Home Run - Chapter 10

[Tea Lady]

Next chapter guys. Thanks JHyde once again.


Chapter 10.

It is only a short drive from Ealing to Jo‘s flat in Shepherd’s Bush, in the Thames House pool car which has been arranged by Malcolm. As the car pulls up in front of Jo’s apartment block, Ruth finds herself having to coax Nico out of the car. He is being particularly difficult this evening and Ruth feels a little guilty about leaving Nico with a stranger, especially when he is missing his father so much. But Ruth knows that she really needs some time for herself. Even if it is just for a few hours.

Ruth taps gently on the door to Jo’s flat and as it swings open there is a squeal of delight as Jo excitedly embraces her old friend and pulls her into the hallway of her flat.

“Hi Jo,” says Ruth; laughing at how excited Jo seems to be.

“Come in, come in! Hi Nico, I‘m Jo.”

Nico gives Jo a limp wave in reply as Ruth pushes him gently down the hallway into Jo’s lounge.

“Sorry, Jo. He’s missing his dad, I think.” They watch Nico for a moment as he browses through the large collection of DVDs Jo has laid out on the coffee table for him. This seems to do the trick and Nico visually perks up a little.

“That’s OK, Ruth. I understand. I’ve also got the computer set up in the spare room with some games. That should be enough to keep him occupied for a few hours,” says Jo.

“Good. Thanks - thanks for doing this Jo. I know Harry probably made it difficult for you to say no.”

Jo laughs. “It’s fine, really. I like kids. I’m just happy to help. You take as long as you want at Harry‘s. Really.”

“No - no, I won’t be long, Jo. I’m just picking up some papers,” protests Ruth a little more robustly than she needs too.

“Sure,” says Jo with a hint of a mischievous smile.

“Jo!” exclaims Ruth as she taps her friend playfully on the arm. “Anyway, have you got the directions to Harry‘s house? I really don‘t know my way from your flat.”

“Here, take my Sat Nav,” says Jo, as she picks it up off the coffee table and hands it to Ruth. “I used it the other day. Just punch in “last address” and it will take you straight to Harry‘s.”

Ruth cannot help but give Jo an enquiring look.

“I was just picking up some clothes for him, Ruth, after what happened at the warehouse.”

“Oh…yes. Thanks.” Ruth looks at her watch. “I'd better get going. I will phone you when I am leaving.”

“Sure. No rush. Just enjoy yourself.”

As Ruth walks back down to the car, she remembers the twinkle in Jo’s eyes when she had said goodbye. Almost like Jo was privy to something, something amusing, of which Ruth is unaware.

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It is only a simple Amatriciana sauce but Harry can not fathom why he needs twenty separate ingredients. As he reads aloud the instructions from the cookery book for the umpteenth time, seemingly hoping they will make more sense to him this way, Harry swears it is a conspiracy between the TV chefs and the supermarkets. There is no doubt about it - he chose the right career. Harry would never have made a chef, not even one who worked in a fast food restaurant. As he surveys the current state of his kitchen, Harry muses that it looks like a Tazmanian Devil has swept through. Rolling up his sleeves, he attempts to clean up some of the mess before Ruth arrives.

Now with the kitchen fairly tidy and with Scarlet greedily finishing off some scraps of smoked bacon in the corner, Harry can feel the nerves starting to take hold. Reaching for the bottle which is aerating by the side of the hob, he pours himself a small glass of wine to help him keep calm. He knows what he has to do this evening, even though it will be difficult. He is going to have to be Ruth’s friend, almost a renaissance of their relationship and give her only what she will accept, which at this time is friendship. As he takes a sip of wine, the thought crosses Harry’s mind that he may only ever be Ruth’s friend but he pushes that thought quickly away. One small step at a time, Harry. One small step tonight.

The sound of the doorbell ringing startles him. Ruth is on time for a change. But Scarlet is determined to get to her first; she darts off down the hallway. Following, Harry has to use his foot to hold her back from the door so he can open it and muses for a moment why dogs are always excited and fearless when it comes to greeting human visitors, but the same cannot always be said about their masters.

Ruth is just about to press the bell again, when she senses some commotion on the other side of the door. The door swings open.

“Harry…er…hi.” Ruth is slightly taken aback by the unusual but amusing sight that greets her.

There, bent over is Harry, holding the door open with one hand and the other is gripping Scarlet’s collar. The little dog is energised and standing only on her back two legs. Clearly she is not used to visitors. As he wrestles with the dog, Ruth can not help but scrutinise Harry’s form. Out of office attire, he is wearing casual black jeans, a light blue check shirt and over his left shoulder is casually hanging a tea towel. Also she can not help but notice the splatter of what looks like tomato sauce, on Harry’s torso. Clearly evidence of happenings in the kitchen.

“Ruth, sorry, please come in.” At last Harry looks up at Ruth slightly out of breath, Scarlet having been almost thrown back down the hallway.

“Harry, are you all right? You look all - all flustered and your shirt…” She points at his chest and the tomato sauce stains.

Harry sighs, “I feel I may need your help if we are to eat this evening. Things... are not going to plan.” He gestures in the direction of the kitchen as he closes the front door behind them.

Ruth can not help but laugh. It is the perfect ice-breaker and she thrusts the bottle of wine she is cradling, into Harry’s arms. “Lead the way, Harry.”

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Several hours later, with empty bowls and plates cleared away, Harry and Ruth are still sitting, relaxed, at the dining room table enjoying the bottle of wine Ruth has brought with her. A red burgundy; their second. Conversation has come easily as the pair catch up on lost years and missed adventures, some fun, most not so. As Harry pours the remains of the second bottle into Ruth’s glass, Ruth knows this is a side to Harry he rarely shows and she feels privileged that he is allowing her to experience it. Relaxed, attentive, cheery, funny even, Harry is letting go and showing her that he can escape from his carefully constructed comfort zone. Cooking, entertaining at home and entertaining a woman, are things she is sure he is not used to.

Getting up from his chair, Harry picks up another bottle of wine from the side board next to the dining table.

“Harry, I…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I must get going it’s…heavens it has gone eleven!“ She glances at the clock on the wall and then double checks the time by looking at her watch, just to make sure it is correct.

“Ruth, I don’t think you are in any state to drive. Do you? We have gone through two bottles already,” says Harry pointing at the two empty bottles on the table to emphasise his point.

“Crumbs! I’m not used to this. In Cyprus we just walk everywhere. No need to worry about drink drive laws there. I‘ll get a taxi.....” She is flustered and looks around for her bag.

Harry can not help but flinch at the word “we” but using the boldness the wine has installed in him continues. “Ruth - stay.”

“W- what?”

“Stay here. I’ve got plenty of room. It won’t take me a minute to fix up one of the spare rooms. You don’t have to worry then and we can enjoy another bottle.”

Ruth knows that she is already slightly tipsy and suddenly an old voice reappears in her head telling her that this is definitely not a good idea. There is though another voice, a much louder, fresher one, saying - stay; enjoy his company while it lasts. You will be gone from these shores soon enough. Confused, Ruth starts to panic and Harry can see it in her face.

“No, really. I’ve got Nico to…”

Cutting her off using his lowest and most calming voice he can muster, “It’s not like you have work to go to in the morning or Nico has school. Come on, please. It would be a shame to end the evening now,” says Harry.

“No, I can’t! Sorry. I must phone Jo.” Clutching her mobile phone tightly in her hand, Ruth flees into the Hallway.

A few minutes later Ruth reappears but hovers in the doorway to the dining room. Tapping her phone lightly on her chin, a clearly nervous Ruth looks over towards Harry who is still sitting at the table, with a freshly opened bottle of wine in front of him. He takes a sip of his drink and looks at her over the rim of his glass, trying to hide his amusement.

“Jo - Jo says Nico is sound asleep on the sofa and well…I should just come and collect him in the morning before she leaves for work.”

“So…it’s all sorted then.” It is a statement, not a question.

As Ruth walks silently back to her chair, Harry picks up the bottle of wine from the table and slowly refills her glass, right to the top.

TBC

[Beatriz]

Nice chapter For some reason I suddenly love Nico... or was it a Harry's trick? Why didn't Ruth hear her louder voice in her head? I'm loving this and looking forward to know what happens next

[lwhite53]

Harry in the kitchen with sauce all over the front of his shirt -- great image. What's he got planned for the rest of the night? Nice chapter, TL. Things appear to be heating up . . . in more ways than one.

[Silktie]

Aww, that was lovely! Loved Harry wrestling with Scarlet, and the ease between Harry and Ruth. Just great. Is anyone else wondering whether Jo drugged Nico to keep him out of the way? Just me then? Okay.

[A Cousin]

(30-08-2010 06:30 PM)Silktie Wrote:  Aww, that was lovely! Loved Harry wrestling with Scarlet, and the ease between Harry and Ruth. Just great. Is anyone else wondering whether Jo drugged Nico to keep him out of the way? Just me then? Okay.

LOL! Nope, not just you! One word: Benadryl.

*sheesh!* I feel for Harry - I can't even pronounce Amatriciana much less know what it is! At least he knows when to admit defeat.

I liked a "renaissance of their relationship" (nice alliteration) and Ruth on time for once. Nice character hint - one, that she is almost always late and two, she isn't late for this!

Very nice, TL!

[JHyde]

I'm loving the undercurrent of hating Nico, TL

[Nia M]

Best. Chapter. Yet.

Nico you utter angel - thank you for falling asleep - Harry slightly hustled as he wrestles with Scarlet, his casual appearance as he opens the door (complete with tea-towel!), Ruth 'enquiring' (ooh, jealous perhaps??) look at Jo about the Sat Nav last destination, Jo's mischievous smile at Ruth (oh, yeah, she blatantly knows Ruth's not just going there to pick up some papers ) and now the prospect of more-than-slightly tipsy Ruth staying over at Harry's!

Oh, you do spoil us

[Tea Lady]

(30-08-2010 07:11 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  LOL! Nope, not just you! One word: Benadryl.

*sheesh!* I feel for Harry - I can't even pronounce Amatriciana much less know what it is! At least he knows when to admit defeat.

Oh dear. I feel a bit bad now. I don't hate him loads...just a little bit...maybe. I don't think Jo would have drugged him but certainly if it had been Ros babysitting, the poor boy would have been "asleep" within minutes of Ruth leaving.

As for Amatriciana bucatini A Cousin, it is a rich tomato sauce made traditionally with cured pork shoulder and pork cheek, with chillies, topped with pecorino cheese.

Thanks again for the reviews guys.

[Nia M]

Dear lord, Ros babysitting?? *flees*