Saved By The Firefighter
Chapter 87

Josie's Point of view.

I cannot confirm nor deny that I absolutely love my days off!

The last four days have been manic. What with work and helping Lucy's brother move house, but today I get to have a long lay-in, then head out to visit my nana and grandad, before going to Anders' work to meet him for his swimming lesson.

He had wanted me to go to his again last night, but I opted to come home. As much as I love spending time with him, we have become a little intense and at a rapid pace, so I just wanted some alone time, to catch my breath. I also need to start doing some of my household chores before my little home becomes as dirty and messy as Davey's was.

I don't think Anders was overly pleased with my decision, but he was a good little boyfriend and didn't push the issue. I am surprised he did not argue, and I cannot help but wonder if he also needed a night's break.

Now, given I wanted this night and half-day away from him, I cannot help but feel a little putout he did not argue with me, and wonder if he also wanted a break, and if he did, why it bothers me so much. Yes, I know, I am being ridiculous, but I cannot seem to help it.

Stretching again, loving the fact I can starfish in my bed, I glance at the clock to see it is just past 9am. I am going to go to my Nana's for lunch, so I decide it is best to get up now and sort out the house.

Still in my PJs I dust, vacuum, clean paintwork, then grab some white vinegar to put on my taps like Joanne had shown me, given they have some stubborn limescale on that I cannot get off, then fill up the washing machine and set it going. After making a nice coffee, I sit down in my freshly cleaned home, curling up on the sofa and drink the hot liquid, letting out a contented sigh.

After finishing my morning coffee, I head into the bathroom, filling the tub, adding some lavender bubbles, determined to relax and enjoy my morning.

One thing though is bothering me. Anders has not messaged me good morning. Now I know I could pick up the phone and text, but hey, I am not going to do that. I do not chase after men. Am I being petty and childish? Probably, but I am who I am, and I refuse to text first.

As I sink into the tub, I let out another sigh of relief, this is heaven. However, I cannot still my thoughts, as they wander to Anders. I wonder if he is busy, or possibly rethinking our relationship, after being so busy helping everyone around us for the last few days. Maybe he is in some sort of mood because I wanted a night to myself. Well, if that is the case, he can get over it. I lay my head back, determined not to give him another thought, he will text when he texts, and I will see him after lunch anyway to take him swimming. My phone pings on the side of the bath, and I grab it instantly, but feel a wave of disappointment that the message is from my Nana and not my silent boyfriend.

'Hi pet, I got some of that posh salad stuff you like for lunch. Do I cook rocket leaves, or are they like normal lettuce? Xxx'

I smile, shaking my head slightly, I love this woman.

'Hi nana, just wash them and serve as you would normally. You didn't have to buy it for me, I love all your food. Xxx'

'Your granddad said I had to. Xxx'

That makes me laugh, whenever she wants to do something for me, and I say it is okay, she always tells me it's my grandfather's idea, so I go along with it. I cannot confirm or deny I am a granddad's girl.

'Thank you, Nana LY xxx'

'What's LY? X'

I shake my head with a smile on my face, she really does brighten up my day.

'It means, I love you. X'

'Oh, that's nice pet. Love you more. Xx'

I chuckle, yeah, she doesn't quite understand text-speak and thinks an aubergine emoji, or egg plant as Wayne calls it with his Americanism's, is just an aubergine, I don't have the heart to tell her it is text code for a p***s.

I wash down my body, then turn the shower on to rinse myself off, before grabbing a towel from the rail and wrapping it around myself, heading into my bedroom to get ready for the day.

Grabbing a pair of ripped-at-the-knees jeans, and a black tank top, with a wrap cardigan to go with it, I pull on my black sandals, before grabbing my swimming kit, I cannot deny I have deliberately chosen the bright red number, just in case Anders is having second thoughts about us. Yeah, showing him what he will miss out on, before he walks away.

s**t, I really need to get a grip, he is probably just busy at work! Why the hell am I being so needy when I was the one who wanted a few hours of alone time?

Gathering my stuff, I walk out to the car, and make the short drive to my grandparents' home.

I walk through the door, and I am greeted with a big smile from my Nana, as my Granddad staggers towards me, his own smile bright on his face.

"Hello, ooh you are all modern with your jeans," Nana stated, giving me a look that tells me she doesn't 100% like them but is too polite to say so.

"In our day, when our clothes got like that, it meant it was time to buy a new pair." Grandad laughs at his own joke.

I giggle at the pair of them, not at all offended.

"The weather is decent again today, so your grandad wanted a BBQ," Nana tells me, which is code for she wanted a BBQ and told my grandad to put it on.

"Great, I have to leave at around three though," I tell them both, then pick up my phone, and resist the urge to launch it over the room, as there is still no text from Anders.

My mood completely soured, I head outside, and sit chatting about nothing in particular with my Nana, as she informs me about all the family gossip. Mind, if you said she likes to gossip, she would go in a huff and tell you that she doesn't do that at all. Grandad notices I am quieter than normal and comes to sit next to me, bringing a burger and some sausage with him, placing one on my plate. I take a spoon full of the rocket and tomato salad that is sat in the bowl, adding it to the plate. "You are quiet pet, are you okay?" he quietly asks.

I nod my head.

"Yeah, fine, just a bit tired, first day off-shift, and it has been a busy week," I reassure him, feeling guilty that I am concerning my grandad by being in a mood over the lack of texts from Anders.

"Eee, have they found that arsonist yet?" my nana asks.

I shake my head and let out a sigh, I hate that this will be worrying the pair of them.

"Not yet nana, but there have been no more incidents for over 10 days now, so hopefully whoever it is has given up." I smile, trying to put her mind at ease.

"Let's hope so." Nana sighs out, as grandad looks at me.

"Just be bloody careful though Josie," he tells me sternly.

"I always am, don't worry." I smile again, hoping they don't get themselves too anxious about my job or this arsonist.

We sit and chat for another hour, when I decided enough is enough, I am going to turn up at Anders' work early.

Yes, I am being needy, but I am royally pissed off now at the lack of communication.

Heading into the car, I plug my phone in, then select my driving play list, before reversing off the drive, and making my way up the lane towards the roundabout where I can turn around and head back towards the city centre. As I am driving along, singing Adelle's 'Hello' at the top of my lungs, which, let's face it, is not the best song to sing when you are wondering why your supposed boyfriend is ignoring your very existence, when the phone rings and Lucy's number pops up. "Hey," I greet her, wondering why she is ringing me.

"Hi Josie. Anders asked me to ring you, something has come up, he cannot go swimming, he said he will contact you later once it is sorted. I just wanted to let you know before you set off," Lucy states.

Now I am really worried, why could he not have just text me that himself, and I am getting more and more angry about this whole stupid situation.

"Okay, but why did he not message me that himself?" I ask unable to keep my frustration from my voice.

"I am really not sure, when I got in this morning, there was someone in reception for him, and he has been locked in his office all day. He sent an email to ask me to let you know, didn't even text or ring me. I looked into his office earlier, and he looked in a hell- mood." Lucy sighs out.

"Oh, okay. I am in the car, do you think Cal would want a hand at his house this afternoon, I have nothing else to do?" I ask, not wanting to sit in my house stressing about what the hell is going on.

"Yeah, he would love that, Ben is there with him, and the Boss, building a wooden playhouse Whip-Me bought for the kids." Lucy tells me, and I know she is delighted that the Boss has done this for her brother's kids.

"Wow, that was nice of the Boss, he must really like Joanne." I giggle, pleased someone's love life is going well, whilst I am panicking about my own.

"Yeah, he does, even Ben approves now." Lucy laughs.

"Okay, well I will head over and give them a hand. See you later. Oh, and tell that f*****g arsehole to call me when he is free." I add on to the end.

"Will do, bye." Lucy laughs before hanging up the phone.

I spin the car around when I get to the next side-street, and set off to Cal's house, desperate to be busy with something and get control of my stupid thoughts about Anders.