Emmet managed to get the day off the following Friday so he had the morning to practice his compositions before packing.
One he packed and was ready to go he said goodbye to his sister. Elizabeth was sitting in the armchair reading a magazine.
"Right that's me off then." Emmet said, he was quick to leave so his sister didn't ask any awkward questions, like who was he taking with him.
"Good luck, hope it goes well and have fun. Its a shame I've got the Ladies Guild annual Pea and pie supper or I would have come and supported you." She teased knowing her brother wouldn't want her playing gooseberry. He had dropped plenty of hints that he wouldn't be short of company.
"You wouldn't enjoy it. Not your cup of tea." He abruptly answered as he tried to get away.
"Give my love to Rose." Liz said slyly, shaking Emmet to the core. She laughed at his guilty complexion.
"Rose? Who's Rose?" He stammered, going redder by the minute.
"Rose as in Hyacinth's sister. I take it she's the one who's going with you."
"Why should I be taking her anywhere?"
"Oh come off it Emmet. I saw the looks you were giving each other at Sheridan's birthday party. Then you both disappeared."
"That's utterly preposterous Liz. Are you feeling alright?" He said interrupting her.
"Okay then, explain to me this, why when Rose came back to the party she was missing a fingernail?" His sister probed.
"How should I know?" He stifled a nervous laugh.
"A fingernail matching the one I found on this very carpet when vacuuming the next day?"
The pressure was too much for Emmet, like his sister he could very easily crack under pressure.
"Alright Sherlock, you win. Yes it's Rose who's coming with me. Happy now?"
Liz smiled smugly. "So how long has it been going on? I take it Hyacinth doesn't know?"
"It, whatever it is. And its not anything serious, just a bit of fun which been going on for only a few months. No, of course her ladyship next door doesn't bloody know. And I'd like to keep it that way. There's nothing to know it's just casual sex every now and again."
"Well as long as you are careful and know what you are doing. Rose has been around. And just how many times have you been at it in my living room?"
"Only the once. We usually do it in Rose's living room." He replied, rather too smugly for his sister's liking. "Anyway I'm going now." He said grabbing his holdall and storming out of the room.
"Have fun and be safe!" His sister call out before he slammed the door behind him.
The local train station wasn't too busy for an early Friday afternoon. Emmet stood by the entrance hoping Rose hadn't already arrived and was waiting on the platform. His heart began to flutter when she finally sashayed towards him, her oversized leopard print suitcase in tow. Which matched her skirt.
"You're cutting it a bit fine, the train should be here soon. And how much stuff do you need for one night?"
"Well I didn't know what to wear. So I brought a few outfits and thought I could model them for you." She winked. "C'mon we will miss the train."
Two and a bit hours later they alighted at Manchester Picadilly. The journey surprised Emmet, he didn't think they would have much to chat about but Rose surprised him with various anecdotes of her week. She had also impressed him with how she could solve the crossword clues in his paper better than he could, even if her spellingleft a lot to be desired. "Onslow always has the Open University or quiz shows on. You can't help but pick a few facts up, here and there." Was her reasoning for being able to do crosswords so well.
The hotel looked rather grand from the outside. Nestled between boutique shops and restaurants, just off the main shopping quarter. As Emmet proceeded to go inside Rose asked, "have you stopped here before?"
"No why?" Emmet asked as he helped Rose with her suitcase up the steps.
"I'll wangle us a free upgrade, just follow my lead when you check us in." Emmet was intrigued as she took off the signet ring that was on her right thumb. She took his hand and put her ring on his wedding finger with force, making sure it was back to front. Then she moved the gold band from her index finger and put it on her corresponding finger.
As they reached the front desk Rose looked around. It was as grand as the exterior. The bar was classy and the whole lobby was head to toe in white marble and gold fittings. A hotel Hyacinth would be proud to stay in, Rose thought.
"Hello, one night booked under Hawksworth." Emmet said, handing his reservation note to the animated receptionist.
"Oh, what a beautiful hotel you have." Rose said enthusiastically to the girl behind the counter. "Usually my husband brings me to fairly basic places. But this is magnificent. I have to say as far as wedding anniversary surprises go, this is a splendid."
Emmet could see what she was doing and decided to join in. "Only the best for you, darling, especially for putting up with me after all this time." He smiled, kissing her on the cheek.
"Congratulations! How long have you been married?" The redhead at the desk asked.
Emmet panicked, he let Rose take the lead on this one.
"Twenty years to the day. Twenty years and two children later and we are happier than ever." She smirked. Emmet worried she was pushing it too far.
"Aww, I hope I can be as happy as you two when I get to your age. I'm not sure my bloke wants to settle down."
Three girl looked around and lowered her voice. "Listen, I'm not meant to do this but the bridal suite is free tonight, I'll upgrade you, completely free of charge, just don't tell my boss."
"Oh that's very kind of you."
"Not at all Mrs Hawksworth, if you and your husband could just fill in the booking forms I'll see to your upgrade."
Emmet waited for the receptionist to disappear into the back office before whispering to his new 'wife,' "you've done that before."
Just as Rose was about to say she had many times, the redhead told them their room wasn't quite ready but a complimentary drinks would be available for them at the bar. The porter would also take their luggage up.
Emmet began to think these few days had the potential to be rather remarkable.
A short while later Emmet and Rose were escorted to their room by the young porter. Emmet was impressed with the upgrade Rose had managed to get them.
"Wow this is a beautiful room. There's even two complimentary bottles of champagne." Emmet said as Rose took the selection of dresses out of her suitcase and hung them up in the wardrobe.
"One for now, one for later." She smiled, "what time is your recital?"
"It starts at half past eight. But I've to be there for around half seven."
"Ooh lovely, plenty of time to have a bit of fun before we get ready." She replied popping the champagne cork and poring them a glass.
"I hope you don't mind, I've booked us a table at an Italian restaurant near to the concert hall for six."
"Ooh Emmet that sounds lovely."
Emmet and Rose enjoyed a few glasses of champagne and took advantage of the double shower before getting ready for dinner. Emmet was worried they wouldn't make their reservation as Rose took a while getting ready. She had selected a figure hugging black dress with silver embellishments on the neck and hemlines. The hem in question only just skimmed the bottom of knees.
The pair enjoyed a pleasant meal, Emmet opted for the pasta carbonara and Rose plumped for her usual restaurant order, chicken salad.
"It's a shame you've got to go and play the piano, all this soft candlelight really gets me in the mood." Rose smirked. Emmet too thought it was a shame he had to perform. He would have much preferred to have gone back to the hotel to ravish Rose.
Once at the concert hall Rose stayed behind Emmet, she wasn't used to this type of venue and she didn't want to show him up.
"Ah Mr Hawksworth," a chap in an evening suit said as he made his way towards Emmet. "You found us alright then."
"Yes, you must be Mr Tate. Pleased to meet you." He held out his hand and man shook it.
"Please, call me George." He looked at Rose and smiled. "And you must be Mrs Hawksworth, delighted to meet you." He said clocking the gold band that was still on her ring finger.
Rose looked at Emmet, who wanted the ground to swallow him up. He hoped Rose wasn't going to ruin this.
"Pleased to meet you." She said sweetly, allowing Mr Tate to kiss her on the cheek.
Emmet was escorted backstage and Rose headed to the bar. It was fair to say she wasn't looking forward to the recital. She didn't care much for classical music. In fact it bored her rigid. She was more into pop music. Something with a beat you could lose yourself to.
After a couple of gin and tonics she took her seat in the auditorium. She felt embarrassed when Mr Tate escorted her to the front row and started talking to her about classical music about how she must be proud of her husband.
She smiled when Emmet took to the stage. He felt significantly more nervous when he clocked her. He knew this wouldn't be her thing but for some reason it made him more determined to impress her.
Before too long Rose became lost in the music. It consumed her in a way music never had before. She began to understand it, the story. She felt every emotion in every note. She was brought back to reality suddenly when George tapped her on the arm and whispered how talented Emmet was. It was then she realised she had been crying.
When Emmet finished playing he received a standing ovation. He was pleased with himself. He already knew it had gone well but it wasn't until he saw Rose he knew had won even his harshest critics over.
Rose held back on congratulating him as a crowd had gathered around him. When she finally got Emmet to herself she wrapped herself tightly around him. "Are you always that good?"
"Well yes, as a matter of fact." He said rather too smugly for Rose's liking.
"Are you always this big headed? It doesn't suit you." She said taking his arm as they headed towards the bar.
The next morning the couple enjoyed a leisurely morning, enjoying breakfast in bed and each other.
"I've really enjoyed this trip, Rose." Emmet said as he helped his companion with the zip on her short floral dress.
"Me too Emmet, I have to say when you asked me to accompany you to your recital I wasn't sure. Classical music isn't really my thing."
"Have I converted you?"
"Not completely, though I have a soft spot for you and your playing." She said with a wry smile.
"Glad to hear it. I must say you've made the experience very enjoyable. We will have to try and get away together again."
Rose's blue eyes lit up, she had a brainwave. Wrapping herself around him she smiled. "What would you say if I told I could get access to a cosy little property owned by my sister?"
"No! Not there. Never again!" Emmet shouted pushing Rose away. Terrible, repressed memories came flooding back."
"Sorry I'm sure, I didn't know you'd been to our Violet's cottage. What's wrong with it anyway?" She asked, bemused at his sudden outburst.
Emmet sighed with relief, his heart rate returned to normal. "Sorry I thought you meant that dolls house of Hyacinth's."
Rose giggled, "God no, wild horses couldn't drag me back there. What a disaster that was. No, they sold the flat as they couldn't change the mortgage to rent it out. Richard wasn't happy as they lost a of money on it as no one wants to live in a shoe box."
"I'm not surprised. It ended up being one of Hyacinth's expensive mistakes then." He chuckled with satisfaction. He did love a Hyacinth downfall. "Liz and I were meant to go to your sister's cottage when Richard and Hyacinth were there for a weekend but Richard rang to say Hyacinth was unwell.
It was Rose's turn to chuckle. "She was unwell because she got sloshed with the Lord and Lady of the Manor house. She invited Father round and when we got there they were legless. So what do you say? Do you fancy it? A dirty weekend in the country?"
"Yes it would be rather fun, though neither of us have a car and I'm not sure Liz would lend me her car. I don't want her getting the wrong idea about us. She's already suspicious."
"What, she knows about us?"
"She worked it out?" Emmet confessed.
"How?"
"She found a false nail in the lounge, she also noticed at Sheridan's party you had lost one. She put two and two together," he explained.
"That blasted nail, that's how our Sheridan sussed us out."
"What he knows?! Ye gods! Hyacinth's bound to find out!" He shrieked.
"Emmet, calm down. Just listen to yourself. Anyway, don't worry about Sheridan. He's enough troubles of his own. He won't say anything as he wants a favour off me."
"What kind of favour?"
"He wants me and Richard to vet his new boyfriend before he tells our Hyacinth he's gay."
"Oh, best of luck. Hyacinth might not take that too well."
"That's what worries me. Please don't say anything."
"Don't worry, I don't say anything to her unless I have to."
"It's the best way, sometimes. Anyway, are you up for a whole weekend in the country with me or not?"
"Well yes of course, but like I said neither of us has a car."
"Don't worry, I'll bung Onslow a few cans of ale and a packet of fags and I'm sure he will let me borrow the car."