the kitchen and looked unenthusiastically through the kitchen cupboards and fridge, hoping that something would catch his fancy for both cooking and eating. Nothing did so he leafed through the pile of takeaway menus that arrived in his mailbox daily.
‘Oh don’t be a lazy git,’ he said to himself. He could do something quickly at a fraction of the cost of a takeaway that would be far tastier and healthier. He put some pasta onto boil and rustled up a bacon, tomato and onion sauce with some fresh herbs. With a sprinkle of parmesan and a grind of black pepper, even Dan had to admit to himself that it was pretty good.
He was just finishing the last of it when he had a thought. He checked his watch; nearly 7.30 pm. He switched the TV from the Channel 4 news to ITV1 just as the familiar theme tune began.
‘You’re a really nice guy, you know,’ said Tess from the other settee, 'but you're a little sneaky.’
He said nothing, just sighed to himself as he carried his plate through to the kitchen to do the washing up.
Wednesday Night
They spent the evening quietly watching TV together. After Dan had ironed a few shirts, trying to ignore Tess’s frown and her comment; ‘I’ve never seen anyone iron creases into a shirt,’ he settled down to clean his camera equipment. He left the choice of channels to Tess and was surprised when she asked to watch a re-run of ‘Time Team’ on E4.
‘You’re as boring as me,’ he said.
‘I just thought you’d like it,’ she said, ‘now shush.’
A little smile played around the corner of his mouth as she settled down to watch.
Dan took a sip of wine. Red as usual, a Chilean Merlot, big and blackberry fruits, lots of tannins.
Tess glanced in his direction, the tip of her tongue showing briefly as she ran it along her top lip.
‘Do you want some,’ he said automatically, then felt terrible. ‘Oh I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to tease you.’
‘Hey I do know, don’t worry,’ she said. She got up and walked over and set next to him, staring at the glass. ‘Actually I do want a glass.’
‘Help yourself.’
‘Not got anything I could catch have you?’ she said, an anxious on her face.
‘Well I ‘ve had a bit of a cold but…’ he began but stopped when he saw her grin.
‘Muppet!’ she said, and punched him playfully in the shoulder.
He felt it.
It wasn’t warm and physical, in fact it made him shiver. It was real, but somewhat unsubstantial, cold.
But it was unmistakably a touch.
Tess had got up the instant she had done it and seen the look on his face, She went straight over to the window, to her thinking, coping place.
At least she hadn’t disappeared, Dan noticed.
‘Sorry,’ she said quietly.
Dan got up and went over to her, standing just behind her. He could sense her tenseness. He raised his hand, hesitated a second, then stroked her hair.
Coolness, that’s what he felt. Something, like touching mist.
And she reacted to his touch. She tilted her head towards his fingers and sighed. But then she shook her head and stepped forward out of reach.
‘No, don’t,’ she said firmly.
‘But I want to.’
‘Well don’t. It’s just…better if you don’t, please.’
‘Better for you or me?’
Tess didn’t answer.
‘I’ve wanted to touch you ever since we met, right from the first time.’
She shook her head.
‘I think I’d better go,’ she said.
‘What? No!’ He was appalled at the thought. ‘No. Please don’t go. We’ll just talk. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to upset you. Please forgive me?’
Tess stood, her back still to him. Dan waited, knowing it wasn’t the time to speak.
‘There’s nothing to forgive Dan,’ she sighed at last.
‘But you’ll stay?’
‘Yes I’ll stay. If you really want me to.’
‘I do.’
She turned and stepped around him, keeping her eyes on the floor. She sat down on ‘her’ settee. Dan gave a little sigh of his own and went to sit down on his.
‘Phew,’ he said, ‘I really thought I’d done it there.’
‘Dan, for a bright guy you can be extraordinarily dumb at times.’
‘What?’ he said, rather stunned.
‘Forget it. Now be quiet and watch the programme.’
He did, though he couldn’t concentrate on it. He was too puzzled and not a little hurt.
Wednesday night, Thursday morning
Sleep was a long time coming.
Too many things were going around and around in his head. When he finally did drop off his sleep was full of strange dreams.
Only when she knew he was asleep, Tess quietly pushed the door