Kayleigh started to stir on the sofa and then suddenly woke up when she saw John asleep on the armchair, wearing the same clothes he had on the night before. She reached for her phone to check the time it was 06.45, she laid back down on the couch but as she did her hand hit the table "Ooow" she shouted, waking up John who shouted "what the hell's going on?" as he sat up, "I just hit my hand on the table...ow" she replied in exaggerated pain. "Is that all? Bloody hell, nearly gave me a heart attack here" John was still trying to wake up properly.
"Well, I'm sorry John bit hurt."
"Anyway, what time is it?"
"Bout quarter to seven"
"Quarter to seven! On a Sunday? What's the matter wit ya woman!" he smiled after the jokey outburst.
"Oh don't John I feel bad enough as it is."
"Hungover?"
"No, just feel awful for ruining last night."
"How'd ya mean?"
"By falling asleep on the couch when the night was so perfect."
"Ya daft sod, nothing was ruined. Apart from my back in this armchair. Wanna brew?"
"Would love one ta." Kayleigh followed John to the kitchen whilst John stretched his back.
"Why did you sleep on the armchair?"
"I wasn't gonna leave ya down here on ya own was I?" as he switched on the kettle.
"Aw that's so lovely John" she went over to give him a hug, he returned the hug and gave her a kiss on the lips and John asked her "so do you remember much from last night?" Kayleigh knew what he getting at so thought she'd have a bit of fun "I don't know really...is there anything in particular I should remember?" she asked sincerely. "Are you having me on?" he replied horrified as he let go of the embrace and to get the cups ready.
"Well if you just give me an idea of what you're referring too?" she smirked to herself.
"Well if you cant remember I'm not repeating it?"
"Repeat what? Come on John" she pleaded.
"Christ, I don't know, I do something romantic and it's bloody wasted, just like you were!"
"Oh John don't be like that?" she was starting to feel a bit bad winding him up as she knew last night must have been hard, she hoped she wasn't ruining the whole moment.
"I said it."
"Said what?"
"I said I love you, and you don't even remember! And I danced!" he said as he turned round to see Kayleigh smiling widely "You're winding me up aint ya?" he smiled reluctantly. Kayleigh went over to him and gave him a kiss "course I'm winding you up, blimey John, I only had 4 glasses of wine!"
"Well you passed out quick enough."
"It was all that dancing" she giggled "I don't think I ate a lot yesterday so it probably hit me a little more than it should have, but I remember that moment as clear as day."
"So why did you pretend ya hadn't?"
"I just wanted to hear you say it again" she smiled again.
"You cheeky..." John was cut off by a passionate kiss from Kayleigh. They were so lost in the moment they had forgotten all about the tea.
"D'ya want this brew then or what? Probably cold now" John said as he broke the kiss.
"Oh yeah, I'm parched, thirsty work this."
They went to sit back in the living room, John put on the television and they snuggled up on the sofa together.
"John?"
"Yes Kayleigh?" as he continued to watch the television.
"Did ya mean it?"
"Mean what?" he replied nonchalantly.
"When you said you loved me?" She sat up to face him.
"Why you asking me that for?"
"Because...because I know you want to take things slow...and I...I don't know if this is going to fast for you?"
John sighed "Look Kayleigh..." he turned slightly to face her more "I'm gonna be honest as that's what you deserve."
Kayleigh looked worried "go on" she asked impatiently.
"I have been struggling with this...change...in our relationship."
"Struggling? How?"
"I was used to being on me own, but then you came along and made me doubt everything I believed and convinced meself. You know...I said it all in me song."
"Ok...and...?"
"Thing is when I'm with you, I just...I just feel so...happy...and I'd forgotten what that was like you know? And I'm trying so hard to make this work..."
"Trying? It shouldn't take effort John...it should be natural" she said shakily.
"And it is in so many ways, I just feel so much for you and like I said the other week its all happened so fast...these feelings..."
"So what are you trying to say John?"
"In answer to your question...did I mean what I said...the answer is... that I meant every word. Including the Wonder of You bit."
Kayleigh smiled.
"But...I still want to take things slow...I just need time to adapt to this new way of being with you. But please don't think I'm messin' ya about because I'm not...as I've said, you are so special to me...and I love the bones of ya" he kissed her on the forehead.
"I understand John...it's new for me too. I didn't think I'd ever find someone, heartsearchers failed, everyone else getting married having kids. What did I have eh? And then I met you...and I had all these hopes and then thought they weren't going to happen and then you wrote that song..." Kayleigh was getting emotional "...it was killing me when I thought you didn't feel same. And then you did and...oh John...I don't want to move faster than either of us can handle...so please don't worry about having to try...like you said 'take each day as it comes' and each day with you is...amazing...I love it and I love you."
They kissed again "thank you Kayleigh."
"What for?"
"For being you and understanding me...and really knowing me" he smiled at her and they hugged. "Right...I s'pose we better get freshened up and get ready to get to me Mums."
"Are you sure you want me to come with you? I don't have too."
"Its just dinner at me Mum's it's not a marriage proposal so I am sure I can cope with that...if you're sure you can?" He laughed as he got up.
"What do you mean if I can?"
"You'll see" he laughed some more as he went to the living room door.
"Will Paul be there?" she asked.
"No, just me Mum and Nana today, Paul and Claire have taken the kids and gone to Southport for the weekend to see Claire's Aunt and Uncle. I wouldn't drop you in at the deep end."
It was 12.00 by the time they got ready and had a bite to eat for breakfast.
They headed out to the car.
"Alright John" said Ian.
"Told ya...he waits" John whispered to Kayleigh "He weren't there yesterday, think you're being paranoid John" she whispered back.
"Hi ya Ian, how you today?"
"Not so bad son. Nice to see your lovely lady friend again, hello love."
"Hiya"
"Well Ian wont keep ya, we gotta get to me Mums for dinner."
"Oh aye, how is ya Mum?"
"Shes fine thanks Ian"
"Still likes feeding ya up I see?" Ian laughed.
"Aye she does...I'm a growing lad" John joked back.
"Working up an appetite I bet."
"Ian, not in front of a lady."
"Its ok, I've heard worse" said Kayleigh jokingly trying to get involved in the conversation.
"Well I'll let ya's get on then. Give me love to your Mum."
"Will do, see ya Ian"
"Bye Ian"
They got in the car.
"Sorry about him...again."
"Doesn't worry me, think its nice you've got a friendly neighbour."
"He's no Ken though is he?" John laughed as he started the car and drove off.
Somethings Gotten Hold of My Heart by Marc Almond and Gene Pitney came on Forever FM.
"Love this!" said Kayleigh.
"Yeah the original by Mr Pitney was on the Sixties CD they played at me dads funeral."
"Oh when they played the wrong song?"
"Yeah, they didn't play this, though it may have been more apt."
"John!"
"Well it would! Better than the farce that happened with bloody 'Dizzy'"
Kayleigh laughed "shouldn't joke about these things John."
"I'm not, it was a bloody farce."
The song continued.
"Forgot how long this version was" said John.
"I'm feeling bit nervous John."
"Are ya? Its only me Mums roast!"
"I know...but I haven't done 'meet the parents' for a long time."
"Well nor have I, how'd do you think I'll feel when I meet yours?"
"S'pose. Is your Mum alright me coming over?"
"Course she is, she's well chuffed."
"How much have you said about me?"
"Not much, I told them I was seeing someone, they know we met Car Sharing. Think me mum thought it was odd I was driving 45 minutes out me way for Car Sharing purposes, I know Jim did."
"Why what'd he say?"
"Just kept calling ya me bird."
"Oh I see. What did your brother say? Well I hadn't really said too much to him part from last week. He's always quite busy so luckily escaped that interrogation."
"Do you think your Mum and Nan will like me?"
"I don't know...I don't see why they wouldn't...unless you start talking bout dogging or shitting on your doorstep" he smiled.
"Mmm you know how to put a girl at ease John" she added sarcastically.
"It'll be fine, honest...they will like you. And if they don't...well I just wont bring you to Sunday dinner anymore."
Kayleigh shook her head as John smiled to himself.
They arrived at Johns Mums house and he let himself and Kayleigh in.
"Hiya Mum we're here"
"Through here love" she shouted from the kitchen.
John and Kayleigh walked through.
"Hiya Mum" John gave her a kiss on the cheek "Mum this is Kayleigh, Kayleigh this is me Mum Jan."
"Nice to meet you" said Kayleigh as she shook Jan's hand and curtseyed, John looked on thinking 'what the hell is she doing?'
"Nice to meet you too love." Jan smiled, she had the same look as John at Kayleigh's greeting.
"She aint the Queen Kayleigh" said John.
"Oh god I'm so sorry, just so nervous."
"Think nowt of it love, it's nice to be shown some respect for a change rather than being treated as the maid."
"Pfft!" mocked John. "Is Nana here?"
"Yeah, she's through in the lounge."
"Come on I'll introduce you" John grabbed Kayleigh's arm through the hall to the lounge.
"Nana" he called out before he reached the lounge.
"Hiya John."
John bent down to give her a kiss as she sat on the armchair by the window.
"Nana, this is Kayleigh."
"Is this the lass you been seeing John?"
"Aye it is Nan, Kayleigh this is me Nana Rose."
"Hiya Rose, nice to meet you" Kayleigh did the exact same thing again, shook her hand and curtseyed.
"Will you stop doing that Kayleigh!"
"I can't help it John."
"Just sit down will ya."
John's Mum came through, "dinner wont be long" she sat on the opposite arm chair to Rose. "So Kayleigh, you work at the same store as John?"
"Yeah, I do the promotions there."
"Ah, did you know John before you starting Car Sharing?"
"No, not really, would see him around the store and have the odd chat, but for a while I thought he was gay."
John started choking, Kayleigh patted him on the back "John! Are you alright?"
"I'll get some water, do you want a drink Kayleigh?" asked Jan "no I'm fine thank you." Jan left the room.
"F'kin hell Kayleigh, why you say that?"
"It's true, I did."
"You didn't have to say it though."
"You alright our John?" asked Rose.
"Fine Nana."
Jan came back in with the water.
"Thanks Mum."
"Why did you think our John was gay Kayleigh?" asked Rose.
"Oh, it was just a rumour that went round at work."
"Jesus Christ" John said to himself.
"But I know he's not now, he put me right on that one" Kayleigh noticed Jan and Rose look at each other "not in that way...he just told me he wasn't...he didn't physically prove it or anything."
"Oh God" John looked up to the ceiling.
"I think I'm going to dish up dinner...come on John you can help me set the table. John followed his Mum out. Kayleigh just looked around the room awkwardly.
Jan and John were in the kitchen, so Jan took the opportunity to have a chat with him.
"John love, I know it's none of my business, but does she have a filter?"
"No, she does not! She's just a bit nervous."
"I know love, I can tell. Not sure what ya Nan will think mind."
As John and Jan started laying the table they could her Rose laughing from the lounge, they went in and saw Kayleigh and Rose laughing.
"What are yous laughing bout?" asked John.
"Never you mind" said Rose and winked at John "just comparing John stories."
John looked at his Mum and his Mum just smiled at him.
Through dinner Kayleigh managed to turn things around and didn't seem to put her foot in it further, much to John's relief.
As they got ready to leave, Jan took an opportunity to speak to John on his own again "well she's won your Nana over John? That's a good sign."
"And what about you Mum?"
"No one will ever be good enough for my little boy" she pinches his cheek "but she'll do" she winked and added "she's lovely John, honest, and you seem very taken with her, I'm happy for you John."
"Thanks Mum."
As John and Kayleigh left , Jan and Rose waved out of the window goodbye.
"Do you think this is the one Jan?" asked Rose.
"Oh, this is the one, without a doubt."
The two women smiled at each other.
