Fin, I'm not in the mood for a drink. I wouldn't be very good company'

'Olivia, I am your friend, and as your friend I am insisting you come out with me.'

'Why?'

'Because you need cheering up that's why'

'Fin, I know you mean well, but…'

'Olivia, you never have any fun, and I am worried about you. You need cheering up and I'm not taking no for an answer'

'Okay, doesn't sound like I have much choice. Just one though?''

'Good. Meet me outside in half an hour?'

'Where are you going?'

'Got some paperwork to file. I'll see you in a bit'

'Okay'

Olivia watched as Fin left the staff room and her eyes dropped once again to the floor. Today was a day she wanted to forget. Well work hadn't been that bad- it was just Peter. Why wouldn't he text Olivia? Had she done something wrong? Or was this his way of cutting communications and ties with Olivia? he had seemed off but okay after last night.

but there was something more to this than Peter decisively ignoring her. But how could she broach the subject with Peter when he wouldn't even talk to her? She didn't know but she knew she had to do something, because she was in too deep to turn and walk away- that wasn't an option and neither was waiting for him to text. She decided to talk things through with Fin that evening- he was a good listener and maybe he could help her decide the best way to go around this?

Peter's work day came to an end and he didn't know what to do with himself. Yesterday he'd shot straight off to prepare for his date but tonight he wasn't in any hurry to go anywhere. He dawdled along the corridor, aimlessly kicking a screwed up bit of paper before two feet stopped in front of him.

'Simon…' Peter recognised the trainers and knew who it was without even looking up

'You didn't think I was going to go home and leave you on your own did you, after the day you've had?'

'Please don't bring up Olivia again. I cannot open that can of worms'

'Hey, I'm not going to mention it, I promise. I think me and you should go for a drink and make a point not to discuss anything about our love lives, or distinct lack of in my case. What do you say?'

'It's a nice thought, but I don't think tonight is the right time. Maybe another night?'

'Peter, come on. We haven't been out for ages. Come on, it will be fun'

'Fun is the last thing I want right now'

'I want to go out for a drink with my best bud and forget about real life for an hour or so. That isn't too much to ask'

'If I say yes, will that shut you up?'

'Yes'

'Fine, then yes'

'Good, right then Stone, go and get your things. I'll go and get my car and we'll go okay?'

'Okay'

Simon sprinted off down the corridor and Peter sighed he really didn't want to go out at all- all he wanted to do was to crawl into bed with a bottle of scotch and drown his sorrows. He needed to make sense of the situation in his head and separate his fears from his happiness. But the trouble with Peter- each of those things went hand in hand with each other and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He knew that from bitter experience.

His thoughts turned to Olivia and what she must be thinking of him right now, but then he shook his head furiously, determined to try and forget the effects of the brunette had on him, but he knew deep down that he never would. Maybe he should delete her number and try to get on with his life- if he was too busy to think of her then there would never be any time to sit and dwell on what might have been.

'Fin, can I ask you something?'

'Of course, what's on your mind?'

'Peter… I'm worried. There is something he isn't willing to share yet- something that happened to him to explain why he can't just let go and open up. What do you think I should do? Because I can't turn around and let go. Not after the closeness we felt at the weekend.'

'Olivia, in all honesty, I have no idea what you should do. You really like him don't you?'

'Yes, I don't know why, but there is something about him'

'Well if you think he's worth it, then you must do whatever you think is best'

'I need to talk to him'

'No time like the present'

'What?'

'Look…' Olivia followed Fin's finger and she turned around. There was Petet in the doorway with a man she had never seen before.

'What is he doing here?'

'Its no coincidence Olivia'

'What do you mean?'

'After you left earlier, you left your phone. I rang Peter's phone and his friend Simon answered. He said he was as miserable as you, and we thought if the two of you met somewhere neutral, you might be able to talk to each other openly and honestly'

'You knew he was coming… this is why you wanted us to go out for a drink?'

'Yes, you like him and I hated to see you unhappy. I had to try and help'

Olivia was shocked but then she realised that now was the perfect opportunity to pin Peter down and talk to him. It was now or never.

But then Peter turned, and his eyes met Olivia's. He stood rooted to the spot, but then turned and looked accusingly at Simon.

'You knew about this…'

'Peter, you need to talk to her. She rang you earlier, well I thought it was her, but it was her friend Fin. Olivia has been in tears on and off all day because you wouldn't answer her text message. Does that sound to you that she doesn't need you? We had to get the two of you together… you would have just left it otherwise and I'm not letting that happen. Not after Paul…'

'No! Don't… stop. I am not doing this now. I can't believe you did this Simon. I thought we were friends'

'We are, and it's because I know you that I did this. You will thank me in the long run, you've been running for too long- it's time to stop and be happy.'

'If you mention his name again, I will never speak to you again. I cannot and will not do this. Not here.' Peter took a parting glance at Olivia and mouthed 'I'm sorry' before running out of the pub.

Olivia's heart broke a little as Peter ran out on her, but she had already made the decision and she followed him instantly. She knew Peter was running from her, but Olivia wanted to know why and she wasn't going to let him slip away from her.

'Peter!' Olivia reached the car park of the pub and couldn't see him. He'd gone, but then she heard loud cursing from around the side of the building. Instinct telling her to investigate, Olivia went and there Peter kicking and swearing at the wall

'Peter…'

'Please Olivia, leave me alone' Peter stood up when Olivia approached her

'I can't. Why won't you talk to me?'

'Olivia, please…'

'Peter, I am not going anywhere until you talk to me. Fin and Simon wanted us to talk..'

'I'm sorry… I had no idea they were planning this…'

'Neither did I, but I'm glad they did. Right now, I'm worried about. A lot'

'You don't need to be. Please, just go. Leave me alone'

'I can't do that. Talk to me Petet, please. You were off last night, and you've gone mute on me today. Why?'

'Olivia, I can't…'

'Can't what? Tell me?'

'Yes, please don't make me'

'Peter, I would never make you do anything, but I need to understand. If I thought you didn't want this anymore I'd just leave it, but I can't leave it'

'Why not?'

'Because I'm in too deep Peter, and you are as well if you're honest with yourself'

'What do you want?'

'What do I want? I want you, plain and simple'

'Olivia, I'm complicated… there are things I haven't told anyone and can't tell anyone. I can't… I'm sorry'

Olivia took a step closer to Peter, knowing that she had to make the move here.

'Listen to me. Forget about everything else for just a minute. Think about what its like when its just you and me. Think about Saturday, when I laid my heart on the line and you said you wanted this. You wanted us. I know you meant it. And I can prove it.'

'What do you…?'

The question died on Peter's lips as Olivia leaned in and closed the gap between the two of them, deciding to show Peter, rather than telling her.

Despite everything she had said to Simon and Olivia, Peter kissed her back almost instantly.

To Be Continued

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