Fireside Romance Book 1: First Flames (7 page)

“Okay.”

“Then I’m taking you clothes shopping.” I could tell Mark was about to object, so I cut in, “Now, Mark, please, we’ve discussed this.”

He looked at me and sighed. “I don’t have much of a choice, do I? Doesn’t mean I like it.”

“It’ll be okay.” I gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile.

* * * *

Although the library opened Saturday mornings, I only had to cover alternate weekends. I’d just finished making all the arrangements in the main office regarding my leave request when Mary walked in.

“I’d have thought you’d have seen enough of this place without coming in on your half day off.”

“Mary.” I gave her a smile. “Something’s cropped up and I’m taking some time off. You’ll be on your own for the next couple of weeks. I’m sorry.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, this is Mark,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.

“Please to meet you.” Mark started to hold out his hand to shake, then must have realised he couldn’t.

“Mark’s hurt his hands. He’s agreed to move in with me until they heal.”

She raised her eyebrows slightly. She knew! “Oh, dear, how did you manage to do that?”

“Some people I knew decided to play around with chemicals, and things got out of control. Some of the stuff got on my skin.”

“You poor thing. I hope this reprobate is taking good care of you,” she said, pointing an accusing finger at me.

“He’s been a godsend,” Mark said, wrapping an arm around me.

I was so happy at his gesture, I couldn’t get the silly grin off my face. Of course Mary spotted it.

“Shouldn’t you be getting back to the department?” I asked her.

She stuck her tongue out at me as she passed us. Mark laughed, but I was used to her.

When she’d gone, Mark said, “She’s a scream.”

“Yeah, she is. She’s got a heart of gold, though.”

We left the library and walked to the government offices for the unemployment forms. Then we shopped till we dropped. I encouraged Mark to choose everything from a baseball cap, which brought out the colour in his eyes, to a stout pair of shoes. He complained about how much it was costing.

“You need these clothes, so you’re having them,” I said with determination.

We stopped off at the surgery and got Mark registered with a doctor. Mark came from Newcastle originally; when his father kicked him out Mark simply bought a bus ticket to the furthest place he could afford. Although it was very selfish of me to think it, I was bloody glad he didn’t have any more money than he had, otherwise our paths would never have crossed. Fortunately my doctor had some spare places on her list, so I was able to get him registered with her. She was a really kind lady who didn’t judge. I knew Mark would be well looked after by her. We arranged for Mark to come in early the next week to have his bandages changed by the nurse.

So with everything done that could be done, we headed home.

“Phew, I’m glad that’s done!” Mark said as he collapsed on the sofa after I’d taken the rucksack from him.

“Are you tired?” I asked with concern.

“No, not exactly. My hands are starting to hurt though. I don’t know if it’s because it was cold out there.”

“Why didn’t you say something? I took your pills with us.” I pulled the bottle from my pocket and showed him.

“Sorry, I didn’t know you’d brought them.”

“I’ll get you some water, and you can take a couple now.”

“Thanks.

“Do you want to lie down here for a bit while I get us a bite of lunch?” I asked Mark once he’d taken his tablets.

“Would you mind? These pills make me a bit sleepy sometimes.”

“Of course not,” I said, ruffling his hair. “I’ll take off your shoes and you can get more comfy.”

He gave me a kiss.

“Shall I light the fire?”

“That’d be smashing, thanks.”

I hadn’t set the fire that morning. I’d wanted to get on with the shopping. So I spent a few minutes cleaning out the grate and re-setting everything. Some people make setting the fire a real art form. I can honestly say I’m not that anal. So long as the newspaper, small sticks, and the coal are put on in the right order, I don’t see the need to make a performance out of it.

The fire having taken hold, I went into the kitchen, washed my hands, and prepared a few sandwiches.

On my return to the living room, I spied Mark gazing into the flames.

“Penny for them.”

This seemed to rouse Mark from his thoughts. “I love looking into a real fire. I imagine all kinds of shapes and stuff. It’s hypnotic.”

I smiled. “Some people say having an open fire is too much work. But I think it really makes a room look and feel cosy.”

“Uh huh.” Mark continued to stare into the fire.

I got out a TV dinner table and put the plate of sandwiches and snacks on it. Then I took Mark’s glass, went back into the kitchen and refilled it, and got another glass for myself. Returning to the living room, I sat next to Mark and began to feed him.

After we’d finished eating, I lay across the back of the couch and Mark spooned back into me. I pushed one arm under him, and draped the other one over his chest.

“Happy?” I asked.

“Love being here…you holding me.” He grew silent for a few minutes. I thought he’d dropped off, but he spoke again. “I used to stand on Gamble Street hoping that day would be the day I’d see you.”

I kissed the top of his head.

“Sometimes it got pretty bad out there. One day I’ll tell you more about it. I know I’ve told you a few things, but I’m not ready to talk about it yet.”

I squeezed him and kissed the top of his head again.

“I felt safe, warm, and cared for when I was here. I always wanted to stay longer, but I knew I had to go and earn more money.”

“You’re staying now. I’m not letting you go.” I hoped Mark didn’t read the true meaning in my words. I’d have to be more careful in future.

Mark snuggled in closer and fell asleep.

We both jumped at the sound of the ringing phone. I extricated myself from Mark to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hi,
Simon.
”

“Hi, Mary. What can I do for you?”

“I wondered if you two wanted to go out this evening for a drink. As you know, Jerry is in the Middle East on his history field trip and I was at a bit of a loose end. I thought you might want to paint the town red.”

“I’m not sure about red, it isn’t really my colour.”

“Daft sod!”

“Hang on, I’ll ask Mark.” I put my hand over the receiver and said, “Mary wondered if we’d like to go out for a drink tonight. I know it’d be a bit awkward to go out for a meal, but do you fancy an hour or two down the pub?”

“Yeah, it’d be nice to get out and relax for a bit.” He paused. “I’ve no money though.”

“That’s okay, don’t worry about it. Do you want to go?”

“Love to, thanks.”

I raised the receiver to my ear. “We’ll meet you at the White Swan, say about eight?”

“Great! I’ll see you both there then. Love to Mark.”

“Okay, bye-bye.”

I replaced the phone back in its cradle and returned to the sofa. “Mary sends her love,” I told Mark as I sat down and pulled him against me.

“Does she, erm, know about, I mean does she know how we met?”

I decided I’d always be honest with Mark, unless the information would unnecessarily cause him pain. I reached up and, cupping Mark’s chin, turned his head to face me. Kissing him, I said, “Yes she knows what you used to do for a living. But as you’ve seen for yourself, she’s a good person. I promise she’s fine about it all. If you ever need to talk to someone, and you’re not comfortable about telling me, then think about talking to Mary. Although she might look the gossipy type, she’s the most loyal friend I’ve ever known.”

He hugged me.

“Mary will make a play of trying to get the dirt on you, but it’ll all be in fun. She wouldn’t hurt anyone. She might get a bit protective over me, but it won’t be long before she takes you under her wing, too.”

“She sounds like a really good friend.”

“The best,” I said. “She’s got a boyfriend, but he’s on some kind of university field trip and won’t be back until the New Year.”

I chuckled as I related to Mark how Mary and Jerry met. Mark laughed at the comic scene I painted.

We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging about, listening to music, talking, and generally enjoying each other’s company. About six we decided to make a start on dinner.

“Want anything in particular?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you feel like cooking is fine by me.”

I looked in the kitchen cupboards, the fridge, and freezer. “How about a tin of chunky vegetable soup to start, then liver and onions? I want to build you up so you’re nice and strong.”

Mark gave me a hug. “Thanks, you’re being really kind.”

“You haven’t had a very good diet recently. I just want to redress the balance,” I deflected.

He gave me a kiss on the lips. It was wonderful. I tried not to read too much into the gesture, but it wasn’t easy.

I sat Mark down on his now customary stool and got on with preparing our meal. Conversation was light and pleasant. I revelled in the cosy domesticity.
I just hoped and prayed—not something I did often enough—that this, this whatever it was I had with Mark, would grow and strengthen with time.
I got a bit worked up and a few stray tears began to fall. However, I was able to cover up my problem because I was slicing onions at the time.

Once we’d eaten, I asked Mark if he wanted a bath before we went out.

“Please, I wasn’t able to bathe as much as I liked in hospital. They were short staffed, and I got embarrassed when the female nurses did it.”

I laughed. “Weren’t there any cute male nurses on the ward?”

“Just the one. But I was even more embarrassed the day he bathed me.”

“Why? Your body is perfect.” Now it was my turn to be embarrassed.

“Thanks., but…uh when the male nurse said he wanted to bath me I got an erection.”

I laughed again. “What did you do, apart from turning red and getting hard?”

“I managed to delay him undressing me until it went down.”

“Listen, Mark,” I said, becoming serious. “If you ever need me to relieve you, you know, I…would. I’ve never done it to another person before, so I don’t know if I’d be any good, but I’d do my best to…” My embarrassment was returning full force, but I determinedly ploughed on. “I’d give you a hand.” Then I realised what I said and felt my face get even hotter if that were possible.

Mark laughed. “Thanks.” He too was going a little pink in the face. “I wasn’t sure how I’d take care of that.”

“Just let me know if it comes up.” I scrunched my eyes closed. I’d done it again. “How come the floor never opens up and swallows you when you need it to?”

Mark laughed harder.

“I’ll go and start running the bath,” I said, making my escape.

Turning on the bath taps, I told myself that I’d have to be more careful in future about dropping hints like that. The last thing I wanted was for Mark to feel uncomfortable. However, I reasoned he would have needs and I couldn’t imagine anything more frustrating than not being able to satisfy them. So I thought on balance I’d made the right decision about bringing up the subject. I’d allow Mark to say if or when he actually wanted me to help him out.

I waited until the bathwater had reached the desired height. I also decided I’d better check the temperature, so rolled up my sleeve and dipped my elbow into the water. I chuckled at the image that came into my mind. Mark walked into the bathroom at that point.

“What’s so funny?”

“Did you ever watch the kids’ TV show
Blue Peter
?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You remember whenever they bathed one of the programme’s pet dogs, they always made such a play of testing the temperature of the water with an elbow. Something about that part of the body being more sensitive to heat.”

“Oh, yeah, I remember now.” He began to chuckle too.

I undressed him, put the bags on his hands, taped them up and helped him into the tub. I knew I’d never tire of looking at his gorgeous—if slightly battered—body.

“I’ll put more witch hazel on your bruises when we’re done.”

“Thanks, I didn’t seem to hurt as much after the last lot.”

“Good. Want me to wash your hair while you’re in here?”

“Please.”

I wet his hair and applied some of the apple-scented shampoo I’d been given for my last birthday. I got a bit turned on at the sensations I felt while running my fingers through Mark’s curls.

“That smells nice,” he said.

“I doubt it’s ever been near a real apple,” I said, “but it still smells nice.”

“It’s great.”

“Right then, time to rinse off.” I scooped up some of the bath water with a large beaker I kept for just that purpose, and repeated the hair washing as directed on the bottle. Normally I didn’t bother re-applying the shampoo, as I’d read somewhere that it didn’t actually clean the hair any further. It was just a way that the shampoo manufacturers got to shift twice the volume of product than was actually necessary. But I was enjoying the feeling of washing Marks hair too much to be prudent about wasting money.

Once I got Mark out of the bath, I pulled the plug and towelled him dry. He went into the bedroom while I ran another bath for myself.

Finished bathing, I put on a clean pair of underpants and went into the bedroom. I asked Mark what he wanted to wear to go out.

“Erm, I think I’d like to wear those 501’s with a white T-shirt and that fluffy crew neck jumper you said looked good on me.”

“It did.”

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “Okay, that’s what I’ll wear then.”

Clothing choices made, I got to work dressing first Mark and then myself. I then had the pleasant duty of brushing Mark’s hair.

“You like doing that, don’t you?” he asked with a smile.

I reddened. “Your curls are great.”

Mark shrugged. “Genetics.”

Hair brushed and coats on, we headed out.

We’d only just turned the corner out of our street when Mark stopped suddenly.