Chop was fuming at Finn's behaviour. "Now, that's just not on, I know he's hurt but he can't just talk to a girl like that. I'm gonna go find him."

Archie stopped Chop from stomping after him. "He's probably just outside having a smoke. I'll go and have a word in a minute and get him to apologise." He smiled at Rae and motioned for her to take a seat next to him.

"Nah, you're alright Archie, I should have known that he didn't really like me. I don't wanna impose myself on you all, I'll just get off home.

Izzy blurted. "you can't go, you haven't even had your snakebite yet."

Chloe joined in too. "Please stay we haven't hung out in so long!" She pursed her lips into a comical pout making Rae smile.

Archie tapped the seat next to him again. "He didn't mean it. He didn't know you were coming out tonight, I think it was a shock seeing you so soon; he's offended by your assumptions of him. He'll get over it I'm sure."

Rae plonked down next took to Archie. "Ok I'll stay for a bit; and let's not forget I need to try this delicacy!" She said holding her pint aloft with a fearful look on her face.

The gang all giggled in response, but they were silenced by Finn's grumpy return as he flopped into a chair at the opposite end of the table to Rae still not looking at her.

Unsure how to deal with the change in atmosphere Rae downed her whole pint while the others minus Finn laughed and cheered.

"Nice one Raemundo, I'll get you another one." Chop laughed as he sprang from the table to fetch another round.

Rae enjoyed the taste and welcomed the relaxing affect the drink started to have on her body after just a few minutes. She dared a glance over to Finn who pouted and shrugged his shoulders as their eyes met, this inspired him to huff to his feet. and trudge over to the juke box.

Rae was relieved that Finn disappeared again but was interested to hear what music selection toon he would make. She had secretly copped a look at the cd's he would buy in Town records and been surprised with the interesting and eclectic mix. As she appraised him she realised that he was never going to let her apologise and they were never going to be friends. She was disappointed how the evening had panned out. She enjoyed everybody else's company, but she knew she wasn't going to be able to hang out with them in the future, as they were Finn's friends. She decided to have the rest of the night with them and enjoy the pints that the charming, funny Chop was providing.

Finn stood at the juke box all evening nursing a pint while occasionally glaring at Rae. But she had a great deal of equal measures cider and lager and had become quite merry and immune to his stroppy mood. Rae staggered out of her seat, and whispered into Archie's ear so loudly that the entire pub could hear. "Do you think pretty boy Nelson is actually gonna choose any decent tunes tonight? Or is he just gonna stand there sulking all night?" She chortled but jumped when everyone began to laugh; she hadn't realised that they all heard.

She turned to look at Finn who was still maintaining a moody sneer on his face. She noted his expression change to one of derision and that's when she snapped. She was sick of people looking down on her. So what if he was the sexiest fucker in Stamford, Lincolnshire or perhaps even the world? Did he think that he could act like that just because he's pretty to look at? He needed bringing down a peg or two; she charged towards Finn slurring at him to move out of the bloody way so she could put something decent on. She didn't wanna hear anymore fucking Babylon Zoo and if she wanted to hear crap music she would have stayed at home with her mum. She didn't stop there though her drunken mouth carried on. She suggested that she could even set him up with her mum, as it was rumoured he was into fat charity cases.

Rae heard a sharp in take of breath from all around and saw Finn's face change to an expression that was unreadable. He was probably offended and embarrassed that she suggested he might like her. But fuck him if he didn't want anyone to know he shouldn't have pretended to ask her out in the first place.

She turned her back to him to view the music selection on the juke box. She punched in her selection and turned to Finn slurring again. "I can't believe I came here to apologise to you tonight. I was right all along; you are a prick!" With that she walked toward the exit as the opening bars of her selection of Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name blared out through the pub's speakers.

…..