Chapter 4

When she awoke light streamed through the thin bedroom curtains. She reached out to his side of the bed but the mattress was cool and empty. Rolling over she saw that Randall was missing, his clothes gone. He's fled, she thought sadly. Sitting up in bed she ran her hands through her tousled hair. It was gone nine. Lix was astonished she'd slept so long. Exhaustion wins over anguish in the end. It had felt wonderful having Randall so near in the night, his wiry arms around her, his kiss on the nape of her neck. And now he was gone, retreated into private grief, or already back at Lime Grove. The front door opened and closed. With a leap in her heart she couldn't feign she heard him move into the kitchen, and then the sound of cupboard and fridge doors opening and closing. Minutes later Randall entered the bedroom, 'Ah, you've woken,'

'Yes, I thought you'd gone,'

'Just to the shop. I thought we might have some breakfast before work,'

'Excellent plan. I ought to call Bel,' Lix got out of bed and felt immediately exposed in her chemise. Randall didn't avert his eyes. 'Could you pass me the dressing gown?' He fetched an embroidered turquoise silk dressing gown from the bedroom door and held it for her as she put it on and tied it at the waist. 'Eggs and bacon?'

'Lovely.'

Ten minutes later she was sitting on the settee, black coffee in one hand, a 'phone in the other. Smells of frying bacon and toast wafted through from the kitchen. 'Oh darling, you haven't been there all night? Any change? No, I'm calling from home, I haven't seen Mr Brown yet,' Randall popped his head round the door, 'Yes, I'll make sure he knows. And Hector's coming in? Good man, I always liked him. You're not to worry about anything save getting home and snatching some sleep. Honestly, we'll take care of everything in the office, it's the least we can do. Very well, bye for now.' Lix hung up the 'phone and joined Randall in the kitchen. She was amused to see him wearing her barely-used apron, his sleeves rolled up to avoid the spitting bacon. Always so neat, and I still want to mess you up. His asking after Freddie shook her out of her reverie, 'Still in critical condition, they've fixed what they can. The big question is head trauma, and we won't know about that till he comes round. Bel has been there all night but is now going home. Hector is keeping Freddie company.' Randall lifted the eggs onto waiting plates where they joined the rashers and toast. He turned off the stove and carried the food to the breakfast table. 'I didn't tell her about the papers, poor girl already has too much to worry about.' They sat down together in companionable silence, each picking up a paper. The Hour, and the fallout, Satchwell, Stern, Cilenti, Ms DeLaine, filled up the first several pages of each paper Randall had bought. 'We've certainly made our mark,' Lix commented as she sipped her coffee, 'I only wish it had not been at such a price.'

'Quite.'

Breakfast concluded Randall went to collect the cutlery and plates. Lix rested a hand on his forearm, 'Darling, you cooked me breakfast, I can cope with the washing up,' Randall looked at her sceptically, 'I do keep a clean kitchen, don't I?'

'I assumed that was because it was never used.'

Lix smiled, 'Horrible man. Don't you remember how I used to make omelettes?'

'I risked my life with each one.' They smiled openly at each other now, newspapers forgotten. Randall adjusted his tie, 'I should go.' Lix tried to sound breezy, 'Of course. You'll be in the office?' He got to his feet and neatly refolded the newspaper he'd been reading, 'Within the hour.'

She fetched his coat while he collected his things from the bedroom. After a couple of minutes Lix wondered what was so time-consuming. Aware that he may have rituals to perform she picked up the portrait her niece had drawn. Perhaps she didn't look so bad after all. Randall emerged, looking guilty, 'I, ah, I've made the bed.' Lix laughed as she helped him on with his coat, 'How infuriating you must find it here! Nothing perpendicular, everything askew...' They looked at each other for a long time, him in good order, only his stubble an indicator that anything was amiss, she barefooted in her dressing gown. Lix lent in to kiss him on the cheek. As she did he said, 'I can put up with askew for you.' Reaching for the door Lix said, 'I shall see you at work Mr Brown.' Randall's lips twitched, 'As soon as possible please Ms Storm'.