It’s Christmas Eve and Alex turns up at the gym while Brad is working out. Then, later Alex comes to Brad for help.
Dawn broke over the estate. Another dull and cloudy day beckoned, though it was slightly colder than of late with little in the chance of rain. Brad awoke from his slumber, tired and cranky due to a lack of sleep, caused by the happenings of the previous night. He couldn’t understand why Oscar blew up the way he did and never gave him a chance to fully explain himself. Not that he could, he was too dumbstruck to do that. He barely knew Alex and had hardly ever spoken to him so why could he not get him out of his head. The boy had lived with his parents on the estate for about 8 years and apart from the odd fantasy. Had never really bothered about him before now.
He looked at the time, just before 9am. He rose, made his bed, showered and dressed in gray sweatpants and a gray hoodie, and went downstairs to face the day.
He entered his front room and made his way into the small kitchen via the dining room, the kitchen was on the right of the dining room. In reality downstairs, apart from the hall was one space made up of large openings between the walls of the 3 downstairs rooms. The kitchen itself was small, only having enough room for an oven and cupboards on 1 wall,cupboards set on a second wall. A large fridge freezer along with a couple of smaller cupboards on another wall and a washing machine and sink unit on the 4th wall underneath the window that overlooked a small garden. A door was placed in one corner that went through to a small utility room. The back door was beyond that.
The cupboards were brown in color with black worktops placed on top, the walls were covered in gray tiles, the cooker and oven were black in color as was the fridge freezer. The floor was covered in more tiles, light brown in color. The kitchen was old and a hangover from when his parents owned the house but it was functional and he kept it tidy.
Brad made himself a breakfast of porridge oats, toast and a cup of tea. He carried his breakfast over to the dining room one at a time and finally sat at the table to eat whilst he browsed social media. For some reason as he ate, he opened his iPad and looked on Facebook for Alex Mandon.
There was his profile, Alex Mandon in all his glory, a picture of him and his parents was his main profile picture taken on a summer's day, somewhere abroad. A topless Alex with his arms around his smiling parents also in swimwear, underneath swaying palms on a foreign beach somewhere.
He looked through more pictures. Pictures of his graduation, Alex wearing his gown and mortar board, surrounded by his parents, also another couple, most probably his sister and her husband. All smiling obviously proud of their sibling.
More photos of Alex out with friends, for meals and drunken nights out, wether from university, or work outings Brad wasn’t sure or bothered. What bothered Brad was the numerous photos of Alex either on holiday or in clubs, Alex proudly showing off his athletic body,usually only in shorts, he had very little in the way of body hair, was slim but very well sculpted, obviously a twink.
“ Beautiful, absolutely perfect, just my type”, Brad muttered to himself. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the pictures and a part of his anatomy was getting very excited indeed.
He then glanced through his posts. Not many and yet more pictures, he was obviously a popular and outgoing young man. Then one picture caught his eye. Alex outside a local small theater, dressed up as some character or other. Amateur Dramatics? Brad thought.
“Now there’s something I never knew”. Brad muttered, he sent Alex a friend request before he could think too much about it, he clicked off Facebook and went onto other social media sites, X, lnsta, bluesky and tik tok. Alex was on them all.
More pictures and videos of Alex in Amateur productions or out with friends.. Nothing in the way of sports, politics or even sex. Just going out and amateur dramatics and very little in the way of work photos. No surprise really, Brad thought to himself.
“Hmm, a very interesting young man”, he stopped what he was doing, groaned and rubbed his eyes. “ Stop obsessing”, Brad said to himself, he came off his iPad. He picked up his used pots and went through to the kitchen to wash up.
Brad stared out of the window. He couldn’t stop thinking about Alex. “Why did I look at his social media? One meeting where we chatted for a couple of minutes. That had happened before. Why am I obsessed with him now?” A ping broke his thoughts. He went over to his phone, a Facebook notification. Alex had accepted his friend’s request. Brad smiled. Then went back to his washing up. Humming to himself.
Brad had been a member of J’s gym for a couple of years. He went once or twice a week, depending on his mood. He worked hard so the gym was just to keep himself in good condition. Today would be an upper body day, seeing as he did so much walking the day before.
“Hi Brad.”
“Hello J. It’s not often you're on reception”. Brad looked at Jasper. Or J to his friends. He was in his early 30s. He had a strong face, with a bushy beard. And was a huge man, 6ft 4in. With a huge chest, thick thighs, gray eyes and medium length dark hair with a few gray hairs coming through. Although he pushed you hard in the gym, in actual fact he was a quiet and genial man, who lived for his family and his gym in that order. Didn’t drink or smoke and tried to eat healthy, but had a soft spot for large beef burgers which he always made at home, to his own recipe. He never bought burgers from a supermarket or fast food restaurants. He’d owned the gym for around 5 years.
“It's not busy, so I sent most of the staff home, you know, start Christmas early”. Said J as he passed Brad the checking in book.
Brad checked in as he spoke.” How’s the wife and kids”?
“Oh you know, JJ is bugging for the latest games console. Charlotte wants a mobile phone. A mobile phone for fucks sake, she’s 5 years old”!
Brad smiled, although J complained about his family he loved them dearly. “And what’s Father Christmas bringing them?” Brad was nothing if not a traditionalist as far as Christmas went. Santa is an American name, the last time he looked at his passport he was British so as far as he was concerned it was Father Christmas and that was good enough for him.
“Too fucking much. When I was a kid I got pajamas, slippers, a selection box and a tangerine. Nowadays it’s all mobile Phones, games consoles and fashion. Their 7 and 5. They're growing up too fast”. All this was said with a smile on his face.
“How about the wife?” Brad was, by now, leaning on the counter.
“A spa day at Ribby Hall. How about you, what have you got for your family?”
“Perfume for Mum, a bottle of Claret for Dad, wine for Jenny and a bottle of whiskey for James”. Brad stopped talking momentarily and looked round. “There’s not much in the way of Christmas Decs around here,it’s not very festive is it?”
“It’s a gym not a shop, what do you expect, Santa's Grotto?” J asked, smiling.
“No but a cute elf would be nice, what I wouldn’t give for a cute little elf, or do to him when I found him”. Brad replied with a grin.
“Whoa, Far too much information there Brad. Why don’t you go and train”. Said J holding out his arms. In mock subjugation.
“Yes sir”. Brad saluted and walked towards the changing room smiling. J always brought a smile to his face.
Once changed, Brad walked into the cardio area, rows of rowing machines, running machines and stationary bikes . The whole building was in trendy black with wooden flooring and led lights with loud music blaring out of speakers. As J had said there weren't many people around. Just a couple of guys running together on machines next to each other. And a few teens working out together, laughing and egging each other on. Brad walked to his preferred warmup machine. A stationary bike, climbed on, set it to how he wanted it and started pedaling on a low intensity setting gradually warming up, stretching his muscles and gradually increasing the intensity. Till he was ready to hit the free weights area.
As he walked to the free weights area, towel around his neck, he noticed J walking towards him with another younger man walking next to him.
“What the fuck”. Brad muttered to himself, hands on hips. “It isn’t is it? It bloody well is”!
“Brad, wait up a sec will you”? J shouted.
Brad stood waiting hands on hips as the pair walked towards him. The pair stopped in front of Brad.
“This is Alex.
“I know, he’s a neighbour of mine”.
Cool, this won’t be too hard then, he’s a new member, and has just signed up. Could you show him round? I can’t I’m on reception, I wasn't expecting any new members today”.
Brad looked at J then Alex not knowing quite what to think. Alex looked at Brad nervously.
“Please, you’d be doing me a favour,” J implored.
“Oh ok then, come with me Alex. Brad walked back in the direction of the cardio area. Oh well, in for a penny in for a pound, I'm going to make this fun. Brad thought to himself.
Alex followed.
“Cheers Brad I owe you one”. J shouted at the retreating Brad and Alex.
“I know.” Brad muttered.
Brad showed Alex around the gym pointing out the different weights and machines. First he showed him the cardio area then the free weights area next the warm down area and the sauna, finally he showed him the changing rooms, where he left Alex to change telling him he’d wait for him outside.
“So what brings you to J’s gym on Christmas Eve then”. Asked Brad as Alex walked out of the changing room wearing knee length shorts and a compression t, that showed off his upper body to perfection, fashionable trainers were on his feet. Brad stared at the young man. Alex’s mouth was moving.
“Loose end”. Alex was saying.
Brad blinked. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”
Alex smiled. “I was bored, I wasn’t happy with my old gym and my membership was going to run out anyway and I was at a loose end, so I decided to look for a new gym and well, here we are”.
“And here we are,” replied Brad. “How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t, it’s just a coincidence”. Alex replied warily.
“Bullshit. Don’t get me wrong I’m flattered you’ve chosen this gym, which I am, coincidentally, a member of. And well, as you said here we are”.
“You’re not angry are you?”
“No, I'm not angry. Neither was I born yesterday. Let’s warm up”.
They warmed up in silence for a while, then Brad spoke.
“So how did you find me?”
“Oh that was easy. After I had accepted your friend’s request, I took a look through your pics and there you were. A pic of you and a few others outside this very gym. Then I saw you disappear in your car, and I thought to myself. I bet I know where you're going. So I showered and well here we are”. Alex stopped cycling and looked at Brad and smiled”.
Brad stopped and looked at Alex. “Seems a bit complicated when all you had to do was pop over to my house for a brew. Which, as you know, is opposite yours. What would’ve happened if I hadn't been here?”
“I’d have seen you at some point and anyway sometimes I like to test myself”.
“Sherlock, I hate to spoil your party but we live over the road from each other. You don’t need to turn detective when you can pop over for a brew and cake anytime, shall we move on”.
Alex stared at Brad as he walked away, his mouth open.
“Hey wait for me”. Alex got off his bike, mopped his brow and followed Brad to the free weights area.
Brad was standing by some weights. “How much?”
Alex told him, together they adjusted the weights. “Come on, I will spot you, climb aboard. Brad spread his legs and stood ready. Alex stared up at Brad's groin, swallowed and grabbed hold of the bar.
“You won’t put me off will you?”
“As if, come on boy let’s see what you’ve got”. Brad said smiling.
The 2 trained, flirted and pushed each other for the next half hour or so, Brad lifted more than Alex, though Alex was stronger than he looked and ran Brad fairly close. Brad was quietly impressed with the younger man. They were finally warming down doing gentle stretches next to each other, Brad spoke.
“I’d forgotten how good it is to train with a partner. I haven’t partnered with anybody since Smithy left for the army. God that’s about 10 years ago, fuck, time flys, I’ve had fun”. He stopped and mopped his brow with his now damp towel.
“Do you enjoy coming to the gym?” Asked Alex.
“Yes I do, I only come once or twice a week though, I have an intense manual job. So I just keep myself trim, you know”.
“Yes I can see that”. Alex said, looking Brad up and down. “I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, I have a desk job, so it’s a way of keeping myself fit”. The 2 were now staring at each other.
“Yes I can tell. You're a fit lad. You're stronger than you look and you pushed me hard, I’m impressed”. A part of Brad’s anatomy was starting to get excited.
Alex blushed. “Thanks, so are you. I bet that Jasper can lift some weight”.
“Oh yeah, you should see him when he dead lifts. You like J, I mean Jasper then?”
“Naa. He’s not my type”.
“Oh, erm not your type then?” Brad had a good idea where this conversation was going but couldn’t resist the urge to ask, so he did. “Who is your type then?”
In reply Alex just looked into Brad's eyes, winked at him with a smile on his face.
“Shower Brad?”
Even though. Brad had an idea what the answer was going to be. He still blushed. He looked down at his predicament, swallowed and followed Alex to the changing room. I’m no prude. But there is no way I’m showering with a hardon. Brad thought to himself.
He walked into the changing room, Alex was already pulling off his compression t.
“Help me with this will you”. Alex asked from under his half pulled off compression t.
“Brad approached and helped Alex off with his garment. Alex stood and looked at Brad. Brad in return just stared at Alex now half naked.
I’m staring at him like a love stuck teen. Get a grip man. Brad thought to himself.
Alex was in the process of taking off his trainers and socks, Brad was still standing there, staring at the gorgeous man in front of him.
“Well, are you not getting ready to shower Brad?”
“Erm no… I usually shower at home”. That was the truth.
Now with his feet bare as well as upper body. Alex turned.
“You’re not shy are you?” He asked with a mischievous grin on his face, and looking down at Brad's predicament.
Brad for his part refused to hide his bulge. And was determined to get back on top of the situation, though not literally.
“No absolutely nothing to hide, in fact I’m proud of the way I look. I just don’t want to embarrass anyone. If you get what I mean.”
“Big head”.
“Exactly”. Brad replied. Anyway I’m off, thanks for the session. Pop round for a brew anytime you like. See ya”. Brad said as he walked away.
“Bye Brad, great session”. Alex said to Brad as he was walking off.
“Good session Brad? How was Alex?”J asked.
“Great company. I had a great time. He will be a credit to the gym. Have a good Christmas, see you next week”. They shook hands and Brad walked away.
Once safely in his car, Brad sighed and put his head against the headrest.
“Fuck me. That Alex is something else. He’s funny, good looking and a hell of a flirt, I wonder if I’ve found my cute little elf.” Brad fired up his car and drove away.
Once Brad had arrived home and had a shower he settled down with a brew and a mince pie on a small plate. He switched on the tv and tried to watch some film that seemed to appear on the tv at this time of year. He couldn’t concentrate though as his mind couldn’t settle, things were running around his mind. Last night's hookup and thoughts of Alex.
As he tried to watch the action on the tv. He pondered last night's hookup, after Oscar had Slapped him and left, it had taken him ages to fall asleep, even with him fantasising about Alex. Now he just felt numb and empty, everything had been going well until he had shouted Alex’s name, that had never happened before so why now? In a way he understood Oscar’s frustration, but it was still an overblown reaction. He’d never done it before, and had never even hooked up with Oscar before. Oscar was most definitely a deva, and Brad would never make that mistake again. But it still made him feel empty and unsatisfied, hookups had rarely, if ever made him feel like that. Ok he’d had failures before, people not turning up and quite a few times they just didn’t hit it off, he just marked them down as a bad night. Last night, though, was different. And the difference was Alex, and the little conversation they’d had on the street.
Brad bit into his mince pie, the sweet taste of mixed fruit and spices filled his mouth, its zingy flavour making him moan in delight. It’s definitely Christmas when you taste your 1st mince pie, Brad decided. He wondered if Alex liked mince pies. Alex now there was a conundrum. He liked Alex, and had fantasised about him a few times. The difference now was. He realized that Alex felt the same way. Had Alex fantasised about him, Brad wondered. He probably had. That thought made him smile. Brad realized he wanted to get to know Alex better. There was something unexplainable when their eyes met, that hadn’t been there before, a mutual, unspoken fondness. The way they had flirted with each other while they worked out, how Alex had made Brad feel like a lovesick teenager, with his words and subtle innuendo. And for all Brad's bravado Alex seemed for the most part unfazed. He had confidence in himself, that much was clear, yes I want to get to know him better. Brad thought to himself.
Brad’s musing was disturbed by a loud knocking at the door. Brad stood and finished his mince pie in one large mouthful. The knock came again.
“All right I’m coming, hold your horses." Brad shouted, walking towards his front door.
Brad opened his front door, to find a panicking Alex standing there.
“Everything ok Alex?” asked Brad.
“Oh Brad, it’s Dad, he's fallen down the stairs”. Said a very upset Alex. Pointing in the direction of his front door opposite.
Now wasn’t the time for questions, Alex needed help, he had come to Brad, and he was going to help. Mere seconds after Alex had told him what had happened, Brad was reaching for his coat.
“Let’s go”.
Brad locked his front door and followed Alex across the road, they walked into the hall of the home Alex shared with his parents, the stairs were opposite the front door. Alex’s Dad was in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs, quite clearly unconscious.
Alex went to his Dad, knelt and then shook him. As Brad looked on, standing in the doorway, taking the tragic sight in.
“Dad, Dad, can you hear me, Dad?”
Alex was quite clearly distressed. Brad as he watched, realized he needed to take control, and quickly. He approached Alex and knelt down next to him.
“Alex, it’s ok”. Brad said quietly as he put a hand on his shoulder. “Don't try to move him. I know you're upset, I need you to calm down, ok?”
Alex turned his head to look at Brad, with tears in his eyes, in an emotional voice he said.
“He's hurt, how can I stay calm, we need to get him to hospital quickly”. He tried to lift him. Brad stopped him.
“Wait, don't move him. You could make him worse”. Alex stopped and looked up at Brad.
“Now”,Brad continued patiently, "I want you to do something very important. I want you to get out your Mobile Phone, call 999, ask for an Ambulance, tell them he fell down the stairs and give them your address, ok?”
“Ok, Alex reluctantly stood, got out his mobile and did as he was asked, in a voice full of emotion, he told them what had happened. Brad had realized early on that he needed to get Alex to do something positive to help his father. Whilst Alex was on the phone, Brad took a look at Alex’s father. He was unconscious, lying in a tangled heap at the bottom of the stairs. With one of his feet at an odd angle. Ok so that’s a broken ankle, he didn’t know if his neck was broken or not, but he was breathing thank god, he thought to himself. Though he didn’t touch him at all.
Alex put his phone away. “The ambulance will be in about 10 minutes, they told me not to move him. What do we do now Brad?”
“Have you told Shirley?”
“Oh shit no” Alex ran a hand through his hair as he cursed. “I’ve forgotten to, I've been worrying so much about dad”. With a shaking hand and full of emotion he took out his Mobile Phone, and phoned his mum to tell her the bad news.
Shirley was working at the local shop, working her last shift before Christmas Day when she received the call.
“Oh, hello mum”.Alex paced up and down nervously.
“Hello Alex, you know you're not supposed to call me at work”.
“Yes I know, I'm really sorry but you see, it’s about Dad. He’s Fallen down the stairs”.
“Oh no, is he alright? Have you phoned for an Ambulance? Tell me Doug is ok Alex.Shirley, obviously sounded distressed.
“He’s unconscious, we’re waiting for an ambulance, it will be here in a little under 10 minutes mum”.
“We’re?”
“Yes, I’m sorry I panicked and went for Brad, he’s with me now”.
“Oh, that’s ok, at least you're not alone. But I’m worried, let me phone Hasan, see if he can find a replacement, and I will come home.” Then she hung up.
“What did she say?” Asked Brad.
“She’s shocked, she’s phoning Hasan, then coming home”.
“Hasan?”
“He’s the guy that runs the shop”.
“Oh ok. We might be on our way to Hospital by then. Look, you text your mum, tell her I will pick her up at the shop and follow the Ambulance, you go with Doug in the Ambulance, ok?” Alex did as asked, a short time later Alex’s phone pinged as Shirley replied.
“Mum said thankyou. Thankyou Brad for all your help, I don’t know what I would have done without you”.
Brad turned to Alex, they had been standing next to each other close to Doug, Alex’s Dad, who was still unconscious on the floor.
“You’d have muddled through somehow, what if I’d have been out?”
“Probably gone to the next door neighbors. Will dad be ok Brad?” Alex asked, emotion in his voice.
“He’ll be fine, just a broken ankle as far as I can see.”
They looked into each other's eyes, Alex searched for comfort in that piercing yet comforting gaze, he looked at his face, the full, kissable lips, the strong cheekbones, his short cut hair, he glanced down at his broad shoulders, his chest, his slim waist and strong arms. Alex swallowed as his eyes made their way down Brad's body. Now's not the time for those types of thoughts, his dad needed him, but he needed Brad.
Brad for his part looked into Alex’s Dark eyes, his fashionable brown hair, those beautiful full lips that looked so kissable. He watched as Alex’s eyes meandered their way down his body and stopped at a certain part of his body and swallowed, Brad stared at Alex’s beautiful face. The perfect skin, the only blemish a small beauty spot under his right eye, his natural tan. Brad smiled and enveloped Alex as he opened his arms and held Alex in a strong affectionate hug. He stroked his back as Alex held onto him,as if he didn’t want him to ever let go. Finally they parted. Still looking into each other's eyes.
Alex’s head dropped. Brad gently placed a finger under his chin and raised his head till their eyes met once more. Then he brushed a finger lightly against his tear stained cheek.
“You’re simply beautiful Alex”. Brad whispered.
“Thankyou, you’re so handsome and strong, " Alex whispered back. Both young men were blushing, both realizing in those few fraught minutes that they had forged a bond stronger than steel.
Their mouths partly open, seemed to move of their own free will, they met in a single feather light kiss. Then they heard a moan. Both young men turned knowing the moan wasn’t from either one of them. Doug was coming round. The next noise heard, was a siren, blaring as it approached the little mid terrace house. The Ambulance had arrived.
Even on Christmas Eve A&E was crowded with people of all ages, from the elderly looking very unwell indeed, some on breathing apparatus, with concerned relatives and loved ones looking on, unable to do anything but wait, no Christmas for them, Brad thought. To crying children who had gotten into some scrape or another. With angry and frustrated parents in tow, whose carefully planned Christmas was in tatters. To drug addicts and alcoholics passed out on trolleys. Stressed doctors and nurses ran from one station to another, trying to keep up with the flow of patients coming and going, shouting, adding to the cacophony of noise.
Brad took in the scene, as he sat and waited. Alex and Shirley had gone with a porter who had taken Doug for an X-ray on his ankle. He looked at the austere white walls with posters on them advertising various viruses and diseases and how to be inoculated against them.
The Paramedics had taken half an hour to get Doug comfortable, as neighbours looked on curiously. With either Alex or Brad fielding questions as a worried Shirley stayed with her now conscious but very confused Husband. The paramedics had taken every precaution as they lifted him onto the stretcher, his neck in a brace and leg in a splint. He looked far worse than he actually was, just a broken ankle, bruising and shock. He wasn’t talking much, but was groaning, all he could remember was being at the top of the stairs and then falling head over heels, tumbling down, then coming too at the bottom of the stairs, his ankle in agony and a concerned Alex and Brad looking on.
Shirley had hurried home instead of waiting for Brad to collect her, Hasan, closing his shop for a few minutes to take her home. She arrived home in tears and hurried to kneel by her husband who was by now being treated by paramedics.
Finally the doors of the Ambulance slammed shut, with Shirley going in the Ambulance, holding her husband's hand all the time. Brad And Alex followed in Brad's car. Alex was in no fit state to drive Brad had insisted.
Brad looked up as Shirley and Alex approached , with Doug, being pushed in a wheelchair by a porter. Brad stood.
The first thing that Brad noticed was the smile on Alex’s face, it lit up his whole face like a warm summer day, it was all Brad could do not to hold him in his arms and kiss him senseless. It was obvious for all to see that Alex loved his parents very much.
“Dads going to be alright”. Declared Alex happily, whilst looking at Brad.
“That’s wonderful news.” Brad decided to keep quiet about the fact that it was never really in doubt. He looked down at Doug who was looking and His son and Brad curiously.
Doug Mandon was 5ft 10in and about 50, had a full head of short grey hair, a stubble beard and dark eyes, it was obvious who Alex had got his eyes from. His body had gone to seed slightly and was developing a paunch. He was a serious man who loved his wife and son without question.
“I believe I owe you a debt of thanks Brad. You helped Alex immensely”. Said Doug, though you could see the pain in his eyes. He looked up at Brad and then at Alex with a look of affection in his eyes. Shirley looked on, keeping her own counsel.
“Oh it was nothing really. I'm just glad you’re ok. We were all so worried. You looked so ill lying there unconscious”.
“Yes really Brad, we’re all so glad you could help. I don’t know what I would have done without you”. Said Alex. Touching Brad on his shoulder momentarily.
“Anyhow the most important thing is that you’re ok Doug. All we have to do is wait for the doc and then we can all celebrate Christmas”. Replied Brad.
Shirley, who had remained quiet, decided to speak. “ Yes thankyou Brad for all you did today. Now I'm sure You and Alex have plans to celebrate Christmas Eve, it’s still early. Why don’t you go and enjoy yourselves and I will wait for Doug, we can get a taxi home.”
“No I won’t hear of it, I’m quite happy to wait for you all and take you home, I have no plans for tonight”. Was Brad's reply.
“I’m happy to stay here with you all, I’ve nothing I can’t cancel. Family is more important anyway”. Alex said looking Earnestly at his parents then at Brad”.
Shirley looked at Alex then at Brad. “But Brad, you've done so much already. We couldn’t ask anymore of you”.
“You’re not asking anymore of me. I’m offering and I wouldn’t sleep tonight knowing I’ve left you here”. Brad said nothing about Alex, deciding now isn’t the time, no matter how comfortable Alex’s Parents seem.
“Oh well if you insist, but I want you to celebrate Christmas Day with us by way of a thankyou. And I’m not taking no for an answer”. Shirley said, looking at Brad sternly but affectionately.
“Yes please Brad. Spend Christmas with us Mums an awesome cook”.
“You’d better agree Brad otherwise you won’t hear the last of it”. Doug said, smiling.
“Ok then I give in. I will spend Christmas Day with you and thanks for the invite. Now I don’t know about you but I’m hungry. Why don’t Alex and I go and find some food? I’m sure the shop is still open”.
“I don’t want anything”. Said Doug.
“Just a sandwich for me, anything will do”. Said Shirley.
“Come on Alex let’s go get some food”.
When Brad and Alex returned with the food, they found Doug and Shirley still in the corridor waiting for the doctor. They gave Shirley a ham and cheese sandwich and a bottle of water. Brad had Tuna and Sweetcorn and Alex had Chicken & Mayonnaise. Both had water and crisps offering a pack to Shirley which she gratefully accepted and shared with Doug.
As Brad and Alex sat next to each other, eating and chatting quietly, Shirley watched her son intently, Doug was, by now dozing, she wondered how and when he and Brad had become so close so quickly, not that she was worried, she wasn’t, Brad was a decent guy. But as far as she knew Alex and Brad barely knew each other and hardly ever interacted. But tonight they were getting along like they were lovers. She wasn’t worried though Brad was a good looking guy, ok so he had men around at times. He was only human, so long as he looked after her son, though she would make him promise to be loyal to Alex. She would protect her son no matter what the outcome. Her family always came first.
While Brad and Alex chatted, the previous night's happenings were long forgotten, Alex, Brad hoped, was his future.
End of Chapter 2.
