Making Jane Proud

Chapter 11 - The Wrong End of the Stick

Ellie lay with her eyes closed, not quite fully awake but aware of the subdued quiet around her, confused when her pillow seemed to be moving all by itself; a hypnotically slow up and down motion that wasn't at all unpleasant. It was lovely and warm too, that was a bonus. She snuggled into it a bit more, smiling to herself as she realised it smelled a lot like Tom; that scent that fell somewhere between fresh citrus and Johnson's baby powder. She didn't know how he did it, but it was uniquely him and honestly, a bit of a turn-on. That thought made her wriggle a little.

"Ellie? Are you okay?"

She sat bolt upright in bed, fully awake now and astonished to see that her pillow was Tom – his stomach, to be precise. "Tom?"

He sat up too, running his hand through his hair, which only made his curls more dishevelled. "How are you feeling?"

She shook her head as memories of her hyperglycaemic episode came back to her. "I'm...good. Much better. How...how long have I been asleep?"

"A couple of hours. Can I get you anything?"

She felt guilty about the concerned look on his face and that he had given up his morning to stay and look after her. She remembered listening to him read as she recovered, desperately wanting to be rid of the awful nausea that felt like her body was decaying, the terrible headache and the acrid fruity taste and smell she got from ketones. His voice had been so soothing, like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winters day; it had definitely helped a little at taking her mind off how awful she felt.

But now she was absolutely mortified that he had seen her in that state; she also knew she often got angry when her blood glucose levels were high and desperately cast her mind back, hoping she hadn't said anything horrible to him. "No, thank you. I...I think I'll go and have a shower."

"Okay."

She avoided his eyes out of sheer embarrassment as she got off the bed and grabbed some clothes, disconnecting her pump and leaving it on the dresser before heading down the hall to the bathroom. She slumped against the wall once the hot water was flowing over her, banging her head a few times and groaning at what Tom must be thinking of her now. It was the first time she had ever fallen asleep after sex without putting her pump back on; she remembered she'd felt so amazing – really, really amazing – and how nice it had been to cuddle with him afterwards; not all guys wanted to. She must have just drifted off to sleep in his arms...

After shampooing her hair and giving her teeth a damn good brush and rinse with mouthwash, she returned to her bedroom to find it empty, so clipped her pump back on, checked her levels and went out to the kitchen.

He was standing at the window, looking out at the grey day; she took a deep breath. "Tom," he turned towards her but she couldn't make out the look on his face. "I don't know how to thank you..."

"There's no need," he interrupted.

"Yes there is. You've been so kind...I'm very grateful, truly."

He looked down at his shoes. "No problem."

They stood there awkwardly, neither saying anything. Ellie felt her palms begin to get clammy; something that happened when she was particularly nervous. He was probably trying to think of a way to get out of here, she decided, so gave him an opening. "If you need to go...I'll be fine now."

She thought a bleak look flitted fleetingly across his features when he raised his head, but when she looked again it was smooth and still and she wondered if she had imagined it. She gave him a smile she knew didn't reach her eyes but it was the best she could manage.

"Of course. I'm sure you have things you need to do; I'll get out of your way."

Ellie bit her lip; that wasn't what she meant, but he seemed a little curt so she said nothing and after a minute he picked up his jacket and headed towards the door. She went with him and opened it; he paused in the doorway and looked at her. "Thank you again," she said, "for helping...and everything."