As November came and went, John and Kayleigh's relationship had certainly moved up a gear. Kayleigh was round Johns most evenings even when he was working late. And as the 1st December was fast approaching Kayleigh had been discussing the festive decorations she wanted to put up in Johns living room. John told Kayleigh she could have free reign.

On a Friday evening before the 1st Kayleigh was keen to start getting the decorations up. John had given her what decorations he had and was reading through his paperwork whilst having a cup of tea.

"Is this all the decorations you have John?" as Kayleigh looked in the small box John brought down from the loft.

"What d'ya mean is that all I've got? It is only me here ya know? No bugger sees them anyway."

"But where's your tree?"

"It's in the box."

Kayleigh rummaged in the box to find a ruler length tree with lights attached. She held it up to him "Seriously John? This is your tree?"

"Yeah what's wrong with it?"

"Wrong with it? What's right with it? I'm sorry John but this just wont do. You cant have a tiny tree and a few bits of tinsel. Its wrong!" she said slightly high pitched.

"Why not, like I said no one sees them."

"I will. It's sad John! Well have to go out shopping for decorations."

"Pfft you can. I've been up to me eyes in Christmas shit for weeks. I'm not gonna spend my time off in it an all."

"Fine, I will do it on my own then. Scrooge!" she smiled.

"Good. I'll see what you come up with!" as he went back to reading.

Kayleigh repacked the box and looked at it disgusted before she sat next to John to have her cup of tea.

"What you reading?"

"Just figures and rotas" John said without looking up.

"Oh right" Kayleigh was feeling bored so just stared at John. John could feel her doing this and ignored it for a while but started to feel uncomfortable.

"What do you want to eat?" Kayleigh asked.

"Don't mind"

"John! Are you gonna pay me any attention tonight?"

John put his papers down and looked to her "I just need to finish going through these then I'm all yours" he lent over to give her a quick kiss on the lips and went back to reading.

"Cant you do this when you're in work tomorrow morning? Its not fair I lose my weekends with you as well as the evenings."

"I did warn ya" came the nonchalant reply.

"Right, well I'll go and make some dinner then" said Kayleigh as she got up and headed out of the living room.

Kayleigh cooked lasagne whilst John continued reading his paperwork. Although Kayleigh was still feeling slightly neglected she loved the fact that their relationship had reached this point of normalcy. There wasn't any need to continue all the awkward conversations, they were, dare she think it, settled.

After dinner John was all hers as they cuddled on the sofa. Talk turned to Kayleigh's Christmas shopping trip tomorrow and discussing Rick and Donnas wedding.

"So...do you think we should get a room at the hotel for the wedding then?" asked Kayleigh.

"Funny you ask I had been thinking about that."

"Really?!" asked Kayleigh excited.

"Yeah and I don't think we should."

"Oh, why not?"

"Well, I'm not going to drink anyway so may as well drive us."

"Oh right...I just thought it would be nice for us to spend a night away together that's all."

"Yeah, I know, but if were going to spend the night away together I'd rather do it away from all the gossip mongers at work... You can stay over if you want to spend time with your mates..."

"Well how would that look to the gossips...no its fine honestly, I want us to go as us...so we'll go together and leave together" she said in disappointment but defiantly.

"Ok, we'll still have a good time" John hugged and kissed her on the forehead "brew?"

"Yeah" came the short reply.

John knew Kayleigh would be annoyed at not staying over, however, he had booked a new year break for them both in Edinburgh as one of her Christmas presents. He just hopes him keeping quiet about it until Christmas doesn't lead to Kayleigh getting as upset with him like that day in the car "I aint got time to write another song" he thought to himself whilst making the tea.

"Here ya" he said.

"Ta."

"So...do you know what decorations your planning to get for me living room then? I don't want it to look like some glitter factory explosion when I get home tomorrow" John smiled.

"No it wont be that bad..." she smiled back "Oh I forgot I'm out tomorrow night with some of the girls from work for Donnas hen do. I'll have to put the decorations up Sunday when I come back over."

"Oh right...where you going?"

"Just to a few bars in town. Mandy's giving me a lift and picking me up."

"I can give you lift and pick you up, saves you going back to your Mandy's."

"Ah thanks John, no I'll be fine honest, you've been working long hours I cant expect you to come out and get me."

"Honestly I want to, make up for me being busy."

"Well only if you're sure...it would be a lot easier."

"I'm sure. Anyway I thought she already had her hen do?"

"This is her work one...its her third one!"

"What she need three hen dos for?!"

"I know! Some of the girls going tomorrow have been on one of the others already."

"How come you didn't go on any of the others?"

"It was when I had hurt my foot so couldn't really be seen out when I had been off."

"True that. Especially after what Dave said."

Saturday morning John left for work and left Kayleigh in bed. Kayleigh went out to do her decoration shopping later that morning, she couldn't get the tree she wanted as she was on the bus but she managed to pick a new outfit for that evening.

She had returned to Johns, John was still at work "be home at 3 xxx" he had text. Kayleigh left her bags in the living room and decided to cook some pasta for lunch.

It was 3.30 and John still wasn't home she decided to call him.

"Hiya"

"Hiya, where are you?"

"Nearly home now got held up."

"Ok.. made you some pasta."

"Oh lovely. See ya in a bit. Wont be long."

Kayleigh put the kettle on and started to reheat Johns pasta.

"Hiya, I'm back" he called through to the kitchen "can you give me a hand?"

"Yeah, what ya doing?"

"I got you a tree to decorate" he grinned.

"Oh my god! John!"

"Don't get too excited its only an artificial one from the store...but its a 6 footer so definitely bigger than me old one."

"I cant believe you got this!" She hugs and kisses him.

"Well I knew you weren't gonna get one on the bus."

"Oh I cant wait!" exclaimed Kayleigh excited.

"I thought I'd put it up for ya when your out tonight ready for you to decorate tomorrow."

Kayleigh helps John with the box into the living room. John notices her bags "bloody hell Kayleigh, where you been shopping Santas grotto?"

"Alright! You know I love Christmas...gonna put my CD on tomorrow."

"Oh god no...that's all I've been bloody hearing in the store all day...I swear to god if I hear Slade or Wizard once more..."

"Stop being a spoilsport its only once a year."

"Mmmm...Eh what's that smell?" asked John.

"What smell?...Oh frig a dig" Kayleigh runs out of the living room to the kitchen followed by John.

"Oh John I forgot about your pasta...its ruined."

"Quick open some windows...I hope your decorating skills are better than your cooking skills."

"Oi, its your fault distracting me with Christmas!"

"Distracting you with Christmas! You're a head case you!"

After clearing out the smoke John made himself a sandwich whilst Kayleigh went upstairs to get ready.

"Bloody sandwich, been at work all day!" John muttered to himself. Kayleigh came downstairs with a towel round her and her hair up in another.

"What ya doing?!" John said as he choked on his sandwich "the curtains are still open."

"So...I've got a towel round me. Thought I'd come and sit with ya before I start getting ready."

"Well you could have put some clothes on, what if someone walks past?"

Kayleigh sits down on the sofa next to John.

"Chill...no ones gonna see me."

"Brazen! Anyway what time you want to head off?"

"I need to be at the Whethers for 8 if that's ok?"

"Of course" as he started eating his sandwich again "what time will you need picking up."

"I don't know really...I'll call you."

"Ok...hope I don't fall asleep" he joked.

"Oi you better not...anyway you've got a tree to put up" she says as she snuggles up to him.

"Oh yeah, so I have" he says.

"Aw I love this!"

"What? Sitting in me living room with nowt on but a pair of towels."

"No, just being here with you, acting like a proper a couple."

"Is this what acting like a proper couple is? Nearly burning down me kitchen, flouncing around half naked and me having to make me own sandwich...pfft."

Kayleigh laughed "you know what I mean. Don't you love it?"

John looked at her with mock disgust.

"John!" she tapped him on the shoulder.

He smiled "Course I do. Now go and get yaself ready if you wanna be there for 8."

Kayleigh kissed him on the cheek as she got up and left the room. John smiled and shook his head as he finished his sandwich.

They got in the car after several of Kayleigh's outfit changes but she finally decided she did like the new outfit she brought after all. Skinny white jeans and a pink short sleeved top with her Jacket she wore on her first date with John.

"Are you sure I look alright?"

"Yes! For the 100th time. Anyway who you got to impress?"

"Well you never know" she said as she tried to wink.

John shook his head "who else is going tonight?"

"Not many actually, there's me, Donna, obviously...er Elsie, Roisin...Diane, Janine, Joyce...oh and Rachel" Kayleigh made a face at saying Rachel's name.

"What's she done now?"

"Nothing."

"Why the face?"

"Just force of habit now John."

"You don't half hold a grudge."

"I'm not holding a grudge John...just still not impressed with her trying it on with you that's all."

"Oh she was hardly trying it on was she? You shouldn't let that stop ya being mates."

"It hasn't, we're still mates...sort of...keep ya friends close and your enemies closer..." she burst out laughing.

"You're off your head you."

"I'm winding you up!"

"Yeah, alright."

Forever FM was playing their Saturday Night Dance Classics. Sonique It feels so good played.

"Oh my god, I used to love this" said Kayleigh.

"Yeah good song this."

"Reminds me of clubbing with me mates...feels like a lifetime ago now John."

"She says, as I'm literally driving her to go clubbing with her mates."

"Yeah, but its not gonna be like those nights."

"Oh aye...its gonna be civilised is it? With Elsie?"

"Not civilised, but not having to worry as I know I have you to come back too now."

"Give over."

"Its true. All those nights out worrying if I'd pull or not, hoping to meet the man of my dreams and just getting chatted up by skanks...yuk" she shudders at the thought.

"So I'm one up from a skank am I? Cheers!"

"No, I just feel happy and content, thanks to you" she smiled.

"Oi don't be getting soppy you're meant to be letting ya hair down!"

"Its true though."

John smiled at her.

"Right we're here, are the others here yet, I'll wait if not."

"I'll just ring Donna."

Donna confirmed her and a few others were inside.

"...ok now coming in."

"Yeah their in, I'll see you later." She gave John a kiss on lips.

"Yep see ya, I'll await your call."

John drove off once Kayleigh was inside and stopped off at a Domino's for a pizza on the way back as he was starving. He watched a bit of TV and put the tree up "Oh that'll have to do, she can do the rest" he said to himself after a good hour of getting the tree into some sort of shape.

He sat back down and nodded off, he woke up about an hour later panicked he may have missed a call from Kayleigh. He checked his phone, no calls or messages but it was past 1am.

John wondered if he should call her, but didn't want to look possessive so decided to make himself a cuppa and then would give her a text. As he brought his cuppa through the phone rang "bloody typical" he uttered.

"Hello"

"Hi ya John...its me..." she said rather slurred.

"Yeah I know, you ready for me to come and get ya?"

"Yes John...Why else would I be calling? Silly."

"Are you drunk?"

"John, I'm never...I'm never drunk...you know what I am? I'm fluffy...fluffy drunk."

"That makes all the difference...where d'ya want me to pick ya up from?"

"Oh...I don't know...eh!eh! Diane! Where are we? Hang on, she doesn't know. She doesn't know John!" Kayleigh collapsed into fits of laughter.

"Kayleigh! Kayleigh!" John was trying to get her attention.

"What? Who is it?"

"Its John."

"Did I call you?"

"Yes you did, where are ya?"

Another voice came on the phone "Hiya Mr Redmond."

"Oh God" John thought "Hi ya Elsie, where are ya's?"

"We're on Princesses street Mr Redmond. Just getting some food wee Kayleigh is a bit...tiddly" Elsie cackles.

"Right, I gathered, I'm on me way tell her."

"Oh I will Mr Redmond. Cant wait to see ya...can we girls?"

The group cheered as John hung up.

"F-king hell" said John "It's all I need."

John drove the dreaded trip to pick up Kayleigh, fearing the state she was in and seeing the others from work. As he drove up Princesses Street he found the gang of girls, although a few were missing.

"Ah here he is my hero" shouted Kayleigh who was sitting on the pavement and couldn't stand up to greet him.

Elsie, Diane, Donna, Joyce and Roisin were sharing a bag of chips.

"Where's the others?" John asked.

"Rachel and Janine met some blokes from Chester we haven't seen them since" explained Donna who was dressed with a Bride to Be ribbon and a veil. She was the most sober out of them all.

"Mr Redmond, John, can I call you John, John?" asked a drunk Diane.

"Yes" replied a fed up John.

"I just wanted to apologise for telling folk that you were...you know...gay" she whispered "I can see now I was wrong."

"It's fine Diane...right best get this one home" he walked over to Kayleigh.

"Mr Redmond, are you upset you won't be driving me home tonight? We could share that pot noodle" Elsie winked and laughed coyly.

"Aye real shame that...Kayleigh you ready?" he stood in front of her.

"John, I can't see my feet. Have I still got feet?"

"Yes, you still have feet" he pulled her up and held her as he walked her to the car.

"John, John...where am I going?"

"Taking you home."

"What to Bury? Noooo John, I want to go back to yours. Why you taking me to our Mandy's? Why John?!" she cried.

"I'm not taking you to Mandy's I'm taking you to mine."

"But you said home..." John got her to the car and opened door "yours aint home John...is it? Is it John?"

"It is for tonight, now get in the car" Johns patience was wearing very thin.

"I've not said bye to the girls...Girls see ya girls."

They all rushed over to hug and kiss her goodbye "For Christs sake" John mumbled.

John had had enough and shut Kayleigh's door.

"How yous getting home?"

"We got a taxi coming to take us back to Donna's, don't you worry bout us Mr Redmond" said Elsie.

"I wont" said John under his breath.

"See ya ladies"

"Bye Mr Redmond" they shouted in unison.

Kayleigh was passed out by the time John sat back in the car. He started the engine and turned the radio down so she could sleep. After 20 minutes of driving Kayleigh suddenly sat up.

"John, I think I'm gonna be sick..."

"You what? Not in this car lady!"

"Pull over! Pull over!"

"Jesus wept!"

John pulled over and helped Kayleigh out of her side to a grass verge.

"I'm so sorry John" she said in between being sick "Never again..."

"Aye, I'm sure you've said that before."

John held Kayleigh's hair off her face and rubbed her back.

"Are you alright to get back in? I have some bags."

"I think so..." Kayleigh said with glassy eyes.

The drive home was a painful one with Kayleigh's head in the plastic shopping bag the rest of the way. John made her up a bed on the sofa and put a bucket beside her and a glass of water. He turned out the living room light and went to leave to go to bed when suddenly Kayleigh started speaking.

"John...do you still love me?" Kayleigh asked in a slurred and weak fashion.

"What a question? What you on about?"

"Answer my question John!" she became louder.

"Course I do...very much" he leaned over her to kiss her forehead.

"Even after seeing me be sick?"

John laughed "er...lets just say I still love you, in spite of you being sick in front of me."

Kayleigh smiled.

"Night then."

"Night Jonathan."

As John walked up the stairs, he heard Kayleigh reach for the bucket, he just smiled and shook his head.