The Love Diary

Friday 16th February

Today I worked from home and enjoyed my breakfast and little TV before I needed to set myself up to work.

The boys laid beside me at the table and popped their heads up to watch me every time I went to get a drink or pop to the loo.

I let them outside for a little while. From the window the day looked light and bright, blue sky dotted with a few fluffy white clouds. From where I was sitting I was also able to watch them playing together and for a few moments I just watched them, work forgotten.

At lunch time me and the boys headed out for a walk. I thought I would take advantage of the beautiful weather while I could and we went the long way around the town, still avoiding the muddy paths that were still wet from the rain we've had.

The boys ran back into the house and Chester started zooming around the living room. Despite their size, being Great Danes, they were very graceful, in that nothing really got crashed into and broken.

I've only lost one vase from the coffee table from zoomies. 

I fed the boys and got some treats out. Whenever I head out but I'm not sure how long I'll be, I stuff some of their cube biscuits in an empty milk bottle, crush it a bit and leave the lid off. Normally the bottle is semi-destroyed and all the treats are gone when I get home.

I left the house and headed to James’. 

When I walked in, there was already a stack of boxes lining the hallway.

“You've been productive.” I gestured to the boxes. 

“I did my best. I waited for you to help with the kitchen, I reckon I have the most breakables there.” He laughed and I followed him through to the kitchen. There was a selection of newspapers and bubble wrap on the counter and a few dismantled boxes leaning against the counter.

“Ok, where do you want to start? Are you leaving anything out for your last week?” I watched him as James looked around the kitchen with a thoughtful expression.

“I don't think so. I reckon maybe just cutlery for my takeaways.” He shrugged and looked at me.

I laughed at him and opened a few cupboards to assess what was in them. Then I turned to look at James.

“I've just realised this is the first time I've been here.” I put my hands on the counter behind me and looked around.

“Oh yeah. Well, I mean feel free to look around, there's not a lot in the living room or like shed and stuff anymore.” He shrugged and came to join me by the cupboards.

“I will. But let's start with the plates.” 

James got them out and sorted them into piles and I wrapped them before placing them into a box we had folded out and taped.

We got pretty much all the kitchenware wrapped up and placed into multiple boxes which joined the pile in the hall.

“Shall I order some pizza?” James suggested after he pushed the last box out the room.

“Sounds like a plan.” I said.

James ordered some dinner and I wandered around the house. I never really thought about the fact I'd never been to his yet. He always came to mine because of the dogs and it was just easier.

I walked into the bedroom and looked around. I opened the wardrobe, then all the drawers. I was being very nosey.

I was looking at a few photos he had on his windowsill when he walked in behind me.

“Who's this?” I said, picking up a picture to show him.

“My mum.” 

“She's beautiful. You have her eyes.” I looked at the picture, trying to bring her to life in my mind.

“Everyone says that… I've never really seen it.” He trailed off and I put the picture down.

“So, is this you mum and dad?”

“Yeah. On their wedding day.” He looks at the photo and smiles. James had told me one evening when we were laying in bed that his mum had died when he was only 19. He has one brother and so it was just the three men of the family left.

I can't imagine not having my mum. I watch James look at the photo a moment longer and place my hand on his arm. He looked up at me and then wrapped his arms around me pulling me into a hug.

The doorbell rings.

“Dinners ready.” James mumbles into my hair and I laughed.

We headed downstairs and we ate our pizza watching some old episodes of My Name is Earl. 

We headed back to mine after packing up a few odd bits here and the boys came hurtling towards us as we came in the door. I went to greet them and found they were both getting tickles from James, looked at me and said.

“I can't help it, I'm the favourite.”