London 15 - 17 March 2024 - Part 14
[b]All a Body Needs…[/b]
Sunday morning. We wake entangled. Again. How did we sleep this way?
My mouth is dry. Did I sleep slack-jawed? Did I snore?
I pull my right leg from between Dan's. Roll out of bed, onto the floor. Push myself up. Dan shifts, moans. I walk quietly to the bathroom. I pee. I use the bidet. I wash the night from my hands and face. Brush my teeth. Gargle with mouthwash. Foul stuff. I check the label to be sure.
Dan sticks his head round the door.
"Coffee?"
"Mmmm!"
I nod gingerly. Not yet ready for more vigorous movement.
I retrace my steps to the bedspace. Grab a robe. Walk down to the kitchen.
Dan is working the kettle and cafetiere. I take a couple of mugs from the wall cupboard. Warm them under the hot tap.
"Sorry, did I wake you? I needed a pee."
"No. What's the time?"
"No idea. Early, I think."
I look around for a clock.
"Fuck!"
It is just after six thirty. In the morning.
"This is ridiculous. I'm going back to bed."
Dan grunts some sort of agreement.
"I'll bring the coffee up."
I climb the stairs. Drop my robe on a chair as I cross to the bed. Slide under the duvet. Close my eyes. I like early mornings, but this is still last night.
I hear the clink of coffee mugs. I open an eye to see Dan approach my side of the bed. (My side? I have been here two nights. How many others - and how often - have felt it was theirs?)
Dan places a steaming mug on the bedside cabinet. Close enough for me to feel the smell of the coffee. Walks around the his side (no questions there). Puts down his milky brew and climbs back into bed.
He sits, his back against the raised pillows.
I feel the rhythm of his breathing.
"You okay?"
The mattress shifts slightly as he reaches for his mug.
My turn to grunt.
"Yeah, just a bit tired."
I turn over onto my back. Pull myself up into a sitting position, my knees drawn up, my arms locked around them.
For a moment I hold myself tight. Then relax. Stretch out my legs, lean back against the pillows. Mirroring Dan.
I don't cover my breasts.
I twist to take my mug in my right hand. Face front again. Turn my head to look at Dan. He is looking at me.
His left hand is under the duvet. Stroking my right hip.
"This coffee's too hot to drink."
I nod. Place my perfect temperature mug on the bedside table. I turn my body towards him.
"Yes, it'll be better later."
Sunday morning. We wake entangled. Again. How did we sleep this way?
My mouth is dry. Did I sleep slack-jawed? Did I snore?
I pull my right leg from between Dan's. Roll out of bed, onto the floor. Push myself up. Dan shifts, moans. I walk quietly to the bathroom. I pee. I use the bidet. I wash the night from my hands and face. Brush my teeth. Gargle with mouthwash. Foul stuff. I check the label to be sure.
Dan sticks his head round the door.
"Coffee?"
"Mmmm!"
I nod gingerly. Not yet ready for more vigorous movement.
I retrace my steps to the bedspace. Grab a robe. Walk down to the kitchen.
Dan is working the kettle and cafetiere. I take a couple of mugs from the wall cupboard. Warm them under the hot tap.
"Sorry, did I wake you? I needed a pee."
"No. What's the time?"
"No idea. Early, I think."
I look around for a clock.
"Fuck!"
It is just after six thirty. In the morning.
"This is ridiculous. I'm going back to bed."
Dan grunts some sort of agreement.
"I'll bring the coffee up."
I climb the stairs. Drop my robe on a chair as I cross to the bed. Slide under the duvet. Close my eyes. I like early mornings, but this is still last night.
I hear the clink of coffee mugs. I open an eye to see Dan approach my side of the bed. (My side? I have been here two nights. How many others - and how often - have felt it was theirs?)
Dan places a steaming mug on the bedside cabinet. Close enough for me to feel the smell of the coffee. Walks around the his side (no questions there). Puts down his milky brew and climbs back into bed.
He sits, his back against the raised pillows.
I feel the rhythm of his breathing.
"You okay?"
The mattress shifts slightly as he reaches for his mug.
My turn to grunt.
"Yeah, just a bit tired."
I turn over onto my back. Pull myself up into a sitting position, my knees drawn up, my arms locked around them.
For a moment I hold myself tight. Then relax. Stretch out my legs, lean back against the pillows. Mirroring Dan.
I don't cover my breasts.
I twist to take my mug in my right hand. Face front again. Turn my head to look at Dan. He is looking at me.
His left hand is under the duvet. Stroking my right hip.
"This coffee's too hot to drink."
I nod. Place my perfect temperature mug on the bedside table. I turn my body towards him.
"Yes, it'll be better later."
