Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)

“May as well make yourself useful whilst you’re here and run the mower over my grass. It’s in the shed over there. It’ll give Ella and I time to catch up without you getting in our way.”

“Nan, don’t be rude! Joe is here to meet you not mow your lawn.” I chastised her, but she didn’t even look at me, just folded her arms and stared at Joe, waiting for him to give her a reason to attack.

“No it’s fine, I’m not afraid of a bit of hard work and we can’t have your Nan doing heavy jobs like that can we? Not when there’s a man around.”

He smiled patiently back at Nanna but I knew that look and the game was on. Touché, he’d even hit Nan where it would hurt, the thought that she couldn’t do something and needed a man would rile my Nan up for sure.

“I can mow my own lawn just fine thank you very much, I just don’t want you in my house yet. Not until Ella has told me everything I need to know.” She counter attacked.

It was just as I had predicted, they were each assuming their place ready for battle and I was the piggy in the middle.

“Okay, come on Nan let’s get the kettle on and you can tell me all about your news. Joe, I’ll bring a drink out to you in a bit okay?”

He grinned back at me and mouthed, ‘I’m okay…go’ as I stood torn and looking between the two of them. Nan’s back was turned and she was already heading towards the house without a backwards glance. Here we go, round one of the Joe and Nanna match.

“You know Nan you can just be nice to my boyfriends and try to get to know them like normal people do.” I sighed as I filled the kettle with water.

“I wouldn’t have said ‘boy’ was an appropriate word to use for that one out there would you Ella?” She said raising her eyebrows cheekily at me. “Anyway where’s the fun in being nice?” She laughed. “I like making people squirm and work to gain my trust. You’re my granddaughter so he has to try extra hard to win my approval Ella. It doesn’t come without being earned.”

“I can see that!” I replied nodding towards the kitchen window where we had an excellent view of the shed and Joe pulling out the decrepit old 1970s push mower. I guessed he was looking for the switch and wires as he glanced around the old rusty metal contraption that I remember my Granddad pushing forwards and backwards for hours along the grass when I was a kid. The blades had seen better days and were probably as blunt as a spoon but Nan refused to let it go. It ripped the ground as it cut the grass and was so heavy it would give the fittest person a back injury, but Joe got to it and started pushing the ridiculous thing without straining at all.

“I must say he’s a dream to look at though.” Nan said coming up behind me to watch Joe push and pull the metal lump with a disgruntled, perplexed expression on his handsome face. “I can see why you like him. Do you think he’ll take his top off when he gets too hot?” She giggled.

“Nan, you’re a disgrace. Don’t look at my future husband like that.” I laughed back, glad that she could at least find one endearing thing about my Joe.

We sat at her old wooden kitchen table and I listened to her regale me with her tales of village life. She knew everyone and everyone’s business. I wondered how she had the time or energy to keep up. Mind you, if I’d told her half of the crap I’d been through recently it would have put her innocent gossip to shame.

I turned to the window to make a drink for Joe, but when I looked up he was nowhere to be seen. I leaned forward to look around the side of the cottage and I noticed his car was missing.

“Oh dear, did I scare him away?” Nan laughed noticing his absence.

“I’m sure he’s just popped out to get something.” I snapped back, taking my mobile phone out to text him.

Where are you??? Xxx

The dots started to dance right away to indicate his response was on the way.

Just popped to the shops to get your Nan a present. Don’t tell her though, it’s a surprise. ? x

I grinned down at my phone like a fool and told Nan he’d be back soon and made myself busy getting my room ready for our stay. Nan crept up behind me like a stealth ninja as I was raiding her airing cupboard.

“He’s not sleeping in there with you my girl. Not in a million years are you having a man like that in your room whilst I’m under the same roof.” Nan spat out with disgust.

I turned to face her, my cheeks must have betrayed me as she crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head to repeat the sentiment.

“I ca

n’t make him sleep in the spare room Nan, we’re getting married. He’s thirty five now. He won’t like it.”

“I couldn’t give a fig what he likes, it’s not happening. If he doesn’t want the spare room he can find a local b&b or a hotel. Hattie two doors down has a spare room she rents out now.”

“No way, he’s staying here. God Nan, you’d let Simon stay in my room I bet.” I gave her a deadly stare daring her to argue with me.

“I probably would.” She admitted truthfully. “But a man like Simon would use the bed to sleep in. A man like that one you’ve brought has other things on his mind. You forget I’m a woman of the world Ella. I know his type.”

I huffed out loud and pushed past my Nan to get to the spare room and make the bed up with fresh linen and leave fresh towels out for him. He was going to be mega pissed off when he got back. I was dreading the inevitable fireworks going off.

About an hour later we heard a whirring sound coming from the back garden.