In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (044) – Plans Upon Plans

 

February

 

Alex and Julie may not have thought they were mad, or what they were doing was crazy, but their respective families certainly did.

A week into the New Year and both mothers were still in shock, the news of Julie’s proposal and the subsequent engagement had taken all their friends and families completely by surprise.

Though Alex’s mother had apparently come to terms with the fact that he would not end his days as a bachelor, and Julie’s similarly that she would not finish up a spinster, however they remained skeptical that it would last and still doubted it was a genuine engagement.

There were times when neither Alex nor Julie could quite believe it themselves and fancied, they were in some kind of waking dream, albeit a wonderfully delicious dream.

But they were in love, and they were engaged, and the majority of their family and friends seemed to be as pleased about it as they were.

 

The mothers were confirmed skeptics whereas the fathers were a little more stoic on the subject.

However, once the dust had settled and as February approached, plans began in earnest with both mothers jockeying for position even though a date hadn’t even been set.    

Julie and Alex decided to just let them get on with it, for the most part, but they would rein them in later when they were clear what they wanted themselves, besides by the end of the month they had more immediate plans to finalize.

Although they hadn’t yet set a date for the wedding, they had set another significant date on the calendar which was fast coming up on the horizon, which they hadn’t yet told the families about, Julie was moving in with him.

 

Alex had a house in the Village, which was bigger than her flat, so it made more sense for her to move in with him rather than the other way around.

They were going to spend February packing up her place so it was ready for renting from the 1st of March when she would officially move in with hm, with as many of her possessions as would fit in.

When he asked her why she wasn’t selling her house, she said

“I want to keep it just in case”

“In case of what?” he asked

“In case you turn out to be a swine” she replied

“Cheeky cow” he said

 

In truth she had been spending all her time at Alex’s, when they weren’t packing in her flat, and for the most part things went without a hitch, the age-old bone of contention the toilet seat being the exception, but that was the only issue, apart from his lucky pants.

It was when she had been commandeering drawer space in the bedroom that he discovered that his lucky pants were missing.

Julie was sitting in the kitchen drinking her tea and he walked in and asked

“Have you seen my lucky pants?”

“Oh yes I threw them out” she replied

“You threw them out?” he asked

“Yes, I did, they’re in the bin” she replied

“But they’re my favourites” he said indignantly, as he fished them out and Julie chuckled as she stood up and then from the doorway she said

“Well, you can either stay down here with your lucky pants or you can come upstairs and get lucky in mine” and she went out the room.

About thirty seconds later he got up and followed her, pausing briefly by the kitchen bin to dispose of his former lucky pants.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (043) – New Years Day

 

January

 

On New Years Day Morning Alex Swaine and Julie Lewis were awake early, although to be honest they had rarely slept as they’d spent the night talking, in fact they were still in their Fancy Dress Costumes, laying on the bed with a quilted throw across them.

He got up and headed for the bathroom and washed and dressed, and when he came out, she went in, by that time breakfast service had begun so he ordered room service.

“I’ve ordered breakfast” he said when she reappeared

“Lovely” she retorted without enthusiasm and all the time they were breakfasting she kept fidgeting and looking at her watch or fiddling with her phone and she hardly ate a thing in fact he ate most of hers as well.

It was obvious she had something on her mind, but he didn’t say anything and just enjoyed the extra breakfast.

They had been sitting there eating breakfast in the bedroom for about half an hour, and he had just poured himself another coffee when all of a sudden, Julie leapt up and said

“Come along, grab your coat”

“What?” he replied “I haven’t finished my coffee”

“No time for that” she insisted “Let’s go”

Well, he wasn’t sure what the problem was, or what the urgency was all about, but she was in her tomboy clothes so he wasn’t going to rock the boat, afterall he’d had two breakfasts so he was ready for anything, so he grabbed his coat and got in step with the woman he’d fallen in love with, in truth he would have followed her anywhere, he caught up with her in the lift.

“So where are we off to?” he asked as they rode the lift down to reception, but she didn’t answer and when the doors opened she set off again, he was hoping they were going to stop at one of the comfortable luxurious looking sofa’s but she just kept marching on and bustled through the front doors and out into the winter.

“This will clear our heads” she announced

“My head is already clear” he thought to himself as she strode off down the path towards the lake, crunching on the frosty leaves with him crunching behind her.

She didn’t speak but he knew she would do soon, he just hoped it would be something he wanted to hear.

When they reached the edge of the water there was a bench facing out across the lake and after telling him to sit down, she began pacing up and down.

“I have something to say, and you’re going to think I'm insane, and why wouldn’t you? what I'm going to say is completely mad, but in my defense, you are the reason for the madness that has infected me, but no matter what you think of me I have to say it out loud” she said

“Ok”  

“I wasn’t looking for it, I didn’t realize I wanted it, but it turns out that I needed it without knowing it, so it was a surprise and I dont mind telling you that it knocked me sideways and now I dont want it to end, and going back to how things were fills me with dread, the last two weeks have been amazng, though unexpected, oh god I'm just rambling, I’ve been afflicted by a crazy rambling madness”.

“Just take a deep breath” he urged

“Ok” she said and took several breaths before continuing

“This is new for me... of course I've had relationships … feelings... those I've had, but this is new, and this is something I’ve never felt”

She took another breath, and he waited patiently.

“I've never said this to anyone before, I never felt that way before, so this is a first for me” she said and stopped pacing and took another breath and looked straight at him and said

“I love you”

Alex immediately stood up and faced her 

“Thats not mad, crazy or insane” He said “I love you too”

He kissed her tenderly as snowflakes started to fall around them, but afterwards she said

“Thats not the crazy part”

“Its not?”

“You should sit down again” she said “because you might want to throw me in the lake after you hear the next part”

“Ok” he said apprehensively as he complied

“Being in love is a first for me, and I like, I like it a lot, and I want more of it, and I want to bottle it so I can imbibe whenever I want, I don’t want it to evaporate away or slip through my fingers, so...”

“So?”

“So, I want to marry you” she said and closed her eyes, and after about thirty seconds when there had been no response she cautiously opened one eye to find him standing inches from her, and as soon as her eyes were fully open, he said

“I want that too”

They kissed passionately at the water’s edge as the snow fell steadily and after about five minutes they started laughing and then ran head long back to the hotel giggling all the way.

 

They went straight up to the room and quickly packed then they drove back to the Village, after dropping her things off at her flat they drove to his house where they spent the rest of the day and the night, as they still had a lot of talking to do.

It was another week before they made love for the first time. 

 

Florist Julie Lewis and photographer Alex Swaine met and fell in love while they danced the night away at the wedding of Charlie and Toddy Phelps.

Which was why on New Years Day, having only known each other for two weeks, down by the lake in the grounds of the Barnabus Manor Hotel Julie proposed and he accepted, and they didn’t think it crazy at all.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (042) – New Years Eve

 

December

 

In the weeks following the marriage of Charlie and Toddy where Florist Julie Lewis and photographer Alex Swaine met and fell in love while they danced the night away.

Technically it was not the first time they’d met, that is to say they were not strangers, because of their professions they were often at the same events, and of course they both lived in the Village, but they had never spoken, until that night at the Wedding reception.

 

The whirlwind romance between Alex Swaine and Julie Lewis continued unabated in the run up to New Years Eve, and on that night, they were guests at the New Years Eve Fancy Dress Party at the Barnabus Manor Hotel, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps, along with other Villagers and parishioners who helped to make their Wedding Day so special, though Charlie and Toddy weren’t in attendance.

 

Although they only lived an Uber away Alex decided to book them a room for the night, although primarily it was for somewhere for them to get into their costumes, they hadn’t at that point progressed to a physical relationship.

 

It was a little short notice for Fancy Dress if you were beyond average dimensions, but it was easier for Julie than it was for Alex.  

Julie looked perfect in a flapper dress because she had the hair for the period, and a lovely figure to go with it.

Because of his height Alex was limited to what costumes he could choose from at the best of times, but for a big holiday like New Years Eve it was even more difficult, so he was dressed as a wizard in a cloak bejeweled with moons, stars and astrological symbols, he looked very striking, but she looked gorgeous in her flapper dress and she turned every head in the place, but he was proud that she was on his arm and not someone else’s.

They danced all night, just like they did at the Wedding two weeks earlier, and at midnight they cheered along with the other guests as the year turned and then the Wizard and the Flapper stood on the dance floor and kissed.

 

They were the last to leave the dance floor and the last of the happy revelers to leave the ballroom from where they made their way up to their room where they spent the night talking, still wearing their Fancy Dress Costumes, laying on the bed with a quilted throw across them.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (041) – The Girl in the Cobalt Blue Dress

 

December

 

Florist Julie Lewis and photographer Alex Swaine were not strangers per se, because of their professions, they were often at the same events, and of course they both lived in the Village, but they had never spoken.

They had both noticed each other at events and in the Village, Alex who was in his late twenties was hard to miss to be fair, because he was a tall man and as if being six foot four inches tall didn’t make him stand out quite enough, nature had also endowed him with flame red hair.

Julie was a couple of years younger and was five foot ten with short brown hair, in a pixie cut, mesmerizing green eyes and a cute figure with curves in all the right places and long slender legs, and that should have been sufficient to make her stand out.

But in addition, she was a tomboy of a girl, more often than not seen going out and about, wearing baggy shorts and an equally baggy t-shirt, or dungarees, depending on the time of year, and always some unfeminine footwear on her feet.

Furthermore, the one thing the pair had in common before that weekend in December was that neither of them were looking for a relationship.

They were both happily single with a large circle of friends and enjoyed their respective professions, at which they were very successful, so the last thing they were looking for was to fall in love.

 

Wedding Days are very busy affairs if you are involved professionally, for Julie is was all Hustle and Bustle before the ceremony, delivering  the flowers to the Church and the reception venue in the morning, then the bridal party for the bouquet, and sprays etcetera and the grooms party with button holes, then ordinarily her work was done and she could head home, but for Charlie and Toddy’s Wedding she was actually a guest at both the ceremony and the reception at the Barnabus Manor Hotel.

For Alex, he was involved from start to finish, from informal shots outside the church, and the first pictures of the bride in her dress, right up to the point when the bride and groom depart from the reception.

He did think he recognized the pixie cut head of Julie among the congregation but then the wedding march began, and he had to focus again on the main event, and he failed to spot her again, so he put it out of his head.

 

He didn’t see her again until the reception after the meal and before the first dance when he chose to do a walk around and catch people at their ease, he noticed her among a group of guests dressed in a sparkling cobalt blue dress with long lace sleeves, and a pleated skirt that flattered her shape, but not too long so it showed off her wonderful legs, and he was blown away.

“Wow” he said “you look lovely”

“Thank you” she replied with a slight flush of her cheek

“So where did the tomboy go?” he asked “You’re wearing girl clothes”

“Well, I thought I’d make an effort for the wedding” she replied

“Well, you’ve turned a few heads” he said “Especially mine”

“That’s nice to know” she said and full on blushed

He would have liked to stay and made her blush some more, but he got a signal that he was needed.

“I’m sorry it looks I have to” he said

“Maybe I’ll see you later”

 “Maybe” she replied and blushed some more

 

When he had finished snapping, he went to find her again, but there was quite a crowd.

He was a tall man so he could see above the heads of the other guests, so at six foot four inches tall he had a commanding view and spotted the pixie cut brunette hair and swan neck of his prey, so he made his way quickly towards where she was sitting.

 

He found her seated at a table chatting to an elderly couple

“Hello” he said

“Hi” she replied “You’re back”

“Yes, I’m finished for the day, can I get you a drink?” he asked “Or a dance maybe”

“A dance first I think” she replied “Then a drink”

He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet.

Julie was tall herself, so it made a nice change for him to talk with a woman who wasn’t considerably shorter than him and he had always had a weakness for brunette hair.

He felt a bit guilty under the circumstances because he was supposed to be working when he saw her earlier, but he was pretty sure she was flirting with him, she had inclined her head to one side and was playing with her hair.

He wasn’t a major expert and tried to remember how girls behaved around him when he was still at school.

Anyway, he decided to proceed, not that he had a choice because he couldn’t help himself, so he led her onto the dance floor.

Once on the floor they didn’t leave it until the light came up and it seemed she’d always had a thing about red heads.

 

They weren’t staying at the Hotel that night, so they shared a cab back to the Village and dropped her off first, Alex got out with her and walked her to the door of her flats and said good night with a kiss on the cheek.

That night changed them forever and as Alex walked the rest of the way home and he reflected on the evening and conceded to himself that he didn’t know what hit him when he saw Julie in a cobalt blue dress.

 

The week following the Wedding, they saw each other every day to some degree but from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day they were with their respective families, but they nonetheless kept in touch, via WhatsApp.   

 

On the day after Boxing Day they met at the Starlight Café, she had got there first and when he arrived, he looked through the window as she sat at the table, and she was like a cat on a hot tin roof fidgeting and looking around and about her, craning her neck every time she heard a noise or a voice.

When he did walk in, he went to the counter and then put a coffee mug on the table in front of her and one on the table for himself.

“Hello” he said

 

When she looked at him gazing across the table at her it took her breath away, he was such a good-looking man, tall, well-toned and lantern jawed and she suddenly felt foolish, how could someone like him be interested in her and she stood up to walk away, full of self-doubt and unaware just how breathtakingly attractive she was herself.

“Don’t go” he called

“I shouldn’t have come” she said

“Of course you should” Alex said walking towards her

“I’m just making a fool of myself” she said and turned to go again

“But I’ve been waiting for you” Alex said

“What?” she asked

“I’ve been waiting for you” he repeated only an arm’s length from her now

“Why?” she asked

“Because you’re the one” Alex said and took hold of her

“I am?” she asked

“Yes, and I’ve been dreaming ever since the wedding of the moment I could do this” he said and kissed her gently

 

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (040) – The Wedding

 

December

 

Time hung heavily for Charlie on the morning of the wedding, the same was not true for Toddy, as her soon-to-be sister-in-law Chloe Virtue, dragged her from pillar to post from one Church lady to another to get her ready.

The first was Catherine Scott who gave her a “Mani-Pedi”, then Emma Daley did her hair, Geri Phillips waxed her legs, Josephine Bell, did her nails before Chloe and Verity helped to get her into her dress and finally a girl she’d never met before, Taryn Milner, did her make up.

 

Sister Margaret and Sister Lucy were on the first ferry from St Giles on Saturday morning and Charlie had arranged a Chauffeur driven car to pick them up and take them to the Hotel where a room had been reserved for them along with one for Sister Peter and Sister Claire who had made their own way to the Hotel, the car would then be at their disposal to transport them from the Hotel to the Church and then back again after the service.

 

Outside St Agatha’s, florist Julie Lewis, having walked round from the Vicarage where she had delivered and attached bouquet and sprays for the Bride, “Father of the Bride”, Matron of Honour and Bridesmaid, then attached the buttonholes for the Groom, Best Man and Ushers and made sure they were up to muster.

 

Charlie and Best Man Paul were on the Church steps as the guests started to arrive and were chatting and sharing jokes, which helped his nerves but then Samuel Virtue, the Vicar, joined them and discreetly gave them the signal that it was time.

So, they slowly made their way up the aisle to the altar stopping periodically to shake hands or air kiss.

Toddy’s former Sister’s from St Adelaide’s Convent had a ringside seat, so to speak, because they had reserved seats on the second pew and Charlie killed a few minutes talking with them.

 

Meanwhile Toddy and Chloe, in the role of Father of the Bride, left the Vicarage in a Vintage Bentley and as the starting point and the destination were so close together, they took a turn around the Village to get the maximum from the experience.

 

As Charlie and Paul sat on the front pew his nerves returned in earnest, and he began to go through in his head all the things that could possibly go wrong with the day and he suddenly blurted out

“Have you got the rings?”

“Yes, I have the rings” Paul replied and patted his waist coat pocket.

“Just relax”

“That’s easy for you to say” Charlie retorted and then the organ started playing the bridal march and the assembled congregation of familiar faces rose behind him and once he was stood Charlie couldn’t resist a glance over his shoulder at his bride to be, and Toddy looked absolutely stunning.

 

For the happy couple the ceremony seemed to pass by in an instant but, at the moment they said, “I do”, they instantly felt complete.

Fortunately, a tall gangly young man named Howard who videoed the whole proceedings for them to watch at their leisure over and over.

 

They were driven to the reception in a 1936 Bentley by James Percival and Toddy felt like a princess, and at the reception she was walking on air, she had never ever been the center of attention in all of her 55 years, and she felt so special, and she didn’t want it to end.

But when she and Charlie shared the first dance, she was so lost in the moment it was as if it was just the two of them as all the guests faded from view.

 

Charlie woke first in the pale winter light of dawn with Toddy cuddled up to him with her head on his chest and when she stirred, he said

“Good morning Mrs. Phelps”

“Oh, I like how that sounds” she said and kissed his chest

“Is it better than Millicent Winnifred Todd?” he asked

“Yes, I like it a lot” she replied “But I’ll always be your Toddy”

“I love you Toddy” he said

“I love you too” she replied, and they made love in the half-light.

 

Later they reluctantly had to leave their luxurious suite and the comfort of their four-poster bed, and the warmth of their duvet and begin their journey to Rome as Mr. and Mrs. Phelps.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (039) – The Final Week

 

December

 

Thanks to Chloe the Wedding plans had gone as smoothly as silk and Charlie and Toddy had had an easy ride and had every confidence that everything was in hand until the Monday before the Wedding when during breakfast Charlie suddenly went rigid and the colour drained from his face.

“Charlie!!!” She exclaimed “What’s wrong? Are you ill?”

“Rings! we haven’t got rings!” he replied

“Oh no, what are we going to do?” she asked

“Firstly, we’re not going to panic” he said having composed himself

“Then we’ll get dressed and go and see a friend”

“What friend?” she asked 

“Ashleigh Oakes” he replied

 

“Don’t do that to me again, I thought you were having a heart attack” she said as they got in the car.

“Sorry” he responded and left the Village and as they drove to Mornington-By-Mere he explained that Ashleigh Oakes was a jeweler who ran his own business on Mornington Field.

“And will he be able to do it?” she asked

“If he can’t it won’t be for the want of trying” Charlie replied

 

They drove on to Mornington Field and pulled up outside “Bejewels” and then went to the door and rang the buzzer and waited for the electronic lock to click and then pulled on the door and went inside.

Ashleigh was expecting them because Charlie had phoned ahead to say he was coming.

 

Charlie and Ashleigh energetically shook hands 

“That is wonderful news, congratulations to you both” he said and then kissed Toddy on both cheeks

“So that’s why we need the rings” Charlie said

“Well, you’ve come to the right place” Ashleigh said, “What sort of design do you want?”

“I’ll know it if I see it” Toddy said, and Ash gave her a catalogue containing his basic designs

“So, when is the big day?” he asked

“Saturday” Charlie replied

“You’re getting married this coming Saturday?” he asked in amazement

“Is that going to be a problem?” she asked

“Well, it depends on what you want” he replied  

“Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed “That’s it, that’s the one”

It was a plain gold band with two intertwined ribbons of white gold

“What do you think Charlie?” she asked

“Perfect” he replied

“Oh, those I can do for you no problem” Ashleigh said, “Any engraving?”

“Yes, “Charlie + Toddy”, but the “and” needs to be in the form of a crucifix, and then Saturdays date” Toddy said decisively

“What the lady said” Charlie concurred

“Ok let’s just size your fingers” Ashleigh said

 

The journey back to the Village was much more relaxed than the outbound one and when they were on the Expressway Toddy said

“Can we go to Threadgold’s on the way home?”

“Absolutely, are you after anything in particular?” he asked

“No, I just want to browse” she said noncommittedly

 

They drove down the Expressway and turned off when they reached the outskirts of Pipershaven and drove for three miles until they reached Threadgold’s Garden Centre, which had been in existence in some form or other for over 100 years and was still family run.

It was a huge store which sold an extensive array of Home and Garden products with a similar square meterage outside of plants, compost, stone slabs etc.

However, being Christmas there were huge displays of decorations, wrapping paper and trees.

As they were going to be on their honeymoon until January, they had already decided not to put up decorations at Beechwood, but even so they spent more than an hour going up and down the aisles and had a trolley full of Christmas paraphernalia, and a sprinkling of items for the garden which they wheeled to the check out.

 

After Charlie had paid, they loaded their purchases into the car, Charlie took the scenic route home via The Pheasant in Quarry Hill where they had lunch, and as they sat in the pub and ate scampi and chips Charlie said.

“I’ve just had a thought”

“Oh yes”

“After Saturday the garden is going to be yours and mine, so I won’t have to pay you to work in it” he said and chuckled

“You haven’t paid me since September” she retorted with a giggle

“But I’ll make you pay in other ways”

 

For the majority of the week, they did mundane things about the house, and when Charlie did some work on the computer relating to his philanthropic work, Toddy pottered in the greenhouse.

On Friday they drove over to Mornington to pick up the rings from Ashleigh and they were not disappointed in them.

Then they took him to lunch as a thank you for dropping everything to get them finished before the big day.

So, they drove the short distance to Shallowfield and had lunch at the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel overlooking Teardrop Lake.

 

The rest of the day they just wanted to be alone, the Best Man Paul Day had phoned earlier that morning to ask is they wanted to do dinner that night, but they said they couldn’t because they had already made plans.

It wasn’t a complete lie as their plans involved them being alone for the evening.    

 

As he walked her to the vicarage that night she said

“I would much rather spend the night with you”

“I know” he said “But the groom mustn’t see the bride before the wedding, its bad luck”

“That’s just a superstition though isn’t it” she pointed out

“After tomorrow we will never have to spend the night apart again” he said and kissed her

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (038) – The Best Man and the Matron

 

December

 

When the wedding party, Charlie, Toddy, Chloe, Kirsten, Stephen and Verity sojourned to Abbottsford earlier in the month, shopping for the wedding outfits at the Phoenix Shopping Centre, where they met up with Best Man Paul Day.

After a successful day shopping, they stayed overnight at the Abbottsford Regents Hotel and most of the party went to see a play at The Empire Theatre and then they all met up again to have dinner at the Wooden Slipper.

Paul and Kirsten were next to each other, and they made something of an instant connection.

They had a marvelous evening with good company, excellent food and a liberal amount of alcohol thrown in for good measure and there was an equally liberal amount of flirting between the two of them.

But amidst the friendly banter, flirting and overindulgence, Paul and Kirsten had both reached a milestone in their lives, namely that they were now open to a new beginning.

They had been stuck in limbo since they lost their respective life partners, more than 9 years for Paul and just under three for Kirsten.

 

As a result of their awakenings, they were both looking forward to meeting again at the wedding where he was Best Man and she was Matron of Honour.

Although they met in Abbottsford Paul’s home and Business were both in Sharpington, he was staying in Abbottsford after they met up for some business meetings and had to stay in town for a couple more days, otherwise he would have offered to drive her back so they could continue to get to know one another.

He would have to wait until the wedding.

As the wedding reception was at the Barnabus Manor Hotel, Paul decided to book in on Friday night rather than drive up on Saturday morning.

He phoned Charlie first thing to say he would be in the Village, and did they want to do dinner, but alas they already had plans.

So, midmorning on Friday after he’d checked in at the Hotel, he phoned Kirsten Vaughan

“Hi Kirsten, its Paul”

“Oh, hello Paul, it lovely to hear from you” she said

“I’m at the Barnabus Manor, and I was wondering if you were free for lunch or dinner”

“I can’t do lunch” she lied

“But dinner would be lovely”

“I can book a table here if that’s ok, or we can go to a restaurant of your choice”

“The Barnabus is absolutely fine” she replied

“Ok I’ll book a table for eight, what time would you like me to pick you up?” he asked

“No that’s ok I’ll make my own way” she said

 

After getting showered, shaved, and dressed he walked down the stairs just in time to see Kirsten walking through reception having deposited her coat in the cloakroom.

She was a small Elphin featured woman with bobbed chestnut hair, and was wearing a red cocktail dress, black tights, and matching shoes with a pashmina around her shoulders.

Her hair colour was enhanced from a bottle whereas his silver fox look was natural, but he liked what he saw.

“Wow! You look good enough to eat” he said

“Thank you” she said coyly and then added

“When you invited me to dinner, I didn’t realize I was the dinner” she said, and they both laughed.

“Shall we?” he said offering his arm.

 

Once they were seated at a table and the waiter had taken their order he said

“I’m so pleased you were free tonight”

“So am I” she responded smugly.

“I have been looking forward to seeing you again” Paul said

“Me too” she admitted

“But we would have had tomorrow”

“Yes, but one on one is so much nicer” he retorted with a chuckle.

Then after a few moments thought she added.

“You’re a very naughty man” 

And in response they both dissolved into laughter.

 

The evening went by very quickly with exceptionally good food, a lot more laughter and a liberal amount of wine, but neither of them mentioned what was really on their minds.

Nor did it raise its head during coffee or the accompanying liqueurs or even the nightcap in the bar, although the attraction between them was never more than a moment from their thoughts.

It was nearly one o’clock when he checked his watch and said,

“Sadly, I think the time has come for us to say goodnight.”

“It can’t be” she snorted and then checked her watch

“How did it get that late?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun” he said.

“Perhaps another nightcap?” she suggested

“Sadly, the bar is closing” he said before adding “unless you want one in my room”

“Well then I think you had better escort me to the mini bar” she said and giggled as she got unsteadily to her feet.

“My pleasure Matron” he said offering his arm.

“Ah a gentleman” she said putting her arm through his “Though gentlemanliness shouldn’t be overdone”

 

As it had done all evening, laughter accompanied them all the way as they climbed the stairs to the first floor and along the corridor but when they reached the door to his room, Kirsten  smiled as she turned to face him and kissed him gently on the lips, a warm sensitive and tender kiss, and when their lips parted, she smiled at him coyly and flushed a deep shade of pink.

“I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you” she said, and Paul kissed her forehead before cupping her flushed cheek in his palm, then he slid his fingers beneath her soft chestnut hair and caressed the soft downy hair on her nape as he pulled her sweet lips to his and returned her kiss.

When their lips parted Kirsten’s arms enveloped him, holding him close, and so tightly, they stood locked in their embrace until he pulled away for a moment and said

“Wow, that, was worth waiting for”

“Very much so” she concurred and took the keycard from his hand, unlocked the door and led him inside.

 

When Paul and Kirsten woke on the morning of the wedding and the realization of what they had done suddenly dawned on them as they lay cuddled beneath the duvet.

“We’re really doing it aren’t we?” Kirsten said as she hugged him

“Yes, I rather think we are” he replied

“Wow” she said “We’re moving on”

After a few minutes she suddenly went rigid,

“Have we missed breakfast?”

“No, I think they’ve only just started serving” he replied

“Order room service,” she said as she was heading for the bathroom.

She was so excited by what had happened that she just had to share it, her first choice would have been Toddy, but as the bride to be she had other things keeping her occupied, so she went for her second-best choice, dialed the number and said

“Chloe!”

 

After half an hour sitting in the bathroom with the door shut talking to Chloe, Kirsten emerged just as breakfast arrived.

After opening the door and taking the tray Paul walked towards the bed and Kirsten opened the door again and hung the “Do not disturb” on the knob.

“This looks great” he said “I’m starving”

“Don’t think of it as food” she said with a leer “think of it as fuel”

“Enough said” he remarked and bit into a sausage

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (037) – Stephen and Verity Christmas Market’s and Glühwein

December

 

Stephen Farnsworth and Verity Virtue fled to Berlin to escape the madness of the wedding plans for her Uncle Charlie and Toddy; they had spent a lovely weekend at the Regent Hotel from where they had been seeing the sights.

It had been unseasonably mild over the weekend but from Monday onwards there was very little sun to speak of, and it was bitterly cold, but they really didn’t mind as they got to spend lots of time hugging.

The next few days, they shopped at Potsdamer Platz, spent hours at Museums Island, and had lunch at the rotating restaurant at the TV tower on Alexanderplatz.

Climbed the victory column in the Tiergarten, visited the Berlin Zoo, went Christmas shopping at the big department store, KaDeWe, and attended a liberal sprinkling of Christmas markets, in fact you name it they did it and on their last afternoon they went to the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market and it was incredibly cold and they both over indulged on Glühwein when her phone rang, Miraculously it was the first call from her since they had been there

 

“Yes, mum well be home tomorrow afternoon, see you then” she said and hung up.

“What did she want?” he asked

“Wedding questions” she replied

“Can you imagine what she’ll be like if we get married?”

“When we get married,” he corrected her

“What do you mean, when?” she queried

“I just mean it’s “when” rather than “if”” he explained

“Oh, I see” she said doubtfully

“Don’t you want to get married then?” he asked in alarm

“Of course I want to get married, and I want to marry your hon” she said reassuringly and looked thoughtful as she drank another Glühwein then asked

“Are you proposing?”

“Yes, I am, I would have proposed properly but the glühwein took over” he admitted, and she kissed him

“I want a big wedding” she said “But…”

“But what?” he exclaimed

“I will marry you” she said, “but after I’ve finished university and I have my degree”

“I’m happy with that,” he said “so does that mean we’re engaged”

“Yes, but…”

“Not another but?”

“Two buts actually,” she said

“And they are?”

“We mustn’t tell anyone until the New Year, partly because it will be a year since…”

“Our first kiss” he said  

“Yes,” she said and kissed him

“What was the other the other reason?”

“Because if we tell mum while she’s dealing with Toddy’s Wedding and Christmas her head will literally explode”

“Agreed”

“And this is the most important reason, I don’t want us to tell your parents before I’ve even met them”

“I agree, very sensible” he said “You’re very smart for a skinny, pasty ginger”

“And don’t you forget it” she said and kissed him

“So, is that a done deal then?” he asked

“It is” she replied “We are officially secretly engaged”

“Are you sure?” he asked

“Well, I’m sure that I love you,” she said in reply “and I’m sure that you love me, so yes I’m sure”

“Then that calls for a celebratory glühwein” he announced

“Oh lovely” she said

 

“I have a question” she slurred “Do I still get a ring if it’s a secret engagement?”

 “Of course you do”

“Goody” she exclaimed

“Do you want to wait until we get home, or would you like to get one in Berlin?”

“Berlin, I think, as it will remind us of this moment for ever” she replied

“Let’s do it now then” he suggested

“Let’s do it right now” she concurred

 

A couple of days earlier they spotted an arcade of shops in the east of the city and one of those shops was called Sebastians, an old-fashioned jeweler’s shop, not one of the fashionable jewelry chains, but an old family business, so they hailed a taxi and headed east.

 

After driving to the jewelers, what little German they knew deserted them due to an excess of Glühwein but luckily inside Sebastians the jeweler, Christophe, spoke perfect English.

They were only in the shop for about fifteen minutes when Christophe showed them the perfect ring, a Ceylon sapphire solitaire with a gold band.

 

The next morning Stephen awoke first in the pale winter light of dawn with Verity cuddled into him with her head on his chest and when she stirred, he said

“Good morning”

“Morning” she said and kissed his chest

“I love you” he said

“I love you too” she replied.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (036) – Stephen and Verity Escape the Madness

 

December

 

Stephen Farnsworth and Verity Virtue had been a couple since June and by December they were more in love than ever.

The only fly in the ointment for Verity were the Wedding plans, not that she wasn’t thrilled for her Uncle Charlie and Toddy, it was just that Verity’s mum Chloe was like a thing possessed it had become all consuming, and it had been going on for two months.

They were both sitting in the lounge at his cottage, Starlings, when he said

“Why don’t we get away?”

“Get away?” Verity replied

“Yes, let’s get away for a week and escape the madness”

“Get away?” she repeated

“We’ll be back in time for the Wedding” he continued, and she said nothing for a full minute and then suddenly she excitedly responded

“Let’s go online and see what’s available” 

He switched on the laptop, and she sat next to him as he opened the browser

“Do you want sun?” he asked

“Are you kidding? I’m redhaired and pasty” she said

“Ok, no sun, do you want activity?”

“Nah”

“America?”

“No to America and nowhere that’s more than two hours flying time” she said decisively

“So, Europe then” he said

“I think so”

“So how about nature?”

“Nah”

“History?”

“Hmm”

“Romantic?” he asked

“Definitely”

“City break then”

“Oh yes a city break” she said excitedly

“How about….” he pondered “Paris? Amsterdam? Brussels?”

Verity shook her head, so he cast his net a bit further.

“Berlin” he suggested

“Berlin?” she repeated “Oooh I like the sound of that”

“It has history, romance and a Christmas market to boot” he added

“Oooh a Christmas market” she said enthusiastically

“Ok then Berlin it is” Stephen said

“Let’s find somewhere to stay” Verity added

An hour later they had a 7-night booking at the Regent Hotel and flights booked for the following Friday, St Nichols Day, 6th December and a return flight on the 13th, St Lucy’s Day, which would give them a full week to do all the last-minute stuff and enjoy the run into the Wedding and their first Christmas together.

 

So, the next morning she notified her mum of their plans which Chloe took in her stride,

“Good for you” she said “Have a great time while you’re away”

But she did have one proviso, and that was that she went with her to Abbottsford to get her bridesmaids dress, so she and Stephen went with the Wedding party and went directly to the airport on Friday morning and flew into Berlin Brandenburg Airport just after 11.00am.

They arrived at the Hotel Regent about an hour and a half later and they were not disappointed by their choice, it was absolutely beautiful, very luxurious and they had a beautiful room and from the main window there was a wonderful view of the imposing dome of what they found out later was the French Cathedral.

They were so very pleased with their lovely room that they didn’t leave it all afternoon, in fact they only left it in order to go and eat, then they went back to the room and had an early night.

       

They began their holiday properly on Saturday morning after an early breakfast and crammed in a lot on their first full day.

They took full advantage of the unseasonably mild weather and did the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and the Glienicke Bridge in the morning and the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace after lunch and into the evening.

When they woke on Sunday morning they were exhausted after packing so much into their first day, so they decided that they should perhaps have a more relaxing day beginning with breakfast to be followed by Church.

After speaking to the waiter, they took his advice and got a taxi to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the Kurfürstendamm and when the driver turned onto the very broad, long boulevard full of shops, houses, hotels and restaurants he said proudly

“This is the Champs-Élysées of Berlin”

“Oh look” Verity said excitedly as they pulled up outside the beautiful blue Church “they have a Christmas market here too”

As Stephen handed the driver his money he said

“They have Christmas markets everywhere”

“Oh goody” she responded, and he laughed

The service was lovely and the new part of the Church with the blue glass was spectacular with the winter sun shining through.

Afterwards they ate lunch of Frickadellen with fries and mayo from a “Schnellie” at the roadside, then after lunch they went to Wannsee and walked around the lakes in the sunshine enjoying the scenery until the evening fell and so did the temperature.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (035) – The Wedding Party Sojourn

 

December

 

With three weeks until the Wedding, the plans as far as Charlie and Toddy were concerned were complete, the Church was booked for the Saturday before Christmas, the reception was booked at the Barnabus Manor Hotel just outside the Village and the tickets for their honeymoon in Rome were bought and paid for and Toddy’s passport had arrived.

 

Toddy’s Wedding Dress was ready for the final fitting and the other important intimate wedding day accessories were hidden away until the big day and Charlie just had to buy a new suit for the occasion.

Everything else they left in the capable hands of Charlie’s sister Chloe, who after being given the parameters was a force of nature, she knew everyone in the Village and knew who did what the best, Flowers, Wedding Car, Invitations, Order of Service, Menu’s, Wedding Cake, Photographer, Videographer, you name it she knew someone who could do it.

 

Toddy had considered Chloe to be her Matron of Honour, but in the absence of any family Charlie suggested Chloe give her away instead.

“Really? You want me?” Chloe asked and burst into tears

With that settled she had to find another candidate for Matron of Honour and it only took a moment of thought to decide and chose Church Warden, Kirsten Vaughan, the two of them had become very close friends since she had been in the Village, and she was thrilled to be asked, and didn’t dissolve into tears, instead squealed and said “Yes”

Bridesmaid was the easiest choice of all and required no thought at all, so she asked, her soon to be niece, Verity Virtue.

“I was going to do it whether you asked me or not” she said and laughed

As Verity normally played the organ, her boyfriend Stephen Farnsworth had agreed to play in her stead.

 

So, towards the end of the first week of December Charlie hired a Ford Galaxy for a few days and drove, Toddy, Chloe and Kirsten to Abbottsford, he could have fitted Stephen and Verity in as well as it was a seven-seater, but they followed on behind in his car as they were flying off to Germany the next day.

They went straight to the Abbottsford Regents Hotel, where they had stayed before, and checked in but unlike previous occasions this time Charlie and Toddy shared a room.

As soon as they had taken their bags to the room, they all met back downstairs in reception and then drove in one car to the Phoenix Shopping Centre where they had lunch.

When they left the restaurant, they split up, the girls headed off to sought out their wedding clothes, Stephen went to do some shopping of his own and Charlie went to meet up with his Best Man Paul Day and went to buy new suits.

Paul was his oldest friend, and they had worked together a lot over the years and when he had his Aerospace Engineering Company Paul’s Company was one of his suppliers.

But it wasn’t just a business connection between them, they were both widowed around the same time and were there for each other, and such bonds are hard to break.  

 

Paul and Charlie spent about an hour getting their suits and then after putting their suit bags in the car they headed to the Phoenix Espresso Café to have a coffee while they waited for the girls.

After about twenty minutes they were joined by Stephen and Charlie introduced them and they sat chatting for the next hour before the girls arrived, laden with bags and more introductions were made before they returned to the Hotel.

 

Later that evening Stephen and Verity opted for some alone time while the other 5 went to see a play at The Empire Theatre and then they all met up again to have dinner together at The Wooden Slipper.

The meal was notable in one respect and that was that Paul and Kirsten seemed to make an instant connection.

 

The next morning, fortified by a good breakfast, Stephen and Verity said their goodbyes as they were driving to the airport and the rest of them drove to the multistorey car park at the Phoenix Shopping Centre, so they could do some Christmas shopping before saying goodbye to Paul, who had to stay in town for a couple of days, and then they headed down the Expressway with a boot crammed full.

In the Village of Pepperstock Green – Chapter (034) – Careful What You Wish For

 

December

 

Michael Bailey was an Estate Agent in the Village, and he had been dating Maisie Threadgold, one of the family of Threadgold’s Garden Centre fame, whose business had been in existence in some form or other for over 100 years and was still family run.

She was a pretty blonde girl, and everyone thought Michael was punching above his weight.

But a few months earlier he proposed to her and furthermore she accepted, and ever since plans upon plans were being made by both mothers.

They hadn’t moved in together by the time December arrived, but they were spending more and more time at each other’s homes but weren’t officially living together.

Monday was a normal workday for Michael but Maisie had managed to book off a couple of days off work so she could do some early Christmas shopping and do a bit of housework.

When he returned home after work, he could tell that apart from her shopping she had spent some of her time productively and the house was looking more homely than it had ever done and as he walked into the lounge he was greeted by the smell of home cooking.

“Hi Hon” he called “Something smells nice”

Her head suddenly appeared from around the kitchen door and said

“It’s me”

So, he walked down the hall to meet her and gave her a kiss

“No, it’s not you” he said “I can definitely smell something tasty”

“Cheek” Maisie said and hit him with a wooden spoon

“Ow” he said, “what’s cooking then?”

“Bacon and onion dumpling” she replied then continued in a very bad Italian accent “Justa lika mamma used to maka”

“And is yours as good as mamas?” he asked thinking that if it tasted half as good as it smelt he was in for a treat.

“Better” she replied “now go and finish setting the table”

So, he did as she instructed, and then opened a bottle of wine, he returned to the kitchen just in time to see the suet delight coming out of the oven and he could have sworn, he heard the oven sigh.

 

As he sat and ate the heaviest most indigestible dumpling he had ever experienced along with lumpy mash, anemic gravy and overcooked veg he thought to himself

“How bad a cook is her mother?”

He persevered and ate most of it and when she said

“Well?”

He didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth

“Lovely” he said and thought it was a good job he wasn’t marrying her for her cooking.

 

Fortunately, Michael could cook, and he generally got home an hour before her so he would get the evening meal on the go so as to minimize the risk of having to eat her offerings.

 

It was about a fortnight after the night of the dumpling when they were summoned to the Threadgold’s house, for Sunday lunch, which he had to admit, he was rather looking forward to.

Her father Martin was very easy company, especially if you restricted the conversation to sport while Eliza thought the sun shone from his every orifice.

But the main thing he was looking forward to most was a Roast dinner, and he wished he could have one every week.

But there is a very old saying “Be careful what you wish for”.

 

They were in the car on their way to the family home and she asked

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course,” he said “I like your folks and I’m looking forward to a great Sunday lunch”

“Oh” Maisie said doubtfully “Good”

They arrived just after two and found Martin in the lounge watching football.

“Hi Dad” she said

“Hello baby girl,” he replied and gave her a kiss, then he shook Michael’s hand.

“Michael dear boy” he said “sit down, they’ve just kicked off”

“I’ll just say hello to Eliza first” he said, and Maisie led the way.

The aromas emanating from the kitchen were mouthwatering.

“Mum?” Maisie called

“I’m in here darling” a disembodied voice called back.

He followed Maisie into the kitchen and kisses and hugs were exchanged between them and then Eliza turned her attention on him.

“It’s lovely to see you Michael” Eliza said “I’m glad you could come”

“It smells delicious” he said “I can’t wait”

“Oh” she said all flustered “that’s a really nice thing to say”

Then Maisie kissed him and dispatched him to keep her father company.

Martin had a freshly poured beer sitting on the table waiting for him.

“Are there you are” he said without taking his eyes off the screen.

“It’s one nil to City, completely against the run of play”

 

Eliza called them to the table about half an hour later and they sat down at the table.

Martin poured the wine and Maisie and Eliza carried the tureens in, then when they were all seated, she lifted the cover off the meat platter to reveal the charred remains of what would once have been a very expensive joint of beef.

The vegetables and the gravy were a similar disappointment; the insipidness of the gravy was clearly a family tradition.

As Martin unceremoniously hacked his way through the charcoal, he slowly revealed the undercooked redness at its core.

As he struggled politely through the hideous meal, he was left to ponder how two such beautiful women could be such ugly cooks.

 

So, it was with a full stomach and a bad case of indigestion that they drove off from her parents’ place.

“Did you enjoy your Sunday roast then sweetie?” Maisie asked

“Oh yes” he replied, “it was ….”

“Horrible?” Maisie interrupted

“No, no” he protested

“Yes, yes” she corrected him “Mums even more rubbish at cooking than I am”

“You’re not rubbish hon” he said gallantly

“I am, you could have beaten someone to death with my bacon and onion dumpling it was so heavy” Maisie said and laughed

“Well maybe not to death, but certainly into a coma” he said, and she punched him.