For the next week after their date night went wrong - the night they had misunderstood each other and Shane was too rough with Scarlett during sex - they spent nearly every evening together at social gatherings.
Drinking and card games with their mutual friend and his housemates, the cinema with Shane's friends, a housewarming party for Scarlett's friend and dinner with Shane's friend and his wife.
They were rarely alone together and although Scarlett didn't feel like being sociable, she was relieved for the distraction. She wasn't sure why but she felt so nervous to be alone with Shane at the moment that she could hardly bare him to touch her in case he might think she wanted sex and she had to reject him. He had been rough before and sometimes, even when she'd asked for it, it was too much for her but the fear she'd felt last week when he held her down and held his hand round her throat without asking if it was ok had left her feeling on edge and vulnerable.
In the company of others they behaved as they always did: Shane sat with his arm around Scarlett's shoulders or with his hand on her thigh or they held hands or he hugged her round her waist. Scarlett missed the feeling of total comfort and safety all this used to give her, now it was peppered with apprehension and tension. Shane still treated her in his caring and protective way, stroking her back or her hand, gently and discreetly asking if she was ok, if she was having a nice time and kissing her reassuringly.
Walking home from the city centre after dinner with Shane's friend and his wife, Scarlett told Shane she had enjoyed all the invitations they'd accepted during the week but joked how she was exhausted from all the social interaction.
"I think you're more exhausted from avoiding the elephant in the room though" Shane said, squeezing his arm around her shoulder and looking down at her.
"Meaning?" asked Scarlett, looking at the ground, pulling away from him and kicking the early Autumn leaves under her feet.
"Meaning that I can just about hold your hand. You haven't let me anywhere near you, never mind wanted to have sex in over a week and you're avoiding being alone with me but we need to talk about what happened and how to fix it" Shane said, in a concerned tone, softly grasping hand and holding it tightly in his.
Scarlett took a deep breath and sighed "I'm not really sure how I feel or why." Scarlett's voice began to wobble "I know you didn't mean it to hurt me, I know you're caring and considerate and even if I ask for something when we're having sex you usually still make sure it's ok or you stop if I ask you to...I just...I dunno" her voice cracked, she shrugged and turned her face away from him. The wind stung her cheeks as she faced into it, trying to hide her tears from him.
"Scarlett?" Shane stopped walking and pulled her hand in towards him to try and turn her round to face him. She tried to resist but he could see she was crying. "Aw babe, come here" he sighed, in a soothing voice. He wrapped her arm around his waist and clasped her into his chest, encircling her in his arms, stroking and kissing her hair. He could tell she was embarrassed. "You don't have to hide anything from me, babe. I care so much for you, I just want to make sure you're alright." he said softly. Scarlett began to sob and he held her tightly. A white van drove past, beeping the horn as the passenger shouted obscenities out the window at them. Shane flicked the V sign at them. "Shall we go home through the park? Maybe it'll be easier to talk when we're not at home or in the middle of the street." he offered.
