A/N: Hello, a very short chapter, which I intended to write at the end of the last one but I thought leaving it at the kiss was better.
It's a filler and sets up the story for the next chapter or two that moves things along as Naomi realises that perhaps she's not being totally fair to Emily, in spite of how understanding the redhead is.
Naomi
I quietly sang to myself as I made my way to Effy's front door. I rang the bell and waited. Finally it opened and Effy gave me a withering look as she immediately turned away.
"I wondered how long it would take you." She drawled.
"A very good morning to you too." I replied cheerily as I followed her.
She tutted, "Where's the other soppy fucker?"
I frowned, "Isn't he here? We said we'd meet at 11."
On cue the doorbell rang again "Get that."
"It's your bloody house, you get it." I said indignantly.
Her eyes rolled, "Fine, put the kettle on then."
I filled the jug and switched it on, I was just getting three cups out when the two of them came into the kitchen. "Tea or coffee?"
Effy sighed, "Coffee and make it a strong one."
"Ooh, up late last night were we?" Cook enquired.
She glared at him, "Not particularly, no."
I grinned, "was it an early night then?"
Her scorn was directed at me, "Not particularly, no."
Cook nudged her, "Come on Eff, spill, you knew we'd be round at some point."
She flopped onto the chair, "how could I forget your endless fascination with sticking your noses into my business?"
I poured the water, "Come on Eff. We're your best mates and you haven't been on a date for ages, we're bound to be interested."
"I wasn't the only one on a date though was I?" She challenged.
I placed the drinks down, "No doubt we'll get to that later. But it's your turn first."
She shrugged, "Fine, let's get it over and done with."
"So Matt took you to some bistro in town?" I began.
Effy frowned, "How do you know?"
I tapped my nose, "You're not the only one who knows things."
She looked at Cook, "Matt's Mum told her."
"I knew there'd be a simple explanation." Effy said scathingly.
"Oh fuck off. So where was it?" I continued.
"Bordeaux Quay." She said casually.
Cook whistled, "Jesus, I'm impressed that place is well expensive."
"Is it? There was a fixed price menu." Effy said nonchalantly.
I studied her face, there had been a slight flicker when she saw we were impressed, I was sure of it, I started to think that maybe Effy wasn't as non-plussed by her date as she was letting on.
"What did you eat?" I queried, that's it wind her in gently.
"Some poncey canapé things, asparagus tart, fish and rhubarb sorbet." She reeled off.
"Nice wine?" Cook continued.
She shrugged, "I'm not really an expert Cook, but it was ok."
He shot me a look and I shook my head, I hoped Effy wouldn't notice, fat chance.
"Will you two please stop dicking about. I know this is your oh so subtle way of building up to the questions you really want me to answer. You couldn't give a toss about what we ate or drank so let me put you out of your misery." She said exasperatedly.
I glared at Cook, "Come on Eff, that's a bit harsh."
She stared at us both, "I can't believe you're even trying to deny it..."
Cook shrugged, "Fair enough, did you fuck him in the restaurant or wait until you got back here?"
Effy rolled her eyes, "Neither."
I stared at Cook and we both burst out laughing, "Yeah right Effy, pull the other one. You wanted us to cut to the chase, the least you can do is tell the truth."
She folded her arms, "I am."
Cook felt her forehead, "No temperature."
"Ha, ha." Effy said sarcastically. "We didn't have sex, I don't care if you believe me or not."
I still couldn't get my head around this, "Why not? What happened to the famous Stonem 'try before you buy' motto?"
She shifted in the chair, "Matt said he'd rather get to know me better first."
"Ah-ha so you tried then?" Cook said victoriously.
Effy shook her head, "I didn't get a chance to try anything. Matt was very direct at the start of the date. He said that there was always that should we/ shouldn't we question hanging around on a first date so to remove any awkwardness he wanted to clarify his position. He respected me and that meant a goodnight kiss was the extent of his expectations."
I noticed the tell tale signs of a blush appear at the tips of her ears. "Oh my God, you actually like the fact he ruled it out don't you?"
Effy shrugged again, "It made a change I suppose."
Cook grew excited, "Oo, Oo, Oo, you like him dontcha?"
"Like I said it was ok." Effy replied, refusing to make eye contact.
I'd been right earlier, there was definitely more to this than Effy was letting on, "So when's your next date?"
Effy became fascinated by her drink.
"Elisabeth?" Cook started, "When is Matteo taking you out again?"
She mumbled something.
I laughed, "Did you really say this afternoon?"
"Bit keen ain't it?" Cook added.
Effy's head shot up, "oh fuck off. So what? He asked and I couldn't think of an excuse in time ok?"
I shook my head, "the famously unflappable Effy Stonem, getting her knickers in a twist over a boy..."
"Except her knickers aren't getting into anything, because she likes him and wants to wait." Cook smirked.
"This is bloody rich coming from you two." Effy got defensive. "First we have Naomi, who's also not actually having sex in case you'd failed to notice. But she's so desperate to screw 'don't call her my girlfriend' Emily, she's like a dog on heat."
"Hey that's not fair, we weren't talking about me." I spluttered.
"Then there's Cook here, who you'll note stopped telling us how much he hated Katie some time ago and is doing a pretty good impression of a loved up twat." Effy continued.
"Oy!" Cook protested.
I looked at him, "She's got a point there."
Cook snorted, "Fuck you then, she's spot on about you and Emily. All of those longing looks, dribbling all over each other, lingering kisses. You ain't foolin anyone darlin."
"Fuck you right back. Just what filthy movie were you using as a sex aid when we came back last night?" I challenged.
"We weren't watching porn." Cook said shiftily.
Effy latched on for dear life now the focus was off her, "so you admit you were having sex?"
Cook shook his head, "Not when they came in, I mean we did earlier, but we were just watching a DVD."
Again I noticed one of my friends start to redden, "What film was it Cook?"
"It doesn't matter." He tried to deflect the question.
Effy glanced at me, "James, if it wasn't porn, what was it?"
"It's embarrassing." Cook replied.
"More than porn? More embarrassing than admitting you were watching something that objectifies and often degrades women?" I questioned.
Effy rolled her eyes, "Not the time for your soapbox Naomi."
Cook took a deep breath, "Don't laugh alright?"
We both nodded, "Ok."
"It was the notebook." He said quietly.
I looked at Effy and that was it, we both started to guffaw.
Cook scowled at us, "You said you wouldn't laugh."
"I know... but that's... hilarious." I managed to squeeze out.
Effy had tears flowing down her cheeks, she couldn't manage to say anything as every time she tried a fresh bout of giggles would come out. Cook sat patiently as we eventually calmed down.
"Finished?" He spat.
I nodded, "Yes, sorry. It's just the thought of you sat there watching the ultimate chick flick..."
Cook frowned, "I know, but it was Katie's turn to pick and it wasn't as bad as I thought really. It was, you know, quite er romantic."
Effy stared at Cook, "Did you just say it was romantic?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Cook said indignantly.
She shook her head, "nothing, just proves I was right about the loved up twat thing."
I was about to say something sarcastic when they both turned to me, "what?"
"Come on Naoms, Effy's told us about her date, you've taken the piss out of me. Don't you reckon it's your turn?" Cook said with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh right, ok. Em and I had a great time, the food was fabulous as usual and we had a really good chat about all sorts of things." I offered.
Effy tutted, "honestly? Do you really think you're getting away with that?"
I frowned, "Getting away with what?"
She snorted, "Naoms, if it looks like a duck, acts like a duck and quacks like a duck. Guess what it is?"
I stared at her, "A fucking duck? What are you on about?"
Cook chortled, "Babe, you act like Emily's girlfriend, everyone thinks you're Emily's girlfriend, so... you're pretty much Emily's girlfriend."
Effy raised her eyebrow, "Naoms, Cook get's it, doesn't that say something?"
I stared at the pair of them, "I don't know what you mean."
Cook shook his head, "bleeding hell. You blondie, are red's girl. So stop dicking her around."
I stared at them, "I'm not dicking anyone around. Em and I talked about it, it's ok. She understands I need a bit more time."
Effy snorted, "Yeah right, time heals everything eh?"
"Eff, I don't know what you mean. Emily told me she'll wait, she'll always be there when I need her. She's incredibly patient." I clarified.
My friend nodded, "Hun, I'm sure she said all of that, and I'm sure she thinks she means it. But trust me there will be something that tips her over the edge, something that makes her doubt it all."
I shook my head, "No...no there won't. She loves me."
Effy exhaled, "Yeah she does, and how long do you think she'll keep going without hearing you love her too?"
I frowned, "Em understands I'll tell her when I'm ready."
Effy shrugged, "don't you think it's hard Naomi? To tell someone you love them but not hear it back?"
I took a deep breath, "Yeah, of course."
Effy smiled sadly, "Naomi, you're one of the most important people in my life, I love you to death, but believe me, this whole control freak thing isn't going to help."
"What the fuck does that mean?" I spluttered.
"Babe, you're trying to keep control, you're trying not to let Emily have some sort of hold over you, so you're not letting her in, or telling her you love her, just so you can pretend she can't hurt you. It's only going to make her feel really insecure." Effy said with a sigh.
"You're talking shit and, by the way, making me sound like total cunt." I spat.
Cook stroked my arm, "Babe, Effy's right. Neither of us think you're doing it deliberately, or even consciously, but you are pushing Emily away to protect yourself."
I shook my head, "I'm not. I'm really not. You've got it wrong. I lo..like... Emily too much."
Effy smiled, "See? Couldn't even say it to us could you?"
I stared at my friends, I wanted to tell them to fuck off, but part of me couldn't do it as I realised that maybe, just maybe, they were a little bit right.
