‘I’ve missed you,’ she said, nuzzling into his chest.
‘You too, Pixie.’ He kissed the top of her head.
The long drive and the energetic lovemaking caught up with him and his eyes grew heavy and tired.
‘You sleep,’ whispered Cassie. ‘We’ve a full day tomorrow.’
The last thought Rory had was of that bloody awful house he’d been cajoled into viewing, then he switched off and gave into slumber.
*
Cassie had ordered breakfast in bed the next day and was just laying the tray carefully on the duvet when Rory sat up and stretched, his stomach rumbling with hunger. The full English smelt delicious.
‘This looks great, Cassie, thanks.’
‘Eat up, you’ll need your strength,’ she teased, pouring them each a cup of tea.
‘Do your needs know no bounds?’ he smirked, making her laugh.
‘I’m so excited to see this house.’ She sat on the bed at his side buttering toast.
‘Yeah, I gathered,’ Rory said between munching. Probably best to say nothing, keep quiet and hope she didn’t like it. Though he thought that might be a long shot; Cassie seemed to have already made her mind up.
‘What did you think?’ She looked expectantly at him.
‘Sorry?’ He was stalling for time.
‘When you saw it on the website, what did you think?’
How to answer? I thought it was possibly the most bland, characterless house you could have picked and would have to be dragged screaming and kicking to live anywhere near it. Maybe not. He carried on chewing, a further delaying tactic.
‘Well?’ Cassie’s eyes bored into him.
‘I think we should have a good look round, not set our sights on the first house we see.’
‘Oh yeah, I know, but still, it ticks a lot of boxes, doesn’t it?’
No! It doesn’t tick any of mine, he wanted to mutter, instead he gave a tight smile.
‘Let’s just keep an open mind, yeah?’
‘Of course,’ she smiled, a little too smugly for his liking. Did she think it was all tied up – a done deal? He sincerely hoped not, sensing their first row on the horizon. His quick brain clicked into gear. He needed to divert her attention and enrol her into his way of thinking, play on the strengths of his future plans and get her on board.
‘Did you manage to get plenty of time off work?’ he casually asked, whilst dipping his toast into egg yolk.
‘Ah, well now you ask, not really. Only two days.’ She looked a touch sheepish. Rory immediately picked up on this and used it to his advantage.
‘That’s a shame.’ He pulled a sorrowful face. ‘I was so looking forward to spending lots of time together.’ He looked earnestly at her. This did the trick. Cassie shifted uncomfortably.
‘I know, Rory, and I’m sorry, but—’
‘I understand,’ he cut in smoothly. ‘Work commitments.’
‘Yes, but—’
‘No really, it’s fine.’ He gave a reassuring nod, but still maintained the sad look in his eyes.
‘Oh Rory, I feel terrible, but it was really hard getting leave, especially at such short notice.’
