-x- Chapter 11 -x-

Sipping on her vodka and orange, she sat at the small table opposite her colleagues and friends, in a very noisy and busy pub. Lost in thought she kept looking down at her phone resting on the table.

"Are you even listening Robyn?" Louise said, as she stopped mid-sentence to question her friend.

"Hmm?" Robyn replied, clearly not paying attention, as she picked up her phone checking for any messages or calls.

"I said, how are things at Charlie and Duffy's?" Louise asked.

"Oh, erm, good, yeah, erm, great." Robyn replied, blushing slightly, as she sipped her drink through the straw.

"I know that look Robyn." Louise added.

"Look, what look?" Robyn replied, sipping her drink once again.

"You only blush if you're hiding something." Louise said, as she folded her arms and frowned at her.

"I do not." Robyn answered.

"You do." Alicia added to the conversation, sipping her vodka and lemonade.

"You're rubbish at hiding anything." Alicia explained.

"Alicia!" Robyn exclaimed.

"Sorry mate, but your cheeks give you away." Alicia mentioned.

"What do you mean my cheeks?" Robyn replied, looking shocked.

"You're getting even redder now mate. Come on, spill." Alicia said, smiling at her.

"There's nothing to say." Robyn said, folding her arms.

"You haven't caught Charlie and Duffy at it have you?" Louise asked, taking a sip of her wine.

"Ha, ha, ha." Alicia laughed.

Robyn sat sipping her drink through her straw not looking at either of her friends.

"Robyn?" Louise asked, trying to get her to look at her.

Robyn continued to sip her drink.

"No way! Ha, ha, ha." Alicia exclaimed, laughing hysterically.

"Ew, no way." Louise replied, screwing up her face.

"They're certainly living up to their reputation." Alicia added.

"Alicia." Robyn finally answered.

"A right naughty pair them two. Ha, ha." Alicia added.

"They've just gotten married." Robyn defended them.

"But they're so old." Louise said, still shocked.

"They have also waited thirty years to be together, leave them alone." Robyn explained.

"Oh, we're just messing." Alicia replied.

"I hope I'm like them at their age. They love each other. Nothing wrong with that." Robyn added.

"I hope not, ew." Louise said, screwing her face up again.

"Aww, Louise, Robyn's right, leave them alone. It is obvious how much love each other." Alicia says, looking at Louise.

"I don't want to even think about it." Louise added.

"It's lovely really. Charlie deserves some happiness."Alicia adds.

"They both do. He's totally different at home. Duffy has really changed him." Robyn explains.

"Don't you think he's changed at work too?" Robyn asks.

"He's less grumpy, and I don't get as wrong I much as I used to, so yeah actually, he has changed." Louise replied.

"Actually now you mention it, he does seem to be a little bit, well, more fun. Remember the Christmas party?" Alicia mentioned.

"I'd rather forget. I can't believe I asked if Charlie was a swinger!" Louise shook her head to herself.

"Ha, ha, your face Louise." Alicia giggled.

"That's your fault for believing Duffy." Robyn giggled.

"She definitely had you there mind." Alicia said.

"How was I supposed to know he was seeing her?" Louise folded her arms and frowned at them both.

"Ha, ha, ha." Both Robyn and Alicia laughed at Louise.

"Well, we know why now." Robyn answered.

"So, what's it like a Chez Fairhead then?" Alicia asked, changing the conversation.

"Oh, it's lovely actually. They are great, they've given me all sorts of baby tips. And helped loads with the night feeds. Duffy is a great cook. And Charlie is a big help all round. I'd be a bit stuck without them if I'm honest. I felt a bit lost when I first moved in. But, yeah, they're great." Robyn sincerely replied. Looking down at her phone once again, for any news on Charlotte.

"But you're still worried about Charlotte?" Louise asked, as she noticed Robyn check her phone again.

"Just a little bit." Robyn replied.

"Why don't you give them a call?" Louise advised.

"No, no. Erm, I don't want to, erm." Robyn answered, a little flustered.

"Interrupt them?" Alicia added, smirking at her.

"Alicia!" Robyn replied shocked.

"Tell me I'm wrong then?" Alicia asked.

"Ok, ok." Robyn answered, blushing again.

Just as Robyn replied her phone buzzed on the table.

(CHARLOTTE HAS JUST GONE OFF TO SLEEP. ENJOY YOUR NIGHT SWEETHEART. DUFFY X)

Robyn picked up her phone quickly read the message, sighing to herself and smiled.

"Well?" Louise asked.

"Charlotte is asleep." Robyn answered.

"Good. Now you can really let your hair down." Alicia suggested.

"Alicia!" Robyn exclaimed once again.

"Come on Robyn. It's your night off too. How about a cocktail?" Alicia replied.

"Go on Robyn. You deserve a break too you know." Louise added.

"Fine, just the one then." Robyn answered.

"Good girl." Alicia replied, smiling at her.

"Leave the two lovebirds to it." Louise said, as she sipped her wine once again.

"Louise!" Both Robyn and Alicia responded.

"What?" Louise asked.

"Nevermind." Alicia replied.

Alicia got up from their table and walked to the bar. Ordering a large jug of cheeky vimto, a few extra shots of vodka, and three glasses. She was determined for them to have a great night together. You only live once. Right?

-o-

"Well, that's new." Charlie says, as he gently closed the living room door.

"Hmm?" Duffy asked, as she sat down on the sofa.

"I've never gotten a baby to sleep that quickly before." Charlie answered, as he joined her on the sofa. He lifted up his arm, as she gently lay back on his chest, his arm resting on her shoulders.

"Robyn said she used to read to her whilst she was in the incubator. PICU often get mothers to read to them, it comforts them, even though they can't have any physical contact. Verbal stimulus works wonders." Duffy explains, as she clasps her hand with his.

"I must have the knack." Charlie said, grinning to himself, as he kissed her forehead.

"Ha, ha. I always said you had a very soothing voice darling." Duffy replied, as she grinned up at him.

"Is that so?" Charlie added, smirking at her.

"Mmm, a very sexy voice too." She added, giggling at him.

"Oh really?"

"I'll have to get you to read Pride and Prejudice one day."

"Oh, why?" Charlie asked.

"It's my favourite book. And, I can see you as my Mr Darcy. Ha, ha." Duffy replied, giggling.

"For you sweetheart, I'll be anyone you like." Charlie said, as he smirked down at her.

"Charlie." Duffy said, as she blushed, and giggled at him.

"Come here." He said, as he bent down to kiss her.

"Yes, sir." She replied, as she kissed him playfully.

-x-