Chapter 4: Katie

Cassie meets her close friend from the clinic and introduces Sid. Much to his surprise and embarrassment, Cassie is surprisingly frank about her intimate feelings.

Katie, who was waiting at Clifton Down station, saw Sid and Cassie coming to meet her. She smiled. She was wearing a black strapless crop top and a black miniskirt.

"Oh, hello, Cassie." said Katie, "Who's your friend?"

"This is Sid." said Cassie, "He's the boy I've been telling you about. Where would you like to go this afternoon?"

"I think the tapas bar would be best." said Katie, "I know you like sushi, but I'm not too keen on raw fish and seaweed today."

"OK!" said Cassie, "Anyway, you're looking good. That outfit suits you. "

"You're looking good as well." said Katie, "I haven't seen that dress before. It's very short, but it makes you look sexy. Your legs are really beautiful. Well done for showing them."

"Thank you." said Cassie, "This is the first time I've dared to put it on, but I do feel good wearing it."

"I think Sid may have something to do with that." said Katie, grinning, "Anyway we'd better be on our way to the restaurant."

The three of them set out on the three minute walk to the tapas bar. They entered and were soon shown to a table as the place was fairly empty. Menus arrived and the three made their choices. Sid insisted that one of the tapas would be Patatas Bravas.

"Anyway," said Katie, "I didn't think you were seeing Sid at the moment. How come he's with you this afternoon?"

"I was missing him so much when I was in the clinic." said Cassie, "I just had to find him. I must admit I stalked him yesterday evening."

"Yes," said Sid, "I was with Tony. We were looking for Effy, Tony's sister. I kept on catching glimpses of Cassie, but when I looked again, she had disappeared. Tony said I was imagining her. At one point he even suggested that she'd 'flown off on her broomstick'."

Katie fought to suppress a chuckle.

"You weren't imagining me though." said Cassie.

"Why didn't you talk to him?" asked Katie.

"I wanted to talk to him," said Cassie, "But I didn't want Tony to be around. Sid's so much more himself when he's away from his 'friend'."

"You did obviously get him alone, because you're with him now." said Katie, "How did that happen?"

"While we were wandering round Bristol looking for Effy," said Sid, "Tony got a phone call telling him there was a party at Cumberland Basin. We went there, but there was nothing. Tony started tormenting me about Cassie's suicide attempt. I saw red. We had a fight. I just left him there and went to Rocatillo's."

"Well, that explains the black eye." observed Katie, with a smirk.

"About half past one this morning, I got a voicemail message from Sid." said Cassie, "He sounded really down. I felt I just had to cheer him up."

"You did come out to me, thank God." said Sid.

"I did," said Cassie, "Because the tone of your voice told me you really needed me."

"You two do seem very much in love with each other." said Katie, "I can sense the chemistry between you. Anyway, do continue. I want to know how you really got together."

"We were in Rocatillo's," said Cassie, "Making up our differences,"

"With a kiss!" interjected Sid, smiling.

"When Sid got a phone call from, of all people, Michelle." continued Cassie.

"Yes," said Sid, "She wanted me to go and see if Tony was OK. He was at the Ston Eaton sports club."

"How did he get there?" asked Katie, "That's the place Victoria Stock's son and his mates hang out."

"I've no idea how he got there," said Sid, "But I did realise he was in big trouble. I just had to help him."

"When he started to react to the call," said Cassie, "I thought he was just going to walk out, leaving me alone in the café."

"But I didn't." said Sid, "I couldn't just leave her there. We were getting on so well."

"He must have been inspired." said Cassie, "I thought he was about to say 'I've got to go.', when he said 'Two pairs of eyes are better than one.' and suggested I help him find his friend. I was so thankful."

"So you went with him?" said Katie.

"Of course!" said Cassie, "We were getting on so well, I didn't want him to leave me in the café."

"I went to the Ston Eaton sports club." said Sid, "We were just starting to drive along the track round the playing field when Cass saw something."

"I asked Sid to turn the car so the headlights shone on whatever I'd seen." said Cassie.

"It was Tony." said Sid, "He was barefoot and only wearing his boxers."

"And he was carrying his sister." said Cassie, "She was unconscious. We got them into the car and took them to hospital."

"Cass noticed some lurid bruises on Tony's abdomen and had him checked out in A & E." said Sid.

"Once we'd got their parents to come to the hospital and made sure everyone was OK, we left." said Sid, "Then Cassie did something really romantic."

"You two must have so much energy." said Katie, "It must have been nearly morning by that time."

"It was." said Sid "She suggested we go to Brandon Hill and watch the dawn breaking."

"It was so beautiful." said Cassie, "We finished what we'd started in the café, with many more kisses and cuddles."

"Yes." said Sid, "I plucked up the courage, at last, to admit that I loved her."

"Then we went to Sid's home and got some sleep." said Cassie.

"You slept together?" asked Katie.

"We did!" said Cassie, "But we didn't do anything. It was so lovely just lying together, naked."

"You slept naked?" asked Katie, sounding surprised, "how did that happen?"

"We'd just shared the shower." said Cassie, "I had no night clothes, so I suggested we stay naked."

"Wow!" exclaimed Katie, "You've always been so shy about showing the whole of your body."

"I can thank Sid for that." said Cassie, "He was so gentle and understanding with me, and he complemented me at every stage. I really trust him. I let him finish undressing me. I had inhibitions about doing it myself in front of someone. He's so understanding and so gentle. Once I was naked, he stood me in front of a big mirror and told me why he thought that all of me was beautiful and that I shouldn't be ashamed of any part of my body."

By this time, Sid was blushing scarlet. He wasn't used to anyone saying such nice things about him.

"After we'd slept for a few hours," said Cassie, "We shared another shower before dressing and having breakfast."

"When we got downstairs," said Sid. "My dad took us out to 'the Flyer' for an early lunch."

"Then I took him to see my folks." said Cassie.

"Wow!" said Katie, "How did they react?"

"Dad really liked him." said Cassie, "I was surprised. I think he could sense how much we loved each other. Oh, I've just remembered. I've got some great news for you."

"What's that?" asked Katie.

"Because my dad has realised how much we mean to each other," said Cassie, "He's not making me go to Scotland."

"That's wonderful!" said Katie, smiling broadly as she got up out of her seat and embraced Cassie, "That's the best news I've heard for some weeks. You are my bright angel. I'm so happy that you're staying. Now you're with Sid, I hope you'll find time for me."

"Of course I will!" said Cassie, "You are my best friend after all."

The three friends spent the next hour or so eating and continuing to recall the events of the previous weeks. Katie was fascinated by Sid's account of Tony's recent antics with Abigail. She expressed the opinion that Tony was not the kind of 'friend' that she would like to have.

"There seems to be so much empathy between you two." said Katie, "It's almost as if there's a psychic connection between you. If I'm reading this right, I think you two make a perfect couple."

Shortly before the trio departed from the tapas bar, Cassie returned from a visit to the toilet with the straps of her dress tucked inside. Sid's eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped.

"Wow, Cass!" said Sid, "You look amazing. What have you done?"

"Only put the straps inside." said Cassie, "This dress doesn't really need them. They're just for show. Do you like it strapless?"

"Of course." said Sid, "I feel closer to the real Cassie when your shoulders are completely bare."

"That's so sweet!" said Katie, smiling, "Do you feel closer to me?"

"I've only just met you," said Sid, "But yes, I do. You're not using your clothes to create a false image."

Cassie paid the bill and the trio left the tapas bar. Since it was getting towards half past five, they made their way to Clifton Catholic Cathedral. When they got there, Katie produced a cardigan from her bag and put it on before entering the building for the six o'clock Mass.

"Thank you for the meal." said Katie, "And thank you for telling me you're staying in Bristol. I'd have missed you so much if you'd gone to Scotland. Oh yes, and thank you for introducing me to Sid. I sense he's a good person. Hang on to him. Anyway, bye for now. I'll see you next Saturday."

Sid blushed again.

"Bye!" said Cassie, "See you in the clinic on Monday."

The two girls hugged each other and kissed each others' cheeks.

"Goodbye Katie," said Sid as he kissed Katie's hand, "It was really nice meeting you."

"Goodbye Sid," said Katie, "Hope to meet you again. You're a real gentleman."

Sid blushed yet again. Katie joined the other churchgoers and entered the cathedral, while Sid and Cassie made their way on to Clifton Down and found a bench. Cassie sat down. Sid sat on her left. He put his arm across her back and gently caressed her right shoulder. She accepted this show of affection and smiled.

"So far, today has been the best day of my life." said Sid, "I've seen Tony for what he is, and I've finally managed to tell you how I feel about you."

"How do you feel about Tony now?" asked Cassie.

"He's still my friend," said Sid, "But I won't let myself be taken in by any of his schemes again. I've hurt you too many times as a result. The last time broke your heart and nearly killed you. His friendship isn't worth that."

"But it did make you realise just how you felt about me." said Cassie, "Incidentally, when did you first realise you loved me?"

"I guess it was when we were talking to each other on that trampoline after Abigail's party." Said Sid, "But, as I've said, I didn't want to turn you away by admitting my feelings."

"I think it was before that." said Cassie, "I remember you kissing me in Abigail's kitchen. That was so sweet of you."

"Oh yes, I do remember that." said Sid, "You smiled so beautifully. That's when I realised you were special."

"You think I'm special?" asked Cassie.

"Of course!" said Sid, "You're a wonderful, gentle, considerate, compassionate, perceptive, thoughtful person. Also you are very beautiful. I don't really deserve your love. I'm too ordinary and I've hurt you too many times."

"Oh, Sid!" said Cassie, "It's my turn to tell you not to put yourself down. You're more than ordinary. You're the first and only boy to make the effort to actually get to know me. You're sweet, thoughtful, understanding and gentle. That's why I love you."

"Thank you.." said Sid, "I suppose I've heard all Tony's put-downs, and I've come to believe them. I'll try to put them out of my mind when I'm with you."

"As I've already noticed," said Cassie, "You do seem more relaxed and confident when he's not around. I like the new relaxed, confident Sid."

"I still feel guilty about hurting you, Cass." said Sid, "I've done it too many times."

"And nearly every time, Tony had some part in it." said Cassie, "He brought us together, but everything he's done since, seems to be aimed at ending our relationship."

"I don't know whether it will make any difference," said Sid, "But back in the hospital, I did tell Tony, quite firmly, not to try to break us up again."

"Well done!" Said Cassie, "It's about time someone stood up to him. He was surprised when I told him he was to blame for the situation he'd got himself into."

"I think you shocked my dad in the restaurant this morning." said Sid, "He actually apologised for the consequences of grounding me when he did. Your eyes are not only beautiful, but they are a powerful weapon."

"I've never thought of them that way." said Cassie, "I do realise that I look people straight into their eyes when I want to make my point."

The couple spent the next half hour or so discussing their lives and a possible future in between kisses and caresses. To passers-by, they seemed to be an established loving couple, very much into each other. The temperature started to fall and Cassie produced a cardigan from her bag and put it on. As she did this, she stood up. Sid also got up from the seat. The couple embraced and kissed before walking away from the bench.

"Before we go home," said Cassie, "Let's walk over the bridge and enjoy the view."

Sid and Cassie strolled along Suspension Bridge Road towards the Clifton Bridge. They walked slowly across it and stopped halfway across. Sid embraced Cassie passionately and kissed her.

"Wow, Sid!" exclaimed Cassie, "You really meant that."

"I did!" said Sid, "You're so wonderful."

The couple appreciated the view down the Avon gorge before continuing their walk across the bridge, crossing the road and returning along the South side. Once again, they stopped in the middle, exchanged passionate kisses and enjoyed the view.

"The river looks so much nicer when the tide's in." said Cassie, "The last couple of times I've been here, it has just been a brown stream between muddy banks."

"Same here," said Sid, "Although it is a very brown river even when it's full. Anyway, let's wander home."

Sid and Cassie walked slowly back towards the cathedral, where they could catch a bus, which would take them most of the way to Sid's home.