Sophie had been surreptitiously watching him for the best part of an hour. All he’d said when he carried in his heap of boxes, and apologised for his intrusion, was that he’d try not to disturb her; that he just needed to make a few adjustments to the system; that he might have to interrupt internet access briefly but he’d give her good warning. He didn’t look like a computer geek. More like an executive on his day off: smart casual, expensive watch, perfectly-styled dark hair. No wedding ring. Sophie felt needy. She looked back at the screen in front of her. Just one sentence and she’d changed that more times than it had words. She checked her phone – five past eleven – got to her feet, smoothed her skirt and prepared to interrupt. He glanced up as she approached.
‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘am I disturbing you?’
Absolutely. ‘No, not at all. I was just wondering if you’d like a coffee. I’m just off to the machine. I could bring you one. If you like.’
‘I, er… actually, I’m a bit of a coffee wimp. I…’
Such amazing, brown eyes. ‘It doesn’t really taste much like coffee. And there’s hot water so you can dilute the horror of it. I could bring you some.’
Eyebrows to die for. ‘Or you could nip down with me. Then you’ll know. I’m Sophie, by the way.’
‘Great! I’m Jonah. I’ll just pause this…’ He smiled. ‘Then I’m all yours.’
Sophie had never seen anyone add sugar to a cup of hot water and then drink it but, ten minutes into their acquaintance, this Jonah could do nothing wrong.
‘So, how long is this going to take you… with the computers?’
‘I should be finished by the end of the day. Maybe a trip back in a week or so, to make sure it’s all running smoothly.’
‘Oh!’ Panic. Action required.
‘Do you have to come far?’ Did that sound too obvious?
He put his head to one side. ‘Interesting question. I’ve just sold my flat so I’m a bit itinerant at the moment. Moving between motels.’ He sighed. ‘Possessions in storage. I’m staying at the Premier Inn tonight, sorting out a few local contracts for the rest of the week.’ He grinned. ‘Take my word for it, hotel life is a lot cheaper than paying a mortgage… and having to replace gutters and the like.’ He took her empty cup and tossed it with his own into the recycling bin. ‘We’d better be getting back. Before somebody notices we’re enjoying ourselves.’
Sophie gave a little laugh, stepped through the door he was holding open for her and heard herself say, ‘If you like, I could show you around town this evening. Show you the best places to eat. If you haven’t got anything better to do.’
Sophie (mostly) wasn’t in the habit of sleeping with a guy on a first date. But this, well, it was different. She’d never felt so at ease with a new person. She watched him, still sleeping. It wasn’t yet dawn but he seemed to be already glowing with a new day. She pushed back the duvet and climbed out of bed slowly so as not to disturb him, pulled on her dressing gown and crept through to the kitchen. She put the kettle on, checked the sugar canister, selected the two matching cups and put them ready, felt his arms close around her waist.
‘I tried not to wake you.’
‘Why? Are you bored with me already?’
‘No, I’m not. Where have you got to be today?’
‘Wisley. Late morning.’
‘Oh. How late… morning?’
‘Late enough. Why don’t you call in and say you woke up with a migraine?’
‘OK.’