Hally replied.
“Well, I’m going for full on silk chemise and gown. Maybe Rhys will notice that.”
Clia told them a little sadly.
“Clia, is something wrong?”
Hally asked softly.
“Well…no…not really. It’s just he kisses and kisses really great, but that’s it, nothing. I wonder if he fancies me at all.”
To Hally’s dismay Clia’s eyes shone with unshed tears. She pulled her friend into a hug and Corrinne joined in.
“Clia, I’m sure he does, maybe he’s shy or just doesn’t want to be pushy. Have you asked him?”
Clia looked up shocked at the prospect.
“I don’t think I could.”
“Well you’re always telling me I should ask Wes about stuff that’s bothering me.”
Hally replied.
“I know I am, and you’re right, I’m probably over reacting. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
“Do you think it matters that we are not yet sixteen?”
Corrinne asked her friends. Hally answered.
“Actually yes I do.”
Corrinne and Clia looked startled at the seriousness in her voice, so she carried on with her explanation.
“Well, I know it all sounds sexy and romantic and grown up, but, well I don’t think I’m ready yet. I mean the thought of it is exciting, I get all sort of…(she blushed deeply and her friends nodded knowingly) warm inside. But then I think about Wes, how much it could cause him a problem, you know being over sixteen himself and that. Well it’s against the law isn’t it? and I know loads of kids that just don’t care about that but I couldn’t put him at risk like that.”
Clia and Corrinne stared at her for a moment, then Corrinne said.
“So what about, you know touching and stuff? Can we do that?”
Hally frowned.
“I don’t know. Oh it’s hard isn’t it…(Corrinne and Clia burst into giggles) oh you know what I mean, dirty girls.”
“Well I think a bit of touching should be ok. On top of the clothes.”
Clia announced. Hally looked at her friend knowing she was hoping Rhys would give her more attention, and knowing that despite her external show of maturity Clia was just like her.
“Well there won’t be much clothing in between you if you go for the silk chemise.”
Corrinne said with a laugh.
“Well maybe I will rethink that then and just go for pjs and dressing gown like Hally.”
“Yeah, maybe that is best. We don’t want to make the lads think they have to do something.”
Corrinne replied. So, that decided the girls continued chatting about other things and more about the next day. Corrinne and Clia left for home at ten and after seeing them out went to say goodnight to her parents. Mum and dad were snuggled on the sofa watching a drama on television.
“I’m off to bed now.”
She told them leaning down and giving each a kiss.
“Ok baby, sleep tight.”
Mum said.
“Yes, sleep tight Tink, big day tomorrow.”
Dad said with a grin. Hally gave him the kind of look only girls can give to men.
“Ooh the evil look.”
He said laughing, which in turn made Hally laugh too.
“Oh you.”
She said as she made her way back to her room.
With just her lamp on, Hally undressed and looked at the angels on her wall. She remembered what her Gran had told her and thought Wes was so much like Granddad, he wanted her to wait too, to be sure and ready. She moved over to the window and looked out across the garden. It was a beautiful clear night with stars twinkling brightly. There was a banana moon shining down and just the tiniest of wispy clouds floating in slow motion across the night sky. Everything outside seemed quiet and peaceful unlike her inner feelings. Hally sighed deeply, the conversation with her friends circling her mind. She knew she loved Wes, and she hoped he loved her back. But at fifteen and a half, she knew she was so very young to feel so much and it frightened her, how to cope with such intense emotion. She reached into her jewellery box and lifted the charm bracelet turning back to the window. She took hold of the little compass charm and whispered to the night.
“Show me the way Gran.”
Hoping she could summon the answer from the night.
Turning away from the peace of the night outside, Hally climbed into bed and pulled the duvet right up to her chin. She wasn’t cold, she just needed the comfort, how could happiness and sadness happen at the same time? She lay with her eyes open questioning herself silently. What was she sad about? The answer came easily. She was sad because she was afraid this wonderful time she was having with Wes would come to an end. What was she happy about? Well simply that he was with her. It was all so confusing and she knew no matter who she talked to about it, her mum, her friends or anyone, they would not be able to take the confusion away. She turned over and whispered to the angels on the wall.
“Goodnight Gran, Clia’s right, let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
She then closed her eyes and drifted into a sleep full of dreams she wouldn’t remember much about.
Hally arose early on Valentine’s Day full of excitement and happiness. She looked out of the window and the sun was shining brightly, not a cloud in the sky. Down in the garden she could see a bed of pure white snowdrops and a few purple crocuses just peaking through the centre of the lawn. Her night fears had disappeared and to her it seemed this early show of spring was nature’s way of telling her everything was perfect. Dad was in the kitchen when she came down filling two mugs with hot water.
“Just taking your mum a cup of tea.”
He told her. Hally noticed a tray on the side laden with a red doily, a small vase with a single red rose, a small box and a plateful of croissants. Hally nodded towards the tray.
“Not just tea.”
She stated and dad grinned. Hally had a sudden realisation.
“Dad, you usually take mum out on Valentine’s night and I babysit. What are you going to do this year?”
Dad smiled at her.
“Sweetheart, first you have only been old enough to babysit for two Valentine’s and second, your mum and I can have just as a romantic evening at home, perhaps even more so…especially with you out of the way.”
He said the last part quickly and with a grin ducked out of her way as she flicked a hand at him in a mock slap.
“What’s in the box?”
Hally asked him more seriously. Dad lifted the little box from the tray and held it to her. It was velvet with a hinged lid. Gently she raised the lid and nestled on a silky cushion was a gold and diamond eternity ring.
“Dad she’ll love it.”
Hally whispered. Dad smiled and closed the lid placing the box back on the tray.
“Do you want me to keep Natty out of the way for a bit this morning?”
She asked. Dad shook his head.
“No it’s ok baby I’ve got it all in hand. Besides you need to get ready I’m told your day starts early.”
At nine o’clock there was a knock on the back door. Hally was waiting with an overnight bag ready having been up and said her goodbyes to her parents. Mum had tears glistening in her eyes as she showed Hally the ring and both parents told her to go and have a great day. There were no words of warning or be careful, or be sensible, just smiles. Wes stood outside looking at the garden with his hands behind his back as she opened the door.
“Morning my sweet Valentine.”
He greeted her. Then he brought one hand from behind him and said.
“Open.”
She did as she was told and he popped a chocolate covered strawberry into her mouth which he followed with a kiss on the lips.
“The first chocolate of the day. Now are you ready?”
Hally nodded and stepped back for her bag which Wes took straight from her.
“Wow, are you packed for a week?”
He m
ocked, pretending the bag was over heavy. Hally giggled. He turned towards the gate and Hally followed.
The pathway at the back of her house led to the road and when they reached it Hally saw a large people carrier with Corrinne, Clia and Gregg sitting in passenger seats and Rhys in the driver’s seat. Wes took her bag and stowed it in the luggage area and helped her climb into the car, settling in beside her.
“Ok Rhys, off we go.”
Wes said. Without a hint of their destination, Rhys pulled away from the kerb and drove away from Hally’s house.
“So where are we going?”
Clia asked from the front of the car.
“I’ve told you for the hundredth time it’s a surprise.”
“Whose car is this?”
Hally asked.
“My Parents.”
Rhys replied. Hally glanced over the seat to Corrinne and Gregg. She was already tucked up close to him with his arm around her and didn’t seem in the least bit interested in finding out where they were going. Wes put his arm around her and said.
“Just enjoy the ride. It won’t be long.”
That was all he would say about the journey.
An hour later they were driving through open countryside with fields of sheep on both sides. There didn’t seem to be anything around them except the odd farm scattered about. Hally had never before taken much notice of what lay outside of Colingford, she had been on trips and picnics with her parents and Nathan but hadn’t really taken it in. Now she was surprised at how rural her hometown actually was. Most of the conversation in the car had been restricted to general chitchat until Rhys turned the car off the road and headed down a rough track.
“Here we are.”
Wes told them all. Within a couple of minutes they pulled up outside a stone cottage. There was quite a lot of building materials and equipment outside the house. Seeing the expressions on the faces of the girls Wes quickly stated.
“Oh don’t worry about that stuff, inside is what’s important.”
“But what is this place?”
Hally enquired.
“My mum and dad bought it and dad’s been doing it up. Gregg and Rhys have been giving him a hand. It’s not complete yet (Hally gave him a concerned look) but don’t worry, there’s only small things left to do. It is perfectly habitable.”
Hally was again shocked and she thought disappointed that she was again finding out something at the same time as her two friends. She gave Wes a little look that told him she was hurt that he hadn’t told her about the cottage before and he frowned slightly in realisation, but said nothing at that point. Unwilling to spoil the day Hally let it go but again resolved to question him when they were alone. This brought back the fact that she still hadn’t asked about his exams and was beginning to wonder what other things she would find out.
Inside the cottage was more than habitable, it was simply delightful. There was a small cosy sitting room with country style furnishings and an open fire. The ceilings were low with heavy wooden beams and the windows were small with deep cushioned window seats. Wes led them into the kitchen which was much larger than the sitting room with windows that opened onto an overgrown garden and fields.
“Dad opened this out, it was two smaller rooms originally.”
He told them.
“This place is like a tardis, it seems to get bigger as you move further inside. You’ll see when we go upstairs.”
Gregg told the girls and indeed he was right. Somehow the cottage had three bedrooms and a small bathroom upstairs. Each room softly painted and furnished in wood. The girls glanced at each other unsure of what to say or do. Wes came to their rescue.
“Don’t look so worried you three. Dad let us have this place on the strict understanding that we behave ourselves, by that I mean us three. We just want you all to enjoy this day, so choose your rooms and then come downstairs for surprises.”
Hally, Corrinne and Clia looked at each other and it was Hally who made the first move.
“Ok, I’ll take this room.”
The other two smiled and they all moved to the hallway to decide on the other two rooms.
Back in the sitting room, Wes told the girls to sit down by the fire which the boys had lit whilst the girls were still upstairs. Then he, Gregg and Rhys went into the kitchen. It was quite some time before they returned each carrying something. Wes was holding a tray which he placed on the small coffee table in front of the sofa. On it was mugs of hot chocolate, a plate with chocolate muffins more chocolate covered strawberries and a dish of chocolate truffles. Rhys came forward and handed each of the girls a bouquet of red roses and Gregg came round to the front of the table and placed on it a red heart shaped box filled with fresh strawberries, red grapes and dipping chocolate. The boys settled themselves on the floor and told the girls to dig in.
After the chocolate feast the boys cleared away and indicated that the girls should follow them. At the back door they handed each girl a thick travel rug and a pair of wellington boots, Wes grinning widely at Hally’s look of astonishment.
“Told you you’d need them.”
He said to her as he donned his own boots and hauled a backpack over his shoulder. Then he took her hand and led her and the others out into the overgrown garden. They plodded through foot high grass and shaggy shrubs for what seemed like ages. Just when Hally was about to call a halt and demand to know where they were going the overgrown garden opened out on a small wooded area with the river running through. Attached to the trees were red heart shaped balloons and ribbons. The girls gasped at the sight and were then even more surprised when the boys led them towards the river and into a small arched summer house built from stone. There were more balloons over the entrance and inside stone benches lined the curved wall. The ceiling arched away above them and Hally was very glad of the rugs as it was rather cold.
“Sit down.”
Wes told them. They did as he asked and then he pulled open the backpack and with the help of Rhys and Gregg unpacked a flask of soup, crusty bread, cheese, fruit, plates, cutlery and cups. Between them the boys gave the girls a lunchtime feast which they found very filling and warming on top of the earlier chocolate treats.
“What is this place?”
Clia asked.
“Well, it belongs to the cottage and dad was told it was built by the farmer who lived here like over a hundred years ago. Apparently he built it for his wife because she wasn’t from farming stock but had fallen in love with him and been disowned by her family because she married him. This summer house was the only connection to her life as a lady that he could give her.”
Wes told them all.
“Wow, how romantic!”
Exclaimed Corrinne.
“Were they happy?”
Hally asked solemnly. Wes took her hand and kissed the back of it.
“Very, so dad’s been told. They had eight children and lived ‘til they were very old.”
Hally smiled, glad she was sitting in a place that had seen so much love and happiness.
After the lunch they made their way back to the cottage and the boys settled the girls in front of the fire and loaded a DVD player with a chick flick which they knew all three girls loved to watch.
“But you lads don’t like these sort of movies.”
Hally told them.
“Today we watch whatever pleases you girls.”
Gregg told them pulling Corrinne close. The girls giggled and settled down, whilst the boys went into the kitchen and returned with fizzy drinks and snacks.
“We are going to go home ten pounds heavier.”
Clia said with a laugh.
“Oh well, we will still love you.”
Rhys replied then blushed furiously when he realised what he had said.
“Ooh film’s starting.”
Hally said to relieve Rhys’ embarrassment, and all went quiet as they watched.
The rest of the day was spent in front of the fire watching a whole variety o
f girlie films, much to the delight of the Hally, Corrinne and Clia. The boys showed no signs of getting bored. Then around five in the evening the boys stood up and headed for the kitchen.
“You three stay just where you are.”
Wes instructed.
“Oh we are not going anywhere, it’s too cosy here.”
Hally told him with Corrinne and Clia nodding the affirmative. But a short time later when they heard some clanging and banging and loud male laughter, they began to wonder what was going on.
“They must be trying out their culinary skills.”
Clia said to the other two.
“Mmmm, strange, but Wes has never cooked for me before. In fact neither of us has, we always just eat with the family or go out.”
Hally commented.
“Gregg is actually a very good cook. He’s cooked for me quite a few times.”
Corrinne told her friends.
“You’ve never said before.”
Hally said giving her a quizzical look, but with that odd trembling inside she experienced before when she thought her friends were drifting away. Corrinne gave her usual smile which alleviated the fear.
“I really didn’t mean to keep it from you, we just sometimes cook together when mum and dad are out.”
Hally saw in her friend’s eyes that everything was still right between them all.
“Rhys made me an omelette once at his house, but it sort of fell to bits.”
Clia announced and all three burst into giggles.
About an hour later Wes reappeared in the doorway. His hair was damp and swept back untidily and his face was flushed and hot looking.
“Girls it’s time for you to go and dress for dinner.”
He told them with a smile. Hally stood up and walked over to him.
“Is everything ok through there? You look really hot.”
She asked with concern in her voice. Wes leaned down and planted a sweaty kiss on her lips.
“Everything is absolutely going to plan. Now go and dress.”
Hally giggled and turned as Corrinne and Clia peeled themselves off the sofa and all three headed upstairs to get ready.
The room Hally had chosen was warm and cosy as she began to pull off her day clothes and unzipped the dress from its cover. She changed her underwear into a beautiful red set that matched the dress and sat at the dressing table to put on her makeup. There was a knock on the door and Corrinne called out.
Fifteen Going on Grown Up Page 21