Saturday, 12 May 2018
The big day of the overnight charity walk had arrived! With supporters coming over to Elsie's for pasta dinner beforehand there were preparations for Charles and Elsie to attend to beginning with dropping Igor off with Andy Parker who kindly was taking him until Sunday afternoon: a Godsend!
They drove next to the Masons, returning Beryl's picnic basket and picking up two folding tables and a dozen chairs. Of course, any stop at the Masons' included food so they were invited in for coffee and scones baked earlier.
After dropping off the furniture at Elsie's, they next drove to Martha's, taking her out for luncheon. As Charles shared photos and details of the cottage repairs, Martha nodded along courteously to his narrative; she was more interested in how they were holding hands whenever possible. As they were leaving, Martha did something nifty though not as obvious with her hand – secretly slipping a condom into Elsie's purse.
Finally, they picked up Becky, giving Charles a chance to see where she lived and meet the other residents.
After they had parked, Elsie sent Charles, Becky and Violet to pick up the six loaves of Italian bread she'd ordered from the neighbourhood bakery. It was a low-risk opportunity for them to assess how Becky was alone with Charles, important because Charles fully intended to invite Becky to the ballet season finale.
In all, it meant not much of a chance to rest up for the big walk!
3:30 pm
Elsie next had Charles hang the strings of pink LED lights in the yard, also with Becky's help. Things were continuing to go well between them so when Elsie came to check on setting up tables, Charles gave her a wink, their signal that the ballet invitation was forthcoming; Becky accepted gleefully knowing how much Elsie had enjoyed it.
As Charles and Elsie worked on furniture, Becky added other decorations leftover from last month's uniform decorating party. When Becky asked whom all was coming over, Elsie counted aloud.
"Let's see, Beryl, Bill and Daisy though they're only doing the Half Moon, Beryl maybe not even; Thomas and Simon though Simon may only do half also; Charlie's friend Isobel and your Dr. Clarkson – I think he's coming, though I'm not certain whom Isobel's bringing." Elsie looked over at Charles; he simply raised his eyebrows knowingly. "Phyllis and Joe; William and Lavinia and Ivy and Evelyn though, come to think of it, the lasses must be going home with Beryl. Then there's my former client Gwen – she's driving you home when we all leave for Clapham Common; Anna and John but again, they aren't walking; and then Dr. Kurigan and Ethel from his office – if her ex can take their son. How many is that?"
"Eighteen," Charles said, "But you forgot to mention us."
"Of course, Becky, me and Charlie."
"Charlie, are you walking?"
"I am, the whole MoonWalk."
Becky's eyes grew very large. "And you're wearing a Team Elsie uniform?"
"Yes, Elsie says she has it for me upstairs."
There was a brief pause as Becky processed this, then doubled over in laughter. Becky just couldn't stop so a red-faced Elsie suggested she go inside until she could contain herself.
"What's all that about, love?" Charles had finished the chairs and pulled Elsie into his arms and a deep kiss.
As their lips parted, Elsie asked, "What did you just call me?"
He wasn't sure. Whatever had just come out naturally. "Ummm…"
"You did not call me 'Ummm.' I think you just called me 'love', Mr. Carson."
"Oh good. That sounds better than 'Ummm.'" Now it was his turn to pause, "Do you mind?"
"Not in the least, though we'll see if you still call me that later." She pecked him on the lips. Sometimes she could be so cryptic.
"Who's Dr. Kuri – whatever you said?"
"Kurigan. He's my surgeon and Ethel one of his nurses."
"Oh? Oh!" realizing her breast surgeon. "He uh," Charles uncomfortably made a casual gesture toward her chest and cleared his throat.
"Mmmhmm. Near 20 years ago; and, he checks his handiwork occasionally still." Although he grimaced, Elsie assessed it as a chance to test Charles. "You aren't bothered by that, are you?"
"Bothered? No, no, I'm grateful, Elsie. He saved your life, it seems."
"Aye, Becky was so grateful she named my dog after him. Seriously!"
6:00 pm
After the party began, Charles was pleased to know so many attendees: from the Clinic, marathon watching party and elsewhere. He, Elsie, and the Bateses were all astonished to realize their connections. Charles was delighted to meet little Jack who was attending his first party of any sort – and loved by all.
Charles was particularly pleased to meet Elsie's surgeon for he was indeed grateful to the Russian. Yet the one thing that perplexed him was why everyone wanted to know if he was walking, and why many smirked after he affirmed he was. Distracting him in a pleasant way was the chance to share magic tricks with the Mason granddaughters and Charlie Bryant who was thrilled to meet someone so big and funny who shared his name. In time, the adults were drawn in too.
7:30 pm
All sated with Charles's homemade "damn good" red sauce – as Beryl had assessed – and the littlest ones growing tired, Elsie decided it was time to address her guests.
She began by expressing her appreciation for them all and reminded everyone of the "stumble in" open house breakfast tomorrow morning at the Bates'. She shared how much it meant to have her own healthcare team there supporting her – and a reminder to stop by the practice's tent in mile 14 for "a drink of water," generating a few chuckles and howls. Elsie shared some of the obligatory statistics about breast cancer diagnoses, survival rates, the importance of self exams and funding research. To that end, she proudly announced the £10,000+ figure that Team Elsie had collectively raised – a new record.
Charles happened to be rocking Jack Bates to sleep on his shoulder beside Anna when Elsie paused, collecting herself. She acknowledged some of that new record was attributed to having a new walker on her team, her "biggest supporter."
"In more ways than one!" Beryl clarified for the crowd with a laugh.
Charles stilled, concentrating on Elsie's words. Her grace and strength impressed him and he was proud of her. Elsie briefly told about how they had first met at the Clinic, then found themselves elsewhere around town together and, "Before I knew it, he was joining me on near weekly, hours-long walks in all sorts of weather, and walking even more without me to be ready for this evening. Charlie, don't wake that bairn by giving him back to his ma, but do come and join me, please. Charles Carson, lads and lasses!"
A few cleared his way to Elsie. As he reached her, she caressed his check and quietly thanked him for his support before standing on her tip toes to treat him to what was hands-down their most risqué and lingering kiss to date – and here in front of a crowd no less! All were happy for the couple and several were easily imagining when the scene might be recreated with Elsie walking to him.
With little Jack stirring from the crowd's cheers, Elsie broke the kiss though Charles continued to rest his forehead against hers. Elsie lifted her other hand to soothe Jack's fussing before pulling back, now with a look of pure adoration on her face. She giggled slightly as she noticed Jack had drooled on Charles's pink polo shirt he'd put on before the guests arrived and Elsie had slipped on a loose fitting pink button down.
"Now, Charlie here is a MoonWalk virgin so he doesn't know its unique trademark. The rest of you – or most of you – do. And since we need to start heading over to Clapham Common soon, it's time for Mr. Carson to be fully briefed." With that, Elsie started slowly unbuttoning her blouse, revealing an outrageously decorated bra and toned abs. "Close your mouth, Charlie, you're about to drool like Jack here." She leaned in for another kiss, "Surprise darling!" With the crowd cheering louder, only Elsie heard his satisfied growl.
She then sent him upstairs with "his haberdasher." Until then, Charles didn't know that men also wear bras for the MoonWalk, or that Beryl had decorated one for him after Elsie relayed his shirt size!