Mum, well she just doesn’t like my Grams and Grams isn’t her number one fan either. The dead people I see and hear, well is a tale for another time. I don’t see them all the time, just when I need them or they warn me of imminent danger or they need me to pass on a reassuring word to a very grieving relative, and wow… Really, no way…? They say they like you, because you’re not dangerous, though they do say…” Shit, they say he is troubled, his father is trouble and he will bring a great sadness and be trouble for me, a message for me really? Sam looked worried...
“They say you’re a keeper and umm really? Oh angel you get their seal of approval, though the magazine collection under your bed you won’t need anymore?
No, the whole church thing, don’t worry please. I do it because I like to wind her up, though I do go to church with her on high days and special days. I am a much lapsed catholic girl, who attends a Church of England secondary school. I’m so multi-faithed. When she’s here I go to late mass and the spiritualist church when they get another medium in, they like to test me and them. Sometimes I play along sometimes I don’t. I’m such a good girl.” He grabbed my hand.
“I only keep the magazines for the intellectual articles they have in them, shit really they told you about them?”
“No you idiot all lads have them under their beds, though you should get rid of them, you don’t need them any longer you have me, though I used to be a very good girl until I met you.”
She looked worried for a second and looks to my side. Really she is seeing someone now? I wonder what the tales for later are too? Aunty and Mum had been to a meeting with their spiritualist woman and she told them I would meet someone special weeks ago, I smiled at the time, but hell I’m not knocking it now, because they were right! I have quite a lot of magazines too, all acquired over the past few weeks they have been my only release, phew. I take her tiny hand in mine and kiss it…
“I never doubted for one little minute you were anything less than a good girl. See, I got you home in one piece. You certainly put him in his place, I liked the kick in the balls bit, but you keep way from his balls though. You made sure Mum was fine and I met your mother and the dog.” I shook my head.
“It isn’t a dog it’s a rat dawg, so what now then?”
“I kiss you and go back home and try to sleep. Then I will call here for you tomorrow, at one o’clock I believe was the time mentioned? When I have your father to meet. Then I owe you a visit to the cinema, where I vaguely remember I was promised a make out session, on the back row and I’m treating you to dinner.” He kissed me, not a make out kiss because I think he was worried my mum would be back and catch him.
“No, I’m a good girl I wouldn’t say that.”
“Oh, you’re a very good, bad girl.” He kissed me again slapped my bum and I scooted into the house, I blew him a kiss he caught it and walked off down the street.
I waved at her as she blew me a kiss, being a lovesick sap I caught it and placed it in my pocket, shit how old am I? I head for home…
“See you, tomorrow.” He waved and I went in, Dad was back. He looked up.
“Had a nice time?” I nodded my head at him.
“Catch anything Dad?” He smiled.
“No Michelle, I just caught a cold.” I shrugged my shoulders at him.
“Sorry Dad. Better luck next time?”
“It was a rough sea, so most of the others spent the whole trip spewing, so we cut it short and I don’t think we’re doing it again.” I laughed, because the coach was full with their booze, added to the drink they took, their many stops in the pubs on the way up! I think perhaps they were way too drunk to fish?
“Oh, perhaps it would have gone better not drinking all the way up there and just drinking on the way home? I’m going to bed Dad, see you in the morning, night Dad.” He laughed and agreed and with that, I ran up the stairs changed into my pyjamas and got in bed last thing I needed tonight was the third degree from Mum, who will be spilling about Sam as soon as she gets in deep joy. Tomorrow, I can’t bloody wait until tomorrow. I’ll pretend I’m asleep, Becky already was. I didn’t need to pretend my head hit the pillow and sleep I did.
CHAPTER 3
Sam is coming today, I didn’t care really because I’d have had to tell Dad sooner or later and luckily, for me, today would be that day. Up you get Michelle up and at ‘em. Today is the day for my overprotective, bar brawling, meat head, soppy, very bad gambler, cuddly, beer drinking, sometimes drunken, big hearted Daddy to meet the much older, and a first for me, boyfriend! From my description of my father he was a very confusing man. Not really, he was two different people in one body, the hard man of Stockton and my daddy, two very different people, but one in the same when it came to me and Becks. Oh heck deep joy. I washed my hair scrubbed my teeth and had a wash. Why had it taken so long for nice hair? I decided on wearing my tight black jeans and tee shirt and new fluffy cream jumper, and sod it I can’t delay any longer, it’s off to face the music.
“Is that you Michelle, what do you want?” Mum was in the kitchen.
“Yes Mum, nothing thanks.” Edible food would be a nice surprise? Nope, doing laundry again. What a pity she couldn’t cook half as good as she did that, if she did then we would be eating like kings every night if she did. Had she actually heard all that, I would be running for the door. She had a great aim with that shoe of hers and boy did it hurt.
“I thought you were at church today?”
“No mother, it was a joke, you know the hahaha thing? I figured it was too early to introduce Sam to the wrath of God at Gram’s church. Thanks for letting him know about me and seeing the others. That was not something he needed to know, why did you do it Mum?”
“Well as soon as he sees for himself you’re a nutter the quicker he finishes with you, it’s only going to end in tears, what does a lad as old as him want with you? Is he using you to have, you know, is he just using you for sex?”
“No Mum, we are not having sex. Why are you being such a bitch to me Mum? Please don’t bother taking your shoe off, I may chuck the next one on the bloody roof because I’m a little bit old to be slippered Mother. Why do you think I only deserve bad things to happen to me? Don’t answer that I know because the bloody answer is always the chuffing same, because of me your life was ruined. I didn’t ask to be born and that is getting to be a bloody old scratched record, if you don’t like it leave, or tell Dad to leave, if your life is so shit change it but stop blaming everyone else for how your life is now.” Oh did I really just say all that to Mummy Dearest, I must have done, she stopped taking her shoe off mid-aim.
She was starting on the slaughter of dinner now, having told me to leave it to her, I did and thank God I wasn’t eating it. I went into front room dreading it because Dad was there deep breath. Onward Christian Soldiers was playing in the head again, the bass drum getting louder. I walked into front room and Dad and Grandpa are talking and Grandma was busy knitting.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were coming… I would have got up if I’d known you were here, are you here for long?” I rushed over to kiss Gramps and sat on the arm of the chair next to Grams, she smiled up at me over her glasses. Mum has told them all about Sam… Bummer.
“What times half past twelve to be getting up anyway young lady, that’s half the day wasted, we’re here for the day, we’ve looked at a house here near Uncle Michaels and we like it, so we have decided to come back home.” Bugger it they are moving from Hambleton, damn it, I love that place. Grams had stopped knitting and I looked at the clock, shit Sam would be here soon and knowing him bloody early and unaware of the ambush that lay in wait.
“I wasn’t wasting it Grams. I was regenerating for the upcoming battle. I was out with a friend until late and I had been rushed of my feet at work and needed to sleep, sorry.” Dad looked up from the paper.
“Does this friend have a name then?” The battle had commenced.
“Yes Dad he is called Samuel Todd.” Gramps turn next, sh
itting hell they’re working like a well-oiled tag team.
“What does Sam do for a living?” I really am going to kill Mum later.
“He is an apprentice architect, Gramps. He works and he studies at the local university too.” Come on the wheels were turning now.
“Good thing apprenticeships, they lead to good jobs. Now how old would he be then this Sam?” I will not lie, because I hate liars with a passion.
“He would be twenty two Gramps.” With that there was a knock at the door. “He’s here, so play nice you lot or there’ll be more than a few a few Missy-fits and you don’t want to upset me, not today. Mum has already had her shoe threatened with being thrown on the roof and if she chucks it at me again, she will need new shoes Dad!” They were grinning, now mother had joined them too! Her shoe now firmly back on her foot. I got up to answer the door. Here he was my lamb to the slaughter. He looked hot too, I couldn’t resist the kiss, he groaned as I pulled away and he smiled.
“Sorry about this Sam but you’re before the full family court, not just Mum and Dad.” He looked gorgeous black jeans, white linen shirt and leather jacket and thank the lord, good he has on clean shoes. That would be the first thing Gramps would look at. He looked puzzled.
“What, Mi cielo?” I pointed to the front room door and I cringed.
“My family would like to meet you, and I'm sorry you can’t get out of it, if you want to see me.”
“Of course I want to see you and more. So let’s get this over with, will I be all right?” I laughed, he gave me a very quick kiss, and perhaps he thought my parents would catch him?
“You will be fine, just don’t lie when you answer the questions, because Dad has a habit of finding out if you do, he has eyes everywhere and remember keep calm, thank you angel and good luck!” Another kiss given as he ummed into it! He followed me into the front room for introductions. He was shaking, he was actually afraid, awe bless.
“This is my dad, Michael. That’s my Grandpa James, that’s my Grandma Maria. You’re sitting next to my mum Susan, sit down please, this everyone is Samuel Todd, but he prefers Sam.” True to form Gramps was checking his shoes. He always says you can tell a lot about a man from the shoes they wear, Sam’s would pass muster.
“It's so nice to meet you all.” He shook their hands in turn, Dad smiles as he shook and grabbed his hand tightly.
“Would you like a drink Sam?” Dad asked. I think he was scaring Sam on purpose.
“That would be nice thanks.” He looked so uncomfortable, yet was still smiling at me.
“Do you all want one?” I asked four more yeses.
“Right give me your jacket Sam I’m on cafe duty again. Please sit Sam.” Mum followed me into the kitchen she could have given me the heads up. I put his coat over the back room sofa and went to do the drinks.
I did as I was told by her mother, she was most insistent that I was to be there for one, so I headed to Michelle’s. It’s my turn to meet the in-laws. She looked so frightened when she answered the door. Her kisses savoured, if this fails there will be no more. I gulped my last breath as I entered the front room. Holy hell it’s a full house of grinning relatives, I sat between her Gramps and mum, whilst Gramps looked down at my shoes, opps too much the Italian handmade shoes perhaps?
Wow, I can’t get over how she looks so like her dad and Gramps! Now I’m being looked over, like a lost lamb being cornered by a pack of hungry wolves all baying for my blood, nerves aside let the sweating begin! Having never met a girlfriends parents before let alone her grandparents too, this is a little off putting, but a task I will gladly do if I get to keep seeing Michelle, her mother slipped out and back in again, just in time for me to me be seen to be playing with the ratty looking dog, it really was ugly in a cute sort of way? I laughed inside Michelle was right, Tilly was a rat dawg. Mr Welles senior speaks! I think he is the head of house, and he is the one she loves the most, he loves her too, his face lights up when he sees her and when she sees him she too smiles, it’s sweet to see!
“Sam, what are your intentions towards my Granddaughter?” Shit, I wasn’t expecting that one.
“Jim, leave him alone you’ll frighten him off.” I smiled. Thank you Grandma Welles, only two days in and I’m already being asked what my intentions are. I know what I want eventually! I want to be asking their permission to marry her but I will have to convince Missy that she wants it too, but I somehow I feel a very tough time is a head of me in getting her to agree to it!
“Making sure she is always treated properly, that is my first priority! I don’t know really, what is expected of me? Have no fears she will always be treated with respect and kindness. I think she is too headstrong a girl to take any rubbish from me, not that I would do! I have a mother who thinks she is wonderful, and have been warned she is to be treated properly, but she didn’t have to warn me, take that as a given, that she will be and will want for nothing. I’ve never done this thing before and well it’s a bit new to me having a proper girlfriend, but I promise to look after her properly.” I can’t tell them anything more other than that, I do want to respect her and treat her right.
“Well Sam see you do she is my little girl and well, watch your step lad.” I will Grandpa Welles.
“I’d hate to have to break your legs lad.” Erg right Mr Welles noted, don’t mess with Michelle or legs broke got that, I hope I didn’t just gulp then, because her father is laughing, the tight hand shake earlier was a killer grab, too!
“I don’t intend doing anything to make her, or her family unhappy, she really is my first priority, that and keeping her safe.” Oh, and I want to marry her too. Nope leave that for another week!
“I would have appreciated a warning that the firing squad had arrived.”
“They arrived an hour ago.” I dreaded the questions he could be facing in there, but couldn’t do anything in here kettles never go quickly when you’re in a hurry.
“Can you pass me a tray please Mother, are you re-joining the firing squad too?” She was already in there, shit when did she sneak out? All I needed now was Becky and JJ, to complete the set. The band had just stuck up my favourite tune, let battle commence, into battle I go. I had the tray full of mugs and a plate of biscuits. Opened the door with my bum and in I went, Sam was in the middle of Mum and Gramps smiling, bugger it they have questioned him, because Gramps is giving me the thumbs up. They were all chatting, as if they had known him forever.
I laugh as she returns, opening the door with that bum of hers and her tray filled with drinks, her backside, that backside attached to those legs, the legs I want wrapped around me tightly, don’t perv at the sexy girlfriend, in front of the right hook, there would be more than broken legs if he knew what I wanted to do with my Michelle! Bring on the questions then, they can’t be worse than that last ones, surely?
My Sam was charming the pants off them. Clever man, my man Sam, drinks distributed as I plonked myself by Grams chair, sitting in the window and looking at my lamb, who is about to be fed to the hungry lions.
“So Sam, what do you do for a living then.” I shot dad that look, bugger him I had already told him what he did. He smiled at me and he knew I was going to flip with him later. My dad was so predictable with my friends, but a boyfriend this was new territory for both of us. Becks had fellas hanging on her arm all the time, this though was totally new ground for him, me and Sam, it felt different for some reason. Dad was smiling as Gramps listened and Grams carried on knitting, listening and looking up at Sam and smiling.
“Mr Welles, I’m an apprentice architect and go to the uni, one day a week, I hope to be qualified this year, and then I’m doing a full time university course, to hopefully land a better job and better prospects for later.” He had held his own and Gramps was nodding his head in approval. Two in his pocket already.
“How did you meet our Michelle then?” Oh grandma, a killer blow, this would be fun would I have to help him?
“I take dance classes and met her th
ere. I have a works do coming up and its proper dancing, so I took a couple of classes.” Phew if only they knew.
“Oh, I do like a man who can dance, hear that Jim he can dance, Michelle dances very well, she and her sister have been dancing for years Sam, and I like to show her off at the tower when she comes to see us.”
He’s nods at Grams and agrees with her, great he’s on a roll three for three. How would mum screw it up for me? He charmed her without speaking as he was stroking Tilly. Mum had noticed and smiled over at him. All of them, very nicely done. They like his mother did to me, they had wheedle information out of him, dad does know his father, and Sam sighs asking not to judge him on his father. Dad says he ever judges people until he knows them, which makes Sam sigh. I’m curious though, what’s the problem with his father, I'll soon find out I suppose?
“Well if you’ve all finished your drinks. I’ll take your cups and we have friends to meet, so have to be going, has he passed the interview then?” Sam threw me a look.
“Yes, he has.” That came from Gramps so good because dad can’t over rule him. I returned with my jacket on, I handed Sam his.
“You’re welcome back any time Sam, just watch out for my daughter and you will be fine, she isn’t to get drunk, and no late stop outs, that I don’t know about before you do take her out. I have people who, sorry for this, want to get at me through my beautiful daughter, and I hold you responsible for her safety whilst she’s in your company.”
“Will do, keeping her safe is my number one priority, thanks for the coffee, nice meeting you all, see you all again.” With that, I hurried out dragging Sam with me.
“I am so sorry, they were all in there when I got up and well, you knocked on the door and well the rest of the nightmare you sat through, I nearly choked at the how you met me one. Good job really, I’m sure they didn’t want to know you are a super stalker and deflowerer of their daughter and granddaughter.” I’d made him laugh again.
A Life Plan Without You. Page 13