True Blue - What Secret Is He Keeping?
A Fragile Web of Secrets and Lies - the Story Continues Part #2 of 6
I heard his key in the lock and the thud of his boots which he toed off on the mat. The stairs to our first floor flat creaked as Jimmy jogged up them.
“Nora?” he imbued my name with a question, wondering which room to look in first.
CW: There is an implication of Mature Content at the end - nothing graphic
“In here,” I called from my perch on the stepladder in the kitchen.
“Wow! You’ve made good progress,” he admired.
Walking into the room he surveyed the walls that were becoming forget-me-not blue. He stepped carefully on the paint-spattered dust sheets I’d laid to protect the floor from drips, some still wet enough to ruin his socks.
“How was work?” I asked.
“Same crud, different day,” he shrugged, finally locating the kettle under its protective tent of newspaper. “Tea?”
“Love one,” I nodded, climbing stiffly off the ladder.
“Honestly Nora, you’re a little marvel,” he pulled me closer once we each held a brew.
After inspecting my face for wet paint he decided it was safe to kiss me.
“It’s nothing,” I shrugged, “I always used to help Mum and Dad decorate.”
Another reason for me to take on the task was that, as a classroom assistant, I had more days holiday than him.
“You look like Pebbles!” Jimmy teased, tugging at my hair which was gathered in a scrunchie on top of my head.
“It kept getting in my eyes,” I glanced at him uncertainly. “Does it look horrible?” I only had a vague recollection of the character in the Flintstones cartoon.
“Naw, the opposite, you’re super cute.”
“Let me grab a shower, then I’ll get fish and chips. It would be too chaotic to cook and you must be knackered.”
“Would you? Ace!” I tightened my arms around his neck, and breathed in his musky, familiar scent.
His suggestion was an excellent reward for my tired arm and aching back. I began humming along to the radio as I bagged up the paint tray and roller, wrapping the brushes in cling film so I could continue tomorrow.
There were no curtains at the window. I had plans to hang a blind once the painting was finished, but now nothing obscured my view of the street below. I noticed a car parked at the kerb, which seemed to be occupied. I saw the amber glow of the driver’s cigarette.
Was someone watching our flat? I had been antsy since I’d knocked a Christmas card with a strange message out of Jimmy’s coat pocket. He hadn’t mentioned it, and likely binned the card. But I was worried. The shady, secretive side of my boyfriend put me on edge.
“Come and join me, Nora.” Jimmy’s voice rose hopefully over the sound of running water.
With a flutter in my belly and a smile on my lips, I abandoned further thoughts of the parked car and shed my coverall with alacrity.
Showering with Jimmy soon got wet and wild!
~ To be Continued on Thursday 22 August 2024.
If you missed episode 1~ Don’t panic, it’s here & it’s free
Tantalizing Tales originally published this series on Medium. For more of my Romantic or Steamy fiction visit Ream
Image by Rondell Melling on Pixabay