The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven novel Chapter 4

Two full glasses of water were placed over a circular table. A tray of fresh fruits were arranged nicely in a cobalt blue tray. The windows were wide open to let in some fresh air; Teddy was standing in front of them to push back the drapes a little bit more. “I brought out some fruit in case you are tempted,” he said with his back to me. “I know you don’t have much time, but I thought it might be nice to have something in your stomach.”

“I might take this banana,” I mused aloud. “I could eat it on the bus ride home.”

“Bus ride home,” Teddy chuckled. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“It is the same one I took to get here.”

“Yes, but it is hot,” he said as a way of an excuse. “And I have no bus stops around here.”

“I know.” He turned around to face me now, letting his lower back lean against the edge of the counter. “I had to ask the bus driver to stop me at the bottom of your hill.”

“And you walked all the way up here?”

“Yes, but I enjoy the exercise.”

Teddy walked over to his table. A chair was pushed outwards and then he took a quiet seat next to me. “Daphne has a car,” he noted. “I can drive you somewhere.”

“That isn’t necessary.”

“I don’t think you should be lingering out there alone.” He licked at his bottom lip. “And it’s hot.”

“Yes, but it’s not summer yet.”

“And you are a woman,” he entreated. “A woman standing in the middle of nowhere alone.” Teddy reached for his glass of water, compelling me to do the same. “I will not stand for it. I was raised better than that.”

“Perhaps…”

He nodded his head, entreating me to go on. His thumb lightly stroked the outside of his glass, while he altered his gaze between the clear glass of water and myself.

“You could drop me off at the main bus terminal.”

“Yes, I could do that.”

I took a timid sip of the water, feeling like I was asking too much from him. Teddy stared at me intently, letting his eyes focus on my hair that was now down to the tops of my shoulders. “I could drive you after every shift this week,” he nervously pointed out. “And if you want… I could pick you up from the station as well.”

“No, that is too much.”

“I only care for your safety.”

I took a larger sip of my water, finding it was the best excuse to fill up the awkward pause. I thought it best to contact Daphne as soon as possible, knowing she was the only one available to shed light on this mysterious man’s behaviour.

“Time is ticking.” Teddy pointed behind him, suggesting I still need to complete the trimming to his hedges at the back. “I suggest you drink your water quickly.”

“I really don’t need you to pick me up at the station in the morning,” I entreated. “Though driving me to the station after twelve will ensure I have enough time to grab a quick lunch.”

“You could bring your lunch and eat here,” he suggested. “Or I could… I could make lunch for the both of us.”