A/N: Thanks once more for reading and the lovely reviews. They make my day every time.
To the guest asking whether 'for good and proper' meant anything significant in the UK - no, not as far as I'm aware. I just used it as it's a 'big' A/B line and I like incorporating dialogue :)
This story will be going on a little hiatus after this update, as as of yet I don't have any other chapters written and I really need to go back to the outline and refresh myself with it. Don't worry - I'm not abandoning it, I love writing it and I hope it won't be for too long. I just want to take the time to make sure all happens as it should, and I don't want to rush writing something that might not be fully thought out. I don't think I've left it on too much of a cliffhanger, so there's that! (And this is a loooong chapter) Thank you all so much for sticking with it :)
John's footsteps could be heard plodding down the stairs, accompanied every few seconds by little grunts of exertion. There was an emphatic thud just before he reached the doorway to the kitchen and Anna glanced up to see him grimacing slightly, palm of his hand pressed to the small of his back.
"Do you really need all of this?" He cast a hand down to where three sizeable bags now lay, bulging at the seams. "It is just four days we're going for, not four years. I hardly think you'll have use for your entire wardrobe."
Anna didn't look in the least bit alarmed at all she had gathered. She gave a little shrug of her shoulders as she turned towards him.
"You don't know what could be in store. An impromptu day trip or evening out…I want to be ready for all possibilities."
John looked doubtful, shaking his head as he observed the sheer amount of stuff once more.
"Did I miss the memo about it being Yorkshire Fashion Week while we're there, then?"
She tutted, her eyes flashing as she rummaged around in the drawers, patting her pockets again for the keys. Returning her a cheeky smile, John moved into the kitchen, opening a packet of crisps and eating them as he gathered together the things they needed for the journey.
"You know, I really think you should bring more," Anna remarked, unfastening zips and sliding envelopes into the front compartment of one of her bags. She frowned as she looked over to the side to see John's solitary holdall. "That honestly can't be everything."
"Looks can be deceiving," he quipped, one hand resting on the sideboard, the other waving about in the air in her direction. His expressive flailing always made her smile; he did it even when he was talking about something as trivial as this, it was a habit she had grown very fond of. "I'm a very efficient packer."
"If you say so," she craned her head, trying to assess the contents as if she possessed the ability to see through the material. "But what if we do have to go somewhere…"
John's smile widened as he fixed the handle of the cool-bag over his shoulder.
"Anna, honestly, everything's there. I've got six shirts, including two smarter ones in case we dine at the finest restaurant in Yorkshire," he fixed her with a grin, his eyes illuminating as he came closer to her, hands already stretched out to meet her waist, "Three pairs of jeans, two pairs of dress trousers…some more socks, change of shoes."
He elongated the last syllable, and Anna got shivers at the sound practically travelling over her skin. She fitted her arms around his middle, smiling up at him, her fingers tempted to dip a little lower.
"I mean, I may have had to make some allowances," his eyebrows quirked up as his hands moved around her, and now she was intrigued too. The warmth of his touch pressed against her while his lips curled. "I've only got another pair of pants. But your mother's not going to notice that. At least, I hope she doesn't."
A high-pitched giggle escaped from Anna's throat, complimenting the low scratch of a faint growl that came from him. His hands were moulded to her now and she swayed slightly in his hold, bracing her palms against his shoulders.
Things had been going well. Very well, indeed. It was as if they had been together for years, never mind months. The cracks had been covered, the wounds healed and it was like the break had never happened, though both were still aware of the memory. John had stayed over two weekends now, and even a couple of weeknights after work. Anna liked having him here; sometimes the house was far too quiet with just her in it. She looked forward to when he could stay, doing little things to make the time special. It was all very comfortable, but not enough that things had got predictable. There was still a very keen spark that charged up within her whenever he so much as looked at her, never mind touched her, never mind pressed his skin to hers.
As her birthday approached nearer, she was aware of the promises she had made. She couldn't go back on them and she knew that she could have gone back home alone; it wouldn't have been that strange. Except she didn't want to go on her own. She hadn't said anything to her mum or her sister about what had happened between her and John. Really, she felt that it wasn't anybody's business but theirs. She saw no reason to hide it, or be ashamed, but there wasn't any need to mention it now, not to her mother especially.
When they had been in bed together, entwined and with their breathing aligning again, she had broached the subject. Even though she was the least fearful she could ever feel when she was lying with him, her apprehension had crept in. He accepted her words openly, conveying all he could with a run of kisses upon her. The questions came again, from the most meaningful source, the place she ventured to say that she now knew almost inside out.
"Only if you're ready, Anna. Only if you're sure."
She answered with a fervent kiss, without hesitation, stroking the side of his face tenderly.
"I am."
And here they were, near enough all ready to head off for a few days. Even though his embrace was as secure as ever, Anna could feel the tension bunched up in his shoulders, and smiled fondly.
"Besides, I wouldn't be able to take anything else, considering you're bringing everything but the kitchen sink," he joked, a hand shifting to run gingerly up her side. "We'll just about have enough room for ourselves to fit in the car as it is."
Her face shadowed for a moment, and she felt herself shudder involuntarily. John could spot her uncertainty in an instant. He smoothed the span of his hands down her arms gently and the tiniest hint of a smile started on her face again.
"We can take the train if you want," he assured her. "It'll take a bit longer to sort out, but if you call your mum now…"
Anna shook her head, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment. She gave herself a moment to flounder before gathering up all of the courage she possessed.
"No, no. You're right, it is easier to do it like this." She met his eyes when she opened hers, letting out a long breath and smiling that bit easier to know he was still there. Her palm lay flat against his chest, his solidity giving her more strength. "And I do need to grit my teeth and get on with it. Feel the fear, and do it anyway."
John smiled at her, and it was better to breathe. She knew she was being entirely irrational. Going on for eighteen years now, and she still had silly thoughts and superstitions. It was the reason she had never learned how to drive herself, and most likely would never learn. Her mum had told her enough times. Your dad wouldn't want this, Anna. She could still picture him, lying there on the road, though she had been miles away at the moment it had happened. She took in another deep breath before the images overwhelmed her once more.
His hands upon her centred her, brought her back.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to, you know that."
She nodded, swallowing her anxiety away. Looking up at him, settled by the warmth in his gaze, she smiled.
"I know. But I trust you to know what you're doing."
His expression was serious for a moment and then soon became lighter, the beautiful smile lighting it up once again. Anna craned up to give him a kiss on the cheek, smiling when he moved his head purposely and she caught his lips instead.
"And what about you?" she questioned, hoping she could allay his fears in the same way he had done to hers.
"I…I am raring and ready to go."
She chuckled, seeing the uneasiness upon his face that he couldn't hide. She cupped his cheek gently and for a minute he melted against her touch.
"I can call mum, say something has come up and it's unavoidable. I know it's soon. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Now he took her face in both of his hands, rubbing his thumbs lightly over her cheeks. She gave a light laugh as they fell, finding her hips once again.
"Anna, I want to meet your family. I know they're important to you and it's nearly your birthday. I wouldn't dream of letting you down like that." His hand smoothed over the seam of her dress while his voice soothed her. "And if your mother's anything like you, she won't be best pleased if I back out now."
She wrinkled her forehead and then laughed at his expression, wrapping her arms tighter around him.
"I do love you, John Bates."
"And I love you, Anna Smith."
She felt herself nearly being taken off the floor, his hands firm around her as he lifted her up to his mouth. Anna hummed happily into the kiss, feeling content and free of any trouble. All she could think about right now was how good his lips felt against hers, and she had an inkling he felt the same.
They gathered themselves and John wrenched himself away from her grasp, snatching up the car keys from the table top. Jingling them in his hand, he gave a nod and Anna answered in kind, picking up the bag he hadn't been able to take. She was following him out of the door when something caught her eye and she yelped.
John turned around swiftly, seeing her holding the curling iron in her hands.
"It won't take up much space," she smiled as sweetly as she could, and one swift look told her that he had relented.
Somehow, he felt like he might be doing a lot of that on this trip.
They had been on the road for a few hours, and having won the coin toss for control of the car radio, Anna was feeling happier and more at ease. John was a careful driver, though not overly cautious, and she was assured they were certainly in safe hands with him behind the wheel.
Still, she was beginning to get a little bit restless now. She shifted her legs in her seat, yawning as she wound down the window to let just a touch of air drift into the vehicle. A rather strong gust picked up seconds after she had done so, and she grinned to see John's hair being ruffled about as he kept his hands on the steering wheel. She would have reached to fix it, but the anxious part of her wasn't keen to take such a risk.
For a few moments, her eyes drifted closed, her head craning back on the passenger seat's headrest. When she opened them again, she noticed that they were surrounded by trees on either side, winding up a country lane. Though she wasn't too familiar with these roads, she was fairly certain this was not the route that they needed to be taking.
"John," she started, blinking the haziness from her eyes, a slight note of alarm raising in her voice.
"It's alright," he said calmly, the hand that was nearest to her briefly landing on her thigh. She smiled as he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm not getting us lost." He smiled, lifting his brow to her still slightly quizzical look. "When I told Rob we were heading to Yorkshire, he wrote out the directions. He actually phoned me several times to check that I hadn't forgotten them."
John laughed, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Anna was none the wiser for a few minutes at least; the very short nap must have adversely affected her more than she had realised. Then all became clear as in the distance, a castle emerged into view from behind a swathe of trees.
The car rolled up the gravel path, coming to a stop a little way away from the vast estate that dominated the aspect. Both Anna and John were a bit astounded when they got out of the vehicle, the stones crunching quietly beneath their soles as they ambled up closer towards the great house that towered high above them.
"So," John began, glancing up to its peak brushing the wispy streak of cloud in the sky, "this is Downton Abbey."
"Wow. It's magnificent."
Anna was in awe as she spoke, trying to take in every bit of the sprawling residence that was before her. She reckoned anyone could spend ten years simply staring, and they still wouldn't see it all. Places like this filled her with such wonder, and a touch of envy, though she didn't know why. Not that she could ever live somewhere like that, but if she did she really wouldn't make the best use of it. It must have easily had two hundred rooms, maybe more. It was just breathtakingly grand and beautiful.
"If he ever gets bored with London, Rob could come and claim this back," John mused, his eyes travelling across the front of the house, the huge heavy door of the entrance.
"He'd have a fight on his hands with Mary. She's already spoken about it. I can imagine that she'd love to be Lady of the manor."
Anna laughed, thinking that Mary would fit in here perfectly.
"Imagine all of the things that must have gone on here, years ago. Centuries, even."
"We can only wonder. I bet there was never a dull moment, though."
John flashed her a grin and Anna giggled, leaning into him as his arm came around her. They both stood admiring and wondering, the space around them deceptively still.
"Where would you have been then?" His voice surrounded her, and she snuggled further against his side. "Upstairs or downstairs?"
"I'd like to think upstairs, but I'm sure I'd be downstairs, really."
"Oh, come on," his voice rose as he gave her waist a squeeze. "I couldn't imagine there would be any finer lady than you."
Anna tutted at the look he was giving her, full of flattery.
"Maybe in another life," she said modestly, and then sighed. "No, I'd be cleaning the floors, plumping the cushions…doing all sorts."
She heard him chuckle again.
"Well, I would definitely be downstairs. Probably in the worst job that there was. Only fit for a rapscallion like myself."
He laughed more heartily as she shook her head, hugging her arms about him.
"If we were both there, perhaps we could have associated together."
His grin reached up to his eyes, and Anna smiled almost as fervently.
"Then I'm sure we would have made the most of our lowly positions, Mr Bates."
They shared a look in silence, and Anna felt a strange sensation come across her, almost like déjà-vu but not quite. It was a funny way of thinking, but she couldn't help wondering that they would have become close even if they had lived years ago. She began to form a daydream in her head, but was distracted by a light tug upon her waist.
"We'd better get moving," John was eager to get back to the car. "I won't make a good first impression if we end up being hours late."
As she walked away, tracing his footsteps, she couldn't resist one last look over her shoulder at the wonderful house.
When she looked forward again, she was met with a sight that was just as enthralling.
The engine whirred to a stop, and now they were parked outside a house that was less grand, on a humble little street.
Anna smiled as she peered out of the window, catching sight of the red door, the neat hanging baskets that were either side. Though it wasn't the house she had grew up in and she hadn't been back in a little while, she recognised the happy feeling of coming home. It spread around her like a comfort blanket, as snug as an old pair of slippers. She figured that she really should come up more often. She was itching to get inside and see her family, spend a good few hours catching up with her sister, even looking forward to being fussed over by her mother. It was even more exciting knowing that she could walk in the door with John by her side. She had never been the type to make a big deal of things, but she was rather looking forward to showing him off to everyone. They might be a bit surprised at first, but Anna knew that as soon as they saw the look of love in her eyes they would be completely convinced and welcome John with open arms. It wouldn't take long at all, she was sure.
John was sat separating Anna from the view of the house and she didn't fail to notice that he wasn't looking towards it. Instead he stared straight ahead at the horizon, a haze of worry washed over his face, his hands drumming on the dashboard of the car.
Anna felt a surge of affection for him, nearly stronger than any of the ones she had encountered before. He had done his valiant best to put on a front of bravado all day but now they had no more miles to travel, his nerves could no longer be masked.
She touched a hand to one of his, bringing the frantic movements of his fingers to a cease. He turned his head towards her, letting out a long breath, trying his best to smile easily though his brow was still knitted tight.
"Although I wouldn't mind sitting out here with you all night, I don't think it will have made the most of our journey."
She smiled softly, her eyes clear and soothing as she rubbed her palm over his forearm. His gaze dropped for a moment, following the path of her fingertips, and he managed a weak smile towards her, which got gradually stronger the longer he looked into her eyes.
"It wouldn't be normal if I wasn't a bit nervous, and I have been for longer than I'd care to admit to you," his face softened as he caught the look on her face coupled with the delicate glide of her fingers. "This is your family, Anna. It's a big deal. I…well, I haven't really got much experience with these kind of meetings."
Her heart went out to him even more. Though he had seemed to have calmed while her hand had been upon him, she could feel a contraction, a slight tremble of his arm, which matched with the shadow storming in his eyes.
"I just don't want to make a fool of myself. I don't want to make a fool out of you." He gulped in a breath as he searched her gaze. "God knows what they'll already think…"
"Now stop it," Though her words were firmly meant, her voice remained gentle. "They won't think anything like that. And even if they do, then I don't care."
"Anna, you would…"
"I wouldn't." She was unshakeable. "I would march right out of the door and we would drive back to London then and there."
He began to smile bigger, more naturally now. Anna's heart lifted on the sight.
"The most important thing to me in anything is you," he said, reaching for her hand. "But the people close to you, well, they're a part of you too…and if I mess this up…"
"I'm telling you, you won't." She laced their fingers together, giving his hand a little shake. "They will love you. Because I love you."
She would never get tired of saying that, no matter how many times the words left her lips in however many number of ways. The light that shone in his look said that he wouldn't tire of hearing it.
John raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it, before leaning halfway to kiss her properly.
"Best strike while the iron's hot. And while I still have a bit of nerve left."
They walked up towards the house and down the path, hands clutched firmly together. Anna took a look at John, smiling encouragingly before she made to knock on the door. She didn't venture to do so until she got a smile back from him.
It didn't take long for her to receive her reward, and she was surprised to find that the door was very slightly open, not by much. She went in front of John just for a moment, pushing the door wider and revealing an empty hallway.
"Hello? Anybody home?"
She glanced back round at John with a half-smile and shrug of her shoulders. He gave her a nod of his head and then a squeal hit her ears before she turned again.
"Anna Banana! You're here!"
In the next second, Anna was covered by the excitable arms of someone a little taller than her, with blonde hair that was piled on top of her head in a bun, though a couple of wavy strands tumbled down. John could only imagine that it must have been her sister; she seemed to fit the description, both in appearance and personality, from all that Anna had told him.
"Beth," Anna confirmed it, pulling away from her just a little but laughing happily. "I was a bit worried, I thought maybe you'd all forgotten."
"Of course we haven't! You're the guest of honour," she beamed, her big blue eyes seeming to grow ever larger. "Look at you. Oh, I'm so happy to see you."
"And I'm happy to see you," Anna echoed, giving her sister another hug.
Beth's eyes were scrunched shut as she made the most of being reunited with her big sister, but before long they pinged open and John was met with a curious smile. He bobbed his head, shifting on his feet slightly.
"Beth, there's someone I want you to meet," Anna quickly came to her senses and to his rescue, releasing her grasp on her sister and shuffling back over to John's side. "This is John."
Beth's expression lit up in a mischievous smirk. "Ah, so you're the one she's been hiding away."
"Not hiding," Anna corrected quickly.
Beth shot her a sister a look and then returned her gaze to John.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Beth. You do like to be called Beth, don't you?"
"It is my name," she giggled as John extended his hand and she shook it, a little hesitantly, but at least she still had the same smile on her face. "And I am very pleased to meet you. I'm looking forward to getting to know the bloke who's made my sister so dippy."
Anna coloured a little as she gave her sister a warning stare. "Beth! Shhh."
John and Beth shared an amused look, and then she grabbed Anna's hand. "Come on, time to join the party."
"Oh, there's not…" Anna's voice trailed off as she was pulled along to the sitting room.
"Well, not yet," Beth chimed.
John stayed close behind them both, and they entered the room to find two men standing there, beer bottles in hands, making what seemed to be small talk. Beth prodded one of them in the arm and he made a yelp, screwing up his face.
"This is my fella, Stuart," she announced, giving him a light punch to his upper arm which he seemed not too confused by. "Stuart, say hello to John."
"Alright mate," he stepped forward, shaking John's hand. "Can I get you a beer? You might need it."
"No, you're alright. Good to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Ignore him, he's an arsehole," Beth stated matter-of-factly. Stuart promptly gave her a reply of 'charming', and Anna laughed, a bit nervously. She could only imagine what John was thinking.
The other man remained quiet in the background. He seemed to be younger, with hair a darker shade of blonde, and appeared content to watch things from afar. John empathised with him.
"And this little mouse over here is Sam," Beth said, making her brother squirm.
"Hi," he nodded at John and smiled politely, before looking towards Anna. "Alright, Anna."
"Hello, baby bro."
The poor guy looked mortified. John offered him a sympathetic look and smile. He didn't know what it was like to be bossed and mollycoddled by sisters, but he could tell that it was a trying experience for the lad.
Anna smiled around the room, slipping her arm back around John. Beth eyed the couple with a keen stare and John felt himself growing red with scrutiny.
"Well, it's so lovely to be back. And to have everyone here." When she said those words, she glanced up at John and smiled. "I just wonder what you've got up your sleeves."
"That would be telling," Beth cackled, grabbing a glass and sauntering past to walk out the door. "You'll just have to wait and see, Anna Banana…"
"Anna Banana," John whispered low enough for only Anna to hear as Beth marched out of the room. "That's very cute."
"Don't be getting any ideas," Anna whispered back, a smile barely hidden on her face.
A bit of commotion could be heard in the hallway, a woman's voice intoning sharply.
"Elizabeth Louise Smith, I thought I told you to get on the phone and check on that reservation."
"Mum, chill out, I'll do it now. I was just getting the drinks. They're here."
John tensed up, looking down at Anna who had increased her hold on him, an extra reassuring smile spread across her face. She let go in the next moment, regretfully for both of them, and he straightened himself like a board as Anna's mother walked into the room.
"Hello Mum," Anna said cheerily.
A large smile quickly spread across the older woman's face as she came teetering across the room, extending her arms to envelop Anna in an embrace.
"Oh, my darling!" She hugged enthusiastically, planting a kiss on Anna's cheek and then stretching to reach the other. "It's so wonderful to have you home. It's been years…"
"Not years, Mum."
"Well, it certainly feels like it."
As she stepped away, still clutching onto Anna's wrist, John was able to get a better look. There was absolutely no doubt of the family resemblance. Her mother had short dark hair instead of Anna's long golden locks, but otherwise she possessed all of Anna's features – or, he supposed, Anna possessed all of hers. She was just as petite as Anna, and a little smile came onto his face as he observed mother and daughter stood side by side, speaking in hushed tones. Before he was aware, their conversation had ceased and two pairs of blue, saucer eyes were upon him. Anna was still smiling, even wider now that she was looking at him, but her mother's grin had been replaced by a tight purse of her lips. He already felt under pressure.
On cue, Anna made the introductions, guiding him a bit nearer with her hand on his arm again.
"Mum, I'd like you to meet John," she said in a sweet, almost shy tone, yet her demeanour was exuding confidence.
He had to shake himself to stop staring at Anna and the way her eyes were positively sparkling up at him. Shuffling forward, he extended a hand towards Anna's mother, though seconds too late he decided that a handshake probably wasn't the way to go. She took it anyway.
"Mrs Smith. It's a pleasure to meet you, at last."
"Susan, please. Mrs Smith makes me sound like an old biddy."
"Er, certainly, Susan. It's an honour. I see now where Anna gets it from. I mean, her good looks." Oh god, he was starting to ramble now, and in dangerous territory too. "Not that's the only thing…"
"Oh, he can't stop giving me compliments, even though I tell him otherwise."
Anna was smiling, dropping her hand by his. Susan's lips had pursed even tighter and there was bewilderment, even a touch of horror he thought, in her eyes. John desperately wanted the ground to swallow him. Then to his relief, she cracked a smile.
"Well, I'm not going to complain about that. My daughter deserves to be treated like a princess. So long as you choose your moments, and don't go too far."
"Of course."
Susan nodded and smiled, and John was hoping that the heat in his cheeks was dying down now. Anna looked back and forth between the two of them, her vibrant smile setting her beauty alive. There were a few moments of silence as Susan raked her eyes over John, seeming to be assessing whether he was a suitable candidate for her daughter's affections in the space of minutes.
"I am glad you could make it along, John. I have to say, when Anna told me she had another boyfriend, it was a bit…unexpected."
She said that word in a very specific way, and John had little doubt at the intonation of her meaning as she continued to regard him closely. He felt it would have been rude to look away, but from the corner of his eye he noticed Anna's quietly disapproving expression at her mother's words, and it made him feel better. She always did.
"Well," he announced, aiming to sound half as confident as Anna seemed, "I hope I can live up to your expectations over the next few days."
Susan gave a flare of her eyes as if to say 'we'll see', and a polite smile, which John returned eagerly. Before Anna could move to speak, her mother clutched at her hand.
"Now, I've made the reservation for eight. Your favourite place."
John could hear Anna make the almost silent sigh, her features falling nearly inscrutably.
"Oh, Mum…"
He thought he would be valiant and intervene. "Really, there's no need. It's been a long journey, and…"
The shadow in Susan's eyes was like a storm cloud, and she pinned him with a steely stare.
"My daughter's home again after a very long time and her thirtieth birthday is in days. I think there is every need, John." He received another glare of warning, and Susan made to pull on Anna's hand. "Now, let's get you a drink."
"In a minute, Mum."
Anna seemed to know the trick of appeasing her, as Susan gave another smile and moved off into the kitchen again, followed by Sam and Stuart, in search of more refreshments. She moved round easily, opening his arms so she could fit there.
"Well, it's safe to say that was a disaster," John sighed, rolling his eyes heavily and looking completely reproachful.
"Don't worry. She's just on edge, she'll calm down." Anna was running her fingers up and down his arm, reaching up to tilt his chin to her. "It'll be fine."
He managed a reluctant half-smile as hers radiated upon him, the look in her eyes enough to make him suitably soothed. He caught her hand in his, delighting in the little gasp she made at the sudden contact.
"I still think it might be best if I go and hide upstairs for the rest of the night."
Anna beamed, a cheeky look washing over her beautiful features.
"Oh, I wish I could go with you."
"Oh Beth, that's enough now…"
Anna was protesting but to no avail as Beth sat back with a grin on her face, eyes dancing with mischief.
"No, fair's fair. There won't be anything too tricky, just tough enough to be a proper initiation."
John nearly choked on the remainder of his pint, and then forced a casual smile. "Initiation?"
"Well, you've got to prove that you're worthy of my sister." As she said it, Anna rolled her eyes and shook her head fiercely. Beth continued on with her plan, flicking a coaster about in her hand. "Think of it as being welcomed into the family. Stuart had to do it as well."
Stuart gave a sigh and nod from the corner where he was tucked away.
"Alright, never let it be said that I'm not game," John slapped a hand against his thigh. "What's the first task then?"
Beth chewed on her lip in contemplation, arms folded, before something appeared to occur to her. John wasn't sure that he liked the look in her eyes but he resolved to brave it.
"You'll order a drink from the bar."
His shoulders relaxed. That wasn't too bad.
"But," Beth grinned impishly, "it'll be of my choosing. And I used to work in a bar, so I know some weird concoctions."
"Well, I trust your judgement," he uttered as Beth bounced up, giggling as she went. His grimace faded as he turned his head to glance at Anna, her hand now resting on his thigh. He shuddered as her lips all but brushed his ear.
"How are you bearing up?"
He smiled a little at her whisper and warm breath on his neck.
"I'm a trooper," he returned in a low growl, angling his face so that his mouth was perilously close to grazing her cheek. "The things I go through for you, Anna Smith. I hope you're thankful."
She could barely contain her smile from bursting. He had to stop himself from groaning as her fingers curled further around his thigh.
"Oh, I am, indeed. Very thankful. Maybe I'll get to show you how much later…"
She was such a minx, it was a feat of endurance to restrain his grin and his hands from wandering all over her. The evening had been pleasant, but it certainly hadn't been without its trials. After getting past the rather rocky start he'd got off to with her mother, he was glad that things progressed to be far more amiable. He couldn't recall any other time in his life when he had tried so hard to impress. If he had been the one watching, he would have ripped himself to pieces. But it was all for the woman sitting at his side, and he would do anything for her. As charming as he was being, Susan Smith didn't let him off the hook that easily. She grilled him on near enough every little detail, leaving him just enough space to make his way through his meal, not entirely comfortably. As the questions sailed closer to the wind, Anna had reached for his hand underneath the table, lacing their fingers together. A little look unseen made all the difference, as did her guidance.
He was being fixed with another look now, as Susan watched from across the table, gripping her wine glass so hard it looked as though the stem would smash. John took a breath, decorum high in his mind. Shifting Anna's hand, giving it a little caress out of sight, he smiled, leaving the floor open to Susan.
"It's a shame you weren't here the other week, Anna. Mr Carson was up for a bit."
Anna gasped. "Oh, that is a shame. How is he?"
"Very well," Susan took a sip of her wine. "He was asking after you. You know he was always very fond of you."
John couldn't help that his curiosity was piqued. "Who's this?"
"Mr Carson was our next-door neighbour growing up," Anna clarified, turning in a bit too close to him again. "Well, his name is Charles, but we've always called him Mr Carson." She laughed a delightful giggle. "Truth be told, we were all terrified of him when we were little. He was so stern looking, and one day Ben broke one of his windows playing football, and we thought we were in for it. Mum made us go round to say sorry and we tried so hard to get out of it. Beth was nearly in tears. But he was ever so nice. He even gave Ben a new ball. Mum said we shouldn't judge a book by its cover and that we needed to get to know him, and she was right."
At that point, Susan gave a satisfied smile.
"Anyway, from then on we were always traipsing in and out. Beth and I used to help him out with his garden, though we probably did more harm than good." A wistful smile was on her face as Anna looked down at the table. "He was very good to us all. And Mum."
John noticed the same melancholy look now on Susan's features. "That must have been a great help. Especially when…"
"Yes," Susan said curtly. "It was."
John nodded, his eyes falling to his lap. Anna's fingers were between his again, and her thumb stroked a light sweep over his knuckles.
"He lives in Scotland now," Anna announced brightly. "Beth and Mum got him onto the internet, and he went on an dating site, of all things. A couple of years ago he met a lady from there and they run a hotel together now."
"Well, that's lovely," John replied, noticing Susan's face had softened a little. "It just goes to show, there's someone for everyone. No matter where or when you come across them."
She looked up at him, and gave the most sincere smile she had done all evening.
"Yes, I suppose it does."
Before he could take further advantage of the harmonious atmosphere, Beth bounded back over, slamming drinks down on the table. They all started a little bit, and she gave an amused look.
"I think I'm just going to nip to the boys' room," John said as he got to his feet, a bit awkwardly.
"Don't forget, when you get back – the bar," Beth winked at him, sidling back into her seat.
"I won't."
He patted his jacket pocket as he leant down, giving Anna a chaste kiss on the cheek.
"Don't worry, I've got peppermints," he whispered, being aware that she knew his true intentions.
Anna smiled against the crook of his neck, turning to look over her shoulder as he walked away towards the entrance of the pub. He didn't take his eyes off her either, and she was worried about him walking into something, but he navigated the unknown surroundings masterfully. Her shoulders sagged as she gave a happy sigh. Things were going well, she thought, even if it was only the first night and there was likely a lot more to come.
She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she wasn't aware of anything else going on until she heard Beth's loud snigger from across the table.
"Don't look now, Anna Banana."
Anna's lips quirked; when her sister said that, and especially in the strange voice she was using, it was impossible to obey the command. Following the not very subtle nod of Beth's head, her eyes followed the movement across the room, taking in the bumbling figure making his way to the bar. Unconsciously she lifted a hand to her forehead, attempting to shield herself. Beth's cackles rose in volume even as she tried to stifle them with her hands.
"Beth," Anna reprimanded in a loud whisper, "Don't laugh. It's unkind."
"I can't help it," she quipped, a smirk dancing on her lips. "You do know that he still fancies you like mad?"
Anna gave a shake of her head, seeing Beth's eyes widen and her mouth hang open in the next second.
"Anna! Fancy seeing you here."
She cringed a little inwardly, shifting round slowly to find the man in question standing a little behind their table.
"Joe," she exclaimed, taking in the hopeful and enthusiastic look covering his face. Judging by the way it had burst to life, it seemed he was still carrying a misguided torch for her. For some reason, she felt incredibly guilty. "Yes, I know, it's been a while. I'm just back for my birthday."
"Oh, happy birthday! You should have said, I would have got you something."
She started to feel even more awkward now. "Um, it's not today. But that thought was lovely."
He was grinning wildly at her, his hands fumbling. From behind her, Anna could hear Beth desperately trying not to dissolve into hysterics.
"Err, well, I didn't think I'd…would you like a drink?"
"No thanks, I've got one." She lifted her glass.
"Oh well, never mind. Maybe we could, um, catch up in a bit? I'm sure you've got lots of exciting things to say about the Big Smoke…"
Anna smiled politely. "Yes, that'd be nice."
Joe waved, almost doing a little bow as he headed back towards the bar. Beth couldn't keep a snort in any longer once he was at a safe distance.
"Oh well, that's something to look forward to."
"Beth, shhhh."
"Am I missing all the fun?"
Anna looked up to see John with his hands in his pockets, giving her a soft glance before glancing towards Beth, who was still creased up.
"Oh, it was nothing."
"You might say that," Beth remarked, composing herself enough to scribble on a scrap of paper, which she shoved on the table-top towards John. "There you go," she said with a giggle. "You might want to order more than one, they don't go very far."
He let out a sigh as he read the note, stuffing it into his back pocket and pinning on a grin.
"It sounds delicious."
Anna wore a curious look while he strode towards the bar, placing his palms down onto the side and coughing to call attention to the barman.
"Err, I'll have one Appletini, please."
He was sure he was going to be laughed out of the place. There was no way in the world that could be an actual drink.
"What a coincidence," the man at his side piped up. "I was just going to get the same thing. You have fine taste, sir."
"Umm, thanks."
He nodded a small smile to his sudden companion, who returned him a cheery look in return. John drummed his fingers upon the bar, not sure whether to feel worse for himself or for the poor guy who was absolutely unaware.
After moments, he felt a pair of arms slip around him from behind, her slight frame hugging into him. A natural smile eased onto his face, yet he noticed the other man's features fall.
"What did I say, green's your colour," Anna purred, giving his sides a little squeeze and resting her head against his back. Seconds later, John felt her startle and she moved away, though remained by his side. "Oh, hello again, Joe."
"Anna," the man replied with a waver in his voice. John saw him gulping hard as Anna nestled nearer and his own arm brushed by her waist. The other man's eyes were confused and then slightly sorrowful as he took the sight in, and Anna held John's hand to her hipbone. "I thought…your mum said you were single now."
"Oh, well, it all happened a bit suddenly," she answered coyly, glancing up to John and smiling a smile that took his breath away. John smiled back at her, drowning in the depths of her eyes, marvelling at how gorgeous she looked with a natural flush of pink in her cheeks. "But yes, I'm taken again."
He snapped to his senses, becoming aware of the forlorn figure who was standing by them, inching a bit away now.
"John," he said, extending his hand towards the man he felt like he'd just punched to the ground.
"Oh…um…hello, John. It's nice to meet Anna's…um…" He was floundering so much John wished he hadn't said anything. The man took his hand limply. "I'm Joe. Joseph Molesley. Mr Molesley if you're being formal."
"No need for that."
An awkward silence reigned between the three, and Joe couldn't take his gaze away from where John's arm was circled around Anna's waist. The clink of his glass on the bar roused him, and he sent coins flying across the top as he placed them down.
"Well, I'd best be…I'll, um, see you soon, Anna," he nodded as he shuffled backwards. "And you, John."
"Take care," Anna called out after him, wearing an honest smile. A look of concern was sparking in her eyes, and John wanted to sweep her up. "Sorry about that," she said, turning into him, laughing nervously. "You don't need any more strange encounters."
He gave her a fond smile. She wrapped her arms a bit tighter round him, one hand inching up his back.
"He, umm, used to have a little bit of a crush on me."
"I suspect he still does."
She tried to hide her shy smile, and he chuckled, brushing the backs of his fingers against her waist, her hips swaying a little in response.
"For a sleepy town," he rasped into her ear, "there's certainly a lot going on."
It was pitch dark when they returned back, Anna laughing and clutching onto John's arm as she listened to Beth chatter away in front of them, Susan trailing behind and locking the doors. 1am had come around far too quickly, and that strange mixture of exhaustion and giddiness had kept her going.
"Anyone up for a nightcap?"
Beth made to charge into the kitchen, banging doors as she went and then shushing them with a finger to her mouth.
"I don't think so," Susan snatched the bottle of wine away from her younger daughter, who pouted in response. "We need to be fresh as daisies for the morning." She glanced at Anna hopefully. "I thought we might go shopping early on."
"Sounds good," Anna replied, stifling a yawn behind her hand.
"Wonderful," Susan smiled cheerfully. "Now, I think I'll be heading up. Beth, if you're staying here this week then I've put you with Anna in the front room." Her gaze travelled from her daughters to John, who was still standing next to Anna, though he had let his arm drop to his side. "John, you can have the other back room."
"Fine by me," he held his hands up as Anna frowned slightly. Before she dared to say otherwise, Susan caught her gaze, turning round before she made to head up the staircase.
"I respect that you're a grown woman, but you'll respect my wishes too. No daughter of mine will be…cavorting under my roof."
Susan scrunched up her face at the thought while Anna blushed a shade of crimson, and Beth giggled raucously in the background.
"She doesn't know about the cavorting I've done here," Beth whispered with an exaggerated wink as she slinked away, following Susan up the stairs once the coast was clear.
John laughed, keeping an eye on Anna as she tottered across the floor, staying close behind her. She adjusted the cardigan on her shoulders while she walked out into the kitchen. When she didn't turn back after she'd drank a small glass of water and instead kept going forward, he frowned in confusion.
"You know better than I do, but I think upstairs is in the opposite direction."
She turned swiftly on her heels, giggling and beckoning him to come closer as she opened the door leading out into the garden. She offered a dainty hand and John couldn't resist taking it, following her on her merry path, shaking his head as he went.
"What are you up to?" he intoned into the quiet night air.
Anna brought their steps to a cease abruptly, pointing out a little cabin not too far away, hidden at the bottom of the garden. She barely had to speak to clarify matters, her eyes twinkling like the stars that dotted the sky.
"Technically, it's not under the roof…"
She broke into another giggle and John felt his body start to blaze with heat.
"You're not suggesting…we're both shattered."
"No, not tonight," she breathed, letting her fingers trail across his chest, arching up on her tiptoes. "But I thought it could be somewhere we could go…to escape. When the mood takes us."
The way she was nibbling on his earlobe, he felt like the mood could very well take him this second. Before he could brace his hands on her arms to beg her reluctantly to stop, she skipped away, heading back down the garden.
"That's very racy of you," he raised his voice just enough so she could hear loud and clear.
"I am racy," she smiled seductively, her hair bouncing around her shoulders.
Underneath his smile, a lot more roamed. She would never fail to surprise but he was glad, as he was sure he wouldn't be able to be the model of civility for the whole of the next four days.
A/N: Are we ever really sure what Molesley's name is? I thought it was Alfred, so I used Joe here because I'd already very briefly mentioned the other Alfred...but in S4 it seems to at least begin with a J? Who knows. Poor Molesley, anyway :P