Tear Away

Chapter 8

Scarlett had called a flat meeting for the next Friday. She was going to cook the boys a curry for dinner and surprisingly even Rhys turned up.

"Well, who am I to turn down free food." he walked over to the stove and poked his nose into the pan expectantly. "Looks good. When's it ready?"

"About 20 minutes I think." said Scarlett, giving the pan a final stir. "Want a drink?" she indicated a newly collected group of bottles on the counter behind her.

"Ooo girly, what have you been buying?" Rhys pawed through the bottles with a look on his face that reminded Scarlett of a child at Christmas.

"So, tell me Mr Lover Man, who was your friend last night?" Last night had been one of the few nights in a while that Sacarlett had stayed home and she couldn't help noticing that Rhys had had yet another new girl visiting him. Rhys made himself comfortable at the table with his bottle of beer as he began to regale her with his latest tales. Scarlett was so enthralled she didn't notice her pot boil over.

"Remember the girl who stayed for a week last month? The one who I couldn't get right of?" Scarlett nodded. "Her sister."

In her shock at this latest piece of news Scarlett tipped her pan of bubbling mince, sending a flow of tomato, mince, onion and carrot over the side of the cooker. A large puddle was forming and beginning to run under the stove.

Rhys jumped up as the now empty pan clattered to the floor. Scarlett jumped back and the two of them clashed and fell into a pile on the floor. Scarlett felt her eyes filling up as she watched the scene in front of her. "nooo" she sobbed as she rolled off Rhys onto the floor.

"So this is the big news," Tom said as he walked into the kitchen, noticeably alone. He smiled as he helped Scarlett up.

"What?" Scarlett asked, confused.

"Yes, Scarlett here is to become my wife." Rhys answered Tom laughing, as he stood up.

"What?" Scarlett asked again, this time sounding pitiful as she looked at the mess on the floor.

"Never mind," chuckled Rhys, "Who fancies getting take away?"

An hour later the kitchen was cleaner than it had ever been before and the three of them were sitting in front of the TV with their curries dipping their nann bread in the complementary dip.

"So what's this all about?" Rhys asked as the adverts came on.

Scarlett turned around to look at them both, "I want to tell you something." she took another bit of her bread, suddenly nervous. "I'm moving in with Mark"

"Hold onto your tail coat!" Tom was a little taken aback and turned his whole body to face Scarlett, he tucked his knees under himself and out his plate down. Speaking slowly he had to ask her, "Why? you've known him for all of 5 minutes."

Scarlett had expected a little more support than that and became a little defensive. "Why do you think?" She could feel her temper raising and didn't like it.

"Now sweetie we're just making sure that you know what you are doing." Joined in Rhys. She knew that they were friends and only wanted what was best for her so she took a deep breath and calmed down before replying.

"We love each other. It's that simple." She smiled as she pictured Mark's perfect face and found herself day dreaming, remembering the day before. She was brought back to reality as she realised Rhys and Tom were laughing at her.