Chris sat at the bar and ordered another round of drinks.
He looked at his watch and frowned - it wasn't like Lin to be this late.
"So sorry man!"
Lin said apologetically as he sat down next to him.
"No problem, was just about to send out a search party for you."
Lin frowned.
"Am I that late? Hell sorry."
Chris laughed.
"Nah relax, i'm messing with you. Here, drink this and chill."
He passed Lin a drink and let him get his breath.
"So, how're things? How's the new show coming on?"
Lin ran his fingers through his hair.
"Actually, really well. It's keeping me on my toes. Not sure where the days are going to be honest."
Chris nodded.
"I know. It doesn't seem like 3 months since you came over to eat."
Lin rolled his eyes.
"It's been crazy!"
Chris looked closely at him, his eyes showing the tell tale bags of a non stop Lin.
He frowned at him.
"Hope you're remembering to take some time out. You're looking tired man."
Lin smiled.
"I'm fine, I've got a few days off from tomorrow. Kelly is over doing the show so I'm taking some time out to see her"
Chris smiled at him.
"Look at you"
"What?"
"Your face has just lit up completely."
Lin grinned and looked into his drink embarrassed.
Chris laughed.
"I'm guessing it's going well?"
"We've been texting every day and the occasional FaceTime. She's been pulled out trying to get stuff sorted for this week as well so we haven't had much time spare between us. Couple that with the time difference and well.... It's not easy. I am looking forward to seeing her though, and a bit nervous honestly."
"Why nervous?"
Lin sighed and swirled his drink round in his glass.
"I don't know. Guess I'm worried we don't get on. I want to take her round and show off my part of town and my heritage, not sure if it's her thing. I don't know why but I want her to love it here."
Chris nodded.
"So she will want to stay?"
Lin sighed deeply.
"Hell. Probably. Not thought about it till you mentioned it. I couldn't ask her to do that though, just as she wouldn't ask me to move to London. Her life is there. Her brother Steve who is the only family she's got, is there."
He took a long drink.
"I'd love you to meet her though, and Steve, he's coming over with her. He's taken on Manager duties. I think he might start to get busy after the show, God Chris she's so good. She's going to be massive."
"I think you should take on Manager duties."
Lin laughed out loud.
"Oh hell no, absolutely not! That would finish us off completely!"
Chris laughed, then looked at him seriously.
"And how's everything else? You ok with the Claire pregnant news..."
"... you mean am I ok with knowing I can't have kids? Honest answer. No. But looking at things logically, I haven't even got a partner, and by the time I find someone and we get to that stage it will be at least another... what 3 years? I don't want to start a family then. I can feel my back complaining when I sit funny at my desk already. Never mind adding running round after a baby to the mix."
"You're not old Lin."
"I know. But I can't, so it doesn't matter anyway. How's Veronica?"
He asked quickly, obviously wanting to change the subject.
Chris took the hint.
"You ready Kel?"
"Yep, coming" Kelly grabbed her case and walked down the stairs.
"Passport? Tickets?"
"Yes, for Gods sake Steve. I'm not stupid."
Steve held up his hands.
"Ok, ok. What's wrong with you lately. You've been touchy for the past few weeks?"
Kelly rubbed her eyes.
"Sorry. I'm just.. Lin.. I. Never mind. Taxi's here."
Steve grabbed her arm as she tried to walk past him.
"I get it Kel, you're nervous about seeing him again. I'm sure he's feeling exactly the same."
Kelly laughed quickly.
"Pretty sure he won't be. Come on. Let's get this show on the road."
They got to the airport went through security with no issues, and sat waiting for the gate to be posted.
"Shit. Delayed."
"You're joking"
Kelly looked up at the board.
"Crap. More information in 2 hours! Damnit. I was hoping to see Lin before the show tomorrow. It will be too late now. Shit!"
Steve stretched out on his chair.
"We need to be at the studio for 3pm. So as long as the flight goes in the next 3 hours we can get a few hours kip and freshen up. You can see Lin after."
Kelly nodded absentmindedly and messaged Lin.
'Delayed. Won't make it in time to see you before the show. Meet me after?'
Lin sighed as he read the message. "Damnit." He picked up the flowers he had bought and put them in a vase. 'Can't be helped, try and get some sleep on the way. You'll be exhausted otherwise'
Kelly breathed in deeply - sleep! No way, her head was spinning. 'I'll be fine. See you tomorrow - hopefully!'
Lin smiled, a complete bundle of excitement and stress. He had been wanting this day to come for so long and now it was tomorrow.
It didn't seem real. 'Can't wait to see you!'
Kelly shook her head slowly and sighed "Shit" she wrote a message then deleted it picking up her phone she wrote another 'you too.'
Steve looked at her as she stood up "You ok?"
"Yeah, just going to the toilet"
