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

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.

Tammy’s Quest for Romance

Tammy’s Quest for Romance

Part One

The burning shades of autumn were magnificent and so romantic. But romance was out of Tammy’s life, not that it had ever entered it she supposed. In her thirties older couples had always said ‘that at their age they couldn’t be bothered with such things as romance’ and she had believed them, trusting that she would be the same when she reached that age. Now she was fifty five, she still fancied a bit of the soft soap as Mike would say. Mike had never been romantic, not his style he would tell her but he never gave it a chance so how would he know? You have to do it before you can say you’re no good at it, surely. She hit a stick on a conker, watched it fall, stood on it and released the glossy auburn seed. She breathed in the aroma of the chilly earth.

            She had always loved chicklit and romantic movies, old or new anything to give her a lift out of the mundane circle of clean, tidy, work, cook, clean, tidy, bed and the relentlessness of it all. It was getting her down and she could see no end in sight, there would always be clean, tidy, cook it was inevitable.

            No meals out, no romantic walks or hushed moments of shared silence. But like the trees around her she was burning with late maturity an awakening that she could not halt, even if she wanted to.

            Mike had a sense of fun, his humour had been the thing she had noticed about him, his laugh could thaw her in an instant, he brought out her sun on cold and bitter days pushed away the rain when it fell heavy and gave a rainbow of joy. But that is not romance and although she was lucky, she thought she deserved a bit of romance!!!

            Over the years she had attended to Mike’s every needs and she had come to the conclusion that was the problem. Well her eldest son’s girlfriend had sparked the idea really. They had gone out to watch a girly flick and after they shared a bottle of wine at a very stunning bar, Tammy was amazed how Sara tackled her son and had sat wide eyed as she explained about having fun. ‘I only wear high heals and stockings if he wears a suit’ she explained ‘and if he buys me flowers he knows I make an effort and cook one of your recipes’. Tammy blushed and the young woman held her arm with a giggled embrace. So simple, yet so cunning a trade off, thought Tammy.

            On Sara’s advice she had stopped cooking all of Mike’s favourite meals and cooked quick and easy put together ones that left very little to clean up, mentioning this to Mike with a pleased Cheshire cat expression of “how good is that!”

            Sara had come round one evening and they had looked through fashion magazines together and had a few glasses of wine as the boys went out to football with their dad. They even looked up a few local restaurants that did a cracking steak, Mikes’ all time favourite meal; he liked it rare with homemade chips.

            Then Sara took her shopping for sexy hold it all in and push it all up, stocking an optional extra to attach but holdups are more comfortable Sara had said. They had found a lovely dress and a pair of high heal shoes to match. Tammy had to practice walking in them, it had been so long since her heals went past a very practical level. She had to admit she looked every inch sex on stilts that men like so much.  Last Saturday they had facials and a manicure, Sara’s mum had come along and it was such fun ‘the Chickslit bunch’, Sara had called them. Brenda or Bren as she preferred to be called was a little older than Tammy but enjoyed romance on every level and proud of it!

            After they left the coffee house Tammy promised them both that the next Saturday she would get dressed up and ask Mike what he thought, walk around and go for a twirl and then go get changed, give him his meal and sit and read a chicklit as he watched the football of the TV. They assured her that this would provoke romance out of a stone let alone a loving husband. She wasn’t convinced.

            The thought of it had made Tammy laugh all week and when her nerve had started to wane and had began to tut at herself for being foolish the girls at work had bought her a bottle of wine to keep her going.

            She now opened that bottle of wine as she cooked a rather boring stew that was ok but not up to her normal culinary delights. Sara had just called to make sure Tammy hadn’t chickened out and let her know the boys were on their way home with the trailer. Josh and Sara were buying their first home together and while the new flat was being finished they had stored their furniture in the garage and all over the house. Now they were taking the furniture and tomorrow they were throwing a family lunch to say thank you to both sets of parents.

            Tammy ran upstairs with her glass of wine, she had just over twenty minutes to get dressed and back down stairs. She looked at the deep red, low cut dress that showed all her best features and hid the worst ones and wondered what an earth she was doing. She was no longer a girl in youth, a woman of her age and marital status should just let go of the idea of romance and read about it in novels. She reached out and touched the flowing lines of the dress and the velvet burnt red bodice and thought of autumns passion.

Able Mable and Anthony Dick

He knew all of her and she wanted to know and not just remember all of him, as she traced the falling crumbs down his bronzed and toned chest - right the way to his belt buckle and the promise beneath it. She noticed in the folds of his crouch that a little of the sandwich she had made had come to rest, sending her body into a downward spiral of pure desire and lust.

‘Mable’ came her grannies voice from the kitchen, ‘You remember Anthony Dick, don’t you; he was in your year I think.’

Mable put the Mills and Boon book down on her Grannies reading table.

            ‘Another Dick? Ye, sure. The only kid with a name worse than mine. Wow she thought. That was a name from the past. The memories came flooding back. ‘Gran you really ought to get out more’. She looked up from the book and was horrified.

            ‘Hi Able Mable’ Anthony Dick chuckled ‘good to see ya again. He came across the living room and shook her hand. Gone was the spotty teenager that she remembered and there stood a truly ‘fit’ (in every sense of the word) man.

She blinked hard a couple of times. The twinkle in her Gran’s eyes sparkled in the way that normally Mable would have smiled at but at this moment in time it only made her embarrassed and irritated.

            ‘I asked him round to give me a quote for a new house’ the amusement in her voice made Mable throw her a ‘now behave Gran’ sort of expression. She caught the delighted glee in Anthony’s face. He had always had a sense of fun.

            ‘What new house?’

            ‘On the land by the village pond’

Anthony filled her in ‘the one we used to hide in when we were kids being chased by Jimmy’

            Out of her memory banks lurked a picture. ‘The one with the beautiful barn?’ Gran nodded

            ‘Didn’t know you owned that Gran’ Mable still looked at Anthony transfixed by the transformation he had gone through. His gaze was as fixed and steady on her.        ‘Been waiting for the right time and person, to make the best of it; location and barn being what they are. Now you have had a couple of years to get to grips with architecture and Antony has had his own building business for eight years or so and knows what he’s doing. Well I thought, you would both do a good job together.’

            Mable was taken a back, she never realised her Gran had such big plans, though she had constantly encouraged her to become an architect, just like her Granddad had been. Now it seems, she was going to make full use of what she had nurtured.

            ‘Does mum know about this?’ She asked her Gran.

            ‘Not on your Nelly, she would have spent the money and put me in a home. So you have to keep it hush hush and no telling ya dad either, he wouldn’t keep his mouth shut.

            Here’s a sketch of how me and ya Granddad envisaged it. Anthony knows the land and the housing market around here. I wanted to be your first client that you have.’

            ‘You certainly will be; haven’t even moved into the office yet!’ Mable loved her Gran she was everything she wanted to be. Sharp, witty and kind but didn’t suffer fools or overbearing and spiteful pompous prigs (which is what she called her mother). A no nonsense woman that loved life and the people around her with one exception, Mable’s mum.

            Mable was given the ugliest name by her mother because she was the ugliest baby, she had been told. There was no denying she was the scrawniest, thick black haired baby with piecing ugly blue eyes you could ever imagine. But in spite of her mothers best efforts she turned into a good looking girl; a little late perhaps but as Gran had told her some of the best things in life are worth waiting for. Now in her twenties about to embark on her thirties she was elegantly tall and womanly, with a joyful disposition which was a miracle her Gran would say.

            ‘Well off you go then, have fun. Don’t forget these and take good care of her Tony my boy, she drinks heavily when she’s thinking’.

            ‘Gran’ Mable protested. But Gran pushed the young ones out of the house with genial contentment and they took their leave.

            Mable could see her Gran peaking at them through the curtains and turned and stuck out her tongue and smiled, as she always had done. It was good to be back in the village, now she could see her more often. She breathed deeply the crisp spring air and the new grass and buds. She turned to Anthony and asked

            ‘Do you prefer to be called Tony or Anthony?

            ‘He shrugged which ever you’re comfortable with. What about you, you happy with Mable?’

            ‘I go as May at work and to my friends’

            ‘So May it is. I’ll take you in my truck. Save you drinking and driving’

            ‘Why? Where we going?’

            ‘Your Gran gave me orders to take you out, wine and dine you, while I talk you through her plans.’

            ‘No need, we could go back to my office.’

            ‘Trying to get me killed? Or just wanting her to have my guts for garters?’

            ‘You know her that well? Lord we had better do as we’re told. Wouldn’t want a death by Gran; after you managed to escape from Jimmy’s efforts to kill you. Talking of the devil what does he do now?’

            ‘He works for me.’

            ‘You’re kidding me.’

            As they got in his impressive truck with his logo on the side, May tried to get her head around what she had just been told. Jimmy was the village bully that had relentlessly hounded Mable and Anthony. Some how, she would have to meet Jimmy again just to see how the dynamics of these two had turned out. She will have to grill Tony and get the lowdown.

            ‘So which pub are we off to?’

            ‘Your Gran booked it up. Never been there before, ‘Cat ‘n’ Mouse’ I think she said it was.’

            ‘Oh!’

            ‘Is it that bad?’

            ‘Oh you’ll have a good time. The food is great and the surroundings (not that you will notice) are beautifully understated and the atmosphere relaxed and warm.’

            ‘So why the “Oh”?’

            ‘Gran, I think is trying to write a ‘Mills and Boon’ romantic noval with us as the main characters’.

Tony looked across at May. Confused, he took in her words again by repeating them to himself. He mulled them over and then the meaning hit him. His smile was board while his eyes glistened like they always did when they were young.

            ‘I love your Gran’

May rolled her eyes and giggled. ‘As I remember it Tony, writing was not your strong point and romance was a definite no, no.’

            ‘Oh but I’ve grown up since then, I still can’t write but I can do romantic’

            ‘What ‘Mills and Boon’ romantic?’

            ‘You want ‘Mills and Boon’ I will give ya ‘Mills and Boon.’

            ‘From what I just read, could we just go with romantic?’ His laugh had not changed, it filled her with a fun bubble that had kept her sane through all the ugly years and still had the same effect. Yep! She thought, it was great to be back where she belonged.

             

Ironic that!

This Story is based on true facts but I’m not telling you which ones. The best thing about writing is that you can take a little of this and a little bit of that out of real life and add a little spice to make a whole new dish to devour; it is quite like cooking really. But in essence you have to have the ability to taste and have an imagination not to mention good ingredients to start with. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family who are the base of all the characters in this short story who have kindly given their consent and allow me to use them in my blog, bless them.

They play themselves in this Story and I have kept it as true as any writer of fiction can. My friends wonder what it would be like to read my work without knowing me so well and I must admit I do ponder on this too. I know I now have a following of people that I do not know and I welcome you all to the Tilly way of looking at things and hope you enjoy your time on my blog. I would also like to thank all my readers for their e-mails and taking the time to encourage me to keep going and taking the time to read my blog as without you reading there would be no reason for me to write. So with that in mind I humbly say thank you to you all x

Ironic that!

I lay quietly and drowsily reveling in the fact I didn’t have to get up, enjoying the autumn sun glowing through the curtains as it gently kissed my sleepy face. The heating was chasing the chill air out and I nuzzled into the soft pillow. The man beside me stirred and heavy with sleep he slid his arm around me like a boa constrictor and squeezed.

 “Are you pregnant?”

 Perplexed and dazed from my rude awakening my eyes flung open in a reflex action, “That’s not very nice!” I slapped him.

“What - no, I didn’t mean; I had a dream you were, we had to get a new car for the baby”

“ye, ye I’ve heard some excuses to buy a car, but because of a silly dream now that’s pretty lame, anyhow I’m not even late so how could you think such a thing.”

“Not sure” he shrugged.

It had taken us years to make the decision not to have anymore children. As our two now aged ten and eight got on so well, why rock the boat? I was forty and deemed by my ever-loving husband too old to have any more without complications, so this coming Friday was chop, chop day, for him. I eased up on him; maybe it was all playing on his mind. I got out of bed to make a cup of coffee for us, before he went off to work.

When he came down stairs he had a dreamy smile on his tired face.

‘Are you sure you want to go ahead on Friday’, I asked

‘Ye’! A frown covered up that enchanted smile he wears, so to bring it back on his face I said,

‘“Does my bum look big in this?’ Turning around in my over sized silk pjs I wiggled my toush, he affectionately patted it and gave a low rumbling growl of affection. In reality my bum was too big and heart shaped, but he never complained. We enjoyed spending the little time we had before he went to work. Now the children were older they slept in on Saturdays and it was lovely. As he turned to get into his van he smiled an odd sort of smile and I blew him a kiss.

I rushed upstairs to get ready like a little girl, I was excited. I’d taken on a part time job and managed to save enough money to get Kev a large larder fridge freezer for his fortieth. It had a drinks dispenser and I had made room in the shed for the old fridge to keep our ample stock of booze nicely chilled. I’d asked all our friends around for a surprise party for him and he had no idea. I’d just stepped out of the shower when Steve and Bob came through the door bringing in the larder fridge with them, as the children ran down the stairs to see if they could help, I marveled how grown up they were and how helpful they could be now. Everything went swimmingly, the ice was flowing and cold water on tap, a real treat. We all filled the fridges with the party food and drinks for later. When Steve and Bob left, the children and I decorated the living room out, it was great fun. We had finished by lunch time and nothing else needed to be done.

Axl’s was going off with a friend and as the car to take him had just arrived, he was putting on his shoes, when his friend came to the door he started taking off his. They were deep in conversation about play station games; just like any ten year olds the bubble of youth consumed them.

“Hey lads, both of you should be putting your shoes on” I smiled; a worn patient smile, that motherhood plants on your face. Their conversation stopped as both lads looked down and laughed at the pickle they had got them selves into. Now a balancing act pursued as they both propped each other up, while walking and talking to the car at the same time as putting on their shoes. They looked like little old men after too many jars. With a toot of a horn - they were gone. 

I called for Ellarose to get in the car but she was already there and waiting. We were going shopping and then lunch at the “Funny Mans” It was our nickname for our favorite place to eat. The owner made the best carrot cake and bagels and she loved the way he made her feel grown up by bantering with her and talking as if I weren’t there.

We had only been in town for a short while, but both of us had arms full of bags so off we trundled for our treat. As soon as we arrived he called out to his staff that a V.I.P had arrived and that a table had to be found, he winked at Ellarose and asked “The same as usual madam”, with a delighted giggle she nodded and grabbed hold of me for security and to hide her self consciousness.

As I sat there looking at my eight year old that had an outlook and attitude to life like an eighteen year old, I bloomed inwardly. My life was great. I could sit back and enjoy eating, discussing clothes with my daughter in a way my mother and me could never had done. My daughter told me I was beautiful and I should treat my self to the outfit I had just tried on; I held her close and kissed her on the top of her head and said

 “I won’t be able to do that much longer”

“Why?” She asked

 “Because you just keep growing and soon I won’t be able to reach, I keep telling you.” Before I cold finish my sentence she interrupted and with her not again sort of voice with a giggles attached, rolled her eyes with an embarrassed tinge that I find so enduring. She retorted back

“I know but I can’t help growing, can I!”

While we sat there enjoying the good food an idea for a little joke began to form. The whole idea of giving the fridge for Kev’s fortieth was to get him to chill and enjoy life; he was hardly going to do that if he was worrying that I was pregnant. So I’ll do a pregnancy test, show him the negative result and put a note on top of the beer to say “Told you, now enjoy and chill!”

When we got back home the kitchen looked clutter free and not it’s normal homely messiness. I just had enough time to get dressed before everyone arrived.  I took one last look around my quiet house and a surge of contentment thrilled me. I had two beautiful children who were quickly turning into teenagers, I had a part time job I enjoyed; which meant freedom; both time wise and financially. I ran up stairs with glee to check Ellarose had got ready and then started to get ready myself.

By the time Kev had got in and had a shower. I’d had a very large Pims so little giggles kept escaping like bubbles in the air. I rushed him along by saying we had to be out by seven. He had commented on how tidy and quiet the house was, but hadn’t noticed the large fridge freezer, which made me giggle more. I’d just put a little note on the now chilled beer, when another giggle escaped and I smiled a big warm smile. I then remembered I hadn’t done the pregnancy test yet. I ran up stairs and into the on-suite and performed the deed while he finished off getting dressed. But it was I that the last laugh fell upon. I shrieked out

 “Fuck, Bugger” I fell to the floor. He was soon there to find my crumpled form in a limp state.

 “What have you done now’? His bewildered question had no answer as I could not admit any sound from my tightened throat. I could not breathe the feeling of sickness too great.

I held up the test. He held me close and laughed. I looked up at his face in horror to look into a face that was barren of concern or worry but full of the love of a father.

‘I’ve ruined everything I cried’

By the time our guests arrived for his Birthday Party, Kev had calmed me down and was having a ball, telling everyone; while supplying everyone proudly with nicely chilled drinks, of my little joke that back fired and how his intuition was better than mine. We laughed and enjoyed the party but we both knew what this baby would mean. The lack of sleep, no more time together, relaxed eating out a thing of the past, the list was endless. I had to smile though; the joke was, ironically very funny, chill! You gotta be kidding!

Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms Episode Seven

The dogs gave their usual greeting as they entered, with Buster staying by Piers side. Helen noted how close they looked. As Pier went to put his coat away Buster begged on his two back paws dancing around him. Perplexed he asked the dog.

‘What is it boy’ looking up at Helen for an explanation.

‘He’s asking for a bone, I keep them on the opposite side to the coats’.

‘Can I give him one?’ He asked this will a childlike excitement that broke the frost between them. Poppy closely followed by foxy came back through to the hall and sat in anticipation looking at Helen.

Pier found the biscuit bones and Buster gave him his paw. Thinking he had this dog training lark under control he went to give the girls one, which they refused from him and Bust was now doing his Otter impression to keep the focus on him hoping for more than his fair share. The girls looked down their noses at his antics and then looked up to Pier and back to Helen they then went either side of her and sat elegantly with a hoity-toity air that was comical.

‘Ok girls, I get the picture you want to play hard to get.’ Helen clicked her fingers and immediately the girls laid down with their heads raised in anticipation.

‘They are not playing hard to get, they just have impeccable manors.’

When he smirked at her last remark she could see he was in discomfort and went to get a cold compress for him. As soon as he came into the large kitchen diner and sat on the small sofa next to the French door that perfectly framed the garden, Buster was already curling up-to him and the girls were at his feat. He had put his head back and gratefully received the cold compress.

Their conversation had started to flow once again and they discussed the issues she had had over knowing him too little to be in love with him. He proclaimed his hurt of her rejection and told her not to look too deeply into to it. After all people fell in love at first sight and his family weren’t to know she thought him an android.

‘You’ll hang onto that statement for as long’.

‘As we’re together.’ he interjected. Stunned silence hung in the air over the insinuation that statement implied.

‘What are we doing Pier?’

‘You’re not pulling out on me are you? Didn’t take you for a quitter!’

‘It just seems like lying to the people we are closest to is so wrong’.

‘As wrong as five long and painful months of blind dates, that they have pushed me into? I don’t think so. I’m the main topic of conversation between Deb and Alicia even mum has started to join in. You know my mum and yours are behind this too?’

‘What my mum knows yours and they talk about us?’

‘Oh ya, they think that because we don’t put enough effort into relationships’.

‘You are kidding me aren’t you? Our mums know each other?’

Helen flopped onto the sofa next to him her mind running out of room to think, so embroiled with questions that there was no room left.

‘They think that we don’t try and they think we deserve each other do they?’ Agitated she picked at her fluffy slippers indignation took over her emotions. Pier was a little taken a back that his intention had overflowed into this reaction.

As they talked on it became apparent that the mothers had met when Deb and Pier had been borne and had kept in-touch meeting for coffees. Pier oldest sister had struck up a close friendship with her when their two girls were borne ten years ago. Pier and Deb had been friends all the time but had become, very close at Uni then they saw less of each other and in the last two years had become close again. He could tell this was a shock to Helen, Helen he knew liked to be in control and was a little hurt she had not known about this part of her mothers and sister lives. He liked the bond that she felt to her family and he couldn’t help himself in winding her up a little about his family ties to hers, making her want to go with him tonight to meet them out of intrigue. But he was not entirely sure why he wanted them to get together. It had a lot to do with getting his family to back off him that was for sure and the fun they could have at their expense was something to look forward to but there was this feeling of wanting to spend time with them all together, that he just couldn’t explain.

Helen had a long soak in the bath and tried to relax about this evening. Pier had insisted they take a taxi at his expense so they could both have a drink. Half of her was so angered at their families behaviour and half worrying about the deceit they were about to perform. Her main concern was what would happen when the truth came out.

She wrapped her towel around her and entered her room to pick out something to wear, when Pier greeted her with a glass of Champagne.

‘What’s this for?’

‘Let the challenge begin’.

‘What you on! What challenge’.

‘That you can’t convince my parents that you love me as much as I can convince your parents I love you. Up for it or are you too much of a wimp.’

‘Oh! That’s so unfair. You know my family, I don’t know yours.’

‘Knew it, just not up to it’? He knew by that look in her eye he had hooked her.

Helen took the glass and saluted,

‘Oh! You’re so going to regret this.’ He didn’t know what he was taking on, bless him he’ll have to learn the hard way, grit determination can be a very blind thing.

As they drank she picked out her dress and explained that meeting the perspective mother-in-law (at which she noted with satisfaction, his eyebrows lifted) for the first time needed a new dress and as it happened, she had just the thing. She picked out her make-up to go with it and even added some sedate false eyelashes. He reluctantly left the room and she promised to put her make-up on in the living room so that she could educate him into the art of apply make-up. She put on her favourite miss matched outfit that made her relax and bounced on the sofa next to him. He switched off the telly and was intently watching her every move. It made her laugh when he pulled the same faces as her as she applied the lashes and mascara. They both looked at the result with appreciation.

He took the dogs out for a small walk and arrived back in time to have a quick shower and got dressed in some more of her brother’s clothes and she had to admit he was a good looking chap.

By the time the taxi arrived they both felt up to the challenge, each planning a string of events to out-wit their opponent.

Fluffy Slippers and Pompoms Episode six

They got back and decided to go for a coffee at the local farm shop. The dogs settled in their beds when asked to ‘dry their paws’ Pier was most impressed. They went a little way up the road and then down a track. Talking as they went about the connection between Sue, Deb and Pier; one of Debs failed blind dates apparently from way back.

Helen was intrigued by a side of her sister she knew very little about, she thought she knew all her sister’s close friends and the fact that she had close family friends that she wasn’t involved with, made her feel withdrawn from her sisters life and oddly grown up.

She then focused on finding out how much he had remembered about her; in that glorious summer when he had been gardening and she went spying on him. He avoided the subject though, much to her annoyance and his indulgent pleasure. He poked fun at her like her brother and brother-in-law always did, making her feel childish in her quest, so reluctantly, for now she dropped it hoping stealth would prevail.

They entered the elegant country Tea room that was humming with activity and Helen was a little worried they would not find a table. Everyone looked up and did a double take at Piers eye and then they lowered their heads and low inquisitive voices added to the humming around them with a new vigour. The couple knew that a feeding frenzy of innuendo and miss conception was flowing through the room with their arrival. When they sat in the middle of the large room, Pier threatened to stand up and proclaim the truth, only to be pulled back down to his seat by Helen. All this fun and frolics that always ended in laughter, Helen felt sure did not help his eye recover and suggested that all the extra blood flow, went straight to the now beacon style bruise, causing a flash light effect akin to a light house! And then added;

‘You’re doing it on purpose, to make me look bad!’

‘Oh you off loader, this is your fault and now you’re trying to off load your guilt and say it’s my fault.’ He had by now got indignation off to a fine art thought Helen.

With an earnest face he turned to acknowledge the young girl who was ready to take their order.

‘She should stop trying to make me laugh, don’t you think? It is most unfair to make the inflicted’ he pointed to his eye. ‘Laugh causing more afflictions?’ He now pulled a face of which could only be likened to Quasimodo’s brother. Helen rolled her eyes as the young girl and a few others around, chuckled their appreciation of his insinuation.

Each one of these chringable offences he had caused her, she had noted and was beginning to wonder why she had put up with it and whether it was all worth it. He was funny but for a competitive person to always be on the loosing side was a little hard to cope with. He then turned all attentive and she was flummoxed in to submission of enjoyment.

As they left the cafe Helen guided him to the farm shop and started to joyfully load up the basket with the fresh produce that was on offer.

‘Err I think you should go easy on the perishables’ Pier’s bad eye was on her side and he had to swing round to see her; just missing the top of  the head, of a runaway boy with the wire basket.

‘Why?’ She knew he was going to tell something she wasn’t going to like. He fidgeted.

‘Err it’s’ he grabbed her arms. This earnest action of protection (Helen couldn’t make up her mind against another black eye or support for her), added to the foreboding that was building into an atmosphere between them.

‘I said we would go for dinner tonight so you could meet the family’

‘I could meet the family? Or the family get to meet me?’ Helen looked intently as the difference was subtle and saw the thought of a lie not being an option float across his face and then he admitted.

‘So they could…….. grill you!’

‘Grill me? Why grill me? What sort of family are they?’ she didn’t fancy having third degree burns and then go into the ring with her family the next day. She knew nearly nothing about him, how could she convince complete strangers that she loved their son enough to move in with him. All this deceit, just so they didn’t have to go on a few blind dates. There again that’s exactly what they were going to do to her family. How old were they to come up with such a slapstick comedy of an idea like this. On the other hand if his sisters were like Deb, after a while you do get a little bit desperate, well mega desperate. She looked up to him which was not much help as his eye made it impossible to read his face.

They paid for the things in the basket and walked home in relative silence, each carrying their thoughts and wondering how they were going to pull it all off.

Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms: - Fifth Episode

Pier stood looking at her making her feel like a matador the challenge was so intense. Now was he going to turn into a raging bull of indignation? Helen was finding it increasingly difficult to look at Pier for too long, his eye and cheek bone was swollen and changing to a whole spectrum of colours. Was she going to crumble under the burden of guilt?

It was Buster who broke the fighting stance of matador and bull, he banged them both on their knees enough to say ‘there are more important things to do than looking at each other in challenge mode. Like a walk!’  Buster sat down and lifted his paw waving it at Pier begging him to put his lead on. He took the lead from Helen without reluctance or second thought. Poppy and Foxy girl had theirs in their mouths and sat waiting patiently.

By the time they had walked out of the old mill, they were back talking as easy as old friends. Just over the bridge and to the right was a public footpath that ran along the river Gipping. A well trodden path that started open and was soon closed in by over hanging trees. On a day like this it glistened in the morning sun and soon humans and dogs were lost in the pack walking mode, which slowed the heart and gave a sense of an almost hypnotic trance state. All too soon this was broken by the others out for a walk. The dogs eager to greet, giving the humans the excuse to pass the time of day with a few remarks on the weather and such. This was why Helen had Poppy, a year later came Foxy Girl as a companion for her and Buster was a rescue she just could not turn away from. Buster had a telepathic ability, Helen was sure of it.

Soon they had reached the big open space just before the lake. The three dogs were excited and eager to be free. Pier was taken in by the walk and was now proudly holding Buster’s lead; well he was a model dog. He loved people, dogs and life with vitality you just could not deny; it was also very infectious. The three poodles sat knowing that was the only way they would be let off their lead and waited for the command to be released but as soon as Helen uttered ‘along’, they were off. Ecstasy ran through their bodies. Crisscrossing each other with Buster going underneath the girls tummies, Helen and Pier stood back to admire their exuberance.

Helen had the compulsory balls in her pockets and all of a sudden attention was paid by the dogs. As soon as the ball was released from the throw the dogs had it in their sights. Though the Standard poodles could cover more ground in a stride, Buster had the agility and it was him who manoeuvred around the tree, jumped impressively high and caught the ball. Pier wanted a go and Helen walked over to a friend as he threw the numerous balls for the now five dogs.

While talking to Sue they turned to look at Pier. Sue was one of Debs close friends, so the pretence had to be kept up. To Helen’s horror Sue already knew that Pier had stayed the night and Sue thoroughly approved and thought Pier was a dish and they would be very happy. They both noted a known flirt walk over to Pier and her Blue oldie English Bull dog; Sue and Helen thought brought only for the man appeal factor.

Bella the bull dog laboriously sat down and waited for the onslaught of the others dog’s interest. They had to admit that she was a very beautiful dog in her wrinkled way. A very happy looking dog; she looked as though she was laughing with a temperament to match. Encouraged by the other dogs she went to play, with Buster flirting persuading her to come along a little faster.

Sue started to walk over to Pier and Helen became aware that she knew him. Oh lord she thought deeper and deeper into the fire of pretence and began to wonder where all this was going to lead. The sooner his eye mended, and Deb put in her place the better; they could have a big row and end it then, hopefully making Deb and Piers sister stop fixing up blind dates. Helen didn’t like holding onto all the threads of deceit it confuddled her ordered brain. There again she could have some fun with Cindy (the flirty dog walker) who had become a friend.

Giving treats to all the dogs on the way over to them, she beamed at Cindy and put her arm through Pier’s.

‘You didn’t tell me you were living with someone.’ Cindy cooed

He’d stolen her thunder; she started to pout at the loss of the strike; though Sue’s face was very pleasing. This was going to get back to Deb as soon as they were out of earshot. If not Sue, Cindy would defiantly get there as soon as she could. She devoured men, especially attached ones. They stood there while a cloaked inquisition went on, which they both avoided with child like pleasure. Pier’s eye caused a great stir especially when he announced that Helen had done it. The happenings of the previous evening explained and Deb’s sneaky hand in it all; with the little back dress she told Pier Helen so desperately needed. He then announced; even though Helen thought he was an android at work, he had won her over with his smooth charm. Oh you won me over did you now, I had succumbed, did I? Thought Helen, you are so going to pay for that one.

They left the girls in consternation. Both girls knew Helen well enough to know she could not just flippantly walk into a relationship. They also knew Deb and she would be in absolute turmoil that her little sister had done such an impulsive thing, especially as she instigated it all. They would love to have been invited to Deb’s for Sunday lunch; it was going to be the blast on the century, an event not to be missed.

The dogs bounded over to the now retreating and entwined couple, who; unknown to the girls they had just left, were again having a quite laugh at their expense.

 

Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms: - Fourth Episode

Helen was never a late sleeper but this morning, with the autumn sun and the bitter cold air made her snuggle that little bit deeper in her duvet. Let the heating raise the temperature just a little more she thought. It was around eight she guessed and the girls were stirring. It was a little strange without Buster; he was a real early riser and would always lift her arm up so that he could snuggle up for a couple of seconds then he would want to get going.

She put on her Fluffy slippers and her fluffy snowman house coat and went to put the coffee on. Lush creamy scrambled eggs and crisp bacon with brown sauce, she couldn’t wait. She looked out of her kitchen window at the snow filled sky and the twinkling frost that hung and sparkled on the trees on the bank of the river it made a sparkling display and a very romantic vision. Her kitchen was perfect in every way and in the mornings at the weekends it was her all time favourite place. She was almost regretting agreeing to go to Deb’s on Sunday.

Then she remembered what had been planned last night and instead of regretting or rethinking she was re-living and had a huge smile on her face as Pier walked in with Buster. He was showered and dressed in her brother’s clothes which fitted perfectly. Her brother had good taste in clothes and she would have to rub in the fact that Pier looked better in them than he did.

‘Well, don’t you look the Christmas picture?’

‘You like?’ she asked twirling around. He didn’t know what to say, no quick sarcy comment his face though said it all. He just didn’t know what to make of her. In her professional life she dressed well and safely and the outfits she had worn in the last twenty four hours obviously didn’t match his persona of her.

‘Would you like scrambled eggs, crisp bacon and coffee?’

‘Tell me you eat like this every morning please! I love living with you!’ His face matched his pleading.

 ‘Well, I’ve been thinking about that’ the phone rang. ‘I so know who that is!’ Helen started for the phone but Pier got there first.

‘Hello, Oh hi Deb.’ His hand went on the mouth piece and they were both bent double suppressing the hysterics, they could not look at each other and after a while he straightened his face. ‘Oh she’s in bed shall I get her for you? Oh she’s not sleeping’ the expressive innuendo in his voice and his face set Helen off in yet another fit of giggles. ‘I was just taking her coffee in.’ they both ran into her room, she got there first and then he handed her the phone and jumped on too, making as much bed noise as they could.

‘Oh hi Deb’

‘Listen, Helen. What are you doing?’

‘Nothing’

‘Is Pier there?’

‘Yep’ she had put the phone on speaker so Pier could be in on the fun too.

‘Did he spend the night?’ In a dreamy voice as she could muster; acting not being her strong point she responded.

‘Oh yeah, thanks sis’. At which point Pier grabbed her and kissed her on the cheek several times loudly. Not being able to control her laughter any longer she said ‘have to go now, I’ll ring you later.’ and switched off the phone. They fell about laughing. The shock and indignation in Debs voice was lush. It was awhile before their laughter subsided.

Helen held her cheeks and started to massage them.

‘Oh my face hurts, How’s yours?’ when she looked across she could see it was giving him some discomfort but his giggles wouldn’t subside and tears started to roll down his face. Though at first this caused some concern to Helen, the sound of his giggles coupled with the tears and the pain, she soon succumbed to the giggles yet again. In the end Helen walked away into the bathroom, but every time she put her head out, there was Pier and it started again. Their stomachs had gone into cramps which added to the fits, seeing each other in discomfort with Debs indignation only compounded the urge to giggle more.

Finally calm, they had their breakfast. Simple things can be an indulgent pleasure and again Helen took great delight in the obvious enjoyment with which Pier took over the consumption of the quick breakfast. A discussion over their preference of brown sauce apposed to tomato and how many divorces could have been prevented by noting the little things that make life harmonious. Helen said it wasn’t the difference that made or broke the relationship but understanding and accepting the difference. They had finished their coffee and Pier insisted on clearing up the kitchen while Helen went and got ready to take her dogs for a walk.

Within an hour she had re-entered the kitchen. Skinny jeans with a rather stunning grey jumper and bright red lipstick that showed her cupid bow lips off. As she went to get the leads Pier asked if he could take buster. Helen couldn’t help being impressed. No man she had ever met wanted to be seen on the end of the lead to her poodles. Buster was a great looking guy though and won people over, given time. Personally she hated poodle cuts, even though in the beginning of the breed they were given to keep their muscles warm in the water, when they were working and shaved at the back so they didn’t sink, because of the cartoon image of neurotic women and their poodles these dogs have been given a bad image. Buster didn’t look like a little fluffy pom pom and not much like a poodle; with his close clipped fur. Even so, blokes went for big proper dogs with a ruffty tuffty image; buster was just a ruffty tuffty in a small package. She hesitated and then asked ‘Do you think you’re man enough to take buster?’ Pier took the challenge without hesitation and lack of understanding.

Helen knew him to be as competitive as indeed she was and knew from experience that could lead you into strange predicaments; she chuckled at this thought, as that’s exactly what was happening to them now. So with some deep conceited pleasure she took out Busters black leather lead that was studded with hundreds of diamantes. She watched the desired reaction spread across Piers face. Now was he man enough to take Buster for a walk, she wondered.

Tilly Moments: Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms

Tilly Moments: Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms First episode

Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms Third episode.

The lights were low and there was no hope of having a peak at those eyes, so she gave up and would have to sneak a look in the morning. She wasn’t sure if it was the wine or the genuine comfort she now felt in Pier Company, but that lovely mellow amber feeling was a wonderful thing to have. It had been such a long-time since she could just enjoy someone’s company, without having to be on her guard about a hidden agenda.

They had chatted while they sipped their coffees and debated how they managed to miss each other at the various parties and family dos, where they could have or should have bumped into each other. Their friends and families networks were closely entwined it seemed and it was only a twist of fate had kept them apart.

The most enjoyable part of the evening was their childlike plans they concocted to make all their sisters squirm. At least Helen only had the one, poor Pier had three. The eldest being the one that made it her mission in life to make sure Pier had a life partner and produces off-spring, as soon as possible. His only salvation was the fact she had given up on him getting married.

They both decided that their sisters wanted to stop their freedom and make them suffer as much as they did. Pier also had come out of a long term relationship that had embroiled him in boredom of expectations and took no account of his individuality. Women do that to a man he’d said. Helen admitted more to herself than Pier that secretly she would love to find someone to share life with but blokes irritated her if they got to close. A fact that was not lost on her sister, who wore this particular virtue; of never being irritated by peoples failings, as a gem stone on her shoulder and showed it to Helen at every opportunity as much to say, look what I have and you can’t have it. Pier pointed out that could be why she was so intent on finding, that someone special for Helen. Possibly he suggested bravely, that had more to do with her chip on her shoulder than the gemstone on her sisters.

‘You’re quite insightful for an android’

‘Android?’

‘That’s my nickname for you’ she hoped her apologetic face could be seen. Mellow feelings could get you into an awful lot of trouble she thought. She tried to wake up her centuries so they could be on guard of her mouth, but they couldn’t be bothered and she too tired to wake them. ‘Sorry, but you come across like that at work, especially if I’m having to dash to Norwich, to get the next relative signed up and you haven’t a clue what that A140s like. Anyhow I only say it to my sister’. As if that would make things any better, she contemplated

‘That’s ok yours is ‘Little Miss Tight Ass’ He chuckled

She pondered on this one, as the thought she had a tight ass was very pleasing and that people thought this too, even more so, though she didn’t think that was quite why she had earned the nickname. Too sleepy to care, she decided not to pursue with her enquires, not for now anyhow. She suggested they made a move to bed and the obvious remark came, at which she rolled her eyes.

She went to make sure everything was ready for him in the spare room and got a few of her brother’s things out for the morning, so he could then have a shower at his leisure. With clean clothes so that he would feel fresh and ready for his breakfast. When she went back into the lounge, she fully expecting him to be up and about but he had only managed to make it to the edge of the sofa.

‘You ok?’

‘Bit dizzy’

‘Drink or eye?’ Feeling a little responsible for both she went over and helped him off holding him until he felt steady on his feet. The closeness of him in her arms enhanced that mellow feeling and she contentedly breathed in. The aroma of his aftershave added to the atmosphere of shared intimate space. He laid his cheek on top of her head and she felt him breathe her in. They made their way to the spare room. He tried to argue about taking some pain killers, as men tend to do, but relented, as he could see the sense in her reasoning that a good night rest would do him good.

By the time she’d come back with the painkillers he was already in the bed and snuggled up, with his face completely relaxed he looked so angelic. Looking down at him Helen had an immense sense of pleasure. Never had she spent an evening having been congratulated and appreciated as this evening and never, ever had she had so much fun, just chilling with any guy before. She could see how he had been such good friends with both her sister and her husband for so long. There lurking amidst that thirty something face was that teenager of long ago. She put the painkillers and glass of water on the table next to the bed and left the lamp on so he could see them if he awoke and needed them in the night.

Buster, her black miniature poodle, wondered in and went and laid on the floor looking up at Helen then Pier, wined as much to say I’ll be here is he needs me, then put his head on his paws and closed his eyes. Reassured Helen switched off the light and went to bed.

Fluffy Slippers and Pom Poms

Helen’s working week had been dismal; her new boss was an android void of all human need and honestly didn’t know how she had stopped herself from punching him between the eyes. Planning this evening had been her salvation; the fact it was Valentines added to the pleasure of it. Conjuring up a menu, thinking of drinking her favourite sparkling and chilled wine, on her own, by herself, had got her through, just!

           

Now in her mid thirties her signgalton life style was new and refreshingly liberating. Knowing coupledom was full of compromise and a large dose of gritted teeth, she’d decided not to bother with it. Any how dealing with one Man from Mars was enough for her. Her family and friends had tried very hard to arrange blind dates. She had got out of it so far but it was only a matter of time before her older sister had managed to trap her into one.

Her flat became her sanctuary, looking round her elegant comfort zone the week’s tense trauma floated away and a contented smile warmed her through. The table looked magnificent with the overpriced flowers plus vegetation an indulgence possibly too far but she was worth it. The smell from the kitchen surprised her, as long as it tasted as good as it smelt it was going to be a good night.

Three poodles sat on the sofa waiting to give all the love and comfort she needed, her date was loaded in the DVD and she was dressed not to thrill or impress but for comfort and frankly she looked ridiculous. Fluffy bootie slippers with pom poms, bright pink tiger stripped jersey pj bottoms with her favourite t-shirt and grey cashmere cardy. While applying makeup she had to laugh at her silliness. With her new glamorous necklace and earnings she felt a million dollars but looked like one of those figures where you change the face, torso and legs giving a hilarious effect.

As she took the cage off from the neck of the bottle to ease the cork out the phone rang.

‘Bloody hell’ sighing, picked up the phone, grappled with the bottle; still trying to open it, as her Sisters salutation hit her ears.

‘Deb I’m opening the bubbly and the door bells ringing now’! she stopped her sister in full flow ‘gotta go’ and put the phone down. Walking to the door she mentally marked up the score of avoidance.

Her left eyebrow raised as her shocked face set like a mask. The now open door revealed her boss. It was at this exact point; as they were both lost in their disbelief when the cork couldn’t restrain its self any longer. It flew out of the bottle and hit him straight in the eye. Psychologically she had been doing just that for a good couple of months and had to surprises a cheer.

As he lay on the sofa, her three dogs did their best to comfort him while his gruesome coloured eye enlarged at an alarming rate. She did her best to control it by administering frozen peas; while admiring the corks work. It was going to be a blinder of a black eye; possibly a week or more before he could see properly; that should slow him down a little, she contemplated while controlling the giggle that threatened to explode.

‘Sorry I should go; I can see you were getting ready to go out. Your sister said you desperately needed this.’ He held up a very exquisite black dress. How the hell did Deb know her boss? And it was most defiantly not her dress. Deb had won; the carpet was ripped from beneath her feet.

‘Oh I’m not going out’. The truth fell out of her mouth and an awkward silence ensued while Pier looked at her with his one good eye. The bemused stare was broken hastily by Helen running to rescue the lovingly prepared meal. As she entered the kitchen the cringe that had been building up inside her released itself. Her face contorted with horror as the earlier image of her reflection flashed through her mind, why! Oh why? had she not lied? Going out was her get out clause.

He coughed his announcement the shock made her jump and there it was; humour! Humour seeped from his one good eye and a laugh oozed from his mouth that rippled through the strained air and in spite of her resentment, Helen also erupted into a belly laugh Father Christmas would be proud of.

So there they found themselves, the oddball couple; he elegantly dressed with a bulbous crimson eye and she with the mismatched outfits sitting at a lavishly set table. There was no way he could drive with that eye and he too polite to just get up and leave after a home cooked meal. He would have to endure the girly movie she had put aside for to-night, with three poodles and her as his only company this was going to be a blind date from hell for him and for her Oh sweet, sweet revenge.