Love Returns

by Ronni Meyrick

  “Thank you, Frank.”

  ###

  Frank walked into Alison’s office. A broad smile on his face. “Good morning, Ali. I need you to do a few things for me. Firstly we have a new Floor Manager, and she needs a new management ID badge, can you please call her and meet with her today? Secondly can you please send a companywide email announcing that, Felicity Bromwell is the new Floor Manager?”

  At this Alison looked up and laughed. “Felicity Bromwell? I used to go to school with a girl with that name. To be honest I had a real bad crush on her. She was beautiful. Gorgeous long blonde hair.”

  “Well this Felicity has brown hair, so it couldn’t be the same one.”

  They both laughed and Frank left her office. She picked up the phone and punched the number for the switchboard.

  “Hey, Gene, can you please put me through to Felicity Bromwell.”

  Alison waited for what seemed like an eternity, before the connection was picked up.

  “Hello, Ms Bromwell, I’m Alison Macguire the HR Manager. Frank has asked me to call you and set up a meeting. What time suits you?”

  “How about in half an hour? I’m shadowing Mark for the day, and he said it’s a pretty slow day.”

  “That would work for me. I’m on the twelfth floor, third office on the left.”

  “Okay, see you in half an hour.”

  Alison smiled as she disconnected the phone. The woman’s voice was as sweet as honey and very sexy. She would probably be a right old sourpuss though.

  ###

  Felicity was thinking about the name, Alison Macguire. She had gone to school with a girl with the same name. The girl would sometimes cause her to have unwanted feelings. Felicity always caught her staring at her. It wasn’t a negative hard stare either, it was with soft eyes that ’Big Al’ used to look at her, and she had to admit, Al had a macho essence about her that rivalled the whole rugby team. She laughed at the memory from a lifetime ago.

  Chapter Six

  Alison looked up as a knock sounded on her door, “come in.”

  As the gorgeous brunette walked into her office, Alison knocked a pile of folders on the floor. She bent down to pick them up. When she stood back up, she was staring into the most gorgeous pair of hazel brown eyes, she had ever seen. Well at least I now know her name is Felicity.

  “Hello, Ms Macguire, I’m Felicity Bromwell.”

  Alison reached out to shake her hand. She pointed to the coffee table and chairs. “Please sit down. Can I offer you something to drink, a coffee perhaps? Mine is the best in the building, even Mr. McDougal sneaks in for a cup.”

  “That would be great, thank you.”

  Alison walked over to the percolator and began pouring two cups. She looked at Felicity and smiled, she still had no idea as to where this sense of familiarity came from.

  Felicity looked at Alison Macguire as she made their coffee. Suddenly Alison turned and captured her eyes. She remembered those eyes. “OH MY GOD!!!” Felicity said loudly.

  Alison approached with their drinks and set them on the table, before she asked. “Why oh my God?” she took the chair next to Felicity, “Please call me Alison I hate Ms Macguire, I’ll start looking around for my Mum.”

  Felicity looked again to make sure, before she made a fool out of herself. “Does the name, ’Big Al’, mean anything to you, and St Mary’s Secondary school?”

  “OH MY GOD!!! It is you, you used to be blonde,” Alison exclaimed with shock in her voice.

  Felicity was so happy to see Alison again, that she gave her a rather unexpected and impulsive hug. She thought she had done a stupid thing, but then Alison started to clutch back.

  Jesus Alison, you haven’t seen her in twenty years and you still turn to mush when she’s near. Well you turned to mush, before you knew she was ’THE’ Felicity Bromwell.

  They pulled apart and stared at each other for the longest time. Felicity still saw those soft eyes that were always watching her.

  Finally Alison cleared her throat. “So shall we get on with this meeting? I need to upgrade your ID card, and get on to security to issue you with a new door pass.”

  “I’d rather sit here and discuss what we’ve been up to for the past twenty years,” she said with a soft smile.

  “So would I. But I have loads to do, and don’t want to be stuck here at silly o’clock tonight. We could have dinner one night and catch up. My treat of course.”

  “That sounds perfect. But you won’t have to pay. You can come to my house and we’ll cook in. Unfortunately my childminder is only booked until 6:30 p.m.”

  Ah children, then she was probably married, Alison thought.

  Felicity saw the look of disappointment sweep across Alison’s face, and immediately filled in the blanks. “I have two children. Chelsea is fourteen and Annabelle is six. I’m a single parent. We live in Greenwich, so if you drive that would be easier for you to get home rather than taking the tube.”

  Alison smiled, No Husband. “Okay, what night shall we do? How about tomorrow?”

  “How about tonight? We could pick something up on the way over to mine, then relax and catch up.”

  “That sounds great. I have some spare laze around the house clothes here, is it okay to bring them and change at yours? I like to be comfortable when I’m not working.”

  “Yes, by all means. Do you drive?”

  “Yes.”

  “Excellent. That’ll save me riding the train home with, the alcoholic that normally sits next to me.”

  “Okay, little Miss hot shot, let’s get this sorted and then you can be on your way back down to Mark. I have a dinner date tonight, and I don’t want to be late. Let’s say 5 p.m. in reception.”

  “Deal.”

  ###

  Alison’s workload seemed to diminish very quickly. She was finished by 3 p.m. She tidied her desk and then went in search of Frank. She was going to ask if she could skip out early today. She also needed to book next Friday off. She had to pick her new Harley up from the dealership.

  Frank looked up as she was shown into the office. “Hello Ali. With what pleasure do I owe this visit?”

  “I was wondering if I could leave early? I’ve finished my workload for the day.”

  “You definitely deserve the rest of the afternoon off, Ali, I’ve noticed how many hours you’ve been putting in over the last six months, and you must be nearly ready to burn out. Since its Friday, that would mean you have a semi long weekend.”

  “Thank you, Frank. I also need to put in a request for next Friday. I’m going to pick my new baby up, and would like a day to play with it.”

  Frank’s eyebrows rose. “Another machine, with God knows how much horse power?”

  “Oh yes, a brand new Harley Davidson. My mother has given me the house free and clear, so I’ve decided to invest some of my savings in my dream bike.”

  “Wait, a house? God, Ali, your Mum gives great gifts,” he said with a small laugh. “No worries about next Friday, on one condition. I get to have a ride around with you sometime.”

  “No worries, Frank, I’ll give you a tour around town one night after work.”

  Alison left his office and went back to hers to retrieve her things. Then she had a thought. If today was a slow day then perhaps Mark might let Felicity off early? She picked up her office phone and called Mark. He seemed surprised by the request but said okay.

  She would meet Felicity, and then they could go and buy stuff to cook tonight, saves eating crap from the local take away.

  Felicity looked up, as Mark approached. She hadn’t been able to stop smiling all day and apparently it was catching, everyone was really happy today.

  “Flick, I’ve just spoken to Alison Macguire. She has asked if you would be able to finish your shift now. As it’s really quiet, I have no problem with that, but I am wondering why Alison wants you to finish early?”

  “We’re old school friends, Mark, we didn’t know either worked here until I was called upstairs, for
my new ID card. We’ve arranged to meet for dinner tonight to catch up.”

  Felicity turned as the bell on the lift sounded. Out got Alison, and Felicity couldn’t help but notice that Alison still commanded everyone’s attention, when she walked into a room.

  “Hey. You ready to go?” Alison asked with a lazy smile.

  “Well, I’ve only just heard I’m leaving early, so you’ll have to give me a few minutes to sort my desk out.”

  Felicity turned to her desk and started shoving things into drawers. She could tackle the mess on Monday morning. “Ready when you are.”

  They both walked to the lift with smiles on their faces. Alison stepped aside and allowed Felicity to enter the lift first. She pushed the button for the underground car park. When they exited the lift Felicity threaded her arm through Alison’s. Alison unhooked Felicity’s arm, and reached into her pocket for her keys. She hit the alarm button and turned to look at her. She was staring at her car.

  “Wow, Al, you’ve done really well for yourself, I love your car.”

  Alison smiled and opened the passenger door for Felicity to get in. “A gift from the trust fund my Dad left me.”

  Alison rounded the car and got in. She looked at Felicity. She couldn’t believe she had such a gorgeous woman in her car. “What would you like for dinner tonight? We can go shopping and I could cook us all dinner, that’s if you would let me use your kitchen?”

  “That would be great, it would give me the night off cooking. Or we could go and get the girls, and go out for dinner. I can’t wait for them to meet you.”

  “Okay then, Mum. Let’s head to mine so I can change clothes, and then we can go and get the girls and head out.”

  They left the car park and headed to Alison’s. Flick was intrigued to see where Alison lived and, was also looking forward to spending the afternoon and evening with her.

  Chapter Seven

  Flick waited in the car while Alison went to change. She was only in the house for fifteen minutes. When she exited all Felicity could do was stare. Alison was dressed in black-heeled boots, jeans and a black shirt. Flick struggled to breathe. Where were these feelings coming from? She was straight, she had never thought of another woman as attractive or sexy. She would have to analyse this later.

  They sped through town, with Flick placing a call to the childminder, to inform her that she would be home within half an hour, but not to tell the girls. Just to get them to change into something nice.

  Alison parked her car next to Flick’s. She then went to open the passenger door. Flick gave Alison an enormous smile and squeezed her arm in thanks. Alison felt her skin tingle, where Flick’s hand had been. She followed Flick inside and was nearly knocked back, as a child threw herself into Flick’s legs, causing her to lose her balance.

  Flick turned her daughter around to face Alison. “Annabelle, this is a friend of mine from school. Her name is Alison.”

  Annabelle stepped forward with her hand outstretched. Alison chuckled softly and then took Annabelle’s hand. “My name is Annabelle Mayhew, It’s very nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise Annabelle, my name is Alison Macguire. But you can call me Ali.”

  They all went through to the living room. Chelsea was perched on the sofa, playing a video game. Flick stood in front of the TV trying to gain her daughter’s attention. When she didn’t get it she turned the TV off. Chelsea started to protest, but then stopped when she realised there was someone else in the house. Flick made the introductions. Again the offered hand from Chelsea surprised Alison.

  Flick looked at her children. Annabelle was changed and ready to go, but Chelsea looked anything but. “Right Ali, Chelsea and I are going upstairs to change. Annabelle will you keep, Ali, company while we get ready?”

  “No problems, Mum.”

  Annabelle took Ali’s hand and led her to the sofa, and they started talking. Flick went upstairs to change, and realised that she hadn’t done any ironing and hadn’t got a top. She quickly changed her trousers and then fished about for a top. She found a purple shirt, pulled on her dressing gown and went down stairs to iron it quickly. She was surprised when she walked into the living room, and found Annabelle and Ali playing a computer game.

  Ali looked up as Flick entered. Her eyes were drawn to the opening of her dressing gown, and the small teasing wink of cleavage she could see. She pulled her eyes away quickly, blushed and then smiled.

  After half an hour of changing and applying makeup, making sure Chelsea was appropriately dressed, and prising Ali and Annabelle off the sofa they were ready to go. Ali insisted that they go in her car. When Chelsea saw the convertible, she asked if they could have the top down for a little while. Ali was reluctant at first. They would freeze. January wasn’t ideal for roof down driving. But agreed for a mile or so.

  After lowering the roof she asked, what everyone fancied for tea. She checked her watch and noticed that it was just after 5 p.m.

  “I would like to go somewhere with rides,” said Annabelle.

  Ali laughed, she knew the place to go but they would have to do it another time. She wanted to sit and talk to Flick while the kids entertained themselves. “What about The George and Dragon in Bromley? They have an indoor play area and video games.”

  Flick nodded her approval and, they all sat back enjoyed the ride over to Bromley.

  After two miles everyone was perished, and Ali had to put the roof back up. She promised Chelsea a ride in the summer.

  ###

  Once seated in the restaurant. Ali listened to what the girls would like to eat, and then turned her eyes to Flick. They agreed to share a seafood platter for starters, and then order separate main courses.

  Alison approached the bar ready to order food. When it came to ordering drinks she had to call Annabelle over, to act as a runner between her and the table. She turned back to the bar and ordered three glasses of coke. She turned when she felt a hand slip around her waist, and a soft voice in her ear that gently asked for a glass of Chardonnay.

  Ali turned to face Flick, their faces only inches apart. They smiled at each other. A subtle clearing of a throat brought Ali back to the real world. She smiled at the bartender and ordered Flick’s wine. She opened a tab with her card and also, bought the girls some video machine tokens for after dinner.

  They all sat around the table chatting, while waiting for dinner. Ali learnt that Flick, had moved to Cardiff not long after finishing University. She really missed London though. Flick said that she had some problems with an ex in Cardiff, so she decided to move back home. Ali saw the tension in Flick’s face, and decided not to ask in front of the kids.

  Annabelle was making Ali laugh. She decided that because Ali had shortened her name for them, she was going to do the same. From now on Ali was to call her Belle. Which suited her just fine.

  “Why don’t we just call you, ’Big Al’?” said Chelsea.

  Ali looked at Chelsea seriously. “There is only one person who can call me ’Big Al’ and, get away from the tickle fight that always follows. That’s your, Mum. She has always called me ’Big Al’.”

  Flick smiled and thought a tickle fight with Ali sounded fun. Her mind went to them rolling around on the floor, tickling each other ruthlessly and laughing until their sides hurt. She again wondered where the hell all these thoughts were coming from. I’m straight for God’s sake. How had Alison Macguire made her, start thinking about being with a woman? This was getting beyond a joke now.

  “Yes, I think I’m too old for that now it sounds rather childish, so I will just call you, Ali, instead.”

  The starters arrived and everyone dug in. Ali and Flick sharing theirs and the girls chomping away on garlic bread. Flick looked up at Ali and started laughing. She had got a huge blob of tartar sauce on her chin. Without thinking Flick reached out and wiped it off with her finger. Flick cleared her throat as she wiped her fingers on a napkin.

  The rest of the meal was eaten relatively quietly. By the time Ali w
as half way through her steak, the kids started getting restless, wanting to go and play.

  “Okay, guys, but be careful and don’t be stupid in there,” Flick said.

  “Before you go though, guys, you might need these,” Ali split the tokens up between them, and smiled as Belle hugged her in thanks.

  Ali and Flick finished their meals and then moved to, a corner table with comfortable tub chairs. They could see the girls better from where they were sitting. They could talk and keep a watchful eye.

  “So, Ms Macguire, what have you been up to all these years?”

  “Well where to start. I finished school and went to college in the city to do my A levels. After I had done those I was accepted to Oxford University, which is where I decided I wanted to become a HR manager. My Father died two years after I left school, he had a heart attack while driving home from work.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ali, I remember him dropping you off at school, he was a Doctor wasn’t he?”

  “Yes. He had a practice on Harley Street specialising in plastic surgery.”

  “Wow, I never knew that. What about you’re Mother, do you still see her?”

  “Not so much anymore, she has just decided to move to France to live with her boyfriend Claude. She has signed the house here over to me. She has got a renovation project going on over there.”

  “Your Mum has signed her house over to you free and clear? Where is it?”

  “Yep, free and clear, you saw the house earlier. It has five bedrooms, three with en suites, a gym room, a swimming pool, a dining room, lounge and a massive open plan kitchen, half of which is like a little lounge. I’m going to get bored with rattling around in the house on my own. You may have to bring the girls around to make it feel like a home occasionally.”

  “What are you going to do with it? If it’s too big for you then why don’t you sell it, and find something smaller?”