I sat back and watched as she hunched over the keyboard balanced on her knees.
"Are you alright like that? I've got one of those TV dinner trays if you want."
"No I'm fine," she said glancing up at me.
"Okay then, I'll go back to my computer and do a little more work; we can stop for dinner in an hour or so and see what you've got by then."
"Okay," she said glancing up again.
I went back and carried on with my Tuesday afternoon appointment's accounts, leaving her tapping away on the keyboard. We didn't make the full hour as the baby woke and cried for a nappy change.
I hit the save button and turned, swivelling the chair to face the back off the settee.
"What do you want for dinner, the chef recommends his scrambled eggs."
She popped her head up
"Always trust the chef," she said. "Eggs will do fine."
"Anything with it, onions, cheese, tomatoes?"
"Sweetcorn?"
"Sweet corn we have, give me ten minutes."
"Okay, I need to make some more formula as well, could you put the kettle on."
"Yes," I called over my shoulder as I exited.
I filled the kettle and got the eggs and things. Five minutes later she walked in. she had the baby in a sling on her chest with her arms wrapped around him, bag hanging on her shoulder.
"Is the kettle boiled?"
"Yes, I don't know if it's cool enough yet, it's been a long time since I made a bottle."
I carried on stirring the pot as she heaved the bag onto the counter and sorted through it for the bottle and things. She was still cooling it under the tap when the eggs were done.
"Ready," I announced, taking the pan off the heat.
"Two minutes," she replied.
She fed the baby with one hand and leant to the side to eat with the other, I'd give her time to feed him first next time I decided, mentally apologising to her.
She played with the baby after our light lunch while I saved her work and loaded up mine from the usb stick. Everything looked okay and I shut it down and packed it away ready.
She was still playing when I left for my appointment. She was watching TV when I got back, the baby on her lap engrossed with the sound effects of a fluffy toy rabbit.
"All finished?" she asked as I walked across to my chair.
"Yes, I'm done for the day," I said putting the laptop bag down on the table and sitting down.
"Can we move the settee around a bit so I can let baby play on the floor?"
"Yes, we can back it around and move the coffee table as well if you want," I said as she stood.
"No, just the settee is okay," she said as she moved down to the armchair.
As she went to put the baby down I stopped her. "It's okay; I can shift it by myself."
"You sure?" she asked straightening back up.
"Yes of course," I said bending to lift it.
I walked it around behind the desk, leaving enough room for me to get to the computer.
"Is that okay?"
"Yes that's fine," she said walking back and laying the baby down on the carpet.
"Can I?" she said turning to reach out to the laptop.
"Yes of course. It'll need to be plugged in."
"Where's the socket," she asked looking around.
"I'll do it," I said stepping forward to pick up the bag.
I unzipped it and unravelled the lead handing her the end after I plugged it in.
"Thanks," she said, sitting on the floor and putting the laptop on her knees.
"You want a cuppa?" I asked.
"Yes please," she said giving me a smile.
As I started to walk out she called me back. "Wait! Can you log on for me."
"Oh, sorry," I said walking back.
I stopped behind her back and knelt down, catching the aroma of her perfume as I put my head over her shoulder and slipped a hand around to type in my password.
"Thanks," she said softly, half turning to look up to me as I stood again.
"It's okay," I said as I walked away again.
After coffee I settled down at my computer, jumping back to my other story and plodding on with that. I carried on aware of her and the baby behind me but they were a minor distraction.
As it got towards teatime I finished the scene off and turned to look over the back of the settee at her. She was holding the bay in one arm and typing with the other hand.
"Are you staying for tea?" I asked.
"I'd better not, mum will be expecting me home."
"Okay. How's the story coming?"
"Fine, but I haven't written any of the sexy bits in yet." She said with a feint smile.
"You can fill those in later, you don't have to be explicit or anything. Do you want me to look it over?"
"No not yet, it's all bits and pieces still."
She stood and awkwardly put the laptop on the table.
"Do you want me to hold him?" I asked getting up and walking around.
I took him; the back of my wrist brushing her breast as she leaned in.
"Who's a good boy then," I said as I bounced him in my arms.
I walked over to my armchair and sat, sitting him looking outward so he could see his mum. She collected her things together and brought the pushchair over and folded it down.
When she was ready I stood and gave her back the baby. As she seated him on her hip I picked up the pushchair and carrier and led the way out to the car.
I walked in carrying the baby's things, parking them in behind the front door. I walked through to the kitchen and greeted Samantha who was busy preparing tea.
"How did she do?" she asked looking up at me.
"Typing practice," I said realising we had no cover story. "When she wasn't playing with George."
"It's good of you to let her help you," she said giving me a wide smile.
"There's the problem," I replied. "I may only have a few letters from time to time so there's not really much for her to do. I don't mind her coming down; she needs to get out of the house from what I can see."
"Yes, she's been cooped up here too long, I still think her father's death affects her," she replied, lowering her voice.
"Yes, we need to talk when I come up Wednesday," I said quietly as I stopped next to her.
"About Heather?"
"Indirectly, we've known each other long enough and we need to talk. I've got an unusual hobby, some might say, and it's time to tell you."
"Oh you can't say that without an explanation. You expect me to wait until Wednesday?" she exclaimed.
"What about Wednesday?" asked Heather walking in.
"Your mother's cooking, I asked her to save me some till I came up on Wednesday," I answered, turning to see her standing there with the baby back on her chest in the sling.[?]
"What are we having then?" Heather asked.
"Bolognese," Samantha answered calmly.
"Mum makes a nice one, why don't you stay and have tea here with us," Heather asked.
"Yes, there's enough, you won't have to wait till Wednesday then," Samantha added suggestively.
"Mum, think of baby," Heather said jokingly.
"I've got steak with fried onions waiting at home," I protested knowing there was no escape now that her curiosity was driving her. "And my computers on."
"Bring it up Wednesday, I'll cook it for you then," Samantha said, cocking her head.
"Okay," I said accepting both offers with a forced smile.
"Then you can go through and wait while I get things ready." Samantha told me.
Heather gave me a smile as I turned around and I followed her as she lead the way through to the lounge. She sat and picked up the remote.
"Do you want the news?"
"Err yes thanks," I said normally, then I lowered my voice. "I've told your mother that today was typing practice if she asks you."
"Thanks," she answered smiling. "I would probably have said that as well."
"Ha. Great minds eh," I said grinning back at her.