Thank you all for continuing to write such lovely reviews. It's really encouraging and I am very happy to hear that you are all still enjoying the story. I'll keep them coming for as long as i have ideas in my head!
Definitely loving the idea of a modern Carol and Therese, even though I adore the 50's element of the story but I'm contemplating what it might look like so who knows what lies ahead!
Thanks again for the feedback.
"Happy birthday!" I exclaimed my face a sure picture of excitement. Carol groaned and made a lame attempt at batting me away.
"How can you stand to be so damned chirpy in the mornings is beyond me" She complained, sitting up in bed and propping a pillow against her back.
"Because it's your birthday. It's a special day"
She rolled her eyes at me. "Is it?"
I nodded my head. "It is indeed. I'm making you breakfast" I told her, placing wrapped gifts down on the bedspread.
"You didn't need to go to all this trouble" She chided but never the less her palm found the familiar resting spot of my cheek and she stroked my face. "Thank you my darling" She purred, planting a soft sweet kiss against my mouth.
"Open it" I insisted my enthusiasm spilling out of me.
She gave me another weary look before opening her gifts. She whistled in glee. "What a museum piece this wrapping is"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Beautiful gloves" Carol remarked, taking out the pair of leather gloves to admire them further. "I just adore the smell of leather" She breathed the scent in with a wistful expression. "Very handsome they are too" She leaned in to plant a kiss on my cheek.
"Now the other one!" I cried, clapping my hands together in excitement. "I hope you like it…I"
"Therese!" She gently warned me. "Of course I will like it" She added, pulling out the photo album that I had decorated by hand. "What's this?" She wondered aloud, looking over the fine detail with great enjoyment. She opened it, greeted by the sight of our many memories, all there for the eye to see in black and white. From beginning to today, a trail of our time together, snapshots of the many things we had seen, worn and had, in perfect focus. Her eyes softened as she looked over the images with fond familiarity. She stopped at a photo of our trip to the lake, a fingertip stroking over our faces with love on her mind. "Beautiful" She said, her voice holding all the emotion that was written in her expression. "Simply beautiful" She kisses me again and continued to trawl through the photo's, stopping to remark on different occasions. "I love you in that outfit" She said, wistfully. "You should wear it more often"
"You really like it?" I knew it would irritate her to ask but i couldn't help myself. I wanted so badly to give Carol the world and more.
"My darling I don't like it…I love it" Her voice was tender and soft with love. She held her arms out and drew me in for an embrace. "It's wonderful and i will treasure it always"
We remained like this for a long moment before I compelled myself to pull away.
"Lets just stay like this" She insisted, indulgently.
I shook my head. "I'm afraid not Ms Aird. I have much to do"
Carol gave me a mock glare. "What could be more important than lying here with me?"
"I have plans for you" I said, glancing over my shoulder with a wry smile.
"Is that so?" She cried after me. "It had better not include a party hat"
I chuckled to myself and retreated back in to the kitchen, which was brimming to life with the sights and smells of brunch.
I'd been practicing, trying out recipes until I found the perfect combination. This was no ordinary morning and though I couldn't compete with Carols lavish spending I hoped to match it with effort and enthusiasm.
I rolled up my sleeves with a sense of determination. I had set the table earlier with a beautiful table cloth I had spied on a market stall, repairing it myself to return it to its fine glory. There was a bunch of woodland flowers and a decanter filled with freshly squeezed orange juice. I thought back to five am, padding in to the cold kitchen to juice the flesh of reluctant oranges, the smell of which had seemed to permeate the skin on my hands. Next to them was a veritable mountain of jams and chutneys, canned fruits and buttery French biscuits all ready to be feasted on.
Stood, propped up against the jars of preserves, was a hand drawn menu.
I set to work whisking eggs and adding milk, sugar, flour and cinnamon.
"Darling!" Carol exclaimed, followed by that low husky laughter. "You really didn't need to go to such trouble" She gently admonished.
"Nonsense!" I insisted, wiping the mixture with great gusto. I watched as she surveyed the table, picking up jars and dried flowers with interest. She picked up the menu her face softening with a look of adoration.
"French toast" She read off the menu voice tailing off in to a whisper. "Adorable" She cooed blowing me a delightful kiss.
"I try"
She sat down at the table and poured glasses of orange juice.
"Squeezed by hand" I informed her.
"Well I'm certainly being spoilt" She drank down some of the orange juice and nodded her head in appreciation. "Delicious"
"I should hope so. I think I got most of it in my eye" I tutted.
"My poor darling" She took a bite from one of the biscuits and responded with delight. "Now let's get to the bones of it. What do you have in store for me?"
I threw my head back and laughed. "You sound as though you're preparing for an interrogation" I quipped.
"Well now a girls got to be prepared"
"I'm taking you out for the day"
"Is there a dress code?"
"Wear something warm"
She looked at me quizzically. "Something warm?" She wondered her mind searching out possibilities.
"Something warm" I confirmed.
"I can see I'm going to get little information out of you!" She chided, flicking on the radio to fill the kitchen with the distant sound of jazz. She hummed along, nibbling at the rest of her biscuit. "Smells delicious" She shouted over the sound of music.
"Almost ready" I replied. I decorated the French toast with brown sugar and fresh sliced fruits, surveying my efforts critically. It didn't quite live up to expectations but it would do and it was made with love.
I placed it in front of her with a half sheepish look. "I'm not sure if it's supposed to look like this?" I wondered with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Nonsense" She interjected. "It looks delicious and I'm famished." She wiggled her eyebrows at me and raised her fork mid air. "Bon appetite" She said before taking a bite.
I shrank back in my chair like a love sick teen, memories of that first lunch flooding back, making me weak.
She made all the right sounds, tucking in to the breakfast with great enthusiasm. When finished she dabbed at her face with a napkin. "It was superb. My compliments to the chef"
I smiled under a wave of praise, smiling so wide I felt my cheeks pinch.
"Would it be remiss to kiss the chef?"
I played along seeming to consider the question in a very professional manner. "I'm not sure...?" I cupped my chin with a hand. "It could be deemed unprofessional. A bribe even!"
She roared with laughter and slapped her knee with a napkin. "A bribe?" She hooted. "Would it be a bribe if I wanted the chef even more than the French toast?" She wagered.
She came to me, easing herself down on to my lap. I noted with a developing blush that her robe had come apart, giving me a generous view of her breasts.
"I imagine this would be classified as fraternising" Her voice, husky and deep, whispered in my ear. I felt the hairs on my neck stand to attention, my body a map of goosebumps.
"I've decided I'm quite happy to accept bribes" I concluded, revelling in the feel of her fingers lightly scraping the skin at the back of my neck.
"I'm glad to hear it" Her voice had all the tell tale signs of distraction as she concentrated on the task at hand. She nuzzled my neck, her face unbelievably soft and welcoming. I gulped at the contact certain that I could feel her smiling against me.
"What sort of bribe would be considered?" She asked, fixing me with eyes that were smouldering to life with unreserved heat.
My mind searched for something...anything! A witty response, a sharp one liner, but instead the feel of her pressed against me clouded any sense of intelligence. I dared myself to give in and reach out, to touch her first and put an end to this display of teasing. My hand reached out, slipping between the flimsy confines of her parted robe, to cup a deliciously soft, pert, breast, that responded instinctively to my touch. I was still getting used to this new role as the pursuer. I had been so complacent. Drowning in Carol to the point that i waited with baited breath for her every move. I dreamt of her touch, desperately waiting for it with a sense of longing I felt would engulf me. Now. Now we were equals. Now I could see her, touch her, taste her, feel her in every facet of my waking life. But I still felt that trepidation. I still gulped down nervousness when my hand reached out and touched her warm skin.
"This is a starting point" My words were eaten up by the gravel in my voice. I cleared my throat.
"Do we have time to finish? Or are we on a schedule?" A perfectly manicured eyebrow arched in questioning. For effect she glanced down at the watch on her wrist and back up to the hand at her chest.
"We can make time" I emphatically stated. "We can always make time"
"This is turning out to be a beautiful day. Even if it's my birthday" She whispered, leaning in for a tender kiss. She slipped off my lap, allowing her robe to part completely, and took my hand in her own to lead me in to the bedroom.
"I know I said we could make time..." I trailed off, sitting up in bed so that the blanket slipped down to rest at the small of my back.
"I don't want to derail your plans" She chuckled her hands stroking the nakedness of my back.
"Anymore of that and you will most definitely derail my plans" I countered.
The car roared to life. Carol in her new leather gloves, gripped the wheel dressed in a full, heavy, fur and elegant hat.
I gave her a vague sense of directions, making sure not to give away the surprise of my location.
"It's a mystery!" Her voice was distorted by the cigarette resting, casually, between her lips.
"That's the intention" I smiled broadly. I tried not to give in to my nerves. Would she think it silly? When I had originally chosen this romantic spot for her birthday surprise I was sure, certain even, that she would think it a most glorious idea. Now? Now I was not so sure. I hugged the bag on my lap and hoped for the best.
"Is this the spot?" Carol asked with questioning eyes.
I nodded my head. "It is indeed"
"Hmm?"
I laughed at her response. "It will all be revealed" I teased.
"Is that so?"
We laughed together, climbing out the car and in to what appeared to be sprawling woodland. The trees were stripped of leaves, brittle and masked with a layer of sparkling snow. It was a beautiful scene and without hesitation I snapped a photograph of Carol and the back drop of snow with the camera hanging at my neck.
"You don't want to give me a hint of a warning?"
I smiled behind the lens and took another photograph, shaking my head in disagreement. "Absolutely not. It's better natural"
We walked together, our breath like clouds of smoke in the cold air. Our footsteps were crunches of movement that left a trail of memory in our wake. I resisted the urge to hold her hand, feeling a renewed confidence that was inspired by the beauty that surrounded us.
We drew closer, the sound of distant laughter becoming more apparent with every footstep.
As we rounded the corner the outdoor rink came in to view. There were young lovers, arm in arm, wrapped up in winter gear and gliding across the stretch of ice with looks of merriment. Children frolicked with red noses that were caught out by the cold. In the distance was a man selling roasted chestnuts, the sweet, bonfire, smell crossing the expanse to tease at my senses.
Carol's look of joy was enough to settle my persistent nerves and I reached for my bag, retrieving two sets of handsome skates.
"This is quite the spot for a pair of star crossed lovers" She told me, setting about removing her shoes to slip on the skates.
"The perfect spot" I whispered in her ear, steadying her as she tied her laces. "I can touch you without hesitation"
She hesitated for a mere second before the thought dawned on her, surprise written all over her face. "How very clever!" She praised. "Who would question two gal pals holding each other for support?"
I nodded my head. I relished in the idea of having some normality. I wondered how people took for granted such simple pleasures in life? The notion that they could embrace, give in to their emotions and kiss on a simple whim, filled me with a sense of resentment. Would there ever be a time when I could take Carols hands in my own without fear of judgemental, dangerous, eyes? It didn't seem possible but for now this picture, perfect, setting would have to do.
We stepped, with great difficulty, towards the rink, easing ourselves on to it with a nervous anticipation.
"Have you done this before?" I asked, holding on to her hips to guide her on to the ice. Even through the thickness of her fur I could feel her soft curves.
"Many moons ago" She answered dubiously.
"I'll reacquaint you" I promised. "I used to go skating every winter"
"Did you?"
"Yes. I've always been a bit of a natural I suppose" I commented, moving behind Carol to grip her hips my body steadying her. She leaned back against me, settling in to the movement.
"This feels incredible" She whispered back at me. "Half of me is screaming out that we shouldn't be doing this in public"
I gripped her tighter. "Look around Carol" I guided her, scanning the rink with observant eyes. There were no social rules here. Chaps steadied their pals, some of them falling to the ground with an almighty thud. Girls held hands and glided with great precision across the ice, giggling as they went. "Nobody could possibly suspect a thing"
"It's perfect" She told me, glancing over her shoulder to grace me with her beautiful, blue eyes. The cold had already set about painting her face a delicate pink, the tip of her nose and her cheeks bearing the brunt. I held her close, so close that it warmed me from within, the perfect barrier to the cold snap in the air.
The more we skated the more Carol's confidence grew. With gentle encouragement we parted, holding hands as we skated together in perfect harmony.
"I'm quite enjoying myself" Carol's voice was giddy as she allowed herself to show off a little, attempting to skate faster, colliding, gently, with the edge and gripping it for dear life when she thought she might fall.
We skated merrily for what felt like hours, holding each other to our hearts content, not giving in until our legs ached and the sky began to darken around us. With a pang of disappointment we made our way out of the rink, sitting to eat roasted chestnuts the warmth a most generous relieve from the cold.
"This has been the most perfect birthday" Carol whispered, bumping shoulders with me playfully.
"It has"
She touched my hand, just for a brief second, and smiled at me, her smile traced with sadness. "How wonderful it was to be able to touch you without fear"
I nodded my head. "It was"
"But how difficult it made not kissing you"
I smiled back at her. "Come on…" i stood up and held out a hand to help her up. "…lets get back home"
We stepped in to the apartment and immediately felt the comfort of warmth. Somehow the cold felt like it had gotten in to my blood and I set about bringing the fireplace to life. I threw on logs and started lighting kindling. There was nothing more perfect than the smell of a fire as you sat back and relaxed on a lazy evening.
"I'll pour us a glass of wine" Carol called from the kitchen.
The fire roared to life and painted the living room in vibrant orange. I held my hands out in front of the flames, sighing with delight as the heat permeated the coldness of my hands. Through the crackling sound of the fire I heard the phone ring, it's insistent tone an unwanted guest.
"I'll get it…" Carol called. "…It's probably Abbie wishing me a happy birthday…Hello?"
Call it intuition but I knew it wasn't Abbie. I froze, rooted to the spot as I heard Carol's clipped tones.
"Harge…" The irritation was plain to hear and I admire Carol for not attempting to mask it. "…Is that so?…How would you like me to act Harge. i haven't heard from you in weeks…"
I listened intently, cursing Harge for spoiling her birthday.
"I would love to…" The irritation was gone now and in it's place was a sense of hope. It hurt my heart to think of Carol so hopeful, so pleading. "Hello Rindy…my love"
