It was days later before they all sat down together again and Audrey was pleased to announce that she had applied for two of the listings they'd seen. They had both accepted her, and now she was waiting for references and a date for moving.
"Now I've just got to figure out how to move my stuff on the back of the Ducati" she joked as they finished laughing at the story of Steven and the creepiest apartment ever. They obviously left out the hand holding detail, that was fuel that particular fire didn't need.
"You can store some stuff at mine" Kevin offered. "Pack up the stuff you don't need straight away, then sort it as you move in. It'll be a good way to cleanse. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, ditch all of Kashals old crap he left behind" Jo laughed. "That's what he means!"
"I'm just more polite about it" Kevin retorted.
"First time for everything" Neil added getting a mock glare as his response.
"We'll help you move, won't we boys" Jo offered, looking between them.
"Of course" they replied simultaneously.
"Just say when" Kevin continued. "We'll figure something out."
"Thanks" Audrey smiled. "You're all too good to me. It'll be worth it, I'll pay you all in pizza and beer."
X
After three weeks of long hours, the friends met at Audreys old apartment for what Jo had titled 'Moving On Day'.
She had hired a U-Haul which would fit her furniture, clothes and household items, but there were some fragile and sentimental items which were to be loaded into Neil's car for safety.
They shared a breakfast of takeaway coffees and accompanying pastries which had been supplied by Neil and spent most of the time teasing Kevin about his choice of scruffy clothing.
What he saw as work clothes was pretty much what Neil wore on a daily basis and Neil showed up in well worn jeans and a paint splattered t-shirt that Kevin wouldn't be seen dead in.
"I think we can tell which of them is more used to manual labour" Jo teased as they laughed at Neil trying to direct Kevin while they manoeuvred a table into the van. "God help him when it comes time for the sofa and bed" she laughed.
The mention of Neil and her bed in the same sentence caused her heart to skip a beat before she scolded herself. 'Stop acting like a silly little girl' she thought. 'We're done with all that' she tried to scolded herself.
"Aud" she heard, as Jo's voice broke through into her thoughts. "Where do you want this?" she asked, gesturing towards a box filled with bits from the kitchen.
"What is it? Is that the coffee machine?" she asked, getting a nod from Jo. "Precious cargo there, we'll need it as soon as we get to the new place. Neil's car please" she laughed.
"Sure thing" Jo replied heading out of the door.
Passing Kevin on the stairs, they exchanged a smile as Jo gave him a look up and down.
"I don't think I've ever seen you break a sweat Miller" she laughed. "You look... shiny!"
"Oh hush, woman" he replied with a smile. "Not everyone looks like as hot as Neil after a morning of slave labour" he joked.
"Come on you two" Neil called as he started up the stairs. "This stuff isn't going to move itself!"
"Yeah, yeah, slave driver" Jo said. "We'll be up in a sec. Come open the trunk for me Kev" she demanded.
"Aye aye Captain!" Kevin replied with a sloppy salute. "Lead the way!"
X
"So want to tell me why you just made me do a totally unnecessary trip back downstairs?" Kevin asked accusingly. "Ooohhh, this box is so heavy I can't possibly manage myself" he squawked in a high pitched voice whilst fanning his face with his hands.
"Is that meant to be me" Jo asked straight faced.
"It's just like you" Kevin replied. "Why are you acting all feeble? We all know you're stronger than me!"
She gave a sly smile and chuckled to herself.
"Because the next thing to pack up is the bed and the linen. Maybe spending someone together in Audrey's bedroom will be good for them" she smiled.
"You're deluded woman" Kevin laughed. "You think we'll go back up there and find them rolling around in bed instead of packing it up?" he laughed.
"I can dream" Jo laughed. "Now open the trunk. This thing is actually a bit heavy!"
X
"What's next?" Neil asked coming to stand by Audrey in the empty kitchen. He hadn't been inside her apartment at all in the last couple of years despite the number of times he'd dropped her home.
"Bed" she said quite simply before feeling a little awkward at his cheeky smile, she started to backtrack. "I mean, the bedroom, the linens and the bed itself" she rambled.
"Sure" Neil replied simply. "Come on, let's get this done" he smiled.
They stood on opposite sides of the bed, folding sheets and stuffing them into boxes with the comforter squashed on top.
"You feeling okay? " Neil asked. "Leaving this place?"
"Yeah, it's fine" she said sounding a little flat. "Wasn't in the grand plan but turns out, you can't plan everything."
"Fresh start is good though, right?"
"Fresh start" she repeated quietly.
"Let's get this last bit done and you can get the pizza in" he smiled softly. "Come on."
X
Hours later, the van and the car were empty again and the four friends were lounging in Audrey's new sitting room after polishing off a couple of large, loaded pizzas.
The beers had been flowing for all except Neil who was driving back to his place later despite Jo's loud objections and frequent suggestions that he should get a cab.
"I'm heading out early to see Gabi in the morning before work so I'll stick with this one, thanks" he argued eventually which stopped Jo pushing. He didn't often talk about his sister so when she did come up, they know there was no further discussion to be had and Jo backed off.
"Need anything else" Kevin asked as they were about to leave. "I mean, Neil will have to get it after he's driven us home... but, anything else you need?" he laughed.
"No, thank you" she replied with a smile. "I've got enough here to keep me busy for a while."
They headed down the steps and into the car without to much noise after Audrey warned them not to bother her new neighbour's on her first night. She closed the door and turned to the mountain of boxes that stood around the main living space.
'These can wait until tomorrow' she thought to herself. 'Time to test the new shower.'
Towelling her hair afterwards, dressed in clean jogging pants and a baggy t-shirt, she startled as she heard a knock at the door.
"Two secs" she called, doing a quick look around before heading to the door. She wasn't expecting anyone. Nobody actually had her address yet.
Looking through the spy hole, she smiled.
"Hi" she said opening the door to see Neil. "You forget something?"
"Nope, here" he said producing a small tray greenery from behind his back. "Happy New Home" he smiled offering his gift.
"Thank you" she replied graciously. "I'm not the good with plants but I'll do my best" she laughed.
"I noticed. I saw the pot of twigs you we're 'growing' while we were packing up" he said using air quotes. "These are low maintenance, don't worry. Water them every few weeks" he smiled.
"I'll do my best. No promises though" she laughed. 'Errr, do you want to come in?" she asked awkwardly, hoping he'd say no as she was feeling a little under dressed.
"No thanks" he smiled softly. "I would, but I really do have to get out early to see Gabi. Back in the hospital by four and won't get another chance until next week. Maybe next time?" he suggested.
"Next time" she repeated. "Goodnight Neil."
"Goodnight Audrey" he smiled before turning to head back down the stairs.
She stood and watched as he pulled away from the kerb. Closing the door and leaning her back against it for a few moments she smiled.
"Fresh start" she said to herself as she moved to start unpacking.