Brighton Beckons

Chapter 12

The early morning journey back to Causton was mostly uneventful. Ben and Kate did, however, manage to pick up some Turkish Delight, from a motorway station on the outskirts of Brighton. Even though they had beaten the urban peak-hour traffic; once they had arrived in Causton, they found that the streets were teeming with summer tourists. As usual, the county seat of Midsomer, was doing a roaring trade, thanks to these visitors. Despite the extra vehicles on the road, Ben managed to motor on through, arriving at the hospital by late morning.

A short time later, the couple were walking through a myriad of sterile corridors until they reached the ward in which Alys Jones was convalescing. Kate took it all in her stride as she guided Ben through a short cut, which she had discovered years ago. Sure enough, they soon located Gran Jones' room. Peering inside, they quickly realised that the room was empty. Her belongings were strewn about the chamber, but there was no sign of Gran Jones anywhere. They noted that the ensuite bathroom was also vacant.

"Now, where do you reckon, she is?" Ben asked, with amused curiosity.

Kate glanced around the corridors before replying, "Come on, let's go find the nurses' station. Someone there should surely know what's happened to her."

They only managed to pass a couple more corridors before Ben heard a familiar voice, chattering away in a language he knew very well. He reached out to stop Kate. She turned, following his lead, as he guided her down a side passageway. Turning sharply, they suddenly spied Gran Jones, deep in conversation with a staff member. Kate quickly understood what was happening. It seemed that the elderly lady was having an escorted walk around the ward with a hospital physiotherapist, who just happened to be Welsh.

When Alys glanced up to see what was ahead, her whole face beamed when she saw the younger couple standing there.

"Benjamin!" she began, hastening her steps towards him. "John said you were driving up today. You've made good time." Then, seeing Kate by his side, she added, "Ah, you must be Kate?"

"Yes, I am," Kate returned warmly, glancing from Gran Jones to the physiotherapist.

"Well, it's lovely to meet you at last, deary," Alys returned, extending her good hand to squeeze Kate's arm. Turning to Ben, she moved to give him a side hug. He instinctively wrapped an arm around her. Gazing up at him, she smiled tenderly and said, "The beard suits you, cariad."

"Thanks, Gran," Ben replied with a chuckle as he glanced over at Kate. "I've gotten a lot of compliments."

"I'm sure you have," Alys grinned knowingly, flashing a wink at his fiancé. Kate smirked at the older woman's mischievous facial gesture.

When Gran Jones, finally paused for breath, the physiotherapist jumped in and introduced herself as Gwen Roberts. Placing a supportive arm on the elderly woman's back she added, "You've done very well, Alys, but let's walk back to your room now. We don't want to overdo it."

As the group turned around, Gran Jones' beady eyes spied the chocolate box in Ben's other hand.

"Are those for me?" she ventured hopefully, trying to pry the container from him. Ben was having none of that. He raised the box high into the air, out of her reach.

"Yes, these are for you," He replied firmly, but his eyes were twinkling. With a sigh, he added, "Just promise me that you'll behave yourself and do what the staff ask of you."

"Of course, I will, darling," Alys assured him as she walked on ahead with Gwen by her side. Ben glanced over at Kate who was trying to supress a grin. He reached over to link her hand in his.

Whispering into her ear, he asked, "So, sweetheart, what do you think of my crazy grandmother?"

Kate replied quietly, "She's going to be a handful and I'm sure she'll keep the staff on their toes…but I love her already."

"Bless you for saying that, darling," Ben returned, planting a quick kiss on her lips.

…

Ben and Kate stayed with Alys until her lunch arrived. The elderly lady was thrilled to hear of their engagement and even more delighted to hear how much Kate loved her mother's ring. When the kitchen staff dropped off Alys' lunch, the couple said their goodbyes, promising to visit again before they returned to Brighton.

Because of the crowded streets, Ben opted to drive further out into the countryside. Soon, they found themselves in the quieter lanes of Midsomer Market. He had chosen this town in particular, as he knew that the pub did an exceptionally good lunch. Kate found a vacant table, underneath a willow tree while Ben went inside to place their order. Nearby, she heard the peal of a church bell, tolling the midday hour. It reminded her that she and Ben still needed to book a venue for their wedding. Perhaps they could walk across the village green after lunch and check out this particular church? From the glimpses Kate could see of the building, it looked promising.

Ben, meanwhile, had placed their order, and was now armed with their drinks, as he made his way back outside. Coming up behind Kate, he kissed her forehead, before swooping in to sit down beside her.

"Did you miss, me?" he teased, placing their drinks down on the table.

"Just a little," Kate returned as she pecked his cheek. She suggested a walk to the church after lunch to which Ben agreed.

…

An hour or so later, Ben and Kate had not only viewed the church, but they had also secured a booking to hold their wedding ceremony - Saturday morning, in a month's time. The obliging vicar recommended the nearby village hall for the reception, as the building had recently undergone significant renovations. Ben and Kate were keen to check it out. It would be ideal to have both the ceremony and reception in the same village. Sure enough, the civic building was perfect, and they were able to negotiate with a council representative to book the hall for the afternoon of the wedding day. Kate was so relieved to finally have the date and venues sorted and she made a mental note to remind herself to let her parents know.

As they walked back across the village green towards their car, the couple suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out their names. Turning to their left, they spied Sarah Barnaby walking quickly towards them.

"Ben! Kate!" she exclaimed, pulling them individually aside for a tight hug. "So…you both came up here to check on your Gran, Ben? How's she doing?"

"She's doing well," Ben replied diplomatically. "The staff reckon she'll need to go to a rehab clinic in a couple of weeks' time, but she's in good spirits."

"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. I know how much she means to you," Sarah returned, watching the pair keenly. "So, how's it going in Brighton? Have you found a house yet, Kate?"

Ben and Kate exchanged a knowing look. Opting for a direct approach, Kate returned by saying, "Well, actually we have…it's a lovely little cottage overlooking the south coast…"

"Sorry…did you say…we?" Sarah interjected excitedly.

"Yes…we…Ben and me," Kate replied mischievously. She tilted her left hand so Sarah could see her engagement ring. To say that Sarah was thrilled, would be a gross understatement.

She hugged them both again and said, "Congratulations! I can't wait to tell John."

"Tell me, what?" John replied, as he snuck up behind the three of them. His own eyes, sparkling playfully. Seeing Kate's ring, he answered his own query, "Oh I see…you two have finally let the cat out of the bag then?"

Ben and Kate exchanged a irritated look.

"Just how long have you known, boss…I mean, John?" Ben corrected himself in a voice full of disbelief, yet he wasn't really surprised.

"Well…it was just little hints…here and there, Jones…I mean, Ben." John replied with a smirk. "But a hearty congratulations to you both. It's been a long time coming, but at least now Sarah can leave off with the matchmaking."

"Really John!" She replied indignantly.

…

The foursome decided to catch up properly for dinner later that night at a new Thai restaurant in Causton. Ben and Kate were staying at the Feathers Hotel for the week, which was only a short stroll from the restaurant.

Later, as they got changed for dinner, Ben spontaneously suggested, "So, seeing as we've got the venues sorted for the big day, I've been thinking about the honeymoon."

"Have you just," Kate teased, edging over to his position with a seductive look in her eyes. She started to tickle his chest before Ben put a stop to her suggestive performance, by swatting her bottom playfully.

"Now, now, lovey; behave," he growled, using his bedroom voice which he knew Kate adored. "So, as I was saying…do you have a favourite place on the Continent that you would like to revisit…or perhaps we could go somewhere more exotic, like the Caribbean?"

"Well, there is somewhere, I've always wanted to visit, but have never gotten around to seeing," Kate began. Her face blushed slightly at what she was about to admit to. "As you say, darling…I've visited the south of France and various places along the Mediterranean, but I've never actually been to Wales. Mind you, I have been to Scotland and Ireland for different pathology conferences, but then they weren't really holidays as such."

"Wait a minute…" Ben interjected, taking her hands in his and focusing his gaze on her eyes. "Did you just admit to me, that you've never been to the land of my fathers?"

"I know…" Kate replied, almost shyly, "It's very embarrassing having to disclose it to a Welshman…but no, I'm afraid, I've never been to Wales."

"Oh, cariad…" Ben brooded, meaningfully. "Fancy visiting all those places on the Continent and all the while, never having seen the majesty of Snowdonia?"

"I guess that's what comes from being born into the landed gentry, sweetheart. We're expected to go abroad and visit exotic places…" Kate explained. "But I must say, the prospect of seeing Wales, with my own personal and incredibly sexy tour guide, sounds very appealing indeed."

"Well, in that case…" Ben declared, thickly. "How about I take you there for our honeymoon?"

"Sounds perfect," Kate mused. "As long as it doesn't dredge up too many painful memories for you."

Ben tenderly stroked her face in response to her thoughtfulness. "It won't, darling, but thank-you…besides…I can't help but think about all happy memories I will be creating with my new, beautiful wife."