Sorry for the delay, real life catching up once again. This is probably the soppiest chapter to date in which we find Anna and John sharing a bed. After all the angst, perhaps it's needed. I'm not completely happy with this chapter (when am I ever) but I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for all the reviews and the follows, I really appreciate it.

Disclaimer- Same as chapters 1-11

John could get used to this life. Sitting in bed, pillows propping him up, U2 on the stereo in the background, Roxy keeping him company and a homemade lemonade on the bedside table, he was in heaven. The smell of freshly baked brownies wafted up from the kitchen into his room, John closing his eyes as he let the smell overtake his senses. She wasn't the best chef in the world, her previous attempts to cook for him over the months had resulted in them nearly having to call the fire brigade on one occasion, but she was trying, and she was doing it all for him, which made it all the better. The next sound he heard were her footsteps getting closer, matching the rhythm of the increasing beat of his heart at the thought he would see her again. And then she appeared, carrying a plate covered with delicately balanced brownies. His fiancée.

'Right, these should do for dessert. Was the macaroni cheese really okay?'

'Beautiful,' John replied with all the sincerity he could muster.

A few weeks had passed since the accident and John's subsequent operation, he had been home for a few days. After undergoing intense physiotherapy, which would need to continue into the future, the forecast was that John would likely be able to walk without the use of a cane. His recovery had been amazing, especially considering the trauma he had been put through. Privately, John put it down to Anna accepting his proposal. Something to focus on and work for. He was determined to be fit for their wedding.

Now back home, it was like a slice of domesticated bliss, an insight into what their married life would be like. Anna had been granted a fortnight off from the restaurant, Robert insisting, even taking on John's duties himself, such was the gratitude he felt towards his friend. She had been by her fiance's side every day, only leaving at night to return in the morning, such as their circumstances dictated. It felt so natural, John finally feeling like everything was falling into place.

However, today was Anna's first day back at work. Now able to move about with the aid of crutches, it would be the first time John would have to fend for himself in weeks. Promising she would be back as soon as her shift finished to make sure he was alright, reassuring him to call the minute he needed her, Anna kissed John on the forehead as he bit into one of the brownies, the plate of Anna's baking also garnering the attention of Roxy who had helped herself.

'Now, Dad will be around at two. He and Mum only arrived back last night, but he's intrigued as to why you want to speak to him.'

Anna's parents knew about the engagement, but the news went no further than them or Robert. The ring had been on a chain around Anna's neck ever since the evening he had proposed. Embarking on a holiday a week or so after John's accident, with John being in hospital he hadn't had a chance to officially ask Richard for Anna's hand in marriage. Although Anna insisted her parents were pleased for them, with all that Anna meant to them and the background she had, it was important to John that they officially have the blessing of her parents.

'Okay,' John nodded, clearing his throat, his demeanour suddenly becoming nervous. 'If I start making my way to the living room at midday, I should make it in time.'

'Don't say things like that,' Anna winced, placing a hand on his shoulder. 'Are you sure you are going to be okay without me? I could call Robert and...'

'Go to work,' John was insistent, turning his head to kiss Anna's forearm. 'I'll see you tonight.'

'Alright.' Anna walked away then, stopping in the doorway as she heard Roxy whimper. 'Yes Roxy, I'll miss you too. Look after your Daddy for me.' The dog cocked her head, her tongue washing away the remnants of the chocolate brownie she had just demolished from her mouth. Anna smiled at her before meeting John's gaze once more. 'I love you.'

'I love you too,' John replied with a smirk which Anna was sure would never fail to make her knees weaken. 'Now go. You'll be late.'

Leaning against the dining room chair, John breathed a sigh of relief having made the kitchen from his bedroom, albeit heavily relying on his crutches. Roxy was a great help, running between his legs as he moved, thinking she was about to be fed again. 'Roxy, I love you with all my heart but please go and lay down.'

John watched as Roxy obeyed him, before setting his sights on the kettle. It was a little bit before two, and what better way to be prepared for a meeting with the future father in law than an already boiled kettle. Anna had left a batch of brownies on the kitchen counter. How could anything go wrong?

John didn't know why he was nervous. Anna's parents were much more welcoming towards him now, Richard always had been from the beginning. They shared a relationship surprisingly filled with banter, possessing the same sense of humour it would seem. He reasoned that his nervousness was because there was that nagging doubt in the back of his mind, the doubt that Anna would soon realise she was much too good for the likes of him and find someone more deserving of her. John couldn't have been first choice for Anna to marry in the eyes of her parents. But still, she had accepted his proposal and deep in his heart he knew Anna would be his wife someday soon.

Just as he pushed the button to set the kettle on it's way to boiling, the doorbell rang. John looked to Roxy, who somehow sensed this was one of those occasions she should stay where she was, rather than shower their house guest with affection.

'Showtime,' John said in the direction of his companion, tossing a brownie which she caught whole in her mouth. Making his way towards the door as fast as his injury would allow, John released a breath he didn't realise he was holding as he opened the door.

'Afternoon chap,' Richard said jovially upon seeing John.

'Richard, thanks for coming.' John replied, hobbling backwards to allow Richard space to enter the flat. 'You'll have to excuse my tardiness, my leg was almost obliterated by a car so...'

'That's no excuse, get in the kitchen and make me some of those delicious shortbreads you made for the coffee morning the other week.'

As they shared a laugh, Richard took in the full extent of John's injuries, his leg support extending beyond the knee and half way up his thigh. He still had a few cuts here and there however his bruises were now in their latter stages, turning brown and yellow in colour. Richard soon realised John shouldn't really be on his feet, for too long anyway, and ushered him into the living room.

'I can hear the kettle boiling. I'll go and make us a tea then join you back in here.'

Trying to remain chivalrous, John soon relented and sat down in his usual armchair whilst Richard went about preparing them a drink. Inside his head, John was mentally preparing what he wanted to say, to ask this man permission for his beautiful, flawless daughter to become his wife. He knew it was a redundant task, and Richard would most likely be confused as to John's motives for this particular conversation, but if anything was worth doing properly, marrying Anna was.

'I'm guessing the brownies were for us too,' Richard said as he entered the living room, handing John his drink. 'How did you make these when you can barely walk?'

'I didn't,' John shook his head, leaning forward to rest his mug on the coffee table. 'Your daughter did.'

'Oh right, well we'll just leave those there,' Richard placed the plate on the table, looking to John with a wry smile on his lips. 'I still haven't been able to look the local fire station manager in the eye since the incident with the chilli. He's a regular in my congregation.'

'Well, the brownies are delicious for the record,' John assured Richard, 'she's getting better. But as she said to me as the fire-fighters were tackling the small fire at the cooker, that is the reason she is dating a chef. He can cook for her.'

'But you aren't just dating now, are you?' Richard remarked with a raised eyebrow. 'I believe congratulations are in order.'

'Only if you want them to be.'

'I'm sorry?'

'That was my whole reason for inviting you over here, Richard.' John stopped for a moment, looking at Richard's confused expression trying to formulate a response. ' It is clear that she not only means everything to me, but you and Christine as well.'

'She is our heaven and earth,' Richard agreed with conviction.

'I know. Which is why we haven't told anyone else about the engagement. Not until I had officially asked you in person for your daughter's hand in marriage. It might be a moot point, but it would make me feel better that we had had this conversation.'

Richard examined John with a critical eye, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. 'I'll be honest, myself and Christine had our reservations. She voiced hers, I chose not to. But Anna was insistent. She was in love with you and that was it. And we've been proven right. Anna had never been happier, and all I can do is thank you for being the man to make her feel that way. The expression on her face when she showed us the ring, I shall treasure it until my dying day.'

'Really?' John choked, suddenly overcome with emotion at the thought of being the reason behind Anna's happiness.

'Yes,' Richard nodded with a laugh. 'So, yes John. You have my unequivocal permission to marry my daughter.'

'That means the world, Richard. As far as I am concerned, there was no one before Anna and there will be no one after her. She is my everything and shall be for the rest of my life. The only thing I am living for is her welfare and happiness.'

'I'm glad to hear it,' Richard's face broke out into a smile, feeling slightly gratified that John valued his blessing so much. 'Now let me sample these brownies for myself.'

'Gwen has already called head bridesmaid,' Anna called as the she reached John's bedroom, holding a plate of sausage rolls she had prepared as he waited for her to return. 'She's already talking about the hen night.'

'Is that so,' John replied with a jovial lilt to his tone, looking over his shoulder as he heard Anna's voice coming closer.

A couple of days had gone by since John's conversation with Richard, and Anna had spent the majority of that time sharing the good news about the engagement. They had both decided they would like to marry sooner rather than later. Dates had been discussed with Richard, Anna maintaining it was important to her to marry in her father's church. John had been unsure whether the mistakes in his past would stop him from marrying in a religious ceremony, but his fears had soon been quashed when Richard informed him that divorcees could marry in the Church of England.

'I want a disco,' Anna announced as she lay the tray on the bed beside John, he instantly reaching for a sausage roll as she sat down by his side. 'And the colour scheme to be purple. Or orange...'

'Hold your horses, Miss Smith.' John swallowed the bite of sausage roll he had in his mouth before looking at her with a raised eyebrow. 'Orange?'

'Yeah, we could accessorize it with light blue,' Anna pondered, looking to the ceiling. 'Or black.'

'Whatever you want.' John placed a hand between Anna's shoulder blades as she looked back at him. 'It's your day. I'm just coming along for the ride.'

'No, I want you to have a say,' Anna insisted. 'It is your wedding day as well.'

'Alright,' John nodded before swallowing the last of his sausage roll, 'not orange. Or black. It's a wedding, not halloween.'

'Ooh, who died and made you Gok Wan?' Anna teased, digging John in the ribs with her index finger.

'Oww,' John laughed, pushing her wrist away, taking hold of it before pulling Anna towards him, meeting her lips in a gentle kiss. Moving away, resting his forehead against Anna's, John couldn't help his breath leaving him in short gasps. 'You are so beautiful.'

'You shouldn't say such a thing, John. Might make a woman come over all unnecessary.'

Events were clearly having as much of an effect on Anna as they were John as she resumed the kiss, it becoming deeper before Anna pushed him back to lean on his propped up pillows. His hands wandering lower, suddenly John realised he had to stop this before it got out of control, before it ended the same way it had the night she ran out on him.

'Anna,' he murmured before she brushed her lips against his in an attempt to resume the kiss. Holding her face in his hands, kissing her soundly one more time, John finally released her from his hold, shaking his head with a smirk on his face. 'I'm not sure this is such a good idea.'

'I hate this.' Anna bowed her head, her voice hardly a whisper. 'You make me feel so many things John.'

'Come here.'

John outstretched his arms, offering Anna his embrace. Closing his eyes, he placed a kiss on her temple, revelling in the sensation of her warmth so close to him. It was in these moments that John realised over and over again how he had never experienced anything like this. The way they laughed together, the way a simple touch set his heart beating a rate he could hardly cope with, how her smile brightened even the most darkest of days.

'Anna, there are not enough words to describe what you make me feel.'

A few moments passed before anything else was said, Anna contentedly lying in John's arms. John was wide awake however, thinking about what was to come as he held his future bride. John knew the time would pass so slowly until he could call Anna his wife. Despite what she had said earlier, it was Anna's day, she would be centre of attention and that was the way it should be. She was at the centre of his universe, her happiness the only thing that mattered.

'John.'

'Yes.'

'Could we turn the stereo on, please?'

'If you want,' John replied, reaching beside him for the remote, pointing it towards his stereo. A man speaking could soon be heard, the radio programmed to one of Anna's stations since she had been spending so much time at John's place.

'You decide the music on this evening's late night show. So please, send in your requests to your loved ones. You know the number. And now, this.'

A song unfamiliar to John began to fill the room, Anna shifting in his arms as she recognised it. 'I love this song.'

'I've never heard it.'

'Well you wouldn't on Ancient FM or whatever it is you listen to in that kitchen of yours.'

'Hey,' John began to chuckle, his turn now to dig Anna in the ribs.

She wriggled in his arms as giggles overtook her before begging John to stop. He did so, and silence reigned once more. John felt his heart swell as Anna softly hummed along to the song, it's message and lyrics impossible for John to ignore as he listened to them, losing himself in the moment.

'Cause all of me, loves all of you, love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections...'

He wasn't usually someone who got emotional over song lyrics, but he couldn't help but think of Anna, lying so peacefully in his arms, and think about how much the song suited them. They had joked about The Carpenters being their song, the one that John had admitted in his journal was his song to sing in the shower. But it held no real meaning for them. This song, however was one which Anna admired . This was the first time John was hearing it, but holding her in his arms it seemed apt to say what John was about to say as the song ended..

'You know, we'll need a song for our first dance, at this big disco we are all attending in your honour.'

'Our honour,' Anna insisted, looking up at him, her eyebrows raised. 'It's our wedding day.'

'Well, when we share our first dance on our wedding day, I'd like that last song to be our first dance.'

'John Legend?' Anna sat up, looking him in the eyes. 'I thought we had decided on The Carpenters.'

'Just then, holding you in my arms and listening to that song, I'd never heard it before yet it made sense to me.'

'My, John Bates. Fancy you getting sentimental over a song that is fairly recent when you argue with me there hasn't been a decent record released for over twenty years.'

'Haha,' John cocked his head to the side, resting a hand on Anna's face as she smirked back at him. He shrugged his shoulders. 'Well? I'm still waiting for an answer.'

Anna began to nod her head, breaking out into a small laugh. 'Yes. I'd love that to be our song very much.'

He had lost track of time, Anna had been asleep in his arms for a while now. The radio was still playing, John having to sit through various songs he had never heard before. Most of it was noise, John had made a mental note to never research the back catalogue of Rizzle Kicks, but he couldn't bear the thought of waking Anna by moving for the remote control. Deciding he should really find out what time it was, Anna still needed to make her way home, John moved himself as carefully as he could to look at the clock on his bedside table.

'Ahh sugar,' he whispered as he read the time had gone midnight.

'What?' Anna had obviously woken with his movements, lifting her head to look at his face. He couldn't help but smile, she looked absolutely gorgeous when she had just woken up, her eyes full of sleep. Vulnerable somehow.

'It's gone midnight,' John answered, not able to resist placing a kiss on the top of her head. 'You know, you might as well stay now. I know he waits up for you so give your Dad a call and tell him.' Anna looked back at John, her eyes wide. He was quick to defend himself. 'Nothing untoward, I promise. Even after earlier, I'm not sure I could anyway, even if I wanted to.'

'I'll sleep on the sofa,' Anna suggested as she moved to leave the bed, John instantly feeling colder with the absence of her by his side. What harm would one night together do?

'I'll phone my Dad in a minute. Can I borrow a t shirt or something?' Anna stood awkwardly by the dresser, rubbing her eyes, the effects of having just woken up still affecting her.

'Of course, third drawer down by the wardrobe.'

Watching as she followed his instructions, she pulled out a blue T shirt before leaving the room without a sound. All that was running through his mind was that John, ever the chivalrous gentleman, didn't want Anna to sleep on the sofa. In any other circumstance, he would sleep on the sofa and that would be that. But with his leg in the condition it was, that wasn't an option. Looking to his left with a deep sigh, he noticed some pillows on the armchair that sat in the corner of the room. It was moved there a few days ago, John fed up of laying in bed all day yet unable to make it to the living room without a whole lot of effort. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, John nearly jumped six feet up in the air as he heard Roxy yelp. The Jack Russell sped out of the bedroom, the padding of her paws thundering down the hallway. Undeterred, John rose to his feet then hobbled to the chair. Picking up the pillows, he turned and moved back towards the bed before pulling the covers back. Dropping the pillows down, he then began to line them down the middle of the bed. The effort it was taking to remain upright after such a long time lying down was excruciating, John was gritting his teeth at the pain in his leg.

'What are you doing?'

His head immediately snapped up, his gaze met with one of the most breathtaking sights he had ever witnessed. Anna was standing in the doorway, wearing his T shirt, the garment falling just short of her knees. It was the most 'undressed' John had ever seen her, and the vision before him was rendering him quite powerless.

'Are you really putting pillows down the middle of the bed? I said I'd sleep on the sofa.'

'I can't, errr...' He was stuttering, unable to take his eyes away from her shapely legs. Anna followed his line of vision, immediately turning a shade of crimson yet, John was relieved, with a grin playing upon her lips. 'You're stunning, do you know that? You wear that T shirt better than I ever did.'

'Charmer.' Anna stepped further into the room. 'Get into bed, I'll tuck you in.'

Defeated, John did as he was instructed, Anna helping him to lift his leg back upon the pile of cushions that he had rested his injured limb on during the night. Pulling the covers up to his midriff, John shifted as Anna made sure his injured leg was secure.

'I don't know how I would have got through this without you,' John whispered, Anna moving closer to him. Resting one hand on his cheek, she bent down to place a kiss on his lips. As she lifted herself back up, she held John's gaze for the briefest of moments, realising his hand had found it's way to her hip. His voice was pleading as he spoke. 'Stay with me. Please. I promise my hand won't move further down than this.'

They both broke into laughter, Anna unable to resist resting her forehead against John's. 'Alright. What harm can it do?'

As she walked around to the other side of the bed, John manoeuvred himself so he could place an arm around Anna. Getting under the covers, the smile on her face was one John promised himself he would commit to his memory for as long as he lived. She looked so happy to be doing the most simplest of actions that an engaged couple could be doing, sharing a bed for the night. She turned off the light beside her, John following her example and doing the same. As she shuffled closer to him, John wrapped his arm around her shoulders, Anna turning onto her side to rest her head and her hand upon John's chest. And then, the room fell into a peaceful stillness, like this was all simply meant to be.

He couldn't help but break the silence, needing to make sure Anna was alright. 'Is this okay?'

She waited for a few seconds, letting out a deep sigh before replying. 'I've waited so long to fall asleep in your arms. The reality is so much better than what I imagined. I can't wait until it is this way every night.'

And yet again, as he listen to her breathing become shallower, John found himself wondering what he had done to deserve this beautiful woman and her love.

As she began to stir, Anna was momentarily confused as to her whereabouts. It soon became apparent when she felt his presence beside her, the warmth emanating from him warming her heart in ways she knew she would never be able to describe. It had been nothing short of magical, sleeping for the whole night beside the love of her life. She had never experienced it before, sharing a bed with a man, let alone one she felt so deeply for. He had kept to his promise, being ever the gentleman content to simply hold her in his arms. She didn't expect anything less from him, if she was honest. She trusted John inexplicably.

'Morning,' he murmured, the next thing Anna feeling were his lips on her temple. 'How did you sleep?'

'With my eyes closed. You?'

'Ha ha.'

'I had the most peaceful sleep I have had in a long while.' Anna admitted, cuddling closer to him. 'You?'

'I haven't been sleeping too well with the leg, if I'm truthful. But I got a few hours. I did also have an idea.'

'Really? The pain in your head must have distracted you from the pain in your leg at that point.'

'What is this?' John exclaimed in mock exasperation. 'I'm trying to be nice and you're teasing me.'

'I'm sorry,' Anna stroked his cheek. 'What was your idea?'

'That when I'm up and at them once again, we have a party to celebrate our engagement. Nothing too fancy, something at the restaurant perhaps?'

'I think that's a wonderful idea.'

'Something like this deserves celebrating,' John continued. 'It's not every day someone so wonderful agrees to be your wife.'

'You really do have the lines, John Bates.'

As the weeks progressed, John became stronger on his leg. The support needed was decreasing to a strap on his lower leg, physio was effective enough that he could now more easily make his way around without the effort it had taken him in the immediate weeks after his accident. The get together John had dreamt up arrived just as John was returning to work. He still needed the cane, but nearly three months after the accident he felt confident enough to work two to three hour shifts at a time three days a week. Once back at work, everyone was supportive of John and his situation, to his surprise even Thomas. He was relieved to find his kitchen relatively untouched, Alfred and Daisy keeping Robert in line as he covered for John.

The biggest relief to John was that he was no longer relying on the support of his fiancée. Although she insisted she didn't mind, he felt like a burden and it felt good to be able to take her out for dinner, rather than having to stay in and have her wait on him hand and foot. Their news was received enthusiastically at work. Whilst John had been away, Sybil had given birth to a daughter, seemingly making Tom mature overnight. Almost as soon as he returned to the restaurant, John asked Tom to be an usher at the wedding, a task he gratefully accepted. There was no doubting who would be best man, Robert agreeing to take on the role with a tear in his eye.

A Christmas wedding had been decided, to naturally take place in Richard's church. Anna had secretly harboured desires of wanting to get married at that time of year. It also ensured they would be married sooner rather than later, something that was important to the both of them.

Their party was well attended, the restaurant closed for the evening and everyone John and Anna held dear were present. Sitting to the side, allowing proceedings to unfold around him, John couldn't keep his eyes from Anna. She radiated happiness, the smile never leaving her face as she flitted between her loved ones, accepting their best wishes with sincere appreciation. Every now and then, he would catch her eye, unable to stop his lips from upturning into a smile.

'When are you saying a few words then, big man?' John looked to his left to see Tom sitting beside him, his newborn daughter in his arms. 'Robert said it's usual at these sort of shindigs for the future groom to say a few words about his future wife.'

'Did he now?' John looked up and regarded Robert with a sceptical eye. 'I don't do public speaking. The one and only time I will is my speech on the actual day.'

'Come on, Chef,' Tom encouraged, digging John in the ribs with his elbow. 'If she was my girl, I'd have loads to say about her. Anna's gorgeous.'

'There aren't enough words to describe how gorgeous she is.'

'Yeah,' Tom replied, giving Robert a thumbs up. 'Start with that. The women will lap up that sort of talk.'

Noticing Tom's gesture towards Robert, John's face was suddenly etched with confusion as Robert began to tap a champagne glass with a fork. Then it dawned on him what his best friend was about to do.

'Ladies and gentlemen,' Robert said loudly, the noise around him immediately dying down. 'As the best man for the upcoming nuptials of John and Anna, I feel it is my job to welcome the man himself up here to say a few words at the party marking their engagement. John, come and join me.'

Anna had appeared at John's side. 'I didn't know you were making a speech.'

'Neither did I until a few seconds ago.' John breathed, looking to Anna, raising his eyebrows before making his way towards Robert. He took a look around those gathered before beginning. Richard and Christine were now standing beside Anna, all eyes were on him. John was nervous, but he knew these people. He never found it difficult to say anything to them in normal circumstances. However, what he said needed to be worthy of Anna. That was the task facing him.

'Speak up, Chef,' Alfred piped up from the back of the room. 'This side of Christmas if possible.'

'Right,' John cleared his throat, glaring at Robert who was looking on amusedly at his friend. 'I'd firstly like to thank you all for coming to mine and Anna's engagement party. Everyone we love and cherish, and Tom, are here to celebrate and that means a lot to us.' A ripple of laughter filled the room, John looking to Tom who had thankfully accepted his jesting in good spirits. 'The wedding is set for Christmas, and we both look forward to sharing our special day, or rather Anna's special day with you all. As we all know, a wedding day is all about the bride. And that is certainly the case in this situation. Look at her.' John turned his gaze from those in front of him to Anna at the side of the room. He regarded her with a grin. 'Simply breathtaking, isn't she? You know, Tom advised me I should probably say a few words about my future bride, but the truth is I don't have any that do her justice. All I can say is how thankful I am that she has agreed to marry me, and the moment I can call her my wife will be the first time in my life I have truly felt happiness.' He paused to reach behind him for a champagne glass, instantly finding Anna's eyes once more, they now glistened with tears as he raised his glass. 'Ladies and gentleman, I'd like to propose a toast, to Anna.'

As everyone lifted their glasses, John felt Robert's hand on his shoulder. 'Not so fast, mate. You have to dance with her now.'

'What? I thought I said no fuss,' John hissed back at his friend, Robert simply offering a wink in response.

'Right, I know this is usually tradition only at the wedding, but I think we can make an exception in this case.' John looked to Mary who was standing beside the stereo the restaurant used on it's various theme nights, a small dance floor before her. She indicated to say Robert's 'surprise' was ready.

'What's all this?' Anna asked Robert, arriving to stand at John's side.

'If the guests wouldn't mind forming a circle around the dance floor over there,' Robert pointed in the direction of Mary. 'A little birdie told me the song you have already chosen your song for the first dance at the wedding.'

'Would that little birdie go by the name of Gwendolyn?' Anna asked, instantly searching for her in the crowd. Once she had found her, Gwen offered a little wave before following everyone else to the dance floor.

John and Anna couldn't do anything but follow, Robert guiding them as the opening lines of 'All Of Me' began to ring out of the speakers. Holding up his cane for Robert to take, John wrapped his arms around Anna's waist in the next instance, her own finding his shoulders as a chorus of wolf whistles could be heard in response to the closeness the couple now found themselves in. As they moved ever so slowly to the music, John's leg rendering any sort of movement like this difficult, Anna realised as they reached the first chorus that John was singing the song, word for word.

'You learnt the lyrics,' Anna whispered, looking up to meet his gaze. John nodded, smiling faintly before continuing to sing, causing Anna to laugh. She found something intoxicating, transfixing even about watching him singing along. 'What you said before, it was beautiful.'

'I meant every single word.'

'I don't doubt that,' Anna was quick to reply, 'it's just your actual speech now has a lot to live up to, John Bates.'

'I best start writing it then.'