One Plus One

Chapter Forty-Seven

The part of town Harry was driving through I knew all too well. When my parents were around it was the area we had lived in. Lots of terraced houses, all over looking the park. The memories of my childhood all came flooding back. Harry pulled into a street not too far from my old house and parked up.

"Come on, gorgeous."

Harry leaned over the centre console, placing a light kiss on my cheek in reassurance.

"Does she know I'm coming?" I quickly asked, shutting the passenger door.

"No, but she won't mind."

"Harry."

"She won't, just trust me."

I stood stuck to my spot. Harry could see my reluctance of Turing up uninvited painted all over my face. He stood for a second, seemingly deep in thought before slowly pacing his way over to me. The growing smirk he wore told me everything I needed to know.

"Don't you dare, I'll run for it." I warned, but I couldn't stifle my growing smile too.

He continued to stalk forwards, the gap between us getting smaller and smaller. I contracted my body trying to shield myself from what I knew was coming but it was no use. Harry's hands darted from his side, tickling me at the sides. I crumpled over with laughter, providing him ample opportunity to grip me around the waist and haul me over his shoulder. At that point, I knew it was pointless fighting.

I was placed down on the front step and Harry then rang the doorbell. I practically hid behind him, using him as a human shield. Even though I'd met his mum before, it was only a brief encounter. The door was slid open and Harry was greeted with a warm smile and hug before she realised I was also standing there.

"Oh, Marlie, love, I wondered when I'd see you again. Come on, come in."

Harry was first to walk in. As I followed behind I was pulled into a hug. The kind nature that Harry showed me was obviously a trait passed down from his mum. As I was released, Harry was wearing an expression that communicated, "I told you so." I shot him a look back which told him to shut up to which he shook his head and laughed.

"So are you two staying for tea?"

"If that's ok." Harry replied.

"Of course it is, go and make yourselves comfortable and I'll bring you a cup of tea in."

Harry's mum left us in the hallway. For the first time since being with Harry, there was an awkward silence between us. He shifted his weight on his feet and I could tell he could see the anxiousness on my face. As soon as he released his hand from his side I took hold of it and squeezed it tightly. He tugged me behind him into the living room and flicked his head towards the couch. I sat myself down and waited for him to join me. He relaxed into the seat and began to smile at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Relax."

"I'm nervous."

"You don't need to be. She likes you."

I exhaled deeply and relaxed back into Harry's open arm which was then draped over my shoulder. I felt a light kiss being pressed to the top of my head and the ends of my hair was taken between Harry's fingers. I gripped hold of his free hand and he began to rub his thumb over my knuckles. All of my tensed muscles loosened again.

The living room door was pushed open and in came Harry's mum, placing the cups of tea down in the table.

"So, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Joanne." she spoke as she sat down. "Have you met Emily yet?"

"No, not yet. I guess I'll be meeting her tomorrow though."

"Well, she is very excited to meet you. Harry isn't afraid of talking about you to her. With me on the other hand, he hasn't expressed very much."

Joanne widened her eyes at Harry who I could feel fidgeting. I snook a glance and I could see the red highlight in his cheeks.

"Sorry, love, am I embarrassing you? Tell you what, Marlie, you and I will have to have a little chat at some point."

"Is that really necessary, mum?"

"Well I think she should know all the ins and outs."

Joanne rose from the sofa and walked back over to the door. A smell of spices floated in from the kitchen reminding me of my hunger. My stomach growled, I thought it was only audible to my ears but Harry's small laugh told me otherwise.

"You hungry, gorgeous?" he laughed.

"Starving."

"Wait until you taste my mums curry. You won't want to leave."

"If it tastes as good as it smells I might agree with you. Why did you leave?"

Harry's hold on my hand suddenly tightened and he stopped twiddling my hair. His warmth was removed from me as he cleared his throat and stood up.

"I'm just gonna run the bathroom." he awkwardly spoke.

"O-oh, ok."

I'd hit a nerve. I knew I had. My new wave of anxiousness made me start scratching again, but I broke away from it when I noticed some pictures on the mantelpiece. The girl that Harry was cuddling with was extremely pretty. I couldn't help but feel envious of her. Harry's bright smile was just as beautiful in picture form as it was in real life, having exactly the same effect on me. The picture just to the left was of him, his mum, and who I assumed was his sister. His family were so good looking, and the resemblance between Alesha and Emily was uncanny. Alesha was pretty much a miniature version of her.

I startled as Harry entered the room again. He sat down beside me and took out his phone, eyes fixed firmly on its screen. I didn't quite know what to say to him. I couldn't pick up from where we left off.

"Tea's ready!" Joanne's voice sang.

I couldn't be more thankful to hear her voice breaking the silence. The pair of us jumped up off the sofa and made our way into the kitchen.

"This looks and smells amazing." I commented.

"Thank you, I hope you think it tastes as good."

*****

After what I assumed was the normal interview stage of a relationship but the other halves parent, I took to helping Harry's mum with the dishes. I was drying a plate when the topic that had hit a nerve with Harry sprung to the forefront of my mind.

"So have you always lived in London?" I asked.

"Oh no, we originally lived in Cheshire. I moved down here early last year. Harry's lived down here since he left school at 16."

"Why did he leave?"

"I think you're better asking him. It's better coming from him than me."

"I asked earlier but it made things awkward."

"Give him time. He'll tell you. I don't think many people know, but he'll tell you. He's fallen hard for you."

"I think I've fallen hard for him too."

"He told me, about your sister. He looked so worried about you. I've never seen him like that about a girl. He's probably told you he's been in a few come and go type things, but never a serious relationship."

"Yeah. I heard about it more than anything. But it doesn't matter to me."

"You really care about my boy. I can see it written all over your face."

"I don't know what I'd do without him now."

"Keep him in line. You're a nice girl, I don't want him doing anything stupid to ruin what you two have."

"I don't think he will."

I meant it. Harry had changed. He wasn't the person my sister had created. Not anymore.