'Mark? Why didn't you tell me we were going out of town? I could've brought a bit of my clothes with me.' Mark flashed a guilty grin but then he carried on, 'Just open the wardrobe Mam said.'

I walked to the wardrobe, still wrapped in the blanket, and I opened it. 'Oh my God!!! Who's these clothes for? You're not a double dresser are you Mark?' Mark exploded into fits of laughter when he heard my last sentence. 'No. You know I'm not!'

'Did you have any idea about this?' I turned to look at Mark. He nodded slowly and looked away, grinning from ear to ear. I quickly jumped into the bed with him and showered him with loads of tickling kisses. I knew he loved it when I did it. We rolled into the blanket and we ended up like a hot dog when I rolled back and he tickled me. This time we ended up with me sitting on his chest, giggling away. 'Whoa Em! You're heavier aren't you?'

Suddenly I felt sick. I ran to the bathroom and closed the door. 'Are you okay Em?' I couldn't answer him. I was busy throwing up. 'Hang on, I'll get Mam.'

Less than two minutes later Mrs. Feehily was in the bathroom with me. Luckily I had the blanket wrapped around me and Mark was wearing his boxer shorts. Imagine what would happen if we were completely naked? I blushed when I thought about that. My mind had been a bit naughty lately.

'Are you feeling better love? What did you eat last night?' 'Yes, I'm feeling a lot better now Mrs. Feehily. Thank you.' I didn't want to give away our little secret. 'Well, well, I could see two beautiful ladies getting along well here.' Mark was standing in front of the bathroom's door.

'Mam, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Emily Steefal.' Mrs. Feehily smiled. 'Mark has been telling me non stop about you. I wish I could shush him up for one second just to talk about himself. You're a lovely girl aren't you? Shame you're not feeling too good or else I could make Mark to drive your around Sligo.' I blushed at the thought of Mark had been telling about me to his mam. When I looked up at Mark, I could see that he was blushing too. 'Maaam, don't give away everything I told you.'

Mrs. Feehily gave us a wide smile. I was dying to kiss Mark's red cheek but had to held it at the thought of it not being too appropriate since I had only been introduced to Mrs. Feehily. 'May, I'd like you to meet my mam. The only lady I loved before I met you.' I blushed again, this time I could feel that it was even brighter than the first one. Mark moved closer to me and put his arms around me. Now, he was the one who couldn't stand to kiss my blushing cheek. I was waiting for Mrs. Feehily's reaction and I got a good one.

'Mark can you please get another towel?' 'Okay mam. Don't give away too much remember.' Mark grinned then walked away. 'Emily love, I can see Mark really loves you. I've never seen him that happy before. Has he told you that he loves you?'

I was quite surprised about what Mrs. Feehily told me. 'Umm... Uhhh... Yeah, he has told me he loves me.' 'I didn't mean to be too straight with you love. But as far as I know, that would be the first time he told a girl that he loves her. You make him so happy and therefore you're making me happy too. Welcome to the family darling.'

I was even more surprised. She was so open and what? Mark never told a girl that he loved her before? She must had been joking! Mrs. Feehily stretched her arms and gave me a hug. A mother's hug I've been longing for. Behind her was a mirror and somehow I could see that my mam was there standing and smiling at me. I smiled back at her and closed my eyes.

'Here's the towel mam! Heyyy, how come I don't get a hug like that?' Mark popped back to the bathroom. Me and Mrs. Feehily looked up and smiled. 'It's a secret hug darling!' She grinned at Mark and looked at me. 'Are you sure you're not... Ah no no, forget it.' Uh-oh I could feel that she was sensing something wrong. Mark was just grinning away, trying not to look at his mam.