Emily's Punishment: Part Two

Chapter Eleven - You Can Lead a Horse to Water

Chapter Eleven – You Can Lead a Horse to Water

I can't believe he's late, she thought as she sat in the beer garden of the Grey Parrot pub, nursing a small glass of white wine. It had been half an hour since Tom had messaged to say he was on his way, and Emily was growing impatient.

It only took me twenty minutes to walk here from the office. What's taking him so long? she thought as she sipped her wine and absentmindedly stared over at a happy-looking couple on an adjacent table. She quickly looked away as they suddenly seemed to notice her looking over. I'm sending him another message, she thought as she pulled out her phone, just as new message from Alex popped onto the screen.

ALEX: Hello baby, I'm thinking I might get some Chinese in tonight. What do you think?

Extra crispy chilli beef? I know it's your favourite. I'll order from the Golden River too, because I know how much you love their fortune cookies.

Alex

sent 16:04

As she read the message, that strange, uncomfortable feeling returned to the pit of her stomach. She shook her head to try to clear the unwanted thoughts, and began tapping out a message to Tom.

EMILY: Seriously, where the hell are you?? I've been waiting here for ages and I'm beginning to think you don't want to

"Sorry I'm late!"

Emily looked up to see Tom striding across the beer garden, holding a pint of lager and a large glass of white wine. She quickly closed the message without sending it and slipped her phone back into her bag.

"I got held up at work dealing with a phone call, then I practically ran here from the office. You should have seen me!" he said, sounding slightly out of breath as he took a seat on the bench opposite Emily.

"Sure," she replied with hint of scepticism.

"Here, I know you like wine," he said, placing an enormous glass of chilled white beside the modest one she was already drinking.

"Uh, thank you," she said, trying not to sound ungrateful.

"Look," he said, reaching out across the table towards her hand. I'm glad you finally spoke to me and gave me a chance to talk to you. There's so much I wanted to tell you, but obviously, I can't say it all in text messages."

He smiled and extended his hand a little further, gently placing it on top of Emily's.

"Wait," she said, jerking her hand away from him. "I just want to talk. I think there should be some clear boundaries, so there's no confusion."

"Of course, of course," he replied, his hand lingering in front of her for a moment before he finally retracted it. "Anything you want."

"Firstly, I don't think that kiss was such a good idea."

He scoffed and shook his head.

"I mean it, Tom! Please take this seriously."

He rolled his eyes and nodded his head sarcastically. Emily ignored his childish reaction and continued;

"Whatever you might think, it was a mistake. I should never have kissed you back."

"Fine," he replied with a sigh. "But you did though, didn't you? You did kiss me and you didn't stop kissing me."