If I Fell

~41~

Pauls Home

The front door slammed and I jumped higher than John anticipated, I hit out accidently with my elbow and collected his nose; John started cussing quietly.

"Abigail!?!!? John? Anyone about?"

"Well better now than later" John chuckled, clutching his nose. I went to flee, to run and hide but I was shackled in a one armed embrace before I could leap from the bed. His back leaning on the headboard and me half covering his chest, his other hand was still holding his nose he wasn't bleeding, moreso just being sure it wouldn't fall off I guess. "Stay! He'll be ok after the initial shock, grimaces and killing bit"

The footfalls came ever closer and I was shrinking down lower and lower while John kissed my head every so often saying 'don't panic'.

The bedroom light was on so I guess Paul just thought I was in my room, he rounded the corner at speed, pulling up abruptly in the centre of the room.

"Hi Paulie, how's da!?" John launched into a nonchalant conversation like everything was normal, I think Paul's eyes popped out of his head before he took a step back literally and recovered his composure.

"Oh, fine thanks John. How are you...... Both?" An embarrassed look set his face afire but he spoke so calmly.

I, on the other hand, felt two foot small, blushing madly. I lowered my eyes from his, ashamed of what Paul had walked in on, John nudged me and I looked back at Paul.

"Aww fine Paul. Ummm wonderful" I grimaced through the awkwardness of the scene.

"I see. So two...you're not fighting then. Well that's good" A mask fell over Paul's face, not a trace of emotion to be seen.

"Only fighting that's been done is who's on top, Paulie" John grinned like a lunatic. I'm sure he was hoping to crack Pauls veneer. I elbowed him, hard "Ouch, Abb what was that for"

I'll give him one thing, Paul has the world's best poker face, he could go up against that card playing guy Maverick and win. His face was a blank as he stood so still, eyes wandering over the both of us. He then had the nerve to sit on the end of the bed and I sunk further into John.

It only lasted less than thirty seconds though.

"Right!! Tea anyone" A weirdly swift and composed Paul lurched up, clapped his hands together and then he was gone; the cupboards in the kitchen started to slam a minute or so later.

"That went jolly well I do believe, Abigail" John chortled poshly and I pushed him before we burst in fits of laughter, cupboards continuing to slam downstairs as we laughed.

I sobered up soon enough though, panic ensued and I jumped up to dress.

"So, will you go downstairs first" I had my fingers crossed behind my back, hoping he would be the knight in shining armour to fight the 'Battle of Paul' first.

"Oh, you're dressed now luv, you go"

"Oh thanks, throw me to the vultures"

"He'll be fine"

"But-"

"He'll be fine Abby, just go. I'll come down if I hear screaming"

"You're so brave John"

"I know....... it's a curse"

I through a pillow at his smirking moniker and headed downstairs to face Paul.