PART 2 - GROW(ING) UP

“So, what are we doing today?” Danny asked, stealing a slice of toast off his brother’s plate as he sat down next to him at the kitchen table.

Jake let a momentary annoyed expression cross his face, at the loss of the toast, but let it slide. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve got to see Johnny Allan this morning”

Danny’s brows furrowed as he leant back in his chair, “What is it with you two lately? Drinking together, private chats - Jesus, why don’t you just marry him?”

“Danny” Jake rolled his eyes, “I’m not going to explain myself to you about this again. Just grow up”

Anger flared in the younger’s eyes, he opened his mouth to snap back but their Nana had just walked in, and bad language was a no-no in front of the old dear. “Good morning boys” she chirped as she edged to a chair.

“Morning Nana” the two greeted back with false cheer.

“Cup of tea nana?” Jake offered as he stood up.

“Oh, thankyou darling” she smiled as she sat down and patted Danny’s arm. “And what are you boys up to today?”

“Work” Jake replied.

Danny grit his teeth. “I thought I’d help out Alfie on the stall” he stood up, “I might as well go now, see ya” he smiled at their Nana then gave Jake a look before picking his jacket up off the back of the chair and leaving.

(\/\/\/\/\/\/)

“What do you want Danny?” Alfie groaned as he shifted a box of stock.

“I just thought I’d help out my cousin, is that such a bad thing?” Danny leant against the stall frame shivering slightly and watched Alfie.

“Yeah” Alfie huffed, “look I just want to get on with it today alright, and I don’t want to have to keep one eye on you all the time”

“You don’t have to, I’m not a kid!” Danny snapped back.

“Well you could act like it sometimes mate, you know what I mean” Alfie turned to face him.

“Is there some kind of conspiracy between you and Jake? If you want to get rid of me that bad I can just leave this place”

“Don’t be such a drama queen” Alfie stopped to lean against the frame as well, “we’ve all got lives and friends of our own Danny”-

“Oh here we go another lecture where I’m the one who’s wrong. Forget it, I wouldn’t want to stay freezing out here with you anyway – it’s already cold enough between us” Danny snapped and kicked the box before turning away.

“Hey, hey!” Alfie checked inside the box, “You need to grow up Danny!” he yelled after his cousin.

Danny gritted his teeth as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away, heading to a pub as far away from them as possible.

(\/\/\/\/\/\/\/)

“Something on your mind Jake?” Johnny asked, not looking up from the newspaper he was looking at, circling various bets to make.

“Huh? Nah” Jake shook his head and continued going through the papers at Andy’s desk.

“Well I should hope work is the only thing on your mind”

“Yeah, yeah it is” Jake turned over a document and clicked the pen a few times as he read it over.

Johnny raised an eyebrow. “I think its time you took a lunch break”

“What? No I’m fine here Johnny, can’t you see I’m busy with this?” Jake scribbled something down.

“I’ve got to go sort out my new house anyway, my son’s supposed to be turning up at some point as well”

“Your son?” Jake looked up.

“Yeah, I’ll introduce you to him later, I’m sure you’ll like him” Johnny patted him on the shoulder. “Now go on, take a break, you need one”

(\/\/\/\/\/\/)

Danny stormed toward’s the bar, silently seething. How could they all just disregard him like that? And tell HIM to grow up?! They were the ones that needed to sort their heads out. With his mind occupied, he ended up walking into the back of someone.

“Hey” they automatically said, as their beer sloshed over onto their hand and the surface of the bar.

“I’m sorry alright!” Danny snapped.

“Yeah I can see” the other said, wiping their hand down the front of their jacket, “bad day?”

“Something like that” Danny muttered and ran a hand through his hair as he let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, look let me buy you a beer and we’ll forget about it” he reached into his pockets and frowned, “damn, I left my”-

“Hey Leanne, two beers please” the guy nodded towards the bartender.

“I left my wallet”-

“Forget it. I’m buying”

“But I”-

“Tell you what, next time you can buy the beers”

“…Thanks” Danny sighed and sat next to him at the bar.

“Michael” the stranger stuck his hand out, “but I prefer Mike”

Danny blinked at the offered hand. “Daniel. But I prefer Danny” he shook the hand briefly.

“So Danny… do we drink together in silence or mope together?” the other smiled.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about my problems”

“Ah I see” Mike said as the beers were placed in front of him and he thanked Leanne. “Well, enjoy your beer”-

“You could talk about your problems though. I mean we could talk about whatever… I’m not good at this talking thing” Danny groaned.

Mike laughed; “want to sit in that booth?” he nodded towards it, “it might be easier to relax there”

“….sure... Why not” Danny picked up his beer and followed him.