As October came to an end and the Christmas Team was in full swing, Kayleigh was feeling slightly neglected. John was working late most evenings and some mornings was going in early. Kayleigh was unable to get any extra shifts as they do not become available until the end of November when the busy period in store really starts.
In the week after she met John's Mum she had felt closer to John than ever, yet less than two weeks later she was feeling abandoned. She knew he had to put his all into the Christmas Team if he wanted his promotion, but he couldn't even take a 15 minute break to share a sandwich with her before she went home. His texts had been brief and she knew he had fallen asleep during some text conversations as she would get a reply hours later, often in the early hours.
Kayleigh had not stayed round John's since the Elvis night, he had been putting in some early weekend mornings and he didn't feel it was fair on Kayleigh.
John had stopped for tea at Mandy's a few nights in the week before he had to rush off. She knew Christmas wouldn't last forever and things could get back on track. However, she was resenting the fact that the time of year she loved so much she was now wishing would hurry up and pass. Christmas had been knocked of its perch by John, who ironically was all about Christmas at the moment.
John had been feeling the strain too, he had suddenly mustered up all his courage to tell Kayleigh he loved her and took her to his Mums and now it seemed to have shuddered to an abrupt halt.
He had thought of having Kayleigh stop over at the weekends, but didn't feel right having to have an early night and leaving her on her own in the morning. Maybe he was wrong not to have her round but he was so busy trying to get this Christmas Team going and implementing all the ideas.
Dave Thompson had told John to take a few days off as he noted John had been working a lot of hours, John had been reluctant but didn't argue. The only issue was it was Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that he was told to take.
"Hi, I'm not going to be in the store for the next few days, I'll pick you up tomorrow after work if you like? xx" he text Kayleigh Monday night.
"Why, what you up too? Xx"
"Dave gave me a few days off! Xx"
"Shame we didnt know before I couldve booked some days "
"Yeah I know, I thought the same. Cant wait to see you. Xx"
"Me neither. Been missing you. Xxxx"
"Me too. "
" "
Kayleigh wasn't too impressed John had these days off when she was working, but was excited to see him after work. Finally some time together she thought.
Kayleigh's day at work had been boring, her game of trying to spot John was not able to be played, gossip with the girls was poor and she was bored of hearing about Rick and Donnas wedding; she was begging for clocking off time to arrive.
Whilst Kayleigh's day had been a slow burner, John's was much more productive. He painted his Mums bathroom, took his Nan out for afternoon tea and purchased Kayleigh a little gift to apologise for not being around much. It was a bracelet with a love heart on it, it wasn't meant to be flash but just something to show he had been thinking of her.
After doing what he needed to do he went to pick up Kayleigh, he waited anxiously for Kayleigh to appear, he waited and waited but still no sign, nor a response from his text. "Where is she? Bet she's chatting away about crap." he said to himself. He waited some more then decided to go in and investigate, she can't have just left he thought, unless he had really neglected her too much and she'd had enough.
As he reached the staff room after batting off several queries of "what you doing here John?" he saw Dave, Kath Hilton and Diane off non foods all gathered round Kayleigh.
"What's going on?" asked John worried
"Oh, I just slipped on the stairs and twisted me ankle" replied Kayleigh frustrated with herself.
"She was in a bit of a rush to get out the door and wasn't looking where she was going!" chipped in Diane.
"D'ya need to see a doctor?" asked John
"No, I'll be fine."
"She just needs to keep her leg elevated and put plenty of Ice on it" added Kath, as the resident First Aider "You wont be doing any promotions for the next few days."
Dave headed to the door and looked at John "Convenient eh John?" as he walked out.
"Mmm" wondered John.
John assisted Kayleigh to the car, holding her up as she hobbled. He purchased some bags of ice to put on her ankle. As they both got into the car John was suspicious.
"What d'ya think ya playing at?" he asked flabbergasted.
"What?!"
"You and your foot? Are you trying to skive again because I've got a few days off?"
"What you on about John?"
He started the car and began to drive off.
"Well it wouldn't be the first time you've skived off work is it?"
Kayleigh felt hurt that he was accusing her of faking this.
John continued "I mean I know we haven't seen much of each other, but even Dave Thompson thought this was too convenient! You knew I was picking ya up!"
"John, I may be a lot of things, but being the sort of person who is so desperate that I would chuck myself down the stairs isn't one of them. And look its swollen!" She pointed at her foot. "Anyway Dave Thompson can shut his cakehole it's cos of him I fell."
"Eh? How d'ya mean?!"
"Well, because I was so excited to see ya, I tried to overtake him on the stairs and lost me balance and fell."
"So you did do it cos you were desperate to see me then?" he was smiling now.
"Yes, but not on purpose John. I'm mortified!"
John rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Anyway, what d'ya want to do tonight then? Shall I just take ya back to your Mandy's?"
"I thought we were gonna spend some time together?!"
"We were, but you gotta keep ya foot up!"
"Can't I do that at yours?"
"You're meant to be resting? Not traipsing about all over the place!"
"But I could stay over?"
"You've got this all worked out aint ya?"
Kayleigh looked out the passenger window and smiled an impish smile to herself.
"Anyway what about ya clothes?"
"We can take a detour to Mandy's, pick up some bits..."
"You're meant to be resting... I can't drive you back and forth!"
"I wont get any rest at our Mandy's not with the kids. I could stay with you for a few days whilst I recuperate" she winked.
John just shook his head in disbelief.
"You are playing me good and proper aint ya?" he looked at Kayleigh who was smiling at him "Fine! But then you rest, you hear me lady?!"
Kayleigh did a salute.
After driving through to Bury then back to Johns, Kayleigh got her comfys on and put her feet up, with an ice pack. John cooked some burgers and his homemade chips and they sat and watched television for the rest of the evening.
"Right then, how you planning on getting upstairs?"
"Thought you could carry me?" she giggled.
"Pfft! You must be joking!"
"You saying I'm heavy John?!" she asked mock seriously.
"No...no I'm not saying that, but I aint carrying ya, not with your luck on stairs today, you aint taking me wit ya this time."
"I'll be fine, I'll just take it slow."
"Well it's 10 o'clock so you better get a wriggle on if you wanna be in bed before midnight."
Kayleigh lightly smacked him in the stomach as she said "Oi cheeky!"
"Ow! Don't make me an invalid an all."
They both laughed.
"Come on then you" John helped Kayleigh up and gave her a kiss on the lips.
"Thanks for looking after me."
"Well its clear ya cant look after yourself" he smiled and they slowly left the living room.
The next few days Kayleigh rested whilst John did bits and pieces round the house and supplied Kayleigh with bacon sandwiches and tea. He enjoyed having her around the house, made his days go quicker, he couldn't remember why he was so adamant he was happy on his own. This, now, with Kayleigh, was what made him happy.
Friday arrived and John had to get back to work, he felt bad leaving Kayleigh in the house on her own, but the thought of her being there when he returned home filled him with an unprecedented joy.
As John arrived at work Dave called him into his office.
"So John, Kayleigh?"
"Yeah?"
"Is she better?"
"She'll be alright for Monday I think Dave."
"You know John, I'm not concerned with yous two seeing each other, but to the staff, this, her being off when you are does look suspicious."
"I know Dave, I did have doubts meself, but you could see she was injured."
"Aye I know John, she nearly knocked me down as she went. Now I'm not saying she did it on purpose, although I wouldn't put anything past her John."
"Dave, I think you're being a bit harsh there, I mean..."
"John, I know what ya gonna say and I'd say same in your shoes...but anymore stunts like this...she'll be out on her ear. Don't let her push her luck."
"She wont Dave" John felt like a naughty teenager.
"We will put this down to coincidence on this occasion...similar to the last time the pair of you were both off a few months back, shall we?"
"I don't know what ya on about Dave."
"Well say no more John, just watch your step and tell Kayleigh the same...literally."
"Right, thanks Dave."
As John left the room and closed the door behind him he said under his breath "Knobhead!"
Kayleigh's morning had been very uneventful, watching daytime TV and waiting for John to come home. She was moving around a bit better so could grab a snack and a cuppa.
The doorbell went at midday and the front door opened, it was John's mum Jan.
"Hi ya Kayleigh love, its just me."
"Oh hi ya Jan" Kayleigh got up from the couch.
"No, no you sit down love and rest your ankle."
"It's fine, feeling much better now."
"Well just sit down to be sure, John won't be happy with me if I've not made sure you've rested. He sent me round to check if you were ok and if you needed anything for lunch?"
Kayleigh's heart melted at this, John was still looking after her even when he couldn't be with her.
"That's sweet of him, but I'm fine honestly, thank you."
"Well I'll tell ya what, I'll just make us a pot of tea and a sandwich and I'll be on my way. Least John will know I've made sure you had lunch" Jan smiled.
"That will be lovely thank you. Did you want a hand?"
"Nope, I've told ya love am under strict instructions from John to make sure you're resting, now sit!"
Kayleigh smiled as she sat down.
Jan brought through the pot of tea and some ham sandwiches.
"Here ya love."
"I'm so sorry that John has made you come round here, honestly I would've been fine if you had things you'd rather be doing."
"Don't be daft. Anyway gives us a chance to get to know each other a bit better." Jan smiled.
Kayleigh had the impression Jan was not too keen on her, Kayleigh couldn't put her finger on why.
"So, you and John have been seeing each other a while now?
"Yeah, bout 2 months."
"He does seem very taken with ya love."
"Really?!" Kayleigh was quite pleased. "Well I'm quite taken with him too."
"We'd lost hope to be honest that he would ever find someone again, especially after all that business with Charlotte."
"Yeah, he did tell me about that."
"Sorry love, shouldn't really be talking about this."
"It's fine honestly."
"It was awful, he couldn't eat, he was consumed by so much guilt. And his Dad was so disappointed as he loved Charlotte and then not long after he became ill himself"
"I know, John explained about his Dad too" Kayleigh was starting feel uncomfortable, sounded like everyone was in love with Charlotte, except John.
"Truth is, I wasn't a fan of Charlotte, nor was our Paul. We don't know why Martin, that's John's Dad, was such a fan. Think he just wanted John settled."
Kayleigh was stunned at this sudden turn in the conversation, Kayleigh didn't want to let on that she was secretly pleased to hear this so kept her answers brief.
"Aw I see."
"It wasn't that she wasn't a lovely girl, she was, real homely sorta girl if ya get what I mean. Not like you."
"How'd ya mean?" replied a slightly offended Kayleigh.
"Oh no I don't mean to cause offence love, I just meant, there was no spark in her. Whereas you...well you're quite the opposite to what John has been used too."
"Sorry Jan, I'm really losing track of what it is you're saying?"
"I s'pose in me roundabout way what I am saying is...you have given John his spark back. I've never seen him look so content. Even Rose commented on it."
Kayleigh smiled.
"We'd noticed he had a bit of a spring in his step for months now, but we never thought it would be down to a woman we thought that ship had well and truly sailed. I just hope you know what you're letting yourself in for though, as he can be a right grumpy sod" Jan laughed.
"Oh trust me, I know all about grumpy John."
"I'm sure you do" Jan smiled.
They ate their sandwiches and spoke about various John topics.
After Jan had left, Kayleigh was on cloud nine. She feels that was Johns mums way of giving her the seal of approval, albeit in a very awkward fashion.
John's day was finally over. He started his car and was looking forward to seeing Kayleigh and was hoping his Mum had not said anything too embarrassing.
As John was driving, he was singing loudly along with the radio, even Liberty X's Just a Little Bit. He stopped when he was traffic lights after his previous singing performance alone in the car.
Finally John was home and opened the front door "Kayleigh I'm home!"
"Hi ya John" she ran up to hug and kiss him.
"Well that's a welcome. What ya doing up? Did me mum pop in?"
"I'm fine now John, stop worrying. Yes, Jan did pop round...thank you."
"Well didn't want you sitting around on ya own all day...and needed you to be resting...unlike you are now. Cuppa?"
John walked into the kitchen followed by Kayleigh.
"How was work?"
"Long and boring. Dave Thompson gave me an earful about you being off work wit me."
"Oh John I am sorry, it wasn't on purpose."
"Well it cant happen again, or there will be consequences, he made that clear."
"What consequences?"
"You'll be out basically."
"He said that? What an N.O.B head! Grrr"
"Yeah, but he's been all right about us really. Its the others gossiping about it that's put him in an awkward position. Plus he guessed about the day we were off when we went to the safari park."
"How'd he guess that?"
"I don't know. Let's just forget about work now. Here's ya tea."
"Ta"
"Hope me Mum didn't say anything too awful."
"No not really, just that I seem to have put a spring in your step!" she winked.
"Oh dear!" John hangs his head in shame.
"I've really enjoyed this last few days being here John. I had really been missing you."
"I had too" John hugged her. "Oh, I forgot to give ya something on Tuesday."
"Really?" Kayleigh sounded suspicious.
"Hang on a minute" John went to a cupboard in the kitchen. "I hope you like it" he produced a square box with the bracelet he brought inside.
Kayleigh opened it "Oh John I love it, its perfect."
"Really? Its not much. Just...something to show you I was thinking about ya as I know I've been busy..."
"Honest, its perfect I love it!" she put in on and hugged and kissed him, John pursued the kiss further and more passionately and Kayleigh responded. John then looked into Kayleigh's eyes, grabbed her hand and led her slowly from the kitchen to the bottom of the stairs, where he kissed her passionately again, they then slowly walked upstairs. This was going to be another new chapter in their relationship.
