The Photograph

Struggled a little with this, the muse kept trying to get in on it. Original idea came from listening (again!) to Nickelback's 'Photograph' Was stuck for an ending, but sorted that, then couldn't think how to get to it. May need some more work on it.



I found it hidden away in the bottom of a drawer, a twenty-year old photograph of me and Jessica hugging and smiling. She’d been wearing her one-piece swimsuit, conservative in comparison to what the other girls had worn, but to me it had given her additional mystique. I just had to sit as I stared at it. What had happened to us? Not that we had ever really been boyfriend and girlfriend, but when she was gone I finally realised that I’d fallen in love with her and that now it was too late. I wiped a tear from my eye and continued to stare.
The photograph had been taken when eight of us seventeen-year olds had gone on a caravan holiday at Easter. By the end of the summer Jess was gone, but just looking at that picture of us with our arms wrapped around each other brought memories of that week rushing back. I was one of the few to have passed my driving test and have access to a car. I suspect that was why I was invited and I’d asked Jess if she wanted to come too. We took two cars down to the holiday site. The other six were all steady couples and it made the sleeping arrangements difficult for me and Jessie until I decided to sleep in the car and let her have the final space to herself. I was never sure whether she was disappointed or relieved by this. The eight of us had a great time, out on our own for the first time. It was a week long party of fun. John, the other driver in the group had taken the photo of me and Jess on our last day, just as we were packing everything up. He’d given it to me when Jessica had disappeared from our school lives that autumn. For months I’d carried it around with me until I realised it was hindering my attempts to get on with a normal life. So I stashed it away in the drawer and tried to forget Jess.
I looked down again and saw her happy face and was determined to find out where she was, where she had gone. Our best guess at school was that her parents had moved away and she had gone with them, but there had been no sign of this when the summer holidays had begun, the first we knew about it was when she didn’t come back for the last year. I scanned the picture and posted it on Flickr under the title ‘Jessica, where are you?’ with a comment underneath asking everyone for any information. I did the same on Facebook. I also got in touch with some of my old friends to ask if they had heard anything of her. Then I had to wait.
It was a long wait too. I had to fend off several cranks pretending they were Jessie, but none of them knew the right answer to the question ‘where was the picture taken?’ It may have been possible that she wouldn’t know that, having seen it only briefly, but I felt she’d know. After two months the picture had many, many views and nearly as many comments, but nothing from the person I wanted to see it. And then one evening after I’d started to give up hope I got a friend invitation on Facebook from a ‘Jessica’. I checked that it was real. It seemed to be from her so I accepted. I also sent her an e-mail, asking if she really was the Jessie in the picture. Then I waited again. ‘Kashmir’ was playing on the radio when the reply came. All it said was ‘Now do you believe it’s me?’ Attached was an almost identical photo.
We exchanged e-mails for a few days. I skirted around the questions I really wanted ask and just asked safe questions about how she was and where she was. Her replies were always friendly and any questions she asked were in the same style as mine. It turned out she was living about an hours drive away, in a town I’d passed through quite a bit, but didn’t know particularly well. After a week of pussyfooting around I asked if we could meet, expecting the answer ‘no’. I was more than a little surprised in that case when she said of course. I thought a neutral venue might be best, so suggested a pub called ‘The Black Buck’ about halfway between us. Another quick agreement and a time was arranged, and a recognition signal in case we’d both changed too much.
On the way over I thought about the fun times we had had together. Not just me and Jess, but our whole clique. We must have been the worst set of prefects the school had ever had, breaking more rules than the rest of the school put together. As I got closer to the ‘Buck’ I began to get vague pangs of worry, but tried to put them from my mind as I swung into the car park.
I paused at the door to the pub, suddenly unsure that this was the right thing to do. Maybe it would be better to remember Jessica as she was, or as I thought she was, rather than build this up as a grand reunion and find out my memories were totally at odds with a girl I hadn’t seen for twenty years. I took my hand from the door. Suddenly there was a fondly remembered voice behind me.
“Second thoughts, huh?” I span around and was greeted by the dazzling smile from the photograph. I grinned back.
“Sort of. Too late now though.” I held out my hand. “It’s good to see you again Jess.” She shook my hand, an amused look on her face and then pulled me close and hugged me.
“It’s good to see you too Dave. It’s been too long.”
“It has Jess, it has.” I pushed the door open “C’mon, I’ll get the drinks in.”
“I just need to check they’re holding my room for me, and then I’ll be in. Get me a Tia Maria and coke?”
“Of course. I wish I’d thought about getting a room too. Just have to hold off on the alcohol I suppose.”
“Oh, you can share the room if you like. I’m sure they won’t mind.” I had a flashback to the caravan. Jessie saw the look cross my face. “You don’t have to if you’re worried what people think you know.” She smiled that smile again, more knowing now. I grinned back.
“I think we’re both grown up enough now to handle it. Thanks Jess. But I sleep on the couch if that’s okay?”
“Sure Dave, if that’s what you want. The room may not have a couch of course.” She gave a wicked grin and went to find out about her reservation. My head spinning slightly with the suddenness of everything, I went and got the drinks in.
As we sat sipping our drinks we began to reminisce about our days at school together, the things we did either as a pair or part of a larger group. The jokes we had played or seen, the mishaps, the teachers we played up. The time passed swiftly and so did the drinks. I went to stand as the bar was closing and found my legs belonged to someone else. Jessica caught me before I fell and led me to what was our room. I couldn’t understand it, my brain was functioning normally, but the rest of me was on holiday. And Jess had drunk as much as me, but she didn’t seem to be affected. She opened the door and sat me down on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry Jessie; I seem to have got carried away with the drinking.” I was really upset that I may be ruining our reunion.
“It isn’t the first time I’ve carried you to bed.” She said soothingly.
“It isn’t? I don’t remember being this bad with you before.”
“The Christmas we were seventeen? Leaving school at dinnertime and not going home until six o’clock? I got you home that day, and without your mom finding out.”
“You did? I don’t recall…”
“Of course you don’t. You barely remembered your own name, let alone mine, kept calling me Belinda, very disconcerting for a girl.”
“I apologise extremely belatedly.” My mind began to wander, but still connected to my mouth unfortunately. “Belinda? Belinda? I wonder… I know! Belinda Carlisle! I had a crush on her back then.”
“I didn’t really want to know that.”
“Sorry.” Suddenly I began to feel really queasy. My hand went to my mouth and I stood and began to stagger in the direction I hoped the bathroom was.
It was embarrassing, throwing up like that in front of somebody I hadn’t seen for twenty years. I felt so foolish, and really, really ill. Jessica seemed to just take it in her stride, as if happened all the time. She turned the shower on and told me to get under it, leaving me to it. I struggled out of my clothes and sat beneath the stream of hot water. It didn’t do much for the thumping in my head, but it did make me feel less queasy and I didn’t get the whirling pits when I closed my eyes.
It must have been more relaxing than I thought. I awoke with a start as daylight was creeping through the window. I held my head and struggled to sit up. I was in the bed. Guiltily I looked around me; there was no sign of where Jessica had slept. I slid out from the sheets and had another shock; I was naked! And the only one who could have moved me from the shower was Jess. Hurriedly I pulled on my boxers and trousers, wondering where a:) my shirt was: And b:) where Jessie was. Had she been forced to sleep in the armchair? Or had she slept in the bed beside me? I was going to feel guilty whichever it was. I was looking for my socks and shoes when Jess came into the room with my shirt.
“You’re awake then? Good. I’ve managed to get your shirt cleaned and dried.” She said, handing me the garment. I took it and began to put it on.
“Jessie, I’m so sorry. I’ve been nothing but a problem for you all night.”
“Calm down Dave. It wasn’t the first time I’ve put someone to bed, I got a lot of experience of that while I was in the RAF.”
“But I took your bed and everything.” I paused. “You joined the RAF?”
“Ten years.” She said proudly.
“There is so much about you I don’t know anymore. I should have asked you all those things before I met you again.”
“Dave, you haven’t changed a bit. You still worry about so many inconsequential things.” She smiled. The word ‘inconsequential’ made me look from the bathroom to the bed for some reason. Jessica saw the glance and laughed. “Yes, I put you in the bed. As I said, it wasn’t the first time.”
“But… but, I was… you saw…” I spluttered, going a deep red. She was still grinning.
“If you must know, I didn’t look.” I managed to calm down. I looked at Jessica and realised I was still hung up on her. I had to do something.
“Jess. Can we talk? There’s a couple of things I need to say, and maybe a question I need to ask.”
“We spent most of last night talking didn’t we?”
“I suppose, but that was just chatting really. Please Jessie, this is important to me I promise.”
“All right.” She said with a shrug. “Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s a lovely day and you look like you could do with some fresh air still.”
She waited for some minutes as we walked, while I was trying to sort out how to say what I wanted to say without seeming crass or bluff, until the silence became too much. “So, what was it you wanted to say?” Here goes nothing, I thought.
“The first thing is, I’m sorry about the caravan holiday, I didn’t think it through.”
“Why are you sorry? It was fun wasn’t it?
“It was great fun, but I should have realised that the others would all pair off, leaving you with me. I hoped that it would be boys and girls bunking separately, but I know your shyness made you embarrassed when it happened the other way.”
“I was embarrassed to start with, but I was kind of hoping that we’d end up together.”
“You were?” It was a bit of a shock to hear that. “And I thought I was doing the right thing for you. I’m truly sorry Jess, but why didn’t you say something?”
“Because you were right, I was shy. And so were you.”
“Yes. Yes I was. It looks like I made a right mess of that too. I’m really, really sorry.”
“You don’t have to keep apologizing; we both could have done things differently.” She smiled. “In any case, maybe it was all for the best. After all, we both kept an image of a perfect partner in our heads for twenty years didn’t we?” I nodded.
“I suppose.” I replied slowly. The phrase ‘perfect partner’ was bouncing round in my head.
“Was that all you wanted to say? You mentioned a question.”
“Yes, yes I did.” I held her hand, wondering how to put it. “What happened that summer Jessie? You just vanished without a word.” Now Jessica looked away.
“Oh, that.” She turned back around and took my other hand. “Well, my gran had been ill for some time and dad decided we needed to move closer. It was all a bit of a rush, and some things got forgotten.”
“I can see that, but why couldn’t you just come and say goodbye? You knew where I lived; it was only twenty minutes walk.” Jess hung her head.
“My turn to say sorry.” She looked away and then lifted her face to me. There were tears forming in her eyes. “I’d managed to convince myself that you didn’t like me, what with the caravan holiday and everything, so I thought a clean break would be best for both of us. But I never stopped thinking about you.”
“Jessie, why would I have asked you to come with me if I didn’t like you? To make up the numbers?”
“I know, I know.” She almost wailed. “I was just confused I suppose. I’d never been in love before.” The words hit me like a hammer blow. I hugged her as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
“Oh Jess, Jessie. What have we done? Between us we seemed to have screwed up a budding romance.”
“Do you think we could try again?” She asked, looking up with reddened eyes. I held her closer, hugging her tightly.
“Of course we can.” I smiled down at her. “It wasn’t until I’d lost you that I realised that I loved you. Something else I’m sorry for.” Jessie giggled through her tears.
“We seem to have spent most of the past day apologizing for one thing or another don’t we?” I laughed too.
“We do.” I led her back towards the ‘Buck’. “What do you think we should do now?” She shook herself, and a thoughtful look crossed her pretty face.
“Well, are you busy the rest of the day?”
“Not especially, no. Why?”
“I’ve got something I’d like you to see. Can you follow me back to my studio?”
“Your studio? Are you some sort of artist then?”
“I’d like to think so.” She smiled. “I’m a photographer. Mainly portraits, family groups and weddings. And I like to think my pictures are fairly artistic.”
“I know what you mean.” I said. “I take pictures too, not professionally, just for pleasure, planes and cars mainly.”
“What do you do for a job now? I never thought to ask.” I shuffled my feet and looked down embarrassedly.
“I’m ashamed to say that I’m a bin man for the local council.”
“That’s not a job I’d have connected you with, but why are you ashamed?”
“Because I know I could have done better. With you gone I couldn’t be bothered at school, and messed up my exams. I bummed around for a year and then got a job as a ‘temporary general operative’.” I shrugged. “I found I enjoyed working outside, and I was good at it. Eventually they made me a RCV driver.” I saw the look on Jessica’s face. “Yes, I’m one of those who, once a week, get in your way when you’re in a hurry.” By now we were back at the pub. “Look, let’s get our things, and I’ll follow you wherever you want to go. Something I should have done twenty years ago.” Jessica nodded and went to collect her bag. I went and paid off our bills and then waited for her by the door.
“Which car is yours?” She asked when she came out. I pointed at my Range Rover. “Nice. Mine’s this one.” She walked over to an Escort Cosworth that I had been admiring.
“Very nice.” I said.
“It suits me.” She got in and turned the engine over. It was a sweet sound. Then I heard the music on the stereo. It was Led Zeppelin IV.
“That’s amazing.” I gasped out. “I was listening to that too.”
“It was you that started me listening to this music back then.” She smiled up at me. “Come on, get into your monster and follow me.”
We pulled up at the back of a row of shops. Jess slipped into a parking space that was obviously hers. Unsure where to park, I waited until she indicated the space next to her. She led me into her studio. It was light and airy and full of camera equipment. I couldn’t help but look at some of it enviously. Jessie noticed my interest. “What camera have you got?” She asked.
“Nikon D50, and a Tamron zoom.” I swept my hand around. “Nothing as grand as this, but it does what I want mostly.”
“I started all this with a Nikon, they’re a good camera.” She turned back around and headed for a door. “Coffee?”
“That would be nice.”
“Through here.” She said, motioning towards the door. “It’s a little utility room where I keep some of my stuff that I don’t have room for upstairs.”
“Upstairs?”
“I live over the shop. It’s a bit small I suppose, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, but it suffices.” I followed her into the utility room and sat on a stool she indicated. Looking around I could see several boxes of bits and pieces that looked like they had been recently disturbed. “Sugar?” Jess asked suddenly.
“What!?”
“Do you take sugar?”
“Oh! Yes, yes. Two please. I’m sorry, I was thinking of something else.” I was blushing, and I knew it. Jessica looked at me and smiled.
“You still worry too much, and at your age too.”
“Can’t help it I suppose. You said you had something to show me?”
“Yes. There on top of the scanner.” She pointed at a pile of pictures. I picked them up and began to look through them. There were more than ten of them, mostly from the caravan holiday, a couple from the school trip later in the year and some from our last days in that final term together. But I was in all of them, mainly with Jess, a couple of times on my own. I looked up as Jessica handed me a mug.
“Jess…” I began falteringly. “Jessie, where did you get these?”
“Oh, I either took them or asked someone to take them with my camera. It was only an Instamatic back then though.”
“But why? If I was that important to you, why didn’t you say?” I was at a loss.
“Because… Because I was shy. And if I didn’t ask, you couldn’t reject me.” She looked down, her eyes tearful once more. “It was stupid, I know.”
“No, no it wasn’t stupid.” I stopped and thought. “Well actually it was pretty daft because…”
“Why?”
“Because that’s the exact rationalisation that I used.” I tried to grin, but couldn’t. “We really screwed up Jessica. If one of us had got the courage up to say something, we could have been together.”
“We wasted twenty years then?” A watery smile spread over her face.
“I suppose.” A grin broke through onto my face, and then I began to laugh. Jessie giggled and then began to laugh too. I stood up and held her close, hugging her to me to make up for twenty years of wondering. “I think we’ll have to do better this time.” I said as we pulled apart reluctantly.
“We will. And the first thing we need is a new picture.”
“How are we going to do that? We’re the only ones here.”
“Dave, out there is my photographic studio.” She grinned. “I have all sorts of gadgets for taking pictures remotely. Come on.” She led me by the hand back through the door.
I sat in the middle of the studio as Jessie set up the camera, the lights, and the remote shutter, marvelling at all the attention to detail. All I’d ever done to take a picture was point and shoot! I asked her what she was doing next weekend. “Nothing I can’t cancel.” She replied.
“Want to come to a car meet with me?”
“Sure. Shall I bring a camera?”
“That’s up to you, I’ll be taking mine though.”
“I might do then, but I reckon you just want to borrow my big zoom lens.” She said mischievously.
“Jessie! As if.” She laughed.
“Only kidding Dave. Of course you can borrow it.” Finally she was ready and came to sit next to me.
“How shall we pose?” I asked.
“How about recreating the picture you posted.”
“Well there’s no caravan, but…”
“Idiot!” She laughed, kissing me. “Smile.”

Summer Rain (Complete)

No apologies for posting this all in one. There may be minor discrepencies from the individual parts, but thats because I re-read and edit and sometimes don't update both versions.

Summer Rain

(A romance in several parts)

When Kitty Met Eddie


She was always there at the same time. Surely it was a coincidence? Eddie Harrison had always thought so, until one of his workmates had said; “She fancies you.” For heavens sake, she was at least ten years younger than him. But her face kept appearing when his mind began to wander.
He smiled at her through the lightly falling rain; she smiled back, flicking her wet hair from her face. It was a wonderful smile, lighting up her face, making her eyes sparkle mischievously. She wasn’t a Kathleen Turner except... Hadn’t Kathleen Turner spent a good part of ‘Romancing The Stone’ looking somewhat bedraggled?
He watched as she delivered her papers. Was it him, or did she appear to hang back, to refrain from rushing, when he was in the same close? She really was quite pretty, he decided. She would probably look even better if it wasn’t raining. If only she wasn’t so much younger than him, still only a schoolgirl.
The close was finished now, cleared of refuse. With one last joke, a cheery wave and then a wistful smile, he moved on.

He was gone again. Would he ever speak to her without making a joke or some glib remark about the weather? Kitty Summers shrugged and carried on with her paper round. He was sort of nice though. Maybe a bit overweight, but not really fat or anything. He tried to sound all tough and macho, but his smile betrayed his soft heart. She shook her head and sighed. “Be sensible girl, he must be nearly twice your age and have a string of girlfriends. Why should he even look twice at you?” She spoke to herself. “And anyway, how can you have a crush on someone whose name you don’t even know?” Then a thought struck her. Wasn’t his name on the back of that jacket he always seemed to be wearing? She’d better get here on time next week and take a good long look.

On Fridays they usually managed to finish early. Often Eddie would rush home, get changed and head off for the city centre. This Friday, he didn’t. For some reason he felt he wanted to see her again. He had come to the local centre nearest the school on the pretext of paying some bills, hoping she’d see him. As soon as he arrived however, his nerve failed him, and he headed for the local shops to pay the bills. He was momentarily surprised to find quite a number of school kids about until he realised that it must be their dinner hour and that no-one stayed in school for that. After buying a soft drink, he sat outside to drink it.
Suddenly he saw her, in the middle of a group of her friends. It was the first time he’d seen her without her damp anorak. Resplendent in her school uniform she looked divine. There may be prettier girls in the world but he’d fallen for this one. She caught him staring at her, so he looked away, embarrassed.

When Kitty saw him outside the shops she was more than a little surprised. And when she realised he was staring at her, she blushed. On an impulse, and ignoring the astonished looks from her friends, she walked over to where he was seated and sat behind him. She tapped him on the shoulder and said “Hello.” He jumped slightly, and then recovering, returned her greeting with a smile. Now What? She thought to herself. All her friends had moved away, so she felt a little emboldened.
“Were you looking for me?” She asked.
“Actually, I suppose I was.” He mumbled, looking at his feet in embarrassment.
“I’m glad.” She breathed, almost inaudibly.
“You are?” Eddie looked up. “That makes this a lot easier.”
“What?”
“Could I possibly take you out somewhere tonight? The cinema or ...or somewhere?” He trailed off, his mind suddenly devoid of possibilities.
“I’d love to go with you.” She answered excitedly. “Will you meet me here at, say seven?”
“All right.” They both rose. She saw her friends leaving a shop and started over to join them. “At seven then.” He said.
“Seven.” She nodded. As she moved away she heard him call out.
“By the way, what is your name again?”

Kitty was early she knew, but anxiety was troubling her. Had he really meant it? She would wait and see, at least until eight. She checked her watch, it was 6.47. As she turned the corner to the centre she spotted him, pacing up and down outside the newsagents. Stopping for a moment, she suddenly realised he was as worried as she was. Neither of them could believe it was really happening.
“Hi!” She called out. “I wasn’t sure that you meant it.” Eddie turned around, a grin brightening his face when he saw her.
“I couldn’t lie to you, or stand you up.” A frown clouded his expression. “Even though I’m not sure I should be doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“Going out with someone so much younger.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’m not.”
“I’ll try.” He clasped her hand in his. “C’mon, we’ve a bus to catch.”
They sat together on the bus, shyly holding hands, making small talk. Inoffensive things like the effect of wet weather on their respective jobs, favourite music, what made them laugh. She found that although their musical tastes differed a little, the two of them shared the same bizarre sense of humour, and that he could make her giggle with ease.

He couldn’t believe that they were getting on so well. Kitty liked a joke as much as him, and her laugh... Well her laugh was a beautiful girlish laugh that tinkled gently. He’d missed most of the film because he could not take his eyes off her. She didn’t have the blinding beauty of some, but she had a spark he’d never seen in any other girl. It must have been this recognition which had prompted him to blurt out his invitation.
About halfway through the feature she looked around at him.
“Why are you sitting so far away? I won’t bite you.” A mischievous grin rose across her face. “Unless you want me to.”
A pained look creased Eddie’s features. “Don’t say things like that, it makes me nervous.”
“Oh, come on. Hold hands.” She grabbed his hand and clamped it firmly to the armrest, still grinning.
“Okay, okay.” He laughed. “Why should I worry?" He freed his hand and put it around her shoulder, pulling her closer. “You really are something special you know?”

After the film and a visit to the chip shop they caught the bus back. When they got off, he turned to her and asked “walk you home?” Kitty blinked in surprise.
“You mean it? Right to the door and everything?”
“I’ll take you as far as you want.” Eddie said, looking her straight in the eyes.
“Just to the end of the close for now, I think.” She took his hand once more. They walked quietly. “You don’t live around here do you?” She asked suddenly.
“No. I live on the other side of town.”
“Got a telephone?”
“No. You?”
“Yes. Want the number?”
“Yes, I rather think I’d like that.” She produced a scrap of paper from her coat and scribbled some figures on it then handed it to him. He carefully folded it away, and then took her hand again.
She stopped at the end of a road. “We’re here.” She looked into his eyes. They sparkled in the moonlight, full of concern. “And don’t worry.” As Kitty spoke she pecked him on the cheek. He started in surprise, then gently held her head between his hands and softly kissed her on the lips. She kissed back. Then, pulling away, she waved. “See you then.”
“Same time and place tomorrow?” He asked.
“Yes please. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, gorgeous.”

His feet didn’t touch the ground as he made his way back to the bus stop. Now he knew he was dreaming. Kisses just didn’t feel that good.

She ran through the back door and up the stairs, calling out goodnight to her mother, quickly getting ready for bed. As she lay back on her pillow she ran the events of the evening through her mind. He really was a nice guy, and very thoughtful. None of her other dates had walked her all the way home without trying to kiss her. And the look on his face when she’d kissed him. She smiled. Then he’d kissed her properly, and the world had seemed to stop for a moment. She closed her eyes and snuggled beneath the bedclothes, still smiling.

They were both early again. This was their third date. Eddie smiled as Kitty once more pecked him on the cheek.
“Where to tonight?” He asked.
“How should I know, you’re taking me out, remember?”
“Touché milady.” He bowed, smiling. “How would you like a meal?”
“The chip shop again.”
“You wound me; I do have a little class. Have you ever been to “L’Chateau”?”
“No, that would be lovely. Isn’t it a long way to go by bus though?”
“Yes it is. We however are not going by bus.” He beckoned Kitty to follow him. “I have a little surprise for you.” He led her into the car park and pointed to his new motorbike. Well, maybe not so new, but new to him.
“We’re going on this?” She gasped. “But I don’t have a helmet!” He produced two from behind the bike. “I’m not dressed for it.”
“Don’t fuss. You can wear my jacket, it should keep you warm.” With a shrug she took the proffered jacket and helmet and pulled them on. “Hold tight around my waist.” He paused. “I meant when we’d got onto the bike.”
“Sorry, just a little joke.”
“And only just. Are you ready? Then let’s hit the road.” The bike started first time. Eddie breathed a silent prayer of thanks, snapped down his visor and let out the clutch.

Kitty glanced nervously around the restaurant, hoping that she wasn’t doing anything glaringly wrong. As she looked back across the table she saw Eddie was watching her.
“Don’t worry.” He said, reaching over and holding her hand. “No-one cares about us. Just don’t drop anything.” He smiled that smile. “Or slurp your drink.” He added.
“Okay.” She grinned back. “You’re in charge.”
“I’m glad you realise that owwww!!” He said, as she rapped him over the knuckles with her fork. As the meal progressed her mind kept wandering back to the bike ride. At first she had been terrified. Of crashing, of falling off, of the wind blowing her skirt up. When none of these things had happened immediately, she had relaxed and begun to enjoy the experience.
“What are you smirking at?” His question made her start. She looked up guiltily.
“I was just thinking of the ride over, it was more fun than I thought it would be.”
“It was, wasn’t it?” This reply puzzled her a little. He made it sound as if he’d never been on a motorcycle before. Still, she wouldn’t pry.

The ride home was even better than before, as she could better appreciate the feel of the wind in her face. Back in the car park, he turned off the engine and the silence was almost deafening. She hopped off the back as he put the stand down.

Eddie pulled off his helmet, and then turned to look at Kitty. She released her hair from its temporary prison and shook her head joyously. She had never looked better. This time he pulled her close and initiated the kiss. Still she didn’t pull away, as he feared she might, but instead responded strongly. For a long, long moment they stood, arms around each other in a kiss neither wanted to end.
Eventually they had to pull apart to take a breath.
“Wow!” She said. “Why didn’t you do that before?”
“I have to work up to those things. Anyway, isn’t it time you were at home young lady?”
“You sound just like my dad.”
“Please don’t say things like that.”
“Sorry.” She smiled. “What are we doing tomorrow?”
“Depending on the weather, I thought we might go for a spin in the country.”
“Sounds great. Where and when?”
“Here at two?”
“Two o’clock it is. See you tomorrow then.”
“Right. G’night legs.” She smiled and walked off with an exaggerated swing of the hips. He watched her go, and then sat astride the bike, a worried frown creasing his face. This was getting more serious than was comfortable, and her words about her dad were causing him to worry again.

Three weeks and nine dates into the relationship and they agreed to go out for the day together. In the end they spent most of the afternoon walking around the hills, laughing and joking. The wind started to rise, so they sat in the lee of a clump of trees. Looking at Eddie, Kitty saw the worried look cross his face again.
“You’ve been thinking again, haven’t you? I wish you wouldn’t, it makes you really grumpy.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” He sighed. “Anyway, I’m afraid I’ve come to a decision.”
Kitty looked away, a heavy feeling suddenly clutching at her heart.
“Go on. I think I can guess what you’re going to say.” The sky seemed to darken to match her mood. Eddie turned her round to face him and kissed away the salty tears that had started to form in her eyes.
“You’d be much better off with someone closer to your own age.” He shushed her as she started to protest. “I know that it sounds trite.” He sighed. “You must know I have deep feelings for you, but I think it would be best to stop now, before things get too involved, before one of us does something they’d regret.”
Kitty looked into Eddies eyes and saw that what he was saying was hurting him too.
“You may be right.” She said quietly. “We’re moving away soon in any case.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to smile. “Still, it was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it?”
“It was the best time I’ve ever had.” He gently put his arm around her. “Come on, I think it’s time we were going.”

The ride back was uneventful. He dropped her off at the usual spot.
“Well, this is it then.” Kitty said, her voice flat and emotionless. She took off the helmet and handed it over to him.
“Keep it.” Eddie said quietly. “I could never let anyone else wear it now. Keep it as a reminder of the best time I ever had.”
“Okay, not that I’ll need much reminding.” Now her voice was starting to quiver and he was afraid that he may be doing her more harm than good. He struggled to find something to say.
“Listen, you’ll find someone else, someone better for you.”
“You might be right.” She looked up. “One last kiss Eddie?” She asked, begging with her eyes. He was sorely tempted to give in, but slowly shook his head. “Perhaps not.” She looked to the ground. “Well I suppose this is goodbye then?” She turned and started to walk away.
“Goodbye princess. May the future treat you better than I have.” He whispered to himself. With a heavy heart he started the bike up and began to move slowly off. After a few hundred yards he stopped and turned to look back. She was doing the same. A brief spark deep in his soul screamed out and he almost turned the bike around, but cold reason forced him to grit his teeth. He looked back once more, but she was gone. With a sob he let the clutch in and rode off into the gathering dusk. What had he done?


Kitty Returns


It was funny, he mused, he hadn’t thought of her too often in the last year or so. For four long years he had wondered whether he’d done the right thing. It had affected, or infected, the few relationships he’d had since the evening they’d parted, the guilt. The brief fling with Mandy, the briefer one with Jean. Then he’d finally asked Rachel out. For the next six months they had been almost inseparable, and he’d almost forgotten The Girl With The Smile. Almost. Then had come the row and Rachel had left for America on her own. For the last few months he’d had little to do with women, and finally the memories had faded. Then this morning, riding to work on his motorbike, he’d realised Alex still had his spare helmet. He hadn’t been without one since...
He wondered what had become of her. Things had certainly improved for him. He had his own refuse crew now and had passed his HGV test, meaning he sometimes drove the dustcart. He hoped she had done equally well for herself.
As he entered the office he saw a smirk on the face of the refuse manager.
“What?” He said, suspiciously.
“Eddie, good to see you.”
“Just tell me what’s wrong.”
“We would like you to take a trainee reporter out with you today.” The smirk widened into a grin. “A lady reporter.”
“Oh thanks a bunch. Just what I need on a Friday.” He paused to think. “I suppose you’ve already got Alex to take the calendar down?” There was an answering nod. “And I’d better warn the others about their language.”
“That would be a good idea.” The manager glanced out of the window and continued. “That looks like her arriving now. What was her name again, it’s here somewhere?” He shuffled through some papers on his desk. “Oh yes. Katherine Summers.” The name hit Eddie like a hammer-blow, it couldn’t be!
“What name was that?”
“Katherine Summers.”
He heard a gentle tap on the door, then the door opening. The manager went on.
“Ah, Miss Summers, come in. This is Eddie Harrison, in charge of the crew you’ll be with today.”
Eddie turned around slowly.
“Hello Kitty.” He said. The polite smile on her face froze for a moment, and then spread into the huge grin he remembered so well.

She didn’t really expect him to still be working at the same job; he’d always seemed misplaced as a dustman. The most she was hoping for was that there might be someone who could put her in touch with him. She rapped lightly on the office door, and then went in. The refuse manager, who she had spoken to the day before, was talking to someone with their back to her.
“Ah, Miss Summers, come in. This is Eddie Harrison, in charge of the crew you’ll be with today.” At the mention of his name she faltered, her smile frozen. It wasn’t possible! He turned around to face her, smiling that same wry smile she’d dreamt about for so long. She felt herself grinning like a schoolgirl once again.
“Hello Kitty.” He said.
“Hello Eddie.” She replied. There was an awkward pause as they both tried to think of something to say. Finally she spoke. “So, you’re going to look after me for the day?”
“We shall endeavour to aid the press to the best of our meagre abilities.” He nodded his head in parody of a formal bow. The manager snorted.
“You definitely read too much Eddie; you’re starting to sound like a book. Go and get the rest of your rabble together while I have a few words with our charming guest.”
As he left the office she noticed the sharp glance he gave the manager and wondered what it was about, then her eyes caught his and she found she couldn’t break the contact until he’d left. When she looked back to the manager she found he had an inquiring look on his face.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise that there was any history between you. I can get another crew to take you out if you’d prefer?” She looked away from him.
“No, it’s perfectly all right, as long as Mr. Harrison has no objections.” She sighed. “The whole thing happened some years ago now.” She pulled her thoughts back together on the job in hand. “I will get to see how the whole crew works, won’t I, not just the dustcart?”
“Sure, I’ll have a word with Eddie. Just tell him what sort of thing you want.”
“Now I’m not so sure.” She muttered under her breath.

He hadn’t worked as fast for months, the refuse sacks went flying into the back, one after the other. The crew could barely keep ahead of him. Some force was driving him on. It was as if he had to keep her in view or he would lose her again. This sudden meeting had reawakened the feelings he had for her, feelings he thought long gone, but obviously they had merely been suppressed.
They came to the point where they had arranged to pick her up again. As he jumped out of the cab she flashed him a smile as she climbed in. Although he knew she was only talking with Alex he felt jealous. And all of the others had spent some part of the day with her. A sudden panic gripped him. Was she avoiding him? Perhaps she didn’t still feel the same way about him as he did for her? Maybe she hated him for breaking her heart? He stopped still, calming his racing thoughts. He remembered her smile in the office. She couldn’t hate him, not after a smile like that. Perhaps she was as unsure as he was. Then, a little more hopefully, maybe she was just doing her job?

It was easy for her to talk to the crew. They were all fairly young and new to the job; only the driver had been on this crew for more than a year, none of them would remember anything from five years ago. As she talked with Alex the driver she wasn’t that surprised to discover that Eddie liked to keep his crew the most efficient. When he’d taken over the charge-hand job, he’d also taken on the high standards of the man before.
She knew she would have to talk to him and she was getting a little nervous and kept glancing at him in the mirrors. It was all very well wanting to meet him again, but what if he didn’t still feel the same way about her? Or if he still felt that the age difference was too much? Was she just chasing an old memory? The driver looked over at her as once more she checked the mirrors. He sighed and put the handbrake on.
“Time for a shift change.” He said, and slipped out of the cab.

Eddie was a little surprised at the suggestion that he take over the driving; normally he almost had to pull Alex out of the cab to get behind the wheel. He shrugged his shoulders and then pulled himself into the driving seat. He looked across at Kitty. She looked as worried as he felt. He smiled at her.
“Hello princess. It’s been a long time.”
“Hello Eddie. It has, hasn’t it?" Impulsively he reached out and caught her hand, pulling her towards him. They kissed. It seemed to last forever. A buzzing sound filled his ears, then he realised it was Alex wanting to move to the next pile of sacks. She pulled back, blushing.
“I’m sorry.” He said with embarrassment, as he moved the vehicle forward.
“Don’t be. I’ve waited a long time to see you again.”
“You have?” He was genuinely surprised. “Maybe it’ll be easier to talk about it later. Can I take you out tonight? Get a bite to eat perhaps?”
“The Chippie again?” She grinned.
“If you like.” He laughed back. “Now, what about those questions for your article?”

He was to pick her up at the motel where she was staying. Getting off the bike he realised he still hadn’t recovered his spare helmet. With any luck she had a car they could use. Shrugging, he knocked on the door. She opened it, smiling when she saw his helmet beneath his arm.
“Come in, I won’t be a second.” She disappeared into the other room. Eddie was at a loss for a moment. How did you ask someone for the loan of a car when you were supposed to be picking them up?
“Er, I was wondering if you had a car.” He asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Sure, but we don’t want to use it, do we?” Her voice was muffled slightly. He shifted his feet uncomfortably.
“Don’t be too certain.” He muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Are you sure that you wouldn’t be warmer in a car?” He was beginning to sound desperate and he knew it.
“Don’t be silly. Anyway it’s been absolutely ages since I was on a motorbike.” She came back into the room holding something behind her back. “Come on then, let’s hit the road.”
“There may be a slight problem.” He began to explain, stopping as she brought a helmet out from behind her. It was the one he’d left her with five years before.
“I thought I might be needing this again some day.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Premonition?”
“I meant why have you still got that particular helmet?”
“Premonition?”
“All right, I give in. Let’s go.”

She looked across the table at him. He certainly seemed more self-confidant in public. Probably the responsibility had brought that out in him. The meal had been wonderful. They had come to one of the swish places just outside of town, but now it was time to go.
“Do you remember the last meal we had together?” She asked.
“I’ve never forgotten a single moment of the times we had.” He looked away from her. “Although I’ve pushed them aside from time to time.” She recognised that reticence from before.
“You’re not going to start on about that age thing again are you?”
“Never again princess. But you must realise that I thought I’d never see you again, or if I did, that you’d not want to speak to me after what I did. So I tried to forget you...” He trailed off. Kitty smiled at him, his imagination was obviously on overtime again.
“Don’t torture yourself. I never truly expected to see you again either, but when I got the chance to try I jumped at it.” She placed her hands on the table. “I know what you’re trying to say, and you should realise that I’ve had other dates too, so don’t worry about it.” She was trying not to laugh at the way his face brightened then darkened as she spoke, the relief and jealousy intermingling. “Let’s go.” She said, reaching for his hand across the table.
Out in the car park she stopped him and pulled him close to her side.
“About trying to forget me, did it work?”
He shook his head slowly.
“Never completely or for long.”
“Nor for me.” Then before he could say anymore she kissed him. He responded. She lost herself in his arms. This kiss made all the others pale into insignificance, it went on forever. Abruptly they were interrupted by a car horn, as someone wanted to get past.
“I’ll take you home.” He said.

During the ride back he was more aware than ever of her proximity. She had wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. It felt right, almost pre-ordained, as if it was meant to be. He didn’t hurry.
It was starting to rain as they pulled up outside the motel once more.
“This sort of gentle summer rain has always reminded me of you.” He said as they dismounted. She looked at him, slightly puzzled. “I first began to notice you when it rained on us in that close all those years ago.” Impulsively he grabbed her hand. “Shall we dance Cinderella?” She laughed with him as he led her in a waltz around the car park.
“You’re daft.” She panted as they stopped outside her cabin.
“Only in your delicious presence.” He smiled at her.
“Then kiss me, you mad fool, kiss me.” He obeyed. It was another time-melting kiss. He decided he was getting better at them. Finally he pulled away.
“I’d better be going, it’s getting late.”
“But you’re soaked; you’ll catch your death. Come in and get dry.”
He looked into her eyes and knew what she was feeling. He felt it too, maybe more. Then with an effort he said.
“No, I’d better go. It’s for the best.” He smiled. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Nothing especially, why?”
“Then I’ll pick you up at nine.”
“Make it ten.”
“All right, ten it is. Au revoir, mon petite chere.” He said, jumping onto the bike. She waved as he roared out of the car park.
On his way home he began to think, maybe he could put that extra hour to good use.

Kitty sat on the bed drying her hair, turning things over in her mind. Tomorrow morning she would have to make a few arrangements. Now that she’d found him once more, she didn’t want to lose him again for any reason. Maybe she could finish the course from here, if she could just sweet-talk the Principal and the Editor of the local paper into it. That would have to wait until the morning though. Hopefully she would be able to get hold of them.
Satisfied, she lay back against the pillows, reliving the day. He was still as shy, still had to ‘work his way up to things’ as he put it. He was a little more serious now, but not much, thankfully. Really he was still the same person that she’d thought of for five years. She turned out the light, rolled on to her side and fell asleep.

He was a little late he knew. That errand into the shopping centre had taken him a little longer than he’d expected. As he knocked on her door he could hear her talking on the phone through the open window.
“Right, I’ll be down on Monday to sign the papers. Yes. Yes. All right, see you on Monday then. Thank you. Goodbye.” She had opened the door, the phone clutched under her chin.
“So, leaving already?” He asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
“Just for the day, I couldn’t bear it for longer.” She said, pretending to swoon.
“But why?” He could feel the anxiety creeping into his tone. She put the phone down.
“Aren’t we insecure this morning? As I hate to see a grown man cry I’ll tell you. I’ve one or two loose ends to tie up before I start my new job.”
“New job?” He was puzzled.
“I’m the latest staff reporter on the local paper.”
“I thought that was your job anyway.”
“No, I was just on a placement from my Journalist course. But not anymore. So there are no barriers between us now.”
“I didn’t know there were any.”
“Only the ones put there by you, you big idiot.” She smiled and put her arms around him. He was starting to feel confused. Then with a shrug he decided to forget it. He looked into her brightly shining eyes.
“Kitty, I think I love you.”
“Only think?”
“I’ve told you before; I have to work up to things.” She gave him a punch on the arm.
“Come on then.” She said. “Where are we going?”
“Straight to the top, princess.” He said, in an appalling imitation of Humphrey Bogart. She laughed again. He grinned, and then became serious.
“Before we go anywhere, would you...” He struggled with the words. “Would you become my fiancée?” He looked down at his feet, that hadn’t come out like he’d wanted. She kissed him gently on the cheek. Here comes the big let down he thought.
“You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say that. Or something similar.” She added with a grin.
“Is that a yes?” He asked bemusedly.
“Yes, yes, yes.” She said, smothering his face in kisses. He just stood there, letting her enthusiasm roll over him.
“You’d better have this then.” He said, putting his hand in his pocket and handing her the small box that had been the subject of his earlier errand. “Open it.” She took it from him and slowly lifted the lid, sitting on the edge of an armchair as she did.
“It’s empty.” She cried, looking up into his face. Her look of despair was too much and he couldn’t keep a straight face any longer. He held out a closed hand, laughing.
“I’m sorry princess, I just couldn’t resist it.” She cautiously opened his hand to reveal an engagement ring.
“It’s beautiful.” She gasped.
“So are you.” He said. “Come here.” Their eyes met. “I do love you Kitty Summers.”
“And I love you Eddie Harrison. Now kiss me.”
And he did.


Eddie Leaves A Trail



Friday morning and Kate Harrison was awoken by her husband of fourteen years, Eddie, again. It was the usual way. It wasn’t his alarm going off (he was always already awake), it wasn’t him making any noise as he got out of bed or moving around downstairs, he was very quiet, it was the absence of his body next to hers in bed. Sighing, she rolled onto her back and tried to go back to sleep. She had been up late last night trying to finish another chapter in her second book. Her first novel had been a surprising success. She had been surprised anyway, Eddie hadn’t, he knew her writing had been so much better since she had become a freelance after the birth of their second child, another girl. That was something else Eddie hadn’t been worried about, most men seemed to want a son, and Ed truly was more concerned for her than the sex of the children. And he adored them both, Julie and Trudi, eight and six.
She rolled over, still thinking, suddenly concerned that she and Eddie had slipped into a rut. He still told her that he loved her, but it wasn’t romantic anymore. He had moved slightly upwards in the last 15 years, now a supervisor for waste collection, but she knew he had turned down at least one chance to go higher at a neighbouring council and she suspected that he had been offered other jobs closer to home, but he preferred to stay in his comfort zone. She, on the other hand, had worked as a reporter for both of the local newspapers, the evening one at first and after Julie, the weekly. With Trudi’s arrival she had freelanced for both papers and had started to write for magazines. The book had been Eddies fault, he was always talking about the old days on the bins so she had started to collect his stories together and they had blossomed into a comic tale which was apparently about to be turned into a TV show. She sighed again and got out of bed and padded downstairs.
Kate wandered into the kitchen just as Eddie was pulling on his boots. She looked around at the mess he’d managed to make just preparing tea and toast and sighed. He didn’t do it on purpose, but he was just unconsciously messy. Eddie looked up at her sigh and then around at the debris he’d left on the table. Knife in the butter, bread not wrapped back up, crumbs on the tablecloth, plate and mug unwashed and a ring where he’d spilt tea.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” He asked quietly.
“No, but you could at least try and keep the kitchen tidy Eddie. Even the girls are better than you.” For some reason Kate snapped back, rather than use her usual patient tone of exasperation.
“I was going to wash up you know, before I left” Eddie said, not wanting to get into their one continuing argument again, but feeling that he should try to defend himself.
“You always say that. Why not just keep things tidy as you go along?” She demanded
“Kitty, I…”
“Don’t ‘Kitty’ me Eddie. It’s been a long time since I was Kitty.”
Eddie looked down. This wasn’t how he wanted to start his day.
“Kate, I have to go or I’ll be late. Tell me what you want me to do when I get back.”
“I’ll have a list by then. Starting with the total lack of romance.”
“Fine. Whatever.” He closed the door quietly behind him and then she heard the car start up and leave. She sat down and slumped onto the table and started to cry, wondering why she sometimes said these things to him, hoping that he never took them to heart. The kitchen door opened and Julie came in.
“Why are you crying Mummy? Have you hurt yourself?” Kate smiled at her eldest daughter and patted her hand.
“No dear, Mummy’s just being a bit silly that’s all.”
“You and Daddy are all right aren’t you? Sarah’s daddy left when her mummy was crying.” Kate was shocked that the girl had made the connection, however tenuous and took her hand again.
“Now that will never happen to us will it?” she said, “Daddy would never leave us.”
“He does leave a mess though, doesn’t he mummy?” Kate kissed her daughter on the forehead and laughed.
“Yes dear, he always has, and I should be used to it.”
“I’ll wash up for you both.”
“Okay, let me get you something to stand on.” Kate smiled.
“I am more than eight years old you know.”
“Yes, I do know, I was there when you were born.” Kate smiled at the girl, “All right then, I’ll dry shall I?”

Eddie Harrison walked into the office he shared with the other two supervisors, a worried look on his face. His old friend Alex was the early supervisor and looked up.
“What’s up Ed?” He asked.
“I think I upset Kitty… Kate this morning, but I’m damned if I know how” He sat down and pulled out a pencil and some paper.
“Why doesn’t she like ‘Kitty’ anymore?”
“Not sure, thinks it’s childish now I suppose” Eddie was scribbling furiously on the paper. Alex watched for a while then sighed.
“Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?” Eddie stopped and looked up.
“Kitty… Kate said something about a lack of romance as I came out, so I have a cunning plan.”
“Choccies and Roses?”
“Alex, I said cunning and I mean cunning. I had the idea a week or so ago when I taxed the bike, Kitty is going to be romanced to the full.”
“Don’t you mean Kate?”
“I know who I mean.” He stood up and looked out of the window, a smile creasing his face for the first time today. “Alex, why are two of our vehicles still in the yard?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice them.”

Kate was surprised when Eddie didn’t make any reference to the morning spat. And he was humming. Eddie hardly ever hummed. All at once a horrible thought wormed its insidious way into her head, he had someone else! She dropped the glass she was holding. Eddie rushed over to her, concern in his face.
“Kate, are you all right?”
“Yes, yes. I just … Just. Actually I don’t know what happened.” Kate looked into his worried face and knew, she just knew, how wrong she was. “Actually I was suddenly afraid I’d lost you.”
“You’d lost me.” He smiled as he picked up the shards of glass from the kitchen floor. “Kate, I still don’t know why you put up with me. When I think about it, I keep things tidy, but usually I don’t and...” She shushed him.
“It doesn’t matter.” Kate stood up, and then called up the stairs. “Are there two young ladies here who want to see their gran?” A pair of screams answered her, followed by Trudi and Julie bounding down the stairs with their overnight bags.
“What have I said about running down stairs, you pair?” Eddie said as he caught them both as they went past him.
“Sorry daddy.” They chorused.
“Go on, and don’t torment your gran too much.” Julie stopped.
“Does that mean we can torment her a little bit, daddy?” Eddie smiled. She caught on quickly, his eldest daughter. She must get it from her mother. He bent down and whispered to her.
“Yes, but don’t tell her I said so.” Julie giggled and followed her mother and little sister to the car. Eddie rubbed his hands, there was just enough time to organise a couple of more things for his cunning plan, and then he would have to act as he always did for the evening.

Kate Harrison was awoken once more by the absence of her husband. She was about to roll over when she remembered that it was Saturday morning, Eddie didn’t work Saturdays. Kate sat bolt upright and then heard his bike starting up. She jumped out of bed and raced downstairs, opening the kitchen door just as Eddie left. She called out but he didn’t hear. Kate was suddenly aware of the cold. Looking down she realised she was nearly naked out in the street and bolted back indoors. Eddie’s behaviour was worrying her. Then she saw the note on the table and her fears of the day before returned. Trembling she reached out for the note and opened it up. It read:

Darling, you said you wanted more romance so here it is.
Follow the clues and hopefully you’ll find what I found.

There was a damp newspaper with “Clue One” written on it. Kate sat down and scratched her head, what was he playing at? Obviously she would have to think like him. Slowly she stood up and went to get dressed. As she pulled on some clothes a thought hit her, wet newspaper! She knew where she had to be.

The close where they had first met had changed a little in Twenty years. Trees and bushes were taller or gone, extensions had been built and garages had been altered, but nothing major. The memory of that damp day more than twenty years ago welled up. Now she couldn’t believe how … well, shy really, the two of them had been, neither realising how the other might feel. Kate got out of the car and looked around, not sure what she was looking for. A paperboy was delivering the morning papers, so some things never change, she thought, and then she realised that the boy was coming over to her.
“Excuse me miss, are you Kate?” He asked her. She nodded yes. “A guy asked me to wait and give you this about ten minutes ago.” He proffered an envelope. Kate took it and thanked the lad. Inside was another message. It read:

My first surprise.

Kate furrowed her brow, trying to penetrate his meaning. Obviously this wasn’t a surprise so he must mean the first surprise she’d given him. A smile spread across her face and got back into the car, tooting her thanks to the delivery boy as she left the close.

The car park at the local centre hadn’t changed at all, different cars perhaps, but a car park was a car park. Kate walked toward the shops, knowing she was in the right place in general, but not sure which of two surprises Eddie meant. He might mean that initial kiss when he’d brought her home after their first date. Somehow she doubted that, although the memory of his face when she’d kissed him always made her smile. And the car park had also been the setting for their first split, and Kate knew that Eddie regretted that now. So, if it wasn’t that then… A memory came to Kate when she saw the old, old benches outside the shops. The look Eddie had given her when she had sat down beside him had definitely been one of surprise. She went over to the same seat and sat down. An idea struck her and she began to feel under the bench, but there was no envelope. The street cleaner who worked the centre on weekends came over to her. She recognised him from various events that the council had held. He held out an envelope to Kate.
“It wouldn’t stay stuck.” He explained. Kate laughed.
“It’s a good job you were still here then.”
“Actually I could have gone about twenty minutes ago.”
“Then why...?”
“Mrs Harrison, if Eddie had asked me to wait all day, I would have, a lot of us would. As it happens, I noticed the envelope under the bench after he’d left and picked it up. I knew you’d be the one looking for it.”
“Why me?”
“I know Eddie, and, well, your name is on it.” He smiled and left her with the envelope. She burst out laughing at her own seriousness. She looked down at the name ‘Kitty’. He was trying to tell her something. Kitty opened it and read the next clue.

Home turf. The second coming.

She walked slowly back to her car, absently waving the note. There was only one place Eddie could call Home Turf and it had been the scene of her return to his life. The problem was, she might not be able to get in.

Kitty had worried unnecessarily as it turned out. The council depot where the waste collection office was located was open. She parked outside what was now Eddie’s office and remembered that day when she had managed to get the assignment she’d been angling for. The look on Ed’s face, the grin that had split her face. She went over and knocked on the door.
“Come in Kitty.” It was a voice she knew, Alex, Eddie’s oldest friend. She poked her head around the door. “Or do you prefer Kate?” Alex smiled.
“As it happens, I’m mellowing back towards Kitty.” She smiled back. “Come on Alex; tell me what he’s up to.”
“Sorry Kate, Eddie wasn’t saying anything when he came in earlier. Just told me you’d be coming by and I was to give you this and I wasn’t to tease you.”
“So far you’ve failed abysmally.”
“I know, I can’t think why anyone would put up with me.” He handed her a motor cycle helmet, her old helmet. In it was an envelope. Kitty opened it and looked at the card inside. It read:

The night of the wet dance

She smiled at the memory that came to her immediately, that Friday night after the meal, the return to her motel, the gentle rain, Eddie leading her in a waltz around the car park. She got up to leave. As she opened the door Kitty turned to Alex.
“If you ever tell Eddie this I will hunt you down and kill you, but if I’d met you first who knows what might have been?” She tailed off as she pulled the door behind her. Alex sat dumbstruck and the door reopened. “Alex?” He looked up. “Only teasing!”
Kitty laughed at him, pulling the door shut again as a pencil hit it.

The motel she had stayed in when she first returned was on the edge of town. It was still doing a reasonable trade, but at the moment it looked nearly empty. Kitty pulled up and gazed around. There was a receptionist on duty and Kate felt that was where Eddie would have left his next instruction. She went over.
“Good morning. This may turn out to be a stupid question, but has someone left you a message for a Kitty Harrison?” The girl looked up. She was very pretty.
“Actually a very handsome man left an envelope for a Kate Harrison.” She said. Kate bristled.
“My husband, and he’s not available.” The girl laughed nicely.
“That’s almost exactly what he thought you’d say if I said he was handsome. He put me up to it, although…” She tailed off as she saw the look Kate was giving her. “My dad works for him, Mr Harrison was very helpful a couple of years ago when he was off with some industrial injury.” Kate mellowed.
“Yes, that sounds like my Eddie.” She smiled at the girl. “Have you been here long?”
“About eight months. It’s a bit boring at times, but it has its moments.”
“Like handsome strangers leaving enigmatic notes for their wives?”
“It’s a first, certainly. Oh, here’s the letter.” She passed Kitty another envelope. “If I could ask, what is going on?”
“I stupidly accused him of being unromantic. I think he’s trying to remind me of what he’s capable of.”
“Sounds, well, romantic.”
“Actually, it is nice, being reminded of past events and feelings too I suppose.” She smiled again, partly to herself, partly at the receptionist. “How is your dad now?
“He’s been back at work for almost a year, Mr Harrison found him some less strenuous jobs for a while, but he’s back on the bins again now.”
“I believe they like to call it ‘waste collection’ now.”
“Only higher up, my dad says.” Kate laughed.
“You’re right, even Eddie still calls it ‘the bins’ when he doesn’t think about it.” She waved the envelope at the girl. “Thanks for this; I’ll tell Eddie you liked him.”
“I … Well… Err.” The girl stammered. Kitty took pity on her.
“Or not if you prefer.” The receptionist breathed her thanks. Kate sat back in her car and read the note:

The first night of the rest of our lives

The Honeymoon hotel. An easy clue! And it was only over the other side of town. Neither of them had wanted to go far. She was still settling into her job on the paper, and Ed had been asked to take over as junior supervisor. As a consequence their honeymoon had only been a couple of days at the posh hotel just outside town. Kate started the car, beeped the horn and waved to the young girl as she pulled out of the car park.

Fourteen years! Kate could hardly believe how quickly time had passed. It was over fourteen years since they had spent those two passionate nights they chose to call their honeymoon in this beautiful place. This time she wasn’t certain whether to ask at the reception desk. She had a feeling Eddie wouldn’t repeat himself. Getting into the same room would have been problematic, so what would he have done? Dining room? But they’d hardly… Then she knew. It would be the kitchen. Ed had made friends with the chef then and maintained that friendship even after the man had retired. But he still came in on Saturdays, to help with lunch and sometimes dinner. She glanced at her watch, it was not yet noon. Kitty suddenly remembered she was supposed to be collecting the girls soon, then realised that Eddie knew this and would have arranged something. She walked to the kitchen door and knocked.

Kate’s mother dropped off her granddaughters at home, waving back as they waved her off. Trudi looked up at her father. “Daddy, where’s Mom?”
“My dear Tru, your lovely mother is being reminded of just how damn romantic your father can be.” The little girl giggled at him.
“You said a naughty word.”
“Did I? All right, what will it cost me to keep you two quiet about it?”
“Playstation!” They chorused in unison.
“Okay, just don’t ask me to play as well. You both beat me at everything.” Ed shook his head in mock despair. “It is very embarrassing to be beaten at football by two girls, even if they are as pretty as you two.”
“Can you beat mommy at football too?”
“Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever played football with your mother?”
“Why?” Trudi asked.
“Don’t start, just go and play.”
“Why?” Julie chipped in, and then ran off laughing with her sister. Ed looked at his watch, Kitty should be at the hotel by now, he’d phone Dermot in half an hour or so.

“My dearest Katherine! I’m so glad to see you.” Dermot boomed as he saw Kitty come into the kitchen, let in by one of the other staff.
“At least you’re not pretending it’s a surprise.” She smiled back at him.
“What would be the point? You are too smart for me to try and fool you.”
“You old sweet talker. And you let Eddie talk you into helping him with this, well, treasure hunt.”
“Edward is such a persuasive man when he wants to be, my dear. Besides I want to read about how this turns out. You will be putting it down in writing for someone won’t you?”
“Actually, I hadn’t thought of that yet. But you’re so right, it could be an interesting article, it depends if he can sustain my interest to the end.”
“I think he will, I think he will.”
“Do you know where he’s leading me then?”
“What? No, no. I just know Edward can be really clever when he wants to be. And quite the romantic too, or so I’ve heard you say.”
“Yes he is, and I don’t know why I accused him of a lack of romance. He can be very thoughtful and usually is almost all the time. One bit of romance runs into another until I don’t notice it’s there until something happens and it isn’t.” She stopped, and looked as if she was about to cry. Dermot sat her down and put a cup of tea and a sandwich, one of his specials, in front of her. He patted her shoulder and put his clue down in front of her, then went off fussing around the kitchen, doing his thing. Kate picked up the note, opened it and read:

Six year stint

Kate smiled as she chewed on her snack. Well, Tru was six, but that wasn’t it. They had been married for six years when Julie had been born and she’d given up her job on the evening paper; that must be it. She got up, waving to Dermot, who appeared to be on the phone now, and went back to her car.

The paper was an old established one, it had been going for donkey’s years. Her old office was on the third floor. Reporting on the myriad local events had honed her writing skills to their current level. Having to write sensibly on everything from local politics to local football, latest film releases to all time favourite books, children’s parties, WI meetings, fetes, sports days, she had covered them all, and become good at so many of them, and the editor had wanted her back after Julie had been born, but she had felt that the less stressful job she’d been offered at the weekly would be a better option. Although eight years had passed since she had worked there, Kate saw a lot of people she knew, saying hi to some, waving to others. As she entered the newsroom, or ‘pit’ as they had called it, Kate felt a wave of nostalgia roll over her, and one special memory shone out like a beacon. She knew it was the one Ed wanted her to remember as well. The day after she had told him that Julie was on the way, he had sent around a string of presents on the hour from the moment the shops opened to the moment they had all shut. A box of chocolates, a bunch of congratulatory balloons, cards, a singing telegram, he sent them all. But the last gift, the truly romantic one, he had brought himself. A red rose somehow intertwined with a white rose tied with a bow and with a card that said simply “Thank You.” Her tears began to well up again and she had to sit down once more. Mike, a reporter who she used to work with, saw her and came over.
“Hello Kitty, we were wondering how long you’d be.”
“Hello Mike. I’m still on the right track then.”
“I suppose so. Ed was here this morning and...”
“And left a note for me?” Mike nodded and produced his envelope. Kate took it.
“I know this is going to be something about our tenth anniversary party.”
“How?” Mike asked.
“I think he wants to show me that although he can plan a romantic interlude, his unplanned ones are usually more memorable.” She opened the note:

What a bad singer.

Kitty laughed as she read it. “I told you.” She showed Mike the note. He looked quizzically at her. “Don’t you remember the party, when Eddie sang, or tried to sing “Romeo and Juliet”?” A light dawned in his eyes.
“And that leads you to where?”
“The local hall.” She got up and started to leave. “Must dash, there’s not many places around town he can send me now.”

The hall stood back off the road, surrounded by trees. The car park was a reasonable one and there was a grassed area around three sides. Kitty walked around the entire building looking for some clue. There must be one. After all, they had held so many parties here. Five or six birthday parties for the girls and an anniversary party for the past four years with another planned for later in the year. But the place was locked up. She was at a loss until she remembered the sequel to what Ed had alluded to in his clue. Later in the evening the two of them had been sat out among the trees and he had sung to her again. ‘Wonderful tonight’ had been the song and although his voice had still been awful, it seemed to catch the emotion of the song, and it had been just for her. She had loved it and told him so. Kitty searched for the spot and then saw a note taped to the tree. She tore it open and this time it said:

The most precious of all.

At once Kate turned and ran back to the car.

Eddie kept glancing at his watch. Julie looked up from where she was writing.
“Are you worried daddy?”
“I’m beginning to think maybe I was a bit obscure somewhere.”
“What’s obscure mean?” Trudi asked.
“It means difficult to understand.” Julie told her sister. Eddie was a little surprised she knew, but they were both always surprising him. He and Kitty must have got something right. He stood up and went to get his phone.
“I hoped I wouldn’t have to do this.”
“Do what?” The question came from the kitchen. Eddie span around. Kate and he embraced and kissed. After a while Julie piped up.
“Should we go to our rooms?” Eddie blushed while Kate laughed.
“No, that won’t be necessary. Come and tell mummy what you’ve been doing, then I’ll tell you where your father has been sending me.” Eddie left them talking and began to tidy the kitchen.

Sunday morning and Eddie Harrison was woken by his wife of fourteen years gently shaking him.
“Eddie, the children won’t be awake for hours yet.” Kitty grinned at him.






Full Circle


Kitty Harrison looked around her kitchen. Today was the big barbecue and she was sure that it wouldn’t run smoothly, it never did. Her two teenage daughters were picking listlessly at their breakfast; both seemed to have something on their minds. Her 9 year old son Chris didn’t seem affected by the unusually quiet atmosphere and was shovelling down food like he hadn’t eaten for a week. But it was Eddie, her husband, that caught her attention. He had never been much of a breakfast person, but he sat in on the family meal because he said it was one of the few times he got to see everyone together. And today he seemed to be greatly amused by something. He kept looking at the girls and chuckling. He was up to something she knew; nearly twenty five years of marriage had taught her to read him like a book. Time to test him then; she nodded to young Chris.
“Dad.” He asked. “Why are ladies bottoms shaped different to men’s?” Julie and Trudi exploded with laughter. Eddie just looked like he had been expecting a similar question. He put down the paper he was reading and looked seriously at his son.
“A good question junior. I think it must be so you have somewhere to put your hands when you kiss them.” Now Kitty burst out laughing as well.
Eddie smiled around the table. He knew Kitty and the princesses put Chris up to these questions and had decided to play them at their own game.
“Have you finished eating Chris?” He asked. His son nodded. “Come on then, time for your haircut.” He looked around the table. “Anyone need anything while we’re out?” There was a shaking of heads. “C’mon then son, grab your helmet.”
“I wish you’d take the car Eddie.” Kate said.
“The quad is perfectly safe love. I got rid of the bike for that reason didn’t I? And the lad likes to sit behind his old man.”
“Just be careful. I don’t want to lose him. Or you.”
Eddie kissed her on the forehead. “We’ll be fine.”

Julie fidgeted until her younger sister left the kitchen. She needed to talk to her mother.
“What’s the matter Julie?” Her mom surprised her by asking before she could say anything.
“You know dad said I could invite my boyfriend to the barbie?” Kate nodded. “Well it might be a bit awkward when he arrives.”
“Why?”
“It’s Jack.”
“Alex’s nephew Jack, from the yard?”
“Yes.”
“Why will that be awkward?”
“Well.” Julie hesitated. “He’s a lot older than me, mom. I don’t know what dad will think.”
Kitty laughed. “I don’t think your father will object to Jack on those grounds dear, after all, Jack’s how old? Twenty five, six. He’s only seven or eight years older than you. Your father is twelve years older than me; I think your bigger problem is Alex.” Kitty smiled at her eldest daughter, and then remembered Eddies chuckling. “Besides which I have the feeling your father knew who you’d ask when he spoke to you.”
“How can he? We’ve kept it very quiet.”
“I just know. Let him have his joke. He’s just getting his own back for Chris.”
Julie smiled.
“That one was Tru’s. How did you know we’d primed him?”
“You’ve always got one ready for Saturdays.”
“It was a good answer though.”
“Your dad is not as stupid as he pretends.” Kitty looked out of the window. The sun was shining at the moment but showers were forecast. “Can you check the gazebo and everything are secure love, your dad and Chris put them up, but I think Chris was getting bored by the time they finished.”
“Sure mom, then can I take Tru and get the rolls and buns?”
“All right. I suppose you have to meet Jack while she gets the bread?”
“Mother!” She smiled sheepishly. “How did you guess?”
Kitty just smiled and then went to find Tru.

Trudi was sat on the end of her bed, staring at the wall. Her mother came in and sat beside her. Tru was trying to decide whether to go into further education, a course her older sister had not taken. Julie had gone to work at the council yard as a temporary secretary, and was now an admin assistant. She had used her mothers name to start with, but now everyone knew she was Eddie’s daughter. Trudi, however, had a longing for knowledge that mere reading couldn’t satisfy. Kitty took her hand.
“It’s only you who can decide Tru. Your dad and I will support you whatever you do.”
“Thanks mom. I’m fairly certain I want to go to uni and read history. What I don’t know is what I want to do about Steve.”
“Your on off relationship is off again then.”
Trudi laughed. “At the moment.”
“Perhaps he didn’t want to meet your dad?”
“You may be right. He confuses me mom. Says he loves me for what I am, but doesn’t want me to go to uni.”
“From that I take it that the attraction of Steve does not outweigh the attraction of learning more.” Tru nodded. “Then forget him, find someone who wants what you want.”
“That’s the trick isn’t it?”
“It can be done. Anyway can you go with your sister to fetch the bread? I believe she has something else planned too, just remind her that the barbie is tonight.” Trudi grinned at her mother and then got up and went to find her older sister.

Kitty sighed. Two teenage daughters were a problem. They fed off each other and it was all she could do to steer them away from danger, and now they were close to spreading their wings and leaving home. She was unsure whether this would be good or bad. It was good that they were independent enough to be able to strike out on their own. It would be good to have two less to worry about. It would be good to get back to being just her and Eddie again, (although that would have to wait until Chris left home.) But they were her babies, Eddie’s princesses. (She had asked him why Julie and Trudi were princesses when she used to be his princess. He had told her she had been promoted.) All she and Ed wanted was that they were happy and safe, doing something they wanted to. She sighed again and went back to the kitchen. There was a lot of preparation she needed to do for tonight’s barbecue.

Eddie had left his son giving instructions as to how he wanted his hair styled. He wandered into the local bookshop and went to look at Kate’s output. There were now four volumes of bin man stories. He couldn’t believe he’d told her all of the stories; she must have got some from other sources. And she had other sources didn’t she? Kate had been a journalist for eight years before she went freelance, and she had many, many contacts. That was proved by her humorous books about reporters, emergency services, local politics etcetera, etcetera. People lapped them up. He was proud of her. She had taken what were, to him, old stories passed down from generation to generation and turned them into a funny account of what it was like as a bin collector. The only thing she had never written about was what it was like being married to a bin collector. Maybe she was saving that for the future. He hoped that that one would be a comedy as well, or at least not a tragedy. He sighed to himself. The girls, his princesses, were growing so fast now. Soon, one or both of them would be leaving home for one reason or another and the house would become quiet, especially when Chris went, noisy little devil. Eddie wasn’t sure he could cope with quiet after so many years with children in close attendance. But he’d still have Kitty. After all these years he still had Kitty and he couldn’t believe his luck. In his minds eye he could still picture her with wet hair in a damp anorak, delivering newspapers. It was a memory he treasured. And the first time she kissed him. And the dance in the car park. A million memories. And he could have ruined it all when he tried to do “the right thing.” It was a good job Kate was persistent. It was the one thing that he regretted. That evening in the car park when he told her they should split. They could have had five more years together. He ‘hmmm’ed to himself. Perhaps the five years apart had matured their feelings, made them realise what they had lost, and so more determined to hold onto it when they found each other again. Or when Kate had found him again. He sighed and turned back to the “Hair Stylist”. What happened to Barbers, he wondered. Then he recalled the guest list for the barbecue tonight and grinned. Tonight his teasing daughters would get the wind-up of their lives. After tonight they would think twice before pulling their poor old dad’s leg.

“JULIE, these bags are HEAVY. Hurry up.” Trudi told her elder sister, who was talking on her phone at the same time as trying to open her mothers car. Julie got the doors open and popped the boot as well, enabling her younger sibling to put down her burden. “I can’t see why you need to phone Jack, you’ve only just left him at the bakers.”
“It’s important that Jack understands that dad is up to something tonight. I don’t want him scared off.”
“You worry too much Jules. Whatever else dad might do, he won’t interfere with your life.”
“Not intentionally, no, but…”
“Has he or mom ever tried to make us do anything we didn’t want?”
“No, but…”
“Have they ever said we can’t make a particular choice because they don’t like it?”
“No. I know. I’m just worrying for nothing.”
“So come up with a counter plan.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. Tell dad he’s going to be a granddad! That should be funny.” The sudden silence from Julie made Trudi look round. “You’re not…”
Julie burst out laughing. “No, but I think Jack wants to ask dad if we can get married. It might be fun to intimate that there’s another reason, if Jack agrees. Thanks sis, you have an evil mind.” The two girls got into the car. “How are things going with Steve?”
“They’re not. It’s all ‘me’ with him. He thinks I’ll stay here with him rather than go to university.”
“Tru, that’s two years from now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean that you’ve got two years to change his mind.” She looked across at her younger sister. “That’s if you think he’s worth it. I mean you’ve only been going out with him since you both were five!”
“We were at least six before we went to the playground together.” Trudi grinned at Julie, who laughed back. “Tonight is going to be such fun.”


Eddie and Chris were in the garden, ostensibly to put up some lights for later in the evening and to start the fire in the barbeque, but mainly for some last minute planning between the two of them.
“Dad, I know you’ve got something planned for Julie, But what about Trudi?”
“I was going to leave that to you Junior. Maybe ask one of her friend’s one of your ‘innocent’ questions?”
“You mean you’d leave it up to me?”
“Sure, why not?”
“All right, I know who I’ll ask, Emily.”
“Emily?”
“Jane’s younger sister, she’s only a few years older than me.”
“She’s thirteen, son.”
“She’s shy though, and cute.”
“Are you sure you want to embarrass her?”
“I think I know what I’m doing dad.”
“Okay junior, I’ll leave it to you.”

Kitty was surprised when she answered the ring of the doorbell. It was Steve, Trudi’s long-time friend. The two had gone to school together for more than ten years but things had been awkward for the last two months, since Tru had announced her intention to go to university. The lad stood shyly at the door.
“Tru’s out at the moment Steve, can I help?”
“You can Mrs H; it’s you I need to talk to.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I need to explain something.”
“Come into the kitchen Steve, though I ought to say that I won’t interfere with anything Tru decides.”
“That’s the problem Mrs H; everyone has misunderstood what I said. I told her I didn’t want her to go to uni without me.”
“That’s what she told me.”
“I never said I didn’t want her to go to uni.”
A light dawned for Kitty. “And she, we, all assumed..?”
“Precisely. I don’t care where she goes, I’ll go with her. If it means I have to wash dishes at night, I don’t care.”
Kitty looked at the earnest young lad and smiled. She hugged him. He stepped back in surprise. “I’m sorry Steve, but you’ve just made my day. Tru never really wanted to go away on her own, but if you want to go with her, either as a student or just to be with her, I’m sure Eddie and I have enough contacts to make sure you’re not washing dishes.”
Steve smiled. “Thanks Mrs H, you’ve helped me a lot over the years, and I’d like to be able to repay you and Mr Harrison.”
“If you can keep Tru happy, I’m sure that will be more than enough for Eddie. Make sure you tell Trudi as soon as possible, and come to the barbeque this evening, tell her I said you were to come.”
Steve got up to leave. “Mrs H, you’re a real brick.” On impulse he kissed her on the cheek, before turning and running off.
Kitty stood stunned holding the cheek he’d kissed. Had she and Eddie had these problems, she mused? Probably not, Eddie seemed to create most of them himself. Sighing she returned to the kitchen, there were one or two things she wanted to prepare for tonight, including Dermot’s special sauce, the recipe for which he had passed on to her before he’d died a couple of years ago.

Eddie looked around the garden. He could see friends, neighbours, workmates, relatives and they were all having a good time. The evening had been a scorcher, although the sky was darkening now. Just for once, nothing had gone wrong. Chris had enjoyed himself by cooking some of the food, Trudi was enjoying some reconciliation with her long-time boyfriend and Julie, between looking around for some huge joke and waiting for some pronouncement from him, had been smooching Jack almost all evening. Kitty had looked harassed to start with, but Eddie had organised his children to take some of the load off their mother, and had made sure she didn’t try to do everything. Now was his moment, he decided. He caught Chris’s eye and the youngster came over to him.
“Sorry dad, I couldn’t do it. She’s too nice.” Eddie raised his eyebrow. “I’ve asked her out instead.” He raised his other eyebrow. “Could you take us to the cinema next week?”
“Junior, you need to be careful taking girls to the movies. I ended up marrying your mother.”
“Is that bad?” Chris asked, knowing that there was no answer.
“Oh, go away Chris; you’re nearly as awkward as your sisters.” The boy scampered off. Eddie went to find Kitty.
She was overseeing the cooking of the last few sausages. Trudi and Steve were giggling as they turned them. Kitty looked at him, he nodded. The two of them went to the edge of the decking and looked out over the throng of friends and family. Eddie cleared his throat and then using the voice that had guided a hundred reversing RCV’s spoke.
“Everyone please, it’s time I said a few words.” The hubbub died down and he carried on. “I’d like to thank you all for coming and thank you even more for not drinking all my beer.” Everyone laughed; Eddie’s little speeches were always funny. “It’s been a good year; we’ve all got a little older, except Kitty of course.” She thumped his arm. “It’s been a lot of fun, apart from the odd day here and there. So a toast to all of us.” Everyone raised a drink in acknowledgement. “Now, you’re all waiting for the big leg pull on my two lovely daughters, who’ve been tormenting me all year.” There was a cheer, and Trudi and Julie looked embarrassed. “Well, I’m sorry to say, there isn’t one.” The girls’ shoulders sagged in relief, everyone else groaned. “I can’t compete with them. They’re much too sneaky for me.” A huge laugh. “So I’d just like to say enjoy yourselves for the rest of the evening, but leave me something to drink tomorrow so I can forget all this.” There was another huge laugh, and some applause. Eddie paused, as if remembering something.
“Oh yes, Jack, I believe you wanted to say something?”
“Yes sir.” The lad stepped forward, looking more than a little worried. “Julie, can I ask you to marry me?” He asked in a clear voice, as if he’d been practising all week.
Julie looked stunned. Kitty whispered in Eddie’s ear. “You are the sneakiest man I know, but I still love you,”
Julie walked over to Jack and kissed him. “Of course I’ll marry you.” She paused. “I‘ll get dad back later.”
“What you forget, my dear Julie is that although I have an office on the second floor, no-one tells me I have to stay in it.” Eddie smiled. “And of course Jack works for me.”
At this point the clouds that had been darkening began to rain. It was a gentle, warm, summer rain. Most of the guests ducked for cover, but Eddie and Kitty began to dance. Julie and Jack followed suit, so did Trudi and Steve. Chris persuaded Emily to do the same, so did some of the others.
“Isn’t it nice to have your own private weather?” Eddie whispered to his beloved wife.
“How do you arrange it?”
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t actually have any connection with any deity. I just watch the weather reports.”
“I still love you just the same.”
Eddie Harrison looked around at his family, all of them lost in their own happy thoughts. “I’ll always love you Kitty. Thank you for all of this. Without you I’d have nothing.”
Katherine Harrison looked into the eyes of the man she’d loved for nearly thirty years. She saw the same sincerity and honesty that she’d seen that day in the car park, remembering his words. “I couldn’t lie to you or stand you up.” She kissed him. “How soon can we persuade this lot to go home?”