God bless Paul
Rest in peace old friend.
Ali sent the email and wiped the tears from her face. Her phone rang and she answered with a soft voice.
“Alison Macguire.”
“Are you okay, sweetheart? I’ve just read your email,” Flicks soft voiced asked.
“I’m having the shittiest day ever. I can’t talk for long, I need to be back in the conference room in thirty minutes.”
“Okay. Would you like me to pop up when I have five minutes?”
“That’s very sweet of you, Flick, but I have a feeling this meeting will go on forever. I’ll talk to you later.”
Ali put the phone back in its holder, and just sat and stared into space. If her hunch was right then she may have to make a trip with Mr. McDougal and Frank to visit Paul’s widow. She went back to the conference room, and made another round of coffee. She was just drinking hers when everyone came back in. Steve from legal wasn’t back though. Everyone resumed their seats and Mr. McDougal was just about to start talking, when Steve rushed in with his research results.
“My God, Ali, you’re good,” Steve said taking his seat.
“Well, what did you find?” Frank asked.
“The solicitors representing the family are one of those ’no win, no fee’ companies. They contacted her.”
Ali breathed a sigh of relief, “right, what we need to do is have Mr Spencer contact her as our legal representation. It may be the case, that she doesn’t really want to go through with the claim. If she does she’s mad. Somewhere inside her house is a million pounds worth of stuff. That is our argument.”
“You’re better than good, Ali, you’re brilliant,” said Mr Spencer. “I hadn’t looked at it from that angle.”
He got up and walked to a phone next to Mr. McDougal. The others whispered quietly while he made the call. After twenty minutes he put the receiver down and smiled at Ali.
“Are you sure Human Resources is your field? I could highly recommend a legal career for you or perhaps clairvoyance.”
Ali laughed. The tension of the day was starting to drain away.
“There are no ill feelings towards the company, from any of the family. The solicitor had called and twisted Mrs Jenkins’ arm, until she relented. She is going to call them and cancel the lawsuit against us, and make a complaint to the solicitor’s regulatory board. These sharks should not be able to contact people during a time of grief.”
“Right, here’s what we need to do now. Mr. McDougal, you’re going to go and ring Mrs Jenkins and arrange for us to go and see her. I’ll come with you and Frank. We need to express our sympathy as a company. Like you said to me a while back, Mr. McDougal, he was a good man.”
Mr. McDougal signalled that the meeting was over. He asked Ali to stay behind while he made the call. She was more than happy to do this. After he had made the call he turned to Ali and Frank, “we’re to be at the house in an hour. Thank you, Ali, it appears you’ve saved our arses again. I cannot keep giving you raises, my dear, soon you’ll be making more money than Frank and I.”
Ali smiled and excused herself. She needed to order some flowers, and a bottle of whiskey to take to Mrs Jenkins. She checked her emails quickly. Most were from staff asking if there was going to be a memorial service. Ali emailed them back and said, she would check with Paul’s widow and see if she would be okay with the idea, if so she would organise it.
###
By 5:00 p.m. Ali was exhausted. They had been made very welcome in Paul’s home. Ali mentioned a memorial service, and Mrs Jenkins liked the idea. As they were leaving Mr. McDougal asked if they wanted to perhaps go for a drink. They had all arrived in Ali’s car, so she wasn’t going to have one. Even though she needed one desperately. A thought came to her.
“Let’s stop at my house, I can get you a taxi back to the office, I don’t like to drink and drive.”
The two men agreed, and as they made their way across London, Mr. McDougal turned to her and said, “I think it’s high time you called me Gerald.”
“Okay, that would be nice,” Ali said with a small smile. It seems the old guy really had mellowed out a little.
After twenty minutes they pulled into the courtyard, in front of Ali’s house.
She poured them both drinks and then went to change. She was not going back to the office today so she went to change. She returned to the living room in jeans and a jumper and poured herself a large brandy. Noticing that the men’s glasses were a little low, she grabbed the bottle of Jonny Walker from behind the bar, and placed it on the table in front of them.
“We need to hire you a secretary, Ali. You work too hard and we can’t have you burning out. It would be easier for you if you had someone to field your calls, and deal with any simple enquiries,” Mr. McDougal said.
“Thank you, that would be a big help.”
After a couple more drinks she called them a taxi. She looked at the glass of brandy, which she hadn’t touched. She was again thinking of Paul, she couldn’t shake his image out of her brain. She needed to completely switch off, and desperately needed a cuddle. What could she do?
“Go to Flicks,” the answer came immediately. She grabbed her keys and raced out the door.
Flick immediately answered the constant banging at the front door. Stood on her doorstep was a very ghostly looking Ali.
“Oh, sweetie, come here,” Flick said holing her arms open to her.
Ali flung herself into Flick’s hug. They stood there for what seemed like hours, Flick was confused at Ali’s tears. She knew that all would be explained later, but Ali just obviously wanted her to hold her.
“Come on, we can talk in the kitchen, the girls are at swimming and I’m making dinner.”
They walked through the house and Flick pushed Ali into a chair at the table. Flick reached into the fridge and pulled out two bottles of beer. She handed her a bottle and sat across from her and asked what was wrong.
Alison related the whole story to her, including the organisation of a memorial service she had to do.
“I just feel like crap about everything. I’m really confused about you too. But I just wanted to be here tonight with you and the girls.”
“Why are you confused about me?”
“I don’t want to rush things between us, we seem to be moving extremely fast. You know that I would really like to date you. But after the weekend I thought you might have been frightened.”
“Oh, Ali, the weekend was wonderful. I agree we need to slam the breaks on and take it one day at a time. But I really want to date you too. I know I’ve never dated a woman before, and you’re probably worried about that too. But I think we could be good for each other.”
Ali smiled, “good, glad we cleared that up.”
Flick stood up walked to her sliding onto her lap, she wrapped her arms around her neck. “My first ever, girlfriend.” She smiled and kissed Ali.
Losing her resolve, Ali pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Flick’s buried her hands in the hair at the base of her neck. Ali slid her tongue into Flick’s mouth, her moan music to Ali’s ears. Ali pulled her mouth away, kissing Flick’s cheek and then her chin. Flick arched her neck and Ali attacked the soft skin there. Who was moaning, Flick or Ali? You couldn’t tell the difference. Ali moved her mouth to Flick’s ear and started to nibble, she then whispered.
“We need to stop. This is going too fast. But God you smell good, and you taste even better.”
Flick pulled her head back down and captured Ali’s lips again. God this woman could kiss. She slipped her hands up Ali’s chest, threading her fingers into the sides of her hair. They pulled apart at the sound of the front door opening.
“Will you stay the night?” Flick asked in a hushed voice.
“I would love that. I can go to work like this tomorrow, I need to catch up, so I won’t be going to any meetings.”
“Good. I like waking up in your arms.”
She kissed Ali once more and slid bac
k off her lap. The girls ran into the kitchen and hugged Ali. Flick fixed dinner for them and watched Ali with the girls. She was so good with them. She had done their homework with them, and even managed to get them to sort their swimming stuff out.
Yes, they were moving too fast, but God it felt good to feel this way. Ali had made her realise she had never really had a proper partner. There was never anyone who she could depend on. She still wasn’t ready to go to bed with Ali. The thought scared her senseless, and aroused her beyond belief at the same time. She didn’t see what she could ever do to please Ali.
They all ate and the girls picked a film to watch before bed. The girls pulled beanbags out, and sat in front of the sofa. Ali leaned back and put her feet up, as she got comfortable. She closed her eyes and realised, that just being here was what she needed. She opened them again at the sound of Flick clearing her throat.
“Open your legs,” Ali raised an eyebrow at the request, and Flick blushed. “I want to get comfy while we watch the film, a hug wouldn’t go a miss either.”
Ali put her right foot on the floor. Flick turned her back on Ali, and moved back until they were touching. Ali folded her arms around Flick, and they relaxed back together while watching the film.
Once the film was over the girls had each given Ali a kiss on the cheek, and wished her good night. Flick was tucking them in when Belle asked about Ali.
“Mum, is Ali staying the night?”
“Yes she is. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah, will she be here all the time now?”
“No, darling, she won’t. I think you and I need to have a chat. Shall I call Ali up too?”
“Yeah okay, and Chelsea needs to hear too.”
Flick called for Ali and Chelsea to come into the room.
“Okay girls, you both know I used to date Thomas?” Both girls nodded. Flick raised her eyes to Ali, looking for the strength to get through this conversation. She saw it immediately, and reached out for Ali’s hand, “well now I’m dating Ali. I’ve really thought about this, and she is the person I would like to be with.”
“But, Mum, you’re a girl, and Ali is a girl too,” Belle said.
“Yep, that’s right. It’s okay for two women to date each other. Just like a man and woman would. It’s okay for two men to date also.”
“You seem to be a lot more happier when Ali is around, Mum, and if she does that, then it’s okay,” Chelsea said.
Belle seemed happy at the news and hugged her Mum and Ali.
“Chels, are you really okay with everything?”
“Yes, Mum. There’s no problem what so ever. I’m happy for you. I’m also happy for us too, Ali is the best and always makes sure that we are happy. She looks out for us.”
Flick laughed and hugged both her children, then wrapped an arm around Ali to include her.
“But, Belle, this has got to be a secret from your school friends, just for now,” she was worried about what the other kids would say to her. Kids could be really horrible about things like this. If she and Ali decided that they were going to commit to each other then they could revisit the conversation again.
“Okay, Mum.”
Flick and Ali left the bedroom, calling good night to both girls. They went back downstairs. Flick retrieved a bottle of wine and two glasses. She resumed her previous position, and leant back into Ali. They talked and finished their wine. Flick then pulled Ali to her feet.
“Bed,” Flick said looking into her eyes.
Ali leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on Flick’s lips. She allowed Flick to lead her up the stairs, and into the bedroom. She realised she didn’t have any pj’s.
“One problem, Sweetheart, I haven’t got anything to sleep in.”
“Good job your weekend pj’s ended up in my bag.”
Flick reached into the bag she brought back from Brighton, and handed Ali her pj’s.
They both took turns in the bathroom and then settled into bed. Ali pulled Flick to her and kissed her.
“Thank you for this evening, it has really pulled me out of my slump.”
Flick kissed her back and Ali felt the stirrings of desire. She pulled Flick on top of her, and the kiss deepened even more. Ali’s hands started to trace up and down Flick’s spine. She rolled them over and tempered the kiss back.
“We need to stop, baby, or I won’t be able to keep my promise.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. I won’t lie and tell you I haven’t thought about it, because I have. But we’re just not ready for that yet. I love kissing you though,” Flick admitted.
She kissed Flick one last time, and rolled onto her back. She pulled Flick close and they fell asleep.
###
Ali arrived at work the next day, still in the casual clothes she had put on last night. Frank noticed and raised an eyebrow. She just smiled and walked to her office.
After lunch Ali was nearly caught up with yesterday’s work. Now she only needed to get on with organising, the memorial service for Paul.
At 4:30 p.m. there was a soft knock on her door, and Flick entered.
“Hey, gorgeous. How’s your day gone?”
“Better than yesterday. You?” Ali smiled up at her from her desk.
“Great. What are you up to tonight?”
“I need to take a look at some records, and write some reports. So I will probably need to take it home.”
“Ali, we could go out to dinner with the girls, and then have a snuggle on the sofa afterwards.”
“Sorry, babe, but I need to get this done. I’m not in the office on Friday, so I want to get as much done as possible.”
“We need to work on, how to leave work at the office.”
Ali smiled they had to talk about her job here. “I won’t always have to take work home with me, but there’ll be times where I have boatloads to do. Some ex girlfriends have had real problems with my work ethics and patterns. But my job is important to me, and I’ve worked really hard to get where I am today. Can you understand that, and be patient with me?”
“I fully understand, sweetheart, and if that is what you do, it’s what you do. I don’t mind what so ever. But I’ll miss a warm body next to me tonight. Call me later so we can discuss dinner during the week,” Flick said walking to the office door.
“Okay, Babe. Speak to you later.”
###
Later that night as Flick was getting into bed her thoughts again went to Ali, who was probably still working away at home. She picked up her mobile and sent Ali a text.
Missing you tonight, the bed seems really empty without you. Can’t wait to be in your arms again. Xxxx
How could she have got so used to Ali’s body beside her. They had only slept together three times. But yet it seemed so familiar. She stretched in the bed and raised her arms above her head. She felt something under the pillows, she knew that it was made of cotton, and pulled the item out. She realised quickly that the item was Ali’s pj’s from the night before. Before she could stop herself she pushed the fabric to her nose and inhaled the now familiar scent of Ali. Her phone bleeped to announce a message.
Can’t wait for you to be there either sweetie. Night gorgeous, see you in the morning. Xxxx
She fell asleep that night, with Ali’s pj’s clutched to her chest and a bright smile on her face.
Chapter Ten
The next three weeks passed with ease. Ali and Flick had been out to dinner with the girls a couple of times, and had managed a few adventures on their own as well. One of the adventures they had all enjoyed was having a ride on Ali’s new Harley. The girls loved the leather jackets that Ali bought for them, and they all had a lot of fun while out shopping for helmets.
Ali sat in her office and thought about everything that had happened over the past weeks, between them. They were settling into each other’s lives quickly. Ali was spending three nights a week at Flick’s. They were getting closer and closer, but Ali knew Flick still had reservations about them s
leeping together.
Ali was about to burst. She ached to take Flick to bed, to kiss her from head to toe, and find out what things would make her squirm with delight, and moan with pleasure. Oh God, she was going to die if she didn’t touch her soon. She checked her calendar, and realised that Valentine’s Day was four days away.
There was just enough time for her to plan something special for Flick. But the question was what? They couldn’t go away, there was nobody to have the girls. What about a meal? She pushed away from her desk and headed to the lift. Flick’s new office was on the floor below hers. She exited the lift and asked where she could find Flick. After receiving directions, she walked along a few corridors and came to a stop in front of the closed office door. She knocked then realised that Flick’s office was directly below her own.
“Hey. You busy?” Ali asked poking her head into the office.
Flick looked up and smiled at her visitor. “Nope. What’s on your mind?”
“I was wondering if you’d be, able to get a sitter for Saturday night? I would like to take you out for Valentines dinner.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Okay, well I’ll see you later.”
Flick sat back into her chair, she had forgotten Valentine’s Day. She wanted to do something nice for Ali. She racked her brain for most of the morning, and then it dawned on her. If she could get Steph to come up on Friday and look after the girls, they could plan something for the weekend. She picked up her phone and called Steph.
“Hey, mate. Would you be able to come up, and have the girls for me this weekend?”
“I can’t see that being a problem, but why? What’s going on?”
“Well you know I’m seeing someone. I want to organise something special for the weekend, without the girls.”
“When am I going to get to meet the guy who has made you so happy?”
Love Returns Page 8