Sunday, 13 May 2018
Before departing for Clapham Common, photos were taken of Team Elsie all in their uniforms. Charles used his height to justify hiding toward the back but for the last few, a giggling Anna dragged him front and center with Elsie – and placed Jack back in his arms to help him "cover up." Charles fretted aloud, "Elsie, don't you dare send these to Cora!"
At the MoonWalk start, Elsie took more photos - more than she had in their two months together, combined. The other menfolk helped him be a good sport about wearing the bra. Whilst looking at veterans Joe Molesley, Bill Mason, Thomas Barrow and Simon Bricker in their bras did not help Charles forget he too was wearing one, they were helpful in advising the cups were ideal for holding power bars and mobiles.
It was impossible not to enjoy some of the sights around central London, though Charles was most enjoying Elsie's hourglass figure and the pink wings and fabric sign pinned to her racer back declaring her 'Charlie's Angel.' He proved willing to be photographed close up beside those.
2:30 am
After five hours of walking and returning to Clapham Common, four team members who were only doing the HalfMoon said farewell before the remainder prepped for the MoonWalk's second half. Daisy continued with the skeleton crew whilst Elsie waited for Charles.
As he exited a portable WC, Elsie inquired, "Are you well, Mr. Carson?"
"I'm quite well. You're simply doing an exceptional job of keeping us hydrated and my prostate was protesting." Resuming walking, they were in no rush to catch up to the others.
"And how are you coping with your bra?" It might be dark, but she recognized a pronounced grimace when she saw one, especially one accompanied by a low grumble like this one. She giggled, "Oh, what's wrong, Charlie? As The MoonWalk website says, we all have our wobbly bits!"
He was red, "Yes, well, I prefer others' – yours, for example."
She spun around joyfully with her arms extended, "Will I do, Charlie?"
Truthfully, she took his breath away, "Very well, Elsie." He cleared his throat, "You certainly surprised me though, when you took your blouse off." She had known the protocol all along and so he boldly continued, "You know, I would have pledged even more if I'd known exactly what my money was going toward!"
"Mr. Carson!" she stated in a mock huff.
"Sorry, Elsie. I just continue to marvel at you. And I am so thrilled by your friends' support; they're good people. Seeing what you do for one another, including us sorry blokes," he gestured down at his chest.
"I don't know about sorry blokes – old boobies, maybe!" He moaned at that joke and hung his head though kept walking. "Say what you will Charlie, I think it looks quite becoming on you!" It really had been a treat thus far, seeing his broad torso, the hairs sprinkled on his torso caught in the moonlight. He was pleased to hear that as he jutted his chest out proudly and waggled his eyebrows then, just for her.
"Oh, there's our group! Of course; we must have made it to mile 14."
"How do you know?"
She pointed then, "The women's health practice – remember, their tent is in mile 14. Come on, let's say hello to the 'drink of water.'" She pulled him over; he recognized Dr. Kurigan and Ethel from the pre-party, though there were others behind the table including an exotic looking younger man: athletic build, chiseled cheeks and chin, dark hair and eyes; she silently made it clear the crowd was here because of him. As they approached, the man recognized her.
"Elsie Hughes, I wondered when we'd see you. Your team said you'd be along shortly." He kissed her on the cheek. "How's the walk so far, going to make it to the end?"
"Of course, Dr. Pamuk. I have an abundance of moral support this year!" She squeezed Charles's hand before introducing him, "Dr. Pamuk, this is my boyfriend, Charlie; Charlie, this is Dr. Pamuk."
"How do you do, Charlie," Pamuk extended his hand.
"Dr. Pamuk! Another photo, please!" came Ethel's voice from the other end of the table.
Dr. Pamuk's expression switched from pleased to an eye roll. "Ah, excuse me. The nurses volunteered me to pose for fundraising photos."
"Of course, we should be going anyway. Lovely to see you."
"Carry on, Team Elsie!"
"Come along now, best to keep going!" Elsie was shooing them along. "Daisy…Thomas…"
"I'm going back now. I've seen what I've come to see," Daisy announced dreamily.
"See you for breakfast?"
"A definite maybe." Daisyl was beaming, whilst Elsie rolled her eyes.
"Okay, be careful getting home." Elsie gave her a hug.
"I will."
"What's that all about?" Charles wondered.
"Daisy's got a crush on Dr. Pamuk." Looking over her shoulder, she added, "Thomas too – and half of London."
"Oh? Who is he?"
"My gynecologist!" Oh, Gods Charles thought, looking back over his shoulder at the young Turk.
7:00 am
They were in the final leg now and Team Elsie had split into three parts – Lavinia and William Mason ahead, their younger legs keeping a faster pace; the Molesleys, slowed by a limping Joe, lagging behind. Thomas Barrow was more or less with Elsie and Charles. He had rushed ahead for a portable WC now, with plans to reconnect with Elsie and Charles there.
Only when Thomas exited, they were not yet in sight. He made to text them but then spotted them approaching, completely oblivious to him and seemingly others. Rather than calling out their names, Thomas snapped a few impromptu photo bursts, they were so cute together: Elsie had her arm around Charles's waist, whilst his arm was around her shoulder. Thomas knew not to post anything with Elsie on social media. Instead, he sent the bursts directly to them both. Perfect that he be the one to find this photo op, he thought; he was the only Team Elsie member with both their numbers.
7:30 am
MoonWalk 2018 Finisher medals around their necks, Thomas posed Charles and Elsie for a few more photos and this time, they kissed for the camera. Then Thomas headed home whilst Elsie and Charles took their own most-welcome taxi.
Walking in to Elsie's, Charles begged for the opportunity to shower before heading over to the Bates', he did so after she helped unhook his bra and gave him a clean towel. Elsie meanwhile went next door to greet her team members as they stumbled in.
9:42 am
Filled with crispy bacon, oodles of blueberry pancakes and lots of coffee, Elsie and Charles returned to her place and with Wiliam and Bill's help, loaded the borrowed furniture quickly into Bill's SUV. After the Masons left, Charles made to take down the light strings but Elsie suggested he wait so she could help - she now desperately wanted a shower and promised to be quick about it. Just two minutes later, though, she spotted him from her bedroom window working on the lights. Were she not already undressed, she would have opened the window and called down to him.
Returning downstairs after, she found Charles on her sofa eyes half closed with a cricket match on the Telly. He woke when she cuddled up to his side smelling of tea tree shampoo. "Who's winning, Mr. Carson?" She pressed her lips to his whiskery cheek as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"I don't know."
"Who's playing?"
"The ones in white."
Daft man! She wrapped her arms around his middle and squeezed him affectionately as she recalled being warned about moments like this. "Why didn't you wait so I could help with the lights?"
Pulling her closer and kissing her temple, Charles explained, "Honestly, my feet are so sore, I feared sitting down and not getting up."
"If you turn that cricket match off, I'll massage your sore feet, Charlie."
"Really?" her perked slightly.
"After all you've done for me, sure," she teased as she squeezed his side, "Besides, I've been anxious to pay forward some of Kevin's magic."
"Kevin?" He honestly couldn't remember in his tired state.
"Champney's Kevin," she clarified. That woke him up and as he began nuzzling her neck (and tickling her with his whiskers), she postulated aloud through a giggle, "Argh, who needs Champney's Kevin when you can have Cheerful Charlie?"