My first foray into this fandom. Hope you enjoy x

"Let's do first loves!" Karen cried to a chorus of groans. "Who wants to go first? Shotgun not!"

Everyone else picked up their glasses and tried to look innocent.

"I think Emma should go first," Zara crowed.

"Yeah, go on," Mandy encouraged.

"What's to tell?" Emma shrugged it off. "I was 14, he was 16, we were together for two years, then he left."

"Oh come on, give us some details," Jas pushed. "What was your first date?"

"He took me to the cinema." Emma allowed herself a small smile. "We held hands on the walk home and he kissed me on my doorstep. My mother nearly had a fit!"

"Aaaw!" was Mandy's reaction. "What was his name?"

"It was so long ago I can't remember," Emma lied.

As the others chattered on, she cast her mind back to those days. She had been so happy then. Sharing a pocket on cold days. Laughing until they both thought they would burst. Snuggling up together to watch rubbish telly.

Of course she remembered his name, but she couldn't possibly tell the others. It was Howard.

Howard sat alone, nursing a large glass of scotch. He was thinking. Thinking about Emma and how stupid he had been to let her go. Things had been absolutely perfect. They had been comfortable together. And then he had left her. He had chosen the army over her.

"Stupid," he muttered to himself.

It was true. He was stupid. He could now see that he had thrown away the best thing he'd ever had. She would never want him again now. She was still perfect and he was an ex-military prat. It would never work.

It was then that his phone beeped. A message from Emma. Can't stop thinking about you.

He quickly typed a reply. Me neither. Need to see you.

At the next message he pocketed his phone, drained the last of the scotch and set off. I'm at the Icon. Meet me outside.

Emma's eyes were glued on the pavement as she waited for Howard to arrive, sheltering in the entrance. Her heart leapt into her mouth when he at last came into view. He was damp from the rain, but looked determined. She walked out to meet him.

"You'll get wet," he protested, trying to get her to move back.

"I don't care," she stopped him. She reached up and kissed him gently. "I still love you, Howard."

"We could try again," he murmured. "You and me. If you want to."

"Yeah," she replied. "I do want to."

"We could start with me walking you home" he said, offering her his hand.

She took it with a smile. "You could stay this time."