"I'm really sorry about this," apologised Tom's Dad for what seemed like the hundredth time as they finished packing all his university belongings into the family car.
"Dad, I've told you, it's really not a problem, and it's not your fault," replied Tom. "It" was Tom having to go and stay with his Aunt Ruth, his Dad's sister for a few weeks instead of going back to the family home for the summer vacations. In truth there wasn't a family home anymore, well not yet anyway, as Tom's parents were in the middle of living out their lifelong dream of having their own design house built. The dream had turned into a nightmare, well not really, but the project had been beset with delays and problems and it was still not ready for occupation yet, Tom's parents living in a caravan on site while they supervised the construction.
Aunt Ruth lived in Devon, in a small town called Ivybridge on the edge of Dartmoor. She was widowed, her husband having founded a small chain of Estate Agents some years ago which was still flourishing under the watchful eye of Aunt Ruth. Tom hadn't seen her for a couple of years though, but remembered her as a very attractive forty-something year old, with a daughter, Karen, Tom's own age. Karen, Tom recalled was a bit bookish, but had gone off to university to study Business, probably with an eye on taking over the family firm in due course.
Tom wasn't going to be the only guest, his sister Jo was going to be joining them in a week's time after she had returned from an archaeological field trip, digging some old ruins somewhere. Tom would much have preferred being at home with all his old mates from school, but at least the stay would give him the chance to explore Dartmoor following his new passion in life, geocaching.
Tom and his Dad chatted away during the drive, Tom filling him in with his latest escapades at university, well the ones he felt able to share with him, and soon they were driving through Devon's rolling green scenery approaching Ivybridge itself. Aunt Ruth lived on the outskirts of the town, Tom vaguely remembered it from a visit many years ago, and was therefore pleasantly surprised when they pulled up outside an old stone built house of quite imposing stature, with a spacious driveway and gardens.
Aunt Ruth had clearly been watching out for them and bustled out of the house quickly, enveloping her brother in a tight hug. She released him and put her arms round Tom, who stood a good six inches taller, squashing her body up against his. Tom politely returned the hug as Aunt Ruth stood back, holding his hands. "My, you've filled out a bit since I last saw you Tom, quite a handsome hunk now eh?" Tom blushed, he'd had a fair bit of success with the girls at university, but it was always nice to be complimented, even by an auntie!
They went inside, leaving the unpacking for a minute and sat around the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea. "Karen's been looking forward to seeing you again Tom, but she's caught up with something at the moment and won't be home for an hour or so." Tom replied that he was looking forward to seeing her too. They all chatted for a while until Tom's Dad had to depart for the drive back home.
As they finished unpacking the car Tom's Dad took him aside, "Now Tom, Ruth has been very kind to put you and your sister up, so don't be taking advantage. I know you'll help out with all the "man-tasks" around the house, and hopefully we'll have got enough of the house ready for occupation in a few weeks. Meanwhile enjoy yourself, and watch out for Dartmoor, it can really bite you if you're not careful."
Tom reassured him that he would and they hugged goodbye. Tom watched the car disappear then went back inside. "Let me show you around Tom," said Aunt Ruth, leading him on a tour of the ground floor. Tom was most surprised to see a swimming pool in the back garden and remarked on it. "My little luxury," said Aunt Ruth, "it's heated and really lovely on nice days, but beware the old saying, "Welcome to sunny Devon where it rains six days out of seven". Seriously I try to get out there most days when I can, you are most welcome to use it whenever you want."
She guided him upstairs, "My bedroom on the left, it's got its own en-suite and this will be your room, Karen's is the next one round. The main bathroom is shared, both bedrooms have doors leading into it, just remember to lock the other door when you're using it, otherwise who knows what might happen," she joked, her eyes laughing. "I'm afraid your sister will have to share with Karen when she arrives, I'll put a pull-out bed in there, there's plenty of room actually. Right, I'll leave you to settle in, come down when you're ready, as I said Karen will be home shortly."
Tom ferried his stuff upstairs into the roomy double bedroom, finding space for it in the various drawers and cupboards and looked into the bathroom. As Aunt Ruth had said there was a door from each room into it, but there was still plenty of room for a large roll top bath, a separate shower as well as toilet and wash basin. It was all very nicely decorated, and he opened a mirrored cabinet to put his shaving things inside. There wasn't a lot of room as it was already pretty cluttered and he was somewhat embarrassed to have to move a pack of tampons to one side, and also what appeared to be a foil strip of contraceptive pills.
Finished, he went downstairs into the empty kitchen, "Aunt Ruth?" he called.
"Out here Tom," and he followed the sound of her voice outside, finding her sitting at a table on the sunny patio nursing a glass of wine. "I decided it was wine o'clock, so I've cracked open a bottle. I assumed you were more of a beer drinker, so I've got some stocked up in the fridge. Go and get yourself one and bring it out here." Tom complied and returned to the patio.
"I do appreciate all this Aunt Ruth," said Tom, "just let me know if there's anything that needs doing round the house, cutting the grass or anything like that."
"There's no need for any of that Tom, we've got a gardener who comes in and looks after the place, so you just treat it like a holiday and enjoy yourself. Karen and I both work in the business part time, I do Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and during the holidays Karen does Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so you'll have one day when no-one is around to pester you." At that moment the sound of a car came from the front of the house, "Oh that'll be Karen now."