It was around one when Charlie showed them to a twin guest room on the first floor, complete with, soft, white, fluffy towels, brand new toothbrushes and toothpaste, and miniature bottles of Molton Brown toiletries. They had been offered separate rooms but had chosen to share. Lisa had seen the look of anxiety that flickered across Anita's face at the prospect of being separated, and the relief that took its place when Lisa said she'd be more than happy for them to sleep together.
They both took long hot showers and brushed their teeth. They'd borrowed a couple of Richard's T-shirts to sleep in.
It felt unbelievably good to be clean and fresh again. Charlie took their dirty clothes and offered to wash and dry them overnight. When she slipped underneath the light fluffy duvet, luxuriating in the cool softness of the expensive sheets, Lisa felt like a little girl scrubbed and clean after her evening bath.
In many ways being in this house with Richard and Charlie felt more like a dream than the wild and frightening nightmare that was going on outside. She wondered briefly if they should think about staying here for a few days. It felt so safe and comfortable, and totally protected from the outside world. At the same time, she knew in her heart that this was not an option for her. She wouldn't be able to stay here knowing that Neil was either at home waiting for her, or out there somewhere trying to get home. Her overwhelming desire was still to get back to him.
That might not be true for Anita, though. Anita might want to stay for a bit.
Anita was snoring softly. Lisa envied her ability to drop off so quickly. She turned onto her side, drawing her knees up to her chest, and snuggled deeper under the duvet. They could talk about it in the morning, when they'd both had a good night's sleep, and they could work out exactly what to do next.
She closed her eyes.
Chapter 5 - Day 3 - Bubbenhall
Lisa woke the next morning to the smell of bacon cooking and fresh coffee brewing. Dishes clattered from somewhere downstairs. Morning birds chirruped outside. Sun streamed in through the net curtains; they hadn't even bothered to close the heavy drapes the night before.
She yawned and stretched. She felt fresh and rested. The thoughts from the previous night about staying for a few days threatened to return, but she pushed them away. She had one plan and one plan only, and that was to get home to Neil.
She reluctantly pushed the fluffy duvet back and swung her legs round to sit on the edge of the bed. Her toes sank into the deep pile of the carpet. Anita still slept soundly in the other bed. Padding across to look out of the window, she viewed the property properly in the daylight for the first time.
It was another fine day. Clear blue skies were dotted with occasional cotton wool clouds. Beneath the window was a large patio area and, beyond that, extensive lawns and neatly manicured gardens. The high conifer hedge concealed everything beyond except the very top of the bell tower of the church next door.
There was a knock at the door. An immaculately dressed and fully made-up Charlie greeted her with a neat pile of their washed and freshly ironed clothes.
"I hope you don't mind, but your tights were in such a state I threw them away," she said. "I've popped a pair of leggings in there that you can borrow if you want," she beamed at Lisa.
"You two are so kind," Lisa thanked her. "You have been amazing. We honestly can't thank you enough."
"Oh, I'm sure you'd do the same, if the tables were turned," Charlie replied.
"No, seriously, you've been wonderful." Lisa gratefully took the pile of clothes.
"Breakfast is nearly ready," Charlie called over her shoulder as she left the room.
Lisa showered for the second time in twelve hours, not sure how long it would be before she got the opportunity to do so again. When she was dressed, she went downstairs to the kitchen and perched next to Richard on a high stool at a long, shiny breakfast bar, while Charlie served her fresh coffee and a bacon sandwich. She told Richard about her plan to try and get home.
Shortly, they were joined by a rumpled looking Anita. Yawning and rubbing her eyes, she climbed onto a stool.
"Morning, Darling." Charlie handed her a mug of coffee. "No need to ask if you slept well. How are you feeling?"
"Yeah. Good, thanks." Anita took a big gulp of coffee. "I could have slept forever."
Charlie placed a bacon sandwich in front of her.
"Lisa is still determined to try and get home, Anita," Richard said. "What are you going to do? You're more than welcome to stay here as long as you want, until this whole thing blows over."
"You do what feels right for you, Nita." Lisa put a hand on Anita's arm. "Honestly, I completely get it if you want to stay here for a while. There's a part of me that wants to, too, but I just can't. I'm so close to home that I have to try and get back. Neil should be there by now. He'll be frantic. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try."
Anita put her hand on Lisa's, shaking her head. "I'm coming with you. We started this together and I want to … you know … finish it with you. We've done ok so far. We're a good team. What I'm saying is … no offence Richard and Charlie … you guys are amazing … but I'd really like to see it through with you, Lisa, to the end … whatever that is. Besides there's no
