Chapter 5: Thanking John

Sunday morning saw Danny cycling over to Lorraine’s. He and his mum were going there for dinner that evening, but he and Lorraine wanted to visit John this morning. Lorraine answered his knock, falling into his arms and kissing him.

They went into the dining room where Alex and Anne where still eating their breakfast. Danny went to Anne and gave her a hug, then shook hands with Alex. He joined them at the table for a coffee and chatted whilst they finished eating. Lorraine and Danny helped clear away the dishes, then they set off for Johns.

Cycling past the start of the linear walk, they did their usual thing and took a break at the picnic area. Sitting there in the sunshine Lorraine told him that her period had started that morning. “Does it hurt?” Danny asked. “It can do,” she told him, “Some of the girls at school really suffer with theirs, I get an occasional twinge, but I’ve never had any real problem, touch wood,” she said tapping the picnic table with a grin.

They sat chatting for a while, holding hands across the table. Then getting back on their bikes, they cycled straight to Johns. When he answered the door, he was clearly delighted to see them, “Come in, come in.” They stepped inside and John closed the front door. Lorraine threw her arms around him, gave him a big kiss on his cheek and hugged him. John was clearly delighted. As soon as Lorraine let him go, Danny gave him a hug and a kiss. “Thank you for letting us have such a lovely week,” he told him.

John smiled, come on through and I’ll make us all a drink,” he said, leading the way through to the kitchen. They sat around the table whilst John put the kettle on. They asked him about his holiday. “We had a great time,” he told them, “It helped that the weather was perfect all week, so we got out and about a lot to see the sights. We ate out several times in a wide variety of cafes and restaurants and last thing we sat outside the caravan and either just talked or played some of the board games we used to play years ago. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable week.”

They had finished their drinks by now, so John said, “Let’s go through to the front room and sit in more comfortable chairs.” They followed him through, John sat in the armchair so they could sit together on the settee. Once settled, John said,” Now I don’t expect intimate details, but did your week go ok?” Danny and Lorraine looked at each other and smiled.

John saw their look at each other and said, “I think that look answers my question. Now, let’s work out how best for that to continue.” Lorraine got up, went over to John, sat on the arm of the chair and put her arms around him. “No one could have given us a better present,” she said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “We had a wonderful week which we will both remember for the rest of our lives.”

Danny came over and sat on the other arm. He opened the carrier bag he had brought in with him, handing the parcel and card to John. Then he put his arm around him too, also giving him a kiss on his cheek. “This is just a little thank you from the two of us,” he told him.

John opened the card, it was headed “To a very Special Friend,” which brought a tear to his eye right away. Beneath that printed heading Lorraine had written, “There is no love stronger than the love you give to others. You gave us your love in a practical way which made our love for each other grow stronger. We will always love you because of what you did and because you are you.” Underneath they had both signed and each had added two kisses. John kissed them both as with very wet eyes he told them, “Thank you, I will treasure this card for ever.”

He passed the card to Danny to hold whilst he undid his parcel. Looking at the three books, he said, “Amazing, I’ve been meaning to read Titanic Enigma for years and never got around to getting it. As for Brunel, well I think he was the greatest engineer the world has ever known and although I’ve read a lot about him, I’ve never read this one. The third author I’ve heard a lot about but never read. However, linking King Arthurs Avalon with the US Presidents aeroplane call sign ‘Air Force One’ is so intriguing in itself that I’m sure I’m going to enjoy reading it.”

.

He kissed them both again and said, “You shouldn’t have, but it was a lovely thought, thank you both.” He stood up and held his arms out. Lorraine and Danny stood up and the three of them held each other close. John kissed the top of their heads, then said, “I’m going for a walk, you two go and enjoy your room.”

Lorraine said “No,” firmly. John looked at her in surprise. “We will not drive you out of your own home,” she said. “If we’re going to carry on coming here, something we’d both love to do, then it has to either be when you are here, which I have no problem with,” she added, smiling at John, “Or we fit in with you.”

John smiled at her, “I really don’t mind going out,” he said. But if I was in, I would normally sit in the lounge or the kitchen anyway. However, there is only one toilet. If I needed to use it when you were here, well making love isn’t always a quiet thing is it?” he asked smiling. “I can still vaguely remember it.” Lorraine looked him straight in the eye saying, “Supposing we were here, and you came upstairs and heard us. What would your reaction be?” John grinned at her, “I would have happy memories and feel so happy that you were both enjoying yourselves,” he replied. “But would you feel embarrassed?” Lorraine asked. “No, not at all” John replied.”

“Well, there you are then,” Lorraine said, “There’s no need for you to go out just because we are here.” Giving him a big hug, she kissed him briefly on the lips, then sat down on the settee and patted the cushions each side of her. Once John and Danny where seated, she put her arms around them both then said, “So here’s my idea, when we’re going to come here, one of us will text you to let you know and if you want to coincide our visit with something you’ve got to go out for anyway, then fine, but if you haven’t, you stay in, then we can have a hug and a chat with you as well. And of course, if it isn’t convenient for us to come for any reason, you’ll text back and say so.”

“I can’t see that happening often, “John said, “It’s always lovely to see you both.” John thought for a moment, then said, “There are two things occur to me. One is that if I’m out when you arrive and I come home before you go, how can I let you know I’m back in. Secondly, if I’m in and I go up to the bathroom, how do I let you know I’m coming upstairs in case you suddenly decide to go to the bathroom naked.”