Not Such An Average Saturday,

Dale opened his mouth to speak, but was left grasping for words, staring forward.

"Dale...." Kym reached out for his arm. "Smiffy....say something...."

"G...Gay..." He stuttered. "You're....gay?"

Jamie flushed and looked at the carpet as Dale released a strangled gurgle.

"Jamie, go to your room a moment please, while I talk to your father....I'll be up in a second."

Jamie glanced up, nodded solemnly and left the room, escaping to his bedroom.

"Smiffy...." Kym gently took hold of his face and moved his head so he was looking at her. "Dale...are you ok?"

"He's....he's gay!" Dale's eyes widened.

"That doesn't change anything....he's still your son..."

"He's gay!" Was all Dale could say.

"Which one looks better?" Ashleigh flounced into the room, holding a revealing outfit against her. "The black..." She changed it for the other she had in her hand. "Or the..." She trailed off as she noticed her parent's expressions. "Who died?"

"Your father will if he doesn't get his act together!" Kym glared, stalking to the door. "And you are NOT wearing either of those young lady!"

Ashleigh tutted. "That is so unfair....you let Jamie do what the hell he wants....dad...tell her!" She stood with her hands on her hips. "Daaaaad!"

Dale pushed past the two women and stood at the bottom of the stairs looking up, before shaking his head and going out to the garden.

Ashleigh stared after him. "What's the matter with him...." She looked back at Kym. "Are you two splitting up? Are you getting divorced? Are you..."

Kym rolled her eyes. "Do me a favour yeah Ash? JUST SHUT UP!" She turned and left the room, walking straight upstairs.

Ashleigh pouted and fluffed her hair. "Well pardon me for breathing!"

Dale walked to the end of the garden and leant against the wall deep in thought. "Was it a wind up....were they all in there laughing at him....what if it was true?" What if he really was gay?" He sighed and leant his head on his hand, staring out onto the field at the back. "Jamie liked football....he couldn't be gay!"

Kym reached Jamie's door and knocked. On hearing no answer she pushed the door open and stepped into the room. "Jay?"

Jamie looked up from where he lay face down on his bed, his eyes puffy and his cheeks tearstained.

"Oooh here!" Kym moved over to his bed and sat on the edge, wrapping her arms around him and rocking him gently. "Shhhh!" She kissed the top of his head. "It's alright...."

Jamie sniffed. "How can it be alright? He hates he doesn't....he loves you! He's just....just a little shocked."

"A little shocked?" Jamie looked up. "Last time he was like this, West Ham were relegated...he hardly spoke for days...."

"Yeah" Kym smirked. "Was great wasn't it!"

Jamie sniffed again. "I'm being serious mum!"

"So am I...you've no idea how great it was to be able to walk around Tescos and shop without him saying 'What you want that for?....You've already got 4 of them....we don't need that....' Or my personal favourite, 'Just because it's a different colour doesn't make it any different to the one you've got!'" Kym smiled. "Seriously...give him some time....let him run things through his head in his own time...he'll be fine.

"You think?"

Kym hugged him tighter. "I know!"

Dale turned and leant against the wall and looked back at the house. He shifted his gaze to Jamie's window and sighed, shook his head and started to walk back to the house.

"Dad!" Ashleigh instantly brightened as he entered the kitchen. "Can you...."

"Not now Ash...."

"But..."

"Not now!" He kept on walking till he reached the top of the stairs and paused outside Jamie's room.

"I didn't choose this..." he heard Jamie mumble.

"I know sweetheart...and so does your dad...he's not very good at showing his emotions....it took him 6 grunts till I realised he was asking me out..."

Jamie smiled a watery smile. "He can't even look at me...let alone talk to me!" he sniffed and rubbed his eyes.

Dale sighed and raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door.

"Not now Ash....will be out in a sec..." Kym shouted.

Dale opened the door and stepped through, hanging his head. "Can er....can we have a minute?" He nodded at Jamie.

"You gonna be ok?" Jamie nodded and Kym gave him one last tight squeeze before standing. "I'm only in the kitchen if you want me...." Jamie forced a smile in response and she left the room, frowning at Dale as she went.

The room descended into an uneasy silence as Dale stepped further into the room. "So er...." He coughed. "You're gay then..." he said, matter of factly.

Jamie stared at a patch on the carpet. "I'm sorry dad..."

"No...no.." Dale glanced up. "It's good you feel you can tell us these things....good you trust us...." He flushed, obviously uncomfortable.

"You don't have to talk to me...you can..."

"NO!" Dale stepped further into the room and sat on the opposite end of the bed. "I do...I mean...I want to....I want to be here..." He shuffled slightly along the bed till he was sat in the middle. "You spoke to anyone else about it?"

"Couple of people know...wanted to get their opinions...see what they said....before I told you two...."

"And how did they take it..." Dale looked at the floor. "Better than me eh?"

Jamie nodded and stared at the same patch of carpet as the room grew silent again. "I'm sorry...." Dale mumbled. "I er...I shouldn't have reacted the way I did...."

Jamie smiled slightly. "I expected worse....I thought you'd shout...disown me even..." he flushed.

Dale raised his eyes to meet Jamie's. 't do that..." he smiled. "Never get to watch football again....be outnumbered..."

Jamie looked surprised. "You're not mad with me?"

Dale shook his head. "Nah mate...I ain't mad with you." He wrapped an arm around Jamie's shoulders and hugged him, before standing up and heading to the door. "Come on..." He smiled. "Second half's about to start!"

Jamie laughed and stood, following Dale down the stairs.