In this life

Chapter 12

Sunday lunchtime was always busy at the restaurant, so I'd made sure to wear my comfy flat shoes instead of heels. I had eight tables to wait on and had just been given another, a large table of twelve, to serve. Once I had finished taking their order I processed it through the till so it would print out in the kitchen. The doorbell rang out the back indicating that someone was trying to make a delivery, so I went out to see to them.
"Hello love" said the driver as he handed me a delivery note
"Is it for the kitchen or the bar?" I asked scanning the list of product codes, trying to work out what it was.
"The bar love"
"Ok, can you load it here so I can check it before I sign please. I'll be right back" I instructed as I went back inside to get someone to help me carry it in. I found Tim, the guy who Ronnie had seen a few times. They'd met on one of my nights out with my work friends, I'd asked Ronnie to come because nights out were always more fun when she was there and I didn't feel comfortable going on my own. They'd hit it off and arranged to meet up the following three weeks in a row. After which, Tim had made it obvious he was no longer interested and neither of us knew why. Obviously with my loyalties lying with Ronnie I'd purposely avoided Tim at work since. But he was the only person I saw that wasn't rushed off his feet, so I asked him to give me a hand.
Together we went through the delivery, he called out what was listed and I checked they were there. Once we were happy all was present and correct I signed the delivery man's form and we loaded the boxes on to a sack barrow and wheeled them through to the stock room.
Out of the blue, Tim asked me how Ronnie was. I wasn't expecting the question so it threw me off guard and I couldn't think what the official best-friend-in-that-situation answer should be, so I said that she was really good. But my mouth spoke before my brain and I finished by saying "No thanks to you cutting her out" I cringed at myself.
"Cutting her out?" He looked shocked. "I didn't cut her out, she stopped returning my calls and texts"
"Oh...."
"Yeah well I just assumed she wasn't interested. I'd have spoken to you but I don't really get a chance to at work because you always look busy and I don't have your number" He explained. I didn't know whether to believe him or not. Ronnie had just said that she thought that trail had gone cold, which had led me to believe it was Tim that wasn't interested. Maybe I'd assumed wrong. I felt quite awkward.
"Well, she's been a bit busy recently so maybe it's just crossed wires" I didn't know what else to say without speaking to Ronnie first.
The little bell in the kitchen rang indicating there was an order ready to go, so I excused myself from Tim and left the store room, quickly gave my hands a wash and went to wait my table. I took all the food in four trips and asked if they wanted to order any more drinks, which they did, so I scribbled them down on my pad as they called what they wanted out to me and headed for the bar.
I was half way through pouring a beer when my manager came and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Rosie, there's a delivery for you out back" He said "I'll take over here"
"For me? Oh, ok" I handed him my pad with the drinks written on it and said thanks.
I never had deliveries sent to work so was confused. I assumed someone had my name by mistake. I opened the back door and there was a man waiting for me.
"Hi, can I help?"
"Rosie?"
"Yes"
"Sign here please" he held out a small electronic device with a fake pen attached.
I took it and asked "What am I signing for?"
"Wait here..."
When he came back he was carrying a rather large bouquet of flowers. As he came closer I could see they were roses. White roses.
I quickly signed for them and thanked him, unaware of my own enormous grin. I didn't even notice the delivery man leave.
Daniel was back! He must have been. My hands were shaking as I read the card attached;

'Sincerely hoping you kept the home fires burning'

I smiled at the World War One reference, knowing that was somehow the reason behind his disappearance. My heart fluttered as I thought I might see him soon.

***

On my way home from work I quickly stopped off at my parents house to let them know I'd be staying at my flat that night and pick up some of my things.
"Ok darling" said Mum "Will you be back tomorrow?"
"I've got tomorrow off because I worked today. I wasn't supposed to be, but someone called in sick so they phoned and asked this morning" I started explaining as I was running upstairs to my room, speaking louder as I went "I pretended it was inconvenient and that I was doing them a massive favour, but truth be told, I'd much rather work a busy Sunday lunch shift that goes quickly, than a quiet, slow Monday evening"
"Well done" Mum laughed at my craftiness "so what are you up to this evening? Are you seeing Veronica?"
I rolled my eyes and shook my head, knowing she couldn't see me, why couldn't she just call her Ronnie like everyone else?!
"Erm, no..." I came downstairs with my bag on my shoulder "Actually, Daniel is back, so...." I paused and picked up my car keys.
"Oooh..." Said mum with a knowing smile "Say no more" she winked at me and tapped the side of her nose with her finger.
"Oh Mum" I cringed at the thought that she might know what I was hoping for.
"See you after work on Tuesday" I kissed her on the cheek and opened the front door.
"Oh, that reminds me" said Mum calling over my shoulder as I walked to my car "the boys"-she was referring to my three brothers and their partners, -"are all coming round on Saturday for a pre-wedding get together, so don't make plans because I want you here too"
"Ok" I called back, opening my car door. I waved to her as I got in.
"Maybe ask if Daniel would like to join us....?"
"Yeah, umm, maybe" I smiled at her as I closed my door. She smiled back in a way that let me know she was excited to meet him -like it was a dead cert, waved back to me and closed the front door.

***

I pulled up into my regular parking space near my flat and reached down to the footwell of the passenger seat to pick my roses up by the box they were presented in and placed them on the roof of my car as I fetched my bags from the back seat. I loaded myself up to take everything in with me in one trip, I couldn't be bothered to go up the stairs more than once.
As I approached the path to the ground floor entrance I saw someone leaning casually against the wall.
It was Daniel.
I stopped in my tracks, smiling to myself and I let my eyes look him over while I had the chance to stare. He didn't know I was there yet. He was standing with his back lent against the wall, one foot crossed over the other. He had one hand in his jeans pocket and was looking at something on his phone with the other. How was it he always looked better than I remembered from the last time.
I made a loud wolf whistle to get his attention. He lifted his eyes and turned his head towards me. He looked at me like I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. It made me tingle and blush slightly.
In one well executed move, he pushed himself off the wall, put his phone in his pocket and walked towards me, "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes" he smiled as he approached me offering his hand out to take my bags.
"Funny, I was just thinking the same about you" I flirted, slipping my heavy bag off my shoulder and handing it to him with a smile. "How long have you been waiting?"
"Here? Or for you?" He winked and put my bag on his shoulder
"Both" I played.
"I've been waiting here for a little while.... I've been waiting for you for a hundred years" There was a sincerity in his voice that made my heart yearn. We stood in front of each other for a moment exchanging nervous looks of lust. I just wanted to grab him and kiss him, I'm pretty sure that's what he wanted too.
"Would you like to come up?" I asked, breaking the tension. Daniel smiled and nodded.
I took my keys out of my pocket and together we made our way inside.
"Did you manage to do what it was you needed to?" I asked as we ascended the stairs.
"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry for leaving suddenly"
"That's ok" I lied "I'm glad you're back" I gave him a smile.
We continued in silence until we were safely in side my flat and I closed my front door.
I put my roses carefully on the table in the hallway and chucked my keys down next to them.
Daniel placed my bag down beside the front door and walked over to me. He gently held my chin in his hand and looked longingly into my eyes. My breath faltered as tingles rose up through my body. The same feeling I'd had when Daniel had me pinned to the floor in my living room. He knew I wanted him. Tenderly, he lowered his face to mine and kissed me softly. Feeling his lips on mine was exactly what I had wanted since he'd left.