Fiona and Jo were about to start a shift working in The Headless Pint, and were both gushing about their fiancés.

‘Oh, I know, Max and I can’t wait to start making plans! How about you and, erm…?’

‘Mike? Oh, we’re not going to get married just yet, I need to finish College first and, well, he’s very busy!’ Jo seemed a bit uneasy about the marriage talk and Fiona realised this straight away.

‘Everything alright there then, Jo? Is he as keen on this idea as you are?’

Jo almost smashed a glass she was cleaning.

Of course he is, he wouldn’t have proposed otherwise would he?’

‘OK, sorry,’ Fiona realised that she’d struck a nerve, ‘I just wondered if maybe you’d proposed to HIM….it being a leap year and all?’

Jo ignored that and carried on cleaning.

‘So, when do you think your big day with Max will be?’

‘Well, I like the idea of a Spring wedding, so hopefully March or April...that’d be lovely!’ Fiona simpered off to the restaurant, as Jo pulled faces at her.

***

Laura and Nathan were in bed together at the Holland Road flat.

‘I don’t really like being in the bed that you’ve shared with her!’ Laura spat, referring to Lisa.

‘I told you, there was something between us, but I just helped her out of a tight spot with somewhere to live really!’

Laura had her doubts about whether or not he was telling her the truth, but her young naivety took over, and she mainly thought that Nathan had turned over a new leaf…

‘Anyway, we’d better go and get something to eat,’ Nathan exclaimed, leaping out of bed and pulling some jeans on.

‘I guess….’ Laura sighed, wondering where this was going.

***

‘Ah, my lovely little niece is sure looking mighty fine!’ Max was holding baby Holly as Ros stood by, smiling broadly.

‘She looks like she’s going to take to her Uncle Max,’ she laughed.

‘How’re things going with the wedding plans?’

‘Oh, it’s early days yet, lots to do,’ Max added.

Fiona told me that you’re planning on a Spring wedding?’

‘Yeah, assuming we can get her grand plans in place in time!’

‘Don’t you fancy a registry office quickie? That’s what Nick and I did!’ Ros asked.

‘Well, I would, but somehow I think Fiona wants a bit more attention than that!’

***

Back at the Holland Road flat, Lisa arrived home earlier than expected, just as Nathan and Laura were on the doorstep.

‘Hello,’ said Lisa, looking Laura up and down warily.

‘Hi Lisa,’ Laura felt nervous, and knew something wasn’t quite right.

How can we help Laura today?’

Lisa asked, with a definite hostility in her tone.

‘Er, I was just lending her some books for her studies, and we’re just off to grab a snack, see you later,’ Nathan walked away as he was talking, and Laura trailed after him.

‘Nathan, what’s wrong?’

‘Just keep walking,’ he replied angrily.

***

Jack opened the doors, to let Jo in for her evening shift.

‘You’re only five minutes late, that makes a pleasant change, Jo!’ He laughed, teasing her as he often did.

Jo walked in silently and started taking chairs off tables.

Are you alright?’ Jack asked.

Suddenly, she burst into tears and collapsed down on one of the chairs.

‘What on Earth’s wrong, darlin’? Has something happened with Mike?’

Jo started sobbing on his shoulder.

‘The engagement’s off, he dumped me! I feel such a fool!’

*********

© 2010 Danny Alborough / DJA Publications
All characters, names and situations are fictitious.
Any similarities to places or people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.