Tea for Two
She sat alone, all alone again. It wasn’t a new thing for her being alone, but still, it couldn’t be nice for her, he thought as he checked his watch again.
He was alone at present, though he shouldn’t be, she, that is Melissa his girlfriend should have been here twenty minutes ago. He suspected he know where she was, and who she was with. She had changed since she started working in that office, become distant, always late, always sending messages. Even at weekends, she would be giggling at work emails or messages from colleagues, but the oddest thing was he was never allowed to meet her from work or attend her works parties. He glanced back over at the girl, she may be alone, but she seemed calm and collected, not stressed like him. She had an almost peaceful glow to her, he should talk to her, no silly idea.
She was rummaging in her large black bag now, he was fascinated, shifting his elbows onto the table so he could rest his chin on his hands as he watched.
“Pretty wee thing ain’t she,” said the old woman on the next table, smiling as she picked up a steamy stained mug of tea and blowing gently across the surface, making little waves. He glanced across at the old face, a face filled with love and kindness “single too, you make a bonny pair.”
He blushed realising that he must have been staring, just a little harder than he should. His cheeks pink, he bent his head and gazed unseeingly at the evening newspaper spread on the table. Glancing up again briefly his gaze feels in her, as he did she looked directly at him, his eyes locking with hers. A small smile spread across her face, he felt his cheeks lift slightly as he shyly returned the smile. At that moment the door of the cafe flew open and in breezed Melissa, her phone pressed hard to her ear, her handbag banging on people's heads and shoulders as she pushed her way into the crowd.
“Oh you’re here already” She snapped towards him, glancing at her watch “Oh no I’m not late am I?”
He could have laughed, ‘I’m not late am I?’ , ‘Of course you’re late, you’re always late’ he wanted to say but bit his tongue yet again, as he always did. God, he was tired of all this now. Melissa had sat down now, reached across and taken his cup of tea
#
Leaning back in his seat he gazed out of the window, into the dark, watching countless lives as they dashed past, street lights, house lights, cars and more all flickering in the night. Melissa meanwhile was now tapping away on her mobile, grinning and laughing to herself as she did. He sighed plugging his earphones in, closing his eyes.
His mind drifted, the image of the girl in the cafe filled his head, but she was not alone now, she was sat with him on a train, they were chatting, not silent. Her long hair, loose, falling over her bare shoulder that peaked from her strappy sundress. He lifted his hand to brush a stray hair from her cheek.
His hand was tapped away.
“What you doing?” barked Melissa, his eyes opened, he realised instantly that he was acting out his dream. His cheeks flushing as Melissa studied his face, could she somehow know what he was thinking, see into his mind. He felt guilty, how could he think about another woman.
“Sorry, you had something on your face” he stuttered “It’s gone now, sorry.” But Melissa wasn’t listening, she was looking back to her mobile.
He didn’t dare close his eyes again, just in case, in case her face crept back into his subconscious, how could he? Guilt chewed at him for the rest of the journey home.
#
Laying awake in bed that night he listened to Melissa’s soft snoring, normally he found it comforting but now, now it was annoying. He realised so much of what she did he now found an annoyance, habits he had once found cute, now just irritated him. Was his marriage over, was that why a stranger had crept into his dreams again, seduced him, made love to him, left him now in this guilty mess. God why did he feel guilty, it was just a dream.
Melissa groaned softly, shifting in the bed, he wondered what or who she was dreaming of. He leant closer to her, ready to kiss her, an odd smell assaulted his nostrils, What was it? He frowned, he knew it but couldn’t place it. He leant in kissing Melissa’s neck.
“Oh Gavin” she moaned, he leapt back “My husband might see.” He was wide awake now, ‘Gavin, Gavin who the fuck is Gavin.’ His head span, did she work with a Gavin? He didn’t know, she had never spoken about anyone other than the odd female colleague. ‘Well, I suppose I don’t need to feel guilty about one mucky dream, not when she was clearly just as unfaithful by night.’
He fell back onto his pillow, suddenly drained, his eyes drifted shut, sleep finally taking hold. How stupid, just stupid dreams.
That's when the smell hit him again, eyes open again, he sat bolt upright, he knew what it was. Aftershave, bloody Aftershave and not his aftershave, no this musky smell was something different. He had smelt it before, yes, after the Christmas party, when Melissa was late home.
Should he wake her up, have it out with her.
Have what out with her, she had smelt of aftershave and muttered a name in his sleep. And anyway he was just as guilty, he had just made love to a woman in his dreams. What the hell was going on he wondered, was his marriage over, was this normal, did other husbands and wives dream of other lovers. His head buzzing, he swung his legs of the bed.
It was no good he knew sleep would not be kind to him tonight, starring at the clock it was just 3am. Slipping his feet into slippers, and pulling his cosy dressing gown on he stood up, before turning and tucking Melissa in.
#
Sitting down at the kitchen table she was alone again, always alone. She hadn’t been able to trust a man for a long time, not after Simon. Simon had hurt her so much, not just emotionally but physically as well. She hadn't looked at a man since, well now that wasn’t entirely true, she had looked, the man in the cafe. What was it about that man, how had he caught her eye, how had he got into her head, her heart had missed a beat when their eyes met. Her heartbroken when she saw his bossy wife barge her way into the cafe, but why, why would she care. But she did, she cared a lot. His face haunting her waking mind, and her subconscious filled with his face. As she’d slept she’d felt his caress, his hands brushing over her breasts, creeping between her thighs. Thoughts that had not entered her head for a long time.
She’d woken just before 3am, her heart racing, her sheets damp and crumpled, her loins moist, her head spinning.
So now she sat nursing a hot mug of tea, sleep a long-forgotten prospect. What had happened in that cafe? She had seen him before sat alone, clock watching, but she had never seen him the way she had this time. Always assumed he was single, but tonight that woman had appeared, so why now, why did she dream of him now. Was it that her brain knew he was safely married or was she looking for risks. She picked up a biscuit, knew she shouldn’t, but needed the comfort it would provide.
She brushed a crumb from her chest, jumping as a shock volt ran through her, her body responding to her own delicate touch. She sighed leaning back in her chair, closing her eyes, his face was there, his lips inches from hers. She arched her back pushing her face towards his. Her hand rested on her inner thigh as it tingled with excitement.
Meow, something brushed against her leg, eyes open, she was alone, alone again.
“Hello Pepper,” she said lifting the cat and snuggling her face into his warm soft fur, he was the only man she needed. He wouldn’t let her down.
#
His head felt thick, his chest dull, the hangover of his sleepless night still clung to him as he sat on the train, gazing out of the window. Looking but not seeing as houses, and factories raced past. What had happened last night, he had eaten something odd, something that had disagreed with him.
Nose in the book as always, the book her defence against unwanted attention, occasionally someone would attempt to speak to her, but the book normally worked. Yet as she stared at the same page today the words blurred her eyes tired. She had not gone back to bed but had instead cleared her house of everything to do with Simon, every last photo, her bin overflowing by daybreak. But it felt good, a sense of closure at last, maybe now, maybe, no she didn’t dare think about it. Tears filled her eyes, oh god no, where did that come from. Dabbing her eyes she managed to fight back the tears.
“You want to try honey, it's great for Hayfever,” said the old lady opposite, “did wonders for my Bethany.”
“Thank you, I’ll try it” she tried to smile, a weak attempt.
#
Head down he charged along the platform, not wanting to stop for anything today, it was Friday and almost the weekend, he needed a weekend. A weekend to get things straight, time alone with his wife, that what they needed. Maybe they could even get away, book into a nice hotel.
‘Ping, Pong, Ping’ he pulled his phone from his pocket, a new message.
Off to Paris with Work, back Sunday.
He stared at the screen, his sore head struggling with what he had just read. His wife was off to Paris, here he was planning a country hotel, and she was off to Paris. Crash! He landed in a heap on top of the other commuter, his blood boiled. He was ready to shout about them not looking where they were going. As he looked into their face, recognition, it was her, the girl from the cafe. The girl from the cafe laid beneath him, their faces inches apart, as they had been last night in his dreams. His heart leapt, his groins warmed, hot blood coursing through his veins.
What the hell, couldn’t that idiot look where he was going, her eyes met his. It’s him, not content with haunting her dreams, now he crashes into her, sending her flying. His body pressed against her’s crushing her, yet the anger had gone replaced with, what was that. Sensations she had not felt for a long time came back, she could feel his breath on her face. She wanted to close her eyes, feel his lips on hers.
“I’m so sorry, I was miles away” He uttered scrambling off her and to his feet, he reached down offering her a hand.
She took his hand allowing him to help her to her feet, ouch, her ankle. Oh no, she couldn’t have hurt her ankle, she tried putting it down, pain shot through her.
He gazed at her worried, she was hurt it was his fault he was such a fool. He gently slipped his arm around her waist. At first, she seemed to pull away, before snuggling in, allowing him to support her.
His hand brushed against her belly she could feel his hot fingers through the thin material of her dress as they hobled to a bench. Gently he lowered her down, before nipping back to grab his lost umbrella and coat. She watched him, he was so much more attractive than she remembered. ‘Stop it, girl, he’s married’ she told herself.
“Are you okay?, I really am so sorry.” He said the concern clear in his voice “Can I get you a cup of tea, maybe a first aid kit, do you need to go to the hospital, I’ll get a taxi” He leapt to his feet.
“Stop,” she said instinctively grabbing his hand, he stopped looked down at her, electricity running through their touch, both looked startled “A cup of tea, would be lovely, thank you” she stuttered.
He held her gaze much longer than he should, he knew that, but he couldn’t look away. Their hands still locked as the world rushed past, time stood still for them.
After helping her to the cafe, he left her alone at the table to get them both a much-needed cup of tea, and he decided a slice of cake.
She glanced across at him, what the hell was happening in her life, had the stars collide. She didn’t have a clue, but she was she realised happy for the first time in a long time. ‘No, don’t be so stupid, he’s married, he isn’t available.’ A warm feeling crept over her, she looked up he caught her eye and smiled, a warm friendly smile.
Pulling his phone out of his pocket to phone work, he saw another message from Melissa. His thumb hovered over the read button, should he read it, ruin this wonderful moment. It was a wonderful moment, that accident had been the best thing to happen to him in a long time, she was the best thing to have happened to him in a long time. He was happy, his heart swelled in his chest, he glanced across at her, just as she looked at him catching his eye, he smiled. He tapped in his work number, the text could wait.
“Joe, Hi it's me, Mike. Might not be in today.” he paused “No, I’m fine, just ran into someone.” “No literally, knocked the poor woman flying, feel I should make sure she is okay.” “Well yes she is, but I’m a married man remember” It hit him like an explosion, he was a married man, he shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t feel the way he did. “Yep, thanks see you Monday, have a good’un.” A knot had now formed in his stomach, was he being unfaithful to Melissa? No of course not a cup of tea was only fitting after sending the poor girl flying. No, he was a good husband.
Setting down the tray he watched as she moved her phone from the table.
“Just phoning work, letting them know why I’m not there.” She stuttered, her mouth falling over the words as the seemed to rush out.
Was she as nervous as him? why he couldn’t work out why she would be. He smiled.
“I got us some cake, for the shock. ” He went to pour a cup of a tea for them both, before passing her a plate of victoria sponge. “How’s the foot?” He glanced under the table, her ankle was swollen and clearly bruised, but, oh god was he actually aroused by looking at her ankles. “Here let's elevate that foot.” Gently he slipped his hand under her foot and lifted it on to the chair opposite, he glanced at her face as she winced, it clearly hurt more than she had let on. “Sorry.” He smiled at her, she felt her heart lift as she looked into his face. Her heart skipped a beat, the pain in her foot didn’t matter.
“Thank you, I don’t even know your name” She extended her hand “Sarah.” He took her hand, shaking it enthusiastically, his fingertips caressing her wrist.
“Mike, very pleased to meet you.” his smile was infectious, his lips damp from the tea, cake crumbs stuck to his lip. Picking up a napkin, she leant closer, dabbing his lip.
He reached up and clasped her hand in his, why, oh god he wanted to kiss her, to take her in his arms. Turning his head slightly he kissed her fingertips, slowly gently.
She gasped, shocked and aroused. Colour rose in her neck and cheeks, oh god why was her body letting her down, she should pull her hand away, but she couldn’t frozen in the moment. The world had stopped around them ceased to matter.
“Very pleased to meet you indeed” He released her hand, instinctively she brushed his face, their eyes locked. Their breathing now perfectly synced, it was as if they were one being.
“God, just kiss her man get it over and down with” shouted a man from the next table. Suddenly they were back in the real world, she pulled her hand away.
He reached across the table, covering her hand again as it rested on the table.
“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” He whispered, “I think we need to get you to the hospital, get that ankle checked.”
“I’m fine, I’ll just go home have a warm bath.” ‘Though it’s a cold shower I need, what the hell I am doing, I don’t know him’ she told herself.
Closing his eyes briefly his mind filled instantly with images of her naked, slipping into a hot steamy bath, bubbles covering her pert breasts. He needed her, needed to make love to her.
Sitting in silence both deep in thought, they avoided each other’s gaze. Tea finished she went to stand, her ankle letting her down, she flopped back into her chair.
“Hospital, I’ll take you, It’s the least I can do.” A concerned look on his face as he gathered their things together. He couldn’t make eye contact with her, fearing that she would be able to see into his soul, see his internal dilemma. How had this girl got under his skin, was it simply that he was confused about Melissa or was it something else.
He was frowning now, she wondered why, had she done something to upset him, she thought he liked her, but of course he didn’t, he couldn’t. A tear pricked at the corner of her eye, she pulled out a tissue and dabbed it away quickly.
Oh god, please don’t cry, I couldn’t stand it if she cried. Pulling out his phone he noticed more texts from Melissa, 5 more, no they can wait, he shoved it back in his pocket.
“Ready, can you walk if I help you” his face was warm again, filled with compassion as he extended his arm to her. He helped her stand then slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. Putting her toe on the floor, she yelped as pain swept through her body, her head swam and a wave of nausea hit. She clapped her hand to her mouth. Moving quickly he slipped his hand behind her legs lifting her into his arms, her arm naturally draped around his neck. Her breast pressed against his chest, her face inches from his.
He risked a glance sideways, their eyes locking on the others. A rush of excitement rushed through him, he imagined carrying her into the bedroom laying her on the bed, before carefully undressing her. He felt that familiar tingling in his groin. ‘No stop it, god you're a married man, a happily married man.’ No, actually he realised he wasn’t happy, couldn’t remember the last time he had been with Melissa. It had been a very long time if at all that he had felt the passion and lust he felt now. Carefully he walked to the taxi rank.
Oh wow, he’s stronger than he looks, sweeping me up into his arms she thought as studied his neck, her hand lingering desperate to stoke it. Her head naturally rested onto his shoulder. Closing her eyes, instantly her mind filled with visions of him, his naked body above her as he climbed onto the bed, she could see his tight muscles rippling as he moved closer, beads of sweat glistening. She gulped desperately trying to erase the image from her head. Opening her eyes she looked straight into his eyes, he moved slightly closer, was he going to kiss her, would she let him, did she want him to kiss her.
He could feel her heart beating fast against his chest, it was a feeling he could get used too. Bending gently he placed her on a bench, before hailing a taxi.
She watched as he raised his arm and hailed a taxi, his broad shoulders tight in his quality suit, she hadn't noticed his attire before, she wondered what he did. Suddenly it struck her she know nothing about this man, yet here she was about to climb into a taxi with him, let him take her to god only knows where, what if he was a pervert or worse, her mother had warned her about men like this when she had moved to London. Yet as he turned and she saw his face she knew instantly he was none of those things. She could trust him, relax with him.
A taxi pulled up, he leant in and spoke to the driver, before throwing their belongings into the back. Then he turned, smiled and walked towards her. His heartbeat quickened as once again he bent lifting her with ease.
“Ready?” he enquired, she was looking at him again, he could feel it. But what was he could feel, his head, his body bubbled with excitement. He felt like a teenager on a first date. Gently he eased her into the taxi, before slipping in beside her. His thigh pressed against hers, so close he could smell her, but he wanted more he wanted to taste her, to kiss her neck that seemed to call him. Her hand was on his knee, she was speaking.
“Mike, I’m sorry to disrupt your day like this. Are you okay?” Her voice came soft, quiet.
He gulped what could he say, what do you say, he had always prided himself on his ability to deal with any situation, not allow himself to become flustered, to always have something to say. Nodding enthusiastically, too enthusiastically he realised instantly.
“I’m fine, its fine, its a pleasure in fact to slow down and spend some time with..” he paused, what was he doing. Her hand gently squeezed his knee before pulling away, what did that mean, what was she saying to him. What was she doing to him, did she know the effect she had on him. He felt alive, alive for the first time in a long time. “Sarah, Really” He turned to face her, study her reaction “Really, it is a pleasure to spend the day with you, to be able to chat and relax. Maybe this accident was meant to slow us down.”
She smiled, he was right, it was great to stop, spend time with a new friend, the pain in her foot seemed not to matter now. All that was important was their moment, their snatched time together. Wrong, yes she knew it was wrong to want to be with him, she knew her feelings, her urges and desires were wrong. Deep down she also knew that it was just fantasy, nothing would happen, nothing could happen, he had a wife, probably children, a perfect life. But for these few brief hours, she could enjoy their time together.
Her face was thoughtful now, he wondered what she was thinking. His phone buzzed in his pocket, he pulled it out again. 7 messages, god he was popular today.
“Sorry to hear about you and Melissa. You know where I am if you need me mate. Andy”
“Gavin It’s done, I’ve told him I’m working away this weekend, he won't suspect a thing”
“Shit that wasn’t meant for you Mike, ignore it”
“Mike, we need to talk”
“Mike, Mike I’m sorry. I know you won’t understand, won't believe me”
“It’s me, not you. You must know things aren’t right between us”
His head swam, what was he reading, was Melissa confessing, he glanced across at Sarah who was gazing out of the window.
“Mike, I’m pregnant, it’s Gavin's, we have been having an affair for the last 9 months. I never wanted to hurt you. It wasn’t planned, we just got close.I’m leaving, by the time you get home I’ll be gone. Sorry, Don’t hate me.”
His hand shook as he gazed at the little screen, He turned to Sarah tears building in his eyes, what could he say? As if sensing his pain Sarah turned to face him, her face crumpled with concern as she tried to read his face. His phone slipped from his hands, he looked down powerless to do anything.
Sarah watched confused something had changed the atmosphere had gone from one of excitement too, well she wasn’t sure what. She followed Mike’s gaze to his hands his wedding ring glistening in the sunlight, he grasped it sliding it off. Opening the window, he dropped it out. What the hell was he doing, was he having a breakdown?
“Mike, are you okay/” she said with genuine concern, he turned his face grave. Without thinking she reached up touched his cheek, he snuggled into her hand.
“Yes, Yes I’m fine. My wife has just left me, she has run off with a work colleague, having his baby.” ‘Did he just say that?’ Poor man, what could she say. She watched as his face turned from grey and stressed to pink and flushed with excitement, a wide smile developing.
He snuggled into her soft hand, realisation dawned on him that this was the best thing to have ever happened to him, Melissa was gone, gone for good. He was free, this is what he had wanted, he felt the weight lifting from him. Gazing at Sarah he felt the colour return to his cheeks.
“Sarah, don’t look so worried, it's good news. I’m surprised but it's good news.”
What happened next surprised them both, it should have done, but still, it shocked them both as their lips met, their hands slipping behind the others neck pulling themselves together. The passion that had been building all morning making the air electric. His tongue pressed gently between her lips exploring her mouth, tasting her at last.
“Sorry Sarah, I have no idea how that happened, I had no right” He garbled worried that he had ruined it, but looking at his face he could see something new in her eyes.
She looked at his face he suddenly looked different, younger, lighter, happier.
“Are you sure you two don’t want a hotel room, rather than a hospital?”
#
Hours later they emerged from the hospital, Sarah’s ankle in a velcro boot, Mike’s arm around her waist. The sun shone down on them, not that they cared, they only cared about the new life that lay ahead.
