Pop Goes the Weasel

19

‘So how did it go?’

Steve had been waiting up for Charlie and was walking towards her. The TV burbled in the background. Four empty cans of lager on the coffee table revealed that like Charlie he’d felt the need for a few stiff drinks.

‘The day or my welcome back?’

‘Both.’

‘Ok actually. I made some decent progress on a case and the gang were pleased to see me. Helen was pretty much how I expected, but there’s nothing I can do about that, so…’

Charlie was relieved to see that Steve looked genuinely pleased for her. He had been so against the idea of returning to work that she was grateful now that he was trying his best to be positive and supportive.

‘Well done you. I told you you’d be great,’ he said, slipping his arm round her waist and giving her a congratulatory kiss.

‘First day back,’ Charlie replied, shrugging. ‘Long way to go yet.’

‘One step at a time, eh?’

Charlie nodded and they kissed again, a little deeper this time.

‘How much have you had?’ Steve continued, a little glint in his eye now.

‘Enough,’ replied Charlie, smiling. ‘You?’

‘Definitely enough,’ said Steve, suddenly sweeping her off the floor and into his arms. ‘Keep your head up. That banister’s a bastard.’

Smiling, Charlie let Steve carry her upstairs to the bedroom. They had always been a loving couple, but recently genuine intimacy had been absent from their relationship. Charlie was both exhilarated and relieved that they seemed to be recovering their old spontaneity and desire.

Perhaps everything was going to be all right after all.