Ltfl: Thank you. I have experience in counselling so I'm usually quite confident with writing those scenes.
Dancingwithmyshadow6: Me too. I wanted to have a slow build up, just like in the show. It made sense. Now that they're finally going on a date, they'll be loads of cute scenes to come.
Sally b: Not just yet. Eating disorders take ages to overcome, sometimes even years. It won't be that realistic if she suddenly starts eating again.
A: I hope you like this chapter. It's pretty cute :-)
Chapter Thirty-One
"What do you mean I have to stay here by myself?"
Gem was more than annoyed when she found out that Iain and Lily were leaving her for the day. Iain had decided to take Lily on a trip to the seaside; the weather was nice and he knew that another lunch date wasn't possible.
"Exactly what I said," Iain said, chucking a backpack into the boot of his car. "You're not a kid anymore, Gemma."
"Gem!" Gem immediately corrected him in a snappy tone that just made Iain laugh. "What am I supposed to do when I get home from work though?"
"You'll think of something," Iain chuckled. "Lily and I aren't going to be late back anyway. We can't exactly invite you along though, this is a date."
"So?" Gem shrugged her shoulders.
"Well firstly you have to work," Iain said. "Secondly, I don't know any man who would willingly take his little sister out on a date. You'll be fine, Gem. Lily really needs this break though, okay? Let's give it to her."
"Well, what are you going to do about lunch?" Gem asked. "You need to eat. You can't starve yourself just because Lily freaks out at food."
"I'll think of something," Iain said, just as Lily arrived dressed in smart but casual clothing for the day-out. "You look nice," Iain complimented, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Get in the car, yeah? I just need to say goodbye to Gem."
Lily nodded and waved at Gem, before climbing into the passenger seat of the car.
"Be good," Iain told his sister. "Have a good day at work, and try not to burn my place down. I'll be making you pay for any damages."
"Got it, bro," Gem laughed and rolled her eyes. "Just go. Leave me and have a good day, yeah? I guess I'll see you both later."
Iain nodded and playfully slapped her cheek, before climbing in behind the wheel. He smiled across at Lily and turned on the engine, before taking the handbrake off and pulling away. Gem waved to them before making her way back inside, feeling miserable because she had to go to work whilst they were off having fun.
"Are you excited?" He asked.
"I haven't been to the seaside in ages," Lily said, as she scrolled through her mobile phone, beaming happily to herself the entire time. "What time do you think we'll get there?"
"It should take a couple of hours," Iain said. "Hence the early start."
"Did you just use the word hence?" Lily frowned at him and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I've taught you well."
"You have," Iain laughed, indicating to turn right. "You're a bad influence." Lily laughed to herself and stuffed her phone into her pocket, before glancing out of the window. "So plans for today then; a walk on the beach, browse around the shops, relaxing on the beach."
"What about lunch?" Lily whispered, as Iain chewed down hard on his lip. "You don't have to skip lunch just because of me, Iain. I'm not going to eat but I'm not going to stop you. You don't need to feel awkward in front of me."
Iain sighed and nodded, before asking, "how did your appointment go with Mary anyway?"
"It was good," Lily replied. "I'm seeing her again in a couple of days, this time at her house. I'm a bit nervous."
"You'll be okay," Iain told her. "I know you will be."
"I used to come here loads as a child," Lily said, linking arms with Iain as the two of them strolled along the sand. "My parents would pack a picnic and the three of us would sit on the beach, and my dad would help me make a sandcastle. It was the perfect family picture."
"Your parents did that?" Iain asked.
"When I was really little," Lily said. "Once I grew older, schoolwork became more important to them and we didn't do the days outs anymore. I miss it, you know?"
"Understandable," Iain sighed, as she rested her head against his shoulder. "My mum never did stuff like that. She was too busy drinking. Dad was in prison and Granddad was just too old to take us places, so we usually went to his house and played card games."
"Families suck, right?" Lily said.
"Nah, Granddad was the best," Iain said. "He just couldn't do much, bless him. He was the closest thing to a parent that we ever had."
They stopped walking and just stared out to sea, listening as dogs barked and children squealed with delight. It was a beautiful sight and both of them wished that they could go back to childhood, back to when times were easier.
"Does your mum know about Archie?" He questioned her.
"No," Lily whispered, shaking her head against him. "And I don't want her to."
"Sorry," he apologised, stroking at her hair lovingly. "Hey. Why don't I make you a sandcastle? I may not have been to the seaside much in my life, but my sandcastle making skills are brilliant."
"Are you sure about that?" Lily giggled, as they found an empty spot away from the bustle and the noise. "You seem pretty sure of yourself. Besides, you have no bucket or spade."
"Who needs those?" Iain scoffed, making himself comfortable. "I have talent, I have skills, I can just close my eyes and a sandcastle will appear."
"You're ridiculous," Lily mumbled and rolled her eyes, before sitting down beside him. "Iain. Thank you."
"What for?" Iain asked, his eyes fixated on the sand as he tried but failed miserably, to build a perfect sandcastle.
"For not treating me any differently," she whispered, shrugging her shoulders at him. "You're treating me normally, and not differently, and I like that. Thank you." Iain smiled and nodded at her, lifting his head so that they were locking eyes. "Um...Can...Can I kiss you again?" She asked.
"You don't have to ask," Iain said.
"I feel as if I do," Lily said shyly. "If I ever did anything without Archie's permission, I'd soon be sorry."
"I'm not Archie though," Iain said. "He will go to prison, okay? I promise you. No one's going to let him get away with what he did do to you." Lily gave him a thankful smile, wanting to believe him so badly. She struggled with it though. "I am going to treat you right, Lily. I...I want you to be my girlfriend."
"Really?" Lily frowned. "I'm not used to guys liking me."
"Then you better get used to it," he said, with a smirk. "Hey, beautiful? Now come on, where's my kiss?"
Lily leaned in and shyly and awkwardly kissed him on the lips, a mixture of fear and happiness building up inside of her. Iain sensed that she was uncomfortable and gave her a comforting hug, letting her know that it was okay.
"Come on," Lily said, wiping a small tear away. "Let's make a sandcastle."
A nice cute chapter there. I hope it was okay and that you enjoyed it. I'm really pleased with this story. I've got loads more chapters planned and I managed to read 31 chapters and over 50,000 words as well so I'm happy :-) x