chapter 49

After that incident, Mandy no longer was in the mood for a party, so Mark took her home. They were now at his house. She had just finished washing her hair. She hated the smell of tobacco on her hair when she went to sleep. As she passed by Fina’s and Mark’s room, she could hear them talking. Hearing her name being mentioned, she stopped and listened.
“She’s well gutted. But then again, so is Brian. He knows she loves Nicky!” she heard Mark sigh.
“Yeah, but she’ll soon get over him!” shrugged Fina, rubbing her hand up and down his chest.

Mandy sighed and shook her head, “No I won’t!” she whispered. She then continued listening.

“So apart from all that hoohah, did you have a good time?” Fina asked.
“Yeah. It was a good night. Wish you could have been there though!” he sighed.
“Oh me too babe!” sighed Fina.
Mark sat down on the bed and took his shoes off, “When was the last time we both went out together babe?” he asked, removing his trousers and sitting on the bed to take his socks off.
“OH god. I don’t remember. But I do know it was before Emma was born. In fact, I was in the early stages of pregnancy with her!” she smiled, getting into bed and under the covers.
“I was thinking about taking you to dinner at Guiseppe’s!” he smiled, getting into bed and snuggling up next to her. Fina smiled and played with the coarse hair on his chest.
“What about the kids?” she asked.
“Well, we can bring them with us!” shrugged Mark.
Fina looked at him and raised herself slightly, leaning her hand on his chest and pushing herself up, “You have got to be kidding!”
“What?” he asked with a smile.
Fina sighed and lowered herself down, placing her head against his chest, “I can just see it now. Tammy running around with all her dolls, asking the other diners to play with her, and Emma screaming the place down because she is hungry. I don’t think so Mark!” she laughed.
Mark sighed and frowned, “Why can’t your mum look after them!” he whined.
Fina put her hand down, circling her fingers around his nipple and bit her lip, “You know how scared she gets looking after kids, Mark!”
“I don’t get why she would be so scared. It’s not like she’s never had kids before!” he moaned.
Fina smiled at him and grabbed his hand, “but they are not her own kids, baby. They are her grandkids. She’s just scared in case something happens to them!”
Mark shrugged and snuggled closer to her, “Oh well. It was a nice thought anyway!”
Fina smiled, turned to switch the lights off and rested her head against Mark’s chest again, “It was a lovely thought, Mark. Maybe I can make a nice romantic meal here” she smiled, kissing his lips gently.
Mark smiled and kissed her back, “Sounds good. We’ll put the kids to bed early and we’ll have a nice meal, just the 2 of us!” his kisses started getting more and more passionate.
“What about Mandy?” she mumbled in between kisses.
“I’ll get Brian to take her out!” he smiled against her lips, “Now that they are back on speaking terms!”
“Oh, they are talking again, are they?” she smiled.
Mark sighed and pulled away from her, “Yes!”
Fina smiled, “Ok then, let’s stop talking and let me give you a sneak preview on what’s for dessert tomorrow.” She growled seductively. Mark grinned and caressed her body as his kisses got more and more demanding.

Mandy sighed and walked back into her bedroom. She took her towel off and got into bed, deep in thought.
Morning arose and Mandy forced her eyes open after hearing the alarm. She moaned as she got up and turned it off.
“Whose brilliant idea was it to throw a party midweek when there is work the next day!” she moaned.
She sat up in bed, wincing as she felt the effects from the alcohol she had consumed. She rubbed her temples. It felt like a tiny person had been inside her head, hammering away, She sighed, got up and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She walked back to her room to get dressed and then walked down to the kitchen. She saw Mark and Fina both there.
“Morning!” she yawned.
Mark snorted, “God you look rough!”
Mandy stared at him and frowned, “Yeah and I feel it too. Tell me something. Where’s the logic in throwing a party in the middle of the week?” she moaned.
Mark chuckled as he bit into his toast, “That’s Simon for you!”
“He could have at least given us today off!” she mumbled, pouring water into her mug.
“Simon? Give us days off?” he gasped, “Hell will freeze over first!” he grinned, handing her 2 panadols.
“Thanks!” mumbled Mandy, throwing them in her mouth and washing them down with her coffee.
“Are you doing anything tonight Mandz?” asked Mark.
Fina looked at him and then at Mandy.
“Probably get an early night if I still feel this rough. Why?” she shrugged, knowing full well why.
Mark looked at Fina and she smiled at him. He looked back at Mandy and grinned, “OH, no reason!”
He made a mental note to speak to Brian later on. Mandy finished her coffee and grabbed her bag, “Well. See you guys later!”
“Bye Mandz, and have a good day!” wave Fina.
Mandy got to work and noticed Brian was already there. He smiled at her and she smiled at him. He got up and walked to her, “Hey. How are you feeling?” he grinned, sitting on her desk.
“Like someone is trying to crack my head open from inside!” she sighed, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, I can imagine!” he laughed, playing with the stapler on her desk, “You almost drank the bar dry! Talk about taking advantage of the free drinks!”
“Yeah!” sighed Mandy, “Listen Bri…I just wanted to say thank for being a mate last night, ok? Thanks for making me see sense. I really appreciate it and sorry if I was rude to you!”
Brian smiled and nodded, “It’s not a problem, babe. I can imagine what you are going through at the moment. It cannot be easy. And I couldn’t let you make a fool out of yourself could I?”
Mandy shook her head with a smile, “Thanks!”
Simon walked in and looked at Brian, “Back to work McFadden! You’re slacking!” he said in his low gruff voice. Brian rolled his eyes at Mandy and got up from the desk.
“Speak to ya later, luv!” he smiled, rubbing her shoulder slightly as he walked off.
Mandy nodded and started answering the phone. When it got quiet, she rang a number and booked a table for 2 for later that night. Mark walked in and marched straight towards Brian.
“Brian, can you do me a favour?” he pleaded.
Brian looked at the pleading look in his eyes and laughed, “Good morning to you too Feehily!” he smiled, “What can I do for you?”
“I need you to take Mandy out later on this evening” he begged.
“Oh yeah coz you really need to beg me to do that!” he chuckled.
Mark looked at him with a desperate look in his eyes.
Brian laughed and nodded, “Course. I’ll ask her though!”
Mark smiled with relief.
“what if she says no though?” asked Brian.
“Then convince her!” whined Brian, rolling his eyes.
“Fine, ok./ You just leave it to me!” smiled Brian, “Why you trying tog et rid of her though?”
“Me and Fina have this huge romantic dinner planned out at home, just us. We’re putting the kids to bed early and having some quality time together!” he grinned.
“Oooh having a dirty night eh?” teased Brian, nudging him jokingly.
Mark rolled his eyes, “you could call it that, yeah!” he grinned.
Brian saw Mandy walking into the copying room and followed her in. Mandy looked at him as he walked in and smiled, “You’ve got a long wait. I have got tons of copying to do!” she grinned, as she placed another paper in the photocopying compartment.
Brian smiled as he dug his hands into his pockets, “Actually, I just came to ask you something!”
“Go on!” she nodded, taking the paper out and replacing it with another one.
“Well, how do you fancy coming to the pub after work?” he asked.
“Ugh. I never want to see alcohol again. not after last night!” she retched.
“Oh, right!” he mumbled. He could see this was going to be harder than he had anticipated, “Ho about dinner then? I’ll pay!” he grinned insistently.
Mandy looked at him and sighed, “Brian, please don’t do this to me ok? I am just not ready to start dating again. Please. I don’t wanna fall out with you again over this!”
“Oh. I just meant as friends!” he quickly said, “Only friends! We can do that, right? That’s not against the rules, is it?” he smiled.
“Sorry Bri. I really wish I could, but…I have other plans!” she smiled, putting a fresh stack of paper in the paper drawer.
“You do?” he shrieked.
“Is that so surprising?” she asked, raising a brow.
“Well, no, not at all. But I thought you said you weren’t ready to start dating!” he asked confused.
Mandy just looked at him, “Who said anything about dating?” she asked confused.
Brian sighed and shook his head, “Maybe another day then, yeah?”
Mandy smiled and nodded. Brian smiled weakly and walked out. Mark was waiting for him by his desk, chewing on his nails.
“Well?” he asked impatiently.
“She said she already has other plans!” sighed Brian, clearly disappointed.
“Plans? What plans?” asked Mark confused.
Brian shrugged, “Dunno. That’s what I would like to know too!”