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| KIND NEIGHBOUR by Janey Nic was feeling awful, her head was pounding and her stomach was unsettled, leaving her nauseous. A migraine; talk about timing. She was working from home today and needed to have a report ready and emailed before 4pm, the one saving grace was that she had actually done the graphs, charts and stats earlier on in the week, and they were the hardest and most time consuming things. Again she flinched, the script on the computer screen irritating her eyes, and switching from the text on the notepaper to the text on the screen was like having daggers thrust into her eyes. ‘I wonder,’ she mused. Sean, her neighbour was something of a computer geek and he’d often raved about a voice recognition programme that he had were he could speak into the computer via a headset, and it would display what he’d instructed. Her hope was that if he were at home, he would take pity on her and help her out. “Bloody hell Nic,” said Sean with concern. “Come on in, you look really ill love.” “Migraine,” she moaned, accepting his gestured invitation into his home and walking inside, with a bundle of papers and a plastic wallet containing charts and graphs. “I was hoping that you could help me.” “If I can, you know that,” he said softly, sitting on the sofa beside her. “What is it?” “I have to finish this and email it but I can’t see the computer screen clearly and swapping from paper to screen is a nightmare. Any chance of using that voice programme of yours?” “If you can give me what you want, sure, but it won’t recognise your voice without you messing about and kind of ‘instructing’ it to recognise you, we won’t have time.” His brown eyes were filled with concern and it warmed her. “I’ve written most of it longhand and I’ve already done the other stuff that they need for the presentation of the report. You would really be getting me out of a jam; there’s no way I can postpone this, no matter how much I’d rather curl up in a ball and lock myself away from the world.” “Give me what you’ve got, and I’ll take a look.” He read through all of the papers, including the supporting evidence, and with her approval altered the text and then sent her home to bed. Initially she protested but he reminded her that he had a key for her home and was more than capable of scanning and emailing the document. Sean had helped her set up her email account and also knew her pc password. Sean waked Nic shortly before 8pm, with a cup of tea waiting beside her bed. “Thought you might like something to drink and I figured I’d see if you needed anything else before I go home again. Everything has been sent, and there’s a confirmation of receipt so they’ve got it all ok, and ahead of time.” “Thank you,” she muttered groggily, struggling to sit up. “Did you cover me up?” Sean nodded, his long brown hair catching the light from the lamp when he pushed the strands behind his ears. “I thought that you’d be more comfortable,” he said smiling tenderly. “So, can I get you any medication or anything before I go?” “My tablets are in the bathroom, I'll get them in a while when I get washed and changed. "Look, if you realise that there's something that you need call me ok? I mean it Nic, don't stay here suffering on your own. Anytime, even in the middle of the night, call me." He was very insistent and Nic was touched by his concern. She was lucky to have such a good neighbour. "Ok I will, but I should be fine." "Like I said, if there's anything, call me. See you soon, and stay there until you feel better; migraines are hateful, horrid things so don't rush it or push yourself." He smiled at her so warmly and sweetly that her heart lurched. "I'll call back in the morning and see how you're doing." Nic protested that she would be fine but Sean was adamant. She couldn't recall him ever being sop concerned and sentimental and it was confusing her thoughts about him. Oh, they had always got along well and enjoyed talking and laughing together but her feelings towards him were different, and she was seeing him a very different light and really liking what she saw. She had a fitful night's sleep, her medication taking the edge off the visual disturbance, banging head and nausea, but it didn't take them away and finally she succumbed to exhaustion as most people where thinking of getting up to start their day. A few hours later she was awake once more, took two more tablets and returned to her bed. "Nic it's Sean, is it ok to come in?" How sweet and thoughtful of him to ask and not just presume that he could walk in to her room. "Erm, yeah," Nic replied, sitting up against the headboard, not caring that she was in old tartan brushed cotton pyjamas; what she needed was comfort. "Hey I brought you a cup of tea, wasn't sure if you'd want anything else." Sean sat on the edge of the bed and watched her sip her tea. "You look a little better and seem to have some colour in your cheeks." For over an hour he stayed talking with her and reading articles from a newspaper that he'd brought her eyesight still troubled with visual disturbance. When he left with a promise to return in the evening, Nic realised that she could hardly wait. Their relationship had definitely though imperceptibly changed. By the time Sean called again in the evening, equipped with lots of vegetables so that he could make them both some soup, Nic was up and dressed, albeit in a football jersey and jogging bottoms. The important thing was that she was feeling almost human again. "Hi Nic! You almost look human again." Cheekily he winked at her and smiled to let her know that he was only having fun with her. "If I was feeling 100% I'd wallop you for that!" "If you were well I'd be saying that you looked gorgeous, because you always do." As soon as he'd said it, he went back to preparing the vegetables; Nic said nothing; she didn't want to embarrass him so pretended that she hadn't heard him. "What can I do to help? Chopping, peeling, dicing; you name it." "The best thing that you can do is put your feet up. Once I've done this lot, I'll put them in the stock and be with you." "Fancy kicking me out of my own kitchen," Nic laughed. "I think I'll stay and annoy you." "You could try but you won't succeed." "Is that a fact?" "Most definitely." Nic giggled coyly. Never before had they had such an exchange but she liked it though it was surely more flirtatious rather than purely friendly behaviour. "Sean that was wonderful thank you. I had no idea that you were such a good little cook." "Less of the little if you don't mind." "Sensitive subject huh?" "Yeah well, not really," he laughed, his brown eyes warm and friendly. "I just thought that I'd try and put you on a guilt trip." "Didn't work." "I noticed! Anyhow, I'll wash these pots up and be going. You look tired and I don't want to take advantage of your hospitality. There's some soup left, by the way." "I could get used to having someone cooking for me you know, so be careful." Nic smiled to him, getting up and helping him collect the dishes. "I'll give you hand, it only seems fair after all the work you've done, and I won't take no for an answer." Nic persuaded Sean to stay with her and have a drink and a chat before he went home, and although he left early, a little after 9pm, she was so tired that she went straight to bed and enjoyed the best nights sleep she'd had for a while. It helped that she had a dream about Sean, one that made her blush when she woke up. Several days went by and although Sean had rung to see how she was doing, all she had seen of him, was when he went out in his car or if Nicky or James turned up, then she saw him inviting them in. Maybe she had read too much into his kindness and misinterpreted it, oh well, at least she lunged at him or made an idiot of herself which was one small consolation. Nic was enjoying a lazy and very rare Saturday off listening to music, watching some movies and reading. The last time she had had a full weekend off had been almost five months ago and she'd been determined to enjoy it. As the evening drew in, she closed her curtains, poured a very large glass of wine, and settled down to watch a soppy old black and white movie. 'Sometimes a girl just needs kitsch' she thought with a wry smile. The male lead in the film was just beginning to recognise the love that his co-stars character was showing him and trying to decide what to do about it when, very inconveniently, the sound of the doorbell interrupted Nic's concentration. "Sean," she said with surprise when she saw him standing on the doorstep. "What can I do for you?" Cutely he blushed and then hesitantly wafted a bottle of wine in front of her. "Wanna share?" he asked with a cheeky but nervous grin. "Come in. You can help me finish the one that I've stated first, that is as long as you don't mind watching a soppy black and white movie with me." "I think I can cope with that." "Shame I missed the start of it," commented Sean when the film finished. "I enjoyed what I saw." "'Twas good but corny," tittered Nic. "They've known each other for years but both of them were so blinkered that they couldn't see the other one was totally in love with them. The guy began to realise what was happening first but was afraid of how she'd respond. Of course once his behaviour changed because he'd become self-conscious, then she realised it for herself. Still, they all lived happily ever after." Nervously Sean swished the wine in his glass around. "I guess we can all wonder if we'd be doing the right thing by falling in love with a person we knew and telling them. Perhaps ignorance really is bliss." "The sad thing is that it could lead to two people being very lonely when, if they could only acknowledge how they felt and act on those emotions, they could both be very happy." "Takes a certain amount of bravery to do that though don't you think?" "How so?" "Take two friends," he stuttered, "one of them starts to see the other in a different light. Do they say anything and risk losing a friendship or just settle for what they have?" "Interesting dilemma." "I know," he answered thickly. "So if it was you what would you do?" Nic searched his eyes for clues; was he dropping her a hint or referring to someone else entirely? She needed to know before she jumped in with both feet and made an enormous twat of herself. "So what would you do?" he pushed. "I'm kinda going through the same thing right now so I understand a bit of what you mean." "Oh?" Sean raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What are you going to do?" "I don't know," answered Nic earnestly. "I keep trying to see if there's a chance he's thinking the same thing but he's a hard man to gauge." "So you're studying him?" "I guess I am yes." "How long will you do that for?" "Not much longer I think. It's getting to the point where I really just need to know, whatever the outcome." "Even if it means the end of your friendship or whatever?" "Yes I think so. For me it's rather a case of I need to know for sure rather than constantly wondering and being in a state of flux." "Now I can understand that. I've gotten particularly fond of someone I've known for a while, and yes I'm worried about ruining what we have, but ultimately I think I need to know whatever the consequences." Nic smiled and took a gulp of her wine, finishing the glass. "Fancy a top up?" she asked jauntily. "Not just yet," Sean said with a dangerous edge to his voice. "Why don't we make a pact?" "A pact?" "Yes, that at the first available opportunity we confess all to the person concerned. What do you say; are you game Nic?" "Are you really sure about this? You can change your mind you know." "Nope, it's time for some honesty I think," he quipped, winking at her. "Right, I'll go and get some more wine and then we can continue this intriguing conversation." 'Oh bloody hell,' thought Nic, her thoughts in turmoil as to what he was actually expecting her to discuss when he returned. Right now she didn't know whether she wanted to continue skirting around the issue or whether she wanted him to take the initiative and tell her whom the hell he was alluding to. She was tense with dread yet also excited with anticipation and a myriad of other emotions that were charging through her. "Here you go," announced Sean enthusiastically pouring some wine into her empty glass. "Nicely chilled so I hope that you like it." With a shaking hand Nic raised the glass to her lips and took a sip; it was the best wine she had ever tasted. "Sean that is beautiful, really beautiful." She picked up the bottle and studied the label. "I'll have to look out for this." "If you want any let me know 'cos at £15 a bottle it's a little on the luxury side." Nic's jaw almost fell open to the floor. "Fucking hell Sean! I'm used to wines that are a fiver from the supermarket. There was no need for you to go so overboard, but thank you, it really is gorgeous." "Who says that I can't spoil you?" he asked, sitting next to her and turning his body so that he faced he, his right knee up on the sofa. "You deserve something nice and out of the ordinary." Now she was blushing furiously, worried that she was making a show. "I'm grateful, thanks." "Are you going to keep thanking me all night?" he sniggered. "Charming as it is, there really is no need. Drink it and enjoy it, and that will be enough for me." She started laughing and again Sean raised an eyebrow at her out of curiosity. "I nearly said the thing I'm not allowed to say," she mentioned to enlighten him. "Good thing you didn't or I would have had to find suitable punishment for you, and you wouldn't want to see me in a bad mood." "You're right about that," Nic smirked. "Your bad moods really are quite momentous." "OI!" he laughed, leaning further into her and then shuffling his body a little nearer on the sofa. "People have entirely the wrong idea about me you know." "Misunderstood huh?" "Naturally! People assume I'm in a bad mood because I'm often deep in thought; that's all there is to it." "Hmm, I believe you, thousands wouldn't," teased Nic, turning her own body further into his, then placing her glass down and picking up the t.v. guide. Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed Sean put his drink down and wring his hands nervously. "Not much on now, so dvd or some music?" The way he was gazing at her caught her off guard, his eyes muddied with something Nic couldn't place or rather with something that she didn't want to contemplate in case she turned out to be completely mistaken. "Let's not bother with either," Sean finally muttered. "We have a conversation to finish." "What else is there to say?" "It's you." A soft tender and lovely smile spread over his lips lighting up his beautiful brown eyes. Unable to help it, Nic smiled and whimpered, and when his soft lips met hers, she closed her eyes and melted into his kiss, and into his arms that enfolded around her, pulling her into an embrace. They sighed and moaned as they slid down on the sofa, legs wrapping around legs, and their kisses growing hungrier and more determined. Beneath him, Nic broke the kiss and stroked Sean's face tenderly. "It's you," she grinned happily. Sean sniggered and rubbed his nose against hers. "That's a relief after a kiss like that," he ventured. "Now, enough talking; we have better and far more interesting things to be doing." No way was Nic going to argue with that! End. <<< Janey's stories |