She can’t wait to get all her leaves off,’ grumbled the conifer, glaring at the silver birch opposite.
‘Ohhhhhh, ohhhhhhhh, I feel so free, so free,’ she cried, waving her branches flirtatiously.
‘Free and easy, if you ask me,’ the conifer thought, turning to face the Scots Pines.’ At least they’ll keep themselves decently covered for the next few months.’
Pippa had been shedding her clothes ever since the green tomato chutney had come to the boil, filling the kitchen with steam. She decided to enjoy it for once, put on a favourite CD and let the hot moisture penetrate her skin. By the time her husband, Nick came home, she was down to her bra and half slip beneath her apron.
‘What’s going on? It’s like a sauna in here.’
‘I know, gorgeous isn’t it. I love the way the warmth seeps into you. You need to take your jacket off Nick. This’ll take another half hour at least.’
‘Good grief. We’ll be running round the garden by then, beating each other with birch twigs.’
‘Sounds like fun,’ she grinned, waving the wooden spoon and swaying to the music.
Pip had always worn nice underwear. Nick could just see the lace edging at the top of her bra, peeping above the bib of her apron and when she turned round to stir the pan, the line of her briefs beneath the satin half slip. He put his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck.
‘I’ll just get a bottle of wine from the rack,’ he said, slipping off his jacket and loosening his tie.
The young doctor had had a hard day and was glad to take the dog out even if it was raining. Halfway down the street he noticed a figure sitting on the path, propped up by the garden wall behind.
‘Oh lord’, he thought, ‘some doddery old woman, or maybe a bag lady, judging by the number of carrier bags strewn across the path. Hey ho, duty calls.’
The figure, on closer inspection was clutching an ankle covered by a boot sporting a ridiculous three inch stiletto heel. As he drew nearer a neat, blond head appeared from beneath a hooded raincoat..
‘I slipped on the leaves and had so many bags I couldn’t put a hand out to save myself.’
‘Never mind. I’ll just tie the dog up and then I’ll have a look.’
The figure shrank away from him.
‘It’s OK. I’m doctor Thomas. I live down the road.’
‘Oh. Alright then, but shouldn’t we get inside? This is my house.’ She pointed beyond the wall. ‘I was nearly home.’
The pair struggled up the garden path, the doctor supporting the young woman with an arm beneath her shoulders until they came to the front door. She found her key in the handbag slung around her neck, the doctor propped her against the hedge while he mastered the lock and then the pair of them regarded the three, steep steps, from path to entrance with dismay.
‘Perhaps we should properly introduce ourselves. I’m Steve Thomas.’
‘Lily Banks.’
The doctor picked her up in his arms, carried her through the doorway and deposited her on the sofa in the sitting room.
‘The light switch is by the door.’
‘Right.’ He noted how pale she was. ‘Now let’s look at that ankle.’
‘You’ll tell me I shouldn’t wear such stupid boots.’
‘You shouldn’t wear such stupid boots.’
Undoing the zip without hurting her proved difficult. He found himself suddenly short of breath.
‘Can you wiggle your toes? Good.’
She flinched as he gently felt around the bone and was horrified to detect the beginning of a tear in one of her huge, brown eyes.
‘I doubt it’s broken but you may need an x-ray to make sure. I’ll arrange for the district nurse to pop in tomorrow. Is there anyone who can look after you until then?’
‘My friend Shelly. We share the house. She should be back in about half an hour.’
Steve gave her a paracetamol, told her to keep her leg up and wrapped a packet of frozen peas in a tea towel before placing it on her ankle to take down the swelling.
‘I’ll look in tomorrow on my way to the surgery. Which doctor are you with?’
‘Dr. Langdon.’
‘OK, I’ll have a word with him.’
‘Thank you.’
Lily took his hand, he squeezed it and made for the door. Outside he stood in the rain and took a few deep breaths before gathering the abandoned carrier bags and putting them inside the porch. The dog was soaking but Steve didn’t care. He decided to forget cooking supper and called in at ‘The Oaks’ for a pint and a pie in front of the blazing log fire.
Following their semi naked, sauna supper, Pippa and Nick had progressed to the bathroom. Once a week they filled the bath, creating as much steam as the heating system would allow, lit candles and plugged in the portable CD. Nick would often bring home his wife’s favourite chocolates and feed them to her while they were both in the tub. If any of them melted in the heat he would smear them over her body and try to lick them off. Passers by in the darkening evenings, hearing squeals and laughter coming from the house would raise their eyebrows and exchange knowing looks.
Steve and Lily were on their first date. He noted the knee length, flat heeled boots.
‘Glad to see you’re wearing sensible footwear.’
‘Not too sensible I hope.’
He grinned. ‘Perhaps, later I should check on that ankle.’
‘You’re not my doctor.’
‘Probably just as well.’
The Silver Birch’s deciduous sisters had taken her lead and dropped their leaves. They swayed in ecstasy, welcoming the embrace of the north wind as it caressed their bare boughs. Winter was on its way.
Copyright 2023 Katya Marsh
