Borrowed • Jesse Lingard

eleven.

A few days later I stand in the kitchen that is now mine overwhelmed at what has happened to me. I know my brother doesn't exactly earn a small wage but never did I expect to be given a house. Looking around the room I start to plan in my head how I want to decorate, all I know is that I want grey, white, silver and pink throughout most of the house. Hearing the doorbell I make my way to the hallway wondering who it is, not many people know my address yet. Opening the door I see a massive bunch of flowers before hearing Anoushka shout my name.

"What are you two doing here?" I ask letting Jesse in.

"We just thought we'd bring you some flowers to say good luck in your new home, Anoushka picked them" Jesse says placing the flowers on the kitchen bench.

"They're beautiful. Thank you" I saying kissing Jesse quickly "did you chose the flowers?" I ask Anoushka picking her up.

"Yes with daddy!"

"Thanks Noush they're the best!" I say not letting the little girl go. I feel so protective of her and I don't think I could stand to ever see her hurt "sorry I'm lacking on furniture but I haven't had a chance to go shopping yet" I say realising I literally have no furniture yet.

"That's understandable you've just got the keys. What's the plan for the house then?" Jesse asks.

"Follow me I'll give you the grand tour" I say "I need a major trip to IKEA one day but obviously this is the kitchen, I'm putting a massive comfy sofa over that side. The dining room is through there and this way is the actual living room" I say walking through the house with Jesse.

"If you need help with decorating or anything you know where I am even if it's just someone to go to IKEA with you" Jesse says as we make our way upstairs.

"Who can resist a trip to IKEA? Okay so Chris and Sam seem to think I need four bedrooms so naturally I'm going to make one a massive walk in wardrobe and dressing room"

"The main question is, where does the magic happen?" Jesse asks as he looks around my house.

"Keen aren't you?" I say laughing as we walk into the room that will become my bedroom. "Right now the plan is for this to be my bedroom. It has the en-suite and naturally it's the biggest room in the house so it makes sense"

"So if I stand right here does that mean I'm in the prime spot for your bed?" Jesse says pulling me into him.

"It will be when I buy a bed" I say reach up and draping my arms around Jesse's neck.

"That's good to know" Jesse says before kissing me "it's nice to know that you're only about a mile away from mine if we ever want to see each other"

"I'll not be sat at home all day you know. I'm looking for a job in either Manchester or Liverpool the real housewives of Cheshire isn't for me" I say referring to the reality show. I have no doubts that the women on the show are probably lovely people I just couldn't imagine doing anything like that.

"I could imagine you on there. You've definitely got the looks for it"

"That's good to know. Shame I'm missing one major requirement though"

"What's that?" Jesse asks as we sit on the floor, Anoushka between us.

"I'm not a housewife. I don't think I'll ever be a housewife. That's not in the life plan and so far it's working for me with slight hiccups" I say knowing I've had a plan in my head for as long as I can remember. So far I've managed to stick to it.

"What's the plan so far and in the future?" Jesse asks and I can see he's curious.

"I always wanted to go to Australia for as long as I can remember my only goal was to live in Australia so when I started my degree I did my first year in England then applied for the study abroad program and told them I'd prefer Australia. Got what I wanted and moved to Australia in the summer of 2014 for my second year of my degree then I decided I loved it so much I wanted to stay and do a work placement year so back in England it was sorted out for me and I managed to get a placement in Sydney. Then after that year I managed to convince everyone to let me stay and finish my degree in Sydney and they agreed. Graduated in 2017 then went straight into my masters degree. Got a job in Sydney after I graduated from my masters degree at the same place I'd worked during my placement year and stayed there until I came back here" telling Jesse about my life so far feels personal, yes I know we've been getting to know each other but this is like I'm baring my soul to him.