A Life Plan Without You.

by Christine Wood

  I could show her my new home, it was nearly mine all the paper work would be through soon, but I can’t tell her about owning it yet, its exactly like this, but more land at the back, and perfect, we all get a room and Mum can have the room on the ground floor no stairs, with her own bathroom and safe, so very safe, my first major purchase with the damn money, apart from paying Dad and for my wild weekends, I hadn’t spent as much as Andy, he invested in his hobby and was doing very well. No I will tell her soon, and perhaps sooner than later, it could end up being her home too, if she wants to share with Mum and Jimmy, Andy has his eye on a new block of luxury flats for sale, not just the penthouse flat either, he wants the whole block! I will tell her. I hate keeping things from her…

  “Here we are, in you go.” A voice from somewhere shouted, for help as Sam laughed.

  “They are all out back Sam and they’ve left me to do the bloody dinner. I can’t cook and don’t cook, Mama’s, punishment for just getting in. God my head hurts Michelle please can you help me? Jimmy says you can cook you have to help me please, take pity on his drunken lush of a cousin please Michelle?” Sam introduced her.

  “This is Kim my, can’t cook and drunken stop out of a cousin.” The stunning blonde girl Sam was out with Thursday night, I offered to help. Sam motioned her to move out of my way. Quick look and see, not a lot to do here, all but done. Veggies peeled, potatoes nearly done, take some out, meat finished, but in oven, take it out drain the juices to a pan, and grab a tea towel and foil wrap and leave.

  “Right sit down and leave me to it, how many eating? Supplies are were, and roasting tins are where?” I loved to cook.

  “Seven, if you include yourselves in that, they eat a lot though.” I liked her, a lot. They pointed to a cupboard and the oven, I cooked yet another bloody Sunday Dinner, good job he wasn’t visiting other relatives, this day was full of cooking and food, I’m in heaven. I finished and did a final check all done, I took all the bowls the whisks everything I has used and everything the others had used, quickly washing up, a tidy around and then I turned around. They had all stood, watching me. Sam has a massive grin on his face. The rest were just smiling, Jimmy looked happy here and even managed a smile.

  “That was very quick all that, your Mother must be a really good cook?” I laughed.

  “No, I learnt from my Nana and she can always make something from nothing.” Sam came behind me his hands around my waist.

  “Samuel, bring Michelle through to the lounge, introductions, Kimberley kettle on please, seeing as you avoided the cooking my girl!” Jimmy set the big table up in the middle room and set the table for seven.

  “I am Aunt Allison, please come and sit by me, let me look at you.” I looked at Sam as he just smiled, because I did as I was told. I had already been introduced to Kim his cousin. Andy’s age by the looks of her? She then waltzed off to help Jimmy. Finally, it was Edward or as the family called him, Ted, another cousin about Sam’s age, perhaps just a little younger? Kim is stunning and Teddy is so quiet and shy, he was made to come out of his room to see me, bless him, I thought he was going to kiss my hand the way he shook it. Ted and Kim are adopted, and their father died ten years ago.

  Aunty comes across as quite gruff and stiff, but her eyes no, they tell a different story. She's sad, when she speaks of her dead husband, but the love in her eyes when Sam, Kim, Jimmy, Teddy or Emma speaks, says she’s putting on a harsh exterior, one that I would love to break down, she’s such a kind lady. Emma is different here too, but Allison feels a great need to protect her, and she has many people around her, three adults and a child, all smiling and though their mouths are moving I cannot hear them, I smile as they go in the blink of an eye; I have seen the others since I was little.

  Mum put it down to me having an imaginary friends, as I was always chatting to someone, it was only when Grams saw me talking to someone and I mentioned the name Nathanial she realised I was talking to her dead brother, who had died when she was in her teens, and so she then took me to her spiritualist church for the first time, when I was just seven, were I was told I had the gift of seeing ‘others’ and hearing them, I have a second sense for danger and know when someone is facing death, it’s not a great party trick, and I learnt from an early age to keep it hidden, because people aren’t as open to a young girl seeing their dead relatives! My head is constantly filled with helpers and advice givers. It’s a crowded place sometimes!

  “You have beautiful hair Michelle, is it permed? Those eyes Samuel, have you seen their radiance, they are the deepest blue, like Sapphires.” I blushed, as Sam smiled.

  “No nothing so drastic, it’s naturally curly, and yes I like my eyes. Gramps says they look like Sapphires too, Sam says they are the colour of the sky? I don’t wear jewellery though, I don’t like it much.” She smiled.

  “How very refreshing, to hear you say that, a girl who doesn’t like diamonds and nice things to be bought her?” I blushed again.

  “I’ve never been bought any jewellery, and to be honest, I would rather people didn’t. I have a bad habit of losing stuff. Though, I do love silver, but can’t wear it as I’m allergic to it, sod’s law really, the cheap stuff I can afford to lose, as I can’t even wear.” She laughed, as Sam blushed too, he took the drink from Kim, and she handed me a tea, black no sugar, mind readers the lot of them.

  “So do you need me to finish up and plate up?”

  “Finish up, we help ourselves from the Sunday best china, I’ll get James to bring you them through to you.” Jimmy had already placed all the dishes on the counter top, I simply went in drained, mashed emptied and cut the hopefully not too tough meat. It cut well and fine, so I must have just got to it in time. I emptied the roasters in another bowl sent it to the table asked for a gravy boat, Jimmy brought in two.

  “They like their gravy this lot, I noted you’d made a lot, Aunties you can stand a spoon in.” I laughed as he was speaking to me nicely, would wonders ever cease? Filling them both and sent them in. Finally, I removed the Yorkshires and roast potatoes perfect, emptied all twenty-four in the last of the servers, stacking all the pans in neat piles on the cooker and making sure everything was off. I went to eat my second Sunday roast.

  They were waiting for me. I sat right at the side of Sam and at the other side Jimmy. The table was massive, and expensive in fact, everything was expensive I noticed and beautiful, not like the Formica one we had thrown against the back wall. We ate off our knees, the table always used as a dump spot for coats, keys, schoolbooks and toys or JJ’s fort, when covered in sheets and towels, we spent hours reading his story books under there especially when there was a thunderstorm!

  They all started helping themselves, I ate just a little bit, one of these in a day is enough, but two? I prayed it was as good as the earlier dinner. I breathed a sigh of relief as they ate with smiles on their faces, I’d nothing to worry about it was going down well. Emma had cleared her plate, and she was on extras, Sam cleared his plate, as did Jimmy, the others ate as if they had not eaten in a week, sooner than later it was all eaten, and they sat smiling.

  “That my girl, was excellent, when you marrying her Samuel?” My turn to blush, Sam looked at his feet.

  “Her Grandad asked the same thing this afternoon.” I looked at him and smiled.

  “It’s really not on me to do list or part of the life plan yet Aunt Allison.” I didn’t know her other name they only told me their Christian names.

  “What’s on the list of yours then, Michelle?” I explained everything to them.

  “In there will be time to sort out the frills and the flowers, just I’m not that interested yet.” Sam smiled and grabbed my knee. They got up and sat in the front room to allow their dinner to settle before washing the pots.

  “Sorry today everyone’s marrying us off, walk this way.” He held my hand and led me to the garden.

  “This is lovely theirs down the road, is downhill towards a river I think? What’s with the marriage thing, and our
relatives marrying us off angel?” He looked different here, peaceful almost. “Are you okay Sam? I’m always worried when you go quiet, it means someone has said something to you, upset you. I don’t do drama very well.” He sat down on the small back wall.

  “Sit please, Michelle, You know I love you right?” I nodded.

  “Listen, please Sam, I love you too, but this getting hitched things way off. I have a little thing called the life plan. I quite fancy you being an officer’s husband though, eventually.” He smiled.

  “I live to serve you.” Oh you will Sam you can count on it. His smile was massive his eyes sparkled crap I’d just realised what I’d said he would be my husband. Is that what had made the smile?

  “We have an audience Sam, just kiss me please?” He again obliged, as I melted into his kiss, a cool shiver shot through my body as he held me tightly, then he shocked me.

  “I will ask sometime, I think you may take some persuading though?” I slapped my hands on his tight bum.

  “I may even decide to say yes then, come on let’s get these pots done. You you’ve been fed and watered twice by me today.” The audience had disappeared.

  “Thank you for feeding me twice, both were excellent, thank you baby, my family like you, Aunty is quite taken with you baby!” He kissed my neck as I attempted to wash the pots! Sam was doing his best to distract me.

  I washed as Sam wiped, he stood right behind me, his head on my shoulder. This felt so normal, like slipping on a comfortable pair of slippers. I loved the feel of his breath on my neck. He turned my head to meet his and kissed me, I turned to face him and kissed again, this time too passionately, he was so turned on as we were interrupted by Aunty discreetly coughing, I looked over and smiled, and she went to sit back down.

  “This is going to take forever if we carry on doing that Mi cielo.”

  “You started it Sam, I just got swept along.” He flicked me with the tea towel and we finished the mammoth washing and drying task, Jimmy finally coming in to put things away, the dirty looks he gave Sam made me smile.

  “I need to pack, and get the address of your hotel. If that’s what you still want?” He kissed me again.

  “Yes if it’s what you want, I want it too, besides you’ve all but decided anyhow.” I grabbed his behind again.

  “I am going to rock your world Sam Todd and you’re going to want me in your life forever. How do you get home from here then?” He smiled.

  “I want you in it forever already, Mi cielo. Aunt Allison drives, badly but she drives, come on in and say your goodbyes, I have packing and supplies to buy, lots of supplies.” I smiled sweetly.

  “I’ve got that covered dear.” He rounded back at me.

  “You sort of hinted at that before, what’d you mean?” In at the deep end, hope he doesn't think I'm a slut, or do the sex thing a lot, or at all.

  “I’ve been on the pill since I was thirteen, I have a shity time with lady stuff, and I’ve been using it since then for that reason only. As a side effect, its birth control, so it too is sorted Sam.” He looked relieved. “Are you happy, with that?” He looked deep in thought.

  “Yes, I’ve never done it that way with anyone else, if you’re sure?” He kissed my neck and we went back inside. He looked over grinning at me all the time, wow it was happening…

  “Are you ready to get back then? Michelle, it’s been a pleasure to have you here. You can come and cook for me any day of the week. Well, get in the car you lot. Samuel, your mother in the front please, I mean it anytime, you’re welcome here Michelle.” I kissed her cheek.

  “That’s so nice, may take you upon that especially as I have relatives across the road, The Dunn’s, the Policeman and the Judge and my bratty cousin Tom?” She hadn’t quite got over the shock of a cheek kiss, so I didn’t push and dropped into the back of her back seat right in the middle of the two Todd boys, Emma was in the front and Sam climbed in at the side, he kissed my ear and whispered.

  “Use the belt please.” I did as I was asked, and put the lap strap on and fastened it. He placed his arm around my neck and I leant on his shoulder, he smelt so nice. I just held my head there, until we arrived at mine. Sam helped me out of the car.

  “Thanks for the lift Aunt Allison, see you after my holiday. See you in a while, Mum.” Off she sped.

  “Wheel spins starts, impressive, does she do motor racing?” My Uncle Joe came out to see what car was making all the noise.

  “That’s Sam’s Aunty Allison, Uncle Joe, this is Sam, Sam this is my Uncle Joe.” Sam shook yet another hand and Uncle Joe went straight back in, after giving him yet another once over. We sat on the wall in front of my house.

  “What hotel Sam, before we get in?” He kissed my cheek.

  “Michelle, it’s big one on the front, the Castle Hotel?” I looked surprised now.

  “That’s a bit posh isn’t it?” He laughed.

  “The lads booked it not me, and I can afford the extra night, don’t worry Missy, please, we’ll have a really nice time and you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to, we can just spend time together!” I grabbed his arm, and pulled him in.

  “I do want to do that with you, I know it’s quick but it seems right and I want to give you my gift, can we see what happens if it happens angel?” He kissed me again.

  “Yeah, sure we have all the time in the world for gift giving, all the time in the world baby!” I know I was going to cry, he really wasn’t pushing me into doing anything!

  “Would you like a drink Sam?” I took his jacket, popped my head in the front room.

  “Sit yourself down, I’ll make the coffee.” Nobody was in, so I made coffee for my hunky boyfriend, and sat on his lap.

  “We have us an empty house Sam, we better make this time count, we're apart for a whole six days, and I don’t want to go now. I’m actually going to miss you this week, feel free to come over the ferry and over the sea to rescue me.” He put his cup on the floor, and pulled me in for a kiss, his tongue was dancing with mine, soft kisses and deep breathing I was lost in the moment!

  “You won’t need rescuing I thought you loved it there? Plus, I don’t know where in Hambleton you’ll be?”

  “I’ll write the address and phone number down. I do love it, but you I love more.” I leaned in and kissed his neck, it was out of sight, but I left my mark, small and indiscreet but he absolutely had my calling card for the other bitches to see, not that I was that worried anymore. He’d enjoyed every minute spent doing it, his hands wandering, I gasped as he cupped my breasts as I nibbled on his neck, I sighed as his lips kissed my very responsive nipples, I stopped as he brought me to a shattering climax, I sat in his lap and smiled.

  “Is that your marker baby?” I laughed.

  “Damn right. Nothing says you’re mine, than a hicky from Missy. Well that and a ring, but let’s not go there yet, and you have a wicked mouth of your own Mr Todd. I do believe I owe you that was sooo nice.” The front room door opened. Mum had entered the room.

  “You all set for tomorrow, Michelle?” I sat back at his side and as he smiled, nearly busted again.

  “Yes thanks, I’ve just a few bits and bobs to put away, pity Dad couldn’t have waited until tomorrow to take them back, it would have saved me a coach ride. Thanks for washing the stuff from last night.” Mum turned to Sam.

  “Are you working through Easter, Sam?” Blast it mother.

  “No we have a few days off but Mum has a list as long as your arm, of the jobs that need to be done.” With that she disappeared to the kitchen with his cup, returning to ask if he wanted another.

  “No thanks I’m fine, I’ve got an early start in the morning and Michelle still has her stuff to sort, so will be heading home in a minute, but thanks anyway.” With that she buggered off.

  “I didn’t lie exactly she has loads of jobs that need doing.” We both laughed. Grabbing a book from my bag, sheisk one with his name scribbled all over, I ripped out the back page, and scribbled Grandma's addre
ss on it and her phone number, and gave it him.

  “Michelle do you not do any work in class?” Shit, he’d seen his name scribbled all over my books. I was so embarrassed, written on it too was Mrs Michelle Todd. Please, I hope he hadn’t seen that too? Lord help me, shit it is my-to-do-Sam book, shit I’d crossed some stuff out as Mum came in my room bugger. I could have sworn that was under my mattress?

  “Nice ring to that one Mi cielo.” He had, shit ground open up and swallow me please. I changed the subject quickly my cheeks were burning.

  “If you feel like you’re missing me, phone.” He tucked it in his tight jeans. I rushed to the loo. Coming back to see him sat there he looked fantastic. Oh hell he looked like the man I wanted to have mad passionate sex with, and soon. Downright too sexy and he was mine, all mine. Well unless he met someone there, a holiday fling thing, oh hell no, more than one visit.

  “Look it’s getting late and I’ve still got packing to do, thanks for today, especially this morning.” He winked. “I will call every night and you could come over for the day too. I’m really going to miss you too.” He pulled me onto his lap again, kissing me.

  “I can’t wait until Saturday, Mi cielo.” Mum was on her way in we were up and on our feet before her hand hit the door. “Right, I’m off Susan, thanks for the coffee. I will see you when I fetch Madam back from the coach on Sunday, if it’s all right, I’d like to take her for a meal when she gets back, I won’t keep her long?” She smiled saying it would be fine.

  “Come on then I need to finish packing and I’m knackered, two Sunday lunches on one Sunday, is some kind of record, even for me. I’ve met your family, you have met some more of mine, we’ve been told to get married, and now I’m saying goodbye for nearly a week, how am I going to last that, long without you?” He stopped me talking by kissing me, his tongue sliding in and mine meeting his. Oh God yes again please, his simplest of touches had me tingling all over. His kisses were a drug the more I had, the more I wanted, needed even.