-x- Chapter 6 -x-
Duffy was looking at her reflection in the mirror, retouching her red lipstick, and caught herself grinning. A simple task of adding lipstick, now suddenly made her smile. He did that to her. He made her smile. She hadn't been this happy in years, come to think of it, has she ever been this happy? She had celebrated her 56th birthday not long ago; and now she realised that age really didn't matter. It was who she spent her time with that mattered. Who she shared her life with mattered. Who she loved more than anything mattered. Who she had always loved really. Charlie. Charlie Fairhead. Now her husband, as well as her best friend. And she still couldn't believe it. Looking back at her reflection, she knew she was the happiest she'd ever been. And knew it would always be like this with him. She put her lipstick back into her bag, and walked out of the women's toilets, back into the lounge area of the pub.
As she sat down, she took a sip of her wine and waited for Charlie to join her. The lights went low again, but Charlie didn't join her. Puzzled she just shrugged and looked towards the band.
The drums began, and the lights came on to reveal Charlie standing there, electric guitar in his hands, strumming to the beat.
"Charlie!" Duffy said, shocked, and dumbfounded.
Charlie sang into the microphone, looking intently at Duffy.
(SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE MOVES)
(ATTRACTS ME LIKE NO OTHER LOVER)
(SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE WOOS ME)
Charlie smirks at her, as he continues.
(I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HER NOW)
(YOU KNOW I BELIEVE AND HOW)
He strums expertly on the guitar, whilst singing.
(SOMEWHERE IN HER SMILE SHE KNOWS)
(THAT I DON'T NEED NO OTHER LOVER)
Charlie winks at her, and continues.
Duffy smiles back at him, in utter amazement, shaking her head.
(SOMETHING IN HER STYLE THAT SHOWS ME)
(DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HER NOW)
(YOU KNOW I BELIEVE AND HOW)
Duffy just stared back at him in awe, and pure amazement.
(YOU'RE ASKING ME WILL MY LOVE GROW)
(I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW)
(YOU STICK AROUND NOW IT MAY SHOW)
(I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW)
Charlie strums away on the guitar, looking at her and back at the guitar.
(SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE KNOWS)
(AND ALL I HAVE TO DO IS THINK OF HER)
(SOMETHING IN THE THINGS SHE SHOWS ME)
(DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HER NOW)
(YOU KNOW I BELIEVE AND HOW).
Duffy looks at him with nothing but love and admiration of him.
As the last notes ended the bar erupted in applause and whistles from the audience.
Charlie blushed, but happily took the applause and raised his hand in acknowledgement, and gave a little bow.
"Thanks. That was for my wife, Duffy. Love you." Charlie said into the mic, as he looked intently at Duffy, and blew her a kiss. The crowd clapped and cheered for her too.
Duffy blushed, mouthed the words, (LOVE YOU TOO) to him. Then blew a kiss back to Charlie, and clapped happily, still shocked, as she shook her head, but was incredibly proud of him.
Charlie shook hands with each of the band members, as they patted him on the back, and said, "Nice one Charlie."
"Thanks lads. I owe you one." He winked at them.
Then he left the stage, and walked back towards Duffy.
She hugged him, kissed him, and still shook her head in amazement, as they took to their seats.
Then a new member of the audience joined the band to play, and sing with them, after all, it was also an 'open mic night'.
"You darling, darling man." Duffy said, as she put her arm around him, and kissed his cheek.
Charlie then turned to her and said.
"Love you, beautiful". Then kissed her, she deepened their kiss, enough to make Charlie's eyebrows raise.
"Love you too." She said, after their kiss ended.
"That good was I?" Charlie said, as he smirked at her.
"Charlie." She said, tapping his arm.
"And yes, you were incredible." Duffy said, as she hugged into him.
"Good." Charlie replied, as he kissed her forehead.
-x-