Secret Love

Flick closed the door with a deep sigh.  Her fingers gently traced her lips where, only moments before, Tom had kissed her goodbye. Not just for the day, or for the week, but for two whole months.  It was still barely 6.30am, his flight was an early one so he'd stopped off to say goodbye.  

Life and work carried on for both of them, with scant respect for their blossoming life together.  It wasn't so bad for Flick, she worked from home so when Tom wasn't otherwise occupied, he could lounge about eating her biscuits, drinking her tea and being a thoroughly bad but welcome, distraction.

Tom, however, had no such luxuries.  Work was invariably on a set or a stage and that meant separation from the loves of his life. Whilst he still enjoyed his work as much as ever, now he enjoyed coming home more.  Home.  Even now, they didn't live together full time.  That would come though, they'd discussed it at length.  They'd decided to do it at Christmas, when the girls were on holiday.  They could be moved in peace, without having to cope with the inevitable public glare as well as school at the same time.  

There had already been rumblings in that department and both Tom and Flick had chatted to the staff. A plan was in place and the girls knew they were supported.  Not, as Flick and Tom well knew, they'd really need it.  Clare and Jenny, despite looking like little angels - most of the time - were actually as fierce as any lioness when threatened.  Spines of steel way beyond their years, they gave in to no-one. Not in public anyway.  In private, they still wanted cuddles from Mum and Tom though. A lot. It warmed her heart every time they snuggled into him.  Jenny had never "slipped up" again and Tom had never mentioned it, so sleeping dogs were left lying as the saying almost went.  

This time though, the separation was half a world and eight weeks' worth of those cuddles away.  He'd broken the news to her gently and she'd accepted it gracefully.  What good would it do to act out?  It wasn't his fault, she had better get used to it, she told herself.  This came along side the sparkly dresses, the charity dinners and the wonderful opportunities to mingle with the great and good.  Tom's work ethic was legendary and she was incredibly proud of him.  She had to support him with good grace , it as just the right thing to do.  Right up until this morning, she'd told him - and herself - that it was ok. She'd miss him, the girls would miss him, but ultimately?  He'd come back and that was what counted.

For his part, Tom had been astonished and thankful.  He truly didn't want to leave her, but equally he had no choice.  It was his career.  The fact she was so supportive?  Well, just made it that tiny bit easier.  No less painful though.  For either of them.  Now, with the prospect of their first long-term separation since the start, she quite literally sagged with the weight of the sorrow.  She leaned back and the coolness of the wood cut through the feelings beginning to run away with her.  It's sharp interruption made her wince and stand.

"Ok Flick, get a grip.  It's only eight weeks, you've facetime and calls.  He's only filming, not dead." her voice was stern, her face not so much.  It was still hard. Normally?  When she was upset?  When she felt all at sea?  The one person she could turn to was her mum.... as she walked into the living room, she looked at the photo sitting on the tv unit.  From their last holiday together. Taken by Tom, it was her and the girls with her mum, happily smiling like they had all the time in the world.  Part of her wished she'd said that extra "love you" or given that extra hug.  Part knew that her mum had gone safe in the knowledge that Flick, the girls and latterly Tom had loved her very much. 

Now she crossed the room, picking it up gently. Smiling, she ran her finger across it, as if summoning the memory of that moment. "Thanks Mum.  For being there, through it all. I wish you could be here to see... well maybe you will...." she smiled and pressed a kiss to her fingers then the photo. "Yes, maybe you will...."