‘You sure you’re okay with this?’ Marcus looks out of the front window again.

‘Darling, we have plenty of room. It makes sense for Marie to stay here. Why go to the bother of taxis and so forth when we are within walking distance? And a watched pot never boils, you know, sit down’ Paula smiles from the sofa.

‘Sorry’ Marcus puts his hands in his trouser pockets and moves away from the window. ‘She said half past…’

‘That clock is ten minutes fast’ Nick Wright remarks from behind his newspaper before folding it and laying it on the arm of his chair.

‘Oh…right..’ Marcus checks his watch. ‘Thanks’

‘You’ve been seeing a lot of this girl’ he says, clearing his throat.

‘Yes’

‘And young Luke is very fond of her’

‘And?’ Marcus frowns, not understanding.

‘I don’t want him upset when it comes time for you to go home’

‘Of course he’s going to be upset. He’s had a whale of a time while we’ve been here and he’s going to miss you guys like hell’

His mother interrupts. ‘I think what your father is trying to say and would probably get to eventually if we had time…is the reason I’ve put Marie in a separate bedroom has nothing to do with whether or not you are consenting adults with minds of your own….. but that we both feel it might not be a good idea for Luke to see Marie…..as…an ‘auntie’’ she finishes lamely.

‘I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way…and nor would Marie’ Marcus laughs quietly at their embarrassment. ‘You think we hadn’t thought of that already? The nearest we get to sex while he’s around is smiling at each other. We don’t hold hands, we don’t kiss, Marie is my friend…our friend…mine and Luke’s and that’s it. I don’t want him thinking there’s anything more and getting too attached…Oh…and for your information…I would have been more than embarrassed if you’d presumed we were sleeping together….Here she is now’ He says, seeing Marie’s car turn into the drive.

He turns to address them both before going to answer the door. ‘I wish I didn’t have to go home. Not just because I’m leaving you but I’m leaving her as well. You never know, it might’ve worked out. It might’ve been something special if I’d had more time. I had to play it a bit cool… See? …I didn’t want to get to attached either’ He lifts his shoulders in a casual shrug. ‘So there you go. No worries, eh?’

3 Manor Road

Chapter Twelve

Tawny House, Manor Road

‘Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!’ Charlene squeaks, the hand cupping her mouth in an aside to Blythe shaking with excitement ‘I seen him on the telly!’ Her eyes widen as the object of her attention starts to walk towards them. ‘He’s coming!’ she squeals, hiding behind Nathan.

Nathan chuckles and pulls her back again. ‘That’s Kester’s Dad!’ he laughs.

‘Nathan!’ Christopher James beams his recognition, his hand outstretched. ‘How nice to see you again’

‘Chris’ Nathan nods and shakes his hand. ‘Nice to see you too, it’s been a while’

‘You call him Chris?’ Charlene squeaks, still partially hidden by Nathan’s arm.

Chris flashes a smile. ‘And what you should call me too. Aren’t you going to introduce me, Nathan? TWO young ladies tonight, I see you haven’t changed much’ he laughs.

Nathan grins back. ‘This is Blythe, Helen’s sister…you’ve not met?’

‘No, I haven’t had that pleasure’ Chris takes her hand and kisses her on the cheek. ‘Nice to meet you’

‘Hasn’t Helen turned up yet?’

‘No…not yet..’ Chris shakes his head ’But I have it on good authority that they will be here very soon. And this young lady?’ He smiles at Charlene.

‘Is Charlene’ Nathan provides. ‘Charlene Baker…a very good friend who happens to work for me’ He tries to extricate Charlene from where she has darted behind his back, turning one way and then the other until he manages to bring her out of hiding.

‘Am I that scary?’ Chris chuckles and holds out his hand. ‘Nice to meet you too’ He attempts a kiss on the cheek to find himself aiming at thin air as Charlene bobs a curtsey.

‘N-n-ice to meet you’ she stutters, shaking like a leaf. ‘Oh God!’

‘Chris will do’ he winks.

‘Oh my God…he winked at he…he winked at me and he’s famous!’

‘I’m Kester’s father first and an actor last, okay? Let’s go and meet a few more people, shall we?’ Chris tucks Charlene’s quivering hand into his arm and holds it there, talking over his shoulder to Nathan and Blythe as he starts to walk away. ‘Please…come and meet Lynn. I’ve left her talking to Martin Gunnery by the bar…Daresay you’re headed that way?’

‘M-Martin Gunnery?’ Charlene’s knees buckle. ‘I need a wee’ she groans desperately.

‘Ah!’ Nathan teases, following along behind. ‘Now I know why…’

‘Don’t you dare!’ Charlene turns to glare ‘Don’t you dare tell ANYone I got spare knickers in me bag!’