Page 59 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“What a peculiar term,” he said, and laughed.
I emptied the bag of its contents and grabbed a couple of plates and forks. It smelled divine and when I opened a lid, I closed my eyes and wafted the scent towards me.
“Japanese,” he said.
“What is it?”
He detailed the dishes as I helped myself from each pot. He reached into the bag and retrieved some chopsticks. I shook my head at the offered pair, I’d never get anything into my mouth with those.
“I won’t be able to sleep now, eating this late,” I said, and chuckled.
“I can think of plenty of things to do if you get bored.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “I’m sure you can.”
“We are pretend married now, remember?”
“Mmm, I did say,I do, didn’t I? So, what do you suggest, Mr. Wolfe? I wash and iron your shirts?”
He shook his head. “I have someone to do that.”
“Perhaps, shine your shoes?”
“I buy new ones when these dull.”
“Hold you while you sleep.”
He paused. He looked over my head. “I’ve never had someone do that for me,” he said gently.
“Are the nightmares why you work at night?” I asked.
He’d never told me he had nightmares, but it was an easy assumption considering his traumatic childhood. I didn’t believe anyone was a night owl by choice.
He didn’t answer and I let him be.
When we’d finished eating, he stood. He leaned down to kiss the top of my head. “I have to go. Chase those nightmares away,” he said.
I stood and wrapped my arms around him. “Wait,” I said. I ran to a drawer in the kitchen. “A key, in case you want that holding,” I said, placing it in his palm.
He cupped my face and rested his forehead on mine. He kissed me gently on the lips before he left. I didn’t walk him to the door, I couldn’t. I was full ofemotion and sadness. I’d just seen a glimmer of the real Sebastian Wolfe and he was broken.
I wasn’t sure of the time I felt a dip in the bed. I rolled over and wrapped my arms around him. He kissed me gently and then fell into a deep sleep. I held him all night, or at least until I fell asleep myself in the early hours of the morning, I guessed. When my alarm went off, I was alone. I knew I hadn’t dreamt it; he’d left a worn shirt over the end of the bed. I picked it up and held it to my nose. I inhaled his scent, his aftershave and rubbed the soft cotton material on my cheek. He’d also left a note. I picked up the piece of paper left beside the alarm.
Thank you. Seb xx
I smiled and slipped the note inside the drawer. I had Grandma to see to, and a job to get ready for.
My first week flew past. I enjoyed every minute of it. Some days I saw Sebastian, and some days I didn’t. A couple of nights he crept into my bed in the early hours and was gone before I woke. I didn’t mention it, but I did wash and iron his shirts. On the Friday, Sebastian surprised me in the office.
It was mid-afternoon and dress down Friday, apparently. I was wearing jeans and one of my new t-shirts. Ihad chalk smudges on my hands and face. I’d been playing with various colour schemes, and I liked to do that with chalk as it was the closest to paint colours.
I saw him enter the floor and he strode across to me. He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi, yourself. Should you have done that at work?”
“Why not, they all know we’re an item.”
