If I Fell

~37~

"Wake up sleepy 'ead!!" Johns tapping on the door, a constant drumming of fingers harder-softer-harder again and I throw a pillow at the half open door hitting him fair in the head "Ouch, you little devil! Come 'ed got an appointment for you at the doctors, get that lazy arse out of bed will ya" 

The sheets are whipped off me and I immediately cover myself even though the rose pink winter nightie stretches to my ankles. "Ohhhh sexy"

"F' off John I was cold, thankfully, by the way you just tore the sheets off me bed!" I was up hands on hips and he tossed the pillow back at me laughing.

"You leave in.." He looks at the hall clock and frowns adding up the minutes to give me a final answer "in 10 minutes, hop to it"

"10 minutes, get out. Why would you do that ......10! Get out now!" I shove him out the door and he opens it again smiling at me sweetly, like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

"That was 3 minutes ago so you only have 7, ta-rah, tea is ready and Mal's taking you!"

I slammed the door and rushed through the morning's routine dressing in a yellow and white sundress with peter pan collar, yellow flats, a white wide headband and I'm done.

I grab my bag and race down the stairs to be met by Mal and John looking at me bug eyed.

"What?"

"Well I said that but it's not really for another 20 minutes, oh well, cuppa Mal?" John turned on his heel and I launched onto him, thumping his back in equal levels of mirth and grumpiness to his deceiving morning wake up call. Mal grabs me off of him before we reach the kitchen John stumbling through the doorway cracking up laughing. "Tea, Abbs?!"

As I slump in the chair closest to the back door I spy the fixings of toast on the chopping board and grab a slice, the marmalade and buttery topping melting down to give me fuel and a smile as I know damn well it's Johns.

"Hey! Now look here just because I tricked you doesn't give you access to stealing my breaky, Abigail"

"So" I mumble through another bite "Mal what gives me the pleasure of your escort?"

"Oh, luv I thought you needed saving from the swine" Mal crinkled up his eyes and covered his mouth, trying to stifle his laugh as John leered. Mal such a lovable bloke "Anyway, why not a pretty girl to meself for a few hours, can't resist" I offered him a triangle of toast and he begged off.

"Awww shucks, thanks Mal, what would Lily say if she 'eard ya say that?"

"She would probably tell you to run........ quickly" He was a right crack up, his quiet demeanour had slowly opened up to me, Paul had said that he would defrost soon, but now seeing it myself I felt lucky he was letting me in.

"Ok you too luv birds, that's enough. Now doctors, groceries, home 'ere then I'll be back by 1ish, then if you're a very good lass I will let Pattie and George come round for a visit" John, playing grown-up bossing me around was quite funny, I smirked and clapped my hands like a delighted toddler mouthing a 'yay' at him.

"Oh, thank goodness another night of trying to converse with you, John, and I might near of died of boredom" I jumped up and grabbed my bag, pulling Mal out of the house behind me, the hall mirror catching John in its reflecting smiling and shaking his head slowly.

Mal headed for the car, and I rushed back in "Ta-rah dad, I'll see you later" and kissed his cheek, he flushed. John blushing, I didn't realise he could even get embarrassed.

Mal just left, it was 2pm and he had to go to the studio to do a few last minute errands for Brian, he was being a bit strange in the end, dragging his feet about leaving, like he didn't want me to be alone, even making sure I wouldn't wander out for a walk which entailed passing through the 10 or so gate-birds standing guard.