Ash: Thank you very much for your kind words ;-D

Obbo= slang for police operation, in case anyone needs to know.

Chapter 15

I'd dropped Emily off after more cuddling and reaffirming kisses. I'd offered her my spare room as a compromise if her ungrateful twat of a sister was getting her down, but she'd refused, saying there was no way she was going to be kicked out of her own place. I'd walked her to her door, holding onto her hand as she walked away until she was pulled back to me for one more kiss, and then, with a promise to call me tomorrow and a soft 'Thank you my prince' she'd disappeared into her flat.

I waited a few minutes but she didn't come back out, so I assumed everything was as well as it could be. I was about to drive away when my phone beeped at me.

"It's ok Naoms, she's tidied up and apologised. I think we'll have a little chat and I'll just go to bed. I'm exhausted. I'll call you tomorrow. Thank you Naomi. You really have been what I needed tonight. I'll make it up to you for being such a pain in the arse. Ems XX"

I looked up at the window I knew to belong to her flat and saw her darkened silhouette looking at me. She waved a hand and I waved back, quickly sending her back a 'You're not a pain in the arse and goodnight' text. I waved once more and drove away.

I'd initially set out to go home. I had another early shift tomorrow and then I had the unit night out to contend with. I needed to get my fucking head straight (only part of me that probably was, I was pretty sure the rest of me was a big old homo), but the restlessness got to me, so here I was driving around at 10.30 at night.

I found myself outside Effy and Freddie's house. My subconscious always brought me to a place I felt grounded me I guess. I didn't realise how long I'd been sitting outside their house until I was startled by a knocking at my window, a very annoyed looking Effy standing there with a big cardigan wrapped around her.

'You going to come in then or what? Sitting out here like a fucking depressed guard dog you weirdo' I nodded and got out of the car, following her into the warm house.

We sat in her kitchen on either sides of her breakfast bar, Freddie having made himself scarce. I'd explained why I'd been driving around after Emily's call to me with her in floods of tears. Effy had made me a cup of coffee and sat still on her stool while I tried to explain myself, only interrupting to ask for clarification on something or to agree with me.

"I can't get my head on straight Eff. I need to get this obbo tomorrow sorted with Tone and all I can think about is Emily's eyes, how her skin feels and how fucking fantastic she is at kissing." I paused for a moment. Effy remained still, her natural state when I'd first met her, until she'd loosened up. "I was walking down the corridor this morning frightened to turn around in case fucking Bambi and his big chum Thumper the twatting rabbit were frolicking along behind me." I couldn't be bothered trying to verbalise my annoyance at the job and having to tell lies to Emily about what my real job was anymore. I rested my head on my arms, closed my eyes and sighed.

"You really like this girl Naoms" Way to go Effy. State the fucking obvious. I opened an eye and grunted. "I've not seen you like this so quickly, ever I think. " She paused and thought for a moment before breaking out in a radiant smile. "Nope, can't remember you actually started to prioritise a woman over your job before. Maybe it's karma or some shit. Sometimes people just click and bond instantly and are meant to be. Look at me and Freds. Sure he's a tit, but we just had something from the minute we met."

I mumbled "yeah, your something was the clap", sat back up and looked at her, waiting for her to continue. I knew she would, just in her own sweet time. I sipped my coffee whilst I waited.

"Naomi. Just go with the flow. Let it develop, she sounds like a keeper. She brings out the big protective tiger in you, that's not a bad thing. She brings out this mopey romantic fool I see before me and that's really not a bad thing. She made the first move on you, so it's not as if she's not interested in you." I made some sort of noise to agree with her. "She rang you tonight when she needed someone"

"Get the assignment out of the way, and then tell her. If she likes you as much as you think, and I think she does babe, she'll understand. She'll be pissed and there may be some sort of dramarama, but she'll understand. You're her Prince Charming remember?" She smiled. "And make up sex is always spectacular and let's not forget the bendiness" I finally laughed and let Eff take the piss out of me. She was just what I needed, reassuring me it would work out and that she'd help me win her over again if needs be. I was even persuaded to show Eff and Freds (who'd wandered in by this point) what she looked like on the gyms webpage. She was impressed (her words), Freddie was really impressed and received a slap off Eff and a smirk off me. They both pissed themselves laughing at Pandas dress sense.

I was just leaving when my phone buzzed again. I checked it and smiled. I'll give you one guess as to who it was, and no it wasn't the Easter fucking bunny. I read it and then handed my phone over to Effy as she'd only tweak my ears until I showed her.

She laughed and read it out. "Had a chat with K and told her she made my night in a weird way cause I got to spend time with you. She went purple. Haha! Thanks for the offer of the room. It means a lot to me, and if I haven't said it recently, thank you for taking a chance and ringing me. Night my prince, I'll see you on Sunday. Don't eat lunch! Xxx".

I pulled my phone out of Effys hand, hugged her close and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks Eff, you're wonderful you know" She laughed, told me to fuck off and that she wanted to meet this girl when my assignment was over.

Strolling back to the car feeling a little more at ease with myself I sent Emily a reply.

"I'm glad you took a chance on me Em's. The offer's there if it gets too much. No pressure, you'd have the spare room. Can't wait for Sunday. Night Cinders, sleep well. N Xx"

Lying in bed, I felt more settled. Maybe this would work out after all.