chapter 43

Nicky came back home later after work the following day to see the dining room table beautifully set up. Mandy had not been to work, ringing Simon with the excuse that she was not feeling well. Nicky had tried to come home as soon as he could, as he saw how upset she had been the night before after Brian had chatted to her. He smiled when he saw the hard work she had put into setting that table, when Mandy walked in, putting the glasses on the table. She smiled at him and walked closer towards him.
“Hi babe. Are you hungry?” she asked.
Nicky looked at the table, “What’s all this? Have you got a date or something?” he asked, still looking at the table.
Mandy giggled softly, “NO. it’s for us. Just felt like using the good china. It has been stuck in that cupboard for 5 years without being used. It’s about time we used it!”
Nicky smiled weakly and nodded.
“Anyway, you go up and have a shower. Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes!” she ordered.
She smiled and walked back into the kitchen. Nicky nodded and went upstairs while Mandy lit the candles on the table. She admired the table for a while, smiled and then went to check on the lasagne and garlic bread.
Eventually Nicky came back down and sat at the table, just as Mandy was bringing the food. She smiled and placed his plate in front of him.
“Thanks!” he sighed, not liking the look of this at all. He knew what she was up to and he dreaded having to let her down again. Mandy sat opposite him with her dinner and tucked in.
“This is really nice!” he moaned, soon forgetting about his troubles.
Mandy smiled, “Thanks. I know how much you like lasagnes!”
Nicky stared at her for a while, “What is really the occasion Mandy?”
Mandy stared at him shocked, “Do I need a reason to make my husband dinner?”
“Mandz!” he sighed, shaking his head and putting his cutlery down.
“Look!” she interrupted, without looking at him, knowing what he was going to say, “I just thought it would be nice after a long hard day at work ok? That’s all!”
“Are you sure?” he asked, raising a brow.
“Positive!” she grinned, “What do you think, I am trying to poison you or something?”
Nicky laughed, “Course not!”
“Well then, shut up and eat!” she smiled, looking at him through her lashes for a few seconds and then at her food again.
Nicky knew she was lying, but pretended to go along with it to save face.
When they had finished, Nicky placed his cutlery on the place and leaned back on the chair, “Well I couldn’t possibly eat another bite. I am well and truly stuffed!” moaned Nicky, undoing his jeans buttons, “Thanks Mandz. That was delicious!”
“Glad you liked it babe!” smiled Mandy, standing up and clearing the table. Nicky helped her and followed her to the kitchen.
“I have a dvd to watch if you want!” smiled Mandy, putting the dirty dishes in the washer.
“What did you get?” he asked, throwing the remains in the bin.
“The Da Vinci code!” smiled Mandy.
“That’s supposed to be really good!” he smiled.
“Yeah, there are mixed reactions to it though. We’ll just see for ourselves eh?” she giggled.
Nicky smiled and nodded.
“Wanna watch it then?” she asked, closing the door on the washer.
Nicky nodded, “Yeah. That’d be grand!”
When Mandy had finished clearing up and cleaning the worktops, she walked to the living room and sat down. She saw Nicky had prepared the dvd, so she sat next to him and raised her feet on the sofa. She edged closer to Nicky and snuggled up to him. Nicky laughed and looked at her.
“Comfy?” he chuckled.
Mandy grinned and nodded, “You have always made a comfy human pillow! Even if you are a skinny git!”
Nicky laughed loudly, “Thanks…I think!”
“Shhhh it’s about to start!” hushed Mandy, poking him in his ribs.
They both lay there silently, really into the film. Mandy’s head was on Nicky’s chest, as he was laid on the sofa. Mandy was laid next to him with her hand under her head on his chest. Nicky’s arm was wrapped around her waist and Mandy sighed contentedly. She truly believed she could change him. Hearing her sigh, Nicky raised his head and looked at her, “Are you ok?”
Mandy looked at him, smiled and nodded, “I just really missed this!”
Nicky smiled back at her and kissed her forehead, “We can do this whenever you want babe!”
As he was about to kiss her again, Mandy lifted her head a bit and pecked him on he lips. Nicky stared at her for a while and pecked her lips back. And for some reason unbeknown to him, those innocent pecks had turned into more serious kissing. More furious. More hungry. Mandy rubbed her hand against his chest as her kiss intensified. She lowered her hand and went to undo his jeans buttons. Nicky soon regained his senses and realised what was going on.
“What are you doing?” he panted, pulling away from her slightly.
“What does it look like?” she grinned, as she continued to undo them.
Nicky quickly grabbed her hand and pushed it away, “Mandz, no!” he whispered.
“Why not?” she growled seductively into his ear as she gently nibbled it.
“You know why not?” he mumbled.
“Oh come on, Nicky. You cannot tell me you are not getting turned on. I am not blind you know? And I have not lost my sense of feeling. I can see and feel how Nicky junior is standing to attention inside the confinement f your jeans.” She grinned, rubbing her hand over his obvious bulge.
Nicky pulled away quickly and sat up straight, “Perhaps, but you know how I feel, Mandz. I have not changed my mind and I will not change it either. I am still gay. I am still interested in men. Why can’t you understand that?” he sighed.
Mandy looked at him, “Then why did you just kiss me?” she challenged him.
Nicky sighed and ran his hand through his blonde hair, “I dunno ok? I rally don’t know. But I do know that it’s not what I want or what you need.”
“You used to love me once, Nicky. I can make you love me again. I can make you into a man again!” she pleaded.
“I am still a man, Mandy!” he snarled, taking offence to that remark, “And I have always loved you and will always continue to love you. Nothing will ever change that. I just cannot love you in the way you want me to. I am sorry Mandz, I thought you were clear on that!”
“You will if you try hard enough!” she cried.
Nicky shook his head and hugged her, “I am sorry baby. I really am. But I cannot be that person you want me to be!”
Mandy pulled away from him, “Get the fuck away from me!” she screamed, pushing him away and standing up quickly, “Why the fuck did you go along with all this dinner thing if you weren’t interested at all?”
Nicky looked at her, “You said it was just a friendly thing. You said…”
“And you believed me?” she shrieked, throwing her hands around in the air.
“Well, I didn’t have any reason not to. How was I supposed to know you were still fucked up in the head!” he shouted back.
Mandy just stared at him, shocked by what he had just said, “What?” she gasped.
“Look Mandz, I am sorry, I didn’t mean that, but…” he started, walking towards her.
Mandy shook her head and walked backwards, “NO. get away from me!”
“Mandz!” he sighed.
“That’s twice an insult has been thrown my way. First Brian called me a slut and now you have virtually called me mad.” She squeaked.
“I didn’t mean it like that, I just…” he sighed.
Mandy shook her head and edged back in tears. Nicky stood up and tried to grab her hand, which she quickly pulled away, “Leave me alone Nicky. Just leave me fucking alone!” she sobbed, turning around, running out of the living room and into the spare bedroom, slamming the door behind her.