“You can’t tell me what to do Joe. If I want to see an old friend I will.” He needed putting in his place, I wasn’t a push over and he needed reminding.
“I can and I will. You’re not seeing him. I don’t want you anywhere near him.” His face was full of vitriol.
“You’d be there too, what’s the big deal? It’s not like I’m going to jump into bed with him!” Oh dear, I think I took it a step too far as he stood up and started to stomp off back down the hill, an air of hostility circling around him.
“Joe, it wouldn’t hurt to apologise. He’s a good guy, he didn’t deserve to be treated the way he was that night. I just want to say sorry and let him know I’m happy for him. He’s moved on. He’s got a girlfriend for Christs sake, it’s not like he’s still pining after me.” Joe wasn’t buying it.
“He’ll always be pining after you. You’re not going.”
“Oh yes I am!” I said speed walking to catch him up, “and you’re coming with me.”
I laced my arm through his as he huffed like a petulant child and clenched his jaw.
“You’ll feel so much better for doing it. Plus I’ll do anything you want tonight if you say yes…” I bit my lip and gave him my best puppy dog eyes.
“Fine.” He snapped snarkily, “but don’t expect me to be civil to him. I’ll go but I’m not apologising for shit.”
“I can accept that. As long as you aren’t horrible, and don’t provoke him.”
He grunted in disdain but I smiled and did another inner river dance. I’d won a little victory and that was important where Joe was concerned, he didn’t relent to anybody ever. Well he did now.
Once we got back to Nan’s we enjoyed some more of her home cooked food and witty banter, then got ready to leave.
“I’ve loved having you down here for the weekend Ella.” Nan said squeezing me tight.
She turned to Joe and then launched herself at him giving him an equally big hug.
“Take care of my girl, she means a lot to me.” She said and Joe smiled.
“She means a lot to me too. I’ll take care of our girl don’t you worry.”
These two made my heart melt, I loved them both to pieces and I was so blessed that they got on so well.
“Wait I need a photograph.” Nan started hopping about looking for her new mobile phone, then proceeded to take a picture of Joe, not me, just Joe.
“Why are you taking my picture? Are you going to use it for a mug shot?” Joe laughed.
“No, I’m going to show all my friends at the village hall how hot my new Grandson in law is when I see them tonight. They’ll be so jealous when I tell them all about our Joe.”
“Nan, you are crazy.” I shook my head at her and laughed.
“I know. I like being crazy.” She grinned and I agreed with her.
We said our goodbyes and drove off leaving Nan grinning down at her phone in the bumpy driveway. Lost in her own world and admiring the picture of ‘her Joe’.
33
“I hope you haven’t forgotten we need to take a quick detour before we get onto the motorway.” I looked sideways at Joe as he clenched that jaw of his again.
“Well I was hoping you’d forgotten but I suppose you’d better tell me where to go so we can get this over with. I don’t want to be late back. I have a lot of plans for you tonight in pay back for this.”
“I expect nothing less.” I giggled removing my shoes, swivelling to the side in my chair and putting my feet on Joe’s lap as he drove.
He smiled a smug smile and started to rub my now aching feet, it felt like heaven and I couldn’t keep in the long groan that escaped me.
“Make that noise again and I’m pulling over to take pay back now.” He glared at me, his nostrils flared and his eyes showing he was ready to pounce.
“Sorry, couldn’t help it.” I tried to look remorseful but just looked lustful, so he growled.