Note to Ben fans: I’ve nothing against him honest it’s just the way the story is going so can put away your voodoo dolls now lol

Chapter Two

Sara hadn’t realised just how popular her boyfriend was until she stepped inside the club “Who are all these people?” she inquired as she looked around the hall “Friends from work and school” Sara looked around once again “Are you sure some of them aren’t gatecrashers?” his smile widened “No I know them all” Sara frowned as she watched him walk away.

Amy arrived seconds later dressed in light coloured jeans and short lacy crop top “He didn’t even notice Amy” Sara sighed disappointedly Amy glanced at her friend “What…is he blind?” Sara glanced across to where Chris stood deep in conversation with his work mates “Come on let’s dance” she said making her way onto the dance floor.

Chris took the present from Ben quickly opening it “Wow…thanks mate” he said as he put it with the others “So who’s the girl?” Ben turned to where a red haired girl sat looking decidedly uncomfortable “Do you remember Zoe?” Chris gazed at her once again “Oh yeah I remember her now” Ben ordered a pint of lager for himself and Chris and some fruit cocktail thing for Zoe “Sara looks great” complimented Ben Chris glanced over to where his girlfriend stood wow he was right she did look good.

Without further delay he pushed through the crowd of dancers to where Sara was dancing “I’ll leave you two love birds alone “ laughed Amy as she pushed her way back through the crowd “Well hello there beautiful where have you been all my life?” someone said as he caught hold of her wrist “Come and dance” she obliged all the time remaining cautious.

Sara made her way to the bar as soon as the song finished “Hey buster… I know your type…you just better not try anything on with my mate okay!” she warned the dark haired young man who was buying Amy a drink “I think she can look after herself” he replied as he walked away “Still protecting her are you?” Ben inquired Sara simpered “Yeah well it’s more than you did” the smile leapt from his face as he watched Sara push her way over to where Chris sat “Oh Mark you made it” she cried joyfully Mark smiled as she kissed his cheek “I…can only…stay for…a few hours… I am on strict… instructions…not to ...over do it” he said labouringly Sara glanced at him his legs covered with a blanket “I’m glad you came mate” Chris sighed “Couldn’t...miss your… eighteenth” Chris grinned, “Did you know Ben’s back with Zoe?” Chris muttered Mark focussed on the female “Oh…is…he?” he said as Morven made her way over to them.

Ben stepped out of the shadows as Sara made her way to the ladies “You look beautiful” he said catching Sara off guard “Oh shit!” she cursed as she clutched at her throat “Ben you scared the hell out of me” he looked down at her “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you” she smiled up at him wondering just when he’d gotten so tall “Zoe’s looking neglected” he looked across to where Zoe sat smiling politely as she listened in on someone’s conversation “She’ll be okay” insisted Ben “He didn’t notice” he changed the subject “Notice what?” said Sara knowing full well to what he was referring “The hair The dress the way you look” Sara side glanced Chris “He has a lot on his mind” she defended “Really…If you were my girlfriend I would have noticed” Sara was taken aback “Ben don’t” she muttered he moved forward “Don’t what?” he smirked “Compliment you on how absolutely stunning you look?” Sara felt flattered “Okay” she smiled up at him “Ben I’m with Chris…end of story” she said firmly as she made her way to the ladies.

Once inside she glanced at her reflection in the mirror teasing her hair with her fingertips as Cathy had advised “Wow…you look fab Sara” Liz complimented as she came out of the cubical “Your hair looks great like that” Sara glanced into the mirror as the door opened and in walked Jasmine an angry pout on her face “Fuck! I knew he’d fucking come!” she was saying as she entered “How the fuck am I suppose to get Ben if Mark’s fucking here!” she added angrily Sara whirled round on her “Well don’t worry yourself Jas…he’s only staying a few hours” she hissed Jasmine’s face turned purple “I…err…was only joking” she stuttered Sara marched up to her “No you weren’t…you use Mark you’ve always used Mark!” Jasmine fumed “Well that’s his problem if he wants to be fucking used!” Sara shook her head “You callous bitch!” she accused Jasmine shrugged “Oh come on Mark’s not exactly forthcoming in the…” Sara stared at her “What?” she snapped “Well let me spell it out for you…he’s crap in bed!” Sara stared open mouthed, “Well that’s your opinion” she managed “It’s a fact! And now he can’t well you know…a girl has to get it from somewhere…might try Chris” Sara simpered “Feel free…I’d really like to see him reject you…I mean let’s face he’s not the most subtle person in the world” Liz sniggered as she watched Sara enter the cubical and Jasmine slink away.

When Sara emerged from the ladies she marched over to where Chris sat smiled sweetly at Mark and Morven then hauled Chris onto the dance floor intend at showing both Ben and Jasmine that they were still very much a couple “You okay babe?” Chris asked she nodded as she wrapped her arms around him drawing him close for all to see.

Ben sat next to Mark watching the couple dance unable to take his eyes from her he hadn’t meant to fall for her had did all in his power to stop himself but it had all been to no avail “Mark” his attention was temporally interrupted by Mark’s father “You ready to go?” Mark nodded tiredly “I’ll...just say…goodnight…to Chris” he replied as Chris and Sara made there way over “That you off Mark?” Chris quizzed he nodded as he eyed Jasmine who was deep in conversation with someone “Do you want me to go fetch her?” Morven offered and Mark shook his head “Just…leave her” he said as his father pushed the wheel chair towards the door “Mark wait I’ll come with you…I’ll have to go to Chris…Meghan gets up early” Chris smiled as he kissed her cheek “Thanks for coming” he said knowing it took a lot of guts for both of them. Morven because Paul would have been celebrating his eighteenth if he’d lived and Mark because he found being away from the hospital really hard “Thanks for coming mate” he added as he took hold of Mark’s hand “It’s…okay” Mark replied quietly as his father pushed him through the door.

Amy watched him closely a guilty expression of her face “He’s getting better isn’t he?” she quizzed “Yes…the hospital said he’s doing fine” Chris reassured as he came up next to her “I still can’t help thinking if only I’d gone to the police” Chris placed a brotherly arm around her “Hey I was the one who told you not to” he reminded Amy stared at him “Yes but” he looked right into those baby blue eyes of hers “No buts!” he chastised and she bowed her head “Now how about that dance?” she glanced across to Sara who gave her permission.

Ben seized his opportunity “How about a dance?” he said Sara let out a deep sigh “How about you leave me alone?” he looked crushed “One dance wont hurt” he continued she rolled her eyes “Okay one dance!” she accepted if only for peace as they made their way to the dance floor the music changed from the latest dance track to a soft ballad “Great” she thought bitterly “Just my luck” Ben glanced across to where Chris was still dancing with Amy then wrapped his arms around Sara’s slender waste drawing her close he was close enough to kiss and Sara felt her heart begin to flutter “All change!” she announced when Chris and Amy past Amy almost freaking when Ben put his arms around her “We can sit down if you want?” she offered he shrugged “If that’s what you want?” she stared at him recalling their last meeting when he’d dumped her on New Years Eve “Excuse me” someone said as she tapped Amy on the shoulder “Oh sorry…you want to dance with your boyfriend?” Zoe drew in a deep breath then simpered “No! I wouldn’t care if I never seen this arsehole again! Next time you want to make someone jealous don’t use me to do it okay?” the dance floor cleared as Zoe poured a whole pint of lager over Ben’s head “ops sorry” she said as she marched away leaving Ben drenched and looking slightly embarrassed.

Sara smiled as she watched him seize his jacket and thunder towards the exit almost taking the door of its hinges as he went

“There she goes” Chris stated on seeing Jasmine skipping out after him “Chris look I’m really sorry to have ruined your birthday party” apologised Zoe offering to pay for any damage done “It’s okay don’t worry about it” Chris replied happily as he placed his arms around Sara

“A perfect end to a perfect evening” she said happily Chris raised an eyebrow devilishly “I know what a really perfect ending would be” he whispered in her ear “Chrrrriiiisss!” she ground out but didn’t quite refuse either.