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Chapter 20
Family Matters
1900 – Hereford, UK
Elvis was lying on his front, covering his face as Newton playfully swiped at his hair, darting this way and that. Laura was sat next to her Dad giggling at the kitten's antics.
"You best be careful he doesn't scratch your scar." Georgie cautioned as she made sure all of Laura's belongings were in order. She patted down a soft towel inside of Newton's carrier and tossed in a little toy.
"Roger." Elvis said covering his head with his arms.
"Daddy he fancies your hair!"
"Too much!" Elvis chuckled. "Ow! Ouch!"
Laura's giggles escalated. "He won't give up!"
"Just like your Daddy." Georgie muttered.
"I heard 'at!"
"I wanted ya to."
"Daddy told me never to give up." Laura said easing her Dad's battle and pulling Newton away.
"Good job Laura." Georgie said reaching down to inspect her husband's scalp.
"I'm fine…" He whined, getting up onto his hands and knees.
"Yeah. I've heard that before, yeah?" She said placing her hand under his chin to tilt his face towards her. One side of his mouth quirked upwards as his eyes sparkled. No words were necessary. "Need help getting up?" She asked.
"Nah, I'm good." He said sitting back.
"Daddy does Newton have to go in the carrier?"
"Yes he does. It will be safer for him."
"But why?"
"Because he will not 'ave a seat belt." Elvis said as Laura positioned herself in front of him cuddling the kitten.
"But if I hold him he will be safe."
"You are takin very good care of him Laura, but in the car he must be in his carrier."
"Why?"
"Because you must wear a seat belt to keep safe and Newton must be in a carrier to keep safe. 'At's it."
Laura pouted. "OK. But what if he doesn't like it?"
Elvis looked at Georgie, then placed his hands on Laura's shoulder. "He will like it. It will be a long ride and he can curl up and take a nap. He'll be right there, next to ya the entire way."
"Daddy can I bring him when I see you again? He'll miss me if I'm gone."
"Yes Laura he can come with ya." Elvis said, knowing her words rang deeper.
"I can make a special place for him in my new room!"
"Indeed ya shall. Now…..'ave ya got yer kit in order?"
Laura eyed her belongings neatly lined up in front of the sofa. "I reckon Daddy. Georgie helped me."
"Come 'ere." He said gesturing for Laura to sit on the sofa with him. "We'll send ya the photos from tonight and one of your new room." He said. "Have mummy send us photos of you and Newton, eh?"
"Yes Daddy I will!" Laura said enthusiastically. "I want you to see him grow up!"
Elvis blinked at her words and gazed at her sincerely. "At sounds really good angel. I wanna know all about you two."
"Reginald will be living with us soon Daddy."
"I know honey. He treats you OK, eh?"
Laura nodded. Elvis hesitated a moment, watching her intently. "Good. Ya know I am always 'ere for ya. I love ya." He said touching her cheek gently with the back of his fingers.
"I love you too Daddy." Laura said falling into him and hugging him tight. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes.
"You're my best girl." He whispered to her. Georgie swallowed down the lump in her throat and was about to go to them when the doorbell sounded. Elvis felt as though his stomach plummeted, but he pulled himself together and separated from Laura.
"Is it mummy?"
"I reckon it is angel." He said as he looked up at Georgie who was on her way to activate the intercom.
"Yes. Hello?" She said.
"Georgie! Hey! It's Debbie."
"Hey Debs! Come on in."
"Hold tight to Newton." Elvis said as Georgie opened the door in anticipation of Debbie and Reginald appearing. Laura nodded and held the kitten close.
"Hi!" Georgie said as Debbie neared the doorway and entered with Reginald following directly behind her.
"Hey Elvis." Debbie said as she settled into place.
"Hi mummy!" Laura said anxious to share her prize. Debbie crouched down to kiss her.
"Who do we have here?" Debbie said.
"This is Newton. The Easter Bunny brought him to me!"
Debbie smiled and could see how thrilled her daughter was. She turned and looked at Elvis and nodded that he made a good choice. Reginald stood back and watched. "Laura." He simply said. "Georgie, Elvis." He further said, removing his leather gloves finger by finger and stowing them in his coat pockets.
"Good to see ya two." Elvis said standing to briefly hug Debbie and shake Reginald's hand.
"You had a good trip, yeah?" Georgie asked as Laura came to stand between she and Elvis.
"We did. Happy to see some of the countryside before sunset." Debbie said standing and eyeing Laura's attachment to the kitten. Reginald had never been to the Harte's flat before and his eyes surveyed the entire room.
"Quite right." Reginald said. "I have not been to Herefordshire before. It is a bit rural." His eyes went to the kitten in Laura's arms.
"Well we fancy it." Elvis said congenially, trying to bypass Georgie's stare warning him to behave.
"Will you be looking for a house at some point?" Debbie asked.
"Actually we are! Yeah! " Georgie said happily.
"I saw one with a big yard, huh Daddy?!"
"Did you now?" Reginald said turning from Laura to side glance Elvis. Georgie noticed and wondered why Reginald seemed like such a prat today.
"Let me take your coats, come on….please…sit down." Georgie said.
Reginald looked at his watch, then at Debbie. "We really must head back luv."
"Oh don't be silly." Debbie said pulling her coat off. She reached a hand down to pet Newton. "Aww, he's really cute."
"He likes to play with Daddy's hair."
Debbie glanced at Elvis. "That's why it looks windblown, eh?" She said.
"New style." Elvis smirked, not in any way attempting to smooth it down. Georgie pressed her lips together and Laura giggled.
Reginald cleared his throat and said, "So you three had a good Easter then?"
"Oh we had a cracking time!" Laura chirped. "Do you want to hold Newton?" Reginald looked at the furry white kitten, then at his dark wool coat.
"Maybe later." He said. Elvis was stood composed but Georgie saw him sucking in his cheeks to keep from laughing. Reginald sported a tight smile, flecking a piece of lint from his sleeve. "Pity you have such a short holiday" He said.
"Short or long….it was well spent." Elvis said.
"Reginald you should see my basket! I have loads of treats!"
"I quite imagine Poundland made a killing." He said blandly. For an instant Georgie thought she could smell singed hair because she was certain Elvis' glare shot fire at Reginald's pale eyebrows.
"Let me see your basket honey." Debbie said trying to divert a near disaster. Laura happily led her mother to the kitchen table.
"Georgie put it up here so Newton would not steal any candy." Debbie grinned and winked at Georgie.
"He hasn't scaled that height as yet." Georgie said laughing.
"My! The Easter Bunny was very good to you Laura!"
"He was! But Newton was the best surprise!"
Debbie smiled warmly. "You really like him."
"Oh I love him mummy! He's my baby!"
Debbie paused and her eyes trickled to Georgie, the path of her gaze drifted to Georgie's belly. The pregnancy. The house hunting…..In all of the excitement she forgot. "Sorry. I neglected to ask how you are feeling Georgie."
"Ah, I feel good, thanks. Some mornings I would like to forget, but for the most part all is well."
"I know you were so worried about ever becoming pregnant."
"Yeah, I was, yeah. It just took time. I am knackered at the end of the day. Fortunately, Elvis does a lot to help around here." That bothered Debbie more than it should have but she maintained her poise.
"You're not showing yet."
"Nope." Georgie said smiling and patting her tummy.
"I'm gonna be a big sister!" Laura announced boldly.
Both women grinned. "You'll be the best!" Georgie said.
Xxxxx
"So where are you proposing to live Elvis?" Reginald asked still inspecting his surroundings.
"We're stayin in Hereford or close by. There's a stone cottage we really fancy so hopefully after we take a gander this week we can put in an offer."
"Hmmmm…stone cottage with a large yard. Price range is satisfactory for you?"
"Well Reggie I wouldn't be plannin to bid if I thought I couldn't afford it." Elvis moved in closer to contain the volume of his voice. "I don't spend my money on a lot of shit." He said as the corners of his eyes wrinkled with mischief.
Reginald was simultaneously stunned that he was referred to as Reggie and that his subtle insult was thrown back at him. He tried to lock a loathsome stare on Elvis, then realized it was futile. It was having absolutely no effect.
"Ya fancy a beer or somethin?" Elvis asked. He sensed an edge to Reginald and he did not like it at all.
"I am driving in case you somehow forgot."
Elvis' forehead lifted and he smirked. "Critically aware yer drivin my daughter to London and I recall ya beltin back quite a few at your Club."
Reginald's eyes narrowed. Elvis was too observant and that was an irritation.
"Yer weddin plans in full swing?" Elvis asked trying to be civil.
"That's amusing Elvis. You being interested in Debbie's wedding arrangements."
What is wrong with this prick? "At's it. Ya been a bit off since ya walked in 'ere. Is there a problem?" Elvis finally said.
Reginald grabbed the lapels of his coat and tugged hard. "You just had to get her the cat!"
"Relax pal. Don't make a scene. Do not spoil by daughter's happiness!"
Georgie overheard something in the next room.
"Is that a threat?"
Elvis did not want to get into it with him but Reginald was asking for it. "It is if ya want it to be." He answered.
"I'll be back in a sec." Georgie said, extending her hand out as if holding Laura and Debbie in the kitchen. She walked into the lounge and when the two men saw her Reginald turned away from Elvis. "What's goin on?" She demanded.
"Nothin important." Elvis said tightly.
"Bastard." Reginald muttered under his breath.
Elvis had incredible self-confidence and it was emanating from him like beams of light. Georgie knew Reginald could mutter all he wanted but he did not stand a chance against Elvis. "You both stop it! Read me?!"
"Loud and clear." Elvis said.
Reginald turned and glared at Georgie. "I'm talking to you too!" She said glaring right back. "The last time I looked there was only one child in this flat."
Elvis loved it but remained stoic. Reginald shoved his hands into his coat pockets. "I did not want the cat!" He announced.
"Well I'm afraid you were out voted." Georgie said diplomatically.
"Ah this is ridiculous!" Reginald said raking a hand through his hair.
"Nah, wha's ridiculous is you. Just you, gettin your fuckin pants in a twist over a cat! Deal with it. You don't get to make all the decisions pal." Elvis said.
"I have a right to a fair share!" Reginald blustered.
"As do I." Elvis countered. "If anyone has a right, it's me. Don't sulk and take it out on my daughter."
Reginald blanched. That was exactly what he was doing.
Xxxxx
"He's so cute honey." Debbie said crouching down to pet Newton and stroke her daughter's hair.
"You want to hold him mummy?"
"Sure. He's so little."
"Uh, huh. He's a baby. Nan is going to be so surprised!"
"Oh she will be!"
"Can we get him more toys?
"We can to do that. He will need a toy box I should think."
Laura giggled. "He needs a travel bag too because he'll come with me to see Daddy."
"It looks as though Newton already has a lovely carrier." Debbie observed.
"Daddy got it for him!"
"Alright. Let's see if he needs to potty before we leave." Debbie said handing the kitten back to Laura and wondering just what was going on in the lounge? She came to stand in the doorway, convinced Reginald had words with Elvis. The fall out was as obvious as green on grass. She let Laura lead her to the litter box, all the while boring her gaze into Reginald. She saw the look on Elvis' face and felt bad that Georgie was caught in the middle.
"It's in here mummy."
Once Debbie and Laura were out of sight ….
"And 'at's just how quick a day can go Pete Tong on ya." Elvis said.
"You are a smart arse!"
"That's it! Both of ya, outside!" Georgie said planting her hands on her hips. Elvis' face lit up. Reginald back peddled.
"You're joking!" He spat.
"One hundred percently I am not. Now move!"
"Just who do you think you are?" Reginald said.
"An army corporal who can kick your arse." Elvis said.
"Shut up!" Georgie said opening the door. "Outside! Debs Reginald is gonna show me and Elvis the beamer. Be right back." Georgie called out.
"OK!"
"Wha' I wouldn't give….." Elvis started to say.
"Elvis!"
He looked at Georgie. "Ah come on! He's been askin for it ever since he got 'ere." He stepped closer to Reginald. "Look mate. It was a done deal, eh? I talked to Debbie about it. It ain't as though I sprung some shit on ya."
"You are an arrogant bastard."
Elvis' eyes narrowed. He nodded his head slowly, methodically. Georgie moved in between them because she knew if Elvis unloaded on him Reginald would land in the trash bins. "Look. Debbie agreed. Laura is happy. Leave it alone Reginald. Elvis is right. This had been planned weeks ago. Ya knew about it! So why come here today and cause trouble? I have half a mind to insist that Laura stay here." She said.
"Debbie would never allow that." Reginald sniffed haughtily.
"Then you explain it to her when it happens." With that said Georgie walked away.
"Wha's it gonna be Regg?" Elvis asked.
A/N:
Well who's on pins and needles for next week's finale?
Still not able to view the series but read some things, saw some clips. Of course I do not acklowledge that Elvis died - at least not in my universe but on the televised series - he did.
If I was to hazard a guess as to the outcome of Georgie Lane's finale ...
Georgie will die and Elvis will come for her, to take her home with him. He has been waiting for her. The two soulmates will be reunited in Heaven. xx
