Becky's POV
I woke up to the soothing sound of Benny snoring beside me. I rolled out of bed as I needed to piss. I threw on my shorts and t-shirt. With one last look at Benny fast asleep, I slowly walked out of the room.
Heading into the bathroom, I quickly had a piss and then felt like a nice morning cuppa. I had my phone in my hand and checked the time, and it was still early. I could slip back into bed and enjoy my tea. I went downstairs and could hear the TV. As I entered the living room there was Greg sat on the couch, his eyes closed, mouth slightly open. He had clearly come home from his night shift at the warehouse and hadn't even made it to his bed, falling asleep in front of Sky News.
He must have just dozed off exhausted after his shift. He had an obvious pit stain, and his boots lay by his feet. A mischievous thought crossed my mind --what if I changed the channel to some adult station and then woke him up? It would be a laugh, watching his panicked reaction, explaining how he must have leant on the remote. But thought, nah, I'll have a little word with him. I might be only a young woman, but I knew my shit and it's time he leant how he could get by living around here. I hovered for a moment before heading into the kitchen. Greg was in a slumber.
I made myself a cuppa; I found a biscuit too. I also sorted Greg some water, putting a glass under the tap and brought everything to the couch.
I made myself right at home. Sitting on the other end of the couch, one leg tucked under me, the other stretching out lazily until my bare foot met his leg. He didn't stir. I was facing Greg. Dipping my biscuit into my tea, I looked at the TV. The news tells you the world is falling apart; a shit show and what happens? Nothing, everyone deals with their shit and carries on. After a few minutes of news, I thought it was time to wake wakey! I gave Greg a poke in the side with my bare foot before pulling it away. He lightly stirred but didn't wake. A couple of more pokes and he groggily woke. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. He then noticed me sat there. He looked confused as fuck.
"Morning," I said, dead chipper, smirking. I held out his water, "got you a drink."
He grunted, shifting into a sitting position, rubbing a hand over his face. He took the glass. Having a sip, he then said, "errr, thanks. I didn't know you was still here."
"Yep, it was a really good night." I said with a smile, before sipping my tea. I give my foot a scratch before saying to Greg. "you don't have to work like a dog yanno."
Greg glanced at me, unimpressed. "That right?"
Taking another sip, I said, "That place won't care if you're busting your arse, because if you are like a ghost they won't even pay attention."
Greg drank some more water and didn't exactly look impressed. "Right, no offence young lady, but should I take advice from someone who is barely an adult."
"Wouldn't be the worst idea." I shrugged. "Most of the lads in that place got the job when they were 16, 17, 18, and they stuck around. I know most of them. They stick together like brothers. If bosses think the guys they are looking at for promotion don't get on with them, then they are fucked."
Greg seemed interested suddenly, but still pushed back, "I'm getting on just fine with everyone. I'm just focusing on doing a good job."
I winced and give it to him straight, "and look at how it's going. Big sweaty armpits." He had been rubbing his hair, he looked at his pit and dropped his arm quickly embarrassed. "Passing out through exhaustion on the couch. Leaving the wife all alone in bed. It's only been over a week. How long can you slog it out for?"
He looked like he wanted to respond, but couldn't think of an answer. He had another sip of his water, I jumped in, "let me tell you, Greg. Blend in, get on with the lads and I mean really get on with them. Become one of the lads. Then take it a little easier at work for a bit. Don't push yourself to the limit; just work as hard as the others. When you are solid with them, you can show your talent and hard work, and the lads will notice. Then the bosses will also notice because your mates will be bigging you up, and it won't just be, 'Oh, this is done. I wonder who did it; anyway, let's have a brew.' Work smarter, man. Do you understand?"
Greg puffed his cheeks. He might not like me, I can tell. He sees me as a bit of rough, a piece of trash that he hopes his family can shake off when they rebuild, but I could tell he was about to go along with me. He responded, "okay, you may have a point. I've been invited for a night out Saturday."
I smiled at him. "Did you say yes? Let me guess, you said, 'I'll let you know,' or something." He nodded, so I asked, "What will you say tonight?"
He sighed. "You're right. I'll tell them I want to go."
I was nearly finished my tea. I took another sip and smacked my lips, "Ah, lovely. Greg, some more advice: go with the flow. Don't act like anything is beneath you, or the lads won't take to you well. Let's say they're talking in a crude way or about some girl they shagged, just laugh, join in on the banter." He looked surprised at what I was saying. I carried on, "Men banter; us women know it. So don't look surprised. Chill, Greg," I then took the last sip of my tea.
He got up. He still looked knackered, he thanked me. "Thanks, I guess. I'll head to bed. Are you..."
I interrupted, "I'm gonna make myself another cuppa and one for Benny. Have it in bed. How many sugars does he take?"
He told me he took two before giving me one last glance before heading to bed. I sat back for a moment, getting comfy on his couch. Greg would be giving a lot of thought to what I said, I knew it. I better move my arse and make this second tea. I'll have this one in bed with Benny, then head back to mine and get ready.
With a smirk, I turned the TV off. I headed back into the kitchen, feeling like I owned the place.
I made the tea. I now knew how Benny liked it. The biscuits I'd found earlier were still on the counter, so I snagged a couple more for later. I made my way upstairs. I gave Benny's bedroom door a little kick and walked in. Balancing the biscuits, my phone, and the tea, it required a kick.
Benny was awake, or at least, his eyes were half-open as he squinted his eyes at me. "Morning, gorgeous," he mumbled.
"Morning, Sexy Bum," I replied with a grin, handing him his tea. He sat up a bit, taking the cup with a grateful nod, the nice cuppa would wake him up.