He stepped frae the taxi and felt the instant chill o' the air. He shivered. Closing the door and watching Selina pay the driver he walked up tae the steps. Normally he'd taken the steps twa at a time, now he wis taking the steps yin at a time and taking hold o' the hand rail. He felt like an auld man.

Holding onto the bag that contained his things she carefully followed behind Blair once the driver had handed her the change from the £20 note she paid him with.
"You ok honey?" She spoke as she watched him take the stairs slowly. "I have the keys out ready."
Before she had gone to the Hospital she'd whipped around the flat with the vacuum, air freshener and polish as well as adding a small banner stating. "Welcome home". She knew it would be the first thing he see due to it's position on the wall.

He nodded mid puff as he climbed the stairs he didnae think had been that steep before he'd been shot. He blew out his cheeks as he reached the top and rubbed o'er his wound. He watched her insert the key in the door and push it open. He smelt the Mr Sheen frae the door and smiled. Beat the smell o' disinfectant an' bleach. "Hame." He stepped inside and instantly saw the banner and felt a lump tae his throat. "Ye missed me that much?" He turned back tae face her and slipped his hand around her waist. "Ye cannae imagine how glad I am tae be here?"

She smiled and nodded looking at him as he held her closely. With her right foot she kicked the door shut.
She moved her hands up to his face and stroked her fingertips through his hair. "I've missed you more than I could ever tell you. It's so good having you back and I can do this without anyone watching or saying anything. She moved her lips to his and kissed him softly. Breaking the kiss for a moment she spoke. "Welcome home sweetie".

It felt guid being hame. Nae mair clanging o' bed pans or whitever it wis behind the wall tae his bed. Nae mair being woken up at 11pm tae take a sleeping draft sae he could sleep, or being woken up at 6am tae be tellt the doctor wid be making his rounds in another three hours or mair. Nae mair poking and prodding by no jist female nurses, or bed baths. He wis hame.

He saw Marmaduke on the window sill, curled up but yin eye open. "I hope he's no been a handful while I've been away?" He spoke tae Selina as he looked at the cat.

She glanced over at Marmaduke basking in the late winter sun that was beaming through the window. "Been no trouble at all. He's missed you that I do know, I often found him sitting curled up in your chair." She called out to the cat. "Hey Marmy look who's home?"

He pulled a face at the ginger haired seat cushion. "Jist tae point out that should I ever come in here in jist ma boxers, those hairs are no mine." he pointed. He walked tentatively o'er tae Marmaduke and ruffled his fur feeling it statically charge against the hairs on the back o' his ane hand. "Miss me did yer?" He teased hearing the cat purr loudly. As he stopped Marmaduke sat up and began licking back down his already yince licked down fur. Blair chuckled

She laughed. "Ok if you say so. Do you want a coffee?" She removed her jacket and pulled the overnight bag out of the way, before stepping into the Kitchen. She looked on as she see Blair and Marmaduke in their bonding session.

"Could murder a beer." he called o'er. He straightened up and walked o'er placing his hand close tae her bum and could see the static charge shoot frae his hand tae her bottom frae where he stood. "Bloody hell did ye see that? Oh sorry." He giggled. "No I really mean it. Och Hen ye widnae hit an injured man wid yer?" He tried tae look at her face wi'out giggling bit it wis the maist fun he'd had in ages. "I could ha'e done wi' Marmaduke at the hospital, that matron wis an auld hag. Yin spark frae Marmy and it might ha'e sorted her oot."

"A Bee... " She began to speak and then felt the sting of the electric shock he had given her. She yelped really loudly. "What the flamin hell do you think you are doing. Gees see it I bloody damn well felt it. You have declared war for later now Robertson." She was trying not to laugh and stay angry with him but it was impossible. "I can tell you two are back together." She took the can from the fridge and felt tempted to shake it first but thought better of it. She'd just get him back later. She rubbed her bum where the shock had hit her. "It's a good job I bloody love ya."

He laughed and took the can. Marmaduke settled back down on the window seat and faced the glass, an eye on the activity outside. A few birds circling the telephone cable across the street chasing insects. Blair pressed in the ringpull and flattened it against the tin, he took a long drink and closed his eyes.
"Now that wis guid."

She smiled watching him. "Can make some food if you like. Are you hungry?" She went to the side cupboard where marmaduke's food was kept and pulled open the packet of chicken dreamies. She shook some into the cat bowl and after sniffing one popped one into her mouth and began crunching on it. It was as if marmaduke had a sixth sense he bolted from the sill position and began mewing loudly in disgust as she ate another.

Marmaduke sat up, his ears pricked tae the sound o' his packet o' Dreamies. It wis odd that it wis before his actual meal time, bit an offer o' biscuits wis a'ways welcome. He jumped down frae the sill and ran silently through tae the kitchen. Bit whit wis this? SHE WIS EATING HIS BISCUITS!!!!

Marmaduke meowed loudly. Loud enough tae frighten the wee mousie in the cupboard under the sink about tae bite intae the peanut butter coated chocolate, now wi' a hard crust an' mould. He jumped up at her legs digging in his claws tae grip hald and prumped loudly. Short o' jumping up on the counter and snatching the bag frae her, clawing wis the only thing in his arsenal.

She yelped at the clawing. "Oww will you knock it off Marmy, it's only a couple of biccies." She moved from the cabinet folding the packet over and popped another in her mouth for good measure. "These are good."

Marmaduke yowled, so much so that Blair turned tae see whit wis gan on. When he saw Selina pop in a Dreamie he stared at her in disbelief. "Did ye jist eat a cat biscuit?"