Bewildered (Finn Harries)

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

“Gemma! You ready?” Finn screamed across the hall. “Give me a minute!” I not so kindly yelled back.

Finn had finally  persuaded me that Christmas was not meant to be spent alone but the truth probably is that he had his mother, who was a very nice lady, speak to me over the phone and she somewhat demanded me to be at the Harries’ this holiday.

After grabbing my last few essentials and just thrusting them into any odd bag; I heaved the luggage out my door before I turned to lock the entrance.

“Blimey Gems, its Christmas in London not summer abroad.” He smirked. “Oh haha! Very funny Finnegan–” “Don’t call me–” “There… once was a man called Michael Finnegan. He grew whiskers on his chinnegan!” “Gemma, I’m warning you!” His stern voice threatened. “The wind came up and blew them in again…” “Gemma…” Finn’s eyes had widened increasingly.  “Poor old Michael Finnegan begin again!”

At that moment, Finn flung on to me, turned me to face a wall and held my arm firmly behind my back. “Finn, stop it!” I laughed beneath the screams of pain. “Finn, I’m being serious it hurts!” He carried on quenching my wrist tightly. “Finn!!!” “Say sorry!” “For what?” I cried. “For what?! For… what?” His grasp tightened even more. “Okay! I’m sorry.” I mumbled under my breath. “Sorry, what was that?” The grasp remained tight. “SORRY!” The clench slowly started to loosen as I turned to lay my back against the wall. Finn’s broad figure continued to shadow over me as I attempted to regain my breath control.

As I looked up, our orbs interlocked as Finn started to lean closer.

It’s happening again! This is the perfect moment to kiss him but I can’t! Why not? Because it will just be a one off and not mean anything to him.

I blinked several times to break the focus between the both of us and jokingly pushed him back. A certain look of confusion filled his face almost as though he was expecting to be kissed.

“We’re going to be late!” I grabbed a few of the smaller bags before lifting the hefty luggage. Finn helped with my baggage as well as he had about two travel bags where I had six.

Almost everyone had left the halls together before departing on their own ways. Finn’s mum had come to pick us up with a black Range Rover. Lavish!

“I knew there would be a lot of luggage which is why I bought the big car!” She kissed Finn as she spoke.

“It’s all hers!” He moaned as he wiped the marks of affection off his cheeks.

“It’s lovely to finally meet you Gemma.” Finn’s mum helped to lower the numerous bags off my shoulder before shaking my hand. “As it is for me Mrs. Harries.” “Oh please, call me Rebecca!” She insisted – I chuckled. “Sorry, I’m going to have to disagree with you on that one.”

Finn’s head shot to turn in my direction as he ran away from the car boot. “No, no, no… you don’t understand! Mum feels old when you–” I silenced him with an upheld finger. “I would never call my mum by her first name and if I’m staying with your family, my mum would want me to treat everyone with the upmost respect.” I looked back over at Finn who still had my finger pressed against his lip. “Except you maybe” I winked.

“Well in that case…” Finn’s mum shut the front door of the car and walked back towards me. Should I be scared?

“…I want you to call me mum.” A smile spread across my face as it did for her as she hugged all my strength out of me. Finn continued to look bewildered.

“Women!” He shook his head as he climbed into the front seat of the car.

After dumping the final bag into the boot of the black vehicle, I climbed into the back of the car alone.

The engine revved before departing the campus grounds.

*

“So Gemma…” she began. “Tell me a little bit about yourself. How did you meet my little munchkin?” She pulled at Finn’s cheek who was sat in the seat beside her. “MUM!!” He shook her off as his cheeks flushed red partially from the tug but mostly from embarrassment.

I let out a hearty laugh at his reaction before beginning. “Well… we met on the train on the first day to university and kind of stayed in contact ever since then.” There was a small pause. “Not the most romantic story but I guess it will have to do.” “MUM!!”

Finn’s head lowered in shame as did mine trying to avoid any more conversations around that comment. Wow!

“Now Gemma, you know what’s happening, don’t you?” I slowly nodded as I peered over at Finn in the rear mirror.

“Jack will be back from Bristol in the morning and I will be gone the day after. Emma and my husband have already left for New York so make yourself at home before the second one gets comfy. If you think Finn is annoying, wait till you meet Jack. Full of life he is, my little boy!” I smiled politely hoping she would see it in the mirror reflection as Finn nodded to reassure that everything will be fine.

The rest of the car ride to London was somewhat silent as the Radio quietly played in the background. It felt like the start of the train ride all over again as I trailed the new drops of rain on the car window.

“Gemma, what are you doing?” Finn abruptly intruded. “Doesn’t it look pretty? The way the droplets fall?” Oh my God! What was that?! I sound like a weird tree hugger!

Finn laughed and turned back to face the bigger wind screen. “Knob” he murmured as he shook his head in shame. My hand automatically lifted to slap him across the head. “Ow!” he yelped as he threw a biscuit packet back at me.

I could see Finn’s mum smile from the corner of my eye and signalled Finn to stop before she started another conversation about us. Finn adjusted his seat belt and cleared his throat as he sat back down.

“You’ve got a bit of…” “What?” I ruffled through his hair with my short fingers from the back seat. “You had a bit of Jamie Dodger in your hair.” Finn shook his head before pushing his fringes back into position. Mrs. Harries smiled once more. Why?

*

As we entered London, the winter skies started to darken even more. My head shook from the car movement as I slowly started to drift to sleep to the sound of the Titanic instrumental that was playing on Classic FM. Finn too had fallen silent and all that was to be heard was car tyres brush against the rain puddles on the road and the soothing music off the radio gently play in the background.

“It’s going to give Titanic on TV in a few days’ time.” The voice awoke me. “Shame I won’t be here to watch it.” “Mum, you’ve watched that film a million times!” Finn moaned. “I love that film.” I spoke beneath yawns. “So does Finn. He makes us all watch it.” She sniggered. “MUM! For the love of God stop it!” Annoyance trailing his tone. The smirk remained affixed on his mums face as she continued.

“Don’t be surprised Gemma, if you’re sat there watching it with the boys. It will be a perfect way for you two to…” “That’s enough mum.” Finn’s stern voice paused her. And again!