When Fools Rush In

Chapter 23 - Reversible Parka

Lucy turned over in bed and forced her eyes open. They were crusty and heavy with sleep. At the same time she stretched her arm out across the sheet, feeling for Jack, but he wasn't there. Eyelids freed, she adjusted her gaze to the watery autumn sunlight that was filling the room. His side of the bed was empty. What time was it?

Turning back towards the bedside cabinet and feeling for her phone, Lucy saw it was ten past eleven. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept in so late, especially as it hadn't been much past one o'clock by the time she had joined Jack in peaceful, post-coital slumber. She noticed she had a message on her phone from him.

Jack - Mornin sleepy head, you was tired! Did I wear you out lol ;-). Gone to recovery sesh, will be back after lunch, c ya later xx

Lucy flinched at the 'you was' wording of his message, unable to fend off her pedantic approach to grammar and spelling, but she found herself smiling. Recovering from her accident was proving exhausting and the combination of alcohol, shopping and Jack's kinky offerings in the bedroom the day before had sapped her energy. Her mind flitted over the sex they had enjoyed less than twelve hours ago and she sighed aloud as she felt a tingle run through her body at the memory of his enchanting hands working around her flesh.

Lucy - I think I overdid it yesterday and you finished me off! You were amazing last night. Enjoy recovery xx

By the time Lucy had showered, headed out to the local Little Waitrose to pick up some essentials and eaten her own brunch, it was after one o'clock. She settled down onto the sofa with a magazine and a cup of tea, looking forward to Jack's return. She was used to time alone and she largely enjoyed it, but life was becoming more difficult without Jack around, like she needed to share every little moment with him - the argument between a customer and a cashier in Waitrose over the unavailability of chia seeds, the double-yolk egg she had broken into the pan, the rainbow she saw arching over the city skyline as a light shower scurried past.

Jack came bounding through the door at just gone two o'clock, carrying several large packages in his arms which he took into the bedroom and placed on the bed. Lucy followed him in, receiving a welcome sloppy kiss from Jack on her lips.

"What are these?" she said, pointing to the boxes.

"Me garms," grinned Jack, "ya know, that Sam Morgan fella? He gets me all sorts, like most of it is really hard to get and he's sooo good at getting hold of it."

Lucy nodded, dreading to think what tasteless delights were in the boxes. She had finally made peace with Jack's fashion choices, in a way she found them almost endearing now, but she was silently hoping there was nothing too terrible lurking behind the cardboard and other elaborate gift wrap.

"How was recovery?" she asked, encircling her arms around Jack's waist and kissing him on the neck. "You smell good, as usual."

"Played some basketball, did some stretches, did the bikes. Then played table tennis with Joao and he's jokes at that as well - he thrashed me like!"

"He's so talented isn't he," Lucy observed.

"Yeah and then we had lunch, like loadsa salads and soups and chicken and stuff," Jack continued, "did ya actually wake up in time for lunch?" he prodded Lucy under her ribs, making her squeal.

"Cheeky sod, I got up just after eleven!"

"Nah nah I'm just havin' ya on, I know you need plenty of rest."

Lucy reluctantly withdrew herself from Jack's embrace and sat on the end of the bed, turning round to look at the packages. "Go on then, open them up, I want to see what's inside. When did you put your order in to Sam?"