Besotted in Belfast

"Ahh, that's not fair, putting me on the spot like that."

"I want to see how much deeper you can dig another hole." She chuckled, flashing her cute dimples as she smiled.

"They're nice enough. No different from any other of my parent's friends."

"So your mum knows a lot of dyed in the wool Catholics who are living in the sixteenth century?"

"Ahh, Finn. I assume he doesn't approve of you being one of Pete's friends?"

"Ha ha. Mum, er Pete's mum Carol is fine with me but Finn pretends for her sake. He talks to me through gritted teeth and you can almost feel him mentally making the sign of the cross whenever he meets me."

Sam laughed, enjoying being with someone friendly at last, although had to cut it short with a sneezing fit into his now damp handkerchief. "Er, do they have a cat here?"

"Yes, that's why I'm house sitting whilst they're all away."

"Oh, shit. I'm allergic to cats and some dogs. As soon as I entered, I could feel it. My nose is already going into meltdown, and my chest is tightening. Do you mind if I step outside?" Sam nodded through the kitchen window where it looked as if the rain had stopped and he'd seen a small patio with some garden furniture.

"No, I don't want you dying out on me. It will upset the neighbours!." Summer chuckled, glancing over his shoulders, to the garden outside, checking out the window. "It looks as if it's stopped raining. Pull the cover off a chair and I'll bring your tea out to you."

Sam hastily exited the house and pulled the covers off two chairs, being careful not to let them drip onto the dry chairs and cushions beneath. He sat on one, leaving the larger seat for Summer, and could already feel his chest easing. The fencing sheltered them from the chilly wind, but the cloudy sky threatened more rain.

Summer came into the garden with the two mugs, looking smug. "So our small little moggy James has the tall, handsome Sam quivering in his boots?"

"Ye'p. Tall and handsome, you say? Thanks."

She blushed as she handed him his tea. "Take the compliment in the spirit of my being attractive and having a nice bum." She giggled, but avoided Sam's eyes.

"Okay, touché... I'm afraid I'll have to go elsewhere and leave you to your solo cat sitting duties as without my inhaler I'd end up hospitalised staying here. Do you know of any cheap hotels or student hostels?"

"But your cash won't last a week in a hotel. Even a hostel will gobble that up soon enough."

"Hopefully, my cards and phone will arrive before then. I can call in each day to check on the post situation."

Summer stared into her tea as once again her eyelids fluttered and she bit her lip. Sam couldn't help but feel at a loss, knowing nothing he could say or do to charm her would work. He wondered what drove such a cute, pretty woman to stay within her gender. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he scolded himself, knowing it wasn't as simple as that and that he should know better.

"Ah, umm." Summer sat up in her chair, leaning forward. "I've an apartment near the university. I'm only calling in to feed James, remove any dead things he brings in and stop any post from accumulating." She left that thought hanging, whilst focussing on her mug. "I don't keep a cat and my flat is big enough for the two of us, if you're happy sleeping on a sofa bed?"

"You sure?"

"No, but if Finn, the miserable, and Carol trust you, then I think I can, too."

"Thanks, but I don't want to be a third wheel if you've got a partner waiting for you."

Summer blushed, avoiding his gaze. "No, no one... I'm a little overcautious, having the habit of pushing the right ones away and attracting the wrong ones."

"Ah, I know that feeling. Okay, so long as you're sure about it and warn me if I ever go digging a big hole again or sticking my big foot in it?"

Summer giggled. "It depends on how deep and how stupid it makes you look. Although you make a habit of it."

Sam shrugged. "It seems to come naturally to me."

They both laughed and sipped their tea. Summer still avoided Sam's eyes and he couldn't help thinking that if she were straight, he'd be sure she liked him, before he scolded himself for being vain.

"If I sort out some cat food and then we can catch a bus into town, where we'll get you some new clothes."

"That'll be great. Look, if you have plans, don't set them aside for me."

Summer laughed. "Pete gave me his passwords, and I'd planned to enjoy some gaming."

"It's no good looking at me. I'm useless."

Summer's blue eyes lit up. "Ha ha, thinking about it, I don't have anything lined up for the next few days, so I can show you around the sights too."

"That'll be brilliant, thanks. To see the sunny sights of Belfast would be great now I'm here."

"That's the spirit... But for now let's go shopping for some smalls for you!"

"Hey, less of the smalls!"

Summer gave a deep throaty giggle, which halfway through rose an octave, as if she were correcting herself. She blushed and headed into the kitchen. Sam stayed outside, feeling a lot happier than earlier with his initial impression. He may not be Summer's type, but maybe that suited them both with this new arrangement and she certainly had a good sense of humour.

Not long after he'd finished his tea, Summer returned, grinning. "Cat food seems to smell worse with every tin, yuk. I'll rinse these mugs through, then we'll get going."

"I hope Pete realises he's getting the better end of your deal."

Summer picked up the mugs and, with her back to him, she muttered to herself, "Nope, he's not."

"Sorry?"

Summer turned to look at him, blushing. "Ah, er, no. I've heard about those trips and they'll be staying in cold bothies and mountain huts. I'd rather be here."

"What's he doing then?"

"Umm..." She looked past Sam, thinking hard, trying to remember, "Geology... They're studying rocks."

"Oh, what about you?"

"Media. I like to be behind the camera, whether filming or photography."

"Oh, okay, that's different. Most people want to be in front of the camera."

"No, not at all. I've found that often they're too shallow. All botox and no substance."

Sam laughed whilst enjoying her thin lips beaming at him and her small dimples giving a brief appearance. He tried to guess her age. Her makeup, hair and general personality suggested older than him, but her freckles gave her a boyish hint at being younger, maybe twenty-two at a push.

Summer lingered, watching him watch her, before she blushed and rushed inside, half chuckling to herself. Sam sat back, pleased that after all his problems he'd met Summer, who was a very pleasant distraction. He'd surprised himself at how relaxed he felt with her, unlike a lot of women he'd met before.

He could hear her progress around the house. First a tap running, then some sloshing of water and Summer's quiet dulcet tones as she sang to herself. After a few minutes, he heard a toilet flush, then her voice gradually returning before she appeared in the doorway, wearing a salmon pink jacket and gold canvas shoes.

"Right, that's me ready. James will come home when he gets hungry."

Sam got up chuckling, "I've just worked it out, Peter, John, and now James. How many other pets had the disciple treatment?"

Summer brought her finger up to her lips. "Shush, or you'll get struck down by lightning. Finn may not rule the roost, but mum gives him some control."

As soon as Sam's eyes narrowed, questioning her, she bit her lip.

As he asked, "You've called Carol, mum a few times, why's that?"

She stammered and avoided the question, "Come on or we'll miss the next bus."

Sam scurried past her to wait for her outside the front. He watched her double check the back door and the cat flap in its lower panel. As she walked through the dark hallway, he could see she was blushing and still a little flustered by his question.

He gave her space as she double locked the door behind her and she lead the way, swinging a dainty silver and gold handbag over her shoulder.

"It's okay if you don't want to answer the question." Sam's tone said otherwise, thinking of ways of asking the same question later, or maybe when she was more relaxed.

"You're not going to let it lie, are you?"

"We'll you're not Peter's girlfriend and yet..." He grinned at her, winking, hoping to break her defences down.

She thought for a while as they walked before answering. "Okay... When my parents found out about my preferences, they went full on intervention on me, calling relatives, ex-teachers, even the local priest to nag and pray me straight. I ran away into the night and thankfully bumped into Carol. She listened to me without judgement, when everyone else turned their back on me. So I feel she's more mum than my own. But she's never protested when I've accidentally called her mum."

"That's nice. I don't really remember much about her, nor Peter and John, to be honest, but oddly enough, the dull, grumpy Finn I can remember."

Summer laughed, and her soft, warm hand held his. She joyfully swung his arm with hers as they walked. After the third or fourth swing, Sam squeezed her hand in a friendly gesture, but it had the opposite effect. She released her hold on him to move it to her handbag strap as they continued to walk.

They soon reached the end of the road and turned to head to the bus stop sign barely twenty steps away. They waited in silence and within ten minutes, a bus arrived. Sam let Summer in first and followed her, after paying, to sit with her at the rear of the near empty bus.

"Are you okay? A few times today I'm not sure if I've upset you or not. I know I can be blunt and forward, but wouldn't you prefer that to silent and dark?"

Summer looked out of the window. "No, we're fine. It's my old anxieties haunting me."

"Sorry, I didn't realise. I don't have a gaydar or anything like that, so long as it isn't me."

Summer laughed and shook her head. "That's not what a gaydar is. You idjut."

"Can I help it if I'm a crap lesbian?" Sam chuckled, pleased that she now sported a cheerful grin.

"You definitely are that. Although, if you were, there are a few I know who prefer a nice stud lesbian." She gleefully gave him a playful punch on his shoulder, grinning at him.

"We good?"

"Yeah, you're alright. It's just me."

The bus rattled on through streets that gradually got busier. Once outside a shopping centre, the bus stopped, and they hopped off to window shop until Summer pulled Sam into a large clothing store.

As they headed to the gents section, a few mannequins in the ladies department sported lingerie that Sam couldn't help but admire some of the raunchier sets.

"See something you like?"

"Sure I do."

"You'd look great in that set." Summer nodded at one display, giggling as she hung onto his arm, pulling him close enough for him to catch the scent of her hair once more. "but they won't have your size."

Sam laughed in unison and hugged her arm back. "I assume you girls enjoy seeing your girlfriends in those things as much as we do?"

She winked at him. "Yeah, but they never seem to keep them on for too long, though!"

Sam gave a dirty laugh as they walked on. "Same here, strange that? Maybe we have more in common than people think."

Summer released his arm, and they set about buying him some more casual underwear, T-shirts and socks. As they shopped, Sam found that the more time they spent together, the more relaxed she became and the more he felt a bond between them. He had to hold his libido in check a few times, and he tried to think of her more as a little sister than the attractive woman she was, but it didn't always work.

Once he was happy with his purchases, they made their way with a bag full of clothes to catch the bus back to her flat. This time they sat near the front, as Summer assured him they only had to wait a few stops. Sitting close to her once more, Sam studied her features whilst pretending to look out at the busy city centre streets.

"I must admit to loving the colour of your hair. I assume the deep red is out of a bottle? It's nice and different from the trend of bright electric colours."

Summer turned to smile at him, running fingers through her loose hair, which Sam noticed had darker roots. Now, he could enjoy her freckles more, making her look cuter close up.

She giggled. "No, a sachet. I could do yours if you want, as I've spare?"

Sam laughed, ruffling his barely inch long unkempt hair. "You don't think the windblown, blond-haired boy look suits me?"

"Ha ha, yeah, it must get in your eyes all the time." She gave him a cheeky smile that was soon joined by her cute dimples.

"What do you want to do tonight? Eat out or take out. My treat as you're putting me up for a few nights."

"Ah, no, sorry. I've got to cover a shift at the bar tonight, so pizza from the supermarket on the way home. It's at the student's union, but I can sign you in."

Sam pondered upon his new dilemma. "Ah, no thanks. Any other time, I'd jump at the opportunity for a night out with an attractive woman, even more so if she was serving me, but to be honest, I am absolutely bushed. Now that I've stopped, I think the events of the last few days are catching up with me. Tomorrow would be great, though."

Summer blushed and glanced away briefly to return with a cheeky grin. "You know that whilst it's lovely being told these nice things, they'll not get you anywhere."

"Yeah, but for that reason, it makes it easier to tell you. Normally I'm terrible at complimenting women, but knowing that sex is off the table has taken that pressure off and, as my host, I feel duty bound to tease you."

Summer's bony elbow dug him in the ribs as her cheeks blushed deeper and she coughed out a poorly disguised giggle. Sam chuckled back with a theatrical wince and a groan.

"Don't be a baby. That didn't hurt." She laughed. "Tomorrow will be a better night to come anyway, as we've a cover band playing for those who want to celebrate Valentine's Day and the bar for those that don't!"

"That's a date then. You behind the bar and me on the public side."

The bus rattled on, stopping frequently to gain and lose passengers until rounding a corner where the road passed a large supermarket car park.

"This is us." Summer reached for the red bell button and Sam rose with the bag and shuffled out. They staggered to the closest door, avoiding running forward as the bus came to a halt.

"Cheers drive!" Sam called as he decamped and held his hand out for Summer to step down out of the bus.

"I'm not decrepit," Summer scolded, but accepted his hand with a smile, placing her soft, warm fingers in his and stepped down. Once both feet were on the pavement, she withdrew her hand and they waited for the bus to depart. The road wasn't too busy for them to cross and meander across the car park.

"They'll have cheap towels here, won't they?"

"Sure, but I have towels at home. There's no need for you to worry."

"I was thinking more of later, when I get my phone and cards and you kick me out for giving you too many compliments."

"Well, that may happen sooner rather than later, if you're not careful!" She chuckled. "Don't spend your money just yet. Wait until those chickens hatch and you can afford them. There is a student seconds shop on campus. I'll find out when it is next open and you may get another rucksack and towels from there."

"I hadn't thought of that. Thanks."

Summer headed to the rear of the store, after picking up a basket, to arrive at the delicatessen. It didn't take long for them to select two pizzas, large slices of dark chocolate cheesecake, a small pot of Greek yoghurt and a couple of cans of cider for Sam.

Summer led him out of a different exit for them to head down an alleyway. When they emerged, Sam saw that rather than detached town houses, terraced apartments lined the street, four stories high, with small front gardens lined with wheelie bins.

"Yeah, I know, but it's all I can afford." Summer said, reading his mind as they crossed the road. The wind now carried some rain with it, hinting that the enormous dark cloud behind them was catching up.

Several doors down, she reached into her handbag, pulled a bunch of keys out, and opened the door to see a flight of concrete stairs. They climbed the stairs, passing doors in various states of repair. At the top, she turned to the last door and, with a second key, opened it.

"It's not much, but it's mine, well whilst I pay the rent, that is."

Sam followed Summer in and immediately knew this was a feminine apartment. The odour of air fresheners was so strong he could almost taste it. Thankfully, it didn't immediately affect his asthma or allergies, so he closed the door.

Some framed black and white photographs lined the small hallway and he couldn't resist admiring the atmospheric views. "Are these photo's yours?"

"Yeah."

The first few were very industrial views of a local empty shipyard. "These are of the Harland and Wolff shipyards, aren't they? Where they built the Titanic."

Her head popped back around the doorway up ahead. "You like?"

"Yeah. Very atmospheric. I love the way you've taken a fresh view of the cranes. I've seen dozens of pictures of these before, but not as good as yours."

She returned to join him. "Thanks, these are Samson and these Goliath." She said, pointing at two framed collages of photographs.

"I'd like to visit the Titanic museum now that I'm up here."

"It's superb and easy to get to from the city. We can go tomorrow, if you wish?"

Sam glanced at her, surprised, but saw sincerity in her eyes. "You sure? You must have been dozens of times?"

She smiled back at him. "Only once on a school trip. It's like anything that's on your doorstep. Because you can go anytime you end up never going."

"I'd love to go."

"Yeah, it'll be fun. I've only got a few things to do tomorrow and I'm happy to put off doing the laundry and cleaning the flat for another day!"

They both chuckled as Sam agreed, enjoying seeing her dimples close up and how her glasses rose on her nose slightly when she laughed. She then pointed to other frames on the wall with coastal scenes. "These are all up on the causeway coast. But you'll need to come back in the summer if you want a guided tour of those. We'd be blown off the cliffs in these winds."

"Hmm, sounds like another good reason to return."

Summer's eyebrows rose, but she moved on, disappearing through the one doorway ahead. Sam admired the additional pictures, again noting how she'd captured something extra, whether in colour or black and white. With the bags now weighing heavily in his hands, he hurriedly caught up with Summer.

"I know it's small but..." She declared as the two of them filled the small kitchen.

Sam emptied his pockets and the pizzas onto a counter. "Hey, it's okay." He grinned at her but saw an almost panicked look on her face and realised that he was crowding her in the tiny room. He stepped back, apologising.

"No, it's okay. Let me put the cider in the fridge, the pizzas in the oven, and we can have a cup of tea while we wait, unless you want a cider now?"

"No, thanks, tea will be fine. Thanks."

Sam exited with a view to explore. After removing his shoes in the hall beneath his coat, hanging up alongside Summer's. Peaking into the lounge as he passed, he saw the sofa, swamped with large pillows and a throw.

He found a small bathroom at the other end of the hall, and as he suspected, it contained a myriad of odours, with every shelf full of various soaps and conditioners. Shutting the door behind him, he made a mental note to be extra careful not to splash, always flush, and set the lid back down.

He couldn't resist looking in the cupboard above the sink after washing his hands. As he suspected, it was full of multiple make up accessories in various states of use. He grinned at the sachets of hair colour, especially the discarded electric pink one tucked behind the others.