October 2015

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of secret rendezvous in his office, nights of uncontrollable passion and relaxing mornings cuddling on the sofa, she was in heaven. Smithy was something special, since the start of their physical relations she had got to know him on an entirely new friendship level too. She had always known him to be kind, loyal and caring but now she saw the tender side, the loving side, the fiercely protective and sensitive side. They had managed to keep their sexual relations a secret. Their friendship had always rose a few eyebrows so a little extra flirting wouldn't cause any more gossip than usual. Standing in the pub at the bar, Stevie couldn't help her eyes watching him. He was sat chatting to Callum and Leon, they were taking huge sips of their drinks and laughing, she guessed they were playing a drinking game. "Oi, are you listening?" the voice of Mickey startled her as his hand swiftly nudged her shoulder.

"Yeah, I am listening, what erm, what did you?"

"What did I say?" he questioned "You'd know if you weren't obsessed with watching that group of pricks"

"I'm not watching them Mickey, I'm just not, not watching them, I'm listening now, what were you saying?"

"Is it Smithy?" he questioned and her eyes shot to his

"Is what Smithy?"

"That has you in a fluster" he smiled gently "Someone has been putting that huge grin on your face in the mornings"

"I'm always a happy person, it's in my nature"

"Stevie, I'm not stupid"

"Nothing is going on"

"You're lying"

"Mickey" she protested

"Stevie, you don't have to tell me and your secret is safe but just be careful, he has always been a womaniser"

"I'm always careful and besides, there is nothing going on".

She pushed another pound into the slot machine and pulled the leaver. Mickey had left some time earlier and as much as she wanted to go and sit with Smithy, the three men had been joined by two young women, Stevie had tried to act nonchalant but she was jealous. She felt his presence, that feeling you get when you know someone is nearby, almost like you are being watched. His aftershave filled her nostrils as he leant against the machine that had already stolen at least a score from her. "Winning?" his voice sent shivers through her, she honestly could not be more obsessed with this man.

"Nope but then again, I never win"

"Stevie Moss, the queen of optimism actually making a pessimistic comment, what's up with you?"

"Nothing at all" she replied

"Oi Smithy, you coming or not?" Callum bellowed from the table Smithy had been at a few moments earlier and she glanced to see him, Leon and the two women all preparing to go

"No" he called back to the Sergeant, he glanced back to her "They are going to some club in town with them birds to meet their mates, I would rather take you home any day of the week"

"Really? I thought going out on the pull would suit your womaniser ways"

"Where has that come from?"

"No where"

"Stevie?" he questioned

"Oh come on Smithy, even you aren't that dense, I mean I know this means nothing" she waved her hand between them "and it's just a bit of fun but you could at least have the decency to not chat some woman up right in front of me"

"This means nothing?" he repeated "It's never meant nothing to me Stevie, you could never mean nothing to me. Good night" and with that he disappeared to the door.

Smithy arrived at his apartment block about eleven, he had thought about catching up with Callum, Leon and the birds but had decided to head home instead, he couldn't understand how Stevie had jumped to the conclusion he was looking elsewhere, when in all honesty she was everything he could ever wish for. He let himself into the communal entrance and took the stairs two at a time before reaching his floor. He headed past Bethels door and towards his own place, when her door swung open, a woman appeared and she was stunning, she had long wavy red hair flowing down her back, legs that went forever and tiny, silk, pink dressing gown on. "Hi, I'm Toni, I just moved in, could I possibly bother you for a quick favour?"

"Hi" he replied, holding his hand out, which she shook "I'm Dale or Smithy, people call me Smithy" his eyes betrayed him as he glanced down her body

"Nice to meet you Smithy, I have a window, it's stuck, d'you think you could have a quick look at it?"

"Oh, sorry, of course, lead the way"

"It's right in here" he followed her into the bedroom and she gestured to the window "It's been a nightmare all day" he pushed the window and it opened quickly "Wow, my hero" she responded

"Anytime" he replied, suddenly feeling slightly uncomfortable at being alone with this woman, in her bedroom "Hope you settle in okay" he spoke before heading out of the bedroom

"Can I offer you a beer? As a thank you"

"I've really had enough all ready tonight, see you around"

"Maybe, I could offer you something else" she undid her dressing gown, to reveal a sexy red French knickers and bra set "I have seen you, coming and going, I'm here alone and I just thought, maybe you could help me to settle in"

"Erm" he stuttered slightly "I'm sorry, I really have to go"

"Really? I think we could have a lot of fun if you stay"

"Fun?" he questioned rhetorically, what was it with these birds only wanting fun. "I'm sorry, I really need to go, I'm kind of already seeing someone. See ya". He rushed out of her place and into his own, seeing Ken sat on the back of the sofa he frowned "Don't look at me like that" before heading into the kitchen to feed the cat.

It was now approaching 1am and as he stood on her doorstep, he realised just how cold the nights had gotten. He knocked lightly for a third time, intent on leaving if she still didn't answer. Hearing the chain slide across and the door open, he smiled at the small blonde. "I'm sorry Stevie, what I should of said when I said good night was, at the moment, I'm really happy with what we are and I don't want any other birds in my life right now and instead of going home alone, I should of taken you with me and shown you just how much I do care for you"

"Is that right?"

"Stevie, you mean a lot to me and I am loving what is happening between us at the moment and I won't do anything to jeopardise it"

"You best come in then".