Lilies And Smoke

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Nosy neighbours

In the morning Alex makes Anita breakfast, she wakes to the smell of bacon floating around the air. She inhales deeply and sighs, sitting up in his bed. She stretches her arms in the air and inhales the meaty air and smiles. She swings her legs over the edge of the bed and stands up, continuing her stretch as she yawns. She pats her hand at the end of his bed, remembering that he placed her clothes there the night beforehand and begins to get changed into her clothes. After getting dressed she walks forward towards the bedroom door carefully, unsure of her surroundings. Her hands touch the wall, she follows the wall until she meets the doors opening. She walks through, taking small steps. Was it right or left? She wonders to herself.

She recalls from last night as she follows the wall exiting the bedroom to her left, she will find the bathroom, so she decides to go right. She meets the corner of the hallway and follows it around until she feels the banister of the stairs. She follows the stairs down until she reaches the bottom. She smells the air; the scent of toast finds its way to her nose. She remembers the route to his kitchen; she walks down the hallway and takes a right when she touches the door. "That smells delicious" she praises. Alex turns from the stove to see Anita walk into the room, content and happy.

"Why, thank you" he says courteously, his smile beaming brightly.

"I smell bacon, eggs... and what's that other one? I can't pin point it" Anita quizzes, finding her way towards his kitchen table. Alex looks behind him briefly, then turns his attention back to frying the white bread. "Fried toast, I also have some beans too but they're in the microwave" he replies pleasantly. She raises her eyebrows and hums, "Umm, fancy. At least you know how to treat a girl right". He shrugs hiding a smile, "I might not call but at least I made you breakfast". Anita acknowledges his bad joke and laughs anyway, moving side to side in her seat as she gets comfortable.

"It'll be done in a sec, just this bread left to do" he announces, plating up the food. Anita hears him rush around, his attempt to set it right put her at ease and the thought of him running around to make her breakfast warms her core. "Thank you, Alex," she says as she listens to his footsteps urge towards her. He sets down the plates on the table, placing her knife and fork at either side of the plate. She eats in silence, thinking of what to say. She hears him chew his food softly, she blushes praising; "thank you for everything, with last night and all- ".

"It's fine honestly, just glad you're ok" he interrupts. Anita heats the sound of a heavy weight plummeting down the stairs and a pitter patter of nails against the floor follows it into the kitchen. The loud breathy panting from Bill shimmies its way to Anita's ears. "Hey boy" she beams brightly, holding out her hand as she feels Bill's nose nuzzle her hand. She traces her hand along his jaw and runs her fingers through his silky fur, petting him. "He's a really good dog, how long have you had him?" Alex queries.

Without a beat Anita replies, "eight years, nearly nine. He's still a big pup though in my eyes. I don't know what I'd do without him". Alex smiles warmly, "that's real sweet. I've never really had many pets; I wouldn't mind one now I just feel bad about leaving them on their own all day". Anita nods in acknowledgement, "I understand, I'm glad I can take him wherever I go. He's well behaved, he was trained that way but still, I love him so much". Alex takes a piece of bacon off his plate and drops it onto the floor beside Bill, whom in which eats it eagerly. Anita looks towards Alex, "and thank you for bringing Bill, I couldn't hear him when I woke up". Alex shrugs, "just the neighbourly thing to do". Anita hurries, trying to eat her breakfast politely and finishes it within ten minutes. "That was wonderful" Anita thanks, pushing her chair back as she gets up.

"The pleasures all mine, would you like to... to go out soon? Maybe I can come around sometime in the next few days?" he suggests hesitantly. Anita pushes her chair into the table, "sure, I'll call you" she jokes with a smirk on her face. Alex rolls his eyes and chuckles, "alright, you got me there. How about I walk you home?". Anita nods and without another word she makes her way towards the kitchen door and follows the wall to the left until she eventually reaches the front door. "Don't worry about the clothes from last night, I'll bring them around soon" he assures. Anita turns, "So, off to my house we go" she says chirpily.