When Fools Rush In

Chapter 11 - Open The Box

The breakfast date with Jack kept Lucy's mind occupied for the rest of the day. She floated in and out of meetings, productively issued various press releases and organised content with her social media colleagues. International break meant a brief slackening of the pace in her role, as she focused on helping Man City's women's team with some of their promotional work. Even Rhys picked up on Lucy's mood.

"You're very perky for a Monday," observed Rhys as they were walking into the meeting room for an internal catch up on their PR and social media content plan.

"Oh, it's always a relief when international break comes around and we can catch up on everything else we never get round to," replied Lucy breezily.

"That's true," replied Rhys, "I'm so behind on admin and it's mental at the moment with the Champions League and Carabao Cup as well."

That evening Lucy sat down with an M&S ready meal and a glass of wine. A message came through from Jack.

Jack - hey bab how was your day? x

Lucy - all the better for the way you started it for me ;-) How's SGP?

Jack - epic as usual. Just gonna play FIFA with Chilly, training went well

Lucy - when are you flying to Poland for the game?

Jack - Tomorrow afternoon, back Thurs morning 

Lucy - you gonna ring me from Poland? Pep talk before the game?

Jack - of course, missin ya already x

Lucy - missing you too gorgeous

Jack - you working from home tomorrow?

Lucy - yeah, quieter week thank god, why you ask?

Jack - just wonderin what you're up to

Lucy - loose end without you x

Sighing, Lucy put her phone down. All the angst of the weekend had evaporated away. After this morning's escapade on Jack's kitchen floor, she felt closer to him than ever. She wasn't sure whether she was flooded with hormones but her doubts about her fling with Jack had also evaporated away. It helped that she knew he was safe at St George's Park, out of harm's way, not able to get up to any mischief under the watchful eye of Gareth. What she was sure about was that she was missing him more than she dared to acknowledge: his firm but soft embrace, his cheeky smile, his eyes flickering with desire. Lucy longed for Sunday when she could see him again.

***

Lucy ended up going into the office on Tuesday morning to catch up with her colleagues, but she decided she would go back home to finish off her work in the afternoon. It was still only a week since her tonsillitis has taken hold, and she was still feeling foggy in the head. As she pulled her car up outside her flat she was relieved she could have a quiet afternoon, run a bath in the evening and speak to Jack once he was in Poland.

There was a very large parcel in cellophane wrap on the door that led to her upstairs flat. Puzzled, Lucy approached the door, fumbling with her keys which were buried in her coat pocket.

The door opened, it was Derek, the middle-aged man who lived alone in the downstairs flat. He was amiable, and always knew what was going on in the street.

"Oh hi Derek," greeted Lucy, "what's this huge delivery?"

"You tell me," he said, "some courier came about half an hour ago. It's that heavy he needed help getting it onto the doorstep."

"So it's not for you then?"

"Nah, it's for you. Do you need me to help you carry it upstairs?"

"Er - yeah, sure," Lucy peered down. It looked like an enormous hamper.