I recently purchased The Upper Hand Series and decided to write a little something. Honor Blackman played Laura West to perfection and was ultimately my favourite Character. I know it was all about Charie/Caroline but what if it had been Laura who stole is heart instead. Hope you like, perhaps a one off story, depending on how I go. Enjoy xxx
A Beautiful Life
Charlie/Laura
From the first moment Charlie Burrows had been hired as Housekeeper to Caroline Wheatley, it had been a natural assumption by Laura that Caroline and Charlie would be great together. Caroline had spent wasted years in a marriage that in Laura's eyes was destined to fail and as much as she liked to pick fun at her Daughter, the truth was that Laura loved her only Daughter with all her heart and just wanted to see her happy. The moment Charie met Caroline, Laura and Tom, he knew this was the right place to raise his Daughter Joanna, in a friendly, drug free atmosphere, to grow up with manners and respect and judging by Laura and Caroline, he knew he could give Joanna that. As the weeks went by, and they all got to know one another better, Charlie knew he'd made the right decision. This was a lovely family, kind, understanding and loving. Caroline, in his eyes could be a little bit work obsessed but with the decline of her Marriage, he supposed it's what kept her going. Tom was very grown-up for his age and knew from the moment he met him that Tom and Jo would get on great and hopfully in time develop into a Brother/Sister type relationship. Then there was Laura, there was something about her that he couldn't pin point. She never behaved like a normal Grandmother. She didn't knit, she didn't bake cookies but she did love her Grandson. For a woman in her late sixties, she was still a very beautiful woman, attracting men young and old. The more Charlie spent in her company, the more he began to look at her in a completely different way. He came downstairs one morning and was in the kitchen making a start on breakfast when Laura came in, still wearing what she had on the night before.
He looked up at her and could see she looked upset which wasn't like her.
"This isn't you just getting home Laura."
"Afraid so, what are you making."
"Omlette, you hungry." He asked.
"A little."
"Laura, are you okay."
"Why do you ask."
"You look upset."
"Do I." She replied, quietly.
She took a seat at the table and Charlie stopped what he was doing and went over to join her, pouring her a glass of orange juice, when he was seated.
"Why do I do it Charlie."
"Do what."
"Date all these pathetic men, who are only after some fun."
"What happened with this one."
"He's married."
"Sorry Laura."
"He said that he still wants to see me, despite his wife. What kind of a woman does he think I am."
"You're a decent one, which is why I assume that you told him where to go."
"Well ofcourse I did, oh Charlie, what's wrong with me."
"Nothing is wrong with you. You are an intelligent, thoughtful, truthful woman. You're beautiful."
"Stop it."
"You are, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Laura gave him a small smile and he took hold of her hand in his. She suddenly began to feel the air change between them and she began to feel akward and rose from her seat to go and stand beside the sink, looking out the window. Charlie got up and walked over to stand at her side.
"Did I do something wrong." He asked.
"Charlie, I'm not sure what just happened."
"I was offering comfort."
"Yes, only I thought I felt more. I've gone mad. I should go home, sorry Charlie."
She was getting ready to move away from him when he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her towards him. She put her hands firmly on his chest to stop her falling forward. She could feel her breath becoming shallow as she felt Charlies breath on her. Part of her was afraid to look up but seconds later she wasn't given a choice as Charlie lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. She made contact and gave a shaky smile as she felt his lips on hers. She couldn't help but think what the hell was happening.
To Be Continued…