Love Returns

by Ronni Meyrick

  “I could never sell it, my Dad brought that house thirty years ago, and I cherish it with all my heart. You never know, I may find someone who wants to share the house and my life. So far I’ve been very unlucky on that front.”

  She reached for her drink and Flick finished her wine. “Would you like another?” Flick asked.

  “A coke would be great.”

  “Would you like a glass of wine? I know you’re driving but one glass should keep you under the limit.”

  “No, a coke is fine thanks, I never drink and drive.”

  Flick hesitated before she said exactly what was on her mind. “I’ll order a bottle and ask them to keep it chilled. Then when we’re ready to leave we can take it with us. You can crash at mine on the sofa, and we can have a good old catch up.”

  Ali thought for a moment. Did she have anything to do tomorrow? Not a thing. “That would be nice, thank you.”

  Flick ordered another glass of wine and a coke for Ali. She was wondering why she felt the need to be close to Ali. They were friends at school, but never really that close. She looked over at Ali who was talking to a very upset Annabelle. She was just about to walk over and see what the problem was, when Ali rose from the table and followed Annabelle into the kid’s zone. She smiled as Annabelle took hold of Ali’s hand and led her through the door.

  She paid for the drinks and ordered two bottles of Pinot Grigio to take home. The manager was more than happy to keep them chilled. She returned to the table to see Ali walking towards her. God even her walk was sexy.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, Belle’s tokens got chewed by the machine, and she thought she would be in trouble. So I went in and talked to the staff and they gave her and Chelsea more tokens. She’s okay now and having a great time blowing things up.”

  “Thanks for sorting that out. It’s funny, I’ve always been used to doing things like that.”

  “Well, what can I ask you? You have already found out some about my life, but I’m really intrigued as to what you’ve been up to. How come you’re no longer with the girls Dad?” Alison asked hesitantly.

  “He was a nasty piece of work. I was married to him for 6 years and he turned into a psycho. The girls are to have no contact with him and that is just fine with him, he doesn’t support them, which is fine. As Chelsea said “At least she doesn’t have to say thank you to him for anything.” “Which is just the way I like it.”

  “What about the last partner you had. That was the reason you left Cardiff wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, but I’ve not had nearly enough wine to talk about Thomas.”

  Ali looked at Flick and noticed that she had tears in her eyes. Obviously this was a tough subject for her. Ali reached across the chair and grabbed Flick’s hand.

  “You don’t need to tell me if it’s going to upset you, I was just curious that’s all.”

  Flick looked at Ali’s hand, she entwined their fingers. She was immediately comforted by Ali’s gesture.

  “I want to tell you, it is still affecting my life now. I know we’re safe but I still look over my shoulder, when going through the front door. Just in case,” she squeezed Ali’s hand.

  Ali’s thumb started stroking Flick’s. “I know. Let’s talk about it later on. Now what do you say we all go out for the day tomorrow? Seeing as you’re putting me up for the night, I would like to take you all to the seaside. Do you think the girls would like that?”

  “Are you joking they would love it, especially if there’s a pier. They’ve been saving their 2p’s for the slot machines since the last time we went to Margate.”

  “Great. Well I have had enough coke for tonight. How about I go and get the girls while you finish your wine, and we can go back with the top down for a little while with the stereo blaring. That should please Chelsea.”

  “You’re really a big child at heart, there is no blaming my Daughter. You’re just as bad,” she laughed at the shocked looked on Ali’s face.

  “I’ll get the girls.”

  She watched Ali walk away. She knocked back the last mouthful of wine, and went to retrieve the bottles she had purchased earlier.

  Ali came out with the girls. Belle was on her back and Chelsea was laughing at something Ali was saying. As she approached Ali juggled Belle on her back while reaching, into her jeans back pocket to get her wallet. Flick then realised the meal had to be paid for.

  “If you take the girls out to the car, I’ll be out in a minute. Look in the boot there should be two wine cooler sleeves. That should keep them cold until we get back to yours.”

  As Flick walked out of the door Ali couldn’t help but stare at her rear. What a fantastic backside. She would love to be able to touch it or pinch it, but Flick would probably have a heart attack, it was obvious that Flick was straight and she didn’t want to scare her.

  When the manager approached she asked him about the computer games in the Kid’s zone, some were for sale. She had walked in on Belle and Chelsea drooling over two of them. He followed her through the kid’s zone and when she pointed, out the games he added them to her bill. The girls were really sweet and she had already formed a friendship with them. She paid the bill and then put the games, down the back of her jeans so the girls didn’t see them. When she reached the door, Flick and the girls were waiting for her. She raised an eyebrow in question.

  “I couldn’t figure out the door locks,” Flick said with a laugh.

  Ali took the keys and Flick linked arms with her as they crossed the car park. Ali was buzzing as they appeared to others as a couple. Nothing pleased her more than having people think, this beautiful woman was her partner. She pressed the alarm button and opened Flick’s door for her. Once she was seated she closed the door and went and opened her door, she moved the seat so the girls could get in the back. As she was about to get in she thought about the games.

  “I can’t sit down with these in my jeans.”

  She pulled the games out and passed them over the seat. Flick was taken aback by the sweet gesture, and then chastised her for buying them presents. Ali put her Bluetooth headset on, then started the car and pressed the button to lower the roof. She buckled up and as soon as the radio kicked in Chelsea asked. “Can you turn it up?”

  Flick rolled her eyes and laughed, as Alison obliged.

  They were about a mile from Flick’s house when Ali’s phone rang. She turned down the music and answered the call. It was her Mother.

  “Hi, Mum. How are you?”

  “We’re fine, darling. I’m calling to ask if you have plans for tomorrow?”

  Ali looked at her companions in the car before answering. They hadn’t mentioned the seaside to the girls.

  “Yes, I do. Me and a friend are planning to head to the coast for the day.”

  “Oh,” her Mother said. “What Brighton?”

  Ali looked over to Flick. She hadn’t decided until that point where, but Brighton was perfect. “Yes.”

  “That sounds like fun. Would you mind if Claude and I joined you?”

  “I’ll check with Flick and the girls, and then call you back if that’s okay?”

  “No worries, sweetheart. We are flying into Gatwick we should be, there at about 11 o’clock. We can hire a car and meet you there. Can you let me know tonight, so I can book a car before we leave tomorrow?”

  “Yes, Mum, give me half an hour and I’ll call you back.”

  “Bye, sweetheart.”

  With that, her Mum disconnected. Did she want to share Flick and the girls with her Mother? Not really, but she hardly got to see her Mother, and this would be a great opportunity to catch up.

  They all entered the house. Flick signalling Ali to follow her into the kitchen. She placed the wine on the counter and turned to a cabinet to get glasses. By the time she had turned back around Ali had one of the bottles open. Flick set the glasses down and Ali filled them both. Flick watched as Ali took a hearty gulp. “Wow, that must have been an interesting phone call?”r />
  “My Mum, just being my Mum that’s all. Do you mind if she and Claude joined us at the seaside tomorrow? They’re flying in tomorrow and would like to go with us.”

  “That would be really good, Ali. We still haven’t told the girls though.”

  “Let’s not. We can just surprise them when we get there.”

  “Okay, your call, my friend.”

  Flick had fun trying to get the girls to go to bed, in the end she had to tell them that they were going out tomorrow with Ali. Belle immediately asked where, Flick told her it was a secret. She quickly popped into her bedroom to check her appearance and add a quick squirt of perfume. Why did she find that important?

  Ali was on the phone to her Mother firming up plans for tomorrow. She had told her no to tea at The Grand Hotel, and told her to keep everything very casual. She had explained that Flick’s girls were going and her Mother was looking forward to meeting them all. Ali’s Mother was somewhat of a pain, she likes to think of herself as a snob, but sometimes forgot herself. That’s when she really let her hair down. Ali was glad that she had taken after her father, and was very laid back not at all snobbish.

  Ali smiled as Flick came into the front room carrying the bottle of wine and their glasses. They sat on the same sofa and relaxed back into it. Flick smiled as she noticed Ali had already taken her shoes off and got herself comfy.

  “So, ’Big Al’, you’ve heard a little about my disastrous love life, what about yours?”

  “Well, I was seeing someone not so long ago, we ended things and are still good friends,” there was a silence that neither filled, then Ali added. “She is now seeing my best friend Charlie and they are madly in love.”

  Flick raised an eyebrow at the ’she’ part, “you mean you’re gay?”

  “Yep, have been forever.”

  “Surely you’ve been out with a man?”

  “No, never, I came out in college. Men have never interested me, and never will.”

  Oh good Lord, Flick thought. I wonder if she knew she was gay when we were at school? That would explain the goo goo eyes, she always saw staring back at her whenever Ali was around. She had to ask. “Did you know you were gay in school?”

  “I think I did. None of the boys ever interested me, but a few of the girls could get my heart racing just with a smile.”

  Flick laughed out loud at the blush that covered Ali’s face. So she had bared all. If anything, Ali wasn’t shy.

  “Ali, I used to catch you looking at me, whenever we were in the same room together. Was I one of those girls that use to make your heart race?” She asked with a soft voice to alleviate any uncomfortable feelings Ali might have.

  “Yes.” She whispered. “But that’s all the information you’re getting,” she poked her tongue out at Flick and giggled a little.

  They spent the rest of the evening talking about life past and present. Ali had finally decided that Flick should tell her more about the Cardiff situation.

  “So now we’ve had enough to drink, you’ve got to tell me about what happened in Cardiff.”

  Flick relayed the whole ordeal to Ali, who was a great listener. When Flick mentioned the fire that was started, the punch to the face, and the fact she was made to kneel in broken glass, her voice cracked and Ali put her arm around her. Flick buried her forehead into Ali’s shoulder and cried. Once she had composed herself. She related the rest of the story and was surprised when Ali got up and started pacing in front of the coffee table.

  “What’s up?”

  “I’m so angry that he put you and the girls through that,” Ali was fuming.

  “It’s okay, Ali, we’re fine and he’s in prison. We’re okay”

  Ali sat back on the sofa and pulled Flick into a cuddle. “Well he is still a bastard to have done what he did.”

  Flick pulled back and looked at Ali. She knew she was mad to bring this up, because she hadn’t got anything clear in her own mind, but she had to talk about this or she would burst.

  “Ali, I need to talk to you about something else. Since that day I saw you in reception at work, I haven’t been able to think straight. I just knew a stunning woman had given me a gorgeous smile. Then when I started work, I began noticing you more. I even found myself looking at your arse in the lift,” she picked up her wine glass and finished it then refilled it. “I’ve never ever stared at a woman’s arse, or thought of a woman as attractive. But I do you.”

  Ali was perplexed and couldn’t form any words. She just sat there open mouthed. Flick laughed.

  “Ali, you’re not supposed to be the one embarrassed I am. I can’t believe I’ve just said all of that. I’ve always dated men, but they’ve always turned out to be losers. If I really think about it I’ve never really been interested in any of them. I think I probably went out with them, because that was what was expected”

  “Oh, my God! What can I say to that? Except that I’ve always found you attractive, and you still make my heart race, the same as you did in school.”

  Flick reached out and grasped Ali’s hand. They sat like that while they drank the wine and chatted. Flick admitted that she was scared to find herself attracted to Ali who, had again, wrapped her arm around her and just held her. She reassured Flick, there was nothing to be scared of and to just go with the flow. She wouldn’t push the issue. They fell asleep on the sofa. Flick curled at Ali’s side using her shoulder as a pillow.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning after they’d been to Ali’s house, so she could shower and change, they headed towards the south coast in Ali’s car. Belle loved Ali’s house.

  “If we ever come to stay with you, Ali, can I please bring my computer and blue-ray player?” she asked sweetly.

  “You can bring anything you want, sweet pea.”

  Flick was still embarrassed about their conversation last night. Ali knew this and was going to talk to her as soon as they were alone.

  The conversation flowed as they sped down the motorway. Ali saw a sign for the services, and decided to pull in using the excuse as a toilet break. They all got out of the car, Ali opening the door for Flick. Again she threaded her arm through Ali’s, and they walked into the service station together.

  They all headed for the little girls room. When they came out the girls asked, their Mum for some money for the machines. Flick handed them both change and then followed Ali into the coffee shop. They ordered drinks and found a table.

  “I’m glad I’ve finally got you alone,” Ali said

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, we need to talk about last night, and our conversation. I know you’re feeling uncomfortable, and I wanted to put you at ease.”

  Flick smiled at Ali’s thoughtfulness. “A little uncomfortable maybe.”

  “Well like I said last night, I will not push the issue with you. If you want to hold my hand then do it. If you want a hug then do it. You don’t have to be ashamed about your feelings, and I’m glad you opened up to me last night. We can talk to the kids and explain things to them. We can just go with the flow. I really like you, Felicity, and I don’t want to screw anything up.”

  Flick smiled, Ali was being serious. “Thank you, Ali. I can relax now we’ve actually talked about it.”

  “Good.”

  The girls came running up from the machines. They both had Teddy bears.

  “Ali,” said Belle. “I know we can’t call you, ’Big Al’, but can I call my teddy bear that?”

  “Of course you can, sweetie,” she said with a smile. “Right come on, girls, back in the car, Brighton is calling us, and I for one can’t wait to go on the pier.”

  The girls started walking and Ali stopped to do her shoelace up. Immediately Belle spotted her chance, she hiked herself up onto Ali’s back. Ali laughed at how quick she was. Flick hadn’t even noticed.

  “Alright, trouble, let’s go.”

  Flick was laughing when they rushed past her to the car. By the time she got there Ali had Belle in and buckled up. Ali
again opened the door for Flick. She raced round to her side let Chelsea in and then got in herself. She got herself sorted and was about to pull away when a warm hand wrapped around her forearm.

  “Thanks for always opening and closing doors for me. But it’s not really necessary all the time.”

  “I know but, I can keep an eye on you if you go first,” she lowered her head to whisper in Flick’s ear. “Plus I get a brilliant view of your superb arse.”

  Flick laughed and released her arm. Ali pulled back into the traffic, and after thirty minutes they were nearly in Brighton.

  Just as Ali was driving past Preston Park her mobile rang. It was her Mum.

  “Look behind you, sweetheart.”

  Ali looked in her rear-view mirror and noticed her Mum and Claude behind.

  “Hey, girls, turn around and give my Mum a wave.”

  Belle was first up and waving like a maniac. Even Flick turned round and joined in the fun.

  “Where are you staying, Mum?”

  “The Grand. Would you like me to call them, and ask them if we can use a parking space for your car?”

  “That would be a good idea.”

  “Speak to you in a second.”

  Her Mum disconnected the call and Ali looked at Flick.

  “Mum is staying at The Grand Hotel. She is going to call and ask if we can park the car in the underground car park.”

  Flick turned to the girls and warned them, they were going to a very posh hotel to meet Ali’s Mum, and that they were to be on their best behaviour, and remember their manners.

  Ali’s phone rang.

  “Hey, Mum.”

  “You can park there for free, I’ve given them your registration number, and we can then meet you in the bar afterwards.”

  “Mum, we have the kids with us so we can’t go into the bar. How about we meet in reception and all head out afterwards for lunch?”

  “That’s a good plan. See you in twenty minutes.”

  Ali disconnected her call. She turned to Flick and said, “lunch with Mum and Claude, are you, guys, okay with that? Then we head to the pier for fun and games.”