“Yeah, your bed’s really comfy. Better than mine. I’m sorry you’re not in it.”
They looked at each other as she turned round, her phrase she’d used hanging in the air.
“I didn’t mean it… like that… sorry.” She passed him the water. “I meant I’m sorry you’re having to put up with the sofa.”
He realised he was disappointed with the explanation.
“It’s fine. I probably spend more time sleeping on that than in bed. Too easy to fall asleep while I’m binge watching something after work.”
She smiled, the glint of moonlight from the window turning her hair silver. “I do that after work. It takes me about three nights to watch one episode. What are you watching?”
He grinned. “Prison Break. I know it’s old but I never got to watch it.”
“That’s one of my favourites. Where are you up to?”
“Start of season two.” He felt too awake now, but at least his dick had calmed back down. “Want to watch some?”
“Sure. If that’s okay with you?”
He nodded and picked up her glass, leading her through to the lounge and onto the couch.
He didn’t knowwho fell asleep first, but when Gretel woke him with a gentle paw to his face, Abby was tucked under the blanket with him, her head on his chest and half of her body on top of his. Her breathing was deep and slow; she was completely sound asleep. He untangled his body from hers and debated what to do. Leaving her on the sofa meant she’d be woken by the sound of the dogs eating breakfast and the back door being opened. He bent down and scooped her up in his arms, her weight nothing which bothered him much. She murmured something, half-disturbed, and tucked herself into him until he got to his room, pulling back the duvet and gently placing her back in bed.
Briefly, her eyes opened and she half-smiled. “Lex…” It was one word, mumbled, then she closed her eyes again and snuggled into the pillow.
Alex pulled the duvet back up over her and then stood there for a few seconds, watching, semi feeling like a stalker, before he left to let the dogs out and then get back on the sofa, this time alone.
It waspast nine when Abby emerged from his bedroom, her hair mussed from sleep, still dressed in just his T-shirt.
Alex was in his back garden, chipping away at what had been the trunk of an old tree. He’d wanted to join the police force since being a small kid, but he’d always loved working with wood. Old Man Syd who’d lived in Severton forever and a decade had taught him how to carve and how to make doors for kitchens, shelves, the basics and more of joinery. When Syd had died half a decade ago, Alex had felt as if he’d lost his grandfather. Syd’s business had been carried on by his son, but for a few weeks, Alex had wondered if he’d wanted a business partner.
“That looks incredible.” Abby folded her arms under her breasts, which meant Alex stared at them.
“Thanks. It’s for Scott and Keren for their garden.” Alex stood up, putting down his tools and dusting off his hands. “How did you sleep?”
Abby smiled. “Good. I’m sorry I woke you when I went to get a drink.”
He shrugged. “It’s fine. We didn’t get to see much of Prison Break though.”
There was another smile from her, this one shier. “How did I get back into bed? I think I fell asleep on your sofa.”
He wondered how she’d react if he told her she’d actually fallen asleep on him.
“I carried you. If you’d stayed on there you’d have been woken by one of the dogs and I can’t guarantee it would’ve been pleasant.”
“Oh.” She looked away, embarrassed. “Sorry.”
Alex shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry for. You weigh about as much as Gretel.”
There was a slight nod. She looked awkward.
Alex wondered if her weight was a touchy subject. He’d had girlfriends in the loosest sense of the word, just never anything that could be classified as serious, so he’d never had to over-analyse what he said or how he said things beyond being a decent human being.
“Sorry. If that wasn’t the right thing to say.” He knew the hole he’d started digging was getting deeper.
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I know I’m skinny.” There was the awkwardness again.
This time he decided to ignore it and move on. It was probably safer. “We could do with checking out your house. Make sure no one’s been hanging around outside or anything’s disturbed. Do you want breakfast first?”
