Harry's POV

Not much is being said around the table, Beth's children are far too busy eating and I can't say I blame them.

This is pretty good stuff.

I take a moment to study Beth as she listens to Jamie speak about something. Her hair is down today, her loose brown curls hang over her shoulders and she absentmindedly runs her hand through it and flips it away, much like I do. Her eyes are a deep blue, her nose is small and cute and her lips; the bottom one is plump and I can see a tiny freckle on it.

She rests her chin on her left hand and I think I see something on the inside of her wrist poke out.

It's a tattoo!

I want to know what it is but I can't make it out, I can hardly see any of it. My interest is definitely piqued though.

The sound of forks clanging into empty bowls and a chorus of 'thank you's' is heard and it brings me back to reality.

"That really was delicious," I say to Beth, "I should get the recipe for mum."

Beth nods her head in agreement.

"Absolutely!" she replies, "remind me before you go."

The kids get up from the table and start to clear away everyone's bowls except for Beth's, which I find strange.

Chloe stands and takes my bowl before I can even move, giving me a dazzling smile.

The kids seem to have completely forgotten about Beth as they start getting dessert ready.

She sighs as its obvious no one's worried about her bowl, to the point Jamie insinuates she's perfectly capable of getting the bowl to the sink herself.

Cheeky lad.

Beth decides she's going to wait for dessert and I agree with her. I need to let the delicious risotto settle for a moment but I wouldn't mind some more wine and I ask if she would like some more. She seems to hesitate for a split second but agrees to it.

The kids now have their dessert all set and ask if they can take it upstairs to watch a movie before bed.

I really like her kids, but I secretly hope she lets them so I can have some one on one time with her to get to know her. More adult talk I suppose would be good. When she agrees to let them I mentally high five myself.

She says goodnight to them and grabs the bottle of wine before she walks back over to me.

She goes to open the bottle but I stop her and do the gentlemanly thing and take it gently from her so I can refill our glasses.

"Allow me," I say.

A strange sound comes out of Beth, which sounds kind of like a cough and before I can get her some water, she grabs her glass of wine and takes a large mouthful.

Oh that's not going to be good.

She's now coughing madly and although I'm concerned for her, I find it bloody funny.

"Are you okay?" I ask, trying not to laugh.

"Yes," she manages to reply.

She has tears in beautiful blue eyes, but she's laughing at the same time. I love a girl, well, woman who can laugh at herself.

After I refill the glasses, I ask if she wants to sit in the lounge as I think it would be much more comfortable.

She seems to hesitate at my request. Am I being too forward? I really hope not.

But she agrees so hopefully that's a positive sign.

I sit on one of the couches and again I watch as she hesitates before she sits opposite me.

Damn.

I was hoping she would sit next to me, but perhaps she's not feeling comfortable enough to do that. I notice she seems awkward as she sits, anxious even and I think how I can make her feel less uneasy.

I lean back into the couch, completely opposite to her as her body sits upright and rigid.

I need to get her to relax.

I need to try and think of something to say.

"So are you just..." I begin.

"So I suppose you're..." Beth says at the same time.

We both laugh at each other and I can see the tension slip from her body a little bit. I think I'm on a win here.

But then her question throws me for a moment. The first thing she mentions is how happy my mum and my family must be to have me home. She doesn't ask about the band, if we're breaking up, what my plans are, about Zayn, about the others. She just says it must be wonderful for my family to all be together again.

Family.

"She is," I respond, "I think she's definitely going to enjoy having me around."

I pause for a moment before I continue.

"Everyone wants to know what I'm doing. Am I recording a solo album, getting into acting or modelling," he says as he shakes his head, "hardly anyone has touched on family."

"Well," she says, "maybe I look at it from a mother's perspective."

I remain silent as she explains it from her view and I get it. I really do.

"I'm sure she's your biggest supporter but I'm positive she's thrilled about your break," Beth went on.

"She is actually," I agree, "I had lunch with her today and she's already hassling me about dinner and Christmas," I laugh.

"She loves you!" Beth smiles at me, "you're her baby boy!"

I return her smile before I glance around the room.

"So what are you doing for Christmas?" I ask, "the kids must be excited for Santa," I whisper, not wanting for them to hear as I'm sure they're still up for the believing in Santa business.

Beth suddenly goes quiet.

"Um...yeah..." she falter's a bit, "to be honest, I don't think Christmas will be huge this year," she says.

I frown, not quite understanding.

"Well we kind of had a talk with Santa about this before we left," she begins, "and Santa went on to explain that because we would be overseas this Christmas that he thought it would be best to help contribute to our holiday instead of bringing gifts that we would have to take back home again," she explains.

What the actual fuck?

No Santa?

She may as well tell them Christmas is cancelled.

Scratch that.

She may as well tell them he fucking doesn't exist.

"So Santa is going to give them money?" I ask.

"Money so we can visit Legoland," she explains, "that's what they want to do the most here."

Surely they have to by flying, it's way too far and unsafe for a mother and her three children to travel by train or by driving by themselves. I ask the question, even though I'm already sure of the answer.

"Train," she replies.

This is all too much that I look around the room again and notice how bare it is.

No.

"What about a tree? Christmas stockings?" I ask, and I hope to God I'm wrong.

"Where am I going to find all that, let alone the time to do it and in secret?" she asks, "I can't just leave them alone while I go off shopping Harry."

Jesus take the wheel.

No Santa, no tree, no proper presents.

These kids are going to need some serious therapy.

"I just...can't this year," she says, "and that's just how it is."

I realise Beth is right in what she says and she's doing the best she can.

I guess she considers this conversation over as she walks into the kitchen and begins to go about setting up the cheese and biscuits.

I decide to turn on the television, as I shake my head in disbelief.

The noise of the television cuts through the silence as Beth walks back over with the plate in one hand and the bottle of wine in the other.

She places the plate down before she then opens the bottle and pours the remains into our glasses, leaning over again.

It's then I notice the neckline of her top is hanging down and I can see straight down the front of her top and I can see the swell of her breasts and she's wearing a white lace bra...

Christ.

I can't stop looking.

"This looks delicious," she says and I quickly divert my gaze away.

"Yeah...uh...who doesn't like cheese right?" I stutter, and I hope to God she didn't notice.

"Did we not establish that earlier?" she says smiling at me.

We did, we did.

But I wasn't looking at your tits when we had that particular conversation.

I decide to flick through the channels on the television until I notice that 'The Late Late Show' is on.

"Is this alright?" I ask.

"Absolutely," she nods, "James Corden is hilarious, and your Carpool Karaoke...way too short!"

"It was such a laugh making that," I say, "though I really did need to wee."

She looks at me like I can't be serious.

"Maybe if you hire him as your new band member he'll be kinder to you next time," she suggests, "he can sing you know!"

"Tell me about it," I agree, "I was blown away by his high note!"

"I can't decide which I love more, the Carpool Karaoke or the Dodgeball episode," she muses.

"Those girls were tough!" I laugh, "I'd hate to meet some of them in a dark alley."

We tune into the episode, making comments occasionally.

But then the silence between us is also companionable and I could seriously get used to it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Beth trying not to yawn.

Is she enjoying my company as much as I'm enjoying hers?

"Tired?" I ask.

"Jetlag I think," she replies, "I'm still adjusting."

"It can take a while," I agree, "I should probably go so you can get some sleep."

"I guess," she says.

I don't want to go either Beth.

And I don't know why.

I stand up, and take our glasses and empty plate into the kitchen.

"I'll do those in the morning," she tells me, "leave them."

"If you're sure," I say, "I don't mind."

Anything to stay a little bit longer.

"Its fine Harry," she reassures me.

I walk over to the door and pull my coat off the hook and put it on. Beth opens the door for me and I walk out onto the front step.

I stop and turn around to look at her.

"I really enjoyed tonight," I say, "the food was amazing and the company was even better."

"I'm glad you aren't disappointed," she smiles shyly at me.

"Far from it," I say quietly as I bite my bottom lip, hoping I don't sound like an idiot for saying it.

I see her shiver and realise I should really let her go back inside so she doesn't catch a cold.

I take a deep breath in.

Okay, it's now or never Harold.

"Would you..." I begin, "I mean, do you want to do something again? Some other time?"

God I sound like a teenager.

"That would be lovely," she replies, "whenever you have the time."

Again I mentally high five myself.

"Could I have your number then? So I can call you?" I ask.

"Sure," she says as I give her my phone for her to enter her number.

I quickly send a text after she gives me back my phone and moments later I hear a phone chime.

"Just testing," I smile, "I should go," I say, "thanks again for tonight."

I wage an internal debate and decide that I will take the chance.

I lean in slowly and kiss her cheek.

I smell mangoes.

And it's heavenly.

"Goodnight Beth," I say as I slowly turn around and walk towards my car.

"Goodnight Harry, drive safely," she replies.

I smile at the thought of her caring about my wellbeing.

God you sound like such a dork Styles.

Once I'm in my car, I roll the window down and wave at her, earning one back in the process. I know she's watching me as I leave, seeing me safely off, but I keep my eye on her in the rearview mirror to make sure she's the one that gets inside her house safely.

As I drive home, I start to think.

I suddenly get an idea.

And by god it's a brilliant one.

I think I've really outdone myself this time.

My phone lights up interrupting my thoughts and I read the text message.

Me too, glad you enjoyed it, B x

She put an 'x.'

The biggest shit eating grin crosses my face and I already know I'm going to be paying her a visit again tomorrow.

And I cannot wait.