The thing about Ellen and Daniel

[Mbgpeelover 6,937]

48 minutes ago, warham1995 said:

is this the end of Daniel's story or do you have more planned?

More to come yet

[warham1995 272]

ok, also just curious do you ever go to the bathroom after you are done writing your stories or do you try to hold it while doing errands like shopping and doing laundry or taking you kids where they need to go like birthday parties, sports events or school and spending time with your family and get turned on by adults watching you try not to pee yourself? sorry if this is too uncomfortable to be answered. just wanted to test my luck, our fellowship, and your comfort level with that question.

Edited Friday at 11:41 PM by warham1995 (see edit history)

[Mbgpeelover 6,937]

The thing about what Daniel said 

 

Ellen was impatient standing waiting in the corridor for her colleague. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could cope not being in the meeting, every second feeling like hours as she pictured Oleksandr and his wife and son and the many other refugees relying on her. What was being discussed in her absence? Finally the door of the gents opened and a sheepish Daniel came out. Not wanting to waste any more time Ellen walked quickly back through reception her eyes focussed ahead and her pace brisk. Assuming Daniel was behind her she decided to not look back until they reached the boardroom door. Whilst outside the gents she’d tried thinking of a few excuses she could use as they entered the meeting but the closer she came to the door the more she settled on the idea of only speaking if absolutely necessary. If anyone asked or commented later she could answer then but as she intended to make a sharp exit she hoped that wouldn’t happen. 

 

Sure enough as she reached the boardroom door and looked behind her there was Daniel, his body right next to hers and his arm reaching out for the handle just like her own was. She could almost feel his chest against the back of her neck and hear his heart beating as a sudden urge to turn around and touch him almost overcame her. Forcing herself to push the door handle down even as his large warm hand rested on hers as they pushed the door open together Ellen could feel her own heartbeat racing. If working with Daniel thrilled her being this physically close to him sent shivers through her whole body. 

 

That thought immediately blew from her mind like a wind blowing a feather away as the door opened and Ellen was faced with a room full of suited men with papers in from of them with solemn looking faces. What had she missed? With her head down to avoid drawing unwanted attention and disturbing the meeting more and to also hide her blushing face from the door encounter with Daniel Ellen headed quickly and quietly to her seat scanning the current slide to see what was now going on. As Daniel sat back in front of her facing the screen Ellen struggled to concentrate as her eyes drifted to Daniel’s neck, his hair line and shoulders. How she’d love to caress his neck line, nibble his scrumptious ear lobes, massage his tense shoulders. Her mind was drifting quickly but she was brought back to reality abruptly as a male voice ended his monologue by saying ‘and I am sure you will all agree that this is the best options we have given the circumstances. Arrangements have already been made and I am delighted to say that within 3 weeks the ship will be empty and our mission accomplished.’

 

Ellen’s face was ashen and her mouth open as she looked from one suited male to another watching them nod in agreement as she wanted to scream so much. Unable to see Daniel’s face because of the fact he was forward facing in front of her she couldn’t t imagine for a minute that he was in agreement to any of this. He had met the refugees, he’d been on board the ship. He’d interviewed so many of the families, knew they had toddlers in local nurseries, children settled in local schools. Sick refugees who were getting treatment at local doctors surgeries and hospitals. Vulnerable young adults getting counselling and attending courses to learn English. Pregnant ladies getting maternity care locally. Young men in training courses and apprenticeships. 

 

Just seeing other council logos on the screen made Ellen feel sick. These people who she’d come to know and befriend for a whole year, who had been through so much already, who she and Daniel and others had so tirelessly supported and now just because of a lack of suitable properties in the area they were being uprooted all over again and sent to unknown areas with no support all because of politics and money. 

 

The room went quiet for a moment until the gent who had just been speaking directed a question to Daniel by name. Ellen held her breath inwardly as she waited for him to answer. He knew this was wrong. Didn’t he? 

 

“Are you in agreement about getting these contracts signed by all the remaining clients as soon as possible Mr Omari?”. 

 

“Yes. Yes I am.” 

 

Eileen’s mouth fell open as her mind tried to comprehend what her colleague had just agreed to. Earlier that evening she’d vowed to contact him the next day to check he was ok after suddenly leaving the meeting. Now she wanted to speak to him even more urgently. That was the thing about what Daniel had just said: it didn’t seem right. It didn’t fit with the Daniel she knew. It couldn’t be true. She had to talk with him urgently. Not here though. Anywhere but here. 

 

She couldn’t believe she was going to do this but anger and shock took over as she raised her voice suddenly in frustration: 

 

“Do none of you even care? Have you no heart? You can’t do this. You can’t.” 

 

Then Daniel’s quiet, professional, unemotional voice. 

 

“It’s for the best Ellen.” 

[warham1995 272]

those poor refugees, it sucks that they are not going to get help. also nice plot twist with Daniel going along with the plans even though he also met the refugees with Ellen, even if it is the setup for Ellen and Daniel's conflict later in the story.

Edited Saturday at 02:41 AM by warham1995 (see edit history)

[consch 31]

20 hours ago, warham1995 said:

those poor refugees, it sucks that they are not going to get help. also nice plot twist with Daniel going along with the plans even though he also met the refugees with Ellen, even if it is the setup for Ellen and Daniel's conflict later in the story.

Did Ellen read the plan?  Maybe it's not as bad as she thinks.

[warham1995 272]

admittedly I didn't think about the plan and if it would benefit the refugees or not.

[Mbgpeelover 6,937]

The thing about what Ellen said 

 

As Daniel pushed open the door to leave the gents, his trousers still damp but not as noticeable as before, he was shocked to see Ellen standing in the corridor waiting for him. Keeping his head down not wanting to so much as look at her he was glad when she marched away on seeing him. He followed quickly wanting to get back into the meeting and forget the last 10 minutes ever happened. Catching up with his smaller and curvier colleague easily he found himself reaching out for the door handle just as she did too. Annoyingly their hands touched, though Daniel couldn’t deny that feeling the warmth of Ellen’s hand did make him feel good and made him keen to feel more of her. Trying to quickly forget any thoughts of that he stumbled behind her rather clumsily finding his seat quickly and refocusing on the task at hand. 

 

Brushing down his suit and feeling the damp patch with his thumb he blushed a little which was thankfully hidden by the fact he was suddenly spoken to directly by Archie Waters, deputy head of the council. Remembering the call he’d had from him just a few hours ago in his office he already predicted what the man would ask before the words were uttered. It wasn’t so much of a question really, more a statement, and one where Daniel knew the only expected and acceptable answer. At least he didn’t have to see Ellen’s face, though he could picture every detail in his mind from her furious hazel eyes, to her angry rosy cheeks to the raised eyebrows and furrowed brow. She was so invested in those refugees, so determined to give them what they wanted. 

 

But life wasn’t like that was it? Sometimes people just can’t get what they want no matter how much they crave it, thought Daniel as he swallowed before clearly answering his boss. 

 

“Yes. Yes I am.” 

 

Then the volcano that is Ellen Hemmingdale erupted, right on cue. Tugging at the heart strings, accusing everyone of not caring. Typical woman and oh so predictable. Telling everyone they ‘couldn’t do this’ when she knew fine well they could and they would. 

 

The problem was Daniel understood her passion and concern more than he could ever explain to her. There was so much she didn’t know about him, couldn’t ever know about him. The thing about what Ellen said was that her words cut into Daniel more than he would ever let on. Sure he understood why the decision had to be. Ellen of all people was fully aware of the logistical issue of a severe shortage of available housing. She knew the government were under pressure and she knew fine well that moving refugees to other areas was always a real and live option. As far as Daniel was concerned it was how things worked regardless how difficult that was. Everything came down to money wether Eileen accepted that or not. 

 

Letting the only female there have her impassioned outcry was one thing but allowing that emotion to rule over material matters was quite another. Daniel faced the front silently listening to Ellen rant on trying to hide a little smile. He had to admit this was one feisty female behind him. It would take a brave man to tame Ellen Hemmingdale that was for certain. As Ellen started listing names and giving personal stories in a way only she could do Daniel started to feel a little guilty, a little annoyed. This wasn’t about dragging toddlers from their nursery friends or uprooting school kids who were only now making progress and settling. Ellen was making them sound like lions eating baby foxes for fun or an owl killing a live mouse in one go. These people had already been uprooted once and they all knew the cruise ship was only ever temporary. 

 

As Ellen continued on Daniel began actually feeling sorry for her. Had she got so attached to the refugees that her own heart would be broken more than their’s? Suddenly recalling her intense emotion the day at the small flat when she hugged him with joy at a young family getting a permanent property to rent he had a moment of revelation: Ellen wasn’t looking at this logically, she was too emotionally attached, too personally invested. She needed to realise that there were things even she had to give in to eventually. Some things were stronger than Ellen Hemmingdale and she needed to realise that. Maybe this situation would be part of her realising that. 

 

As Ellen paused, out of breath and spent from her outburst, Daniel quietly and softly addressed her without even turning around. He couldn’t see her right now. He was afraid his own heart would act too like Ellen’s if he did. He’d contact her tomorrow and check she was ok. Right now he had to be professional and prove to his boss he could do this even if it broke Ellen in the process. 

 

“It’s for the best Ellen”, his voice uttered though his heart was struggling to feel it. 

 

[Mbgpeelover 6,937]

That evening: Ellen 

 

Ellen remained silent for the remainder of the meeting, hurt and shocked still at Daniel’s words. Even when he turned back in his chair as detailed ‘support’ was discussed and they sat within reach of each other she refused to even look in his direction. She did however listen and take copious notes, having learnt never to trust meetings where politicians or council staff were taking minutes. 

 

Not for the first time did she look at the suited, predominantly white, middle aged men in the room and question if they had even set foot on the Adventurer II or met any of it’s current residents. Would they personally be giving them the news that they would be imminently uprooted yet again to move many miles to towns and cities they weren’t familiar with? Would they be the ones answering their many questions, mostly through translators, ensuring they had even the basics like a cooker, carpets, beds and white goods and consoling their tearful children who were being taken from their new friends? So much of that, and more besides, would be left to Ellen and others on her team who relied on grants, public support and pitiful donations from the government just to pay their wages each month. So Ellen made sure to take detailed notes of the so called ‘support package’ knowing that actually securing any of it would be like getting blood out of a stone. 

 

As soon as the meeting was dismissed Ellen made a beeline for the door, her anger and upset still bubbling away under her professional facade. It wasn’t like anyone in the room wanted to speak to her anyway as they all looked everywhere in the room but at her. Switching her iPad off she slipped it into her bag and left quickly. The drive home was colder, darker and quieter than usual so Ellen switched on the radio for company to distract herself. After some chat from the host, which she paid little attention to really, the next song played and she struggled to stay composed. As Bruno Mars ‘count on me’ filled her little car and she drove the familiar roads to home Ellen couldn’t help but want to curse loudly at Daniel. Obviously he didn’t see himself as her friend, a fact that broke her heart even more than the fact she couldn’t take things even further with him. Why were all the attractive sexy men so untrustworthy? 

 

Pulling up outside her house Ellen parked and went inside deep in her own world. Picking up that’s days mail from her feet she dropped it on the coffee table before hanging up her anorak and taking off her shoes. Not in the mood for cooking she ordered a take away on her phone then went upstairs and changed into her pj’s. If only she could think of something other than Daniel Omari, anything at all other than him. She switched on her TV and scanned the channels for something to take her mind off her day. She couldn’t even look at her iPad. The photos of those on the boat and the notes from tonight’s meeting would just make her cry. 

 

After eating her dinner accompanied by a large glass of iced water Ellen was almost finished a mug of tea as she watched the late evening news when she heard her mobile buzz with a text. She leaned over to her handbag reaching in for her phone as she read the short but simple message.

 

‘I can explain.’ 

 

Taking the final sip of her tea she put her mug down debating wether to text back. She should really have went upstairs to wee, brush her teeth and head to bed but would she be able to sleep? Probably not she realised as she typed back with sweaty hands. 

 

“Go on. I’m waiting.”

[warham1995 272]

I have always been wondering why in almost every story you have written,  you have all your characters male  or female always not go to the bathroom and continue to talk to people such as their crushes, friends, or family members even though they would usually excuse themselves to go pee in any normal situation, do some of them try to seduce their crushes with being desperate to pee or are they an extension of you in real life?

Edited 12 hours ago by warham1995 (see edit history)

[Mbgpeelover 6,937]

48 minutes ago, warham1995 said:

I have always been wondering why in almost every story you have written,  you have all your characters male  or female always not go to the bathroom and continue to talk to people such as their crushes, friends, or family members even though they would usually excuse themselves to go pee in any normal situation, do some of them try to seduce their crushes with being desperate to pee or are they an extension of you in real life?

In this instance I think Ellen was actually about to go but the text has distracted her. Loads of people in real life put off going because they are busy. It’s not necessary a reflection on me as the author but my observations of many many people over the years. In fact Ellen may yet just head upstairs, pee and continue texting. You are just assuming she will hold off to text but that hasn’t been said in the text. You’ll need to keep reading to know. 
 

As for Daniel it was clearly explained why he delays going and therefore an after work meeting was bound to cause him difficulty and discomfort. 

[warham1995 272]

ok that is a fair answer. I hope that they can reconcile and possibly go on a date together.  i am invested in the story and hope that they have a happy ending. have you ever done sad endings?

Edited 10 hours ago by warham1995 (see edit history)

[Mbgpeelover 6,937]

That evening: Daniel 

 

Daniel tried to appease his conscience by fully engaging in the rest of the meeting even if talking in such settings wasn’t his most comfortable position. He wanted to do his best for the clients he supported but most of all he knew deep down he was somehow hoping to impress the powerhouse that sat silently beside him. He wasn’t used to Ellen being like this. Yes she needed to know that she couldn’t control everything and couldn’t always get her own way but maybe the humiliation in front of all his seniors had hurt her more than he’d realised? Still he was only doing his job, only trying to keep his pay cheque coming. Surely the budget was better spent supporting everyone to move on that keeping them indefinitely floating at sea with no permanent abode? In hindsight Archie Waters was right: they should have moved on the refugees before they ever became settled in the city. Now they were being ‘cruel to be kind’ to quote Archie’s saying earlier on the phone. 

 

It didn’t take overly long to iron out the support package. Without emotional outbursts from a certain woman it was mostly a matter of costings, numbers and timings. When there’s a political push for something money seems to come from everywhere and this was very much the case here as Daniel soon realised. It was a political ‘elephant in the room’ that so many still remained on that ship and whatever it took to get them off would ultimately be paid for. Surely that had to at least be some solace to Ellen? Daniel turned to face her as a large amount of ‘resettlement’ budget was allocated but Ellen had her head down taking notes and seemed completely unaware of his presence right beside her. He longed to tap her shoulder just for some sort of response but decided against it. Hopefully he could at least talk to her soon. 

 

As the final item on the agenda was finalised the meeting was concluded and Daniel turned to say goodbye to Ellen but she had her back to him and was already on her feet looking at the door. He could chase after her but it was late, he was hungry and if he was honest with himself he didn’t need any more drama tonight. As he put his own phone in his pocket and got ready to leave he couldn’t help but overhear a remark by one of the other men. 

 

“Thank God she’s gone. I said she shouldn’t be invited didn’t I! Disgrace of a woman if you ask me. Doesn’t even dress appropriately either. I mean leggings for a meeting like this? If you are going to involve the voluntary sector next time Archie at least invite someone who knows how to behave in public! I have an 8 week old puppy at home that knows how to act in public better than she does! Geez please don’t tell me you minited  any of her nonsense did you? It’ll only encourage her! I pity you having to work with the likes of that Danny. You have my sympathy lad!” 

 

There was so much Daniel wanted to reply to that but he simply nodded and laughed awkwardly feeling so ashamed to be doing so. These people were his superiors and he had to respect them. It’s not like Ellen would ever know anyway. It wasn’t like he has said it. He’d just not challenged it that was all. What good would that have done anyway? 

 

Driving home though the comment repeated over and over in Daniel’s mind. Was that really what his fellow council employees thought of Ellen? Sure she was emotional, passionate, feisty even, but she was every bit as professional and he had no right to mock her clothing. In fact as Daniel thought about what Ellen had been wearing he only just realised how lovely her long flowing top was, how it really accentuated her curves, how it matched the colour in her hazel eyes so brilliantly and highlighted the shades in her hair. As for her behaviour; yes she had become somewhat emotional in her speech but that was only because she cared. Comparing her to a puppy was horrible and left him feeling nauseous that he’d actually nodded when it was said. 

 

Pulling another meal from the freezer at home that his mum had made he microwaved it thoroughly and sat down to eat. His mind was all over the place though and he accidentally dropped a small amount on his thigh as he cursed himself and looked for a cloth to clean himself up. Rubbing it with a damp cloth before it stained he had a flashback to drying the same area on the same leg earlier that evening while Ellen was, unbeknown to him at the time, waiting outside for him. Why had she left such an important meeting to her just because he had? Why had she waited for him to come out the toilets? She hadn’t spoken to him so it wasn’t that she wanted to tell him anything and she hadn’t seemed to have needed to leave herself? 

 

As Daniel sipped his warm coffee he began thinking about it all. Could Ellen Hemmingdale actually like him? His mind raced back to so many occasions they’d worked together, so many cases they had collaborated on, so many meetings they had attended together. The thought of pissing her off now seemed unthinking, inexcusable. The mere idea of never seeing her number on his phone causing his heart to race or hearing her hearty laugh or watching her passionately fighting for what she believed in was unimaginable. 

 

She’d probably be in bed by now but he owed her an explanation, an apology even and if he didn’t do something now he knew he never would.