Redemption

~10~

He was as slow as a bloody snail, like hours slow. Surely a man doesn't usually take so long washing short hair and shaving stubble.

Her man had been a zipper, in-out, fifteen minutes tops then off to the pub or work or work then the pub. He had worn that aftershave she now used as lighter fluid, it was nearly gone, she cursed the stench.

Issy retreated upstairs having made toast, watched it cool, then tossed it in the compost bin. She left everything on the counter for the slow moving insect man. Max sat at the bathroom door, the damn traitor.

"Where are you? You said I would have tea and toast"

"Make your own"

"Well that's a bit bloody rude"

"Do you know how to use the toaster?" Issy grinned she couldn't help it. She had fled through two pages of typing and was on the third when his booming voice made her jump and hit a 'f' instead of 'd' now she had a rude word staring at her from the page instead of a cute bird that swam on the lake.

Bugger.

Better go and save my kitchen she thought as she stretched her limbs, the gas stove was a bit tricky and getting the burner on the left going was a talent unto itself.

Reaching the landing she rubbed her eyes, she really should have slept instead of pursuing an end to the story she was writing.

And now ...

And now, he would be jumping up and down to be taken back to NY.

He dropped the phone back in the cradle and smiled guiltily.

"Was going to call a cab but haven't an addy"

"I'll take you back" Issy reached for the kettle to reheat the water. "I, ummm. I'm sorry"

"What for? Stealing me?"

"I didn't steal you"

"You did"

"No ... you got in the jeep of your own will; well I opened the door and pushed a bit but .... own free will" Issy scooped a large serve of coffee in her mug and added sugar, dropping a teabag in for the guest in the other mug; he lifted a lip in scorn. "What's wrong now?"

"Apart from being kidnapped? - That bloody teabag"

"Yes- tea in a bag"

"Yuck"

"Oh sorry, I forgot to put tea leaves on my shopping list with the masking tape, ties and rope" Issy tried to smother the pull of a grin as she filled the mugs.

The telephone rang, jangling, between them. Issy staring at it like a deer caught in headlights, not answering.

He didn't pick up either; it wasn't his phone, now was it.

The awful 'I'm not home right now' message played as the answering machine picked up the call instead.

'Hi- the dogs, cats and I aren't home right now, please leave your demands and I'll think about calling you back later ' beeeeeeppp

"Nice" John muttered quietly as they listened together for the caller to speak.

"Mum, it's Sally. Pickup, I know you're home, Jules rang earlier .. You're not out hiking again surely. You better have that phone with you" Issy shook her head no in jest "Mum...arrr you saw John to the door of the Dakota last night, right? ---beeeep....................

"Righteo, now Sally is worrying for me. Having me babysat to my door now, by her Mum" John raised an eyebrow and Issy shrugged, John seemed to remember the shrug in the murky depths of the night before.