Monday and Tuesday had carried on as the Monday and Tuesday the week before, but something had shifted. A new found warmth and mutual feelings that this relationship was going somewhere. They were looking forward to their second weekend together but not really sure what best to do with themselves. Last weekend had been fun but was full of ups and downs. John wanted to create some better memories.

Jim had told John about his mate who was an Elvis impersonator playing at a pub near John on Saturday night. Jim and his wife Sarah were unable to make it and as it was a ticketed event asked John if he wanted them.

John was not a fan of Elvis impersonators and initially refused the tickets, but of course when he told Kayleigh on the Wednesday, she was overly keen to go; John had tried to dissuade her but to no avail.

"Oh I love Elvis! Please John. My dad would play his songs all the time when I was younger" she pleaded.

"Alright, I'll let Jim know we'll take the tickets" he finally relented after a series of similar pleas from Kayleigh.

"Yes!" Kayleigh pulled her fist down in victory. "Why didn't you want to go?"

"I just can't bear impersonators...I'd rather see the real thing."

"Yeah, but you can't see the real Elvis...he's dead John."

"I know he's dead...I'm just saying I'd rather have seen the real thing...not some chancer."

"Chancer?! Blimey John, you're being a bit harsh aren't ya? Thought he was a mate."

"No, he's Jim's mate, I've never met him. Jim said he's quite good apparently but the only ones I have ever seen always seem to be more like Elvis laying in the casket."

"John!"

"What?! It's true."

"You can't say that!"

"I can."

"Well, how come you've seen so many If you don't like them?"

She had John there...but he had a good answer.

"Because I've seen plenty when me and Jim have performed at various gigs...so not through choice, clever clogs."

"Fair enough. Well I cant wait, it'll be fun."

"Mmm well see about that."

"So what's the plan for the weekend then?" Kayleigh asked tentatively.

"Howd ya mean?"

"I mean are you picking me up Saturday night? Or will we see each other during the day?"

"Oh right, I haven't really thought about it."

"Oh." Kayleigh expressed half disappointment.

"I only just found out you wanted to go two minutes ago...give me a chance."

Kayleigh just smiled at him whilst John formed a plan.

"Ok, how about this, you come to mine for tea Friday...stay over..."

"Again? Must be serious!" Kayleigh teased whilst John looked at her disapprovingly..."Sorry" she said quietly.

"As I was saying...you can stay over...AGAIN...we can do something in the day...go out to this shoddy Elvis and then...er.. then...I'll...erm...take ya round me Mums Sunday." John was surprising himself here 'what ya doing Redmond?' he thought to himself. It's not that John didn't want this all to happen, he just felt maybe he was rushing things faster than his head can keep up with.

"Your Mums? You being serious?"

John just nodded his head.

"Are you sure?"

"Course I'm bloody sure, wouldn't ask if I wasn't." John was lying, he wasn't sure, but once he started talking he couldn't stop, then he started to panic, is this how things escaped him with Charlotte he thought, was it he just couldn't stop himself saying things and that's how he ended up engaged?

"Sounds good John, we can always play it by ear anyway" Kayleigh sensed his panic and gave him a bit of a get out clause.

They pulled up at work and John reassured Kayleigh he'd message Jim as soon as he was at his desk.

After work Kayleigh was waiting for John in the car, he had been held up in a Christmas team meeting.

"Finally!" she said as he opened the door.

"Sorry 'bout that...this bloody Christmas team's doing me head in already."

"Oh no why's that?"

John started to drive off and didn't say anything.

"Well?" pushed Kayleigh.

"Oh just everyone pulling me in all directions. I'm not Stretch Armstrong!"

Kayleigh giggled "aw poor John" as she touched his knee. John felt her comfort and suddenly all felt right again.

"Oh by way...messaged Jim...he'll drop tickets round to me later."

"Excellent...I'm so excited John."

"I know ya are" he smiled towards her.

Hall and Oates You make my Dreams come True started to play on Forever Fm.

John wondered back to his earlier thoughts, it had bothered him all day that he even thought he was making the same mistakes he had with Charlotte. He felt bad even thinking of Kayleigh and the word mistake in the same thought. He didn't know what was wrong with him, why every time he was making bold leaps did he fell the need to take a step back. He was torturing himself with his thoughts when really he needed to be shaking off the past...a past that he didn't even feel part of, as he previously told Kayleigh 'I felt I was playing a part in someone else's life.'

This time he was playing himself and this was his own life that he was an active part of and that's what scared him, this was real. Trouble is he had blocked out so much of the real him in the romantic sense, he struggled to know how to play this part.

"You're quiet? Is everything ok?" asked a concerned Kayleigh.

"Yeah, sorry, just been a long day."

John felt bad being quiet, but he felt he needed to really think about what his next steps were, he wasn't being fair to Kayleigh being full on one minute and running a mile the next.

"Did you want to come to our Mandy's for ya tea?"

"I better not, Jim's popping over with the tickets...thanks though, maybe tomorrow or something?"

"Yeah, sure" Kayleigh replied.

"Home sweet home" he said as they pulled up to Mandy's. They did the usual, got out of the car, John spoke to Steve, John kissed Kayleigh goodbye then John would drive off and Kayleigh would wave him off, it was the routine he had now become accustomed too.

When he got home, he saw Jim had posted the tickets through the door. He knew he was going to do that, he just needed sometime to think and he couldn't do that round Mandy's.

He sat in his living room and stared at the blank television screen. Thoughts running through his head. 'Right' he thought 'you've written a song, declaring your love, granted, in a roundabout way, you've told her she is who you want, you've told her that you want to put the past behind you and this relationship is special, so what the hell is wrong?' he asked himself. He pondered this for a while and then it hit him, despite all of what he said to her, he hadn't been fully honest, he was holding back even after all of that, he still couldn't take that leap. He knew what he had to do.

As Friday evening arrived and he and Kayleigh settled in for the evening after a Chicken Kiev meal John had put together, with an egg. Despite Kayleigh's continued protests that 'you cant have French and egg John' she did enjoy it.

John was trying to find the right time to say what he needed to say, it just never came to that point. What with the chats about work and what they were watching on television, there just never seemed a poignant time.

The bedtime routine followed the previous Saturday's where they were both so tired they fell asleep hugging after a few kisses.

Saturday morning they were up and out, John needed to get to a DIY store to get some paint as his Mum wanted her bathroom painted. They stopped for a snack and a cuppa and went to a garden centre. It was a run of the mill day, but they were so happy doing these normal 'coupley' things, John really felt stupid for how he had been behaving.

As they got ready for the Elvis night after John cooked a Pizza; Kayleigh put Forever FM on John's clock radio in his bedroom. Kayleigh went for a similar look to their first night out and John wore a dark blue shirt and lighter Jeans.

"You ready yet?!' John called from downstairs.

"Yes, just getting me lippy on! How far is the pub?"

"Bout 10 minute walk up the road...if we ever get moving!"

"Alright!" Kayleigh stated as she came down stairs "I'm ready...Ta Dah!" as she playfully posed.

"Lovely...now lets get a wriggle on."

They left the house hand in hand.

"Thought you said it was a 10 minute walk?"

"It is, it's just round the corner here, patience. I know you're not used to walking places now you got you own personal driver..."

"Oi cheeky!" Kayleigh slapped him on the arm.

"Here ya, were here now."

They got a table at the back of the function area where Elvis would be performing. The tables were placed in a way that left room for people to dance if they so wished.

John went to the bar and got himself a coke and Kayleigh a glass of white wine.

Elvis started with a few of the old classics, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook Up and Don't Be Cruel etc. He was a white suited Elvis and a lot trimmer than John had been anticipating.

"He's good isn't he John?"

"Aye, not bad actually."

"You glad you listened to me now?"

"When don't I listen to you eh? That's what gets me into trouble" he winked as Kayleigh smiled.

A few people had made their way onto the dancefloor showing off some Rock n Roll moves, Kayleigh and John looked on.

"Did you want to dance?" asked Kayleigh hopefully.

"Maybe later" replied John, he didn't want to get up just yet and he knew he wouldn't get away with not dancing with Kayleigh around.

John brought Kayleigh another wine and he watched her from the bar swaying to the music and talking to some of the other ladies sitting with them. John knew that what he needed to do had to be done tonight, it's just when and how.

After an hour Elvis took a breather and Kayleigh went to the toilets "that wines going right through me John." John just smiled to himself and shook his head at how open Kayleigh was about everything.

Elvis had a beer brought to him by the staff and was looking at his speakers and microphone checking the sound; John felt he should say hello as it was Jim's mate after all.

"Hi ya, great show you're putting on. I'm John, I play in a band with Jim."

"Ah nice to meet ya John" they shook hands "Jim said he couldn't make tonight and his bandmate and girlfriend would come along instead."

"Ah right. So how long you been doing this?"

"Bout 8 years now, I was down in Wales for a short while, then we moved back here, knew Jim from years back so good to be back in touch."

"Well you are the best I've seen."

"Cheers John. You got any requests?"

A thought suddenly hit John.

"Actually mate, I do...but don't mention I've requested this."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Wonder of You"

"Yep, that was on my setlist anyway, I'll probably sing it after Burning Love."

"Great, remember no mention I asked for that."

"No worries, nice to speak to ya, give my best to Jim."

"Will do and thanks" John shook his hand and went to sit back down. Kayleigh was already back from the ladies toilet and witnessed their chat.

"What were ya chatting to him about?"

"Nowt, just thought I'd introduce meself as Jim's mate and praise him on tonight...nosey bugger you aren't ya" he teased.

"What's he like?"

"Yeah nice guy actually, been doing this 8 years now."

"Wow, that's commitment. Hope he does Suspicious Minds" said Kayleigh excitedly.

"I'm sure he will" replied John.

Elvis started again Always On My Mind, cover of Sweet Caroline, Way Down and In The Ghetto were the first few songs performed after the interval. John anxiously waited for his secret request, he didn't want it to be known he had wanted that song to be played, he had been there and done that with the radio request. Having someone else to do the dedication was him chickening out again, he had to make sure, like with his own song, it came from him.

As the first few bars to Burning Love played John took the bold move of asking Kayleigh if she wanted to dance. She was thrilled and dragged him on the floor as they tried to Rock n Roll dance their way through it. It was a comedy of errors but they were laughing and having fun with it. As the song ended John braced himself, he knew what was next.

Wonder of You started to play and they entered a slow dance embrace with Kayleigh's arms around John's neck and Johns arms around her waist and his head on her shoulder as he pulled her in close. They moved round in a slow circle. As it got to the last verse, John lifted his head to look into Kayleigh's eyes and mouthed the words to Kayleigh, a bit like Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing to I've Had Time of my Life, this was the moment for John.

'And when you smile the world is brighter, you touch my hand and I'm a king,

your kiss to me is worth a fortune, your love for me is everything.

I guess I'll never know the reason why

you love me as you do

That's the wonder, the wonder of you'

Kayleigh looked up at John the whole time, with her eyes welling up. As John swung his head back miming the big Elvis finale, he then looked back at Kayleigh, pulled her closer and said "I do love you Kayleigh, you know that don't ya?" He kissed her on the cheek and hugged her again. Kayleigh squeezed him back and then moved herself from the embrace so she could face John "I love you too John." They kissed on the lips and hugged some more, just as Suspicious Minds started, with that they started trying out some of their Rock n Roll moves again, with equal laughter as before.

On the walk home, Kayleigh was slightly tipsy, but not quite 'fluffy drunk' she was just very happy with how the evening had panned out. Her and John were walking arm and arm back to Johns.

"It was such a good night John, so glad you got those tickets!"

"Me too."

"Honestly John, I had soooo much fun...you make everything fun."

"Now I know you've had too much to drink."

"I'm not drunk, only had 4 wines, I'm a little more hard-core than that John."

"I know, I'm just messing wit ya."

"I really loved the song and what you said after John...it was...really lovely" Kayleigh welled up again.

"Not a bother..." he looked down at her and pulled her closer and kissed her on the forehead "...I meant it...all of it."

Kayleigh smiled up at him.

They returned to the house and John put the kettle on whilst Kayleigh went to the living room. John made them both a brew and brought them through. Kayleigh was sprawled out on the sofa asleep "hard-core my eye" John said to himself. He put the blanket that was down by the side of the sofa over Kayleigh and he sat on the armchair next to her, sipping his tea and shaking his head smiling whilst looking longingly at Kayleigh.

'Well, you've done it' he thought to himself, he didn't regret it one bit.