“Any more problems or you need anything else seeing to, just give me a call.” He winked at her as he placed his card on the breakfast bar. He shot her one last sexy smile as he walked through the back door, leaving a smiling Ruby who was more than satisfied with his handiwork!
“Nothing out of the ordinary there then…” She frowned to herself in the darkness. He was very rarely home, seemingly more married to his company than to Ruby. Whilst she undoubtedly reaped the benefits of his labour, she lacked his company for weeks on end.
Ruby had learned to accept his frequent absence over time, consoling herself with the free reign she had on her very own platinum Amex card. However, she couldn't’t help but think that she was fast becoming the epitome of the “Bored Housewife” in many ways.
She would have to call in a plumber to mend the leaky tap and more importantly, save her from acute sleep deprivation induced insanity. She did not relish the thought of trawling through the Yellow Pages trying to find a reputable organization.
She could already envisage some complete cowboy coming out who would either rip her off or make a complete mess of her waterworks. It was after much deliberation on the matter that she recalled a friend recommending a company to her, one who specialized in all manner of repairs and household jobs. She resolved there and then to ring them as soon as was humanly possible to arrange for a plumber to put her out of her misery and to mend that damned tap.
Ruby awoke from an unsettled slumber the next morning and only after padding downstairs and fixing her first latte of the day did she begin to feel more human. Heading into the plush study-cum-office, she went through the piles of papers and business cards that sat on the solid mahogany desk.
After sifting through the majority of them she came across the crisp white business card she was after. She decided that as soon as she had showered and dressed she would call them. Ruby sat for a while in the high-backed leather chair that resided at her husband’s desk. It always made her feel powerful, like a statesman or more bizarrely an infamous mafia overlord. She chuckled at the thought,
“Meanwhile, back in the real world!” She spoke aloud as she gazed out of the French windows at the garden and it’s manicured lawns. It was set to be a lovely sunny day. She couldn't’t help but think wistfully how nice it would have been to have her husband grace her with his presence so they could enjoy the garden together. She didn't’t allow the thought to linger for long; instead she headed back up the wide staircase to the en suite bathroom to take an invigorating shower which did wonders to clear her head.
Once dressed she got straight on the case, calling the repair company with her fingers tightly crossed in the hope they would send someone over the same day. The woman who answered the call was polite and efficient and much to Ruby’s relief arranged a call out for later that day. The quote was a little steep but she was more than happy to pay through the nose if it meant she got a good night’s rest. Having sorted the call out she ran a few errands, met a friend for a light lunch, then returned to the house in time to meet the repair man, whose name she had been advised over the phone, would be James.
As the forecast had predicted, the day was gloriously sunny and Ruby made the most of it by stretching out on one of her custom made loungers on the expansive sun terrace. The feel of the warm sunshine on her bare arms and legs coupled with the tranquility of her gardens, gently lulled her into a light slumber.
She woke with a start at the booming sound of someone’s voice. Blinking, she saw a stocky young man looking down at her and she sat upright with a jolt.
“I’m here to fix your taps,” he stated in a matter of fact tone. “Tried the doorbell but didn't’t get any answer so I let myself in through the side door.”
Ruby cleared her throat and smoothed a hand over her hair, composing herself and trying to disguise her irritation at his boldness. She also wondered how long he had been standing there for and this made her bristle.
“James, I take it?” she retorted, far from appreciative of his brusque manner.
“Jamie, actually,” he corrected her, “What’s the issue with your pipe work then?”
He picked up his heavy metal toolbox with one hand, his other hand resting on his hip casually.
“If I knew what the issue was I wouldn't’t have had to call you out, would I?” Ruby snapped, instantly disliking James, or Jamie, or whatever the hell he liked to be called.
He raised an eyebrow cockily at her and she made a mental note to call the company to complain about the man’s attitude. She stood up, straightening her skirt as she replied, “You’d better come inside and take a look for yourself.”
He didn't’t reply, merely nodding curtly before following her into the house, through to the kitchen and of course to the offending tap. As he set his toolbox down, Ruby was struck by how boyishly good-looking James…no, Jamie, was which only served to irk her further. She was in no mood to be given attitude by someone who appeared to have barely left school!
“Is that it?” He scoffed as she began explaining her quandary.
“What do you mean – is that it?” she fumed, “I’ll have you know that that tap has been driving me crazy, dripping away all bloody night!” she ranted at his flippancy.
Jamie raised his hands in mock surrender. “Ok, ok, only asking! Mind you, you’re pretty hot when you’re angry!” He interrupted her, wearing the most irritating grin on his handsome face, a grin that Ruby could have happily slapped right off for him.
“And you couldn’t have fixed this all by yourself?” he continued, mocking her.
Utterly outraged, she frowned harder still to which he laughed loudly, shaking his head.
“Oh, don’t take on so!” he added whilst Ruby fought the urge to tell him exactly what she thought of him.
Before she had the chance however, he turned his back on her, opening the toolbox in front of him and rifling through it’s contents. Flummoxed by this cock-sure young man and the way in which he had spoken to her Ruby just stood glowering at him, or the back of his head at least.
“Could murder a cuppa if you’re putting the kettle on?” he quipped over his shoulder.
“I could murder you,” she muttered under her breath, but nevertheless she reached for a mug in which to make him a drink. At that point she realised she needed to fill the kettle but by now Jamie had his head and shoulders buried in the cupboard under the sink.
Gingerly she stepped over his outstretched legs as she tried to navigate her way to the tap.
“Excuse me,” she said but he must not have heard her and no response came.
Ruby felt awkward and was cross at herself for doing so. She cleared her throat loudly and was about to speak again when he withdrew from the cupboard. He had a quizzical expression on his face that soon gave way to what she could only describe as playful. He looked at her for longer than was necessary, his pale blue-grey eyes roam upwards over her body in a suggestive manner that caused her to flush.
“Can I get to the sink please?” she scowled back at him.
“Be my guest Madam.” He smiled at her, licking his lips as he did so. Ruby didn’t know where to put herself. Here she was, alone with the plumber from hell, yet…She couldn’t deny the distinct feelings of sexual tension and what? Excitement even? Things she hadn’t felt in such a long time, things that caught her off-guard.
“Need to fetch some more tools from my van anyway, looks more complicated than I first thought,” he remarked. He got up off the floor and Ruby couldn’t help but admire the way in which the muscles in his arms rippled, nor the way his thighs filled his work trousers just right. She watched him walk out of the room, taking in the view, biting her lip as her gaze rested on his perfectly formed arse. She could not recall the last time she had felt so hot under the collar let alone had a fit, virile young man in such close proximity. Snapping out of her lustful thoughts, she busied herself, readying the teapot and trying to look occupied, all a front of course as she regained some composure.
Jamie returned a few minutes later, wrench in hand with the same cock-sure grin plastered across his face.
“How’s that tea coming along?” he asked cheekily, brushing past her and kneeling back down in front of the pipe work once more.
Ruby watched the muscles in his taut broad back now, moving deliciously under the tight fitting T-shirt he was wearing. She noticed the nape of his neck and the way his hair, the colour of sand, tapered neatly into it. She tore her eyes away, furiously berating herself.
“Get a grip!” she murmured under her breath.
“Pardon?” he enquired, looking up at her over his shoulder, icy blue eyes studying her.
“Nothing,” she snapped back, turning away from him and biting her lip before adding in a softer tone “How’s it looking under there?”
“Depends on what you mean?” he replied, the wolfish grin reappearing.
“The tap of course.” She jabbed her finger in the direction of the sink, once again feeling her cheeks burning.
"Ah. Well, seems to be a problem with your waste disposal unit too but I’m sure I can fix that.” Jamie went back to studying the pipes under her sink again and Ruby heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Once she had poured his mug of tea she asked him, “Where do you want this?”
“Plonk it down there,” came a muffled reply.
She complied, stooping to set the mug beside him, hoping that he wouldn’t knock it all over the place.
“Cheers.” He reappeared at the sound of china on terracotta floor tile and drank thirstily. As she rose he caught her eye again taking the opportunity to make another wise crack.
“Your husband no good at plumbing then?”
Folding her arms she replied, “Not that it’s any of your business, but no. He’s working away.” She huffed before adding, “He works away a lot.” The tone of her voice spiked Jamie’s attention. He gazed up at her steadily, his fingers poised over his tools. Ruby broke eye contact, swiftly turning away from him.
“So you’re left to fend for yourself then?” He spoke in a new tone this time, softer.
Ruby wasn’t about to fall for that. “I manage perfectly well by myself, thanks all the same.”
She refused to get drawn into silly games and instead she withdrew to a safe distance, taking a seat on a high stool at the breakfast bar. This had the added advantage of enabling her to watch him without being caught. He tinkered around for a while, making adjustments and humming to himself until he spoke to her again.
"Do me a favour? Come and shine my torch in here for me, I can’t see jack."
Venturing back into the fray, Ruby picked up the heavy flashlight and pointed it into his cramped workspace.