Making the First Move

Terry was up at dawn. He’d begun to get back to his normal routine of rising early. He took a shower and dressed into sweats and a vest top before padding into the kitchen.

He set about getting breakfast. Looking at the clock he realised that it was too early for Ceri and Max to be awake, so decided on just making a cuppa before going out for a run; he would cook them all brekkie when he got back.

It was a glorious morning. He loved being out early at this time of year, it would be too hot to run later on as it was well into late spring and getting hotter every day. He let his mind go blank while he ran. Lately it was the only time he felt calm and relaxed. He knew that state wouldn’t last too long though.

He ran all round the perimeter of the property and then ran down through Bron and Ed’s land, circling the small lake twice before heading back up the hill. A quick second shower and a change of clothes later, he was back in the kitchen searching through the fridge.

He heard the door to the master bedroom open and smiled; the smell of fresh coffee must have woken someone up. Turning, he watched as Max lumbered down the hall, scratching his head with one hand, and trying to stifle a yawn with the other.

“G’Day, mate. Hope I didn’t wake ya.”

“Morning, Terry. I had this dream that I was drowning in fresh coffee…when I woke I could still smell it. Thought I’d better come see what was going on.”

“Thought I’d make you both brekkie. Is Ceri awake?”

“Yes, she’s taking a shower. Hope there’s tea as well as coffee.”

“Yeah, the coffee’s for Ceri, there’s a civilised morning drink for you and me,” Terry grinned in reply. He drank coffee on occasion, but never in the morning, his mum had brought him up on tea and he would never tire of drinking it by the gallon, something Dino always teased him about.

By the time he’d grilled the bacon and started on the scrambled eggs and toast, Ceri was dressed and sitting at the table by Max, waiting to be spoilt.

“Terry Thorne, you dark horse. I didn’t know you could cook.”

“Morning, Ceri,” he replied. “I’ll have you know that my scrambled eggs were one of the reasons I got my promotions so fast with the Unit,” he giggled.

Ceri and Max both grinned up at him as he placed plates in front of them, going back to the counter to get the toast and marmalade plus the tea and coffee pots.

“Tuck in before it gets cold,” he ordered, receiving a silly salute from Ceri.

There was silence around the table as they ate their food. Ceri put down her knife and fork and sighed in contentment. “Wow, Terry. If you’d stayed in you’d have been a general now. I’ve never tasted eggs like it, they were beautiful.”

“Ta, Luv. Least I could do. You’ve both been looking after me so well, this is a small way to thank you.”

Ceri rose from her seat and walked round to Terry’s side of the table, kissing the top of his head and hugging him. “No thanks necessary, and the brekkie was much appreciated.”

“So,” Max said while spreading marmalade on a slice of thickly buttered toast. “You got anything planned for today, Ter?”

“I do. Once I clean up my mess in the kitchen,” he stopped as Ceri looked at the spotless counter top and cooker. “Okay, after I load up the dishwasher. I’m gong to give Toni and Travis a call to see if I can go over to chat with them about the house.”

“Please don’t feel that you need to leave here,” Max quickly replied.

“I know, Max, and I’m more grateful than you will ever know for giving me sanctuary when I needed it. I would love to stay here longer, but you and I both know that I need to take the first step in moving on. Marie and Bud offered to take me in, but I told them that when I leave here it would be for a new place on my own, not to another rellie. If I can go and see them in a couple of days and get shown round the house, I’ll make Toni an offer and see if it’s acceptable.”

“We’ll miss you when you go, Terry.” Ceri said quietly.

“I’ll miss you too, but I know damned well that both you and Bron will be helping me settle in. Marie has already offered to stock the kitchen for me, and I may speak to Mrs. Bindi about interior design.”

“Good idea, she’s won so many awards, and Bron is sure to give you one of her pictures to hang somewhere,” Ceri smiled.

Terry looked over at the clock and noted the time. “I think it’s a good time to make that call, people don’t usually sleep in on a working farm do they. Wish me luck.”

Max and Ceri watched as Terry walked back to his room to make the call to Toni.