The mad stalker fan girl. (Part 1 complete)

Chapter 8

Paul woke up suddenly, his neck stiff and uncomfortable. He tried to move then realised he couldn't. Joanne was still snuggled in to part of his jacket and he had his arms around her. It was exactly the same place where she had fallen asleep sobbing for her dead husband. He glanced at the kitchen clock. It was just after 2am!

"Joanne," he said softly trying to shake her awake. She mumbled something then snuggled closer into his jacket. He tried several more times.  Finally, after realising he couldn't rouse her, he picked her up and carried her to the living room where he placed her on the sofa. After gently slipping off her shoes, he covered her with a soft throw. He looked at her face, etched with sadness. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Every so often, she made gentle snuffling sounds which told him she was still deeply upset. He knew it was only exhaustion which had ceased her tears. Thinking about the things she had said to him last night , he couldn't help but feel partially responsible for the state she was in. Wearily Paul kicked off his own shoes then lay down on the other sofa in the room and drifted off into his own sad slumber.

Paul woke first, the early morning sun choosing to creep into the room where he lay and dazzling his eyes. Joanne lay  still sleeping, not  having moved in the night. As he stood in the kitchen, tired and crumpled, waiting for the kettle to boil, he heard the sounds of a mobile phone. After hunting it down, he checked the caller id. It was Helena. She was frantic!

"Jo is that you? Talk. Are you OK?"

"Helena, it's me, Paul."

"Where's Jo, McCartney? You'd better not of taken advantage of her. She's still vulnerable after Rob's death!"

"Joanne's here Helena. She's quite safe but she's still asleep. Nothing happened between us. We talked for hours then Joanne began talking about Rob. She got so upset that she sobbed on me for hours. At some point we must have fallen asleep as I woke up this morning, still fully dessed, on my sofa. Joanne is still asleep, also fully dressed, on the other sofa in the same room. As soon as she is awake I'll get her to call you, Ok?"

Although only slightly molified by this, Helena reluctantly accepted what Paul had said and hung up. Paul finished making the hot drinks and carried them through to the living room. He placed both on the coffee table then shook Jo gently awake. As her eyes fluttered open, he gave her a soft smile.

"Morning." he said quetly, "How are you today?"

"I'm Ok. You?"

Paul shrugged. "I'm OK. There's a coffee if you want it."

"Oh thank you!"

Joanne pushed the cover from her and slowly sat up. She looked across at Paul, who had returned to his place on the other sofa. Suddenly she grinned at him, then started giggling. Seeing puzzlement on his face, Joanne tried to staighten her face and explain.

"I was just thinking how strange it is to see you looking so crumpled and dishrevelled. Normally you're only ever seen immaculately groomed!"

Paul chuckled too. "Oh so true! However Joanne, I think you need to appreciate that it is not only I who looks crumpled and dishrevelled. Alas, you too are in a similar state!"

This made them both laugh even more! Paul got up and collected their now empty cups and took them into the kitchen. He stood at the sink rinsing them through, thinking about the previous night. He was unaware that Joanne had followed him until he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned,  and was delighted when Joanne reached up and kissed him softly on the lips.

"What was that for?" he asked, pulling her closer and smiling when she didn't object.

"For a lovely evening last night. For looking after me when I was upset. For being you." She gave him a shy smile and lay her head against his chest. She liked it. It felt safe. Neither moved for a few minutes until their peace was shattered by the ringing of a mobile phone.