Headstrong (A Benedict Cumberbatch Story)

Chapter 5

"So where should we go?" Ellie stood eagerly in the hallway, and I slumped lazily against the doorframe, still in pajamas and only just remembering we were supposed to be going shopping. 

"Oops. I'll give you a half an hour, shall I?" she giggled at my dazed expression, and went back into her flat. I hurriedly got dressed and shoved a bowl of cereal down my throat. Brushing my hair furiously, I attempted to pack a handbag and put shoes on at the same time, resulting in tripping over the laces and dropping makeup all over my shoes. I cursed to myself, stuffing it all back in, and went out into the corridor. I knocked on Ellie's door and she opened it immediately, a smile on her face.

"Ready?" she checked, and I laughed, nodding. We headed out into town.

I trailed around after her for a whole hour, listening to stories about Benedict and "his silly ways"

She was so fond of him, and seemed really sweet, but at that moment, if pulling her hair and hitting her over the head with her own high heeled boot was the only way to get her to shut up, I would have done it. 

Eventually we found a pet shop with 3 kittens she was torn between. A ginger, a golden brown and a jet black. She ummed and aahed for at least 10 minutes, and talked to the petshop owner about their personalites, stroking and holding each one. I stood by the fish, watching them dart about with their funny little mouths opening and closing. I finally heard her make a decision and picked the golden brown one. 

"I'll call him Gus." she held him close to her face and he mewed happily. We took a taxi home, Gus sitting in a carry box on the back seat with Ellie. I was stuck in the front with a driver that had the worst perception of personal space EVER. 

We got back to our building and Ellie invited me into their flat. A little thrill went through me at the thought of seeing Benedict's home. His interests, his music taste. She unlocked the door and led me through the small hallway, lined with old posters. The living room led into the kitchen, which had a small table in middle. Everything was faded and cosy and it smelled of clean laundry, old pages and the slight must of cigarette smoke. With old rugs thrown over the pinstripe sofa, black and white artwork and photos of their families, and a set of shelves put up in a spiral shape stuffed full of CDs and books, I fell in love with their home. 

Ellie threw herself down onto the sofa and I perched on the edge of it, watching as she opened Gus's box and let him sniff the air. Slowly, he ventured out onto her lap and nosed around her cardigan, pulled at the sofa with his claws, then curled over her knees and began washing himself. She smiled delightedly. 

Just then the sound of keys in the door and a male voice humming sweetly reached my ears.

"Hello hello?" Benedict called into the flat and I stiffened up. As he came into the living room, I stood up and tried to put a smile on my face, quite aware that it was probably more of a grimace. He gave me a look of recognition and then joined Ellie on the sofa, admiring their new pet. I tried not to stare.

Third wheeling much.

"Well, I'd better get back and check on my cat. Thanks for a great day, Ellie." I said brightly, and she waved, still occupied with Gus. Benedict said goodbye and I edged back out into the hallway. Reaching for the door handle, I felt a warm body rubbing against my legs and looked down to see Gus purring. With a smile, I bent down and ran a hand down his back, to the end of his tail. 

"There's a good boy. You have to go back to Ellie and Benedict now. Go on." I moved my head in the direction of the living room but he stayed sat there, gazing up at me with those green green eyes. I sighed, picked him up and carried him back in. Ellie laughed, holding her hands out to hold him, but Gus jumped out of my arms onto the sofa and sat on his own, furry and regal. 

"Bye then." I said again, and hurried out of the door before Gus could follow me again. In the corridor, I heard a muffled meow from behind 45's door. And another meow from behind my own. Matt stuck his head out into the corridor and glared at the sound of Gus. I shook my head, irritation creeping in and let myself into my flat. Benedict was waiting for me, sitting exactly as Gus was. I scooped him up and he threw his front paws over my shoulder as I walked into my bedroom. 

Switching on the radio, I got ready for bed and made a hot chocolate; I fixed some warm milk for Benedict.

"A toast, to new cats and new friends." I said to him, and he looked at me unblinking until the bowl was in front of him. Sighing, I sipped my drink. Benedict had looked at me as if to say,

"Friends? Come on."

I didn't have any problem with Ellie herself, though I think if she wasn't a neighbour (or the girlfriend of the man I'm crazy about) and I met her, we wouldn't be friends. She was just so different compared to how I live my life. She was so open and flamboyant and... sexy. It made me feel very aware of how awkward I was most of the time. Ellie could just look at someone, not even smiling and they'd feel the butterflies in their stomach that I felt every time I even realised that Benedict was in the same room as me.

Just then, I got a text, which made me jump and nearly spill my drink. I opened a message from an unknown number:

Benedict here. Hope you don't mind but I asked Ellie for your number. Do you want to come out for drinks with us on Saturday? 

Why didn't he just wait until tomorrow to ask me in person? We live across the hall from each other. But he had asked for my number. So he didn't just think I was an awkward woman in his building who called her cat by his name and went shopping with his girlfriend. Huh. Well I guess that's a start.