A Train ride to - love Ch 14, a short story by angie65. Date added: 2012-03-01. Times viewed: 2369.
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- Intro: The art of... ?
Chapter Fourteen
(The art of... )
Sarah and Sam spent the next few days living together, but barely seeing each other.
She would spend all day with Phil, who was quietly growing in confidence, and nearly surpassing her on knowledge and ability – when it came to computer problems.
She would spend the early evening on her own finishing off jobs, or chatting with her family on the telephone... and waiting for Sam to come home...
Sam seemed to be working like a demon. He would come back well after nine or ten in the evening and he would be totally exhausted. Their love making had almost ground to a halt, but Sarah felt closer to Sam now than she had ever felt before. He would snuggle up to her in her tiny bed and kiss her tenderly. “I love you,” he would whisper softly as he fell into a deep exhausted sleep.
“Why are you working so hard?” she asked worriedly on the Wednesday morning.
He looked up from his breakfast and gave a brief smile. Your Mr Gibbs... you remember him?”
She nodded. “Yes he was rather a dear,” she smiled softly.
“Yes well... your little dear is merging with another publishing company, and they are due to sign the final agreement tomorrow; in the mean time he’s having kittens about it on a very regular basis, and he seems to think that I make an excellent wet nurse!”
Sarah stared blankly at him. “Pardon?” she frowned.
Sam laughed as he stood up. “What I’m saying my dearest girl, is that after tomorrow; I will be able to slow down, and start thinking about what I’m going to do with you for our week of isolation.”
“Oh!” she blushed and looked away from him.
Sam laughed again as he leaned across the table to kiss her cheek. “Yes oh!” he said his eyes twinkling merrily. “You just think about that for a bit!”
He left the flat whistling softly to himself.
“Oh bother the man!” she muttered as she made her way down to the workshop.
The day flew by, and Sam came home very late that night... again. Sarah was beginning to think that he wouldn’t come at all. As he entered the flat she could tell that he was dead on his feet.
“Bed!” she ordered as she helped him out of his coat.
Sam grinned tiredly at her. “I love it when you get all strict with me,” he drawled.
“Have you eaten?” she asked worriedly.
“Don’t you worry little miss. I am well fed and watered and will not be calling on your wonderful talents in the kitchen.”
She led him to the bedroom and sat him on the bed. “Are you planning on having your wicked way with me?” he leered at her as she started to undress him.
“You just lie down and go to sleep,” she ordered him sternly although he could see she was worried about him.
“One more day and then I’m done,” he told her softly as he closed his eyes and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
Sarah undressed and crawled into bed next to him. “I love you Sam,” she whispered softly as she kissed him gently on the cheek, before falling to sleep herself.
Sam woke early the next morning and lay watching Sarah sleep. She was just so lovely, he thought to himself. She sighed in her sleep and rolled away from him, and so Sam slowly edged his way out of the bed.
He was so tempted to just turn her back to him and start making love to her... but he had waited this long, a couple more days and he could have his fill of her. And he would – he promised himself.
He went for a shower as his brain was bombarded with images and ideas for his week with Sarah...
Time for another god awful cold shower!
Sarah woke to find a letter lying on the pillow next to her.
You looked so peaceful, lying there
I just didn’t have the heart to disturb you.
I shouldn’t be late back tonight (hopefully)
Love you
Sam
x
Sarah hugged the letter to her for a moment and sighed happily.
She leapt out of bed and went for a shower; she had a meeting this afternoon and needed to do some research this morning.
Phil was stood outside the workshop when she went down just after eight.
“Morning Phil.” She called cheerfully as she unlocked the work shop door.
Phil grinned shyly at her. “Morning Sarah,” he mumbled.
He made Sarah feel decidedly motherly when she was around him. He was so shy and uncertain when dealing with people; but he was so good with computers.
“Come on in and start checking on all the servers will you?” she asked him.
She’d brought a kettle and coffee making items down to the workshop so that they wouldn’t have to keep running up to the flat every time they wanted refreshments.
“Sure thing Sarah!” Phil said easily as he sat down at Maggie’s workstation.
“I just need to do some work for an hour or so and then we can plot out the day,” she promised.
“No problem, I’ll sort out the servers and then I’ll put the kettle on shall I?” he offered.
“That will be great!” She grinned at him happily, her eyes glowing as and a soft hazy look to her, that only a girl in love could have. “I should be ready for a drink by then.”
By lunch time they had the rest of that day and the following morning all planned out. They would be finished for twelve o’clock and Phil would be free to go with the promise of coming back the week after next.
Phil went out to grab some lunch and Sarah was left alone in the work shop for a little while.
It wasn’t for long though as the buzzer suddenly went and Sarah went to open the main door...
The young woman standing outside looked nervous and embarrassed.
“I’m Phil’s girlfriend Sonia...” she said in a low husky voice. “I thought I might come and surprise him – go and grab some lunch together...”
“I’m so sorry... but you’ve just missed him!” Sarah told her apologetically. “Maybe if you run you could catch him... I think he’s gone to the pub on the corner at the end of the road.
The girl’s shoulders suddenly slumped. “I know,” she whispered. “I watched him go... it was you that I wanted to talk to really.”
Sarah stepped outside and allowed the door to swing too behind her.
“Of course... what can I do for you... Sonia?”
The girl’s brown eyes filled with tears suddenly and her ordinary face became blotchy.
“Why do you have to be so nice... so pretty and so clever – how can I ever compete with that!” she sniffled.
“I’m sorry?” Sarah asked taken aback by the accusation framed as a complement.
“All Phil ever talks about... is you!”
The tears trickled down her face and she looked at Sarah with such a look of despair that Sarah put her arm around her shoulder in an attempt at comforting her.
“I know that you’re going to steal him away from me!” she whispered miserably.
“Oh no I’m not! I’ve got my own man – a man I love as much as you love Phil!”
Sonia gave a hiccupping little sob. “I do love him... very much!”
And without warning she shrugged from under Sarah’s arm and ran off down the driveway.
Sarah stared after her for a moment, before shrugging helplessly and going back inside to change for her meeting.
By the time she was ready she could hear Phil whistling happily down stairs. She hesitated for a moment, wondering whether or not to tell him about Sonia’s visit... she shrugged her shoulders again – it really wasn’t any of her business, but she didn’t think Phil would be pleased with Sonia if he heard.
She decided that silence in this instance as she left the flat.
When she walked back into the work shop, dressed in her work suit, Phil gave her a look which made her feel a little uncomfortable. The next moment he grinned at her, and she dismissed her discomfort as a figment of her imagination, caused by Sonia’s visit.
“You’ll be alright to lock up at four if I’m not back?” she asked quietly.
“No problems Sarah... I’ll make sure everything is shut up tight and I’ll be back for eight in the morning,” he told her confidently.
“Great... I’ll probably see you in the morning then!” she smiled and left him.
It was gone five when she got back to the flat. Phil had been as good as his word and the workshop was locked up tight. She was surprised however to see Sam’s car in the driveway.
She unlocked the main door and pulled it too behind her.
“I’m back!” she called as she entered the flat. “And what is that heavenly smell?”
“It’s just a little something that I threw together, for our evening meal,” Sam replied grinning as he left the kitchen. He saw Sarah standing there and the grin wobbled slightly.
“You’re wearing that suit!” he choked.
Sarah was taken aback by his attitude. “Yes, why? What’s wrong with it?” she asked.
“Nothing...” he hastened to reassure her even as he moved closer.
“Good... now if you don’t mind – I think I’ll go and change before dinner.” She turned towards the bedroom.
“Would you mind not changing just yet?” Sam asked huskily.
Sarah looked back at him to see a slightly sheepish if somewhat embarrassed look on his face.
“I'm sorry?” she asked confused.
Sam gave a self conscious laugh and moved towards her; and a gleam in his eye that set Sarah’s heart rocketing against her ribs.
“It’s just that you in that suit... is one of my fantasies,” he told her quietly as he reached for her.
“Dinner?” Sarah made one last attempt at sense.
“Won’t be ready for another hour or so.”
He pulled her towards him to kiss her deeply and she melted against him in complete surrender.
**
Sarah sat down to dinner her cheeks still somewhat flushed. She just couldn’t quite believe some of the things Sam had been thinking about whenever he saw her in that silly work suit.
She ate the food not quite able to make eye contact with the self-satisfied man opposite her.
They cleared the table and washed the dishes together before snuggling up on the sofa.
“Are you ready for our week away?” Sam asked as he stroked her hair and nuzzled on her neck.
“Hmmm?” Sarah had closed her eyes and was all but purring at the hypnotic attentions Sam was showering her with.
She opened her eyes reluctantly. “I’ve had plenty of time this week to pack my case and sort things out.” She grumbled lightly.
“Did you miss me?” he smiled knowingly, into her hair.
“You’ve not exactly been a bundle of fun this past week,” she reminded him.
“No...” he responded apologetically, before giving her a wicked little smile. “But I aim to make that up to you over this next week.” He promised softly.
**
Friday dawned bright and chilly and Sarah hummed her way through the mornings work. Phil seemed to pick up on her good humour and opened up to her tenfold. He told her about his hopes and plans for the future and Sarah couldn’t help but feel impressed at his serious drive for success. He was gently but firmly pointing out to her that working for her and Maggie was a start off for him, and so not to get too dependent on him.
Sarah felt nothing but respect for him and his future goals and made sure that he understood this.
He seemed a little pleased, and relieved that she didn’t just laugh at his aspirations.
“So you really think that I could do it?” he asked her at one point as the self doubt reasserted itself.
“Why not?” she shrugged. “I mean – I wouldn’t say that me and Mag’s are great successes or anything... but we do manage to earn a good living at it.”
He grinned sheepishly at her – his cheeks flushing a little. “I must admit that it was because of the two of you... that made me think ‘why can’t I do that...’ And I’ve been watching you both very carefully,” he told her his eyes sliding away from hers guiltily.
Sarah laughed as she stood up. “I certainly don’t have a problem with a bit of healthy competition,” she told him. “And I think there’s plenty of work to go around. If there is anything we can do to help... or any advice you may need, we’ll most definitely be there for you.”
Phil stood also, and moved towards her suddenly. “I’m not ready to go it alone just yet,” he told her looking down at her.
Sarah laughed again. “Well that’s to the good as well.”
She looked up at him her eyes sparkling happily. She was totally unprepared when he suddenly bent and kissed her on the mouth, a clumsy, wet kiss that was over before she could even react.
“I could always stay on and be your partner?” he offered gruffly.
“I love Sam.” Sarah whispered her eye filling with tears of distress and confusion.
Phil gave a little sigh of defeat. “Yeah... I know,” he said sadly. “But I just had to make sure before you left...” He looked at her uncertainly. “I suppose you would rather that I didn’t come back after your holiday?” he asked.
“It would depend on your reasons for coming back,” Sarah looked up at him, refusing to let him break the eye contact. “If you want to learn all you can from us,” she said quietly, “then you will be more than welcome. But...” she continued firmly. “If you come back hoping for something to happen between me and you; then you will be wasting your time!”
“I’m sorry Sarah!” Phil looked down at his feet totally dejected.
Sarah put her hand on his arm, in commiseration. “Why don’t we just start fresh a week on Monday; and be good friends and work mates?” she asked cajoling.
“Do you think you can do that?” he asked doubtfully.
“Absolutely... and so can you,” she nodded convincingly. “So come on let’s lock up; and then you’re free for the week.”
Phil looked down at her and saw that she meant it. He gave her a slightly crooked grin. “Okay...” he finally said. “You have a great holiday and I’ll see you a week on Monday.”
“Bye Phil... You take care.” Sarah called softly as he left the workshop.
A few minutes later she was running upstairs to do some last minute chores before Sam came to pick her up.
She had put her suitcase down stairs just behind the main door and had run around the flat with the vacuum cleaner and the duster.
By one thirty the flat was spotless and she could hear Sam pull up outside. She ran down to open the door to him and flung her arms around him happily.
“Hey there!” he exclaimed in surprise, as he braced himself to take her full weight at full throttle.
“I missed you!” she told him blissfully as she hugged him tight.
“I’ve only been gone for the morning!” he protested with a laugh as his arms folded around her.
“Well, it was long enough for me to miss you!” she protested softly.
He stood holding her tight to him for a few minutes, before pushing her gently away from him.
“If we ever want to get there, then we need to leave soon,” he said coaxingly.
It took them a little while to get out of London; but once clear Sam was able to put his foot down, and speed his car on ahead. Sarah sat quietly beside him just loving being with him... for the moment it was enough that they were together... and awake for once!
It was nearing tea time when he turned his car down a small road, and finally pulled the car to halt outside a beautiful little house, with a small well kept garden.
“Oh this is just lovely!” she exclaimed happily as she climbed out. She frowned as she noticed the downstairs curtains were pulled across, and she could just see a light shinning inside.
She looked across questioning at Sam – who just grinned at her.
“You may have your family to come and look after your place, but I have the redoubtable Mrs Wells to look after mine!”
He walked her down the little path and opened the front door to let her enter.
It was lovely and warm inside as she walked down the narrow dark passage, and on into the small living room. It had a two sweater settee and a single arm chair. And in the far corner were a small television and a stereo setup.
There was a little, round, wooden coffee table; between the sofa and the chair and the room looked full – and overcrowded.
Sarah spun slowly around to look at everything and then turned to Sam leaning against the door. “It’s so lovely,” she said simply her eyes shining.
“I’m glad that you like it...” He swallowed at the look in her eyes before standing up straighter. “I’ll go and fetch the luggage,” he said quietly.
“I’ll help you.”
They walked casually back out to the car, and Sam opened the boot; and as Sarah leaned in to get her case she noticed a small card board box.
On the side, Sam had written ‘PROJECT SARAH’ in large letters. Sarah looked up at Sam, with the colour flooding her cheeks, and a slightly worried expression on her face.
Sam looked at the box and then gave her an evil grin, before tapping her nose gently. “You’ll just have to wait and see,” he told her.
He grabbed his suitcase in one hand and the box in the other, and then – having locked his car, up they took their things inside, and Sam disappeared through another door with the box, only to reappear a moment later without it.
“What’s through there?” Sarah asked suspiciously.
Sam grinned at her and waved an arm inviting her to go through. “Come and see,” he offered lightly.
Sarah marched defiantly through, and came to a halt in the kitchen. There was the cooker next to the back door, which was facing her and the sink and cupboard and in the middle of the room with the box sitting on, it was a wooden table with two chairs opposite each other.
“Go on then... I know that you’re just dying of curiosity!” Sam laughed.
Sarah walked over to the table and opened the box to look inside...
Lying in the box was flour, dried fruit, sugar; and a couple of other cooking ingredients.
She looked blankly across at Sam who grinned and leaned over to kiss the tip of her nose.
“That my dear Sarah... is how I am going to teach you to cook!”
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