Candlelight

Candlelight

Thunder rumbled in the distance. The lights suddenly dimmed and went out. 'Great, a power cut.' Gail frowned as she sat on the cream settee in the darkness, the moon faintly illuminating the interior of the lounge.
She put down the book she'd been reading and rose from the seat. She half felt, half saw her way to the kitchen at the back of the house. It was completely black, the moon only shining in through the front windows.
'I'm sure I put a packet of candles in here,' she said to herself as her hands fumbled around in one of the pine cabinets. Then her fingers came across what she was searching for and Gail shut the door after locating a box of matches.
She struck a match and it flared brightly. In its brief light she quickly unpacked the candles and lit one. The flickering glow from its orange flame danced upon her pale skin. Gail was in her early thirties, had soft features, long dark hair and hazel eyes.
The candle's flame created a small pool of light as she made her way back to the lounge. Gail lit another and placed the pair above the empty fireplace to the left. She retrieved a candle holder from the cupboard beneath her bookshelf at the far side of the room and put two more candles on it, then carried them over to the settee. 'Now, lets get back to the book. It was just starting to hot up. I hope he ends up kissing her,' she commented to herself.
She was reaching over to pick up the romantic novel when the doorbell rang. With a sigh, Gail got up and walked over to the front window, looking out from between her pale blue curtains. A man was standing at her front door and a smile spread across her face as recognition dawned. It was her new next-door neighbour, Tim. He was single and she quite fancied him, though they'd only said a few words to each other during the two weeks since he'd moved in. He was about her age and good looking, with strong features and deep, blue eyes.
Tim turned to leave, thinking no one was home. Gail rushed out of the sitting room and down the darkened hall to the front door. 'I'm here, Tim,' she called after quickly opening it.
He turned and walked back to the house. 'Sorry to disturb you, Gail, but I was wondering if I could borrow a few candles and something to light them with.'
'Of course you can. I've got plenty.' She smiled at him, face glowing in the moonlight, storm clouds rumbling off to the west.
'I won't keep you long,' said Tim.
'To be perfectly honest, I'd prefer a bit of company.'
'That makes two of us. I hate to admit it, but I've been a bit scared of the dark ever since I was a boy,' responded Tim with a hint of embarrassment.
'Would you like to come in for a while?' Gail moved back from the door slightly. 'I'll make us both a coffee.' As soon as she'd said the words Gail realised her mistake and felt a little stupid. They couldn't have coffee, there wasn't any electricity to make it with.
'Sorry, I wasn't thinking. We can't have coffee, but I've got some orange juice in the fridge if you'd like some.'
'That'd be great, thanks,' he replied with a smile as he entered the house.
Gail went through to the sitting room and fetched the candle holder from beside the settee. 'Come through,' she said as she led him down the hall to the kitchen. 'I'll just pour the juice and then we can go and sit in the lounge.'
She took two glasses down from a shelf and a carton of orange juice from the white fridge. Pouring the drinks, she then handed Tim one of the glasses.
'Thanks,' he said before raising it to his lips and taking a small sip.
Gail put the juice back in the fridge and turned to him, noting his look of tension and nervousness. 'Don't worry, I'm sure the electricity will be back on soon.'
'I hope you're right,' he replied with a weak smile.
They went through to the lounge, Gail taking the candles and placing them on the bookshelf. Sitting at either end of the large settee, they both sipped their drinks in silence.
There was a sudden, loud screech from upstairs. Tim jumped up in shock, spilling his juice over the deep, blue carpet. He was shaking with fear and had a horrified expression. His eyes were wide and his breathing was heavy, his heart pounding hard and fast.
Gail quickly put down her glass and stood up. 'Don't worry, it was only Monkey,' she whispered as she stood before him, laying her right hand on his arm in a gesture of comfort.
'Monkey?' Tim looked at her in confusion.
'My cat. He must have fallen off the wardrobe in the bedroom. He likes to sleep up there, but he's getting old and his eyesight isn't what it used to be,' explained Gail as she studied his face and saw the tension begin to subside. 'Are you going to be all right?'
'Yes,' he replied as their gazes locked. 'Thank you.' Tim leant forward and kissed her softly on the cheek.
Gail blushed. 'There's no need to thank me. If it wasn't for the cat you wouldn't have had such a shock,' she said. 'But if you want to thank me again I won't stop you,' she added with a smile.
Tim grinned. He reached out and put his arms around her, pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. As they embraced the lights came back on, but Gail and Tim didn't notice, their eyes tightly shut as they lost themselves in the tender kiss.