Parallel Universe Part 3

We all visibly sighed, for different reasons.

‘She is quite a young lady’ Francesca turned bemused and looked at me. I took it as a compliment but too exhausted to really comment. Zara squeezed my hand, her eyes were electrifying and she made me smile a deep and proud smile that buzzed.

‘I’ll take mother’ as though her mother was a misbehaving child. ‘And ring you in the morning’ looking at Ian. ‘Do what your daughter tells you.’ She scolded Ian. ‘That sounds so good, doesn’t it? I’m an aunty!......Now look after Jane.’

‘I think I will have a coffee, one of those nice coffees please Ian, I just want a word with Jane before I go’.

Zara had come back in with their coats. Ian stood smiling at his sister and his mother, one of those smiles Henry uses when he finds me and Sophie funny. I could feel myself swoon a little with the fatigue a sharp look from Ian to me that was swiftly conveyed to his sister, who gently manhandled her mother out of the house with efficient ease. Ian bringing up the rear so that Francesca could not double back and escape her departure.

So here I was in that other place that I so could have occupied. With a broken ankle late at night with no change of clothes, not even a toothbrush, desperate to get home and in my own bed. I started to text David about the dog and one came straight back at me that I knew was from Sophie. David would never use ‘OMG’ and he wasn’t that fast at returning texts.

‘Would you like me to carry you up stairs?’

‘No’ Was my short and startled reply. It was an amusing idea though.

‘Do you think you could make it up the stairs with help?’

‘I want to go home.’ There was a longing in my voice. At this ungodly hour, on a cold and bitter night it was a silly idea, totally impractical. Ian picked up on the vulnerable need and we made it to the door without too much effort or problem but when he drove his vehicle to the front of the house, my will to go home fell like an icy cold waterfall. How the hell was I going to climb, with a plaster on my leg and in an increasing amount of pain into, a chrome fitted black Hummer?

‘You have to be kidding.’ His eyes were full fun! How could he do this to me after the day I have just had. Fun was not what I could cope with and as the tears started to form into dew drops he held out his arm and somehow I trusted him! Him, of all people in the world as soon as he pulled my arm and swung my body expertly as a fireman, he carried me to the Hummer like a sack of potatoes. Had I decided to wear trousers that day? No, Short skirt and red knickers! They cut my thick denier tights off.

I felt like those sack of potatoes being loaded onto a lorry. He was not short but neither was he very tall so as I slipped missing the seat by a few inches, he grabbed my arse to hoist me into the seat. With an innate reaction, I slapped him around the face. Fuelling my indignation and in his good humour he took the slap with a low rumbling chuckle. Loading me in was one thing getting me out was going to be another and then there was the fact he would know where I lived. Swimming thoughts, sickening feelings and the worst thing of all is that we only lived ten minuets away from one another. How had that happened, I would like to know!

His house was in the centre of historic Bury St Edmunds, a short walk to the shops but quiet enough to be enjoyable. Mine was a two up two down clipper house as our finances had tumbled through Bill’s illness; we had to move just before he died. I wasn’t ashamed of my circumstances but I didn’t want pity. But as we drove up to my home, his face held it anyhow.

‘Jane I can appreciate you would like to sleep in your own bed and you need a few things but…’ I knew before he uttered the words. ‘Don’t you think it would be best if I grabbed a few things and took you back to mine?’ I don’t think your leg would take me swinging you up your stairs.’

I closed my eyes determined not to let my dew drops fall, they abated after sensible thought. I handed him my keys. Looking reassuringly into my eyes and he squeezed my hand. He went in my little universe. I visualised him ransacking the pictures dotted around depicting my life with Bill and the kids, opening my intimate draws, finding private things about who I have become. His eyes would scan every detail with his photographers and philosophers thoughts rummaging through and finding out about me. I had started to shake, for the first time real sadness bubbled within me, why was life so cruel.

I had just started to find my feet, now there was the ironic joke but I had started to stand alone again. Bill’s illness and his eventual death was new, I still woke forgetting he was gone and when I started to think of all his needs my body would sink and then I would remember that he had slipped from me, I would, with relief take a painful breath. But me and the children were forging a life together and to have had that without other complications, just for a few years would have been good.

He emerged with Holly my sweet little shaggy dog. Who was sick every time we went out in a car! I thought of my book and the wine again and my collision with that other universe. He went back inside and emerged with a holdall Sophie used for sleepovers. Its pink and purple flowers were not out of place in his hands and I wish the years of pain that man had caused me would flood my indignation, as they did in my mind when I had visualised our meeting again. I felt nothing though just so very, very empty.

He was back in the car and we were off and my thoughts turned to how I could possible get out of the car by myself. People had gathered around the streets as Christmas parties had come to their climatic end. Great! With my short skirt, red knickers and bulbous painful leg, and on the other foot was high heel shoe entertainment for the crowds no doubt. To add to the torment a friend of Ian’s came over to find out the story behind the new lady. Slightly drunk he slapped him on the back ‘you found her then.’ He looked down to my leg and slightly puzzled, hazily processed the fact I had a cast on my leg ‘What happened to you?’ slapping Ian on the back again. Before Ian could explain, I without thinking remarked with a hoity shrug

‘I tried to run away but fell for him and broke my leg’ He immediately sobered and laughed. I liked his laugh, it warmed me.

‘No wonder he has been looking for you, I like you.’

‘I like you too.’

‘Do you think you like me better sober or drunk?’

‘Sober!’

‘Bugger, better sober up and I’ll see you tomorrow.’ He turned to Ian ‘You going to keep her?’

‘Rafe, would you help us out?’

‘With pleasure.’ His smile flipped my butterflies, enchanting my senses with his genuine pleasure at seeing me. Like a pair of crutches they helped me up the stairs with Honey in hot pursuit. Innuendos flew around as I was guided to Ian’s flamboyant bedroom and they sat me down on a Chaise Longue. Ian went to fetch the bags and Rafe kept staring at me in a very pleasing way. His short thick blond hair, stubbled chin and sparkling blue eyes played with my face lingering on my mouth and eyes. In his mid forties and slightly drunk, inhibitions were set free and instead of bravado there seemed an earnestness about him that I liked so when he came and sat next to me I started to gravitate towards him.  

Ian walked in with a face like thunder when he looked over to us both, but Rafe just smiled over to him and put his arm around me and tugged me close.

Rage is spontaneous and rather uplifting I thought.

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 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.

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.

The Affair

I think I should put a warning on this one. It is a first draft but so full of fun my fairy could not wait to put this one out, naughty naughty fairy! It is definitely a Chick Lit that will bring a smile to your face with its little twist at the end.

            Let me know if you enjoyed it with the comment box at the end.

____________________X______________________

After being married for over twenty years, I can’t remember what I was thinking when I walked down the isle. I knew that life was going to be full of routine. But I did think I would see my husband from time to time. Silly me! Oh young love so innocent, it makes me laugh. 

            I have turned into that which I despise the most, a lame and dysfunctional person, thing. Mothers often are and need to be I guess. Life’s needs are, at the moment, needier than my own personal womanhood. That was until I went to a wedding a month ago. I met a man…… a gorgeous, attractive and very seductive man. He reminded me that I was all woman!! ‘Mmmmmm... ohhhh yaaaaaaa’           

            I am a big dreamer but I live in reality, mores the pity. I knew he was being kind. I’m no great looker and my body has taken a bit of a tumble after the kids and general neglect. Not that I had much to start with, buxom is what my husband calls me. I never asked whether that was good, perhaps I should. Anyhow, there I was standing admiring the beautiful setting, drinking in the atmosphere and the Champagne. When this vision walked over to me, a bubbled haze engulfed us and no other life existed before or will ever exist again, it seemed.

            That night for the first time ever, love, time, and space meant something to me other than, this is what happens in life. I understood what they meant in romantic novels when they say electrifying. Each touch or brush with this man was painfully erotic. My senses awakened once more, after their long and dormant coma they vibrated with tingly sensations that I just wanted to close my eyes to enjoy. His laugh rendered me incapable of thought or movement and I looked in ore over his ability to be himself. Just at this point of loosing myself to this dream of a man, I hear the call of ‘He’s just been sick mum!’ Realism came crashing down, my bubble was burst and off I ran to my child who had, apparently, for a dare put his head under the chocolate fountain, for 3 minuets!! 

            Well I promised my self that I would have my night back, I needed that before I became a totally wizened old hag, emotionally and physically. I just had to track that man down. My friends kept asking if anything was wrong, I just couldn’t tell them the truth. How could I explain what was plainly ridiculous? A person like me wanting, needing an affair, now that was silly! Beyond belief!

            After many attempts I did track him down and he agreed to meet me at a rather wonderful restaurant. I had left strict orders that champagne was on ice for when we arrived, I had already ordered our meal. Presumptions of me I know but I didn’t want to waste one second on the plenary of looking through the menu or wine, discussing this or that, I just wanted him, all of him! I had pre booked a room at the hotel. Childcare arranged and I had no mobile phone or contact details and I was a jabbering wreck. He was half an hour late and I was sat in a rather sumptuous lounger the staff were on stand by as though the most important guest was about to arrive. 

            I was on my third glass of bubbly and crippled with anxiety over the cost and what will happen when my husband finds out. As soon as I saw his silhouette coming through the doorway, all other existent lives were shut out. That most beautiful sphere surrounded me again and as he entered it, my husband became my lover and our marrage came of age.

            As he held my face and kissed me as he had in-front of all those people at our wedding, I remembered what I had been thinking when I walked up the isle twenty one years ago to-day. I always needed to be a woman to him and as he sat down I could see the passion that had been suppressed. The true thrill of an affair was as my kids would say OMG, like truly awesome. It felt so good to be young free and single again!

The End

What are you waiting for go book the hotel all you married ladies? I love my fairy :-)



Falling off the Tandem part two

It was only five thirty when I got to my room and I had an hour to wait before diner menu was available.

I had looked forward to reading and enjoying my pimms all week but found I couldn’t settle; due to being wound up by the spiteful text. I decided to go for a walk to unwind the tightly coiled spring within. It didn’t take long the two glasses of Pimms had worked their magic. I walked back to the veranda the July heat had subsided and the flowers sent floated on the calm and still air. It truly was a glorious setting and perfect for a wedding.

The stillness was broken by a rich and good humoured male’s voice talking on a mobile phone. As I walked up to the steps, I caught the gist of the conversation. They (whoever was on the other end of the phone and Mr. Smooth voice) were the ones who had cancelled the honeymoon suite. They had organised a helicopter to take the soon to be newly weds to a seaside location of the bride’s childhood, where the couple would not be disturbed by their boisstres friends and family; who would also be staying at the hotel. I smiled as I walked past, how sweet and thoughtful and was glad that the wedding hadn’t been called off as I had thought.

I heard his hurried footsteps and half of me wanted to turn around and see if the face matched his luscious voice the other half wanted to grab and kiss him fully on the mouth with every ounce of passion I felt. I sighed I had not had sex for so long it was starting to effect me and daydreams of romance an ever persistent emotion to sit on. Must get back to the safety of the room, I was obviously in no fit state to be out in public. I actually giggled out loud at this thought.

As I made my way to the exquisite French doors still wondering what he looked like and planning to sit on the table just inside, so I could take a sneaky peek at this voice that melted me like a warmed marshmallow. But before I could reach the top tier of the extensive veranda, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Oh and he was as sexy as his voice. His appeal dripped from his smiling eyes and down his cheeks to his smile that I immediately swooned for.

‘Sorry to bother you’ He almost pleaded with his voice and I just about stopped myself from saying ‘the pleasure is mine’ I blushed as he kept his hand on my shoulder the contact with another adult human being was intense to the point of pain. ‘Are you going into dinner now?’

‘Yes’ I replied trying to breath and not fling my arms around him and snog with gusto, now there’s a word from the past snog. The long lost sense of teenage faire l’amour sprang from that word and a primal instinct that was hard to ignore came with it. The little devil inside me wanted to hide the mother side of my complex being in a cupboard and release the animal within. But regrettably the mother side won, again! And the frustrated animal was captured and behind safe bars mores the pity!

‘Would you mind if I tagged along?’

‘Sure’ I tried to casually shrug. This was not good, how on earth was I going to keep my hands off him, let alone think straight? Now I felt a little uneasy about being on my own for diner and what on earth would he think if he knew I was in the Honeymoon suite, I wondered.

As we went down past the reception he asked me if I was on the bride’s side or the grooms.

‘Neither’ I answered tensing, lord I thought how ridiculous and silly my ideas are if he finds out I’m on my own he is going to think I’m a right loner; which of course I am, a mother is always a loner when divorced.

‘Oh’ His awkwardness made him pause for a while and then he carried on. ‘So sorry I thought you were one of the guests for the pre wedding dinner. Can I get you a drink?’

Good lord a drink, not a great idea really, unpredictable urges that felt as if they were going to erupt at any second needed strong support not more of a relaxed attitude. I reasoned; I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to. If we parted now he would be embarrassed as he would be unable to keep his invite to diner and not to mention how I would feel about being dressed up and on my own. Having a drink would get us both out of a difficult social situation. It would also give me time to plan a timely retreat. I could have a soft drink but when he asked if I wanted to share a bottle of wine I smiled and said that would be lovely.

‘So are you waiting for someone?’ He looked at me obviously taking in my dress. I wished I could lie but some of us just can’t.

‘No’ I confessed with guilt. His confused and puzzled expression made me want to play with his bemused face that he fought gallantly to control. My heart took pity on him and the truth tippled out, thanks to the Pimms.

‘This is a new beginning, silly really and a story that probably would take up most of the evening in the telling and would bore me and send you to sleep, so I’ll spare us.’ He was about to say something but once started I had to carry on. ‘I was going to have dinner and then go and read a book.’

‘That dress would be wasted on a book’

I blushed. ‘That’s very kind’

‘Nonsense, it’s a simple fact.’ He took a wine buffs approach to the just poured wine which had appeared like a magic trick. Deep in thought we waited the wine waiter and I for his verdict. He looked right into my eyes, deep into them and smiled. I felt that I could almost read his thoughts; he had picked the wine for me. He nodded at the waiter. As the waiter left he turned his thoughts to me by which time I had rapidly drank half the glass; the tension was getting to me and he was right the wine was divine. He lent over to refill my class but I held my hand over the top.

‘I try very hard to sip wine but when it’s cool and as refreshing as this, I tend to drink faster than perhaps is wise.’ He smiled and gave a little rumble in the back of his throat. It made me breathe deeply with contentment. He looked at me pleasantly surprised by my reaction.

            ‘I would like to ask a favour and I honestly wont be offended if you decline’ He attentively began. ‘I know we’ve just met and that was a little unorthodox on my part and this is going to seem really strange. But would you help me….you see I was supposed to come with someone for the family pre wedding diner and to my sisters wedding and our over bearing mother would spoil her evening and day, if all she could go on about was the fact I’m single again. There would be the Spanish inquisition of why and at the top table there would be no let up, it would all be unbearable.’

His pleading eyes drove away my inhabitations and all defences.

‘I would love to be your knight in shinning armour’
As I took another sip and an inward panic started to built up. It’s ok putting yourself forward heroically, I thought but will you be any good at riding the white charger and how are your lance tactics? I pondered. I took another sip; well actually a gulp, perhaps I think too much and even worry more. Live a dream, just for a short while, become something you will never have a chance of becoming again. Go on have a little fun, without responsibility. Mothers should have a duel personality to keep them sane; now who had said that? If nobody had they should’ve. I looked across at the stranger and into his eyes that were deep and mellow and full of playful peril. Irresistible! Somethings in life you just have to have a go at. I mounted that white charger, I feared the wrong way round, as he led me to my quest. 

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.