Navel gazing.

I hadn't waited for him, I walked back to Jim's getting there at 7am. The cold nip of air waking me fully as I left the motel rooms threshold, the long walk giving me a clearer picture of the new day and all the events that surrounds it.

Opening the cherry red back door as silently as I could, I glanced into the empty living room for early risers then, being none, I gathered up all the glasses, washed and dried them, then made breakfast.

I was sat waiting for the family to rise when I heard the paper hit the front door, slipping back into the front room I crept the door ajar to save the paper from the elements. Jim sat heavily in his usual chair minutes later.

And here we are 8am in uncomfortable silence as I take in his words about cleaner and carer.

Paul chose that moment to walk into the room sans shirt, hair still fashioned into that bedhead mess that you get when you have a moptop, and striped blue and white pyjama bottoms. Contentedly scratching his stumbly chin and his stomach alternatively.

I cursed the lord in my head and averted my gaze from his navel to his eyes, well admittedly it was a nice navel on a flat stomach on a chair sitters eye level but no I should avert and that I did. Meeting the knowing smirk was all I needed at that point, my cheeks reddened and he laughed at my discomfort.

Jim shushed him and he parked his behind in the chair beside me, I jumped up quickly using the moment to calm my nervous disposition and grabbed for an extra cup from the cupboard.

"Ta, Abbs" The rough half asleep voice was sincere and I again cursed myself for being such a ninny.

Jim's gaze was watchful, I could see the puzzled look then clarity must have removed the clouds of questions in his mind, he pointed his teaspoon from one to the other, the one to the other being me and Paul. "No quarrelling already is there?!"

I must have let out a gulp of oxygen from my lungs and he raised his eyebrows, the ones that look like his son's.

A, in unison quick shake of our heads, and a definite "No" came out of our mouths in sync, we laughed and I pushed Paul making him nearly take a tumble off the chair, a shove was returned and I hit the floor. I went with the antics.

"Dad! He pushed me"

"She started it"

"No, you did"

"No twas you"

"Oh, shut it you two!" Jim smiled at the family spat and all was grand.

"Sooo, I'm off to London, was wondering if Miss Abbs would like to come for a gander. You know get to know her devilishly handsome and successful knife salesman of a brother and his mates of course..." Paul put his chin on his palm and looked over at me.

What was I to do? I was too stunned by the invitation, so Jim answered for me. "Of course, splendid idea, Paul. A few days of one on one" 

My tea went down the wrong pipe and I spluttered unattractively all over the place, Paul kindly pat my back.

Jim continued on unaware  "And meeting the lads. Yes, I'm sure Abigail will have fun!"