As Jen closed the door behind her she followed Tilly into the hallway, still holding her hand. Jen took in the surroundings. the hallway was painted white and was decorated with four big black and white framed photos. Jen instantly recognised the Gormley statues, and swallowed hard at the memory of their time together. Just then Jen caught her reflection in a mirror hanging on the wall and stopped dead. Tilly felt Jens hand slip from her grip she turned to see Jen standing looking at her reflection in horror.
" Oh. My. God!" She exclaimed. "Tilly. Why on earth didnt you tell me I looked such a mess?" Smiling, she joined Jen at the mirror, the two of them standing shoulder to shoulder.
Tilly looked at the image in front of her. She honestly didnt know who looked worst. Their beautiful dresses were soaked through, cheeks stained with mascara, hair slapped to their faces. It was true, they weren't looking their best.

Looking at each other they burst out laughing.
"Err maybe because I look just as bad!" Tilly said in between the laughs.
Jen had tears streaming down her face, this time for a happier reason. Trying to compose herself she looked at Tiily in the mirror and responded in a teasy voice "oh I don't know Evans, I quiet like the bowl haircut look on you" before she cracked up laughing again.
Turning to face Jen, Tilly gave Jen a playful slap on the arm and grabbing her hand again she started walkin towards the living room, pulling Jen behind her.

Having finally stopped laughing it was agreed that Jen would shower first. Tilly had got her own back on Jen by adding "...that it made sense for Jen to go first, for at her age it was easier to catch pneumonia." Jen had laughed at the comment, relieved that they were getting on OK...like old times.

Tilly showed Jen to her bedroom and pulled out some dry clothes for her to change into after her shower. Jen thought that Tilly's room was just how she had pictured it. Tidy and organised. There was a desk and computer and bookshelves crammed full of medical reference books. Jen realised she didn't even know what grades Tilly had got for her A-levels.
"What did you get?"

Tilly looked over at Jen confused by the question. "Err what do you mean? What did I get for you to wear? It's just a tshirt and ..."

Tilly stopped talking as she saw Jen laughing realising that she had meant her exams. Tilly smiled at her error and slightly embarrassed said "I got an A in Biology. An A in Chemistry. An A in English.." She paused slightly
"And for Art?" Jen asked excitedly
"A*" Tilly smiled
"Oh Tilly that's amazing. I'm so proud. I.. I mean you must have been so happy."
Tilly looked Jen in the eyes "what can I say? I was lucky to have the best teacher... I mean.. teachers".

Tilly couldn't help herself. She was pleased that they were talking, and had agreed to take a couple of steps back, but it was killing her that Jen was standing there in front of her. In her bedroom, and Tilly couldn't touch her. Tilly watched Jen blush at her comment and turned away, shaking away the sexual thoughts that were running through her head.

"I'll ummm leave a towel for you in the bathroom OK?" Tilly said over her shoulder before adding "I'm going to open a bottle as I don't know about you, but I need a drink".
Jen stood there taking a moment to replay the scene. When Tilly had been flirting with her. Jen felt the butterflies in her stomach start up again. This was going to be harder than she thought!

Jen felt so much better after the shower and quickly changed into the clothes Tilly had given her. Brushing her hair she looked in the mirror at her reflection and told herself that no matter what she felt, she had to stay in control. Seeing Tilly again had totally messed with her head. For the past two years it had been easier to live in the past, assume that all would be fine if she could go back and be with Tilly. But the fact that she had only recently met Kate and felt something for someone else for the first time ever, Jen was now doubting if going back... Back to Tilly was the right thing to do.

Her head was telling her to play it cool. Take her time. If it was meant to be, after all this time a few more days, weeks wouldn't make a difference. Better for them both to be sure. To know they were starting off, if it turned out that way, on the right footing.

That's what her head was telling her... Her heart was aching with the desire to touch Tilly. To be touched by Tilly. Jen let out a big sigh and unlocked the bathroom door and walked to the Living room where Tilly was holding out a glass of wine for her.

"Good shower?" Tilly asked
"Amazing." Jen had responded "thanks for for the dry clothes".
"No probs". Tilly smiled before adding "make yourself at home, I won't be long".

Jen returned the smile as she watched the redhead walk out of the room and into her bedroom. Jen walked over to a bookshelf and picked up a picture of Tilly with her arm wrapped around a incredibly sexy blonde haired woman. The two of them caught on camera, looking at each other laughing. Jen stared at the other woman in the picture and the way she was looking at Tilly. Was she a ex Jen wondered? there was definitely more than just friendship in her eyes. Jen put the picture down as a wave of jealousy flooded through her. She of course had no right to feel jealous, after all it wasn't as if she hadn't been with other people.

She saw another picture of Tilly on the beach taken in Abersoch with George, Maddie, Sinead and Esther. Seeing the young friends, arms around each other in a huddle for the camera, made Jen think back to her time in Hollyoaks. It had started so well getting the trainee teachers post so soon after graduating, then meeting Tilly, but it had ended so badly.

Taking a sip of her wine she looked at her watch to check the time and realised she must have left her watch in Tilly's room walking down the hallway towards the room, thinking that Tilly would still be in the shower, Jen paused silently outside the door to Tilly's room as she saw through the slightly open door the image of a naked Tilly. Jen felt the desire flood through her, felt the wetness instantly, had to force herself away from the door.. Away from the image. Tilly looked more beautiful than Jen had remembered...imagined all these years.

Quickly walking back to the living room Jens heart was beating so fast. The desire to walk into Tilly's room and kiss her all over was too much. Grabbing her bag, Jen found a piece of paper, scribbled a message before walking out of the flat, slowly closing the front door behind her. Tilly walked out of her room as she heard the front door close. Walking over to the kitchen table where Jens empty wine glass, Tilly saw her hastily written note.

'Sorry Tils. Something came up. I had to go. Call me... Soon. J x'

Tilly smiled as she picked up her phone and tapped in Jens number.

'Miss Gilmore, didn't anyone teach you it's rude to stare! X'