Georgie came out of the steam filled bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body and another wrapped around her head, her skin pink from the hot water of the shower. She felt entirely clean for the first time since returning to the camp.
She wandered over to the bed to find one of her dresses laid out there. Some of her less practical, more expensive, lacy lingerie was also there, along with shoes, hairbrush and makeup. Her fingers brushed across the fabric of the dress. Her eyes closed as she felt the fine, clean fabric. She dressed with measured care, enjoying the sensation and smell of the clean clothes. She towelled dried her hair and brushed it until it fell in waves down her back.
Just as she finished applying her mascara there was a soft tap at the door. She walked over and threw the door to find Elvis leaning against the wall. He'd recently showered his hair still damp and shaved so his jaw was smooth and clean.
"You look gorgeous!" Elvis said looking her up and down, taking note of the smell of her shampoo, the glow of her face. He also noticed that she seemed to have lost some weight over the last couple of months, too much work and caring for others rather than caring for herself.
"You look pretty good yourself." Georgie answered. She could smell his aftershave; it was one she had bought him while they were together. It was a clear, crisp fragrance which suited him so well. He came in, closing the door behind him and then sitting on the bed while Georgie returned to the mirror to put the finishing touches to her makeup before spritzing herself with perfume.
"Mmmm.." Elvis muttered from the spot on the edge of the bed. His hand rubbing over his mouth as if he was trying to hide his smile. Georgie turned and looked expectantly at him, an eyebrow arched at him. "You still wear it, even now?"
Georgie caught herself before she blurted out the first thing that came into her head. She wasn't ready to say it just yet. She gave Elvis one of her dazzling smiles "Actually I haven't worn it in ages." Technically true, she hadn't worn it since the beginning of her tour but it was the one she wore most often when she was home.
"You ready?" Elvis asked.
"Sure am and I'm starving."
"Let's go then!" Elvis got up from the bed and headed to the door where he stopped and waited for her. Before opening it he brushed her hair back over her shoulder and rubbed his knuckles along her cheekbone. Georgie tilted her head to his touch. Elvis leaned over to her "I promised myself that if you gave me another chance I would say this and show you each and every day, I love you Georgie." And he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Georgie swallowed the words she was about to say and laid her hand on Elvis' chest. "I know Elvis." she whispered. She reached past him, pushed the door open and walked out. Elvis stood there for a moment before following her out of the room.
On the way down Georgie at least let him hold her hand, which Elvis thought was a good sign at least. When they reached the ground floor, he pulled her towards the pool area outside. At the doors Elvis said "Ok Georgie girl, this is the next part of your surprise, close your eyes."
"Seriously Elvis?!"
"Just close your eyes!" Elvis slipped around behind her, his hands covering her eyes so she couldn't cheat. Elvis guided her forward through the maze of tables and chairs until they came to a standstill. "You ready?" he asked but he could feel her vibrating until his hands.
"Hurry up Elvis!" Georgie countered, literally hopping from one foot to the other. She imagined in her head, as Elvis had gently pushed her there, a very romantic setting- a table set with beautiful plates, linen napkins, candles flickering in the darkness, sweet smelling flowers and a bottle of wine chilling in a wine bucket. But nothing prepared her for what she saw when Elvis removed his hands.
She had gotten part of her fantasy right- there was a table set with beautiful plates, linen napkins, flickering candles and flowers. And there was wine but more than one bottle of wine and a few bottles of beer as well.
But the parts that she had never imagined were the people sitting around the table. Marie, Fingers, Charles, Spanner and a blonde girl she didn't recognise. "Surprise!" they all called out to her.
Elvis bent down and whispered in her ear as his hands gripped her shoulders. "Good surprise or bad?"
Georgie whipped around to face him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Good, so very good Elvis." She kissed him before turning her attention back to the table. Seconds later Georgie and Marie had their arms wrapped around each as they rocked from side to side.
Elvis made his way over to shake hands with Charles but ending up giving him a man hug. "Thanks for this mate. I know you had to pull a few strings to get this to happen."
Charles smiled at the girls still embracing and then looked at Elvis, pushing him back. "Well, anything for Georgie. But you, you bastard, owe me. Big time!"
When they looked back to Georgie, Marie had been replaced by Fingers who had picked her up and was spinning her around. Marie stood there for a moment watching the pair before coming over to Elvis a d hugging him. "Thank you Elvis, for this. I didn't think you could pull it off but you did. And Georgie had no idea?"
"No I didn't!" Georgie called out as she hugged Charles. She looked expectantly over his shoulder, searching to find his better half. Although he was pretty bloody good as well.
"Sorry Georgie, no Molly. She couldn't get leave for the weekend. But I do have something else for you but later. We're all starved!" Georgie gave Charles a sad smile, knowing that he was probably far more disappointed than she was that his wife wasn't able to be here too.
"Hungry...hungry..." Fingers started chanting, banging a knife and fork against the table. Marie slapped his arm as Georgie, Charles and Elvis all chorused "Shut up Fingers!" Georgie continued "Besides I haven't said hello to Spanner or his...friend?"
Spanner walked over saying "You been looking after my bossman? No more injuries?" and gave her a hug. He whispered in her ear "Everything ok?" Georgie's mind flickered back through her day, her weeks here. She looked up at him and gave a slight nod of her head "It is now." The question and answer could have covered a million things; was everything ok with Georgie? Had she worked her head out? Was her relationship with Elvis back on track? Was it only when she was with family and friends that things were better?
"Later..ok?" Spanner responded, telling Georgie that they were going to have a conversation about 'everything' later but right now it was time for food, family and friends. "Georgie, this is Clare...Clare Sparrow."
"It's so nice to meet you." said Georgie shaking the hand of the brown haired, green eyed girl in front of her. Georgie smiled at the pair of them as Spanner's arm slid around the girl's waist.
"You too, Georgie! I've heard heaps about you." The girl smiled back at her, her voice soft and lilting, the hint of an accent drifting.
"Spanner, have you been telling tales out of tour?" Georgie levelled at him.
"Bro, what happens on tour stays on tour!" Fingers yelled from the table.
"Oh really?" Marie replied with an arched eyebrow, so very much like her sister. Fingers very wisely shut up and poured a drink for her.
"Actually it was me." Elvis supplied as he kissed Clare on the cheek. Obviously Clare had been on Spanner's radar for awhile but this was the first Georgie was hearing of her. Georgie looked at Elvis but he said no more about it and continued with "Shall we?" as they headed to the table to eat.
Once they were all settled in their seats, the drinks poured for everyone and the toast made to a good night and absent friends, the questions started in earnest.
