OH. MY. GOD. It's an actual chapter!! I'm so sorry its been so long, I can't actually get over the fact that I haven't posted in nearly a month but work has been manic and so I've only just got round to updating this! :D I know this isn't the most exciting chapter in the world but its a build up to the next one...after all this is just part one of two so bear with it...its been so long I forgot how good it is to get the thrill of a nice review. Don't suppose you fancy reminding me, do you?? ;)
"But I want to stay up!"
Pete Dunham sighed and rubbed his forehead tiredly as he fought valiantly to keep his patience with the blonde sprite hopping about the living room, her honey coloured ringlets bouncing furiously as she ran from one end of the room to the other, hiding behind various objects in an attempt to evade being caught.
"Poppy," he shook his head. "It's gone 8; you're not staying up any later,"
"But I want to wait for Father Christmas!" she protested narrowing her bright blue eyes at him.
"He's not coming until later," Pete told her. "I called 'im and he's stuck in traffic,"
"Don't care," the blonde pouted. "I'm not going to bed,"
"Poppy," Pete warned her, his voice taking on a certain edge that she knew not to mess with. "Look, Alex is in bed…"
"Alex is a baby!" Poppy shot back, folding her arms and taking the exact same stance her mother always did when she was pissed off with him.
"Oi," Pete crouched down to her level and stared at her from across the room. "What'd I tell you about Father Christmas not havin' any time for naughty kids?"
"I'm not naughty," Poppy shook her head. "I got a star for reading all my books before everyone else,"
"I know you did, baby," Pete smiled at her. "But take it from me, the fat man won't show up if you're not in bed. And how bad would it be if tomorrow morning Alex has all the presents and you don't 'ave any?"
"Father Christmas would really do that?" Poppy gasped, her eyes wide.
"'Course he would," Pete told her strolling over to where she was wedged in between the huge fireplace and an arm chair and scooping her up. "Now come on,"
Luckily it only took him another ten minutes to settle her before she was passed out in his arms, snoring lightly as she cuddled up to the huge bunny rabbit toy in her bed.
Sighing with relief, Pete kissed her forehead and checked in on his son who was still sprawled out in the bottom of the cot, fists clenched either side of his head.
"Sleep tight, mate," Pete smiled down at him, rubbing his podgy tummy gently before walking back out and jogging downstairs where his own stomach began to rumble as the smell of something baking hit him.
"I am not fucking wearing a beard, alright. I love those kids but there's a line,"
Pete laughed as he pushed through to the kitchen and saw Lara and Allie sat on the counter, a half empty bottle of red wine in between them as they giggled at Harry who was half dressed in a padded Santa suit.
"Fuck me," Pete frowned. "You and red really are into some kinky shit, aren't you?"
Lara and Allie only giggled loudly whilst Harry settled for flipping Pete the middle finger and went back to shuffling into the suit.
"So if you just sneak past Poppy's room and let her see you…" Allie took a sip of her wine.
"Yeah and what if the little git wakes up?" Harry exclaimed. "She might only be two foot nothing but the kid can run,"
"If you let a five year old outrun you then you actually deserve the shame of being unmasked as a fraud," Lara told him as she shoved another snowflake shaped cookie into her mouth.
"Right," Harry took a deep breath and rolled his eyes as Lara hopped off of the counter and fastened the fake beard to his chin. "Let's get this over and done with,"
Strolling out of the kitchen, he jumped when Lara smacked his arse and followed him out, jumping on his back and mumbling something about how long he could keep the suit for before giggling loudly.
"And just think," Allie raised an eyebrow at Pete as she swung her legs around on the counter and crossed them. "If anything happens to us, those things are in charge of our kids,"
"Don't fuckin' remind me," Pete snorted, stepping in between her legs and wrapping his arms around her. "Did you get a load of negotiation skills back there?"
"I didn't think she was ever going to get into bed," Allie groaned. "I had to fight with her for about an hour before you came home,"
"She's a kid on Christmas eve," Pete smiled, tucking some hair behind her ear. "It's the one time of year when we can actually let them get away with being right little shits,"
Allie laughed softly and used her legs to pull him closer to her body, bringing his face down to hers and kissing him gently. She shivered as he ran one hand up under her sweater, stroking the unfeasibly soft skin of her back as their tongues duelled playfully.
"Are you ok?" she whispered against his lips, her hands cupping his handsome face and forcing his attention away from her own mouth.
"What?" Pete whispered huskily, the roughness of his voice mixing with the lust in his eyes and making Allie shiver again.
"Y'know," she brushed her thumb over his lips. "This time of year isn't always easy and…" she trailed off, not wanting to remind him of anything in particular.
However the darkness in his light blue eyes told her that he was remembering it anyway; Pete shook his head lightly before burying his face in the side of her neck and breathing in her scent.
"Hey," she whispered, rubbing the back of his neck gently. "I didn't mean to…"
Pete shook his head and held her tighter, not really wanting to talk in that moment. He just needed her to be there like she always was, like he knew she always would be.
It was ridiculous that even after all these years it never got easier to deal with, the memory of what had happened all those years back would never fade, that much he knew.
"Allie?" Pete licked his lips and pulled back from her.
"Yeah?" she looked up and him and saw the hurt in his eyes. "Pete, baby its ok…"
He didn't let her finish the sentence but instead slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her with abandon as he fought the images and voices assaulting his brain.
"Pete," Allie gasped into his mouth, fighting hesitantly to get away from him, finally giving his chest a hard shove and separating his mouth from hers. "Hey,"
She shook her head and ran her fingers lightly down his cheek.
"Baby, we can talk if you want," she offered.
"Nah," he smiled at her but she could see through it. "I'm fine,"
"No, you're not," Allie shook her head.
"Fuckin' 'ell," Pete laughed. "Are you gonna start cuttin' up my food and wipin' my arse as well?" he snorted. "I'm not Poppy, Allie. I think I can work out whether or not I'm ok on my own,"
"I didn't mean it that way and you know it," the blonde shot back. "I just…I'm worried about you alright? I know how hard it gets for you this time of year and…"
"And yet you're so fuckin' keen to chat about it," Pete pulled a confused face and held up his hands. "Where's the logic in that?"
"I'm not…" she sighed heavily. "Jesus, why does this have to be such a big deal? I just wanted you to know that if you wanted to talk about it-…"
"Well I don't," Pete snapped at her, pulling back completely as though he had been stung. "And besides, you do realise you're my wife and not my fuckin' therapist?"
Shaking his head in disgust, Pete strode over to the far counter where his wallet was lying half covered in icing sugar and picked it up.
"What are you doing?" Allie frowned, hopping off the breakfast bar and wiping the same substance off of the back of her jeans.
"Goin' out," Pete told her sharply. "I take it I am allowed to do that?"
"Pete," she threw her head back and looked at the ceiling pleading with her inner demons to keep their patience. "For God sake, what's the point in walking out?"
"I'm not," he told her without looking at her. "I'll be back later,"
"Pete," she called as he yanked the back door open and let the freezing cold Christmas eve air invade the kitchen. "Wait!"
He didn't answer her but instead strode out into the garden and let the door slam behind him, leaving her to watch helplessly as his tall, muscular form disappeared into the eerie mist gathering around the huge garden.
"Shit," she hissed, banging her head lightly against the glass. "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"
He was far from ok but even now after all they had been through together, Pete would never admit it to her. Because that would be like holding his hands up and admitting that what had happened all those years back still got to him.
It would be as though he finally admitted that the darkness from his younger days was still within him, the volatile aspects of his persona and the animalistic urge for violence still lurking beneath the surface.
Allie knew that he had built up a 'wall' of sorts around himself in the years since his father had died but it was a thin membrane, so easily weakened that she herself had to be careful of what she said to him sometimes for fear of hurting him.
There were cracks there already, just as there always were around December and now as she stared out at her husband's retreating figure through the frosty mist circling the garden, Allie Dunham could do nothing but wait for it to all fall down.
December 2002
"So it's on to the Abbey after this, yeah? You better 'ave got us a seat you cheeky twat, I ain't proppin' up the bar all night like we 'ad to last year,"
Steve Dunham looked up from where he was sat detangling Christmas lights on the floor and shook his head at his younger brother.
At just over 6'1 Pete Dunham was a pretty intimidating bloke to look at, even Steve had to admit that but what most people didn't see was the soft playfulness which was held in his light blue eyes, the sapphire depths giving away the tiniest hint of the man which lay beneath the Paul Smith clothing and bruised skin.
"Right," Pete frowned slightly as he nodded into the phone. "Just call Bov and get 'im to give you a lift, I told you earlier I ain't drivin' tonight. Yeah, Allie's coming…what?" he smirked and then broke into a loud laugh which made Steve jump slightly. "You dirty bastard, get your mind outta the gutter and just round up the rest of the lads, will ya?"
A few more moments of typical bloke chatter followed before Pete hung up the phone and tossed it uncaringly onto the nearest worn out looking arm chair.
"Sounds like you've got your night sorted," Steve told him, raising an eyebrow.
"What?" Pete spun around to face the older man and smirked boyishly. "Yeah, just a couple of cheeky drinks down the Abbey," he walked over to the sofa next to Steve and collapsed down on it. "'Ere, why don't you come with us?"
"You know I don't go there any more," Steve shot back, his tone slightly harsher than he had intended.
"Alright, no need to bite my fuckin' head off," Pete held up his hands and continued to stare up at the ceiling letting the semi awkward silence envelope them.
"Pete…" Steve shook his head and turned towards his younger brother, interrupted only when Moira Dunham shuffled into the room carrying a tray of mugs and spilling some on the knee of his jeans as she passed him.
"Oi, lazy bones," she laughed, slapping Pete on the stomach as she placed the tray of tea on the coffee table. "Get up and tell me what you think,"
She gestured nervously to her outfit which consisted of a dark purple dress and black cardigan, the slightly shimmering material a far cry from the worn jeans and sweater she wore for her job as a school care taker.
"You look lovely," Pete winked at her, standing up and looping his arm around her shoulders. "No wonder you 'ad such gorgeous kids,"
Moira laughed and rolled her eyes, patting the much taller man on the back before casting a glance at the ceiling.
"Do you reckon there's enough tinsel on it?" she bit her lip.
"Any more and this place will be visible from space," Pete snorted, reaching up and spinning one of the brightly coloured snowflakes which was hanging from the plaster.
"How did I ever raise such a comedian?" Moira rolled her eyes again and looked at Steve who did the same. "So tell me when that lovely girlfriend of yours is coming over,"
Steve smirked at the look of disdain on Pete's face and momentarily stopped sifting through the fairy lights.
"Yeah, Pete," he cocked his head. "When is Allie coming over?"
Pete picked up one of the mugs to tea and gulped it down heartily, ignoring the fact it was still more or less boiling hot.
"Oi!" Steve frowned and smacked his leg. "I asked you a question,"
"Piss off!" Pete shot back. "Who said she was comin' over anyway?"
"As if we even needed to ask," Steve grinned. "Look at the state of you," he gestured to Pete's black shirt. "When was the last time you put on more than a pair of beer scented jeans and a Hammers hoodie to come over to mum's?"
"Aven't you got some Gay Boys Anonymous meeting to get to instead of giving me the third degree?" Pete snapped.
"You should know, after all you are the president of it," Steve smiled sweetly, laughing when the younger man took a threatening step towards him.
"That's enough," Moira laughed. "Jesus, I swear you two are just as bad as you were at school, now shut up both of ya and help me hang this up, will you?"
She held up a crappy looking tinsel decoration, a festive take on a spinning Susan and raised an eyebrow at Pete as he was the taller of the two men.
"Fine but this is the last one," he sighed. "You ain't got anymore ceiling space left after this,"
Moira handed him the decoration and pinched his cheek before beaming happily as the doorbell rang.
"Ooooh, I wonder if that's Alyssa," she clasped her hands together and wiggled her eyebrows at Steve.
"It's Allie, mum," Pete told her, fighting the urge to groan. This would be the first time since Steve and Shannon's wedding that Allie would see his family not to mention it was the first time she had been around his house.
Glancing about the room Pete snorted and briefly wondered what she would think of it given she could probably fit his entire house in her kitchen. At least twice.
"I'll go," Pete took a deep breath and moved to step around his mum, frowning when she placed her hands on his chest and shook her head.
"Oh no you don't," she looked at him seriously. "You go and make her a nice cup of tea, I'll show 'er around,"
"What?" Pete looked at her panicked. "Mum, she's only comin' over to…"
He trailed off as the slightly chubby woman hurried out of the room, cringing inwardly when a second later a shout of 'Ello darlin'!' echoed through the hallway.
"Fuck, could this get any worse?" Pete rubbed the back of his neck.
"Mate, are you forgetting the day she put mini American flags in the sandwiches when Shannon was round?" Steve raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Pete laughed and shook his head. "That was fuckin' brilliant,"
He was still laughing when Steve flipped him the middle finger stopping only when the living room door creaked open and Allie was more or less flung inside.
"There he is," Moira glared at her son as she stood next to the slightly flustered blonde and shook her head. "I thought I told you to put the kettle on,"
Allie's honey coloured hair was in gentle waves around her face, the expensive looking grey trench coat she was wearing over her jeans and sheer, flowing black top making her skin glow as the warmth of the room steadily rid her face of the cold.
She grinned at Pete, letting her eyes drift down his body which was clad in a smart black shirt along with his usual jeans, the top of his Calvin Klein boxers peeking out from over the waist band and making her mouth go dry.
"Go on," Steve piped up taking a sip of his rapidly cooling coffee. "Don't just stand there," he winked at Pete. "Give 'er a kiss,"
Pete glared at him, smiling smugly when Moira picked up a stray bauble from the tree and launched it at Steve's head.
"Don't embarrass them," she hissed before softening her voice and turning back to Allie. "Right darlin', what can I get you to drink?"
"Uh…" Allie smiled at Moira. "Coffee or whatever is fine…I'm easy,"
Steve snorted and opened his mouth to make a comment, but before he could Pete picked up the fallen bauble, whipping it at his head a lot harder than his mother had.
"Fuck!" the older Dunham man shouted.
"Oh come off it," Moira rolled her eyes, patting her son on the back and gesturing for him to stand up. "Its not like there's anything to damage is there? Come on, you can give me a hand in the kitchen,"
"I ain't done with these," Steve huffed, holding up the still tangled Christmas lights.
"Oh for God sake," Moira whipped them out of his hands and tossed them under the fake tree, the force of it causing the plastic pine needles to shake uproariously. "We'll be back," she told Allie sweetly. "You make sure my son gives you the grand tour,"
"Oh he'll give 'er a tour of somethin'," Steve giggled as Moira slapped his back and shoved him out into the hall before closing the door behind them.
Allie and Pete stood in silence for a few seconds, regarding each other carefully as though unsure of what to do next.
"Sorry about them…" he laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "My mum's just excited, it's like the one time of year when she gets to pretend we're an 'alf normal family and Steve…" he paused. "Steve's just a bit of a twat,"
"Uh-huh." She nodded. "So you did all this?"
Pete cringed as she looked up at the over done décor and grinned; there wasn't a single centimetre of wall or ceiling space that wasn't taken up by something glittery.
It was meant to look festive but as always Moira had gotten carried away and now it just look as though a rainbow had vomited all over their living room.
"Against my will," he conceded. "Trust me, after a drinking session in the Abbey, this shit messes with your 'ead."
He pointed to a lit up Father Christmas riding a reindeer and shook his head, making her laugh.
"I think it's cute," she told him, running a delicate looking finger along the tinsel skirting board. "It's like Santa's grotto in Barking,"
Pete laughed and reached out, snagging her hand and pulling her closer.
"So you found the place ok." He mumbled, linking his fingers through hers and sliding his other hand inside her coat to wrap around her waist.
"Yeah," she breathed, watching mesmerised as he licked his lips. "Are we still going to the Abbey later?"
"If you're up for it?" Pete looked her in the eye. "You don't 'ave to come,"
"No, it sounds fun," Allie told him, pleased when she saw the happiness in his eyes. "Saves me from another Christmas eve of drinking myself into oblivion with Lara and trying to crawl up the stairs at 3am while wearing my pyjamas and a Santa hat and singing white Christmas,"
"Yeah, well I'll make sure you get to bed tonight," Pete told her with a not so subtle wink that made her giggle loudly. "You can still wear the Santa hat if you want but the pyjamas probably won't be necessary,"
Butterflies broke out in her stomach at the thought and she hummed happily as Pete leant down and brushed his lips over hers gently at first and then a little harder.
He could feel her twitching to wrap her arms around him and so without breaking their kiss, ripped the Harrods bag she was holding out of her hand and throwing it onto the sofa.
"You're gift was in there," she gasped, turning her head slightly only to have Pete yank her back around.
"I'll open it later," he muttered, kissing her again.
It had been two days since they'd last had some time together, between Allie's dad coming back for the holidays and Pete playing happily families with Steve, Shannon and his mum they hadn't seen each other properly and neither were ashamed to admit that it was killing them.
Steve's phone which had been abandoned on the floor earlier began to ring loudly but the couple in the middle of the room didn't seem to care, instead blocking it out as they continued to kiss wantonly.
"Ugh, Christ I don't need to see that," Steve grumbled, dramatically covering his eyes as he reached for his phone and quickly moved back into the hallway, slamming the door a little too hard behind him.
"Twat," Pete muttered, shaking his head before kissing his way down Allie's throat, nipping at the soft skin and tightening his hands on her hips when he heard the tiny noises passing through her lips.
"So I'm meant to be giving you the grand tour," he murmured in her ear. "How'd you feel about starting in the bedroom?"
"Uh…" Allie laughed. "If I'm honest kind of sick given its where you slept when you were a kid,"
"Yeah, back in the days when havin' a bird who looked like you on it would 'ave been nothin' but a fuckin' day dream…" he looked at her semi-seriously and smirked. "You wouldn't go denyin' a boy his life long dream on Christmas eve now, would ya?"
Rolling her eyes, Allie sighed and shook her head.
"I'm takin that as a yes," Pete told her, making her laugh as he yanked on her hand and pulled her towards the door, whipping it open and swearing out loud when he saw his mum standing there, her eyes catching the red mark on Allie's neck and causing a blush to flood her cheeks.
"Oh, there you are," she stuttered, trying not to think about what she might have just interrupted. "I uh, I got some good news,"
"Oh yeah?" Pete rocked on the backs of his heels, more than a little anxious to get this over with so he could carry on dragging Allie upstairs.
"Shannon's comin' over 'ere for a bit so I thought it might be fun if the five of us 'ad some tea or somethin'," Moira bit her lip hopefully and glanced back and forth between the two of them. "What'd you think?"
"Ah, mum, you know I'm goin' out with the lads tonight," Pete shook his head. "Besides, you've got me all tomorrow so you don't want me round your feet tonight as well, do ya?"
"Oh," Moira pasted a smile on her face. "No…no, I guess not," she patted his arm clumsily. "You go off and 'ave some fun, darlin',"
Seeing his mother's crestfallen face, Pete felt like the ultimate bastard. Yes, he hated Shannon and he was more than aware that the feeling was mutual but that didn't mean he had to take it out on his mum when all she wanted was a family night in.
"Yeah, but you know what, we don't have to be there for another while yet," Pete jumped as Allie's voice interrupted his train of thought. "Why don't we stay here and give you a hand with the rest of this lot?" she gestured to the rest of the decorations and smiled at Moira. "Besides, whatever you're cooking smells way too good to say no to,"
"Oh aren't you sweet," Moira laughed and pinched the blonde's cheek. "I always knew this one would bring home a nice girl one day," she winked at her son and playfully elbowed him. "You're so lovely compared to that other one…what was 'er name?"
"Fuckin' ell mum," Pete hisses, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Rachel!" Moira clicked her fingers. "'Orrible little bugger, never said 'ello or nothin'. Couldn't stand the little tart, could I Pete?"
The tall blonde stared at her in horror, his blue eyes wide as he shook his head and fought the urge to gag her with one of the cushions on the sofa.
He frowned when he felt Allie shaking next to him and glanced down at her, noticing with surprise that she was actually biting down on her lip to keep from giggling.
"But you're lovely," Moira continued, smiling proudly at Allie. "And he won't shut up about you…oh look at 'im, he's gone all red!" she laughed.
"Fuck, kill me now," Pete muttered under his breath. "Just kill me now,"
"So," Moira clapped her hands. "Which one of you is going to help me take the biscuits out the oven?"
Allie chewed nervously on the edge of her star shaped biscuit, not particularly wanting it but at this stage willing to do anything to please Moira who seemed oblivious to the icy atmosphere that had invaded the house as soon as Steve had returned from town with Shannon.
It had been polite, hands had been shaken and cheeks pecked, but it would take a blind man not to notice that Pete and Shannon couldn't stand each other.
"'Ere," Moira piped up, brushing some crumbs off of her skirt. "Did you 'ear about that Mikey Mullins lad you used to go to school with?"
Pete's head snapped up and he stared at her patiently, waiting to hear what the dumb fuck had gotten himself into now.
"No," he told her.
"I got chattin' to his mum the other day and she said he's been runnin' round with some gang or somethin'. Apparently she 'ad to take 'im to A&E the other night, he came in with so much blood on 'im she thought the poor thing 'ad been stabbed," Moira shook her head in sadness and took a long sip of tea.
Pete glanced at Allie who was sat on the sofa next to him and saw the concern in her own eyes, knowing that she would recognise the name.
After all, Mikey was the reason that she was sat here now. If Pete hadn't been on the train that night…he shuddered at the thought and forced his attention back to his mother.
"Its not like he was doin' anything with his life," Pete shrugged. "Stupid prick was only gonna end up in the nick anyway,"
"Pete," Moira tutted and shook her head.
"What?" he frowned. "It's true. What's a useless piece of shit like that ever gonna do with his life?"
As though sensing he was getting wound up, Allie gently squeezed his thigh and smiled tightly at him.
"So, Shannon, how come your brother couldn't make it over?" she smiled at the raven haired woman, desperate to change the subject.
"Oh, uh, he's a student so he doesn't really have the money," Shannon shrugged. "I mean, dad did offer to pay but Matt's stubborn. He won't take anything you offer,"
"Oh," Allie nodded and smiled. "There's one in every family, right? My brother Harry is the same; he won't take a penny from anyone,"
"Well its not like Matt's some kind of problem child," Shannon frowned and shook her head. "I mean, I'm really proud of him. I think that's important y'know? To be proud of your family,"
She looked directly at Pete as she spoke and the personal dig didn't go unnoticed, not by Allie at any rate.
"I mean, it's like you said Pete," Shannon continued with a smugness that made Allie's stomach twist. "People like that Mikey guy who just spend their lives running around in gangs are useless…what are they ever going to do with their lives?"
It was a rhetorical question which was good because Pete didn't have an answer for it anyway, all he could do was tighten his hands on the material of the couch and force himself to calm down.
Shannon knew as much about the GSE as Allie did…she knew that Steve used to be the Major and that Pete had stepped in after him. And she used this knowledge to get in as many digs as she could as often as she could.
"If I wanted life lessons from a yank I'd watch Oprah," Pete snapped, his patience faltering slightly.
"Pete," Moira warned, knowing how quick her sons temper could be.
"Its alright mum," Steve shook his head. "He's just got 'is knickers in a twist over nothin' again…you know what he's like,"
Allie blinked at Steve in surprise and gripped Pete's leg tighter, knowing that even though she couldn't say anything right at that moment, she could at least let him know she was there with a simple touch.
"I didn't mean anything by it," Shannon told them innocently. "I was backing you up, Pete. I agree with you that people like Mikey are a waste of space, they need to leant that going around and beating the hell out of people isn't going to get them anywhere…and the sooner they realise it the better it'll be…" she looked at Allie. "For everyone."
"Right," Pete snorted. "I'm done 'ere."
"What?" Moira frowned as she watched him stand up. "But it's only been an hour…"
"I know," Pete smiled at her weakly. "But I need to get to the Abbey,"
"The pub?" Shannon laughed. "You're taking your girlfriend to a pub on Christmas eve?"
"It's a nice place," Allie protested although even Pete knew that was bullshit. The Abbey was a lot of things, but it most certainly wasn't nice.
"Oh God, remember that stage?" Shannon smirked at looked at Steve. "When I had to pretend to like all the things you like?"
"I'm not pretending," Allie snapped, her green eyes flaring. "I wouldn't be going if I didn't want to,"
"I know," Shannon shrugged. "Its just cute watching you two suss it out…"
"Suss it out?" Pete scoffed. "We're not two fucking horny 14 year olds off to the prom," he shook his head. "The only thing I need to suss out right now is if it would be faster to get out of here but jumping through the window,"
"Pete…" Steve tutted. "For fuck sake mate…"
"Steve, don't worry about it," Shannon shook her head. "Like father like son, right?"
To give the yank her due, her eyes widened with the knowledge that she should have kept her mouth shut as soon as she'd finished her sentence. The atmosphere not to mention the temperature of the room seemed to drop radically as all eyes turned on her.
Allie glanced over at Moira who was staring down into her fast cooling cup of tea so as to avoid showing the tears in her eyes to any of the rest of them. Something inside Allie snapped and she wanted nothing more than to walk over and pull the chubby old woman into a hug but she knew that right now it wasn't what she needed.
"See, I'm all for putting up with your shit most of the time," Pete hisses angrily after a moment. "But when you come in 'ere and start talking shit like that…" He shook his head.
"Pete, you took it the wrong way," Steve frowned. "Just calm the fuck down will ya?"
"What?" Pete laughed. "You're backin' 'er up on this? Did you not here what the silly bitch just said?"
"Oi!" Steve growled, standing up and stepping closer to him. "That's my wife you're talking about,"
"Oh well, fuck me," Pete rolled his eyes. "My deepest condolences,"
"That's enough!" Moira shouted. "Both of you, just sit down,"
"Nah," Pete shook his head. "I'm done 'ere,"
Snatching his jacket off of the sofa he looked at Allie, surprised to see that she had stood up and was looking at him nervously.
"Pete, sweetheart, don't just leave…" Moira begged as he strode out of the room without another word. It only took a second for the noise of the front door slamming to echo through the house making Allie cringe as the room descended back into silence.
"I should um…" she wiped her sweaty palms on her jacket. "I should go after him…"
Moira nodded but didn't bother trying to smile as she sank back down into her chair, cradling her cup of luke warm tea.
Casting an awkward glance at Steve who was already settled back down on the sofa, Allie felt her stomach clench when she noticed that Shannon didn't look in the least bit bothered by what had just happened. Fighting the urge to mutter 'bitch' under her breath, she reached down and snagged her handbag, draping it over her shoulder before walking over to Moira and bending down to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'll be back tomorrow," she joked. "You can't get rid of me that easily,"
Moira laughed softly and gently squeezed her arm before rubbing her forehead tiredly and staring up at the pretty young blonde.
"Look after 'im, will ya?" she whispered. "You know what he's like by now with taking stuff to heart…"
"He'll be fine," Allie promised her. "I'll make sure of it,"
With one last smile, she strode out of the room, purposefully ignoring the muted 'goodbye' that Shannon threw in her direction. Making sure her scarf was tight enough around her neck, Allie pulled the door open and winced as the cold night air struck her face and made her skin sting.
Hobbling carefully down the cobbled stone drive, Allie blindly reached out a hand to grab onto the rickety old iron fence, shrieking loudly when instead she came into contact with something soft and warm.
"Don't use that thing," Pete shook his head, gesturing towards the fence. "Piece of shit will collapse if a fucking fly lands on it these days,"
Allie nodded and tightened her hand on his, facing him and swallowing hard.
"Are you ok?" she asked quietly, running her other hand down his face.
"Fine and dandy," he snorted. "What about you?"
"Pete, I'm being serious," she shook her head.
"So am I," Pete looked at her. "Babe, its just Shannon. As if I give a flying monkey fuck what the yank thinks,"
"But…" Allie protested.
"Nah, look, I ain't bothered," Pete told her firmly. "If anything I'm glad she said it, at least now we can fuck off down the pub, yeah?"
Allie looked up at his handsome face seeing the hurt on it and knowing full well that he was lying to her. But she wouldn't call him out on it, not when he was trying so hard to keep it together.
"Ok," she nodded. "If you're sure,"
"Positive," Pete forced a smile on his face and pulled her closer, walking down the street towards his car. "Come on then blondie…" he winked at her, playfully slapping her behind. "It's already gone 'alf nine and I 'eard a vicious rumour that you're minted so but my calculations that makes it first round on you…"
Allie giggled and followed him down the road, nodding and smiling in all the right places as he chatted away, saying and doing everything he could to keep the Shannon's voice out of his head.
She knew that he was completely devastated that someone had compared him with his dad but he was so intent on covering his emotions up that Allie knew better than to push anymore with him.
Pete would deal with it in his own way in his own time.
But Allie wasn't overly sure she wanted to be there when he did because despite the lightness of his voice, the darkness in his eyes told her that when he did…it was going to be far from pretty.
Fasten your seatbelts kids...its about to get messy. ;)