Barking Maddy's Puppy Love
Page 45
‘Shit!’ she said, holding her breath. ‘He’s going to play in public! God help us all!’
‘Stan?’
Maddy said, shocked at seeing him looking drop dead gorgeous but more so that he was willing to play in front of an audience. ‘Guys, you’re going to have to put your fingers in your ears because the guitar is not one of his key strengths.’
There was a round of applause as he nodded in response.
‘Thank you,’ he said, smiling brightly. ‘I’ve been practicing this song for ages, and I want to dedicate it to someone I care about.’
‘I think he means you,’ whispered Pearl.
‘If he cares about me, he won't play,’ Maddy mumbled, wondering what he was up to. Phyllis was sat up looking lovingly at Stan before she barked. ‘Carry on Phyllis, if that drowns him out.’
‘Madeleine Berkeley,’ he said into the microphone. ‘Barking Maddy, Lippy to some of my readers but mostly Maddy to me. This song is for you.’
She felt Pearl discreetly squeeze her thigh while Ted nudged her even harder in the ribs as he started to giggle into his empty glass.
‘And I know it means a lot to her as she played it constantly whenever I was in the room and wagged her tail at me,’ Stan said, starting to laugh. ‘Dora wanted me to play it for you as well, so this is also in memory of her too.’
The immediate embarrassment she felt went as he started strumming, quite slowly, the tune he had been playing for months.
Then it suddenly hit her.
‘The look of love?’ she said as he smiled and started to sing. ‘You’re serenading me with my song?’
That was a whole different ballgame.
Stan could sing, he couldn’t play guitar, but his voice covered for that.
And she smiled, as there was nothing else she could do because he was singing to her and this time Maddy realised he was as open as he could about how he felt.
It was surprising as it was touching as she stroked Phyllis’s head.
‘He’s so cute!’ gushed Pearl, kissing her cheek then whispered. ‘But you’re right, his guitar playing is challenging.’
She then turned to see Ted was sat there, gobsmacked by what was going on.
It was when Stan finished with the line ‘I love you so,’ Maddy’s heart completely melted as everyone applauded.
‘And furthermore,’ he said, walking up to her and bending down next to the buggy. ‘I have something else to say.’
‘Don’t say any more,’ Ted replied, getting emotional. ‘That was very romantic, my God, he must love you.’
‘I think this is an alone moment,’ added Pearl, pulling Ted away so Stan could sit next to Maddy. ‘We’re not needed.’
‘But-.’
‘Shift!’
Maddy watched them get up then looked at Stan who was grinning at her as he pushed back his hat.
‘I know you kept asking, but I refused. Now, I’ve changed my mind,’ he said, kissing her cheek. Then he took Phyllis out of the buggy and handed her to Maddy. ‘This is your early Christmas present and a late birthday one. If you love her as much as I love you, then you’ll be perfect.’
‘Stan!’ she gasped, totally shocked, seeing Phyllis push her head back and look cute in his arms. ‘I’d never take her off you. That’s the last-.’
‘Oh, she doesn’t come alone,’ he said, moving closer. ‘You have to take me as well. We come as a package. Phyl, you and me. What do you say?’
‘What does he mean?’ she heard Ted whisper loudly.
‘He’s declaring his love through his dog,’ Pearl replied. ‘Will you shut up, so I can hear?’
Maddy flung her arms around Stan’s neck, giving him a big kiss. He moved his head back and laughed.
‘And no more wanting to empty your pockets into the Trevi Fountain wishing for something when it’s right here, okay?’ he said as she nodded furiously. ‘You’ve got me. You always had.’
Looking around the pub and seeing the smiling, familiar faces, Maddy’s heart and spirits lifted. She then saw Linda’s happy face and realised it was time for her to move on with her life, despite the pain of losing Dora.
‘This is the best wish I could ever want,’ she said, kissing his lips once more then Phyllis’s head.
‘Why?’ he asked, pulling her closer.
‘Who needs a bag of loose change and a beautiful fountain when I’ve got you and Phyllis courtesy of a penny and a muddy pond? What girl could ask for more than a puppy love and her very own pet?’
‘Which one am I?’ Stan asked kissing her cheek.
‘Guess.’
Published by S M Mala
Copyright © S M Mala 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication is to be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any forms or by any means, including photocopying, recording or any other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher/author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Visit my website: www.smmala.com to see other titles.
All helpful advice and genuine comments are welcome.
And if you liked what you read, then please review on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or Goodreads.com. All positive comments are deeply appreciated.
ISBN: 978-0-9955568-0-5
Books to look out for by S M Mala:
My Mother-in-law’s Lover
What he did to her
The problem of getting Rich Quik … part one
The problem of getting Rich Quik … part two
Relative Strangers
The Secret History of Hatty Ha Ha … begins
The Secret History of Hatty Ha Ha … ends
Pushing over 40
Good Vibration
Bad Advice
Hot Flush
Trust Me
Happy Now?
Love’s Foolish Punch
Bless this Love
To Love Thy Neighbour
Her Bleeding Heart
Hard to Love
Bitter Sweet Kisses
Straight after the Bend
Barking Maddy