Chapter 2 - Truths come out
5pm, final email sent, logged out, screen off. I had a quick look out the window; the sky was grey but dry, good weather for football. I pulled out my phone and text Kevin, 'kick off at 6.30, pick you up at 5.45'.
The pitch was only 10 minutes away but I liked to get there early and stretch properly before I played. I used to play four or five times a week up to the age of 25, injuries had taken their toll on my body and I only played once a week now. I had to make sure I had a good warm up before playing so I didn't injure myself. Kevin on the other hand is naturally a really fit guy; he once ran a 10k for charity with no practice. He just keeps going, a real Duracell bunny, but he isn't much of a footballer so I normally keep him on my team when we play. He can do my running and I talk him through the game.
'No probs, can you come about 5.30 please? Need a hand moving some boxes upstairs'. They had moved into a new house last year, they practically gutted it and are renovating from scratch. Kevin does a lot of the work himself and is working from one room to another. So far only their kitchen and bedroom were done.
'Yeah cool see you in 30' I responded.
'Babe I'm picking up Kev early, he needs a hand moving stuff, I'm leaving at 5.30' I yelled downstairs to Katrina.
'OK' She called.
I danced across the landing and put on my kit, even though its just for a bit of fun I still get excited when I play, I love football. I grabbed a banana from the kitchen and my boots from the garage and filled a bottle with water.
'What are you guys moving?' Katrina asked.
'Not sure, he said boxes upstairs'.
'I hope they get a move on with the house, its stressing Bek'.
'I know, but you know how particular Kev is. You don't think the house is a cause of the....you know?' It had been five days since our eventful evening and Katrina and I had only talked about it in passing. She hadn't spoken to Becky at all about it, which was odd considering they chat so much.
'I thought that, and I asked Becky, she said it has a little. He was never a marathon sex god but since the work on the house he is definitely finishing quicker and doesn't always want it. Its stress isn't it?'
'The holiday will do them some good they can get away from the house, they fly out on Friday night?'
'Yeah, make sure he takes it easy, don't want him to get injured before a holiday'.
'Of course, I'm off now, love you'.
We kissed at the front door and I got in the car, 5.25pm, five minutes to Kevin's and then footy. He has a great job, I have no idea what he does but he earns a good amount, so much so that with his and Becky's income they bought a bigger house not far from us. Once they finish the work on it, it will be beautiful.
I pulled up and the house had the usual piles of bricks, bags of materials and skip full of bits from the renovation. I hadn't seen Becky since Friday evening and all of a sudden I felt that twinge as I knocked the door.
'How you doing hun?' Becky beamed as she opened the door. I smiled back at her and she stood back to let me pass, we hugged, she smelt great. She had on a baggy t-shirt and scruffy joggers, this was how she dressed most of the time at home and it made sense because everything just got dusty. Her hair was straightened and she had some make up on, she must have had a Zoom call for work.
Becky wasn't normally much of a make up girl, she only really did basic things on herself and Katrina had to force her make an effort for functions and parties. She still looked great, even with only a bit of eyeliner and straightened hair.
'I'm good, you looking forward to your holiday? Where is he?'
'Yes!' She replied excitedly 'Cant wait, and he's upstairs moving stuff from our room, go on up'.