Just Rose

31

It hadn't taken her long to put everything back in her car. She had grabbed Muffin and headed back down, relief washing over her like a warm hug when she walked back through its welcoming door once again.

The nights were getting colder and not having the fancy heating of the manor house, she occupied her mind by setting up the fires in the living room and bedroom. Having never really started a log fire in her life it took a good chunk of time and effort. All her direction from Abby completely forgotten. Good old google to help her do something that should have been straightforward, YouTube came to the rescue several times.

Before long the house was cosy and romantic. The flickering flames in the darkening room, entrancing, and helping to smooth her rattled nerves and unease. She made herself some tea and raided the fridge for snacks.

Channel hopping the TV for some background noise, she felt restless. Doubting she would be able to work, she set about pulling her art supplies out anyway and set up a small table at the couch. She didn't want to work in her little closed room; the fire more welcoming and giving her a sense of security. Helping to thaw that icy grip which had taken hold in her stomach.

After three hours, she pushed the table away, dissatisfied with everything she had painted and sketched. Her mind was just not focused and her heart not in it. She checked her watch for the millionth time and admitting defeat, decided she should go to bed. It was dark outside, and he still had not appeared, no contact at all which was just not like him.

Muffin only ventured into the garden for a last pee before settling in bed, he seemed unaware of Rose's disappointment and absent focus, happily settling down to sleep almost immediately. She checked her phone, once again sighing at the lack of calls or texts and pondered over sending him one.

If he was in the hospital it would be off anyway, so there was no point. He had told her he would come here, so he would, he had obviously been held up. His silence unusual compared to how he had been of late. She would just leave the door unlocked for him; cursing herself for still not finding the second key to give him. She had misplaced it her first week here and knowing he could get in anytime, locked or not would have made her feel better right now.

Killing time by making herself some hot cocoa and cleansing her face carefully, she was well aware she was delaying getting into bed. Hoping he would just appear and she felt stupid. It was less than three weeks and already it was like she couldn't function without him here.

When had she become so hopeless? Is this what it was like when you met 'the one'? You became so joined at the hip that survival apart was futile.

She finally climbed into bed wearing a satin and lace, sexy and extremely skimpy, nightdress. A self-indulgent purchase when she had first got together with Rob and had never worn. It was strappy, revealing in places where see through lace panels were strategically placed and despite his lack of appearance, she put it on for his benefit. Once again feeling stupid and pushing it away in her mind that she was being pathetic.

She was barely asleep when she heard him coming through the front door. Her heart skipped a beat at the noise of the intruder before fully realising he was home and flipping in joy. She heard him fumble with her keys in the door that had been hanging inside, locking them in and signaling he was here to stay. The rush of relief washing over her was warming, and at the same time sent tingles through her, unsure whether to get up and greet him or stay laying in the dark. Rose decided on the latter and laid still, waiting quietly. Eyes glued to the door, trying to adjust.