Her Secret Saviour

Chapter 5

In the kitchen, the pair had set themselves up on the table and were surrounded by lots of bits of paper and a revision guide. Lissa had finally managed to explain the concept of Tom’s homework in a way that he could actually understand when her mum came in. Suzie smiled at them both.

“Hi mum, I’m just helping Tom with his homework. And before you say anything, I haven’t got any as Mr Reed decided he was going to be so late that he missed the entire session.” As Alissa was talking, she got up, filled the kettle and switched it on. She knew that her mum liked nothing more than cup of tea after a long day at work.

“Does he not realise it’s your final year. I think I need to give the principal a ring,” she sighed. “You’d have thought that with the evidence he’s already got that he’d have got the sack ages ago.” Suzie took off her coat and hung it on the pegs that were attached to the back of the door, along with her bag.

Suddenly, Tom cleared his throat and began, “Erm, Ms Taylor…”

“Suzie.”

“Sorry, Suzie.” She always corrected him but he couldn’t help it. “Would it be ok if I stayed for a bit? It’s just that I’m finally getting this,” he gestured to pages in front of him, “and I know that I’ll probably end up forgetting it if we stop now.”

Alissa nudged him and smiled before turning to her mother to await a response.

“Of course!” She beamed with delight even though she was slightly nervous about what her son may say. She’d handle him though, the animosity had been going on for too long.

“Right then, seeing as we’ve got guests,” she smiled again at Tom and Lissy, “and I really can’t be bothered cooking. What do you say to ordering pizza?”

Alissa and Tom both nodded in agreement.

“Good stuff, I’ll send Joel a message to see what he wants,” she noticed Tom’s face change slightly, “don’t worry, I won’t say you’re here. We’ll deal with that when he gets home.” Again she noticed Tom’s face. “Haha are you sure you want to stay?”

He smiled but it was Alissa that responded.

“You’ll be fine,” she stroked him on the shoulder and kissed his cheek, “just don’t say anything stupid.” She grinned and kissed him again before getting up to make her mother a brew.

“Right, whilst that cools and you two decide what you want, I’m going to get changed.”

Alissa turned to Tom and smiled whilst she was leaning against the counter. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“No haha but I’ve said it now and your mum’s already text him about pizza.” He got up and moved towards Lissa, pressing himself against her. “Please don’t do anything to p*ss him off. I know we’re not gonna be best mates again but I want to spend time with you and hate having to keep sneaking around.”

She moved her arms up and wrapped them around his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss. As she released him she smiled, “Really? I love having to sneak you in and out, it’s so much fun,” she giggled and kissed him again.

They heard the floorboards creak, her mum was about to come downstairs so they quickly broke apart and sat back down at the table.

“Joel replied, he’s going to have the usual…”

“Pepperoni and mushroom?” Smiled Tom, at least somethings hadn’t changed.

“Ooh I’ll have that too, can we get a garlic bread too or some chicken bitey things?” Alissa was getting excited at the prospect of food.

“So if we get a large one will that be enough… never mind, forget I even asked that.” Suzie laughed as she remembered how much Joel ate and how easily Alissa would match him. “What do you fancy Tom?”

“He’ll have a medium meat feast.”

Three heads turned in unison to the door, they hadn’t noticed Joel walk in.

“Erm yeah, please if that’s alright.”

“Of course it is dear,” Suzie responded quickly to prevent any awkwardness. “Well that just leaves me then.”

Alissa laughed, “Here we go, she’ll spend about ten minutes going through the menu and thinking that she’ll be all healthy by getting something with veggies on but then she won’t like. She’ll end up having some of ours and moaning that she doesn’t like mushroom and saying all along that she should’ve just got chicken tikka.”

The three teenagers laughed together as Suzie pulled a face before joining in. “Fine, you’ve twisted my arm, chicken tikka it is.”

Joel took his phone out of his pocket, “So we’ve got two medium pepperoni and mushroom, a medium meat feast, a medium chicken tikka, garlic bread and some chicken bitey things. Anything else?”

“Joel I’ll get this, I suggested pizza.”

“No mum, it’s alright, it’s my treat. I’m celebrating getting my new job.”

“Ah Joely, you didn’t say anything!”

“It was a spur of the moment thing. I got the message this morning when I scrolling through my phone.” He smiled at Lissa, “It’s not much, more or less what I’ve been doing all summer. It’s at the school down the road doing a sports club three nights a week for the 10 - 12 year olds that are interested in football.”

His mother smiled at him, she knew this was something he’d always wanted to. “Joely that’s brilliant, I’m so proud of you.” She moved towards him and gave him a hug.

“Thanks mum, and don’t think I haven’t noticed the ‘Joely’ slipping back in. Let’s not make that a thing, eh?” Suzie laughed as she moved around him to grab her cup.

“Yeah so, I was thinking that erm, you know you don’t have to but, if you wanted to…”

Alissa rolled her eyes. “Will you, erm, you know, erm, just spit it out. Jesus. Didn’t anyone ever tell you to form your sentence in your head and then let it just roll off your tongue. It’s a simple concept really.” Tom nudged her, this was exactly what he didn’t want her to do.

Joel glared at her, he was trying and she wasn’t helping. He turned to Tom, “I was wondering if you wanted to help run the classes with me. I mean you don’t need to and I know you’ve got practise and homework to do but if you wanted to come to one session then.” He stopped, realising that he was babbling like some little school girl.

“Yeah course, I mean, just let me know what days and I’m sure we can sort something.” A smile curled up from Tom’s lips, it threatened to meet his eyes but he stopped it. He didn’t want to alarm Joel by seeming too keen.

“Well, now that you two love birds have finally made up,” Alissa beamed, she drew out the word ‘finally’ for a bit of dramatic effect. “Can someone please order food cause I’m starving.”

Joel responded with a smile and took out his phone. Alissa walked over and kissed him on the cheek. He wasn’t sure whether it was more do with ordering food or for trying to make up with Tom, he wasn’t too bothered though and continued with the task at hand.