Love, Lust 'n Geology (1ST DRAFT)

Chapter 50: Knights!

This chapter is dedicated to Dead_Eyed_Student for her continuing interest in the story, & for her encouragement & support, which includes her PM's :-)!

Thank u so much, Mandy! I really appreciate it :-)!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 50: Knights!

"Chris?"

"Yeah?" came the reply from his tent.

"Umm, your phone."

"Oh. Hold on a second. I'm coming out." And so he did: head, followed by foot, arms, torso, and finally, legs, all straightening up before – or was that over? – her.

Lowering her gaze, she held the phone out, saying softly, "I'm expecting a call from Tom. It's really important that I take it."

"Awright."

While Chris was not privy to the fact that behind her over-sized sunglasses, her eyes were red, he could easily discern that her nose was in such a condition, suggesting that she hadn't taken Grant's news nearly as well as he had. He, on the other hand, couldn't wait to leave, and take her with him! They'd come together by bus; the plan was to leave the same way.

"It's too bad Grant pulled the plug early," Chris said, suddenly feeling sympathetic to her state.

She responded with a strained smile. "Why? You should be happy. You get to attend your best friend's wedding!"

"I don't mind, but ... you're not happy."

"No, I'm not happy," she cried, her voice catching. Cupping her hand over her mouth, she held it there for a moment, attempting to compose herself. She didn't want to cry in front of Chris, anymore! Clearing her throat, she inquired hoarsely, "When are you guys supposed to start taking things down?"

"Not till tomorrow. We still get to do geology today."

"Good! Well, we should get going, then."

"You should eat something first."

She shook her head. "Nope. I'm not hungry."

"I made your tea. And porridge."

"I don't feel like eating, Chris!" she muttered irritably. "I'll just grab my tea." Gandhi had gone on hunger strikes to get his way with the British. Perhaps she should consider doing the same, with Grant! Of course, there was always the possibility that Grant would view such a mode of protest in a positive light, i.e. as cutting down on their food bill!

"Well, I'll take some muffins for you, then. You can have 'em on the way."

Couldn't Chris see how upset she was? How could he possibly expect her to eat when this might be her last real day in the field? Wait!

"What? Cornmeal?" she asked.

"Yeah." Oh, her favourites!

"Awright," she submitted, albeit reluctantly. No, really! As little as she wanted to eat, it occurred to her that it was important for her to keep her strength up at such a trying time. Wasn't it?

They were on their way to their first outcrop when Chris's phone rang. He'd set it on the dash, in case Tom called, though he would much rather have left it back in camp, where there'd be no one around to hear it. Then Tom could call as many times as he liked. She immediately reached for it.

"Hi Tom," she said, breathing heavily. Her heart rate, which had subsided after the initial shock – or was that sock? – from Grant, had picked up again, but for an entirely different reason than was generally the case when Tom was in the picture!