I Want You to Want Me by Hgfan1111

8/13/2019 I Want You to Want Me by Hgfan1111

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I Want You To Want Me by hgfan1111

Storylink:http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5658143/1/

Content:hapte! 1 to 8 of 8 chapte!s

Source:"an"iction.net

Summary:#espe!ate ti$es ca%% fo! &espe!ate $easu!es. 'fte! waiting yea!s to te%% (innythe t!uth) *a!!y is &!i+en to &espe!ation when she &oesn,t be%ie+e hi$. '-

*u$o!/o$ance *a!!y/(inny

*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1: I Want

'utho!,s ote: W!itten fo! $y best f!ien&) 0%%a. Thans to 2athy) who beta !ea& fo! $e)'%e who he%pe& $e get insi&e *a!!y,s hea&) an& #a!on who ga+e $e the $ost

inte!esting p%ot twist. I owe you th!ee I hope you enoy the sto!y. *appy !ea&ing) 'n&i.

I Want You To Want Me

Chapter 1: I Want

His Saturday

*a!!y watche& as (inny bue& about the f%at) wea!ing on%y one shoe an& twisting he!

hai! into a $essy not behin& he! hea&. *e t!ie& not to s$i%e because he new if she

caught hi$ she,& p!obab%y hit hi$) but it wasfunny %ooing.

7he b!eee& into the %i+ing !oo$ once $o!e an& &!oppe& to he! nees) c!aw%ing a%ong thef%oo! an& sticing he! botto$ in the ai! as she %ooe& un&e! a%% the fu!nitu!e.

*a!!y,s eyes went wi&e an& his bo&y &efinite%y !espon&e& to the +iew) but he fo!ce&

hi$se%f to %oo away.

'nything I can he%p you with9 he ase& an& tu!ne& a page in his ui&&itch $againe)

p!eten&ing that he ha&n,t notice& he! &ashing about.

(inny,s hea& peee& o+e! the page he was %ooing at an& she b%ew a %ong ten&!i% of hai!

out of he! eyes. My shoe) she huffe&. I can,t fin& it an& I,$ going to be %ate.

*a!!y sighe& an& set his $againe asi&e) acting %ie it was so$e g!eat feat to hea+e

hi$se%f off the sofa an& %oo fo! he! $issing shoe. In a way it was) though. ' +e!y %a!gepa!t of hi$ &i&n,t want he! to e+e! fin& he! shoe because then she cou%&n,t %ea+e hi$ he!e

an& go out with;Brian.'n& she,& stay ho$e with hi$ tonight whe!e they cou%& sha!e

the sofa an& watch a fi%$ togethe!.

(inny %et out an ina!ticu%ate g!u$b%e an& hobb%e& bac &own the ha%%way. I can,ti$agine whe!e that got off to.
http://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_5/%25storylinkhttp://var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_5/%25storylink


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*is hea!t ga+e a twinge an& his sto$ach f%utte!e& but *a!!y fo!ce& the fee%ings) an& the

thoughts that they b!ought) away. (inny ust wasn,t inte!este& in hi$. 7he was pe!fect%y

happy with thei! bestuite say when the o%& fee%ing of fancying he! $o!phe& into $uch st!onge!)$uch &eepe! fee%ings) but *a!!y was fu%% into the sensation of it !ight now. *e spent a%ong ti$e &enying he was fee%ing anything) an& then $o!e ti$e t!ying to con+ince

hi$se%f it was si$p%y a si%%y %itt%e c!ush) an& then e+en $o!e ti$e $oping about an&

t!ying to &eci&e if saying so$ething to he! was wo!th it.

ubbing his han& o+e! his face) *a!!y fo!ce& the thoughts away. =!oo&ing about it ha&n,t

acco$p%ishe& anything yet) so he $ay as we%% stop. (inny was sti%% &igging away in he!

wa!&!obe. *a!!y cou%& hea! the thu$ping of shoes being th!own a!oun& an& c%othing

being scatte!e&.

*e ga+e the %i+ing !oo$ one $o!e +isua% sweep an& s$i!e& when he saw the tip of theshoe she,& been sea!ching fo! nea! the fi!ep%ace) peeing out f!o$ un&e! the c%oa (inny

ha& &!oppe& the!e ea!%ie! to&ay. *e opene& his $outh to ca%% out to he! but the wo!&s

wou%&n,t co$e. If she &i&n,t fin& the shoe) she,& be %ate) if she e+en went at a%%. 'n& if shewas %ate) pe!hapsBrianwou%& thin she,& i%te& hi$) an& the wane! wou%& %ea+e an&

ne+e! co$e bac. Yes. That was the best i&ea a%% a!oun&.

"oun& it yet9 *a!!y saunte!e& &own the ha%%way an& %eane& against (inny,s open &oo!.


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7he spun on he! hee% an& *a!!y ha& to catch his b!eath. athe! than the p!esse& t!ouse!s

an& nice shi!t she,& been wea!ing ea!%ie!) (inny ha& change& into a &!ess.

I &eci&e& to change co$p%ete%y) she sighe&. ?ip $e up9 7he tu!ne& he! bac to hi$an& *a!!y hesitate& as he sta!e& at the +ast epanse of pa%e sin) &issecte& by the b!ight

white b!a st!ap. *e,& ce!tain%y seen bits an& pieces of he! gi!%y things befo!e) &!ape& o+e!the showe! !o& in the bath!oo$) in the %aun&!y that they usua%%y &i& togethe!) &isca!&e&

on he! $essy f%oo!) but actua%%y onhe! was so$ething +e!y &iffe!ent.

(inny ga+e an i$patient g%ance o+e! he! shou%&e! an& *a!!y e!e& fo!wa!&) his han&s

shaing as he !eache& fo! the tiny ippe!.

7o!!y) was thining about so$ething e%se.

I,$ so %ate) she g!u$b%e&. *e! han&s !eache& up an& untwiste& he! hai! to %et it casca&e

&own o+e! he! shou%&e!s. 7he !an he! finge!s th!ough it !ough%y) igno!ing the tang%es.

*a!!y,s b%oo& thun&e!e& th!ough his +eins) an& a%% he cou%& thin about was how pa%e an&

pe!fect he! sin was) how soft it was against the bac of his finge!) an& how $uch he

wante& to !each out an& taste one of the f!ec%es on he! shou%&e!) ust to see if it waschoco%ate f%a+o!e&) as he hope& it was. When he fina%%y !eache& the top of the ippe!)

without tho!ough%y e$ba!!assing hi$se%f by %icing he!) *a!!y %et out a shay b!eath.

Then stay ho$e) he $anage& afte! c%ea!ing his th!oat. It,s not %ie you ha+e to &!ess up

to be he!e with $e. We,%% o!&e! tae away an& th!ow popco!n at the te%%y when we a!guewith the cha!acte!s. They,& &one that ust %ast wee an& it ha& been one of the best ti$es

*a!!y cou%& e+e! !e$e$be!@ust the two of the$) %aughing an& sitting a%$ost on top of

each othe!. Ae!fection.

's fun as that soun&s) I &o !ea%%y want to go out tonight. (inny hoppe& on one foot asshe tugge& on a pai! of hee%s that $a&e he! %egs %oo inc!e&ib%e.

*a!!y %ooe& &own at hi$se%f) wea!ing on%y a pai! of t!ac pants that we!e staine& an&

!athe! !atty) an& a t


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cou%& !ea%%y ta% to) so$eone who un&e!stoo& his past) an& ha& he%pe& hi$ c!eate &!ea$s

fo! the futu!e. Bust anyone wou%&n,t &o.

It ha& been (inny in his &!ea$s fo! so %ong that *a!!y was su!e it wou%& on%y e+e! be he!.

Why a!e you going out with =e!ny in the fi!st p%ace9 *a!!y ase&. *e pu!pose%y got thena$e w!ong to see if it wou%& !i%e (inny. I $ean) what happene& to you! two &ate !u%e9

You,+e a%!ea&y been out with =enny twice %ast wee.

(inny,s face) co$p%ete with !ing of toothpaste foa$ a!oun& he! %ips) appea!e& once again

an& she spoe a!oun& he! toothb!ush.

=ecause I %ieBrian) *a!!y. 'n& the !u%e was a%ways $o!e about gui&e%ines) you now)

!athe! than abso%uteness. 7he &uce& bac in an& *a!!y hea!& he! spit into the sin.

The f!ust!ation an& he%p%essness bui%t insi&e hi$) an& *a!!y p!esse& his bac to the wa%%)

b!acing his han&s behin& it so he wou%&n,t !each out an& pu%% he! to hi$ as she passe&.

Yeah) but what $aes this one &iffe!ent9

(inny e$e!ge& once $o!e f!o$ the bath!oo$ an& stu&ie& hi$ fo! a $o$ent befo!e

s$i%ing. =!ian is nice. *e %ies ui&&itch) an& isn,t inti$i&ate& that I,$ an 'u!o!.

*a!!y scow%e& at the &esc!iption.Hewas nice) wasn,t he9 'n& he %o+e& ui&&itch. In

fact) he an& (inny ha& spent hun&!e&s of hou!s going to ga$es) ta%ing about ga$es) an&p%aying ga$es.

'n& *a!!y %o+e& that (inny was an 'u!o!. 7he was the best &a$ne& 'u!o! he,& e+e!seen. That was p!obab%y biase& since he was in %o+e with he!) but *a!!y &i& thin she was

a$aing.

*e,s funny an& easy to ta% to) (inny continue&. 7he wa%e& &own the ha%% an& *a!!y

fe%t powe!%ess as he fo%%owe&. *e ha& to now why this one was &iffe!ent. (inny ha&

&ate& %ots in the pastC why was she su&&en%y so inte!este& in sta!ting a !e%ationship9

I,$ funny) *a!!y p!oteste&) but he &oubte& (inny hea!& hi$ because she was te%%ing asto!y now.

This one ti$e;

*a!!y !efuse& to %isten to the wo!&s an& focuse& on pouting. *e was a%% of those things)

yet (inny &i&n,t gi+e hi$ a secon& g%ance. *e was sti%% fi!$%y ent!enche& in the f!ien&uic showe!) a%% the whi%e

g!u$b%ing about e+e!ything (inny ha& sai& tonight.

The wate! !an o+e! his bo&y an& *a!!y sta!e& at (inny,s soap an& sha$poo bott%e in theco!ne! of the she%f. *is bo&y !espon&e& auto$atica%%y an& he fe%t his face heat. If (inny

e+e! foun& out that he got off a%$ost e+e!y showe! afte! s$e%%ing he! sha$poo an&

i$agining he! c%i$bing into the showe! sp!ay with hi$) she,& p!obab%y he his bits.

Tonight,s !outine offe!e& +e!y %itt%e in the way of !e%ief) but *a!!y,s bo&y !efuse& to ca%$&own unti% the !outine was ca!!ie& out.


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*e stoo& in f!ont of the $i!!o! fo! a %ong ti$e) w!appe& in his towe% an& sta!ing at the

$an who %ooe& bac. *e was goo& %ooing) wasn,t he9 ugge&%y han&so$e) at %east.

Maybe his hai! was a bit %ong) an& he cou%& &efinite%y use a sha+e !ight now) but su!e%yhe was att!acti+e enough.

*a!!y finishe& getting !ea&y an& 'ppa!ate& to The *ogs *ea&) whe!e he new on an&(eo!ge we!e going. They,& in+ite& hi$ ea!%ie! in the &ay) but *a!!y ha& &ec%ine&)

thining that a night in with (inny soun&e& bette!. 7o $uch fo! those p%ans.

The pub was fu%% an& %ou&) ust how 7ea$us %ie& it on a "!i&ay night. The I!ish$an ha&

b!eathe& new %ife into the o%& p%ace afte! 'be!fo!th so%& hi$ the pub) an& it was a fun

p%ace to gathe! with f!ien&s to &!own in a pint.

on) (eo!ge) an& e+i%%e we!e seate& a!oun& a tab%e %aughing an& ta%ing %ou&%y. *a!!yno&&e& to a few peop%e as he wea+e& his way towa!& the$.

Di) you $a&e it afte! a%%) on chee!e&. *a!!y t!ie& to s$i%e) but he thought it wasp!obab%y a %itt%e wea.

I $a&e it.

*a+e a pint on $e. (eo!ge s%i& a nea!%y fu%% &!in ac!oss the tab%e) an& *a!!y caught itust in ti$e) p!e+enting it f!o$ sai%ing off the e&ge an& %an&ing in his %ap.

We we!e ust ta%ing about the annons) on info!$e& hi$. The othe! two co$p%aine&

%ou&%y an& *a!!y cou%&n,t he%p but %augh. on a%ways wante& to ta% about the annons.

The con+e!sation too off f!o$ the!e) with on &efen&ing his tea$ whi%e the othe!s ga+ecount%ess e+i&ences against the$. In the $i&st of it a%%) *a!!y fe%t bette! about getting out

of the f%at. *is conce!ns about (inny an& what he fe%t fo! he! we!e ne+e! fa! f!o$ his

su!face thoughts) but he a%%owe& hi$se%f to set the$ asi&e an& si$p%y enoy being with

his f!ien&s.

7ea$us ept thei! tab%e supp%ie& with &!ins a%% night) an& *a!!y) not no!$a%%y a hea+y

&!ine!) &!aine& his pint ti$e an& again. The %i>ui& in his be%%y fe%t goo&. It he%pe& to

wa!$ hi$.

;an& so I to%& he!) 'nge%ina) you,%% ust ha+e to !un the shop without $e tonight. I,+e

got so$ewhe!e i$po!tant I nee& to@

I,$ att!acti+e) !ight9

Why that >uestion s%ippe& out of his $outh !ight then) *a!!y cou%&n,t say. Th!ee sets of

eyes wi&ene& befo!e the tab%e e!upte& in !aucous %aughte!.

0!) so!!y) *a!!y) you,!e not !ea%%y $y type. (eo!ge shoo his hea&.


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*a!!y san fu!the! into his seat. I $ean) you thin I,$ oay) yeah9 I,$ not so$e p!etty

boy) o! f%ashy) o! anything) but gi!%s thin I,$ oay. 't %east) I thin they &o. ow that

his $outh ha& opene&) it &i&n,t see$ he cou%& stop it f!o$ spi%%ing e+e!ything.

I thin so$eone has ha& a bit too $uch tonight. on pee!e& c%ose%y at hi$. '!e you

i%%9 *e !eache& out to p%ace the bac of his han& a%ong *a!!y,s fo!ehea&.

(e!off) *a!!y g!u$b%e& an& pushe& on,s han& away. I ust;I ust can,t stop thining

about what she sai&. I,$ e+e!ything he is) you now. Dn%y bette!.

That,s !ight (eo!ge toaste& *a!!y,s !a$b%ing ob%i+ious%y) hoisting his pint abo+e thetab%e an& s%oshing a%e o+e! the e&ge.

Maybe;$aybe I ust !uine& $y chance a %ong ti$e ago. What if that,s it9 What if being

with $e hu!ts too $uch because it !e$in&s he! of the past9

The !ea%iation was painfu%) an& *a!!y,s chest c%a$pe& &own so ha!& it was &ifficu%t tob!eath. That ha& to be it. (inny cou%&n,t bea! to thin of hi$ in a !o$antic way because

he was a constant !e$in&e! of he! %ost chi%&hoo&) of f!ien&s who wou%& ne+e! !etu!n) of

"!e&) an& e+e!ything she,& %ost. Things she cou%& igno!e in a f!ien&) because $aybe theywe!en,t nea!%y as c%ose as *a!!y thought they we!e) wou%& be i$possib%e to igno!e in

so$eone you %o+e&.

=!ian was a safe! choice because he,& ne+e! ha& a ho!!ib%y e$ba!!assing c!ush on he! in

the past. *e,& ne+e! been at the cente! of a wa! whe!e he! f!ien&s an& fa$i%y ha& &ie&.*a!!y ha&.

I hafta go) *a!!y $u$b%e&. *e stoo& ab!upt%y an& noce& his thighs into the tab%e. Inee& to;nee& to thin.

=oth (eo!ge an& e+i%%e p!oteste& an& t!ie& to get *a!!y to sit &own) but the i$ages

f!o$ the past ust ept washing o+e! hi$: (inny,s s$a%% bo&y %ying sti%% on the f%oo! ofthe ha$be!) the way she was so a$aing when he watche& he! shy%y f!o$ ac!oss the

o$$on oo$) he! fie!ce &ete!$ination in the face of anything that stoo& in he! way)

an&) fina%%y) the b%oo&


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You,!e not %ea+ing he!e unti% we figu!e out what the he%% you,!e ta%ing about) *a!!y)

e+i%%e a&&e& his suppo!t.

Yeah) $ate) (eo!ge sai&. I,%% e+en put up a p!i+acy cha!$.

*a!!y sighe&) nowing he wasn,t going to get out of this. 'n& a pa!t of hi$ &i&n,t want to%ea+e. ' pa!t of hi$ wante& to te%% his $ates e+e!ything. Maybe they cou%& he%p hi$

figu!e out what he was going to &o) an& how to $ae the e$ptiness in his chest go away.

We,!e not &oing this on pints a%one) (eo!ge shoo his hea& an& $a&e his way towa!&

the ba!. *e ca$e bac a $inute %ate! with a fu%% bott%e of "i!ewhisy an& fou! s$a%%g%asses. *a!!y watche& in si%ence as he set a p!i+acy wa!& a!oun& the tab%e) an& on

pou!e& the &!ins) s%opping %i>ui& onto the tab%e. It hisse& an& s$oe& on the woo&.

ow) a!e we going to ta% about what,s bothe!ing you) o! shou%& we ust be%ie+e that

you,!e a nutte!9 (eo!ge,s eyeb!ows !ose an& he sta!e& at *a!!y ac!oss the tab%e.

*a!!y g%a!e& &own at his han&s. *e g!ow%e& %ow in his th!oat an& snatche& his g%ass of

whisy.

7o9 on p!o$pte&. *e %eane& fo!wa!&) !esting his e%bows on the tab%e) an& waite& fo!

*a!!y. I,$ assu$ing this is about so$e bi!&) since you see$ to ha+e %ost you! $in&.

*a!!y g!i$ace&. ot a bi!&. *e !ubbe& his face with a han&) pushing his g%asses uponto his fo!ehea&) an& then sett%ing the$ bac into p%ace. ' wo$an. ' wo$an I %o;

What,s the p!ob%e$ then9 e+i%%e ase&.

*a!!y fe%t his gut !o%% unp%easant%y) an& won&e!e& if the whisy was bu!ning ho%es in his

sto$ach %ie it see$e& to be on the tab%e. 7he;she &oesn,t see $e that way.

ow I see the p!ob%e$) on no&&e&. What &oes (inny say about a%% of this9 7he,s

a%ways got an opinion on the gi!%s you &ate.

*a!!y &i&n,t answe!. *e fe%t his chees heat unti% he ha& to tug at his co%%a!. *e ha&n,t

e+e! co$e !ight out an& a&$itte& his c!ush on (inny to anyone besi&es on. *e,& to%&on e+e!ything) but his f!ien& ha& a%ways ept his confi&ence.

I ha+en,t;I ha+en,t to%& he! how I fee%. 0+e!.

Is this about (inny9 (eo!ge &e$an&e&) %ooing confuse&. I new you fancie& he!

when you we!e younge!) but;

I &on,t ust fancy he!. The a&$ission bu!ne& the who%e way up) an& *a!!y fu$b%e& fo!the bott%e. Ae!haps if he &!an $o!e "i!ewhisy it wou%& &!own out his wo!&s an& he,& be


9/97

ab%e to sa+e hi$se%f the hu$i%iation of ep%aining his state$ent. Why cou%&n,t they ust;

un&e!stan&9 #i& he !ea%%y ha+e to hu$i%iate hi$se%f in f!ont of his $ates %ie this9

The fe!a% %oo on (eo!ge,s face confi!$e& it) though. Yes) *a!!y was going to ha+e topay fo! te%%ing the t!uth fina%%y.

'bout ti$e you a&$it it) e+i%%e g!u$b%e&. *a!!y g%a!e& at his f!ien&.

Who to%& you9 *a!!y &e$an&e&.

It,s not %ie it was a sec!et) $ate) on sh!ugge&. I thin the on%y pe!son who ne+e!

figu!e& it out is (inny. 7he new about the c!ush) but not;we%%) she ne+e! new how&eep it went) ob+ious%y.

7he a%ways was a bit thic) (eo!ge sh!ugge& one shou%&e!.

I to%& you not to %et he! $o+e in with you) on sco%&e& soft%y. *e %ooe& the $ostconce!ne& out of e+e!yone) an& *a!!y suppose& he ha& the !ight. on was a%ways the!e to

suppo!t *a!!y@no >uestions ase&. 'n& *a!!y ha& been %ess than honest with his f!ien&sfo! a %ong ti$e. I to%& you it was nothing but t!oub%e.

I thought I,& be fine) *a!!y sighe&. I thought;I thought it was past $e.

I thought you we!e we%% o+e! this) $ate.

*a!!y fe%t e+en sice!. I t!ie&) he whispe!e&. I thought I was) but she,s ust so;

won&e!fu% an& beautifu%. Ei+ing togethe! is ha!& because I ha+e to see he! e+e!y &ay) but

its a%so b!i%%iant because Igetto see he! e+e!y &ay. 'n& she,s a goo& 'u!o!) you now) soI wante& he! as $y pa!tne!.

on stu&ie& hi$ a $inute an& sighe& befo!e !ubbing his face. 7i%ence sett%e& a!oun& thetab%e. *a!!y watche& thei! faces) waiting fo! the oes to co$e.

Why a!e you sta!ing at $e9 (eo!ge &e$an&e&. *e see$e& to be swaying s%ight%y to the

si&e) but *a!!y wasn,t su!e if it was (eo!ge) o! *a!!y hi$se%f. The tab%e see$e& a bit

wony) too. Ae!haps so$eone ha& spe%%e& it to spin) %ie the !est of the !oo$ was.

You,!e not going to;he $e9 *a!!y ase&. D! use $e to test p!o&ucts9

(eo!ge %aughe& %ou&%y. (!eat i&ea) *a!!y) but no.

It,s b!i%%iant) *a!!y) on s$i%e& fina%%y. I thin you an& (inny cou%& be !ea%%y goo&

togethe!.

I ag!ee) e+i%%e sai&) ti%ting his g%ass in *a!!y,s &i!ection. (inny,s g!eat) *a!!y. I %ie

the i&ea of the two of you togethe!.


10/97

You &ate& he!) *a!!y na!!owe& his eyes) t!ying to &eci&e why that fact ha& poppe& up

in his $in&. I wante& to as he! to the &ance) but you beat $e to it.

e+i%%e,s face f%ushe& an& he sta$$e!e& befo!e &owning the !est of his &!in. (inny an&I;ust f!ien&s. I p!o$ise) *a!!y. I so!t of guesse& how you fe%t about he!.

*a!!y,s hea& wobb%e& on his nec. #oesn,t $atte!) !ea%%y. 7he,s seeing so$eone.

The wo!&s too a $o$ent to %an& on the tab%e an& soa in fo! e+e!yone.

*e,%% be o%& news afte! the secon& &ate) an& then you can as he! out) on &is$isse&.

You ha+e that !u%e) afte! a%%.

7he,s on the thi!& with hi$ !ight now. The i&ea $a&e *a!!y,s sto$ach p!otest) an& he+e!y nea!%y %ost e+e!ything a%% o+e! the tab%e.

Dh. on an& e+i%%e echange& a conce!ne& %oo that p!obab%y $eant $o!e than *a!!ycou%& $anage to w!ap his $in& a!oun& !ight now. The who%e night was beginning to

weigh &own on hi$.

Who;who is this b%oe then9 (eo!ge &e$an&e&. *e %ooe& ang!y now an& *a!!y

b%ine& at hi$.

o i&ea) *a!!y g!u$b%e&. *e pou!e& hi$se%f anothe! &!in) fi%%ing the %itt%e g%ass a%% the

way to the top. We &on,t e+e! $eet the othe! pe!son,s &ates.

You two a!e ust;&aft) you now) on sighe&.

I say we go hunt hi$ &own an& cast!ate hi$) (eo!ge chee!e&. *e he%& up his g%ass to

e+i%%e in toast) but the othe! $an ust sta!e&.

"o!get this tosse! on tu!ne& in his chai! an& g!abbe& *a!!y by the shou%&e!s. Is she

wo!th it9

*a!!y sta!e& at hi$. I !is a %ot by saying anything) on. I !is $y pa!tne! an& f%at $ate.I !is $y;$y best f!ien&.

I now) on no&&e&. =ut is she wo!th the !is9

' $i%%ion ti$es o+e!. The answe! ca$e with su!p!ising c%a!ity) an& *a!!y fe%t that fo!

the fi!st ti$e tonight he new eact%y what he wante&.

Then what a!e you waiting fo!9 e+i%%e ase&.

I ust; I &on,t now how to te%% he!. *ow &o I co$e out an& say) ,(inny) I thin you,!e

g!eat. I fancy you. In fact) I $o!e than fancy you) I $ight actua%%y;,


11/97

You ust te%% he!. (eo!ge wobb%e& again in his chai!) an& *a!!y b%ine& the fuiness

away f!o$ the i$age of his f!ien&.

I want to te%% he!. I want;I want to be with he!.

Then get !i& of the tosse!. *e,s nothing to he!) *a!!y. *e,s nown he! a%% of a $inute.You,+e nown he! fo! $ost of he! %ife. 7he,s you! best f!ien& an& pa!tne!. 7u!e%y you can

thin of a way to get un&e! he! sin. 7he,s ce!tain%y gotten un&e! you!s. on %ooe&

$o!e &ete!$ine& than *a!!y !e$e$be!e& in a +e!y %ong ti$e) an& *a!!y too a s$a%% bitof cou!age f!o$ his f!ien&,s con+iction.

7he says he,s goo& %ooing an& that he t!eats he! %ie a gi!%.

The sentence $a&e e+e!yone f!eee.

on sc!atche& his hea&. 0!;(inny &oesn,t %ie it when we@

That,s whatIthought) *a!!y p!oteste&. 7he hates it when I open &oo!s fo! he! an& pu%%

out chai!s. 7he hee& $e once fo! &oing it.

*a!!y shu&&e!e& at the $e$o!y. *e,& been fo!ce& to t!y an& eat &inne! with han&s

swo%%en to twice thei! sie. 'n& he wou%& ha+e $anage& it too if they ha&n,t sta!te&

f%ashing %ie neon signs at e+e!y bite.

We%%) $aybe she,s ust; e+i%%e t!ai%e& off. *e %ooe& ust as pu%e& about thesituation as *a!!y fe%t.

I thin it,s $y fau%t) *a!!y fina%%y sighe&. I thin that I,+e wo!e& so ha!& to t!eat he!%ie one of the b%oes fo! so %ong that she &oesn,t see how I !ega!& he!.

7o $ae he! see it. e+i%%e sh!ugge&. It &oesn,t soun& that ha!&. 7ta!t t!eating he! %iea gi!%.

*a!!y scow%e& an& sc!atche& his hea&. Eie;buy f%owe!s fo! he! an& that9

"%owe!s) choco%ate) on suggeste&. Wo$en %ie that so!t of thing. 7he thins you,!e

one of he! b!othe!sC sho+e it in he! face that you,!e not. Mae he! see that this is not so$e

%itt%e c!ush) but that you;you now.

*a!!y conte$p%ate& it fo! a $o$ent befo!e sighing. #o you !ea%%y thin I cou%& ust

co$e out an& say it9

(et o+e! you!se%f) *a!!y) (eo!ge sno!te&. You can &efeat Eo!& Mo%&ysho!ts but you

can,t te%% $y ic%e siste! that you! %oins bu!n fo! he!9


12/97

*a!!y g!i$ace& an& was ust about to p!otest the +i%e co$$ent) but on inte!!upte&.

You,!e bette! fo! he! than so$e b%oe that none of us has e+e! $et.

I say we go an& fin& the$C chec this b%oe out) (eo!ge no&&e&.

It was a goo& i&ea) *a!!y &eci&e&) e+en though he thought it $ight en& with one o! $o!eof the$ at 7t. Mungo,s.

I ag!ee) on no&&e& fi!$%y an& s%oshe& his g%ass fo!wa!&. We nee& to p!otect (inny

f!o$ unnown $en who $ay be afte! on%y one thing.

'n& $ae su!e she sees that *a!!y,s bette! fo! he!) (eo!ge continue&. 0+en if weknowhe,s on%y afte! one thing.

I &on,t now) e+i%%e shifte& unco$fo!tab%y. I &on,t want to ha+e bats f%y out $y nose

again. They hu!t.

*a!!y +e!y nea!%y bace& out of the p%an then an& the!e. *e,& been hee& once befo!e)

an& he &i&n,t fancy waiting fo! it to wea! off. Dn%y (inny an& *e!$ione new thecounte!cha!$) an& neithe! of the$ we!e %ie%y to be +e!y acco$$o&ating if they foun&

out *a!!y was sta%ing (inny.

7he,s wo!th it) *a!!y !epeate& soft%y. Eet,s go.

7hhhh *a!!y p!esse& his finge! to his %ips an& hisse& at the $en behin& hi$. Theywe!e gigg%ing %ie a bunch of schoo% gi!%s an& we!e going to get the$ a%% i%%e&.

The shushing on%y $a&e on an& (eo!ge %augh %ou&e!) whi%e e+i%%e p%aste!e& his han&

o+e! his $outh to eep the soun& in.

Ye! gonna get us a%% &ea&) $ates *a!!y wa!ne& the$. 7he,%% hea! us co$in, a%% tha

way f!o$ 7co,%an&

Whe!e they suppos, ta be9 (eo!ge &e$an&e& again. They,& a%!ea&y been to th!ee pubs

in sea!ch of (inny an& he! &ate@stopping a%ong the way fo! fo!tifications) as (eo!ge

ca%%e& the a&&itiona% pints they &!an@but sti%% ha&n,t foun& the$.

*a+en,t chece& the Eeay yet) e+i%%e pointe& out. *annah wi%% te%% $e if she,s the!e.I %ie *annah. 7he,s got huge b!easts. *e $a&e two !athe! %a!ge) +ague shapes in f!ont of

hi$ with his han&s.

*a!!y sno!te& an& s%appe& e+i%%e on the bac. #oes she put the$ in ye! face so,s ya

can,t b!eathe9


13/97

7o$eti$es) e+i%%e a&$itte&. *is face tu!ne& !e&) an& on nea!%y t!ippe& t!ying to ho%&

(eo!ge up f!o$ %aughing so ha!&. I,%% 'ppe!tate !igh, o+e! the!e an& as he!.

#on,t get &ist!acte& by the tits (eo!ge ca%%e& out. Two e%&e!%y wo$en wa%ing th!ough*ogs$ea&e g%a!e& at the g!oup an& hu!!ie& thei! steps past.

I,s oay) *a!!y !eassu!e& the$) ho%&ing up his wa%%et. I,$ an 'u!!ee!!!. They hisse&

thei! &is&ain an& &uce& into Ma&a$ Au&&ifoots) whispe!ing &isapp!o+ing%y.

Yep) (eo!ge assu!e& *a!!y with a s%ap on the bac. an,na go w!ong with *a!!y

Aotte! a%ong. *e hiccuppe& in the $i&&%e of *a!!y,s na$e) an& on sta!te& %aughingagain.

e+i%%e too a step away f!o$ the g!oup an& g!ippe& his wan& tight%y) sc!ewing up his

face.

Is he 'ppa!atin, o! tain, a shite9 on &e$an&e&.

*a!!y was about to !e%ay the >uestion to e+i%%e when he &isappea!e&. *e sh!ugge&instea& an& sta!e& a!oun& at the +i%%age. *ogs$ea&e was a%ways a nice p%ace. *a!!y %ie&

it best when it snowe&) though) because the >uant %itt%e cottages we!e a%% co+e!e& in

white.

Thin Mc(onaga%% wou%& ha+e ou! hi&es if we went fo! a f%y9 (eo!ge ase&. They a%%sta!e& %onging%y at the cast%e in the &istance. ' f%y soun&e& pe!fect) actua%%y) but *a!!y

ha& a fee%ing o%& Mc(onaga%% wou%& ha+e the$ a%% sinne& an& tace& to he! wa%% by

$o!ning if they t!ie& it. If the!e was a spe%% fo! &oing so$ething %ie that) Mine!+a

Mc(onaga%% wou%& be the one to now it.

o$p%ete%y &ist!acte& by the i&ea) (eo!ge began to $a!ch in that &i!ection. *a!!y ca%%e&

afte! hi$ as he s%ippe& an& s%i& th!ough the snowy st!eet. It was the c!ac of e+i%%e,s

!etu!n 'ppa!ition that &i& catch (eo!ge,s attention.

*a!!y spun an& b%ine& at e+i%%e. *e was !uff%e& an& the who%e a!ea a!oun& his $outh

was co+e!e& by b!ight pin %ipstic.

7he,s the!e.

*a!!y g!inne& an& %et out a %ou& whoop. (eo!ge ca$e s%i&ing bac o+e!) nea!%y nocingon to the g!oun&.

Eet,s go.

Wait) on ca%%e& out. I thin $aybe we shou%& $ae one of the$;Ao!teys) so we a%%

go tha sa$e p%ace.


14/97

*a!!y no&&e& at the wise &ecision. Then again) he,& p!obab%y ag!ee to anything that

wou%& a%%ow hi$ to see (inny !ight now. The &esi!e to see he! again ha& been bui%&ing

a%% e+ening) bubb%ing up insi&e hi$ unti% he wasn,t su!e if it was the a%coho% in his syste$cha!ging hi$) o! the nee& to touch he!) s$e%% he! hai!) an& te%% he! how $uch she $eant

to hi$.

I can &o it) he sai& fi!$%y. *e pu%%e& his wan& an& p!epa!e& to say the spe%%.

Wait) on inte!!upte& again. I thin I bette! &o it. I,$ not as pisse& as *a!!y is.

'!e too) *a!!y g!u$b%e&) g%a!ing at his f!ien&.

I thin I shou, be the one) (eo!ge s%u!!e&. *e pu%%e& his wan& a%so.

Ye! not an 'u!!!ee!!) *a!!y pointe& out. Ye!s wou%& be i%%egaaa%.

e+e! stoppe& $e befo!,. (eo!ge %aughe& %ou&%y an& wagg%e& his eyeb!ows.

We nee& to go) e+i%%e whine&. We $igh, $iss ,e$.

' contest (eo!ge no&&e&. Tha on%y way. =est spe%% wins an, they get to $ae it.

*a!!y sta!e& $oo&i%y at his wan& an& t!ie& to thin of so$ething g!an&iose he cou%& &oto i$p!ess his f!ien&s. Maybe so$ething *e!$ione taught hi$.

(eo!ge shot an i$p!essi+e a!!ay of spa!s f!o$ his wan& that fo!$e& a %ep!echaun who

then &ance& a ig befo!e fa&ing away.

on conu!e& a !athe! %i$p %ooing f%owe! that f%ashe& &iffe!ent co%o!s.

*a!!y &ug in his pocet fo! a ga%%eon. They a%% watche& as he he%& it in his han& an&sta!e& at it fo! a %ong ti$e.

-se ye! wan&. on nu&ge& hi$ in the si&e) as if *a!!y ha& fo!gotten to use it

co$p%ete%y.

Ao!tus) *a!!y hisse& an& the coin g%owe& b%ue. I win *e g!inne& up at the othe!s an&

they a%% %aughe&.

Eet,s go) e+i%%e no&&e& p!ou&%y) an& s%appe& *a!!y on the bac.

The Ao!tey &eposite& the$ in a heap insi&e one of the e$pty bac !oo$s at the Eeay

au%&!on. *a!!y >uic%y untang%e& his %i$bs f!o$ the othe!s an& hu!!ie& to the &oo!. *e

p!esse& his who%e face to the c!ac when he opene& it) sea!ching fo! (inny.


15/97

*is who%e hea!t ga+e a %u!ch when he foun& he! in one of the booths. The Twat was

sitting ac!oss f!o$ he!) ho%&ing he! han& on the tab%e top. 7he was %aughing an& s$i%ing

at hi$.

7he,s mine) you tosse!) *a!!y g!ow%e&. *e swung the &oo! wi&e to go out an& teach the

be! a %esson) but on,s %a!ge han&s yane& hi$ bac into the !oo$.

What &o,ya thin ye! &oin,) *a!!y9

*e,s touchin, he!) *a!!y g!ow%e& an& pointe& at the &oo!. *o%&in, he! han& an, stuff.

I thought we we!e us, gonna watch) e+i%%e whine&) %ooing between the &oo! an&*a!!y. *annah,%% i%% $e if ya sta!, a fight in he!e.

Watching &i&n,t soun& %ie a goo& p%an any$o!e) *a!!y g!u$b%e& to hi$se%f. *e new he

cou%&n,t sit the!e an& watch he! s$i%e an& %augh %ie that with anothe! $an.

o$e on) (eo!ge u!ge& the$ a%% fo!wa!&. We,%% ha+e a pint an, then figu!e it out.

on gui&e& *a!!y to a booth on the opposite si&e of the pub f!o$ (inny. *a!!y wasn,tsu!e his feet new who to obey !ight now) anyway@&i& they %isten to his hea&) which

sai& they we!e ust he!e to watch) o! his hea!t) which to%& the$ to go o+e! the!e an&

sto$p on (inny,s &ate unti% he wou%& ne+e! touch he! again. Too $any &ecisions) so

*a!!y %et on tae o+e!.

on stuffe& hi$ into the booth an& they a%% san &own %ow) so they cou%& ust see (inny

an& The Twat o+e! the bac of the upho%ste!e& booth.

I &on, %ie hi$) on g!ow%e&. *e na!!owe& his eyes an& g%a!e& at the $an. *e,s a%%

w!ong fo! he!.

Yeah) *a!!y no&&e& $ise!ab%y. I,$ bette! %ooin,.

#efinite%y) (eo!ge ag!ee& an& c%appe& hi$ on the shou%&e!. I,$ gonna in+ent

so$ethin, ust fo! hi$. 7$a!$y (it epe%%ant. *e no&&e& fi!$%y an& snatche& a

se!+iette off the tab%e. *e pu%%e& a ba%%point pen f!o$ his !obes an& began sc!ibb%ing a%%o+e! it) $utte!ing to hi$se%f about potions ing!e&ients. *a!!y watche& fo! a $o$ent) but

a%% the %ines $a&e hi$ &iy) so he !etu!ne& to watching (inny instea&.

7he was beautifu% in the &!ess she wo!e) with he! g%o!ious hai! spi%%ing a%% a!oun& he!

shou%&e!s.

7he,s too p!etty) ya now) *a!!y sighe&. 0+e!yone %ies he!. =ut I %o+e he!.

You got it ba&) $ate. on shoo his hea& at *a!!y,s !a$b%ing. =ut I un&e!stan,. If

so$eone e%se %ooe& at ,e!$ione %ie tha, I,& !ip his %ungs out.


16/97

*a!!y shifte& unco$fo!tab%y as the u!ge to $a!ch o+e! an& tea! The Twat,s %i$bs off

bui%t. *e t!ie& to focus on%y on (inny) !athe! than thin of he! with anothe! $an.

I &o %o+e he!. *e no&&e& so%e$n%y to his $ates. I &on,t ust wanna get he! in be&) yanow.

e+i%%e $a&e a choing soun& an& on c%appe& *a!!y on the bac so%i&%y. We now)

*a!!y. =ut ye! ta%in, !ea% %ou&. If ya eep it up) e+e!yone in he!e wi%% now ya fancy

he!.

*a!!y fe%t his face tu!n !e&) but sti%% cou%&n,t tea! his eyes away f!o$ (inny an& how%o+e%y she %ooe&.

Maybe I want he! to now) he sighe& an& shifte& highe! in the booth to sta!e at he!.

Maybe I,$ ti!e& of sittin, by whi%e she &ates e+e!y git out the!e. I,$ the git she nee&s.

7hhhhh) (eo!ge shushe& hi$ an& t!ie& to get *a!!y to sit bac &own) but he cou%&n,t>uite !each hi$ o+e! e+i%%e,s bo&y. 7he,s gonna hea! us.

I,$ not wea!in, bats tonigh,) e+i%%e g!u$b%e& %ou&%y.

Yeah) &on,t get us caught) $ate) on sco%&e&.

*a!!y %aughe& at the i$age of a%% fou! of the$ shaing un&e! the fea! of (inny,s w!ath.

7he !ea%%y ha& the$ a%% un&e! he! thu$b) an& *a!!y was pe!fect%y happy to stay the!e.

I want to touch he! hai!) he b%u!te& out. The %ight hit the !e& t!esses ust pe!fect%y) an&

he sighe& %ou&%y when she tuce& a st!an& of it behin& he! ea!. 7he was co$p%ete%yob%i+ious to hi$ pining fo! he! ac!oss the !oo$.

7hut up) *a!!y) (eo!ge &e$an&e&. #!in ye! pint.

This was you! b!i%%ian, i&ea) on sco%&e& (eo!ge.

*a!!y watche& as The Twat pai& fo! thei! $ea% an& (inny gathe!e& he! c%oa. I nee& tote%% he!) he sai&) st!ugg%ing to nee% on the seat so he cou%& c%i$b o+e! the bac. 7he,s

%ea+in,. I nee& to te%% he!.

*a!!y) sit &own on ye%%e&.

(inny $ust ha+e hea!& the$ because she tu!ne& an& %ooe& !ight at *a!!y. The othe!s&uce& %ow in the booth an& t!ie& to pu%% *a!!y &own with the$. Thei! han&s sc!abb%e& at

his c%othing) but *a!!y s%appe& the$ away. *e fe%t as if (inny ha& cast so$e so!t of spe%%

at hi$. *e was f!oen) sta!ing at he!) an& cou%&n,t see$ to pu%% his eyes away.


17/97

*i. *e wa+e& wea%y) an& (inny fu!!owe& he! b!ow in confusion. *e! c%oa was ha%fuestion afte!

>uestion about his wo!. It see$e& they ha& so$ehow gotten the i&ea that being an 'u!o!

in+o%+e& intense ga$es of hi&e an& see. In the $i&st of an ep%anation) *a!!y %ooe& upto see (inny s$i%ing at hi$.

I thin thei! i&ea is bette!) *a!!y) she g!inne&. In fact) thin how $uch $o!e enoyab%e

ou! &ay wou%& be if we spent it hi&ing in p%aces a!oun& the Minist!y) !athe! than &oingstacs of pape!wo!.

*a!!y chuc%e& an& his $in& auto$atica%%y thought of a few p%aces he,& %ie to hi&e with

(inny.

I assu!e you it is $uch $o!e bo!ing than p%aying ga$es) *a!!y finishe& off his sto!y of

what an 'u!o! &oes a%% &ay an& Te&&y sc!unche& his nose.

Maybe I &on,t wanna be an 'u!o! now) he sai&. *is p!oc%a$ation b!ought %aughte!f!o$ a%% a!oun& the tab%e.

You,+e got ti$e) %a&. *a!!y !uff%e& Te&&y,s b%ue hai! affectionate%y) an& tu!ne& bac to

a con+e!sation that =i%% an& '!thu! we!e ha+ing about (!ingotts.

'!e we !ea&y fo! the 0p%o&ing 7nap Tou!na$ent9 (eo!ge ase& g%eefu%%y when the&ishes we!e fina%%y e$pty on the tab%e.

(inny nu&ge& *a!!y,s foot un&e! the tab%e. You up fo! it9


21/97

*a!!y shou%& ha+e epecte& that the!e wou%& be a ga$e: the!e was a%$ost e+e!y ti$e he

ca$e to &inne! at the =u!!ow. 'n& he an& (inny we!e a%ways pa!tne!s. They ha&n,t %ost

in we%% o+e! a yea! now.

You thin they,%% gi+e us any cha%%enge this ti$e9 *a!!y no&&e& his hea& towa!& on

an& (eo!ge) b!inging a s>uaw of p!otest f!o$ both $en.

(inny sighe& &!a$atica%%y. ot %ie%y) but we cou%& p%ay ust fo! p!actice) you now.

Mo!e out of pity than anything.

I,%% show you pity) (eo!ge sai& as he pushe& his chai! bac f!o$ the tab%e an& tosse& hisse!+iette onto his p%ate. In fact) I,%% bet on an& I can win tonight. I,%% get the ca!&s set

up.

*a!!y) go an& supe!+ise) (inny suggeste&) othe!wise that git is %ie%y to he the ca!&s

o! so$ething e>ua%%y fou%.

(eo!ge gaspe& an& c%utche& his hea!t. '!e you insinuating that I cheat9

The tab%e e!upte& in sno!ts of %aughte!.

I,$ not insinuating anything) (inny p!oteste&. I knowyou cheat.

We%%) that,s bette!) (eo!ge no&&e& p!i$%y. I &on,t %ie insinuations. If so$ething is

wo!th &oing) it,s wo!th &oing a%% the way) you now9

Eoos %ie we,!e on) *a!!y no&&e& an& scoote& his chai! bac f!o$ the tab%e. I,%% ust

go;supe!+ise.

Dnce (eo!ge an& *a!!y we!e a%one in the %i+ing !oo$) (eo!ge tu!ne& an& %ooe& at

*a!!y. 'ny i&ea what you,!e &oing9

one) *a!!y sighe& an& !uff%e& his hai!. 'bso%ute%y none.

#a$n) (eo!ge g!oane&. You two we!e acting so no!$a% I,& hope& that you ha&&!unen%y confesse& a%% %ast night when you got ho$e an& that the two of you we!e ust

t!ying to hi&e you! sec!et %o+e affai! f!o$ us a%% tonight.

*a!!y both g!i$ace& an& %aughe&. I wish.

You,%% figu!e it out) $ate) (eo!ge sai&. ow %oo the othe! way so I can cha!$ theseca!&s. It,s the on%y way on an& I ha+e a shot at winning anything.

The Weas%eys t!oope& into the !oo$ en $ass) &!aping o+e! e+e!y su!face an& conu!ing

chai!s a!oun& the !oo$. Dnce the ga$e heate& up) they,& a%% hu&&%e in c%ose!) ust %ie

they a%ways &i&.


22/97

'%!ight) Aa!tne!) %et,s show these two why we $ae such a goo& tea$. (inny nu&ge&

*a!!y,s shou%&e! an& he sta!e& at he! fo! a $o$ent befo!e no&&ing. *e igno!e& on,s

conce!ne& %oo an& shuff%e& the &ec.

The ecite$ent of the ga$e soon too o+e! an& *a!!y fe%% into his !outine of p!eten&ing

(inny was nothing $o!e than his best f!ien& an& pa!tne!. 7o$eti$es it was easy to &othat) an& tonight with he! %aughing an& s$i%ing) t!ying to igno!e (eo!ge,s b%atant

cheating) was one of those ti$es.

*a!!y an& (inny won the fi!st !oun&) but %ost the secon& when *a!!y,s ca!&s ep%o&e&

an& singe& his finge!tip.

You,!e not going to get us on the net one) (inny sco%&e&. 7he shuff%e& the ca!&s

>uic%y an& &ist!ibute& the$) g!inning at *a!!y. *is hea!t th!u$$e& happi%y in that$o$ent) su!!oun&e& by peop%e who %o+e& hi$) peop%e who accepte& hi$ co$p%ete%y an&

we!e genuine%y happy. 'n& othe! than the situation with (inny) *a!!y cou%&n,t as fo! a

bette! %ife. 'n& fo! ust this $o$ent) when (inny was %aughing an& he! shou%&e! !ubbe&against his) *a!!y cou%& p!eten& that she %o+e& hi$ the sa$e way he %o+e& he!. *e cou%&

i$agine the$ as a coup%e) $aybe e+en $a!!ie& with a chi%& of thei! own fo%%owing soon

afte!.

*a!!y You! ca!&s

(inny,s ec%a$ation sta!t%e& *a!!y) an& he b%ine& &own at the s$oing ca!&s in hishan&. *e g!itte& his teeth an& p%aye& the net han& whi%e t!ying to ho%& the$ as ginge!%y

as possib%e. The p%ay !ocete& a!oun& the tab%e) ca!&s s%apping &own into the &isca!& pi%e

an& %aughte! pu%sing. The intense action p!o$pte& the !est of the fa$i%y to gathe! a!oun&)

chee!ing on whiche+e! tea$ was thei! fa+o!ite.

In the en&) *a!!y %ai& his %ast ca!& &own !ight befo!e the enti!e pi%e ep%o&e& into a c%ou&

of g!een s$oe. The c!ow& chee!e& an& *a!!y was swa%%owe& by (inny u$ping into his

%ap an& hugging hi$ enthusiastica%%y.

We &i& it I can,t be%ie+e we $anage& it. 7he %aughe& an& *a!!y too a &eep b!eath)

t!ying to cente! hi$se%f.

on nu&ge& his %eg un&e! the tab%e an& ti%te& his hea& towa!& (inny. (eo!ge $outhe&

,iss he!,) but *a!!y shoo his hea&. ot with a%% these peop%e a!oun&. *e cou%&n,t &o

so$ething that $ight e$ba!!ass both of the$ if (inny !eecte& hi$.

*e s%ow%y !etu!ne& the hug. We $ae a goo& tea$) &on,t we9 he ase&.

(inny pu%%e& bac an& %aughe&. We &o. Maybe that,s why we,!e goo& pa!tne!s too. I,%%

ne+e! fin& anothe! pe!son who can p%ay 0p%o&ing 7nap as we%% as you &o) *a!!y.


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#on,t) *a!!y b%u!te&. *is face heate&) but he p!esse& on. ow that he,& sta!te& ta%ing)

the wo!&s see$e& to a$ up in his hea&) a%% fighting fo! the chance to spi%% out his $outh.

#on,t go out with hi$ again.

*a!!y (inny %aughe& an& nu&ge& hi$. What,s with you9 You ha+en,t e+en $et =!ian.

Why &o you not %ie hi$9

*e shoo his hea&. I ust &on,t %ie hi$. I thin;I thin you an& I shou%& go out

instea&.

(inny na!!owe& he! eyes at hi$ an& then sno!te& in %aughte!. You an& I go out a%% theti$e) *a!!y.

I $eant;on a &ate) *a!!y ep%aine&.

What a!e you on about) *a!!y9 (inny !o%%e& he! eyes at hi$) an& *a!!y huffe& out a

b!eath in annoyance. Was she not %istening to hi$) o! ha& his wo!&s a%% u$b%e& an& his$eaning gotten %ost in the$9

I;I &on,t want you to &ate =!ian. I &on,t want you to &ate anyone. You an& I a!e goo&

togethe!) (inny. We,!e best f!ien&s an& pa!tne!s. I ust thin that we cou%& be goo&

togethe!;%ie we a!e at 0p%o&ing 7nap. I;I fancy you. *e %et out a shu&&e!ing b!eathat the !e%ease an& waite& fo! he! !eaction. 'n& e+en though it too a%% the cou!age he ha&)

*a!!y wou%&n,t %oo away f!o$ he!.

7hoc an& confusion wa!!e& on he! face befo!e she s$i%e& soft%y an& $o+e& c%ose!. *e!

wa!$ han& s%i& into his an& she sta!e& up at hi$. I,$ not going anywhe!e) *a!!y. You

&on,t ha+e to wo!!y about $e %ea+ing you a%one. I,$ a%ways going to be you! f!ien&.

That,s not; *a!!y huffe& an& pu%%e& his han& f!o$ he!s befo!e !unning it !ough%y

th!ough his hai!. You,!e not un&e!stan&ing $e. I !ea%%y &o@

(inny,s a!$s ca$e a!oun& hi$) t!apping hi$ in a hug that) fo! the fi!st ti$e) was notco$fo!tab%e at a%%. I doun&e!stan&) *a!!y. You &on,t want $e to &ate because you,!e

af!ai& I,%% fa%% in %o+e with so$eone an& %ea+e you a%one. Eie on an& *e!$ione &i&. =ut

I p!o$ise I,$ not %ea+ing you) *a!!y. You &on,t ha+e to wo!!y about that.

*a!!y b%ine& &own at the top of he! hea&) won&e!ing how he cou%& ha+e $uce& this up

so tho!ough%y. Dn%y he cou%& tae the wo!&s ,I %o+e you, an& tu!n the$ into so$ethingthat $eant nothing. *e sighe& an& !etu!ne& the hug stiff%y.

(inny pu%%e& bac an& %ai& he! han& on his chee. I $ay &ate b%oes f!o$ ti$e to ti$e)

but I,$ a%ways going to nee& $y best f!ien&. I,$ a%ways going to nee& $y pa!tne!.

*a!!y %ice& his %ips an& weighe& the i&ea of si$p%y %eaning &own to iss he!) but (inny

!e%ae& he! g!ip an& $o+e& away.


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*a!!y9

*e waite& a%$ost a fu%% $inute afte! (inny ca%%e& befo!e stepping out of his be&!oo$) a

huge s$i%e paste& on his face.

(inny,s eyes went wi&e as *a!!y t!otte& into the %i+ing !oo$ c%a& in nothing but eans.

7o!!y) you caught $e ust out of the showe!. *e sh!ugge& an apo%ogy) an& stuc his

han& in f!ont of Matthews. *a!!y Aotte!. ice to $eet you.

Matthews %ooe& hi$ up an& &own) his eyes going wi&e at the sca!s on *a!!y,s to!so

befo!e he shoo *a!!y,s han&. The g!ip was %i$p) an& *a!!y was te$pte& to c%asp &ownunti% Matthews ye%pe& in pain. It was a chi%&ish i$pu%se that *a!!y ust $anage& to

e+a&e.

=!ian Matthews.

*a!!y %ooe& o+e! at (inny to see he! pu%e& ep!ession. 7he shoo he! hea& a $o$ent

%ate! an& b%ine& at both $en.

0!;

7o you,!e the %ucy b%oe $y gi!% has been seeing) *a!!y g!inne&. *e s%ung his a!$

o+e! (inny,s shou%&e!s an& ga+e he! a s>ueee. *ope you,!e being ca!efu%. 7he,s one of

the best 'u!o!s a!oun&) you now. Dne w!ong $o+e an& you,%% be at 7t. Mungo,s gettingit a%% so!te& bac out again.

Matthews s$i%e& wea%y at the oe) an& *a!!y bit his tongue when (inny g!oun& he!hee% into his ba!e foot.

Eea+e off) you p!at. (inny sh!ugge& his a!$ off an& $o+e& fu!the! into Matthews, si&e.What,s gotten into you to&ay9

othing) *a!!y &is$isse&. Whe!e a!e you two off to tonight9

0!;ust going to &inne!) actua%%y) Matthews sai&. *e woun& his han& into (inny,s) an&

*a!!y ha& to fo!ce hi$se%f not to pu%% his wan& an& he the b%oe to *a&es an& bac. The

two $en %oce& gaes an& the si%ent cha%%enge was issue&. Matthews ha& seen past the act

an& cou%& !ea& *a!!y insi&e an& out. (inny $ay be thic about *a!!y,s fee%ings) but thisb%oe un&e!stoo& p!ecise%y what was going on.

7oun&s goo&) *a!!y no&&e&) t!ying to soun& casua%. Dh) that !e$in&s $e. e$e$be!

that case we c%ose& a few wees ago9 he ase& (inny. *ei$ann9


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(inny,s face %it an& she g!inne&. It was beautifu%) she ep%aine& to =!ian. A!at of a i&

was $ie& up in i%%ega% potions an& was se%%ing the$ to i&s at *ogwa!ts. The fathe! of

one of the gi!%s p!o$ise& us; 7u&&en%y she tu!ne& to *a!!y. *e &i&n,t9

*a!!y g!inne& an& pu%%e& two ticets off the counte!) ho%&ing the$ up in his fist. *e

&i&.

(inny s>uea%e& %ou&%y an& u$pe& fo!wa!&) th!owing he! a!$s a!oun& *a!!y. *e! touch

on his ba!e sin $a&e *a!!y shi+e!) but he t!ie& to hi&e ust how $uch it was affectinghi$. (inny wigg%e& against hi$ an& then pu%%e& bac) sta!ing in awe at the ticets.

When9

7atu!&ay) *a!!y %aughe&. You an& $e) bo seats at the fi!st *a!pies ga$e of the

season.

(inny chee!e& an& u$pe& in p%ace befo!e hugging *a!!y again.

I thought;I thought we we!e going out on 7atu!&ay) Matthews sai& wea%y.

*a!!y s$i!e& at the $an. 7o!!y. The fathe! is one of the owne!s of the *a!pies. *e

offe!e& us the ticets when we a!!este& *ei$ann. 'n& it,s the *a!pies) (in,s fa+o!ite

tea$.

I,$ so!!y) =!ian. ou%& we !esche&u%e ou! &ate on 7atu!&ay9 I ha+e to go to this ga$e. Ican,t ust gi+e up bo ticets.

=!ian scow%e& &own at he!. I suppose I cou%& t!y an& get a ticet.

*a!!y fought the u!ge to &ance in f!ont of the $an. 0!;so%& out. 7o!!y.

We,%% t!y fo! "!i&ay e+ening) then) (inny no&&e&.

'ctua%%y) *a!!y inte!!upte& once $o!e. You an& I we!e on the sche&u%e at wo! fo!

7atu!&ay afte!noon. I ha& to t!a&e us shifts to be ab%e to go a%!ea&y. We,!e wo!ing on"!i&ay night now.

(inny ga+e hi$ a %oo that p!o$ise& swift !et!ibution both fo! inte!!upting he!) an& fo!

not ta%ing to he! befo!e he $a&e p%ans) but *a!!y cou%& ca!e %ess. *e was spen&ing twowho%e &ays with (inny an& the!e was nothing The Twat cou%& &o about it.

I,$ so!!y) =!ian) (inny sighe&. =ut;it,s the *a!pies.

7he,s not about to $iss thei! fi!st ga$e) *a!!y no&&e&. ot afte! she a%$ost@

'%$ost won ticets in a contest) (inny sai& o+e! the top of the$. Bust ba!e%y $isse&.


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work, etc., when you choose to ignore the 'no drink' warning. Best to have a !esignated

!rinker by your side for this chapter. "lthough, perhaps they should sit a few feet back

from your screen. It's a shorter chapter this time around, but you know I'll be updatingsoon, so hang in there.

Chapter : I!d "o#e

His Thursday

You,!e su!e this is the p%ace9 *a!!y sta!e& &own at the pa!ch$ent that (eo!ge s%ippe&

into his han&.

This i&ea was the $ost insane of a%%. It e+en beat out p!ancing a!oun& the f%at in a se$iuest a new pa!tne! at wo!. 'fte! a%% he! p!o$ises not to %ea+e hi$ a%one) *a!!ywas af!ai& that was t!u%y going to happen now. *e,& ust !uine& e+e!ything.

'n& yet) he cou%&n,t i$agine not te%%ing he! now that it was out. The!e was a weight off

his shou%&e!s that ha& been the!e a +e!y %ong ti$e. If (inny ne+e! spoe to hi$ again) ifshe was ne+e! ab%e to consi&e! hi$ as anything $o!e than *a!!y Aotte!) *a!!y wou%&

now that he,& &one e+e!ything he cou%& &o. *e,& he%& nothing bac.


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I &on,t e+en now why I,$ he!e) honest%y) *a!!y sai&.

I,$ g%a& you ca$e) *e!$ione sai& as she !eache& fo!wa!& an& too his han& in he!s.

o $atte! what) *a!!y) on an& I wi%% a%ways be he!e fo! you.

I now.

=ecause I %o+e you %ie a b!othe!) *e!$ione continue& with a $ischie+ous s$i%e. When

she &i&n,t continue) *a!!y na!!owe& his eyes.

I,$ not issing you) *e!$ione.

7he %aughe&. (oo&. I was testing you. I thought pe!haps it was so$e so!t of cu!se o!

so$ething.

*a!!y san %owe! in the sofa an& !e%ae& fu%%y into it. 'f!ai& not. That was a%% $y own

p!athoo&.

You,!e not a p!at) *a!!y.

's (inny if I a$) *a!!y >uippe&. 7he ca%%e& $e a p!at to&ay.

7he &i&n,t $ean it. ot in a ba& way) *e!$ione ep%aine&. I thin you ga+e he! a %ot tothin about to&ay. I now you,+e been te%%ing he! that you fancy he! fo! &ays an& &ays)

but this !ea%%y put things in pe!specti+e fo! he!. ow she can,t $isun&e!stan& you!

$eaning.

*a!!y sighe& an& too his g%asses off. *e p!esse& his finge!s into his eyes. I fee% bette!)you now) but wo!se at the sa$e ti$e.

That $aes sense) actua%%y. You,+e ca!!ie& that sec!et a!oun& fo! a +e!y %ong ti$e. 'n&

you,+e %i+e& with the conse>uences of ca!!ying it@those can be ha!&e! than eeping the

sec!et) I thin.

*a!!y no&&e&. *e !ea%%y &i&n,t want to s%ip into a $e%ancho%y $oo& about this who%ething. *e,& spent too %ong %i+ing in that space) an& he &i&n,t want to go bac. o $atte!

what) *a!!y,s %ife ha& change& fo!e+e!. ow it was ust ti$e to wait an& see whe!e the

pieces fe%%.

#o you want to stay fo! &inne!9 *e!$ione ase& fina%%y. on shou%& be ho$e soon.

*e thought about it fo! a %ong $inute befo!e no&&ing. That soun&s g!eat) actua%%y. I

ha+en,t been goo& co$pany fo! a %ong ti$e ha+e I9


42/97

We un&e!stoo&) *e!$ione pu%%e& hi$ to his feet) an& they c%ea!e& the tea away befo!e

$o+ing into the itchen. You we!e &oing e+e!ything you cou%& at the ti$e ust to

stay;

'%i+e) *a!!y supp%ie& the $issing wo!&) an& it $a&e *e!$ione c!inge.

You we!e a%ways a%i+e) *a!!y) she sco%&e& soft%y. =ut I now what you $ean. The

thought of on not un&e!stan&ing what I fee% fo! hi$ $aes $e;

It $aes you sic in you! sto$ach) *a!!y ep%aine&) an& pu%%e& the +egetab%es

*e!$ione ha& taen f!o$ the icebo towa!& hi$. 'n& yet you sti%% %o+e the$ enoughthat you can,t i$agine gi+ing up on the$.

They we!e both >uiet fo! a ti$e) chopping +egetab%es an& cooing $eat. 't ti$es one of

the$ wou%& nu&ge the othe!) o! b%oc thei! way when they $o+e& a!oun& the itchen)

b!inging teasing an& so$e %aughte!) but they $ost%y wo!e& in co$panionab%e si%ence.

*e%%o) %o+e) on chee!e& f!o$ the %i+ing !oo$ when he got ho$e.

Thans) *a!!y ca%%e& bac) goo& to see you too) but net ti$e I cou%& &o without the

te!$ of en&ea!$ent. 'n& if you g!ab $y a!se when you co$e in he!e I,%% he you.

on sno!te& an& oine& the$ in the itchen. You,!e too ug%y to g!ope) you git.

*a!!y %aughe& an& $o+e& out of the way to %et *e!$ione th!ough. *e tu!ne& bac to thepan on the sto+e whi%e they g!eete& each othe!.

#o I want to now why you,!e he!e !ight now instea& of at the ga$e9 on ase& as hesto%e a bit of &inne!.

ope) *a!!y answe!e& p!o$pt%y.

on stu&ie& hi$ a $inute befo!e c%apping hi$ on the shou%&e!. (oo& enough fo! $e)$ate.

=oys) *e!$ione huffe& an& !o%%e& he! eyes. on hoppe& up on the counte!) an& they

ta%e& about his &ay) e+e!yone ca!efu%%y a+oi&ing $entioning (inny o! the ui&&itch

$atch.

*a!!y was g!atefu% fo! his f!ien&s. They !ea%%y we!e the best. They see$e& to now that

he &i&n,t nee& to ta% about it any$o!e) but si$p%y nee&e& a &ist!action) so$ething to

%augh about an& so$eone to be the!e. 'n& they p!o+i&e& a%% of that an& $o!e.

The soun& of the f%oo acti+ating too *e!$ione away) but *a!!y an& on &ishe& up&inne! si&e by si&e an& %aughe& about e+e!ything an& nothing. When *e!$ione !etu!ne&)

she wo!e a conce!ne& ep!ession on he! face.


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What,s w!ong9 on &e$an&e&. #i& so$ething happen9 Is it the fa$i%y9

*e!$ione %ooe& at hi$ an& then at *a!!y.

Its oay) *e!$ione) *a!!y no&&e& as he un&e!stoo& what was going on: (inny ha& ust

f%ooe&. If she nee&s you;

I &on,t want to %ea+e if@

I,%% be fine. *a!!y shoo his hea& an& $otione& towa!& on. (inny is you! f!ien&) too)

an& if she nee&s you; =esi&es) this git wi%% eep $e co$pany. ight9

on %ooe& between the$ an& opene& his $outh) p!esu$ab%y to a!gue) but then c%ose& it

with a snap. Yep. We,%% be fine. Bust a coup%e of b%oes ha+ing &inne!. We,%% p!obab%yfo!get the se!+iettes an& not use the si%+e!wa!e) but we,%% $anage.

*e!$ione scow%e& at hi$ an& then th!ew he!se%f at *a!!y. I &on,t want you to thin I,$choosing si&es) o! aban&oning you.

I un&e!stan&) *e!$ione) he assu!e& he! with a s>ueee. I,$ !ea%%y not ang!y. I,$ notupset. I,$ not;we%%) I,$ not !ea%%y anything.

If you,!e su!e;

*e!$ione) ust go) on g!oane&. We,+e $anage& without you befo!e.

You ha+e no tact) ona%& Weas%ey. 0+en though she sco%&e&) *e!$ione sti%% isse& hi$

goo&bye. I,$ not su!e when I,%% be bac.

I now whe!e the be& is) on %aughe&. *e g%ance& up at *a!!y who s$i!e& an& too abite of his &inne!. *e!$ione ga+e on a significant %oo that *a!!y new a%% too we%%.

*e,& ne+e! hea!& he! +oca%ie it) but he new it $eant ,tae ca!e of *a!!y because he

&oesn,t tae ca!e of hi$se%f) $ae su!e he,s eating enough) an& wea!ing c%ean un&e!wea!)an& &on,t %et hi$ b!oo& too $uch., That %oo ha& happene& a %ot o+e! the yea!s.

'n& *a!!y app!eciate& it.

I thought she,& ne+e! %ea+e) on sighe& an& fe%% bac onto the sofa. ow we can eat

an& watch the te%%y at the sa$e ti$e.

*a!!y sno!te& an& ice& his shoes off) p!opping his feet on the coffee tab%e. 7oun&spe!fect.

You now if you want to ta%;

I &on,t) *a!!y shoo his hea&. I,+e ta%e& too &a$n $uch the past se+en &ays.


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on ga+e a fi!$ no& an& $ashe& his thu$b on the !e$ote to tu!n the te%%y on.

*e!$ione wasn,t ho$e when *a!!y %eft. *e an& on watche& se+e!a% p!og!a$s befo!e

*a!!y fina%%y hea+e& hi$se%f f!o$ the sofa.

You now you can stay he!e) on pointe& towa!& the sofa. It,s not the $ostco$fo!tab%e thing) but it,%% &o in a pinch.

Thans) but I thin I,%% be fine at ho$e. *a!!y chuc%e& at on,s &oubtfu% %oo.

'!e you !ea%%y going to be a%!ight9

*a!!y hesitate& in answe!ing. The past few hou!s he,& been ab%e to put (inny asi&e in his

$in&. *e ha&n,t fo!gotten about anything) but he,& been ab%e to %augh an& spen& ti$ewith on without wo!!ying that thoughts of (inny $ight tae o+e! co$p%ete%y. The !ea%

test wou%& be when (inny &eci&e& what she wante& to &o. The uaff%e was on he! si&e ofthe pitch now) an& *a!!y was the one waiting. If she &eci&e& that she wante& nothing to&o with hi$) *a!!y was going to ha+e so$e tough &ecisions to $ae. I&ea%%y) he wante&

to show up at the f%at an& ha+e (inny the!e waiting to confess he! hi&&en fee%ings fo!

hi$) but he new that wasn,t going to happen.

I wi%% be) he no&&e&) one &ay.

on ga+e a paine& %oo. I wa!ne& you bac when you we!e thi!teen that she was t!oub%e)$ate.

*a!!y sno!te&. *e +ague%y !e$e$be!e& the con+e!sation. ' pa!t of hi$ wishe& he,& beenab%e to be%ie+e on enough to put the fee%ings behin& hi$. It fe%t %ie a bet!aya% the

$o$ent the thought ente!e&. *e cou%&n,t &iscount what he fe%t because it was !ea%C it wasa pa!t of what $a&e hi$ *a!!y Aotte!. Eie it o! not) *a!!y Aotte! was in %o+e with (inny

Weas%ey.

I sti%% wou%&n,t change it) *a!!y shoo his hea&. 0+en with a%% that I,+e gone th!ough.

on was >uiet befo!e no&&ing. I un&e!stan&. We %o+e who we %o+e.

=eing in %o+e with you! best f!ien& is not fo! the feint of hea!t. on shoo his hea& at

*a!!y,s co$$ent. an you i$agine you!se%f in %o+e with so$eone othe! than*e!$ione9 *a!!y ase&.

o) on answe!e& auto$atica%%y. It,s pa!t of what $aes $e who I a$.

*a!!y no&&e& fi!$%y. I can,t stop $yse%f f!o$ %o+ing he!) e+en if she ne+e! %o+es $ebac. ' pa!t of $e wi%% a%ways be that pe!son. 'n& if she &oesn,t want to tae a chance on

what we cou%& ha+e togethe!) it,s going to hu!t. It,s going to hu!t %ie he%%. =ut one


45/97

$o!ning I,%% wae up an& it won,t hu!t as $uch. I $ight e+en be ab%e to fin& so$eone to

$ae it hu!t a %itt%e %ess) but I,$ not e+e! going to be ab%e to fo!get he!. The!e wi%% a%ways

be the ,what if, of us. I ha& to %et he! now.

I now. on no&&e& so%e$n%y. 'n& fo! what it,s wo!th) I thin she,s a b%oo&y git if she

&oesn,t tae a chance.

*a!!y s$i%e&. Thans.

What,!e you going to &o9 on ase&.

#on,t now) *a!!y answe!e& honest%y. Wait) I guess.

on was >uiet. *e %ooe& %ie he wante& to say $o!e) but fina%%y no&&e&. *a+e a goo&night.

You too.

The f%at &isappea!e& a!oun& hi$ an& his &a! %i+ing !oo$ $ate!ia%ie&. 0ithe! (inny

wasn,t ho$e o! she was a%!ea&y in be&.

*a!!y sta!e& at the tu%ips as he wa%e& by) an& notice& that they nee&e& wate!.

I,$ sti%% he!e waiting too) he co$$ise!ate&. *e use&"guamentito fi%% the +ase) an&

then wan&e!e& s%ow%y &own the ha%%. (inny,s &oo! was c%ose& an& the!e was no %ight on

at the botto$. *e pause& by the si&e of it an& pon&e!e& nocing) but what wou%& he say

if she answe!e&9

,*i. 7o!!y I isse& you ea!%ie! an& sho+e& how I fee% about you in you! face) but it,s !ea%%y

you! own fau%t fo! not noticing when I $ae a co$p%ete p!at of $yse%f fo! ten who%e

yea!s) o! $o!e) an& fo! not !ea%iing that I,$ te%%ing you the t!uth. I !ea%%y &o %o+e you) bythe way. ight.,

Yep. o$p%ete p!at again.

*is han& ho+e!e& in ai! befo!e fa%%ing to his si&e. (inny p!obab%y nee&e& ti$e to p!ocess

what a%% of this $eant to he!. *a!!y new if the situation we!e !e+e!se&) he,& &efinite%y

nee& so$e space to &ea% with the changes to his %ife that the conf!ontation wou%& b!ing.

*a!!y &i&n,t e+en bothe! tu!ning on a %ight when he ente!e& his be&!oo$. *e st!ippe& to

his boe!s an& c%i$be& in between the co%& sheets. *is g%asses we!e set on the tab%e net

to the be&) an& *a!!y !ubbe& his eyes unti% b!ight spots shine& in the$.

I,$ not going to s%eep at a%%) he $u$b%e& up to the cei%ing. Too $any thoughts !anth!ough his hea& to be ab%e to !est peacefu%%y) anyway. *e cu!%e& a!oun& the et!a pi%%ow)

pu%%ing it tight to hi$ an& t!ie& to thin of anything that wou%& he%p hi$ &!ift away.


46/97

*Chapter &*: Chapter &: You To Want Me

Chapter &: You To Want Me

Her Saturday

That,s the %ast of it) Mu$) (inny ca%%e& out as she set the baset of %aun&!y on the tab%e

in the itchen. It s$e%%e& of c%ean) c!isp ai! an& sunshine. 'n& e+en though it was

th!eatening to snow any &ay now) (inny cou%& un&e!stan& he! $othe!,s &esi!e to get that

one %ast batch of %aun&!y &!ie& by the ai! to&ay) !athe! than $agica%%y &!ie&. The u$pe!san& t


47/97

Things a!e going we%% at wo!9

(inny no&&e& an& chewe& faste! to e$pty he! $outh befo!e she spoe. Things a!e g!eat.

*a!!y an& I c%ose& a case ust the othe! &ay.

#ea! *a!!y) he! $othe! sighe& an& nibb%e& on a !aspbe!!y biscuit. I &o wo!!y so abouthi$. The poo! boy &oesn,t tae nea!%y goo& enough ca!e of hi$se%f.

(inny s$i!e& at the %oo on he! $othe!,s face. 7he,& seen it the!e count%ess ti$es o+e!

the yea!s. *a!!y !an%e& un&e! that %oo at ti$es) because it usua%%y $eant that the

fo!$i&ab%e Mo%%y Weas%ey was going to chec to $ae su!e behin& his ea!s we!e c%ean)o! pinch his si&e to see if he,& been eating enough an& if she cou%& fee% his !ibs.

7o$eti$es it $eant she was going to get hi$ to tae out the (!oce!,s &aughte! o!

so$eone e>ua%%y ho!!ifying. It was a%% a$using to (inny to watch) but she new how*a!!y fe%t. If *a!!y wasn,t the ta!get of the nitpicing then (inny was) an& she $uch

$o!e p!efe!!e& to see *a!!y s>ui!$ t!ying to get out of Mo%%y,s sights than &o it he!se%f.

*a!!y,s &oing fine) Mu$) (inny co!!ecte&. *e,s a %itt%e; 7he t!ai%e& off) t!ying to

fin& the !ight wo!& fo! what she thought *a!!y was being %ate%y. Ti!e&) she inse!te&)nowing it &i&n,t fit !ight) but the accu!ate te!$ e+a&e& he!. ' pictu!e of hi$ %ying on the

sofa an& sta!ing unseeing%y at the te%%y ca$e into he! $in&.

It wasn,t &ep!ession) she thought) o! e+en $e%ancho%y. Ae!haps $o!e of the secon& than

the fi!st) a%though (inny wasn,t su!e >uite what was going on with he! f!ien&. *e was ustas ene!getic as e+e! whi%e they we!e wo!ing) an& was a%ways enthusiastic about &oing

so$ething togethe!) but he,& been;&own %ate%y too.

We%% you $ae su!e he,s not o+e!wo!ing hi$se%f) an& that he,s getting enough s%eep.

I,$ not his wife) (inny sno!te&. We ust sha!e a f%at.

*e! $othe!,s %ips pinche& togethe! tight%y an& (inny new she,& sai& the w!ong thing.The who%e f%at sha!ing thing was a touchy subect) an& (inny new the wo!&s that we!e

co$ing net. They a%ways ca$e net.

Yes) I now) e+en if I &on,t app!o+e. =ut you,!e his best f!ien&) (inny) an& he %istens to

you. *e occasiona%%y %istens to *e!$ione an& on sti%%) but $ost%y he %istens to you. 7hegot a st!ange %oo on he! face this ti$e when she sai& it) one that (inny &i&n,t now the

$eaning behin&.

I,%% &o $y best. (inny sh!ugge& he! acceptance of the ob.

'n& $ae su!e he !e$e$be!s that we,!e ha+ing &inne! he!e to$o!!ow e+ening.

I,%% !e$in& hi$) (inny no&&e&.


48/97

ow) a!e the two of you seeing anyone new9

(inny fought the u!ge to !o%% he! eyes. This was anothe! >uestion that she epecte&. 't

%east this ti$e she ha& an answe!.

*a!!y hasn,t &ate& anyone in $onths) she &is$isse&. =ut I $et so$eone. We,!e goingout again tonight) actua%%y.

The st!ange ep!ession sp!ea& ac!oss he! $othe!,s face again: tight %ips) w!in%ing at the

co!ne!s of he! eyes. It fa&e& into a p%ease& s$i%e as he! $othe! patte& he! han&. Te%% $e

about this young $an.

We%%) his na$e is =!ian) an& we,+e gone out twice a%!ea&y.

'n& tonight is you! third(What happene& to the two &ate !u%e9

(inny scoffe&. It was a oe between *a!!y an& I that went a bit fa!) actua%%y. I thin it,s$o!e *a!!y,s way of eeping hi$se%f away f!o$ witches that a!e afte! his na$e an& a

hea&%ine in the pape! than anything.

I can,t b%a$e the poo! boy) he! $othe! shoo he! hea& sa&%y. an you i$agine how

ha!& it $ust be fo! hi$ to fin& so$eone he,s co$fo!tab%e enough to sha!e his %ife with9

7o$eone he can si$p%y be hi$se%f a!oun& an& sha!e a %augh with9

(inny b!ist%e& at the i&ea of *a!!y being co$fo!tab%e with anyone. 7he cou%&n,t say whyit bothe!e& he!. Maybe because she was so co$fo!tab%e with hi$. They we!e best f!ien&s

an& sha!e& e+e!ything.

I,$ not su!e if he,%% e+e! fin& anyone) Mu$. *a!!y &oesn,t %ie to open hi$se%f up at a%%.

0+en on an& *e!$ione p!obab%y &on,t now e+e!ything about hi$.

You see$ to now $o!e.

The state$ent $a&e (inny scow% as she t!ie& to &eci&e the intent behin& it. Df cou!se I

&o. We,!e best f!ien&s an& we %i+e togethe!. *e,%% fin& so$eone) she sai& fina%%y. I thin

he,s ust ti!e& of &ating fo! a bit. *e goes th!ough these phases whe!e he,%% &ate e+e!ythingthat wa%s by) an& then not at a%% fo! a whi%e. *e,%% fin& so$eone to tu!n his hea&.

'n& what about =!ian9 he! $othe! ase& with a s$i%e. #oes he tu!n you! hea&9

*e &oes) (inny g!inne&.

=y the ti$e (inny $a&e it to the f%at) she was a%!ea&y !unning %ate. 7he too a >uic

showe!) an& b!ushe& off *a!!y,s offe! to watch a p!og!a$ with hi$.


49/97

T!ouse!s an& a nice shi!t that epose& ust enough of he! nec wou%& be pe!fect tonight)

an& (inny hu!!ie&%y pu%%e& the$ on whi%e she sea!che& fo! he! shoes. Dne was foun&

nea! the &oo! an& she s%i& it on.

7he hobb%e& &own the ha%%way) %ooing un&e! &isca!&e& c%othing an& #ai%y A!ophets fo!

the waywa!& shoe. This p%ace was a &isaste! an& if she e+e! got $o!e than a $inute o!two she shou%& c%ean it. *a!!y ob+ious%y showe& no inte!est in &oing so.

'nything I can he%p you with9

*e soun&e& a$use& as he s%ouche& on the sofa in his wo!n t!ac pants an& tuiteso$e ti$e that &i&n,t f%inch o! get that st!ange pinche& %oo on his face when she to%&

hi$ she was an 'u!o!. *e actua%%y %ooe& i$p!esse&) an& was inte!este& in what she &i&

e+e!y &ay. That was a change f!o$ the $en whose eyes bu%ge& an& they hu!!ie& th!oughthe &ate si$p%y to be !i& of he!.

The shoe was $issing an& (inny g%a!e& at the e$pty f%oo! of the wa!&!obe) nowing she

was going to ha+e to change now. 7he pu%%e& the shi!t off o+e! he! hea& an& tosse& it in

the &i!ection of the be& befo!e !eaching into the c%oset. *e! han& sett%e& on the soft fab!icof the on%y &!ess she owne&. It was not too fo!$a%) an& ha& no f!i%%s at a%%) actua%%y. 7he

he%& it up fo! ust a $o$ent befo!e s%i&ing the ip &own an& pu%%ing it on. The

anticipation of seeing =!ian,s face when he saw he! tonight ga+e a th!i%%) an& (inny

hu!!ie&%y tugge& he! t!ouse!s off.

"oun& it yet9

*a!!y %eane& against he! &oo! an& (inny sighe& in !e%ief. 7he wou%&n,t ha+e to $agic the

bac ippe! up afte! a%%.

I &eci&e& to change co$p%ete%y. ?ip $e up9 7he tu!ne& an& p!esente& the open ippe!

to hi$. *e &i&n,t $o+e at a%% fo! a $o$ent) an& (inny %ooe& at hi$ o+e! he! shou%&e!)won&e!ing what his p!ob%e$ was. *e new how to wo! a ippe!) &i&n,t he9


50/97

7o!!y) was thining about so$ething e%se. *e e!e& into action an& s%i& the ip up he!

bac) causing a shi+e! to go th!ough he! who%e bo&y when his finge! b!ushe& he! sin.

I,$ so %ate) she g!u$b%e&. 7he untwiste& he! hai!@the $essy upsweep ust wou%&n,two! with this &!ess@an& !an he! finge!s th!ough it.

Then stay ho$e) he suggeste&. It,s not %ie you ha+e to &!ess up to be he!e with $e.

We,%% o!&e! tae away an& th!ow popco!n at the te%%y when we a!gue with the cha!acte!s.

(inny s$i%e&. 's fun as that soun&s) I &o !ea%%y want to go out tonight. 7he snatche&

he! hee%s f!o$ the f%oo! an& pu%%e& the$ on.

(o out with $e. I can be !ea&y fast an& we,%% go out fo! &inne!. We,%% &o whate+e! you

want.

The suggestion too he! by su!p!ise an& (inny %aughe&. *a!!y was a%ways t!ying to get

he! to &o things with hi$. *e !ea%%y nee&e& to fin& hi$se%f a gi!%f!ien&. ot ust a &atenow an& again) but a !ea%) honest gi!%f!ien& that he cou%& &o things with. 7he patte& his

shou%&e! as she wa%e& by. *e,& hate it if she suggeste& fin&ing so$eone. *e a%ways

scoffe& at the i&ea.

You can,t be that %one%y) *a!!y) she oe&. (o an& pic up so$eone at the pub.

Why a!e you going out with =e!ny in the fi!st p%ace9 *a!!y ase&. I $ean) whathappene& to you! two &ate !u%e9 You,+e a%!ea&y been out with =enny twice %ast wee.

(inny nea!%y choe& on he! toothb!ush when *a!!y got =!ian,s na$e w!ong twice. 7he

ha& the fee%ing that he,& &one it on pu!pose) but cou%&n,t i$agine why. *e $ust ust be inone of his $oo&s again.

=ecause I %ieBrian) *a!!y) she ep%aine&. 'n& the !u%e was a%ways $o!e about

gui&e%ines) you now) !athe! than abso%uteness.

Yeah) but what $aes this one &iffe!ent9 *a!!y,s +oice

(inny %eft the bath!oo$ an& stu&ie& hi$ fo! a $o$ent. *e was %eaning against the wa%%)scow%ing at the f%oo!. #efinite%y one of his $oo&s.

=!ian is nice) she sh!ugge&. *e %ies ui&&itch) an& isn,t inti$i&ate& that I,$ an'u!o!. *e,s funny an& easy to ta% to.

*a!!y $u$b%e& an& (inny to%& a sto!y about =!ian on thei! fi!st &ate. *e,& been so

funny) pointing out things as they wa%e& th!ough #iagon '%%ey that $a&e he! %augh.*a!!y see$e& to be igno!ing he!.


51/97

'n& he,s goo& %ooing) a%ways &!esse& nice%y) you now. 'n& he;he $aes $e fee%

%ie a gi!%. (inny sh!ugge&. 7he wasn,t eact%y su!e what the %ast pa!t $eant) but now

that it was out) she fe%t it was t!ue. =!ian wasnice) an& when she was with hi$) the!e wasno &oubt that he new she was a wo$an. *e a%ways to%& he! how att!acti+e she was) an&

&i&n,t t!eat he! %ie anothe! one of the boys. 7he got p%enty of that at wo! an& whi%e

g!owing up.

I ha+e to !un. (inny g!abbe& c%oa an& wan&. -n&e!neath he! c%oa was he! shoe f!o$ea!%ie!. (inny g%a!e& but &is$isse& it. "a! too %ate to wo!!y about things %ie that now.

T!y not to sit he!e a%one a%% night) yeah9

7he %aughe& an& p!esse& he! %ips to *a!!y,s chee befo!e 'ppa!ating away.

an I at %east tae you ho$e tonight9 =!ian ase&. *is s$i%e $a&e (inny wa!$ insi&e)an& she %ooe& &own to whe!e his finge!s p%aye& with he!s on the tab%e.

I &on,t now) she answe!e& &oubtfu%%y. I to%& you that *a!!y an& I ha+e that

ag!ee$ent...

I now) he sighe&. I sti%% &on,t fu%%y un&e!stan&. It,s you! f%at ust as $uch as it is his.

(inny scow%e&. 7he wasn,t >uite su!e why the i&ea of %etting =!ian tae he! ho$e &i&n,tsit we%% with he!. It wasn,t as if he was going to sta!t showing up unannounce& an& bothe!

*a!!y. *e wasn,t %ie so$e of the gi!%s that *a!!y &ate&. That,s one !eason they,&

estab%ishe& the !u%e of no &ates at the f%at@so that the fangi!%s that *a!!y &ate& wou%&n,tshow up at a%% ti$es of the &ay. A%us) (inny &i&n,t fancy wa%ing in on anything) an&

*a!!y fe%t the sa$e. It was ust a goo& !u%e a%% the way a!oun&.

It is) but *a!!y,s $y f!ien&) =!ian. 'n& he &ese!+es a %itt%e p!i+acy.

=!ian no&&e&) but (inny wasn,t su!e he &i& un&e!stan&. When she,& fi!st to%& hi$ he! f%at

$ate was *a!!y Aotte!) =!ian ha& scoffe&. Aeop%e ust &i&n,t hang a!oun& with *a!!yAotte!. They &i&n,t watch the te%%y with hi$) o! sco%& hi$ to c%ean up his $ess. *a!!y

Aotte! was;he was a %egen&. =!ian,s wo!&s !att%e& th!ough he! hea&) soun&ing %ie

e+e!yone e%se,s !eaction when they hea!& she was f!ien&s with *a!!y Aotte!.

That,s what e+e!yone thought) but (inny new that *a!!y was so $uch $o!e than what

e+e!yone pictu!e&. 'n& %ess) at the sa$e ti$e. *a!!y was hu$an. *e was $oo&y an&stubbo!n. *e ha& the abi%ity to $ae he! %augh at the $ost inoppo!tune ti$es) an& he was

the best f!ien& she cou%& i$agine e+e! ha+ing) but he was fa! f!o$ pe!fect.

It,s getting %ate an& I ha+e to wo! to$o!!ow.

=!ian see$e& !e%uctant to en& the &ate) an& (inny cou%& un&e!stan&. They,& ha& a

won&e!fu% ti$e ta%ing about a%% so!ts of things.


52/97

What about a wa% th!ough pa!t of Eon&on9 =!ian ase&. *e &i&n,t %oo at he!) but

p%aye& with he! finge!s. (inny,s face f%ushe& when she guesse& what he was asing) an&

he! hea!t poun&e& in he! th!oat. If she cou%&n,t ha+e a goo&night iss on the &oo!step)then a !o$antic wa% th!ough Eon&on soun&e& won&e!fu%. 'n& the!e wou%& be p%enty of

ti$e fo! issing befo!e she 'ppa!ate& ho$e.

7oun&s pe!fect) she ag!ee&.

The Eeay was boiste!ous tonight) an& (inny s$i%e& at the ene!gy that pu%se& a!oun&the$. 7he ha&n,t notice& befo!e now how $any peop%e we!e he!e) &!ining) %aughing) an&

si$p%y enoying a 7atu!&ay e+ening.

ea&y to go9 =!ian ase& afte! paying fo! the $ea%. (inny no&&e& an& gathe!e& he!

c%oa. 7he was %ifting it to s%i&e he! a!$s insi&e when she hea!& on,s +oice.

*a!!y) sit &own

7he %ooe& up an& saw *a!!y nee%ing on the bac of one of the booths) sta!ing !ight at

he!. Two !e&hea&s an& a thatch of b!own &uce& %ow in the booth) an& (inny b%ine& at

the$. on) (eo!ge an& e+i%%e t!ie& to pu%% *a!!y &own off the seat) but he ept battingthei! han&s away.

*i) he sai& an& wa+e&. *e wobb%e& p!eca!ious%y) an& (inny a%$ost bu!st out in

%aughte!. *e was pisse&. o$p%ete%y an& tho!ough%y pisse&. 'n& f!o$ the hissing an&

cu!ses e$anating f!o$ the booth) he! b!othe!s an& e+i%%e we!e too.

on fina%%y got a ho%& on *a!!y,s shi!t) an& he tu$b%e& o+e! bacwa!&s) f%ying onto the

tab%e.

(inny sno!te& an& %aughe&. =!ian scow%e& at the scene an& he%pe& he! s%i&e the c%oa

fu!the! up his a!$s.

Is that@

That,s *a!!y) (inny no&&e&. *e see$s to be enoying hi$se%f tonight. The soun& of*a!!y,s %aughte! !ang out) an& (inny %et it wash o+e! he!. 7he ha&n,t hea!& hi$ %ie this in

a %ong ti$e@f!ee an& unfette!e&. Ae!haps it was ust the a%coho%) o! being with f!ien&s)

but *a!!y see$e& t!u%y happy tonight.

Eet,s go) =!ian s%i& his a!$ a!oun& he! waist) an& (inny ga+e one %ast %oo o+e! he!shou%&e! to *a!!y befo!e %etting =!ian gui&e he! out into the chi%%y Eon&on night.

Her Sunday

*a!!y was &efinite%y a%i+e. (inny watche& as he shifte& in be&) g!oaning against the

b!ight afte!noon %ight that was st!ea$ing in the win&ow. 7he won&e!e& if he wou%& be


53/97

with how $uch a%coho% she assu$e& he,& ha& the night befo!e. It ha& to ha+e been a %ot

fo! hi$ to be that soppy.

Than Me!%in he,& on%y $a&e it so fa! in getting un&!esse& %ast night) o! (inny wou%& begetting >uite the show !ight now. 's it was) he was %ying face &own &iagona%%y on his

be&) wea!ing on%y his boe!s.

*is !ight foot was bu!ie& un&e! the $essy wa& of b%anets nea! the foot of the be&) but

his %eft) co$p%ete with soc an& shoe) we!e hanging off the si&e. (inny gigg%e& as sheca$e fu!the! into the !oo$.

The who%e p%ace s$e%%e& %ie a pub) an& (inny shoo he! hea&. 't %east *a!!y see$e& to

be ha+ing a goo& ti$e %ast night.

Mo!ning) 7%eepyhea&. I suppose I !ea%%y shou%& say ,afte!noon, instea&.

*a!!y g!oane& when (inny spoe. (o,way) (in.

(inny %aughe& an& c%i$be& on the be&) $aing it $o+e as $uch as possib%e. *e g!oane&again) an& she !este& he! han& on his bac) t!acing patte!ns on the sin the!e. I &on,t

thin so. I thin this is too goo& of an oppo!tunity to waste. 'fte! a%%) how often &o I get

to fin& a co$p%ete%y sta!e!s *a!!y Aotte! passe& out %ie this9

*a!!y e!e& away f!o$ he!) an& sc!a$b%e& to co+e! hi$se%f with anything he cou%& fin&)tugging at the b%anet an& sheet.

0+i%) he g!oane& an& pu%%e& the b%anet o+e! his hea&. Eea+e $e ,%one.

(inny %aughe& again an& t!ie& to tae the b%anet off his hea&. You %ooe& %ie you we!e

enoying you!se%f %ast night.

*e fina%%y a%%owe& he! to pu%% the co+e!s bac) an& b%ine& b%ea!i%y up at he!. I was a

co$p%ete p!at) he p!oteste&. (inny won&e!e& ust what he,& $anage& to get up to. With

he! b!othe!s an& e+i%%e as co$panions) no &oubt a%% so!ts of things ha& gone on. The

co$bination of those fou! ne+e! $eant goo& things.

ot to $e) you we!en,t) she sai& an& sh!ugge&. I can,t +ouch fo! whate+e! &ebauche!y

you co$$itte& befo!e you a!!i+e& at the Eeay.

*a!!y g!oane& an& !o%%e& onto his si&e) p!essing his face into he! thigh. 7he %ifte& a han&

an& !an he! finge!s th!ough his hai!. *e sighe&) an& she won&e!e& if he wante& he! to$ae hi$ a hango+e! potion) o! if he si$p%y wante& to s%eep it off.

I new you nee&e& a night out) she s$i%e&. I ust hope it was wo!th it.

I thin it was. *e scow%e& s%ight%y) as if he cou%&n,t >uite !e$e$be! a%% that happene&.


54/97

I was p%anning on going into the office to finish up the pape!wo! on the #uncan case)

she sai&. 7ince you,!e in no shape to co$e in as we%%) you,%% owe $e.

I can,t $o+e) he p!oteste&. It hu!ts too $uch. I hate (eo!ge. *e sta!te& the "i!ewhisy%ast night.

(inny %aughe& an& too he! han& away. I,$ su!e I can $anage to finish the fi%e on $y

own. #on,t fo!get that we,!e suppose& to be at the =u!!ow tonight fo! &inne!.

*a!!y g!u$b%e& an& !o%%e& away f!o$ he!. I fo!got.

Mu$ wi%% i%% both of us if you &on,t co$e) *a!!y) (inny sco%&e& soft%y. 7he see$s tothin that I,$ you! eepe! o! so$ething. =efo!e I $o+e& in) you a%ways fo!got about

&inne!s the!e.

I,%% be the!e) *a!!y p!o$ise&. Bust gonna s%eep fo! a bit $o!e.

(inny %aughe& an& %eane& &own to p!ess a iss to his te$p%e befo!e she bounce& the be&

one fina% ti$e.

Witch) *a!!y g!oane&.

I,%% epect you c%eane& an& p!esse& by fi+e o,c%oc) Aotte!) (inny g!ow%e& p%ayfu%%y

f!o$ the &oo!way. D! I,%% te%% Mu$ about you! wi%& night on the town %ast night.

The who%e &ay ha& been won&e!fu%. (inny !ose f!o$ ta%ing to =!ian th!ough the f%oo)

an& &uste& the nees of he! eans off. 7he s$i%e& contente&%y an& g%ance& a!oun& thesti%%


55/97

=!ian. *e wante& to now $y sche&u%e this wee so we cou%& fin& ti$e to go out. 7he

got he!se%f a butte!bee!) an& %eane& on the counte! net to *a!!y.

You,!e going out with hi$ again.

Tues&ay) she s$i%e&.

#on,t) *a!!y b%u!te&. #on,t go out with hi$ again.

(inny sta!e& at hi$ inc!e&u%ous%y. *a!!y she %aughe& an& %eane& into his shou%&e!.

What,s with you9 You ha+en,t e+en $et =!ian. Why &o you not %ie hi$9

*e shoo his hea&. I ust &on,t %ie hi$. I thin;I thin you an& I shou%& go out

instea&.

(inny na!!owe& he! eyes at hi$) t!ying to see what he $eant eact%y. *e honest%y

cou%&n,t be asing he! out) cou%& he9

You an& I go out a%% the ti$e) *a!!y.

I $eant;on a &ate) *a!!y ep%aine&.

What a!e you on about) *a!!y9

I;I &on,t want you to &ate =!ian. I &on,t want you to &ate anyone) (inny. You an& I a!egoo& togethe!) (inny. We,!e best f!ien&s an& pa!tne!s. I ust thin that we cou%& be goo&

togethe!;%ie we a!e at 0p%o&ing 7nap. I;I fancy you. *is eyes bo!e into he!s an&

(inny sta!e& at hi$) t!ying to figu!e it out in he! hea&.

It a

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I Want You to Want Me by Hgfan1111