable taste in men … what makes you happy, you tick?"
"Oh I don't know. And why do you want to know?"
"Because it's important to know, what makes people happy, and knowing makes yourself happy is very important." It was one thing to say I don't know, but to confront the idea that one has no idea what made them happy was a scary prospect.
"I'd like to travel, to see more than just my own back garden. I don't want to turn into my parents, no idea of what's out there, across the sea being just as far away and un conceivable as going to the moon."
"I think that's an admirable ambition. If you want to travel can I recommend Prague, five in the morning, Charles Bridge – before everyone else arrives, just you and the dawn light and – it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen." And it sounded like it probably was thought Anna, it seemed so sad to her, that the world out there existed, but that she had never seen it. She saved up her holiday time, always intending to go off somewhere new, and exciting and different. But invariably spent it re-grouting the bathroom or painting the living room.
"John, I know what you said, but … I don't accept it. About your wife I mean. I want to see you again, properly, see you again on more than one occasion – see you regularly. I know how you feel about us becoming close – but … can we at least see each other again?"
"I think I'd enjoy that."