But Alexa didn’t reply, she was about to call again when she entered the sitting room and saw her, asleep on her couch, golden hair fanned over the cushion and around her face, the rise and fall of her chest pressing her breasts up against her black shirt and long slim legs stretched out below her.  Helena just stood and stared at her for a few minutes.  She knelt down next to her to stroke her face.  It had been a long time since she’d had something this beautiful to arrive home to, since she’d felt like rushing home for anyone.  ‘Sweetheart, I’m back,’ she said gently and stroked her cheek.

Alexa’s eyes opened slowly and she looked a little startled. ‘Um I fell asleep..I’m sorry,’ she murmured still sleepy and forcing herself to sit up.

Helena stopped her and sat behind her, kicking her shoes off and encouraging Alexa to lie back against her.  ‘I was so late, I’m so glad your still here,’ said Helena stroking Alexa’s hair, feeling surreal yet natural all at the same time.

‘You’re not that late I came early,’ said Alexa, relaxing into Helena’s embrace, relishing the sensation of being held. ‘How was your night?’

Helena sighed and played with a lock of Alexa’s hair.  ‘Oh it was boring, Will didn’t help at all he left me with the whole pitch and then there was this bloody car accident..’

Alexa sat up quickly.  ‘Are my god are you alright,’ she asked, suddenly wide awake.

‘Oh yes it wasn’t me in the accident it was another car, I just got caught in the jam.’

‘Well good,’ said Alexa relieved and then grimaced, ‘Well not for the people in the accident but for me.’

‘For you?’

‘Yes I don’t want you getting hurt,’ she admitted shyly.  ‘You still want to watch a movie?’

‘Of course, what have you picked out?’

‘I haven’t, I gave up trying to predict what you’d like.’

‘Then just pick something you like and I’ll tell you if I like it.’

‘I’ve never seen What Lies Beneath, I saw that on the list?’

‘Never have I, we’ll watch it.’

Alexa started the movie and they took up respective ends of the couch, both reluctant to press the other to return to the intimate embrace they had previously occupied.  They were transfixed by the suspense of the movie, Helena chuckled every time she saw Alexa jump when the tension built. She’d seen this film before, despite what she’d told Alexa so the shocks weren’t all that shocking to her, but Alexa’s reactions were entertaining enough.  Alexa suddenly jumped and buried her head in Helena’s shoulder.  ‘Ah I think he’s in the back seat I can’t watch!’ she said.