So sorry it's taken so long. There is definitely one more chapter, if not two. Enjoy!
Janet had texted Rachel and asked to meet in the loos before going into the office. She told herself that it was to talk about the conversation she'd had with her mum the night before, but to be honest she just wanted to have Rachel alone to herself for five minutes before they had to act like their relationship had returned to just platonic.
She tried to remember the last time she felt so in love. It had been a long time. Long before she and Ade had split up. In fact, she thought, it was probably when the girls were still at primary school. Her face dropped at the distinct lack of love in her life for the past few years, just as Rachel walked into the loos.
'Well, hello!' Rachel said as if she wasn't expecting to see Janet. She came up to her and gave her a kiss, lingering slightly and making Janet go a little light-headed.
'Oh, God,' murmured Janet. 'I don't know if I'll ever get used to that.'
'No, me neither.' Rachel held Janet close and grinned cheekily at her.
'What?' Janet asked as Rachel giggled.
'I've brought your other sock. You know, the one you lost at mine.'
'Oh, yeah?'
'But I'm not telling you where it is,' Rachel laughed.
'Rachel.' A mock warning. Rachel turned away and moved towards the door, offering a smile over her shoulder as Janet tutted. Trust Rachel to turn a lost sock into a game.
Janet spent all day, when she wasn't busy, trying to look for the sock. She checked her drawers, her handbag, the filing cabinets, but no luck. Her latest search was among the exhibits.
'All right, Janet?'
She nearly hit the ceiling. Mitch was walking towards her and trying to work out what she was doing.
'Oh, hi Mitch,' she said as she tried to gather herself and look as unsuspicious as possible, which, in itself, made her look suspicious.
'The boss is looking for you,' he said.
'Right, thanks,' Janet replied as she left. On her way to Gill's office, she passed Rachel and grabbed her arm.
'Where the hell have you put it, you crazy lady? Mitch thinks I'm a right odd 'un – I've just been rifling through the exhibits trying to find it.'
'Well, you won't find it there,' Rachel smirked.
'Yeah, I realise that now! If I don't find it by the time we leave, you have to tell me where it is, yes?'
'Maybe. Maybe not.' She looked around to check there was nobody about then pressed a quick kiss to Janet's lips and walked away.
'Rachel, tell me where it is,' Janet whined. It was nearly 8pm and the two of them were getting ready to leave.
'Where what is?' asked Lee as he walked past.
'Never you mind, nosy!' Janet shot Rachel a desperate look then followed her out of the office.
Once they got back to Janet's, they both got out of their cars and Rachel ran to catch Janet before she opened the front door.
'I think I can tell you the reason why you haven't found it,' Rachel said. 'Because you've kept your hands off me all day.'
'I don't understand,' said Janet as Rachel lifted up her jumper a little to reveal a sock poking out of her trousers.
'Ah, I see,' she said as she took the sock. Then she lowered her voice. 'Maybe I should look there more often.' She leaned in for a kiss then opened the door.
They took their coats off then Janet walked towards the living room, reaching out a hand to Rachel, who stood still.
'What is it?' asked Janet softly.
'Are you sure they're ok with this?' Rachel said uncertainly.
'Of course they are.' A hug, a kiss and a smile. 'Come on.'
As they entered the living room, Rachel found herself being almost knocked over by Taisie.
'Hi, Taisie!' she said, hugging her back and kissing her on the head as she whispered in her ear. 'I'm sorry.'
Taisie looked up at her and smiled. 'It's ok.'
The next chapter shouldn't take as long to upload because I'm no longer in the middle of exams - yay!