29) Thursday 12 Sept 2013 – Afternoon Off
"So, you ready to go?" Craig came out of their bedroom, having just changed from his work suit. Things had gone smoothly at work in the morning so Neville had willingly agreed to give him the afternoon off so that he could look at a flat with John Paul.
"One moment, just need to pop into the ..." John Paul's voice trailed off as he heard his mobile phone ringing in the kitchen. "I'll take this first and then loo, yeah?" He said as he headed in the direction of the Spice Girls singing 'Spice Up Your Life'. Craig followed him into the kitchen, grinning at the silliness of the ring tone.
"Hello!" John Paul said as he picked up the mobile. "Yes, it's him."
Craig went to the sink and opened the tap before he picked up a glass from the cupboard. As he waited for the water to get cold, he listened to his fiancé's conversation.
"That would be great ... ah-ha ... yeah, Monday would suit me fine ... yes, ten o'clock ... what's the address? ...uh-huh ... you have my email ... thanks, that would be great ... anything that I should bring or prepare myself for? ... okay ... yes, thank you ... yeah, me too, see on Monday at ten ... goodbye." John Paul turned around to face Craig and blushed at the expectant look on his fiancé's face.
"So, are we going?" John Paul asked as he put the phone in his pocket.
Craig finally poured himself a glass of water and took a sip from it.
"So, yes, but are you not gonna tell me who that was." He nodded in the direction of John Paul's pocket before finishing the water from the glass. "Ahhh, that was good!" He said as he put the glass down next to the sink.
"Just the ... dentist." John Paul replied lamely and turned away and headed for the door. "You coming?"
"Yeah, let's go." Following him out of the kitchen, Craig chuckled at his partner's obvious lie. "Can you get me an appointment with her next week? I think I'm getting a tooth ache."
John Paul had almost reached the door to the flat when Craig called to him, "Hey, John, didn't you need to go to the loo first?"
Once outside, having ignored Craig's last question, John Paul was still walking in front of Craig, having not looked him in the face since leaving the kitchen. Craig couldn't help himself and asked, "So, are you leading the way?"
His partner finally turned, with a surprised look on his face. "How can I? You haven't told me yet where we're going!"
"So why are you walking in front then? Scared that I'll ask where you're really going on Monday?" He grinned at him.
John Paul made to speak but Craig silenced him.
"It's okay, I know you'll tell me when you're ready. Just, uhh, good luck with it!" He smiled sweetly at him and saw the redness return to his fiancé's cheeks. Changing his manner, becoming more businesslike, he grabbed John Paul's hand and turned to the left to cross the road. "This way! Come with me, me lady"
"Oi!" John Paul bumped his shoulder into Craig, so he lost his footing a little, and had to take a few extra steps to the left to keep his balance. Still holding John Paul's hand he let out a giggle. "I'll show you who's the lady tonight! And let's hope your mum won't come barging in this time!"
Both of them laughed as they kept on walking in the direction of the mystery flat.
"So here we are." Craig said as he slowed down outside a familiar business.
"Carmel's? What do you mean?" John Paul looked at his fiancé with an uncertain expression on his face.
"No, not Carmel's," Craig replied, "just be patient. I mean, we're almost here, I just told her we'd meet her outside Evissa ... I mean Carmel's."
"Her? Who?" John Paul asked impatiently.
"You'll see! She should be here in a couple of minutes." Craig couldn't help but torment the younger man a little longer.
"Craig!" John Paul said pleadingly, "Why don't you just tell me!"
"Tell you what?" A familiar voice asked behind him.
Turning around to face an old friend, the realisation dawned on him. Grinning, he looked back at an equally grinning Craig. "Are you sure? Can we afford it?"
"Don't worry, John Paul, we've already negotiated the price," his friend reassured him. "Now it's just to see whether you like the place! Are you ready?" She asked.
"Sure! I can't wait!" John Paul replied honestly with a glee in his eyes. "Me lady ...," he giggled at Craig, "Me ladies, after you!"
