Chapter 8 - Catching up with the lads.
A/N: I originally didn't plan to write this many chapters because the story would have been finished by chapter 10, but I think there's a lot I could cover. I don't have a specific chapter count in mind right now, but I'm having a blast writing this story and I hope everyone reading it is having as much fun as I am. I'll review earlier chapters to fix any grammar mistakes before publishing the final chapter.
Maxwell gave Tommy a few days off while the final castings were still being completed, giving him opportunity to relax and spend some much-needed quality time with Tammy.
Tommy drove to his previous workplace and muttered, "I hope that wank stain hasn't dumped me stuff in the rubbish bin," in the third person after forgetting for several weeks that he needed to pick up his possessions from the London Film School.
Arriving to his old workplace, he skips the receptionist, who is too preoccupied with his smart phone to notice Tommy walking by, and goes into his old office to grab his belongings, when his former lecturer and colleague Elliot Morris walks in.
Tommy, I didn't even expect you to come in," Elliott said, startled to see him after leaving multiple voicemails that went unanswered.
Tommy stated as he was packing his belongings into a cardboard box, "Don't worry Elliot, I'm just collecting me things"
Elliot, standing behind, burdened with remorse, tries to clear the air, "Tommy, I'm so sorry that you've been..."
Tommy makes a short and snappy statement "You sacked me!" before Elliot can finish his sentence.
"Well, I was going to put it being let go, but yes, you are correct, it wasn't my decision Tommy," he rubbed his hands nervously.
Tommy casts a glance towards Elliot. "So... who made the decision?"
A familiar voice is heard. "I was the main infulence behind the decision!"
Tommy turns his head and, to his surprise, it's the nefarious Russell Southgate.
"Russell Southgate, what the fuck are you doing here, you pompus wanker!" Tommy yelled.
Elliot flees in fear, leaving Tommy and Russell with their reunion, which is not a happy one by any stretch of the imagination.
"It's great to see you, Tommy, and if you're wondering, I'm on the committee team and I'm a major benafactor; I was able to get you fired without a doubt," Russell added.
"So it was you who got me sacked from here!" Tommy became enraged. "As if you couldn't make that day any worse, you fat cunt!" Tommy added, pointing his finger at him.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones and all that nursery rhyme shite, but I hope you prepare for a life in the dosshouse because that's where you're going, you cheeky little shit," Russell said, his cheeks turning crimson.
"I've been instructed to keep things quiet for the time being, but let's say your closing the door on me leads to another, a better one!" Tommy stated as he taped up his box.
"Fucking nonsense!" "I've had you blacklisted by every director in the country, including Scotland and Wales; no one in their right mind will want to hire a has-been like yourself!" replied Russell, attempting to provoke him.
"I could kick your cunt in, you fucking cretin, but I have a daughter to set an example for," Tommy remarked as he picked up his box and prepared to leave his office.
"That's it, walk away, enjoy life in the dole office, that's where you'll be heading!" exclaimed Russell as he lit his cigar.
Tommy exits the building, pauses for a moment, and looks over at the "London Film School" sign, stating in the third person, "Here's to bigger and better things." He places his possessions box in the boot of his car and drives home.
Tammy was staying with her Grandparents from Evan's side for a few days in North-East London, her Grandfather George and Grandmother Jess, who wanted to spend quality time with her while also giving Tommy a break from childcare duties.
He's sitting in the living room with a cup of tea when his phone rings, and when he takes it out of his pocket, he sees Hassan's name on the screen. He answers the video call while smiling and swiping on the screen.
"Hassan, ya bugger, how are ya?" Tommy inquired.
"Yo TP, I'm good bruv, how are you doing?" Hassan replied.
"Things have been pretty bad, but things are starting to look up," Tommy added.
"Glad to hear it, mate, let me tell you things have been hectic, but I'm missing you and the lads, how's little Tammy been coping?" Hassan inquired
"She's been a real trooper, she's kept me going through all the crap I've been through," Tommy explained.
"Danny told me, but I'm glad you're getting back on your feet," Hassan added.
"We need to organise a proper get-together soon, have you heard from Jasmine?" Tommy inquired.
"Mate, she's gone off the grid, she's not been on her soicals or anything," Hassan explained.
"She probably wants a quiet life; I'm sure she'll be fine," Tommy explained.
"You're right mate, I need to go, but give Tammy a big hug from me and tell Danny I still think he's a bellend," Hassan replied.
"OK, will do," Tommy chuckled.
"Goodbye, Tommy," Hassan said.
"Goodbye, take care of yourself, Hassan," Tommy remarked as he ended the video conversation.
Tommy receives a text message from his mother-in-law, Jess, while still holding his phone.
"Tammy got another top mark on her school project, her classmates think Stu is really cool, she's been good as gold and Poppy will drop her off back home in two days, why don't you go out for a drink with the lads, you deserve a night out to let your hair down, Tammy sends you a big kiss."
Jess x"
Tommy gets another call, this time from Kian, who says, "Tommy bruv, want to meet up for a drink with me and Danny?"
"You must be telapahtic," Tommy joked. "Sounds like a plan to me, meet you both later tonight?" he said.
"Get us in town, put on your glad rags, because we are going to paint the town red!" Kian stated.
After finishing the phone call with Kian, Tommy gets ready for his night out by donning a pair of jeans, black Chelsea boots, a charcoal polo shirt, and a leather varsity jacket that Kian gave him for one of his birthdays.
However, just as Tommy is about to leave, he notices a photo he forgot to put away in the box lying on the kitchen counter. Flipping the photo over, he sees the picture of himself and Kimi that he had shown Tammy.
"I wish I could see you again and make things right, but I'm not sure if that would be betraying Gillian. Can I love more than one person?" Tommy spoke in the third person.
After placing the photo securely in the drawer, he quickly enters the bathroom, sprays some aftershave and remarks, "Who's that handsome fella?" in the mirror above the sink.
Tommy decides to utilise his oyster card and takes the tube; the London Underground was congested with commuters returning home from work, while he was heading in the opposite direction for a night out.
When he arrives at the designated station, he exits the underground carriage, leaves the station through the long escalator, and proceeds outside. After a short distance, he meets with Danny and Kian, who have been waiting outside for him after spotting Tommy approaching them.
"What are we getting?" enquired Kian
Tommy, Kian, and Danny all yelled "Cheeky Nando's!" at the same time.
In the Nando's restaurant, Danny, Tommy, and Kian are seated. After receiving their food, they begin to talk about their friend Hassan.
"Earlier today, Hassan video called me," Tommy stated as he chopped up his chicken wings with a knife and fork.
"Wicked man!" "How is he getting along?" Kian inquired.
"It was a brief video call, but he asked around for everyone and also wanted me to pass on that he still thinks Danny is a bellend," Tommy joked.
"Wait till I get him!" I'll have you both jailed if you start on me!" Danny cracked a joke.
"Anyway, lads, things are looking up for me now; I can't go into specifics just yet, but things are looking up from here!" Tommy stated.
"Glad to hear it, bruv, after we finish our meal, let's hit a few bars and clubs," Kian remarked.
"Sounds like a good plan to me, get a few jars and maybe go on the pull," Danny remarked.
"Yeah, you could show some woman your badge, I'm sure that will turn them on," Tommy laughed.
"Mate, that would be very unprofessional!" exclaimed Danny.
"I'm glad to see you're finally on Facebook," Kian said.
"Welcome to the twenty-first century!" exclaimed Danny, clapping Tommy on the shoulder.
"I know, after looking through some old photos, I wanted to reconnect with some old friends from America," Tommy explained.
"Who do you now have on Facebook?" besides yours truly and him," Kian gestured to Danny.
"Oh, that's how highly you regard me!" Danny cracked a joke.
Kian patted his back and added, "I'm just fucking with you, bruv."
"So far, only Lil, Alex, Beth, Susie, and Angelica have accepted my friend requests, the rest have not accepted my friend requests, I tried to look up Chuckie but it appears he is not on facebook and I think he still holds a grudge against me..." Tommy explained.
"That strange specky ginger kid who's your ex's brother?" questioned Danny
"Danny, he wasn't weird, just different... Okay, he was a little strange, but he was my first best friend," Tommy chuckled.
"Have you tried looking up Kimi? "I remember you two were a thing before you met Gillian," Kian replied.
"That was a long time ago, a bit shit, but if it hadn't happened, my little niece Tammy wouldn't have been born," Danny explained.
"I guess that's just how fate turned out, I suppose," Tommy replied.
"You know lads, every time I type the letter K, I just can't go through with it," Tommy added, sipping through the straw of his glass of soft drink.
"What are you afraid of seeing, bruv?" Kian inquired
"Is she married, does she have children, did she discover she was a lesbian in college?" Tommy chuckled.
"Your mother told me she believes Betty is a lesbian, so I think you can cross that off your list of assumptions," Kian laughed.
"Mate, we've never met Howard or Betty before, we just heard about them through Didi, if Betty is a lesbian that's a long time to be in the closet haha," Danny explained.
"Anyway, I'm not sure if she'd want to reconnect with me... after all these years, and yeah, Betty did have masculine tendencies, not sure if I should bring that up with Lil," Tommy joked.
"You don't know unless you try, mate, does Tammy know about your history with Kimi?" Danny inquired.
"I was very open with her, Tammy actually thought she looked pretty in the photos, it's a long shot but I think Tammy needs a Mother figure in her life," Tommy explained.
"Don't rush into it if you don't feel it's the right time; when you're ready, look Kimi up and send her a message," Kian said.
"Yeah, mate, the worst that could happen is she blocks you..." Danny explained.
"Danny, you fucking knobhead, shattering Tommy's confidence like that!" Kian stated
"It's fine, Kian, Danny's right." "Kimi may not want anything to do with me, but once everything is settled, I will look for her again," Tommy replied.
"If anyone deserves another chance at happiness, it's you," Kian added as the three of them embraced quickly.
"Before anyone gets the wrong idea," Tommy chuckled, "let's pay the bill and paint this town red!" he continued.
"Don't want some cunts thinking we're a thruple, yeah, seen too many of those weird videos!" Kian stated.
The guys have settled their bill and are ready to begin their night out; the night is still young and the clubs have yet to open; what kind of wild or tame night is in store?...
End of Chapter 8