This is the second attempt today, I lost two thirds of part 134 when the link went down, it was turning out very well too. If it happens again I shall stop writing direct to website, which will mean a delay in posting, as I'm too stupid to post myself.

Easy As Falling Off A Bike
by Angharad the cyberphobe
part: whatever.

I finished my tea, felt more awake and got myself washed and dressed in jeans and long sleeved top. I tied my now brushed hair back into a scrunchie and popped in some small gold hoop earrings. I could smell the body spray I had used, I hoped it wasn't too overpowering.

"Morning," said Stella as I appeared in the kitchen. I placed my washed mug on the table. "Refill?"

"In a minute, I suppose one of us has to get grumpy up?"

"Yeah, wanna toss for it?"

I declined the offer. "I think I need to have a few words with your brother, about the hired help."

"What hired help?" she asked looking confused.

"Exactly, we do this for love, or from love."

"Good luck Sis," she smiled at me, then registered my amazed look. "Well, you're nearly my sister in law." I decided not to argue and shrugged my shoulders. I liked the epithet anyway.

"I am going to raise the dead," I said and rolling up my sleeves pretended to spit on my palms. She was still laughing as I went up the stairs.

"Right, let's get this show on the road," I said breezily as I went into Simon's room. He was laying in bed, watching some cartoons on the portable television. In two very quick movements, I switched off the idiot box and threw back his continental quilt. He was sporting a tent pole in his pyjama trousers and blushing like a tomato. "Well looks like someone is pleased to see me," I said loudly enjoying his squirming.

"I think I need to use the loo," he said in a little-boy voice.

I helped him off the bed and to the bathroom, "Could you pass the bottle, please?" he indicated the pee pot by the loo.

"I thought it was a funny shape for lager," I quipped handing it too him. "Can you manage?" He nodded and I left him a small amount of dignity, and went to make his bed. When I heard the flush go, I popped back to the bathroom.

I eased his jacket over the plaster on his arm. He had some of those water resistant dressings on the shot marks and as far as I could see they were healing fine.

"What do you want to do?" I asked with ideas of my own.

"What do I want, or what can we do?" he asked smiling.

"I meant in terms of washing you."

"Okay, I'd love a shower but...." he pointed to the plaster on his arm, "Cathy...."

I had an idea and raced down the stairs, good job I was in my flats or I'd have broken my neck. I dashed into the kitchen. "Where's Si...." said Stella to an empty space. I was half way back up the stairs.

"Hold out your arm," I said to Simon," and proceeded to wrap his hand from the wrist upwards with cling film, finishing up near his shoulder and beyond the plaster. "Okay, pop in the shower wet your hair and I'll shampoo it."

"Yes boss," he said, stepping into the shower cabinet.

"That's right and don't you forget it," I laughed smacking his bare behind as he went past.

He did as I asked and I soaped up a flannel for him and washed his back, handed him the flannel and waited. I was treated to a slightly off key rendering of a medley of Abba songs, which tested my ear drums and self control.

"Come on Pavarotti," I called thinking my hair would need cutting again if he took much longer.

The door of the cabinet opened and he stepped out into the towel I held up for him, expecting him to take at least one corner of it, I was caught unawares when he ignored it and instead grabbed me and hugged me to him kissing me.

"Ugh! You're all we.... Mmmm." I started to say before he engulfed me. I think I must have dropped the towel because I had my arms around him and was.... well you don't need to know the details.

As I was helping him to dry, Stella popped her head around the door and said, "Kettle's on, ooh, been in a wet tee shirt comp have we?" I suddenly found it very warm.

I did change my top before helping him downstairs, where Stella made tea and toast and I did some scrambled eggs and bacon. It went down well and she and I washed up together after.

Simon had grumbled because I made him wear jeans rather than his jogging bottoms, I also made him slip on a shirt and sleeveless pullover, and put shoes on his feet rather than slippers. The reason for this became clear when we'd cleared up.

"Okay, you and I are going shopping and grab some lunch. Stella can stay behind and have a soak in the tub or whatever else she wants. There's some leftovers in the fridge, which you can heat up in the microwave." Her eyes lit up and she nodded.

Simon grumbled, "But I can't, I'm injured."

"If you don't you'll be terminal." My smile was deliberately 'painted on.'

"You'll have to drive then," he said conceding defeat.

"Of course I will, you're not insured to drive my car."

"The Mercedes, I am."

"It's not my Merc."

"Oh," he said, "You're not driving the Saab, not after what you did to the Volvo."

"I did nothing to the other car, it was bad engineering, that's all."

"Bad engineering, it's Scandinavian, they are usually regarded as amongst the best."

"Rubbish. Anyway get your jacket on, I'll be back in a sec."

I shot up stairs threw on some make up and grabbed my bag and coat, then dashed back down again. He was standing by the door his arm in the sling visible from the gap in his fleece jacket.

"Let's go," I ushered him out down the drive to the Mondeo.

"Whose is this?" he asked, "Your dad's?"

"Yep, thought I'd give it a run."

"Diesel eh, nice?"

"It's okay and I thought would be easier for you to get in."

"Very considerate of you, seeing as you ignored me yesterday."

"Get in Simon before I start breaking your other arm," I snapped and slammed the driver's door harder than it needed.

"I am not your maid, I'm not even sure I'm your girlfriend at this minute, so don't come the old soldier with me."

I started the car and drove off down the lane faster than I would normally. There was an atmosphere you could cut with a knife in the car. Five minutes or so later he said, "Just take me back home."

"No," I said locking the doors.

"Please," he said.

"No, we are going to give Stella a rest for a few hours."

"Oh. What about how I feel?" he said looking out the side window.

"What about it?" I said dismissively.

"Oh okay, be like that." He then sulked until we got the shopping centre.

"Come on," I urged, standing by his open door.

"Nah, I'd rather go out with my girlfriend."

"You don't have one at the moment," I said back with a little spite in it.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

"So you'll have to make do with me."

"Dunno, you seem a bit pissed about something."

"Only in being treated like a serving maid by some dumb aristocrat."

"Oh, anyone I know."

"Nah, I doubt it, you look like a nice guy, he was some stuck up twat I met yesterday. I made him a really good meal and all he wanted to do was watch the bloody telly."

"He did that to you?"

"Fraid so, all I wanted was a cuddle and a chance to snooze. I was so tired but he didn't notice, or didn't seem to."

"The cad," Simon blushed.

"So, I've dumped him and thought I'd give you a try."

"Sounds like a good idea, you might be better off without him anyway."

"Yeah, he was only after my money anyway." I said this as Simon was getting out of the car. It wasn't the best time to make him laugh because he lost concentration and banged his head on the top of the door frame and fell back into the car.

"Ohmigod!" I gasped, "Are you okay sweetheart?" I leant into the car and he pulled me on top of him and kissed me passionately.

"I think so," he said seconds later.

"Think what?" I said not being sure what planet I was on. However, there was this little jack underneath me, that seemed to be trying to help lift me out of the car. "Ooh I think someone is pleased to see me," I squealed.

"I am always pleased to see you, and if you think otherwise, tell me immediately, please. I will never take you for granted again, promise."

I snuggled on to his chest and sniffed.

We had to move eventually, someone wanted to park alongside us and the door and our feet and legs were in his way. He did however help me get Simon out of the car.

Once he was walking, he seemed to get stronger and admitted he was enjoying getting mobile again. I walked alongside him, his arm draped possessively around my shoulder, but I was happy with that."

We walked past a jewellers and looked at the shiny objects for sale. "Anything you fancy, in the window?" he asked.

I looked at the window and could see his reflection holding me, "Yeah," I said enthusiastically.

"What?"

"Well I can see this big hunk," I almost laughed as I said it.

"Hunk of what? I can't see anything except watches and rings."

"He's in the window not on a shelf, although he thought he'd been left on one."

He looked at me curiously, "Why do women always talk in riddles?" Then in looking at me he must have caught sight of his reflection. "You mean the reflections?"

"Yeah, I can see this sexy looking guy with his girl and he must like her because he's got his arm around her, and she looks quite contented with it."

"Is he good looking then?"

"Oh an absolute adonis, except his arm's in a sling."

"Is she pretty?"

"Dunno, depends upon taste I suppose, in the eye of the beholder an' all that."

"I suspect she's a beautiful serving maid and he's a demanding aristocrat."

"I dunno," I said, "he looks more like a god and she's nothing special."

He pulled me to him and in front of dozens of passers by, kissed me for several seconds almost sucking out my tonsils, "Marry me," he said, loud enough for a small group of people to clap and cheer. I blushed and nearly collapsed with embarrassment.