It was Donna's wedding day.
John and Kayleigh had hardly spoke since they bumped into each other at the cafe in town.
John was at his Mums getting ready struggling with his tie.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" asked Jan.
"No I do not, how's that gonna look? Can't get a date so I bring me Mum! I ain't got a plus one anyway!"
"Do you need a hand with ya tie love?"
"No! I'm fine...I'm not completely useless!" he snapped.
"John..."
John softened and let his Mum do his tie.
"I'm sorry Mum"
"It's ok...I know you're nervous...there you go...very handsome."
"Least someone thinks so."
"Stop it John. You're feeling sorry for yourself when you could have done something about it."
"Are you trying to kick me when I'm down!"
"Only because you are doing a good enough job yourself."
"Ok Mum, then tell me...What do I do?"
"You know what you have to do but you wont do it...all I can say is just be yourself...your lovely self...with a face only a mother could love" Jan laughed and it made John smile.
"Thanks Mum...right I best be off."
"Good luck."
Meanwhile Mandy was waiting for Kayleigh to come downstairs.
"Kayleigh! Come on you'll be late!"
"Alright! I'm coming!"
Kayleigh appeared and walked down the stairs.
"Wow! You look amazing. Doesn't she Steve?"
"Oh aye...you look great! Whose the effort for?"
"What d'ya mean" asked Kayleigh.
"John or Darren?"
"Shut up Steve!" said Kayleigh
"Steve, not appropriate."
"Sorry...I can't keep up with who she's going with."
"I'm dating Darren."
"Ok...just wanted to be clear" smirked Steve as he drank his tea.
"So you don't need picking up later?" asked Mandy.
"Nah...me and Darren will be getting a taxi back to his...Right I'm ready."
"Enjoy!" said Steve as 6 and Mandy left.
John had arrived before Kayleigh and was chatting to Kath Hilton.
"Well done for the Christmas team John...if you don't get promoted then there is no justice."
"Thanks Kath...I only did what had to be done."
"I know but you work so hard...you really deserve it."
"Thanks."
"I don't mean to pry John, but are you ok? You seem a bit on edge?"
"No, I'm fine Kath. Just weddings make me nervous" he chuckled.
"Oh look...Kayleigh's here."
John span round so fast he made himself dizzy. Kayleigh walked over to the Rachel, Roisin, Diane, Rachel and Elsie clique.
"Aw she looks lovely doesn't she?"
"Aye she does" said John wistfully.
"What happened between you two? You were as thick as thieves and then...nothing."
"That's just it nothing happened Kath...nothing at all."
John walked away from the crowds gathering and to the toilets. He splashed his face with water and looked in the mirror.
"Get a grip John!" he said to himself.
Kayleigh had noticed John and Kath talking and mentally noted how handsome John looked. Her stomach still did a flip when she saw him.
"Stop it Kayleigh" she told herself. She could relax again once he was out of sight.
After the ceremony the guests waited in the bar area whilst pictures were being taken.
John decided he would speak to Kayleigh, she was chatting to one of Donna's relatives whilst waiting at the bar.
As the relative got his drinks and left the bar John made his approach.
"Hiya...can I get you a drink? To make up for the coffee you lost when you chucked it all over of me?"
"That was my fault John...I'll get you a drink."
"Least it weren't piss this time."
They both laughed.
"No Darren?"
"He's coming to the reception...I didn't get a plus one...did you?"
"No I didn't...Don't think anyone from work did...there's no one I would have wanted to bring anyway ...well...apart from..."
"Yes please love?" asked the Barman.
John and Kayleigh's eyes were locked.
"Next?" said the barman breaking the stare.
"Oh sorry...erm...a prosecco for me and..." she looked at John.
"Diet coke" he responded.
"and a diet coke please."
Once the drinks arrived, Kayleigh made her excuses and joined her friends, John went to find someone he knew so he didn't look completely isolated.
As the guests were called for the meal John looked at where he was sat...right next to Kayleigh. Probably the seating arrangement was done prior to the whole store knowing they were not close anymore.
"Why didn't Donna change it" he thought. Not that he wasn't happy to be next to her, but the awkwardness from her point of view was going to make this hard.
John walked over to the table, Kayleigh one side, luckily Kath was the other. The rest of the table was Roisin, Rachel, Gareth, Barry, Diane and Elsie.
"Me again" said John to Kayleigh.
"Hi again."
They both felt all eyes on them, Kayleigh turned to speak to Diane so John spoke to Kath and Rachel who was next to Kath.
"You look nice John" said Rachel.
"Thank you...as do you."
Kayleigh was now distracted in her conversation and pretending not to be listening to the John and Rachel conversation.
"Thank you. So glad you came John, you've been working so hard."
"Well it wasn't just me...the whole team pulled together."
"John...you're so modest."
"It's true...wasn't just me."
"Are you doing anything for New Year?"
"Yeah, I'm off to Blackpool actually."
Kayleigh whipped her head round "who are going with?" she asked. John didn't get a chance to answer as Rachel jumped in with another comment.
"I haven't been to Blackpool for years."
"I doubt it's changed much."
"Well let me know if you need some company."
John started coughing as Kayleigh looked incensed.
As food was brought out conversation continued as general chit chat and Kayleigh could hardly look in John's direction.
As the evening reception drew closer John was debating whether he should leave, it was one thing seeing Kayleigh and Darren in the street but to see them dancing and kissing is going to be too much.
"I think I'm gonna make a move Kath."
"You can't go yet John."
"I'm just not in the party mood."
"Eh Rachel...John's thinking of going..."
"Oh don't go yet John...I'm hoping we can have a dance?"
"Yeah John, if I remember from previous parties you love a good dance" added Kath.
"Fine! I'll stay."
Darren turned up later than he had told Kayleigh, it was 9.30pm before he arrived, he had said he'd be there for 8pm.
"Where've you been?"
"Just been out with a few of me mates."
"Are you drunk?"
"No babe...I've only had a couple."
"Well you've made me look like a right idiot! Told everyone you were coming for the reception and all I've been asked is 'when's he coming then?'
"I'm sorry babe...come here..." he went into kiss her.
"You stink of booze?"
"Well you've been drinking all day...it's a wedding. So what if I've had a few...come on I'm here now...don't start."
"Trouble in paradise" Elsie uttered to John as he looked on at the discussion.
"Eh Mr Redmond...do you think he's right for her? I had money on it being yous two you know?"
"I don't know Elsie...as long as she's happy."
"Well, she don't look too happy at the moment..." Elsie walked off.
As the next hours went on, relations improved between Darren and Kayleigh and they had been dancing.
John suffered dancing with Rachel but made his excuses at the slow dances.
As he went to make a move and say goodbye to Donna and Rick he noticed Kayleigh trying to hold Darren up in the foyer. He rushed over.
"Is everything alright?"
"I'm trying to put him somewhere so I can call a taxi back to his."
"Ere let me help ya."
John helped Kayleigh get Darren onto a chair.
"I can give you both a lift? Save you messing on with a taxi."
"I can't ask you to do that John. It's fine."
"Kayleigh...let me help you...a taxi driver won't help ya with him."
"He is in a bit of a state."
"Can't hold his drink huh? Eh, he better not be sick in me car. I'm gonna ask if they have a bucket."
Kayleigh giggled.
"What?" asked John.
"Nothing...just you."
John smiled "I won't be a minute...wait there."
John managed to find a bucket and brought his car round to front. He helped Kayleigh get Darren into the back seat. Darren was stirring.
"Who are you? Kayleigh who is this?"
"Its John, you met him a few weeks ago...he's giving us a lift."
"Thanks John" Darren said as he passed out again.
"Not a bother...here's ya bucket...nah he's gone again!"
John and Kayleigh got in the front of the car.
"Right...where am I taking ya?"
"It's down near where Elsie lives."
"Right...ok...least I haven't got to give her a lift tonight" John started to drive.
"Thanks again John. Feel awful you having to do this."
"Honestly its no bother...I wasn't gonna leave ya was I?"
There was an awkward silence...apart from the Radio.
I've Got My Mind Set On You by George Harrison came on.
"Love this song!" said Kayleigh.
"Yeah...so do I" he looked and smiled at her.
"So..."
"So..."
"Who you going to Blackpool with?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"I'm just interested that's all."
"Ah...sorry none of your business" he smiled as Kayleigh shook her head "what? That's what you told me?"
"Fine, don't tell me then!"
Silence descended.
"So are you seeing someone?"
"You're still a right nosey bitch aren't ya?"
They laughed.
"Would it matter if I was seeing someone?" John asked hopefully.
"No! Why would it...as long as it's not that slapper Rachel."
"There's nowt going on with Rachel."
"Didn't look like it tonight...you were dancing with her."
"Only cos she wouldn't let me sit down...she probably thinks I'm getting that promotion."
"Do you think you are?"
"Well I think its looking that way...I cant say too much like."
"Aw...I hope you do...you deserve it."
"Thanks."
"Anyway...back to my original question... who are you going to Blackpool with?"
John shook his head "If you must know I'm going with me mum, nana, me brother and his family. Its a gift for Mum with it being our first Christmas without Dad, he loved Blackpool."
Kayleigh, despite herself, touched his arm.
"That's so lovely."
"It'll be bloody cold, don't know about lovely...how's he doing back there?"
Kayleigh looked round "still out of it."
"How's your Mandy and Steve?"
"Good ta. Steve still asks about you."
"Does he? Tell him I might have some more tools for him if he wants them."
"I will do."
As they got to Darren's Kayleigh grabbed his keys and opened the door whilst John tried to wake Darren up. Darren managed to stumble out of the car whilst John held him up and walked him to the door. Kayleigh ran to help him and they got him in and to the bedroom and laid him on to the bed and left him there as he slept.
John and Kayleigh walked to the kitchen.
"Do you want a drink?"
"Aye I'll have a cuppa?"
Kayleigh boiled the kettle and got the cups ready.
"It was a nice wedding" said John.
"Yeah...I thought it was going to be tacky looking at the invite. The decorations just came off...Poor misty nearly choked on one of the feathers!"
John laughed "Aye it clogged up me dyson."
"And that poem..." added Kayleigh.
"I know, bloody Wrecking Ball."
"Welcome to our love" laughed Kayleigh.
They both laughed.
"I miss this" said John turning serious.
Kayleigh ignored it and poured water in cups, as she turned to put the milk back in the fridge John was stood right in her way.
"I miss this" he repeated.
"John..."
Their faces moved as if to kiss when they suddenly heard Darren being sick.
"I better go and check he's ok" she put the milk away and ran into the bedroom.
John sighed as she left him, he stirred the tea and had a few sips.
"He's ok...just gonna get him some water."
"I better head off anyway and leave you to it."
"But you've not finished your tea."
"I had a few sips...thanks anyway."
"Ok well have a nice time in Blackpool...and a happy new year."
"Oh aye yeah...you too" John smiled and went to the door "see ya...hope he feels better soon."
"Thanks...thanks for the lift."
John left and sighed heavily as did Kayleigh on the other side of the door.
"Kayleigh!" called Darren "I need some water."
"On its way."