Short Kings Anthem

Part 21

Lauren continued to sing along to Hot Stuff by Donna Summer as she taped up the box currently sitting on the kitchen counter. She then picked up the black permanent marker laying next to the box and labelled the box kitchen electronics.

"What a song," Chris came in chuckling slightly carrying a black bag from the spare room. The move was looking closer as searches kept coming in thick and fast. Their solicitors had warned the contracts could be exchanged and then the keys handed over in a matter of a couple of weeks. The family currently living in the house were moving abroad, in fact David had already moved and his wife Louise had stayed put for now to wrap up any legal bits and pieces.

"Look, you know I have an odd taste in music. It needs to be before 2012 and or from a musical," Lauren replied as she picked up another empty box ready to put in some lesser used mugs and cups. Lauren was a meticulous organiser, she loved writing lists and organising things she had the same upload schedule on her channel for years. One main channel video every Friday and two second channel videos on Wednesdays and Sundays. Although organising things stressed her out she found the anxiety around it all made her more organised and particular about it, overall she did enjoy it, especially when she was ever asked to organise a party. Chris? Well Chris was the opposite in many ways, he just had a big timekeeping problem but he was doing incredibly well at sorting and packing.

"And here I was thinking you were cool."

"Never," Lauren scoffed before flashing Chris a smile. The pair shared a giggle for no reason at all before going back to their tasks. Neither Lauren nor Chris had felt more relaxed in years, there was something about being around each other which made them feel so comfortable, so happy. Lauren had told Chris about the text from Tom but neither paid much mind to it, also it had now been five days and not another peep was heard so hopefully the message was received loud and clear.

"It's my dads birthday next week, I'm going to go back to Jersey if you wanted to come with?" Chris asked already knowing what the answer was going to be.

"When are you going?"

"Next weekend,"

"I'm filming," Lauren replied sadly, she would have loved to go and see Chris's family again so she felt incredibly disappointed.

"Not to worry, I'll take you back over to Jersey soon," Chris replied with a smile, in part to cheer Lauren up and in part due to the fact his plan was going to work. "I just need to pop out for a little bit, need to go to the office," Chris said and Lauren just nodded and smiled.

"Okay, if you pass a shop can you pick up something for dinner?" Lauren asked and Chris agreed. Lauren couldn't help but laugh in her head a little but at how they just sounded like an old married couple just then, if only she knew.

"Please let them know I'm really sorry I couldn't come but I hope to see them soon," Lauren told Chris as she parked the car up at the airport drop off.

"I will, don't work too hard," Chris warned and Lauren sent over a small smile and nodded.

"Have fun." Lauren leaned in and gave her boyfriend a short but sweet kiss. Chris placed his hand on his left pocket, double checking the precious item was still there, relaxing as he felt the box. All he had to do was get it to his parents house safely and keep it in his childhood room.

After Lauren had dropped Chris off at the airport she went to her office and met with her editor Stu and camera crew John and Naomi. They were filming a series of challenges around London titled "I try to do impossible things in London," it included her trying to hitchhike, having a conversation on the tube and trying to blag free food or drink. It was a tough day of filming, there was a lot of running around and talking to people which was exhausting and they still didn't quite have everything they needed, only about eighty five percent so more was on the agenda for tomorrow. By the time she reached her flat Lauren was feeling drained, but excited for the video ahead. When she walked over to the front door the last person she ever wanted to see came flying out of a silver BMW in the car park and ran up to Lauren.