"Are you sure this is ok Steven?" Asked Alex on set next day, pulling Salome along by the hand who was looking very sleepy.
"yes Alex, how many times do I have to tell you, me and sue will look after her." Said Steven turning to look at Alex in the eyes. "Calm yourself, woman and get to hair and make-up."
"Thank you." Said Alex gratefully, turning around and rushing towards her stylist.
"Sorry I'm late..." She said plonking herself down in a chair. "Hope I didn't cause to much of an inconvenience."
"None at all" said Mandy with a reassuring smile.
Just then, Matt sat down beside her, and with a big smile said "Kingston! How are you?"
"Okay, I guess, just a bit hassled." She said with a smile, enjoying having Matt to talk to again. Last night had felt like forever. " my babysitter dropped out on me last minute so I had to bring Salome with me."
"Oh good!" Said Matt delightedly. " About Salome I mean, not you being hassled."
Alex giggled and said "I knew what you meant, silly!"
A scarlet blush crept up his neck and onto his cheeks as he said "I will have to make a point of seeing her." Wow, Alex did look beautiful today. Skin glowing, almost as if it was emitting a radiant glow, jeans that hugged those beautiful legs and a white vest top that emphasised her luscious curves. And not forgetting the hair! Her beautiful hair, golden curls cascading down her back and falling elegantly round her face. The hair he wished he could burry his whole face into and take in the sweet scent.
"There you go Matt, all done" said Matt's stylist happily, bringing him back down to earth.
"Thank you, I'll go and find Poppet then, Kingston." Said Matt, standing up and turning around "see you later."
"Bye Matt, don't cause any trouble!" Shouted Alex, looking at him in the mirror.
"Can't promise anything." He said with a mischievous smile, exiting the room.
Alex looked down, a mixture of emotions bubbling inside of her. On the one hand she felt overjoyed because she and Matt were friends and she felt tears of happiness well up in her eyes when she thought of how much Matt did for her and Salome, how much time they spent together, almost like a family, but she also felt disappointed and sad because she would never have Matt, there was nearly a twenty year age gap between them and Matt had Daisy... She felt disheartened and guilty every time she thought about Daisy. She was with Matt, and Alex knew it shouldn't bother her, but it did. Matt was so lovely and handsome, but there was no way they could be together.
Matt had only taken a few steps when he bumped into Karen, who was watching him with a smile on her face.
"Kazza!" Exclaimed, as he stumbled back in surprise. "how long have you been there?"
"long enough." she replied slyly. "So...?"
"So what?" Said Matt, beginning to blush again.
"Someone has a crush!" Karen said in a sing song voice.
"I don't, Kazza," he said in an undertone so that Alex wouldn't hear him "Now can I get past please?"
"Oh come on, admit it!" She said, elbowing him.
"no Kazza, now I really need to go." And without another word, he pushed past her and walked off to find Salome.
-xXx-
"MATTY" came a squealing voice from behind him as he made his morning cup of tea. Of corse it was Salome.
"Hi, Poppet!" He said turning round to give her a hug. "I've missed you!"
"Even though you only saw me last night?" She asked, looking up at him.
"I miss you every moment I'm not with you." Said Matt seriously. Even though he had only met Salome a few days ago, they had just clicked. There was a connection there, a bond that Matt intended to make stronger in days to come.
Salome giggled and said "Matty, you are silly!"
wow, did she sound like her mum. Matt just looked at Salome lovingly for a moment and then said "So Poppet, what are you doing?"
"Drawing Doctor Who pictures, do you wanna see?" Said Salome hopefully. In her eyes, every moment spent with Matt was a moment well spent.
"What do you think? Of corse I do!" Said Matt as a huge smile spread across her face.
"Come on then!" Said Salome, beckoning him over to a small room to their left.
As they entered, it was apparent Salome had been here. The floor was littered with pencils and sweet wrappers, there were stuffed animals dotted around the room, along with several bean bags and blankets. She had already stuck various drawings on the wall with Sellotape.
"I see you've made yourself at home." Said Matt grinning.
"why wouldn't I?" She asked. "I might as well seeing as I'm going to be spending all day here."
"couldn't have put it better myself. " Said Matt, walking in and sitting one one of the bean bags, as Salome dropped into one next to him.
"look at this one." Said Salome, shoving a picture into his hands.
Matt looked down to see a picture of The Doctor and River running from a darlek.
"these are incredible Poppet!" Said Matt, and he wasn't lying. The accuracy of the drawing was remarkable, and the way she had shaded it in was way past what he expected from a nine year old. "Does your mum know how good you are?"
"yes, my teacher spoke to her and they booked me in for an art class for the gifted and talented, and I'm the youngest one there!" She said excitedly.
"I'm not surprised, your very good." Said Matt, still transfixed at the drawing. "When's your next class?"
"tonight, mummy comes with me, and the teacher says I'm as good as her!" She said.
"who, the teacher or your mum?" Asked Matt, finally drawing his eyes away from the picture.
"both!" Said Salome proudly. "I could ask mum if you could come tonight!"
"only if it's ok with your mum." Said Matt, secretly hoping he could go. He loved spending time with them, whatever the occasion.
"It'll be fine, please come!" Said Salome, tugging on his arm.
"Ok, ok, I'll just check with your mum." He said, pulling out his phone.
He went into favourites and found Alex quickly and text her.
'Poppet wants me to come to this art thing tonight, is that ok with you? xxx'
A minute later his phoned buzzed.
'Yeah, that's fine, it's at 7, so did you want to come for Dinner before?'
'If it's no trouble Kingston, that sounds great.' He replied.
His phone buzzed again. 'None at all, see you later. xxx'
Alex had put kisses. Matt knew he shouldn't be bothered as it was probably just friendly, but it made him feel something he'd never felt towards anyone else, even daisy.
"Did mummy say you could come?" Asked Salome as Matt put his phone back in his pocket.
"yep!" he said smiling. "And I'm coming for dinner!"
"yay!" said Salome. "My mums a really good cook, so your in for a treat."
"I look forward to it." Said Matt, standing up. "But I've got to get back to work."
"ooooo, can I come and watch?" Squealed Salome.
"I'm sure no one would mind." Said Matt, taking Salome by the hand and leading her out of the room.
-xXx-
"Wooooo! Go mum!" Said Salome as the director called cut.
"your daughters great." Said Matt, winking at Alex.
"who do you think she gets it from?" Alex retorted.
Matt laughed and winked at her.
"come over about six, okay." She said, blowing her hair out of her face.
"alright, miss Kingston, I'll be there on the dot." He said as they walked to the car park. "See you tonight."
"bye!" She said waving at him, greatly looking forward to tonight.