Forever Yours

by Nikki J Summers

  I nodded back and returned his squeeze. I liked his positive outlook but it didn’t change the fact that this weekend could still be hell for me, jumping from one camp to another to keep everyone happy. It might well be the most emotionally and physically exhausting weekend in my life so far.

  A few hours later we exchanged motorways and fast roads for country lanes and fields. Eventually we turned into the familiar little lane that led to Grandma’s cottage. I directed Joe into a parking space beside Nan’s truck and then got out of the car, my pulse racing faster than a formula one track on race day and my body quaking like a leaf in autumn. Why was it so hard to bring two worlds together like this?

  Sensing my fear Joe gave me a tight hug and kissed the top of my head.

  “Relax baby okay, it’s one night, two days. How bad can it be?” He had no idea what he was letting himself in for.

  We held hands and I led the way along the rough path and through the old gate up to Nan’s front door. I knocked but she didn’t answer. I knocked again and then I heard a shout from the side of the cottage. We exchanged glances and I pulled Joe around to the side of the cottage and then into Nan’s organised chaos of a garden.

  Nan was dressed in her navy blue overalls, a head scarf covering her hair and gardening gloves covered in mud on her hands. She was kneeling over a large plant pot and prying out the weeds that had taken hold and cursing them as she did. When she heard our steps she turned and wiped her sweat covered brow with her gloves leaving a streak of mud above her eye brows.

  “Hey Nan.” I smiled and dropped Joe’s hand to run over to her and give her a massive hug.

  She hugged me back and gasped into my hair.

  “I’m so pleased to see you child, I’ve been worrying about you these past few months. I see I had no need to though, you have your glow back.”

  She stood back and held my shoulders as she looked me up and down.

  “Yes, city life is agreeing with you again Ella my love. You are looking radiant, beautiful.”

  Joe had held back, letting us have our moment, but Nan’s gaze moved over to him and her face turned into a cooler, stonier expression.

  “So I see you brought your friend with you. Looks like one of those pampered city types. All style and no substance” She whispered to me sounding unimpressed.

  “Nan…” I said eyeing her with my best ‘behave yourself’ look, “…this is Joe. He’s my…fiancé.”

  “Huh! Is that so?” She said sounding put out and glaring accusingly in Joe’s direction.

  Joe stepped forward with his hand outstretched ready to take my Nan’s in greeting.

  “Please to meet you Mrs Reid.”

  “Huh, a yank hey. My Father hated your lot in the war. My big sister Lizzie didn’t mind you all so much though. I can still remember that accent drifting up from the street through my open bedroom window on a warm summer nights after one of your lot walked her home from a dance. She swore blind that Jimmy was Uncle Harry’s but we aren’t stupid, six months after he comes home and she delivers an eight pound bundle of joy. Who did she think she was kidding?” Nan was glaring at Joe like he was personally responsible. I was mortified.

  “Well I apologise on behalf of all us ‘lot’,” Joe said with a smirk on his face, “I hope I can change your perception of my people.”

  He was stifling a chuckle now and Nan did not look impressed. She glanced down at his hand and grabbed a spare pair of gardening gloves from her back pocket and thrust them into his outstretched empty one.

  “May as well make yourself useful whilst you’re here and run the mower over my grass. It’s in the shed over there. It’ll give Ella and I time to catch up without you getting in our way.”

  “Nan, don’t be rude! Joe is here to meet you not mow your lawn.” I chastised her, but she didn’t even look at me, just folded her arms and stared at Joe, waiting for him to give her a reason to attack.

  “No it’s fine, I’m not afraid of a bit of hard work and we can’t have your Nan doing heavy jobs like that can we? Not when there’s a man around.”

  He smiled patiently back at Nanna but I knew that look and the game was on. Touché, he’d even hit Nan where it would hurt, the thought that she couldn’t do something and needed a man would rile my Nan up for sure.

  “I can mow my own lawn just fine thank you very much, I just don’t want you in my house yet. Not until Ella has told me everything I need to know.” She counter attacked.

  It was just as I had predicted, they were each assuming their place ready for battle and I was the piggy in the middle.

  “Okay, come on Nan let’s get the kettle on and you can tell me all about your news. Joe, I’ll bring a drink out to you in a bit okay?”

  He grinned back at me and mouthed, ‘I’m okay…go’ as I stood torn and looking between the two of them. Nan’s back was turned and she was already heading towards the house without a backwards glance. Here we go, round one of the Joe and Nanna match.

  “You know Nan you can just be nice to my boyfriends and try to get to know them like normal people do.” I sighed as I filled the kettle with water.

  “I wouldn’t have said ‘boy’ was an appropriate word to use for that one out there would you Ella?” She said raising her eyebrows cheekily at me. “Anyway where’s the fun in being nice?” She laughed. “I like making people squirm and work to gain my trust. You’re my granddaughter so he has to try extra hard to win my approval Ella. It doesn’t come without being earned.”

  “I can see that!” I replied nodding towards the kitchen window where we had an excellent view of the shed and Joe pulling out the decrepit old 1970s push mower. I guessed he was looking for the switch and wires as he glanced around the old rusty metal contraption that I remember my Granddad pushing forwards and backwards for hours along the grass when I was a kid. The blades had seen better days and were probably as blunt as a spoon but Nan refused to let it go. It ripped the ground as it cut the grass and was so heavy it would give the fittest person a back injury, but Joe got to it and started pushing the ridiculous thing without straining at all.

  “I must say he’s a dream to look at though.” Nan said coming up behind me to watch Joe push and pull the metal lump with a disgruntled, perplexed expression on his handsome face. “I can see why you like him. Do you think he’ll take his top off when he gets too hot?” She giggled.

  “Nan, you’re a disgrace. Don’t look at my future husband like that.” I laughed back, glad that she could at least find one endearing thing about my Joe.

  We sat at her old wooden kitchen table and I listened to her regale me with her tales of village life. She knew everyone and everyone’s business. I wondered how she had the time or energy to keep up. Mind you, if I’d told her half of the crap I’d been through recently it would have put her innocent gossip to shame.

  I turned to the window to make a drink for Joe, but when I looked up he was nowhere to be seen. I leaned forward to look around the side of the cottage and I noticed his car was missing.

  “Oh dear, did I scare him away?” Nan laughed noticing his absence.

  “I’m sure he’s just popped out to get something.” I snapped back, taking my mobile phone out to text him.

  Where are you??? Xxx

  The dots started to dance right away to indicate his response was on the way.

  Just popped to the shops to get your Nan a present. Don’t tell her though, it’s a surprise. ☺ x

  I grinned down at my phone like a fool and told Nan he’d be back soon and made myself busy getting my room ready for our stay. Nan crept up behind me like a stealth ninja as I was raiding her airing cupboard.

  “He’s not sleeping in there with you my girl. Not in a million years are you having a man like that in your room whilst I’m under the same roof.” Nan spat out with disgust.

  I turned to face her, my cheeks must have betrayed me as she crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head to repeat the sentiment.

  “I ca
n’t make him sleep in the spare room Nan, we’re getting married. He’s thirty five now. He won’t like it.”

  “I couldn’t give a fig what he likes, it’s not happening. If he doesn’t want the spare room he can find a local b&b or a hotel. Hattie two doors down has a spare room she rents out now.”

  “No way, he’s staying here. God Nan, you’d let Simon stay in my room I bet.” I gave her a deadly stare daring her to argue with me.

  “I probably would.” She admitted truthfully. “But a man like Simon would use the bed to sleep in. A man like that one you’ve brought has other things on his mind. You forget I’m a woman of the world Ella. I know his type.”

  I huffed out loud and pushed past my Nan to get to the spare room and make the bed up with fresh linen and leave fresh towels out for him. He was going to be mega pissed off when he got back. I was dreading the inevitable fireworks going off.

  About an hour later we heard a whirring sound coming from the back garden.

  “What in God’s name is that awful racket?” Nan blasted, marching to the back door and stalking outside.

  I could not stop myself from laughing when I saw Joe pacing up and down the lawn at speed using the latest high tech electrical mower. Nan walked over to the plug and yanked it out of the socket and cut the noise instantly.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing? What have you done with my old mower?” She barked accusingly at Joe.

  “Nothing.” Joe shrugged innocently. “It’s still sitting in your shed if you ever want to use it again. I thought this new model might be more suitable for a keen gardener like yourself.” He smiled and proceeded to reel off all the advantages of the electronic mower and why she should use it.

  “However, if you really hate it I can always take it back to the shop. I did buy it for you as a gift from me to say thank you for raising such a beautiful Granddaughter, but I’d hate to insult you.”

  Man was he smooth, Nan’s face looked a picture and she was tied up in knots.

  “No! Don’t take it back. I suppose I could use it from time to time.” She was trying to act nonchalant and doing a hideous job. I could so tell she wanted to take over the mowing and have a go at using her new toy.

  “I was going to buy an automatic mower but I figured with a garden as spectacular as yours, you enjoyed mowing it yourself.”

  Nan smiled and nodded to herself, desperately trying to hide how impressed she was right now.

  “Oh and I brought a new strimmer, some electronic weed killer thing and a garden vacuum too. They’re in the back of my car. Once I’m done here I’ll give those a try then pack them all into your shed for you.” His smile was so infectious I couldn’t hide my own grin.

  “Looks like Joe has it all under control Nan, why don’t we get some dinner ready?”

  “Hmm…” she said backing away from the garden hesitantly then she turned her back on Joe and winked at me.

  “I like this one. He reminds me of your Granddad.” She sucked air through her teeth and let out a ‘woo’ sound. Nan never failed to confuse me and keep me on my toes.

  “I’m glad you like him, but how on earth is Joe like Granddad? Granddad was quiet and gentle. That’s so not Joe.”

  “He might have been quiet and gentle with you Ella, but he was all man to me, a real alpha male. He was an animal.”

  “Oh God way too much information Nan, I don’t want to think of Granddad like that, it’s gross.”

  “Don’t ask the question if you don’t want to hear the answer.” She snipped and I tried to change the subject to a safer topic.

  “So how’s Simon? Have you seen him much?”

  “He pops round from time to time, he always asks about you Ella.” I grimaced.

  “Don’t worry, he’s got a new girlfriend. I think she’s called Rebecca or Becca something like that. She’s not a patch on you though.” Nan said proudly.

  “Of course not, no one is!” Joe’s voice sounded from the doorway.

  “Exactly, my Granddaughter is a good catch.” Nan sniffed.

  “She is indeed. I don’t think Simon was too impressed to see me earlier when I went into the village.” Joe looked satisfied with this fact as he smirked across at me. My stomach hit the floor with dread.

  “You saw Simon? Did he speak to you?” I prayed he’d say no.

  “No he didn’t he crossed the road and walked off in the opposite direction, but not before he’d stopped, shook his head at me and growled something inaudible my way. I don’t think he likes me, I can’t for the life of me think why though.” He mused giving me a cheeky grin.

  I went over to where Joe stood at the door and gave him a playful nudge in the ribs. I could just imagine how much he loved a stand-off with Simon on the village high street.

  “Maybe we should invite Simon over for dinner tonight? He’d love to see you Ella.” Nan raised an eyebrow at me. She knew exactly what she was doing, she loved drama.

  “Over my dead body.” I replied, and both Nan and Joe laughed.

  “Spoilsport!” Nan chuckled.

  30

  Nan cooked my favourite home-made dinner as usual, and although she wouldn’t ever admit to his face that she liked Joe, she was obviously warming to him and enjoying the sarcastic banter that they both had flying back and forth over the table. Nan had met her match in Joe and she liked that he wasn’t scared to challenge her.

  Once dinner was over and we were collecting up the plates to wash up, Nan announced that there was a dance on at the local community centre that she was invited to and asked us if we’d like to join her. Joe looked across at me with pure fear in his eyes. As much as I’d have loved to torture him with an acceptance, it would have been torture for me too.

  “Paolo’s going to be there, you could brush up on your mamba Ella.” Nan was seriously out to cause trouble this weekend.

  “I don’t think so, you can have your Latin lover all to yourself tonight Nan.” I joked, which seemed to put Joe’s mind to rest. I couldn’t work out what made him more tense, the idea of dancing in a community centre with a load of old women or the fact that a man’s name had been mentioned alongside mine.

  As Nan readied herself for kicking up her heels, I called out our goodbyes and led Joe out of the cottage and down the short winding path towards the beach. I had been so lucky to grow up by the sea. It always calmed me and made me feel grounded.

  “So this is where little Ella used to run around causing trouble and getting all the boys’ attention?” Joe whispered as we landed on the sand, and he pulled me into a long awaited hug. I buried my face in his neck to inhale him and get my fix. It had been frustrating being in the same room as him at Nan’s but not being able to get to him like I usually did. We didn’t like not touching, we were always connected in some way when we were together.

  “I had the best childhood here, you’ll have to take me home to show me your childhood memories sometime.” I said before I could engage my brain. “I’m sorry, I said that without thinking. I know your childhood wasn’t something you like to remember.” I kissed his t-shirt over his chest and sighed sadly.

  “Yeah, my childhood was a pile of shit, but my future looks pretty damn good. Now that’s something I’ll be remembering in the old folks home years from now.” He said as he took my face in both of his hands and kissed me.

  “I meant to tell you, Nan has banned you to the spare room tonight. No night time cuddles for us.” I stuck my bottom lip out like a petulant child.

  “I’d expect nothing else. Your Nan is from a different generation Ella and I’d never disrespect her in her own home. Doesn’t mean we can’t do things outside her home though does it?” He squeezed my ass and made me gasp.

  “Beach sex is way too messy, sand gets everywhere.” I joked then blushed profusely.

  “I don’t even want to know how you know that, my inner beast is already braced in attack and defend mode as it is with all that talk about Simon at dinner. You really don’t want to p
ush me Ella.” He pushed his forehead against mine and growled down at me.

  “Sorry!” I hissed through gritted teeth, and snaked my arms around his neck to pull him forward for another deeper kiss, our tongues sliding over each other’s and massaging the tension away.

  “Come on let’s go walk in the waves.” I kicked my ballet pumps off, picked them up and walked Joe to the edge of the beach where the sea met the shore and the white bubbles fizzled and tickled over our toes.

  We walked hand in hand along the water’s edge and talked about our ideas for the wedding, our hopes and dreams for the future and what we both wished for. Joe said he wanted as many children as he could get. I humoured him on that one, I hadn’t tried childbirth yet so I wasn’t tying myself to a number anytime soon. He also told me he didn’t want us to live in the apartment after the wedding, he wanted us to find a house outside the city. That surprised me, I always thought he liked being in the thick of things, but he said he was done with the pace of the city, he wanted a slower life for us, something more suitable for raising children. He was definitely getting broody, there was no doubt about that.

  As we walked on I noticed the beach cave up ahead that I used to play in with my friends as a child. We’d take picnics and hide out there, role playing pirates or castaways. If I looked closely I’d probably still find some of the pictures and names we used to carve into the rocks. However the sun had set and the only light we had on the beach came from the glow of the moon. I had a feeling Joe would enjoy a little detour into my ‘cave’.

  “Let me show you my hidden cave.” I teased provocatively biting my lip and pulling him up the beach towards the gap in the rock face up ahead.

  “Sounds…interesting.” He grinned and chuckled.

  We ducked our heads to get through the entrance into the cavernous hide out. The crash of the waves and our breathing the only sounds we could hear.

  “I think I need to make the most of every moment alone with you this weekend.” He softly muttered, his breath tickling the sensitive skin behind my ear.