Lost and Found - 29

29

Amelia had opened a bottle of wine whilst Sol was investigating the outhouses. He finally found three heaters that ran off Gas bottles and half a dozen lanterns with a supply of oil. Only one of the upstairs bedrooms had a fire, so he settled their belongings in there and lit the fire, it’d take a while to warm the icy air in the room. Then he positioned the heaters in the hallway and the closest bathroom.  It wasn’t dark enough for the lamps yet, but he’d filled them and positioned them in various places to illuminate the parts of the house they needed to use.

When he entered the kitchen he found two glasses of cold white wine and a plate of cheeses, a gift from the village for helping out earlier. But there was no sign of Amelia. Then he heard her voice, following it out to the utility room he found her sat on the work surface, talking intently into her phone.

                “The house is fine I promise. No burst pipes, no damage, and I’m not freezing to death. SO lie still and get better, ok? As soon as the weather lifts I’ll come to visit you. Ok?”

Sol could hear the earnest voice of her father coming down the phone line, and he moved across to stand between her thighs, sliding his arms around her waist.

                “Ok Dad. I’ll call again later to check how you are.” Then despite the reluctance from the distant end of the phone, she hung up. Then dropped her head to rest her forehead on his chest. “I didn’t tell him...” she looked up to meet his eyes, “about you being here. I’m sorry!” She felt dreadful for lying, not through any obligation to her father, but for Sol.

                “It’s ok. We don’t need to sort this now...when your father’s well we’ll talk to him. Ok?”

She grimaced, “it’s not good starting like this with lies. I want to tell the world about us Sol, and at the first chance I’ve had to lie!”

Dropping his lips to hers he kissed her, an overwhelming join of their lips and tongues. Any doubt left her mind as he claimed her, and she had no more concern than how quickly this could become more than a kiss. Finally he lifted his head and smiled at her passion dazed eyes.

                “We don’t need anyone else Meals, you know that don’t you? And if ever there’s a doubt...just kiss me, and it’ll all feel better! I promise nothing is going to take you away from me, not now, not ever!”

She grinned, “How do you always manage to say the right thing?”

He chuckled, lifting her down from the counter, “because I’ve had ten years to work out what I want, and now I’ve got it there’s no way I’m letting it go. There’s no room for playing hard to get or for ‘seeing how it goes’, I want you, forever, and that is the most simple thing in the world, isn’t it?”

Amelia felt tears well at her eyes, he was perfect. Just as she always knew he would be on those rare occasions in the past that she’d allowed herself to think about what might have been. After hugging him as though her life depended on it, she led him back to the food and wine she’d been preparing before calling the hospital.

With no TV, no radio or entertainment to talk of, they had to make their own amusement. They talked a lot, Sol telling Amelia all about his University years, and how just a few years after graduating he fell into a job at the publishing house, then had been right place and right time to take on a partnership. He’d been an instant success and had been voted as CEO by the board several years ago, the youngest person ever to hold that position. She told him about New York, the things she’d seen and done, and the ultimate collapse of her career world. Then about how she’d intended to return if not to this village, then one like it, to set up some sort of business so that she didn’t have to eat into her savings.

                “I think you’ll make anything a success,” he offered, his hand inadvertently stroking one of her feet that nestled in his lap. “You’ve succeeded in such a difficult world that anything else would be a doddle.” He smiled at her, lounging the other end of the sofa, hair all mussed from their romp earlier on, and only his black t-shirt covering any of her body. She looked divine and he’d never loved her more than now, her long bare legs stretched over him, her eyes half closed in relaxation. The room was warm from the heaters, and now that it was dark the oil lamps created a sensual glow. And the mood, along with her seductive voice talking was already creating heat and passion in his body.

Realising he wasn’t listening she lifted one of her feet and dropped it back on to his thigh in a little kick, shaking his head, he smiled again, “sorry!”

                “You’d drifted off! Can’t imagine there’s anything more interesting than me talking?”

Sol chuckled, “you do NOT want to know where my mind was!”

Heat surged through her, he sat there naked bar his loose trousers, and it was suddenly too long since they’d last made love. She threw her arms over her head dramatically, knowing that the t-shirt would lift significantly, and it did...up to her waist, “Mr Tanner! I demand your full attention here!” 

Twisting onto his knees quicker than she thought possible, he paused between her legs and looked down at her, “oh you’ve got that!”

Dropping his mouth he planted a kiss inside one of her knees then started to nibble his way higher.

Monday 30^th December 2008

Sol should’ve been in a meeting in Birmingham today, but as he watched a naked Amelia dashing back from the bathroom, he couldn’t care less about work, and knew that even if it hadn’t snowed he may not have made it there anyway. The last five days had exceeded any expectations he might have had that they were compatible, he’d lost count of the times they’d made love, lost count of the topics they’d talked about, the meals they’d shared. At some point they had to face reality, but neither of them was in any rush. In fact work, friends, family had all been virtually ignored as they’d sat out the snow storm in this big old manor house.

They’d had another brace of snow on Boxing Day night, but since then it had started to slowly melt, and the power had been restored, so the last two days they’d at least been able to walk between the bed and the bathroom at night with a little more comfort. But even when the main roads were cleared and Amelia managed to get back and forth to the hospital, he made no effort to dig out his car. Though he’d done a little connecting via his laptop.

Amelia dived under the duvet and pressed her ice cold feet against Sol’s warm stomach. For a second he shrieked, then wrestled her into submission.

                “You are one cheeky...” his taunt was lost in another of her sexy suggestive kisses.

It was a long time later that they left the house. Most days they’d walked up to the village, had some lunch, chatted to the residents who were fast becoming new friends, and walked, and talked. Amelia could barely believe that they’d been together less than a week. Being with Sol gave her all that she’d searched for all her life, companionship, love and most of all, a sense of belonging. They’d not discussed the future, and there was a lot to think about, but they both seemed to consciously avoid that topic.

The snow was finally starting to melt, the main road through the village was clear, but all the tributaries were still impassable, and to Amelia, that meant yet another day with Sol’s undivided attention.

Mike and Cathy in the Red Lion were planning their New Years Eve party when they entered the bar.

                “Can I count on you to open the karaoke?” he asked as he served Sol the two beers he’d asked for.

Sol burst into laughter, “sorry Mike, but even I can’t tolerate my singing in the shower! There’s no way I’m traumatising your regulars!”

Mike turned to Amelia and raised a questioning eyebrow; she shook her head, “I’m worse! We’ll be here though, won’t we?”

Sol nodded, “I’m due at some conference in Birmingham yesterday, but as long as there’s snow then I’m here!”

“Well they’ve predicted another shower tonight, but nothing like we’ve had! So I’ll put you down for two tickets, ok?”

Taking their drinks, they both nodded, then headed for two arm chairs in front of the fire.

                “So we could be back in civilisation in two days...” she offered, knowing that at some point they had to talk this through. Sol reached out and took her hand, immediately giving her security.

                “It will work Meals, I promise.” Tracing a pattern on her pal with his thumb, suddenly Amelia was in danger of drifting off into a happy erotic place. “I don’t want to leave you here though.”

She nodded, “I know, but I do have to stay here to sort out my father, at least until Alex gets back.”

Sol groaned at the mention of the other man’s name, his loathing for Amelia’s cousin was as raw and as strong now as it had been ten years ago. The thought of him reappearing, of upsetting this balance again angered him. He was defensive over Amelia, wanting to protect her, and their fledgling relationship from that bastard. She deserved to be happy, and he honestly believed that she’d get that with him, that it was the perfect future for them both.  

                “I don’t want to leave you here,” he reiterated, “we’ve spent too aong apart.”

Amelia smiled, “but we’re not about to shack up together Sol, come on, we’re still at the dating stage. We need some time apart, that’s what will make us stronger.” She ran her hand along his forearm, “and just imagine out reunion!”

New Year’s Eve 2008

Amelia sent the ‘Happy first week anniversary’ text to Li as she waited for Sol to appear. And what a week it had been.They were both looking forward to the party at the pub, and to see a new year in together for the first time.

                “I thought I was the one who was supposed to take the longest getting ready!”

He laughed, “You took all the hot water. A cold shower is one thing, but there were almost icicles coming off the shower!” he gave her a fake shiver as he ‘Brrr-ed’ for affect.

Amelia smiled, he was worth the wait. His well fitting black jeans were a perfect match for the v neck long sleeve t-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and Pecs. When did she ever get so lucky? That was the thought as she found her coat and followed him out into the residual snow. There was something infinitely romantic about the snow, the isolation and the sexy man she was sharing it with.

The pub was packed, and the karaoke was in full flow, people murdering great songs, such a shame. There were two bar stools free and so they perched there and accepted the mulled wine that was being passed around. By now they both knew a lot of the faces, there was something about a crisis that brought people together. Within an hour they were individually chatting, to people, and as Amelia saw Mrs Young enter, she made her way. She wanted to continue her conversation from Christmas Day.

                “Hiya Amelia love! You’re still in town?”

Amelia hugged her and nodded, “still can’t see the car, and the road to the house is becoming as icy as a skating rink.”

The older woman nodded, “it’s the most isolated spot in town, but then that’s why your father likes it. How is he?”

She nodded, “I saw him this morning, and he’s good. They want to send him home, but obviously they have to wait until we can access the house.  I think it’s driving him mad now that’s he’s getting better.”

Mrs Young nodded knowingly, “he’s a cantankerous old bugger when he wants to be! No one in the town has much time for him really, we never see him...” she placed a hand on Amelia’s arm, “but your mother was such a good friend...I do keep an eye...”

                “And I’m grateful for that Mrs Young, I really am. I’m going to wait around until Alex gets back.”

Instantly the eyebrows raised and nostrils flared in disgust, there was definitely more to her dislike of Alex than simple personality clash.

                “What is it?”

She shook her head, “I’m not one for idle gossip!”

Amelia almost choked at the irony, but keeping a straight face, she whispered, “Well if you do think of any reason why I should stay around, support my father, you will let me know?”

Mrs Young smiled anxiously, “he’s just not a nice man Amelia, and your father is old, quite frail. I don’t think he’d make some of the decisions without such an influence.”

She wouldn’t say much more, but Amelia was concerned. As the evening progressed she didn’t manage to glean anymore information from the older woman, and Sol had started to chastise her.

                “You can’t be everything to everyone my love; your father is an adult. If he and Alex are up to no good, or making wrong decisions, then that is his problem. You’ve done your duty here. Once he’s home and safe you need to live your life. Finally. Ok?”

His arms were wrapped around her waist and he was looking down at her with so much love in his eyes that she was almost rendered speechless, “as long as I’m with you, hey?”

He smiled, reaching down to kiss her gently, “you’re SO right, and if it wasn’t an hour until 2009 then I’d be showing you just how much I plan to keep you in my life!”

                “Is that right?” she asked with a smile. “Kidnap?”

He grinned, “Do you think I’d need to tie you to my bed against your will?” Amelia gulped at the very thought, loving the way that even his words aroused her so much. “Bad choice of analogy!” he groaned and she realised he was visualising the same scenario as she.

               

Taking a deep breath and both summoning up all their self control, they joined in the party games until the TV in the bar showed Big Ben counting down the seconds to midnight. As the clock started to boom twelve everyone burst into cheers, hugging and kissing each other freely. Sol and Amelia were in a bubble, wrapped in each other’s arms, lips joined, bodies close.

                “I love you Hot-Meal-ia!”

She grinned against his lips, “I know! I love you too. I didn’t think I’d ever be this happy, didn’t think you could be!”

He lifted his head and looked down at her, “I’ll never forget this Christmas, do you know that?”

They toasted the New Year in, but there’s hearts and minds were in a place where they’d be alone.

Thursday 2^nd January 2009

                “I can see the car!” Amelia was peering through the thick drapes from the bedroom. “There’s hardly any snow left.” Turning back to the still sleeping Sol she sighed dramatically, “Does this mean you have to leave?”

Without opening his eyes he nodded, “I’ve got a really big meeting in London tomorrow. And I need to catch up with three editors before it.” Opening his eyes, he saw her pleading look. Dragging himself into sitting he smiled, “you know I want to stay here more than anything in the World, but I have to get back to work...” Beckoning her with a finger, he waited til she was close to pull her back into bed, “and to be honest Meals, I think a moment apart will let me get some of my energy back. You’re exhausting me!”

                “Are you struggling old man?”

It was all he needed to spur him on! Both were storing every memory for the moments they were apart.

Amelia was waiting for the kettle to boil in the kitchen when Sol’s arms slid around her arms from behind.

                “I don’t want to go!” He groaned.

She’d left him to dress as he changed into his suit. There were certain things she couldn’t bear to watch, and him heading off back to reality was one of them. She’d deliberately stayed in her nightwear, a strappy vest and shorts; she wanted to make this hard for him. Turning in his arms, she clung to him, pressing her body into his.

                “I don’t want you to leave either.”

Moaning, he lifted her against him, perching her bottom on the counter, then buried his face into her neck, “what are you doing to me?”

Securing him to her with hands raking into his hair, she smiled, loving that she could have this affect on him. As his hands slid under her vest, she wrapped her legs around him.

                “When the cat’s away hey? So what does dear Daddy think about this little tryst?”

A blast of cold hair hit her bare legs as she looked up, and stood at the suddenly open door was Alex, an angry grimace on his face.