Chapter 2
It'd been a couple of weeks since that dinner and since then things had changed, well for Joan they had anyway, things felt different, she felt different, but different how she wasn't sure.
"Come..." at the knock at her door, eyes on the paperwork in front of her.
Moving into the office, Vera didn't speak, her eyes fixed on the taller woman behind the desk, her eyes it seemed automatically drawn to look at her, eyes wandering over her hair scraped back into that tight bun, not a hair out of place, flawless face and features, deep brown eyes, full lips, strong frame that her suit seemed to hug effortlessly.
She was gorgeous.
Hang on a minute, what was that, did I just call Joan Ferguson gorgeous.
Yes.
Yes I did.
What on earth is going on in my head.
Ok you went over for dinner and she said she enjoyed it and wanted to do it again, but thinking these thoughts about her.
I've heard bits about the whole Jianna story that she was involved in at the other prison, but to think these kind of thoughts, think that anything of that nature between you both.
Joan Ferguson and Vera Bennett.
Crazy thinking woman, like she'd give you the time of day that way, she didn't give anyone it seemed that kind of attention, let alone you.
"Deputy Bennett..." she could hear it but it didn't seem to register.
Again she heard it only louder this time.
"Deputy Bennett!" causing Vera to jump, coming back to where she was.
"Oh...erm...yes, sorry governor..." quickly clearing her throat and straightening her uniform, standing in front of the chair, in front of the desk.
She's day dreaming again, that's happened a few times these past few weeks, whether in or out of the office, she seems to go in a dream, mind wandering elsewhere, stood there hair in a small bun, that skirt that stops just at her knee showing off them toned calves, her small frame just shy of being swamped by that suit if it was any bigger, those soft features, blue eyes that sparkle when she smiles or is happy in general, that light brown hair that is dotted by blonde highlight where the sun has caught it, the shy smile and the head dip she does when I or anyone gives her some kind of praise or compliment.
Wait a minute, what am I thinking, thinking all of this about my deputy, I need to get a grip, stop thinking such things, I don't do this, don't get emotional about anything or anyone and especially not about Vera, who wouldn't remotely in any place or time be interested in me or think them things about me.
She's a bit younger than me, what could she possibly see in someone of my age and like I am.
What am I even thinking these kind of thoughts for.
Stop Joan stop.
"Governor..." frowned Vera, watching Joan focus her eyes on her, but seemingly be somewhere else in her mind.
Again she spoke, this time a bit louder.
"Governor...".
Joan came back to the present moment, her eyes settling on the figure in front of her again, fully engaged.
"Yes, sorry, do sit down..." motioning to the chair.
Vera did as she was asked, hands immediately together and into her lap, focused on what was going to be said to her.
"I wanted to see you, to find out how the new inmates we had in this morning are doing, I have been unable to find out seen as I've been in meetings most of the day, so I thought I'd take a moment to find out...".
"They're doing fine, no problems to report as of today, they've been briefed on all the rules, been given their supplies and cells, and are being monitored as we speak so that there's no chance of any first day things they might try, most likely it won't happen but you can never be too sure of the women we get in here.." her statement confident in the work she and the other prison officers had carried out today.
Joan couldn't help but give a smile to her.
She's certainly grown in confidence these past few weeks and months.
A change from when I first came here and when I first took her under my wing, trying to harness that potential I saw under that shy and not very confident exterior.
Look at her now, running things like clock work when I'm unavailable due to other matters I'm forced to attend too.
She's come a long way.
And I've had a part in it, it makes me feel a sense of what...accomplishment, well yes that of course but what else.
Pride.
As strange as it felt thinking and saying it, it fits what I feel towards her.
Proud.
"Well done Vera, that's what I like to hear, it's nice to know I can rely on you when I am called away from my post, you've done a good job today, executed marvellously, thank you" this praise causing the blue eyed woman to smile back, proudly.
"Thank you governor...".
"Please, when we're like this, when we're...alone...call me Joan.." searching the other woman's eyes for a reaction.
Nodding to the sentence Vera cleared her throat of what she wasn't quite sure, air maybe.
"Ok...Joan..." the name causing a shiver down the spine of the woman she directed it at, trying her best to remain composed in her seat.
"Very good, that's all I wanted, I believe it's the end of shift now too.." finding the face of her watch, anything to divert her gaze from looking at the smaller woman.
Vera also looked to her watch.
"Yes, yes it is..." getting up from the chair, walking to the door and opening it, looking back and adding.
"Good night, Joan..".
Keeping her eyes on her Joan watched her leave, her eyes never moving until the door was closed and she was alone again in the office.
An uncomfortable sinking feeling appearing in the pit her stomach as the presence of Vera left her.