One to Another - quiet, kind & special people

Part 54 - Finn

"Archie, why was Rae really here?" I ask. My gut tells me that she was not visiting Archie for notes for an assignment. They both looked so guilty.

"Whatcha mean Finn?" Archie replies acting oblivious to what I am asking. Acting being the operative word.

"How about you tell me why Rae was really here mate?" I ask again. Every passing second Archie is looking more guilty. If I know anything about Archie it is that he can not tell a lie.

"Mate, sociology. Why else would she be here?" Archie queries.

"So Rae left my bed without telling me. Almost suddenly to get some sociology notes? Does that sound logical Archie?" I continue keeping my eye on him at all times.

"What can I say Finn, she likes my aftershave?" Archie says shrugging his shoulders. He is lucky he is my mate or I would of punched him by now.

"That's it Archie. That's it!" I say shaking my head. "Now can we stop mucking around? Why was Rae here Archie?" I give him another chance chuckling as I ask.

"Finn. Sociology mate. That is it" he says.

"Archie, we've been mates a long time. You know I can tell when you are lying right?" I state while looking at Archie closely.

"Finn, seriously. Rae came over it was out of the blue. She wanted my notes. If there was something else to it I have no idea" Archie explains. Something about this makes me stop pushing. I will have to try and figure this out with Rae. In all honesty last night rattled me. Rae's insistance that she is like my mum just freaks me out. She isn't but I know I haven't convinced her.

"Finn, so what is the line up today? Archie asks breaking my train of thought.

"Usual, Chop, and the other lads from college."

"You want a brew?" Archie offers. I nod. I watch him as he goes to the kitchen and then I turn the stereo on. "Did Chop tell you about the Knebworth plans" Archie shouts out to me.

"Nah, haven't seen him" I reply "all my time has been spent with Rae" I continue. "Is Chop upset I am bringing Rae?" I ask knowing it is cheeky of me to invite my girl on a lads only trip.

"Nah he gets how loved up you are, and he likes Rae. She is hardly girly girl like say Chloe is she ? Plus she knows her music" Archie explains. "Does impact the sleeping arrangements though, I guess" Archie suggests shrugging his shoulders.

"Rae and I will also drive up on our own. We are going away for a couple of extra days, I want to take Rae somewhere" I explain.

"Yeah?" Archie asks.

"Yup" I stand smiling.

"You going to tell me where?" he asks.

"Nah it is a surprise."

"I'm not going why can't you tell me?" he asks.

"Cos you and Rae spend too much time together I can't run the risk that you will tell her" I explain teasing Archie.

"Geez Finn" Archie response holding his heart like he wounded. "Mate you think we can watch a film before the game?" Archie changes the subject. Thank god he has.

"Even if we can't watch it all, we can at least start" I suggest. Archie responds by getting up, showing me some tapes, and then eventually we agreed on something not that I really give a shit. I nodded to Archie, as I got up and went outside, to have a cigarette.

"Man, it is ok, the folks don't mind if you smoke inside" Archie reminds me.

"Nah Archie, you start, I will be back in as soon as I have finished yeah?"