by Audrina Lane
I watched as he leaned over and looked at the pictures “Yes it looks great, my Dad said the scenery around here was fantastic”
“Oh, has he been here then?” I asked, my curiosity piqued by this comment.
“Yes, when he was younger and at school, I think he wanted to drive me down just for the trip along memory lane but he’s at work today” Mitch replied.
“I’ll drive you both there if you want?” I said
“Oh, I wanted to go on the motorbike” Charlotte said “Please let me Mum, Please”
I looked at both of them, staring with eagerness at my answer and I remembered how my Mum had been when I was younger and also how James’ Mum Pam had been much more lenient and trusting and that was how I wanted to be.
“I can take you for a spin up the road first Mrs Eden….I mean Stephanie so you can check I’m a careful biker” Mitch said.
“Thanks but I’ll pass and yes you can go with Mitch on the bike, I assume you have a spare helmet she can borrow?”
“Yes, I had to go and buy one yesterday” he responded, as he leaned down to his bag and pulled out another black and red helmet that matched his but was smaller. He handed it to Charlotte, who grinned and tried it on for size. She pulled the visor up and said
“Hey, I look like the Stig off Top Gear”
“You look much better than him” Mitch replied, as I watched his eyes roam over my daughter from head to foot, clearly appreciating what he saw.
Once they had finished their coffee and I had made them a quick couple of sandwiches and a piece of cake to take with them for lunch.
“You’re the best Mum “Charlie said, as she pulled her trainers on with her jacket.
“Please don’t worry I’ll take care on the road” Mitch said, as they headed for the door.
“In fact we’ll have a quick spin up and down the road first as a practice” he said, taking Charlie’s hand in his.
Standing on the doorstep I watched as he made sure her helmet was secure and then she swung her leg over the bike and held onto his waist tightly. I guessed that she was a bit scared but didn’t want to show it in case I changed my mind and got the car out. Then with a roar the engine burst into life and he carefully pulled out of the driveway and headed slowly up the road, turned and then returned to the end of the drive. He pulled up his visor “Everything ok with you” he asked me.
“Yes” I replied as Charlie put her thumbs up
“See you both later, we’ll order take away for tea” I finished. They both nodded and then before I could say another word they had made it down to the end of the road and were gone.
I walked into the house and it suddenly felt empty without their joy and laughter to fill it, in the end I gave Sarah a call and she popped over for lunch.
As she held onto Mitch’s waist and zipped along the road Charlie felt free as she imagined herself learning to ride a bike instead of driving lessons; that would be so cool. They soon reached the site of the bike hire company but sadly it had gone out of business recently so they climbed off the bike for a quick break and discussion.
“We could still go to the lakes and walk round them instead” Mitch suggested.
“Ok” Charlie responded, hoping that when she was with Mitch holding hands her legs would not turn to jelly from all the sensations that were swirling around inside of her at this moment.
After a few minutes on the bike they came into a parking area and parked up between some other cars that were dotted about.
“So why here?” Mitch finally asked her as they locked up the bike and their helmets and headed towards the pathway that meandered around the lake side.
“My Mum came here on a date when she was my age, well, except they did hire bikes and rode round and it sounded really romantic so that’s why I wanted to come”
“You mean your Mum has never bought you here?”
“No, not that I can remember, unless I was very small at the time”
“So I’m guessing that this date was not with the guy who became your Dad then?”
“No, I’ll tell you about it all as we walk if you like”
Then with her hand firmly in his they set off towards the bridge over the weir on the far side of the water.
As they walked she told him about breaking up with Craig and how her Mum had given her the diaries from 1988 to read about the story of her first love James. When she had eventually finished telling Mitch they had reached the bridge.
“Sorry, I should just shut up for a while” Charlie said.
“No, that was an amazing story what happened to them?”
“I don’t know yet I haven’t got that far but I guess it finished badly. Although my Dad has been mentioned in the diaries so I guess she falls for him at some point” Charlie finished, as she turned to face Mitchell.
“Do you believe in true love?” she asked
“Yes, I do” Mitch replied “I know for a fact that my Mum and Dad were definitely not in love and I occasionally catch him with a wistful look on his face. He told me he had only been in love once and it had all gone wrong, I pushed him for more details but he just clammed up and said it had been his fault” he said, as he reached for Charlie’s other hand and pulled her close.
“Well, enough about our parents I think its time we concentrated on us”
“Us” Charlie squeaked
“Well, yes that’s if you want there to be?” he replied, gazing deeply into her eyes with a longing she had never seen before.
“Yes” she finally managed as she watched his lips come down to graze hers; gently at first but then they opened and the passion took over as she leant back against the railings on the bridge.
When they finally broke apart Charlie couldn’t stop smiling, she had got herself an amazing boyfriend and she couldn’t wait for the future times they would spend together.
“Let’s play Pooh sticks” she exclaimed, as she spotted some sticks nearby.
“I don’t think I know what that is” Mitch said, looking puzzled.
“My Mum described this in her diary, apparently you throw the sticks in at the same time and then watch to see whose stick reached the bottom of the weir first it’s from the books about Winnie the Pooh” Charlie replied as she handed him one of the sticks.
“And the winner gets what?” he asked.
“A kiss from the loser”
“Ok, I’m in” he finished as they let the sticks fall.
In the end Charlie’s stick won so Mitch grabbed her and picking her up kissed her a million times all over her face and neck. It was heaven she thought as they continued to walk along the path back to the picnic benches.
“So what’s your favourite dance film?” Mitch asked, between bites of lunch.
“Dirty Dancing, I know it’s old but it’s still a classic” Charlie replied.
“Mine too, even though as a guy I shouldn’t like girly dance films but it was what made me decide to learn to dance and then ultimately my training now as a dance instructor”
“Yes, it was so sad when Patrick Swayze died but I loved last year’s Strictly Come Dancing show when they recreated the lift”
“Hey we should try it” Mitch said.
“What the lift?”
“Yes, why not, there’s no one around at the moment”
“Well, we could I suppose” Charlie responded, as he suddenly stood up and extended his arm in the style of Swayze and moved his finger to coax her to him.
Charlie needed no further prompt as she stood up and he pulled her into his arms. She could almost hear the music in her head, just louder than the beating of her heart as they moved together in perfect synchronicity.
“Perhaps we’ll change it a bit for our first attempt” Mitch said, as he lifted her up and placed her on the picnic table.
“You can jump from here and I promise I will catch you and lift you”
Charlie smiled at him “I trust you” she said as she leapt into his arms and then they stood wi
th her in the lifted position.
She gazed out over the lake and trees for what seemed like minutes, her arms outstretched and feeling so secure in his strong grasp. Then as she slid down his body they heard clapping and cheering as they realised that a small audience had gathered and witnessed much of their routine while they had been in their own private dance world. Taking a bow together they looked around at all the smiling faces that had stopped to watch them.
“Wow” she breathed, when he pulled her back into his arms.
“We make a great team” Mitchell murmured “But I think that’s enough of impromptu public dance demonstrations for one day”
“Me too, shall we head home?” Charlie responded, in her head she was still dancing on the wave of applause and the natural high it produced.
“Sounds like a plan” Mitch responded as they gathered their half eaten food up and headed for the bike and the ride home.
On the way home Mitch felt more confident and opened up the throttle as the landscape sped past them and Charlie held on tighter, liking the way their bodies fitted together perfectly.
When they reached home and climbed off Charlie was still buzzing from the high of the day’s revelations, dancing and of course the bike ride.
“Hi Mum, we’re back” she shouted, as I poked my head out from the lounge.
“Have you had a good day?” I asked
“Yeah, the bike place has closed down so we just walked around the lakes instead, it was a lovely day” she said, smiling over at Mitch.
“Chinese or Indian takeaway for tea?” I asked
“I don’t mind” Mitch said “I like both”
We both looked at Charlie “Indian please Mum” she said
“Ok, I’ll get it ordered for delivery around seven if that’s ok” I said, as I handed them the menu to choose from.
“Do you want a cold drink?” I asked
“It’s ok Mum I’ll sort some out, if it’s ok for us to go up to my room and I can show Mitchell the spare room” Charlie said.
“Sure, I’ll shout you when the food arrives” I said, as I watched them both walk into the kitchen before hearing their feet on the stairs. I smiled to myself and went through to the dining room to lay the table ready for later. I hoped that my daughter was not rushing things with Mitchell as the last thing I wanted was another broken heart in a short space of time and judging by the look in Charlie’s eyes my daughter had fallen hard and fast.
As Charlie walked up the stairs Mitchell couldn’t help but admire her long legs and shapely curves, she was fantastic to look at and wonderful to dance with and kiss. Charlie felt aware of his gaze as they crossed the landing and she showed him to the spare room
“You’ll be sleeping in here tonight if you want to put your bag down” she said
“That’s cool, I hope the bed is comfy” Mitchell replied.
“Anyway, let’s go to my room instead and we can put some music on” she finished, leading him across the landing. Charlie was pleased that she had taken the time to do a proper clean up and as she put some music on and kicked off her trainers she realised he was having a good look around.
“Who’s this?” he asked as he picked up one of the photographs on her dressing table. She wandered over and realised that he was looking at a small frame and a picture of her in a pink tutu.
“That’s when I passed my Grade One, with distinction” she said proudly.
“Let’s see” he replied, as he watched her perform a pirouette and then dipped into a graceful curtsey. He grinned at her “You are good” he responded “But I prefer something a bit less controlled than ballet”
Charlie realised that he had recognised the music from the CD he had given her from the Salsa Club.
“You like it then?” he said.
“Oh yes, she replied as he grabbed her around the waist and spun her away from him before pulling her back in and with his hand on the small of her back they moved together. Downstairs I heard the music and the feet on the wooden floor above ‘Well at least they’re standing up’ I thought and knowing Charlie dancing.
Chapter 25
After dinner and some extremely lively conversation about dancing with Charlie and Mitchell I was amused to find they wanted the lounge so they could watch Dirty Dancing together. Obviously the music was proving to be the strongest bond between them and I was pleased as dancing had played a huge part in Charlie growing up and although she had other career ambitions, dancing was the favourite by miles.
I retreated to the conservatory even though they had suggested I watched it with them, I didn’t want to cramp their style so I left them to it. Later on in the evening I walked past the door and looking through the glass I noticed that they were dancing along to the images on the screen and making such a good job of it. I was mesmerised as if the film had come to life in my own front room. They looked wonderful together as I snuck away and put the kettle on for some Hot Chocolate.
When I pushed the door open they were sat, hot and sweaty on the sofa and I just couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s so funny?” Charlie asked
“Looking at you two on the sofa, if I hadn’t known you had been dancing I would be thinking lots of other things” I replied, laughing.
“By the way you both looked fabulous dancing together” I said “I spotted you as I passed by the door”
“You really think so” Charlie asked.
“Yes” I said, as I handed them the mugs.
“Well, I’m off to bed now so I’ll leave you to clear up your mugs to the kitchen” I said “Goodnight Mitchell, night Charlie” I finished, as I left them too it and retired to my room.
“Well, what shall we do now” Mitch murmured, placing his mug on the coffee table and reaching to take Charlie’s from her and putting it next to his own.
Charlie just gazed up into his eyes and smiled as she watched his lips capture hers in a kiss that was by far the most earth shattering yet. She let herself go with the flow as they both started to explore each other’s bodies through their clothes and even though they had danced closely with each other earlier this was much more intense. But Charlie remembered her Mum’s diaries and reluctantly pulled back enough for Mitch to stop and give her a puzzled look.
“What’s wrong” he enquired
“Can we go slowly with this stuff, I don’t want to rush things even though it feels amazing” she breathed, hoping that he wouldn’t reject her like Craig had.
“Sure, I’ve no problem with that, even though I’m going to find it hard to keep my hands off you” he grinned. She smiled up and him and then realised that it was nearly one in the morning they agreed that it was time for bed.
On the landing he pulled her into his arms for one last embrace.
“Come wake me up in the morning?” he said.
“Its morning now” she replied.
“So it is” he responded, drawing her close for a goodnight and good morning kiss.
“Later Mitchell” Charlie finished, as she reluctantly left his arms for a final time.
“Later Charlie, I’ll be dreaming about you” he murmured.
“Me too” she breathed, as she blew him a kiss and entered her room. Lying there in the darkness she struggled to drift off, hoping he might try and sneak into her room, but being a true man of his words he didn’t appear. Even though she was disappointed she was also pleased that he was willing to wait for her despite the physical attraction that lay between them. She found him waiting in her dreams as they danced together surrounded by golden leaves that were gently falling around them as he lifted her and she glided towards the warmth of the sun.
I woke up first and crept down the stairs to put the coffee pot on, I had slept fitfully all night. I guess worrying that Charlie and Mitchell had spent the night together but after a coffee I dismissed these thoughts. I decided that I had to trust Charlie; after all she had read my diaries and knew what I used to get up too. So I hoped that if this relationship c
ontinued between them then I would allow them to share a bedroom together and I would treat them like the adults they were.
I was startled from my thoughts as Mitchell entered the kitchen and perched on the nearby stool
“Morning Stephanie” he said “Is Charlie not up yet?”
“Afraid not, she’s not known for early mornings at the weekend, however if I turn the radio up she might hear it and come down” I said, as I poured Mitch a mug of coffee and turned up the radio. It was tuned to Love Shack Radio, the station where I worked so a mixture of hits bounced around ranging from the sixties through to the nineties.
“I love this group” Mitch said, as the distinctive bass of ‘Our House’ by Madness filled the room “I saw them on the television for the Golden Jubilee celebrations” he finished.
“Yeah, they are great I remember dancing to their hits when I was young”
“They are one of my Dad’s favourite groups he looks so funny when he jumps around to this telling me that this is how dancing was in the eighties”
“We definitely weren’t as sophisticated in those days as you are today but maybe that’s how music and dancing progress” I said.
“Charlie tells me you’re a DJ that is such a cool job, playing music all day and chatting” he remarked.
“Yes it is, it keeps me sane and allows me to play music that I love”
“So you had to choose eighties tracks for the final of the dance competition” I continued.
“Yes that was a bit of fun, I love Michael Jackson but thought it would be great to reinterpret something different, especially as the dance for Thriller is so well known” he finished, as we both turned around to see Charlie had arrived dressed in her pj’s and fluffy slippers.
“Morning sleepyhead” I said, turning to pour her a mug of coffee as she took the stool next to Mitchell.