*shifty look*
Um I had a nice day. Half-day and sun shining so came home and sat out the back with my feet in a bowl of bubbly water and a lapful of dog.
Had some lovely phone calls; C & D to say E had contacted them that A had seen B and house is finalised, then A to say B had done their bit and they'd contacted E who would sort things with F so YIPEEEE - all the rest is algebra ;)
I may or may not have bopped into every room of the house, shaken my tooshie and declared 'mine', my dog may or may not by then have been jumping about barking excitedly. I may or may not repeat this action again. I admit to nothing :p
The point being - I'm had one I'm sure, well semi-sure. I'm fine and happy ....though ...um this next story bit is er not happy, poor, poor character. The bit after this (it'll be posted soon as I type it) , um.... :S but hey it does get fluffy after that! *eyes Dibbs warily*
Title : a Shiver by Day
Wordcount : 509
Part : 2 of 7
Warning : character in need of snuggles!
PREVIOUS CHAPTER - Waxing Shivers
Work was an almighty drag. Tiredness made even the simple tasks insurmountable. From the printer jamming to the network failure that required all data manually inputted. Twice. Same repetitive grind. Same drone and bitch of office.
It was nice to get out of there early, to escape with a half day. Ideally it would be paid back hours rather than from collapse. Nigel collapsed at mid-day. Sunk un-dramatically to the floor beside the copier without a whimper. Considerately out of the main thoroughfare.
Nigel was chided on lack of sleep and bit back an ironic laugh. Colleagues noting the shadowed eyes and hollow cheeks wondered aloud if he was eating. Murmured knowingly amongst themselves. Personnel after eyeing his work record, added up the amassed hours and decided to at benefactor. They insisted Nigel take a week off. That he rest up. No one registered his protests. He found himself agreeing to it, accepting was less effort. He took the easier route.
Friday was shopping day and Nigel saw no reason to break routine. Anonymous amongst the harried crowds no one noticed or cared about the wan, spent young man shopping, there was no recognition that he was hours early or comment on his pale complexion and need for restful sleep.
The route home was taken at a steady pace, one foot in front of the other. Step, step, step. Carriers weighty and starting to hurt his hands by the time he reached his building. Nigel had to drop everything to unlock the outer door then heave them back up using his body to anchor the door.
Three steps from the top of the stairs a bag broke. Something smashed and his shopping rolled downward. Nigel felt a presence in the quiet hall. Tension filled him. Hair rose on his neck. It was a deep friendly voice that sounded.
‘Nigel? That you? You should have rang my bell silly. Here, let me help you’
Bags where taken from his hands and deposited by his door. Ben had lived next to him for over a year. A year after…but no, he must not dwell on that. The man was forever genial and for a moment Nigel considered inviting him in, offering refreshment and awkward chatter. The thought was only fleeting. A shiver took him. He didn’t need to see pity fill dark midnight eyes. Or to see his flat through another’s gaze. The stark picture less walls and cheap serviceable furniture.
Nigel mumbled thanks and made his goodbyes eyes cast down, not noticing the other hesitate, shake his head, prescribe him sleep and leave.
Alone, shopping shelved Nigel glanced around the walls that housed him. The silence was loud and drowned out the music. He had a week to wallow here. Alone. His feet forged a route known by heart and habit. Reaching a small side table he stared at the down turned photo that rested o the polished surface. Kissing his fingers once he stroked the frame. Staring at the dark photo back before sighing and moving away to change.
NEXT - Wash it all Away
x
Had some lovely phone calls; C & D to say E had contacted them that A had seen B and house is finalised, then A to say B had done their bit and they'd contacted E who would sort things with F so YIPEEEE - all the rest is algebra ;)
I may or may not have bopped into every room of the house, shaken my tooshie and declared 'mine', my dog may or may not by then have been jumping about barking excitedly. I may or may not repeat this action again. I admit to nothing :p
The point being - I'm had one I'm sure, well semi-sure. I'm fine and happy ....though ...um this next story bit is er not happy, poor, poor character. The bit after this (it'll be posted soon as I type it) , um.... :S but hey it does get fluffy after that! *eyes Dibbs warily*
Title : a Shiver by Day
Wordcount : 509
Part : 2 of 7
Warning : character in need of snuggles!
PREVIOUS CHAPTER - Waxing Shivers
Work was an almighty drag. Tiredness made even the simple tasks insurmountable. From the printer jamming to the network failure that required all data manually inputted. Twice. Same repetitive grind. Same drone and bitch of office.
It was nice to get out of there early, to escape with a half day. Ideally it would be paid back hours rather than from collapse. Nigel collapsed at mid-day. Sunk un-dramatically to the floor beside the copier without a whimper. Considerately out of the main thoroughfare.
Nigel was chided on lack of sleep and bit back an ironic laugh. Colleagues noting the shadowed eyes and hollow cheeks wondered aloud if he was eating. Murmured knowingly amongst themselves. Personnel after eyeing his work record, added up the amassed hours and decided to at benefactor. They insisted Nigel take a week off. That he rest up. No one registered his protests. He found himself agreeing to it, accepting was less effort. He took the easier route.
Friday was shopping day and Nigel saw no reason to break routine. Anonymous amongst the harried crowds no one noticed or cared about the wan, spent young man shopping, there was no recognition that he was hours early or comment on his pale complexion and need for restful sleep.
The route home was taken at a steady pace, one foot in front of the other. Step, step, step. Carriers weighty and starting to hurt his hands by the time he reached his building. Nigel had to drop everything to unlock the outer door then heave them back up using his body to anchor the door.
Three steps from the top of the stairs a bag broke. Something smashed and his shopping rolled downward. Nigel felt a presence in the quiet hall. Tension filled him. Hair rose on his neck. It was a deep friendly voice that sounded.
‘Nigel? That you? You should have rang my bell silly. Here, let me help you’
Bags where taken from his hands and deposited by his door. Ben had lived next to him for over a year. A year after…but no, he must not dwell on that. The man was forever genial and for a moment Nigel considered inviting him in, offering refreshment and awkward chatter. The thought was only fleeting. A shiver took him. He didn’t need to see pity fill dark midnight eyes. Or to see his flat through another’s gaze. The stark picture less walls and cheap serviceable furniture.
Nigel mumbled thanks and made his goodbyes eyes cast down, not noticing the other hesitate, shake his head, prescribe him sleep and leave.
Alone, shopping shelved Nigel glanced around the walls that housed him. The silence was loud and drowned out the music. He had a week to wallow here. Alone. His feet forged a route known by heart and habit. Reaching a small side table he stared at the down turned photo that rested o the polished surface. Kissing his fingers once he stroked the frame. Staring at the dark photo back before sighing and moving away to change.
NEXT - Wash it all Away
x