Fig Hunting in the depths of Suffolk

Well I went fig hunting today and no fresh figs could I find. What to do think, think! Coming up to Christmas there must be some pickled or something. In desperation I looked round the local farm shop in Needham Market and there sitting on a shelf calling me were ‘Figs in light Syrup and Port by the Cottage Delight Speciality Foods’ It sounded good, it sounded like my only chance so I hot footed it back home.

            I prized those plump figs out of the jar; even though they put up a fight and mixed a salad dressing and put some of the syrup in it too. I whizzed some mixed nuts and fruit with cinnamon, in my little whizzer thing and sprinkled them on the lettice mix I picked, for its colour and taste. I baked the figs with goats cheese and drizzled the salad dressing and held my breath to wait for its taste to hit my buds……… not bad, possibly even good and will let you know what my girly friends think.

To Fig or not to Fig, that is my dilemma

I had a very strange day yesterday and I’m blaming my friend Amanda! My reason for this could be considered a little bizarre and probably just a coincidence or family life in general but when ever Amanda organises a girly get together my life takes a tumble.

            I could give many examples but I will just get on with what happened yesterday and as the get together is this evening you could follow the Tilly Happenings as we go and see if I’m right.

            So I had yesterday planed, very simply, go watch a film with Sian my sister-in-law and two of her children and in the evening I had a lady coming round to talk about combining our utility’s together, saving us some money. Simple! Ya think?

            Ok started my day with putting my blog on but wanted to change the background, which took ages as I’m useless at that sort of thing. I then posted my blog later than I should of, so left the house in a mess, picked up Sian; whose car had blown a turbo the day before and was back on track with the day.

             Angus was being Angus and was like one of those African jumping fellows who you have to marvel at their stamina but unlike the singing tall African tribal men, he is just the size to hit my bottom jaw on the way up and my toes on the way down. I was a little frazzled but I’m use to that. We park up and am in full flow of having conversations while holding down my jumping full of life son, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a guy walk into a sign pole. The rebound was spectacular and I tried very hard not to laugh but we couldn’t help it. The poor man was trying to walk away to get out of sight, as you do when you feel a fool but the blood was already rushing out of the wound. I gave him a clean tissue and offered to take him to get it seen to, as I’m pretty sure he would have needed a few stitches. But being embarrassed he just wanted to make light of it, and who could blame him. I’m still wondering if he is ok though, it was one heck of a rebound.

            Well we were still discussing the man through the trailers when the screen went a vivid lime green, then they proceeded to put the wrong film on. The upshot of this was that we were late coming out and getting home for the evenings appointment. Ahrr such is life.

            Anyhow I buzzed around the house, like a worker honey bee I dashed of to the shops to get the much needed coffee and ingredients for the starter I would be doing for the girly get together. What no fresh figs for my fig and goats cheese starter. Now at this point I couldn’t think what to get instead so left the shop in a huff. Got home finished the beans on toast for Kev who had just got out of the shower in a rush to get ready for the appointment, he didn’t look well and just as the lady turned up Kev disappeared and was sick!! We both needed to be at the appointment but I carried on like a martyr as best I could.

            I tried to sleep on the sofa as Kev had taken the starfish position fully clothed and I didn’t have the heart to move him. I woke with a start as Angus jumped fully charged onto me for my morning hug and kisses, zapping any energy out of me with full on love. Then I ran around the house trying to find my phone, which was on silent and I had forgotten I had put on the floor in-case I was not awake when Axl called in the morning. Axl had forgotten to take his shin pads to a sleep over party and had away match in the morning (I knew not what time) and one in the afternoon. Kev took him to football in the car and I still have no figs! And now no car to get any figs!

            After we have retrieved our son from wherever, I then have to get my daughter Ella to a party and to be at Amanda’s for 7.30 while sorting the starter out and keeping it warm for the journey. Then I will have to time departing Amanda’s to pick up Ella with friends who are staying in the caravan and who I will be taking to football in the morning.

            What could possibly go wrong! My only concern it whether I should “Fig or not to Fig” now there is a dilemma!

Last Part of Tammy's Quest for Romance

Here is the last part of 'Tammy's Quest for Romance' hope you like it. I may put all parts together and post them as a whole story, what do you think send me an e-mail to let me know. Now having to dash out (I'm possibly a little late :-) ) Hope you all had a great half term Love Tilly x

Tammy was shocked when she looked across at Sara’s Parents who’s looked mirrored her own. Well Josh and Sara had only known each nine months or so and these days people lived together a while before they married. Tammy held down the panic rising inside the questions and concerns. A leap of faith in them was called for. Life, she thought was very unpredictable and no one knew who was going to survive marriage and for what reasons. Only looking at it on the back of hindsight would anyone know the couples that had survived.

            Just over a year ago she thought she was loosing Josh the odds were so stacked against him. Yet here he was announcing their future. They were both showing off their rings. Tammy shook her head laughing at them and how indulgent of each other they were.

            ‘They are beautiful’ she exclaimed when it was her turn. She looked across at Donna and Tim who both shone with warmth and pride of parenthood and then she felt Mike’s lips on her neck she melted into his cocooned embrace.

            They had all said their goodbyes in high spirits having been shown the venue, menu, flowers and suits while discussing enjoying and sharing the excitements. How different from Tammy’s own wedding plans she tutted to herself, remembering the arguments and disappointments.

            Just as Donna, Tammy and Sara were giving each other another excited hug Sara asked if Tammy could come and help look for a wedding dress. Tammy glistened with tears. Not having a good relationship with her mother or mother-in-law picking her own wedding dress was a nightmare. She had never dared to hope to be allowed in on such an important event. She looked apprehensively over to Donna, who was already listing shops they should visit and that she could pick Tammy up and then there was their outfits. Donna was in her own frenzied heaven.

            Sitting in the car Tammy felt very blessed and kept pleasantly looking back on the days events, when she realised they were going the wrong way. Mike had a huge grin on his face.

            ‘Where are we going Mike?’

            ‘To find a bed.’

            ‘The shops are shut ya fool, it’s Sunday.’

            ‘I know.’

The car was slowing up outside the Hotel they had stayed for their wedding night. He got a small case out of the boot and led her to the reception. Her romantic dream was coming true. Little electric currents zapped through her.

            ‘I have a reservation under Mr and Mrs Smith’ He even winked at the receptionist who looked them both up and down and beamed back

            ‘Certainly sir’

When they were shown to their room Mike insisted she unpacked her bag as he wasn’t sure he had everything for tomorrow for work. He was taking the day off he explained so he could find a new bed.

            She smiled when she saw the silk night dress that was see through and giggled when she found her favourite chocolates, was impressed when she found her favourite author staring at her from her latest novel, knowing should would not be able to read it tonight anyhow. But it was the note that she will never forget. It was covered in aftershave and started

            “I love you my Tammy girl so I’ve burnt your knickers it’s thongs for us from now on.”

She looked over and there he was in cuffs with no shirt attached, dickey bow and diamante adorned pouch. But it was his face and the look he gave her that held the key to her quest, humour made him a very loving romantic.

Tammy's Quest for Romance Part 8

Have managed to get this done for all my friends who have been asking me to write the next part. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy it x  

Please everyone let me know if you do by clicking one of the boxes at the bottom. I will post the last part tomorrow or if I get lots of clicks I might post it later tonight x 

Have fun Tilly x

She knew before she got to the bedroom what had happened but seeing her boy’s arms and legs sprawling, curling and contorting like a bed full of snakes, had her in stitches. What was a busted bed? Some times things have to be broken before they can be fixed in a new position for life to continue.

            It had taken a long time for Josh to get his mojo back with the confidence that had been his shinning light. Her pride and love pricked the back of her eyes. Mojo was the word he would use a lot through his treatment. On his worst days he would say

            ‘I have no mojo mum and it’s never gonna come back.’ Well look at him now! She walked over to the wardrobe in a deathly hush; she knew they were waiting for her shouts and belligerent despair but she calmly took out her clothes and everything she needed and turned, tossing her head in a nonchalant fashion and walked out. The bed could be replaced, happiness couldn’t.

            The bed was only a year or so old due to Josh being violently sick all over it and no matter how hard she tried she could not get rid of the smell. Mike said they could live with it and it would go. They had a massive row about replacing that old bed. She found it hard to remember why. She was glad it was broken, now all they will remember would be, they broke a bed while wrestling and smiles instead of arguments and despaired worry would be a memory. Now it would be one of those family stories that make a bond around a family. 

            She heard their hushed silence with their low voices ‘Oh lord what are we going to do about this then.’ Normally she would have gone in, blew up and sorted the situation out, taking control but now she let them get on with it, trusting they would do their best. Well Mike will be ordering the next one as he constantly moaned about that one. Time would tell if he fared better than she at that mission.

            She had decided to ware her new grey knit dress and had brought a colourful under skirt with silky golden colours against a background of cream, very attractive through the laced detail at the bottom of the dress. Cleverly she had matched a scarf to the underskirt tying the whole ensemble together. Looking in the full length mirror she had to admit it looked stunning, admittedly with the help of the hold it all in, push it all up body controller that was fast becoming her best friend.

            Mike would be beside himself. But she had resolved until romance and seduction came into her life again, sex would be a rarity. Laughing she made busy in the tiding the kitchen, thinking how she could never resist Mike and if only he took notice he would use that fact against her, melting her into a smouldering mass. A thought just a seed of an understanding came to her, maybe if she didn’t have such preconceived ideas and was a little more patient he would learn the art of seduction and her quest for romance in real life would be realised. ‘Nar life was not like that’

            As they came down stairs and sheepishly into the kitchen the door flung open and Petra came through. James strode over to her and planted a miss you kiss on her lips. So they were an item, Tammy nodded to herself.

            Petra picked up on the atmosphere of uncertainty

            ‘Oh should I go’ James held her close and Tammy pierced the tension balloon by explaining.

            ‘Don’t be silly, they have just been very naughty boys. They broke my new bed by fighting with each other. I ask you at their age’ they all laughed and as she looked across she could see the shocked amusement on Petra’s face. What must she think?  And as she looked closely over the pretty face with its bouncy glowing deep chestnut hair that was as glossy as the conker she picked up the other day and her face like silky caramel cream with it’s warm tones of joy at her youngest son. A true gift that made her happily and a motherly glow broke out around her.

            It was then she spied mike’s look. A deep fatherly inner warmth that was more appealing than youths first flourish of excitement in finding out about each other, it gravitated her to his magnetism as a man. When their eyes met they held a gaze of knowing each other, understanding that was their shared love. Then he looked at her, while she challenged him with her eyes. Now no one had ever mentioned to her the power of old love revived. He scanned her intently his eyes appreciating her every contour. A tension of deep unease spread through the youngsters watching and was broken by Josh.

            ‘You need to book a room dad!’ the tension was broken again by laughter.       They were busy getting ready to go and Tammy was pleasantly surprised that Petra was coming too. All three cars were loaded up with chairs and the last few boxes and such to take to Josh’s new home. Tammy had made an apple and hazelnut crumble cake and knew the boys; all three of them, had been nibbling away at the edges. She rolled her eyes, she had wanted it to look good but now it had nibberly bits missing as though mousse had been at it. She looked at her watch and began to panic.

            ‘Lord you’re going to be in for the chop my boy, look at the time!’

            ‘Naar she told me to go and never come back.’ Having got the shocked response from his mum he went on,

            ‘I was panicking a bit and she wanted me out of her kitchen.’ It was true love his face held all of the signs and captured it in a smile he held just for Sara.

            They arrived and duly took things up as they went. The flat was spacious enough to give them all room even with the table out. Sara had cleverly made a stew in two slow cookers and a buffet affair with dumplings baked in the oven, crisp on the outside fluffy on the inside all piled up looking tantalisingly scrumpious .

            After they had talked, eaten and thoroughly enjoyed each others company Sara and Josh stood together holding a magnum of Champaign.

            ‘We’ve an announcement to make;’ Josh strong determined voice so full of love proclaimed. ‘We’ve booked the wedding for New Years Eve’

            ‘Bloody Hell’ Tammy shocked voice let slip. ‘Next year?’

            ‘No this year’ Josh’s voice now a tad faltering.

            ‘I’m going to be a Mother-in-Law! Well bugger me!’ She was shocked but why was she so shocked? She felt old, strange and defiantly not ready for this!

A ripple of giggles went around with hand shakes, slaps on backs and kisses they passed Tammy a glass of Champaign which she downed it in one and they filled it up again.    Did you know about this?’ She looked over to Sara’s parents.  

Tammy's Queat for Romance 7

As josh ran into the house he was jovially shouting about his father’s underpants being on fire and where was it happening.

‘I’ve heard of burning your bra mum for women’s lib but your husband’s underpants now that has to be a first!’ Her sons laugh and smile was worth all the pain of childbirth and everything they had suffered in the last two years.

‘It was very liberating and I think your father felt so too.’

‘Calvin Keilns, nice! You’ve come into the millennium at last you old duffer.’

The thing about Mike that the family enjoyed the most was his sense of humour and fun, he was now impersonation a stripper. Totally comfortable with whom he was and his place in the world around him, made him irresistible to Tammy.

            His eyes danced around her face enchanting her even after all these years. It was a bit of a pity that his body had no rhythm what so ever spoiling the moment really. She smiled with that familiar fizzy pop sensation giving goosy bumps all over her. This was picked up instantly by Mike who started to shimmy over to her, focused with deep intent.

‘Watch and learn boys from a master’ Mike was now in full rotational movement and Tammy was backing off knowing if she got caught, fun and frolics would get out of hand. James had just come back into the room.

‘Woow old Grundy slow it down a pace or you’ll give yourself a pacemaker.’

‘This is how it’s done old timer’ Josh showed his moves.

‘Nar ya both hopeless look, like this!’ Now all three men where showing their moves non of which were aesthetically pleasing but good entertainment value so much so Tammy had to run away to calm herself down. Her face ached and lady’s of a certain age should not laugh too hard she thought to her self.

            She heard the kafuffle that signalled a boisterous wrestle fight between father and sons. Such antics should have been grown out of a long time ago; she knew it would end in tears. She decided to take the opportunity to have a shower.

Tilly Has no Plums! and Must Grow a Pair.

I was walking the dogs yesterday and was thinking about the covering letter I was going to write when I got back. I thought really hard about it and then I started to smile; it was going to be a very short letter.

            You see I’m a mother of three and I love to read (when given the chance) and a huge compulsion to write. But that’s not really relevant. I have helped in the local schools and do the accounts for my husband’s small business, so credentials are non existent to mildly acceptable.

            Writing experience is limited as I can’t afford good writing courses and every time I organise to go to a writing event, I have to cancel for one of life’s little spanners that are thrown carelessly in the cogs of my life and wonder if life is trying to tell me something. I’m also dyslexic so education was always a problem and I have nothing to brag about on that front either.

            Social networking they say is good as it shows you have a following and a support network but as only my best friend and I follow my blog, I can’t mention that either (it makes me laugh though). I must try and follow more people but I do feel a little like a stalker. Not sure why, maybe it’s lack of grasping or understanding what social means? Though I like to think it’s because I’m polite; it sounds better anyhow.

            So with a smile and a spring in my step I once again talked my self out of writing to an agent and wrote this blog instead. No plums you see, only shrivelled up prunes. Must grow a pair though and get on with sending my novels away.

Tilly on a Chicklit Soap Box

They imply (very brainy people of a certain age and income) that us plebs have boring lives and should try to read something more substantial. This makes me grumpy!!!!! Do not take chicklit from the shelves, do not call it anything else, I need to be able to run in, get my fix and run out again, quick, fast and efficient.  

            I know there is a big bad world out there and I care and some days I go looking for intellectual stimulation (perhaps they should have a shelf for that too) I don’t just read one type of book, who does? But so far this week I have had two friends having a tumour removed from their brains, one from their face, all three I send my love to, with big dollops of hugs and kisses. Two teenage children stressing over the meaning of life and what job they will be doing in a few years time, indeed if there are any they do not want to become a pleb like their mother and for that I do not blame them one jot! My youngest son, who is finding it hard to walk with a large growing marrow between his legs, is very very grouchy and who can blame him. Inland Revenue website keeps crashing as too many people are using it and the bank has charged us for services we don’t use and I can’t get anyone to understand me or me them. My dog has a lump that looks suspicious and is going in for op tomorrow. So don’t try taking my chicklit away from the shelves or belittle the joy it gives!!! I need soft romance to get through my day!!!! I know who I am and what I stand for and I'm proud of it!

            Anyhow no man can give romance like a good hunk in a chicklit book. I have a husband to put up the shelves but that’s all he is good for, alas he is a true Homo erectus which the romantic era passed by. I am a woman, I have my rights!!

Tammy's Quest for Romance Part 5

Tammy's Quest for Romance Part 5

Tammy had got up early yet again due to the internal Furness starting up. Coffee she was sure was the wrong beverage but that and a romantic novel were her only comfort at times like this. She decided to make some cinnamon bread for breakfast and flung all the windows open even though the temperature outside was decidedly chilly.

            By the time Mike had missed her and woken up, breakfast was done and smelling divine, fresh coffee circulated the air and now the flush had subsided she closed the windows. As she heard the shower go she poured the coffee and took it and the bread upstairs so that they could have a leisurely perusal of the papers together. She heard Mike’s reaction to her planned bit of spice and started to titter to her self. By the time she got to the bedroom the titter had bubbled into chuckle.

‘Bloody hell Tammy what’s going on!’ James came running into their bedroom and reiterated his dad’s sentiment.

‘What the hell dad, what ya doing in those!’

‘Ask ya mother.’ They both looked over to her.

‘Well you said; as you always do, that you needed some new underwear and could I get you some. You wouldn’t come shopping and you said you didn’t mind what sort I bought. I though I should spice things up a little.’ She beamed.

‘Very funny, now where have you put them?’

‘Put what?’

‘Put my underwear’

‘In the draw, there all there.’ The look he gave Tammy was priceless, delicious in-fact.

‘What happened to my old ones?’ He asked with some trepidation.

‘Threw them out.’

‘Where are the ones I wore last night?’

‘I burnt them this morning.’ James had had enough he had gone out of the room in fits and was texting Josh “mums gone mad. She’s burnt dads pants”.

‘You burnt my underpants.’

‘Yep.’

‘All my underpants?’

‘Yep.’ Tammy was finding speaking at this point very difficult as Mike was going through all the pouches to see if any were comfortable. He finally found the bight Calvin Keiln ones that she thought he looked rather fetching in. In-fact florescent pink suited his tanned skin.

‘Why?’

‘I’ve started to feel like the chicken stew around here; that is to say taken for granted and bland and boring. If I suggested spicing things up a bit you suggest thongs or suspenders for me which I might add require no effort from you. I tried that the other night and you took no notice, so I went out with the girls. Anyhow I asked you to come shopping with me but you turned me down. I wanted a bit of an interlude with you sipping a latte while getting your boring pants but oh no! So I thought, what is good for men must be good for women and went for the sex instead of the romantic side of things.’

‘But the pouches are uncomfortable and don’t hold me in.’

‘Exactly my point! Until you show me some romance or come shopping with me it will be pouches or Calvin Keiln for you’

‘Can we go shopping now?’

‘No remember we’re off to Josh and Sara’s moving in lunch.’

‘Aarh, what should I do.’

‘You do look sexy in florescent pink.’

‘I do?’

Just then they heard hurried footsteps running into the house. 

Tammy's Quest for Romance Part 4

Tammy’s Quest for Romance

Part 4

Part one           http://tillymoments.blogspot.com/2011/09/tammys-quest-for-romance.html

Part two           http://tillymoments.blogspot.com/2011/10/tammys-quest-for-romance.html

Part three         http://tillymoments.blogspot.com/2011/10/tammys-quest-for-romance_05.html

Just as Tammy was about to try to explain why her normal culinary master piece was bland beyond belief, she was saved by the furnace within. A hot flush waved through her body right to her face. Embarrassing as it was, it was her get out clause from the kitchen.

            Mother Nature can be a bitch sometimes and unpredictable, at least this time it worked in her favour. She took out her mist spray and hand held fan, opened the bedroom windows, put on both fans and sat on the bed. How could she think about romance in a state like this? Time should have quenched her thirst for it? Was she now in her Shirley Valentine phase of her life? She wondered if Shirley had had to put up with hot flushes when she was out in Greece. She had seen the film years ago when Pauline Collins who played the fictional character, looked vibrant but a lot older than her. Now if she saw the film Pauline would look about ten years younger than her. The story line would be more relevant to her life than she would ever have imagined possible back then. Perhaps she should find a friend and go off somewhere; French man seemed nice and clued into to middle-aged, frumpy boring women. She sighed, a heavily leaden sigh and put Mike’s underwear away. Cooler now, she switched off the fans and went back down stairs.

            ‘You ok?’ Mike was getting use to her flitting off with a hot flush his concern was mild but there all the same and sweetly touching. Antonie was clutching several bottles of her newly finished pickles. Tammy’s eyes must have questioned this as Mike asked if it was alright for him to give them to Antonie. He loved pickles and had a few recipes of his own that he would pass on to her is she liked.

‘That’s really kind.’ Tammy’s eyes lit up ‘Are they French recipes?’

‘Handed down from my Grandfather’

‘You’re Grandfather?’

‘Cooking is a big thing in our family but my Grandfather had the best pickle recipes and grew the best Cucumbers and passed all his knowledge on to me.’

‘You don’t fancy doing a WI talk about it do you? We could do with a bit of spicing up.’

‘A bit like you chicken stew!’ Mike laughed. Tammy smacked him on the arm

‘It was rather tasteless.’ She admitted.

‘All those hot flushes mum; they’ve burnt out your taste buds.’

‘Steady on James, do not, make fun out of the inflicted.’

Petra slapping James stood up for Tammy ‘Your mum’s quiche was the best I have ever tasted.’

‘And the stew?’ He now put his arm snugly around Petra’s waist

‘I was having a deflated day’

‘The chicken was defiantly deflated.’ Retorted James who received another slap from Petra, causing amusement to ripple around the group.

            Their guests got ready to leave and Mike totally out of character asked them to an “English Sunday lunch” on Monday so they could taste Tammy’s talent at its best. Petra immediately accepted and Antonie asked if Yorkshires and gravy were going to be there.

‘Beef on the bone with the best Yorkshires you have ever tasted. She gets me to beet them three times before they go in the oven.’ Mike explained.

Tammy rolled her eyes and responded ‘Nothing to do with the fact I get the quantities right then!’ She could see the excitement rising in both fathers’ faces. Her older son came in just at the end of the conversation and invited him and Sara too.

            As Tammy went up the stairs she mused, great now I have to fit in work and a roast on Monday for eight, good lord eight! Mike had forgotten he was going to be running late. He has no idea what its like to cook let alone cook with hormonal hot flushes for a French man and his family! Well he is going to pay for dumping her in hot gravy and she just couldn’t wait until the morning. As she got ready for bed she played in her minds eye what his reaction was going to be.

            What was happening to her? Midlife crisis! Well she was being a little childish and mean with just a tad of spice that was for sure. Mike had pointed out spice was missing in her cooking and wondered if Mike would be able to handle the spicy heat she had waiting for him?

Tammy’s Quest for Romance Part 3

Tammy’s Quest for Romance

Part 3

http://tillymoments.blogspot.com/2011/09/tammys-quest-for-romance.html

http://tillymoments.blogspot.com/2011/10/tammys-quest-for-romance.html

            As Tammy ran up stairs to get herself decent for who ever it was ringing the door bell Josh called out that Sara had booked a table at a restaurant and could she be ready to be picked up at seven ish? Her son by this point had made it to her bedroom door and was poking his head around it waiting for an answer. A very loving smile for both his girlfriend on the other end of the mobile and his mum beamed out. It warmed Tammy inside with gentle humour. How funny life can be when you least expect it.

‘Tell her that would be good and thank her for me’ she smiled and he left with the most relaxed and happy expression she had seen on him for a long time.

            She heard a very loud and French accent belonging, she presumed to her new neighbour. She had made a snack for them as the removal men had taken a breather. He wasn’t there, though his son and daughter who were both in their late teens early twenties were grateful and she had made coffee and tea for the removal men. Later she took round a light meal for the two of them as they had explained that their father wouldn’t be home until late.

            Intrigued to what he looked like, she checked herself in the mirror and went down stairs. A beguiling smile greeted her, warm open and grateful, full on emotion the English pull away from and as he looked her up and down instead of being affronted she appreciated his view of her. He was stylishly casual and his colour reminded her of the conker she found the other day.

‘Antoine, this is my wife, Tammy.’

Tammy went to shake hands when he grabbed her gently but firmly by the shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks, in that continental way. His warm and enthusiastic approach not exactly over whelmed her but had taken her back a little, she smiled warmly.

‘Thank you so much for helping my children the other day, I was a little stressed at work leaving the kids in charge but Peter rang to say you had helped them out and Petra enjoyed the meal you gave them.’

‘Oh I did nothing.’ She responded. He spoke near perfect English.

‘No no you were there and they…. you gave them confidence.’ His hands spoke volumes in overtones of expression. The warm lilt that the French have on English words was pleasing to her ear and he was so very genuine with his thanks, that Tammy just let him, express his gratitude. It obviously meant a lot to him though in reality she had done very little.

            Mike had already ascertained that Antonie was into football and as it was an important match a beer was thrust into his hand and an offer of being able to watch the match was accepted. Antonie’s son was eager to join in. His younger daughter looked bored though until James came running down the stairs and offered to take her to a new movie, they had obviously talked before and they both seemed smitten with each other. So by the time Sara had arrived everyone was busy doing their own thing and when Tammy said her good byes it was totally unnoticed.

            Sara’s mum and a friend were sitting in the back and waved a greeting as she climbed into the front of the red mini convertible. They apparently were meeting one of Sara’s friends at the restaurant and Tammy was a little nervous that she would feel left out. She worried that they wouldn’t have a common interest but as soon as Sara explained about the “Chicklit gang”, she immediately relaxed.

            The restaurant was a short drive away and they were greeted as well known and valued customers. Tammy could see why the wine was already chilling at their table and not the house wine either. The menu had a good range but not extensive and by the looks of it changed often, always a good sign she thought.

            Meals ordered they were already talking about the latest DVD, move and book to interest them. Even though there was an age difference between them all, they liked the same things for different reasons. Their differing backgrounds and thoughts seemed to pull their ideals together rather than pull them apart.

            It was still early when they made their move to leave, all but Sara had husbands and as they had timed it to coincide with the match it was a strategic and well planed manoeuvre.

            Tammy had had the most fun she could remember having in a long time. It saddened her a little. She had wasted years just going from day to day routine without pausing and planning how to get the best out of her life. Was it that she had to meet the right people or maybe she had to be shown the way, what ever the reason she was determined to do it again.

            When she got in Mike and Antonie were having hearty conversations about football a kin to the ones she had had with the girls about chicklit. If she had pointed the similarities to Mike he would have be horrified. She giggled at the thought of it.

            ‘Why did your love die in your stew?’ Antonie asked with respectful feeling while searching her face. He had nailed how she was feeling through her food. Tammy was stunned so what they say about the French was so true. Mortified over his perceptive revelations her reaction just jumped out of her mouth before her brain could hide the true reality.

‘You gave him the stew!’

‘It wasn’t poisoned was it?’ Mike laughed though clearly confused to why Tammy was upset over him sharing the stew with their guest.

            They all looked at her expectant and bemused what could she say, how could she explain how the boring stew was to kick-start romance back into her life? She wasn’t sure she wholly understood it herself yet. She had to say something though.

Tammy's Quest for Romance

Tammy's Quest for Romance

Part Two

http://tillymoments.blogspot.com/2011/09/tammys-quest-for-romance.htm Part one

Tammy stood up and took off the robe she had worn over the top of the all in-one body shaper that looked sexy and gave her a feeling of naughtiness, with the wine helping that feeling along a bit. She had always been good at applying makeup and had put her hair up with a discreet diamante hair clip. She slithered into the elegantly sexy dress, put on her shoes and like a young woman she eyed the results with her heart pounding as she heard the door go.

            She walked down the stairs suppressing her nerves and a giggle. Walked past her two sons whose jaws dropped, very pleasingly to the floor.

‘Bloody hell’ they said in unison.

‘Look out dad your in trouble’ Josh smiled at his mum while James’s expression was priceless. Tammy said nothing as she walked through the lounge and was slightly annoyed that Mike still hadn’t looked around to see her. She kept her cool though and then as he turned with the TV remote to put football on he did a double take.

‘Well what do you think?’

His face was full of vacant disbelief and he said what he always said.

‘Very nice’

            She knew it was coming but it still stung. Nonchalant as possible she turned and left the room. She went upstairs and took off the dress and put on her robe, picked up her book and walked down stairs, sat in her chair, switched on her reading light and started to read.

            All three men were looking from each other to her. Their world had gone a little mad Tammy supposed. Her sons had never seen her as a woman as such and her husband had forgotten that she was not just a wife. Why had she listened to Sara? Nothing was going to change a sixty year old mans ways.

‘Aren’t we going out now then?’ Mike in total confusion asked.

‘Going out where?’ Tammy looked over her book at him.

‘I don’t know, it was just that you’d got dressed up and I thought I had forgotten that’, He trailed off.

‘No I was trying out a new look but it didn’t have enough impact so I’ll be taking the dress back on Monday. It was a bit of a waist anyhow as we don’t go out and well’

‘Why don’t you take mum out dad?’ James asked

Perhaps she had underestimated both her husband and her son’s girlfriend.

‘Where to, its no ones birthday, is it?’ there again perhaps not!

Josh tried to get through to his dad ‘Sometimes it’s nice to give mum a rest from cooking and the clearing up’

She felt sure Sara had pre warned Josh to what was happening and she felt very grateful to the younger woman and her son. It was worth a try but it was back to the drawing board.

‘What’s for tea’ he looked at Tammy

‘Stew’

‘With dumplings?’

‘No’ their eyes met and she was sure there was a hint or a glimmer of humour in her husbands eyes. Maybe it was working.

‘We best go out then.’ That was too easy she thought, what was going on? ‘Did you want to put that frock back on?’ He smiled at her and winked.

‘Depends’ she retorted just as the door bell went. Tammy went running upstairs, they weren’t expecting anyone and she was in no fit state to be greeting who ever it was.