A New Beginning • Emmerdale

Chapter 19: "I've Set The Bar Very High"

KENNEDY'S POV

I was sat downstairs at Home Farm, the clock reading 7am. I was sat on the floor in the living room my back against the sofa as I had an A4 sheet of paper on the small coffee table in front of me. I held the back of the black pen to the corner of my mouth, thinking.

"What on earth are you doing?" I hear Joe say from behind me, looking over my shoulder at what I was writing. He took a seat on the sofa just behind me.

"Writing" I say, placing my attention back on the paper in front of me. I couldn't see Joe's face, but I knew he had rolled his eyes at that response.

"That's obvious. But what are you writing" He questioned further, placing a hand on my back as he leaned forward a bit more.

"A script" I look at him, his eyebrows furrowing as he joins me on the floor.

"Why?" He laughed. I placed the pen back on the paper.

"So we know what to say to mum when we tell her" I shrug "I'm thinking of all the possible outcomes for her responses to try and avoid one of getting a knife in our chest" I joked but said it seriously.

"She wouldn't put a knife in your chest Ken" Joe laughed.

"I was talking more on your behalf" I gave him a smile, his face going blank. "Joking" I said quietly, surprised on how serious he took that.

Joe took the sheet of paper and pen off of me, placing the pen on the kitchen counter, scrunching the sheet of paper up chucking it in the bin. I looked at him, mouth slightly open as I throw my hands up in the air as if to say 'what the hell!'

"Dude! What are you doing" I say standing up as I rush over to the bin, before I could get it out the bin Joe grabbed my arms gently.

"Hey, if we want to tell your mum, we should do it in our own way, naturally. Not scripted" he said, his voice calming me down instantly. I nodded at him, placing my head on his bare chest hugging him.

"I needed to ask you something" Joe said seriously pulling away from me. I nodded again at him as he led me back towards the sofa. We both sat down, I placed my legs across his lap.

"I saw you leave Debbie's the other day. You bumped into Ross, you looked frightened, scared" he looked at me holding my hands. "I don't want to push you again, but did he threaten you? Say anything to scare you?" I looked down, my hands which were in Joe's clasp, were shaking and I'm sure he could tell. I shifted my body so I was sat right next to him, my legs to my chest.

"He was one in the woods" I whisper as Joe moved his body to the side to get a better view of me.

"With Simon" he said as more of a statement then a question. I nodded slowly looking up at him.

"Joe. You cannot tell anyone. I mean that, he will hurt me if this gets out, if he knows I told you" I say, clearly getting upset.

"I won't I promise. But the police really should be inform-"

"No! He will hurt me Joe" I cut him off. He swallowed the saliva that was in his throat and wrapped me into a hug rubbing my back allowing me to cry on his shoulder.

*******************************************

"You seem to have a lot on your mind" I put my drink back down on the bar, snapping out my thoughts as I look up at Rebecca. Joe kicked me out of his place as he said he had a meeting. Typical.

"Yeah I do" I take a sip giving her a small smile.

"Want to talk about it?" She asked, I shook my head no. Feeling bad, seeming as Rebecca had become one of my closest friends. She nodded, giving my arm a comforting rub and smiled sweetly before getting back to work.

"Right, come on, tell me" I looked to my left seeing Debbie sit down next to me.

"Tell you what?" I play dumb, giving her a smile and drinking the rest of my drink before setting the glass back downs

"What's wrong with you? I can tell you're upset" she said as if she could see straight through me.

"Thinking about the whole Mum and Joe thing. How to tell her, she's made it very clear she doesn't want me seeing Joe again" i shake my head in frustration looking at Debbie.

"You're an adult Ken, you can make your own decision and it's up to you to choose your boyfriend. She can't choose him for you" she shrugged.

"I mean- he tech- he's not really my boyfriend. He hasn't asked yet" I say quietly. Debbie's eyes go wide.

"Well I need to have words" she laughed. I rolled my eyes laughing also. Debbie typed a quick message on her phone, making sure to shield the screen from me.

"Well, I'm going to head back to Joe's, I'm sure he'll be finished when I get there" I stand up, but get pulled back down by Debbie as she says 'no'. I look at her in a way as if to ask her to elaborate.

"I want to spend some time with you, I'll return you to Joe by 5" she gives me a sly smile. What was she up to? 

JOE'S POV

"No Graham! You have to spread it out more!" I shout at Graham, looking at his horrific placement. I pointed to the door as he rolled he eyes and walked out.

"God. If you want something done right, do it yourself" I say to myself as i let out a sigh, carrying on the job on my own.

"Graham you need to be gone at 5, did you find somewhere to stay?" I shout down to Graham, He shouts back a quick and frustrated yes.

KENNEDY'S POV.

I was sat back on the sofa at mine and Debbie's place, staring at the clock. Just plain bored now.

"When can I go to Joe's?" I let out a long sigh after.

"10 minutes" she hissed, getting annoyed with me asking every 2 minutes. I let out another load groan.

"God, just get your coat, we will go now" Debbie said, looking down at her phone that went off.

"Thank the lord" I say, getting up sliding my coat on, as me and Debbie head outside to the car.

"See ya" I wave to Debbie as I exit the car and walk into Home Farm. Taken aback by how dark it was, only the few lamps were turned on. I frowned in confusion.

"Joe?" I call out, no response. I hang my coat up and walk closer to the stairs, my eyes widen. Seeing a rose petal on each step, I'm unable to hide my smile as it takes over my face.

I follow the petals all the way up the stairs, the whole house dark, with only lamps on. I follow them to outside Joe's room, where they disappear under the door. I push the door open, my hand covering my mouth as I look around. Candles on every flat surface, rose petals all over the bed and the floor. Joe turns around to face me, smiling wide he grabs both my hands pulling me to the middle of the room.

"Kennedy, I've been so distracted by you, and this relationship for a while, I realised I had completely forgot something. I thought today would be fitting, as a year ago today, was the first day I met you" He started, tears growing in my eyes. He got on one knee "Kennedy Rose Dingle, will you do me honour of becoming my girlfriend, and move in with me?" He said smiling up at me, I burst into tears while letting out a laugh.

"Yes Joe" he instantly gets up, grabbing me by the waist lifting me up. I wrap my legs around his torso as we hold each other in a long hug before he sets me down.

"Damn, I mean, I cant wait to see what you pull for when you propose" I joke as he laughed.

"I've set the bar very high" he laughed at himself before kissing me, I kiss back depending the kiss, him walking forward pushing me gently onto the bed before he climbed on top of me kissing me again. It sure was a night to remember.