With the square dance a completely success. There was one hiccup, but nurse Crane seemed to have it all in hand; Enough money was rasied for the Cubs trip. I did get a dance, of sorts with my Pats. In my vision of it though, there was not half of Poplar along side us. I didn't catch his name but a rather older gentleman with a very long white scraggly beard, danced with her more than I did. Trixie hardly left the table where the punch bowl was set out. I don't recall her handing out any drinks, but maybe she figured people might take more than their fair share. Photographs were even taken. Pats was very interested in obtaining a copy of a photo that was taken of us together. The end of the evening was my favourite. Everyone had gone and Pats and myself said we could handle the clean up. They trusted nurse Mount would be the one to get the hall looking back to how we first found it. Barbara had offered to lend a hand but we assured her to join Trixie on the walk home.
Sweeping the floor, Patsy called me over, it was time for her to have a cigarette break and for us to drink the rest of that bourbon I had bought. She did look rather lovely in her red and white checkered dress. I had too force the smile on my face to go away each time I saw her. Holding out a plate of food that was left over, She gave me a smile. Reaching for a sausageroll that now tasted rather stale after being out at room temperature for too long. I chewed with a down turned lip. Noting the same expression appearing on Pats cute face, I found myself smiling at our shared food experience.
'I don't think these rolls can be saved nurse Mount.' I said in a serious tone of voice, 'We'll have to let the cook know that they didn't make it.' I joked my voice faultering into laughter as Patsy chuckled too. 'How very Gourmet.' She sarcastically quipped back. Through my giggles I shrugged, 'I've never eaten anything gourmet in my life.' Quickly turning to me, her face fell with disappointment.
'Unless you count my Mam's roast dinners? They can be pretty impressive, especially when we have family over.' I nodded proudly. I can say what I want about my Mam, and believe me sometimes I do, but you can never say that she can't cook. One thing I do have to admit, is that I miss her cooking.
'We'll see what we can do about that.' She stated placing down the plate of food.
'What? About my Mam's roast dinner?' I smiled as she glanced down at me with 'oo you!' eyes, that I like to call them.
'No. About you accompanying me up West to sample some wonderful tasting gourmet food?' The way she took in a deep breath, you'd think that I was going to tell her no. Still teasing, 'Why nurse Mount are you asking me on a date?' I batted my eyes putting a hand to my mouth as she nudged me playfully.
'Well...What do you say Deels?' Her eyes went wide. Did she really believe that I'd refuse?
'I'd love too.' I bowed my head realizing my voice was filled with so much joy, 'There is nothing I'd like more cariad.' I may have blushed.
Looking into her eyes for a very long moment, she took another sharp intake of breath before she spoke, 'Do you...ever surmise..No.' She shook her head but I wasn't going to let her back out of telling me what was on her mind 'Surmise, what sweetheart?' I encouraged.
'That I'll ever get to meet your mother?' Her shoulders rose and fell in seconds, as all words left me at that very moment. We'd never really given it much thought before; I must have been silent for too long because, my Pats shook her head again.
'It was a silly question.' She painted a smile upon her face, to anyone else would have looked like a real one, but she doesn't fool me.
'It isn't a silly question and I'd like you to meet her.' She glanced at me with watery eyes as I continued, ' Maybe one Christmas I could invite you home. I could tell my Mam that I want to bring a friend with me.' I pondered just picturing showing up back home with Patsy on my arm. So to speak. Giving her a tour of my old bedroom, there may still even be a picture of Lauren Bacall stuck up on the wall. As her voice brought me from my daydreams, 'That does sound rather wonderful. We could even perhaps, purposefully get rather lost in the woods after a gentle stroll.' Her smile seem to light up her whole face. 'Is that right?' I chuckled. Giggling was her only reply.
'You'd love to be stuck in Wales, snow up to your knees.' I ran my finger along her arm noticing the fine hairs standing up on end as I did so.
'As long as I have you to keep me warm.' She blushed. 'So...Are you going to pour some of that fine bourbon?' She muttered quickly. Pouring the drinks, Patsy occupied her hands by lighting up a cigarette. Part of me did wonder if she was trying to distract herself from any physical affection. No one was around, and we could most likely share a kiss.
'This is rather strong.' My Pats began to swish the alcohol around in her glass.
'Light weight.' I just loved to poke fun, didn't I? Narrowing her eyes, She blew smoke into the air like a film star. 'I could drink you under the table nurse Busby!' By her tone, she was quite firm on that. 'I'd like to see you try. By the sixth glass you'll be drooling all over yourself.' I laughed at the very thought.
'Very becoming, I must say. Though you are very much mistaken my dear Deels. You will be the one speaking Welsh and unable to stand upright without the help of me to support you.' Patsy nodded using the discarded plate of food as a make shift ashtray.
'Have you considered what I said about you giving up those wretched things?' I asked very sincerely. I know she loves a 'good smoke' as she puts it, and I didn't want to badger her about it all the time. I know how I can dig my heels in over something if my Mam keeps berating me, but hopefully she knew I was coming from a very caring place.
'Way to change the subject, Deels. You're just afraid that I could challenge you into a drinking match.' She rattled the glass nearer to my face.
'I'd still win but, seriously now who wants to smell like an ashtray.' Okay! I should have phrased that differently, because the look that Pats was now wearing, showed me that she wasn't at all amused. I don't think my dimples are going to get me out of this one.
'Not you of course, my sweetheart.' I tried to butter her up with my sweetest voice, but she still glowered. Let me make one thing clear, my beloved Patsy only ever smelt of soap, bleach and expensive perfume. The faint hint of cigarette smoke only seemed to improve the fine medley of aromas. Just smoking, I believe is not good for you!
'Pats?' My tone inviting, my hand finding a place on her knee, as I leaned in closer.
'Nice try, Delia.' She lifted my hand up and off her knee. 'Your apology won't be said through risque means.' Blast it! She knew all my antics only too well, but it couldn't hurt to try it again.
'I won't apologize for only caring about you..' I pouted trying a different tactic first off. It was working and of course it was true, but her expression softened. 'I guess loving someone means loving everything about them, even if you don't like it. I'll put up with your smoking habit...for now.' I was firm on that as I moved my hand back to her knee. This time she let it stay there. As she leaned forward, I was willing her lips to press against mine, but she stopped suddenly.
'Guess you wouldn't want to kiss an ashtray either!?' She smirked. I deserved that sarcasm. Going to lean in again, she put her cigarette to her lips instead. Casually blowing smoke, she still grinned.
'Now you're just being cruel.' I pouted, my voice sounding more like a giggle. Stubbing out the cigarette in the half eaten sausageroll, she smiled at me. Watching her take a sip of Bourbon before she touched the side of my face. Then she finally kissed me.
'I did only mean well, Pats.' I truly did.
'I know you do.' She smiled before giving the scarf that was tied around my neck like a sort of bandana, a firm tug. 'I never had the chance to say earlier this evening, but you do look rather fetching.' Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of love and lust.
'Thank you, kind miss.' I tried my hand at my best fake cowgirl accent but I sounded more Welsh than ever. She giggled again into another kiss.
'Come along, Deels. The hall won't clean itself.' She tapped the side of my thigh as she stood.
Once we were done, she told me she wanted to walk me home. This time I didn't tell her no. Arm in arm, we slowly walked back to the nurses home.
A/N - Thanks for the reviews. x