October
Leaves had begun to change. Signs of autumn were all around the farm. He could hear geese flying overhead.
The brief reopening of the world had gone about as Doc expected. Premature and ill-advised. The few months had allowed Andie to bring in more help on the farm, but they were back to managing on their own with Rupert’s less than helpful but enthusiastic assistance.
Their little bubble on the farm felt safe and cosy. Removed. He knew they were lucky. Privileged to be safe and comfortable in the Scottish countryside.
Andie was throwing herself into projects around the farm and finishing up the orchard harvest. She worried about her family in Italy. None of them had gotten sick thus far, but it was hard to be so far away from them.
He hoped their luck would continue.
“Knock, knock.” Andie poked her head into the open door of his tiny house. “No writing this morning?”
“I sent the first half of my manuscript to my editor last night. Taking a little break to see if I’m on the right track.” Doc crouched down to greet Rupert, who’d dashed inside and darted around him. “Morning, young man. Have you chased your tail enough?”
“He’s been a right nuisance.” Andie leaned against the doorframe and watched them with a smile. “Fancy a walk? It’s been so windy. I want to head down to the paddock to check on the new shed and polytunnels.”
“Let me grab my coat.” Doc pushed himself back up, trying not to groan when his knees popped. He sent a glare at Andie when she laughed at the sound. “Sure you want an old man like me?”
“Too late to back out on me now. I’m attached.” Andie was already out the door before he could respond.
Attached.
They hadn’t even gone on an actual date. What was a real date anyway? They couldn’t go out; neither of them found most societal norms appealing.
It was late in the evening when Doc had a chance to revisit the idea of a date. He spent two hours on Google, searching for anything that might be of interest. Unfortunately, everything he found seemed like something they’d laugh about, not enjoy.
Doc wanted to be comfortable. He was at his best when relaxed. Andie deserved to see him that way.
She deserved to see him at his best. His running had been him at his worst. They needed to be different this time, both of them.
Open, honest, comfortable.
Google failed him. Every date idea was more far-fetched than the last or impossible to manage on a small farm in Aberdeenshire. He steadily grew more frustrated until his phone buzzed with a text from his editor, Essie, offering a much-needed distraction.
Essie: So, how’s the farmer?
Doc: Farming.
Essie: Not what I meant.
Doc: I don’t know. I don’t know how to plan a date with limited supplies and a lockdown. How do neurotypicals do this shite?
Essie: I’m sending you a package.
Doc: What?
Essie: Do you trust me?
Doc: With my manuscript.
Essie: You both like music and the outdoors, right?
Doc: I’m terrified to say yes.
The box arrived over a week later. Andie and Rupert were both trying to sneak their noses into it. Doc managed to get it into the cottage without their snooping.
Essie had sent him a karaoke machine. A karaoke machine. Doc stared at it for a full minute before bursting out laughing. Maybe it was a good thing the farm was so remote.
The package also contained a plethora of snacks and a case of his favourite Japanese beer. One he’d discovered on his travels and fallen in love with. He wondered where she’d found it.
Cakes, chocolate, crisps, and all sorts of other snacks filled up the space around the beer and karaoke machine. A second box came the following day. She’d gotten groceries delivered to the farm; he shuddered to think about the extra shipping surcharge.
In the second box, Essie had put together all the ingredients required to make his favourite version of ramen, a bit of a hodgepodge of a few recipes that he’d found while avoiding writing. Doc was always amazed at what other things he accomplished while not putting pen to paper.
After all the farming chores were accomplished, it was late in the day when Doc set the first surprise down on her coffee table. Andie stared at it. Rupert chose to sniff every inch of the box he could reach.
“Karaoke.”
“Yes.” Doc wasn’t sure if her stunned amazement was excited or horrified in nature. “Karaoke.”
“Brilliant.” She trailed her fingers across the top of the box. “I’ll have to get Rupert earmuffs. He might not appreciate our caterwauling.”
“Or he might join in.”
Leaving Andie inspecting the machine, Doc carried the rest of what he’d brought into the kitchen. He set the box of snacks to one side and began organizing the ramen ingredients. Essie had included the curly wheat noodles he preferred along with a good bone broth.
He had all the spices and sauces required to make his favourite glazed chicken and shiitake mushroom ramen. Essie had included the latter but correctly assumed they’d have most of the vegetables he’d need. His mouth was already watering while getting everything prepared.
Rolling up his sleeves, Doc dug around in one of the cabinets to find a cutting board. He grabbed a knife. Cooking kept his nerves from getting the best of him; it had been a clever idea from Essie.
Put him in his comfort zone, and maybe he wouldn’t make a fool of himself.
“What’s all this?” Andie joined him in the kitchen. She motioned to the cabinet next to the fridge when he asked about a pot. “Doc?”
“Our first ‘real’ date.” Doc diced up some garlic. He preferred to have all the ingredients ready before he started to cook. “Ramen, beer, and a song for our supper.”
“Our first….” Andie’s gaze darted from him to his mise en place, then down at her dusty dungarees. “I’ll be right back.”
Mixing up the marinade for the chicken, Doc spared a glance at Rupert, who didn’t appear to know what had happened either. Andie had vanished on them. Then, a few seconds later, they heard the water going.
Rupert sat beside him and pawed at his leg.
“I’ve no idea what’s going on with her either. The inner workings of Andie’s mind are beyond me.” Doc chuckled when Rupert nudged him again. “Wanting a treat, are we? You’ll have to be patient. Not sure you want to eat a load of garlic. It certainly won’t improve your breath.”
Ruper seemed to frown up at him. Doc wasn’t sure if it was the comment on his breath, the lack of treat, or his own imagination. He laughed at himself and returned to working on dinner.
A first date hadn’t seemed an overly stressful idea until Andie had dashed off. Doc hoped he hadn’t been reading the signs wrong. He didn’t think he had.
Was I supposed to do something special? Should I have specifically said this was a first date in advance? Bugger. I should’ve. There are probably rules for this.
“Well, it’s too late to fix it now.” Doc scrounged around in the cupboard to find the box of Rupert’s treats. He tossed one over to him. “Keep your paws crossed for me, Rupert. We’re in uncharted territory.”