After watch brunch

Posted on Sat Oct 17th, 2026 @ 11:49pm by Bartholomew Addington & Victoria Bell

Mission: Justice
Location: Bartholomew's Flat and the Church
Timeline: 25 December 2012, 0900 (9am Tuesday)

 

Bartholomew was not sure if the woman was going to be there when he got back from his morning watch but he brought back food for her just incase as the pub had said that she was not there. He opened the bedroom door and saw her sound asleep in his bed still and closed the door letting her sleep but he did set a fire in the fireplace stove and put the food on top to keep warm. He made coffee and just sat there reading a book waiting for her to stir.

Victoria lay in bed feeling like she was the most important woman in the world. She could feel her body writhing with pleasure as soft moans escaped her lips. Her fiance always knew how to care for her wants and needs. She let out a content sigh as she lifted the sheets to look down at the man who for the last two years had brought joy into her life. Her man looked up her torso at her, but the face wasn't Collins.

Victoria woke with a start. She glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings and let out a soft yelp of surprise. It took a moment to realize she was not in her own bed in the Nottingham flat, a flat she had not lived in for more than two years. She sat up as memories of the night before flooded back to her mind. She heard movement and the bedroom door opened to reveal the face of the man in the last moment of her dreams.

Bartholomew smiled as he opened the door but kept his gaze above her. “I heard a… yelp.” He said quietly wondering if the woman knew it was Christmas Day or if this was going to get awkward real quick but he was going to maintain some dignity. “I did not expect you to be here still but I did get you food.”

Victoria recovered from her momentary disorientation as she sat up, covering herself with the bedsheets. She sniffed and smiled at Bartholomew. "Happy Christmas Constable. Is that coffee I smell and did you say something about food? I'm famished after burning all those calories last night." She stared to rise, but settled back into the bed as her legs still felt weak from the previous nights epic lovemaking. "I think I may need your help to the table or you will need to bring me breakfast...and coffee...in bed."

Bartholomew found himself smirking a little as he grabbed up one of his t shirts and offered it to her whilst still keeping his gaze not creepy on her. “Happy Christmas. I did not know I could have the skills to make someone so achy and tired.” He teased. “What would you prefer?” He wondered.

Victoria had to consider how to answer his question. She finally opted for the t-shirt, slipping it on while still covering herself with the bedsheet. She slid her legs off the side of the bed and held out a hand towards him. "Dinner table. I am not sure I could resist spending all of Christmas Day with you right here if you got back into this bed."

He had never been a legs man but looking her up and down as the shirt covered to her thighs he could definitely be conveyed. “Maybe later.” The man said laughing as he pulled her to her feet and led her out to living area. It was warm and snug with the heat from the stove. “How do you take your coffee?” He wondered.

"Very sweet, just like my men." Victoria gave Bartholomew a wink and smile as she looked at him from head to toe and back again. She giggled for a moment before clarifying. "Four sugars, no cream." She sighed, almost regretting not having breakfast in bed and spending the day making love to this man. She had a job to do and Bartholomew would be the perfect way to accomplish her objective. "I haven't had much time to get acquainted with Thistledrift. Do you know of a considerate and handsome man who would be willing to give me a tour and introduce me to people?"

“No cream around these parts. But milk is doable but noted.” He laughed as he picked up the coffee mug and made it how she liked it. “How have you had no time? No one wanted to show you around?” He thought the bunk house for newcomers had procedures and processes.

Victoria gestured to her clothes strewn about the apartment. "I only got the winter jacket from a donation yesterday. It has been too cold lately to walk around in the light jacket I arrived in."

Bartholomew shook his head. Someone had messed up with the Christmas season in making sure she had what she needed. “Things are not normally this slow.” He said putting the coffee down in front of her.

Victoria shrugged and then stretched her arms out as she yawned. "It's not anyone else's fault but my own. I stayed in my room sleeping for the first two days. Then only came out of my room for meals until yesterday morning. That's when I found out I had several care packages waiting for me. I went to the town hall, picked up the care packages and spent the rest of the day helping the pub staff decorate for the Christmas eve party." She took a sip of coffee and smiled. "Though now that I think on it. Stretching my legs might help after the intense workout you gave me last night." She peered over her coffee mug with an expression that spoke volumes. "Especially since I would really like to workout with you again. If you think you can fit me in to your busy schedule."

“Well we can go for a Christmas Day walk before the big Christmas meal later on if you want.” The man said sitting down. “It’s about 9am.” He offered as he knew there were no clocks around, he only knew as his eco drive had told him it was 8am when he gotten off watch.

Victoria finished her food and coffee. She rose from the chair and stripped off the t-shirt before walking towards the couch naked. She began retrieving clothes throughout the flat that had been discarded piece meal during the previous night's escapades. She looked around the space for a moment before turning to Bartholomew who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the sight of a naked woman strolling unashamed about his flat. She smirked and shook her head. "Do you mind getting off your arse and helping me find my knickers? Considering you're the one who pulled them off and threw them somewhere last night."

The man grinned at her and moved from drinking his coffee to, well, he had chucked her knickers. He held them up smugly. "I did, and I will do it again if you let me." The man said simply. He was not at all ashamed of what had happened last night, seeing he knew they had both enjoyed it a lot.

Victoria marched over and reached for the panties dangling from his hand.,"Gimme those already. As for whether you get another opportunity. That depends on how much of a gentlemen you are this afternoon. What do all these small towns and hamlets do for Christmas any way?"

“There is a huge evening meal planned at the pub,” Bartholomew explained quietly as he stood up to stretch. “Less alcohol than last night. More about family. There’s church if that is your thing.” It was not his thing since his dad had stopped forcing him, but he could see the beauty in it.

Victoria pursed her lips in thought. She walked to the window and glanced out. "I think going to church would be a good idea. I would get the chance to meet the vicar and be able to introduce myself to many of the townsfolk."

"Then I will sit at the back or wander the graveyard." He was not one to impose, and he was sure that they could use a moment apart from each other to not make things awkward.

Victoria began getting dressed as she mentally put together a schedule for the day. "You said it was a little bit after 9 in the morning?"

“Closer to 10am now but yes still pretty early.” The man commented going to the stove to make more coffee for his flask. “Do you want to go by yours and change? You’re in the bunk house still right?”

Victoria nodded. "If you don't mind. I really don't have any church clothes, but I don't think it might be a good idea to show up to Christmas Day services wearing what I had on last night."

Bartholomew laughed a little. “No one worries about church clothes.” The man said shaking his head. When the dead were at your door their was very little use in that type of thing and he suspected even before then that the Church of England church was relaxed.

Victoria looked at Bartholomew and then at her clothes. "Well, I don't think I should show up in clothes I wore specifically to a party that were meant to finally draw a man's attention who has been on and off flirting with me since five minutes after we met. The congregation might think I am some sort of invader come to seduce their sexiest man." She gave Bartholomew a grin. "Well, I suppose I did mean to seduce you last night, but that's because you are so irresistible."

“Jealousy.” Was all Bartholomew said. “But do not keep trying to inflate my ego. It won’t do anyone any good.” He grinned at her knowing exactly what she meant but teasing even more. His ego getting to big was not something he had to worry about as that was not something he needed, he was confident but he knew his limits.

Victoria patted herself from torso to thighs as if she were checking to ensure she had everything she had arrived with the night before. "Well, I am ready to go. How about you?"

“Sure.” The man was dressed still from his watch. He just grabbed up his coat, her coat and his beanie hat. “Here you go milady.” He held her coat out to her before leading the way outside again. It was a bright day with a chill in the air.

Victoria donned her jacket and slid her arm into the crook of Bartholomew's elbow as they stepped outside the flat. She looked in the direction of the bunkhouse. "Hmm. I really need to find different accommodations. The walls are so thin I can hear others people thoughts and whoever is in the room next to mine snores so loud it makes my window rattle at night. You know anyone in the market for a roommate that is handy with a broom, mop and dust rag?"

"Unfortunately, no, but have a look at the listings in the church hall." The man said quietly. He did not think it was appropriate to offer her anything. It was not a good idea, especially after only knowing each other 2 weeks or so. "Maybe Lola has a spare room. I have no idea if that cottage is a 2- or 3-bedroom."

Victoria nodded, but took a moment before replying. "That might work out. She runs the old zBBC radio station. Right? I was a 999 radio dispatcher before the world went to shite. I could probably be of use there"

“Lola has the place running smoothly but worth a conversation.” The man did not want anyone upsetting Lola or make her think that people thought she needed help. She had been acting odd since Halloween.

Victoria sighed. "I don't mean to imply she can't handle the radio station all by herself. But two people sharing the workload might help. We might even get more of the systems up and running."

“Let’s just not upset Lola. She’s pretty much my kids sister and the whole community loves her.” Bartholomew indicated the path that they needed to take.

"Of course not." Victoria agreed. "She seems like a very sweet young lady. I can see why the young French boy fancies her." She gave a slight chuckle. "A shame she doesn't know it though. You think she would have realized it the way he charged into protect her against the Zed Heads at the lighthouse battle."

"But he did not need to. She is quite capable." He pointed out. "She is young. She was at university when this all kicked off, so she's not had much experience out in the world, so she might not even like him." He said, feeling uncomfortable talking about his friend like that when she was a sweetheart.

They arrived at the dormitory sometimes used for temporary housing for new arrivals. Victoria disappeared inside and came back out a few minutes later in different attire. "Well shall we go to church and luncheon? Then we can take our walk and you can show me your town properly?"

“Sure.” Bartholomew assured. He could do with a nap after only a few hours sleep but he was sure he could cope for a little while.

Victoria took Bartholomew’s hand. "You don't have to join me at services if you would prefer to sleep. Just walk me there and we can meet back at the pub later for dinner. Would that be good with you?"

“That would be perfect.” The man admitted with a shy laugh. He was exhausted but trying to work through it but the thought of a nap for a few hours sounded heavenly in his opinion.

Victoria smiled. She lifted herself up on tippy toes and kissed Bartholomew on the cheek. She then embraced him in a hug just outside the church, which drew a few stares as people walked by to enter Church.

René walked up as Victoria and Bartholomew broke their hug. He greeted them both with a friendly smile. "Bonjour Monsieur Addington." He nodded to Victoria. "Mademoiselle." He wasn't sure of the redhead's surname.

“Please just call me Bartholomew.” The man said to the young man as he stepped back and squeezed the woman’s hand. “I will see you later.” He promised with a bigger smile. He nodded to several people as he walked in the opposite direction.

René turned to Victoria after Bartholomew walked away. "Are you attending Christmas services?"

Victoria turned to René and smiled. "I am as a matter of fact."

René returned Victoria's smile with o e of his own and gestured to the doors. They stepped forward together and René held the doors for her.