Part SIX

Now despite it being Monday the following day, meaning the young Dingle would be required at the garage, Jasmine managed to convince Debbie to stay over for the night, as the rain was still lashing down outside. She didn't like the thought of Debbie being out, driving on dodgy country roads in this weather.

'I'll only worry,' she had said, 'and you wouldn't want me worrying myself silly now would you?' She added, reinforcing her case, knowing only too well that Debbie wouldn't want that and smiled in victory when Debbie agreed.

Whipped already, Debbie thought to herself jovially, but she knew she was never going to put up too much of a fight on this matter; she was thrilled at the thought of getting to spend another night with her friend - no - her girlfriend now, she supposed, which brought a warm smile to her face.

Now well into the evening, the fledgling couple were once again snuggled up together, with Debbie's head nestled under Jasmine's chin and arms comfortably wrapped around each other. The girls had been lying together and talking for a while before they decided they should try and get some sleep, as Debbie needed to try and get back to the village at a relatively decent hour at least.

They had given each other one last lingering kiss goodnight and were nicely settled, with Debbie on the verge of nodding off, when Jasmine spoke.

'I get you.'

There was a long pause before Debbie finally replied with confusion and with a dose of an I was almost asleep then woman! tone thrown in for good measure.

'Wha' ?'

'Earlier, you said you didn't know what the hell I get out of meeting you.'

That had gotten the Dingle's attention. The younger girl could feel the smile that grew on Debbie's face, against her skin as she registered what Jasmine was telling her and she leant down to place a loving kiss on the top of her head, whispering into her soft hair as she did so.

'I get the most stunning mechanic in all the Dales,' she said grinning, feeling the gentle vibrations of the said "stunning mechanic" chuckling against her. 'Though it's lucky I'm not a mechanic Debs, otherwise you'd have some serious competition on your hands.'

'Cheeky cow,' Debbie muttered, as they both chuckled in unison.

Jasmine loved to tease the surly Dingle, knowing she wouldn't take it from anyone else. Happy with another victory, she buried her head back into her pillow, a lazy smile now firmly plastered on to her face as they both settled back down again.

A few minutes had passed - Debbie once again on the verge of slumber when...

'Do you know what else I get?'

Debbie jumped, her eyes flying back open at Jasmine's second outburst.

'A bloody slap if you keep this up,' Debbie answered back.

Jasmine ignored the idle threat, a cheeky grin firmly set in place as she waited for Debbie to answer her properly.

'Well?'

'No, Jasmine, do enlighten me,' Debbie said in her usual sardonic manner.

'Free MOTs!'

Debbie could hear the rumble of laughter from beneath her as the young Thomas girl laughed at herself. Jasmine was blissfully unawares of the rolling of eyes being aimed her way - but Debbie couldn't help but smile. She loved these playful moments and knew she could never get enough of them. This was most definitely it for her.

Just don't go and fuck it up, she thought to herself, before returning her attention to her sniggering pillow, putting on a mock serious tone.

'Go to sleep woman.'

Jasmine's chuckles eventually died down, and she said her goodnights again - only properly this time. Debbie turned her head slightly so her face was now buried in the crook of Jasmine's neck, lips gently brushing along smooth skin, leaving a trail of soft kisses that brought about goose bumps along Jasmine's skin before whispering to her.

'Goodnight, beautiful.'

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The buzz of the alarm startled the Dingle out of her peaceful slumber, her arm immediately shooting out to silence it, trying to keep it from waking her still sleeping companion.

5.30 a.m.

It was far too early to be getting up, but she knew she needed to get back to open up the garage.

She rolled herself over so she was now perched on her front, enjoying the opportunity to freely watch her girlfriend sleep. God you're beautiful. If she hadn't have been in love with the girl, she would've been jealous of her obvious looks.

Debbie gently reached out to softly stroke the smooth skin of Jasmine's face, brushing her knuckles along her cheek, pausing slightly before running a finger tip along her lower lip, remembering back to the last time she had done so. Remembering how close she had come to kissing the girl then, until she begrudgingly tore herself away from temptation.

She didn't need to do that anymore, she thought, as the urge to feel Jasmine's full lips against hers resurfaced, growing stronger by the second.

She carefully dipped her head and placed a delicate kiss on the lips that had held her so captivated and she felt the slumbering girl start to stir. Another kiss was given and a sleepy hum of appreciation came from Jasmine in response. Debbie continued, capturing the girl's bottom lip slightly, between her own, emitting a small whimper now from Jasmine and to her surprise, she started to respond to her caresses.

As far as the young mechanic could tell, she still wasn't fully awake, yet she was now tenderly kissing her back, caught between the dream world and the real world. Her lips parted slightly, allowing Debbie to deepen their increasingly sensual kisses, and as their tongues came into contact, Jasmine came crashing back in to the real world, moaning in pleasure at Debbie's choice of wake-up call. Her passion level going up several notches as she pulled her lover closer, inviting Debbie to ease herself on top her, evoking another small moan at feeling the toned Dingle pressed against her as her kisses were now being directed along her neck. Small flicks of the tongue followed by the sensation of teeth grazing her skin as they gently nipped here and there while Debbie made her way up to just below Jasmine's ear.

'Morning Jas,' she breathed.

Jasmine just gave another low hum in response, lost in the sensations, as Debbie's lips continued to lavish kisses on her.

'Jasmine,' she whispered, 'I really have to go.'

'What? Aw no, Debs. You can't leave now.'

'I'm sorry, but you know I need to get back,' she replied, giving Jasmine a lop-sided grin, before kissing away the pout that had emerged on the girl's face.

The kiss grew more intense as Jasmine tried to tempt Debbie in to staying, but the Dingle managed to gently extricate her lips from the frustrated ones of her friend. Smirking slightly at the pout that had immediately returned. But Jasmine had another powerful weapon in her impressive arsenal. Her huge brown eyes came in to play, immediately deploying full on 'puppy dog' mode.

Oh that so isn't fair. Debbie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, desperately trying to strengthen her resolve before opening them again. They were still firmly locked onto their target. Quickly leaning in, she gave Jasmine a blistering kiss, disarming the younger girl, before easing herself off her and out of bed to get her clothes.

'Sorry, Jas, it's not like I want to leave you know,' she said quickly, before Jasmine could respond.

The young Thomas girl just sighed with a smile. 'I know, Debs. It was worth a shot though, eh? Anyway, it was your own fault for waking me the way you did,' she added, cheekily sticking out her tongue. 'Mm I could get used to being woken up like that everyday,' she continued as she stretched herself out - a lazy grin forming again as her eyes fell back on to the Dingle getting dressed.

Debbie chuckled as she pulled on her trademark hoodie and looked back over at her friend.

'Hey, you should go back to sleep.'

'I know, I will once you've gone – but...Debs?'

'Yeah?'

'How are we going to work this?' her voice now seeming small as her concern over Debbie's response grew.

Sensing this, Debbie sat back on the edge of the bed, taking Jasmine's hand.

'Hey, we'll figure something out. You're not going to be at Uni for much longer are you?' Seeing Jasmine's shake of the head she continued. 'So, I dunno, how about I come and stay with you at the weekends? Or you come and stay with me? Take it in turns even. Drive up after work or Uni on Fridays and drive back Sunday night or like today on Monday mornings. How's that sound?'

'Sounds like I'm going to be missing you like hell during the week,' Jasmine replied with a crooked grin.

'It's hardly goin' to be a picnic for me either, but it won't be forever and I can call you in the evenings. Okay?'

Jasmine's mouth grew into a fully fledged smile at that. 'Okay.'

Debbie mirrored her smile and leant in once again, giving the younger girl a much gentler kiss. One full of the love that she held for the girl. Resting their foreheads together, she reached up to cup Jasmine's face.

'I love you, Jasmine Thomas,' her voice holding such emotion as their eyes locked, and although she had to clear her throat first, Jasmine finally managed to reply.

'I love you too, Debbie Dingle,' smiling softly as they continued to lose themselves in each others gaze - Debbie gently stroking Jasmine's face.

'Okay,' she sighed, closing her eyes, breaking the spell, 'I really do have to make a move now, slowly sliding her fingertips down Jasmine's face and giving her a peck on the nose. 'I'll speak to you tonight though, okay?

Jasmine nodded, 'Have a good day, Debs.' Which earned her a look from Debbie as if to say, Yeah, right.

'It'll be bloody 'ard without you around,' she said smiling, as she got up to leave.

As her hand reached the doorknob, she felt herself being whisked around again as Jasmine had come up behind her and gave her one last heated kiss, leaving Debbie trying to catch her breath by the end of it.

'Until Friday then,' Jasmine said, giving her a sly grin.

'Mhm,' was all Debbie could muster at first, her eyes becoming dark with want.

'Friday,' she confirmed, whilst fumbling around for the doorknob, now all flustered, as she made her way out the room. How the hell does she do that to me?

'Bye, Debs!' Jasmine called out after her in amusement, as the door was closed.

'Hm? Yeh, bye!' came the muffled reply as the aroused Dingle made a hasty exit.

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After stopping off at Tug Ghyll for a quick shower and to throw on some fresh clothes – including underwear this time – Debbie went to open up the garage.

9.40 a.m.

That wasn't too bad, she thought, glancing up at the clock.

'Right, time to get stuck in,' she said to herself full of gusto while eyeing up the two cars. 'First things first,' she continued, walking over to the counter and picking up the kettle, 'brew time.'

Ten minutes later, Debbie was working away under the bonnet of the blue Ford Fiesta, which had clearly seen better days, when Daz strolled in to the garage.

'A'ight, Debs.'

'Mornin' Daz,' she answered, not looking up, 'You can make a start on the mini, it needs an oil change.'

He was rather taken aback that Debbie had actually said morning to him, as she usually tended to just bite his head off.

'So, what gives with the late start? Good weekend was it?' he asked, walking over to the tool boxes.

'Eh?' Debbie replied, now peeking round the side of the car. 'What's it to you?'

'Only askin',' Daz replied defensively. 'You just seemed to be in a good mood that's all and it's what most people do on Monday mornings, in't it? Talk about their weekend.'

Debbie simply rolled her eyes, returning her attention to the faulty spark plugs. She had no intention of talking to Daz of all people about Jasmine.

'Yeh well, I ain't most people. So just crack on, all right?'

Daz just sighed, Well that good mood lasted all of ten seconds, he thought and picked out the tools needed for the task at hand.

It didn't take long for Debbie's mind to wander, as it drifted back to the sensuous start to her morning, day dreaming about where it was all leading up to.

A clanging sound rang around the garage as the spanner slipped from her grip.

'Son of a–'

'Y'ok there?' Daz called out, perplexed at Debbie's clumsiness.

'Fine, get back to work,' she snapped back in frustration. She didn't want to have another day like Friday, constantly distracted by thoughts of Jasmine to the point that she couldn't even do her job properly.

Picking up the spanner and continuing with her work, her thoughts soon returned to earlier. As much as she would have loved to have stayed with Jasmine and let things take their course, she was secretly pleased that she stayed composed enough to stick to her guns about leaving.

She'd certainly never been one to be shy around the subject of sex by any means, after all she had fallen pregnant at the tender age of fourteen. But it had never been anything that was special or precious to her, or even particularly memorable – and that was something else she wanted to change. This time, things were going to be different. She didn't want to rush with Jasmine. Debbie wanted this to really mean something, to both of them. To be something they can both think back on in years to come, with fondness. The image of them both middle-aged together, made her smile.

Definitely going soft, Dingle, she thought as she chuckled to herself.

'What?' Daz asked, confused at Debbie's behaviour.

'What, what?' Debbie replied, equally confused. 'I said get back to work!'

Daz just looked on incredulously, before doing what he was told, with a frustrated sigh and a 'yes, boss,' muttered under his breath.

'I heard that.'

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The day plodded on relatively slowly as Debbie continued to struggle to concentrate, but working hard to make sure she got considerably more done than she did on Friday. She couldn't afford to let things slip, just because she had finally given in to the roller-coaster ride most commonly known as 'Love'.

Lunchtime now approached as the sound of familiar footsteps came trotting up the gravel driveway.

'Ay up chick,' spoke the voice. The strong, Yorkshire accent positively booming after the comparative quiet that had previously filled the garage.

Debbie tightened up the last bolt, before turning her attention to the voice behind her.

'Hey, Chas,' she said greeting her Aunt, as she reached for a cloth to wipe her oily hands.

'Y'alright Debs? It feels like I've not seen you in ages,' Chas remarked,

'I'm fine. Sorry, it's been pretty busy here lately. Everything all right wi' you though, yeh?'

'Yeah t'rriffic Debs. 'Ere, I just nipped over to ask you if ya fancied comin' out wi' me on Friday night? So we can catch up like. We could go to that club I were tellin' you about.'

'Oh I've been there actually, went there Saturday night,' she replied as she walked over to boil the kettle. 'Want a brew, Daz?'

'You never said,' Chas replied, 'Who with?'

'Um, actually can I get off for an early lunch Debs? I've finished with the Mini,' Daz added hopefully, with a cheesy grin on his face.

'Just a mate,' she muttered, before looking over at Daz, 'Fine, just bring me back a bacon buttie.'

'Nice one, Debs. Laters, Chas,' and he promptly dashed off.

'Yeah, see ya, Daz,' the older Dingle called out over her shoulder. A sly grin forming on her face.

As Debbie looked back over at her, she knew what her Aunt was thinking, but feigned ignorance. 'Wha'?'

'A mate?'

'Yes. A mate. What's so surprising about that?'

'Nah, you've got some fella on the go, haven't ya?'

Debbie just rolled her eyes. 'Is that all you ever think about?' and turned back to make herself a brew. 'No Chas, I have not got some fella on the go.'

Well she wasn't lying.

'I know you, Debs, you're hiding something,' she persisted, as she rested her elbows on the counter, fixing her steely gaze on her niece.

Debbie could feel Chas' eyes boring into her but she refused to cave in.

'Chas! It's nothing, right? I told you it was just a mate. Ugh, if you must know, I met her that day you made me go to the Lakes, okay?'

'Her?' Chas answered back, some what crestfallen, she'd been hoping for some juicy gossip. 'So you really did make a friend,' she added, as though it was the strangest thing in the world. 'That's not like you, Debs,' she added with a wink. Knowing how hard it was for anyone to befriend her niece.

The young Dingle gave a sarcastic smile at that. 'Get lost,' she countered, before taking a sip of her tea.

'Aw I'm only messin' wi' ya. It's good you've met someone, there aren't exactly many others round 'ere your age are there? 'Cept Daz,' she muttered, pulling a grim face before laughing. 'Bless 'im. So how was it then? Did you have a good night?'

Debbie hesitated slightly, thinking back to that evening.

'Erm, yeh. It was interestin',' she replied, smiling into her mug of tea.

'So you up for it then? Friday?'

Debbie snapped out of her thoughts and walked back over to the Fiesta.

'Nah, I'll be knackered by Friday Chas, I'll just want to sleep. Why don't you ask Katie instead? I'd only be crap company.'

Okay, now she was lying - but she knew if she told Chas she already had plans she'd only want to know what they were and she didn't particularly want to be telling her she might be stopping over at Jasmine's for the weekend.

'Blimey Debs, you're nineteen and you're acting as though you're fifty or summat, what's wrong wi' ya?'

'Chas, most nineteen year olds don't have their own business to run. It's been proper busy lately, I'm entitled to feel knackered once in a while.'

Realising Debbie had a point, she decided to let this one go and backed off.

'Right, okay. But we definitely gotta go out one night soon though, yeh? We hardly spend any time together anymore.'

Debbie felt a little guilty at that. Chas had become the closest person she had in her family these days; she was the 'Cool Aunt' if you will and if she could trust anyone in her family it'd be Chas. But she wasn't ready for her and Jasmine to become public knowledge yet – she wanted it to just stay theirs alone for as long as possible. She didn't care what people thought at all, it was more that people have a tendency to stick their noses in where they weren't wanted and well – they'd have a field day with this. She didn't want other people butting in and spoiling things for them before they had even begun.

'Yeah, course we will,' she replied, reassuring her. 'Look, when work dies down a bit, we'll go out and catch up, get bladdered and forget everythin' we said again.'

Chas cackled at that idea and seemed satisfied enough.

'Blindin'. I'll be holdin' you to that then, lady. Right, I best get back, Paddy will be wonderin' where I've got to. See ya Debs.'

'Bye,' Debbie replied chuckling, with a shake of her head as she watched her Aunt saunter away in her bright red PVC boots.

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