Twenty minutes later by the time Conrad had consumed the scrambled eggs on toast prepared for Jude, as the Surgeon quickly made some more, the tablets had begun to kick in and the three sat at the island counter enjoying coffee and milk.
"That was great," the fair haired man squinted at the woman between himself and his friend, "might have to arrange for you to get a flat tyre every day."
"Thanks," Janice smiled as she pushed her plate away turning to look at the older man with an unexpectedly seductive glance "I normally skip lunch when I'm working so by the time I get home I'm really hungry. That's why I took the liberty of making something. I hope it wasn't too forward."
"Not at all," Jude grinned broadly deciding to go along with what she was doing, "but you can't be skipping lunch because you're on a diet. A lady with your figure doesn't need to be on one if I do say so myself."
"You're too kind," the middle aged Nurse stated with obvious mock modesty, it was clear she liked the compliment.
"So where did you leave your car?" Conrad asked wondering why his friend was flirting with the cause of their concern but knowing he must have a reason.
"What?"
"Your car? Where is it?"
"Oh, it has a flat."
"Yeah, Jude told me," Conrad frowned, "I was just wondering where it was."
"Oh it's out there somewhere," the middle aged woman gestured vaguely to the nearest window then turned back to Jude, "so how long ago did you buy this place?"
"Have you lived here long?" Conrad queried before his friend could answer.
"A couple of months," it was Janices' turn to frown before she continued pleasantly enough even though her eyes betrayed her annoyance, "you don't look so good. Perhaps you should go back to bed."
"Nah I'm grand," Conrad stated innocently as he stood up and went over to the couch in front of the large roaring fire, wondering why she was so interested in his friend.
"Well how about we clear this stuff away," Jude got up and picked up his ware and cutlery, "and find a movie to watch."
"Tell me there's a dishwasher," Janice made a face as she placed her dish on top of Conrads and joined the black haired man at the sink.
"Course there is," Jude grinned broadly, "you're looking at him."
"You mean you have a place like this and you didn't think of a dishwasher?" Janice demanded in surprise, clearly not impressed with such an oversight.
"Actually I don't have a place like this," Jude went over and retrieved Conrads' cutlery and the condiments, "I'm just staying here for a while. My friend owns it."
"Oh," the visitors' disappointment was obvious as she abruptly turned and walked over to where Conrad was sitting, "so what are we going to watch?"
"Take your pick," the pale man directed pointing to a row of shelves filled with DVDs, "bound to be something there you like."
"Great!" Janice smiled brightly, her disappointment seemingly forgotten, as she headed over to search.
Conrad looked across at his friend briefly as they both tried to work out what was going on with the new arrival. One minute she was acting like a blushing school girl the next she was upset. Her clothes, Conrad noted, were really more suited to a younger person, torn denim jeans and a low hanging multi colour floral top. Of course he knew nothing about ladies' fashion, maybe that combination was all the rage these days for fifty something ladies. Before the meal she had asked if she could freshen up and Jude had apologised for not asking her if she needed to earlier. She had brushed aside the apology and was then taken upstairs to the bedroom at the top of the stairs on the first level and informed she could stay there for the night. After expressing her profound gratitude she had promised to return for the meal shortly. On her return to the kitchen it was obvious she had applied a fresh load of make up with eyelids coloured bright yellow which did nothing for her light blue eyes. She had also applied hot pink lipstick which would have been more at home on a sixteen year old. Neither man thought the colours flattering but wisely kept that opinion to themselves. The answers to the questions they had asked to allay their concerns increased their worry rather than banishing it.
"Do ye have any preference?" Janice turned from her search.
"I'm not fussy," Conrad assured as he accepted a dish from the Surgeon containing an ice cube laden facecloth, "probably won't see much of it anyway the way my eyes are."
"What kind of films are you into?" Jude asked as he sat down beside his friend as the storm outside continued to rage.
"Don't watch a lot of films," Janice turned around with a DVD clutched in her hand as the lights flickered momentarily, "I've heard about this one!"
"What is it?" Conrad asked as he pressed the cold cloth up to his eyes for although the pain had receded to a much more manageable level he was encouraging the idea he was incapacitated.
"Psycho!"
"That's a classic," Jude stood and motioned for the older woman to retake her seat on the armchair she had previously occupied as he took the DVD and put the disc in, "haven't seen this in years."
"Any chance of popcorn?" Conrad asked hopefully as the trailers started playing.
"Sure if you think you can manage it," Jude headed over to the pantry and asked casually, "Janice I meant to ask you if you had a torch with you?"
"A torch?"
"Yeah," the Surgeon, "saw a light outside earlier. Just struck me it might have been you."
"No," Janice looked at the dark hazy world outside as if searching for something, "are you sure it was a torch?"
"Couldn't really tell for sure."
"Well maybe it was just a lightning strike."
"Yeah," Conrad agreed, "probably was. No one but a lunatic would be out in this weather."
"Hey man don't insult our guest," Jude laughed as he turned on the microwave.
"Sorry. You know what I mean," Conrad noticed the woman was still sending furtive glances to the windows, so what was she looking for?
Three quarters of the way through the film both Jude and Conrad had picked up on their guests' preoccupation. The old friends didn't need to consult to convey their confusion. The winds had picked up considerably resulting in the volume bring raised to its' highest level. A few small branches had bounced off the windows. All in all the storm was gathering force. Earlier, about fifteen minutes into the film, Jude had asked if the woman would prefer another DVD but she had absently replied that she liked her choice. Ten minutes later the lights had flickered out and Jude made short work of lighting several battery operated candles in their lantern holders which were plentiful, no doubt for just such events. Their guest seemed to become even more anxious and both medical professionals knew that it had nothing to do with being stuck in a cabin with two male strangers. Now Jude glanced over at the cause of their concern with an exaggerated yawn, he wanted to end the night now before things got any stranger.
"Well I think I'm going to call it a night," the Surgeon stood up stretching his arms and looked at Conrad who had his head back as if he was asleep, "hey man! Come on. Time to get you settled for the night."
"What?"
"Come on time for bed."
"Oh .... right," Conrad stood up blinking and looked at the seated woman, "you going to stay down here?"
"Well ..,"
"She can watch the end of the film in the morning if she wants to go to bed now," Jude graciously pointed out ignoring the frown being sent his way as he began to lead his friend down the hall.
"Goodnight," Conrad gave a half hearted wave as he moved away slowly.
"There are toiletries in your ensuite," Jude called back playing the perfect host, "as well as extra towels."
"Okay," Janice finally stood up with obvious unease and headed for the stairs.
"I'll leave the candles on in case you want to use the kitchen," Jude informed her as they reached the bedroom and held up the one he had picked up, "take one up with you."
"Surprised there's not a generator as back up out here," Janice turned off the television and turned to the two men.
"There is one but I guess it's not set up yet," Jude shrugged a shoulder as he opened the door and pushed his friend in, "see you in the morning."
"Yes, night," Janice quickly grabbed a lantern and headed up the stairs, the timber creaking as she headed to her room.
"Well are we nuts or is she up to something?" Conrad had made a remarkable recovery as soon as the older man locked the door behind him.
"Wish I could say we were nuts," Jude grimaced as he eyed the other man, "you really feeling better?"
"Yeah. I might start taking six DFs every time."
"Yeah sure!" Jude scoffed as he knew the likelihood of that happening was zero.
"You gave her that room on purpose," Conrad guessed as he slowly undressed.
"You can't enter or leave that room without causing the landing to creak. Tom was complaining about it last time I was up here. Lucky for us he never fixed it," Jude agreed smugly, "and all the other rooms are locked."
"You do realize we're two grown men acting as if we're afraid of one woman?" the fair haired man checked tiredly as he shrugged off his jumper.
"No harm in being cautious," Jude threw back and headed over to the foot locker at the end of the bed where he retrieved a pillow and a couple of blankets, "I'm staying here tonight."
"Jude there's no need .......,"
"Hey I'm looking out for myself! You can protect me if the big bad wolf knocks on the door," the black haired man lay down on his makeshift bed in front of the door.
"Yeah right .....," whatever words Conrad was going to fire back were lost as the glass in the nearest window shattered.
tbc
YOU ARE READING
Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163
FanfictionConrad Hawkins has to contend with a longstanding eye problem which he tries to hide from his friends and colleagues due to his father drumming it into him as a child that illnesses and injuries are proof of weakness. His friends try to teach hi...
