Holding On (Memories)

cross the room, and hug her from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder. She sighs.
    “What's wrong?”
    “Nothing.” She shakes her head and flicks the kettle on. “Something.”
    “Talk to me.” I spin her round and lean back against the counter, holding her to me. She sighs again and rests her hands on my chest. Her eyebrows draw together in a small frown, and I nudge her.
    “Remember how Grammy used to tease me about not having a boyfriend until we met?” she asks. I nod. “Well, I used to reply that I didn't want one, and if I did I had plenty of admirers.”
    My fingers twitch. “Mm.”
    Her brown eyes snap up to mine. “Don't go getting all caveman on me, Alec, or I'm not telling you.”
    “Caveman stored away,” I grind out. “Carry on.”
    “Damn jealous males,” she mutters. “Anyway. I saw one of them out last night. I've known Ade since we were about twelve – we went to secondary school together – and he's tried convincing me a few times over the last year to go out with him. He's one of my friends so I said no. I don't go out with friends.”
    “So we were never friends?” I smirk a little.
    She shakes her head. “No, we were never friends. You were always the one. Friendship was never an option.”
    I relax slightly, and press my lips to her forehead. Her arms slide around my waist, and she rests her cheek against my chest.
    “Carry on,” I tell her.
    “Well, like I said, I saw him out last night. We spoke for a few minutes on the dance floor. He asked about Devon and that, and when Jen mentioned your name, he did this puffing chest out thing, and got kinda pissed. He stormed off.”
    “Wait, what does he look like?”
    “Blonde hair, about your height, not as muscular.”
    “You think I'm muscular?” I tease.
    She laughs, pulls back, and squeezes my arm. “Very.”
    I wink. “He was giving me a death look half the night last night. I'm guessing he knew who I was because I was with Bing.”
    She nods thoughtfully. “Well, that's Adrian. I don't think he'll do anything, more than likely just try to get under your skin. I don't think he's got big enough balls to do anything else. He's scared of Bing.”
    “He's scared of your brother?” I raise an eyebrow. “I can't imagine why.”
    She blinks. “He threatened to break your legs, too, didn't he?”
    “Yep. I told him if I hurt you, he could.” I kiss her quickly.
    “Huh.” Lexy's head tilts to the side. “No wonder he actually likes you.”
    I look around. “Good to know.” I laugh.
    She grins, and I'm glad to see the worry and annoyance removed from her face. “So yeah. Just... Ignore him, okay? He's a good guy but he's also kind of an asshole.”
    “That seems to be a trend amongst your friends.”
    “You're probably right there.”

    ~

ALEXIS

    “Mum? Are you in?” I drop my bag by the door.
    “I'm just popping out, Lexy. What's up?” She appears from the front room, buttoning her mac.
    “Nothing. I was just wondering if you were here.” I smile, and kiss her cheek.
    “Did you have a good night?”
    “It was... Okay, I guess.” I shrug a shoulder and pass through into the large kitchen.
    “That doesn't sound good. Would you like to talk about it?”
    I sigh. “Maybe.”
    “I'm going to the park, to the stream,” Mum says hesitantly. Grammy's favourite spot in London.
    “Is that where you've been disappearing to lately?” I peer at her over my shoulder. She nods.
    “It helps me to feel close to her when I'm so far away. I just... Go there to think. Remember.” Mum smiles weakly.
    “I don't want to ruin your time, Mum.”
    “If you want to, Lexy, I'd love you to come with me. Maybe we could remember together?”
    I see the face of the old woman I love so much in my mind, and I nod. “I'd love to, Mum.”
    I pass into the hallway, blinking back some tears, and grab my jacket.
    Mum opens the door. “Let's go, then.”

    ~

    A gentle autumn breeze teases my hair as I lean against the railings of the small bridge.
    “So what happened last night?” Mum asks me, gazing at the water running under us.
    “I discovered that two months is a long time,” I reply. “And people really do change more than you thought.”
    “I thought you learnt that in Devon.”
    “I did. Mum, will you be honest?” I look at her, and she turns her face to me. Her hair falls down and her beautiful eyes blink at me.
    “Of course.”
    “Last night, all Jayna cared about was herself. No questions asked about