Flick reached over a laid her hand on Ali’s leg.
“Perfect.”
Ali reached down and covered Flick’s hand with hers. They held hands the rest of the way.
###
Ali pulled into the underground car park. She found a space and then got out. She popped her back and yawned. Flick was staring at her from the car.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
They got the kids out of the car, and walked towards the lift that would take them into the hotel. Flick stopped and looked at the girls. She pulled a hairbrush out of her bag, and started fussing with their hair. She did her own and then looked up at Ali. She put the brush back in her bag and reached up to touch Ali’s hair. She straightened the front and said, “okay, we’re ready to go.”
Ali laughed and bent to whisper in Flicks ear, “you’re so damn cute.”
“Funny that’s what I was thinking about when you got out the car.”
They smiled at each other and entered the lift. Belle reached out and took Ali’s hand. Ali looked down and smiled. Flick was watching them and she put her arm through Ali’s. The lift opened and they walked out into the lobby of the hotel. Chelsea’s mouth dropped open at the lavish surroundings. Flick pushed her bottom jaw up and they all laughed. She then whispered.
“Remember, girls, best behaviour. That includes you, Ms Macguire.”
They walked towards the desk and Ali turned at the familiar sound of her Mother’s voice.
“Alison. Alison.”
She watched her Mum approach. She flung her arms around her Mum and nearly picked her up off the floor.
“It’s so good to see you. France must be working wonders for you. You look amazing, Mum.”
“Well thank you, sweetheart. Now, who are these lovely people you’ve brought with you?”
Ali stepped back and waited until Claude approached before making the introductions.
“This is Chelsea Mayhew,” Ali was pleased when Chelsea stepped forward, and shook both her Mum and Claude’s Hands. “This little monster is Annabelle Mayhew,” again she shook their hands. Ali then wrapped an arm around Flick’s waist, “and this is Felicity Bromwell, we went to secondary school together.”
This was a huge thing for Ali. Her mother had never met anyone who meant something to her.
They all shook hands and then Ali’s Mum spoke to the girls. “My name is Marion Macguire. But you can call me Maz. Now we should really check in, then we can go and claim Brighton as ours.”
Flick took the girls and sat down while everyone checked in. Once all the paperwork was sorted they all regrouped and headed down Brighton promenade.
“I handed my car keys in at reception, just in case I do something stupid, like lose them,” Ali reported.
Flick smiled and looked at Ali’s hand, which had again been claimed by Belle.
“So where would you like to go for lunch? There is this cute pizzeria in ’The Lanes’ that would be perfect. Do you, guys, like pizza?”
Both girls answered with vigorous nodding.
They all weaved their way through ’The Lanes’, and finally found the restaurant Ali’s Mum was talking about. Claude approached the waiter and asked for a table for six.
Once they were seated, they scanned their menus. They ordered several pasta dishes and three pizzas for everyone to share. Flick reached under the table and grabbed hold of Ali’s hand. She was rewarded with huge smile. God this woman was beautiful.
“What would everyone like to drink?” Claude asked
“Please may Annabelle and I have a glass of coke?” Chelsea replied
“If you ask that politely you can have anything you want, Chelsea,” Claude had a huge smile on his face. “For you, Marion?”
“A glass of Merlot for me.”
“Ladies?”
“I think I’ll join Marion in a glass of Merlot,” replied Flick.
“I’ll join the girls and have a coke.”
Marion looked at her Daughter as if she had three heads. “Surely you’d like a glass of wine with lunch, Alison?”
“I’m driving, Mum. You know my rules.”
“Oh, I thought you were staying the night, I’ve asked the receptionist at The Grand to look for a show, that the children would enjoy. I thought we could all go together.”
How typical of her Mother. She was making plans for other people, without actually informing them about it. Flick looked at her and squeezed her hand. It was if she could see the dilemma in her eyes.
“That is a wonderful idea, Marion, but we haven’t brought any clothes or toiletries with us, and we haven’t booked into anywhere for the evening.”
“That can soon be sorted my, darling. If I can get you a room, will you stay?”
Flick looked at Ali who was as dumbstruck as she was.
“Okay, Mother, you win. But after lunch we need to shop for suitable clothes to wear out tonight, as well as night wear and toiletries,” Ali replied.
Marion pulled her phone out and started to call a hotel. After ten minutes of enquiry on the phone. She snapped it shut and looked at Flick and Ali, who were so obviously holding hands under the table.
“I’ve got you into The Grand with us. But they had no rooms so I’ve got you a suite. The girls will have a room and so will you.”
A blush covered Flick’s face.
“Please excuse me. I need to go to the ladies.”
She quickly splashed water on her face to cool it. When she looked up Ali was standing behind her.
“Are you okay?”
“Just the sharing a room thing threw me, that’s all.”
“I can take the sofa if you like, or we can chance it together in a bed. I’ve already promised you I’ll not push whatever this is, and I won’t. Whatever you want me to do, I will. Okay?”
Just like that, Ali had calmed her down and her embarrassment subsided. She took Ali’s hand and squeezed. “Thank you once again.”
Ali brought Flick’s hand to her mouth and kissed the top of it. She heard the quick intake of breath from Flick.
“You’re welcome.”
The door to ladies burst open and Marion stood there. “Lunch is here, girls. But please, if you want to hold hands don’t be, embarrassed in front of Claude and I.”
They all laughed and exited the toilets. Belle was pleased to have Ali sitting back next to her. Instead of the coke Ali had ordered there was a bottle of Merlot for them to share.
Two bottles of wine, later and with full stomachs. They decided it best not to go on the fairground rides. They went shopping instead. Marion had offered to pay for everything they needed, but Flick had declined as she was already paying for the suite. Ali went off in one direction followed by Belle. They were looking for something for Ali to wear, and then they were going to meet up and look for stuff for the girls. Chelsea had stayed with her Mum.
“Mum, look at this dress, it’s fantastic.”
“No, honey, that is way to tarty for me. Look for something in the little black dress line.”
“How about this one, Chels?”
“God no, you’ll look ancient in that. This is the one, Mum, you’ll look killer in this. I’m sure Ali will like you in this one.”
Felicity reared round in shock and stared at her daughter.
“What, you think I’m blind?”
“No, of course not.”
“I’ve seen the load of losers you’ve dated, and if Ali makes you happy then it’s cool by me. Annabelle won’t be a problem either, she thinks Ali is great.”
Felicity was in shock.
“Whatever, honey, we can talk about this later. But thanks for bringing the subject up.”
Suddenly Ali and Belle reappeared with Marion and Claude on their heels.
“I’m done,” Ali announced holding up three bags. “I’ve even got shoes for tonight.” She looked up and saw the dress Chelsea was holding. She smiled and Flick quickly grabbed the dress then moved to look at shoes.
Within the next hour everyone was done. Accept for the toiletries.
“How about we go and have a milkshake, girls?” Marion asked
“Yeah!!!” they both replied.
“Sorry, that’s if it’s okay with your Mum?”
“Sure no worries. I need to go and get everything else we need.”
“I’ll come with you, Flick.”
They left the others entering Monty’s Milkshake Shack.
As they walked around, the shopping complex Flick reached over and grabbed Ali’s hand, she entwined their fingers as they continued looking for things.
A quick stop at Superdrug and they had all the toiletries they needed. As they walked towards the perfume shop, Ali pulled Flick into it.
“I noticed you never got any perfume. Please allow me to get you some as a gift.”
“You don’t need to do that, Ali, I have plenty at home. I’m sure I can do without for one night.”
“Please let me buy you a gift.”
Ali pulled her deeper into the shop. Flick looked around and then spotted her favourite Chanel perfume. But it was £80 a bottle. She played indifference, and led Ali back into the throng of people.
“Did you end up getting the dress I saw?”
“Yes. Actually Chelsea chose it.”
“Oh crap, I know what I forgot to get. If you go and find the guys I’ll be about twenty minutes,” Ali kissed Flick’s cheek and scurried off into the crowd.
Flick walked towards Monty’s. Everyone asked where Ali was.
“She forgot to get some shopping. She won’t be long.”
“After we’re finished here, would you like to go back to the hotel to dump the bags and check in?”
“That’s a great idea, Marion, then perhaps we can go for a stroll on the beach afterwards?”
“Perfect.”
They all finished their drinks while waiting for Ali. Annabelle was the first to spot her. She ran to her and threw herself at her legs. Ali laughed and had to walk with Belle hanging onto her. As she reached the table she said.
“Belle, you’ve got to let go now, I want to sit down.”
“Okay, Ali.”
Marion laughed and asked, “why, Belle?”
“Because Alison said that I could call her Ali. I thought that I should cut my name down too, so she calls me Belle.”
“Oh right. Can I call you, Belle, too?” Marion asked.
Belle shook her head, “sorry but only Ali can call me that, just like Mum is the only one who can call her ’Big Al’.”
Marion raised her eyes to Flick and Ali. They both blushed and she laughed whole-heartedly.
They all left Monty’s and headed for The Grand. Flick once again reached over and held Ali’s hand. Belle giggled at them.
Once at the hotel Ali booked them in, and was given directions to the lifts. The girls followed Flick and Ali. They gave the operator the floor number. When they found the room, Ali fitted the key card into the lock. The girls entered the room and they all gasped.
The suite was huge. They had their bedrooms and their own living room. Flick put her arms around Ali’s neck and kissed her cheek, before she went to investigate the rooms. Ali closed the door and went to put all their bags in the bedrooms. She then went in search of Flick.
“I’m going to send my clothes down to be ironed for tonight, if you sort yours and the girls’ stuff out they can go to.”
“Just leave yours on the bed, and I’ll put them all together.”
“Okay I’ll call down, and get them to pick them up in ten minutes.”
“That works for me. We need to go and find your Mum and Claude afterwards. The girls and Marion want to hit the beach.”
Ali laughed. It appeared the thing her Mum needed, was two great kids to bring her wild side out. She had even sucked spaghetti at the restaurant with Belle. That was hilarious.
Flick disappeared into the bedroom to sort clothes out.
“No peeking in any of my bags, Felicity Bromwell,” Ali called.
Just to make sure she headed to the bedroom, to make sure Flick didn’t discover the two presents that she had brought. Flick passed her and smiled.
“I would never look in your bags.”
There was a knock on the door. Ali answered it. Marion and Claude stood there.
“Come on in,” Flick said
Marion and Claude made themselves comfy on the sofa with the girls. As always, Chelsea had found a video games console in the suite’s entertainment pack.
“We’re just waiting for someone to come and pick the clothes up for tonight. They’re rather creased and need steaming or ironing.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Marion said. “We’re going to see The Sound Of Music. We have excellent seats. If we grab dinner here before we go out, that will save us some time. But we have to be in the lobby by 6:30 p.m. Claude has a surprise for us but won’t say what it is.”
Another knock came from the door and Alison opened it to the Bellboy who had been sent, to collect their clothes.
“Can we have them back here by 5:30 tonight?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem madam.”
Ali tipped the lad who didn’t seem any older than Chelsea.
“Right let’s hit the beach. I think I’m ready for those rides on the pier now.”
Everyone laughed as they exited the room.
###
The afternoon was brilliant. Again Flick had held Ali’s hand nearly all afternoon. They had gone on the rides, and played in the arcades and generally had a blast. Ali had found a bar on the pier that had a play area for the kids. They sat there and had a couple of glasses of wine, while Belle and Chelsea played. Ali reached over and laid her hand in Flick’s lap. Flick grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers. At 4:30 p.m. they decided to head back to the hotel for dinner, before they went to get ready.
Flick was totally relaxed, she was enjoying her day out. Her thoughts had been on Ali most of the day. She was curious as to what Ali’s kiss would be like. She wanted to find out desperately. Perhaps a chance might arise later. Although Ali told her to do whatever she wanted, she thought that a public snog, wasn’t the most romantic scenario for a first kiss.
Due to the big lunch they had earlier, all anyone could manage was a sandwich.
On the way up to the rooms Ali wondered how many bathrooms were in their suite. There could be a problem, four of them to get ready in an hour and a half, and only one bathroom.
“Belle, your first job is to see if you can find another bathroom, in the suite while I pour me and your Mum and drink.”
“No worries, Ali,” Belle took off like a bat out of hell on her mission. “Ali, I’ve found one, it’s off your room. There is one off our room too.”
Ali let out a relieved breath and went to the bar to pour drinks for everyone. She looked in the mini bar and didn’t find what she was looking for. She set four champagne flutes out on the bar.
“I won’t be a minute, I need to make a quick call,” she said as she headed into the bedroom.
“No worries, hun,” Flick replied.
She rushed over to the bed and waited for room service to pick up.
“Hello, please can I order a bottle of champagne to be delivered to the Regent Suite. Can I also order another one to be delivered to room 134, Marion Macguire’s room. I’ll charge this to my card which reception already has on file. With the bottle for Marion please write a note.
With Love from
Alison, Felicity, Chelsea and Annabelle.
XXXXX
“That’s everything. Can you bring the champagne straight up? Thanks.”
Ali went back into the lounge, and found everyone slouched over the sofas.
She went back into the bedroom and began unpacking her bags, toiletries and nightwear. She managed to hide the presents she had bought for Flick. There was a knock at the door, and an ice bucket, and bottle were wheeled in.
“We never ordered this,” Fli
ck stated.
Ali approached the guy who had brought it up, and slipped him a tip.
“Thank you. I ordered the champagne. I also had one delivered to Claude and Mum, from the four of us.”
She walked to the bar and opened a bottle of orange juice for Chelsea and Belle. But the champagne was for her and Flick to enjoy while they were getting ready. She poured the drinks and held her glass in the air for a quick toast.
“To Mum and Claude. Also to, Flick, without you our lives would seem so empty.”
They all toasted and had a drink. Flick took hold of Ali’s hand, and pulled her into the bedroom. She closed the door and faced Ali. Slowly she walked to her. She wrapped her arms around Ali’s neck and said.
“Here’s to you also. Without you, this wouldn’t be happening.”
With that she placed her lips on Ali’s, and orchestrated a long slow sensuous kiss.
“Wow,” Ali whispered, “remind me to order champagne more often.”
Flick kissed her once more, and Ali felt like she could melt into a puddle right there.
“Wow, is right. I knew kissing you would be like nothing else on earth.” Flick finally moved away. She went into the lounge and told Chelsea to get in the shower. Ali was finally able to move, she walked into the lounge and found Flick sitting on the sofa with Belle.
“Why don’t you go and use the other shower, while Chelsea is getting clean. Then you can put a dressing gown on, until you’re ready to get dressed.”
“Good Idea.”
Flick disappeared into the bedroom, and Ali took a seat next to Belle. They flicked through the music channels on the TV, and decided on a pop music channel. Soon the sounds were drifting through the suite. It was apparently a good idea, as Chelsea came out of the bedroom in a dressing gown and her wet hair in a towel.
“Can we please turn this one up so I can hear it in there?”
“Yeah no worries. Now Chelsea is out, it’s your turn, Belle.”
Belle went rushing into the bathroom, and Chelsea went back to the bedroom.
Ali decided to surprise Flick with her perfume. She walked into the bedroom and refilled Flick’s champagne flute, then left the gift-wrapped present next to it on the dressing table. Flick had forgotten to close the bathroom door fully. She caught her first glimpse of a naked Flick, as she was leaving the room.
Love Returns Page 6