A/N: This update comes a bit sooner than planned, because I can't keep them apart for long!
Anna and John meet again, but where and how? All will be revealed... (thanks for the reviews and follows!)
"What an utter, despicable, sodding, useless, brainless, no-good, no-balls…complete arsehole!"
Gwen was pacing the sitting room, weaving around the coffee table, her head thrown back to the ceiling and hands waving about wildly. Anna sat sunk onto the sofa, hugging her knees to her chest, passively listening to her best friend as she went on, inventing new and colourful turns of phrase to trash her now ex-fiancé.
After walking yet more aimless miles, she'd ended up at Gwen's the evening before, sitting and waiting on the hard stone step for her moments before she returned from her shift. She hadn't had to say a word, only gave a glance up with watering eyes full of despair while she was slumped, bags at her feet, to confirm everything. Gwen had scraped her off the ground and scooped her up immediately, hugging her for what seemed like hours. They'd been up half the night, Anna talking and talking, frequently stopping to promptly break down, Gwen throwing in assurances and some very choice comments. As the sun was beginning to come up they'd collapsed into fits of tipsy giggles, wine glasses turned up by their feet, sprawled out on the sofa draped in blankets. Anna's neck was sore and her temples pounded faintly as she screwed up her eyes, taking in the three empty bottles standing on the tabletop a little disbelievingly. She wished Gwen would dial down the volume a little, but there wasn't much that could stop her once she got going.
"I mean, he's capable of many idiotic things, but this takes the biscuit, it really does…"
Despite the rapid flow at which her rant was gathering, Gwen's words fell away from Anna. She sat staring unseeing ahead, everything dull and echoing around her, sucking her into some strange void. It took some seconds before she was able to blink and claw her way back into the here and now by her very fingertips. Gwen's figure became solid again, stopped blurring at the edges. She had come to a standstill with her arms folded, and was regarding Anna with a worried expression. Anna shrugged her head and shoulders to silently reply that there was no need.
"I always knew it," she exclaimed softly yet with utter conviction. "That you were too bloody good for him. And that's putting it lightly. I knew it from the moment he walked over in the student bar, so full of himself, using those terrible pick-up lines. I thought, God, what a knob. And he's never changed."
"Really not the time for I-told-you-sos, Gwen." Anna groaned a little.
Gwen sighed, her face turning a shade of pink.
"Ahh, I'm not saying that. I'm just bloody annoyed, and I have been for a long time. I mean, I'm not as petty to say he stole you away…but he did do something to you. Being all…" She scrunched up her nose and waved her hands in the air, unable to find the precise word, "…him, and putting you under his spell. And it makes me furious, because I could have stepped in. It was my idea to go out that night!" She looked incredibly guilty and exasperated all at once. "You think some boffin would have figured out time travel by now, because I would be the first one to volunteer."
Anna managed a smile at her friend. "And I'd push you head first."
She started to laugh as Gwen fixed her an apparently indignant look, and then let her head fall into her palms.
"Oh god, Gwen. I know you're absolutely right. All the times I've been tearing my hair out in the past few months, trying to keep calm, not saying a word when he didn't say anything, wouldn't even think for a second about our future. Maybe I did wonder, in moments, but I never really thought…"
Her breath hitched as Gwen padded over, perched on the edge of the sofa beside her.
"I know it's been a waste, all these years."
She fiddled her fingers against the toe of her tights, picking at a loose thread there with her gaze cast down.
"I can't even comprehend it, really. And the saddest thing of all is that I still love him." Anna glanced up to see Gwen staring at her with wide, sympathetic eyes. "I know, I'm the most ridiculous, stupidly sentimental doormat living."
Gwen planted a warm hand upon her shoulder, a contrast to her fiercely emphatic tone of voice.
"Hey, you are anything but ridiculous, or stupid. You are the polar opposite of all of those things. You're smart, and kind, and funny, and really, sickeningly gorgeous. If you weren't my best friend then I would be insanely jealous and, honestly, would just want to give up on life."
Anna let out an embarrassed chortle.
"I know it's alright me saying this, but you're better off without him. Now you can go and find someone who knows exactly what you're worth, who worships the ground you walk on and will do the impossible for you. You know I'm not one for all that soppy stuff, but you like it and it's just what you deserve. And you'll get it, with someone a million times the man Jez is." A knowing, sure smile lit up Gwen's face. "Someone caring and chivalrous, honest, loving…someone who will sweep you off your feet, marry you, give you babies and actually keep it in his pants. Except for you, obviously."
Anna rolled her eyes heavily at Gwen. She was doing so well to make her feel better until that last bit. Gwen realised her mistake in an instant, grimacing and hunching up her shoulders.
"Sorry!" she squeaked. "Me and my mouth. But you know what I mean."
Anna relented, tilting her head to the side and trying not to smirk at her friend's exaggeratedly protruding bottom lip pleading towards her.
"Just give me a hug and all will be forgiven."
Gwen threw her free arm around Anna, pulling her close and scrunching her into an almost crushing embrace.
"Jesus, Gwen, I don't know if I can feel my ribs."
"What's the point of a hug otherwise? You need this."
Eventually, her tight grip slackened, though they remained firm in the hug, Anna's hands mirroring Gwen's upon her back, chin lolled against her shoulder. She could never underestimate the overwhelming comfort that came from a hug from her best friend, and Anna felt contentedly wrapped in warmth. Slowly, she blinked at the clock on the wall facing her.
"Gwen, I don't want to ruin the moment, but I think you'd better be going soon."
"Oh, bugger." Gwen broke away, pulling on her sneakers before scrambling to her feet and dashing across the room. "Bloody job."
Anna curled her legs beneath her on the sofa, dropping her elbow against one of its arms. "It's not that bad, really."
A snort escaped Gwen, rolling her eyes as she twisted her hair up into a bun hastily. "Yeah, my glittering career serving city boys coffee. Three years doing a business degree, this is not what I expected the outcome to be. If I had that time machine, I'd jack it in in the first week."
She laughed at her friend's complaining, nothing she hadn't heard before. "At least you're in employment."
"Don't you guilt-trip me, Anna Smith." Gwen jabbed the end of the hairbrush sharply in the air. "You don't know how good you've got it, being a lady of leisure." Her face softened, splitting into a smile that Anna had to reciprocate, even if she didn't share the enthusiasm. Gwen turned back to regard herself in the mirror, fixing pins to her hair. "Speaking of which, what are your plans for the day ahead?"
Anna sighed deeply. "Oh, I thought I'd put on my baggiest lounge clothes, eat many biscuits, watch mind-numbing daytime TV for a bit. That's just before crawling back into bed, clutching the duvet over my head and pretending that the world doesn't exist."
"Sounds perfect to me." Gwen swivelled on her heels and grinned, far too wide for Anna's liking. "Well, if there's one thing I know, it's that you won't have this to distract you."
Jumping forward, she snatched away the phone that was resting in Anna's hand.
"No, come on," Anna protested, glaring pleadingly up at her friend, who was skipping on the spot before her. "I need my phone." She held out her palm desperately, but Gwen shook her head firmly.
"No, you don't. Too many completely regrettable things have occurred because of a call or text that is made in the heat of the moment, when you're not thinking straight. And I am not going to let that happen to you, because I know exactly who you'll call."
"I won't. Cross my heart."
Anna drew her finger back and forth across her chest, edging up on her knees to stretch out, making an attempt to grab back the handset and nearly falling head first off the sofa.
"Uh-huh. It's been surgically attached to you all night, and I am making an intervention," Gwen commanded. The phone disappeared from sight as Gwen dropped it in her bag, snapping the clasp shut and Anna sat back, defeated. "And don't think about using the landline either, because I've already unplugged it and hidden the wire."
Anna tutted in response.
"You'll thank me later."
Gwen stretched into her jacket, keys jangling in the pocket.
"I'm sorry I can't go out tonight. I've missed so many classes this semester that if I don't go in, they'll kick me off the course." She frowned, shuffling on her feet. "I promise I'll make it up to you though. I'll call Daisy and Ethel, we'll do a mega girls night at the weekend."
Anna waved a hand in dismissal. "No, it's alright. I don't think I'll bother tonight anyway." Her voice trailed off in a mumble as she sunk further down into a slouch, bracing a hand against her aching temple.
The volume went up a few notches again as Gwen hurried to screech a reply.
"Nooooo, Anna, don't be like that, come on." She crouched down at the side of the sofa, putting a hand out to stop Anna curling onto her other side away from her. "Don't let him win. Out of all the places in London, is he really going to be there? I don't think so."
"Oh, but Gwen…" She hated how whiny she sounded, like a child who hasn't got its own way.
"No buts. You are going out tonight, looking great, and that is that. You were so up for it last night."
"I'd had several litres of wine last night."
"See? Wine is the answer."
She took her gaze from the rug that Gwen was kneeling on, and pinned a half-hearted smile to her lips.
"I'll see how I feel."
"You're going," Gwen sprung up on her heels. "Seriously, I don't want to see you here when I get home. Or I'll chuck you out, and then you'll really be buggered."
Anna kept smirking as Gwen bounced to the front door, grinning and waving furiously at her. When it banged shut, the smile fell rapidly, as did her head against a cushion.
Stretched out the length of the sofa, Anna picked up the remote control from where it lay in her lap and pointed it without any real effort and to no effect at the television screen. She had hardly moved from the spot for hours, only at intervals to change the DVD, draw the curtains and retrieve a new tub of ice cream from the freezer. She scooped another bit of Cookie Dough from the half-empty tub, the mixture melting on her tongue as the credits of Pretty Woman rolled before her eyes. Placing the spoon down and leaving the remote thrown beside her, she shifted to the edge of the chair, sighing. Several DVD cases lay piled on the floor. For someone who proclaimed not to like anything lovey-dovey in the slightest, Gwen certainly owned an extensive selection of romantic comedies.
Just as she found the energy to push herself forward, pondering what the next choice of viewing would be, she caught sight of herself in the mirror at the other side of the room. As dejected as she felt right then, a surge of horror shot up in her. Clad in a scruffy old hoodie and pyjama pants, her hair sticking up in all directions, the colour almost completely absent from her face. She was certain that she could see the reflection meeting her recoil in shock. It had been a little over a day and already she was a shadow, a complete and utter mess.
Eventually tearing her eyes away from the sorry sight, Anna took in the time. It was only quarter past seven. The night had barely started. She could still go upstairs, fix herself up, and be in town for a little before nine, she reckoned. Since Gwen had left this morning, she'd put the thought firmly out of her mind. She still wasn't a hundred per cent convinced, but the alternative left her so depressed it wasn't worth even contemplating. She let the idea linger for a second then decisively jumped to her feet, the remote control clattering to the floor in her wake.
Smoothing down the silky top, she took in a breath as she turned on her toes, studying herself in the mirror. A little frown grew on her lips; perhaps that skirt was just a little too tight at the back. She didn't want to draw attention to herself, after all. Her hand hovered hesitatingly over the tiny creases in the fabric.
Sod it. You look good. When was the last time you wore this? Why shouldn't you dress yourself up a little?
Tucking the top into the band of the skirt, she exhaled a little shakily and then smirked at her reflection. Clutch-bag in one hand, she scrambled through the desk drawer as she squeezed into a pair of heels. Being phoneless, she scribbled a note for Gwen before her burst of confidence escaped her. She carefully placed it upon the table, adding the final flourish of a smiley face at the bottom. She made sure the smile was pinned to her face as she headed out of the door.
The centre of London was always busy, even on a night right in the middle of the week. People would seem to flood straight from work into the hundreds of bars and restaurants that were dotted across a small radius, spoilt for choice and swiftly changing modes. Anna had passed several pubs tonight that were packed to the rafters, their closed doors just about containing the throngs that had gathered, yet unable to stop a series of snatched shouts and cheers from spilling onto the streets. She carried herself away from the commotion of them all on her way here to one of her favourite haunts. The bar was set away from the main street a little but still well-placed, sleek and modern without having any pretension. Warm spot-lamps bathed the place in a light that was just bright enough and a comfortable heat settled around her where she sat on the stool, her knees brushing the sideboards of the bar. The faint music of the band playing across in the other corner broke the silence which had been strangely consuming, only just now occurring to her. Shifting a little on the stool, her fingertips toying with the scarf settled against her collarbone, she took a quick glance around. Aside from the members of the band, there were only three or four other people in there, separated off into pairs, huddled into nooks. It was never an incredibly busy place – that was what Anna liked about it – but she had never seen it this deserted. On this night, when every other place was buzzing with the usual atmosphere of the city after dark, it was very much the exception to the rule.
Exchanging a slightly awkward smile with the barman as she scooted back around, Anna felt a little disquieted, though she wasn't quite sure why. She hadn't wanted to deal with the hustle and bustle tonight, didn't want to be pushed around in a sea of people or risk being noticed or approached. A couple of quiet drinks on her own was all she had expected and desired, just a change of scenery for a few hours. This was exactly what she was after. Though she conceded there was a good chance that she didn't have a clue what she really wanted anymore, if the last day was anything to go by. Perhaps she would have felt better going to a club filled with crowds and pulsating music, spinning herself around and dancing until her heels broke, until nothing else mattered. The second pear cider that she'd ordered was placed in front of her and she mumbled thanks to the barman, pushing coins across the counter. She angled her head to meet the straw popping up from inside the bottle and took a slow, considered sip, getting lost in her thoughts once more. She'd stay long enough to finish it, and then make her way back.
A slight draught travelled over to meet her uncovered shoulders, and she heard voices climbing down the stairwell at her back.
"You're such jammy sods. The final kick of the game…"
"Hey, you can't argue with the genius that is Rooney's right foot. It's a wonder that no man can fathom. And it's called skill, not being jammy."
"I don't know about that. You know as well as I do that should have been a sending-off."
"Now, now, we're bigger men than this. It was a good game, they were just unlucky. I tell you what, I'll get the first round in if it'll soften the blow."
"I'm a man of my word; loser buys the drinks. As much as it pains me to say it."
"Call it a goodwill gesture against slightly questionable referees. I insist…Anna?"
At the sound of her name she started, turning and noticing the figure now by her side. She shook most of the stupor away when she came to realise who it was. He didn't have to make it clear, but he did so all the same.
"John. Rather annoying chatty bloke from the Tube?"
Seeing his eyes search her out in the way she'd quickly and unexplainably become accustomed to, she was temporarily lost for words. His eyebrows quirked up a little and a smile stretched across his face as he watched for signs of recognition.
"Yes," she uttered softly and slowly at first. "Of course. Hello."
"Hello," he echoed in a tone of voice that set a warmth spreading deep in her stomach. His eyes flickered down to the bar, her hand that was resting on the glass bottle and then slowly made their way back to her own. He exhaled a little.
"You look nice."
The genuine smile he was wearing sparked up into his eyes and Anna's glance dropped before she could see his shoulders hunch up in the second afterwards.
"Sorry. Really should try harder to stay away from the 'weird' line. Haven't quite perfected it as yet."
A ghost of a smile played at the corners of her mouth, and she raised her head again, playing with the edge of her scarf as she spoke.
"Don't worry about it. Thank you. A girl always likes hearing a compliment."
Though she truly meant what she said, she couldn't stop the smile from fading.
"And it's deserved."
A lull remained between them, Anna's gaze drifting away once more subconsciously. His body quivered just perceptibly, half-wanting to move away, but reluctant to do so when she looked so downcast.
"I know it's easy for me to say," he began, "but you really shouldn't worry about your job. It's not worth it. You'll find another one sooner than you think."
She hardly moved or made any signal to say otherwise before he noticed.
"It's something else, isn't it?"
As comforting as his voice remained, the words cut into her. She looked up to see that his eyes remained upon her, wrapping her up in silent, unknowing consolation.
"You know, sometimes it helps to say whatever it is out loud. Quick and painless, rip it off like a plaster." There was a little rise in his tone, aiming to cajole her gently, and looking at him she knew that he only had good intentions. As she kept staring slightly through him, his eyes shadowed. "It also helps if people mind their own business and leave you alone. I'm sorry, Anna…"
His hand slid from the top of the bar and his body made to start away. She piped up hurriedly to stop him from going.
"When I left the station yesterday and got back home, I...," her voice shook a quaver and she dropped her eyes to her lap for an instant, "...found my fiancé in bed with a woman. A woman who obviously wasn't me."
The smallest laugh accompanied the end of her confession; really, it was funny. In a little while, she could see herself roaring with laughter at the whole scenario, without wanting to break down. John was looking at her with more concern and empathy than ever, and it was hard not to burst into tears.
"My god. That's just…I can't believe it. I don't know what to say. Apart from what an idiot he is. Sorry, it's not my place to say."
"It's okay. I agree with you." She managed a bigger smile than she had all day, bringing a hand up to brush the hair from her eyes. "Really, I'd be much less bothered if it wasn't quite so totally pathetic."
"Hey, it isn't pathetic at all. It's absolutely understandable."
Anna lifted her eyelashes and swirled the straw around the bottle in a demeanour of disbelief. John sidled closer to where she was perched.
"Look, if it makes you feel any better, you see that bloke over there?"
She leaned in, dangerously close to touching his arm as he pointed to the further end of the bar, pointing out the other man he had entered with who was eyeing up the bowls of snacks that lay on the counter.
"Not only has his team just crashed out of the Champions League, but he owns more than one pair of Crocs and has a not-so-secret addiction to America's Next Top Model." His breath fluttered against the side of her cheek. "Solid proof that there's always someone out there much sadder than you."
Anna stifled giggles as John's companion noticed them and gave a little salute over to where they were. On the action she was lost and erupted into laughter, John chuckling in harmony with her.
"Do you love him?" he suddenly asked as the hilarity began to cease.
"No," she replied, a little breathless. "I could never love someone who watched America's Next Top Model." Then she began to laugh again, her hands coming up to cover her mouth, shuddering against her.
"You made a joke in the midst of your emotional turmoil," he chimed. "The signs are very good."
Anna gradually calmed herself from her hysteria, seeing him smile warmly at her side. She smiled back at him, unable to take her eyes from his, until she heard a call from behind his back.
"I'm dying of thirst here, John. Hurry up."
He glanced over his shoulder, breaking their contact. "Sorry, Rob, be right there."
Anna gulped in a breath as he turned back towards her.
"Listen, if you decide you want company, we're right over there, okay? If you're fed up of me, I'll understand, but he's really not as bad as I make out. Not even for an Arsenal fan."
Anna smirked. "I can't say I have much experience of them."
"Count yourself lucky. I really am sorry, Anna."
She nodded amiably and smiled at him before he turned his back, walking away the little distance to the table where his friend was waiting. She shifted a little, going back to her cider, trailing her finger against the condensation upon the cool glass, sighing subconsciously. It didn't take her long to hop down from the stool, pick the bottle from the counter and wander, a little nervously, over. She studied the back of his neck, his broad shoulders, his hands that were jutting around in the air before she made to speak.
"I think I will join you after all, if that's alright?"
He answered with a wide, warm smile.
The hours flew by unnoticed as the three of them sat around the table, John and Robert doing most of the talking, Anna being an eager listener. She couldn't help herself from getting swept up in their banter about football and life in general. Robert regaled her with stories of their friendship and the old days, and though she noticed John reddening and burying his head in his hands more than once, it was all good natured. It was testament to their easy company that she didn't feel at all like an outsider. Every so often at a remark or anecdote, they'd erupt into gales of laughter, bringing the whole place to life. The few other people there must have surely thought they'd gone insane. Anna's face actually ached, she'd laughed so much.
After getting a call from his wife, Robert had left, a little shamefaced, and for the past forty minutes or so it had just been the two of them. They carried on chatting about anything and everything, happy to remain in each other's company. Anna thought she could see a very particular smile in his eyes at certain moments when he looked at her, but amongst the haze of drinks she'd got through it was easy to mistake for something else.
She reclined against the leather-backed seat, clutching the flattened straw in her fingertips, staring off somewhere in the glow of the distant lights, deep contemplation upon her face.
"You alright there?"
Anna snapped back to the moment, catching sight of his gaze once more.
"Yeah. Just fine and dandy." A lazy grin engulfed her face as she turned to him, proving to be infectious as he returned it back to her with fervour. "I was just thinking about how I wasn't going to come out tonight. I'm not really used to venturing out on my own, at least not of an evening. I thought it might be a bit sad."
John's face veiled in seriousness and his voice took on a matter-of-fact tone. "Well, it's a slippery slope once you start. Next thing you know you'll be going to karaoke bars."
"I promise you, it'll never get that bad," she assured, then thought again. "Though I don't know, I don't seem to be responsible for my actions right now. If you ever happen to see me in one, you have my permission to haul me out at once, no questions asked."
He laughed heartily. "You have my word."
Anna smiled, watching the crinkles set around his eyes as he laughed and then gradually fade again. Her stomach lurched a little.
"I'm glad I did though," she said sincerely. "I've had so much fun, honestly. I haven't laughed like this in ages."
"Me neither. Rob's jokes do seem a lot funnier when he's telling them to someone who hasn't heard them a hundred times before." He chortled again, leaning back in his seat, and then a sure smile settled on his lips. "It's been a great night. Made even better with such wonderful company."
She felt the heat creep up her neck and the curve of her jaw, flushing onto her cheeks in the warm bar. As he turned his head to the side momentarily, her eyes narrowed, focusing on the pulse point in his neck.
"It is funny, though," she pondered. "You do seem to have a habit of turning up out of nowhere, coming to the rescue. If I didn't know better, I'd say there was something going on."
John held his hands up at either side of him. "I know nothing, I swear." She had to smirk at the expression on his face, the picture of innocence. "They do say it's a small world. Let's just be happy for impulsive decisions."
"I'll drink to that." She ducked her head down and proceeded to jab herself squarely in the cheek with the straw that poked out of her glass, missing her mouth completely. "Oops," she giggled in delayed response, rubbing her hand over her face.
John shook his head in amusement, standing from his seat. "Probably time to call it a night."
Anna groaned, throwing her shoulders back. "Oh, come on. I thought you were fun."
"As much as I'd like to celebrate in the small hours, I won't be much use in the morning. I need to be making tracks, I'm afraid."
She slumped her elbows onto the cold table-top, squinting at him as he made his way to the bathroom.
"I won't be a minute."
Her vision became a little cloudy, losing sight of him disappearing into the distance. She slid her eyes closed, her head falling onto the palm of one of her hands, the other swirling the bitten straw around the empty glass, seeing a faint dotting of star-like specks before her. A few moments later, she felt a tap on her arm.
"Thought I might find you here."
Anna blinked twice, finding a mass of red hair forming before her.
"Gwen!" she shouted joyfully, louder than was really needed in the near silent-bar. Her friend recoiled slightly, scrunching her nose and bringing a hand to her ear. "I'm so happy to see you. I missed you." She swatted against the arm of Gwen's leather jacket, smiling.
"Yeah, I missed you too," Gwen replied, sounding a little confused. She cast her eyes down to the table Anna was propped against, taking in the crowd of empty glasses that covered the top. "Looks like you've been having fun without me though."
Anna giggled, hiccupping once. "I have. Lots of fun. Ooh, how was college? Did you have fun? What did you do this week?" She leant closer, near clambering upon her friend. "I did like you said, went out, all by myself. Aren't you proud of me?"
Gwen rolled her eyes faintly, wrapping an arm about Anna's waist as she stumbled to her feet. "I'm very proud." She turned to look at Anna, who was smiling and waving to the other side of the bar. Puzzled, she followed her friend's gaze across the room.
"Who's that?"
"My friend," Anna sighed, still waving towards the tall, dark-haired man standing a few feet away.
Gwen simply shook her head, tightening her grip upon Anna. "Come on, lady, let's get you home."
"I'm not a lady and I don't pretend to be." Anna burst into giggles once more, nearly tripping over her feet and falling against Gwen's side as they slowly made their way to the stairs.
"Right now, I'm inclined to agree with you," Gwen sighed, trying her best to keep a hold on her friend's weight as she flopped around.
"Can I give you a lift anywhere?" The man from across the bar was now at their side. "I've ordered a cab, it should be outside."
"That'd be great, thanks, if it's no bother. I'm not sure I'll manage more than five minutes with this one in tow."
John smiled, going to stand the other side of Anna, who automatically draped an arm around his neck. "Not at all."
The three of them went up the stairs and out into the street, Gwen and John keeping Anna held steady on her feet. She shuffled a little to the right side, sighing softly, her head dropping against John's chest as Gwen let go of her to open the cab door. He secured his arm tighter just above her waist.
"Sorry," Gwen turned, holding the door open to let them bundle in. "Put a wick in her mouth and she'd burn for a fortnight."
"It's fine." John looked down with wistful eyes at Anna, snuggled down onto the seat. Carefully, he drew the seatbelt over her, fixing it in place. "As long as she'll be alright."
"Oh, don't worry, she'll be fine," Gwen assured, unfolding the seat at the driver's back. "7 Highclere Avenue, please."
As the cab took off, the silver shine of the passing streetlights fell upon Anna's face, keeping her as safe as the presence not that far from her side.
"Don't be ridiculous, Gwen," Anna spluttered, her faltering steps being aided into the room. "He didn't fancy me. He was being a gentleman." She flopped herself down onto the soft surface waiting beneath her. "He was just concerned, that's all."
Gwen's dismissive laughter ricocheted off the walls. "Well, let me tell you, if he'd been that concerned about me, I wouldn't be helping you into bed right now."
Anna glanced about in the dark, only able to make out a few shadows and Gwen's face in front of her. "Am I in bed?"
"Blimey, how much have you had?"
"Not nearly enough."
Gwen sighed as she pulled the shoes from Anna's feet, hauling her legs up into the bed while Anna's head collapsed onto the pillow. She tucked the duvet comfortably around Anna, who clung onto it, stretching it up to meet her chin.
"It's really nothing," she barely whispered, her head just poking out from underneath the covers."It was just nice to forget…for a little while."
The underlying sadness in her tone couldn't be missed and Gwen was sure she could see Anna blinking back a few tears when she shifted her head on the pillow to look back up at her.
Anna's voice quivered. "You do know that I'm thankful, Gwen? I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you."
"Course I know," Gwen shrugged, fussing with the bedcovers. "Now get some sleep. Then in the morning I'll remind you in precise detail just how embarrassing you've been."
Anna flipped to lie on her stomach, letting out a loud sigh while she buried her face down into the pillow. Making a final check that all was well, Gwen crept out of the room on her tiptoes, stopping at the doorway. She smiled to see her best friend, her limbs splayed out against the sheets, apparently dead to the world. As she was about to leave, her attention was caught by Anna's mumbling. Gwen remembered from their time in university halls that Anna could occasionally be prone to talking in her sleep, and she always found it amusing. This time around, there was only one word that could be heard. As she thrashed round onto her side, it slipped from her again.
"Hmmm…John."
A smirk flew up onto Gwen's face, her hand against the doorframe.
"Nothing, indeed."
A/N: Pretty Woman is included because for some unknown reason, I only watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. Why Robert has a love for America's Next Top Model, I just don't know.