Some hiatus, eh? But rest assured, I fully intend to finish this chapter. My beta deserves so much credit. My writing turned messy and she made it beautiful. Now, onto the chapter.
Rose awoke the next morning after a restless night. Not that Aiden had done anything to keep her up. Not directly, anyway. It had been her own thoughts (about him) keeping her from having a decent night's rest. She had never seen him look so defeated and that sorrowful face of his burned into her soul.
She huffed and rolled her eyes. Trust Aiden to find a way to madden her indirectly!
Having nowhere to be until later, she debated staying in bed, but after ten minutes of tossing and turning, gave it up as a lost cause; she just couldn't relax. Grudgingly sitting up, she stretched and groaned as she got to her feet. Her flat was silent. Too silent. Not even Houdini was around to make a sound.
Where is that cat? Rose wondered as she checked all his normal hiding places, even under the bed. He was nowhere to be found. It was ironic, after all that time she complained to her mum about the strays coming in from off the estate at her place. Now here she was, trying to keep one in, and instead, he kept wandering off.
She didn't even have a cat flap. He was definitely living up to his name.
After some more searching, and even (noisily) opening a can of food in hopes of finding him, Rose gave up and decided to get ready. Since cats never stray far, perhaps she'd find him while on a walk to the coffee shop. Maybe she'd even run into Aiden along the way.
Not that she cared, she lied to herself. He was still her boorish neighbor, afterall.
Rose walked to the coffee shop, once again replaying the events of the previous night in her head. He had briefly brought up his time in the war and all the heartbreak those who fought had suffered, including him. Worst of all, he felt he deserved to suffer, but wouldn't explain why. What could he have done that was so terrible that he felt he deserved to be treated in such a way?
Given his past behavior, she could argue differently. He was rude, noisy, and an overall nightmare of a neighbor, but she had seen a different side of him too, one that could be kind and caring, in an ambivalent way. Obviously someone had once cared enough for him to be willing to marry him, so what had happened?
Rose shook the thought away. These questions had kept her up all night and they were starting to hijack her day, too. And honestly, it was really none of her concern. This was Aiden afterall.
And yet, as she approached the coffee shop, her heart thundered in anticipation of the possibility of finding him inside, arguing with Donna and being his old, grumpy self.
But, Aiden was nowhere to be seen, inside or out.
So she placed her usual order and gazed around the coffee shop intently as she waited.
Wilf leaned over the counter and peered in the same direction as Rose. "Looking for someone?"
Rose snapped her head forward. "No..." She swallowed hard and looked behind her again.
Wilf saw through her lie. "He hasn't been in yet. Probably at that shop of his."
"I wasn't looking for anyone," Rose continued with her fib. "Just… deciding where to sit."
"Well, sit where you like." Wilf smiled as he handed her drink over the counter. "There's plenty of room. For you and 'no one', if he shows up."
Rose took her order and sat at a nearby table. Drinking her coffee, she stared out the window, looking for any sign of Aiden's signature gray hair. Maybe he was running late, given how difficult the previous night had been. Or maybe he wasn't coming at all, knowing she'd likely be there and didn't want to see her. The door chimed and Rose looked up in anticipation but was sad to see it was just a group of teenagers.
Finally she had had enough of waiting and watching. She marched out the door and headed toward the flower shop. She was going to find him one way or another.
Stepping in, she didn't see Bill at the counter, or anywhere in the shop. But after a few seconds she appeared from the back, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Is Aiden around?" Rose asked.
Bill shook her head. "Took the day off."
"What? Why?"
"Didn't dare ask that." Bill shrugged. "You know as well as me it is best not to ask him questions. Why, are y-"
"So he's home?" Rose interrupted.
Before Bill could answer, Rose was already out the door.
Rose rushed home but instead of going to her own flat, she went straight upstairs. Before taking a moment to second guess herself, she knocked at his door.
Silence.
But she just knew he was inside… skulking. She refused to back down and knocked again but harder.
Aiden sat on his couch, tired and ragged after a night of no sleep. His head cradled in his hands, he fought off images of blood and mangled bodies. He was beyond exhausted but the fear of his dreams kept him awake. If only he could calm his thoughts, maybe he could rest.
There was a nudge on his arm, interrupting his thoughts, as Houdini slid onto his lap. He had been doing this all night. Never giving him a break, but his gentle purrs did subdue his anxieties a little, not that he would admit that out loud. He gave the cat a gentle rub as Houdini pressed his head further into his palm.
A knock came at the door but he couldn't be bothered to answer. Whoever it was could shove off for all he cared. Another knock came, much harder than the first.
Aiden sighed and got to his feet, placing Houdini on the couch, and staggered to the door. His body was feeling the wear of the arduous night.
He opened the door, hackles raised, ready for a heated exchange of words with whoever dared pester him.
But at the sight of Rose, his defenses crumbled.
"You didn't stop for coffee this morning," No preamble, no greeting. Just Rose stating the bloody obvious, as usual.
Knowing she wouldn't leave easily, Aiden grumbled, stepped aside, and let her in. She entered without question, gazing around his messy flat. He felt embarrassed for it being in such a state, but she didn't say anything until her eyes landed on her cat.
"Houdini!" She marched over and lifted the cat. "What are you doing here? Again?"
The cat hung limply in her arms, "Mrow."
"He's fine," Aiden gave a dismissive wave. "Came up last night, pawing at my window. I didn't want to wake you, so I let him in."
"Since when do you care about waking me?" Rose arched her eyebrow. "Was only a week ago that you did everything you could think of to keep me from sleeping. In fact, I think you enjoyed it."
"Would you rather I spend all night stomping around, wailing on the guitar." He stepped closer, looking deep into Rose's eyes, "or maybe get a drum kit and really make some noise?" He continued staring, unblinking and she stared back with as much intensity.
"I don't know," Rose cracked. She plopped down on the couch, breaking their gaze. "I just… It's not like you. To be so… quiet."
"You asked that I stay quiet, so I did as I promised. Now you nag me for being too quiet?" Aiden exhaled and took a seat beside Rose.
He fell silent, searching for the right words and to his surprise, the words came spilling out. "I have these thoughts… in my head. Terrible thoughts, and I can't stop them. That's why I pace, it helps me think of different things like new flower designs, or new ideas for the shop. Even the music I play keeps my mind focused on the beat. It keeps the other thoughts at bay."
"It's a distraction," Rose replied with an affirming nod. "Why not just say that in the first place?"
"Would you have cared?" He gave her a small smile. "Besides, I had no intention of telling you this. Or anyone."
"You must have someone you can talk to about this," Rose insisted.
Aiden shook his head, "There's nobody, no friends, no family. It's just me."
"There's me," Rose said without hesitation. "I mean…"
"I know," Aiden took her hand. His bruised hand ached in hers but instead of pain, he felt soothed.
They fell into a comfortable silence, Aiden rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. Rose inched closer and rested her head on her shoulder. Although neither spoke, Aiden felt at peace.
After some time Rose finally spoke up. "How about I make us a cuppa yeah?"
"Okay," Aiden responded, feeling the loss of Rose's hand as she let go. He wanted to pull her back, beg her to stay, but he knew better.
As Rose went to the kitchen, Aiden rested his head back and listened to her rummage around, filling the kettle. Houdini climbed back onto his lap and, as he stroked the cat, he finally fell asleep.
