RP: Raspberried Repression. WHO: Melinda Bobbin & Terence Higgs. WHERE: Ter's flat. WHEN: 5 January 2000 WHAT: Melinda makes an effort. COMPLETE.
It had been almost a week since Terence and Melinda's confrontation in Rosier's storeroom. Almost a week since Terence had told her her loved her, had said he could be faithful. Almost a week since Melinda had told him that she couldn't, wouldn't love him and run the risk of becoming like her mother. Almost a week since they'd gone back to his flat and spent another unplanned, ill-advised evening together. And almost a week since Mel had fled while he was asleep.
She'd been obsessing about it ever since, and baking because that was what she did when she was stressed. She didn't want to hurt Terence, she really didn't. The only reason she was so nasty to him was to protect herself. But if he really did love her, she couldn't bear the thought of her unkindness doing the sort of damage to him that her father's indifference did to her mother. The very reason that she wouldn't allow herself to open up that way. She would try to be kind. It was the least she could do. Just so long as she kept her heart carefully guarded no matter what.
So, here she was, standing in front of Terence's door, dressed in a simple but elegant pencil skirt and blouse, holding the layered raspberry and chocolate mousses she'd made that morning. Since she didn't ever eat the things she made, perhaps Ter could benefit. She stared at the wooden door for a long time, almost left twice, and then finally forced herself to knock.