The damned car was going to have to go! It had failed her once too often lately and now she was running late for dinner. She contemplated just ringing and telling Tommy she could not make it tonight but she knew that he would only come over and get her anyway. So she called a cab and arrived about five minutes late.
Tommy had being peeking out of his window every few minutes since a quarter to seven. Barbara was rarely late so he was worried when she was not actually early. Perhaps she had changed her mind. When the cab pulled up he was briefly puzzled, but relieved to see it was Barbara paying the driver. He hurried back to the kitchen and threw a tea towel over his shoulder so that when he opened the door she would assume he had been preparing the meal and not pacing his lounge room.
Barbara had seen the curtains fall back into place as she stepped from the cab. So he had been worried I would not turn up; as if I wouldn't have phoned. She rang the bell and when she did not hear footsteps in the hall knew he was standing behind the door carefully counting to a discrete number before opening the door about…now.
"Evening Sir."
"Good evening Barbara, I'm glad you came. Come in. Make yourself at home," he said leading her into the kitchen. She had been in his kitchen many times but was a little surprised he had not gone to the lounge room. But she preferred this informality and felt herself relax a bit.
"What would you like to drink?"
She did not like wine but over the years had developed a tolerance for it; if she had a choice she preferred a beer. "Any chance of a lager Sir?"
"Yes of course Barbara. Grab one for me too please, third shelf in the fridge," he said as he turned back to check a pot boiling on the stove.
Barbara smiled to herself. The dining table had not been set so he was cooking something fairly casual. He was trying almost too hard to make her feel comfortable. He had been so considerate lately she was beginning to wonder what was up. Since when did he accommodate her so much rather than tell her she was being stupid? Although, he had still ordered her to accompany him tomorrow so it was not all smooth sailing. She wondered idly if she could weasel where they were going out of him sometime tonight.
"So are you just here to look good or are you going to hand me that beer?" His voice cut through her thoughts and brought her back to reality.
"Oh sorry Sir," she said extending the beer towards him.
"And I know I keep asking Barbara but can we cut the 'Sir' business out tonight please? If you can't bring yourself to call be Tommy, perhaps call me nothing."
"Ok 'Nothing' but if I were you I'd prefer Sir," she retorted cheekily.
He turned and stared and they both laughed. He grabbed the kitchen towel and flicked her across her tail. She looked nice tonight in her jeans and boots and the green of her shirt highlighted her eyes beautifully. He turned back to the stove fighting the urge to sweep her into his arms. It may have been the right time and mood but he could not risk it. Besides he was hungry, and not just for Barbara.
He seemed to do everything so effortlessly, even cooking. She struggled to prepare toast but here he was making his own pasta sauce. She helped him pull of the leaves from the basil sprigs as he cut up the tomatoes and put them into his food processor. A quick whiz, some garlic, a dash of white wine, some olive oil, and a teaspoon of sugar and some salt and pepper and it was done. He drained the pasta and stirred in the sauce and transferred it to the bowls and grated some parmesan over them.
"Voila!" he said triumphantly, 'Dinner is served. Let's eat in front of the TV."
She took her bowl and went into the lounge and hesitated unsure where to sit. Tommy placed the garlic bread he had been heating in the oven on the coffee table then sat on the sofa and reached for the remote. He patted the sofa next to him to indicate where she should sit while he flicked over to the news. It was still half an hour before her show started and the news was probably something that both of them would be interested in watching. Barbara liked his television. It was a big LED model with terrific sound and HD quality pictures. She was still operating an old analogue model with a set-top box. I must look at getting one of these, it is so much clearer.
The pasta was delicious and Barbara realised just how hungry she had been when she finished hers and noticed Tommy still had half a bowl left. "So you enjoyed it then?" he asked amused at how fast she had eaten it.
"Yes, I did" she answered with more gusto than she intended. He was a very good cook.
It was not long before he finished and they took the bowls out to the kitchen and she watched fascinated as he packed all the utensils and pots and pans fastidiously into the dishwasher. It was almost time for her show and he hunted her back to the lounge with the promise of catching up in a minute.
She sat on the couch in the same place. She debated sitting at the other end of the couch but felt that might look rude. She was glad she had when he returned with a tub of chocolate gelato and two spoons. She looked around for bowls before realising he intended them to share out of the tub. She was bemused - his Lordship sharing his food. But he shared her chips and other things when they went out so it probably was not all that unusual.
Tommy found the TV vaguely annoying. He had no idea who the characters were and did not care. The gelato was good and Barbara seemed unperturbed sharing it with him. As she focussed on the TV he was able to focus on her. She had moved her feet up under her and was leaning slightly into him to reach the gelato. He liked having her close and edged the gelato a little further to his left away from her so that she had to follow. She was nestled against him by the time the tub was empty and he thrilled at the feel of her so close. Had she noticed or was she so engrossed in the show? He had started to watch and listen a little. The lead character was a detective, but an old fashioned one with a dumb side kick who followed around fawning after him. Thank goodness Havers and I don't behave like that! The storyline was loose and the criminals implausible. It was the son who had murdered his mother Lynley worked out in the first fifteen minutes.
He lifted his right arm and stretched it along the back of the sofa. Barbara was still touching him and had not moved away as he had half expected. After about five minutes he let his hand fall softly onto her shoulder. He held her next to him, wondering how she would react. There was no attempt to retreat and so he moved his head over to lean tenderly on hers. Now this will seem odd. So he whispered, "You do know who did it, don't you?"
"Yes of course, the son."
He chuckled quietly then on impulse kissed the top of her head before going back to leaning his head on hers. Any minute he expected her to shift position of out his arms but she stayed still until the show ended.
Barbara felt good. She had not really noticed how close they were until he put his arm around her shoulder. She was not quite sure how to react but did not want to read too much into it either. He had put his arm around her before a few times and it seemed natural in some ways. Even the kiss on her head seemed more friendly and companionable than anything else. She put her arm across him and nestled into this shoulder even more hoping it was not too forward. But Tommy did not baulk and while he was not moving, neither was she. She was sure this was not heading where she sometimes fantasised their relationship might go, but right now, whatever it was, she could just enjoy it and just go with the flow.
The remote was on the arm of the sofa next to Tommy and after the show finished, he thought Barbara was asleep. Her arm had slipped across his waist about fifteen minutes ago and it had taken all his willpower not to pull her up into his arms and race her upstairs to his bed. He flicked off the television and sat there in the dark savouring the feel of her snuggled into to him. She was breathing softly and having her here like this calmed his mind. He wanted to lean down and kiss her but that would break the spell so instead he just kissed her gently on the head again and whispered, "I love you Barbara. I just wish I knew how to tell you." She stirred, almost imperceptibly tightening her grip and he feared she may have heard him. He expected her to roar up and protest and tell him how he was ruining everything but she did not move again and he relaxed.
Barbara had heard him of course. She was not asleep and now doubted she could sleep. He had said he loved her. What did that mean? She knew he loved her in a way, as a friend, as she loved him. Did he feel more? She had wanted him for ages but knew it was never going to happen. His friendship and what they had meant more to her than anything and she couldn't endanger that. Nor did she want to end up as one of his conquests just because he was lonely. He had not spoken about any women lately. Not that he detailed his exploits but she knew he dated women from the right social set. After Helen died he had made some poor choices searching desperately for some connection with people. He needed to feel something but each time just made him lonelier and more isolated. I am not his type. They would never be compatible as a couple so he could not mean that. He just seems calmer and more tranquil lately. It must be that he has realised how important our friendship is to both of us and how much I helped him in the last twelve months. It tugged at her in a way she did not expect. She wanted to leave but she could not tear herself away. This might be all she ever had but she could simply just choose to enjoy being so close to him; he would never suspect.
Tommy slept so well that he was surprised to see it was nearly seven o'clock. He was now lying on the sofa and Barbara was lying in front of him. How had that happened? His arm was draped over her and she was holding onto his hand. If only we could wake up like this every day. He moved slightly and realised his back was sore. Like this, but perhaps in a bed!
Barbara started to wake and he gently let go of her hand in case she freaked out. What will happen now? Will the daylight make this unbearably embarrassing for both of us?
"Morning sleepyhead," he said softly. He decided to go on the offensive, "That was the best night's sleep I have had in months. Thank you for staying."
It was the truth too. He had not had any nightmares or dreams and he felt remarkably fresh. His heart was pounding and he realised that he had better move away from her in case she noticed he was having impure thoughts.
"It's er, ok Sir." Barbara didn't know quite what to say or do either. She too feared that this was going to be horribly awkward. So she stood and said, "I think I might just use your bathroom." and left the room without looking at him.
When she returned he was in the kitchen making coffee. Wordlessly he handed her a cup and she smiled her thanks.
"So are you still picking me up at 14:30?"
"Yes, I hope so." His smile was slightly wicked.
She noticed the morning paper on the bench and started to read. Soon they were chatting about the news and the reporting of Thornley's arrest. They were relieved that everything seemed normal between them but both knew that at some point they were going to have to talk about last night. Now was not that time.
Lynley offered for Barbara to shower but she preferred to go home. He showered quickly and then drove her back to her apartment. He waved cheerily as he drove off promising to see her in a few hours.