15 minutes had passed since Harry had sat down with his mother. 15 minutes of hell. Currently the topic included having her teach him how to cook more sustainable meals, an idea that he was strongly contesting.

"But Harry dear if you just let me-" she insisted.

"You won't be coming anywhere near my kitchen again if you keep going on!" he stood up, his hands pulling his hair in frustration. There was only one thing that could do that could stop the anger from building up anymore, get rid of her. "Look mother, I really have to get back-"

"But it's only..." she looked at her watch "quarter past one. Surely your lovely boss will let you off from... cutting up people when he knows you're with your beloved mother?"

"My lovely boss is not single mother, and we have to finish an autopsy this afternoon if we don't want to stay tomorrow" he lied easily. Harry knew his mother liked Leo, it was apparent when she had come to talk to him one day and bumped into him in the hallway. His mother had since made every excuse imaginable to come to the university just to get a glimpse.

"But-"

"No buts mum, I need to get to work, and for that to happen I need to leave the house". He picked up his car keys from the tray in the hall, jingling them in front of him for effect.

"It's been so long since I've seen you last and this is how you treat me!" she said, getting up off the sofa, putting her coat over her bent arm as she walked towards the door. "I have the right mind never to come back".

Please, feel free. Harry thought.

With a huge sigh of relief, Nikki reached her destination: a quiet pub and bar just 10 minutes away from the university. Her and Harry had been here on many occasions to just blow off steam, normally about her failed love life.

At this time of day it was quiet inside, just the gentle chatter of a couple in the corner, obviously in love, sitting so close they could probably see each other's reflection in their eyes. Tutting, Nikki made her way over to the other end of the bar, as far away from them as possible, and sat down.

"Good afternoon, what can I get you?"

Looking up, she saw tall, thin barman looking down at her glass in one hand and washing up cloth in the other. He was, however, not the hot barman Nikki wanted to be served by, more like a university student too eager for her liking. "Er... just a small cider" she was going at her anger full force. She didn't plan on walking out of here sober.

"Certainly, and may I ask your name?" he gave her a large smile as he leaned across the bar.

"Maybe after a drink eh?" she replied, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, hoping he'd leave her alone.

"Of course" he bowed his head, whipping the dish cloth to hang it over his shoulder to impress her, but unfortunately only succeeded in knocking the clean glass out of his hand and smashing it onto the floor.

Nikki couldn't suppress a giggle as she saw him turn bright red, running to the back room to grab a dustpan and brush.

Harry had finally got rid of his godforsaken mother. However, the only way she would leave him alone was if he would drop her off at his place of work, if only to get another glance at Leo. His stress levels had got worse since in the car when she found it helpful to now tell him how to drive.

Thankful she was now gone, he began the walk towards his favourite place to de-stress. Nikki and he came here a lot, mainly to talk about his appalling love life. He couldn't think of how many times he had wanted to ask her to a date in his very place, he just couldn't pluck up the courage. One day. He thought. One day.

Opening the door to the bar, he began to walk inside only to hear a loud shattering coming from the bar. Looking over to his left he saw a young looking barman pick himself up from behind the bar, turn a deep shade of red and run off towards a door at the back.

Looking over at their usual spot he noticed a very familiar figure. He knew exactly who this was and decided a little teasing was in order for making him endure his mother's company for longer than necessary.

Nikki took her purse out of her bag, putting it onto the counter when someone rested their chin on her shoulder. Jumping slightly, she turned around. "Harry!" she cried, throwing her arms around his shoulders.

"At least someone's glad to see me" he laughed, putting his arms around her back and squeezing gently.

"What do you mean?" she mumbled into his neck.

"Er... well let's just say the meeting with my mother didn't quite go as I'd hoped".

She felt her stiffen against him as she pulled back from the hug and put her hands over her eyes, ashamed. "I am... so sorry. Oh God, I totally forgot, you told me to do one little thing and I can't even do that".

"Hey, hey." He said to her, sitting himself down on the stool next to hers. Putting his hands over hers he pulled her hands away from her eyes and threaded his fingers through his. "It's OK. I got rid of her anyway didn't I?" he joked, making her smile lightly.

"But it was just one thing you wanted me to do and I just..." she couldn't find the words. No wonder he didn't want to spend time with her, no wonder he went for other women. He couldn't even trust her to so the simplest of things like ringing his mobile.

"It's fine" he insisted, squeezing her hands again. "I forgive you, don't you go thinking I can't trust you either".

She looked up at him, into his eyes and smiled again. He always knew what to say at the right time, why were they only friends? She wished they were more...

"Ma'am" a shy voice interrupted from behind the bar as a drink was slid towards her, bubbling slightly. "And for you sir?" he asked, a look of obvious jealousy on his face.

"Same as the lady, thanks" Harry replied, looking back at Nikki, their moment broken.