Gendry had intended to take Arya to Harrenhal Castle before going to see Hot Pie at the pub for a late lunch. However, after the photo fiasco, he was worried that she still might not be talking to him and wandering round the castle with a silent Arya would be a disaster. So he changed his plan and decided to take her to see Hot Pie first. If anyone could shake Arya out of her sulk, or whatever the hell it was, then it would be Hot Pie.

Gendry had phoned Hot Pie to make sure he was going to be at the pub on Monday only to be told by an indignant Hot Pie that he was always in – 24/7. Hot Pie was dedicated to his job, in fact was the only person Gendry knew who really loved his job. As he lived above the pub, if he wasn't actually working, he wouldn't be far away.

Hot Pie had been brought in by the Brewery to turn an old, run down pub on the outskirts of Harrenhal into one of those ubiquitous Gastro Pubs. What a success Hot Pie had made of it. "The Kneeling Man" was regularly named as one of the best places to eat in Westreros and Hot Pie himself had become something of a local celebrity. He had arranged for the Brewers to sponsor various "Is your pie as good as a Hot Pie?" competitions, and there was now a "Hot Pie" bake off at every local fete or agricultural show. The man himself was always delighted to be chief judge and as his personality was as big as his waist band, every event was always a roaring success. Yes, if anyone could get this day back on track it was Hot Pie.

The bike ride to Harrenhal had been uneventful. Arya held onto him, but not in the desperate way she had before. Maybe she was getting used to the rhythms of the bike, but he thought it more likely that she didn't want to hold him they way she had before. No longer was her head buried into his back, her arms squeezing him or those thighs trying to weld themselves around his arse. A few times when they stopped at traffic lights he'd reached back to squeeze her knee, but there was no responsive wriggle behind him as there had been before. He couldn't stop cursing himself for being such a stupid, sappy bastard.

Even though it was a Monday, the car park of The Kneeling Man was pretty busy. Gendry parked the bike up. Arya still couldn't get her own helmet on and off, so he helped her unbuckle it, but kept his visor down. He was too wary to look her in the eye, but through his tinted visor he thought she didn't look like she was angry with him, just kind of sad and distant.

He still hadn't told her where they were going. Although she would have guessed by now they were going to Harrenhal Castle, she would have no idea they were meeting Hot Pie. He hoped it would still be a great surprise.

"I know it's a bit early for lunch, but as we were so late leaving I though it might be better to stop here first and do the Castle afterwards." She just nodded and gave him a weak smile. Shit, this was going to be torture if she didn't lighten up.

"Let's sit outside. There's a beer garden around the back".

They found a picnic type table and sat down on opposite sides, with their helmets and gloves discarded between them. As usual, his cock was twitching as he looked across at her. Her hair was wild and shining in the sun. Her mouth was a hot red cave that he wanted to explore. As she took of her jacket he got an eye-full of her slender arms and the tops of her tits, all pushed up in black silk. She was just so hot, he had to have her. But how to sort this mess out? How could he get her back to the "Does my arse look big in this" cheeky bitch Arya he wanted so much?

He didn't have time to come up with an answer as, within minutes, a cheery waitress came over to bring them menus, tell them the specials (they all seemed to be various types of pie) and to take their drinks order. He asked for a pint of coke, but Arya didn't lift her eyes off the menu as she asked for "A large P.G". The waitress looked at Gendry quizzically. He shrugged. He didn't know what she was asking for either. The waitress said "Sorry, my love, I didn't catch that?" Arya still didn't lift her head, but repeated "A large P.G." The waitress exchanged glances with him again. He decided he had to intervene.

"Arya, neither of us know what a "P.G." is."

"For God's sake. Do you country bumpkins know nothing? It's Pinot Grigio. The grape. The white wine. Everyone drinks it in London." She huffed.

Gendry was taken aback by Arya's rudeness. The poor waitress flushed as she mumbled an apology and headed back to the pub.

"I can't believe what I just heard Arya." His brows were down, teeth gritted.

"That was so rude! Just because we don't live in fucking London doesn't mean you have right to speak to us like that Milady." He was livid and stood up to leave. She finally looked at him with panic in her eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"Off to the bar to apologize to that waitress before she spits in our drinks". He glared at her and stalked off.

-o-

Arya crumpled. She'd fucked up again. She couldn't remember ever seeing Gendry that angry. Stubborn and immovable yes, but he'd never shouted at her. She felt tears welling in her eyes. Maybe she had been away from Westeros too long. She spoke to people in London like that all the time and nobody shouted at her for it. Maybe she only belonged in London now. What a God awful mess she was making of this.

"Arry Stark – long time no see!" she heard someone yelling at her. She turned round to see Hot Pie waddling towards her across the grass, as fast as he could without breaking into a trot. He had his arms open wide and his big red face was beaming with delight. She stood up and flung herself at him.

"Oh H.P ! I am so glad to see you." She wrapped her arms around his podgy shoulders and buried her head in his warm neck. He smelled of soup and roast meat and sweet cakes, all at the same time. Just when she needed to see a friendly face and get a reassuring hug, there he was. It had been three years since she had seen him, but it was as if they'd never been apart. He hadn't changed at all - was still so jolly and welcoming and familiar. She felt the tears welling in her eyes again as she hugged him.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Oh Gendry phoned me last week and told me he would be bringing you. Did he not tell you?" Hot Pie asked puzzled. Arya shook her head.

"He said it was a surprise and oh, H.P - this is a fantastic surprise."

She was still hugging him when Gendry stomped back out into the beer garden with their drinks. Hot Pie grinned and winked at him over Arya's shoulder as if to say – "Look at me mate! Look what I'm getting."

Gendry scowled and felt a sudden pang of jealousy tighten his chest. He hadn't got a hug like that off Arya yet, and the way this bloody day was going he wouldn't be getting one anytime soon.

The three of them sat down at the table and Gendry listened as Arya and Hot Pie excitedly brought each other up to date on their adventures over the last three years. Hot Pie's news was all about the two pubs he'd managed successfully before taking over The Kneeling Man and how this was his greatest success yet. He told Arya he'd won the Westeros 'Best Gastro Pub' award last year and was aiming for a National award this year; how he loved his job and was making the best pies of his life.

Arya was full of chat about London and all the friends she'd made there. As Gendry listened, he felt it was all a bit forced, and that although Arya kept repeating how happy she was in London, her eyes and face didn't match her words.

Hot Pie made her promise to keep in touch and to bring her brothers to the pub over the summer.

Finally, Hot Pie had to go back to the kitchen. He hugged Arya, kissed her cheek this time and winked again at Gendry over her shoulder as he gave her another bear hug goodbye. He shouted over his shoulder as left,

"Arya - you're on the house! Gendry - you're paying full price" and waddled off laughing as Gendry jokingly gave him a two finger salute.

Smiley Arya was back and she happily chatted with Gendry about Hot Pie and some other people from school like Lommy and that bully Weasel. Arya hadn't kept in touch with anyone, but Gendry could tell her what most of the ones still living in Winterfell village were up to. The time passed happily enough and when their meal came, they both agreed the pies really were the best they had ever tasted.