Strictly '18

22

-Joe-
I woke up to my phone buzzing and ringing beside me. I turned on the bedside lamp and squinted at my bright phone screen. It was Dianne FaceTiming me. I answered straightaway, still squinting as my eyes tried to adjust to the light.

"Hey- ah I completely forgot it's like early in the morning for you. I can call back later."

"Hey, no it's alright. I'm awake now anyway. The screen is just a bit bright."

"Oh sorry." She chuckled.

"It's okay. Anyway, how was the flight?"

"Yeah. It was alright. Only 8 hours but I'm here now so can't complain." She smiled as she put on her sunglasses. I smiled as I watched her.

"Good. I guess you're with your parents." I said. She turned the camera to them.

"Yeah. There they are. Mark and Rina!" Her parents waved and I waved back. "What time is it, I don't wanna keep you awake for too long."

"Half three. What about you?" I said as I ran my hand through my hair.

"Half eleven. Nearly lunchtime. I can go if you want, let you go back to sleep?" She asked.

"I don't mind, Di."

"Well how about you call back later in the morning once your awake?" She suggested.

"Can do? But don't you wanna spend time with your family."

"I need someone to talk to whilst I unpack. Might as well be you." She laughed.

"Okay. I'll sleep for a bit and call you later when I wake up. Probably like 6ish hours?" I guessed.

"Okay. I'll see you later." She smiled softly. "I love you, Suggy."

"I love you too, Di." I grinned back and ended the call. I went over to the wardrobe and gotten one of the hoodies she had stolen from me. I pulled it on and got back into bed. It smelt like her and it warmed me up. I turned off the light and fell asleep straightaway.

———

I had woken up and remembered that Di called me in the night. I opened my texts and sent her a message.

To Di: Just woke up, gonna have a shower then I'll call you. 15 mins max xxx

I got out of bed and walked through to the bathroom. I stripped my clothes from my body and jumped straight under the warm water.

Within 10 minutes, I had washed all over my body and washed my hair. I got out, wrapped a towel around my waist and went back to my bedroom. She had replied to my message.

From Di: Okay, I'll see you in a bit. Xxx

I started drying my body. I pulled on some clean boxers and a pair of jeans before calling. I sat down on my bed waiting for her to pick up.

"Hey!" I grinned once she picked up.

"Hello, handsome." She smiled to me.

"Where are you? Sun bathing?" I chuckled. She nodded.

"Yep. Don't need fake tan now! Have you literally just gotten out of the shower, your hair is still dripping?"

"Yeah but I've got trousers on, don't worry. But I wanted to call you as soon as I could."

"Awh, that's adorable." She chuckled. "What are you plans for the day?"

"Well, me and Britt starting packing boxes in your flat yesterday. So I'll probably keep doing that until I need to take Britt to to airport then I'll drive to Wiltshire. What about you?"

"Okay. Nice. Well, it's half 5 in the afternoon now. We are just settling down for the evening. I went on a run on the beach with my brothers earlier and hung out with my niece and nephew after that. Just been waiting for you to call really."

"Oh right. I keep forgetting that there is actually a big time zone difference between us."

"Yeah. And by the time we get used to it, I'll be back with you at home." She smiled widely. I chuckled softly and smiled more. "What?"

"You said at home with me. I didn't think you saw here as home."

"Anywhere with you is home, Joe. Yeah this is where I was born and where I grew up. But I think home is somewhere you are at you're happiest. That's with you." She shrugged. I smiled widely and relaxed.

"Di... I don't know what to say. That's lovely. I love you so much."

"I love you too. And it's true." She grinned. We both smiled at each other. I remembered something I found out yesterday.

"Oh! I got a call yesterday from the BBC cos you know I'm presenting the New Year's show?"

"Yeah. What did they say?"

"They said that I can come pick you up from the airport. You land at around 4 so I'll be there."

"Ah great! What time have you got to be at the studio by?"

"9pm. So we've got plenty of time to hang out at the studio once we get back."

"Okay. Brilliant." She grinned to me.

[Right. I know this chapter is shorter than usual but I've got crazy writer's block.

I've been trying to write this for about 3 weeks and I've been struggling. But I know where to start the next chapter.

So imma start writing that now. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's kinda just a filler chapter.

Thanks for reading,
Emily x ]