Taming of the beast - Completed.

Chapter Eight

As promised lunch was provided via take-away collected by Charles. That was enjoyed with Riyad and Charles at her insistence. George declined. The slow-cooked meal finished cooking and stowed away in containers in the fridge.

They ate in the kitchen, not wanting to invade Riyad's routine too much. Them sitting at the dining table might be a little too much to bear, so instead shared the kitchen table, filled with banter and light-heartedness.

The following day Riyad presented her with his older laptop that had been cleaned up and rearing to go, as long as she promised she didn't use it on social media sites or contacted her family. She hugged him tightly because she had other things on her mind.

Foxes.

All she could find out on her new fur-babies that she visited daily, mainly with Riyad, if not, by herself. Always sitting quietly until they saw their pointed faces and ears. She watched as they came closer, with their lithely reddish-brown bodies with large fluffy tails. Always bringing a treat that they could digest without affecting their digestive system.

Riyad teased her outrageously, saying he didn't need forms of bribery to get them came out to him, they just followed him. While she got to pat them and they rubbed up against her. "You do realise I do come here to ponder, clear my head," he noted, arms crossed watching as she played with her cubs, watched over by the mother, with an expression of closed eyes and mouth open like she was laughing at him.

Callie looked up at him, concerned. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interfere with your time."

"You do not."

Happily, she went back to her fur-babies. Smiling up at Riyad, eyes glowing as he joined her, crouching down at her side.

Her days were getting brighter.

****

Callie placed down his morning tea tray onto his desk. "I need you to go to the village with Charles."

"You do?" she asked surprised. "Really, what for?"

"To do the weekly food market shop, Charles has other matters that need his attention." Reaching onto the table he removed a card and handed across.

"When?" she asked with a wide grin, bouncing from one foot to the other.

"Now," he waved her out. "Do not worry about this," he pointed at the tray that hadn't even entered her head. Without any further encouragement, she fled, raced to her room, changed and had a quick wash, grabbing her purse, and added her new coat. Finally, she had somewhere to wear it, shoving her arms through the sleeves, leaving it open and head out, and charged back into Riyad's office without knocking.

"Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, Callie, I am fine," he answered with a smile, eyes twinkling.

She pointed at him. "I am going to bring something back for you," she blew him a kiss as she headed out, along the corridor, racing down the stairs and outside where Charles was waiting by the car. "Hey George!" she yelled. "Do you need anything?" Charles waved the list at her. "Perhaps some sort of treat favourite anything?" She practically bounced towards the car, eyes gleaming.

"Chocolate almonds," popped out George's mouth, astonished.

"Got it!" Thumbs up, Callie opened the door, and hauled herself up by the bar, inside, the door closed, belt clicked in. Charlie and George sharing a look before Charles climbed in behind the wheel, and drove away, while Callie chatted animatedly, only to pause as they drove passed the woods, hoping for any signs of her fur-babies. They were safe. Always would be here, sinking back into her seat. After all, they had Riyad in their corner.