In The Flesh

Chapter Eleven.

"Can I get this as well?" Humphrey blinked, holding up a journal to Alison hopefully.

"Humphrey, for the last time, yes! Get what you need," Alison sighed, checking prices on nappies and baby clothes.

"Thanks-" he said, turning to fetch more from the other aisle.

Alison smiled to herself. Humphrey had approached her that morning with a strange request.

"Alison," he had said formally, almost like Thomas when he needed something from someone. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to provide me with the materials to begin journaling..."

"Oh," she had responded, surprised. "Of course, Humphrey. That sounds like a great hobby."

He had thanked her profusely before she invited him to come to the store with her and pick things out that he wanted.

The Tudor returned with a few more notebooks, a pack of sticky notes (which he picked because they were colourful and pretty), a pack of pencils, a set of pens and three highlighters.

Alison spent the money happily to see Humphrey out of his slump. He was still painfully shy, even around her, but he was seemingly happier with his new items.

"Thanking you kindly," he said again as they hopped into the car.

"You are welcome, Humphrey," Alison said, smiling at him. She looked up at the sun, just rising in the sky. "Wow, we left early," she said.

"I guess I was excited to leave," Humphrey said in a tone that seemed too apologetic.

"Hey, I was excited to shop with you too," Alison grinned.

"Did we even talk to anyone else this morning?" Humphrey said, wrinkling his nose.

"They'll be fine without us for a while," Alison assured him. When they arrived, it was suspiciously quiet in the house, and Humphrey stumbled into the living room, bursting with anticipation to start writing.

He did a double take at the pair sprawled on the couch in front of the muted television.

"Oh-" he started, backing up and ramming his hip into the wall, sending Basil's eyes flicking open as he awoke.

The Captain's face flushed and he cursed under his breath, wiggling his arm until Sylvia groaned and woke up. She spotted a blushing Humphrey and threw her arms across her chest, eyes wide.

"Sorry, sorry-" Humphrey winced, looking down and trying to leave the room gracefully and failing. Sylvia covered her face and apologised, rushing past Alison and up the stairs to her room.

Basil rubbed his eyes furiously and started pulling his jacket on as Alison entered the room, confused.

"Yikes, Cap. What happened?" She took on a teasing tone as she saw him blush, and he turned to glower at her.

"None of your affair," he said, running his fingers through his hair to straighten it. Alison scoffed and Humphrey stayed silent in the corner.

"Okay, then," she said as Basil stormed from the room. "Sit, Humphrey, don't let him freak you out."

Humphrey let out a breath, as if Alison had read his mind. Or maybe just his tense expression when the Captain grew upset.

He sat down, dumping the contents of his plastic shopping bags out on the living room coffee table.

He glanced up at the chess board across the room, half expecting to see Robin and Julian going at it. Instead, he was surprised to see it empty.

He tilted his head up and realised he hadn't heard anything since he returned home, which was unusual.