awww thankyou my darlings!
PART 9
“He wasn’t lying” Jake said, sitting next to Alfie on the sofa.
“I told you… so now you know, why are you still looking suspicious?”
“huh? I’m not it’s just you know, I’m relieved he’s doing fine… I’m just tired from work that’s all”
Alfie offered him a sympathetic ‘I hear that’ smile, when they heard the front door open and the sound of their Nana laughing.
“Oh Danny, you cheeky lad” she chuckled to herself, “the things you tell me”
“You don’t mind though do you Nana, you’re quite wild yourself, I bet you cause Anarchy down at those bingo halls dontcha?”
Nana continued laughing, “I do nothing of the sort”
“Sure Nana” Danny winked at her, “do you want a cuppa?”
“Ooh that would be lovely” she patted his arm and shuffled into the lounge, “ah, hello boys”
“Alright nana, you sit here luv” Alfie got up from the armchair and patted it, “make yourself comfortable”
“Thankyou dear” Nana carefully sat down in it.
Jake smiled at her and got up, leaving Alfie to entertain her as he walked into the kitchen, where Danny was watching the kettle boil. “Let me guess, you all want one now?” Danny gestured to the teacups.
“Nah, we’re good” Jake smiled at him, “I just uh, well I wanted to say that I’m glad you’re enjoying your job and you’ve changed…you’ve been helping out more, you’ve matured a bit. I’m, well I’m…”-
“Proud?” Danny smiled at him. “Don’t start crying or anything” he folded his arms as he positively buzzed inside from the praise.
Jake grinned back, “I won’t!”
“...All I did was get a job, its not like I’ve sailed around the world”
“I know, but, we’ve given you a bit of a hard time lately and I just thought you should know” Jake admitted.
“It’s alright… I was giving you a hard time as well, so… we’re good yeah?”
“Yeah” Jake patted his brother’s shoulder.
“Aww, come here you big softie!” Danny teased, pulling his brother into a brief hug, laughing as he pulled away.
(\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/)
By the next Friday, it was pretty quiet at Mike’s shop and studio. He watched Danny stare at the phone and chew on his biro. Danny had settled in really well, and he enjoyed working with him, he liked his company. He made him laugh, and came up with ways to pass the time when it was quiet. He was helpful, and nice – he was always making drinks for them. He was confusingly confident but shy at times, but Mike had some idea of what changed Danny’s self-confidence.
“Hey Danny” Mike broke the silence and caused the other man to look at him. “there’s a cinema somewhere nearby isn’t there?”
“Yeah, why, planning a cheap date?”
Mike laughed, “Like I have time to find a date or meet new people. I just fancied seeing that new horror film, the one with the creepy kid”
“Oh, well, the cinema - its right in the middle of town, you can’t miss it, if you go”-
“I wondered if you wanted to go with me. I don’t want to be one of those sad people who go on their own”
“Me?” Danny asked. “…is anyone else going?”
“Like I said, I’ve hardly made many mates since coming here. They’re mainly people my dad knows, and they’re not exactly the social kind”
Danny thought about it. He had seen the trailers for the film too and was interested in it. He was going to ask Jake and Alfie if they wanted to see it, they all seemed wrapped up in their own jobs lately… “Sure why not”
“Really? You don’t think its some lame attempt of a guys night out do you? You’re not doing it out of sympathy?”
“Nah, I want to see the film too. My brother and cousin don’t really have the time to see it…I think they were gunna wait to rent it”
“We could always go somewhere else afterwards, if its not that great”-
“Mike, we’re on okay. Just tell me what time you want to meet and I’ll be there”
Mike smiled. “Thanks. So, how about tomorrow?”
(\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/)
Jake was lying on their shared bed reading a thriller story when Danny came in unzipping his jacket.
“Thank God it’s the weekend! I need a lie in. God I miss the bed in the mornings” Danny kicked off his shoes and flopped down on the bed, moaning at the comfort.
Jake smirked, “we know, you always say when you’re being a grouch at breakfast”
“A grouch?” Danny rolled over to lie on his back.
“You’re not a morning person Danny”
“Right” Danny sat up and pulled off his t-shirt that was over a long sleeved top, “got any plans for the weekend, a date with Johnny perhaps?”
“I have some work to do yes" Jake sighed "but we can go for a drink if you want”
“Well, I’m going out tomorrow night”
“Yeah?” Jake looked up from his book, “you didn’t tell me you had a date, who is she?”
“It’s not a date” Danny rolled his eyes, “I’m just hanging out with Mike”
“Mike” Jake put the book down on the bedside table.
“Why do you always do that? I’m going to have to start calling you a Parrot from now on and feed you crackers”
“Where will you be going?” Jake asked.
“We’re just gunna see that new film, the horror one, with the freaky girl and that guy from the gangster films in it…what’s his name…”
“I thought we were waiting till it came out on video?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you, I won’t give any hints to the plot, I swear” Danny tugged off his jeans and climbed under the quilt “Don’t keep the light on for too long eh?” he curled up under the duvet.
“Okay” Jake said, picking up the book again slowly.
Danny: but i haven't shaved yet
Alfie: don't worry darlin, no-ones going to see those lovely legs of yours