Given Up

Chapter 13

I wonder if you can really lay in bed too much. It was almost midday and other than a wee, I hadn't ventured outside of my covers. My head was banging and my eye felt like someone had jumped on it. I was scrolling through Instagram when there was a soft knock on the door. 

"Yep," I called out, my throat thick.

"I have made some brunch: eggs and some of those pastries from the Co-op that you like if you fancy it."

Auntie Kate's voice sounded tentative even through the wood.  Maybe she was trying to make a penance for what I had had to witness last night. My stomach grumbled, rather than churned, for the first time this morning.

"I'll be down in a minute."  I sat up.  "Thanks."

I heard her pad away as I got up and stretched. Ugh, standing was not making me feel better. Hopefully some food and coffee would sort me out.

I pulled on some joggers and a dirty t-shirt- I'd have to have a proper shower afterwards to get the alcohol sweats off me, but this would do for now.

I could smell the food as I jogged down the stairs and into the living room. The small table was laden with pastries and I picked one up and took a bite out of it, as I went over to Kate who was standing over the hob. Her hair was piled up on top of her head and she wore a long flowing dressing gown that looked like it was made from silk.

She smiled at me. "Morning.  Do you like poached eggs?"

She held the spatula in her hand like she was a conductor.  I nodded as my mouth was full.

"Go and sit down. It's ready now."

I pulled out a chair and sat down at the round table, picking pastry crumbs off my top and eating them.  I looked up as I heard the stairs creak and the guy from last night came into the room. Shit, it was only that copper that picked me up the other week - 'PC So-Concerned' - Great.

"Good morning."  He pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down. 

In the morning light, I could get a proper look at him. He had short cut, dark hair and a strong jaw covered in stubble.  He was pretty tall, and I could see muscles through his shirt.  I stared at the table cloth as I thought about last night. Neither of them felt awkward about that? I would have thought he would have the decency to leave sharpish.

Auntie Kate came over then and laid a plate of poached eggs on the table and another of toast.

"Here we go." She dusted her hands off on her legs and sat down.

"So Kyle, I am sure you remember Sergeant Parker..." She smiled and looked at him warmly. "Although I guess I should refer to him as 'my boyfriend, Scott' from now on."

Boyfriend. That had happened quickly. She was obviously like Mum in how she latched on to men.

"It is nice to see you again Kyle." He boomed: his voice too loud for my sore head. 

"Oh, I think I saw enough of you last night..." The words jumped out of my mouth.

Auntie Kate reddened, but he let out a deep laugh.

"Yes, I think you did. But nice to meet you properly."  He reached his hand out and I shook it despite not wanting to. His shake was firm and I wondered if he was trying to convey something with it.

"Eggs, Kyle?" Kate's voice was nervous as she picked up her spatula again.

"Yes please," I croaked.

She put two on my plate before asking the same of him.

"I'll have two please K." 

She served herself and there was a sight lull.