Some lovely fluff for you to enjoy on this Jubilee Bank Holiday :)

John sat on a bench outside his teaching block, staring into the distance as students went on about their business around him. His head full of thoughts of Anna, what she might be doing, how she is feeling. It was Monday morning. Feeling like this after only having been apart for a night, John wondered how he would manage the next five nights until he would go back to Rotherham to collect her. Still, she would recover better where she was, not alone all day and in the company of two people who loved her unconditionally.

'Alright sir?' John looked up to Charlie, his mini confidante striding towards him, a more confident boy at the end of the school year than the one who had enrolled at the beginning.

'Hello young Charles,' John smiled as Charlie sat beside him. 'Bet you're excited, breaking up for summer this Friday,'

'Yes sir, Mum and Dad are taking me and my little sister to Florida for the summer. They had to save up all year to be able to take us sir, our first trip abroad.'

'Wow, well that's something to cherish then, Charlie.' John smiled.

'Yes Mr Bates, Mum reckons we deserve it, having been made to move away from home.' Charlie explained. 'She said everyone deserves to be treated once in a while.'

John immediately thought of Anna as he entertained a thought. 'You know what Charlie, your mother is a very wise woman.'

'Not really sir,' Charlie said, standing up as the bell rang. 'She made my Dad a coffee out of gravy granules this morning.' John started laughing as he too, stood up. 'I'll see you period 3 sir, you've got my class.'

'I shall look forward to it, young Charles. Now, off to your form room, the bell has rung.'

Having the first two periods free, John used the time to go back to his office. With the school year coming to an end, preparations for the next year were in full swing. Despite the pile of papers in his desk, John took his mobile phone from his pocket and selected Anna's number. Hovering his finger of the call button, he was interrupted by Robert bounding into his office via the door that connected it to Robert's.

'Morning John, ' Robert said, walking to the photocopier. 'Mines not working, you don't mind, do you?'

'Not at all,' John smiled, putting his phone back in his pocket and finding his glasses.

'How is Anna?' Robert asked, inspecting the control panel on the machine he was struggling to operate.

'At her mothers, she needed to get out of the flat.' John explained.

'Well, I can understand that,' Robert replied, now tapping the side of the photocopier to see if that would get it started.

'Let me, Rob,' John said, walking to the photocopier and gesturing for Robert to stand aside before any serious damage was done. 'How many copies?'

'Two please,' Robert replied, walking to John's desk and sitting his chair. He looked at the computer screen and squinted to see what it said. 'Sunshine breaks?'

'What?' John asked confused before looking over his shoulder. 'Ahh yes,' John scampered towards the desk and fumbled for the mouse before minimising the screen. 'Sorry Rob, I will get to work. Just had an idea put in my head, that's all.'

'No matter my dear man, a trip for you and Anna?' John nodded before returning to the photocopier. 'So you're home alone this week?'

'Yeah, all alone' John replied with a small chuckle, taking the papers he had copied from the machine and handing them to Robert. 'Not sure where to take her though. I want it to be a surprise but never really talked about trips away.'

'I'm sure you'll figure it out. Maybe we could do something if you're home alone, a lads night in. Invite Tom along too?' Robert smiled, standing up.

'Sounds good,' John smiled. 'I can't tonight, have loads of marking to do but maybe tomorrow?'

'Just tell me when to be there, and I will be. I'll see you later.' Robert made to leave the room before turning on his heels. 'That's what I was going to say. U2 are playing a one off gig in London this summer. 12th August I believe. My daughter Mary knows one of their crew and was offered two tickets but couldn't take them. She offered them to her old Dad but they'd be wasted on me. I said I'd ask you.'

'Yes, I'll take them,' John said without hesitation. Remembering a conversation he and Anna shared before they got together, John began to smile. 'U2 in London eh? I wonder if Anna would like a few days down there?'

'I'm sure she would. Take her shopping, all women love shopping.' Robert suggested. 'Just not for crockery...'

John laughed as he left. Once alone, John began to make arrangements for a trip to London.

'Look, just let her know her latest demand is absolutely ridiculous and until she sees that, we are not going to progress with proceedings anytime soon.' John was now home after a long day at work. He was greeted with three answer machine messages from his solicitor, his ex wife's legal representatives had been in touch with some more demands. 'Yes, I have a new girlfriend but that's neither here nor than there. Did she mention the affairs she had whilst we were still meant to be happily married?' John walked to the fridge and pulled out the milk. 'No, I didn't think she would. What do you suggest? This is just getting silly now.' John listened intently as he poured some water into a mug he had set upon the kitchen counter. 'Right, one of us has to be the bigger person. She can have the house we shared. But she is not having my mother's house as well. My mother detested her, I wish I had listened now.' John now opened the milk, resting the phone between his shoulder and cheek. 'Okay, great. So go back to her people saying she can have the house. The sooner we get this sorted the better. Thanks.' John hung up and threw the phone on the counter.

Shaking his head, he picked up his freshly made cup of tea and placed it on the table next to the pile of books he had to mark. Before beginning, he reached for his mobile from the desk and saw he had a new message.

Missing you like mad, but you were right. This is doing me the world of good. I've even gone short periods of the day not thinking about what happened. Can't stop thinking about you though. Call me when you can, love you, Anna x

John immediately found Anna's number in his phone and dialled it. It only rang twice before he heard a sound that was tantamount to music to his ears.

'Hello,' Anna said.

'Hello there, so nice to hear your voice.' John replied. 'Sorry I couldn't call you today, didn't really get much of a break.'

'It's fine, myself and mum were making cupcakes all day. She's got a W.I. function, a cake sale or something which I've been roped into attending.' Anna explained. 'And I helped Dad sort the garden.'

'Sounds like you've been busy then,' John grinned, bringing his mug to his lips to take a sip. 'Everyone at work sends their love.'

'Thank them for me.' Anna said before a silence fell between them.

'You still there?' John asked, placing his mug back on the table.

'Yes,' Anna began, John could tell she was trying not to cry. 'In my whole life, I've never found it as difficult to be away from someone as I am being away from you.'

'Me either. But I'm only on the other end of the phone. You needed this break, Anna. You even told me that in your text message.'

'Yeah, I did.' Anna agreed before breathing deeply and changing the subject. 'So, what are you up to this evening?'

'Well...' John began, looking at the mountains of books piled on the dining room table resembling Stonehenge. 'Marking. Then I'm hoping to have a go at installing this Skype.'

'Ah, didn't really think you were serious about that.' Anna giggled.

'Yeah, we have this technology at our fingertips. We'd be fools not to use it.' John replied. 'It won't be until late that I install it so I'll call you tomorrow lunch time to see if it's all systems go.'

'Okay Commander.' Anna joked. 'I best go. Dinner is ready. What are you having for dinner?'

'Erm...' John looked towards the notice board and spied the local pizza restaurants menu. 'I'm doing myself a chicken tagliatelle.' He lied.

'Good, no take away's.' Anna instructed.

'Yes dear,' John said. 'Enjoy your dinner. Love you.'

'Love you too. Bye.' Anna hung up and John walked towards the notice board. Tapping the number into his phone, he waited for an answer. 'Hello. I'd like to order a pizza for delivery please.'

With John busy tapping away at his laptop, Robert walked into his office and stood opposite him.

'Success,' John exclaimed, thumping the desk with his fists. 'Only taken me half of last night and half of this morning.'

'Nice to see you hard at work, Mr Bates,' Robert joked. 'Have you written that newsletter to email to the parents?'

'All done, Mr Crawley.' John smiled before walking to his jacket hanging on the back of the door. Robert nodded in acknowledgement and returned to his own office. 'Just installed Skype. So I can chat to Anna over the internet.' John continued, before realising he was talking to no one as he turned back to his desk. Shrugging his shoulders, he produced his mobile phone from his jacket pocket and began to dial Anna's number. He put her on speaker phone so he could go about some duties whilst talking to her. Robert could be a hard task master when he wanted to be.

'Hello John,' Anna said, a happy tone to her voice John hadn't heard for a few days.

'Hello my love,' John replied, selecting speaker phone and placing the phone down on his desk.

'My my my... Delilah... da da da da da da,'

'What was that?' Anna asked, giggling. John looked around to see Robert at his bookshelf doing his best Tom Jones impression.

'Why why why... Delilah... da da da da da...'

'Come on John, you know the words.' Robert said, encouraging his friend to join in. 'So before they come to break down the door...' Robert stopped as he heard laughing coming from somewhere. 'What's that?'

'Anna's on speaker phone,' John said, stifling a laugh as Robert looked over to John's desk and saw his mobile phone.

'Hi Robert,' Anna laughed.

'Anna. Hope my singing wasn't too distressing for you.' Robert replied.

'Not at all, Mr Crawley.' Anna said. 'In fact, I think Mr Bates should accept your invitation of a duet.'

'Yeah, thanks love.' John said sarcastically before shaking his head at Robert before singing. 'Forgive me Delilah I just couldn't take any more.'

'Yes Bates, we are wasted as teachers.' Robert raised his arm in the air triumphantly before leaving the office.

'Anna, you there?'

'Yes,' Anna managed to answer in between chuckles.

'Okay, I can Skype you tonight. If you want.' John asked, sitting at his desk.

'Yes, great. Dad has been giving me a lesson in it this morning, You're right, it is boring.'

'She stood there laughing...' Robert entered John's office again.

'He's back again?' Anna said, laughing once more.

'Come on John,' Robert shouted before singing again. 'I felt the knife in my hand...'

'And she laughed no more...' John joined in.

'My, my, my... Delilah... da da da da da da da,' they sang in unison as the door burst open.

'What is going on in here?' It was Elsie Hughes.

'Nothing, nothing,' Robert flustered, looking at the paper she was holding in his hand.

'Can I request we keep the noise down?' Elsie asked. 'The head of the local council is here to see you, Mr Crawley. He wants to talk to you about the summer fair..'

'And he heard me singing Tom Jones..' Robert grimaced.

'He heard you singing Tom Jones.' Elsie confirmed Robert's fears. 'I'll give you a few minutes to compose yourself.'

'Thanks Elsie,' Robert replied before turning his attentions to a laughing John. 'Don't forget the boys night tonight, John. I may need it.'

'Boys night?' Anna asked.

'See you later, Mr Bates,' Robert grinned before leaving his office.

Logging on to his laptop. John straightened out his chair as Skype loaded up. He had twenty minutes or so until Tom and Robert turned up, Robert to be armed with his copy of Escape To Victory, Tom with lager. Although under Robert's strict instructions it was to be a 6 pack between them, it was after all a school night.

John searched for Anna's father username and once found, clicked on it. Pleased to find she was online, he clicked on it to start a video call. Answering within seconds, Anna's face appeared in a window on the screen.

'Alright love,' John smiled.

'Hello my darling,' Anna replied before straining to look behind John. 'Is that a pizza box I see on the counter behind you?'

John cast a nervous eye towards the counter and realised he had been caught. 'Yes,' he sighed. 'You got me.'

'And with the boys coming over tonight. Another take away?' Anna asked, raising an eyebrow.

'Well, Tom is actually... erm, he's cooked...'

'John...' Anna knew he was lying.

'Tom's going to the Chinese before he gets here.' John conceded.

'John!' Anna exclaimed. 'You promised me no takeaways!'

'Do you know something, your gorgeous when your angry,' John flirted, trying to change the subject.

'Well, you're going to find me irresistible come Saturday if you haven't put those shirts where they belong, rather than hanging on the back of your chair.' John began to laugh uncontrollably, Anna looking back at him with a confused look on her face. 'What?'

'It's lovely to hear you bossing me about again. You'll make me a wonderful wife one day.'

'Really?' Anna replied, blushing slightly to John's delight. 'Is there something you're not telling me?'

'No, just passing comment,' John replied.

'Well, I'd be agreeable to becoming your wife. One day.' Anna replied. Silence fell upon them as they stared at each other. Breaking the silence between them, the doorbell rang.

'Ahh, they're early.' John winced.

'It's okay, let them in.' Anna said. 'I'll say hello to them.'

Walking to the front door, John opened it to reveal Robert and Tom. 'Just to warn you, I've got Anna on Skype.'

'Ahh brilliant,' Tom said, pushing past John and into the kitchen. 'Alright there Anna?'

'Hello Tom,' Anna laughed. 'Lovely to see you.'

'Yeah, how are you holding up?' Tom asked.

'Good thanks, feeling much better.' Anna replied. 'Is Robert there too?'

'Hi Anna,' Robert said, leaning across Tom to say hello before going out of sight again.

'Well I'll leave you boys to it.' Anna giggled. 'Is John still there.'

'Nah, he's popped out for a bit so you're left with us two.' Tom began, straight faced. 'So Anna, has John told you about his fortnight in Tenerife when he was 25?'

'Thank you Thomas, I'm still here my love,' John interrupted, pushing Tom out of his seat. 'I'll text you before I go to bed. Bye.'

'Bye, be good boys.'

'Anna, it's us.' Tom said.

'I know, that's why I'm saying be good. Bye.'

John closed down his lap top and looked to Robert and Tom. 'She seems much better.'

'She does. So did you find accommodation for London? I've got the tickets.' Robert took a white envelope from his jacket and passed it to John.

'Thanks mate. How much do I owe?' John asked, taking the envelope from him and placing it in a drawer.

'Nothing, it's the least I could do.' Robert said, sitting down at the dining table. 'Besides, they were complementary.'

'Right, well yes. I've sorted somewhere to stay.' John explained. 'And a trip on the London Eye. She likes Abba so I'm going to endure Mamma Mia for her.'

'Wow, it must be love.' Tom laughed, setting out each Chinese meal onto a plate.

'It must be.' John smiled, looking for some cutlery. 'It is.'

Although a little nervous, Anna was relieved to be back with John on the way home. She was feeling much better, not completely recovered but well enough in herself to be back with John, where she felt she belonged.

Pulling up outside their flat, Anna looked at the building before getting out of the car. John jumped out of the car, grabbed Anna's bag from the boot and walked around to stand beside her.

'Come on,' John said, holding his hand our for his girlfriend to gratefully clutch on to. 'Let's go in. I have some news.'

'Lead the way, I'm intrigued.' John and Anna walked in in silence.

'Shall we go out to the courtyard? It's such a lovely evening.' John suggested as they reached the kitchen.

'I'd love that. My, it's spotless in here.' Anna said, looking around to check for anything that might be out of place.

'Yes, well I wanted it all to be perfect for your return.' John replied, before gesturing towards outside. 'Shall we?'

Once outside, John and Anna found their usual bench and sat beside each other, Anna's arm entwined with John's.

'So how are you feeling? Really.' John asked.

'Much better, it was the perfect tonic. I can't pretend I'm fully recovered, I'm not but Mum and Dad were wonderful.' Anna replied before moving closer to John. 'But I'm pleased to be home. We're going to have a wonderful few weeks.'

'We are indeed,' John smiled, kissing Anna's temple. 'Especially with the 4 day trip to London I have just booked.'

'What?' Anna squealed, a beautiful smile spreading across her face.

'Robert gave me 2 tickets to see U2 in a one off charity gig.' John explained. 'So I've booked us a few days down there. We're going to go on the London Eye, see Mamma Mia in the West End and all the while we will be staying in your new house.'

'My new what?' Anna asked, first overcome with joy but now confusion. John reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a set of keys.

'Your house. Well it was my mothers. Vera wanted it in the divorce but I refused. To make sure she couldn't get her hands on it, I signed the property over to you. I let her have the house we shared and that satisfied her. It seems I will be a divorced man within the month.'

'Oh John,' Anna sighed as both of them stood up. John pulled her to him, holding her closer than he had done before.

'We can discuss what we are going to do with it soon enough. But it will be a nice base for us whilst we explore London.' John suggested. 'But before it's all official I have some papers for you to sign...'

'John, this is an amazing gesture.' Anna whispered, her lip beginning to quiver.

'Anna, you've changed my life completely. I see my mother's house as a big part of my future, a future I can only ever see with you in it as well.' John replied. 'I love you so much.'

'I love you too,' Anna said, tears falling down her face as she stroked John's face.

'I don't remember what it felt like not to love you, not to have you in my life and it's taken this week apart to convince me what I already knew. That I never want to be without you.'

'Well, I don't intend to be without you either.' Anna smiled as John wiped a tear from her cheek. Pulling her face closer to his, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. 'Not ever.'