16 March 2013
Derek had packed all of his stuff up into his luggage bags and waited in the front room for his taxi to the train station.
He'd managed to clean up the kitchen and left everything as he had found it. All of his dirty dishes were washed and back in the rack. His towels had been washed, dried and placed back in the airing cupboard. Derek had even hoovered the stairs and gave the place a quick dust.
He had been up early and decided a run would help clear the cobwebs off his chest. His upcoming fitness trials determined his selection for the New Zealand test series. Derek had managed to do Mrs Stokoe's shopping as well. He'd ran all the way up the hill to the local delicatessen, butchers and bakers. On the jog back down he called in the newsagents and picked up some papers plus a bag of mint imperials.
A horn sounded outside. Derek picked up his cases and opened the door. He wheeled the cases to the back of the taxi and the driver bundled them into the boot. 'I've just got to post this key through a door mate, I'll be two minutes.' he informed the driver. Derek walked up Mrs Stokoe's path and posted the key through her letter box.
Derek jumped in the back of the taxi and slammed the door. As the car pulled away from the kerb, he reminisced about his time back home. Especially the time with Anna. Those feelings were still there. Even after all this time. His heart had always been hers. Now he was determined to win her around. He had worked very hard on his career and had the finances to make her happy. Relationships broke down all the time. People fall in and out of love constantly he thought to himself.
He placed his head on the rest and rubbed his hands over his face. It had been years since his stomach was in knots like this. Derek slapped his cheeks. He had the test match to concentrate on. He had to honour his contracts.
'We're here lad. Thats £25 please.' grunted the taxi driver.
Derek gave him the money without acknowledgement and wheeled his case into the train station. He checked the digital displays for his train to Cheshire. It was boarding in 30 minutes.
He walked to the platform and made his way over to the hard plastic seats covered in graffiti. Grabbing a nearby newspaper, he used this like a cover to stop his trousers getting dirty.
Derek aimlessly checked his emails. Work. Colin. Work. Chloe. Quentin Barrass.
Shit. He had bookmarked that to read but had completely forgot after the farmers market. He had went for a run to clear all the tension in his head. Derek pulled up the documents to download onto his blackberry. It was taking forever 'C'mon' he muttered to himself.
It was no good. The document was just to big for his phones memory. He'd have to pull his MacBook out on the train. He closed the email section and checked his messages. Colin. Chloe. Colin. Cricket Coach. Tina and Anna. He deleted all of the messages without reading them and opened Anna's message.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING XXX
Derek's heart leapt into his throat. Not just one kiss three. He felt all warm and happy. Happy for the first time in years. He saved the message to his archive box.
'Passenger announcement. The train arriving at platform five is for Cheshire. That's the train arriving at platform five is for Cheshire.' the bodiless voice boomed over the tannoy. Derek picked up his cases and made his way to the edge of the platform. A sleek high speed train hurried towards him. The wind whipped around him and the screeching of the tracks below filled his ears. The train shuddered to a guttural stop. When the doors opened Derek made his way to the first class section where his seat was booked.
Pistons hissing in the background, he found his seat number and jumped in the chair. The leather felt cool and deliciously silky against his bare arms. Derek pulled out his iPod and pushed his headphones in his ears. Paloma Faith filled his ears. The deep intriguing voice boomed through the headphones, filling his head with philosophical thoughts.
How had his life become so knotted. Rubbing his eyes, he began pulling his computer out of its case. He felt ready to tackle those emails. Derek clicked on his inbox and waited for the messages to download.
'Excuse me Sir can I get you anything from the trolley?' an smart looking blonde girl asked.
Derek looked at what was there. Rows of crisps and chocolates. Cans of fizzy pop and pasties.
'Have you any real food?' he asked the bemused employee.
'I'll get you a menu Sir.'
Out she pulled a leather bound folder and passed it to him. She pushed the trolley through to the next table. Derek watched her as she bent over to retrieve a drinks can from the bottom of the trolley. Her skirt strained at the seams where her ample arse threatened to burst out. He shook his head trying to stop his flirty thoughts aside. Derek opened the menu and scanned what was to offer. A 10z steak with chips and a chocolate torte washed down with a sparkling rose Prosecco made Derek feel really sleepy. Putting his headphones back in his ears he decided to listen to Eva Cassidy whilst he snoozed. His emails could wait. Snuggling down in the comfy leather chair he pulled the blind down so darkness encapsulated the cabin.
As he attempted to sleep, his phone started flashing with people attempting to contact him. He glanced at the screen. Tina. Fucking great. His finger hovered over the answer button.
'Stuff it' he mumbled. He'd have to speak to her sometime.
'What?' he barked into his phone.
Tina had hung up just as he had answered. Fuck it he thought. I'm not ringing her back. He chucked his phone in his bag and slumped in the chair. Derek allowed himself to close his eyes and drift off. The air conditioning was superb, cooling his skin.
Derek stepped off the train. The smog air hit him as the doors opened. He trundled up the platform carrying his bag slung sexually over his shoulder. Dark shades masked his eyes as camera bulbs flashed, capturing his return to Cheshire. 'Derek Derek!' the crowd of adorning fans chanted. He smiled and waved at his supporters.
'Derek! Wait Derek!' shouted a familiar voice.
He looked around. It was Anna. She was running towards him, pushing through the hoardes of people clamouring to see him. Anna's dark hair was caught in the wind blowing out as she ran to him. He put his case on the ground and opened his arms wide ready to embrace her. Someone pushed him from behind and he felt himself tumble forward....
Derek awoke with a jolt. It took him a couple of minutes to realise it was only a dream and the train coming to a halt had woken him. If only it could of happened after the kiss....
10. • Opuss № I