Trying Not To Love You

Part Eighty Four

Chapter Eighty Four

                “So, you have nothing to do Saturday night?”

Sonny was holding her in his arms, and Martha curled into his chest nodded, “Ethan’s with my Dad, but you’re working.”

He shook his head, “what if I said I’ve asked Paul if he could help lock up a few nights, more of a managerial role...Saturday could be our trial run.” As she smiled he added, “how about a night away, me and you, no need to hide. We can be ourselves...be normal.”

A whole night to themselves sounded bliss, even if they were hiding away. She grinned, “sounds great. Better than that.”

He turned to face her, “I’ll book us a hotel somewhere, anywhere. Somewhere that no one knows us, then we can go out to dinner, or walk holding hands, or spend the whole night in bed. Be a couple. Do what we want.”

Her body lurched at the thought of being normal with him, doing things that other couples did. “I know an amazing hotel about an hour away. Quiet, discreet but close to bars, restaurants...I’ll try and get a room, I can call them after breakfast.”

She relaxed into him again, “at last, something to look forward to.”

                “You’re bored?”

When she nodded he asked, “what about working with me?”

That piqued her attention, “I thought you were managing things. I’m just helping with the books.”

He shrugged, “you’re not working, I am looking at taking on more staff...”

                “And you need people when you’re not around. We’d see less of each other...”

He sighed, “well move in...above the pub, then I can sneak up and take my breaks with you.”

She laughed, “three days...we’ve been together three days young man.”

                “I want it all, I want you ALL the time.”

Chuckling, she rolled to lie over him, “but you’ve got me ALL the time. You’ve just got to trust me...this will work out.”

The next day couldn’t pass quick enough, and the fact that it was more like thirty six hours from him leaving her bed at six am on Friday to the time they were due to rendezvous on Saturday, was all too much for Martha. She understood more than he did that they couldn’t spend every minute together, but without the focus of work she was truly bored, only Ethan really occupied her mind and time.  She spent Friday in Northbury searching for a job, any job without much luck, after a quick lunch she passed a beauty therapist salon that seemed empty, and so ninety minutes later and with a serious dent in her wallet, she emerged, waxed, tinted, groomed and manicured. She felt a bit more glamorous, and that helped, and even though she couldn’t afford it, she visited several shops until she found some new underwear, something that would excite her man, because suddenly that was all important. She was becoming more than a little obsessed with him, but that was love wasn’t it? And she knew he felt exactly the same way.

After collecting Ethan from school, they walked to the park; there was very little daylight after school, so they made the most of it. On the way home he tugged at Martha’s hand, “can we go see Sonny? I miss him.”

Me too.

Sonny enjoyed the early evening crowd, people like Eamonn, Bill, others he knew from around the town came into the pub for a post work pint, particularly on a Friday, and tonight was no exception. The older crowd were funny, teasing each other, yet buying each other drinks, all the while exchanging betting tips and thoughts about up and coming sporting events. It was like a boys club, and he was a determined and important part of it.