Tim and Amy

"I think you're right," Tim said. "Go on, dive in."

He opened the door for me, and I walked to the edge of the pool, executing a graceful dive and surfacing. "Brrr! Feels cold compared to in there."

He dived in and swam over to me, splashing me playfully.

"This is great," I said. "What's next?"

"How would you like a massage?" he said.

"That sounds lovely," I replied. I climbed out, and patted off the excess water with a towel before walking over to the massage table.

"How do you want me?" I asked.

"Lie down on your front," he suggested.

I complied, and rested my cheek on my hands.

"You look perfect," he said.

I smiled. "Flattery will not get you out of massaging me."

Tim walked over and looked over the collection of oils by the table. "Hmm, strawberry and vanilla, I think."

He poured a generous amount of the oil over his hands, and made sure it was warmed up before he began to smooth it over my back and shoulders. Then he started to massage me, using his thumbs to work over tense spots by my spine.

"That's amazing," I said. "You just keep on surprising me."

"And I plan to carry on doing just that," he said. He massaged my thighs and the back of my calves down to my ankles. When his hands touched my feet, I squealed.

"I didn't know you were ticklish," he said.

"Fraid so," I admitted, then squirmed again as he deliberately ran his fingertips over the soles of my feet. "Hey!"

He relented. "Now, turn over."

I turned over on the table, and put my hands by my sides.

He poured more oil on his hands and massaged my arms, then my shoulders and neck. He returned to my feet, this time taking care not to tickle, and I enjoyed his thumbs pressing deep into the muscles of my soles.

"Mmm," I said, "this is pretty good. But shouldn't we be thinking about getting ready to go out?"

"We have ages," Tim said.

"I'm going to need a while if I'm going to achieve the full effect," I grinned.

"Ok," he said. "What do you need?"

"Just for you to stay out of my way –" I touched his arm gently to reassure him this wasn't a rebuke – "and to be ready yourself on time."

I walked back through the garage, then up the stairs, with a backwards glance and a smile. Tim went into the living room and occupied himself with a book.

I showered, then dried carefully, and began my preparations. After a while I heard Tim come up the stairs and take a shower, then go into the master bedroom. When I was ready, I went out to the landing and knocked on the door.

Tim opened the door, and I enjoyed the look on his face. I was dressed as I had been a couple of days before, my hair up, rubies sparkling at my throat and wrist, and my makeup perfect. But this time there was more; I wore elbow-length silk gloves, and carried a fur stole, elegantly draped. My high heels brought my eyes almost level with Tim's.

He stood for a moment speechless, then said, "Wow. You could have stepped straight out of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'."

My face lit up. "Audrey Hepburn has always been my favourite – I'm glad I've achieved the effect."

"I think you can safely say that," said Tim. "The car will be here in a minute. Let's go down."

I preceded him down the stairs, and just as we reached the hall there was a discreet knock at the door.

We followed the driver to the car, and Tim opened the door for me, closing it carefully as I settled into the deep leather seat. He got in the other side and the driver closed the door, then took his place and pulled smoothly away from the kerb.

We arrived at the theatre after a short drive, and Tim helped me out of the car.

"You managed that perfectly," he said, "I've not seen many celebrities do that so elegantly." He tipped the driver, confirming that he would need him to return after the performance to pick us up.

We went up the steps and Tim approached the booking desk and spoke to the assistant, looking surprised but pleased at her reply.

He returned to me, and I gave him a puzzled look as an usher approached us and led us down a short corridor away from the other theatregoers.

"In here, sir, miss," indicated the usher. "I'll return in a moment to get orders for drinks."

Tim let me go first, and I walked through the door, turning back to him with an expression of mixed curiosity and pleasure.

"The company has a box," he said. "Actually, to be totally honest I'd forgotten, but here we are. We have it to ourselves for tonight."

I walked back towards him and gave him a hug. "This is perfect!" I said.

I sat down in one of the deep chairs, taking a set of opera glasses out of their holder and looking out into the auditorium. Tim sat beside me, and glanced down at the stage. The orchestra were just taking their places, and after a few moments began to tune their instruments.

"This part always takes me back to when I was a child and Mum and Dad took me to concerts," Tim said.

The usher returned. "What would you like to drink?"

"Amy?" Tim said. "Anything you like."

I thought for a second, then said, "I'd love a cocktail. Can you get me a White Russian?"

"Certainly, miss. And for you, sir?"

"Martini – shaken, not stirred," Tim said, doing what I thought was a passable Sean Connery impression. I grinned.

"Very good, sir." He left, and returned almost immediately with our drinks. "I'll leave you in peace now, sir," he said. "There's a call button just here if you need anything else – anything at all. Enjoy the performance."

"Wow," I said, "I like the service."

"The company likes to treat its important clients well," Tim replied.

The bell chimed to mark one minute to the beginning of the performance. I looked around the box. "Wouldn't you rather share that sofa with me? It seems so formal sitting in separate chairs."

"With pleasure," Tim replied. We picked up our drinks and settled into the deep sofa. The lights dimmed and the orchestra started to play the overture.

I leaned back against Tim and watched, enchanted, as the first dancers emerged onto the stage. The music rose and fell, perfectly fitting the elaborate choreography, and it seemed no time at all before the curtain fell at the end of the first act. The lights came up again and the buzz of voices rose from the auditorium.

"Another drink?" Tim asked.

"Mmm," I said, "I'd like to try a Bloody Mary – dash of Worcestershire sauce, isn't it?"

"Spot on," Tim replied. He pressed the call button and the usher appeared as if by magic. He ordered the drinks, and again the usher returned promptly. Tim tipped him generously, and said, "Thank you – we won't be needing anything else."

"Very good, sir." And he was gone.

The lights dimmed again, and Tim resumed his seat with me. As the dancers again executed their flawless, amazing movements, he took my hand and held it.

All too soon the performers were taking their final bow, and Tim reluctantly released my hand as the lights came up again.

I turned to him. "That was amazing," I said, "I'm so glad that was this evening's surprise."

"So, home?" he said.

I nodded, and we made our way out of the theatre to the waiting car. We were soon back at the house, and Tim made us coffee. We sat in the living room and slowly sipped it. "It seems a shame to take this off so soon," I said.

"Why don't I take a couple of photos," he suggested.

"Good idea," I said.

Tim went and fetched his Polaroid camera. "The technology's a bit out of date," he said, "but we'll be able to see the pictures straight away, anyway."

He drew the curtains, and I stood against them as a background as he took shots with me in various poses.

"So, let's see what we have," I said. I looked through the pictures one by one. "That's a good one," I said, "I'll put that one as my new Facebook picture."

"So," Tim said, "are you ready for bed yet?"

I nodded, then my face became serious.

"Tim," I said, "can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he said.

"Will you tuck me in?"

He smiled. "Of course."

We went upstairs and into my room. Tim sat down on the bed, while I sat at the dressing table. "No peeking," I said.

He smiled, and put his hands over his eyes.

I took off my necklace, replacing it in its box, and spent a few minutes removing the makeup I'd taken so much care putting on. I let down my hair, then undressed, hanging my silk dress carefully in the wardrobe.

I pulled on my long t-shirt, and said, "You can look now."

Tim opened his eyes and smiled. "I didn't think it was possible."

"What?" I asked.

"Before, you looked fantastic, sophisticated, beautiful. I didn't think there was anything you could do to look more attractive, but now you're back to being 'just Amy', my heart feels like it wants to burst."

I went to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly. "That's so sweet," I said. Then I released him and got into bed.

Tim pulled the quilt over me, then leaned over to kiss my hair. "Sweet dreams," he said, turning out the light as he left.

***

I was already awake when Tim tapped gently on my door and came in. I sat up in bed.

"Thanks for tucking me in last night," I said.

"No problem" replied Tim, kissing my cheek. "Did you sleep OK?"

"Never better," I said.

"What would you like to do today?" he asked.

"Well, sorry to be dull, but I could do with some breakfast," I said.

"Already thought of it," he grinned. "I'll have croissants ready in just a few minutes."

He went down to the kitchen, returning in a few minutes with a tray.

We took our time over breakfast, and when we had both finished eating, Tim again asked, "What do you want to do today?"

I smiled and answered without hesitating, "I want to stay in and talk. I want to know everything about you."

"Well," Tim said, "I haven't exactly written my autobiography, but I'll give it a go..."

I grinned. "We have lots of time."

Tim moved closer to me and said, "Where do you want to start?"

"At the beginning, I guess."

"OK," Tim began. "I was always quite a serious child – not shy, exactly, but wrapped up in myself. I had a few friends, and we did the usual things as teenagers – smoking, getting hold of alcohol when we could, trying to fix up old motorbikes and ride them."

"Very naughty," I grinned, shaking my head.

"I always did well at school," Tim continued, "so there wasn't really much doubt that I'd go on to university. When I graduated I applied for another course – a masters – and got in."

He grinned. "Though I did spend quite a lot of that next three years on the river, and doing a few other things that weren't exactly on my supervisor's list for me."

"Did any of them involve girls?" I asked.

Tim looked uncomfortable. "Yes," he said, "but I'm not exactly proud of how things worked out with my various girlfriends. I was pretty selfish when I was younger, and I usually ended up dropping them when the initial thrill had worn off."

He sighed. "When I finished my degree, I moved up here to get a job, and had a fairly messy breakup with the girl I was engaged to."

I put my arms around him and hugged him. "I'm sorry," I said. "Did you meet Pam after that?"

"Yes, we got together through a mutual friend."

I hesitated. "Can I tell you something?"

"Anything," Tim said.

"Tim, I need you to know something," I said. "I'm not taking anything for granted. I love what we have together – I love you, and I'm grateful for everything we have and everything you've done for me. I don't know how long we'll have this, and I don't want to spoil it by assuming too much, or trying to tie you down, put boundaries you might not like on anything."

He was silent for a long time, then he spoke slowly. "Amy, I told you about some of the things I did when I was at uni. I'm not proud of those, I really regret hurting those young women, and sometimes I wake up at night under the weight of responsibility for how it might have made their lives turn out. But I'm older now, and I hope wiser."

His face betrayed his feelings. "I don't have a script for this – I don't know how it's going to turn out. But the one thing I'm determined is that you'll take away something good from this – something you can look back on really positively, whatever else your life holds."

I was crying now, and he tightened his arms around me. I looked up at him, my face streaked with tears. "That's the most amazing thing anyone has ever said to me. I think I'm beginning to understand a little more what love might really be."

I sniffed, and wiped my eyes. Tim held me as tenderly as he ever had, kissing my still damp cheek. "Hey, there," he said, "are you OK?"

I nodded. "What we've had together has really been amazing – you've really treated me differently to anyone else I've ever known."

He hugged me. "Every girl deserves to be treated like a princess," he said. "Now, are you ready for lunch yet? I promise not to put a pea under your mattress."

I smiled. "I could definitely eat something. I think that bacon we had the other day has given me a taste for it – could we have bacon sandwiches?"

"Of course," he said, "I'll be back before you know it."

He went downstairs and clattered around in the kitchen, grilling bacon, making tea, buttering bread, and pretty soon he brought a laden tray back up to the bedroom.

I was sitting up in bed when he returned, and I saw him looking at me, a soft smile on his face.

"You really think I'm beautiful, don't you," I said.

"Because you are," he said sincerely.

He set the tray down, and I picked up a sandwich and began to eat. Between mouthfuls I said, "Sally was always the pretty one."

"I think," Tim said, "that you'll find you've overtaken her."

We finished the sandwiches, and Tim made coffee for us and brought it up. We sat on the bed and talked as we drank.

After a while I said, "we still have one afternoon and one night left to us. What shall we do?"

"How about a swim to start with?" Tim suggested.

"Great idea," I said. Again Tim closed his eyes while I changed, then went to put his trunks on. We went downstairs and through into the extension, and I splashed about in the pool while Tim sat in one of the lounging chairs and watched.

"Aren't you coming in?" I called.

He got up and dived in, catching me and sweeping me off my feet. He carried me to the edge of the pool, then set me down, trapping me with his arms on either side.

"You've got me now, I can't escape," I teased. Tim pretended a fierce expression, then kissed me lightly on the lips.

We got out of the pool and Tim found towelling robes for us both. "Shall I get us something to drink?" he suggested.

"Sure," I said. "How about some wine?"

"Good idea," he replied. He went back through to the kitchen and opened a bottle, finding glasses.

When he returned, soft music was playing in the background.

"I found the controls for the sound system," I said.

Tim filled a glass and handed it to me. I sipped. "Mm, nice."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, then Tim said, "Completely changing the subject, I have an idea. You said you were applying for Business Studies at the university this autumn."

I nodded.

"I wondered if you'd thought about your sponsorship and placement yet?" he asked.

"Not really," I said. "I'd considered writing to a few of the big companies to see if they would be interested, but I haven't done anything about it. What's your idea?"

"I could pretty easily get you something with my firm, arrange some time for you between terms. It'd be good experience – it's a great company, and lots of very smart people."

My face lit up. "This just gets better," I said. "I get to live here while I'm studying, and to work with you in the holidays."

We talked for a while longer about the areas of business I hoped to specialise in, and Tim mentioned various of his work colleagues who he could ask to take me on for periods of time to give me relevant experience.

As it began to get dark outside, Tim said, "You hungry again yet?"

I considered briefly, then nodded.

"Let's go out somewhere – what would you like?"

I replied without having to think. "McDonalds, please – chocolate milkshakes, remember."

"Sure."

We both went and dressed, then left the house to walk to the nearest McDonalds. Tim ordered for us, and I watched the other customers while we waited for our food to come.

"I always wonder what they're thinking about," I said. "Sometimes I think I can tell."

"Did you ever consider doing psychology?" Tim asked. "It's what I studied."

"You didn't tell me that," I said, pretending to look concerned. "Now I'll worry that you're working out my motivation all the time, maybe reading my thoughts."

"Nobody can do that," he grinned, "I don't care how good a psychologist they are."

When we'd finished eating, I swished my straw around in my milkshake, trying to melt it so I could drink it.

"We could take it back with us," Tim suggested. I nodded, and he took our trays to the bin and returned to me. We walked back to the house and sat down in the living room.

"How about I light a fire?" Tim suggested.

"Mmm, I love a real fire," I said. Tim quickly piled up kindling in the fireplace and got it going, then added some logs, and soon the fire was burning brightly.

"Turn the light out," I said. Tim went over and turned the switch. When he turned back, I was sprawled out on the rug. I watched the firelight flickering on Tim's face.

I patted the rug and said, "Come and get comfortable." Tim eased himself down beside me and propped himself up on one elbow so he could look at my face while we talked.

After a while I stirred. "Think it's time for sleep," I said.

We went upstairs, and again Tim tucked me in tenderly.

When Tim came in the next morning, I was already awake. He sat down on the bed, and I was quiet, just looking at him. "I'm fixing this in my mind," I said.

"I know what you mean," he replied. "I think this morning we'll have to take some time to put the house straight, make sure everything's where it should be."

"OK," I said, a hint of sadness in my voice. "Still," I said, brightening, "we'll be together, even if I have to be 'just Amy' for a while."

We took our time doing the bits of housework and tidying, and when Pam rang to say she was on her way back from the airport, everything was shipshape. When she arrived, we were reading in the living room.

Tim embraced Pam as she came through the door, and kissed her on the lips. She whispered into his ear so that I couldn't catch her words, but from his answering smile I could guess.

"For certain," Tim replied.

The rest of my visit went pretty much as expected – we all enjoyed the activities Pam had planned for the second week, and I played my role perfectly. Occasionally when Pam was out of the room for a few minutes, Tim and I snatched a quick hug, but we always ended with a whispered "Wait" and were back in our right places when Pam returned.

I went to the ball, wearing the red dress Tim had admired so much, and the 'costume jewellery'. When I got back, Tim and Pam were both still up.

"Wow, I really enjoyed that," I said. "I can't wait till uni." I winked at Tim so Pam couldn't see, and he raised his eyebrows in silent agreement.

Eventually the second week was over, and Mum and Dad came to pick me up. Pam explained my suggestion about boarding with us during term time, and Tim added his idea about work experience for me.

"Gosh," said Mum with a smile, "seems like you're really stealing our little girl away from us. You will let us have her back occasionally, won't you."

"Of course," said Pam. "Tim and I need some time on our own, don't we." She winked.

"Definitely, darling," Tim replied.

We got into the car, and again I watched in the mirror as Tim and Pam waved till we were out of sight.

***