Chapter 21

I get up the next morning and follow my usual routine, as I am swimming I feel my wrist begin to hurt and when I look at it I find it badly bruised. I decide to talk to Tyler about my run in with Sidney and see what he suggests I do.

After my shower I head down to the kitchen to find TK and Jordan already there cooking a fry up.

“Morning boys, sleep well?” I ask as I give Tyler a full kiss on the lips then give Jordan a peck on the cheek causing him to blush.

We sat and ate breakfast and talked for a while before Jordan decided to go home before afternoon skate and kung fu practice.

“Are you sure you will be ok Jordan?” I ask as I stand in front of him, looking into his bright blue eyes, concern evident in my voice.

“Yeah, I will be fine Gill, I don’t know what caused me to get so emotional last night. Thanks for everything.”

We said our goodbyes and he left moments later.

“TK, can we talk for a moment?” I ask as I return to this kitchen.

“Yeah of course, is everything ok?”

“Will you promise to keep your temper at bay?”

“You are worrying me Gill, what is wrong?”

“Promise me Tyler please.”

“Ok ok I promise.”

I pulled up my sleeve to reveal the bruise on my wrist and I proceeded to tell him about my run in with Sidney.

“I cannot believe that guy, who does he think he is? I will kill him when I see him this afternoon…!!” Tylers voice is raised and his face is red as he gets up from the table clenching and unclenching his fists.

“Tyler I made you promise for a reason, I can handle him myself but I want your advice on what to do next. Will you please sit down.”

Tyler eventually calmed down and we sat talking about various options before it was time for him to leave for afternoon skate.

“I will go home after kung fu and get my stuff for the trip and then come back here.”

We say our goodbyes and then I call Vero to see if she can recommend anything for the Sidney situation and we decide that it would be best for me to talk to him again before I mention anything to Lorna.

“Thanks for your help Vero. I shall see you on Tuesday for our trip to New York. Take care.”

“Anytime Gill, I am glad you feel you can talk to me. See you Tuesday I am really looking forward to it.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon doing some housework before it was time to head to the arena for kung fu.

The class went well with Marc-Andre being my volunteer and everyone putting a lot of effort into learning. It was clear that most of the guys had been practicing as I asked.

“Well done guys, you all done well. If you keep this up for the next week or so I think you will all be ready for your first grading. I have been in touch with a local kung fu instructor and he is happy to come along for the grading.

“Have a great time in Sweden and I will get you all up to the house again when you come back.

“Take care.”

I turned to walk away when I asked:

“Sidney, will you stay back a moment please I need to talk to you.”

The guys all left and Sidney sat himself down on one of the large window sills so I went and joined him.

“Did you have a good night last night Sidney?” I asked as I sat watching him staring out the window.

Finally he turned to look at me.

“I don’t really remember much about it, I was pretty drunk. Why do you ask?”

I pulled my sleeve up and rested my arm on his leg.

“Do you remember doing this to me?” His eyes widened and he had a genuine look of shock on his face.

“No, why on earth would I do that to you?” He takes a hold of my arm and gently rubs the bruise as he looks me in the eye searching for an answer.

“I asked you not to hurt Lorna and you lost your temper with me.”

“I am so sorry Gill I do not remember this at all. Please tell me what I can do to make things better.”

“You can start by promising me that you won’t hurt Lorna, she is like family Sidney and I can’t face anything happening to her.”

“I am falling in love with Lorna and I don’t plan on hurting her, I know I don’t show my emotions very well, I have never been good at explaining how I feel to people but I really like Lorna and want to be with her.”

“Are you sure you won’t hurt her if she says something that you don’t like the next time you are drunk?”

“I won’t hurt her Gill.”

We sat talking for a while and my feelings for him softened, I still didn’t trust him fully but I was beginning to come round and he assured me that he would never be violent with Lorna. I really hope I am doing the right thing with trusting him.