The Illuminations
After a lovely dinner, Lee and Lucy headed back towards the seafront to see the illuminations. At least it was dark enough now to appreciate them.
They walked along some of the promenade, until their feet started to ache.
"Do you want to get a tram to see the rest, or a horse drawn carriage maybe?", Lee asked.
"Oh, please can we get a horse and carriage?", Lucy enthused.
"Okay, but I think they're quite expensive". Lee said.
"I'll pay, don't worry, you can keep your wallet padlocked for now".
"No, I'll pay. My treat".
"You brought the key out with you then?"
"Lucy, just because a man is careful with his money doesn't mean he's a cheapskate. Being thrifty is an admirable quality in a person. Normally I would consider a horse and cart ride to be a waste of money, however on this occasion I concede that it might be a nice thing to do, it might be considered...romantic".
"Wow Lee, excuse me while I swoon!", Lucy said sarcastically, as she rolled her eyes.
"Well, what can I say? I know how to woo the ladies".
"If you say so...ooh Lee, we have to have one of those ones", Lucy said as she spotted and pointed to the golden coaches that were parked alongside the ordinary horse and carts. They looked just like the fairytale carriages that Princesses rode in books and films.
"Really? Aren't they a bit...you know...like something Katie Price would have for one of her weddings?"
"Maybe...but we're in Blackpool...we're embracing the tacky this weekend remember".
"Oh go on then, lets go full tacky", Lee said, knowing he wasn't going to get his way on this one.
...
They took their seats in the coach, which they had been told would take them along the seafront and back, dropping them off at the Blackpool Tower, where they were planning to go next.
"So, you finally got to see the illuminations Luce. What do you think? Does Blackpool live up to its nickname, 'the Las Vegas of the North?".
"Ha, I've never been to Las Vegas, so I can't really comment on that. I'm liking the illuminations so far though, they're actually really impressive, spectacular even. I never expected there be so many lights".
"Six Miles of them to be exact".
"Six Miles, are you serious?".
"Yep. You wouldn't want to get that electricity bill would you?"
"No. In fact I'm surprised you approve of this at all. Mr 'let's just sit in the dark tonight and save electricity, we only need to see the TV, and let's not forget in the bedroom, 'we don't need the light on Lucy, we only need to feel each other not see each other!'.
Ever since Lee had started properly contributing to the household bills he had become a bit obsessed with turning off lights.
"Maybe I'm self conscious about my body".
"Says the man who walks around the flat in nothing but his Boxer shorts. You even did that before we got together".
"Alright, alright, but maybe when I turn lights off I'm thinking about the future of our planet, not saving money. As I said earlier, I'm an environmentalist".
"Right, of course. Are you enjoying the illuminations though? I mean, if you're actually able to enjoy them given your overriding concern for the melting polar ice caps?"
"I am enjoying them as it happens , and I'm glad you are too".
"The horse drawn carriage is making it even more special isn't it? So romantic, and definitely worth the money".
"My money", Lee interrupted.
Lucy chose to ignore that comment, continuing,
"I feel like I'm in a Disney film. When I was a child I always dreamt about riding in one of these coaches with a Prince. Now I am".
"A Prince? I've never been called that before. I've always been more of the Buttons figure".
"Buttons?"
"Yeah, you know...in Cinderella...the pantomime version. Buttons is the comedy figure, the servant who's in love with Cinderella and never manages to express those feelings. She's unaware of how he feels and only sees him as a brother".
"Well, you're not Buttons anymore. You're my Prince. Prince Charming. Well...Prince Cheeky, Charming and Careful with money would be more accurate, but I wouldn't have you any other way".
"Thanks. I love you Luce. Princess Luce".
"I love you too".
...
A few minutes later, they were sat in silence, hand in hand, just looking out of the window at the lights. Lucy squeezed Lee's hand.
"You're quiet, want are you thinking about?"
"Just...you".
"Me?"
"Yep, I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you, that you love me. I still can't believe it sometimes, that you're mine. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning for a split second I panic that you and me being together has all been a dream, or that I'm still dreaming, that I'm still in a coma and none of this is real".
"Lee, this is real. Believe me, this is...we are real. You daftie", she said, taking his head in her hands and kissing him soundly on the lips...