Captive

Chapter Thirty

Wrapping her arms around herself a little nervously, Juliet looked around the living room. It was exactly as it had been when she left it, not a thing out of place and Socks was curled up on the rug in front of the fire much like he had been the first time she came to Bret's house. It did feel a little strange to be back but not necessarily in a negative way. She hadn't been utterly miserable in this house though the circumstances had been a challenge. He came up behind her carrying her bag and placed it by the stairs before he came across to put his arms round her waist from behind, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Good to be back?" he asked and she stiffened slightly before she forced herself to relax.

"A little strange," she confessed and felt him sigh against her shoulder. He withdrew and went to pick her bag up to take upstairs. Juliet had asked him to let her go back in the room she had occupied before for now as she had been comfortable enough in there and was not ready to share a room with him. It was very early days for them and without the nightmares she probably wouldn't have even considered moving in with him. Crouching down on the rug she stroked Socks who sat up and looked at her then came to rub his head against her knee, before just climbing onto her lap. She smiled and settled on the floor with him, stroking his little body and feeling the action calm her. When Bret came back down he paused to watch her before she was aware of his presence and felt a smile form on his face seeing her looking relaxed and even content in his home. Feeling his eyes on her Juliet half turned to look at him and Bret met her gaze.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked.

"Tea would be lovely," she replied, fighting the urge to go and make it for them. She did follow him through to the kitchen though and then watched as he switched the kettle on. Her eyes were drawn to the sink where there was a small pile of plates and cups. Bret followed her gaze and shrugged apologetically.

"Meant to do them last night and got distracted," he said, grinning. She smiled at him and he watched as she came round the breakfast bar and set to tidying them up. Unable to help herself she grabbed the dishcloth and spray and cleaned the sink when she was done then went over the worktops which to his mind had been clean anyway. "You don't have to do that, Juliet."

"I know," she said. "But I don't mind doing it."

Bret rolled his eyes as he turned to make their drinks, but a smile played on his lips. Having her back here was making him happy, knowing that this time she chose to be here, to be with him sent little waves of joy through him. It felt like a small victory to have her here of her own volition and as she took her drink from him and went to sit at the table with it his smile grew. She looked at home here where he'd feared she may become wary or uncomfortable. Instead she sat down with her drink and smiled across at him over the rim of the cup.

"You seem to have kept it reasonably clean and tidy," she commented and he grinned.

"Told you before I don't like it to be a mess. I mean I'm not as anal about it as your old man but generally I like to keep on top of it. Dishes in the sink are not the norm I assure you. I was just rushed last night because Brian turned up and insisted I needed to go out."

"I'm rather glad he did," she replied, giving him a shy smile. Bret nodded.

"Me too. So how did you end up back with Jim? Did he call you?"

"No. I bumped into him at the hospital when I went for my check up and he was saying it was difficult to secure anyone for the cleaning at the bar. I don't think he's ever struggled to find bar staff which is as well at the moment with his ankle but cleaning staff was a little trickier. I don't mind helping out until he finds someone. Jim is easy enough to work for."

"Really?" Bret raised an eyebrow and she gave him a quizzical look. "Just he's a reputation for being a grumpy old man."

"Oh he isn't that at all," Juliet said, surprised. "He's been nothing but courteous and friendly since I started working for him."