A Greek Odyssey - Jason Fic

CHAPTER 76

Jason mulled the idea over in his head for a few minutes, he had to admit he was shocked to hear that James had actually admitted to liking something he knew he would have referred to as an "uncool" Take That song. 'Do you think James would like the thought of you playing a Take That song at his cremation?' he chuckled.

'Hmm, he'd probably prefer we try and pass the song off as something by someone like Jake Bugg. But no, I'm sure if he is up there looking down on us he'd actually be pleased that his sister's fiance is singing one of the songs we're going to play.' Joe smiled playfully at Jason, a teasing tone in his voice.

'Ok, if that's what you all really want Joe. It's fine with me. He looked at his watch and wondered where the day had gone.' Right Joe, I'd better go speak to Lexi and see what she has to say about Friday,' he went back upstairs and found Lexi having a bath in the en-suite attached to her bedroom, an open book was clasped in her hand which she looked like she was reading.

She looked up as she saw Jason enter the room. 'Hi Jay, thought I'd have a bath and try to have a read in here, but the words just won't sink in.'

'D'ya want some company?'he sat down on the rim of the the bath when she gave him a small smile of invitation and nodded slightly. He looked at her laying in the bath as he trailed his fingers in the water, his heart contracting with love for her and thought to himself that any other time he'd be dragging his clothes off as quickly as he could, to jump in the bath with her and make mad passionate love to her.

Lexi knew by the expression on Jason's face that something was up and looked questioningly at him. 'Jay, is something the matter?'

'Err yeah, sort of....' he trailed off, leaving his answer hanging in the air between them as she looked up at him expectantly. 'I've been speaking to your dad about Friday.'

'Oh?'

'He heard me speaking to Gaz about the Press Conference on Friday morning and told me that I should still do it and then come straight back for the funeral.'

'Did he now...' Lexi answered, her mouth set in a grim line. 'And what do you want to do?'

'Well, I've told Gaz that I won't be there.'

Lexi turned over in her mind what Jason had just told her. 'What time is it again?'

'It's at 9 o'clock.'

'Do you want to do it Jase?'

'I feel guilty that I'm letting them down but no, I need to be here with you luv,' he ran his fingers through his hair in confusion, as he realised he'd been stupid to even think of going back to London.

Lexi lay there in the bath for a moment, the warm water washing over her body as she thought about what he'd said. She looked directly at Jason and took a deep breath, 'Jay, go! You have to go. The press won't believe that you're at a funeral. If you aren't there they'll use it as a stick to beat you with, saying that you're against Rob joining and that you don't want to tour with him. They'll make it into some personal argument between you two and stir it, just like they did with Gaz and Rob all those years ago. If it's at 9 o'clock you can just about do it and then you'll have around an hour to get to the crematorium.'

'Are you sure?'

'I might not be exactly over the moon about it, but I know you have to do this and I'll be fine,' she lifted her face towards his to seek out his lips for a kiss, as Jason leant over the bath and kissed her softly on the lips. 'I love you Jay.'

'Love you too, Lex.'

'Right, well off you go and phone Gaz then Jason. Go on!'

He disappeared off to ring Gary back and they agreed that they would announce the tour details and then Jason would excuse himself and head straight back to Cambridge. Gary said that the lads would explain that Jason had a funeral to go to of a close relative and that the press should be fine with that as Jason had been there for the main announcement. He decided he'd better ring his parents and let them know about James, as they'd got on really well with Lexi's parents at his party. They were both extremely supportive and said they would drop everything to come straight down for the funeral and were sure that Josh would want to be there too, as he was very fond of Lexi and her family. Jason was touched that they were coming and enlisted Anna's help in getting them booked into a local B&B around the corner.