Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
Billy froze for barely a heartbeat, then melted into it. Rosa's hands slipped from hers, moving to cup Billy's face.
The kiss deepened, tentative at first, then urgent. Years of longing, anger, grief, all of it poured into the press of mouths, the catch of breath. Rosa's fingers threaded into Billy's hair, pulling her closer, and Billy's hands found Rosa's waist, steadying herself, anchoring them both.
When they finally broke the kiss, foreheads still pressed together, both breathing hard, neither moved.
"Rosa…" Billy whispered.
Rosa's eyes opened, still wet, still red. "Don't. Don't say anything. Just…stay."
Billy nodded. "I'm not going anywhere. Except…maybe onto the couch. My knees are not happy."
Rosa laughed, as Billy pushed up and sat in the space between the arm of the sofa and Rosa. "We're not that young anymore."
"Hey, I'm not old… Maybe it was just an excuse to sit closer to you." Billy smiled as she threaded her arm behind Rosa and pulled her close.
Rosa shifted closer, but she pressed a palm against Billy's chest, face turned towards her, their eyes holding. "Let's not use excuses for what we want anymore."
"That's a fair request."
Her palm slid away, and Rosa leant her head on the space she'd just relinquished.
"What are we doing?" she asked, her voice quiet.
Billy tightened her hold and kissed the top of her head. "Drawing a line, remember?"
The room had grown dark, but the air felt easier to breathe.
The snow hadn't stopped.
"Are you hungry?" Billy asked. She glanced at her watch—past seven.
"Now you mention it, yes," Rosa said, sitting up. "Shall I cook something? I think we have to accept we're not going anywhere soon." She glanced at the window. "Not while this continues."
Billy slid out of the seat. "Why don't you let me cook for you? Though, the menu is limited—don't blame the chef!" She grinned. "Pizza?"
"Sure." Rosa got up too. "I'm just going to put another jumper on." She ran her hands up and down her arms.
Looking up from where she'd squatted down at the freezer, Billy replied, "I'll turn the heating up a few degrees."
"Right, here we go," Billy proffered, holding a large chopping board in her hands.
Slices of pizza and pieces of garlic bread filled most of it. A small pot of shop-made coleslaw sat alongside. The aroma wafted through the room as Billy got closer.
"I'm pretty sure this would be worth thirty quid in a restaurant," she said, placing it down onto the coffee table.
Rosa had refreshed their drinks, bring over wine for herself and orange juice for Billy.
She raised her glass. "To drawing lines."
Billy grinned, grabbed her glass, and clinked against Rosa's. "I can definitely drink to that. I think it's good that we've—" A loud thunk startled them, and then they were plunged into darkness.
"What's happened?"
"Hm, I think a power cut. Stay right there."
Rosa felt Billy get up and move away, hearing her footsteps. As her eyes adjusted, a beam of light appeared in the kitchen, illuminating Billy's silhouette.
"Got a torch. I'll go check the fuse box," Billy said, sweeping the beam around the room, almost blinding Rosa when it landed on her.
"Sorry." Billy giggled, then she was going out of the side door that led to a small hallway and the garage.
Rosa looked around, it was nearly pitch black inside, and yet, through the window with the moonlight bouncing off the snow, it looked quite bright.
She stood up and walked towards the glass.
"Ow," she exclaimed as pain shot through her shin. She'd caught the edge of the table as she'd moved. She rubbed the spot hard, wincing, then hobbled over the last few feet to the window and looked out.
It was eerie but ethereal, not spooky. The silence and darkness inside only added to the feeling.
"Right, fuses are fine, so it's definitely a power cut," Billy's voice rang out from behind, and she turned to find the torchlight back in the kitchen. "I found some candles, though."
A match struck, the small flame burning long enough to light two candles and illuminate the kitchen a little more.
"There are candles everywhere," Rosa said. "I saw a couple of lanterns by the wood burner. Did you see any wood? Maybe we could get a fire going?"
"That is a great idea. It's going to be freezing in here without something…" Billy looked around. "Where do they keep the wood?"
Rosa went across towards the wood burner and lit the candles and lanterns. Illuminated, the basket beside the log burner showed three skinny logs at the bottom and half a bag of kindling sticks.
"Well, there is this, but it won't last long."
"Okay, do you think you can get that lit?"
Rosa shrugged. "I'll give it a go. Can't be too difficult." She turned back to Billy, who was dragging her coat on. "Where are you going?"
"Out there." She pointed towards the side of the house. "Has to be a log store somewhere near the house."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Rosa worried her lip between her finger and thumb.
"We don't have much choice if we want to stay warm."
"The electricity might come back on." Rosa's eyes widened, trying to look hopeful.
"And it might not." Billy pulled her hat on and down over her ears.
"I'll be fine. I've got the torch and I'll just be outside.
" She pulled one boot on. "Pass me that basket, though, so it'll be easier to carry them in.
" She pulled her other boot on while Rosa quickly emptied out the basket and brought it over.
"Here."
"Thanks." Billy hesitated, and then leant in, kissing Rosa on the cheek. "Don't worry, I'll be back in a jiffy."