Thought I would do one more Car Share fanfic before the Series 2 repeats are shown alongside the Unscripted and Finale episodes next month.

Car Share: The Next Day

Chapter 1

'Maybe I should start calling it quits, on finding love', Kayleigh hated this feeling and how it was always going to feel like a horrible tagline when she next updates the ultimate disaster that is...her love life on. She wished she hadn't let her heart foolishly rule her head instead of stopping to consider the possibility of her wish to jump straight into a relationship with John might result in scaring him away for good, ending in tears for her. 'Why did I think he would tell me...in of all things... a traffic jam, that he loves me. It's John. He doesn't do love. Anyway, he's probably glad to be rid of me now' she thought to herself.

Kayleigh had always been a romantic at heart. She enjoyed 'Happy Endings' in films especially ones featured in Hollywood rom-com movie. Watching them made her long to have her very own 'Happy Ending'. She thought she had met her own Mark Darcy, Prince Charming on two previous occasions, well before John came into her life via the Supermarket's colleagues' car sharing programme. As this just happened to be the third time of her believing she had finally found the man of her dreams, she knew she should have known the third time of this happening wouldn't prove lucky for her. Whereas she continued to admire SuperTed/Ted 2 from afar as eye candy; she was pretty sure there was no way of him becoming her Prince Charming anytime soon, seeing as he was obviously too young and way out of her league for a start.

That being said, she made herself a promise; she wouldn't cry and she wouldn't give away the fact she was completely in two minds, as to whether to give John one last chance to prove to her, he does harbour genuine romantic feelings for her, like she still does for him or just for her to move on and stay single for the rest of her life.

That morning she borrowed Mandy's pink Sony Walkman MP3 player, on a spur of the moment decision she made. By chance, Kayleigh found it in the living room underneath Steve's motorbike magazines on the side table. Kayleigh had scanned through the playlist Mandy had created on her Walkman; Most of the songs on it were Olly Murs, Kaiser Chiefs, Steps & Lady Gaga songs. She had saved the best song until last, "What Can I Do To Make You Love Me?" by The Corrs.

She relaxed as she started to listen to the lyrics, once she took a seat on the bus, right behind the driver's seat. She hadn't fancied sitting at the back of the bus; especially not after the last time she tried this a couple of months ago when one teenager had made a few rude gestures towards her.

She sat back in her seat, her mind whirring with many thoughts, as she stared out at the Lancashire scenery passing her by. Listening to the words seemed to help her reflect on her feelings of the day before and where her love life might be heading next, whether it was forward or it would remain exactly as it is.

"What can I do to make you love me
What can I do to make you care
What can I say to make you feel this
What can I do to get you there

There's only so much I can take
And I just got to let it go
And who knows I might feel better, yeah
If I don't try and I don't hope"

xxx

She stopped in her tracks, the moment she came face to face with him a few hours into her work shift. Beforehand, John had been seen wandering around on the shop floor. Joyce Chung heard rumours that Dave Thompson and John had agreed to new working hours for the store's Customer Service, Technology and Chemist staff. He had asked for Jonjo from the Appliances and Electrical department. Seeing as he was a Scouser, the 22-year-old was a well-liked member of staff but to be honest, no one could honestly understand a single word the lad said.

While he walked alongside the much taller Jonjo, John briefly glanced over his right shoulder at Kayleigh, with a look of deep regret written across his face. He certainly didn't appear to be looking his normal cheerful self this morning. Perhaps he hadn't much sleep again and wasn't feeling up to being Dave Thompson's lapdog today. The two of them exchanged one or two further looks between each other. This moment caught the attention of Elsie, who happened to be nearby, checking out the new flavour range of Pot Noodles which were currently on display.

Not wanting to keep Jonjo waiting around and left scratching his head when it came to wondering what on earth the Assistant Manager was actually playing at, John hightailed it as soon as he eyed Elsie approach him, leaving Kayleigh to face her alone.

"Hear, what's happened between yous two? I haven't seen you look as miserable as you've looked today since that time that smug-faced ex of yours, shopped here, flaunting off his new girlfriend everywhere around the shop."

"It's nothing, Elsie." Kayleigh shrugged her shoulders. Making any attempts to keep a secret from Elsie was like trying to find some clever way of putting her off the scent from working out where 50 tins of Pringles were being hidden within the store.

"Well, that didn't look like nothing to me just now. Mr Redmond bolted away from me faster than whats-his-name...you know that sexy Jamaican fella who keeps winning gold medals at the Olympics. Oh what's his name, he does the Lightning pose with his arms." Elsie can't say she's impressed by Mr Redmond opting to avoid her.

"Michael Johnson? Mo Farah? Usain Bolt?" Kayleigh had only heard of these three well-known Olympic Gold Medalists.

"Usain Bolt that's his name! Anyways what's going with you and Mr Redmond? Don't tell me, yous two have called it a day already?" Elsie certainly had her wits about her. She could tell by the unhappy look on Kayleigh's face, she wasn't being entirely honest with her. So Elsie made it her ultimate mission, not to nag her far too much about revealing what's troubling her friend but to get some close enough answer to how she's feeling.

"Oh Elsie, as much as I don't mind being gossiped about, I've got to...hand on heart, swear on my staff badge. Well, I can't really swear on my dog's life, as I don't believe in all that hufty-duff. I can't keep this to myself any longer, I've got to tell the truth one way or another. You see me and John we aren't a couple like everyone in the store thinks we are. We've hit a brick wall in our relationship though. I told him when we're stuck in traffic that I loved him didn't I but I didn't get the answer I was hoping for because he made his feelings perfectly clear to me, he thinks we're nothing more than friends. I just don't know if I can keep facing him every day while I'm supposed to be handing out Dairylea Dunkers to customers." She knew she couldn't keep doing this day after day, so Kayleigh began to consider the possibility of handing her in resignation to Cath Hilton at the end of her work shift today or tomorrow's work shift.

Elsie's eyebrows raised as she reacted with genuine surprise and sadness, as soon as she heard John and Kayleigh weren't speaking. "Oh, so you didn't hear your song, yesterday on that Forever FM radio station you love?"

"My song? What song?" Kayleigh asks, oblivious as to what her friend is hinting at.

"Well blow me down with a feather! I'm surprised at you Kayleigh Kitson! You didn't even hear your own song on the radio." Elsie can't believe her ears. She swears Kayleigh had kept telling her like a billion times, Forever FM is her favourite radio station. Perhaps the bad timing was to blame for her missing out on hearing the 1980's classic song by Marillion.

"Oh and there was this sweet radio request, the DJ read out before they played your song - 'Nobody puts Kayleigh in a corner.' From some listener called John. Which left me wondering 'Hang on just a cotton minute, those names sound familiar.'" Elsie had vaguely remembered Kayleigh calling Mr Redmond, 'John', on the night of the Shop's annual staff Summer party a few weeks ago.

"What a romantic gesture. You know, I fancy having my own Patrick Swayze one day, well once I divorce that cheating shagging husband of mine!" Elsie smiled dreamily. The two women now both found themselves in their own romantic dreamworld. Elsie yearning for a Patrick Swayze lookalike boyfriend and Kayleigh replaying the moments from yesterday afternoon, when John was trying to text and what must have been going through his mind. John had clearly taken this famous line from Dirty Dancing to heart and taking it upon himself to try a traditional way of surprising her, melt her heart. Oh, how could she be so wrong? to mistakenly believe he didn't want them to ruin the relationship.

Kayleigh was left speechless by this unexpected revelation. Her heart raced with excitement and emotion. Her knees She couldn't think straight at all, knowing he loved her - if he still does love her, left her feeling weak in the knees. Once she eventually snapped out of her thoughts, she realized Elsie had scarpered, presumably back to the Deli counter. She hated when her Irish colleague sometimes had the habit of doing this. Her reason for the disappearing shortly became clear; there were rumours floating around, Dave Thompson had been spotted on the shop floor clutching his clipboard and appearing to be in one of his typical frosty moods.

"Oh...Frig-a-dig." She thought to herself. She couldn't face being on the receiving end of yet another lecturing from him, so she hurried as fast as she could, back to her podium desk. When she got there, a gathered crowd of shoppers with trolleys were browsing at the latest Marvel action figures currently on display. In a way the shoppers had pretty much blocked any view of her, helping her to go undetected by Dave Thompson who had actually for a couple of seconds been standing only yards away from where she was hiding. A very close call indeed for her.

xxx

Almost everybody in the store that morning, had each taken a turn to question John about the radio dedication on Forever FM. Kayleigh clearly must be the only person who hadn't heard it, otherwise if there were some fortunate chance of her having heard it on the radio in that taxi she got into or the likes of Elsie had texted her about it, she wouldn't have wasted another minute sooner in cornering him by now and make every effort possible to encourage him to open his heart to her. John had so many things he wanted to tell her. Take her by the hand, then muster up the courage to tell her he would find some way if he could, to conquer the fear he had of being scared and promise to love her the way she longed to be loved.

"I'm done" he may have tried to persuade himself he was yesterday but today a different story was beginning to unfold in his mind as he threw himself into work duties.

It was all down to what happened whilst he and Jim were chatting on Skype last night about last minute band practice for Gymkhana. The talk with Jim switched from Compendium to what odds both of them could get online for choosing who might win the Premier League next season to what boxset John wanted to watch tonight. Jim eventually quizzed him about the latest goings-on between him and his 'bird'. The fourth time in as many weeks Jim had cheekily asked him about Kayleigh. As John had now become fed up with this constant questioning regarding his love life, he felt he had no other choice but, to tell the truth.

"I've told ya, Kayleigh's not my bird alright. She's...she's my..." John couldn't get the right words out his mouth. "Oh, Jim, I've made a right terrible mess of things, I've fucked everything up with her haven't I. I said something I shouldn't have said to her. So she ended up getting out my car and she didn't look back at me."

"Like what?"

"I don't live my life in a bloody fairytale."

"Shit, no wonder she got the hump with you. If I were her, I know I'd have given you a slap for saying that. Then I'd be moving on to next person I see as a potential boyfriend."

"You know you're not helping Jim" John responded, he looked a shattered and tired figure. To be honest, John didn't look won over nor impressed at first by Jim's unsuccessful efforts to motivate him.

'Oh, Don't be a miserable idiot John. That'll give people the wrong impression. Okay, so she's not your bird. Listen, when you're at work get her while she's alone and ask her for five minutes of her time. You've gotta get it all off your chest John with her. Tell her she's got every right to be angry with you and most important of all, tell her you're sorry. Actually, you know, if I were her, I'd probably make you sweat until I decided to accept your apology.'

This conversation managed to result in changing John's mind, around four hours later, while he was lying awake in bed. Jim's words of encouragement had finally worked their charm on him, making him understand and finally accept the obviousness, he can't stay single for the rest of his life and spend it hating himself for throwing away the best chance of happiness he could possibly get to experience with Kayleigh. If he was going to make some long overdue decisions when it came to putting things right for once in his life. There were three stumbling blocks he knew he needed to conquer; manning up, apologizing and finally conquer any fears he had, of openly expressing his feelings for Kayleigh. He let her down badly. Today was all about writing a different chapter, a new beginning. He was determined not to make the same mistake again.

He lied to Dave just before lunchtime. Telling him before he left he had to drive up the M62 to the Warrington store, to deliver a few Bank Holiday forms asap, the papers needed signing by Liam Gibbons the store manager there. He felt awkward for lying but it had to be done no matter what. Dave said nowt. Perhaps the Scot was secretly thriving at the opportunity of having a quieter afternoon without John being there to annoy him. John himself was looking forward to being getting out of Dave's way for a few hours. The pair's working relationship had how you'd say, become awkward and boring, ever since Dave made an unexpected return to work.

Once he climbed into the Fiat, John sat forward, brooding and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel for a moment or two while trying to get his head around a few unanswered questions which would no doubt be answered once he returns to the store.

1. He knew would end up in Shit's Street with Dave, the moment he corners him regarding the fact he lied to him.

2. How would his efforts come across? Would they work in his favour, when trying to prove to Kayleigh he's genuinely and hopelessly in love with her and that this isn't a false attempt by him, to make sure she doesn't bring up any hopes she has of them starting a relationship.

3. Would Kayleigh even feel comfortable or uncomfortable speaking to him again? Would Kayleigh tell him to piss off and leave her alone?

John's day-to-day journey stayed completely the same. He couldn't turn off Forever FM as he had worryingly began to warm to enjoy listening to its ridiculous radio jingles and the cheesy songs the DJs on there play. There's no chickening out of this one now Reckless Redmond. That woman - may have bloody driven you so far up the wall with her look on the brighter side of life but you, you dickhead you know you can't live your own life without her. So stop bollocking around. A pep talk and wake up and smell the coffee understanding were both the motivation he oh so desperately needed.

He got the engine started in next to no time and within a matter of seconds he was pulling out from the staff car park. The first song being played on Forever FM is The Korgi's Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime

"And everybody's gotta learn sometime
Everybody's gotta learn sometime
Everybody's gotta learn sometime

Change your heart, look around you
Change your heart, it will astound you
I need your loving like the sunshine"

xxx

Kayleigh knew she had to get things sorted with John once and for all. She didn't hate him. She certainly knew she wasn't the sort of person that hates someone who despite one or two faults, has a kind, decent heart and will always be your rock. However there was a problem later that very afternoon, she or nobody else couldn't find him anywhere in the store. If truth be told, John hadn't actually returned back to the store. Dave Thompson must be kicking off up in head office big time right now, looking around the building to see where John is, Kayleigh thought.

The lads in the warehouse had Forever FM on full blast on the stereo speakers while they were working. It was only of them stopped and thought they recognized a familiar voice on there. "Isn't that Mr Redmond? Has he grabbed himself extra work on the radio?"

He wasn't the only person left asking this question. Keith and Paddy from the Butchers both exchanged curious looks with each other, while they were listening in to the DJ chatting with his last-minute guest.

"You don't think that's Mr Redmond do ya, Paddy?"

"Hmm sounds a lot like him. Do you think we ought to tell Mr Thompson? I wouldn't wanna be having that on my conscience for the rest of today."

"What conscience? Nah. Mr Thompson best not to tell him if I were you." Paddy grabbed hold of the DAB radio when Keith's back was turned. Keith thought Paddy was behaving unfairly. So he attempted to grab the radio off his much taller colleague. "Turn the volume up will ya! I want to hear what else he's saying. Give it 'ere', you dickhead!"

The queue at the butchers was attracting a big number of customers, who were now left waiting to be served and having to witness the two butchers behaving like squabbling brothers behind the counter.

Word quickly spread like the News of the World around the store; everybody can now stop their sharing their theories concerning Mr Redmond's disappearance act, given how he was at that present moment on the airwaves. Having put their differences aside because of their love of Hugh Jackman films, Elsie and Joyce Cheung both debated themselves on who should tell Kayleigh. "You've known Kayleigh longer than me, so you should tell her."

"Tell me what?" Kayleigh asked, upon appearing from the dairy aisle. She had probably been checking to see if the latest Dairylea products including her favourite the Dairylea Dunkers, had been placed on the fridge shelves. She hadn't any idea what was going on around her. It was almost as like if she were the very last person on Earth to know.

"Oh...we we're going to throw you a surprise Birthday party." Joyce lies, Elsie's not impressed by her friend's valid attempt to cover up what they had just said.

"Joyce you're not fooling anyone." Elsie waggled her middle and fourth finger near Joyce's face.

"My birthday's not until October. Anyway, what's going on? I keep getting weird looks from Keith and Paddy as if they're trying to read my mind and Pauline on Checkouts keeps trying to mouth something to me as if she wants me to read her lips. I guess the cat must be out the bag for me and John's falling out then. You haven't seen him around have you?" Kayleigh was curious to know why she was getting funny looks from her colleagues. Of course, she had an idea, she and John would still be the talk of the shop but there seemed more to this than meets the eye.

"I cannot say at this very moment, my lips are sealed." Kayleigh had every right to know what all the secrecy was about, that Elsie knew for certain but would she be forgiven for keeping schtum about what John was apparently up to on the radio?

"Really? Looks to me Elsie, today isn't your day for keeping a secret to yourself. Come on spill before I have to end up tickling the truth out of you. Honestly, don't make do it." Kayleigh accurately listed the mistakes Elsie was constantly making. She gulped nervously as she braced herself the thought of having to tickle Elsie's neck, which was a well-known weakness of her Irish colleague's. Her word of warning left Elsie with no choice. She couldn't talk her way out of this.

"Hear, you might as well listen to this." Elsie finally broke her silence, by handing over her smartphone which her headphones were connected to. The Forever FM logo lit up with a blue neon glow when Kayleigh placed the earphone buds in both ears and started listening to the radio station. She couldn't hear who the guest was at first because of the DJ was rudely talking over the guest.

"Yeah alright, smartarse. Honest to god, don't tell me you bloody do this with every guest you have on? Anyway before I leave you alone, to admire yourself in the shopping centre mirror, can I say one thing? Kayleigh Kitson, If there's a possibility you're listening to Forever FM, right now." Kayleigh gasped in surprise. What on earth was John doing on Forever FM at this time of day? "I want you to know I made the biggest mistake of my life yesterday. I've had time to think...well a lot of time to think. I woke up at 1:21 again didn't I. I want you to know that I'm sorry for, the way I spoke to you. Fear got the better of me while I was sat on my arse which I now regret not getting off it, to try and stop you from walking out my car and life. I've been a coward, an idiot and horrible person to you. Kayleigh, you didn't deserve the treatment you got from me. I wouldn't blame you if you still hate me for the unforgivable stuff I said to you. I was scared shitless soon as you put me on the spot after the way you did. I didn't know what to tell you and you see that's why I froze and snapped the way I did in the first place. I never snapped with Charlotte my ex. She was the one who did when she realised I couldn't love her, so I asked her to leave as it was hurting the both of us, seeing as we couldn't stop arguing. " The DJ in the background was quietly telling him off for swearing and that he had to hurry up but this wasn't deterring John from baring his heart and soul out over the airwaves.

"I... share more than a car with you, I share one thing I never thought I could ever feel for anybody..I share the same feelings you told me you felt for me yesterday. Look this isn't me trying to talk you back into letting me drive you to work again. This is me telling you I love you, Kayleigh Kitson, I always have and always will for as long as you're willing to let me love you. Ring or text me, to let me know if you want us to talk."

"So you're the listener John from yesterday, who text a request to Forever FM? Well, you certainly raised a few eyebrows with your 'Nobody puts Kayleigh in the Corner' dedication" The DJ suddenly recalls this request, perhaps a little too late and embarrassing fashion that will end with him getting a right earful from John.

"Funny aren't you?...Honest to god..." A flabbergasted Kayleigh took the earphone earbuds out of her ears. Everything around felt like a whirlwind and that she was being swept up off her feet because the confirmation she had heard from John. Her bottom lip quivered as tears rolled down her cheeks. She wished she had known where exactly he might be right at that very moment, so she could find him before Dave Thompson furiously threatened to sack him, for skiving off work. Dave Thompson could take a hike as far as she cared. She hadn't known how to get herself out of work, as she too would likely be facing the same consequences as John would, once he returns to the store.

Elsie and Joyce hadn't the foggiest idea about John declaring his love for Kayleigh on Forever FM moments ago. No doubt the two ladies wouldn't be kept in the dark and would find out very shortly from one of their colleagues. Nobody's secrets never stayed quiet for long in and outside of work. Kayleigh left the two of them alone and informally made her way towards the staff room.

xxx

Dave hadn't bothered to phone or text him to ask him what time he thinks he might be getting back to the office. No sooner after arriving back, John was left surprised and scratching his head at the fact Dave appeared to be the only person in the office, who hadn't heard him on the radio. Perhaps Kath Hilton and Alan Campbell had made a pact to keep this secret from Dave.

The only work John managed to get done for the 2 and half hours he stayed there for, was emailing the company office the recorded staff approval document forms and answering phone calls from a representative from a company called Phoenix Delights, he was asking on behalf of them, if John's store would be willing to promote Phoenix Delights products. Also, Ian 'Litchy' Litchfield kept texting him, wanting to know details about when John started fancying Kayleigh and when he was planning on doing a bit of Bed Sharing with her. The nosy idiot was proving to be a right pest.

John eventually packed up his belongings around 6pm, which included - his phone, folder and writing pad. He left the office 10 minutes later. Today had turned into such a whirlwind for him. He had followed his gut instinct and his heart, by going out his way, to tell Kayleigh the 3 words she had longed to hear from his lips. She was nowhere to be found when he got back to the shop. He hoped he hadn't dashed his chance to salvage his relationship with her.

It was beginning to get dark as he made his way out of the building and towards the staff car park. The Fiat was in its usual spot metres away from the doorway. The lighting over the car park ricocheted off the roof of the car. The car park had never sounded so quiet especially during the latter half of the Summer. It was never like this every evening when he left work.

John fumbled his hand through his pocket for his car keys. They weren't in his pocket like he thought they were. "Shit...shit...where are my keys? I'm sure I've had them on me all day" He mumbled to himself.

"Looking for these?" The sound of his keys being jingled caught John's attention in an instant. Someone had the cheek to bloody nick them right under his nose. He turned round to face the person who had got their hands on them.

"Kayleigh..." She wasn't wearing her uniform instead she was wearing a purple lace dress. She must have got changed in the staff toilets. He had to admit, she looked absolutely beautiful in her dress. Perhaps she will eventually get round to explaining why she looks dressed up for the occasion.

"John..."

"I think we need to..."

"Talk."

John nodded in agreement with her. As he walked over to join her in the see-through shelter, he couldn't wipe off the now clearly smitten look on his face.

"Hmm I could have sworn, I've never seen John smile like this before. He really could do with doing this more often. Funny what wearing a dress can do when you want to make someone see that you love them." She couldn't help but smile at him.

"What?"

"Look at that eh. Always a heart-warmer that smile of yours."

"Heart-warmer? You're joking, aren't you? I think I know my smile inside out and if it's a good one Jonathan."

"What you talking about? Of course, it's a good smile. It would probably even win prizes, that beautiful smile of yours."

Kayleigh laughed. She stole a sideways glance at the Fiat, the moment she felt her cheeks start to flush. "Stop it. Sounds like you've had one too many Fat Boys and cups of coffee."

"No, I haven't." John said in a high-pitched voice as he protested against her guess. "I've given up on buying them for my breakfast. I'm sticking to bacon baps and McMuffins from now on. Where was I? ..." John almost forgets what he was telling Kayleigh. He doesn't take long to remember. "No, I really mean it. I could never grow tired of admiring your smile."

"Shut up." Kayleigh giggled along with him, shaking her head.

There was still an undeniable spark, one which showed an unspoken intimacy between them. To anyone who hadn't them before, John and Kayleigh will more than likely find themselves mistaken for a typical bickering couple because of the obvious chemistry they had. Finding herself alone with him again, brought back much-missed memories of the good times they got to share while car sharing together. The night they nearly kissed after the staff party, she was beginning to remember stuff about it which she couldn't do the very next morning given how she had a horrible hangover. She is able to remember John making the first move. He really looked as though he wanted to kiss her as much as she longed to kiss him. If only weren't for Elsie's phone call preventing them from doing so.

They both got into their sides of the Fiat and within a matter of moments were leaving the staff car park. Gabrielle's Dream Can Come True plays on Forever FM.

"I knew I had to have you my hopes didn't let me down
Now you're by my side and I feel so good
I've nothing to hide don't feel that I ever could

Do you hear what I'm saying gotta say how I feel
I can't believe you're here but I know that you're real
I know what I want and baby it's you
Can't deny my feelings because they are true

Dreams can come true
Look at me babe I'm with you
You know you gotta have hope
You know you gotta be strong"

All Reviews are welcome