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| TAKING CARE OF RICHEY by Janey Bronwen was nervous; she was WORSE than nervous, she was petrified. She had been entrusted with taking care of Richey, who was recovering from a bad case of flu. His friends and bandmates were touring Japan, Bangkok and other exotic locations; they had left the previous night. His parents were away on holiday whilst his sister Rachel was away on her honeymoon. In his wisdom Martin had decided that Richey ought not to be left alone, that would be tempting fate as far as his history or depression was concerned. Richey had been well for three years but those that knew him well still worried that he would descend back into the abyss at any time if they weren’t vigilant. In spite of their best intentions Richey often felt as he imagined a cooped up animal must feel and there were times when he came perilously close to losing his temper. Somehow he always managed to rein it in. Deep down he acknowledged their concerns do didn’t think that he had a right to be angry; they were trying to help him. Knowing that Bronwen had a good friendship with Richey, plus the important fact that he trusted her, Martin entrusted her with the job. A problem was however, that Bronwen had a hard time maintaining her composure around Richey due to the huge crush that she had. The tour would last for over for a month and Martin was insistent that she stays with Richey, in Richey’s flat. Her bags were packed; all that was left now was to be in when the car arrived to collect her. As much as she wanted to run she also knew that she couldn’t because that would mean letting Martin down, which she had no intention of doing, in spite of her apprehension. All that she could do now was to pray that she did nothing foolish. The last thing that she needed was to scare Richey witless; it would probably cost her her job. “Hey,” yawned Richey answering the door in a pair of dark blue pyjamas. “Don’t tell me that Martin didn’t give you your own key?” “He did,” she grimaced. This was ridiculous; she was shaking like a leaf. “I thought it more polite for you to invite me in for the first time I come around though. Have I disturbed you?” He carried one of the cases in for her, walking through to a bedroom. “It’s a bit sparse but the bed is comfortable oh and I was on the sofa reading, don’t worry.” Bronwen blushed when he winked at her. “It’ll be fine. I’m sorry for the imposition, I’m sure that there’s no need for me to be here and the last thing that I want is to make you feel uncomfortable for you in your own home.” “Come and go as you want Bronwen ok? All I ask is that you don’t bring any boyfriends back for erm, how can I say this…” “Don’t worry,” interrupted Bronwen with a giggle. “There will not be any men visiting at all and I’ll meet my friends elsewhere. I don’t want to intrude.” “No boyfriend? That surprises me.” He gave her a brief glimpse of his killer smile making her go weak at the knees, then left her to unpack and explore the rest of the flat at her leisure. “Would it be ok for me to read one of your books Richey? I forget to bring any with me.” “Help yourself though I warn you now, some of them aren’t the easiest things to read.” “I’m sure that I’ll find something that I like,” she smiled. Richey watched her as she walked to the huge double bookcase. Avidly he stared whilst she stood on tiptoe to see the books at the top, or crouched down to see what was on the lower shelves. He scratched his head, of all the people to stay with him why did Martin have to send Bronwen? With her choppy blonde hair with newly added red flashes throughout, her irresistible smile, beautiful green eyes and ability to make him feel good, he fancied her. It had been a very long time since Richey had wanted to get close to a woman, but Bronwen he was drawn to. He would have to ensure that he stayed on his best behaviour. It had been a long while since Richey had lived with anyone, even longer than Bronwen had, yet they settled into a routine remarkably quickly. One of the things that Richey really liked was that she didn’t fuss unnecessarily over him. She wasn’t afraid to tell him to do things for himself whether he was recovering from the flu or not. From the concerns that Martin had expressed she had had visions of Richey being bed ridden and very ill. Aside from still feeling tired he actually said he was doing ok, so much so that on the second day he suggested to Bronwen that they went for a walk. He had to sit down after fifteen or twenty minutes but he enjoyed it enormously. On their return he had slept for an hour, Bronwen glancing over to watch him as she read a Marilyn Monroe biography. She watched him not out of concern but because he was so handsome. Just gazing at him made her smile. They would also spend long periods in silence, but they were not awkward silences. Occasionally Richey would look at her and smile; she would return the compliment. At various times throughout the day he would get texts or calls from the guys, keeping him up to date with what had happened and going over forthcoming plans. He missed them a lot but he didn’t miss the touring at all. It had always been his least favourite part of being in the band; he found it tedious. “I can’t believe that you have been here for a week,” Richey said with a large smile as he dried and put away the pots from their evening meal. “A whole week without an argument,” laughed Bronwen. “Hard to believe.” “I knew we wouldn’t argue. What I wasn’t sure of was if we’d run out of things to talk about or if you’d hate the quiet.” “Once I get my nose in a book that’s it; I’m in a world of my own.” “I noticed,” Richey giggled, following her into the lounge. “Same as me. We are quite similar in lots of ways really aren’t we?” “I’d not really considered it, but yeah, we are. Pretty scary really isn’t it?” “Scary yet comfortable if that makes sense.” Bronwen nodded, smiled, then picked her book up again. “Oh, time for me to shut up,” laughed Richey, winking at her mischievously. “The bookworm has her nose in a book.” “What are you going to do?” “Don’t know,” he shrugged. “I quite fancy having a bit of a chat over a glass or two of wine. What do you think?” “Richey Edwards drinking wine!” Bronwen pretended to be shocked. “I didn’t realise that you could be so refined.” “Oi, less of your lip!” Bronwen ducked but was still caught by the cushion that he hurled at her. “Why you…” She threw it back at him, starting a cushion fight. Richey’s parents called in when they returned from their holiday to let Richey see their photo’s and camcorder footage. Needless to say they also gave him some presents too. Bronwen had said she would go out for a while to let them spend time alone but they wouldn’t hear of it, insisting that she stay. Although Richey had explained why she was there, Bronwen had the notion that they weren’t totally convinced. A few days after the visit from his parents his sister, Rachel and her husband popped in to see him. The knowing glances were not lost on Bronwen. What was even worse was that Richey had noticed how Rachel looked at Bronwen so mischievously he started winking at her and touching her a lot more, making it more and more difficult for Bronwen to keep her composure. Each time Richey touched her it was like being hit by electrical current. By the time Rachel and Mike left Richey’s, Bronwen was emotionally exhausted. “Ah well Richey,” Bronwen sighed, sprawling out on the sofa opposite the one that Richey was on. “From tomorrow morning you will be shot of me; bet you can’t wait.” “Hmm.” “What’s wrong? The guys are back tomorrow; you are completely fit and well. I thought that you’d be pleased to be on your own again.” Richey tutted morosely. “It will be strange not having you here,” he admitted. “I’ve enjoyed your company.” She blushed. “I’ve enjoyed being here,” she said honestly. “But you must be relieved to be getting your privacy back.” “I’m going to miss you Bronwen. Will you come by and see me? Spend some time with me; I’d like that.” Bronwen wasn’t quite sure what to say. Richey probably meant for her to visit as a friend; she didn’t know if she would be able to do that. During her time with him, she had fallen for him more heavily and deeply. If she visited him the chance of her making a show of herself increased considerably. Yet because of the attraction and friendship that had been nurtured between them it would be churlish, also spiteful, not to keep in touch. What a dilemma! Richey interrupted her thinking. “Come on then,” he said light-heartedly. “Is it such a tough decision?” “It’s well…” Nervously Richey coughed then went and knelt on the floor beside her, so that he was looking directly into her eyes, from only a foot or so away. “Would it help you make your mind up if I told you that I don’t want you to come as my friend? I want you to come as my GIRL friend.” He blushed but smiled as the impact of what he had said hit home to Bronwen. “Oh, I see,” she sighed dreamily. “Sorry. Obviously you weren’t expecting that and I’m way off base.” Richey stared down at the floor briefly, then made to stand up. Bronwen put her hand on his shoulder. “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” she beamed. “I would like that.” Richey chuckled, his eyes bright with happiness. “Well now that we have that sorted out, how about we seal it with a kiss?” Like she needed an invitation! When Martin put the phone down he was grinning madly. “What’s tickled you?” queried James. “My little plan worked a treat,” he offered. “Richey and Bronwen are dating. I knew all that they needed was a push in the right direction!” “You devious git!” laughed James. “I like your style!” <<< Janey's stories |