Alex was sitting at the pub bar for the first time in a while, enjoying a drink while he sat there thinking. A slightly flustered woman came in and sat down at the bar next to Alex. She ordered a drink. "Let me get this" Alex offered and paid for the drink. "Thanks" "Not seen you here before" "Visiting a friend. She's having a hard time at the moment. Fallen for her best mate and I don't think he feels the same way" "I doubt she's not as good looking as you" "Thanks. I haven't seen her since school, but she was always stunning then and she didn't even try. She was more of a tom boy and I was so jealous. I hope she hasn't changed much. We spend hours on the phone sometimes but never manage to meet up. I haven't heard from her in a while so I thought I'd surprise her." "When was the last time you saw her?" "Over ten years ago, but it doesn't feel like it. What are you doing sitting here on your own" "Same as your friend, unrequited love" "You? Are you sure? Have you actually asked her?" "The thought of it gave her nightmares" "Not good" "No" "So you're not seeing anybody then?" "Foot lose and fancy free me. How long you planning on staying" "As long as she'll have me" "Let me buy you another drink then" They carried on talking and really hit it off. A couple of hours later Alex looked at his watch and was surprised by the time. "I've got to go, but maybe we can meet up some time?" "Yeah, I'd like that" He wrote down his number and left. She shortly followed and tried to find the place she was heading for. She finally made it and pulled up at the front. She knew the front door was never used, so ventured around to the back, where Tess noticed and walked over. "Can I help you?" "Hi, I'm looking for Claire McLeod?" "And you are?" "I'm a friend, Stevie Hall, and you must be Tess" "Yes, how did you know that?" "Lucky guess. I've heard a lot about you" "Strange, Claire never mentioned you" they headed for the back of the house where Claire was sitting. As soon as Claire saw her she was gob smacked. "Oh my god, Stevie, is that you? What are you doing here?" Stevie hugged Claire, who hadn't got up. "I thought I'd surprise you. What's wrong with you?" "I've had the flu. I meant to call, but I never have a minutes peace" "How are you?" "I'm feeling much better. I cant believe you're here" "I would have been here sooner but I stopped off at the pub and met this bloke" "You haven't been in town two minutes and you're already meeting blokes" "Don't worry, he was in love with someone else, unrequited love he said, sounds like someone else I know" Luckily Tess had wondered off after she'd got there to give the two some time to talk. "How is Alex by the way?" "He's been looking after me, it's all too confusing, and I don't know what to think anymore. Did you get here all right?" "Yes, fine" "What?" "It's a shame, he was really good looking" "What did he say?" "He gave me his number" "call him" "It's no good. You didn't see the look in his eyes, he was really hurt and he loved her" "Who was she?" "Don't know" "Who was he?" "Uh. I don't think he said" "You didn't get his name?" "No" "Well, what did he look like?" "Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, handsome and I'm not even going to go there" "Alex" "What?" "Alex, hey, this is my friend Stevie" Alex had walked over and Stevie turned to him, shocked to see who it was that was standing there. "Alex? Alex Ryan Alex?" "Yes" Claire said, hoping she wouldn't say anything stupid. "Hey, we've met" He said, not sure what to think. "You have?" Claire said confused. "Yeah, I'll tell you about it later" Stevie said discretely. "Now, hadn't we better get you inside, it's getting a bit chilly" "I'm fine" "Come on, do as you're told" Alex said moving to help her up. "I'm quite capable of walking you know" "Yeah, but I'd like to do this today so shut up and keep still" He said lifting her up and taking her to her bedroom. She was really tired and Stevie watched how comfortable the two looked together. Claire rested her head on Alex's chest as she held onto him. She could barely keep her eyes open so when Alex put her in the bed, Stevie told Claire to get some sleep and walked out with Alex. "She's the friend you were talking about wasn't she?" Alex asked as soon as they closed the door behind him. "Depends on whether she was who you were talking about" "I think we should just forget this whole conversation, now I've got to go and check on the horses" "I'll come with you." "No, it's ok, you've had a long journey so if you find Meg or Tess, they'll sort you out." He walked out, leaving Stevie's mind to start working away. The next day Stevie went into see Claire who was getting much better each day. "So. What was all that with Alex?" Claire wanted her to say so badly that he was the one that she had been talking too. "We met, just in passing" "So he wasn't." "No. What's this I hear about you having nightmares?" "Oh, uh. I was talking in my sleep. They were about Alex. I was begging him not to leave and I said I loved him. It was so embarrassing" "What did he say?" "Nothing, I told him the kiss had given me nightmares" "Kiss?" "He said if I didn't get to bed, he's kiss me. I didn't believe him, but he did" "Did you kiss him back?" "Uh, yeah, after the shock passed" "Then what?" "I fainted" "Claire!" "I couldn't help it" Claire yawned. "You better get some rest and we'll have a good chat later. Is it all right if I take a ride on one of the horses? I haven't had a decent ride in ages" "Go ahead, knock yourself out" Stevie went out to the stables and found Alex. "So, who is she?" "None of your business. Now you going to tell me who Claire's in love with?" "Why are you so keen to find out?" "Because I want to know. I want Claire to be happy" "Well why don't you tell me who you love? It's Claire isn't it?" "I thought we said we'd forget about it?" "Why? Ok, say Claire was in love with you, and I'm not saying she is, but if you love her too, what's the problem?" "Well. just forget it" "Come on Alex, we both know the truth, and you are the only one that can do anything about it. You said you wanted her to be happy. Now's your chance" "I gave her nightmares" "Yeah, that you were leaving and never coming back. She was scared of losing you because she loves you and it hurt. and do you honestly think she'd admit to dreaming about you normally?" "I've got work to do" "It's in your hands now. Just don't hurt her!" Everyone loved Stevie. She was kind, funny, she helped out even though she didn't have to and she was a great laugh. Claire was glad she was there, and Claire was back to full health by the end of the week and there was no way anyone could stop her from getting straight back to work. Stevie had been there a whole week and was annoyed that Alex hadn't done anything. "Why haven't you done anything?" Stevie asked Alex, when they had two moments alone together. "Leave it out" "Are you scared? Is that it?" "Don't be stupid" "Well what is it then?" "It just hasn't been the right time" "So you're stopping Claire from being happy because it hasn't been the right time? I will tell her everything you know" "Is that a threat?" "No, it's a promise, to get your ass into action" "Just but out" "What's going on?" Claire asked as she came over. Stevie looked at Alex. "I'll do it tonight ok?" "Great!" Stevie said with a smile. "Do what tonight?" "Oh nothing" "What's going on?" "There is something I've been meaning to tell you actually" Claire's face dropped. "Don't look so worried. It's about David" "What about David?" "Well. he asked me to marry him" "And." "And I said yes" "Oh my god, that's fantastic! Why didn't you say anything sooner? When's the big day?" "You were ill, four months and I want you to be my bridesmaid" "Of course I will. This is brilliant, we have to celebrate. Let's go to the pub" "Sounds great"