Daisy heard Tim pick up his keys and whistle for Colin. She came out of the loo, wiping her still-damp hands on her jeans as Tim leashed the dog. The three of them headed out the door into the garden, then down to the local park. They strolled along leisurely, letting Colin sniff and mark every tree, bush, and bench they came upon. They walked in comfortable silence, enjoying the beautiful Wednesday morning, but still too caffeine-deprived to engage in civil conversation.
"Excuse me!" A bright, perky voice shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Daisy and Tim turned toward the voice and attempted polite smiles at the elderly woman who had addressed them.
"Er, hello," Daisy smiled. She hastily looked to see if Tim had missed picking up after Colin, then turned back to the woman. "Can we help you?"
"Oh, no!" the woman said brightly. "I've been taking my morning walk in this park for the last ten years. For the last two of them, I've seen you two walking your dog here almost every morning. Sometimes it's just him," she nodded at Tim, "and sometimes it's just you, but most of the time it's both of you here, together. And I wanted to say that you two are just the loveliest couple. I genuinely look forward to seeing you and your little dog there, it just makes my day. In this day and age, when it seems that no one ever manages to stay together for more than a couple of months, it does my old heart good to see a young couple like yourselves. You're to be congratulated! And I know it's none of my business, but I am looking forward to the day that I see you pushing a pram while you're walking your little doggie." The woman beamed at them.
"Oh. Oh!" Daisy's eyes widened with realization and her cheeks turned bright pink. "Well, y'see, we're not actually together. Not like you're thinking." Daisy faltered in her explanation as Tim laughed nervously.
"You mean you're not married," the woman nodded knowingly. "I understand, dear. It's a different age than when I was growing up. But it's the commitment of the heart that matters, not a ring or vows or a piece of paper. You two have what it takes to make a relationship work; I can tell. And who knows? Maybe one day you'll decide you want a ring and vows, too. Best of luck to you, dearies, whatever your plans may be." Before Daisy or Tim could answer, the woman smiled and continued on her way.
When they arrived back at the flat, Daisy put the kettle on while Tim made toast. Daisy set the mugs of freshly brewed tea on the table while Tim rummaged in the refrigerator for butter and jam. They sat at the table and planned their schedules for the following week.
"Colin has an appointment at the veterinary next Tuesday," Daisy said as she liberally spread jam over her toast. "He's due for his yearly vaccinations. Can you take him? I promised Twist I'd meet her for lunch and shopping that afternoon."
"Yeah, I can manage," Tim nodded. "I'll take the afternoon off work. Maybe Mike can come with me. Rent is due today, you know," he continued. "Can you run the cheque upstairs to Marsha after I leave for work today?"
"Sure," Daisy agreed. "And can you stop at the market on the way home from work today? We're low on milk and the biscuit tin is almost empty."
Tim nodded as he finished off his tea. "Oh! Tyres wanted to know if we wanted to go out with him tonight. Mike is out of town for the weekend for a training session, and Brian said he had other plans when I asked. I didn't pry for details. What about you? Are you free?"
"Bollocks! I wish Twist weren't visiting her mother this weekend! Yes, I'm free, though. I guess it will be just you and me and Tyres." Daisy privately wished that if their other friends were busy, it could just be herself and Tim. Not that she fancied Tim, or anything. It wouldn't be a date. It would just be . . . nice.
"Great," Tim was saying. "We're to meet him at 9:00 tonight. Gotta go, see you later." Tim pecked her on the cheek and was out the door before Daisy could reply.
Later that day, Daisy strolled into Tim's office at Darkstar Comics, arms laden with paper bags. She made herself at home while she unpacked sandwiches, crisps, and paper napkins, laying the food out on Tim's desk. She pulled up a chair and the two of them munched in companionable silence for a few minutes before Daisy asked, "What time can I expect you home tonight?"
"Between six and six thirty?" I get off at five, but I'm supposed to stop at the market, remember? I'll be home in plenty of time to eat and meet Tyres."
After finishing their lunch and cleaning up, Tim walked Daisy out to the reception area of Darkstar. "Bye, Pickle," he chirped brightly as he bussed her cheek and disappeared back into his own office.
"How long have you two been married?" The question came from Liz, a temp at the reception desk.
"Oh, we're just mates. We're not together," Daisy hastily explained.
"I don't have any mates who bring me lunch to the office. I've been here a week and you've brought him lunch three days in a row. And it's Wednesday," Liz observed.
"Oh, she's always bringing food 'round to her man," chimed in Millie, a regular at the reception desk. "She's here all the time, always bringing Tim his lunch, and they always close themselves up in his office. Satisfying their appetites, they are. I'll bet a little afternoon delight is on the menu, eh?"
Daisy blushed, but stood her ground. "It's not like that," she insisted. "We really are just good friends. I know it's strange because we live together and all - - " Her words were cut off by shrieks of laughter from the other two women.
"Don't be coy, love," Millie giggled. "Anyone with eyes can see you two are besotted with one another. See you tomorrow!" she called out as Daisy gave up and left the office.
That evening, Tim, true to his word, arrived home at 6:15 p.m. bearing plastic bags from the market and take-out cartons of Chinese food. Daisy helped him put the groceries away, then sat in a dreamlike trance as she savored her moo goo gai pan. Tim shoveled his General Tso's shrimp into his mouth as he chatted about work. "Millie said to tell you hello," he added as he wiped the tangy sauce from his upper lip.
"What? What do you mean by that?" Daisy asked sharply.
"I mean that Millie said to tell you hello," Tim shrugged, continuing to shovel food into his mouth.
"Did she say anything else to you?" Daisy's voice was almost an octave higher.
"Who?"
"Millie! What else did she say?" Daisy yanked the chopsticks from Tim's hand.
"She said to tell you hello! That's it! Now can I finish my dinner? What's got you so worked up, anyway?"
"Oh. Nothing. We just speak sometimes when I'm there bringing you lunch. After all, we're both women, we have a lot in common. Woman things, you know. About being . . . women." Daisy tried to look casual as she handed Tim his chopsticks and started clearing the table. Tim continued eating and let the matter drop, looking totally uninterested. Daisy slipped off to her room to get ready for their evening with Tyres.
That evening at the pub, Daisy found herself in a booth next to Tim, trying to decipher Tyres' thick accent. It always amazed her how Tim never seemed to have a problem understanding his friend. After a couple of pints, Daisy found that she could undertand Tyres with very little effort, although she herself was contributing very little to the conversation. Her friends were arguing over whether to stay at the pub or go to a club.
"I'm tellin' ya, Tim, we need ta go where the action is. Only little old ladies and their poofy little lapdogs hang out here."
"Yes, well it's a work night for me, isn't it? Getting smashed at a club is fine for the weekend, but I have to be at the office by eight in the morning. The pub's fine. I like it here." Tim rose from his seat to go to the loo.
Daisy wasn't drunk, but she was feeling a pleasant buzz as she sat contentedly in her seat and sipped at her lager. She was taken aback when Tyres turned his attention to her and suddenly changed the topic of conversation.
"So, when are you gonna finally put the moves on Tim?" he fired at her.
Daisy choked on her beer. She slammed the glass down and gasped for air, tears running down her face. "What!" she wheezed feebly.
"Ya know. Jump his bones."
"You're crazy! You know better than that! Tim and I are just friends." Daisy was still having a difficult time finding her voice. She cleared her throat loudly, even as she looked to see if anyone could overhear. Her eyes darted from side to side as she took another drink from her mug.
"I do know better than that! It's you an' Tim who don't know better. Ye're both so daft and clueless, it would be funny if it weren't so ridiculous! Wake up, woman! Ye've been datin' fer two fookin' years and ye're both too dense to notice. Ye've got yer little dog, ya eat every fookin' meal together, ya do the shoppin' an' the cookin' and the cleanin' together. Tha only thing ya ain't doin' is shaggin'. I say, if ye're gonna do all the rest, ya might as well be havin' the perks, too!"
Daisy said nothing. Her mouth opened and shut like a goldfish's as Tyres continued. "Let me tell ya sumtin 'bout Tim. He's comfortable with the way things are b'tween ya. He doesn't want ta mess that up, rock th' boat, so ta speak. Doesn't mean he doesn't fancy ya. But he's a lazy coward. Ye're gonna have ta be the one ta make the first move." When Daisy looked bewildered, Tyres spoke bluntly. "Ye'll have ta jump him first." Before Daisy could utter a sound, Tim returned from the loo, slid into the booth next to Daisy, and resumed his pub versus club argument with Tyres. Daisy remained mute.
Daisy and Tim walked back to the flat after Tyres had given up on changing Tim's mind about the club and left them to party on his own. Daisy still had not uttered a single word after her exchange with Tyres. She unlocked the door of the flat and sat down on the sofa, mulling over all that Tyres had said, along with all of the events of the day.
Tim broke her reverie. "Cuppa tea before we turn in?" Daisy nodded with a weak smile. Tim put the kettle on and returned with two mugs of steaming tea. He sat next to Daisy as they enjoyed the fresh brew.
Daisy finally cleared her throat. "Tyres said the silliest thing ever tonight when you were in the loo!" Her voice was too bright, too cheerful.
"Yeah? Was he going on about the pub being a place for old people to go and die?" Tim chuckled.
"He said that you and I have been dating for years and we're just too thick to notice. Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous?" Daisy laughed nervously and was relieved when Tim joined in the laughter. Her nervous laughter turned hysterical, while Tim's laughter was positively manic. The laughter gradually tapered off, leaving them in an uncomfortable silence. "Tim?" Daisy ventured hesitantly.
"Yeah?"
"Would you like to . . . go out? On a . . . date?"
"With you?"
"Yes. With me."
"Just you?"
"Yes. Just me . . . and you, obviously. You'd be there, as well."
Tim cleared his throat, tossed back the remainder of his tea, and spoke softly. "Yes. Yes, I believe I would."