** For authors notes, disclaimer etc. see chapter 1
Every cloud – 3/4
"Ollie what part of leave me fucking alone did you not grasp?" Nicola snapped once the rosy cheeked pub owner had set the two meals and three bottles of wine on the dressing table and left.
"I told you I was going to sort this out and I have." Ollie replied ignoring her grumpiness as he lifted the iPad off the bedside table and checking it's battery life. "Better put this on charge we don't want the battery dying at a crucial moment now do we?"
"What the fuck are you talking about? If you think I'm video calling with the office or anyone else you can fucking think again. What I said earlier still stands I am not facing anyone in person or in cyber fucking space looking like this."
"I happen to think you look fucking amazing in fact that robe could do with being even shorter in my opinion."
"You are un-fucking-believable! How can you be so fucking cheerful and even think about sex when we're stuck in this god forsaken place?" Nicola sighed the smell of the hot pie and chips coming from the dressing table finally becoming too much as she moved from the chair and lifting one of the plates. "Open the wine I might as well get fucking pissed then maybe I'll find the bright side you seem to have been able to latch on to so easily."
"Eat your food I can be cheerful and think about how damn fucking sexy you look because even if the world was exploding around us right now being alone in a room with you would make thinking about anything else impossible." Ollie replied glancing at the clock then his phone as he realised the recital would have started and he hadn't had a call from Glen. This was the one time he needed their technophobe colleague to come through and if he messed it up it would be the last thing he did. It had taken time to convince Ella Murray that having her mother there via Face Time was almost as good as having her there in the flesh and if Glen screwed up meaning the little girl was let down again he'd kill him with his bare fucking hands.
"I am eating and why do you keep looking at your phone? I mean it Ollie I'm not talking to Malcolm or Glen or anyone else until the morning."
"I think you might change your mind about that but for now just clam down and eat you must be fucking starving I know I am."
Flicking on the TV Ollie channel surfed finally deciding the mindless viewing of BBC2's Egg heads would be the best and most calming viewing while they ate and he waited for a call or a text from Glen.
"Fucking idiots the answer's Maggie Smyth why do these people put themselves up for these shows when they are as thick as pig shit!" Nicola sighed twenty minutes later when they'd both finished eating and were enjoying their second glass of wine and watching the final round of the quiz.
"I think you're wrong I think it was Judi Dench." Ollie contradicted knowing full well she had the correct answer but wanting to maintain the much more relaxed atmosphere in the room.
"Bollocks, Jesus Ollie everyone knows Maggie Smyth play Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. I've seen them all at least ten times Toby loves them. You're as bad as they are!" She laughed as her answer was confirmed and seconds later Ollie's phone chirped into life.
"Are we all set?" he said listening as Glen told him the act before the last was just finishing and Ella would be on stage any minute. "Good just remember what I told you all you have to do is accept then press the button with a picture of a camera on it and point the iPad in the right direction…..don't be a fucking knob Glen just do what I've told you and don't screw it up!"
"What's going on?" Nicola asked as he muted the TV before lifting the iPad pressing the Face Time button and waiting until Glen had followed his instructions so the screen was filled with the image of the stage at Ella's school.
"I told you I had an idea didn't I? If you can't go to the recital then the recital will have to come to you." He said quietly handing her the iPad just as her daughter took the stage appearing to look directly at the camera as she sang "I believe the children are our future."
"She's amazing, do you hear that, she's pitch perfect," Nicola whispered staring up at Ollie for a second with eyes full of fresh tears.
"She's spectacular just like her mother." Ollie agreed as Ella finished singing and the room erupted in riotous applause that seemed to last forever.
"Can I speak to my mum?" They heard the little girl say a few minutes later as she approached Glen and the room began to empty.
"Yes, yes of course you can I'm not sure how to…"
"Just give it to her Glen she knows how to use it." Nicola interrupted trying to wipe away the tears that had now escaped.
"Mum don't cry I'm sorry about what I said earlier I know it wasn't your fault you couldn't be here." She smiled as Nicola shook her head.
"I'm crying because I'm so proud of you Ella you were brilliant."
"Really? Are you sure I did ok? I was worried I'd miss the high note in the middle."
"You were perfect." Nicola reassured loving the way her words immediately dispelled the child's doubts.
"Thanks Mum! I need to go or I'll miss the juice and cakes. Love you see you tomorrow."
"Love you too baby enjoy the after party and tell Mrs Henderson I'm sorry I wasn't there." Nicola smiled as she watched Ella bounce off in the direction of her friends.
"Good job Glen we'll see you tomorrow." Ollie smiled taking the iPad from her and disconnecting the Face Time call as Nicola got off the seat.
"How did you organise all that? How did you even think of it?" She asked standing close to him and putting her arms around her neck as she did.
"The hardest part was convincing Ella it would work I don't think she had much faith in Glen's IT skills." Ollie replied leaning in to kiss her as she melted into his arms. Finally he had the feeling the rest of the night was going to go exactly as he wanted it to and they were going to make the most of their night of isolation.
