Ron came knocking, he sounded out of breath and in a hurry, "Hi Bob, can you please help me with my car? I can't get it started."
I replied, "Have you got fuel in it?"
"Ha Ha, yes I've got fuel in it, I just filled it up yesterday."
I asked Ron, "I've just got home and need a shower. Can I come round after?"
Ron sounding very urgent, "It's just that I need to pick Jean up from work, she'll be waiting."
"You can take my car if you want?" I offered.
"Thanks, but we're going shopping straight after, and I'd rather take mine if that's alright?"
I grabbed my house keys, and replied, "Yes sure, let's see if I can get you started."
We walked around to his drive, and we talked while I started looking the car over.
I asked Ron, "I haven't seen you or Jean for something like, what, over three weeks, are you both okay?"
Ron, "Yes, thanks, we're both fine, just been busy you know, there is something else, but I'll let Jean tell you that!"
It was about ten minutes, when I realised what the problem was, and fixed it.
A car pulled up, and Jean got out with another man who had obviously driven Jean home.
I heard Jean say to the other man, "Thanks' Brian, would you like some tea, please come in?"
Brian seemed reluctant, "No thank you, it's okay, I'll be off and see you in a couple of days."
"Please come in, as a thank you, please?" Jean sounded very apologetic and humble, not making eye contact, looking towards the ground.
I asked Ron who that other person was, and Ron told me that that was 'Brian', Jean's boss. Who had obviously given Jean a lift home because Ron wasn't there to pick her up.
They both passed us, and Jean turned round to introduced Brian to me, then both went into the house.
Ron asked me, "Have we finished here? Then let's join them indoors."
I said to Ron, "Yes, looks like you had a blocked fuel filter, should be okay now."
Ron slapped me on the back, and said, "Well done, let's go in!"
I tried to decline, "I'll head home, as you've got company."
"Nonsense, you're having a beer with me, come on!"
I reluctantly accepted, and we both went in. I washed my hands in the downstairs cloakroom and then joined them in the lounge, where Ron had already poured a drink for me.
"Come on over Bob!" Shouted Ron; from his armchair.
I walked over, and sat down. Ron and I mainly talked to each other, as Brian and Jean were talking shop.
I overheard some of the conversation of Brian and Jean, where Brian seemed to be doing most of the talking and Jean politely nodding her head and agreeing. Her head seemed to be lowered like she was bowing, hardly looking Brian in the eye at all.
About fifteen minutes later Brian stood up and said, "Okay Jean, have you got that? Do you have any questions?" Speaking just like he was her manager.
Jean very slowly rose and stood with her hands clasped in front of her, "No, Mr Smith, I am sure I can manage with the paperwork, it's no problem."
"Okay then, as you know I'm out tomorrow. I will inspect everything when I get back." Brian again, talked in a very authoritative but almost condescending tone towards Jean.
Jean replied, "I am sure you will be happy sir, I will see everything is carried out properly."
With that, Brian said goodnight to both Ron and me. Jean followed behind Brian to show him out. "Good night Jean." We heard Brian's voice, then Jean, "Good night sir, I have a nice trip tomorrow sir!"
We heard the front door close, and Jean reappeared. She come and sat back down where she was sitting previously and said, "I've had an awful day, and then you not picking me up made it just the worst, I didn't want Brian giving me a lift home at all, I hate him, he's so patronising."
Ron interrupted, and not showing any concern towards Jean, "Right then, we having something to eat?"
I stood and said, "I'll be off now, you two carry on."
Ron stood and placed a hand on my shoulder, "No you don't, sit down and let me get some refills."
Jean asked, "Chinese okay with everyone?"
Both Ron and I nodded our heads. I said to Jean, "While that's coming, I'll just go home and have a shower. I'd only just got home when Ron asked me to look at his car."
Jean looked at me, "I've had a really hard day, and can do with a nice hot shower myself. Join me?"
I replied to Jean, "it's okay Jean, thanks, I won't be long."
Jean looked at me with a stern look in her eyes, "I wasn't offering you a choice Bob!"
I stood and smiled, shaking my head. Jean came up to me and put her arm through mine, and said to Ron, "We're going up for a shower Ron, can you order the food?"
Ron picked up a leaflet and said, "Yes, Bob's already done me a favour, I'm sure he won't say no to you either. And don't be too long with him, the food will be here soon."
Jean walked us both arm in arm. I asked Jean, "I haven't seen you for a while, you and Ron been okay?"
She looked up with a beaming smile; "Bob, I've got a surprise for you!"
We got to the top of the stairs, I asked, "What sort of surprise?"
The grin didn't leave her face. She hugged my arm tighter, as she said, "Bob, I really hope you like it, just wait babes, just wait."
We walked into her wet-room where we both took our clothes off. As soon as we were both naked, Jean ran up to me, jumped up, throwing her arms around my neck, and her legs around my hips. She hugged me tight and whispered in my ear, "I've missed you Bob; I've missed you so much," then gave me a long, deep kiss.