Chapter 4
"Stop fidgeting will yah?" Beryl shouted from three steps behind her.
They have now left the bakery and are finally heading to the fair after an hour of emotional and physical struggle. She's got a bad feeling these two are setting her up. It's not the first time actually, but the most scheming so far. She did not have any suspicions until the weird breakfast they've had. She would have made a run for it but with Beryl locking the door and Isobel holding her down, it was a lot easier to just follow their instructions.
Coincidentally, that sounds like the thoughts of a hostage. She thinks as she finds herself mandated into going with Isobel leading the way and Beryl behind her making sure she is taking the steps.
"Why do I need to wear this dress?" Elsie whines as she tries to tug down the hem of her dress which is proving to be a difficult task as they start walking the uneven path towards the park in black stilettos. "This dress is too high cut! And these shoes are killing me!" letting out an audible sigh.
"Your dress is decently knee length." Beryl tells her with an eye roll.
She is not getting out of this, not a chance. Beryl thinks.
"And how about my neckline?" Elsie retorts as she wraps her cardigan tighter to cover her barely visible cleavage. Well at least her friends let her wear the cardigan, the only clothing she's wearing that is actually hers.
"You look perfectly fine! It's pretty.." Isobel tries to appease her. "Just... stop.. fidgeting.." she adds.
They make it to the fair and Elsie immediately notices how the park transformed into such a lively scene with a number of beautiful stalls setup. The colourful sight calms Elsie down and successfully distracts her from her apprehensions.
Isobel leads them into various alleys around the stalls, knowing exactly where they are headed which makes her wonder who really planned this cunning plan. She first thought it was Beryl. Most of their previous setups were her idea. But with the determined look on Isobel's face, she is very possibly wrong.
With all the commotion of the girls, at the other end of the park is Richard and Charles standing side by side and waiting by one of the flower stalls. Richard decided where he and Isobel would meet. The flower stalls seemed romantic as he imagined the floral scents setting up the ambiance and the colourful background setting up a cheerful vibe. But now, with all the bees buzzing about, he's starting to doubt that decision.
"Would you want to buy flowers?" Charles asks Richard as he notices the gorgeous bundles of roses at the end of the stall.
Richard's face crumples into confusion and so he adds, "To give to Isobel..." as a way of explanation.
"Oh right!" Richard says,suddenly getting his point. "Good thinking Charles! Always knew you're the right wing man to have.." as he digs into his pocket to pay for the roses.
Charles shakes his head as he chuckles. His friend has always been a ladies' man, but it seems that this Isobel has gotten him into knots. He hasn't met her so he does not know why. From what he has gathered from Richard's tales, she's a respectable woman. It's been a while since one of those has captured his friend's interest. Richard has never found the time to introduce them to each other until now and he finds that it a good sign that his friend is taking his time in getting to know the lady.
This seems very serious actually. He thinks.
It pleases him that Richard is showing his serious side. It's been a while since he saw it, decades to be exact. When Richard first fell in love. That did not end well, to say the least and since then, he's only been with girls he'd bed for a night and move on the next day.
"You okay?" Charles asks as he looks at Richard lightly tapping his feet, a habit he has when he is nervous.
"Yup." He answers. "Just be charming okay?" He tells Charles causing him to raise his bushy eyebrows.
"What? Why?" He asks him suspiciously...
"Well.. Okay. I didn't tell you that besides from meeting Isobel, I'm actually introducing you to..." Richard didn't get to finish that sentence when Isobel enters the scene.
"Richard!" She greets him from a few meters away from the stall.
The men looks into her direction and instantly notices her waving.
"Isobel darling.." Richard immediately takes her hand and kisses it before handing her the freshly bought roses.
Charles notices the two women following her closely, a plump woman with a charming smile and shy brunette. He couldn't see much of the brunette's face as she was looking down; shuffling about something he couldn't see.
"Fuck." Elsie whispers to her shoes desperately bending down away from the conversation. Much to her dismay, Beryl noticed.
"Are you alright?" Beryl asks, suddenly concerned. Maybe her complaints about the shoes weren't exaggerated and she might be bleeding into it as of the moment. She leans in closer to look.
"Fuck." Elsie whispers again, a teensy bit louder this time.
Charles noticed the sudden huddling of the women and watches as they continue their exchange in hushed tones. He tilts his head in fascination.
Richard cuts off his thoughts with, "Isobel this is Charles..."
Charles shifts his attention to the woman in front of her and offers his hand for a shake.
"Hello Charles!" Isobel exclaims, "It so nice to finally meet you. I've hear so much about you.." accepting his hand and shaking it vigorously.
"Likewise Isobel.." Charles shakes her hand back. He fidgets a bit when the handshaking felt like it gone longer than it should and Isobel started giving him a look down, which seems as if she's inspecting him. He feels likes a boy under investigation. He tried to look away but then notices Beryl giving him the same scrutiny.
"Charles, Richard.." Isobel starts again finally letting go of Charles' hand, "These are my friends.. Beryl.." and the plump woman steps forward taking his hand shaking it with as much energy as Isobel just did.
"And..." Elsie hesitantly takes the step forward to extend her hand.
In a moment, it dawns on him and quickly takes her hand in both his hands exclaiming "Elsie!".
Elsie looks up against her will and regrets it the moment her eyes meet his.
"Elsie Hughes.." He whispers as he closes the distance between them, not letting go of her hand.
"Hello Charles.." Elsie answers, her voice a mix of different emotions.
"It's been awhile.." Charles says as he takes another step closer. She's becoming aware of how close his face is now to hers and her hand is starting to tingle but can't seem to summon her muscles to take it away from his hold.
"Yes.. it has been." she replies, her eyes still looking at his.
Richard and Isobel raise their eyebrows in astonishment. So they know each other, they both thought while Beryl's eyes widen suddenly realizing the name 'Charles Carson'.
A/N: Not my best chapter I'm sorry :( but I thought I'd better write this down while I have the time. Tried my best in this one though, so please let me know what you think. Reviews?