Easy As Falling On A Spike.
by Angharad
part 234.

We went back to bed about four, Simon was fast asleep and tempting as it was to put my cold feet on him, I resisted and just cuddled into him. Before I dropped off, he'd spooned into the back of me and had his arm around me. It was very comforting.

I had no further bad dreams and slept until eleven. When I awoke, I noticed Simon was up and I hadn't noticed his absence. I washed quickly and dressed. I had no idea what we were doing for New Year, except I couldn't indulge in food or drink after six. I hoped the surgeon didn't indulge too heavily either.

I went down and found Simon wiping down the hire bike. "Have you been out?"

"Yeah, only did about ten miles according to the computer although it felt like twice that. That blessed wind is really cold."

"You should have woken me, I'd have come with you."

"No, I need to do this myself, especially if I'm going to kick your arse when you start again."

"That may be a good attitude for a racing cyclist, but I'm not sure I approve of it in a fiance."

"It was you who showed me up, I'm just giving you some back."

"Oh, if that's how you feel, I suppose it's alright. It wasn't my intention." I was lying, who could resist the temptation to shame someone into taking more exercise?

"Hmmm," was all he said.

"I suppose extra exercise will do you good, ward off heart attacks and so on."

"I hope so, I shall do some more at the bank's gym, they have some of these spinning bikes."

"Won't that make you dizzy?" I asked not knowing what he was on about.

"No you daft cow, they are static bikes linked to a computer so you can have interactive races."

"Oh, so you'll be much better than I am then."

"I'm going to give it quite a go."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Part of me was happy he was considering exercise and part of me was irritated by the competitiveness. Was it just a boy thing, being able to outdo your woman in physical exertion? I didn't know and I didn't want to discuss it further.

"Are we going out tonight?"

"Only over to Southsea to the hotel."

"Are your parents going to be there?"

"Yep, that's why we have to go."

"I don't have to kiss Monica do I?"

"Kiss of the spiderwoman!" He laughed. "But of course, just watch out for her fangs."

"You don't mean palps do you?"

"Do I, I don't know?"

"It's what spiders have, although in a hybrid like a spiderwoman, there could be previously unknown mutations."

"Oh boy, remind me not to encourage you clever dick."

"I did quite a bit on insects and spiders before I got into dormice."

"Now you tell me!"

"At least I am telling you."

I went indoors and left him to finish cleaning his bike. Making some tea I poured Simon and Stella a cup. Tom had walked into the university to sort out my dormice and give Kiki a walk.

That was twice I owed him. I pulled out the letter from the hospital and reread it for the umpteenth time. It appeared they were going to operate on me tomorrow and I needed to use the suppository and not eat or drink anything after midnight. I was asked to refrain from alcohol.

I decided I wasn't going anywhere tonight. I had to shave myself down below, a pain if ever there was one, goodness that would be itchy when it grew back. I also had to be at the hospital at no later than eight in the morning. I looked over the list again, I had it all and it was all packed or ready for packing. I hoped Simon would take me, although that might not be such a good idea. Stella or Tom might if they were home and not too wasted from the New Year party.

Simon came in and I poured him a cuppa. "I'm not going to the party."

"Don't be silly, of course you are."

"Simon, I go into hospital tomorrow morning, I can't eat or drink after midnight. There is little point in going to a party with those restrictions."

"Don't be daft, it's New Year, everyone parties."

"I'm not. This surgery is far too important to jeopardise for a bit of my old life."

"Oh, be like that but don't ask me for ride into the hospital."

I felt so cross that I turned and fled the field without giving battle. If I had stopped, there would have been no survivors on the enemy side.