The Back Up Benefit

The Back Up

I ended up adopting the bunny rabbit and calling him Perceval. To win back my trust Ricky promised to take care of him too and sent me several large deliveries of bunny food, toys, treats and things.

It took a few weeks before 'normal service' resumed between us. I want him to understand I wasn't going to be walked all over. Even then there was something different. I couldn't put my finger on how or why but it was.

One afternoon we'd been texting each other while I had a bit of quiet time at work. He seemed to be getting over Yvonne quite well but was having a bit of a down time over the last few days. I was getting a little down too as I noticed the pink and red decorations of valentines day going up in shops. It was a bad time to be single so I shouldn't have been surprised by Ricky's idea.

"I have an idea for us." One of his texts said.

"We talked about this. I'm not doing anything kinky." I replied.

"Ew! Get your mind out of the gutter! I was thinking should we have an agreement like if we're not married to other people by the time we're 40 we'll marry each other?" His text asked.

I kind of liked that idea. I knew we'd get on well and I could easily grow old with him.

"You're so romantic! I'm up for that! Is it when you're 40 or I am? You're not far away from it yourself old man!" I teased.

"I'm only 35 and that's only 3 years older than you! Cheeky cow!" he replied quite quickly after.

"I still think you're old but you're very cool." I told him.

A few days later I was on my way home from work when me car broke down. Luckily I had just enough power in it to pull over. I got out and swore loudly at it. I'd had a bad day at work and could do without this crap. I'd need to get it to a garage to be looked at but I didn't know any places and thought they'd surely be closed in the evenings.

"Do you need help?" a man asked.

I looked up to see a tall man about my age in a sharp suit. He didn't look like he could help me.

"My car broke down. You don't have the number for a garage do you?" I asked.

"I'll do one better." he smiled. "I'll take you to mine."

"You have a garage?" I asked. "But you're far too cool!"

He laughed at my exclamation. "Technically it's my dad's but I run it. I'm James by the way." he held his hand out to me.

"Lizzie." I introduced myself and shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you. Although I wish it had been in a less stressful situation for you. We're just around the corner but I'll get someone to help push it." he explained then took out his phone and made some calls.

He returned a few moments later and lifted up the bonnet of the car.

"You'll get your nice suit all dirty!" I told him.

"I'd rather have a dirty suit than a damsel in distress." he smiled.

"I'm not really a damsel though. I just don't know much about cars." I justified.

"I'll be really honest, I'm still learning too!" he laughed softly.

Soon a few large middle aged men appeared and helped him push the car around the corner to his garage. He wasn't kidding when he said it was literally round the corner. I followed on foot behind them and tried to hide the fact I was looking at the way his trousers clung to his small bottom.

When we got into the forecourt of the garage I realised why he was wearing such a smart suit. This wasn't for just any cheep little car like mine. This was for vintage cars. Great big glossy cars that looked like they were straight from a classy film.

"They're beautiful aren't they?" James asked when he saw my expression.

"Like I said, I don't know much about cars but I know these are amazing!" I smiled. "My little Nissan has never looked so out of place."

"It's every boy's dream!" he beamed. "The fellas think your car'll be ready in the morning. I need to do a few things here but I can drive you home if you like."

"I'll be fine but thank you. I'm meeting a friend later so I'll just phone him and get him to pick me up or something." I shrugged.

"Well, here's my card if you need help." he smiled and handed me a little rectangle of card.

"Thanks Mr Einsford-Hill. Wow, that's quite a name!" I said as I read his card.

"With a name like that you get on well at Oxford!" he laughed.

Oxford? Bloody hell, he was posh! I excused myself and went to phone Ricky who said he'd pick me up. I was a little embarrassed when he turned up in his Mini with music blaring loud. He honked the horn impatiently which made me wish the ground would swallow me up.

"Ah, it looks like your boyfriend's here." James pointed out politely.

"He's not my boyfriend but he does like to make a scene." I sighed. "Thanks for helping with my car."

"It's been a pleasure Miss Lizzie. I'll see you when you pick up your car." he smiled and took my hand.

I thought he was going to shake my hand but kissed it instead. I blushed a little as I looked into his blue eyes. Then Ricky honked his car horn again making me jump.

"Jeeze Rick! Have some patience and turn that crap down!" I snapped at Ricky as I got in the car. "You're so embarrassing!"

"I'm not the embarrassing one. What a creep!" he scowled as he drove off.

"That wasn't creepy, that was charming." I retorted. "Anyway, what's it to you? It's not like our thing gives you any rights over me."

"I'm your best friend. I'm looking out for you." he told me firmly.

Me and Ricky hardly ever argued or disagreed but this was the second time in as many weeks we'd got angry with each other. I was starting to rethink our back up plan.