Next scene: the Fiat 500L has pulled up outside John's house.

"Right."

"Right."

"So I'll just drop me nana home and you can make yourself comfortable till I get back then? There's quiche in the fridge, Sky's on. Oh, and there's a pile of ironing on the spare bed if..."

"John, you're babbling!"

"Am I? Sorry! I always do when I'm nervous."

"Nervous? What have you got to be nervous about?"

"Well I'm about to introduce you to me nana, that's what! It sort of makes it a thing. Makes it official."

Kayleigh looked confused.

"John, you just kissed me and told me you loved me. Does that not make us 'official' then?"

Seeing the hurt on her face he quickly moved to reassure her: "No, no I didn't mean it like that! I meant what I said; we are an 'us' now. It's just... I don't know... it's still scary to make it official isn't it? I mean, I've been on me own a long time. I'd convinced myself it's what I wanted. I even convinced me mam and me nan too."

She put her hand on his arm as he looked towards the house.

"I'm scared too y'know, John? It's not just you."

He could hardly keep the disbelief out of his voice: "You? You're scared?"

"Yes! Of course! Even when I say I just want to be happy, it's still frightening taking that chance on someone. Especially when they've become your best friend. It terrifies me John! I mean, I tell you everything; you know more about me than anyone, especially since our Kelly's gone to Australia. And part of me is scared to death that I might lose that, lose you."

"Well, bloody 'ell! You've shocked me there."

"I'm just trying to let you know I understand where you're coming from. I mean, it's not like I planned to fall in love with you, did l? It wasn't intentional - I just couldn't help myself..."

She paused and broke into the sweetest of smiles when he raised her hand to his lips and echoed the sentiment back: "Me neither..."

"All I'm saying is loving someone always makes you vulnerable - it just does! It's scary, opening yourself up like that. It makes both of us vulnerable. But you've got to face up to your fears, deal with them head on."

She gently pulled his hand onto her lap and clasped both her hands round his to emphasise the point she was making.

"Look, we're bound to fall out or argue sometimes, every couple does. I'm not expecting hearts and flowers or happy-ever-after. I just want to be with you, for us to spend more time together; I want us to enjoy being in love. But we've got to remember that beneath it all there's this wonderful friendship, and I think it's something worth fighting for. This... us... what we've got... well I think it's pretty special, don't you?"

"Yes. Yeah, I do, of course I do. It's just...the thing is...I worry..."

He paused to gather his thoughts before continuing:

"Remember that time you told me that you just wanted to meet the man of your dreams and settle down? Well, I'm more the stuff of nightmares, me. I know I hurt Charlotte - I couldn't be who she wanted me to be, it didn't feel right."

"Do you think she expected too much of you? Do you think I do?"

"I don't know!"

"Ok. Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?"

"Well it isn't Ted2, that's for sure!"

"Oh, Ted-Schmed! He's just a fantasy figure. Actually Kath Hilton told me he's a bit of a knobhead, always preening himself in the Gents or playing 'Diet Coke man' in front of female customers instead of doing his job. Apparently he's told several of them that he's actually a male model. If he's a male model what's he doing at our place?"

"Exactly! You don't go looking for male models in our store, just boring, unglamorous middle-management types like me."

"You're not boring John! And maybe I don't want glamour, have you thought of that? I was saying wasn't I? You know what I see when I look at you? I see a man who's kind and generous, who's big-hearted and thoughtful. You're always doing things for your mum or your nan or your Ben and Sophie. And you go out of your way to do stuff for other people too. So what if you get road rage at school crossings or talk too much management gobbledygook at work or drone on about blooming motorbikes with Steve? You're still one of the best men I know John Redmond, warts and all."

"I am?"

"Yes! You need to stop selling yourself short. You're a wonderful man, don't let your insecurities make you believe otherwise."

"Well OK then, I'll try not to, and I'll try to take all that on board."

"Good! You should! Cos you make me laugh too - all the time. And you've made me happy. You *make* me happy."

His beaming smile was her reward and she couldn't help herself from leaning forward to plant a big sloppy kiss all over his grin.

When they parted she slipped her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze of encouragement.

"Come on then, why don't you introduce me to your nana?"

To be continued...? I have another scene in mind and will crack on with writing it if anyone's interested. :-)