Do You Know Indigo?

Chapter Twenty Nine

Come Saturday morning, there was still no word from Tom. Carol had been anything but informative on the phone and hadn't extended me an offer to visit. Her hostility only caused me to worry further. What had happened to him?

So, rather than spending the day with my boyfriend I lay about on my bed studying. At least it was somewhat normal.

Drowning in French prefixes, I was startled as there came a great roar from the street. I frowned. I bet the students had set a rocket rampaging down the road again. I slipped on my shoes and went to investigate what was going on. Mum and Ross stuck their heads out of the kitchen door enquiringly.

"It's alright I'm going," I said, striding down the hall. They nodded and disappeared again. "Stupid students don't know what it means to be quiet," I grumbled as I charged down the stairs. In frustration, I flung open the door and charged right into someone. "Sorry," I snapped wanting to confront whoever was making the terrible racket instead of standing around, forcing myself to be polite.

"I'm getting used to catching you." Tom chuckled wrapping his strong arms around me. I stared up at him. How was he here? He should have been home, in bed like ordinary sick people.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. He looked healthier than ever. His eyes were bright, full of laughter.

"Taking you to the rugby match." I looked away from him unsurely. "Why, did you have something else planned?" he questioned.

"No, of course not, I just didn't expect to see you," I explained. I picked a thread from his Scotland strip and rolled it between my fingers biting my lip.

"Well if that's all..." he said, tugging me towards his bike, the source of the great roar. I smiled, presuming this was what was happening whether I liked it or not.

"Wait, let me go put my rugby shirt on and grab my bag. Two minutes," I said, wriggling from his grasp and running back up the stairs. Mum awaited me, full of question. 

"What was going on down there Chrissie?" Mum questioned, a dishtowel strewn over her shoulder.

"Tom's bike," I said, speeding passed her and diving into my room. I threw off my baggy shirt and pulled my Scotland rugby strip over my head. It was tight. Great. I scrabbled around for my bag and phone.

"Oh Tom's here? Why don't you invite him up? Is he feeling better?" Mum continued, the tea towel still draped over her shoulder as she filled my doorway. I found my bag, stuffing my phone inside and dashing passed her.

"Can't stop Mum, Tom and I have a rugby match to go to. Talk to you later, OK?" I said on my way back to Tom.

Tom pulled me in for a kiss. I'd missed him.

"Perhaps we should get going. We'll miss the game after all." I gasped between kisses.

"Do we have to go?" Tom groaned. I was cradled in his arms but I stepped flirtatiously away.

"Of course we do. It's Scotland against the All Blacks for goodness sake and you were the one who made such an effort to get better. Now come on." I beckoned, pulling him towards his motorbike. I unclipped the spare helmet and slipped it over my head. Tom, reluctantly, pulled on his helmet and swung himself onto the bike. I got on behind him, fastening my arms around his waist. Then with a powerful jolt we were flying down the deserted street. I lay my cheek against his back and smiled.

Behind my eyelids I saw Kieran.

That wasn't right.

His eyes were deep indigo. He smirked. My eyes flew open, what had just happened? I shut them again but Kieran wasn't there. I must have just imagined it. It was no comfort to know I thought of another when on a date with my boyfriend.