He walked back up the garden, noticing the flourishes of colour from the daffodils and crocus that were swaying to and fro in the breeze in their little clumps dotted around the grass. He remembered how they had planted them together all those years ago when they had first moved into the house.
Crossing the threshold back into the kitchen, the warm air wrapping around him, he removed his jacket, draping it over the back of a dining chair. He will be told off for that, he thought, she hated things being left around.
He picked up the kettle and took it over to the sink, holding the spout under the tap. As it filled he looked out at her watering her plants.
The kettle overflowed as he watched. He tipped out the excess and set it on the hot plate.
She clapped her hands to remove the excess muck and collected up the tools. She had sown enough for today and was looking forward to the warm kitchen and the catch up.
“Comfortable are we?” She said with a smile as she entered the house. He was going through the opened mail on the kitchen table.
“I see you got the hot tub guys around again, was it for maintenance?” He looked up from the papers.
“The thermo-thingy was broken but it’s fixed now, piping hot.” She bent to loosen her boots and then shook them off with a flourish. She moved towards him in her stocking feet.
“Come here for me to feel you.” She wrapped her arms around him. “As I suspected you need to be fattened up. I hope you stay longer than last time.”
“Staying two nights this time.” He replied.
She pulled the wool jumper straight off as she walked towards the dresser. The peach coloured top underneath rode up to show the caramel colour on her back. Her skin held its colour throughout the year. He did not see a bra strap or even a sports bra. Unusual, he thought, hoping she didn’t go braless when the maintenance men were there.
She turned bearing crockery and he was stunned to see the braless look really suited his Mother. The boiling whistle broke his thoughts. He made the tea as she lay the dishes out on the table and began to cut thick slices from the bread that had been cooling under a cloth on a wooden board.
“There’s butter and jam here.” She pointed with the knife to the china jam pot and butter dish on the table. “If you want cheese it’s still in the fridge.”
He retrieved the box of cheeses and placed it on the floral cloth and sat in his usual spot.
“Oh, hang on a minute.” She rushed across the room and stretched her arm up to a high shelf, returning with a jar. “Try this, it’s a chutney I made with the surplus apples, it’s lovely with cheese.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes. He was hungry having left work without lunch. Her appetite gained from working in the fresh air.
“There’s nothing like your cooking you know.” He laid his hand over hers. She smiled at the compliment, catching his thumb and stroking it with her own.
“Tell me you didn’t.” He said.
“Didn’t what?”
“Didn’t wear that top when they came to fix the hot tub. It’s lovely but somewhat revealing.” Shooting her a mildly disapproving look.