Capital Falling | Book 4 | Sever Winkless, Lance (most popular ebook readers TXT) 📖

to the pub for a while, take their minds off things.”

“You could have gone with them, you know. I wouldn’t have minded staying here with the girls,” Catherine says.

“I know you wouldn’t have. I didn’t want to go; I’d rather be here with you and Emily.”

“Ah Andy, you’re just a big softie too,” Catherine teases me.

“I don’t deny it,” I reply. “Might have done Stacey good to have a change of scenery though.”

“No. I think she is best here with us for the moment. It’s very early days for her.”

“Yes, you’re right, of course,” I agree.

“How are you feeling about your appointment at the hospital tomorrow?” Catherine asks, taking my hand in hers.

“I haven’t given it much thought, to be honest,” I answer.

“Oh, come on, you must have,” Catherine insists.

“Not much, no. I’ve had other things on my mind. I think it will be a waste of time,” I say, looking at my feet.

“Typical man. Surely, you’re interested in what they can tell you about what’s happened to your body? Something has changed since you fought off the infection. There’s a reason why the Rabids don’t attack you.”

“I am interested. I just don’t hold out much hope that it’s going to change much. Believe me, nobody hopes they find some miraculous answer to this infection more than me,” I tell Catherine.

“There you go then. It is possible some answers could be inside you.”

“I guess we’ll find out, but I can guarantee we won’t find anything out tomorrow. They will take some blood samples and send me on my way.”

“That’s probably true but at least it’s a start,” Catherine says. “What time shall we set off?”

“We’ll have an early lunch and then get on the road. Are you sure you want to come? It’ll probably be a lot of waiting around?” I ask.

“You men, honestly. Of course, I am coming with you. Would you send me off alone?”

“No,” I reply.

“Well, there you go. I am coming so don’t ask again. The kids will be fine for a few hours. Besides, I love driving around Devon.”

“So, it’s a day out for you then?” I laugh.

“Absolutely!” Catherine smiles.

I take a long tug on my beer and stare into the fire again. The flames have retreated somewhat, and I debate whether to throw another log into the mix.

“Shall we go and join the girls? I’m getting a bit chilly,” Catherine asks as if she has read my mind and decided for me.

“Yes,” I reply, getting to my feet and holding my hand out to help Catherine up. She stumbles as she rises and I catch her in my arms, pulling her tight into me.

“My knight in shining armour,” Catherine says looking up to me.

“You stumbled on purpose, didn’t you?” I challenge, grinning at her.

“Who, me?” Catherine smiles, her full lips glistening in the flickering light of the fire.

“Yes, you,” I say, moving in to put my lips to hers. I still find it hard to believe that I am actually kissing Catherine after so many years of admiring her beauty from afar. The two of us is the only positive thing I can think of to come out of the last horrific few days. I almost feel guilty for finding something so precious when so much has been lost.

“Something got your attention?” Catherine asks, smiling as our kiss comes to an end.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I reply, hoping the darkness is hiding my blushes.

“You might get lucky later if you play your cards right,” Catherine teases, pulling my hand to take me with her as she heads towards the cottage.

Inside, after putting my empty beer bottle in the bin, I open the fridge to retrieve another beer. Catherine suggests making it the last beer I have tonight, what with my tests at the hospital tomorrow, and I agree. She makes herself a cup of tea and we go through to the living area to sit with Emily and Stacey for a while.

Only the girls’ two heads are visible above the duvet they have brought down from the bedroom to snuggle under on the sofa. Stacey’s eyes are closed, and the redness of her eyelids tells me that she has been upset again, which I am not surprised by. Emily is leaning on Stacey, and her eyes are open, although droopy and she smiles as I enter the room. I see her legs move under the duvet ready for me to sit down next to her, and so I do without her having to ask. The duvet moves again and her feet, dressed in pink socks, pop out of the side of the duvet to rest on the top of my legs. I pull the duvet over to cover her feet so they don’t get cold and Catherine squeezes in next to me.

“You look tired Emily,” I say, my hand moving to hold her top foot.

“I am a bit. Can I just watch the end of this?” Emily asks.

“What is it?”

“It’s a rom-com,” I’m told, and Catherine and I look at each other smiling, surprised by her use of the term rom-com.

“How much is left?” I ask.

“Not much, I don’t think,” Emily replies vaguely.

Not much turns into at least another three-quarters of an hour and it is me who has dozed off by the time the film finishes. A nudge from Catherine wakes me with a start just in time for me to see the film’s titles begin to roll.

Emily gets up to get ready for bed with no protests and Stacey wakes as Emily releases herself from the duvet without any subtlety. Stacey decides to follow Emily upstairs to get herself ready for bed. She tells Catherine and me that she is okay before she goes, telling us that she is only tired. Neither Catherine nor I believe her, but we say nothing so as not to upset her any more than she is before bed.

Emily calls for Catherine to come and say goodnight to her when I tuck her in,