John was getting ready for his date with Kayleigh, it had been a few weeks since he had been honest with her about his feelings and their day to day routine had continued without much change. Kayleigh was being respectful of his need for time and John had been reassuring her he wasn't fobbing her off by ensuring he gave her a peck hello and goodbye after their first hand holding moment on the bus.
John decided he needed to do more and felt the time was right to move out of their day to day routine and their comfort zone. He plucked up the courage two nights ago on the drive to drop Kayleigh off. Her face was a picture when he finally suggested they go for a meal on Friday "nothing fancy" he added to play down what a big moment this actually was to him "huh so much for romance" came the reply followed by "I'm joking, I don't mind what we do, just be nice to spend time together... do something different." John smiled contented he hadn't offended Kayleigh and knew in her smile afterwards it had made her day.
He had picked a pub that served typical pub grub and wasn't for the usual drinking crowd so going there on a Friday night wouldn't be an issue in regard to ruining the ambience. He also felt it took the pressure off both of them deciding what to wear, they could just go "smart casual" as Kayleigh pointed out.
Despite a feeling of anticipation, John wasn't overly nervous, he would have a flash of "what if she doesn't like me once she gets to know me" thoughts, but then remembered all the times Kayleigh had seen him at his worse, shouting at adults using the kids crossing, the bike incident road rage video, the 2p under the car fiasco and the fateful day he basically shot her down when she wanted to know what they were. If none of that put her off he must be doing something right he thought.
John opted for jeans, with a white shirt black jumper combo, he felt smart/casual enough and took his coat in case it got cooler later. He was picking up Kayleigh at 7pm and was feeling peckish "starving, hope she's ready at 7 on the dot" he thought to himself as he got in the car ready to go "beep beep" said his phone, it was a text from Kayleigh "Is 10 past ok? Taking longer than I thought as Steve had a bath! Can't wait! Xxxxxc" "Jesus, knew she wouldn't be on time...I'm starving here love!" John said to himself, he also couldn't help but wonder when she was ever not going to put a "c" on the end of her kisses. He thought he'd still head off anyway, maybe he'd be lucky and she would have got ready by 7.
John pulled up outside Mandy's to pick up Kayleigh, Steve was nowhere outside for a change. John toyed with the idea of hooting but felt it would be more of a nice gesture to knock at the door. John was concerned that Mandy may answer and he would have to make small talk, he had only met her briefly once and wondered what she would think of him taking Kayleigh out on a date. "What if she hates me and puts Kayleigh off me?" he thought, "oh balls to it" he said as he got out of the car and approached the door.
John knocked at the door and waited, the door opened to Steve telling Mandy "I,lll get it."
"Alright John?"
"Alright Steve, odd seeing you in the house for a change"
"Yeah, night off bud" Steve laughed "Come in mate she wont be long...KAYLEIGH! Your dates here!"
"Alright, no need to shout, be down in a bit!"
"Women eh?" said Steve
John entered the house as Mandy came from kitchen into the hall with a tea towel humming a familiar tune that John recognised.
"Hiya John, nice to see ya, sorry just been washing up, just had tea"
"What's that bloody song you keep humming?" asked Steve.
Mandy saw the look of panic on Johns face, his manly credentials were at stake here if Steve found out what a softy he was.
"Nothing you'd know" Mandy said as she winked at John.
John decided to change the subject quick and replied to Mandy's earlier comments to him.
"Hiya Mandy, no worries love" Johns hunger pangs were getting worse "what did ya have for tea then?"
"oh just fish fingers and chips, nothing special...where you taking our Kayleigh then?"
"Oh just a pub in town The Queens Head, nowhere special"
There was a slight pause and confusion on Mandy's face and her mouth was slightly open before she finally spoke.
"Well that sounds...great John" Mandy said, not quite sure what to say to that.
John realised the awkwardness of his comment and tried to make it right.
"Does really nice food though, really relaxed atmosphere, quiet like, so you can have a chat..."
"Sounds lovely, honest" Mandy replied realising John was trying his best.
"So then John, what time you planning to drop Kayleigh back then, we don't want her staying out too late we do we Mand?" Steve chuckled.
"Steve!" Mandy replied hitting him with the tea towel and Steve feigning pain "Ow" as they smiled.
"Don't you worry John, no curfew for our Kayleigh tonight" she winks.
John was getting slightly uncomfortable now and again rushed into commenting.
"Oh don't worry she will be home in good time" he said like a nervous teenager.
Mandy and Steve just smiled at each other.
"Finally" Steve said as Kayleigh came down the stairs.
"You can shut up, its because of you I'm running late! You were in that Bath for over an hour!"
"I fell asleep, crikey I don't get a moments peace!" Steve replied
"You knew I had to be ready for 7!" Kayleigh retorted.
"Well you should have woke me then..." Steve bit back.
"Right children enough! You're worse than Chloe and Alfie! See what I have to put up with John?" Mandy intervened.
John laughed and turned to Kayleigh "Right, are you ready then?"
"Yep, see ya's later" as she walked with John out of the door.
"See ya love" uttered Steve.
"Be good" added Mandy
John just waved as he made his way to the car with Kayleigh following.
They both sighed as they got in the car.
"Sorry about that John, I really didn't mean to be on the drag" said Kayleigh.
"Not a bother" John replied and kissed her on the cheek as he has been doing over the past few weeks.
"You look nice" Kayleigh complimented John
"Ta very much, you don't look too bad yourself." Kayleigh was wearing skinny jeans a tight black top and a nice white jacket. She looks great thought John to himself, he wished he could have been more forthcoming in that moment.
"I was getting ready listening to your song...'Come back my Car Share Buddy...'
"Aren't you sick of that yet?" John laughed.
"Ill never get sick of it John...I still think you should do something with it?"
"I keep telling ya, that's for your ears only!"
"Alright I know" Kayleigh said smiling.
"mmm do ya? Is that why Mandy was humming it before" John jokingly said, he knew Kayleigh would play it to someone, was just glad it was Mandy and not the girls at work.
"Oh right yeah...sorry John...Its just so beautiful I had to share it with someone... and its only Mandy."
"As long as that's all it is" he smiled.
"Oh..and..."
"And...?!" John suddenly panicked.
"I played it to Kelly over Skype..." Kayleigh grimaced.
"Oh great, so its gone to the other side of the world now?"
"Well she ain't gonna share it round here is she?"
"mmm...so just them two...no one else?" he looked at Kayleigh.
"No, no one else I promise"
"Right, well leave it there then..." John smiled.
"I don't know what I'm going to eat tonight, what you going to have?" Kayleigh asked.
"mmm probably...I reckon the steak n ale suet pudding with chips and gravy..." replied John.
"Oh no that's to heavy for me...think I'll just have salad."
"Salad! You cant have salad on a night out, what's wrong with ya?" John said surprised.
"Well I'm still trying to be good for the wedding...its not long you know"
"But its Friday night, you can't have Salad..."
"I'll see..."
"There's nowt on ya anyway...you'll look great at the wedding."
Kayleigh smiled at the compliment.
East 17s Alright came on Forever FM
"ah I used to love these"
"East 17? Didn't one of them, think it was the singer get run over by his own car?" John added
"I don't know...how did he manage that?"
John shrugged "I don't know...could have happened to me the other week when I was grappling around on the floor for 2p or when my door broke me fall when you were playing Dr Dolittle! How did I manage that eh?"
"Bad luck?" Kayleigh replied innocently.
"Bad luck my eye, stupidity that's how" he looked at Kayleigh mock telling off.
"I said I'm sorry, you make me sound like a bad omen" Kayleigh mockingly joined in.
"You are a bad omen, I told ya I used to go into work, sail in, sail out, nothing would happen, then you came...and to quote Rick and Donnas wedding invite...you came in like a wrecking ball"
John and Kayleigh both laughed.
"Well least you're never bored" she winked
"I'm a nervous wreck!"
They laughed again.
"Oh talking of Rick and Donnas wedding she was telling me earlier they're having a disco not a band. You missed ya chance. I told them you were in a band but when they tried to look it up they couldn't find ya"
"Probably cos you never get the name right!"
"Yeah probably" Kayleigh laughed.
"Anyway, I don't want them looking up me band."
"You cant keep hiding your light under a bushel John."
"Mmm watch me!"
Kayleigh rolled her eyes to this. Friday I'm in Love came on Forever FM
"Ah John, this could be our first date song."
"First date song!?"
"Yeah. Well its Friday..."
"And?!"
"And..." Kayleigh replied "well aren't we?"
"Aren't we what?" John teased.
"In love...?"
John looked at Kayleigh and said "no comment!" and smiled. Kayleigh returned the smile, she knew what it meant, even though she still longed to hear him say it, she wasn't going to push him. John knew she understood the smile and although he felt it inside he wasn't going to give in that easily. It was their first date and he wanted to make sure Kayleigh did know him before he started throwing out the I love you's. He'd rushed into things in the past and they didn't work out, he wasn't ready to take that risk with Kayleigh and losing her for good.
They had parked up at the multi storey in town and walked to the pub hand in hand, John felt very relaxed and proud in this new way of being with Kayleigh. The pub was still fairly quiet so they could enjoy their meal and chat about work, music, family and a long conversation about school trips as John had plenty more stories alongside the geography school teacher getting bit in the balls by a jellyfish. Kayleigh was in hysterics and felt so at ease with John outside the comfort of the car and work, she really felt like the luckiest woman in the world to have John in her life. Kayleigh's radiance beamed at John, this was easier than he ever thought to move Kayleigh into the private realm of his life, it seemed like the natural extension and he couldn't believe after the few years since Charlotte left he had found someone as great as Kayleigh.
"So what happened to your salad then?" asked John as Kayleigh finished off her burger, chips and side order of onion rings. "Well like you said John you cant have salad on a night out."
Kayleigh had 2 glasses of wine, she wasn't planning on getting tipsy, she didn't want John to think she was a lush, he had seen her drunk on too many occasions and she didn't want that to be the lasting memory of their first date.
As the bill came John offered to pay, Kayleigh offered to go "halfsies" but John was insistent that it was his treat, especially as he didn't fancy getting on the floor picking up change like the last time Kayleigh offered to pay for something.
"Right then, are you ready to go home or do you want to go for a drink somewhere else?" John suggested. He didn't want to rush her home so was hoping she may suggest going somewhere else for a while.
"I don't mind really...why don't we go home?"
John felt a bit deflated that the date hadn't gone as well as he thought, maybe she didn't like him now she got to know him.
Kayleigh sensed a bit of worry from John so added "You can come into mine for a coffee and a chat, don't know if Mandy and Steve will be up but..."
"That'll be great...just a coffee mind" John winked to Kayleigh's giggles.
As they left the pub Kayleigh put her arm round Johns and leaned her head toward him as they walked on the path.
"Well if it isn't John Fucking Redmond" shouted a drunk female voice behind them.
"Oh god!" uttered John as he turned round, he recognised the voice and the woman standing just behind them "Hiya Gemma, you alright?" John said less than enthused.
Kayleigh didn't really understand what or who this woman was to John, another spurned ex? Someone he'd been seeing whilst car sharing with her? Gemma was about Johns age, just slightly taller than Kayleigh with shoulder length blonde hair, skinny Jeans, strappy top and denim jacket and a bit drunk.
"Well I was" replied Gemma "haven't seen you since I had to help Charlotte pack up and leave yours"
"Yeah must have been yeah"
"You alright love" she said to Kayleigh "you need to watch he don't lead you a merry dance an all, you wouldn't think it too look at him, but he can be a right lying bastard when he wants to be..."
Kayleigh wasn't sure where to look or what to say.
John intervened "alright Gemma lets let bygones be bygones eh?"
As John was saying this a group of 6 more women came across from the cash point over the road shouting Gemma's name.
"Jesus this is all I need" John said under his breath "who are they John?" asked Kayleigh.
John didn't get a chance to answer as one of the women said "Hiya John, Gemma been giving you a hard time has she?"
"You could say that...how ya doing Charlotte?"
Charlotte! Kayleigh's mind was racing like no tomorrow. Charlotte had longish dark hair, just slightly shorter than John, a heavier build than Kayleigh but very attractive and well presented, Kayleigh felt a little out of place and was starting to feel very awkward.
"I'm alright thanks John, just out for Gemma's birthday" the other women had huddled and was chatting amongst themselves though Gemma was keeping a close eye on the John and Charlotte conversation.
"Saw your Paul the other week, seems busy as usual"
"Yeah same old Paul, he didn't mention he'd seen ya"
"Well why would he?"
"Mmm" said John rather awkwardly
"So whose this" Charlotte said nodding at Kayleigh.
"Ah, this is Kayleigh, Kayleigh this is Charlotte"
"Hi nice to meet you" Kayleigh said holding out her hand, Charlotte begrudgingly held out hers and forced a smile.
"Well, were just heading off so really nice to see you again, you're looking well!" John said desperately trying to get the hell out of this nightmare.
Gemma piped up "Yeah she is now she's over you, dickhead!"
"Gemma!" said Charlotte embarrassed but slightly amused at the same time.
"Don't let him lead you up the garden path love, if he asks you to move in or marry him , say no, cos it wont happen anyway!" Gemma continued. Kayleigh felt Gemma was more upset about the break up than Charlotte was until Charlotte finally snapped at Gemma "Gemma will you leave it, I know you're sticking up for me but for fuck sake...its done." Charlotte seemed sad at this and it looked like she was doing all she could to hold it together.
Gemma just smirked at John and started talking to the other girls.
"I'm sorry about that, you know what she gets like when she's had a few John"
"How can I forget?...Anyway as I said its been good to see you and you are looking really well."
"Thanks, you are too...best wishes John" and with that Charlotte joined her friends and off they went.
John let out a massive sigh of relief before turning to Kayleigh who looked like a rabbit caught in headlights.
"Right lets get to the car" John uttered , Kayleigh nodded and folded her arms as they walked to the car in silence.
As they sat in the car John asked Kayleigh if she was alright. She said that she was and just felt tired and full. John didn't believe her but could tell she was in no mood to chat. As they drove Forever FM played a bunch of sad songs about lost loves. Kayleigh couldn't help but think John was having thoughts about how his life with Charlotte could have been if his call with his Dad hadn't been recorded. Maybe he just said he was relieved she'd gone to save face and there was still unfinished business. Kayleigh started to believe she was a bad omen, every time their road to romance was finally getting somewhere some event would always bring it to a standstill. Kayleigh sighed and just stared out of the passenger window.
John was thinking about the songs on the radio too, hoping that Kayleigh wasn't thinking he was pining after Charlotte. Of all the nights he had to bump into Charlotte and her gang, the night was going so well. Gemma had been right about one thing he thought, he was a lying bastard, every time he told Charlotte he was in love with her, when he insisted getting a house together was a good idea and when he got down on one knee and asked him to marry her. He didn't feel he was lying at the time, not intentionally anyway. He felt he was doing the right thing, all his mates were married, Paul had started his family, John felt he was being left behind. That's why he didn't want to rush things with Kayleigh, he wanted it to be because it was true and right not because he felt he had too or because Kayleigh pushes for him to say it. Now he doubted she would believe him when he does after gobby Gemma's comments.
As they pulled up to Mandy's John stopped the engine.
"Did you still want me to come in for coffee?"
"You don't have to" came the short reply.
"Look, I know tonight didn't go the way we hoped, I really cant believe that happened, tonight of all nights" John sounded frustrated.
"Its not your fault John, you didn't know. It's just everything was so perfect and now I'm worried this has set you back and I don't know where you want to go from here. Maybe its a sign"
"A sign?!" John knew what she meant and he wasn't going to let that continue "Yeah, you're right, it was a sign."
"Oh" Kayleigh disappointedly responded, she didn't expect him to agree that quick.
"Its a sign that I know who I want more than anything" Kayleigh's heart was sinking "and I'm hoping she's going to make me that coffee she promised me as I'm parched here" he smiled and Kayleigh couldn't resist smiling back.
"I was worried what you were gonna say then."
"I know you were" John said as Kayleigh hit him on the arm.
"Do you remember when you asked me if I had any regrets?"
"Yeah and you said Simon and Garfunkel...which I still don't consider a valid regret."
"Yeah yeah...well anyway the only regret I NOW have is that work didn't make car sharing compulsory years ago so I could have met you properly sooner. All those years working in that shop saying the odd hello and not realising what a special and amazing person you are...the person who has changed my life...that's my new regret."
"aw John!"
"Is that more valid for ya?"
"Yes, much better."
John leaned in to catch Kayleigh's lips for a kiss, after one long peck they stared at each other and kissed each other passionately. As they drew away from each other John asked "so am I getting a coffee then or what?"
"Come on then" she replied as she grabbed her bag.
As they walked up the drive they saw the curtains in the living room move.
"I think Mandy and Steve have been spying" Kayleigh laughed.
"Ah well" said John "Least they know you got home safe and sound. Listen, do you want to do something tomorrow? For the day? I would really like us to do something to make up for tonight. I can pick you up say 10ish?"
"I'd love that John...eh maybe well bump into Anna this time!"
"Ooh don't joke, it will probably happen now you know that..." John said as Kayleigh opened the door.
"We're inside now so you can step away from the curtains!" Kayleigh called out as John chuckled. John and Kayleigh entered the house as they were greeted by a guilty looking Mandy and Steve coming out of the living room "get the kettle on Steve" Mandy told him whilst Kayleigh was explaining how much she had eaten to them, John closed the front door with a beaming smile on his face thinking that this was his new beginnig.