Doc Knight had made sure she would not need to be on call that night. She had put her phone through to a call minding service and arranged for a locum to take over for 24 hours.
She had been working hard since she arrived one way and another she felt she hadn't given Terry any time of late. Well tonight would be different.
Deciding on a nice, intimate, romantic dinner she had bought steak which she intended to serve with baked potatoes and green salad and knowing Terry's fondness desserts she had made, from scratch a strawberry trifle which she had doused liberally in sherry.
With everything under control she showered, washed her hair, pampered and preened and when she was finally happy with the way she looked she went downstairs to light the candles and put the finishing touches to the salad.
Glancing at the clock M poured herself a cold glass of Chablis and walked into the sitting room, he should be home in half an hour or so, time to chill.
He really didn't expect to see her home yet but when he drove up to the house, her car was there. Well, finally, they'd have a night together.
Terry was slightly tipsy and full to the gills from the mean he had a Millie's. He nearly unbuckled his belt before he went in but stopped short. The way he figured, his clothes would be off soon enough.
He came through the door wearing an ear to ear grin. Of course some of that may have had to do with the pints he consumed but the majority of it was the smell of her perfume hitting him square in the face.
"Honey, I'm home," Terry announced as he stepped inside.
M smiled at the greeting, it was such an Americanism for an Australian. "I'm in here. I got home early I thought we could have some time together. Would you like a drink? Beer, G&T, wine? "
"Lucy, I've missed you." he teased as he gripped her in his arms and bent her over backwards for a kiss. "Could we skip the libations, love and get right to the main course?"
Biting into her neck playfully, Terry was in a more festive mode than usual. "You smell like something very expensive ...and steak too."
"You smell of beer and cigarettes." She announced as she wriggled from his grasp. "The main course will be five minutes and you're right it is steak. Want to pass on the drink, you look like you've had plenty already."
M tried not to be cross, after all she had been away so much he had a right to go out and have a little fun but, did it have to be tonight when she had gone to so much trouble?
He lowered his head slightly and looked at her with those puppy dog eyes.
"I'm sorry, love. Didn't expect you home until tomorrow morning at the earliest but I am happy to see you. C'mon Mystery."
Stepping closer to her he kissed her forehead. "Forgive me? I'll take a quick shower before you serve the steak up so you don't have to endure the smell of the pub on me."
She never could resist those eyes even if at the moment they were a little bleary.
"OK but you have ten minutes tops, if you're not back down here by then I am putting your steak in the dustbin..."
She started to move away but turned back and kissed him. It's good to see you darling, even if you do smell a bit like an old hobo."
"You smell good enough to eat," he rumbled before he kissed her soundly. "and I've missed you more than you'll ever know."
