The Following Days

[Spy_Master]

oh gr8 I was giving up hope of ever getting any more lol. Sorry ur comps been ill, my grandpas comp has had a rash of illnesses as well. Like over 12 viruses, it's been a dman pain getting rid of them
This is brilliant, but where is it going lol
Spy_Master100880

[KateLovesDennis]

Glad you are enjoying it! I thought I'd better get it well under way before Sunday when we (hopefully) will find out what really happened next.

>:(viruses are such a pain, it's horrid with out the computer!

[KateLovesDennis]

Here's the next bit

Dennis hoped that his next call would be easier. He brought the car to a halt outside the well kept solid house with clipped conifers and immaculate white net curtains at the bay window. The gate swung open on well oiled hinges and he knocked twice with the polished brass knocker on the green painted door.
“Hello Sarge.” Ventress greeted him warmly. “Do some in.”<br>“Thanks.” Dennis wiped his feet on both the bristle mat outside and the clippy mat inside the door.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Ventress led him along a neat hallway with a strip of patterned carpet at the center and a series of country scene pictures lining the walls. The kitchen was equally as neat, Ventress took a shiney kettle from the gas hob and filled it at the tap, wiping the tap dry with a folded cloth which he returned to a hook by the sink.
“Mrs V has gone to the shops, she won’t be long.”<br>“Thanks Alf.” Dennis found some comfort in his straight forward manner, the visit with Phil had disturbed him more than he wanted to admit.
They stood in silence for a moment, waiting for the kettle. Dennis looked though the window, taking in the well kept back garden with plants thriving in weed free borders.
Ventress made a pot of tea, carefully selecting china teacups and saucers from a neatly arranged cupboard and a small plate, which he filled with a selection of biscuits from a well stocked tin. He placed the teapot, cups, plate of biscuits, two teasthingys and a matching sugar bowl on a lattice edged tray, with a picture of Scarborough castle on it.
“Shall we go through?”<br>
Alf’s living room was as neatly arranged as his kitchen, a three piece suite with lace edge arms and back protectors was arranged around a traditional patterned rug before a fireplace protected with a brass screen. Dennis cast his eyes over the china ornaments on the mantle shelf, a collection which must have cost a considerable sum.
“Have a seat.” Alf placed the tray on the coffee table. Dennis accepted his offer and took a seat on the sofa, adjusting the hand embroidered cushions to a comfortable position.
Alf carefully poured the tea, handing a cup and saucer to Dennis before offering him the biscuits.
“Thanks Alf.” Dennis took a deep breath. “I’ve just been to see Phil.”<br>“Poor lad.” Alf selected a cream filled biscuit and dunked it in his tea. “Is he still taking it badly?”<br>“Very.” Dennis sipped his tea. “Gina is doing her best but he’s inconsolable.”<br>“A terrible business. Mrs Ventress says that sleep is the best cure for it, has the Doctor given him anything?”<br>“I believe so.”<br>“A good drop of whiskey, that’s the next best thing.”
Dennis nodded, thinking that he would have a glass or two later. He looked around Alf’s living room, The walls were papered, the pattern matching perfectly, the joins invisible. The curtains matched in style and colour, co-ordinating with the carpets and cushions. Two matching display cabinets were filled with a china dinner service. The sideboard displayed a number of photographs, a much younger Alf in his army uniform, one of him as a newly recruited constable, one of Alf and Mrs V on their wedding day.

[millie]

wow! this is really well written and is very very good!
looking forward to reading the next part! ;D

[Spy_Master]

wow, Mrs V's influence huh, he's definitely not that neat lol, can't wait 4 nxt bit

[KateLovesDennis]

;D I really enjoyed writting that bit, imagining what Alf's house is like was a lot of fun. ;D

Here's another bit:

Dennis found himself thinking of Jenny, wondering if she was worrying where he had got to. The anger he had felt had begun to subside, she had sparked the incident but the result was not directly her fault.
His thoughts were disturbed by the sound of the front door opening.
“Ah, that will be Mrs Ventress.” Alf put down his cup and headed for the door.
A moment later, Alf popped his head round the door, a tartan patterned shopping bag in his hand.
“Won’t be a moment, just putting the shopping away.”<br>“Actually Alf, I’d better be going.” Dennis drank the last of his tea and placed the cup and saucer on the tray, wondering if he should carry it through to the kitchen.
“Just leave it there, I’ll see to it.” Alf answered his quandary. “I’ll be back at work tomorrow.” He continued. “Better to keep busy than sit and brood about it.” He smiled, lowering his voice a little. “Mrs Ventress doesn’t like me under her feet.”<br>
When Dennis arrived home the phone was ringing.
“Hello.” He snatched up the receiver before it stopped.
“Dennis.” His wife’s voice said in his ear. “You’re home, I’ve been trying to ring.”<br>“Are you alright?”<br>“Fine, I went over to Mum’s, I needed some time, to, to think.”<br>Dennis was suddenly lost for words.
“Dennis?”<br>“Mmmm?”<br>“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have interfered.” Jenny’s voice waivered, he could tell she was close to tears. “I never meant for anyone to get hurt.”<br>“I know.” Dennis spoke softly
“Dennis..” Jenny was crying now, sobbing into the phone. “Dennis, I never meant for all this to happen.”<br>“It wasn’t all your fault.” He assured her, wishing she were here with him, not some twenty miles away.
“It was.” She sobbed. “And now Steve’s dead, and… and it was my fault and poor Phil, and I’ve hurt you…… I never meant to hurt you.”<br>“Shhhhh.” Dennis sat down on the bottom step of the staircase, the wood stripped bare waiting for the new carpet to arrive.
“I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything, just come home.”<br>“Dennis…… I love you.” Her voice sounded very small. “But I want to stay here tonight, I need to think things over.”<br>“Oh Jen, there’s no need, you can come home, I’ll come over and pick you up.”<br>“I’d… I’d rather have some time alone.” She sniffed.”I’ll come home tomorrow… I promise.”<br>“Alright.” Dennis ran his fingers through his hair. “Take care and Jen...…, I love you.”<br>“I love you too.”<br>The line went dead. Dennis sat motionless for a long moment, cradling the receiver in his hands.

[KateLovesDennis]

It had been a long day. Dennis replaced the handset on the telephone and glanced at his watch. A quarter to six. Slowly he got to his feet and turned the key in the front door. He made his way upstairs, took off his watch and dropped it onto the bed. It was chilly upstairs, he switched on the light in the bathroom, put the plug in the bath and set the water running. Taking a towel from the airing cupboard, he returned to the bedroom and undressed. His uniform lay drapped over the chair, shoes unpolished, tie still knotted, dirty shirt in a heap where he had flung it in anger the previous evening. Tomorrow he would be wearing that uniform again. Wrapping the towel around him, he padded across the rough bare boards of the landing and got into the steaming water. Closing his eyes he tried to blank his mind.

Dennis woke with a start as the bathroom light flashed and went out. The bath water was almost cold, the room illuminated by a shaft of moonlight through the patterned glass of the small window. He had left the bathroom door ajar, peering into the darkened hall he could see that the light in the bedroom had also gone out.

A power cut, just what he needed, on top of everything else..

He lay back in the bath, splashing the subsiding bubbles with his feet. He tipped his head back and slipped down beneath the water, eyes tightly closed, holding his breath until his chest ached. Blowing the air out of his lungs underwater, rejouvinated the last of the bubblebath. A shaft of white light flashed across the room. Dennis lay motionless beneath the cool water.

[KateLovesDennis]

KateLovesDennis said:

. He placed the teapot, cups, plate of biscuits, two teasthingys and a matching sugar bowl on a lattice edged tray

That's interesting why has it changed teasthingys to teasthingys ? I had to double check I hadn't mistyped it and I havent. I didn't think sthingy was a naughty word, or is it? ( racks brain for why it might be naughty) I know quite a lot of very naughty words but teasthingy isn't one of them. ;D

[KateLovesDennis]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm it changed it in that post too

Obiviuosly I'm missing out on a naughty word here (looks for naughty word dictionary) as far as a know a T-S.p.o.o.n. is a little diddy thing for stiring tea and eating boiled eggs, small pots of yoghurt and other such delicacies with. It must have another meaning too

Online dictonary agrees with me:
a small sthingy used to stir (= mix) tea or coffee in a cup, holds about one fluid dram, 5ml

Just for interest another agrees:

teasthingy or teasthingyful (tsp) [1]
a unit of volume used in food recipes. The U.S. teasthingy is equal to 1/3 tablesthingy or 1/48 cup; this is equivalent to 1/6 fluid ounce, about 0.30 cubic inches, or approximately 4.9 milliliters. In Britain, a traditional teasthingyful in the kitchen was equal to 1/8 Imperial fluid ounce or approximately 3.55 milliliters, but the medical teasthingyful was usually 5 milliliters. In metric kitchens in Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, a teasthingyful is exactly 5 milliliters.
teasthingy or teasthingyful (tsp) [2]
a unit of volume used in bartending. U.S. bartenders use a teasthingy equal to 1/8 fluid ounce or 1/12 jigger; this is equivalent to about 3.7 milliliters.


well after an educational tour of websites on swear words and finding out the differnces in meaning of various words which differ from English to American. ;D Did you know that in the US a Donna Kebab is called a Gyro? and "Pasties" are something strippers cover their nipples with.! ;D the mind boggles! and a few other choice items which are better left only on the other websites.

I'm no nearer discovering why we have to have "teasthings"

Oh well educational sortie over with, I'll get back to writing the story.

Hope you are all enjoying it.

[KateLovesDennis]

A ha, the naughty word seems to be s-p-o-o-n I think I know where it is comming from now. ;D ;D I shall refrain from explaining it.

Those definitions make me laugh now it has altered the "naughty" word.
;D ;D ;D ;D

I can feel a stupid mood developing.................................... ;D

[Louise]

Lol

I have to read more of your story Kate, its really good! Write some more!!!

[KateLovesDennis]

Ok back to the story:

A sharp urgent knocking at the door brought Dennis back to his senses. Smoothing his hair back from his face, he climbed out of the tub, goosebumps erupting over his skin in the cool air. Even the towel felt cold as he wrapped it around his waist and padded barefoot down the stairs, water dripping from his body to surround the wet footprints on the bare wood.

Some one was shining a very bright light on the front of the house, it shone through the cracks around the door and illuminated the curtains with an erie glow. As he turned the key Dennis suddenly felt vulnerable.

“Hello, I’m staying at the cottage down the lane and…” Kate’s nervous, rapidly spoken explaination trailed off as the door opened fully and she found herself face to face with Dennis. The headlights of her car bathed the garden in a brilliant light which entered the hall and illuminated every goosebump and waterdroplet on his naked flesh. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks as she realized that she was staring at him and that her eyes had drifted down his chest. A laugh of relief escaped her lips.
“Oh Dennis, I’m glad this is your house, I feel such a fool. The lights all went out and in a strange house, there are so many noises and I just paniced.” She knew that she was talking too fast, she was fighting to keep her eyes fixed on his face and embarrassed at disturbing him.
“The power’s gone off here too.” Dennis spoke calmly. “Switch those lights off and I’ll get a torch.”<br>Kate nodded and turned to her car, the shadows dancing in the wind stirred trees didn’t seem so sinister now. Never the less she waited until she saw the beam of a torch dancing inside the house and Dennis reappeared in the doorway to shine the light for her before she switched off the car headlights and crossed the small lawn to the front door.

“Sorry.” She said again.
“There’s no need to appologise.” He assured her, handing her the torch, as he turned to the living room. She followed him, taking in the lines of his back, he was thinner than she had imagined, his shoulder blades, ribs and bones of his spine cast shadows on his skin as he moved. It was cold in his house, his wet skin emphasizing the lack of heating and drawing his flesh into millions of goose bumps.
“It happens quite often, they usually get it back on fairly quickly.” Dennis was saying as he crouched before the fireplace, laying kindling into the grate with practiced ease. Kate stood behind him, shining the torch on the fireplace, the beam catching his bare shoulders. Her eyes followed a drop of water, which ran from his hair, catching the light as it slid down his neck and gathered other droplets, growing as it made its way between his shoulder blades, hugging his spine until it vanished in the safety of the fluffy towel at his waist. He shivered as it ran down his back.
The house was quiet, she guessed that they were alone. She wanted to reach out to him, to hug him as she had that morning, but his vulnerability had faded and she dared not touch his naked skin uninvited.

[Louise]

I am loving this story (especially as my name is Kate too ;D )
I've been writing a bit on Dennis fan fic too, though i dont reckon its as good as yours, keep it up

[KateLovesDennis]

Glad you are enjoying it.

The scent of sulphur filled the air as Dennis struck a match, it took a moment for the kindling to catch. Kate studied his face in the dimming torch light. Another water droplet was running down his forehead, lingering on his eyebrow for a moment before finding its way into a frown crease just above the bridge of his nose. His eyebrows drew together in concentration as he watched the flame creeping up the match, closer, closer to his fingers. The drop of water slid over the side of his nose, tracing a line around the curve of his cheek, it could almost have been a tear.
The kindling sprang to life, the light of the flames dancing across his skin. He dropped the remains of the match into the fire and swept away the water droplet with a swipe of his hand.
As he turned to face her Kate knew he had caught her eyes upon him, the slight frown changed to a smile. The warmth of the fire was spreading quickly across the room, the goose bumps fading from his flesh. Dennis pulled himself up to his full height and took the torch from her, his hand just brushing hers.
“Looks like the battery is nearly flat.” He commented. “I don’t know if there are any spares.”<br>“The light of the fire is fine.” Kate returned his smile.
“Take a seat.” He indicated one of the armchairs by the fire. “I’d offer you a cup of tea, but under the circumstances…”
“That’s ok.” Kate laughed.
Dennis remained standing, turning to face the fire, warming his hands before the flames, enjoying the warmth that was beginning to seep into his body as the last of the water droplets evapourated from his skin. He hadn’t realized just how chilled he had become, nor how hungry he was. He glanced up at the clock, realizing that he had also missed taking his tablets.
Kate’s eyes followed him as he crossed the room to the sideboard, took a bottle of tablets from the drawer. His muscles showed in fine definition as he unscrewed the top and tipped two tablets into the palm of his left hand. Without speaking he tossed them into his mouth and swallowed. He stood for a moment, head flung back, hands in tight fists.
“Are you alright?” She asked suddenly concerned. When he didn’t answer she leapt to her feet and was at his side in an instant, her hands grasping his upper arms gently. His hands relaxed, she felt his muscles move beneath her palms. He slowly turned his head to look at her, swallowed hard and smiled.
“I should have taken those over an hour ago.”
“You can swallow them without a drink?” she asked in amazement, knowing that she could never do that.
“Two tablets, three times a day, in my job you don’t always have access to a drink when you need one.” He looked down at her worried expression. “Diabetes, under control but I have to watch what I eat and when.” He glanced down at her hand on his arm, making Kate feel suddenly a little uncomfortable. “Have you had dinner?” He asked with a broad smile.
“No, I was just starting to prepare something when the lights went out.” Kate replied, loosening her grip on his arms. He didn’t pull back as she let her hands fall from him, brushing the length of his arms from elbows to wrists. The light covering of hair on his forearms felt soft as he hands brushed over it.
“Do you know where the fish shop is, on the way into Ashfordly?” He asked, replacing his tablets in the drawer, her closed it an opened another. He took out a handful of change.
“Yes, I saw it earlier.”<br>He took her hand in his and tipped the selection of coins into her palm.
“Why don’t you go and get fish and chips twice, while I get dressed?”<br>
The lights were on in Ashfordly, standing in the chip shop queue with Dennis’s money in her hand Kate felt slightly surreal. She glanced outside at her car, parked across the street in an attempt to convince herself that she wasn’t dreaming. Usually staying away from home was a dull tedious experience but the way her path kept crossing his had added an edge, this would be a week she would remember for a very long time.
“Yes love?” The lady behind the counter asked. Kate took a deep breath.
“Fish and chips twice please.” She felt like a school girl buying lunch for a boy she had a crush on.
“Salt and vinegar?”<br>Kate had no idea what Dennis liked, but replied in the affirmative, assuming his tastes would be similar to hers.

Less than five minutes later she was pushing open the front door of Dennis’s home, their supper wrapped in newspaper cradled in her arms, a bottle of wine which she had bought with her own money, grasped firmly by the neck.
She closed the door behind her and went into the living room. Dennis leapt to his feet.
“Those smell wonderful!” He was fully dressed, dark socks with no shoes, dark trousers and a chunky black sweater. His hair was neatly combed but obviously still damp.
“The power is on in Ashfordly.” Kate let him take the bundle from her and followed him into the kitchen with the bottle of wine in her hand. The moonlight shone through the kitchen window, casting a calm blue glow about the room, adding to the dreamlike feeling that Kate was still experiencing.
Dennis laid the bundle on the counter top and expertly unwrapped the parcel, refolding the newspaper to accommodate two meals.
“I got us some wine.” Kate placed the bottle on the counter. Dennis closed his fingers round the neck and tipped it to read the label, an impossible task in the low light but he recognized the style.
“One of my favorites.”
Kate hoped that he has not just saying that. She watched as he divided out the meals, took a thingyscrew from a drawer and uncorked the bottle with ease. She was glad he hadn’t asked her to do it. Dennis took two forks from the drawer and handed one to her, the other he stuck in the chips, folding the paper around his supper he nestled it in one hand. Opening a cupboard he took out two glasses, the fingers of his free hand curled around the stems then collected the bottle by the neck.
“Grab your chips and come through.”<br>
Sitting by the firelight they ate in silence. Dennis felt more relaxed than he had for a long time. The firelight danced over his features and sparkled on the glass as he sipped the wine. The fish and chips were delicious and he was beginning to recover from the effects of the delay in taking his tablets. He was slightly annoyed with himself, he should have recognized the symptoms earlier in the evening. Wine wasn’t the best thing to drink but it was making him feel better, it was quite strong and on an empty stomach he was already feeling wonderfully light headed.
He finished the chips and rolled the paper into a tight ball, placing it on the edge of the hearth beside his almost empty wine glass. He picked up the bottle, it too was almost empty, he shared the last of it between his glass and Kate’s she was still eating her supper, the flames of the fire reflecting clearly in her eyes as she watched him.
“I’ve got another bottle in the kitchen.” Dennis told her, getting to his feet.
“Could I have that?” Kate asked, holding out her hand.
“Sure.” Dennis handed her the bottle rather curious at her request.
“There are some candles in the cottage, it will make a great candlestick.” She explained, with out elaborating that it would also be a souvenir of the evening.

A moment later he returned with another bottle and topped up the glasses.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Kate laughed, eating the last of her chips. “I think I’ve already had too much to drive.”<br>If Dennis had understood her he ignored her last comment.
“Cheers.” He tipped the edge of his glass against hers then settled back into his chair, sipping the wine and studying Kate’s face in the flickering light. She was watching him, a slight smile on her face, twin dimples appearing in her cheeks, it occurred to him that she was quite pretty. It didn’t seem appropriate to indulge in small talk and they sat together for quite some time without speaking, each watching the other, content in their own thoughts. Sipping the cool wine and drifting in the warmth it induced.
Outside the wind was picking up, howling through the trees and rattling the windows. It was also getting colder. Kate edged forward in her seat, offering her palms to the fire to gain its warmth.
“Chilly?” Dennis asked, his voice low and soft.
“A little.” Kate smiled.
“Come closer to the fire.” Dennis took one of the large cushions from the chair and dropped it between his feet. In one graceful movement her lowered him self from the chair to sit on the cushion, his legs sprawled across the rug, stocking feet touching Kate’s ankles. “Come sit with me.” He held out one hand to her.
He didn’t need to ask twice. Kate picked up her wine glass and snuggled into the space he made for her. He folded his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. She entwined her arms with his, hands covering his. His body was warm, the chunky wool sweater comfortable, Kate was perfectly content.

[KateLovesDennis]

One last bit to finish off the day. Hope you enjoy it

It was very late when Dennis walked Kate back to her cottage. They had both had far too much to drink to contemplate using the car. The night was very cold, the moonlight eerie as clouds darted across the sky. Kate clung to Dennis’s arm, mainly for support but also for security. He had lent her one of his coats, it was far too big for her, but kept the chill of the night from her skin. In her free hand she carried the empty wine bottle.
An owl swooped from the trees, hooting as it went, making them both jump, before they were consumed by laughter. It had been a pleasant evening, one they would both commit to memory to recall in difficult times, neither wanted it to end, but as midnight approached the following day beckoned.
At the cottage door Kate fumbled with the keys, Dennis shone the torch on the lock for her. The door opened with squeaky hinges. Kate laughed.
“See, the cottage makes noises. Terrifying!”<br>“You will be alright?” Dennis asked, he had switched off the torch and was looking at her in the moonlight.
“I’ll be fine, don’t you worry.” She was smiling, grinning at him. She put down the empty wine bottle and slipped off the coat he had lent her. She draped it around his shoulders. “You’ll be alright too.” It wasn’t a question, more of a statement, she said it as though willing it to be true.
She looked up at him, her eyes locking with his. She slid one hand under his coat, following the curve of his waist, her fingers slid under his sweater, he wore a shirt beneath but it did not conceal the warmth of his body from her touch. Her other hand moved up his back, cupping the base of his skull, fingers exploring the short clipped hair at the nape of his neck. His arms moved around her, echoing her movements, one hand at her back, the other supporting her head.

Time seemed to be standing still, dismissed by the wine and the moonlight. Kate stood on her tiptoes, placing the gentlest of kisses on his cheek. His arms tightened about her, pulling her closer with a barely perceptible movement. He returned the kiss, pressing his lips to her cheek.
“Thank you for today.” He breathed, she nodded very slightly in acknowledgement before their lips met. He was very gentle, holding back until he felt her respond. Kate’s fingers tightened at his neck, her other hand pressing against his back. Her lips moved against his, inviting him to unleash the passion they both felt.
How long they kissed in the darkened doorway neither of them knew, it felt right, the rest of the world was forgotten, the troubles melted away, the cold night air not bothering them. An easy understanding that it could go no further, flowed between them.
In the distance the church clock sounded, clear notes carrying through the icy air. Dennis didn’t count the chimes, but he knew it was time to go. He pulled back, Kate resisted his movement for only a split second. Their eyes met, total understanding between them. Her hands moved, releasing him, her touch lingering as she backed away. She pulled his sweater down to cover his belt as though protecting him from the cold. Her other hand touched his cheek. He rested both his hands on her waist for a moment, kissing her lips with a fleeting touch.
He stepped down from the doorstep and handed her the torch.
“Goodnight.” He whispered.
“Sleep well.” She replied. As he walked down the path she half closed the door but remained, watching until he had vanished from sight.

The lane was dark, the trees casting spooky shadows but Dennis wasn’t afraid, he made his way home swiftly. He locked the front door, took off the two coats, hanging them carefully on the hooks, before kicking off his shoes. He climbed the stairs and flopped onto the bed fully clothed, pulling the bedclothes over himself, he fell asleep almost instantly.

In her cottage Kate was finding sleep more difficult, her brain was racing, recalling every instant of the evening, wishing that Dennis had stayed with her. The unfamiliar noises of the wind blown trees kept her awake, she had taken the torch to bed with her and every now and again she switched it on and cast the beam around the unfamiliar room.