With Scarlett needing to be driven home, we decided against having a drink; instead, we enjoyed some more kissing and fondling before reluctantly ensuring we were properly dressed and heading back out to the little Frogeye Sprite.
I opened Scarlett's door for her and she smiled broadly as she clambered in. After walking around and getting in, I pressed the starter and the little car roared into life. As I fastened my seatbelt, I glanced over at her to see that same huge grin on her face.
"What?" I asked. Her smile was infectious.
"I have a boyfriend," she squealed.
"You do! But then it's not like you've not had one before," I pointed out.
"I've not had one like you," she smiled, kissing me on the cheek as I put the car into gear.
We drove back to her place with the Fratellis for musical accompaniment once more, the pair of us singing along to 'Sugartown' as an almost-perfect duet. I reflected back on the awkwardness of our first car journey together less than twenty-four hours previously, and marvelled at the change that had taken place. None of that awkwardness remained, Scarlett having completely disarmed me with the trust she had placed in me.
The sun was low in the sky as they drew up outside Scarlett's home. "Do you want to come in this time?" she asked.
"Absolutely," I said, climbing out and walking around to open her door again.
"Why thank you, kind sir," she giggled, and then swore under her breath.
"What is it?" I asked.
"My mother is on curtain-twitching duty," she explained. "She's gonna be at the door to greet us."
"Aww, she's sweet. She's just looking out for you," I smiled.
"I know, she's just so... full-on sometimes. Ready to get the third degree?"
"You make her sound like the Gestapo or something. Relax, she's not going to scare me off," I said, slipping my hand in hers as we walked up the steps.
Just as Scarlett had predicted, the door opened before we were half way along the short path. "Hi, you two," Susan crooned. "So how was your date?"
"Hi mum. It was amazing, thanks," Scarlett said dismissively, receiving a hug and a peck on the cheek from Susan as she approached.
"Would you like a cup of tea, Joe?" Susan asked. "I was just about to put the kettle on."
"That would be nice," I smiled, and was surprised to also receive a peck on the cheek from Susan as I entered the house.
We sat once more in their small but cosy lounge, Susan having brought in a huge pot of tea and a plate with a variety of cake.
"I love the madeira cake, Susan," I commented.
"I bet you've been baking all day, haven't you, Mum?" Scarlett giggled. "Just to make sure you were prepared." I could tell from Susan's blush that Scarlett had hit the nail on the head.
"So," Susan said, "What did you guys do today?"
"Oh, we had a big breakfast at Copper Beeches and then went for a lovely walk, and then Joe took me to his house to show me around," Scarlett explained.
"Oh, how lovely. So," Susan said with a mischievous grin and a wink, "how long did you take looking round the bedroom?" I choked on my tea, and struggled against the natural urge to cough and spray it across the room.
"MUM!" Scarlett said in horror.
Susan chuckled. "Sorry, sweetheart. I was just teasing. I wasn't expecting an answer; I just wanted to get a rise out of you. Joe, breathe dear," she added, patting me on the back to ease my choking.
"Oh, nice one, mum, almost killing my new boyfriend after our first date," Scarlett scolded.
"Ah, so it's official then," Susan smiled at me as my choking fit finally subsided. I decided to set my cup down in case of future mishaps.
"Yep," Scarlett said, looking at me with concern as my breathing recovered. "I asked him earlier and he said yes, so I guess we are."
"Well, that's nice. If I may say so, sweetheart, I never knew what you saw in that little prick you were dating before!" Susan said bluntly, making me laugh out loud. "Well, it's true, Joe. I didn't like him one bit. He always seemed such a smug, conceited little maggot and he didn't take very good care of my daughter. When she told me last night what had happened, I wanted to go over there and chop his little dick off. Had the car been working, I might have done just that. Nobody hurts my baby."
"Note to self," I chuckled. "Never, ever get on Susan's bad side."
"Oh, I think you're pretty safe," Scarlett giggled. "My mum never made any secret of her dislike of Daniel. She never let him in the house once in all the time we dated, but she invited you right in the first day she met you."
"Well," Susan said, "let's put it this way. You gave my daughter a ride home, and, by all accounts, made sure she was safe, didn't take advantage last night and then came back this morning and fixed our car. I like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I've not got any concerns with you."
I was speechless at her instant acceptance and honesty. "Talking of your ex," I said to Scarlett, "has he made any attempt to contact you since you dumped him?"
"He's probably tried, but I blocked both him and Sarah, my supposed best friend, last night right after I dumped him, so hopefully I'll never have to talk to him again."
"Let's hope not. Anyway, let's talk about something more positive. Any thoughts on what you'd like to do tomorrow?" I asked; the conversation was suddenly interrupted by the buzzing of my phone. "I'm sorry," I added. "I'll just ignore it."
"Oh no, Joe; it might be important!" Susan said. "Please just take the call."
I pulled out my phone and knew they could see the screen - 'Catherine would like FaceTime'.
I swiped to accept the call. "Hi, Sis!" I said.
"Hi!" Catherine smiled as my video came on. I watched on screen as her eyes narrowed. "Where are you? That's not your house!"
"Nope, I'm at my girlfriend's, actually," I answered brightly.
"Oooh, little brother finally has a girlfriend! How did you meet? What's she like? Spill the beans, little brother!"
