Over the next few days we started to settle into a routine, Sarah leaving the house first, then Beth and I following if one or both of us had something timetabled. I had my first tutorial with Marie, and I caught a distinct glint in her eye as I mentioned what I'd been reading - "I'm really intrigued by those Schoenberg equations."
Friday night came, and Beth closed her laptop with a decisive snap. "OK - this weekend, we're all definitely taking a break."
"The bed for the spare room is coming tomorrow," I reminded, "and we were going to get the other room properly sorted as our study."
"You don't mind sharing?" queried Sarah a little anxiously. "I can still go in the attic if you need both rooms."
Beth shook her head, grinning. "It's fine, though I'm having a definite 'Jane Eyre' moment."
"The mad wife in the attic?" Sarah pretended to be shocked. "I don't think so."
She picked up a cushion from the sofa and propelled it at Beth, getting one back in return, and I grinned as the two of them tussled playfully. "Stop it, or I'll have to come and separate you."
"Dare you," Beth stuck her tongue out at me, but I shook my head. "I know where that would end up, and I still have to make dinner."
The next morning I was first up, pulling on t-shirt and jeans as I heard a van pulling up the drive. I watched the delivery driver and his mate carry the bed to what would pass as Sarah's room, and signed the delivery note, handing it back. "Thanks so much."
When I got back to the bedroom, Sarah and Beth were still asleep, arms round one another. "Come on, you two," I chuckled, kissing each in turn. "I made bacon sandwiches and coffee, but you have to come down to the kitchen for it."
Beth was first to stir. "Was that the delivery?"
I nodded. "So after breakfast you two can help me put the bed together, make it."
I went downstairs, pouring the coffee, and after a couple of minutes, they appeared, Sarah still yawning. "You two are way too keen," she teased. "I could have carried on sleeping till lunchtime."
"Tomorrow," I promised, grinning.
We made short work of breakfast, taking our mugs back up to the spare room with us. "Where should the bed go?" Beth mused. "There are windows on two walls."
"I think there?" pointed Sarah.
"OK."
We soon had the bed assembled and in place, and Beth went to find bedding. "Mm, that's pretty," Sarah offered as we put the cover on the double duvet.
"I think I can cope with flowery when it's my turn to sleep in here," I grinned.
Beth smoothed the sheet with her hand. "OK, who's going to try it?"
Sarah got onto the bed, turning from one side to the other. "Mm, feels comfortable. And there's still room for the three of us, we'd just have to snuggle up."
She waved a finger at me in mock warning. "No stealing all the covers."
"Me?" I pretended outrage. "Never."
"Right," said Beth. "Time to sort out that study."
Sarah watched as we argued good-naturedly about whose desk would go where, and how many shelves we'd each need. Finally everything was in place, and I glanced at them. "Anybody ready for lunch yet?"
"Mm," said Sarah. "Then a walk, maybe?"
Lunch was just soup - "I've got us something a bit more substantial for later," Beth ventured - and afterwards I watched as she and Sarah dressed. Our walk took us through the woods and out to the fields on the other side, and we watched crows walking among the stubble, searching for insects. "Brr," said Sarah, "it's definitely turning cooler. Can we try a fire tonight?"
"The book room?" suggested Beth, and I nodded. "Sure."
When we got back to the house, the girls curled up in the overstuffed chairs next to the fireplace, while I fetched logs from the pile in the yard. "Sorry, going to cheat on this," I admitted, crumbling firelighters from a cardboard box into the fireplace before piling up wood. A match at the base of the pile, and after a few minutes the logs were well alight, throwing welcome warmth into the room.
The light began to fade, and Beth looked up. "Candles would be nice, wouldn't they - I think we have some."
I went through to the kitchen, rummaging in the drawers, and returned with a handful of candles, positioning them around the room and lighting them. I turned off the ceiling light, and Sarah nodded. "Looks good."
"We can eat in here, can't we," suggested Beth. "I'll bring bowls in."
She'd made a beef stew, packed with potatoes and vegetables, and finally I put my bowl down with a satisfied sigh. "Mm, thanks, Beth. I'll do the dishes later."
Sarah got up and stretched. "That's a gorgeous rug you chose for in front of the fire."
I raised an eyebrow at Beth, getting a grin in return. "You're very welcome to try it, if you want to be a little warmer."
Sarah ran her fingers through the luxurious pile. "I bet this'd feel much better against bare skin."
Slowly, deliberately, she undressed, then lay face down on the rug, legs crossed at the ankles. "Mm, even nicer than I thought."
"Room for another one?" Beth queried, already slipping out of her clothes.
Sarah shifted a little closer to the fireplace. "Sure."
Beth joined her, and I watched from my chair as they kissed, flickering firelight playing across their bodies. Beth stroked soft fingers down Sarah's back, then over her bottom, caressing it, and Sarah gave a murmur of pleasure. She moved her feet apart, one leg sliding across Beth's, and gasped quietly as Beth's fingers explored her shadowed cleft. I saw Beth's fingers press into Sarah, penetrating her for a few moments, then Beth withdrew again, her slippery fingertips brushing the pink star of Sarah's other opening.
Sarah gave a quiet murmur of pleasure. "I didn't expect it to feel good, being touched there, but somehow it does."
"There are ways it can feel even better," hinted Beth, glancing at me. "Another time, maybe."
"Want me to help you two with anything?" I queried.
Beth caressed Sarah again. "Oh, I think we're OK for now. How about you turn this way a little, Sarah?"
Sarah turned on to her side facing Beth, drawing one knee up so that Beth still had access to her. Beth mirrored her posture, leaning over to kiss her, and I just caught her murmured suggestion. "Think we can both touch each other this way."
