A/N: I keep saying I'll try to update more quickly and I hope this is ok.

As promised it is a longer chapter again but hopefully the fact it's only a few days later than my last update will make you forgive any mistakes.

Please read, review and comment. As ever you are all awesome, so thank you.

This is all Naomi's pov, and she's struggling a bit, but only in a good way.

I'm going back to multiple pov's in the next chapter.

I sat in the shop with a stupid grin on my face, I was vaguely aware of Danny rooting around in the fridge and him saying something to me but I wasn't listening. Hearing Emily say she loved me had made me all giddy and pretty much incapable of rational behaviour.

I felt a bit bad I hadn't said it back, but I just couldn't, it was too soon. Besides, I'm pretty sure my expression conveyed more emotion than any words would be able to at the moment.

"Naomi, I asked you a question." Danny's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry, what was it?" I responded.

He held up two bottles, "lemon and lime or raspberry?"

I looked at the flavoured water, "Er, can I have a coke?"

He looked at me unsurely, "It's not good for you or your teeth."

I shrugged, "Maybe but it tastes a lot better than water."

Danny sighed, "I'm not allowed coke."

"What ever?" I said in surprise.

He shook his head, "Like everything else that looks nice, Mummy says it's bad for me."

"I heard that young man." Emily chastised as she joined us, "when you get a bit older then we'll see, but for now stick to water, milk or the occasional juice please."

I rolled my eyes at Danny and he giggled.

Emily shot me a look, "That's not really helping Naomi. I know you think I'm some sort of food nazi, but a healthy diet is really important to a child's growth."

"Surely once in a while doesn't do any damage?" I argued much to Danny's delight.

She sighed, "Look, it's not like I never allow him any treats. At his birthday party we had hot dogs, hamburgers and candy floss didn't we Dan?"

He nodded, "and ice cream."

"Speaking of which," I said with a cheeky grin, "You forgot to cough up at the park last weekend."

Emily looked confused until she remembered our little deal, "Really?"

I nodded, "I managed to get about a dozen references in across the whole afternoon and Mandy didn't suspect a thing."

Emily laughed, "I'm impressed, but then again Mandy is spectacularly dense."

"Doesn't matter, a bet's a bet Em and you owe me an ice cream." I said with a smile.

"What was your bet about?" Danny questioned.

I shot Emily a look and she winked at me, "Do you want to take this one?"

I stared at her in panic, the cow was seriously leaving me to answer Danny, what the hell was I going to say? Think Naomi, how can you explain this to a seven year old without it leading to a host of far more uncomfortable questions.

"Er... well... hmmm... you see..." I began falteringly.

Emily stepped in, "You know the game you sometimes play with Grandad? Where you see if you can mention a song title without him noticing?"

Danny nodded, "That's fun. I said loads last time and he didn't realise."

"Well I told Naomi I'd buy her an ice cream if she played the game with Mandy and Mandy didn't notice either." Emily continued.

He turned to me, "What songs did you do?"

"Er, it was more of a word I had to say." I said unsurely.

"What word?" he enquired.

"Leather."

Fuck, I didn't even think about it before it shot from my mouth. In the background I heard a small snort from Emily. This was all her bloody fault in the first place. Well alright technically it was mine for bringing it up, but she made it worse.

Danny frowned at me, "Why did you have to say leather? Is it because Mandy likes shoes?"

I nodded in confirmation, that would do as a far better explanation, "Yep, that's it. Your Mum told me that Mandy loves shoes and for a bit of fun I said I'd see how many times I could mention them without her guessing what I was doing."

I was relieved when he seemed satisfied with my answer, phew, nice save there Campbell.

"I'm surprised Mandy likes shoes so much, Auntie Katie always said her ankles were too fat to wear heels properly."

I burst out laughing. "Did she now?"

He nodded solemnly, "Auntie Katie hates Mandy nearly as much as me. I'm glad you made her look silly, she deserves it."

"Dan, that's a bit uncharitable. I know you didn't like Mandy, but you shouldn't be so mean, it's not a very nice character trait." Emily chastised.

"But she was nasty first." Danny argued.

Emily sighed, "I know that, but two wrongs don't make a right. Just because someone isn't nice to you doesn't automatically mean you have to be like it back."

I leaned over to Danny and whispered, "I think Mandy probably deserved it."

He giggled and Emily shot me a look, "And you can stop encouraging him, I'm trying to raise my son with some sense of right and wrong you know?"

I looked sheepish, "Sorry Emily."

I could see her trying to work out if I was sincere so I plastered my most innocent look on my face.

Her eyes narrowed, "Hmmm, apology accepted. Is pasta ok for everyone?"

Both Danny and I nodded enthusiastically as Emily filled a pan with water before putting it on to boil.

"You've got a puppy look too." Danny whispered conspiratorially.

I turned, "eh?"

"You just did it then, when you wanted Mummy to believe you." he stated as he tried to copy my expression.

I smiled, "Was it that obvious?"

He nodded, "But I think you got away with it. Don't do it all the time though, Mummy knows after a while and it stops working."

My smile widened, seriously did just having the name Fitch mean I was reduced to putty in their hands?

I ruffled Danny's hair. "Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure I use the look sparingly from now on."

Even before I looked over I could feel Emily staring at me. I glanced up and my stomach did a few flips when I saw her expression. She sighed happily and beamed at me as I returned her smile. My pulse began to race but even though I started to blush slightly I still couldn't take my eyes off her, it was like I was being mesmerised.

"You're doing it again." Danny interrupted.

I blinked a few times, "Doing what?"

"The kissing look." he clarified.

"We were just smiling at each other." I corrected as I went a deeper shade of red.

Danny shook his head, "No you weren't, you were doing that soppy look. There'd better not be kissing, it's gross."

Both Emily and I coughed, "Definitely no kissing, bleugh, horrible."

He frowned at us, "Good, because I'm seven and it'd be damaging."

I looked at Emily and we started to laugh, "Seriously, where does he get these things from?"

She shook her head, "I have no idea, it's not me."

"Don't laugh, Ellie said her parents are always kissing and it's all slobbery. She says it has a lasting cycle-logical impact." Danny continued earnestly.

I tried to keep a straight face, but it was hard when he was being so adorable, "Fair enough, I promise no kissing, right Em?"

I swear she looked a bit disappointed, "wouldn't dream of it. We can't have you traumatised for life now can we?"

Danny shook his head and was about to speak when his eyes widened, "Mummy! The pan!"

Emily turned to the cooker just as the water started to boil over the side, "Shit, I completely forgot about that."

She switched off the gas just as I rushed over, "Are you ok? You didn't burn yourself or anything?"

She shook her head, "Got it just in time, well not quickly enough to stop it spilling on my dress but I think the pasta's ok."

I reached for a cloth, "Here let me mop it up."

"Be careful Naomi, it's hot." but the words came a second too late to stop my fingertips getting scalded.

"Ouch, bollocks." I cried out as I dropped the cloth.

Emily took my wrist and gently led me over to the sink, she turned on the cold water and put my fingers underneath it.

"Leave them under there for ten minutes, it should stop them blistering." she said in a concerned voice.

I nodded, "Thanks. Sorry I should've realised it was boiling water."

"Don't be silly, it was my fault. I'll have to record it in the health and safety book. I really am sorry Naomi, I should've been more careful." she replied regretfully.

Her worried brown eyes fixed on me and strangely enough the pain in my fingertips disappeared. "it's nothing, honestly. I can barely feel it."

After a few minutes I cautiously withdrew my hand, much to Emily's annoyance. "You should leave them under longer."

I waved my fingers, "Look, good as new, well nearly."

Emily peered at my hand for a sign I was lying, she gently stroked my fingers and without thinking she raised it to her mouth, "I'll still kiss it better."

My eyes closed when her lips softly brushed each tip, "Hmmmm."

The small moan was enough to make us realise what we were doing. We hastily jumped apart and Emily dropped my hand.

"Right, so that looks fine now." Emily stated as she blushed furiously.

I coughed a few times, "Yep, no lasting damage. I'll sit back down, unless I can help with anything?"

"No, no, it's fine. I'll just drain this and mix some pesto through it. You could maybe grab some cutlery?" Emily added as she became fascinated by the pan of pasta.

We both busied ourselves around the kitchen. I picked up some forks and spoons and made my way back over to Danny.

"Here you go, lunch is nearly ready." I stated as I sat down.

Danny stared curiously at my hand, "Can I have a look?"

I showed him my fingers, "See, fuss about nothing."

Emily placed the bowls down, "You could have really hurt yourself Naomi. Danny, this is why I always tell you to be careful in the kitchen."

He nodded, "It's a dangerous place. But Mummy kissed your hand better, it always works for me."

I tried not to think again about the feel of Emily's lips, that was definitely a dangerous place to be right now. I took a mouthful of the pasta and decided a subject change was needed.

"Wow, this pesto is really good. Where did you get it?" I enquired.

"It's my own recipe." Emily replied proudly.

I was impressed, "You should sell stuff like this is the shop, it's delicious."

Danny tutted, "It's called SandFitches because Mummy sells sandwiches. It can't be PastaFitches, that doesn't make sense."

I rolled my eyes, "Alright smart ar...Alec, I know that, it was only a suggestion."

Emily smiled at me, "A very good suggestion but I think it's best I don't try to run before I can walk. We've got a lot of established accounts and a good local reputation, I think we should consolidate that a bit more before we think about expanding."

I shrugged, "Well, when the time comes, I don't think you'll have any problem getting a good reputation as a purveyor of fine Italian food either, this gives Matt's Mum a run for her money."

"Look who's talking. I used dried pasta, you made it from scratch." Emily countered.

Danny eyed me curiously, "You make pasta?"

I nodded, "It's really simple. I'll show you sometime if you like? We can cook it together."

"That'd be cool, thanks Naomi." He replied enthusiastically.

Emily smiled at me again, oh no, the look was back, don't stare at her lips, or her eyes, pure, clean thoughts Naomi.

Too late.

"Do you want to come bowling with us?" Danny asked.

I tore my eyes away from the redhead, "Sorry what was that Danny?"

"We're going bowling later, do you want to come too?" he repeated.

I paused and thought about the offer, I didn't want to totally monopolise Emily's time with her son.

"Naomi's probably busy, she can come with us another time when she's had more notice." Emily said sounding slightly crestfallen.

I was confused, was Emily saying she didn't want me to come or was she disappointed?

"What else are you doing then?" Danny questioned.

I shrugged, "I haven't got any other plans for today."

He frowned, "So why can't you come bowling?"

"Danny, stop putting Naomi under pressure. Maybe she's seen enough of us for today." she smiled wanly at me.

I shook my head, "It's not that..."

"Oh? What is it then?" Emily asked almost as curiously as Danny.

"Well, I remembered you saying how you didn't like it when Mandy took up your weekends, how much you valued the time with Danny." I explained.

Emily smiled more genuinely, "That's really sweet and very thoughtful, but I resented Mandy because she never wanted Danny there. We wouldn't have asked if we didn't want you to come."

"Oh, ok then, I'd love to go bowling. But I have to warn you, I'm pretty good." I replied confidently.

Danny scoffed, "Not as good as Mu..."

Emily cut him off rudely before he could finish, "Looks like you've got competition Dan."

He stared at her strangely but didn't say anything.

"What about you Em? Are you a bit of a demon with a bowling ball as well as a pool cue?" I asked.

"My game's a bit patchy, I can be ok sometimes, absolutely awful others, depends which Emily turns up. Right Dan?" Emily looked expectantly.

He looked confused, "Er, yeah, I suppose so."

I was trying to work out what was going on when Emily rose from the table and started clearing the dishes away. "Hey, you cooked I'll do that."

"I'm only putting them in the dishwasher, it's fine." Emily argued.

I stood with my hands out, "Come on it's the least I can do."

Emily rolled her eyes, "I could be finished by now Naomi."

I refused to budge, "I insist."

A loud tut came from Danny, "Will one of you do it, otherwise the bowling alley will be closed."

"Danny, stop being cheeky or there won't be any bowling at all." Emily told him off.

I chuckled, "He has got a point though. We could spend all day doing this if we're not careful. Tell you what, you do it this time but let me tidy up next time you cook?"

Emily raised her eyebrow, "You seem fairly confident I'll cook for you again."

I grinned, "of course you will, you're very vain and you like all the compliments."

"Hey, it's not just Danny who needs to stop being cheeky." she replied as she made her way over to the kitchen.

"Why? Won't you let me play either?" I quipped back.

"Oh no Naomi, I'm looking forward to watching you play, very much in fact." Emily replied flirtatiously.

I gulped as she winked at me and my mouth dried up. Oh God, I thought I was doing so well. Turns out I was wrong because believe me, any notion I had of keeping my thoughts innocent had just flown right out of the window.

The car ride to the bowling alley had been mercifully short, turns out erratic driving and road rage seems to be a Fitch family trait. I exhaled as Emily parked and finally switched off the engine.

"You ok? You look a bit pale?" Emily asked.

I forced a smile, "No, I'm good. Glad to be here in one piece."

Danny nodded in understanding, "Mummy and Auntie Katie are pretty bad drivers aren't they? I used to get really car sick."

Emily snorted, "I can take us straight home..."

"Christ no, I need a break before I experience that again." I said grimly as I rushed from the car.

"You can always walk home." Emily said with narrowed eyes.

"Might be safer." I muttered what I thought was quietly as we made our way to the alley.

"I heard that." Emily said sharply.

I looked innocently at her, "What?"

Danny shook his head, "Mummy's got super ears, she hears everything, sometimes she's not even in the same room."

If we're being honest, I'd been grateful for the distraction on the journey, at least it drew the focus away from me and Emily and the slightly impure thoughts I was having when we left the shop. I was also grateful she'd changed into a pair of jeans and a top rather than that dress; the less flawless, naked, soft flesh on display the better.

We approached the window and I got my wallet out, "Two adults and a child please."

"Naomi, I'll get this, we invited you not the other way round." Emily pushed forward.

"It's ok, you cooked me lunch so I'll treat you both." I insisted.

We continued to bicker as the sales assistant drummed her fingers on the counter.

"Why don't you pay half each?" Danny suggested impatiently.

I shrugged, "Sounds ok to me?"

"Sure, let's split it." Emily agreed handing over some cash.

I passed it to the woman with a smile, "There you go."

She rolled her eyes and handed over the tickets, "We close in two hours, just in case you can't decide which one of you goes first."

I scowled at her and took the tickets, "Well someone clearly loves their job. There's no need to be rude."

Emily lightly touched my arm, "Come on, let's enjoy this shall we. Sorry about the dithering."

The woman moved onto the next person.

"What did you apologise for? We're the customers, she was rude." I said clearly annoyed.

Emily laughed at me, "Naomi if the roles were reversed you'd have been just as irritated."

I frowned, "That's not the point."

"Why do you keep arguing all the time about silly things? It's embarrassing. Can't you share or take it in turns?" Danny questioned.

Emily smiled at him, "We'll try harder in future, now let's get some lovely, smelly shoes and get the game started eh?"

We walked to the counter where another equally as disinterested employee sat texting. I waited a few seconds before I coughed.

Finally she looked up "Yeah?"

I was about to give her a sarcastic reply when Danny chipped in.

"Hello, can we have some shoes please? We're going bowling." he said cheerily.

The young girl smiled at him, "Sure you can. What size?"

Danny smiled, "I need a size 1, Mummy is a size 5 and I don't know about Naomi."

He turned to me, "Tell the nice lady what shoe size you need Naomi."

Nice lady? We were clearly looking at two different people because all I could see was a sullen teenager. "Size 6 please."

She put the shoes on the counter top and smiled at Danny before her face went back to needing a good slap, "Have a good game mate."

He grabbed the shoes and ran over to a seat, "Thanks."

She casually pushed the other two pairs towards us.

"Thanks." I responded sarcastically but she'd gone back to her phone.

Emily shook her head at me as we went to join Danny.

"What? Is it too much to ask for a tiny bit of customer service? She had a face like she'd been sucking lemons." I stated.

Emily laughed, "Naomi, you wouldn't exactly be over the moon if you doled out stinky shoes all day for the minimum wage."

"That's not the point. It's not like I have the best job in the world is it? But I'm still polite." I said as I tied up my shoes.

"You moan all the time about your job." Emily said with a snort.

"Yeah, well, if they didn't want to be stuck in dead end work they should have paid more attention at school and gone to university." I said seriously.

Emily stared at me, "What a snobbish thing to say. Not everyone could go to university you know Naomi, it doesn't make them lesser people."

Shit, I'd put my foot right in it now, "That's not what I meant. Anyway, you didn't go because of Danny not because you weren't clever enough, look at how successful you are now."

I held my breath to see if I'd managed the great escape.

"Nice save Campbell." Emily said wryly, "but I still think it's rude to look down on people like that. How do you know that girl isn't working here to pay for her education?"

I sighed, "Sorry, you're right, I shouldn't be so condescending."

Emily looked over to the counter, "Although, to be fair the way she's sucking the face off that Neanderthal makes me doubt my earlier hypothesis."

I glanced over and pulled a face, "Get a bloody room for God's sake."

The pair stopped kissing, and I use that term loosely, and caught me staring. I must have still had a disgusted look because the girl glared at me before attaching herself back to her boyfriend's face.

"Come on." Danny whined, "why are you so slow?"

"We're ready now, let's put the names in." Emily said.

Danny smiled proudly, "I've already done it."

I smiled back, "Clever boy."

Emily coughed, "You might want to keep your praise until you see what he's put in."

I looked at the screen, I hid a smile as I saw how he'd spelt my name, I suppose Nayome was pretty good for a seven year old. "It's not a bad attempt."

Emily raised her eyebrow, "Have you really looked at it carefully Naomi?"

I turned back and finally noticed the rest of it, I spluttered indignantly, "You've called me Naomi the loser."

Danny nodded, "I've put Rubbish Mummy as well."

I looked at the third name, "Dan the ace winn?"

He shrugged, "I couldn't fit all the word winner in."

I pointed at him, "Right just for that I'm going to make sure I win."

"Still be me." he said confidently, "I'm first."

He picked up the ball in two hands and stepped over the line as he rolled it down the lane, it wobbled unsurely down the middle and eventually hit one of the pins, the screen showed he'd knocked seven down.

Danny punched the air, "Yes! Seven, same as my age."

I looked at Emily who was smiling at him, "Well done Danny."

I opened and closed my mouth, "But he's not even doing it right. He rolled it with both hands and he stepped over the line, that's against the rules."

"I'm sorry?" Emily said incredulously.

I pointed, "He stepped over the line, that gives him an unfair advantage."

"I heard you the first time Naomi." Emily continued in disbelief, "I was questioning why you'd think a seven year old could bowl the same way an adult does?"

I scowled, "So what's the point? Can we all cheat? I know, why don't we get some of those foam things in the gutters?"

Emily folded her arms, "We've only just stopped using them, Danny's very proud of the fact he can bowl like a grown up and not a baby anymore."

I tutted, "Except he can't can he?"

Emily walked over and stood directly in front of me, "Naomi, I might find your competitiveness very sexy when it's against me, but I think you're being really unfair to Danny. He's a child, that means as an adult, and at the moment I'm describing you as that under duress believe me, you need to cut him some slack."

I smiled slightly, Emily had called me sexy.

"Forget about winning or the rules just this once and let's have some fun ok? Can you do that for me?" she stared deeply into my eyes and my knees nearly gave way.

"Ok, I'll try." I squeaked out.

Her lips brushed mine, "thank you."

"Oy! You promised no kissing, yuk!" Danny said instantly snapping me out of my Emily induced daze.

"That doesn't count." the redhead replied, "Naomi, you're next."

My head was spinning as I picked up one of the balls, I was on auto pilot as I lined up my shot, I let go and the ball span cleanly down the lane before it knocked over all but one of the pins. I waited for my second shot, all the time thinking about the kiss, alright it was brief, but never the less Emily had kissed me right after she asked me in that deep, husky, sexy voice to do her a favour. Let's face it as soon as she'd looked at me we both knew I'd do anything she asked. I released the ball and it knocked the final pin down.

"Spare!" I said triumphantly.

I walked back to the seats, Danny shot me a dirty look and Emily raised her eyebrow.

"I thought you agreed to try not to be so competitive." she whispered as she walked past.

I joined her as she was testing out a few of the bowling balls, "What? I'm not making a fuss about Danny breaking the rules."

Emily shook her head, "You could tone down your accuracy a bit?"

"I did!" I started indignantly, "I didn't get a strike did I?"

She stared at me and smiled slightly, "So that's you not being competitive?"

I nodded, "Don't tell me you want me to deliberately miss or something?"

Emily shook her head, "Of course not Naomi, that would be totally unreasonable of me to expect you to do that."

My eyes narrowed, I couldn't tell if she was serious, "Is that what you meant? I should lose, throw the game?"

"You should do whatever your conscience tells you Naomi." Emily said as she lined up her shot.

I was distracted by her arse as she leant down to release the ball, I loved her in those jeans. I mean, don't get me wrong the dress she'd been wearing was nice too, but the jeans were somehow just that little bit better.

She turned around and caught me looking. Before she picked up her ball she wiped some drool from my lips, oh not again, and this was even more public than last time.

"I'll really try to tone it down." I said sheepishly.

"Like I said, thank you." she husked in my ear.

I held my breath in anticipation and I swear my lips puckered, which meant I was left standing looking like a right prick when she walked past me. I quickly glanced around to see if anyone had noticed. Ok, so pretty much the whole of the bowling alley. The surly counter girl from earlier shook her head in disgust and shot me a look that said not so bloody high and mighty now are you bitch?

Emily came back after her turn, "Looks like Rubbish Mummy might be pretty accurate, I only hit three over. Dan you're up again."

This time I followed him and gave him some tips about where to stand, he rolled the ball slightly more firmly this time and although the ball still wobbled it hit the first pin cleanly, which was neatly followed by the remaining nine.

"STRIIIIIIIIKE!" he yelled euphorically.

I gave him a high five, "Danny, that was brilliant."

"Thanks for the help Naomi." he said gleefully as he ran to Emily in celebration.

I looked over as I was selecting my ball, Emily was congratulating him and I grinned at them. The redhead looked up and mouthed 'thank you' at me before she blew me a kiss.

I blushed and giggled, for fuck's sake, talk about making an even bigger twat of yourself. Once again people were staring at me but meh, who cares, none of them had been blown a kiss by the beautiful redhead I thought smugly as I lined up my shot, and right now I was feeling far too good to let the opinions of a bunch of strangers dent my happy mood.

Emily snapped in her seatbelt, "Do you fancy coming back to ours for a bit?"

I thought carefully about the answer, oh who am I kidding? I nodded straight away.

"Maybe I can play on the Wii eh Danny?" I said to the quiet boy in the back.

"Suppose so." he said sulkily, "But I'm never playing bowling again, it's a stupid game."

Emily laughed, "Danny, stop brooding over it. You got a really good score, I think it might have been your highest without the bumpers. Naomi was just better than you today."

He harrumphed in the back of the car.

"I did try, but even when I threw it towards the gutter I must have put spin on it and it came back." I whispered to Emily.

She smiled, "I know you did, you're obviously far too good."

I turned around slightly, "Look Dan, you didn't lose by much, it was really close. You're definitely one of the toughest competitors I've faced."

"Really? But I'm only seven." he queried.

"I know, that's what makes it a really great achievement. You're better than a lot of adults I know." I confirmed.

He nodded modestly, "I am very good."

I smiled, "Just think how much better you're going to be when you get a bit bigger."

"Yeah, I'll probably be unstoppable. Then I can shout loser at you in the bowling alley." he said excitedly.

Ok so maybe I'd got a bit carried away at the end, but it was a tense game. Believe me the looks I'd been getting before were nothing compared to the tutting and shaking of heads I got when they realised I was celebrating beating a seven year old.

I blushed slightly, "I did apologise and I gave you a lot of helpful tips, I didn't have to do that."

Danny looked thoughtful, "That's true. I wonder why it worked with me but not Mummy? You kept trying to help her but she didn't get any better."

I glanced at the redhead, I'd been wondering that too. I thought back to the bowling alley.

After a few turns, Emily asked me to help her out, the highest she'd scored was a five and she seemed frustrated.

Obviously, I had to very carefully watch her bowling style, for purely professional reasons you understand. I tried to control my breathing while I observed her, but the little wiggle she did each time before she released the ball made it pretty difficult. I offered a few pieces of advice on her stance and her throwing action but it didn't make much difference.

After another disappointing shot she turned to me, "Can you show me what you mean?"

"You need to let it go here." I said as I gave her a demonstration.

"What? Here?" she replied completely misunderstanding and getting it wrong.

I shook my head, "release it as you bend otherwise it hits the lane and that takes most of the power."

She frowned, "I thought that was what I was doing."

I tutted and stood behind her, I took her wrist and pulled it back. "like this."

Oh shit, I really hadn't thought this through. Emily nestled into me and once again I turned to jelly. Don't smell her hair, don't do it Naomi, oh for fuck's sake, I inhaled the scent and sighed happily.

Emily turned to look at me, "Everything ok?"

Not really, your arse is pressing into me, I've just sniffed your hair and I'm this close to kissing you but the worst thing is the fact you know exactly what I'm thinking.

"Everything's fine, just fine." I said quietly.

Emily licked her lips, "So I'll try again?"

I nodded and moved away, my cheeks were burning but at least now my heart had slowed down slightly. I watched as she followed my instructions but still only knocked down a couple of pins.

"Guess it's just not my day." Emily said with a smile.

I shook my head, "Guess not."

"But thanks for the help, maybe I'll get it next time." she replied.

I swallowed, "You're welcome."

I rejoined the present when the car pulled into the drive.

"Here we are." Emily said brightly.

We got out and she let us in to the house, Danny immediately ran into the lounge and switched on the Wii. He ran his fingers across the games before deciding on something.

"Let's play tennis." he stated.

I smiled at him, "Ok, but you'll need to show me what to do."

He handed me one of the controls, "Put the strap around your wrist, that way it won't fly off and break things."

Emily raised her eyebrow, "We learnt that the hard way didn't we Danny?"

"I said sorry." he responded sheepishly.

Emily shrugged, "It was probably about time we got a new tv."

"Now you need to pick a Mii." Danny said.

I looked confused, "What?"

"You need to choose a character to play as." Emily explained.

"Oh right, how do I do that?" I asked.

Danny pressed a few buttons and opened the menu, "Use the direction button to run through them."

I did as I was told and settled on a blonde image, "That looks a bit like me."

"You're prettier than that." Danny stated with a shy smile.

"I should hope so, that's a cartoon." I said in mock sternness.

He grew serious, "Do you know how to play tennis?"

I shrugged, "Hit the ball over the net, how hard can it be?"

"You will try your best won't you? So when I win, it's not because you've let me." Danny asked.

I snorted, "Who says you'll win? I might be brilliant at this."

"Not again please." Emily muttered quietly.

"What? I might be really good." I said indignantly.

Emily sighed, "Honestly Naomi, I'm struggling to work out which one of you is the child here."

"I can't help it if I like to win." I stated.

"Apparently not." Emily said wryly. "I'm going to the kitchen, try not to kill each other while I'm away."

After she left, I turned back to Danny, "Over reaction? I think so."

Danny giggled, "I'll serve."

He swiped the controller and the ball sailed over the net, I steeled myself and waited until I thought the time was right to return it. I jerked the controller and completely missed the ball.

"15-love." Danny said confidently.

Right Naomi concentrate. He served again, I swung but this time the racquet didn't even move.

"You need to make sure the end is pointing towards the receiver." Danny explained.

"You could have told me that before." I said grumpily.

He smiled sweetly, "I thought you'd know."

My eyes narrowed, he'd done that deliberately. I made sure the controller was the right way round, this time I'd be ready.

He served and this time I managed to hit it back, "Ha, told you this was a piece of cake."

I watched as Danny's return sailed past me, "40-love."

So ok, maybe I'd forgotten that it didn't end once I hit the ball back. I was mumbling to myself when Danny served again.

"Yes! Game to me." he cried out.

"Hey, I wasn't ready." I exclaimed.

He stared at me, "Yes you were. You just missed."

I frowned at him, "Fine. My turn to serve."

I swung the controller and the ball crashed into the net. I tried again but the same thing happened. I swore under my breath.

"Try lifting your arm more." Danny advised.

I did as I was told but the ball still didn't make it. Danny sniggered next to me and I glared at him.

"I'll get it eventually and then you'd better watch out." I snapped.

"Oooohhhh, I'm so scared." Danny said sarcastically.

Right, I'll show you, you cheeky bugger. Two more serves, both straight into the net. By now Danny was bent double with laughter. Little fucker.

I felt a hand wrap around mine, "Here, let me show you. Just relax."

My arm went limp, not because I wanted to help Emily, but simply because I couldn't stop it happening as soon as she touched me. I let her take control and this time the ball cleared the net easily. Danny hit it back and we got into a bit of a rally. I wasn't really doing anything, Emily was leading the way. I zoned out and enjoyed the feeling of her pressing into my side as she swung our arms. My breath hitched as her other hand rested on my hip as she tried to steady us and I hardly noticed when we won the point.

Emily smiled at me, "Now you're up and running."

I grinned back, "Thanks. I'll take it from here."

I didn't care when Danny won the game easily, nor when I went three-nil down. Emily stood by my side and tried to give me tips, but even she ended up laughing each time I tried to serve.

"You're so rubbish at this." she said with a smile.

I shrugged, "Can't be good at everything."

We continued to smile at each other and didn't even notice the front door go.

"What's so funny?" Katie asked when she walked in to find Danny shaking with laughter.

He could barely speak, "Auntie Katie... Naomi's... Naomi's... even worse than you on the Wii."

I tore my eyes away from Emily, "Hey, we could always try bowling, bet I could beat you at that, again."

"Bet you couldn't." Danny challenged.

"Oh yeah? Bring it on sunshine." I retorted.

Katie stared at our face off and then at Emily, "Competitive much?"

Emily smiled, "It certainly made bowling interesting."

Katie raised her eyebrow at me, "So Em won and you beat Danny into last place then? Very mature."

"No Auntie Katie, Naomi won and I came a close second. Mummy was last." Danny clarified.

Katie looked confused, "But Emily always wins."

I frowned, "But she's rubbish."

"No she isn't..." Katie stopped abruptly as Emily shook her head.

I stared at the redhead with a puzzled look, "I had to tell you what to do."

There was an awkward pause before Katie started laughing, "Oh God Em, please tell me you didn't?"

"Katie!" Emily hissed.

"Didn't what?" I enquired.

Katie snorted, "And you fell for it? Oh this is hilarious. How gullible are you?"

I frowned, "What are you on about?"

Katie fluttered her eyelashes, "Oh Naomi, I can't bowl, please show me how to do it."

I stared at Emily who was a deep red colour, "Why did you pretend you were awful?"

"Er... I don't... I don't know." she stammered back.

"I think it was because Mummy wanted an excuse for you to touch her." Danny piped up.

"Really? So you lied to me and manipulated the situation?" I questioned.

A look of panic crossed the redhead's face, "When you put it like that it sounds much worse than I intended. It was supposed to be a bit of harmless flirting."

"Em wasn't deliberately trying to lie to you again Naomi, honestly." Katie stuck up for her twin.

"Mummy's not mean like that." Danny joined in seriously.

Emily looked beseechingly at me, "Please Naomi, I'm sorry, I didn't think..."

I turned back to the Wii, lifted my arm and jerked the controller. The ball swept across the net and bounced neatly in the court.

"Will you look at that?" I said raising my eyebrow.

Emily's eyes narrowed and she hit me as I started to laugh, "You cow, I was really worried I'd upset you and all the time you we're doing exactly the same."

"Got to keep you on your toes somehow." I responded.

"You wait, I'm going to annihilate you next time we go bowling." Emily stated.

I shrugged, "I might retire as the undefeated champion."

"No chance Campbell, we're having a rematch and this time the gloves are off." she said with a steely look.

"Can we go tomorrow?" Danny asked excitedly.

I smiled, "Maybe I need a bit more rest. Like I said it was tough beating you."

Emily glanced at her watch, "Speaking of rest, it's past someone's bed time."

"No! I want to stay up with you and Naomi." Danny whined.

"I should probably be going anyway, I'm pretty tired myself." I said with a fake yawn.

Emily smiled gratefully at me, "See? You're not missing out on anything Dan."

"Alright, I'll brush my teeth." Danny said in a defeated tone. "Bye Naomi, thanks for a good day."

I surprised myself by leaning down and giving him a hug, "You're welcome. Night, night, don't let the bed bugs bite."

He giggled, "I won't. Night Auntie Katie."

I'd almost forgotten Katie was in the room, "Night sweetheart."

I watched them leave with a big grin on my face.

"I'm going out with Cook later so I can give you a lift home if you like?" Katie offered.

"Er, I might hang around for a bit, you know keep Em company?" I answered.

Katie smirked at me, "I bet you will."

"Don't look like that, nothing's going on, it's all very innocent." I chastised.

The twin laughed, "Yeah, it really looks like it from where I'm standing."

"It is! We're just friends." I said more forcefully.

"Don't lie Naomi, I saw the way you were looking at each other when I arrived, there was nothing platonic about that." Katie teased.

I scowled, "Shut up."

"I think it's really sweet. Thank you for giving her a second chance." Katie said seriously.

I bit my lip, "Thanks for talking some sense into me when I was being pig headed. I really missed her and Danny's a great kid."

"Yeah he is and you've definitely got a big fan there." she replied.

I blushed, "Really?"

She nodded enthusiastically, "He's hardly shut up about the park and I'm guessing I'll be getting a blow by blow account of the bowling tomorrow."

"Don't believe him if he says it was close, I whipped his arse." I said jokingly.

Her eyebrow raised, "Only because Em wasn't trying."

I laughed, "I can't believe she pulled a stunt like that."

"It sounds as if you weren't much better with the Wii, don't pretend you didn't enjoy it when she was rubbing up against you." Katie questioned.

I coughed in embarrassment as I remembered what I'd been thinking earlier and was grateful when Emily came back into the room.

"Sorry, he wanted a story. You don't really have to go yet do you?" she asked innocently.

I shook my head, "I can stay for a bit, if you aren't sick of the sight of me."

Emily smiled, "How could I ever tire of looking at someone as gorgeous as you?"

Katie made a gagging noise and we both glared at her for spoiling the moment, she stared back defiantly.

"All perfectly innocent my arse." she said with a raised eyebrow.

Emily looked questioningly at her twin, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I was explaining to Katie earlier that things seem to be going well, you know with us being friends and everything." I clarified.

Katie snorted, "And I was explaining back that neither of you are fooling anyone, the air's practically crackling with sexual tension."

Emily rolled her eyes, "Honestly Katie, why do you find it so hard to accept that two people might enjoy spending time together without it always being about sex?"

"Er, I might find it easier to believe if you didn't eye fuck each other every 10 seconds." Katie quipped back.

"We haven't been doing that!" Emily said exasperatedly.

Katie pointed at me, "You sure? Because blondie there doesn't look convinced."

"I wouldn't exactly say it was eye fucking, looking at each other for a bit too long maybe." I mumbled staring at the ground awkwardly.

"So there you go, neither of us is even remotely thinking about sex, right Naomi?" Emily continued.

"Furthest thing from my mind, it's far too soon... far, far too soon." I stated in what I hoped was my most credible voice.

Katie stared at us both and shook her head, "I'm off out, I'll leave you two alone, happily in the land of denial, where you're both the queens of pointless protest."

She walked off tutting and I turned back to Emily with a smile, "That was quite poetic for Katie."

Emily laughed, "Seriously, why does she judge everyone by her own low moral standards? I've never heard of anything so ridiculous. Do you fancy a glass of wine?"

"Sure, as long as you're not trying to get me drunk so you can seduce me." I said with a grin.

Emily started to blush, "Of course not, as you said it's the last thing on my mind, on either of our minds."

We held each other's gaze and I swallowed uncomfortably as an embarrassed silence descended. Not an eye fuck, definitely not an eye fuck, I repeated silently in my head.

Emily broke our stare first and mumbled something about glasses as she went into the kitchen.

I sat on the sofa and half smiled as a picture of me sitting on the throne of denial popped into my head. The crown quite suited me but I suppose I shouldn't get too used to my lofty regal status. All too soon I was going to have to be honest and admit that besides not convincing Katie, I was just kidding myself that anything happening between me and Emily was perfectly innocent or platonic.