Luke's Diary: An Unlucky Man In A Zombie Apocalypse. Entries 957 - 1157

Entry 1044: Tuesday 6th August 2019

Entry 1044
Tuesday 6th August 2019

Nikki made another home-made chicken pie today. It tasted...Well... Alright... A bit odd but I didn't want to tell her that is tasted weird for fear that she might kick off and that an argument might follow. I ate the chicken pie and then quickly changed the subject.

As Nikki and I were washing up together we were talking about what a psycho Tinsley was and about Natasha's plans to protest outside GRID HQ. As we were talking, Nikki brought up something that I was hoping she wouldn't, and that I really didn't want to talk about. "I've been thinking," said Nikki, "And I really don't think Leo needs to be in Cowes. It can't be good for him being passed between your Mum and Trudy. A promiscuous old slapper, and a gobby council house chav. I think he'd be better off here, at home with us.  Why don't you go get him tomorrow? Better still – later today." I stood in silence as I continued with the washing up. I was hoping that Nikki would start talking about something else, but the silence lingered and Nikki obviously noticed it. "Luke?" she said. "Err... Yeah?" I said. "I'm talking to you," said Nikki, "Aren't you listening to me?" "Sorry, I was miles away," I said, lying through my teeth. "I'm just saying that you should go to Cowes later today and bring Leo back," said Nikki, "I'm missing him, aren't you?" "Yeah, I miss him lots," I said, "But I thought we agreed that we wouldn't bring him back until things between us were a bit more...." "A bit more what?" asked Nikki. "Er..." I said, struggling to find the right word, "Different I suppose. Better?" "Things are better," said Nikki, "We're not arguing, we're not fighting. I'm having counselling. Go get him." "Yeah, things are better," I tentatively said, "But it's still early days. You've only just started your counselling sessions. Let's not run before we can walk." "Luke, I want to see Leo," said Nikki, "It's OK for you. You're going to Cowes every other day and seeing him. I have to miss out. I can hardly come with you to Cowes to see him, can I?" "Well, you could," I said, "Maybe I could pick Leo up from Mum's and then me and you could spend some time on our own with Leo." "This whole thing is stupid," snapped Nikki, starting to get angry, "He's our son. He should be with us. Your Mum and Trudy shouldn't get to call the shots." I was a bit taken aback when Nikki called Leo her son. I don't think we've been together long enough for her to be calling Leo her son, but I wasn't going to say anything. I didn't want an argument with her as she was washing and drying sharp knives. I just want everything between us to be as positive as possible. "Well, like I said, you could come with me to Cowes," I said. "Luke, I don't like your friends, and your friends don't like me," said Nikki, "I'm not coming to Cowes just because your Mum and Trudy want to call the shots. Just go there later today and bring Leo back." "I think we should leave Leo where he is for now," I said. Nikki turned and gave me a firm look. "I don't want to argue, Nikki," I said, "I just think until things are maintained between us at this calm level, it's best that Leo stays where he is. I think that's best; best for everyone. Don't you?" Nikki turned and continued washing up. She didn't shout. She didn't scream. In fact, she didn't respond. She just carried on cleaning dishes and scrubbing spoons, and then she changed the subject and started talking about Natasha. This was weird. Good, but weird. Certainly different. No shouting, screaming or arguing and no raised voices. Nikki didn't look happy, but I certainly prefer her changing the subject rather than starting a massive argument and getting all violent and aggressive. Maybe this is a sign that her counselling sessions are working?

Back to work tomorrow, and I'll be going back to Cowes again to see Mum, Mike and Cyn, but I'm more looking forward to seeing Leo.