Monday morning dawns. Tim and Abbie rise to get ready to return to work after their days off. Abbie thinks about how funny it is, how things have so changed since last Tuesday, the last time the two went to work together. Then it was from her stop by her apartment, which is no longer hers. Now, getting on from Tim’s stop, the two go together.
While they haven’t got the morning down to a routine yet, they shower together, enjoying running their hands over each other’s bodies. After dressing, Tim goes down to get something for their breakfast, while Abbie finishes her hair and makeup.
They are out the door on time and at the bus stop with minutes to spare before the bus arrives. Abbie brings up a topic which she has begun thinking about after having Les’s car to use over the weekend.
“Tim, I have been thinking. Considering all the money I am saving with housing expenses, which you so generously have allowed to happen. What would you think of us getting a car? I will pay for it, as it seems I have more than enough money,” Abbie broaches with him.
Before he can reply, Abbie barrels on, “Think about the time cut from our commute, the flexibility it offers us, and just the convenience. I don’t think petrol will cost as much as both our bus passes each month.”
As they climb on to the bus, Tim laughs at Abbie’s new enthusiasm. And their entrance from a different stop, where Tim used to be getting on alone, is not lost on their fellow regular commuters.
“Abbie, that could be a good idea. Maybe a practical, used car we could get for a reasonable rate,” Tim tells her.
“No, Tim, a new car, and a good one. Why buy something whose value and performance might diminish quickly. I think we need to plan this week to look at different models. In the meantime, let's both look online to see the options,” Abbie replied with force. “Besides, it is my money which will buy it for us.”
Tim shakes his head. While what Abbie is saying is sensible, her once again wanting to spend now that she knows her real monetary status, is what she had asked him to curb. But a car would be so nice to have, and Tim understands Abbie’s underlying feelings about wanting to contribute to their new life together.
As they near his stop, he leans and kisses Abbie and tells her that sounds like a good plan.
Tim, dressed in one of his new suits, has eyes turning to look at him by his colleagues. They can tell there is something majorly different about Tim from a month ago but can’t quite figure out what is going on.
Tim, taking off three days last week again, and now with this refined new image does cause tongues to wag. He goes about his work but with a more confident air than he had. Rather than just fixing errors others made in their work, Tim now points them out to his coworkers and make them correct them. Only a small thing, but making a point loudly that he is no longer everyone’s dupe.
His manager notices the changes, and Tim is now making others responsible for their own work. He is happy to see that Tim is willing to work with his colleagues to understand how and why changes are needed. He hopes Tim keeps up this pattern; it will help all the staff be better workers.
Abbie does not forget her daily check-ins with Tim, and it makes the day fly by.
Work done for the day, Abbie and Tim arrive home around five-thirty. Les is out in her yard working, prepping her garden for the summer. She waves to them, and they walk over to the low stone wall between the property. Les invites them to come over.
They accept the invitation, Abbie, especially, as she is so eager to know what happened after Les and Phoebe left their house on Saturday night. She tries to contain herself, as she does not want to be over Tim’s knee again this soon. They settle themselves at the patio table. Abbie remembering Les’s tale about her and Cyn at this very table.
Les brings out a bottle of sherry and glasses, and they each have one. Les blushes some as she starts, “I want to thank you for letting me join you Saturday on your excursion and then dinner. I would have never imagined what happened would from that.”
Tim tells her they were glad she joined them, and they too had an enjoyable time. Now Les really blushes as she lays her hand over Tim’s, “I would have never thought what happened could, and I hope you are alright with it, after just learning about your mother and me.”
Tim looks at her gleaming eyes and tells her that while that side of his mother is something he needs to comprehend fully, nothing Les could do would diminish his feelings for her. Les squeezes his hand.