Discovered in a Christmas Pud - Dec 29th.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Bodie pushed the shopping trolley across the supermarket car park, visibly biting back a curse as it refused to go in the direction he wanted.

"Having a bit of bother?" Doyle asked, eyes wide and feigning innocence.

Bodie glared. "You could say that. Christ, a tank would be easier to manoeuvre than this contraption."

A voice piped up. "Have you ever driven a tank? What's it like?"

Doyle winked at the small boy. "Yeah, Bodie, tell Neil if you've ever driven a tank," he said, slyly.

"No, I haven't," Bodie conceded, coming to a stop beside the gold Capri. "But if I had, it would've been a damn sight easier to steer than this trolley."

Doyle tutted. "Language. There are children about."

"I'm not children," the boy protested. "I'm eight!"

"Are you sure?" Doyle asked, frowning. "You seem much younger than that. I'm certain it was only last year you were born."

"As riveting as the Doyle family history is, there are strawberry mivvies defrosting at the bottom of this trolley," Bodie cut in. He gestured towards the car. "Just get the boot open, Doyle."

"Can I open it, Uncle Ray?" Neil asked, holding his hand out for the key. Doyle shot an amused look at Bodie who shrugged.

"Yeah, 'course," Doyle said, handing the key over. "Don't forget the special twist."

"Special twist?"

"Yeah, you put the key in the lock…"

The boy did as he was told.

"And you twist it--"

"Like this?" Neil asked, and the boot opened.

"Yeah." Doyle grinned at Neil's wide eyes. "Just like that."

"It's all in the wrist," Bodie said and leaned in, confidentially, "Your uncle Ray's got a great wrist action."

"You'd know," Doyle murmured and Bodie smirked.

"Uncle Ray, did we get baked beans?" Neil asked, looking through the carrier bags.

"Yeah, we got baked beans."

"Can we have beans on toast for tea?"

"I dunno. Bodie, can we have beans on toast for tea? I can't cook, 'cos of…" He pointed to his arm in a sling, a remnant of the last op they'd been on together. The bruises on his face had faded and his skin now had a normal, healthy pallor. He wasn't a vain man, but even he had flinched when he caught sight of himself in a mirror during those first few days afterwards. Luckily Bodie was available to look after him. How he'd squared it with Cowley was anyone's guess, but Ray wasn't about to question his boss's decision.

Bodie rolled his eyes. "I'll need help. Toast doesn't butter itself."

"I can help," Neil said. "I make my own toast at home."

"Then beans on toast it is. A veritable feast."

"And an ice-cream for afters?" Neil pushed.

"Is there any other kind of dessert?" Bodie asked. "'Though we'll need to get moving or we may be drinking them instead of eating."

"It's the middle of winter," Doyle pointed out.

"And I'm freezing," Bodie said, grabbing two bags of shopping from the trolley. He looked pointedly at Doyle.

"I'd give you a hand, mate," Doyle said, "only I'm still recuperating."

"Yeah? I'll remember that later when you're after a bit of—"

"Little ears," Doyle warned, looking towards Neil, who was struggling with a bagful of tins.

Bodie effortlessly plucked the bag from Neil's hand and deposited it in the boot. "Let's get home," he said. "I have a meal to prepare and nursemaid duties to fulfil."

"And can we play Cluedo after tea 'til Mum picks me up?" Neil asked.

"We can, but you should know that the butler did it."

"There isn't a butler in Cluedo."

"Ah, that's sneaky, that is," Bodie said. He put the last bag in and slammed down the car boot.

While Neil took the trolley back Doyle laid his good hand on Bodie's arm. "Thanks," he said, sincerely.

Bodie patted his hand, and if his fingers lingered a little too long, no-one was taking any notice of them here. "Let's get home," he repeated, quietly this time, and the smile he flashed was full of warmth and promise.

A shopper nearby swore as her trolley skidded off the kerb. Neil ran past her without batting an eyelid and threw himself into the Capri.

"Did we get Coke?" he enquired from the back seat.

"We got Coke," Bodie confirmed. He took the keys from Doyle. "Let's get home."



~End~





Trailer info
Title: Ice and Easy
Author: Hambel
Slash or Gen: Slash
Archive at ProsLib/Circuit: Yes.
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. Idea for the story is.

Happy New Year!



 

Comments

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Oh, a nice little domestic scene to start us off right in the new year. Or, almost the new year. *g* I've always had a fondness for scenes like these--little slices of "real" life that contrast so completely with their usual lives. And, anyway, watching an eight year old twist them round his little finger…highly enjoyable. *g* Thank you for this! (Mind you, when I saw the title, I did groan. *g*)

[cloudless-9193.livejournal.com]

Sweet and easygoing! I enjoyed it so much. :-)

[ali15son.livejournal.com]

What a lovely domestic scene , even a bit of supermarket shopping between these two can put you in a good mood x thanks for this .

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

Ah that was sweet and authentic, and I loved it :) Hee to Bodie struggling with a supermarket trolley (I can so relate to that grrrr) and I might be a bit of a sucker for Uncle Ray. Would love to see the scene with the three of them having their beans on toast. No really, I would!

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

I adored this gentle scene and the way it throws their 'normal' life-on-the-edge work environment into contrast.

Bodie patted his hand, and if his fingers lingered a little too long, no-one was taking any notice of them here ...I also found this line quite touching.

P.S. I had to look up 'Strawberry Mivvi' but ooh, they look delicious. They seem to be related to our local version: 'Pine Lime Splice'.

[minori-k.livejournal.com]

Aw, lovely story! I love their domestic atmosphere here... Thank you! And Happy New Year to you, too!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Lovely! I enjoyed the contrast between their working lives and their domestic lives, and the way the two mingle... and gosh yes - Strawberry Mivvies!

Thank you for such a lovely, gentle moment in time.

[murphybabe]

That was great! I'm a sucker for domesticity, and when you add in a hurt Doyle I melt like a Strawberry Mivvi *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I like this bit of domestic bliss, watching the nephew and teasing each other. Nice!

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Strawberry mivvies? There goes my childhood!

I loved this, especially the way you showed the affection between Bodie and Doyle. And there's something so endearing when it's Bodie plus kids.

Thanks very much.!

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

Oh I like it sooo much!
Such a sweet little snippet of their life, so beautiful and perfect, thank you so much!!!!

[smirra.livejournal.com]

Oh yes shopping for groceries, there isn't a more demanding task ;-) I like the domestic scene!

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

This is a very nice snippet!
*happy sigh*

Thank you!

[ladyhawke2.livejournal.com]

I'm not usually keen on lads and domesticity but this was great, thanks.

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Hee, enjoyed this, thanks. Love the voices in it.