Sorry for the delay in uploading, been moving stuff home from uni and bits and bobs! Not entirely happy with this chapter,but have spent too long trying to change it so it's going up anyway! Thank you soooo much for all the reviews so far, keep them coming! And special mention to Flossie for pretty much guessing my idea about the 'bed' situation! :) Hope this one's still enjoyable, although I promise the next one's will better! x

Wednesday 4 January 2012

8:21am Honestly have no idea how have survived the last 48 hours at the mercy of the intense, and occasionally quite scary, scrutiny of Doctor Alexander.

8:23am Have managed to spend entirety of last two days constantly in each other's presence and am proud to say that am some sort of secret-keeping superhero as have still not given in and divulged the next part of the plan.

And when I say 'constantly' in each other's presence, I mean constantly.

Including at night.

Thanks to a complete and total utter cock-up which, surprisingly enough, wasn't entirely my fault.

Couldn't believe our luck when was told by very smiley and excitable reception lady that, for being such a lovely couple, she would upgrade Niks and me to a suite.

Was considering correcting her on the 'couple' thing, but decided best not to confuse matters and risk forfeiting two nights in a luxury suite.

Have now learnt that it is always advisable to clarify things in situations such as this because, as it turns out, the 'suite', although extremely grand and luxurious, boasted only one, king-size room.

As was in holiday spirit at the time, spent a good forty five minutes or so exploring all benefits of the room, including fully stocked minibar and astounding view of Table Mountain from the balcony, whilst laughing with Nikki about ridiculous one-bedroomed scenario.

When finally explained situation to front desk and asked to be relocated to originally booked twin room, turned out the response was no laughing matter.

What are the chances that in the forty five minutes after we arrived, two blokes would turn up, asking for a twin room? Well, when you're Harry Cunningham, it appears that those chances are pretty high. Unsurprisingly, when suggested we swap with said guests, lady on reception didn't seem to think that two male colleagues would be open to sharing a king-size bed. Tried to explain that neither were me and Nikki, but she wasn't having any of it.

"Oooh, don't be so silly Mr Cunningham. I can see it there you know. I can see it in your eyes. You may not be a couple yet Mr Cunningham, but just you let that suite work its magic I tell you. Come, see now, it'll be a different story when you leave. She is beautiful Mr Cunningham. Don't let her get away now..."

Couldn't believe my ears.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Bloody customer service staff. Sticking their noses in where they don't belong. Anything else she could do for me? Anything else? You mean apart from forcing me to stay in a room with just the one bed, with my best friend who, apart from anything else, only a few hours earlier, I had declared my undying, unrequited love to whilst sat on an aeroplane. Harry Cunningham, could your life get any more screwed up?

8:26am Should know not to tempt fate with questions like that, because, having examined my current sleeping arrangement, am acutely aware that things are now ever so slightly more screwed than they were before.

8:27am Vaguely remember how ended up here, curved round Nikki's sleeping body, one hand on her stomach, her hand pressing down on mine. Although events are a little hazy... The three large bottles of rosé consumed throughout yesterday could explain that though...

After day one was spent mostly relaxing by the pool, and taking a short walk to the nearby shops in an effort to try and forget about the one-bedroomed drama of the morning, the evening was spent with Nikki enjoying the luxury of the king-size bed, and me enjoying the 'luxury' two-seater sofa in the living area. Turns out, it ain't so luxurious when your torso barely fits on the damn thing, let alone your head or legs.

Was told by Nikki it was my punishment for giving her a bad neck with my bony shoulder on the plane. Can't wait to see her face tonight when she sees where we're sleeping for the next few nights!

So yesterday was spent in a similarly relaxing manner, a trip to the nearest beach and a wander through the nearby streets, with Nikki pointing out various places belonging to her childhood. A really perfect day. And then we stopped at a restaurant and ordered a bottle of wine. And this is where it all gets a little hazy...

I know that we drank at least two bottles of wine at the restaurant. Also know we drank another when we got back to the hotel. Vaguely remember a conversation about going 'skinny dipping', although thankfully nothing ever came of it, because at the sight of Nikki minus her clothes, am sure I would have endured some kind of unbearable breakdown.

I know that after a long evening of our usual inane chatter, we decided to call it a night, and I remember grabbing the blanket off the table and trying, once again to get comfortable on the sofa.

The next bit I remember with quite some clarity, although it almost seems like a dream, as could not imagine it happening in 'real life' back in England. Must be the South African air.

In which case, I'm thankful for South African air.

"Harry. You know, seeing as how I only had to endure 11 hours of sleeping on your uncomfortable bony shoulder, it seems unfair that you should have to spend two nights on that equally uncomfortable sofa."

"Mmm."

Wasn't exactly sure how to respond at that moment in time. Was Nikki asking me to get in bed next to her?"

"It's a king-size bed Harry. I'm sure there's more than enough room for the pair of us."

It appears she was, yes.

"Well, I don't know about that. I'm an awfully fidgety sleeper. In fact, most nights I sleep in a sort of 'starfish' position, so I'm sure I could fill that bed all on my own, no problem."

"Well if you think I'm moving to the sofa, you've got another thing coming. So it's sharing the bed, or no bed Mr."

Paused for a second to think of best way to continue. Decided not to say anything, but rather simply take up offer of comfy bed without argument or sarcasm. Climbed in opposite side to Nikki and stared at ceiling for a while.

"If I suddenly stretch out into a starfish-type sleeping position half way through the night, you can't have a go at me for ruining your sleep. You have been warned."

"Well maybe you could try and keep the 'starfishing' to a minimum just for this evening?"

"I'll try, but I can't guarantee anything."

Then noticed Nikki was shivering ever so slightly, so got up to close the window.

"No Harry, leave it if you don't mind. I like the noise of the city outside."

"Ok, you just looked a bit cold?"

"Mmm. I'm fine."

Knew she wasn't but sometimes there's just no point arguing with Nikki, and this was one of those times, so did as she said and closed my eyes.

"On second thoughts Harry, I'm a bit cold. But only a bit. Squeeze over and keep me warm, I know you, you're like a bloody human radiator."

"Well that's 'cos I'm 'hot stuff'."

"Ha. If you say so."

Remember sliding over slightly in the bed, Nikki still facing away from me, and putting my arm around her exposed shoulder.

"Bet when you booked this trip you didn't think we'd end up sharing a bed, or better yet, 'spooning' in bed."

"Spooning? Wow. Yes, I suppose we are. Are you sure we're ready for this huge step in our relationship?"

Am sure she could sense the huge grin on my face even with her back to me.

"Harry. We've known each other for eight years. If I can't spoon with you, then who can I spoon with?"

"Good question. But you've known Leo just as long, I wonder what he would say if you asked him for a spoon."

"Hmm. Probably, 'Of course you can have a spoon Nikki, what kind? Tablespoon or teaspoon?' "

Ha. She was probably right. Bless his cotton socks, sometimes you just couldn't count on Leo to keep up with certain topics of conversation. I suspect 'spooning' to be one of them.

"So, you'd say, 'teaspoon', right?"

"Why?"

"Because when you're the 'inside' spoon, it makes more sense for you to be the 'teaspoon'. Plus, you're littler than me... or whoever else you choose to spoon with, so that would make me the 'tablespoon'. It's just basic spooning logic you see."

"Ha! There's nothing 'basic' or logical about anything you just said Harry. Night night."