The Rescue (continued)

[smallhobbit]

 

When Sam left for work, Cal did as he had said he would and moved into the chair.  He picked up the blanket that Sam had discarded on the floor and pulled it round himself.  He inhaled; the blanket still smelled of Sam, so he put his arms around it and imagined that he had his arms around Sam.

It seemed strange.  They’d had a brief hug in the police station, which had started out as a means of comforting each other, but had lasted too long to be just reassurance.  And there’d been a moment of physical contact in the kitchen, but since then nothing.  Cal knew that he was attracted to Sam and wanted to get to know him better.  But he wasn’t sure of Sam’s feelings for him; whether he had any or whether his behaviour had just been as a reaction to the events of the day.  Cal drifted off to sleep.

When he awoke, Cal discovered he was still hugging the blanket.  He looked across the room to see a pair of brown eyes looking at him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up,” Cecil smiled.

“That’s alright.  Do you want some coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

Cal got off the chair rather stiffly.  Cecil, despite his injuries, seemed a lot better and Cal envied him the ability of youth to bounce back.  He went into the kitchen.

“You like him, don’t you?” Cecil called from the living room.

“Who?”

“That copper.  Inspector Tyler.”

“Errm.”

“He likes you too, you know.”

“What?”  Cal thought he’d change the direction of the conversation.  “Do you want some breakfast?  I’ve found some eggs and bacon in the fridge.”

“Yes, please.  I’ve learnt to tell whether a person genuinely likes someone else or whether it’s just show.  And that inspector really likes you.”  Cecil had got dressed and joined Cal in the kitchen.

“Hmpf, well, make yourself useful and see if you can find the knives and forks.”

Cal was in the middle of washing up and Cecil was, somewhat reluctantly, using the tea towel, when Sam and Gene came into the flat.

“Cal, Cecil, this is DCI Gene Hunt,” said Sam.

Cal watched Cecil shrink back, the vulnerability of the lad becoming apparent once again.

“It’s alright, Cecil,” Sam smiled.  “You’re not in trouble.  You’re going to spend a couple of days with Mr and Mrs Hunt.”

“DI Tyler, ‘ere, needs ‘is bed back.  And I promise you our spare bed is much more comfortable,” added Gene.

Cecil looked unconvinced, but nevertheless followed Sam and Gene out of the flat.

The Missus was waiting for them when they arrived at Gene’s house.  As Sam walked in she looked intently at him.  “Morning, Mrs Hunt,” he said.  Although he went there for Sunday dinner every two or three weeks and knew her first name, he always referred to her as Mrs Hunt.  She made him feel like a small boy in infant school standing in front of his formidable headmistress.

The Missus, who clearly saw part of her role as DCI Hunt’s wife to include feeding up his scrawny DI, turned her attention to Cecil.  “What you need, lad, is a good hot bath.  I’ll go and run you one.”

Turning to Sam, she added, “I presume he has some clean clothes to put on.” 

Sam sheepishly looked at his feet. 

“You had better go and buy some then,” she told him.

Sam looked at Gene for confirmation.

“What are you waiting for?” the Missus grumbled.  “He’ll need them once he’s finished his bath.”  She looked Sam and Cecil up and down.  “He’s about the same size as you, just a bit skinnier, if that were possible.”

Sam returned with the clothes he had bought and passed them over to the Missus.  She looked through the purchases and said, “What is he supposed to put on his feet?  Oh never mind, I’ll find a pair of Gene’s socks that have shrunk in the wash.”

Sam felt that a word of thanks for what he had bought wouldn’t have gone amiss, but thought that if he said anything he’d be sent to stand facing the corner for being impertinent.

Mrs Hunt took the clothes upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door.  “Cecil, there are pants and undies outside the door when you’re ready.  I’ve got some cream to put on your back before you finish getting dressed.”

Shortly afterwards Cecil came down and joined the others in the kitchen.  With his hair still damp from the bath he looked even younger than ever.  The Missus inspected the injuries on his back and arms and prepared to apply the cream.

She turned to Gene and Sam, “Right, be off with you.  Go and find something useful to do.  Cecil and I will be fine here by ourselves.”

DCI Hunt and DI Tyler looked at each other and obediently left the house.

On the way back to the station Sam asked Gene to drop him off at his flat.

“You okay?” Gene asked.

“Yeah.  Didn’t get that much sleep last night – the chair’s not very comfortable.  So I thought I’d grab a couple of hours’ kip.”

Gene gave Sam a strange look, but didn’t pursue the matter.  “Just make sure you’re back by the beginning of the afternoon,” was all he said.

Sam opened his flat door to discover that Cal was still inside.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’ll leave at once.  I was just enjoying the quiet to put together my thoughts for the article.” Cal looked embarrassed.

“No, there’s no need to rush off,” Sam replied.  “Do you want a cup of coffee?”

“Yes please, that would be nice.”

Cal made a big show of gathering his pens and paper together, whilst Sam fussed round with the mugs and milk.  Neither was sure what to say.  Finally Sam made the coffee and brought the mugs through.  He passed one of the mugs to Cal and smiled at him, “Do you take sugar?”

Cal smiled back and shook his head.  He sat back down by the table, whilst Sam sat on the bed.

“Look,”

“I’m sorry,”

They laughed.  “I’m glad you were still here when I got back,” Sam said.

“I’m glad you came back before I had to leave.”  Cal replied and then added, “Is Cecil okay?”

“Oh yes, Mrs Hunt will take good care of him.”

They sat in silence again, both wanting to say something and both hoping the other would say it first.  In the end Cal got up, “I suppose I’d better go to work.  My editor will be wondering where I’ve got to.”

“Can you stay a little longer?  I could make us a sandwich.”

Sam looked so desperate that Cal took his courage into his hands and went over and gave him a hug.  Sam hugged him back and Cal sat down beside him.  He slipped his hands inside Sam’s shirt and pulled him closer, relishing the feel of Sam’s warm breath on his neck.  He started to kiss Sam’s chest and felt gentle kisses on his shoulder in return.  Gradually he became conscious of an erection pressing against his and he undid Sam’s belt and put his hand inside his trousers.  He was aware that Sam had responded and it wasn’t long before the combination of the kisses and the way Sam stroked him brought him to a climax.  Shortly afterwards Sam gave a muffled cry and climaxed in his turn.  Afterwards they lay in each others’ arms, just enjoying the closeness.  Following the tension of the past day they were happy to relax and soon both drifted off to sleep.

#####

Mrs Hunt was used to her husband bringing home waifs and strays that needed caring for.  Firstly there was his DI, who she considered a long term commitment.  Then there was their current cat which had made its first appearance as a small ball of fluff hidden in a coat pocket.  The Missus had never been sure when Gene had intended telling her that they’d acquired a new pet, but once the kitten had started to mew it had been a bit of a giveaway.  The Missus viewed Cecil in much the same way as the kitten: in need of food, warmth and a bit of TLC.

Cecil was very happy.  For the first time in ages he wasn’t being shouted at or ordered around.  A quiet, “Could you butter that bread please, luv,” was the most that was demanded of him.  Because Mrs Hunt wasn’t asking questions he started to tell her about himself, of his hopes and dreams.  She listened, nodded occasionally and made fresh mugs of coffee.  By the end of the afternoon she had learnt that he’d run away from home shortly after his parents separated, when he had felt that neither of them had wanted him.  That when he’d arrived in Manchester he’d met a couple of lads a few years older than him who had told him how much he could earn as a rent boy, although he’d quickly discovered that they had exaggerated.  He told her that he hadn’t wanted to get involved with the filming but had been too frightened to refuse.

Mrs Hunt looked at the clock, “I shall have to start getting tea.  How does steak and kidney pie sound to you?  Do you want to go and watch the television while I get on with it?”

Cecil grinned, “That sounds great.  Can I give you a hand?  I’d really like to.”

“Okay, dear.  If that’s what you want.”  Mrs Hunt measured out the ingredients for the pastry and realised Cecil was watching her intently.  “Do you want to have a go?”

Later, once they had eaten tea, the Missus asked Gene, “How did you enjoy your pie?”

“It was really good.  The pastry was lighter than usual.”

“Cecil made it.”

Gene looked at the lad, “I’m impressed.”

“I spoke to our Brian this afternoon,” continued his wife, “and mentioned that we knew a lad who might be suitable to work in his restaurant.  He says he’ll give him a trial.  They’ve got a spare room he can use until he can find somewhere of his own.”

“When can ‘e start?”

“Brian said next Monday.”

“Even better.  I can get Tyler to drive ‘im over on Sunday.”

With that Gene got up, took the whisky bottle and a glass from the cupboard and headed into the front room, feeling very satisfied that he’d sorted out what to do with Cecil. 

#####

By the time Sam had finished writing his reports it was early evening.  He debated about joining the others in The Railway Arms, but decided instead to head straight back to his flat.  When he opened the door he was slightly disappointed to see that the flat was in darkness.  He had given Cal a spare key and had told him that he would be welcome to come back if he had nowhere else to stay.

Since he was on his own Sam set about getting something to eat.  Once it was ready he opened a bottle of wine, poured himself a glass and started to eat.  He reasoned that Cal might have had to work late, so listened out for footsteps during his meal.  When he’d finished he poured himself another glass of wine, switched the television on and told himself that he was being totally unreasonable.

He woke up to the chimes that announced the ten o’clock news and realised he’d dozed off whilst watching a worthy drama.  He got up and stretched.  He felt totally wretched: not only from having fallen asleep, but because he knew that Cal wouldn’t be coming back that evening.  He cursed himself for getting his hopes up.  For the first time in a long time he thought he’d found someone he could get close to, and who he thought was interested in him.  For much of his life he had kept his emotions to himself, only daring to show his feelings when he felt safe.  Usually by this time the other person had decided he was a cold fish and had already started to look elsewhere.

Miserably Sam got ready for bed.  He had thought Cal was different.  They had seemed to get on so well together, and it wasn’t just the sex.  Unusually, after such a short acquaintance Sam had started to open up and reveal something of his true self.  He got into bed and lay with his face in his pillow.  Life was so unfair.  For the second time that day he felt the tears rolling down his cheeks.  And this time there was no-one to comfort him.

He didn’t hear the key in the lock or notice that the door opened, so when he heard quiet footsteps crossing the floor, he sat up in alarm.

“I’m sorry,” Cal said quietly, “I was trying not to wake you.”

“I – I wasn’t asleep.”  Sam made a move as if to get up.

“You stay where you are.  I’ll get the blanket and sleep in the chair.  Would you mind if I put the light on for a minute?”

“No, of course not.”  Sam felt even more miserable.  There was no way that Cal could avoid seeing that he’d been crying.  The morsel of hope that he had felt when he realised Cal had come back was instantly extinguished.

Cal switched the light on and turned to smile at Sam.  “Sam, what’s wrong?”

“I thought you weren’t coming back.”  Might as well spoil this completely.

“You daft bugger.  I’ve only just finished work.  And I turned down the offer of a drink.”  Cal walked over to Sam, threw his arms around him and hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“Making an idiot of myself.  Embarrassing you.”

“You’re not an idiot.  And I’m not embarrassed.”  Cal kissed Sam gently.

Sam kissed Cal back and Cal slid his hand inside his pyjama jacket.  Instantly Sam tensed up.

“Sam?”

“I don’t ...  Oh hell.”  Sam could feel the tears prickling on the back of his eyes again.

“Hey, just relax.  You’ve had a long and stressful day.  For once stop fighting the world and let someone else do something for you.” 

Quickly, Cal slipped out of his shirt and trousers and climbed into the bed next to Sam.  He put his arms round him and rubbed his back until Sam’s quiet breathing showed he was asleep.  Then he kissed him again, got as comfortable as he could in the narrow bed and fell asleep.

#####

At half past nine on the Sunday morning Sam and Cal knocked at the Hunt’s front door.  The Missus let them in.

“Would you like a cup of coffee before you set off?” she asked.

“Yes, please,” replied Sam.  “This is ...”

“You’ll be coming to dinner with us next Sunday, won’t you?” Mrs Hunt interrupted.  “Would your friend like to come with you?”

Sam looked across at Gene and felt himself starting to blush.  Gene shrugged his shoulders.  Fortunately there was a crash from the kitchen.

“Cecil, put the kettle on and then sit down before you break something,” Gene called out.  “He’s like a bloody kid going on a trip to the seaside.  He was up at half past six this morning.”

“Stop complaining.  It’s nice to see someone so happy,” his wife retorted.  “That’s settled then.  We’ll see you both at twelve o’clock next Sunday.”

Whilst they were drinking their coffee Gene drew a map so they could find their way to Brian’s restaurant.  As they got up to leave the Missus gave them a basket.

“Since it’s such a nice day I thought you might like a picnic on the way.  There should be plenty to eat for the three of you.  And I’ve put a large thermos of coffee in there.  You can bring it back next Sunday; just make sure you rinse it out beforehand.”

Suddenly Cecil seemed reluctant to leave.  Mrs Hunt went over and put her arms around him.  “You’ll have a great time,” she said.  “And you’ve got my phone number if there are any problems.”  Shyly Cecil gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Once in the car Sam switched the radio on and he and Cecil began singing along with it.  Cal looked across at Sam and smiled.  He thought it was a long time since he’d been this happy.  He’d been in relationships before, attracted by his partner’s strength of character and maybe flattered by them wanting to be with him.  But inevitably their ambition had moved them on and Cal had been unable to move with them.  He’d come north, hoping to rekindle a relationship and although he had desperately wanted to succeed it had soon become apparent that his former lover no longer felt as he did.

Sam was different.  Oh yes, Sam was strong; Cal wasn’t fooled by his recent behaviour into thinking him a weak character.  In fact Sam didn’t express his feelings easily which meant that when he did Cal knew he could be trusted.  Having someone who he could truly trust was a new experience for Cal.

“We should find somewhere to stop so we can eat our picnic,” Sam interrupted his train of thought.

They parked up and Cal unpacked the food whilst Sam poured the coffee.  Sam and Cal enjoyed sitting together in the sunshine whilst Cecil ate most of the picnic.  As they packed up Cal told Cecil that his sausage rolls had been very good and the lad blushed with pride.

Drawing close to York Cecil grew silent.  When they reached the restaurant he seemed reluctant to even get out of the car.  A door by the side of the restaurant was opened and the man in the doorway welcomed them in.  From inside a female voice called out “Come into the kitchen.  I’ve just made a pot of tea.”

Sam led the way in and they all sat round the kitchen table.  Brian’s wife offered them some sponge cake which Sam and Cal declined saying they’d just had lunch.  Cecil meanwhile accepted a large slice.  Sam and Cal exchanged glances; the lad’s nervousness obviously hadn’t affected his appetite.  Having drunk their tea Sam said that they should be getting on their way.  Cal gave Cecil a hug.  Sam started to hold out his hand but then changed his mind and gave him a hug too.

As they departed Brian’s wife said “Don’t worry about this young man.  We’ll take good care of him.”

And driving away they watched as Cecil waved happily to them.

On the journey back Sam said, “There’s no hurry for us to get back is there?”

“Not that I’m aware of.  Why?”

“I’ve just remembered there’s a blanket in the boot.”

“Why, Inspector Tyler, whatever can you be thinking of?”

“Just one more thing that you won’t be able to print in your newspaper, Mr McAffrey.”

:)