Friday, 20 May 2022

Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (86) Being Patient

Charlie Wise was 30 years old and had lived in Clarence all his life, and although he lived alone it wasn’t altogether out of choice.

There were more than a few eligible females in the village that he could have had his pick of, and he had even tried a few of the on for size but none of them suited. 

But things changed for the most eligible bachelor in the village when Maxine Prendergast moved in next door with her Aunt Vikki.  

 

The lady of the house, Vikki, was a very attractive woman and was still in possession of a very fine figure despite being the wrong side of 50, and she lived with her much younger girlfriend Lindsay and when Maxine’s marriage came to an end and she needed somewhere to escape to, Aunt Vikki and Lindsay welcomed her with open arms.

 

Charlie was taken with Maxi from the first moment he saw her but Vikki cautioned him to be patient and not press his suit too earnestly.

So he took her advice and bided his time, which he did until one sunny Sunday afternoon six months after Maxi arrived in Clarence.

 

He left his house just after lunch and the first people he saw were Vikki, Lindsay and Maxie who were all laughing and joking as they pottered around in Vikki’s front garden.

It had only been six months since Maxi had moved in and they were still getting on famously.

The way they behaved around each other it looked like they’d known each other forever and it certainly didn’t look like there was over 25 years between Auntie and niece.

“Hello girls” he called as he gave them a wave.

“Hello” they chorused in unison as they all waved back.

“Are you coming in for tea?” called Vikki

“On the way back” Mike suggested “I’m just popping to the shop”

“Ok” she replied cheerily

 

He bumped into friends outside the shop so it was an hour later by the time he returned to Vikki’s house there was no sign of the girls.

The gardening tools and the wheelbarrow were still in the front garden and the front door was open so he knew that they were still about somewhere, on the patio drinking tea was his guess.

 

Charlie decided to go in and was just about to announce himself to the occupant’s when he heard light hearted vocal discourse coming from the conservatory.

The lady of the house, Vikki, and her girlfriend Lindsay were sitting on a rattan sofa laughing and giggling.

However as delightful as the affectionate scene was it didn’t hold his attention for long because there was someone else present albeit on the periphery.

Maxie was standing in the kitchen with her forehead resting on the glass partition as she watched the happy scene, with a wistful look on her face and Charlie walked up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder and made her jump.

Although it took her by surprise it didn’t divert her attention for long and after a moment he whispered

“They’re very happy together”

“I want that” Maxie said

“You want what?”

“Oh no I’m not gay” she replied quietly “but I want to be happy like they are”

“So do I” he said and she turned to look at him and Charlie leant in and kissed her

“It took you long enough” Maxie said “I’ve been waiting six months for that”

“I was being patient” he explained

“Thank God it finally was out” Maxie said and kissed him 

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