With her hair scraped back into a ponytail and a touch of make-up Elise thought she looked okay. She had hardly slept a wink the last two nights and was not looking forward to the run and to David’s always happy disposition. She was waiting for him outside the flats. A thermal coffee mug in her hands, she was finishing off the last of her drink when he drove up in a two year old BMW. Wow she thought David’s done alright for himself. She had not noticed the car in the dark; she knew it was large but not how nice. He worked in his father’s furniture shop but it had been struggling when she left, it looked like things had changed.
“Morning,” he said with a huge grin on his face as he raced up to her.
“Nice car.”
“Pleased you like it? Now this is the plan.”
He handed her a sheet, which was marked out with days and training. Monday an easy six miles, Wednesday 440 sprint sets and Friday another six miles but with hills, then Sunday a long run of ten miles. Elise’s face must have dropped because he slapped her on the shoulder and laughed.
“Don’t worry you will love it. I will cook you a meal on Saturdays, to make sure you are getting plenty of good, low starch carbs to build up your muscle glycogen.”
“You are too good to me.”
“You better believe it,” he said grinning like a loon.
“And you never could recognize sarcasm.”
“Ouch.”
“Today is Sunday, how far are we going?”
“An easy eight miles. I’ve picked a route with as few hills as possible, come on sleepy head.” He turned and set off at a slow jog, waiting for Elise to catch up.
“You will be the death of me,” she said as she fell into step besides him.
It was a chill but sunny morning which meant they could keep up a good pace. The first few miles were relatively flat and Elise fell into an easy stride, talking occasionally but mostly concentrating on her stride and breathing. As they took the first hill she found herself flagging, her legs ached and her heart was pounding. She had to ease up her pace and fell behind. David slowed down and gave her an easy smile as he kept pace with her. He was a good runner, with a great body, a muscular chest and defined legs. When she fell behind she realized what a fine ass he had and for the first time she wondered what he would be like as a lover. Heat colored her face and she almost stopped. He slowed to help her and his eyes asked if she was okay. She gave him the thumbs up and lengthened her stride as the topped the hill.
Running down was much easier, she just had to control her descent to protect her knees and she found herself thinking about Joel. He had phoned her dozens of times and left her a tonne of messages. All saying he wanted to talk, to see her again, one had even said he missed her, what was going on with him? Was he really just after another conquest or did he want more? Damn it, it was too late she had already moved back here and as major shareholder and chairman of the board he was hardly likely to move back with her. They had reached the next hill and David eased up to allow her to slow her pace. She dropped her head and powered forwards, shortening her stride and keeping her rhythm, she could do this. Should she go back to London? Or at least agree to meet Joel, what did she have to lose?
They crested the hill and below her in all its glory was the Peak District National Park. It looked like a patchwork quilt of green, a picture postcard of nature and she knew she loved living here and wanted to stay, Joel was too big a risk. With sudden clarity she decided if he rang again, she would meet him after the race, then she would see if he would really come this far for her.
She looked across at David and smiled before kicking forward’s on the run down hill and leaving him behind. She heard him laugh and felt happy and exhilarated as the miles passed beneath her feet.
Soon they were back at the flats and Elise burst into happy laughter as they completed the run, she was tired but she had done it and knew that she would manage the race, maybe not with her best time but good enough. David took her in his arms and hugged her, patting her back and congratulating her.
“Coffee,” she asked.
“I could kill an orange juice.”
They walked up to the flat, sweaty, but happy. “Are you still working with your dad?” she asked as she invited him in. For the first time she noticed him looking sad.
“I never told you did I?”
Elise shook her head, a sense of dread filling her stomach.
“My dad had a stroke. He’s alive but a shadow of his old self. It’s doubtful he will ever fully recover.”
“I’m so sorry. You should have let me know.” Elise pulled him into her arms and held him close offering what little comfort she could. He was firmly muscled and felt good in her arms and for the second time she wondered why they had never dated.
She poured two orange juices and took him out on to the balcony where they sat in comfortable silence looking out over the dales.
After David had gone Elise sat alone in her flat, for the first time ever it was lonely to be here, what was happening to her? She had always been independent, had never needed company but was happy with friends. She turned on the TV, but nothing was on and she switched off and threw the remote down in disgust. She searched for a book, something to take her mind off things, but there was nothing she hadn’t read. At last she ran herself a bath and with a glass of red wine she sank into the bubbles letting the strains of the day soak away.
Getting out of the bath into a big soft, fluffy towel she heard her mobile and rushed through to answer it. It was Joel. Damn would the man never give up? “Hello.”
“Hi how are you?” He fought hard to stop his voice wavering. He had missed her so much and had decided he must see her again no matter what. No woman had ever had this effect on him and he had been stupid enough to ruin things, somehow he would make it right. He waited with bated breath as the seconds ticked away and she did not answer. Had she put the phone down?
“What do you want this time?” Elise had not meant to sound so rude, but she was trying to forget him and he kept ringing. Just as the wound started to scab over he had to go and rip it off again.
What should he tell her? Suddenly the lie came to him. “I’m coming to Escafield next week, I wondered if we could meet?”
It was the week before the half marathon she would be very busy, she should say no. The words were nearly out, but part of her wanted to hear what he had to say. She was surprised that he had kept ringing; in fact she had expected he would get bored by now. “Alright I could meet for coffee, when are you coming?”
He heard the words and a panic grasped his heart and squeezed. What should he say, if he got the wrong time he would miss out. A smile crossed his face. “I will be there for the week, when suits you?”
Elise felt a surge of joy and then cursed herself. She must not make anything of this he was just after another role in the sack. Suddenly nervous she had to swallow before she could answer. “How about Thursday at two pm, meet me at a cafe’ called Granny’s.” She hung up before he could say much more, she had nothing to lose she had already arranged to meet Anna for coffee so she could see if he turned up and if so what he had to say.
