Glass half full

Chapter 6

As I reached the bottom of the stairs I was nearly bowled over by Bobbie, I'm so happy that he's here and that he was saved by Donna. I'm still so angry that Brian couldn't even call me so I could arrange something else for Bobbie but I'm so thankful that he is here now. "hey gorgeous boy" I greeted him and was completely mushed by him "ewwww Bobbie you got me all slobbery, have you just had a drink" I laughed and heard other laughs too. I looked up and saw James and Jodie in the lounge and gave them a smile. "good morning Y/N" James greeted me and I reciprocated we then spoke about the football and he told me he was going to work shortly to get prepared for the match "can't you just tell them they're not fit to play? How do you do it when you support Liverpool but work at Everton?" he laughed and said how good Everton had been to him over the years and I agreed. They allowed him to have time off when Jodie's career was taking off and they gave him time off when he told them my story and he became my own private Physiotherapist to get me on my feet again and they still paid him.

As our conversation came to an end Jodie joins us, I didn't even realise she had left the room. She takes my hand and pulls me off the couch, someone is in a very non-verbal mood this morning I wonder if she is ok. She led me to the dining room and a minute or so later Donna joined us with the breakfast and as I was about to make my plate I realised that Jodie hadn't let go yet. I rubbed her hand with my thumb and asked "you ok?" I asked and then it all made sense as she looked at me and said she was hurting. I knew exactly what she meant and moved my hand to rub her back; she gets bad back pain when she comes on her period. I ate with one hand and continued to rub her back as everyone else ate too. As always I saved my last bite of food and gave it to Bobbie only to get scalded by Donna for doing so, I just laughed.

As everyone finished breakfast Donna asked about the plans for the day. I told her the same and said we would be heading to meet Peter soon and was going to Hazels to look through the papers with Jodie and to maybe start sorting through her things. Donna offered her help which I was very grateful for but said there was no point today as it was mainly to read through all of the papers and find everything I needed to sort the funeral.

After cleaning up after breakfast me and Jodie head to meet with Peter and of course things couldn't be as easy as I'd hoped. Stood next to Peter is Nicola, fuck my life! As soon as Jodie notices her she turned to me and held my hand whilst rubbing her thumb over it, she asked "do you want me to talk to her, I can get her to leave if you want"

"there's no point, she will just make things worse, if she really does want to help she won't mind doing the crappy jobs like sorting out the kitchen, all the food in the cupboards can be taken to the food bank and given to people that need it, I will make sure something good comes out of this. Right come on let's get this over with" we got out he car and I walked over to Peter and thanked him for meeting me, he gave me an awkward smile and gave me a quick hug and quietly apologised for Nicola being there. I gave him a reassuring look and then turned to look at my egg donor.

"I'm just here to help love" I balled up my fists and went to talk but was beaten to it by Jodie who also came right to my side and hugged me. "Nice to see you Nicola, it's been a while"

"Jodie, I didn't realise you were around or coming" Nicola says with the fakest of smiles. "why wouldn't I be here to support y/n, she needs it and I'm more than willing to give it" Nicola scoffed "I bet you are!" I have had enough already.

"Can you give it a rest, I just want to get things done, why are you here? And before you say to help don't forget that I have known you for my entire life so what are you really here for? You know as well as I do there is no money in the house, and I can tell you now you are not the executor of the Will, so what do you want?"

"I am executor of the Will, she is my sister and she made me an Executor a few years ago-"

"yes well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it was recently updated and you are looking at Hazels executor, so I ask again, WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Jodie hugs me tighter probably a bit fearful of what I will do and I relax a touch.

"Do you know what, fine; if you want to help so bad you can sort out the kitchen, if you set foot in the lounge or bedroom you are out, understand?" She nods and walks towards the house, Peter goes to walk with her but I stop him, he gulps "I know what she's like, I'm not mad at you. Are you staying for a bit?"

"Yes, well that was my plan, do you mind? Do you want me to help?"

"Peter you are family and have done so much for Hazel, yes I would like you to be here and as soon as I've read the Will if there is anything that you want you are more than welcome to it, I'm just going to take a minute, can you let her in to the house and keep an eye on her please? I want all the cans of food bagging so it can be dropped at the food bank and then everything else pictured and advertised for free, needs to be collected today" he nods and says he'll get it done before heading to the door and letting himself and Nicola into the house.

I turn to Jodie and lower my head to her shoulder as she moves her arms fully around me and hugs me. "I am so proud of you ynn and Hazel would be too, you handled it very well even if I was hoping you'd hit her" we both laugh.

"Thank you for being there for me, if you weren't there would have been no hope for me or her for that matter". I lifted my head and looked at her before kissing her forehead before throwing my arm over her shoulder and we walked to the door together.