Crimson Ingot

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

I didn't know what had awoken me, but for once it wasn't a nightmare. I heard a creak, and cracked my eyes open just enough to see Thomas slipping out of the room.

My heart filled with dread as I wondered why he was sneaking around. I sat up and listened trying to hear where he was going, and the sound of the front door closing behind him was unmistakable.

I got out of bed and pulled my robe on, rushing to the main door in the hopes of being able to see which direction he had gone, but he was out of sight.

I closed the door and looked out through the peephole, so I could at least see which direction he returned from. I waited for over half an hour and was about to give up when I finally saw him approach the door from the left, the direction of the main staircase. As quickly and quietly as I could, I retreated to the bedroom, pushing the door to and peering out through the sliver of a gap. My field of vision was limited to a small section of the living room but since the curtains weren't drawn, allowing the moonlight in, I could just about see.

I watched as Thomas, crossed the room, carrying what appeared to be a small box, then he moved out of sight.

Where had he been? What was in the box?

I stayed where I was until a few minutes later, when he reappeared entering the short hallway to our room, sans box.

I threw my robe back over the chair and scrambled into bed, my back to the middle so I was facing the door, closing my eyes and breathing as deeply as I could to feign sleep, but my heart was pounding and I was certain he knew I'd been watching. I heard Thomas disrobing then felt the mattress dip as he climbed back into bed with me. When his arm fell around my waist I almost flinched, but all he did was slide closer and spoon me, then he pressed a kiss to my shoulder.

I continued to breathe deeply but my mind was reeling. Where had he been? What had he been doing? And what was in that box?

I wanted to stay awake until I was sure he was sleeping, but my exhaustion caught up with me and I fell asleep.

***

I awoke the next morning to something breaking and a string of curses. Thomas wasn't beside me so I grabbed my robe and headed in the direction of the noise.

I found him in the kitchen, with a broken mug on the floor, the kettle sitting on the hob and Thomas muttering under his breath as he opened the grill and oven, trying to find where to light it.

"Problems?" I asked rather smugly.

"I was trying to make tea," he admitted, "but how do I light this contraption?"

I chuckled a little at his bemusement and stepped forward, wrapping one hand around his waist as I took the kettle from the hob and set it back on its base, flipping the switch. At least he had filled it with water first.

"Kettles are electric these days, as are most ovens and hobs," I explained. "Just sit it on the base and push that down. When it's boiled, the light will go out."

I didn't even want to start on the oven yet. Who knew how many fires he might cause if I explained how to use it?

I pottered around, getting the pot and tea out as he watched me, a ridiculously attractive smile on his lips which made me blush like a schoolgirl every time I looked at him.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked as I bent down to sweep up the remnants of the mug with the dustpan and brush, trying to sound nonchalant and keeping my back to him.