Having woken up a little easier this morning, Chris bounces down the stairs with a spring in his step. Obviously he noticed the empty side of the bed when he awoke, but he wasn't expecting to come downstairs to a full english breakfast.
"Oh wow," he grins.
He walks over to Kate, who is stood over the stove, and kisses her on the cheek.
"Take a seat," she smiles. "I'm just finishing off the bacon. I know how you like it crispy."
Doing as he is told, he sits at the table. He admires the spread of food on the table: local butchers sausages, grilled tomatoes and black pudding, scrambled eggs and beans.
"What's all this in aid of?"
Chris is curious - and secretly hoping he hasn't forgotten some kind of anniversary or birthday.
"Oh, just the usual," she replies, as she switches off the bacon. "I couldn't sleep again. So I thought I'd make myself useful!"
She places a few bacon rashers on his plate, and then onto hers, before joining him at the table. He can't help but smile as he watches her settle into her seat, laying a napkin over her uniform before she begins.
"What?" she asks, suddenly aware that he isn't eating.
"You are so amazing," he enthuses, with a loving smile.
She smiles back at him, as she begins to pile on her own plate. They tuck into their breakfasts, just enjoying being in one another's company.
Thankful not to be on playground duty again just yet, Chris joins his colleague Tom in the staff room. Arriving for the start of another day, Chris is grateful for the chance to get another coffee inside him before he has to face the students.
"There's biscuits there, mate," Tom pushes the pack towards his friend, as he joins him at the coffee table.
"God no!" Chris exclaims. "Thanks, but I'm absolutely stuffed. Kate made us a full english this morning."
"Oh, Kate is it?" Tom eagerly leans forward. "At least I finally know her name!"
Chris' eyes widen, as he realises his mistake. He shakes his head a little and sighs at his own idiocy.
"Yeah, and that's all you're getting!" Chris enforces jokingly.
"So if you're having breakfast together," Tom pushes further, "am I to assume you've sorted out your issue?"
Chris cradles his warm coffee, as it rests on the table. He stares into it for a moment as he gathers his thoughts.
"I'm still not sure," Chris admits.
"Come on, mate," Tom tuts. "She made you breakfast! A full on breakfast! What more can you want in a woman?"
Chris laughs a little, as he sips his coffee. Tom leans back in his chair, quizzical. Chris and him have become pretty close since he joined the team here at Waterloo Road. By now, he knows him well enough to know something is playing on his mind.
"Seriously," Tom changes his tone, now sounding more sincere. "What is it? What's making you doubt this?"
"Oh god," Chris exhales. "She is amazing, she really is. And I want to be with her all the time, I just… she is like a different person now. Her behaviour has changed so much. I'm just not sure I can be with someone if she is going to end up being so far from the woman I fell in love with, you know?"
Tom half smiles and shakes his head at his friend.
"You idiot."
"What?" Chris asks, completely confused by the response.
"You've just answered your own question," Tom smiles. "You've just admitted you love her. What more do you need to know?"
"Huh," Chris grins. "I guess you're right."
Tom can't wipe the smile off his face. He may know absolutely nothing about this woman - and has only just even learnt her name - but there is no denying that he is genuinely happy for his friend. And Chris feels so much better having talked his concerns through with his best friend.
