Well, the next bit took no time at all! Hope you enjoy!

Tonight's the night.

It's Friday, May Day bank holiday weekend and I'm gonna take John Paul out. Yes, out out. To a gay bar. He doesn't know it, but I've found out there's one in Chester, called the Liverpool Arms. I don't think he's ever been there, but the name should help convince him to join me. ;)

The last couple of weeks have been brilliant. We had a really nice time on Easter Sunday before heading home where Matthew welcomed us like we'd returned from war. I could have imagined him going out to slaughter a lamb to welcome his prodigal fathers, he was that happy to see us! Since then things have been plodding along fine, we've had loads of laughs, spent lots of time together and all the drama that happened in Wales just seems to have changed everything between us. We're much more open with each other, not shying away from saying what we're really thinking.

So tonight we're meeting for drinks after work. I asked Nancy to find a reason to meet in the Pied Bull pub, which is just a few steps away from the Liverpool Arms, so distance won't be an excuse for him when I suggest we go there. Manipulative, yes, but it's all for a good course, right?

It was actually Darren who came through for me. He arranged a girls' only karaoke night in the Dog, starting at five, so there was no option for us to meet in the village pub. He then managed to get Esther and Tom to mind Matthew, Oscar and Charlie. Also, Esther's girlfriend Tilly's coming home from college for the long weekend so she'll help. It's all sorted. Well, actually, John Paul thinks it's Myra and Carmel who're gonna babysit, but they refused to miss the karaoke, so they decided to partake in the deception, instead. Anyway, Darren and Nancy are only gonna stay for a few drinks and then they'll go back and take over while I continue the "pub crawl" with my guy.

When all these practicalities were sorted, it was actually Nancy who came up with the real reason to meet in town for drinks – she'd been offered and accepted a job at the local BBC station.

So of course, John Paul couldn't refuse to join us there. Well, he might think that there are a few more people joining us to celebrate, but anyway, when we're there, I'm sure I can wing it.

[I]I can't wait[/I]!

'Oh no, Carmel. He's been throwing up all over Myra?'

God, this is ridiculous! Darren couldn't act his way out of pantomime, even if there was an Oscar statue waiting for him at the other end. Even weirder is the fact that John Paul seems to be buying into it. He's looking very troubled and I worry that he'll demand to go home as well. I look at Nancy and am certain she's thinking the same thing as me. She quickly nods and then grabs the phone from her husband.

'Hi Carmel, it's Nance. Is Charlie alright?' She pauses for a bit, clearly timing her responses to the expected information. 'Oh, okay, he's just had a bit too many sweets, right. Yes, this happens to kids when they're allowed to just eat and eat and eat.'

All this shenanigans scare me. Okay, don't go overboard, Nance. Reel it in or John Paul won't trust his mum and sister to ever mind our son again.

Yes, our son, you don't know how special it feels to think those words.

Anyway, back to the scene that's unfolding around me.

'Yeah, the little ones are alright, though, right?' She pauses for effect. 'Okay Carmel, Darren and I will be home soonish. Just give Charlie a lot of water, so he won't dehydrate, and tell him no more sweets tonight. And give him a big hug from me, will you, and tell him we'll be there soon.' She listens to what Carmel's supposedly saying on the other end. 'You're a star, Carm. Exactly. Oscar and Matthew are sleeping alright?' She waits for a few seconds. 'Brilliant, Carm. I'll tell John Paul. I'll be there soon, okay? Just give Charlie a hug and tell him we're on our way.' A very short pause. 'Yeah, of course, Carm.' She moves her phone away from her head and whispers to John Paul. 'Matthew's asleep. No problem with him. Off like a light an hour ago.' She returns her attention to the phone. 'Okay, darling, see you soon. Bye.'

'I guess we should start heading home.' It's Darren who's putting his chip in. 'You'll stay in town though, it's just Charlie that's not well.'

God, Darren, can you be any more obvious?

'I don't know, Darren, if Charlie's unwell, it might only be minutes before it's Matthew's turn. I guess we should go home. What do you think, Craig?'

John Paul's actually asking me for advice regarding our son. I need to get this one right.

'Of course, John Paul, if he's ill we need to go back right away. Let me call your mum first, though. Get her point of view, okay?' I cross my fingers that he'll agree to my idea.

He does.

'Okay, call her, Craig!'

I pick up my mobile and ring Esther's number. Get off my case, people, I'm doing this for us, and besides, there's nothing wrong with any of the boys. It was just Tom calling Darren at an arranged time, but the idiot hadn't thought it through how to make him and Nancy scarce.

'Hi sweetie, it's Craig.' That's my name for Esther since I met her. She really is a sweet kid. Has gone through horrible times, but I'm just in awe of her, I have to admit. Wish I'd had her courage. 'It's Craig.' I continue to talk, ignoring what she might be about to say, 'the little ones are alright, aren't they?'

I hear her agreeing, but I need to continue, surprising her.

'It's only Charlie's who's ill, right, Myra?' I hear Esther's surprise, but have to continue. 'Yeah, that's what Carmel said. Both sleeping?' I smile at John Paul in affirmation. 'Okay, Myra. We'll see you soon, hopefully in the morning.'

'Since when do you call my mum "sweetie"?' he asks as soon as I've hung up.

'Since she's been the grandmother of our son. Or havent' you noticed?' I state confidently, well aware that it's a blatant lie.

He buys it, though, fortunately, and asks, 'So where are we heading after this?'

I pretend to be taken off-guard before replying, 'Yeah, oh, just down the road to the Liverpool Arms.'

[I]What will he say[/I]?

'Liverpool Arms?' He replies uncertainly. 'Isn't that a…?'

I stop the question before it's finished.

'Yeah, a fan bar for the club, I think. Saw it on my way here. Looks alright.' Hoping he's not too familiar with the Chester gay scene. I mean, why should he, if he's never out, right?

'Right,' he replies sceptically. 'Okay, let's go there. Any players around, usually?'

I know he's trying to call my bluff, I but have to continue with the plan.

'I'm not certain, but from what I've read online, Gerrard's not unkown to visit.'

'I've heard about it. Supposed to be a good one.' Nancy chips in. 'You should go. Okay, Darren. Let's leave those rascals to it. Have fun!' She winks at me as she leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek.

'Yeah, right. Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.' Darren rises to his feet. 'Okay, mate.' He gives me quick hug before doing the same to John Paul. 'See you tomorrow.' He picks up his pint and finishes the remaining half in one gulp. He burps and then he's off, a laughing Nancy following him, telling him off for the bad manners.

A moment later it's only the two of us there.

'So you wanna finish your drink and head over?' John Paul asks as he picks up his drink and empties the glass.

I follow his lead and as I'm swallowing he rises from his chair and says, 'And I know it's a gay bar, Craig.' He winks at me before continuing, 'Let's go!'

I almost choke on my drink as I quickly stand up. I'm not gonna give him time to change his mind.

A few minutes later we're inside the first gay bar I've been to since way back in Dublin. There's a big crowd there and a blackboard on the wall says that there's a drag cabaret act on tonight, a Miss Penni Tration. I look at John Paul, worried that he might want to leave, but he's just smiling.

'So you gonna get me a drink?' He asks. 'Make it a Celine this time.'

'A what?' I asks.

'A Celine, that's vodka and Red Bull in a pint glass, with enough ice to sink the Titanic.' He replies giggling. 'Don't you think I know my way around a gay bar?' He winks at me before continuing. 'It's what Andrew used to drink when we went to The George. I feel it's appropriate here.' He's referring to a mate of his from uni who he used to hang out with in the first year.

'Right. One Celine coming up, mate.' I head over to the bar. It takes me quite a while to be served and when I finally return with the drinks, two Celines, John Paul's already engaged in an animated conversation with a good-looking, dark-haired lad, who looks to be a bit older than us.

I feel a pang in my stomach but quickly gather myself and join them, handing John Paul the drink. 'Here you are, my man.' Where did that phrase come from?

Judging by his expression, it's clear that John Paul's thinking the same thing. He doesn't comment, though, as he accepts and thanks me for the drink.

'This is Bryan, with a why. He teaches at another school in town. We met at a union meeting once. He's here with his partner, Les.' He points at a ginger-haired woman at a nearby table. She waves back and I nod and smile at her.

'Nice to meet you, Bryan.' I offer him my hand in greeting. 'What brings you guys here?'

'You too, Craig.' He already knows my name. Take that! 'Les's brother, Adam's celebrating his thirtieth. He always goes here.'

The conversation slowly turns to teaching and I log off, quietly enjoying my drink. I savour John Paul's enthusiasm, as I observe the crowd. Some are visibly more drunk than others, but everyone seems to be having a great time. It's clear that he fits in here. And so do I, I realise.

[I]So do I[/I].