It's All About You – Chapter 8
"John!" Claire gripped the dashboard of the car as he hurried around another corner. "Just slow down…"
"I'm not even going that fast, Claire." John tutted, though slowing for her.
"Could have fooled me…" Claire finally let go of the dashboard, not missing the mischievous glint in her lover's eye. "Has anyone ever told you-"
"I'm a git?" John finished for her. "Yes, you, many times." He turned into a small car park and stopped the car, undoing his seatbelt before turning to face Claire. "Go along with whatever I say…"
"That always makes me feel nervous." Claire pursed her lips. "Especially when it's you saying it."
John grinned impishly, cupping her face in his hands as she undid her seatbelt, leaning forward to kiss her softly. "I miss being able to do this." He whispered, finally breaking the kiss.
"John," Claire sighed, sounding tired. "You know why it has to be secret." She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "At least for now." She smiled tightly, brushing his cheek gently with the backs of her fingers.
John reluctantly pulled back and nodded. "Let's go…"
"Er," A nurse stood by the curtains, glancing through at Charlie's cubicle, raising an eyebrow at Mickey.
Charlie looked up from where she'd been gently running her hand through Mickey's hair for comfort as his head rested on her shoulder, and smiled gently at her. "Sorry…"
"The end of vis-"
"He's my brother…" Charlie bluffed, shifting her hand as Mickey sat up. "He just finished work and came in to-"
"Goodbye DC Webb." The nurse smirked slightly, not buying a word of it. "Come back later when visiting times on. And you," She pointed at Charlie. "Stop encouraging him."
Charlie chuckled and mock saluted, kissing Mickey's cheek as he stood up. "Take care yeah?"
"You too." Mickey squeezed her a tight smile, leaving the cubicle.
"John?" Claire hissed softly, following him towards a small shop. "What's going on? Who's in there?"
"It's best if you don't know." John linked his fingers through hers, before pushing the door open, leading her inside.
"Well that makes me feel really confident." She scoffed, glancing around, allowing herself a small smile at his grip on her hand.
"Morning Sir, madam." An elderly man glanced up from the counter. "How can I help?"
"Just having a look round…" John nodded politely, leading Claire to a large glass cabinet full of jewellery. "How much of that do you think is nicked?" John smirked, standing behind Claire, whispering in her ear.
"You're all heart Boulton." Claire mocked softly, leaning down slightly so she could pretend to be getting a better look.
"Seen anything you like darling?" John said, moving to beside Claire. Claire looked up at him, before breaking into a large smirk, raising both her eyebrows.
"Only the one?" she quipped, dipping her head back to look in the display cabinet, watching the reflection of the man behind the counter in the glass.
John forced a light hearted chuckle, "I promised you a ring," He started before the man moved round to them, "Can we have a closer look at the tray of rings please Mr…?"
"Benson. Excuse me dear," William Benson unlocked the cabinet as Claire stepped back into John's arms, leaning inside to pull out the display tray of rings, each gem sparkling.
"Oh John…" Claire stared at the rings. "They're beautiful."
John looked a little worried, giving her a quick dig in the waist with one hand. Claire smirked slightly, determined to enjoy herself as she moved closer, pulling one ring out, purposely sliding it onto the ring finger of her left hand. "John." She frowned as it slipped round on her finger, the stone disappearing underneath, turning it back up. "Do you have it in a smaller size?"
"Unfortunately not, madam." Benson shook his head. "Although my son, for a small fee, can change the size to make it fit."
"How long would that take?" Claire looked back to her hand, wiggling it slightly as she watched the gems sparkle.
"I can have it done as you wait." He looked at John. "Of course, the ring would have to be paid for up front, and there'd be no returns."
"…Of course." John forced out, pulling his wallet out as he glared at Claire. Claire turned her back on him, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. "How much is it?"
"£450, sir." Benson answered, looking expectantly at John.
John tutted and narrowed his eyes at Claire's back, pulling his wallet out as he looked inside it. "I'd need to go to the cash machine…"
"No need sir," Benson smiled at John. "We take plastic."
John reluctantly pulled the card from his wallet, passing it over to the other man. "Thanks." He scowled, watching Benson process the card, frowning down at Claire as she finally turned to face him, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"Cheer up darling," She grinned up at him.
"Craig!" Benson moved to the stairs, calling up for his son. "Craig!"
"What?" A familiar sounding voice called down.
"Can you come down?" Benson stood at the foot of the stairs peering up. "I need you to size and fit a ring."
John and Claire exchanged glances as heavy footsteps sounded across the ceiling, before they started down the stairs. "Dad?" Craig Benson stood behind the older man.
"Hello Craig." John smirked, enjoying the look of shock on the other mans face, lunging forward as Craig attempted to run off out the back of the shop.
"Stay there Mr Benson." Claire warned, following John through.
"You stupid old git!" Craig shot back at his father, trying to get off ahead of John, yelping as he was caught whilst yanking the door open.
John pinned the much taller man against the wall, smirking with satisfaction as he cuffed both arms behind his back. "You're nicked!" He growled in his ear.