A Life Plan Without You.

by Christine Wood

  “Bloody hells bells, I thought Jimmy had it bad.”

  “This time next year we will be married, that much I can promise you! If I have my way before Christmas.” He smiled and we continue to play, he continues to drink! I can’t help smiling because I now can’t wait to make love to her. I excuse myself and I do a quick toilet stop, as we head out to the pub for a couple of drinks.

  “I’m just saying Sam, she’s only young, just be careful, shit you’re not much older yourself and marriage is a fucking big step! She will get to know everything about us, make sure you think about this and hard, you have a hell of a lot more to lose now!”

  A drunken girl comes over and grabs at me, she knows Andy who tells her to fuck off. I ignore her she stinks of booze and fags and is a nasty piece of work! I try to explain to Andy just how much she means to me.

  “Fuck off yourself Andrew Todd, it’s your brother I want not you.”

  “Andy I have met the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with and next week in London, she will have the ring she chooses from Tiffany’s. I can’t live without her and she will be my wife. I need to get back Andy this place is awful and that girl you just told to fuck off is still mooning over you.”

  “She is mooning over you soft lad not me; she is a reject from the club, she failed the medical, and a proper head case. Come on then let’s get you home lover boy. Really London? Sam that’s going to cost you an arm and a leg!

  “It's not like I can’t afford to treat her, Andy I have the money, you have the money! Why don’t you treat Zoë to the odd weekend away, instead of waiting until her parents go to their caravan?”

  “I don’t like parting with my hard earned cash Sam! I have big plans for my money and have it invested, not like you wasting it on this romance crap.”

  “Andy we can never spend what we have, so why scrimp? Andy we don’t work hard for the money it drops into black card account on the first of the month, every month. We got thirty grand in interest and another ten in payments, last month; please tell me you didn’t spend it on a sleazy sex den?” He is so pissed he is slurring his words now. I’ve a feeling he and Zoë are on bad terms again.

  I manage to get him home and in bed, he tells me Zoë has problems with their relationship as she wants more than their usual type of rough sex! She wants romance and all it entails the hearts and flowers and the whole nine yards! Something I give Michelle every day. I miss my girl. Apparently, I give Michelle too much according to Zoë, I wish my baby would let me, but she doesn’t like gifts and pays her own way.

  I put my joggers on and went to run around the track, after a few laps decided I’d had enough. I crossed the road and walked across the field an old friend, who I actually had a crush on and for the longest of times, Adam. He was home on leave, from the Royal Navy and walking his dog.

  “Hello you, how’s the navy treating you? He hugged me and put me down.

  “Fine and how are you doing My-isshy?” I picked up a stick and threw it for his dumb dog.

  “I’m fine too thanks I have just been accepted into uni, so step one sorted won’t be long before I put my application in for Dartmouth.” He put his arms around me. He leant in for a kiss, shit feast or famine in my world. I would have died and gone to heaven if this had been before Sam.

  “No Adam, that’s not appropriate, not now not after all this time. You had your chance Mr Maginty and blew it quite spectacularly when you joined the navy. What was it you said I was too young and ditsy for you, I was just one of the boys, nothing more than a mate?” He took his arm away.

  “Sorry, but it just felt right Michelle and I’ve missed you whilst I’ve been away and your letters are always full of what ifs.”

  “I would have been ecstatic if you’d have done those things weeks ago, not now Adam. I’m actually seeing someone he’s your age funny enough and the what if’s, haven’t been there in the last few letters Adam.” He apologised again. I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek; I jogged off and the bloody dog chased me and sent me flying.

  “Shit this dog is a flaming pain, she thinks you’re playing. Let me get you up.” He held my hands and pulled me into his arms. He looked so gorgeous, had Sam not asked me out already, Adam would have been in for the best kiss ever, but not anymore.

  “Are you sure about this fella of yours?” I smiled, sure enough to be seriously considering saying yes to marrying him if he asks again. I missed him so much last night, though it will have to be after the talk about practicalities.

  “I have never been more, sure of anything, I love Sam very much, and sorry Adam, but only Sam too.” I climbed through the fence and Sam was watching me, he looked mad. He held me in his arms and kissed me.

  “Who’s that? He was a bit over friendly with you.” I noted that old green-eyed monster again. I was still in his arms when he looked at me.

  “That’s Adam, my old sparring partner and boy we were damn naughty kids together growing up, he’s well my best and oldest friend in the world. His Mum is my Mums friend we spent a lot of time together growing up. He is in the Royal Navy and he’s on leave, and for some reason he thought I was still interested in him? Perhaps before you I would have been, but I’m not interested in anyone but you.” He looked at Adam, who’d seen us. Sam picked me up and kissed me, they are very nice my fella’s jealous kisses.

  “He’s the one you told Jimmy about, the one who didn’t know you existed?”

  “Shit Jimmy told you about the one, bloody hell, yes if you must know he was to me as I was to Jimmy, but not anymore, not since I first saw you angel not since I saw you.”

  “I love you Michelle, really love you and I don’t share.” I laughed.

  “Nice to know you aren’t the jealous type, and remember that I don’t share either. Did you have a nice night with Andy all that snooker and boy time?” He looked down at me his smile was so infectious I smiled back at him.

  “No, I missed you. It’s not the same not having you with me, it’s like I’m lost without you?” Now that was I nice to hear.

  “I had a bath and went to bed, I bloody needed it the walk knackered me a bit, but the pills have kicked in and the period pains have stopped, so feeling loads better, oop’s sorry too much information?” I laughed; I bet he wished he’d stopped with me now.

  “Umm, no baby I need to know these things all about your lady stuff too, that’s a bloody minefield. So no never be embarrassed discussing that stuff with me, your Mum tried the other night explaining the pill and stuff, I need to know when to avoid you. This stress thing women have when you’re having them, the need for chocolate, and the need for me to watch what I say? Apparently you women have bad rages and the pains are bad, Kim did offer to kick me in the nuts to give me a little indication as to her pains. She did try to explain once why she was such a cow, she’s a bloody bitch when she’s erh on her lady time, so I understand, I think?” Bloody hell, he isn’t embarrassed give my father lessons, please Sam. Having him to ask Aunty Liz to get me pads once was a bloody embarrassment, for both of us. He cried that night apparently, he’d had a drink and said his little girl was all grown up. Yeah right I had the curse now, but I like Sam calling it lady time. The curse is banished no more curses.

  “Let’s go back, I need to wash and change.” He held on to me tightly, I see Adam is coming nearer, so did Sam, he pulled me to him again and made damn sure Adam saw us together. I’m not complaining his jealous kisses were nice.

  “We are going shopping today.” Deep joy, I hated shopping, what did he need?

  “Shopping it is then I need things anyway for Kelly’s eighteenth party at hers, she’s invited you too, I need something for that. It’s not the black dress type of party perhaps a couple of new going out dresses too, though Gramps did give me the money for new underwear, so I need to get you more pretty things so you can take those off too.” He laughed, picked me up and carried me over the road, much more for show than anything else, as Adam was coming towards us. Sam was marking
his territory.

  “Do you want to go out Saturday then?” He put me down, in front of my door taking my chin in his hand and gave me the nicest of kisses as Adam passed, continuing until Adam had long gone.

  “I do, but only if you want to.” I loved being with him on the dance floor.

  “Coffee would you like a cup?” I went through to the kitchen. He sat in the front room.

  “Mum, Pat drinks?” I’d overheard Pat’s voice as we came in, Sam was about to be fed to the lions.

  “No, we’ve got one thank you.” I took Sam’s through, mouthed ‘sorry’, and went to change. I put on another dress that Gramps had me buy. A black and white spotty dress paired with new black shoes, hair done and gloss on the lips. I went down to be scrutinised by Pat she did more criticizing than mum and always on my negative side. Her Mandy always being better at stuff than I was. That was a laugh which Mandy loved she was so no better at anything than I was. She knew it, I knew it, but her mum just wouldn’t admit it.

  “Another new dress? Why Jim buys you so much beggars belief, I don’t know why he bothers, it’s not like you go out anywhere nice to wear them?”

  “I go places Pat, it’s just you don’t know where I go. Sam takes me places we eat in restaurants and nice bars. We go to the pictures and on trips I didn’t know I had to run my itinerary and clothes past you?” I was so angry.

  “Wow, you look nice really nice, as you always do Mi cielo.” I blushed Sam liked the dress. Pat laughed at Sam’s name for me; shut it Paul just shouts oye and Mandy runs. I laughed inside.

  “Thanks are we going then?” I wanted out before Pat said something to interfere she did all the time.

  “Where are you going?” I knew it. If ever someone couldn’t keep her nose out of my business, it was her, sad bitch.

  “Shopping. Michelle needs some new clothes, and what Michelle wants today she gets. She was so ill, she needs cheering up and apparently girls like to shop. We are having a meal in the new place in Manchester, the one the new celebrity television chef person has just opened? I’m taking my chef, to see this one in action.” I really blushed now.

  “She’s got more than enough of everything she needs. Don’t be spending all your money on her.” Bitch, I’m fuming and about to bust, but Sam astounds me.

  “Who I spend my money on and what I choose to spend my money on is my business. Michelle is my number one priority. I will give and get her whatever she wants. It’s no concern of yours what Michelle and I do, or where we go Pat. Michelle is worth every penny I spend on her. We’re going to Manchester Susan; I will have her back later.” With that he held my hand and we left.

  “I am so sorry about that, she’s a bit of a nosey cow. I have money Sam Gramps and Grandad gave me quite a bit, when I told him I needed clothes for college. Grams too gave me as much. My Mum doesn’t know I have it, and they were really generous.” He had his arm around my waist.

  “Michelle today is my day for treating you, you managed to spend more money in Blackpool than me too, don’t think I haven’t forgotten either.” He laughed and hugged me. “My treat today baby girl, I am paying for everything.”

  “Sam really I don’t want to spend your money?” I would fight that battle later. We walked to the bus stop and caught the bus into Manchester. We headed for the massive shopping centre. We headed into the first of many ‘girl shops’, holding my hand tightly he guided me into these shops, as if he was on a mission to buy the whole shop, He laughed and picked a few dresses all pretty and nice. I’d a load of dresses and try them on I must.

  “Yes Sir, you do know you can’t come in the dressing room though?” He smiled and pointed to the changing rooms. I tried on dress after dress; I’m so not into shopping. He inspected each one as I paraded in them for him he was really enjoying the fashion show. Me? I was now officially fed up.

  “Sam this is the last one.” It was so pretty and my favourite because it was the last one.

  “Turn around, that’s a really nice dress, and it suits you. Pass me the ones you like and I’ll put the others back.” I passed him the seven I liked. I’d pick the winner when I got dressed.

  “I won’t be a minute.” I was speaking to myself he’d disappeared. I came out to find I now had four bags, he had bought all the dresses he and I liked. “Sam, I can afford the dress I picked.” He picked up the bags.

  “So can I so shush, next stop shoes, you need shoes to match don’t you?” I did need them let the row begin.

  “Yes, but I buy the shoes please?” I got my way, shoes chosen and paid for.

  “Now the next store, I pay you pick no arguing and get everything you need, I like this stuff.” I walked into a posh lingerie shop. I laughed neither he nor Gramps liked shopping in this store.

  “The last lot I got you they looked like I was some sort of dirty pervert. It may have had something to do with me putting my hands over the cups to measure.” I laughed and gave him a hug. I had a black set, a cream set, a pink set, so I picked a blue set, a black and white set and a very nice white set, a spotty set in black and white and a really nice primrose set. I picked up stockings to go with them and a pair of black ones with seams down the back.

  He approved of my choices and looked at the other fellas in there all looking suitably nervous, a knickers shop is I have found out today, a perv boy haven, or is it heaven? He passed me a black credit card, I handed my things to the sales assistant and after they were rang through and bagged I had a heart stopping moment at the cost. He had spent a small fortune and I’m not sure I like that. He pocketed the receipt and the bags.

  “Sam I’m all shopped out, all I wanted was a pair of pants and a top.” He just had a smile on his face. We went into a restaurant and he ordered us the beef dish, I hadn’t noticed it was past dinner.

  “I’m not sure I like you buying me things Sam, you work hard for your money and you shouldn’t spend it on me.” He just looked at me smiling.

  “I can afford it really I can so stop worrying please Mi cielo.” I liked that he wanted to do it I didn’t actually like he did pay for everything. We ate and drank at the new place, it was really quite swish, but I spent my time ogling my man. When I looked around it was very chic and no sign of the celebrity chef either. Sam paid the bill.

  “I need a few things myself baby, so my turn for stuff. We still have plenty of shops to look at yet, for you.” We were at Stolen from Ivor. He went to a few rails picked up jeans, trousers, undies, socks, shirts and tee shirts. A nice jacket too, all without looking at the price tags and paid for them. He took out the card again and pocketed the receipt. I wasn’t happy with the amount of money he was spending he hammered that card to death and smiled as he did so too.

  “So, I didn’t get to ogle you then, that’s so not fair?” We both had bags of things, and then I spotted a pair of pants I liked in a window.

  “Wait here with this lot I’ve found the things I want.” He passed me his card “No I’ve got this one covered thanks.” He looked worried. Why because he wasn’t paying?

  Bloody hell’s bells, does she know this an exotic clothes shop? What’s caught her eye in here I wonder? She refuses my card again she is going to be a nightmare allowing me to pay for things. She’s too fiery my beautiful and independent girlfriend and my future wife. She’ll have to get used to spending it, setting up our new home will cost a packet.

  I came out and Sam tried to sneak a peak in the bag. I just liked the leather pants in the window. Getting in there though, there was more than met the eye from the window. There was far too much kinky stuff, more than I cared to look at. Whips and handcuffs, stupid underwear and wow kinky costumes. I did get the red leather bustier the woman said it was sexy and fitted me like a glove. It just pushed my boobs right up and out. I thought it actually looked too kinky, but she assured me I looked good. Taking fashion tips from a woman with pink hair and a ton of piercings and a bone through her nose, gheeze… I bought a pair of skin-tight black leather pants and the re
d bustier and a black blouse perfect for Kelly’s party.

  “No you don’t, not until next Saturday.” We collected the bags and headed for the other shops. I walked into the first men’s store I came across, as he smiled and went next door. Damn he was determined to spend his bloody money. I ran the rails, good job I’d taken note of his sizes whilst sorting through his things.

  I found a great pair of dark grey trousers with a faint grey stripe in them, a cool pale grey shirt, and a dark grey almost black jacket, that looked so nice, grabbing a nice pair of black leather brogues. I paid for them he looked so miffed when I passed him my gift. He looked in the bags and smiled, passing me another bag, a matching sexy silver silk dress, shoes and yet more underwear. After several more shops for dresses, underwear and pyjamas I had many more bags in my possession and he and I had a fair few rows about paying for stuff, he won the war and I stopped the battle by stopping going in shops, simple if I didn’t shop he didn’t pay, but he now knew my sizes and shopped anyway. Argh my boyfriend is a money spending control freak.

  “I love my clothes Sam, thank you.” I kissed him through the mass of bags he had on his lap, too many for the bus back so a taxi was sought, damn he parts with his money without a second glance. I seriously need some restraint in dealing with him and his over spending, his credit card bill must cost him a bloody fortune and the thought of the amount he spends makes me feel sick.

  He assured me the cash was there, after I had a rant at him. He also said he would not be taking them back they were mine and paid for so it’s was too late, that on was in another shop for dresses! Then after I’d walked off in a strop twice, when he handed me more bags, he finally stopped buying me stuff, wise man. Though I would have got lost too on the last strop, if he hadn’t chased after me laughing.

  “Do you fancy going out Friday after dance class?” I was still annoyed, until he kissed me, telling me I was so cute when I was angry, why couldn’t I stay angry for more than two minutes with him?