Used half term as a chance to catch up with this. I have a few ideas about where to take it, but would be happy for any suggestions. As always, I'm new to this so your lovely comments are really appreciated! =)
Chapter 6
On leaving the safe confines of the bedroom in pursuit of food, Patsy had forgotten that she didn't live alone. How would she explain the sight of her and Delia leaving her bedroom, the latter still in last night's clothing having obviously slept over… In Patsy's bed! Being only 9 am on a Saturday morning, Patsy was quite confident that Trixie wouldn't be up yet, but she couldn't take the chance. By the time they had reached the bottom step of the stairs a million thoughts and scenarios had filled the red head's mind, bringing her to the conclusion they wouldn't be staying.
"Let's go out for breakfast!" she turned and said brightly. "I'm in the mood for something different."
Delia eyed Patsy's somewhat forced enthusiasm, but having already weighed up the situation herself, she'd been waiting for her to find a way of getting them out of the house brusquely.
With that, right on cue, the kitchen door opened and Trixie appeared nursing a fizzing orange concoction and rubbing her forehead. Seemingly oblivious to their presence, Trixie only noticed they were there as she was about to ascend the stairs.
"Oh morning Sweetie." Trixie met Patsy's eyes with her own rather blood-shot ones. "Gosh you're here rather early for a Saturday morning Miss Busby!"
"Late night was it Trixie?" enquired the brunette, skilfully avoiding what she'd said.
"Yes, Tom came around last night and took me out for a few drinks."
"A few?" Patsy questioned, raising her eyebrows.
"We must have left before you went home last night Delia, we'd have invited you Pats, but thought you needed some space." As Trixie completed her sentence she eyed the pair of them again. How hadn't she noticed straight away? Delia was in the same clothes as last night. Surely she hadn't gone home and not changed, she must have stayed the night. The blonde's thoughtful face betrayed her and Patsy wasn't about to hang around for more questioning.
"OK Trix, we'll see you later, just off out."
Patsy bundled Delia out of the door, allowing mere seconds for the Welsh woman to call back, "Bye!"
The door slammed and the red head stood frozen, her head down deep in thought. "She knows you stayed, I could see her working it out, won't she think it strange, won't she suspect?"
"Pats, calm down darling," Delia reached to hold Patsy's arm but she flinched at her touch and pulled away. Undeniably hurt by this, Delia understood and wasn't going to let her push her away. She knew how she felt and how hard this was for Patsy to cope with; time and patience is what was needed and time and patience is what she was willing to give.
"Right, let's just go to mine. No one looking, no pressure. I can even make you a 'Busby Breakfast Special!'" Patsy's look of concern started to wane, "And I can shower and change. Maybe we can do something?"
"OK, that sounds lovely," Patsy replied. Delia turned to walk down the steps. "Delia!"
"Yup?"
"I'm sorry."
"Never say sorry to me Cariad."
Patsy wandered up and down Delia's book shelves and pored over the many familiar titles that lay there, read numerous times; spines bent and crinkled. Patsy always thought that someone's book collection gave an insight into their mind and heart. Likes, dislikes, loves, passions, obsessions, secrets, all there if someone was willing to look close enough. The mere fact that Delia's books were alphabetised showed how organised she was by nature. A wry smile appeared when she reached 'W' and eyed Delia's collection of Sarah Waters' novels. Unlike her own shelves, 'Tipping the Velvet,' 'Fingersmith,' and 'The Paying Guest,' stood proudly for all to see.
"Food's ready!" Delia called from the kitchen. The 'Busby Breakfast Special' was waiting on the table for her. A delicious looking bacon and egg sandwich was surrounded by cutlery, folded napkins, a small vase with a freshly cut flower sitting in it and cold glass of orange juice. "Madam, breakfast is served." Delia held out a chair for Patsy to sit on, stealing a kiss as she did so.
"Gosh, look at all of this, what a treat!" Delia smiled, visibly pleased with herself. The last 24 hours had not been pleasant for Patsy and she was glad to be able to do something for her.
It was great to sit and chat with this interesting, funny woman, nowhere to be, nowhere to rush off to, no school bell to listen for. They clicked on so many levels… all except one. The more Patsy listened to Delia's stories of her life before Nonnatus High, before London, it was evident the Delia loved adventure. She'd done everything; there wasn't a continent she hadn't holidayed on or a sea she'd not swum in. This passion for adventure was not shared by the bookish red head. "OK, I'm about to tell you something about myself that I think you'll find horrific."
"I seriously doubt that… but go on."
"Right, well, I'm not really one for adventure… or the outdoors or…" Delia started to smile.
"This isn't really news Pats."
"Well, no, maybe not." Patsy smiled shyly, "But you see, I can't even swim." Delia raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Well, we'll have to do something about that won't we."
"No, no, it's just one of those things that I can't do, drove them mad at boarding school."
"Yes, but you haven't been taught by Miss Busby before have you?" Delia came around to Patsy's right hand side, with one hand rested on the back of her chair and the other on the table in front of her, she leaned down to Patsy and kissed her. The kiss was long and deliberate, the taller woman had regained her confidence now they were alone and deepened and quickened its pace as her own passion became sparked by this beautiful woman.
"I'm not joking you know," Delia said, breaking off the kiss, "I will get you to swim, whether you like it or not! It's my half term challenge." The confidence that exuded from her made even Patsy believe that she may actually learn to swim.
"Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice then!" Patsy gave Delia a coy side smile that never failed to melt her. Kissing her again, Delia stood up straight.
"Right, shower for me, care to join me?" Patsy's eyes shot open and filled with panic. Delia began chuckling to herself. "Don't worry, I'm just teasing, sorry darling."
"It's not that I don't… I just…"
"Honestly Cariad, it was just a joke, I'm sorry. You OK down here for a bit?"
"Yes, of course." Delia turned and went upstairs and Patsy relaxed. Why did she react like that? She was so attracted to Delia, but the thought of going any further… She started to clear the dishes, "Pull yourself together Patience!" she mouthed under her breath. "What an earth is the matter with you? Crap at being straight, crap at being gay! Don't mess this up!" Patsy continued to chide herself as she did the washing up. "Don't push her away, she needs to know how you feel about her, show her how you feel about her!" It was during this vocalised internal monologue that Patsy realised that she was tired. Tired of worrying, of not fitting in, of not being accepted, of pretending to like men. This pretense was eating away at her, she wasn't being herself and she knew it.
While Delia busied herself upstairs, after she'd finished the dishes, Patsy took her time meandering around her living room; looking at the wonderful things she'd collected on her travels. It was hard for Patsy not to notice the large number of photos scattered around the room. Many recurring faces, obviously close friends, some male, some female, some she presumed would have been past lovers. A pang of jealousy shot through her, thoughts and questions began to pour through her mind like sand. How many other women had there been? Had she loved them? Why had their relationships failed?
Unknowingly, Patsy had picked up a photo of the brunette and another woman in a frame next to the TV and was staring at it while she subconsciously interrogated the Delia in the picture. "I could always make you a copy," Delia joked. Patsy jumped and threw the photo back down on the shelf. How long had she been standing there?
The red head turned to speak, but words failed her. Leaning against the door frame with her arms folded was, to Patsy's mind, the most wonderful sight she'd ever seen. Dressed only in a crisp white dressing gown, Delia radiated confidence, and beauty; her tanned skin and dark hair in stark contrast to the gown. Absorbing the sight in front of her she could see clearly the warm flushed skin of Delia's chest where the dressing gown gaped at the neck. As she breathed out, the soft line of her cleavage was visible and drew Patsy's gaze down.
Her hair was down for the first time, towel dry with damp tresses languishing on her shoulders. Realising her mouth was open, Patsy swallowed hard, a deep sensation at the pit of her stomach made her blush. Noting that her entrance had had its desired effect, Delia raised her index finger and beckoned the taller woman towards her. Patsy moved forward as if she was pulled by invisible string.
Delia leaned back against the wall and pulled Patsy the last foot of the way by the waistband of her jeans. The red head used the wall to steady her as her body was pressed against the smaller woman. The light coconut scent of her hair filled her senses and it was intoxicating. Delia kept her fingers in Patsy's belt hoops and held her tightly against her body, forcing her to feel her firm uncovered breasts under the dressing gown. With no shoes on, Delia reached up on tip toes and brought her warm mouth to Patsy's, placing a gentle kiss on her cold lips, the sensation was breath-taking. Delia moved her head and placed another light, tortuous kiss, then another, never fully committing or using enough pressure to satisfy Patsy's rising want.
Letting out an unabashed growl, Pasty moved forwards pushing Delia back towards the wall and deepened the kiss. This time it was her tongue that ventured forward first, meeting Delia's in a passionate and intricate dance, all the while thinking, 'show her how you feel, don't push her away!' Delia's hands moved to Patsy's back and pulled her closer to her still, wanting as much of her as she could get. As their bodies moved together to the rhythm of the kiss, the tie fastening on Delia's gown began to undo.
As Patsy breathlessly moved back from the kiss, the front of the dressing gown dropped, revealing the gentle curve of Delia's right breast. Looking down, Patsy's breathing increased and the brunette could see the dramatic rise and fall of her chest. Delia found the red head's ear and whispered, "Touch me Pats."
Her heart racing, Patsy raised her left hand and swept her fingers lightly down along the exposed neck of the dressing gown. Her touch visibly made Delia's skin pimple and her eyes close. Patsy kept moving her hand lower and traced a fine line down the centre of her breast, finding Delia's erect nipple standing proudly. Grazing her palm over it, she elicited a sharp intake of breath from the Welsh woman. Patsy cupped Delia's breast, feeling its weight and soft curve in the palm of her hand. Glancing her thumb back over the brunette's nipple her breathing increased. Both women's chest heaved with the intensity of the moment. "You feel wonderful," Patsy breathed, kissing Delia again.
Taking all of her willpower, Delia reached up and took Patsy's hand, ceasing the heated exchange, for her own sake if anything. She knew that Patsy wasn't ready for where this was heading and despite how wonderful it felt, she couldn't let herself get worked up and push things too far and too quickly. Patsy looked at her questioningly, still breathing heavily. "Have I done something wrong?"
"No Cariad!" Delia replied, kissing her hand, quick to reassure her. "Let's just take things slowly, it's not even lunch time yet!" Patsy chuckled and nodded in agreement.
Tying her dressing gown back up and refocussing, Delia looked past Patsy to the photo of her and her ex next to the TV and remembered what she'd been doing when she'd entered the room. "Trying to find an embarrassing photo of me were you?"
"No, I was just looking at all the wonderful things you've done and places you've been," Patsy trailed off.
"And who I did them with?" Delia asked with a knowing look.
"You can't blame me for being curious… and maybe a little jealous," Patsy caught Delia's eye.
"It's not a secret though darling, you've just got to ask and I'll tell you anything, not that there's much to tell anyway. I'm not some sort of lesbian lothario!" Delia smirked to herself. "That's Stacey," she pointed to the picture, "She was my last girlfriend, she loved to travel, so we went all over the place. We were together for about 3 years and split up about a year ago."
"What happened?"
"We just drifted apart, the love changed and we realised that we'd just become friends." Patsy bit her bottom lip, taking it all in. "There were 1 or 2 other girls before that, and some boys, but nothing as serious as Stacey."
Patsy looked back at the smiling girls in the picture, "But you were happy?"
"For a while yeah, but things change. I moved to London anyway, she would have never come here... Right that's enough about her, what about us? I feel like doing something tonight!"
"Yeah?" Patsy welcomed the change of subject.
"I want to take you out tonight, what do you think? You've had a shit few days, you deserve it. Nothing gay," Delia laughed, "Just a couple of bars, get dressed up, we could ask Trixie and Tom and the others, let's celebrate half term!"
Patsy thought, apart from numerous bottles of wine consumed in her living room, it had been ages since she'd been out.
"OK," the red head replied, "That would be lovely!"