Plus One

Meet, The Hodgson's

Once they have unpacked their cases for the week ahead of them they both head downstairs to the lounge, Jack grabs hold of Nikki's hand to make them look 'more believable' he guides her into the lounge and smiles as he looks at his parents. "Oh, Connor they are here, put your paper down and greet them" Ruth smiles as she looks over at her husband sitting in the armchair beside the bookcase.

Jack continues to hold Nikki's hand and sits down on the sofa pulling Nikki down to sit close to him. He looks down at her knee and wonders if he should place his hand on her knee, but decides against it for now. "So how was the journey?" Ruth questions happily.

Nikki looks at Jack and then back at his Mum, "It was good... not as long as I thought it would be" She smiles.
Nikki smiles awkwardly and then looks back at Jack, "She's never been to Ireland" Jack chuckles.

Ruth smiles and looks down at her lap, "Oh, how rude of me... would you like a drink? let me get a pot of tea" She smiles.
"I'm fine Mrs. Hodgson..." Nikki replies.
"Please call me Ruth, let me get some cake too," She replies to Nikki not taking 'no' for an answer.

Nikki shakes her head in protest, "I'm fine, I like to watch my figure" She replies happily resting her hands on her thighs. Jack looks down at her hands and bites his lip before taking the plunge and placing his hand on her knee and giving it a squeeze.

"Yeah, Mum she isn't a big eater" Jack adds.
"Oh No, Nikki you're ever so skinny, does Jack never feed you?" She smiles watching their facial expressions drop.

"Mum! You can't say that... she is happy with how she looks okay!" Jack says defending her.

Ruth just nods and walks off into the kitchen leaving the two with Jack's dad, Jack looks at Nikki and apologizes to her for his Mum's comments. "So how long have you two been together?" Connor speaks up.

"Just over a year now..." Jack replies simply before falling back into silence, Jack had never been the closest with his father and tried his very hardest to keep some kind of relationship with him.

After a few minutes, Ruth returns to the room and places a tray down on the coffee table with a pot of tea, four cups and a plate full of biscuits. "Drink up" Ruth smiles before sitting herself back down.

"So, you two when shall we be hearing those ding dong bells, ay? I mean your younger sister is getting married before you," Ruth smirks and looks at Jack and Nikki who have both gone pale.

"Erm... well, that... erm, we haven't...err, talked about it" Jack stutters awkwardly.
"Not our scene" Nikki replies trying to bale them both out of the situation.

Connor chuckles at their awkwardness, "So if you're not getting married when will you give us Grandchildren?" Connor questions poking them more for answers.
Jack runs his hand through his hair awkwardly and looks at Nikki who laughs before they glance at Ruth who has a beaming smile on her face, "Oh you two better give me grandchildren. Laura has already said she won't be for a long time" She smiles.

"NO! We won't be having children either, can't stand children" Nikki speaks without thinking and comes across in a harsh tone.
"Oh..." Ruth replies before going silent.
"Nikki didn't mean to come across that way, children aren't on our list. We work long hours and too much" Jack explains.
"But you could reduce your hours... what does Nikki even do for a living?" Connor asks curiously.

Nikki sighs and rolls her eyes and Jack in annoyance, "I'm a home office Pathologist..." Nikki replies a little confused about where this is going.
"Oh right, Didn't have you like that type of person, more of a nursery nurse..." Connor replies and Nikki rolls her eyes at Jack's parents who seem to be picking flies from her now.
"Dad, please!" Jack replies.

"Son, I was just saying, I didn't mean to upset her" Connor replies and Nikki sighs before resting her head on Jack's shoulder as she starts to wonder why she even came with Jack on this trip.