Lord this took some effort! An entire week to write and then the site was playing me about when it came to posting! So here it finally is - their elaborate engagement party - lots of songs mentioned but I'll list them at the end should you wish to listen to them. Enjoy and as always thank you for your continued support both on here and tumblr, I'm overwhelmed by the love for the story! x
Chapter 33
January 2015 – 8 months earlier
Charles was impatient, frustrated, it had been a week since he'd seen Elsie and he was longing to be with her again. They'd met the previous Sunday for lunch – she'd ordered roast chicken, he'd had lamb – but she'd been snowed under with work and they'd had nothing but a couple of hours together. It had been lovely but far too short.
Dating – he was discovering – wasn't always easy.
He'd called three times during the week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday, leaving messages on her machine for the first two days but she didn't reply. On Friday she finally answered and they'd made plans to go to the theatre Saturday night. He'd rung the theatre immediately and purchased tickets.
It seemed to him that since their New Year break she'd taken a step back from him. Though he wasn't going to push. If she needed time he was content to wait.
It was no surprise to him to find that she had developed an immense amount of power over him, not that he felt she was using it in any sort of negative way, or that she even really knew that she had it. In fact it seemed to him that as time went on she wanted nothing more than fun. She worked hard all week and at the weekend she enjoyed going out with him – dinner, the cinema or theatre, walking, music and sex – and that was okay to an extent. Things were progressing leisurely but nicely and that was okay too.
He'd wanted her for so many years that to finally find himself in her life, in her bed, was still something of a dream come true.
They'd walked home from the theatre, despite the frosty weather, and she'd taken him to bed – with cold hands and chapped skin. He was so grateful when her beautiful body brought his to a sweet climax that he would have given her anything, pledged his all.
Her legs were wrapped tight around him, her arms too, and it pressed him against him, entangled him completely in her warmth. He was almost docile after orgasm, she was soft and pliant, and he took the opportunity to smother her in kisses.
There was a time he used to watch her hands as she took her purse out to pay for her books in the shop, a time he'd dream of touching her fingers, a time he wondered what it would be like to have her touch him. The soft silk of her skin, the tenderness of her touch.
Now, as her fingertips danced over his shoulders and up his neck, he still couldn't quite believe he was lucky enough to experience it.
Soon she slid out from beneath him and stretched – and he watched as it pushed her breasts up and forward. Then she turned onto her side, as she often did, her back to him, her hair falling over the pillow between them.
Too often following sex she turned away. He figured Elsie Hughes didn't like to cuddle. But he couldn't help but feel hurt by her movement; the more affection he showered her with, the more she seemed to pull away.
"You don't like to be held?" Charles said, his voice cracking as he spoke, staring at her pale back, the gentle slope of her shoulder, the angle of her shoulder blade, where the line of her bra had pressed against her skin.
"Sorry?" she gazed over at him.
"You either don't like to be held or you don't like to be held by me."
She frowned, "I like this side of the bed, it's my favourite position to sleep in."
"I'd noticed."
She flopped onto her back sighing, patting her hands on top of the sheets. "How would you like me to lay?"
He shrugged.
"Why don't you just hold me from behind?" she said gently, lowering her chin, he looked so crestfallen, so much in need… of what she wasn't sure, or didn't dare consider, and she was even more afraid of the fact she couldn't give it to him.
Still, she rolled over, her back to him again, but this time reaching back for his arm and draping it over her waist until he pressed up against her, warm and whole.
His breath on her neck.
"Better?" She whispered.
"Much." He smiled, snuggling against her.
Present Day
"It better not rain," Elsie said as the hairdresser gave her one final spray. "I'll melt."
"Don't worry mum, there's such things as umbrellas, and there's a marquee don't forget."
"True." She gingerly touched her hair, not used to having it styled to within an inch of its life.
"You don't look silly," Anna said, reading her mind, moving to stand behind her and resting her hands on her shoulders. "It looks great, like a star."
Elsie glanced at her in the mirror, "Yours looks nice, simple and elegant."
"Yes, but its your party."
"Not too over the top, a desperate fifty something trying to look young?"
"Mum… believe me, you look fantastic. He'll be bowled over."
Elsie smiled. "How am I going to get into the flat without him seeing?"
"We'll put a scarf over you and go through the back door. Give him strict instructions not to come up snooping, then we can do your nails in the kitchen."
"Did you get the colour to match my outfit?"
"Totally." She dug around in her bag, shaking a bottle of polish at Elsie. "Perfect isn't it?"
"It is actually. Well done."
"No probs. Shall we pay and go? Saturday afternoon traffic can be hell."
"I'll pay." Elsie said, getting to her feet and reaching for her handbag.
"I am earning now mum."
"A part time at Charles' shop is hardly 'earning'…" she said, rolling her eyes. Anna ignored the comment.
They made their way to the cashiers desk, thanked the assistant for the service and headed out into town and back to Elsie's car – it was less than a five minute drive back to the book shop and a fifteen minute walk, but there was no way Elsie was walking around Harrogate town centre in the middle of the afternoon with her hair puffed up in such a fancy way.
"Now don't get any ideas about just popping up," Anna warned as she worked the coffee machine.
"A stranger in my own home." Charles huffed, watching how quickly she heated the milk and made the espresso. "At what time will I be allowed access the shower?"
"I'd say 17 hundred hours exactly."
"Military operation."
"Yep. Mother's organisation always is. You just wait until Christmas day, god help that turkey if it isn't done exactly when she wants it."
He chuckled, imagining Elsie in a festive hat complaining through the oven door at the roasting bird.
"You know she's a had a tan done don't you?" Anna smiled at Charles. "And I'm going up to do her nails now. This is important stuff."
"This is only the engagement party – what's she going to be like on the wedding day?"
"A panicking witch! Just keep your head down and say 'yes' when she runs things by you."
"Got it. I've packed my overnight bag and got a surprise for the room."
"Oh?"
"Had them fill it with sunflowers." He smiled, triumphant, "she's not the only one who can do surprises."
"That's the sweetest thing ever, I hope some of your romantic edge rubs off on John."
"Is he okay, still coming tonight?"
"He is. I'm hoping mum keeps her calm and tries to get to know him. I might leave the introductions until she's had a few glasses of champagne."
"Good idea. You seem happy though." He said, glancing out into the shop as the bell on the door rang and a few customers came in.
"I am. Very. Right, best get these upstairs and get beautifying."
"Shouldn't take long," he grinned, leaving her to it and returning to work.
Anna left around five-thirty, planning to go home, change and then get a taxi to the venue. Charles was in the shower when she went, singing, warming up his voice ready for his karaoke 'performance', though he was certain that several glasses of whisky would be consumed prior to that actually taking place.
He'd been told he had to dress in the spare room – he'd laid his suit out there that morning. Polished his shoes. Took in the cologne he'd need. His watch. Cufflinks.
He took his time styling his hair; he'd never been vain and had no fantasies about emerging from the bathroom resembling Brad Pitt but he didn't intend to let her down. Not with all the effort she was going to.
"I'm ready," he called from the hall, glancing at himself in the mirror, pulling his shirt collar into place.
"Five minutes," she called back and he heard the wardrobe door bang shut. "Can't find the right shoes." She said by way of explanation.
"Want me to come in and help?"
"No. You just go wait in the lounge. Have you called the cab?"
"Just doing it." He said sheepishly, digging his phone out of his pocket. Truth was he hadn't been so excited about something since their first date just over a year ago.
He phoned for a taxi, gave them the hotel address and sat in his comfy chair in the lounge, his left leg folder over his right, swinging in mid-air.
He'd been ready for a good twenty-five minutes; he mused as he glanced at his watch. And he thought he looked quite sharp in his suit – Thomas had helped him pick it out and though he'd never go for black on black himself (finding it a bit too Johnny Cash for his tastes) he had to admit the lad had been right and he was happy with the results.
He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out, scanning the text. Their taxi was outside.
"Els…" He called, "Taxi's here."
"Right."
He wondered what on earth she had to do. She'd spent the previous night going through her checklist whilst wearing a disgusting coloured face pack that smelt of mint. And she'd been to the hairdressers to have her hair styled. Then Anna had spent a good hour doing her nails and make-up. To be honest, he couldn't wait to see the finished product.
"I'm here, don't worry."
He caught a glimpse of the colour first – a vibrant, rich plum. Then the flash of her bare arm, her hair – extravagantly styled, and her luxurious perfume floating around her.
"So let's go." She said, clipping in an extravagant dangly earring that caught the light and sparked as it swung.
"Wow."
A slow smile curled upon her mouth, "Wow?"
"I mean you look stunning. Simply stunning. Amazingly," he swallowed. "I don't know whether to say beautiful or sexy."
"How about you flatter me with both?"
"How about we stay home and forget about the party?"
"Absolutely not, we've paid for it and I've rehearsed my song." She rested her hands on his shoulders, squeezing, "And I'm ready to dance."
"I can't believe how amazing you look," his hands stroked up reverently to her waist. "How proud I'll be to have you holding my hand."
"Well, you're looking kinda handsome yourself," she leant in to kiss him. "Ooh, and you smell divine." She kissed him again. "I like that Mr Carson."
"It's new, was a birthday gift from a friend."
"Which friend?" She said, straightening his collar.
"Laura…" he said self-consciously.
"Oh, her…"
"She'll be there tonight you know."
"I do know, I sent the invites remember. No dirty dancing with her. In fact no sexy dancing with anyone but me."
"I wasn't planning on doing any public sexy dancing."
"Oh yes you are," she smiled, patting his cheeks. "We best get going, I want to get there before the guests and check all is fine. That the champagne is chilled and the balloons where I want them, and your cake in pride of place."
"Thank you for doing this."
"You don't have to thank me. Spoiling you on your birthday is now my job." She kissed him. "And besides, planning this has been good practice for the wedding."
She pushed against his shoulders to stand up, "These heels are going to kill me."
He got up, standing in front of her, "Seeing you in that outfit all night is going to slowly kill me."
Charles took their bags up to the room, leaving Elsie downstairs to check all was as she wanted whilst he checked on her flowers.
There were vases of sunflowers on most of the surfaces and he took one out and laid it across her pillow – if he couldn't find a field of them for her then he'd create one for her. Leaving their overnight bags in the bathroom he made his way back down to join her.
He was amazed by the effort she'd gone to, by how glamorous it all looked. There was a small marquee outside, a stage area, a DJ, banquet tables already laden with food. Inside tables laid out for guests to sit if they wished, if the weather cooled, thankfully it was a balmy night and still light outside, barely seven and the sun hadn't set. The sky above him was wistfully blue with orange clouds rolling by.
"You like it?" Elsie whispered, disturbing his reverie as she came up behind him.
"Like it?" He turned to gather her in his arms, "It's wonderful. You're quite the organiser."
"Don't forget I'm on the Prom committee."
He patted her bottom, "Oh yes, so you are, hence the ease with which you managed to put this together. You're sure you're not going to surprise me with a vicar and marry me tonight?"
She bit her lip, "I hadn't thought of that. Besides, I wouldn't have this colour scheme for the wedding."
He grinned, swaying her, his hands resting at the base of her spine. "So, you want to set a date?"
"Your job was to contact the church…"
"I know. I'll do it first thing Monday."
"Well, I'll marry you the first weekend of the Easter break next year, if possible, if the church is free."
"Kinda poetic," he smiled warmly, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I'll make sure it's free." He dipped his head down to whisper by her ear, "I can't wait to marry you."
"Look at this!" The unmistakeable tone of Beryl made them break apart. "It's fabulous."
"Glad you think so," Elsie called back across the grassy area.
"Wow, and you look great, I told you that thing would knock him dead." She grasped Elsie's arms. "Was I right?"
"You were," Charles said, leaning down to kiss her cheek and shaking Bill's hand.
"Though I have no idea how I'll pee in it," Elsie said, "I'll have to take the whole thing off."
She felt Charles' hand on her back, steadying her as she trampled over the grass towards the patio area. "Daisy you look gorgeous. Come have a photo with me before everybody gets here and it's too busy."
"You look great Aunty Elsie." The young woman said, kissing her cheek.
Elsie grasped a balloon and held it in front of them as they posed together in the photo area.
"There's a dress up box," they heard William say, hunting through and slipping on a soldier's hat.
"Oh very handsome," Elsie smiled, handing the balloon to Daisy. "Why don't the two of you have a picture together?"
As she left them to it she noted Anna walking through the Phoenix room towards them in a stunning black dress.
"Oh my darling, you look exquisite." Elsie gushed, folding her hands together as she noticed John behind her.
"I figured if my mother was looking amazing I had to make an effort."
They hugged and Elsie whispered by her ear, "How is your dress holding up around your boobs?"
"Magic tape!" Anna giggled. "You look wonderful."
Elsie pulled back and gripped Anna's shoulders, "Thank you. Shall we have some photos done together in the booth before it gets busy?"
"Absolutely."
Behind her Charles was chatting to his half-brother, reluctantly Elsie went to them, sliding one hand into Charles' and offering her other to John.
"Good evening Mrs Hughes."
"Hello, that's very formal of you," she said lightly, "you must call me Elsie."
"Great party… Elsie," he said thankfully, shaking her hand. "Oh and you too Charles, of course."
"Oh no, this is all Elsie's doing. You can tell because it's perfect."
As other guests started to arrive – members of Charles' cricket team, Elsie's work mates, wider family members – the room filled and people spilled out onto the patio and the marquee. The music swelled and buffet food was served and the mood settled into a warm and joyful one as the sun set over Yorkshire
"Look how brown you are," Elsie exclaimed as Phyllis pulled her into a hug. "How was Spain?" She asked kissing her cheek.
"Beautiful. Hot. Relaxing. But look at you getting engaged. I'm so pleased for you," she squeezed her arms, "I really mean that, I'm so very happy for you both. He's a lovely man."
"He is."
"How did he propose?"
Elsie laughed, "I proposed actually."
"Really… oh goodness, you must tell me all about it. Let's get a drink…"
Gulping down his second whisky of the night Charles slid the glass onto a table and picked up a glass of champagne in its place. He brushed his hand through his hair as he climbed the four steps up to the small stage area.
The volume of the music lessened as he nodded to the DJ and he gently tapped the microphone.
He was nervous – though determined not to show it.
"Good evening," he said, relieved when the guests stopped what they were doing and turned to face him, a few replying with 'good evening' in response.
"I felt I ought to say a few words – and it will be a few – before the party really gets going and you're all too drunk to concentrate."
A few chuckles passed over the crowd and he scanned the area, seeking out Elsie.
"As many of my friends here tonight know I've been a bachelor for more years than either you or I would care to remember. Over the years you have in turn mocked me, sympathised with me, despaired over me… and now, all I can say is ha bloody ha!"
They laughed now and he finally spotted Elsie moving through the crowd to stand closer to the stage.
"Because I have finally found this wonderful, beautiful woman to spend my life with. God knows what she saw in me but for some reason a year ago she finally agreed to go on a date with me – after many years of mooning after her – and here we are and I can honestly say, I've never been happier." He lifted his glass up. "And that's as mushy as I'm going to get at the moment. So let's have a toast to the organiser of this great shindig, and the person who got you all in the same place at the same time, my fiancée Elsie Hughes."
There was a chorus of 'Elsie Hughes' and she smiled up at him as he drained his champagne.
"And now, because apparently we've all got to have a go, I'm going to get this damned karaoke song out of the way before the fear kills me. No laughing, and for god's sake please get up and damn well dance."
Again people laughed and he was relived when he spotted Richard leading Isobel out to the dance floor – truly a friend for life.
Stepping back from the microphone he put his champagne glass down and cleared his throat; sliding his glasses off he slipped them into his jacket pocket as the music began, if he couldn't see the crowd then he couldn't be nervous.
Closing his eyes momentarily he leant forward and uttered the first line, "She may be the face I can't forget…" then opened his eyes as he continued, watching as Elsie perched on the edge of a table looking directly at him. If he just focussed on her it would be okay. "The trace of pleasure or regret, maybe my treasure or the price I have to pay. She may be the song that summer sings, may be the chill that Autumn brings, maybe a hundred different things within the measure of a day."
He took a deep breath as he waited for the next section to begin, glad of the swaying couples, of the confidence alcohol provided. When the instrumental took over he found Elsie smiling at him and watched as Anna came over to take her arm and dragged her onto the dance floor so they could sway about together, giggling and spinning dramatically.
"She may be the reason I survive, the why and wherefore I'm alive, the one I'll care for the through the rough and ready years. Me, I'll take her laughter and her tears and make them all my souvenirs, for where she goes I've got to be – the meaning of my life is she."
Relief washed over him at the last note and he stepped back from the microphone, bowing his head as the dancers stopped to clap. He heard Thomas' unmistakeable wolf whistle and pointed directly at him, "Get up here you, you promised some George Michael."
"Only if you'll be Elton," he shouted in response.
"I can safely say that's me done for eternity." He jumped down from the stage, tugging on his jacket.
"I'll sing with you Thomas," Elsie smiled, hooking her arm through his. "You pick a duet and I'm there."
"On it Mrs H." The young man bounded onto the stage leaving Elsie to draw Charles into a hug.
"That was very nice honey," she whispered by his ear. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome, wouldn't put myself through it for just anyone."
"Oh I know." She kissed him, draping her arms over his shoulders, around them there were a few whistles and then she heard Thomas tapping on the microphone again.
"Come on then Elsie love, let's get the party started. And the rest of you get off your arses and onto this dance floor, I want to see some Gavin and Stacey style dancing going on."*
"Oh classic," she exclaimed, clapping her hands together as the first notes started and she headed towards the stage. Charles had absolutely no idea what he was referring to but it seemed the guests did as they formed two lines either side of the dance floor.
"Baby when I met you there was peace on earth, I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb. I was soft inside, there was something going on…"
"You can sing!" She mouthed to Thomas as he sang the opening line and held out the spare microphone for her. "You do something to me that I can't explain, hold me closer and I feel no pain – every beat of my heart, we got something going on."
She looked down to see Beryl forcing Charles into the dance; he avoided the line-dance but was forced into a waltz style move instead.
"Islands in the stream, that is what we are, no one in between, how can we be wrong? Sail away with me, to another world, and we rely on each other, from one lover to another."
By the end everyone was singing along and Thomas was swaying her around the stage and she couldn't remember feeling giddier. When the music ended she felt Thomas lift and spin her and she was laughing against his shoulder.
The celebration was interrupted by the DJ announcing that the late night brunch was served and soon the dance floor cleared as the guests headed into the marquee to take their pick from mini British classics – fish and chips, beef and Yorkshire puddings, strawberries and cream.
Thomas jumped down from the stage and held his hand up to assist Elsie.
"That was fun, thank you." She said, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"No need. I enjoyed it too."
"So your man is pretty damn sexy." She smiled, glancing over to where Jimmy was chatting to Daisy as they waited in the queue for food.
"He is, dangerously so."
"And how's it going with him?"
Thomas shrugged, digging his hands into his pockets and pulling out his cigarettes. "Tough stuff, this relationship business." He offered the packet to Elsie but she shook her head.
"No thank you dear, I gave it up." She hooked her arm through his as they went to join the end of the queue. "And you should too, it's bad for you."
"So is love but I keep going back for more with that too."
"Oh honey," she patted his arm, "It surely doesn't have to be. Perhaps it's the wrong kind."
"Mmm," he sucked on his cigarette, "too much sex not enough love?"
She laughed. "Well, the two don't have to be mutually exclusive."
"I guess not. Going on how contented our Charlie boy seems these days."
"Don't tease him, you know how he gets."
"I suppose only you can do that. I'm amazed you got him up to sing though."
"Well, I may have used some gentle persuasion with that."
"Oh I bet… You repeating the act?"
"Oh absolutely, though I need more wine first."
"Fair enough, come on," he stubbed out his cigarette. "Let's get some food and ply you with wine."
After dinner Anna took the opportunity to kick off the late night celebrations, clambering up onto the stage and taking hold of the microphone.
"Excuse me," she tapped the top of it. "Hello lovely people, don't worry, no speech from me I just want to get you all up and dancing."
There was sporadic clapping and she nodded at the enthusiasm.
"Now, when I was – as mum would say – a wee thimble of a thing," she laughed imitating her mother's accent. "…I used to love to dance. And mum and I would have dance parties in the lounge and this song was our absolute favourite so wherever you are mingling mum…" Elsie waved as she got up from a table, a glass of wine in her hand. "Ah, there. Put your wine down and come get on this dance floor with me."
Elsie bowed her head in agreement, took a last gulp of wine and made her way over to the dance floor. She heard Beryl shout something and Bill whistle as she did.
Anna had jumped down from the small stage and was waiting in the middle of the dance floor for her.
"This isn't going to embarrass me is it?" Elsie whispered as Anna took hold of her hands.
"Totally. But you can carry it off looking as hot as you do."
"I could say the same."
The familiar opening strains of Cyndi Lauper sounded out and both immediately fell into rhythm, moving together as they had hundreds of times before, swinging each other around and laughing joyfully.
Charles turned fully around in his chair to watch them, picturing them years earlier, the tiny little blonde girl standing on the coffee table and swinging her arms with her mother.
Beryl and Alice soon joined them along with almost every woman determined to prove that girls really did just want to have fun.
The seamless link continued as they quickly moved into the athematic 'I Will Survive' and sang at the top of their voices.
As the song came to an end Elsie dashed to the edge of the dance floor and kicked her shoes to one side before returning to dance. She realised she was probably quite tipsy but the feeling of being free to dance and have fun and just be herself was heady.
She felt Anna's arms grasp her waist and she wiggled back against her as Anna whispered in her ear, "It's Britney bitch!" and they both laughed as the beat to 'Toxic' filled the night air.
Charles watched them from a table around the edge of the dance floor; how free Elsie looked, how happy, how her body swayed with the music, how her hips wiggled in time with the beat, she was so damned sexy… too damned sexy.
"Hey," John said, slipping into a chair beside him and sliding a bottle of beer to him. "They look good don't they?"
Charles tapped his bottle against John's and nodded, "Amazingly so. Good to see them both happy."
Again Charles nodded. "It's going well then, with Anna?"
"Very. Moving fast, we've spoken about living together."
Charles glanced at him, raising his eyebrows, "Really? You're sure?" He felt his chest tighten as he asked, and looked back to Anna dancing with her mother, she looked young – why did she want to be tied down? It was the first time he could recall such fatherly feelings towards anyone; it had never mattered to him before what people chose to do. Their life; their decision.
But he thought of how upset Elsie would feel, how powerless, so easily she'd fall into the role of interfering mother and it was a role she wasn't suited to.
"You don't think it's too soon?" He asked gently, watching as Elsie whispered something in Anna's ear and she laughed raucously in return.
"It is. Undoubtedly it is. But what can I say – we're drawn together, it feels right." He rested his arms on the table and held Charles' gaze, "Look she was talking about her father…"
Charles bit his lip, his brow furrowed, "What did she say?"
"That she was confused, torn, she'd met with him the other day – she told me he turned up drunk at her leaving party, that he'd insulted you, upset Elsie."
He felt relief fill his chest – he didn't want John to know what kind of man Joe really was, what he'd done to Charles' fiancée – John could be an unknown force, angry, when provoked, vengeful in the past. He didn't want that side of him to emerge and threaten the happiness Anna had found.
John shook his head, clearly Charles didn't want to discuss Joe, and it wasn't the time or place anyhow. "How are things going with the house anyway?"
"Good," Charles said swallowing his beer, "Progressing well, hopefully we should get the keys in a couple of weeks. Elsie's been managing most of it really, we'll have to share it out once she returns to work. I don't know how she balances it all…" He looked towards her again and she caught his gaze and waved.
"They're pretty amazing women," John said.
"And we're lucky to be in their lives." Charles stated as he watched Elsie stride purposefully across the dance floor and towards the stage. "So don't mess it up, if you're living with her then wait, at least a few weeks, you never know, you could take my flat. It'd be cheaper…"
"You don't have to do that."
"But I would. If it helped. Lowest possible rates," he shrugged, "don't mention it to Els though, I'll do it when it's time."
He turned his back on John as Elsie tapped the microphone, getting up from his table and moving to one closer to the edge of the dance floor and leaning back against it.
"Don't worry," she said as she guests turned to face her. "I'm not going to make any dramatic, lengthy speeches – I'll save that for the wedding." A few people clapped, including Charles who took a drink from a passing waitress. "So, I suppose after so much talk about this karaoke and listening to so many of you indulging I guess it's time I kept my side of the bargain, stopped being a wimp and get up here and do a song. Especially as my wonderful future husband has already serenaded me in such outstanding fashion."
He raised his glass to her and bowed dramatically.
"So honey, this is a song for you."
'I've been so many places in my life and time. I've sung a lot of songs; I've made some bad rhymes. I've acted out my love in stages, with ten thousand people watching. But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you. I know your image of me is what I hope to be. I've treated you unkindly but darling can't you see? There's no one more important to me. Darling can't you please see through me. But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you. You taught me precious secrets, of a truth withholding nothing, you came out in front and I was hiding. But now I am so much better, and if my words don't come together, listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding.
I love you in a place where there's no space or time. I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine. And when my life is over – remember when we were together, we were alone and I was singing this song to you.'
Below her couples were swaying to the music, which she was grateful for, but the only image she focussed on was Charles stood at the edge of the dance floor staring at her. When the instrumental beat kicked in she stood back from the microphone, breathing deeply, trying to calm herself before she returned to sing the refrain again, this time stronger.
She was met with cheering and clapping once she'd finished, and she brushed off the sentimentality of the moment by twirling and bowing dramatically. Signalling for the DJ to fill the gap she's glad that the dancing resumes almost instantaneously.
It's odd how quickly emotions take over at events like this – the freedom to dance and drink and indulge. To sing loudly and celebrate. She's even spotted Isobel letting herself go and shimmying around.
Charles meets her at the steps leading down from the stage; he takes her hand and helps her down, drawing her into a tight hug.
"Didn't embarrass myself?" She whispered by his ear.
"God no, it was lovely. Beautiful. Better than mine."
"Nonsense."
He pulled back to look at her, "Wanna ditch this lot and go back to our room?"
She giggled, fussing with his collar, "Not yet. I want you to dance with me."
"You know I'm not much good at it."
"That isn't true, you danced with me in that pub."
"In front of strangers!" He laughed.
"Why should that matter?" She nudged his chin with hers, "Come on, just for a while, it's almost eleven, fireworks soon and then people will be disappearing and we'll be alone…" she stood on her tiptoes to whisper by his ear, "…and naked."
He's shaking his head and smiling as he looks down at her wide-eyed expression, "Your powers of persuasion, honestly…"
She's grinning smugly as she pulls on his hand and leads him onto the dance floor, smiling as Beryl waves and continues to wiggle against Bill.
"He makes me shiver all over," she stated, and Elsie laughed at the two of them.
"Bit of a disturbing thought." Charles mumbled and Elsie nudged him in the stomach and pulled him to her as 'Do You Love Me?' starts.
"Oh baby," she whispers, "perfect tune to dance to." She turns her back to him, stepping back, her bottom near his groin, her arms rising – it's a clear night, the sky inky blue, the summer evening air warm and enveloping.
He's overwhelmed by how happy he feels, by how good it feels to have her dancing like this in his arms, outdoors on an August night. His family and friends witnessing this side of Charles Carson for the first time in his life.
He bends to kiss her neck, feels her hand squeeze his as she turns and presses against him, looping her arms over his shoulders as the music changes and slows and they sway together.
"I love you," she says, resting her head against his chest.
As they waved the last of the guests off Elsie turned back towards the building, walking around the edge of the dance floor, scanning the floor.
"What are you doing?" Charles asked, taking his jacket from the back of a chair and draping it over his shoulder.
"Looking for my shoes."
"You mean these ones here?" He asked, picking them up from beneath the table and dangling them on his thumb.
"Those might be the ones." She made her way to back inside, taking them from him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Look at all these poor staff having to clean up after us."
"At least they're getting paid. You're not putting your shoes on?"
"My feet hurt," she pressed her palm against his chest, stepping in close to him. "Let's go for a walk before we go back to the room."
"It's late," he smiled, but he was already taking her hand and following her back outside, past the marquee and off onto the grass.
"Take your shoes off," she said, digging her toes into the cool grass.
"My feet will be dirty."
"Mine already are."
He did as she asked, sitting on the grass and watching as she wandered off. He leant back, arms behind him, fingers curling into the grass just as his bare toes were. The very air around him smelt so good, so welcoming, fresh and green, heady with floral – the scent of an English summer.
"Are you coming?" She asked, turning to look at him.
"You know," he said, remaining where he was. "I don't think things could be more perfect."
"Oh really…?" She dropped her shoes, sauntering towards him, deliberately swaying her hips.
"Well…" he lifted his arms up, as if ready to receive her into them. "Maybe a tad better."
"Just a tad?" She smiled wickedly, her eyes glinting as she paused, barely a metre from him. "Did you get a slice of your cake Mr Carson?"
"I did and it was wonderful. Come here."
"And you enjoyed the food – you know I selected that menu with your favourites."
"Stop talking about food and come here."
She tilted her head to one side as she regarded him, sitting relaxed on the hill, the easy slope of his shoulders, the casual air about him. A far cry from the man she used to know – suited and stuffy, hiding behind his counter.
Giving in, she slowly moved to him, stepping between his legs as he parted his knees slightly, and resting her hands on his shoulders. She felt his arms circle her waist, his face press against her stomach as she kissed his head.
"Just perfect."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." She said, stroking his neck with one hand. "Very glad."
He tilted his head back, looking up at her, "I can't wait to marry you."
Smiling she bent and kissed him, "I can't wait for that either."
He kissed her again, opening her mouth with his, teasing her with his tongue, quickly intensifying the moment. "Do you know how delicious you look in that outfit?"
"I'm glad you think so. It's a bit of a different choice for me, though I have received quite a few compliments."
"Who from?" He asked, rubbing his palms against her hips, the material sliding beneath his fingertips.
"Ah, wouldn't you like to know…" She teased.
"Mmm, feeling as I do now they wouldn't dare try and make a move on you."
She giggled, "My such talk for a book shop owner."
He sucked in a tight breath, his hands slipping down to grip her bottom as he pressed his face against her stomach again. "I want you."
"We can't do this here," she whispered, resting her chin on his forehead and breathing deeply. "Shall we walk to the room?"
"In a moment," he patted her hip, "come sit beside me for a moment."
"Is it damp? I don't want grass stains on my new outfit."
"Here," he laid out his jacket. "Better?"
"Yes." She flopped down next to him, watching as he lay down and beckoned for her to join him. Her head easily nestled into his side and he curled his arm around her.
He stared up at the sky, felt her warm and whole against him. "Definitely a birthday I won't forget."
"I should hope not," she pressed a kiss to his chest. "Not too over the top?"
"Every bit of it and more!" He chuckled, "You might even have outdone Isobel, doubtless your intention."
"The thought never even crossed my mind."
"Yeah… right."
"It's not usually my style," she shrugged, lacing her fingers with his and turning his hand over. "But I rather enjoyed being a little extravagant. The centre of attention."
"It suits you," He kissed her head. "You smell of hair spray."
She giggled, "That's because I have about two cans worth of the stuff holding my hair up. It's going to take an entire bottle of shampoo to get it out again."
He pressed his palm against her hair, felt it give slightly as he pressed.
"Hey," she warned.
"Sorry, couldn't resist."
They laughed together, a bright sound in the quiet of the night.
"Thank you for dancing with me."
"Anytime partner."
"It's beautiful out here," she whispered, "still and quiet."
"Yep…"
She laughed as music started up again, and pushed herself up on her elbows to glance back towards the building.
"Another party?" He asked.
"Must be." She turned, leaning over his chest. "One last dance before bed?"
She looked so happy he couldn't imagine denying her anything. "Sure."
She got to her feet, holding her hands out to pull him up.
"Nice song," he said as they swayed together.
"Won't you stay with me, cause you're all I need…" She sang along and he chuckled.
"Of course you'd know the words."
"That's because I'm hip and cool."
He swept her around, until she was giggling and clinging onto him.
"Stop," she laughed, "god stop Charles, I'll pee myself." She pressed against his shoulders and he was tickling her waist. "Stop, stop!" She pleaded.
"Alright," he put her down, brushing her hair back as they both continued to laugh. "Shall we find you a bathroom."
"Let's find our room."
He searched his jacket pocket for the key, trying to balance his shoes beneath his arm as he did so, laughing as Elsie jumped from foot-to-foot.
"Hurry, hurry I need the loo and it'll take me an age to get this thing off."
"How very romantic."
"Forget romance, this is realism, necessity."
"Got it!" He eased open the door and she rushed in, dropping her shoes and completely missing the display of sunflowers he'd arranged as she disappeared into the bathroom.
He laid his jacket over a chair, kicked his shoes beneath it, dimmed the lights and collapsed back onto the bed – careful to avoid putting his feet onto the sheets.
"Els… I'll need to wash my feet…." She didn't respond. "What are you doing in there? Need some help getting out of it?"
"No… I'm done." He listened to the running of water and then she was stumbling into the room, pausing as she took in the sight of the sunflowers. "When did you… how did you do this?"
A slow smile eased onto his face as he looked her up and down, "New underwear?"
"It is. But when did you?"
"I called the hotel, you're not the only one who can plan."
"Sunflowers."
"A step towards your fantasy, perhaps?"
"Oh very much so," she crawled over the bed to him, sitting astride him. "Very, very thoughtful." She bent forward, mindful of how she pressed against him, of his hands trailing up her bare back.
"Am I the luckiest man alive?"
"I don't think I'm qualified to make that judgement." She stroked her fingertips down his cheek. "You still want to go wash your feet?"
"Do I want to end this moment with you delightfully pressing against my groin, hmm, let me think?"
She wiggled against him; savouring the feel of his penis hardening as she did so and the wonderful groan escaping his mouth. Then she sat back, pulling his hands, folding her fingers with his and pressing her palms against his.
"So, I'm liking this colour on you."
"Deep plum," she said, "to match my outfit."
"Nice," he slid his hands from hers, up to cup her breasts, the contrast between the lace of her bra and the softness of her skin.
She took her time unbuttoning his shirt, easing her hands over his chest, through the sparse greying hairs, her nails raking over his nipples.
"Trying to seduce me, Mrs Hughes?" He said as she tugged his shirt from his trousers.
"Do I even have to try?"
He licked his lips, a slight smile on his face as he slid his hand up her back, guiding her body down so he could kiss her again.
"Hi beautiful…"
"I feel what you're doing you know." She whispered, her lips hovering over his as she felt the material of her bra loosen. "You've gotten too good at that."
"Practice."
"Indeed."
She let the material fall down her arms, shaking it off and throwing it aside. The fragrance of flowers filled the room and she sat back on him, sweeping her gaze over the display. "Almost a field of sunflowers."
"Perhaps more comfortable." He pushed himself up, ignoring the twinge in his back as he did so.
She smirked, "That hurt honey?" She rubbed his lower back.
"A sign of things to come. Ow…" he shifted back, "I think I need something to lean on."
She couldn't help but laugh as he awkwardly shifted back on the bed, leaning back against the headboard as she bobbed about on top of him doing her best not to fall over, one arm gripped across her breasts to hold them still.
"Oh god, Charles, this is hardly…" she fell forward against him, "my classiest look."
"Sorry," he moved again, pulling a pillow up behind him. "There."
"Is that it? Are you settled? Can I let go of my boobs now?"
"Here, I'll hold them for you." He smiled, waggling his eyebrows at her.
"Sure you will, are you alright there then, don't need to move again?"
"I think you're better on top for round one."
"Round one?!" She wiggled against him; "It's gone one in the morning now." He was tickling her waist, his fingers circling the band of her panties. "Round one. How romantic."
"I'll be romantic now darling."
"Right darling, you'll be asleep in twenty minutes."
He slid his hand into her hair, moving his face to hers, "Maybe twenty five."
She had to move to unfasten his trousers and inch them down, he kicked them off and they were both laughing at the absurdity of it as they somehow manoeuvred together to get naked.
"Maybe we shouldn't drink so much on the wedding day," she said, as he held her hips and lifted her body even closer to his, until her stomach pressed against his and he had easy access to her breasts.
"Are you worried we may not be able to actually consummate the whole thing?"
"Absolutely. In fact I was thinking we should probably stop having sex from this point onwards…"
He frowned, "Virginity can't grow back you know."
"No, but if we don't have sex between now and April next year that's almost nine months and I bet you that when we do have sex again you'll feel like you just lost your virginity!"
"Fair point, but no, I'm not into that particular plan, do I get a veto? How many vetoes do I get in the whole wedding planning thing?"
"Erm, probably one."
"Right. So this is how I'm gonna use it. You can have whatever else you want."
"Anything…?" She whispered, leaning in to kiss him. "That gives me such power."
"You already have it."
She was lying on her stomach, her arms folded beneath her head, sheets tangled around her waist. She whistled as she watched Charles walk naked from the bathroom and back to their bed.
"Careful there missy."
"Are you single?" She smiled, twisting onto her side, supporting her head on her hand as she lifted one leg and stuck her foot out to touch his leg as he got close. "Maybe you'd like to date me."
"To date you?" He squeezed in beside her. "I'd like to do more than date you."
"Mmm, like, maybe rub my back?"
"Oh alright, turn over."
"Thank you," she chimed, twisting back onto her stomach and propping her head up on the pillows. She felt his warm hands glide across her shoulders and down her spine before he began to massage her.
"So, when you first asked me out…"
"Yes?" He pushed her hair to one side as he trailed his fingers up her neck. "Most terrifying experience of my life. Until tonight's karaoke of course."
"Why?"
"Because it's public singing, never to repeated may I point out."
"No. The date."
"Oh. Because you might've said no. In fact I'd convinced myself you'd say no. I'd been thinking of it for what seemed like forever, ever since I realised you were in fact now single."
"When did you realise that?"
"Guess work. You never actually told me you were getting…well…"
"Divorced." She said as she turned her head on the pillow. "Left shoulder please honey."
He shifted his hands, "I noticed you had a white band where your ring used to be, probably a year before I plucked up the courage to ask you out to dinner."
She giggled, "Now that was romance."
"What? You mean my rather fumbling, stumbling attempt to ask you out."
"I believe your exact words were, 'If you'd like to have dinner one night that would be nice.' You spent a year practising that?"
He squeezed her hips, "No, I spent a year practising my 'that's okay' face when you'd clearly turn me down. Only you didn't, you said, 'Yes I suppose it might,' and my love for you was made eternal."
She laughed again, "I thought that happened the first time I took you in my mouth."
"Elsie!"
She glanced back at him, smirking, "Just saying, I'd never seen a man so happy."
"You're teasing me."
"Teasing you would be telling you I'm never going to do it again."
She pushed herself up, waiting for him to sit back so she could turn over.
"And now look at me, naked in bed with you… sometimes the fumbling guy does get the girl."
"Oh, sometimes more than once." She sat forward, moving to kiss him, "What time is it?"
"Almost three…"
"Think we should go to sleep?"
"Not for a moment."
"So glad we're on the same wavelength."
"Like it was meant to be." He smiled, sliding his hands around her and settling her back onto the bed.
She was humming her pleasure as his mouth travelled over her body, covering every inch of skin, committing every curve and line to his memory. That she was stunning to him was a given, that she had his heart was something he'd grown used to, but that she could still make him feel even more – deeper, stronger, purer – each and every day, was quite astounding.
He took his time circling her belly-button with his tongue, listening to her giggle, the squirm of her body beneath his as his fingers tickled the most sensitive spots along her ribcage. He sank lower down the bed, beneath the heat of her thighs, the feather-soft skin there brushing his face. She smelt overwhelming, like home, intoxicating, welcoming.
Her fingers were in his hair, scrunching it beneath her palm, pressing and releasing as his mouth slid over her. She lifted her leg, dug her heel into his lower back, pushing herself upward to meet him.
"Charles," she whispered, biting down on her lip, the overwhelming sweep of desire cascading from chest to stomach to the resting place of the man with whom she'd fallen so deeply in love. "Don't stop…" she breathed, tilting her head back, chest rising up at the movement. "I want you so very much."
"You have no idea," he murmured, his words sliding over her stomach in one long curl of warm breath.
She tugged on his shoulders and he moved over her, falling so easily between her legs, his resting place.
"No idea how badly I ache for you," he said, mouth on her belly, up over her ribcage, "You're everything to me." Kissing her breasts, the place where he felt her heart thud beneath him.
The sheets tangled around his feet as he moved and they both chuckled as he attempted to kick them free.
The room was dark, only the dusky light of the coming dawn lighting the shapes of their bodies as they moved – naked, skin-to-skin, in the heady summer night.
"Love me." Her tone was almost desperate, almost questioning.
"Every second of every day," he smiled against her lips, kissing her delicately, tenderly, as they moved so very slowly together.
He remembered that night in Dubai, when they'd made love and he'd realised there would never be another woman for him. When he'd been overwhelmed by being there with her watching the fountains and they'd been like this – so close, so intense, and their movements slowed down almost to nothing, loving each other with languid passion.
He slid his hands over hers, spreading them out on the pillow above her head, and they locked fingers, palm-to-palm.*
"I love you Elsie," he says, "so completely."
Her eyes are damp, mouth open as she tries to breathe, chest tight, body alive with want and need and pleasure. "I love you too, always."
"We get to take the sunflowers home, don't we?" She asks later, leaning over the pillows piled beneath her chin and watching as he digs around in his duffel bag.
"Of course, I paid for them. Don't know where we'll fit them all."
"You can surround me with them in the back seat of the car. What are you looking for?"
"Just wait… a-ha, here we go." He pulled out a bottle of Disaronno. "Perfect. Get some glasses Els, I'll nip down the hallway for ice."
"It's almost four in the morning, for god's sake don't go naked like that."
"I've the state of mind to put a robe on." He put the bottle down on the bedside table and disappeared for a few minutes, leaving her to laze around, flopping over onto her back and staring up at her ring as she held her hand above her and cast streaks of light across the ceiling with the diamond.
"What are you doing?" He smiled when he came back.
"Just admiring this."
"Did you get glasses?"
She pouted at him "I couldn't possibly move I'm afraid."
He was shaking his head as he hooked his fingers around two tumblers and carried them to the bed, setting them down on the pillow by her head and kneeling next to her.
She sat up, holding the glasses and watching as he poured and dropped in ice.
"So, here's to us." He said, taking hold of one and raising it.
"To us." She smiled, "Down in one?"
"If you do."
"One. Two. Three!" They both downed the drinks, Charles spluttering slightly as it hit the back of his throat, Elsie crunching on the ice-cube.
"You and your Scottish fortitude." He moved to sit back, pleased when she automatically came to curl in his lap, reaching to refill their glasses.
"I feel it's going to be a Sunday in bed."
"I have no issues with that; how long did you book the room for?"
"Until Monday. Perhaps you should ask Anna to open the shop for you Monday morning."
"Perhaps I will. I'll text her tomorrow."
"Today," she reminded.
"Yes, later today." He kissed the top of her head and took a sip of his drink. "So, I want to say something but don't want you to get annoyed."
"That sounds ominous."
"Not really to do with us, well not directly." He squeezed his hand against her hip. "It's about Anna and John."
"Oh…?"
"I think he loves her. I think she loves him."
"That's silly, they've only just met."
"That may well be, but I loved you for years and I saw you less than once a month and even then you only scanned the books on my shelves and had no more than a two-minute chat with me."
She twisted over slightly, enough to look up at him. "You didn't really know me, I didn't really know me then. You couldn't love me."
"Not like I do now, of course not, but it was love, of a kind." He shrugged. "Perhaps a healthy dose of lust too."
She bit her lip as she smiled. "So what would you like me to do, in regards to Anna and John?"
"Get to know him. Let's have dinner, or even just meet them for a drink one night, give him a chance maybe."
"And if it goes tits up?"
"If it does then it does, but at least you'll be there for her."
He wouldn't mention the flat yet, that they wanted to live together, that in a way he'd offered to help.
She shivered and he reached down and pulled the quilt up over them, feeling her body curl against his, her legs over his.
"I guess we could go for a drink. And if I don't hate him then I'll make dinner one night. But I'm still not happy about her dating somebody so much older."
"I know."
"Nor am I happy that she hasn't found a job yet." She leant over him to put down her empty glass. "I'll have to book time off work when we get the date for her graduation, you'll shut the shop won't you?"
"I'm invited?"
"Don't be silly." She kissed his chest, laying her head down on him. "My head's dizzy, I think I'm drunk."
"We have drunk rather a lot during the course of the celebration."
"Won't it be nice to have a lazy Sunday in bed though?" She said, spreading her hand out over his chest, noting the differences in the texture and colour of their skin, the steady thrum of his heart beneath her palm.
"Very nice. I'm knackered."
She chuckled, pushing herself up to look at him. "Not fading on me now are you darling?"
"I don't think twice is bad for one night."
"No, it isn't," she lifted her mouth to his, then trailed kisses down over his chin, his neck, and then back up until she suckled on his lower lip. "Could I tempt you to a third?"
"You could tempt me to a forth. Come here?" He said, whipping her up into his arms and rolling her back on the bed.
"As long as your back doesn't give out." She teased.
"Minx."
"Honey…" She drawled seductively.
"Sweetheart."
They were both still laughing as their mouths met all over again, imitating the very intimate movements their bodies would soon make.
Phew! that took some getting through - I know, very mushy, but kinda nice too! Please let me know what you thought. x R
A couple of points
* Gavin and Stacey is a fabulous show! In one episode they did a line dance to 'Islands'.
* This line is taken from chapter 5 when Charles first told her he loved her.
Songs
She – Elvis Costello
Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
Toxic – Britney Spears
A Song For You – The Carpenters
Do You Love Me – The Contours
Stay With Me – Sam Smith