Love Returns

by Ronni Meyrick

  Oh my God, she thought. What a Goddess. She could feel her heart beating in her chest. She walked back into the lounge and picked her own glass up. She was sat quietly listening to the music, when she heard a squeal from the bedroom. Flick appeared in the doorway, and raised a finger to her motioning for her to go in to the bedroom. Ali got up and went to her.

  “Ali, how did you know?”

  “I was watching you, and your eyes lit up when you saw it. I just had to get it for you.”

  Flick nearly threw herself at Ali. Flick found her mouth quickly, and kissed her hard. She pulled back and looked into Ali’s eyes.

  “Thank you, darling.”

  She kissed her again and this time, Ali felt Flick’s tongue ease into her mouth. She returned the kiss with equal passion, and Flick responded by sucking Ali’s tongue further into her mouth. They pulled apart and just stood holding each other.

  “I’m sorry to spoil this glorious moment, but we need to get ready.”

  “Okay,” Flick said, the disappointment evident in her voice.

  They both went into the lounge. Flick went to the girl’s bedroom and started getting them organised. Ali retreated to the bathroom and started her shower.

  Once she was wrapped in her dressing gown, she picked up her perfume and clothes and walked into the living room.

  “I’m going to change in the girls’ room.”

  She walked into Chelsea and Belle’s room, and put her stuff down. Then she realised she had left Flick’s other present in their bedroom. She ran and retrieved the gift before Flick could find it.

  She went back into the girl’s bedroom and made herself look presentable. Once dressed, she left her dressing gown hanging in the girls’ bathroom. She walked into the lounge and found the girls alone. She hadn’t realised how good they looked, she smiled at them and said.

  “Wow! If your Mum scrubs up half as good as you two, then we’re in for a treat.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that,” Chelsea said with a smile.

  Ali realised she hadn’t brought a camera with her. She went to the bedroom door and shouted through to see if Flick was decent.

  “Yeah I’m in the bathroom and I’ll shut the door, so you don’t see this dress.”

  Ali walked into the bedroom noticing the makeup that had been opened, and the fresh lovely smell of Flick’s new perfume.

  “I’m going to take the girls downstairs. There is something I need to get from the shop in the lobby,” she checked her watch and said. “Don’t rush yourself, we’ve got half an hour yet. But if you want to join me for a drink before we go, I’ll see you in ten minutes in the bar.”

  Ali got the girls ready to go. She heard Flick singing in the bedroom and smiled. She ushered them out the door and into the lift.

  “What have you got to get from the shop, Ali?” Chelsea asked.

  “I forgot to bring a camera, you two look like angels, and I want to capture that.”

  They bumped into Marion and Claude in the lobby.

  “I’ve asked if the girls can come in to the bar, for a little while before we go out, we can all have a drink that way,” said Marion.

  “Great, will you just stay with the girls for a minute while I run into the shop?”

  “Of course, darling.”

  “Ali forgot her camera. So she is going to get another one,” Belle said.

  Ali was gone for five minutes. She arrived back with camera in hand, already to use. She had brought batteries and told the assistant, that she would pick the box up in the morning.

  She got everyone together for a group photo. Then she took one of just the girls. Just as she took the picture she noticed, the look of amazement on her Mother’s face. She turned to find Flick stepping off the lift. She smiled coyly and approached her, she didn’t notice her Mother, Claude and the girls go into the bar.

  “You look amazing, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you, Ms Macguire.”

  Flick was wearing a black dress that reached her knees. She had on a pair of black shoes, and a black evening purse tucked under her arm. Her hair was tied back, and Ali thought it made her neck look luscious. Ali reached out her hand and traced her fingers across Flick’s collarbone. Flick gave a little shiver and Ali smiled.

  “A neck this gorgeous needs something on it,” she reached into her back pocket and, pulled out a long thin box. Flicks eyes grew bigger.

  “Ali, there was no need for you to do this.”

  “Oh, yes there was.”

  Ali opened the box and Flick gazed at the white gold chain, which held a mounted diamond that sparkled in the light. Ali took the necklace out of the box and walked behind Flick to attach it. She resisted the urge to fasten her lips, on to the junction of Flick’s neck and shoulder. When the chain was fastened they walked over to reception, so that Flick could see her present attached. Ali gave the receptionist the box and told her she would collect it in the morning.

  Flick was near tears when Ali looked at her. She immediately took her hand and hooked it through her arm. They walked together into the bar. The girls immediately spotted the necklace.

  “Well, don’t you two make a pretty picture,” said Marion. She produced Ali’s camera and told them to pose. They turned to face each other and smiled. Another one was taken of them facing the camera. Then the girls joined them for one too.

  “Alison, darling, I’ve ordered you a cognac. Flick, you have got a vodka and tonic.”

  “Good guess, Marion.”

  They all sat in the bar discussing the day. Ali’s arm casually draped over the back of Flick’s chair, her thumb casually making lazy circles on Flick’s shoulder. A Man approached and asked if they were Mr Renton’s party. Marion Nodded, and was helped up by Claude. Ali offered Flick her hand, which she gladly took. The girls walked ahead of them as they left the bar and made their way to the front of the hotel.

  “OH MY LORD!!!!” The girls screamed in unison.

  Claude had ordered a limo to take them to the theatre. As Alison helped Flick into the limo, she noticed the changes in her Mum. She was a lot happier, and didn’t seem to have that permanent stick up her butt, that restricted her from having fun. Claude was obviously a very good influence on her.

  As They headed toward the theatre, it was obvious to see that the girls were buzzing with excitement. Ali pulled out her camera and started snapping pictures, the girls would be able to show their friends what their weekend had been like.

  ###

  The musical was endless. Ali and Flick sat next to each other, with a girl either side of them. Poor Belle had fallen asleep thirty minutes after the interval, she had sat on Ali’s lap to get a better view of the stage. That’s where she remained. Curled up leaning against Ali’s body, with her head on her shoulder, sound asleep. But Chelsea was having a great time. Ali glanced upon her hand, which was held tightly in Flick’s lap.

  Not long to go now, and it was back to the hotel. Now what are the sleeping arrangements? She didn’t want to go charging in, like a bull in a china shop. She wanted Flick to be sure of everything, before anything happened. They would tackle this issue later.

  When the show ended Marion swept Chelsea away to the merchandise stand. Ali slowly stood, trying not to wake Belle. She carried her from the theatre out to the limo that was waiting for them. Ali and Flick got in while Claude waited for the other two. Flick sat nearly in the middle of the seat, she motioned for Ali to place Belle next to her with her head resting on her thigh. She then got Ali to sit behind her. Flick leaned back into her, and pulled Ali’s arm around her waist. She reached up and touched Ali’s face.

  “Thank you for everything. The girls have had a blast. It seems funny, that we only met back up yesterday.”

  “I know, sweetheart, and that’s why I’m not pushing anything. We’ve had a whirlwind experience the last couple of days, and that won’t happen every weekend, we’ve got a lot to learn about each other.”

  “Agreed, but you’re not sleepi
ng on the sofa tonight. I might be tempting fate with a bed, but I promise I won’t attack you in the night.”

  They both looked up when Marion and Chelsea climbed in. Their arms were loaded with merchandise.

  “My God, Mother, what did you do buy the shop out?”

  “Indulge me, darling, I haven’t got any grandchildren and I’m not likely to have any. So I’ll spoil these two when I can. Chelsea advised me on things for Annabelle. They’ve got the same as it works out.”

  Flick laughed.

  “Let’s go for a drive,” Claude said, “we can take in the night lights of the city.”

  He pulled out some champagne, and poured all the adults a glass. Chelsea settled for orange juice in a champagne flute. It wasn’t long before Chelsea fell asleep. Her head lay in Marion’s lap.

  Flick smiled at the sight of them. She reached up and pulled Ali’s head down for a quick kiss.

  “Thank you, again.”

  When they reached the hotel, Claude and Ali carried the girls in. They went up to the suite and put them to bed. Ali checked on them one last time before she closed the door. She then headed to their bedroom, where Flick was removing her makeup.

  “What side do you want?” Ali asked.

  “The right, please.”

  “Okay, I’m going to use the bathroom and then go to bed, I’m knackered.”

  “Yeah okay, I won’t be far behind you.”

  Ali closed the bathroom door and changed into her pj’s. What a day, she knew things were moving too fast, and that reality would return tomorrow when they got back to London. We can just see how things go, when we get back. She thought to herself. But she knew she wasn’t ready to sleep with Flick yet. She wanted to make sure she couldn’t screw things up, and when the time finally did come, she wanted to make the experience memorable and romantic for Flick.

  She finished her night time routine and exited the bathroom and headed towards the bed.

  “I won’t be long,” Flick said as she went into the bathroom.

  Five minutes later she was climbing into bed beside Ali. Flick turned and nestled herself against Ali’s side. Ali wrapped an arm around her, so that she could use her shoulder as a pillow.

  “Thank you for a great weekend, Ali, and thank you for letting me kiss you earlier too. It was very enjoyable.”

  “It was Mum who planned everything for today, and the kiss was highly enjoyable. Perhaps we could try it again?”

  Flick raised her head. Her lips were instantly, captured by Ali’s. They kissed for what seemed like hours. Flick finally pulled away, and again nestled herself against Ali. She threw her arm across Ali’s stomach and sighed. It was as if, they slept like this all the time.

  Ali felt her desire awaken at the feel of Flick’s lips against hers. But she was happy with just having Flick cuddled at her side. This was enough for now. This intimacy was just the right amount. She kissed the top of Flick’s head and let sleep claim her.

  Chapter Nine

  Monday was the beginning of a new week, and Ali felt ready to tackle anything. The weekend was wonderful. They had left Brighton after lunch with Marion and Claude. Ali had taken Flick and the girl’s home, and stayed for a quick coffee. Flick had given her a passionate kiss goodbye, with the promise to see her at work today.

  Ali had to remember to keep a professional head at work, otherwise Frank and Mr. McDougal wouldn’t be impressed. This was a conversation that she and Flick would need to have. As senior management, Ali didn’t want to rock the boat with news of an inter office romance. She had gone home and checked the terms and conditions of the company.

  There were no rules against relationships with other members of staff. Thank God! She liked her job and didn’t need to lose it. If there was a company policy against it, then she would give her job up in a heartbeat, if it meant she could keep seeing Flick.

  Mr. McDougal appeared in her doorway. He was as white as a sheet. “Alison, we have a problem.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Paul Jenkins committed suicide in jail last night.”

  Ali’s face swiftly rained of colour too. “Oh, good God.”

  “His family solicitor has contacted me, they are suing the company for compensation, claiming that Paul was pushed over the edge by the whole situation.”

  “Have you spoken to the legal team?”

  “Not as yet.”

  “Right, let’s get cracking,” Alison walked behind her desk and picked up the phone, she called the head of the legal department. “Can you call the company solicitor, and have him get here immediately. We’re meeting in the conference room as soon as he gets here. I would like you present as well. Bring everything we have on Paul Jenkins. I’ll pull his personnel file, and bring that with me,” she hung up, and picked the receiver up again. “Frank, we need you in my office now,” she demanded.

  Frank heard the urgency in her voice, and didn’t waste any time in giving his reply, “Okay, Ali, I’m on my way.” Ali and Mr. McDougal went and sat at the coffee table, while they waited for Frank. Within a couple of minutes he appeared out of breath, “okay, where’s the fire?” he panted

  “Sit down, Frank, we need to talk about Paul Jenkins,” Mr. McDougal said pointing to the other vacant chair.

  “Oh, for God sake is that all,” Frank sighed, “he has been dismissed and the police are dealing with him now. Jesus! The guy no longer works here, and he’s still being a pain in the arse.”

  Ali looked at him with wide eyes, “Frank, he committed suicide last night in his cell.”

  “Jesus Christ, how?”

  McDougal cleared his throat, and motioned toward the spare chair again. He was sick of seeing Frank pacing already. It was going to be a long day.

  “We don’t know. But his family are taking us to court. They want compensation over his death. Apparently a solicitor thinks we’re to blame.”

  “Well that’s just bloody marvellous,” Frank said finally sitting down.

  “You both need to calm down. Frank, I’ve asked for a meeting, as soon as our solicitor gets here. We’ve got to go over the facts. If Paul left a suicide note we need to see that, and look at any psych reports from the prison hospital, that’s if they exist,” Ali said calmly.

  “Okay, we’ve got a day’s long meeting it seems. I will get my secretary to order us lunch, and bring us coffee. But we can do that when everyone gets in,” Mr. McDougal rose and, motioned for Frank to follow. “We’ll see you as soon as you’re ready, in the conference room, Ali.”

  She nodded and started rummaging through, the file cabinets in her office, looking for Paul’s file.

  Before she left for the meeting Ali quickly checked her email, to make sure there was nothing that needed her attention now. There was an email from Flick, asking her to lunch. She reached for the phone and dialled Flick’s extension.

  “Hey it’s me. I’m sorry I won’t be able to make lunch. Something has come up, and it looks like I’ll be in a meeting all day.”

  Ali could hear the disappointment in Flick’s voice. But she promised to call her as soon as the meeting was over.

  She gathered her files and headed towards the door, she turned back and walked to the percolator, and she grabbed her coffee and then headed out. This meeting was going to be a bloody nightmare, and she was sure as shit not going through it, without decent coffee.

  After two hours of the meeting it was lunchtime. Tracey, McDougal’s secretary, had ordered lunch. But Ali couldn’t touch hers. They had managed to get hold of the solicitor representing the family. He forwarded everything over to the team.

  Included in the mountain of paperwork sent, was a picture of Paul, after the prison guards had cut him down from the ligature. There was a deep indentation around his neck, and his face was swollen. Ali hadn’t been able to get that picture out of her mind.

  Three more hours of debate, were enough. Ali couldn’t take any more, “right let’s look at the facts again. He was depressed at losing
his job, and being taken to prison for the embezzling. He harboured no ill feelings towards the company, as he knew that he would be caught eventually. We know that, as it’s in his psych reports.”

  Mr. McDougal and Frank looked at her, as if she was the only voice of reason, within the room.

  “His wife knew nothing of the embezzling, and was threatening to divorce him when he was arrested. There has not been any mention of the million he had stolen. Where did it go? Surely she didn’t think the extra money was all in bonuses. We need to talk to this solicitor again, and do some background checks on the firm he represents.”

  “Then we need to write a companywide email, informing people that Paul has passed away. He had many friends here, and they would like to know. If the legal team go and do some research on this company, I’ll go and send the email, we’ll meet back in here in an hour.”

  She looked at everyone, who nodded in agreement. She started picking up her folders and was ready to leave when, Mr. McDougal called her back. He waited for everyone to leave. Well everyone except Frank.

  “Ali, where are you going with this?”

  “I’m following my intuition on this for a minute. If I’m correct then this will be done and dusted by this evening. I’m going to my office to send this email, people have the right to know.”

  “Okay, Ali, but we’re trusting you here, I just hope your intuition is right.”

  Ali made her way to her office. Once there and seated at her desk, she opened a blank email ready to start typing. But where would she begin? She leaned back into her chair and started to cry. Yes this was a mess, that she was trying to sort out, but a man had taken his life and she had known him for a five years. He might have been a thief but he was a gentleman, and was always so nice to Ali. She wiped her eyes and began to type.

  I would like to take this opportunity to inform you all, of the very sad passing of a past family member. Paul Jenkins died last night at 10:30. Our deepest sympathy, and prayers go out to all his family and friends. To those who knew Paul, this must come as a shock.