lifeline

3.

Florence shifted her shopping basket from one hand to the other as the metal dug into her smooth skin. The weight of her shopping left lines in her palm as she began to regret her decision to help the neighbours with their weekly shop. She had always had a problem with saying no to people. She hated the look of disappointment that crossed their faces so avoided it at all costs.

As she struggled with her shopping, feeling as though her limbs were beginning to tear, she bumped into a familiar face. Literally.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," She gushed as she bent down to pick up the items she had made the person drop. As she locked eyes with him, a look of recognition passed across her face. Stood before her was one of the men she'd served last night. She'd never gotten his name but she recognised him to have been the one to talk for the group.

He laughed a little as he too realised who she was, gently taking the items from her hand. "It's okay, don't worry," He assured her as he placed the items back into his own basket, "Florence, right?" He asked as he gestured towards her name badge. Florence had a bad habit of forgetting to take her name badge off and felt her cheeks redden a little. The last thing she wanted was for this man to think she was a work fanatic.

"Yeah." She responded simply with a small smile as she studied the man. She'd not been able to get a good look at him before; particularly due to the dim lights of the pub and partially to do with the fact that she didn't want to look like a stalker. As she stood before him, she couldn't help but notice how he resembled her late father. It wasn't that he looked like her father but more that he seemed like him. He radiated the comforting energy that one's dad often does and laced between his smile were beads of love and hope.

"I'm John, John Price. Want me to carry that for you?" It was less of a question and more of a demand. He watched as she struggled with the weight of the basked between her delicate hands and realised he couldn't let her struggle. He reached out and gripped the metal handles, holding it as though it weighed nothing. Florence couldn't help but be a little embarrassed by the fact that she was struggling with it just mere seconds before. She nodded her thank you's as they took a slow stroll down to the checkout.

John asked all about her life and how long she'd lived in the town- all questions that she happily answered. Truth be told, Florence didn't really have any friends in the town. Everyone else her age had either left for university or moved away or even started their own families. He seemed nice enough so she reason with herself that it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone just this once.

He helped her bag the shopping and even offered to carry them over to the neighbours with her. She gratefully accepted his request, thankful that she wouldn't have to tire out her own arms, and insisted on making him a hot chocolate as a thank you. As they walked the path to her bungalow, Florence couldn't help but want to ask her own questions.

"So, why are here if you don't mind me asking?" She asked as she pulled coat tight around her trembling body. Florence always found she felt the cold more than most which wasn't helped by living in one of the coldest areas of England. She tried to keep her eyes on the road, worried she'd come off too upfront if she stared at him.

"Truth be told, my job requires me to move around a lot. The boys and I needed a place to stay for a while whilst we wait for the next job and it seemed quiet enough here." He said with a satisfied nod. Florence noticed that he was being vaguely secretive about his job but put it down to him just not being a very open person. After all, if a stranger asked her what she did for work, she wouldn't be very likely to tell them. She assumed he was some sort of contract builder and thought nothing more of it.

As she fumbled in her pocket for her key, she couldn't help but notice how he stared at her. A sort of morbid curiosity. She twisted it into the lock and pushed the door open, allowing the warm air from inside to caress her cheek. She flicked the light off and stepped in, taking her shoes off before she stepped off the mat. Florence watched approvingly as Price copied her actions.

She made her way into the kitchen and hauled herself up onto the counter. She sat for a minute, watching as he placed his bags onto the counter. Realising she looked slightly creepy, she got up onto her knees and dove into the cupboard for the hot chocolate powder.

Without saying a word, she dumped three heaped tea spoons of the powder in each mug before filling it up with milk and placing it in the microwave at 30 second intervals for two minutes. Florence handed him the mug with a smile and gestured for him to follow her.

She led him into her sitting room that was illuminated with fairy-lights. She had a strict 'no big light' policy which meant her whole house was lit with awkward lamps or string lights. As she flopped down onto the sofa, she began to talk to him.

"So, how you finding life here?" She asked as she gently sipped from her mug, trying to see if the drink was cold enough that she wouldn't burn her lips. She watched as he held the mug at an arms length as he adjusted how he was sat.

"S'alright," He mumbled, "can't say i've seen much of the sights yet... apart from the pub you work at, that is." He grinned at Florence, causing her to throw her head back in laughter. She stared at the mug for a second before returning her gaze up to him.

"Y'know if you ever feel like it, I can always give you and your friends a tour around town. There's not much to do but the sights are nice," Florence tilted her head so it was resting against the arm of her chair.

"Yeah, i'd like that," Price gave her a gentle smile. Florence couldn't help but once again be reminded of her own father whom she often missed on days like this. Perhaps it was his gentle gaze or perhaps he just oozed fatherly love. "You live alone?" He asked with a hint of something that she couldn't quite decipher on his voice.

She didn't respond, just nodded simply. His mouth scrunched together on one side, "Listen, I know we've just met but it would put my mind at ease if you had my number... y'know incase something ever goes wrong."

Florence was taken aback by this. She wasn't entirely sure if it was just a ploy to get her number or if he was genuinely concerned... but she complied either way.

-A/N-

soz guys i did NOT proof read this😍
went a bit mia and mental the past couple of weeks so sorry abt no update but i shall try get back on track for yous