Chapter 19

Tom surfaced gradually from a very pleasant dream in which he was in bed with an attractive girl with brown eyes and dark – almost black, curly hair. Her breasts were pressed against his back and he was just about to roll over to face her...

"Tom..." Amy's voice penetrated his consciousness; he opened his eyes and saw her standing by the side of the converted couch, holding a tray. Only then was he aware that there was, indeed, a pair of breasts pressed against his back (though covered by cotton pyjamas); he could not prevent his involuntary start of surprise. He did manage to not leap out of bed and run out of the room. Amy placed the tray on the nearby coffee-table and held a finger to her lips. "Roll over very carefully," she whispered, "and put your arms round her, then say her name. Unless you don't want to, of course. In which case, slide out of bed and go to the bathroom while I wake her."

Tom thought for a moment, not long, then shook his head and followed the first set of instructions.

"Chrissie..." She started, gasped and began to curl up, pushing against his arms, then suddenly relaxed, stiffening again when she realised Amy was standing there.

"I've brought you tea," Amy said, "and it'd be a good idea if the two of you drank it and got yourselves up and dressed. I don't say John will be bothered by the two of you sharing a bed but it might be better if he wasn't officially aware of it, okay?"

Chrissie didn't move until Amy left the room but then squeezed him, said "Thank you, Tom," and sat up. Tom was glad the duvet was covering his lower half.

"Sugar?"

"No sugar," she said, "just milk."

As suggested, they drank their tea as quickly as its temperature permitted then Tom suggested she go upstairs to wash and dress. She looked meaningfully at his lap.

"You don't have to be embarrassed about that, you know, it's perfectly normal." She was grinning at him.

"Maybe, but I want to treat you like a lady, not..." he trailed off.

She was suddenly serious. "I'm sorry. Yes, you were. Thank you ... again."

She left the room and Tom quickly stood and threw on some clothes before turning the bed back into a settee.

Tom had to wait for Chrissie to finish dressing in some borrowed things of Amy's before he could get clean clothes for himself, so he was the last person to arrive in the dining-room where everyone else was having breakfast.

When he looked at Amy with raised eyebrows, she commented, "It would have been too cramped in the kitchen."

He looked from her to Chrissie, who was looking nervous again. Actually, terrified would be more accurate. The only vacant space was next to her – that was okay, he took it.

"Sausage and-or bacon sandwich?" Asked Amy.

"Bacon, please."

"With mushrooms?"

"Yes, please!" He looked another question at Amy.

"We thought a cooked breakfast was in order after yesterday, since today is likely to be busy too, if less exciting." She exited the room and Tom glanced round; the twins were tucking into their breakfasts, as was John, who smiled slightly at him, then glanced at Chrissie and back to Tom. Tom looked at her sitting beside him and found his eyes locked with hers. Brown eyes, for all the world like those of a spaniel expecting punishment, but set in a sweet human face. His heart turned over. Glancing down at her plate, he saw a partly eaten slice of toast.

"How about eating your breakfast?"

"I ... I'm ... not very hungry."

"No ... it's difficult to find an appetite when you're worried about what's going to happen, isn't it? But you need to eat. I promise you can trust Amy and John – they're good people." he glanced at John then and saw him smiling – John then winked at him and his eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline in surprise.

Tom touched Chrissie's hand – it was like ice. He opened his mouth to comment but shut it again when he realised it was cold because she was frightened; he held it between both his to try to warm it up.

"What's your proper name, Chrissie?" He could feel her hand trembling between his; "Christine?"

"Oh, no," she shook her head. "Clarissa." She shrugged. "Clarissa, Aisling, McKinley. But of a mouthful, isn't it?"

"But pretty, like you..." the words spilt out of his lips unintended and uncensored, but he realised that he meant them.

Her jaw dropped; he saw that but neither of them saw John's approving smile.

Then Amy came in with Tom's bacon and mushroom sandwich and he reluctantly released Chrissie's hand in order to deal with his breakfast.

"Two friends of ours, Jenni Peters and Jessica Yeomans, are coming over so we can get their advice," Amy said as Tom ate. "Chrissie, Jenni's had similar experiences to you, from what we can tell. She's come through them, with some help and now she's married and a sailing ship skipper. Jessica is a solicitor who has specialised in sexual abuse cases."

"Chrissie," John interjected, "as a social worker, I'm convinced you're relatively safe right now. I don't think Social Services will want to interfere if we find you somewhere to stay for them. They know about you, because I called the duty team yesterday, but they're under enormous pressure from every direction. If we can settle you, they'll be delighted."

The children finished their breakfasts. Turning to Amy, Andrew asked, "Mummy, could Tom take us to the beach?"

Amy looked thoughtfully at Tom. It would get the kids out of the way ... She was about to speak, but John had been watching Chrissie's face. He saw the raw panic there.

"Perhaps Chrissie would like to go along?" He said.

Amy's mouth, opening to say 'that's a good idea... ' (referring to Tom taking the twins out of the way) snapped shut as her head whipped round to look at him.

"Would you like to get a little fresh air for an hour or so?" He added, looking at Chrissie.

The panic receded, reduced to a mere low-level fear, and she nodded.

"Is that okay, Tom? If you could be back here for eleven?" John finished.

"Fine, if Chrissie's okay with it," Tom responded, glancing at her.

She placed her hand on his, that time. "I'd like that," she said quietly.

The four of them set off, leaving John and Amy alone.

Amy, as soon as they were out of sight, asked, "Why did you do that?"

"I'm surprised at you, love. I was watching Chrissie's face when you suggested Tom went out with the kids," John responded. "If Tom had gone out and left Chrissie alone, I don't like to think what would have happened – hysterical girl at least, I think, though I may be doing her an injustice. I think Tom's going to have to stay with her for a while, at least. Can we get someone to keep the kids out of the way, do you think?"