The Art of Loving

[19] Quickly. In Various Positions?

After the sun had set, Brian and Ellie returned to the car, still hand in hand. When Ellie's camera was securely packed away again, they got back in the car. Brian insisted he could drive again, and since Ellie didn't know the area, but Brian seemed to, she didn't object. She really didn't feel like getting lost somewhere in Cornwall, or in Truro, if there was a better option right there. That was why she got in the passenger seat and helped Brian navigate back onto the main road. When that was done she allowed herself to relax a little again.

"Do you know how much longer to Truro from here?" She asked, taking her shoes off before she pulled her legs up on the seat again.

"Mh, maybe 25, 30 minutes, something like that. Roger said that they'll probably be playing billard again tonight, and because I don't have a key to the flat, we have to stop by there, but then I kind of would like to bring our stuff to the flat because I don't want to leave my guitar in the car. If you don't want to join, then you can just stay with them."

Ellie shook her head and smiled at him. "No, no, I'll come with you. An empty flat with you, how could I say no to that?"

Brian chuckled and smirked at her. "I'm glad you said that...I was a little worried I might have to pull out all the awkward not so subtle hints."

"Oh no, don't worry," she chuckled and shook her head. "We can 'bring our things to the flat' and then see what we're up to after that."

"That's exactly what I had in mind too. It's like we were made for each other," he teased and winked at her.

Ellie chuckled and smirked. "That might just be the case."

Brian didn't say anything else, but it was quite obvious that he was very happy. The drive into Truro really wasn't much longer, and now it became clear why Brian was the one driving, because Ellie definitely would have gotten lost, while Brian confidently found his way through the streets. Eventually Ellie recognised the street they were on. And indeed Brian soon parked the car close to the pub they'd been in before to play billard.

They got out, and when Ellie looked around, she smiled to herself. "It's actually nice to be back."

Brian locked the car and stood beside her. "It really is. And it's even better to be back with you as my girlfriend."

She smiled at him and pulled him close for a hug. "It's wonderful to be your girlfriend." She stood on her tiptoes and pecked his lips. "Are you ready to face the others? To get the key to the flat?"

When Ellie mentioned that, Brian's smile widened. "Oh definitely... definitely. I missed you a lot last night." He leaned down to kiss her again, a little more intensely.

Ellie pulled away and smirked at him. "I missed you too... c'mon, let's go."

Brian reached for her hand and stuffed the car keys in his trouser pocket before they made their way into the building. It didn't take long once they were inside to locate the rest of the group. Their voices were easy to distinguish even from the entrance. "Oh I wonder who's being so noisy," Brian asked sarcastically, making Ellie laugh.

"C'mon, let's just get the key and then drop off our things," Ellie told him, holding his hand tightly.

Brian nodded and led Ellie over to the billard table their friends were occupying. "Hey guys," he announced their arrival. Immediately everyone's attention was on them, and they were greeted with various facial expressions.

Mary was genuinely excited to see them and greeted Ellie with a hug. "I'm so glad you're finally here," she told her quietly.

Ellie furrowed her eyebrows a little. "Why? Did something happen?"