“I know, I was thinking about that the other day too, but we’re not going back to be with him again. Mum is so happy at last, all thanks to Michelle. Mum and her have a strange bond, have you noticed they seem to know what each of them need and what to say, sometimes without speaking it’s sort of spooky? If anyone else had told her to leave Dad and gave that speech Michelle spilled, she would have shut down, but she, I don’t know sorted it?”
“Mum loves her Sam, probably the same way she loves us, I think everything will come good in the end it has to do, we can’t go back to being like that again! Don’t fuck up and lose her again Sam.” I looked at him, he still loved her, and it was there in his eyes. I gave him a hug and for my trouble, I received a thump to the shoulder for my show of brotherly love.
“Right Stolen from Ivor’s for some more stuff.” We headed towards the shop. “Get what you want, you need a jacket and a coat, a couple of jumpers, never mind let me at the rails.” I went down the rails handing him clothes. He looked as mad as Michelle did when the cashier rang the amount through the till.
“I think I have more than enough thank you Sam. Today has been great, just you and me. Thanks for watching my back with Dad. I know its cost you more than Andy and I can’t ever thank you for that!” I was choked because he hadn’t ever said things like this to me before. Michelle was right he was different now.
“I’d do it again Jimmy you needed looking after. Mum wanted it that way. You can blame Mum for me falling for Michelle too. She made me watch you for months.” He was in shock.
“You watched me? Shit please tell me Michelle doesn’t know?” I told him she did and was fine with it now.
“She thanks you all the time for the tree thing! She did it the other day did you not wonder why?” He looked gob smacked.
“No I didn’t hear her properly. I thought she said thanks for knowing me. I thought it was funny, but I thought because you were my brother she met you! It explains the personal pervert crack in the house that time. Cheers for the heads up. Why did you fall for Michelle Sam? You knew I liked her, I had done from the first day we started school together, and I’m only doing mechanics because it’s the same building as her course, I even started the cooking for idiots because I wanted to be near her! It explains the reason you were so annoyed when you pulled me out of the bloody tree too?” I smiled the million-dollar question is asked again. If I knew that I‘d tell him?
“I don’t know! She was fun to watch and she has something about her I don’t know, what it is? She’s infectious with her happiness, apart from when she’s with Karen and Kelly, erg the frizzy haired girl?” He laughs.
“Kelly Pepper, umm yeah her would be friend, she has had all the lads Michelle liked. She’s a proper nasty bitch and she even made a pass at me because Michelle was being nice to me in cookery once, I got a few kisses and a try at something more err personal, but shit she wasn’t Michelle! I was going ask her out that night you took her from me, I was so angry Sam, but watching her and seeing the love she had for you, she wasn’t ever meant to be mine!” I smiled.
“I’m sorry I fell in love with your girl Jimmy, but I can’t help it, she’s like water, I need her to stay alive and I don’t know why apart from I die a little when she’s not with me, I can’t say sorry enough, but I am. What else has she had done to her?” He laughed.
“Not a lot Michelle would kill her. She just said if the lads wanted Kelly they weren’t good enough for her, Karen has been a bitch with her too, Karen really likes you Sam, she offered to put out, if I brought her to the house for dinner just so she could see you! Now that was a tempting offer and one I refused!” I smiled.
“I’m glad you did, she isn’t nice and can’t be trusted, Michelle well is way better than her and after the stunt you pulled with Mum the first time she came home, I saw the hurt Karen has put her through, and she will never take Michele’s place ever. Sorry Jimmy I really didn’t fall for her just to piss you off. There are a ton of Michelle’s, Kelly’s and bloody Mandy’s in her group! I thought your crush was the blonde one, she was more your type or actually Tasha, now she’s so funny, and Michelle loves her to death!” He went red.
“I know I like Tasha too, she’s always with Michelle, they are joined at the hip normally, but she’s going out with a proper dick at the moment, and she’s like Michelle in so many ways, they are like sisters and…”
“So you did notice Tasha then?”
“Hell yeah, I notice a lot of girls, she has a lot of girlfriends to watch when I watch her, yeah I know why watch them when I love Michelle? I’m keeping it real, Michelle would never have gone out with me, but her friends may have!”
“So she isn’t your true love then?”
“In a heartbeat so don’t forget it. Have you done it with her properly yet Sam? I know she said she wanted you last night, and how in great detail, did you manage to do it last night or was she out cold all night?” I laughed. No but soon, Jimmy so soon.
“Something’s aren’t for sharing and that’s one of them.” He blushed. I’m thinking I’m a little flushed too! I’m thinking tonight’s the night too, because I can’t wait much longer, I need her and her gift to be mine, I am anxious and scared and excited all at the same time just thinking about it!
“She is nice though and I like her still, and I’m not sorry Sam, I think I always will, I have liked her since the first year in senior school… I have liked her a long time Sam, so don’t get stupid if you see me watching her, my feelings for her are still there, I also know it’s you she loves, Michael is pissed off too, he is kicking himself for not doing anything sooner, she has got quite the fan club, did you see the wine waiter looking at her last night, he goes to college with her?” I had to agree she was very likable and I wouldn’t want to lose her.
“I know you love her, and yes I’ve seen the looks my girl gets, and she is so unsure of her beauty and charm, she’s so timid and shy when we’re out, I have to have her near or she gets pounced on by fellas, but she is oblivious to the fact men and boys find her attractive, I’m one damn happy fella for a bloody reason. Just stop with the crap you and Karen do, she had enough of Karen in school, and she doesn’t need it in college!
She is a good friend to have and a bad enemy. Her kicks none too shabby either, she warned you about your nuts being kicked and she wasn’t messing! I bet Dad is nursing a swollen pair this morning, if the two kicks he got yesterday were anything to go by.” He laughed as I explained all about dad's sore nuts predicament; he laughed and said he’d seen her in action before. I felt a little better about getting his girl, just a bit. We laughed about it all the way back to the hockey field.
CHAPTER 14
“Practice for the next game is very important, we cannot lose the league, but, the double is yours for the taking, cup, and league for both year four and year five, so today we will be playing a match, we have my high school year four group here to play.” I laughed I would be playing hockey against Becky. They and the year five teams were about the only teams who could actually beat us we are all as good as each other. Miss Wane. An ex England hockey team member she was not only our coach, but we shared her with my old high school we had an unfair advantage in her.
The team coaches and captain, from Stockton Hockey Club, were watching us play today. I always hoped to join the team, but alas, I’m not good enough. We played a great game. Karen played well eager to impress the coaches from Stockton, as did Leigh our team captain; she already played for Stockton so they must have been here watching her. I’d had a great game I didn’t let them score. I hadn’t let many goals in this season either we only scored one, a good goal from Mandy. I unpadded after the game and walked with Mandy and Tasha to the dressing room.
“I didn’t even know we had a practice and as luck had it we were here picking up Jimmy.” We were, approached by the coach along with, Miss Wane.
“Michelle, can we have a word please?” The others left me.
“We would l
ike you to join, the goal keeping squad for winter training, do you think you would be interested?” Oh, my God I had been waiting for this for ages.
“You bet I am. When and where do I start, thank you?”
“Miss Wane will give you the details we look forward to seeing you.” He shook my hand and left.
“Thanks for that Miss Wane, and to think it as just by chance I was in today.” She looked puzzled.
“Karen said she would be seeing you and would pass the message on.” I laughed.
“That’s not her fault really I haven’t seen her, I’ve been busy in the kitchens and those classes are in the Lower Stockton buildings, I only come to her building for exams and she’s not in any of my exam classes.” She smiled and left me to shower and change. I waited for Jimmy and Sam they were loaded down with bags when they arrived.
“Did you leave anything in the shop?” Jimmy was grinning.
“Sam bought me a whole load of new stuff. He said that I’ve needed new clothes for a while, I have always had their hand me downs, not that they are shit or anything, but these are all mine, I never asked before, because they gave Dennis so much just to keep me from a battering, I didn’t like to ask. He’s spent a fortune on me thanks Sam. Michelle did you have a good game?” I laughed he does like to spend his money. However this time, I could see it from a different side, he actually enjoys making people happy and Jimmy was ecstatic with his new things. I told Sam and Jimmy of my news, and they were as excited for me as I was at getting the news. We arrived at Aunties. Zoë and Andy were already there.
“I’m doing tea, Lasagne for everyone I think, unless we have any other requests?” No one spoke up so after looking in the food cupboard, which was packed with food of every sort and from every continent. I grabbed the things needed and set about making it, Bolognese made, Béchamel sauce made, assembled, and then put in the oven, garlic bread from freezer; I must remember to put that in later.
I needed to get ready for my classes too. Jimmy I would get a taxi after our tea and the rest would join us later. I went to finish their tea, iron his and Jimmy’s stuff. I’d turned into a bloody housewife this was definitely not my chosen path and not part of my life plan, well not so soon. I called everyone down and in to dinner. Everyone was in and eating.
“Are you all right Zoë? If you want something else, I can make you it.” She hadn’t touched her dinner.
“No, this will be fine I think I’ll give it a try.” She shoved her fork in and took a small amount I waited for the fall out… The next fork full went in quicker.
“This is really good, it smells so nice, I’ve never had it before, but now I’ve had it I love it, thanks Michelle, I’m a really faddy eater sorry.” Seems not everyone has had lasagne before. I rushed upstairs showered and put on my new dress. It swished, when I danced. I was very pleased with this one simple but so nice, Sam was right again. I'm back down stairs looking for my damn bag.
“We have to be going as soon as you’ve changed Jimmy I have your class, my nippers and my own lessons tonight, so get a wriggle on please. When are you lot coming?” Kim answered.
“We want to see you dance. So we will be there at about eight is that okay? Then a pub crawl I think, before we hit Heaven.” I smiled.
“Fine, you’re more than welcome. Your quiet Sam do you not like your tea?”
“No. It’s really nice sorry baby, I’m just in thinking mode sorry. It’s just the last weeks been a bit, err hectic and well I think it’s just hit home, how much things can change in such a short time, nothing for you to worry about though baby.” I was sure there was more to it but didn’t push it he would tell me eventually, he always did. Jimmy was ready and he actually looked nice and smart.
“Phone for a taxi please, I’ll be two seconds, I just need my bloody bag, why do I keep losing stuff?” I ran upstairs followed by Sam.
“I love you, you do know that don’t you?” He was worrying me now because Sam wasn’t good when he went silent.
“Mum, well she found these this, and well you’ve not taken any for the last couple of days, are you trying to get pregnant?” I laughed.
“To do that angel, we need to actually do it first.” I smiled again and opened my bag. I bloody found it hiding under the bed I showed him the new packet.
“I couldn’t find them, so I started a new pack. Is that what’s been worrying you all day? You thought I was after trapping you into becoming a father you idiot? I take one every morning Sam, because I don’t want children, not just yet anyway. I’ll have yours later, after a couple of years of trying and practicing, we need to perfect that first angel.” I smiled, and I grabbed my bag and gave him a kiss. “The taxi’s here see you later, I love you, and waiting for this from you is killing me Sam.” I had my hand over his crotch. “I mean it Sam I want you soon, or I take things into my own very capable hands.” I gave him a kiss and headed to the waiting taxi. He was deep in thought when I left him.
“Come on then Jimmy, let me change shoes and we will wait for the others downstairs.” I ran through the tango with him. Put the music on and danced it with him.
“Jimmy, look up here into my eyes, stop looking at your feet please.” The others started to arrive and joined in too.
“Ellie, you look very nice are you ready for later?” She smiled.
“I can’t actually believe you talked Mum into this, she was putty in your hands Michelle, she's said no so many times, you’d think I was breaking the law, I was eighteen at Christmas and still I have a curfew, she’s a nightmare.” She did, it has to be said have a soft spot for me. Mainly because of the time spent, waiting for Ellie to get ready, talking about Grams and Gramps, she went to Grams churches and they were friends, so she trusted me to be Ellie’s friend, she said she wasn’t sure about Karen, because there was something odd about that one. I had to agree, yes there was definitely something odd about her.
“I have the same problem with Dad, he’s a bloody nightmare, he doesn’t allow me to drink, and until Sam asked if I was allowed out he said no, mainly because, he knows most of the idiots out, and has this big fear they will get at him through me, hence the boxing lessons and self-defence lessons he made me take, so think yourself lucky. I had to promise Nora you were to be driven home and you didn't do any hanky-panky stuff, so don’t.” She blushed as did Jimmy. I loved the look on their faces.
“We are doing the tango, can you please take over with Jimmy for me.” I grabbed Stephen and Samantha was busy with Gary. They were getting better, but only just, and the group now was now just the three of them. The other Neanderthals had found that prissy dancing didn't do it for them. The foxtrot they had managed to learn eventually, same with the waltz. We would soon have them dancing well, and my toes would be hopefully stood on less.
“Right lads thanks for that, you’re coming on nicely. As usual upstairs and keep it quiet, we still have our class and my nipper’s class, see you up there.” That hour went quickly and with any luck the next two hours would do too. I noticed Lee watching me, Sam and the rest were here too, Lee took my hand, and walked me to the middle of the floor.
“Dance the Slow Foxtrot with me please, babe.” I humoured him. “Music if you wouldn’t mind Ellie please?” I did the rises the dips the falls, arms perfect to the tune of A Town Without Pity the haunting melody was perfect as he smiled he laughed.
“Come on fancy stuff now, like we practiced? Do the floor filler next babe, the stripper routine we did?” I laughed as he said it too.
“You sure your gay? I swear you love that.”
“Shimmy your arse and the arms, and see if you rock someone’s world?” I broke away from him and did the fancy foot work, I turned to do the shimmy with Lee and danced down his body, he laughed as I bit my lip.
“Rock it girl, the audience loves this. I may turn straight for you babe.” As the music finished, we span for the length of the room and we really enjoyed it too. We’d moved around the whole of the floor quite gracefully, w
ith perfect timings. I looked over, Kim was smiling and clapping and hugging Sam, Zoë looked like she was catching flies and Sam well he was just grinning. That was a really sexy routine we did for Warrens seventieth birthday, good job Lee is gay or Sam would have flipped.
“You dance very well, Michelle, please will you consider doing the teaching side of the training, you have such a good bond with the pupils and you love dancing, and we are one teacher down, now Cathy’s gone. Can I persuade you to do it for me?” I said yes without even thinking about it, I wondered why he didn’t ask Ellie, yes he asked me. “It means a mid-week, dance lesson with me though. You need to be more, edgy with the male leads.” I was ecstatic two dreams in one day. I had the, chance to play for Stockton, and be a proper dance teacher what a result.
“I enjoyed that thank you babe.” The next record flicked on, Night Fever, and umm yes too good to miss dancing with Lee on my own.
“Can I have this dance Lee?” He smiled.
“Umm, shake your wonder stuff babes, 3, 2, 1…” We danced covering the floor as the others watched. I loved doing this with Lee, and as I danced Karen watched. We did the dance perfectly. I was breathless, whilst Lee laughed.
“Love it come on bow and lessons.” The others clapped I took a bow and went to start my lesson. The group had seen me dance too they sat and had a drink as I did my lesson. Lee was taking our lesson today.
A Life Plan Without You. Page 57