Sorry this update has taken so long, never seem to get the time. This is a little more angsty than previous chapters, but I'm still deciding on where to take it. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Here she was again, staring at her wardrobe trying to find any redeeming qualities to the clothes that, before this point, she thought she liked. Looking at them now they all seemed drab and lifeless, devoid of the personality and charisma she wanted to portray to Delia. This was their first social outing together; a setting where Patsy wasn't entirely comfortable. A self-confessed book-worm, the elegant red head would be far happier wrapped up on the sofa with a glass of wine and a book. Far less in a dark, sweaty room, music pounding, being leered at by men old enough to be her father; this effort was for one person and one alone. She could imagine how comfortable Delia would be out in a bar, radiating confidence and beauty; naturally attracting people to her. How could Patsy live up to that? Biting her lip with anxiety, Patsy reached in to her wardrobe and pulled out a black body con dress that she hadn't worn for a long time. Looking at it critically, 'this will have to do,' she thought.
Holding it up to her, there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" Patsy shouted. A fumbling sound revealed a beautiful blonde in a bathrobe, a glass of rosé in each hand and a lit cigarette hanging out of her mouth like a hardened criminal.
"Thought you'd fancy a little brightener," Trixie said as she handed over the glass and extricated the cigarette from her mouth.
"Yes! Thank you!" Patsy grasped the glass and within seconds the wine was gone. Looking on in surprise, Trixie could sense the slight panic radiating off the red head.
"You OK sweetie?" Trixie had hoped the wine may help Patsy to explain why Delia had so obviously stayed the night, but now wasn't the time it seemed. "Any idea where we're going tonight?"
"Not a clue I'm afraid but I think Delia has somewhere in mind," the taller woman replied, not making eye contact.
"Oh fabulous, I love trying new places. I wonder if she'll take us to a gay bar, I do love them!" Trixie fixed Patsy with hard stare, desperate to elicit a telling response that would confirm or deny her suspicions, filling in the missing puzzle pieces that she'd been putting together slowly for so long now.
Patsy's eyes widened, "Oh I doubt it, wouldn't be fair on us would it," she blurted. All the while the taller woman was unable to look at Trixie directly, fearing that if she did, she would somehow know everything. Her avoidance however, was more telling than she could have known.
As Patsy padded bare foot towards the kitchen she could hear the clinking of glasses and the glugging of liquid being poured. The number of voices she could also hear emanating from the living room signalled the arrival of the guys from school invited for pre-drinks. Sure enough, Trixie, surrounded by glasses, was pouring everyone a wine. "There you are! We've all been wondering what was taking you so long."
"Oh, you know what it's like," Patsy sighed, trying to sound casual, "Can never find anything to wear."
"Well, if you don't mind me saying Sweetie, you look bloody gorgeous!" Trixie's face was alive with delight, she loved it when Patsy made an effort. "Is it for anyone's benefit?"
"What, this?" Patsy brushed down the front of her dress awkwardly and placed a strand of imaginary hair behind her ear, "No, just haven't worn it in a while, thought I'd give it an airing." Patsy cringed inside at her response, 'idiot' she thought. Feeling her colour start to rise, she deftly changed the subject, "Everyone arrived?" That question included Delia, as now she thought if it, she hadn't heard from the brunette in a few hours.
"Yes, gang's all here, I'll take these in to everyone, can you help finish pouring them?" Trixie lifted a tray of glasses and made for the living room. Patsy turned and faced the counter, busying herself with the task she'd been left.
Her concentration was interrupted by a warm hand placed to the side of her right thigh. Gasping in surprise, the red head felt the hand move slowly up over her hip and around her flat, toned stomach. A small amount of pressure forced her back in to the body behind. In a slow, deep voice, Delia whispered in Patsy's ear, "You… Look… Delicious." The words spoken with such intent and feeling started Patsy's heart fluttering, her pulse quickened. She turned around in Delia's arms and was taken aback by how beautiful Delia looked. She hadn't seen her like this before, hair down and straightened, subtle but flawless make up, skin-tight black jeans and low cut patterned vest top, revealing her tanned and toned arms.
"You're not bad yourself Busby," Patsy breathed as Delia's hands started wondering, exploring her perfect curves. Taking advantage of a shoeless, slightly shorter than normal Patsy, Delia swept her red hair over her shoulder and started kissing her neck.
"Yup, delicious," Delia repeated as she traced kisses from her collar bone up to her ear.
"Delia, Patsy whispered breathily, "Stop it, someone might come in!"
"Once more with feeling Mount," Delia smiled and continued, knowing the red head didn't want her to stop.
"I hope you haven't gone to France for that wine!" Trixie shouted from the living room. In flustered surprise, Patsy pushed Delia away from her in case they were seen.
"Coming!" Patsy shouted, Delia poked out her bottom lip and began to pout.
"Spoil sport!" Gathering herself, Patsy finished pouring the wine, gave one to Delia, put one in each hand and went to greet everyone in the living room.
Pre-drinks had lasted a little longer than planned resulting in more wine being consumed than anticipated. By the time the Nonnatuns had made it in to town, they were all somewhat merry! Delia found the whole situation torturous, after a few glasses of wine all she wanted to do was be close to the beautiful English teacher, but she was clearly being kept at arm's length. Every time she had moved closer to her at the house, she had struck up a conversation with someone else and moved away; when she had tried to make eye contact across the room, she'd diverted her gaze in someone else's direction. Delia understood but the wine made her see things a little differently, 'this night was meant to be about me showing Patsy a good time,' Delia thought to herself as they exited the taxi.
On entering the bar, drinks were bought and a booth was found, it was the perfect place; good atmosphere but not too busy, good size dance floor but not filled with creeps… Delia had done well. The girls crammed in to the booth around the table, Cynthia first, then Barbara, Trixie, Patsy, followed by Delia; she wasn't about to miss this opportunity.
As space was limited they had to sit closely together, Delia saw the realisation in Patsy's face as they got comfortable on the white pleather seating. Patsy continued to talk to Trixie, much to Delia's annoyance. The brunette moved a little to her left, forcing contact; their legs touched from ankle to hip and Delia could feel Patsy's warmth. With her left hand, she deftly felt the smooth skin of Patsy's leg under the table, slowly drawing it up over her knee and on to her thigh, she saw Patsy's speech falter at her touch and smiled at her reaction. "Another drink anyone?" Patsy stood with a start.
"No, we're fine," was the resounding response she got from the table.
"Excuse me," she said to Delia tartly, requiring her to move quickly. With no further conversation, Patsy was at the bar, fussing once again with her dress and waiting for service. Delia followed. "What the hell was that?" Patsy hissed.
"What? That? I only touched your leg Pats, I hardly had you over the table!" Delia replied, controlling her increasing frustration.
"In front of everyone Dels, what were you thinking," the red head continued.
"In front…? Pats, no one saw, I just wanted to remind you I was here I guess, you've hardly said two words to me since we left the kitchen." Delia's already raised voice was becoming louder.
"Just don't OK, I thought I could handle this, but I can't you'll have to back off."
"Back off?" Delia repeated disbelievingly.
"Yes Delia, it's too much!" Patsy replied, not looking at the shorter woman
"I get the message." Delia slunk off to the toilet not wanting to continue the conversation. She was hurt and the wine was undoubtedly making her worse.
On her return, the girls were back in the booth talking non-stop like before. She could see patsy scanning the room for her, 'fuck that,' she thought angrily, alcohol clouding her emotions; heading for the bar Delia bought another drink.
Looking to her right, she saw a girl at the bar waiting to be served, but seemingly being ignored by the bar staff. "What do you want?" Delia shouted over the din.
"Are you sure?" replied the woman.
"Of course, I've already been served," Delia continued throwing the shorter woman a smile, unconsciously revealing her dimples, "What are you having?"
"A large rosé please, thank you." Delia turned and repeated the order to the barman, refusing payment from the mystery woman when offered. "What's your name so I can thank you properly?" The girl asked.
"I'm Delia and honestly, it's nothing, you're lucky I've had a few or I might not be so kind!" Delia smiled again.
"Thank you Delia, my name is Rachel".
"Nice to meet you Rachel," Delia turned and faced her properly, "I hope you enjoy your wine." The Welshwoman started to walk back to the table, but Rachel caught her arm.
"I don't suppose you'd mind keeping me company until my friends get here would you? I don't know where they could be?" Delia looked back to the table, all women fully engaged in conversation and decided she wouldn't be missed for another few minutes.
"OK, but you'll have to give me my arm back." Delia looked down, gently reminding Rachel that she was still holding her arm.
They conversed politely for the next quarter of an hour, she talked non-stop about work and the gym. She was gorgeous and obviously keen on Delia, but all the brunette could think about was Patsy. Every time she'd turned to look at the red head she'd continued to talk to the girls, seemingly uninterested that Delia was nowhere to be seen. "I'm really sorry lovely, but my friends will be wondering where I am, I'd better go," Delia said apologetically. She didn't really take in the response she was given and just made her way back to the table, eyes only for the tall beautiful English teacher sitting there.
Tom and the others were now all at the table and everyone was in great spirits. "On the pull Busby?" Tom asked excitedly, tapping her arm with his elbow. Trixie heard the exchange and dove in immediately, halting her current conversation.
"I did glance your way Delia, is she your type? Did you get her number? Do you want me to ask her for you sweetie?" Trixie's face beamed, obviously in her element, her thoughts from earlier seemingly gone. Patsy's did not, she watched the exchange uncomfortably, eying Delia from behind her wine glass as she pretended to drink. Thinking it would benefit them both in the long run, Delia decided to play up to their suspicions.
"Well, yes actually, she gave me her number, bit of a gym bunny, just up my street really!" Delia lied. Trixie clapped and squealed excitedly like a little child. "How wonderful, a new Nonnatus romance!" Delia smiled awkwardly and looked at Patsy who she thought had gone a little pale.
Time passed and Delia's level of frustration with Patsy went through the roof. "Right, sorry guys, nature calls, need the toilet Pats?" Tom moved so Delia could get out, Patsy didn't reply, but placed down her drink and followed Delia to the toilet.
Luckily it was empty and provided a quiet and cool contrast from the room they'd come from. Patsy folded her arms and faced the sinks, her body language conveying how she felt. "Making friends I see," Patsy spat, the acid in her voice evident.
"Well, I thought it would be nice to have someone actually reply when I talked to them!" Delia replied, eager to make Patsy see that she was just as upset as she was. "I'm surprised you noticed to be honest, you haven't looked at me once all night!"
"Noticed? Of course I noticed, she was all over you, everyone saw!" Patsy was still unable to look at Delia directly and instead looked at her in the mirror. Delia moved closer, "Pats... look at me." The taller woman reluctantly turned her head towards the brunette, "I couldn't care less about the girl at the bar, she asked me to keep her company and I did. There's only one girl that I'm interested in here tonight and she can barely look at me!" Delia reached out and touched Patsy's arm, she swayed a little and Delia realised how much wine she must have had and the toll that the last 24 would have had on her. As she stood there, she tried to put herself in Patsy's place; crying for the loss of her closest family members one minute, revealing who she really is to herself and kissing a woman for the first time the next. A wave of empathy hit Delia like a truck, how could she have been so impatient! She tugged Patsy's arm and pulled her in to an embrace, hugging her tightly in an attempt to take away any anger she may be feeling.
Two glistening pools looked down at her full of anger, betrayal, confusion, lust and apology. Quickly glancing around, fuelled by wine, Patsy checked if they were completely alone, then lowered her head to the smaller woman. Their lips met and the contact quelled the friction between them instantly. It was what they both needed, Delia pulled Patsy more closely to her and placed her hand on the back of her head, closing any gap between them. The long languid kiss lasted for an age, their heads moved from left to right as their tongues met and danced their now familiar dance. Delia turned her body and perched on the sinks behind her, hands roaming over the red heads beautiful curves.
A dull thud and sudden rush of noise signalled that the door had been opened and they were now no longer alone. Delia pulled away and looked towards the door and there, stopped in her tracks, staring wide eyed, stood Trixie.