A/N: Things I have learnt, well ok one thing, don't say you'll update soon and then not manage it.

So, in the interests of honesty, I wanted to get this right and I've been fiddling around with it for a while. Still not totally happy so the moral is post earlier, but I hope you like it.

I will try updating sooner - look there I go again!

The big meeting is on so let's see how it goes...

Katie

"I love you." I paused, it didn't really convey enough meaning.

I tried again, "My life has been amazing since you've been in it and I wanted you to know, I love you."

It was better but I still needed more, "Since we've been together I've known what it is to be happier than I ever thought possible. Thank you for changing my life and I love you."

"What are you doing?" Danny's voice cut in as I jumped out of my skin.

"Jesus Dan, you scared me half to death." I replied as I turned a deep crimson.

Danny walked into the room and stared at me, "Auntie Katie, why were you talking to your shoes?"

I could try to brazen it out but I'd been caught red handed, "I don't expect you to understand, you're far too young and male, but I honestly think these are the most beautiful things on earth."

He leaned forward and peered at them with the same bemused expression as Emily, "Really?"

I nodded, "I've been dying to get a pair for ages."

"But they're just shoes." Danny replied clearly none the wiser.

I tutted, I mean I know he's only seven, but it was never too early to teach him.

I picked up a shoe and held it in front of his face. "My sweet little Dan, these are not just shoes, this is the one of the most amazing pieces of design you'll ever see."

His nose crinkled, "It is?"

"Yes!" I stated more exasperatedly, "look at the way it curves, look at the heel, look at the intricate patterns on the strap."

Danny dutifully did as I asked and studied the shoe very carefully, a few hmmms and ohs came out of his mouth, finally he looked at me and smiled sweetly, "I see what you mean Auntie Katie and your feet do look very pretty in them."

I could tell he didn't believe a word of it but I appreciated him trying and call me shallow, but I'm a sucker for a bit of flattery no matter how insincere. I kissed my shoe and placed it neatly back next to its other half.

"So are you looking forward to your day out?" I asked.

Danny frowned slightly, "I always like going to the park..."

My eyebrow raised, "I'm sensing a but?"

He sighed, "Why can't we go to our normal park? I like that one best, not some stupid one miles away."

"It's nice to go to different places for a change, it stops things getting boring." I countered.

"But I like my park." he stated firmly.

Now I understood, he was nervous about meeting Naomi and felt wrong footed because Emily had opted to go somewhere unfamiliar.

"Sweetheart, it's just the same as playing in the park down the road. In fact if you think about it it's actually quite exciting going somewhere new, there might be all sort of cool things there." I said gently.

"I supposed so," he replied still slightly unsurely.

There was a small pause while Danny decided whether to ask me something so I waited patiently.

"Auntie Katie," I smiled, "what's Naomi like?"

"Do you mean what does she look like or what's she like as a person?" I clarified.

He frowned, "Ellie says looks aren't important, it's what a person's like inside that counts."

I smiled wryly at the confident statement only someone who knows she's going to be stunning when she grows up could make. Obviously I didn't say that to Danny, Ellie could do no wrong in his eyes and he was fiercely protective, especially when he thought anyone might be criticising her.

Danny waited for my answer, "She has blonde hair, very blue eyes and is taller than your Mum and me."

He paused, "Is she as pretty as you and Mummy?"

I smiled, "How very dare you, of course not! But she's pretty in a different way."

He nodded in encouragement, "She's a bit of a loony Eco warrior and rants about stuff like feminism and equality but she's ok really and don't you dare ever tell her I said that."

Danny tilted his head, "What's feminism?"

I waved my hand, "Nothing to concern you, it's something that fat or ugly girls drone on about. Take it from me, listening to someone bang on for half an hour about it is boring as hell."

"She's not mean, like horrible Mandy? She won't keep trying to shut me up and making nasty faces at me?" he asked tentatively.

I'd nearly swung for Mandy when Em told me how she'd treated Dan, how fucking dare she be so dismissive of him. I don't know why Emily kept seeing her after that, well ok, we all know why, but sex on tap or not, it didn't take long to put Emily off thank God. The woman was vile and the fact Danny still remembered her showed the impact it had on him. No matter what initial reservations I had about Naomi, I felt confident I could allay some of his fears as far as the blonde was concerned.

"Danny, Naomi's very kind and caring, so no, she's nothing like Mandy." I replied.

He nodded, "Good, I hated her, she was nasty."

I smiled, "If it's any consolation Naomi's nervous about meeting you too."

I knew the blonde was agitated, not just because Cook had told me but also because she'd phoned me in a blind panic and begged me to help her get him a suitable present. I'm not even ashamed to admit I took a great sense of satisfaction from the fact she needed my assistance. What? She'd made me grovel about speaking to Emily, it was payback time. Ok so I suppose winding her up about the fact she was trying to bribe my nephew had been a bit cruel, but hey, I'd laid myself on the line about Em, so suck it up blondie.

He looked a me unsurely, "she is? Why? I'm not that bad am I Auntie Katie?"

I ruffled his hair, "don't be silly, you're not bad at all, she just wants you to like her."

"Oh," he paused, "I've got a joke, Ellie says that making girls laugh is a good thing, do you want to hear it?"

Judging by the usual standard of my nephew's jokes, that'd be a no, "Hmmm, it's ok sweetheart, I'm not sure you should practice too much, don't spoil that spontaneous feeling."

Danny looked worried, "Oh no, I've been saying it to myself all morning..."

Quick Katie, head him off at the pass before it ruins his confidence, "Saying it in your head doesn't count, just out loud."

He looked relieved, "Oh that's alright then. Thanks Auntie Katie, you're the best."

I grinned as he ran off downstairs, if Naomi didn't love him by the end of today I'd eat my shoes.

I gave them a stroke, "It's ok my darlings, Mummy would never really eat you."

I gave them a last loving look and followed my nephew. I could hear all sorts of noises coming from the kitchen. I stood in the doorway and paused. Emily was surrounded by Tupperware and she was muttering to herself. I watched her for a while with an amused smile, clearly Danny and Naomi weren't the only nervous ones.

"Got enough food Em?" I stated as she jumped two feet in the air.

"Jesus Katie, creepy stalker much?" she said with a frown.

I laughed, "I was hardly stealthy, you were too busy fussing to notice me."

She tutted, "I wasn't fussing, I'm just making sure I've got everything I need."

I looked at the carnage and raised my eyebrow, "Think you might have that covered babe."

She smiled and shook her head, "I know it's only a picnic..."

Time for my sisterly duty, "An important picnic, I'm sure Naomi really appreciates the trouble you've gone to and the fact you're going to a park that she's familiar with."

"Do you think so? I mean I know Dan's a bit put out we're going somewhere different, but Naomi was so sweet I wanted to meet her half way." Emily replied unsurely.

I smiled, "She knows that and she's very grateful."

Some of Emily's confidence returned, "Really?"

I nodded, "Told me herself."

My twin smiled at me and carried on packing the food until we were interrupted by Danny.

"What's that?" he asked pointing at one of the boxes.

"It's cous cous sweetheart." Emily replied.

Danny pulled a face, "Yuk! I hate cous cous, it tastes like feet."

Emily sighed, "Danny, we've been through this, the food is for everybody so if you don't like something, don't eat it, there's plenty here you do like."

He frowned, "And do we really have to go to the other park?"

This time he was greeted by a tut, "I've already explained why we're not going to our normal park..."

"But it's not fair..." he whined.

Emily's eyes narrowed as she grabbed him and began to tickle his stomach causing him to giggle , "Daniel Jonah Fitch, you will not be a brat today ok? We're going to Brandon Hill for a change. They've just re-opened the tower, so maybe we can climb it?"

His eyes widened, "Really? That would be brilliant."

Emily rolled her eyes as she let him go, "I thought that might change your mind."

They both froze as the doorbell went and Emily glanced nervously at the clock, "Oh, is that the time? I haven't finished..."

I smiled, "I'll get it."

I checked though the spy hole and found Naomi talking to herself while she did a last minute check on her appearance in the glass. Best not to leave her waiting long, so I opened the door. She smiled briefly.

"Hey Katie, are they ready?" she enquired.

I shook my head, "Not quite, but nearly, come on in."

She looked at her watch, "I'm not early, we said midday..."

"Naomi, you're on time, Emily's just preparing enough food to feel the whole of Bristol so it's taking a while." I responded as the blonde walked into the house.

"Oh right, ok. I didn't want to be late or anything, you know, seem rude, that wouldn't have been a great start." she waffled.

I placed my hand on her forearm, "Calm down, did you get the present?"

She nodded and held up the perfectly wrapped package, "It's not exactly the same as the one you said..."

"It'll be fine, they're in the kitchen." I said as I made my way back down the hall.

I heard Naomi gulp slightly as we entered the room. Emily looked over and smiled broadly at her while Danny shuffled closer to his Mum.

"Hi, I hear we're not going to starve today." Naomi said returning my twin's smile.

Emily laughed, "I might have gone a bit over the top."

"I'm sure it's all lovely." The blonde replied as they continued to stare at each other.

I looked at Danny who was watching the exchange curiously, I could tell he was already sizing Naomi up and observing Emily's reaction to her. They were all standing slightly uncomfortably so I decided to speed things along.

"So, I suppose it's time for the introductions?" I pushed gently.

Emily blushed, "Sorry, I wasn't being rude, erm, Naomi, this is my son Danny. Danny, this is the friend I was telling you about, Naomi."

They smiled slightly unsurely at each other and Naomi held out her hand, "Hi, it's nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you."

Danny took her hand and shook it firmly, well ok he waved it up and down in a vague resemblance to the way he'd seen Dad do it, "Nice to meet you too."

Aww, my chest puffed out, he was so polite. We all stood slightly awkwardly until Danny's brow creased. He turned to me and I got a sense of foreboding.

"Naomi's not fat or ugly, she's really pretty." he stated with a frown.

Naomi folded her arms as she and Emily turned towards me with raised eyebrows.

I shrugged, "All I said was you were a feminist and usually that means a fat or ugly woman. I didn't say you were like that, it wasn't personal."

Naomi snorted, "Cheers, thanks a lot Katiekins."

"I said you were pretty!" I stated indignantly. "Tell her Danny."

He nodded, "She did say that."

Bollocks, now she was smirking at me, "Don't get any funny ideas."

"As if I would." Naomi replied with a wink.

I glared at her, smug cow, "So Naomi, I think you have a present for Danny?"

His eyes lit up, "Is that for me?"

Naomi shifted uncomfortably, "Yeah, your Mum said it was your birthday a few weeks ago so, I erm, I thought I'd get you something."

She held out the package and he eagerly grabbed it and began ripping the paper off, "Thanks."

We watched as he studied the box while he muttered to himself.

"It's a set of experiments, there's a hundred, things like building a bell, or a radio..." Naomi explained unsurely as she glanced my way.

He looked up with a disappointed expression, "It's got a girl on it and it says ages 5-7, that's for babies."

I looked at Emily who was scowling and was about to tell him off for being so ungrateful but my attention was diverted by the blonde. This was going to be interesting.

She shrugged and held out her hands, "Fair enough, I'll take it back."

Danny stared at her as he gripped the box more tightly to his chest, "I didn't say I didn't want it..."

They continued to outstare each other until Emily cut in, "Danny, go and put it in your room and maybe by the time you come back down you'll have learnt some manners."

He scampered upstairs and Naomi sighed loudly, "Sorry, but I couldn't afford the one Katie suggested."

Emily glared at me, "It's very thoughtful of you to buy him anything at all, Katie shouldn't have assumed you'd be a bottomless pit of money."

"I didn't mean to react like that, it's hardly us getting off on the right foot is it?" Naomi said as she bit her lip.

Emily smiled, "It was the perfect response."

Naomi blushed, "Yeah?"

"Couldn't have done better myself, Danny needs to know he can't get away with things and contrary to his little display I have brought him up better than that." my twin responded.

Naomi's brow furrowed, "Are you sure he hasn't got Aspergers? Being blunt is one of the symptoms, I looked it up on the net..."

Emily smiled wryly, "Naomi trust me, that had nothing to do with Danny being autistic and everything to do with him being a rude little sod."

At that moment Danny entered the room and stared at the blonde, "Err, sorry Naomi, it's a very nice present, thank you."

Naomi smiled at him, "You're welcome. So the park awaits?"

Em picked up the rucksack full of food, "Katie said she'll drop us off."

"Come on then, it's not like I don't have anything better to do." I said with a smile as Naomi grinned back at me.

Naomi

We walked out to the car and stood awkwardly, Katie got into the driver's side and Danny jumped into the back. I went for the handle and Emily stopped me.

"You go in the front." she instructed.

I frowned, "Surely that's your seat?"

She smiled, "you've got longer legs."

I got into the front and let out a puff of breath. To be honest, I was secretly relieved I didn't have to sit next to Danny. Not that I had anything against him, apart from the slightly rude reaction to my present he seemed quite sweet, but there was no point going out of my way to make things deliberately awkward. I felt sure that would happen plenty of times before the day was out.

"Everyone got their seat belts on?" Katie checked before we set off.

I stared out of the window and tried to settle my nerves. Come on Naomi, so far so good. Yeah right, so I'd managed to make it through the first five minutes, big bloody deal. I mentally checked myself, don't be so negative, it's going alright, there's no need to be so pessimistic. I was jolted from my thoughts, quite literally, as Katie slammed on the brakes.

"Watch it you mother flunker." she screamed.

"What the hell is a mother flunker when it's at home?" I said in confusion, "Why don't you just say motherfu..."

Emily leapt in, "Ah-hem, I think we all know what Katie meant."

I blushed as I realised I was about to swear in front of a seven year old, "Shit, sorry."

I froze as I heard Danny gasp, "Ohmmm Mummy, Naomi said a rude word."

"Oh crap, sorry again," I blustered as another gasp came out of Danny's mouth

Really? Crap wasn't allowed either? My colour deepened.

I turned to Emily who was staring at me with an amused expression, "Maybe I shouldn't speak at all..."

"I find it hard to believe you have such a lack of vocabulary." she teased.

I turned back just as Katie accelerated to get through a set of traffic lights that I'm sure had turned red by the time we got there, "Jesus Christ Katie!"

Katie snickered and shook her head, "And there she goes again..."

Seriously, shut the fuck up Naomi. Oh my God, I can't even think without swearing, I'm totally screwed. I kept repeating do not swear, do not think about swearing over and over in my head, but naturally that meant every single rude word I knew was on a constant loop in my mind. I swallowed nervously really hoping the next word that came from my mouth wasn't cunt.

Katie was still chuckling to herself, "I think your nickname has just changed to Tourette's girl."

"What's Tourette's?" Danny asked curiously.

"It's a condition where people can't stop swearing." Katie replied.

"Actually, that's not strictly correct." I started as Katie shot me a look, "It is characterised by physical and vocal tics, but constant swearing is a rarer manifestation than a lot of people think."

We lapsed back into silence, Katie had a stony look on her face, I suppose setting her straight like that wasn't the best move I could have made. This was turning into a fucking disaster.

"Naomi?" Danny's voice came from the back of the car.

I turned nervously, "Yeah?"

"What car do you drive?" he asked.

I shook my head, "I don't drive a car."

"How do you get to places then?" he followed up.

I smiled, "Usually on the bus."

"Oh." he paused, "Naomi?"

"Yes?" I responded.

"Are you poor?" Danny queried.

Emily spluttered, "Danny! You can't ask people things like that."

"But that's what Auntie Katie and Grandma say, only poor people use the bus." he reasoned before looking back at me.

"It's ok Em." I stared back, "I'm not exactly poor, no, but having a car is quite expensive I suppose. It's not the main reason I don't drive though, using the bus is more friendly to the environment and that's very important to me."

I caught Katie trying to hide a snort and I'm sure I heard her mutter something about me not being principled enough to refuse a lift.

Danny thought for a moment, "Why is it important? Everyone has a car."

I seriously thought about letting it go, but seven or not, it was crucial that kids understood that even little things could make a difference, "Well it's important so that we protect the Earth and everything that lives on it for future generations. Did you know that some studies have shown that at least 70 species of frog have already died out because of global warming?"

He shook his head.

I was getting into my theme now and I continued to rattle off fact after fact, I stopped abruptly when I eventually noticed the horrified look on his face. His lip wobbled as he turned wide eyed to Emily.

"I don't want the Earth to die Mummy." he said in a whisper.

"Nice one idiot, do you want to give him nightmares?" Katie hissed out of the side of her mouth.

Oh this was just perfect, not only had I gone off into a rant, I'd also managed to scare a seven year old half to death, Emily was going to hate me for this. I glanced back to find her stroking Danny's cheek and talking comfortingly to him.

"Sweetheart, it's ok, the Earth won't die, will it Naomi?" she prompted.

Danny turned back to me with the biggest trusting puppy dog stare.

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I get a bit carried away sometimes."

He nodded, "Auntie Katie said you were a bit of a loony Eco warrior."

I stared at the twin who at least had the decency to blush, "I suppose I can be..."

"It's not being a loony Dan, Naomi's just very passionate about these things." Emily said kindly.

Danny finally smiled, "Ellie says it's good to care about things, people who don't are mean."

I let out the breath I was holding, "Ellie sounds very sensible."

His face lit up and he started talking nineteen to the dozen, telling me all about Ellie. I nodded and smiled in the right places, grateful the topic of conversation had been steered away from me and my ability to put the fear of God into a kid.

Finally he ran out of breath, "Wow, Ellie sounds very special to you."

Danny nodded, "She's my very best friend in the whole world. Have you got a best friend Naomi? Apart from Mummy of course, she said you were her special friend."

I risked a glance at Emily who coughed and hastily looked away, "I've got two. I've known my friend Effy since I was a little girl and I met my friend Cook when I was a bit older than you."

His brow furrowed, "Auntie Katie's boyfriend is called Cook."

Katie spluttered, "He's not my boyfriend!"

I grinned at her, "You sure about that Katie? You've been spending a lot of time together."

"Shut up blondie. Not. My. Boyfriend." she repeated.

I winked at Danny, "I think he's her boyfriend."

He giggled at me, "So do I. I like Cook, he's cool, although he's rubbish on the Wii."

I nodded knowingly, "He's utter cr... crud at computer games. I once beat him 20 times in a row on Tekken, it only took me about half an hour."

Danny's eyes widened, "You like computer games?"

I shrugged, "Yeah, well most of them."

He beamed at me, "Are you any good on the Wii?"

"Er, I don't know, I've never played on one." I admitted.

"You should come to my house and play on mine." he turned excitedly to Emily, "Can she Mummy?"

I blushed as Emily smiled at me, "I'm sure if Naomi wants to come over and play on the Wii with you that would be fine."

I held her gaze slightly too long, I couldn't help it, the bloody eyes were out in force, all sparkly and twinkling, only now there were two pairs staring at me.

"Hmm, that'd be good." I eventually squeaked out before I turned away.

"Nice save Campbell." Katie said grudgingly, she was clearly still slightly annoyed.

I smiled sweetly, "And you thought this would be a total wreck."

I glanced up as we got into town, the traffic had been a nightmare and although I'd secretly been dreading the journey it had actually been nice to get to know Danny a bit on the way. I sat in self congratulatory silence, I was a hit, at least I think I was. Come on Naomi, this is no time for self doubt, you've been invited to play Wii, that must mean he likes you.

As we passed the shop Danny waved at it and said "hello SandFitches."

I smiled, aw he was so cute. I checked myself, ahem, what I obviously meant was he was ok, you know, for a kid.

I pointed at a building, "That's the office I work in."

He stared at the glass front, "What do you do?"

I shrugged, "I'm sort of like a p.a. I do a bit of everything."

"What's a p.a?" he enquired.

"A personal assistant. Do you remember Mandy?" I continued

I was pleased as he grimaced, "Yeah..."

"Well I work for her and have to do everything she tells me to." I said with a shrug.

His face screwed up even more, "Yuk! I'd hate her telling me what to do."

I smiled wryly, "I'm not a great fan of it either."

He looked puzzled, "So why do you do it?"

"Well, the money is pretty good and I don't want to do it forever, so being ordered around is alright I suppose." I replied.

I could hear his brain whirring, just like Emily, "So what do you want to do?"

I smiled, "I want to travel, see the world, so I'll put up with anything for a while until I can get enough money together."

"Oh." he said in puzzlement.

"Danny, sometimes things might not be ideal in the short term, but you accept them because you have a longer term goal." I responded.

Jesus Naomi, he's not at bloody school you sanctimonious tosser.

"Oh, so you do something horrible now because that means you can go on holiday a lot later?" Danny questioned.

Fuck he was quick on the uptake, Cook had obviously been right about him being clever.

I nodded, "Pretty much it yeah."

Once again I was back to smugly congratulating myself, who knew I could relate to kids like this? You're on fire today Campbell.

"Naomi?" the voice was back.

I turned brimming with confidence, "yes Danny?"

"Where do you want to travel to?" Danny asked curiously.

I held my hands up, "Not really sure. Definitely Australia, India, Thailand... probably South America."

He paused again, "Won't it take a long time to get there?"

I stared at him unsurely, "I suppose a 12 or 14 hour flight is quite a long time."

Now it was Danny's turn to look puzzled, "So you won't take the bus?"

To my right I heard Katie snicker and I couldn't be sure but I think Emily seemed to be biting her lip as she tried not to smile. What did they know that I didn't?

"Er, no, I'll be getting a plane like most people." I responded in bewilderment.

His brow creased, "Aren't planes bigger than cars?"

What sort of stupid question was that? Even for a seven year old the answer was totally obvious, maybe he wasn't that bright after all.

"Yessssss." I said slowly.

"So aren't they worse for the environment?" Danny continued innocently.

Oh bollocks, now I could see very clearly the direction this line of questioning was taking and at last I understood why the twins were smiling earlier. I was about to get bested by a bloody seven year old. I could understand how Mandy got frustrated, this was embarrassing.

"Er, well, erm, technically no, because they, um, carry more people, so the impact is, um, more spread out..." I spluttered unconvincingly.

"Bullshit." Katie said quietly under her breath.

I opened and closed my mouth a few times. How the hell was I going to justify this? I sighed, simple answer, I wasn't. I paused, actually you know what, why the hell should I? He's a seven year old kid, I don't have to explain myself to him. I don't have to defend my actions at all. I gritted my teeth and turned back to Danny. Suddenly all the fight and indignation left me. Seriously? Emily wasn't joking about the family trait. Stop it with the eyes, it's totally unfair. I looked at the redhead who was smiling at me, Jesus, how did anyone stand a chance?

She raised her eyebrow, "You ok?"

I shrugged, "I'm not going to win this one am I?"

She shook her head, "Probably best to save face while you can."

I held up my hands in surrender, "Fair enough, you've got me. I'm a hypocrite who rants on about loving the environment but I'll throw my principles right out the window if it means I get to go somewhere exotic. Happy?"

Emily burst out laughing and my stomach flipped.

"How come I could never get you to admit anything like that?" she said teasingly.

I grinned at her, "Your counter arguments were obviously never as persuasive as Danny's."

"Oh, I think I was pretty persuasive when I needed to be." Emily replied making me blush.

We continued to stare at each other until we were interrupted.

"We're here!" Danny stated.

Emily smiled at him as she reached for the door handle, "Come on sweetheart, let's go and have a nice day in the park."

Emily

We got out of the car and I lifted the rucksack onto my back with a slight groan. Naomi glanced at me.

"I can carry that if you like?" she said.

I shook my head, "It's ok, I'm balanced."

We waved Katie off and made our way inside. I thought things were going ok, well actually I hoped they were going better than that. I mean, I know Danny had been asking a lot of questions on the journey, but even when it got awkward I'd been impressed how Naomi took it all in her stride.

"So Danny, what do you want to do first?" Naomi asked.

His eyes darted from side to side, "Erm, well Mummy said we could climb the tower?"

Naomi nodded, "Sure, I thought you might like to walk in the nature park so we could maybe do that afterwards?"

Danny paused and shot me a look, I could tell he was impatient to go up the tower but he didn't want to upset Naomi.

I smiled, "Let's got for a walk, then we can climb the tower and afterwards we can have lunch. Does that sound like a plan?"

Both Danny and Naomi agreed and we set off towards the nature reserve. We walked into a sea of wild flowers.

I gasped, "It's beautiful, I didn't realise it was here. You didn't show me this before."

Naomi stood beside me and smiled, "It's lovely isn't it? It was just grass like the rest of the park until the eighties when the council decided it should be a haven for wildlife and set this up. I didn't bring you last time because it was earlier in the year and the flowers weren't as pretty, I wanted to save it."

I sighed quietly at both the implication Naomi had planned things for us to do months in advance but also how close I had come to missing out on them. I knew the blonde had worked out the direction my thoughts had taken because she took my hand before giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Come on let's follow the trail down to the pond." she said as she set off again leaving me secretly disappointed we weren't touching anymore.

Be reasonable Emily, I silently admonished myself. It's early days and you have no right to expect anything from Naomi. But I couldn't help my skin tingling each time we shared some form of contact, no matter how small or insignificant. Although, that was a part of the problem, nothing to do with Naomi ever felt insignificant to me. In spite of my internal voice telling me to be cautious and not to let myself get carried away, every little gesture felt like a small step back towards us being the way we used to be.

I shook my head, see there I go again charging forward. It is what it is, two friends spending some time together and seeing where it leads. I glanced up to find Naomi pointing something out to Danny. She was facing away from me and I shamelessly took the opportunity to check out her arse. Hmmmm, still as gorgeous as ever.

As if she could feel me staring, Naomi quickly turned around. I hastily averted my eyes and made my way over but I knew she'd caught me because by the time I reached them she was smirking.

"Come on slow coach, stop getting distracted and focus on the nature out there please." she said with a sweep of her arm.

I reddened as Danny looked at me strangely, "What were you looking at Mummy?"

My colour deepened, "Er, just admiring the view."

Naomi bit her lip, "So that's what you call it these days?"

I coughed and set off down the trail, "Let's see this pond shall we?"

Danny ran on ahead and kept stopping to peer at a flower or look in the grass, "What sort of things live here?"

Naomi looked around, "Well as you can see, there are lots of wild flowers in this bit. In the pond there's frogs, toads, newts and there might even be a few fish I think."

We ambled towards the pond. When we arrived I placed the bag down and folded my arms, "It's so peaceful here, you can hardly hear any traffic."

The blonde nodded, "I know, that's why it's one of my favourite places."

Danny came rushing back towards us, "Mummy, Mummy, I saw a frog, it was green and brown and it jumped right into the water."

I smiled indulgently, "Naomi said there'd be frogs here."

He turned to her, "This park is cool Naomi, thanks."

She grinned at him, "You're welcome. Shall we head back?"

He nodded and took her hand as we walked back up the path. I saw a flicker of surprise register across her face but it wasn't unkind and it didn't last.

She glanced at me with a smile as I picked the bag up and I swear a little bit of my heart actually melted on the spot before my son demanded her attention again.

"Naomi, what's this one called?" Danny asked eagerly as he picked up a flower.

Naomi paused, "Er, I'm not sure."

Danny looked expectantly at the blonde, "What about this one?"

Again Naomi shrugged, "Sorry, but I don't know."

He looked disappointed and I could tell Naomi had noticed, her shoulders sagged slightly. I was about to say it didn't matter when she took her phone out of her pocket.

"Maybe we could look them up?" she said with an unsure smile.

Danny nodded enthusiastically and I watched as they searched the internet for names of the various flowers. Each time they found one Dan's smile broadened.

"So, that one is an ox-eye daisy and this one is yellow rattle." he stated confidently.

They conferred and finally the blonde looked at me.

"Now we only have one left. It's either knapweed or a cornflower. What do you think Em?" Naomi asked as she winked at Danny.

I raised my eyebrow as my son jiggled up and down, "I think you'll find that knapweed is a type of cornflower."

Danny giggled, "See? I said Mummy was too clever to fall for it."

Naomi looked impressed, "I never had you down as a gardener."

I shrugged, "What can I say? I might just keep surprising you."

Naomi smiled, "Hmm, maybe you will."

Oh God, my throat went dry at the flirtatious tone of her voice, was she doing this on purpose? I stared at the blue eyes twinkling at me as she raised her eyebrow, yup, a definite attempt to give me a heart attack.

"So are we going up the tower?" I managed to squeak out.

"Yeah! Let's climb it." Danny shouted as he ran off.

I muttered slightly to myself as we walked up the hill. It was bloody unfair to tease me like that. Alright so maybe I'd flirted a bit too and yes, I admit I was totally checking out her arse, but it's not like Naomi had changed overnight is it? She was still fucking drop dead gorgeous and I am only human. I snatched another quick peek as the blonde strode ahead of me. Well maybe not exactly quick, and perhaps peek was a bit misleading, full on perv more like. What? I may not be able to touch but it doesn't stop me looking.

I drifted off into a nice little daydream meaning I completely failed to notice Naomi had stopped and was staring knowingly at me as I reached the bottom of the tower.

"You sure you're ok Em? You look a little flushed." Naomi said cheekily.

I glared at her slightly, she knew fine well why I was blushing. "Let's get the stairs over and done with shall we?"

She motioned for me to enter, "It's probably better for your blood pressure if you go first."

Smug cow. "Danny, please hold onto the rail and be careful."

Halfway up I was red in the face for an entirely different reason. Jesus Christ, hungry or not walking up these with a full backpack was a pain in the arse. I gritted my teeth and trudged on. At the top I went onto the square balcony and immediately put the bag down as I caught my breath back. I looked over at the blonde who was also gasping for air and red in the face.

"Are you alright Naomi? You look a little flushed." I repeated wryly.

She pointed, "Shut... up... I'm... fine..."

"Mummy, come and look at the view." Danny called from across the tower.

He smiled as I approached, "You can see all across the city."

"You can, see that big building straight ahead?" I pointed.

He snorted, "Of course I can see it."

"That's the university and I think that one over there is the Theatre Royal." I continued.

Danny looked impressed, which was lucky because that was as far as my knowledge stretched. "How old is the tower?"

Naomi had finally got her breath back, I smiled as she held her arms out for us both to link through, "Young man, madam, allow me to take you on a guided tour. The beautiful lady was indeed correct, that's the Theatre Royal, which is the oldest continually working theatre in Britain."

My heart began to flutter uncontrollably simply because Naomi had called me beautiful.

"What about the tower Naomi?" Danny quizzed impatiently.

"Don't worry, I was just getting to that." she paused for dramatic effect, "The 105 foot tower sits 260 feet above the harbour making it an excellent look out point."

She swept her arm around the vantage before continuing, "It was built in 1897 to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of John Cabot's voyage in his ship, the Matthew, to discover a new trade route to Asia. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on whether you like Canada I suppose, he was rubbish at geography and so instead he discovered Newfoundland. It opened to the public in September 1898, which is a good thing if you ask me because they paid for it in the first place."

Danny giggled as Naomi slipped out of tour guide mode.

"Sorry, where was I? Oh yes, it was designed by a local architect called William Venn Gough, personally I think he made that name up to make him sound like he was a posh artist. That's the trouble with architects in my experience, over inflated egos..." Naomi continued.

I watched Danny as he hung eagerly off her every word, but I wasn't concentrating on anything other than the fact that Naomi's arm had, I'm sure, absentmindedly slipped around my waist while she'd been speaking. It didn't mean anything right?

I froze, not wanting to move in case it broke the spell. She had her arm around me and it felt, I don't know, it just felt right. In the background I could hear Danny asking things and Naomi answering.

My hearing caught up at the end if the conversation.

"Wow Naomi, you know loads." Danny said with admiration.

She laughed, "Yeah, I know a bit."

He ran around the tower and then it was just me and Naomi; well Naomi, me and her arm.

"Em? Are you ok?" she asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, I was just wondering about your arm?"

She looked down and it was as if she didn't recognise the limb attached to her.

"Jesus, sorry, I just, I must..." she stammered as she removed it.

"It's ok, I quite liked it." I answered.

Naomi coughed, "It wasn't intentional."

We stood in silence for a while.

I smiled, "So, quite the expert aren't we?"

She shrugged, "Like I said I know some stuff."

I raised my eyebrow, "It was almost as if you'd learnt facts about the park."

She blushed, "I, er, I just wanted to be prepared."

I stared at her and made a snap decision, I leant up and kissed her cheek, "Thank you."

Her blush deepened, "What for?"

"For making such an effort." I replied holding her gaze.

We were interrupted by Danny crashing back into us, "Mummy, I'm hungry."

I picked up the bag and took his hand as we walked back towards the exit, "Time for lunch I think."

We made our way down the spiral staircase and as we got outside I could see Naomi nervously glancing at me.

"We could go to the place we went before to eat? Or back down the hill if you'd prefer?" I asked.

Naomi smiled, "the top is better, it'll be less crowded and I'd like Danny to see it."

"Is it near the playground?" Danny enquired.

She shook her head, "No, but there are amazing views while we eat and you can play afterwards."

"Although you might not make it to the playground as Auntie Katie is picking us up." I clarified.

He pouted and Naomi cut in, "If we don't get to the playground today, maybe next time eh?"

Danny nodded and I realised Naomi was already getting the hang of this. We walked up the the top of the hill and she explained how much she loved it here.

Danny sighed as I set down the picnic blanket and we all sat down, "this is a nice park even if it isn't my normal one."

Naomi looked at me and frowned, "Sorry, I didn't want to disrupt anything."

I was about to reply when Danny interrupted, "This is my new favourite park, thanks Naomi."

She smiled, "not a problem."

I started to unload the food mountain I'd prepared, "So we've got some ham and cheese sandwiches."

I tutted as they were demolished even before they'd hit the ground. I continued to place the food on the blanket.

"Here's some cous cous." I paused as I heard a giggle.

I spun around to find Naomi half way through a gagging motion, "Problem?"

She shook her head, "No of course not. I meant to say yum, yum."

"Cous cous is very nutritious." I argued.

"Em, it tastes like feet." Naomi countered.

Danny nodded and she gave him a high five, seriously? The pair of them were ganging up on me?

"Right so neither of you like it? You're missing out." I said taking a large mouthful.

My eyes bulged slightly as I tried to swallow it, it did taste like feet.

Naomi raised her eyebrow, "You really look like you're enjoying that."

"Hmmm, delicious." I countered lamely as they both laughed at me.

We sat eating our food, chatting about things until Danny coughed.

"Do you like jokes Naomi?" he asked hesitantly.

The blonde ate her mouthful of pasta salad, "Yeah, have you got one?"

Danny cleared his throat, "Knock knock."

Naomi smiled, "Who's there?

"The interrupting cow." he said.

"the interrupting co..."

"Mooooooooo..." Danny answered as he collapsed into a fit of giggles.

Naomi laughed and rolled her eyes, "I thought your Mum's jokes were bad."

Danny stared defiantly, "you tell one then."

"Ok. Why do elephants paint their feet yellow?" she offered.

Danny paused, "I don't know."

"So they can hide upside down in a bowl of custard." Naomi stated.

Danny frowned, "That's stupid."

"Oh yeah? Have you ever seen an elephant in a bowl of custard?" she responded.

Danny shook his head.

Naomi shrugged, "So it works then."

He stared at her until several snorts of laughter escaped, "That's funny, wait until I tell Ellie at school on Monday. Mummy can I play now?"

I nodded and Naomi breathed a sigh of relief as he ran off down the hill.

"Jesus, talk about pressure." she said as we started to pack things away.

I bit my lip, "Sorry, was it too much? I know he asks a lot of things and demands..."

Naomi smiled, "Em, stop it. I like the fact he's inquisitive. It's just I don't normally have a seven year old keeping me on my toes."

"Oh." I responded.

"Emily, Danny is lovely and he's a real credit to you, you're obviously a great Mum." she said.

I relaxed a bit, "I like to think so."

"I know so." Naomi replied.

We finished packing the containers away in silence as my brain went into overdrive. So, ok, we'd had a nice day, Naomi and Danny had got along and she'd said he was lovely. But what did it mean? For fuck's sake Emily, stop over analysing. Just chill.

Naomi picked up the rucksack, "Let's go and find your son."

I nodded and followed the blonde down the hill. Finally I glanced up and realised I couldn't see Danny anywhere, I started to panic, where was he? My question was answered as I heard a yell. I followed the sound and found him next to a tree on the ground clutching his foot.

"Owwww, I tripped." he said as his lip wobbled.

I crouched down, "Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry, does it hurt?"

He nodded and I could tell he was trying not to cry as I turned to Naomi, "I only took my eyes off him for a second."

Naomi nodded, "I know, sorry if I distracted you."

I turned back and hugged him, I could tell he was about to start sobbing, "Shhhh, it's ok."

The tears started to fall, "I'm not a baby, but it really huuuuuurrrts."

Naomi walked over to the tree and hit the trunk, "Bad tree, that was naughty."

He stared curiously.

"Come on, help me tell it off." Naomi said encouragingly.

Danny looked puzzled but got up, he hobbled over to her and watched as she hit the trunk again.

"You should know better, Danny was only playing and you hurt him. You're a bad, bad tree." she admonished.

Tentatively Danny tapped the tree, "You're nasty."

"You can do it harder than that, really give it what for." Naomi instructed.

He hit it, "Bad tree."

Its leaves rustled slightly in the wind.

"See, now it's saying sorry." Naomi told him.

Danny smiled, all sign of tears gone, "You're silly, isn't she Mummy?"

I nodded as once again my heart swelled, "Yeah, she is, very silly."

Naomi smiled, "That's better. Now come on, you can't keep Katie waiting."

We walked to the entrance and sure enough my twin was impatiently sitting in the car.

Danny waved to the blonde, "See you soon Naomi."

She waved back, "Definitely, I want a go on the Wii."

I smiled nervously, "I, um, we had a really nice day..."

Naomi bit her lip, "Me too."

"So, I'll see you soon?" I tried not to sound too hopeful.

She nodded and kissed my cheek, "You can count on it. Bye Em."

I got into the car and Katie sped off. Both Danny and I waved at the blonde as we left.

"So a nice time was had by all?" Katie quizzed.

I nodded as Danny answered, "It was ace, that park is cool. I like Naomi."

I smiled as I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw the blonde still waving, "So do I Danny, so do I."