I'd like to thank all for the constructive comments on the first part of this story. I'm hoping this will develop into a series as I have plenty of ideas for characters and scenarios.
Enjoy it and any help on improving would be greatly appreciated.
*****
Early Monday morning. Peter was already in the office. Sitting in his swivel chair. Contemplating various outcomes.
Looking out the window. Black thunderclouds looming, moving across the sky slowly. Sunlight gone, he wondered if the sky was going to depict the mood for the day. The fields in the distance, looking dark, less appealing. Suddenly a gusty wind, ruffling the copious amounts of the umbrellas dotted about the streets. The lack of any faces made the day feel grim. The weather has a habit of setting peoples moods.
A knock at his door made him jump out of his thoughts. Was she here already? He waited a few seconds gathering himself and his thoughts. He swivelled back to face his desk.
"Come in" he said as normally as he could.
Verity's smiling face come around the edge of the door. "Morning" she started and then studying Peter more closely "wow, have a bad night?" she finished, sounding concerned.
His brain, though in a fog, managed to gather some coherent words "Oh, sort of. Kids have got some flu bug we think. Up most of the night."
"Oh, same as Carol. She called in sick this morning, poor thing." Verity still looked concerned.
"Anything you need Peter?" she asked "I've got some pain killers if you need them."
"I'm good. Thanks Verity" and he forced a smile.
"Okay, just let me know if you need me to cover anything today." she said and left the office.
Peter let out a long slow breath. He had thought, had been expecting, a potential showdown of some kind. Maybe even worse a summons to Spencers office. 'Had he misread the whole thing that badly' he kept saying to himself over the weekend. He had been so distracted his wife was even concerned. He kept her happy by explaining it was a work thing on his mind. His actions Friday, although a first for him, still fresh in his mind.
He tried busying himself for an hour or so. As hard as he tried he couldn't get Friday and Carol out of his mind. He had to do something. His head was spinning with the various negative scenarios. He picked up his mobile phone and went over the options. Call her or text her. The next 20 minutes he picked his phone up a dozen times only to put it down again with indecision.
Exasperated, he gave himself a stiff talking to, picked the phone up again.
'Text is best' he whispered to himself. Scrolling down his contacts he found Carols mobile number and brought up the text box.
'Hi Carol, I trust your illness was not brought on by my stupid actions Friday? Hope you feel better soon. Peter'
he typed. His finger lingered over the send button. His brain kept saying send it but his finger wouldn't do as it was asked. Finally, after rationing it was for the best, he sent it. His stomach flipped.
Thirty minutes went by and nothing back. Peter's mind now went into overdrive. He checked his phone constantly. Still nothing. 40 minutes became an hour. 'Should I call her?' he asked himself. He stared out the window again looking across to the distant fields, perhaps for an answer or just a different focus for some relief. He noticed the barley was now being kissed and rocked by the breeze. The black clouds fading in the distance. Replaced by warmer blue sky.
He was juddered back into action by two things. Firstly a knock at the door and then his phone buzzed indicating a text. His mind froze with indecision for some reason. What should he do first? He took a very deep breath and tried to relax. "Come in" he announced. He tried to see who the text was from but Verity breezed up to his desk. She placed two files on his desk and noticed him looking between her and his phone.
"Worried about your kids I bet?" she said breaking the silence. Her soft tone always calmed Peter.
"Err, yes" he sort of spat out "you know what it's like when they're ill." he made a waving arm gesture for some unknown reason.
She smiled "They'll soon bounce back, they always do, don't worry. These are the two files you asked for. Madeline, from accounts, dropped them off just now." Peters mind briefly pictured Madeline. 5ft 7in tall, bobbed grey hair and piercing grey eyes. Always wore bright coloured clothing. Reds and pinks. And she had the longest legs Peter had seen on a woman. Not big breasted but well proportioned. The other amazing feature she had was a big mouth. Not the shouting kind but just wide and well big.
"I'll let you get on" Verity announced as she turned heel and left, this broke him from his mental image of Madeline.
He took another deep breath and prepared to read the text he had. Carol's name appeared on the screen. A slight chill went through him. He swiped the phone to read it.
'I'm not really that ill Peter but thank you. Just wrestling with my thoughts. Carol x'
Peter read it over and over. Was the kiss at the end significant? Nah, all women put kisses on their texts, don't they? What thoughts was she having? Maybe she's contemplating complaining about me? His mind kept dealing with the negatives.
Peter typed
'I'm glad it's nothing serious. What thoughts are you wrestling with? Peter'
he didn't put a kiss as he never did he rationalised. He pressed send.
Only a few minutes later a reply