Chapter 12
After returning to Heathrow from our sex-filled but relaxing holiday on a Greek island, I said goodbye to my girlfriends, Diane and sister Alice. Naomi informed me that she would get her mum onto a dating app to encourage her to find a new partner.
I then drove Dafydd, Craig and the two Claires down the M3 back to Totton. After parking, we walked down the road to find one of 'my' gold post boxes. As we rounded the corner, it stood proudly at a junction of the road. They all took photos of me next to it, and some people recognised me and asked for selfies with me and the post box.
After I had been suitably embarrassed enough, we headed for the café for cake and a hot drink. Craig and Claire slept at my house, and the five of us headed to Shropshire in the morning to take them home. I pulled into Criag's driveway and greeted his family. We had lunch in their garden, and I showed them my Olympic medals. We then walked into town to see 'my' other gold post box. Again, we took photos, and I stood for a few selfies with some locals.
After saying goodbye to Craig and his family, I dropped Craig's Claire at the local train station and returned to Totton with Dafydd and the other Claire. I spent a few relaxing days at home with my parents and then packed for another year at university. I was driving myself north this year, but my mum helped me ensure I hadn't forgotten to pack anything.
Stopping at the housing agent in Manchester, I signed the contract for the year's lease and picked up the keys. The girls would arrive the following day, so I parked on the drive, let myself in, and brought all my clobber in. As I had come into the money with the sponsorships, I insisted I pay for the whole lease this year. The girls agreed on the condition they help pay for all our food. I had the largest bedroom as I wouldn't be alone most nights, so I unpacked and settled in.
Once that was done, I sent a WhatsApp on our group chat, letting them know I was here and looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. Thinking it was probably wise to get some food in the house, I drove to the local supermarket and stocked up. After a light dinner, I investigated what was on TV. The house was provided with a new smart Samsung TV (thanks to my sponsorship), including the Netflix App. I thought this would be a good idea for the five of us, so I paid for a year's subscription. Scrolling through the movie selection, I chose one I thought the girls wouldn't enjoy, watched that, and then went to bed.
In the morning, I kept an ear out for the girls. The first to arrive was Alicia with her parents. I greeted them warmly and helped Alicia bring her belongings into the house and settle in. Just after I had put the kettle on, Mai arrived with her parents and sister, Lien. I hadn't seen Lien for a year but welcomed her warmly. I hadn't met her parents before, but Mai talked about them a lot. Initially, they weren't keen on the idea of the four of us in a relationship. But Mai had help from her sister and the two cousins I'd met in France. They had all worked on her parents over the previous year, and seeing how happy Mai was each time she returned home helped. The final clincher was when she told her parents I had met the Queen. Seeing me win two gold medals over the summer meant I moved from unapproved to the best thing since sliced bread! Consequently, they both were pleased to meet me. Her mum, being only five feet tall, was amazed at how tall I was.
They came in and met Alicia and her parents, and we all drank tea and coffee in the garden. The girls insisted I show their parents my gold medals and George Cross, so I hurried to get them. I was so proud of them and didn't need much encouragement to show them off. Sabrina arrived with her parents as we finished our drinks, shortly followed by Naomi and Diane. I helped both girls with their belongings while Sabrina's parents and Diane were introduced to the others.
After I lugged the last of Naomi's gear into her bedroom, we hugged, and then she told me that her mum had her first date later that week. The confidence she had gained on our Greek holiday had spurred her on to find someone. I was delighted and said I'd encourage Diane before she left.
We all sat on the decking for an hour, talking and getting to know each other, and then I stood up to get some lunch ready. Diane joined me in the kitchen, putting the food out. As we were alone, I held my arms out to her and congratulated her on going on a date. She cuddled into me and murmured her thanks for the wonderful holiday and memories.
The girl's parents left after lunch, and the five of us chatted for the rest of the afternoon. The girls occasionally disappearing to finish unpacking. I'd bought enough food for a whole week, so we prepared dinner and watched TV afterwards before retiring to bed.
Our university courses weren't starting until the middle of the following week, so we hung out and got to know our new neighbourhood. Alicia and I jogged each morning, and the other three decided to take it up. The three of them jogged together whilst Alicia and I ran further (and faster!). I expected that if they continued, we might all be able to jog together by the New Year, which would be fun.
Just over a week after we moved in, there was going to be an open-topped bus parade in London for all the Olympic and Para-Olympic medal winners, ending at Buckingham Palace. The parade was on Monday, and Naomi invited me to stay at her mum's house. We caught the train from Manchester to London on Saturday so she could show me around some of the sights on Sunday. Also, her mum's date was Saturday night, and she was nervous. We suggested we join her at the gastro pub where she was meeting her date. Then, we could give her moral support. Once they'd met, Naomi and I would drink in the bar whilst Diane and her date went into the pub's restaurant area. If she felt uncomfortable, she could join us, and we'd leave together. If not, Naomi and I would go after an hour to eat somewhere else. This idea reassured Diane.
We arrived mid-afternoon and put our bags in Naomi's bedroom. We chatted for a few hours, and then Naomi left with her mum to help her prepare. When they came down, Diane looked lovely.
"Beautiful," I said. "Pretty but classy. Anyone who sees you will think you're desirable but not a pushover. I hope your date turns out to be as good as you deserve."
"Thank you, David," Diane responded. "I hope I'm ready for this."
"Just act natural, mum," Naomi said. "We know you're a great catch, and you look wonderful. The only way tonight doesn't work is if he isn't good enough for you. Remember the saying, there's plenty more fish in the sea."
Diane smiled and hugged us both. We then left her house and got a taxi to the gastro pub. Diane entered first. She knew what Steve, her date, looked like and scanned the bar for him. We were early, and there was no sign of him, so I bought us all a drink. As we sat at a table, Diane looked at the door and said.
"He's here."
She waved to him, and he walked over to join us. Diane introduced her daughter, Naomi and then her boyfriend, me. I stood to shake his hand, and then he recognised me. That seemed to reassure him, so I took his drinks order and fetched it. I returned to find them all chatting happily.
"I haven't been on a date for nearly twenty years," Steve said. "I've been nervous all week!"
"You and me both," answered Diane.
