On the end paper she’d written…
Nikki:
My journal cost you dearly. You’ve forgiven my stupidity so please accept this small gift. You’ll appreciate the irony! In that endless hour between dark and dawn (we’ve shared so many), write down your thoughts, and know, I’ll be thinking of you. Barbara

I’m awake, watching her sleep. I think, and I know, what a sad cow I am. But for months now, I think, I’ve been pining, a bit like a lovesick teenager (shut it Barbara!!); alright, exactly like a lovesick cow! Not to talk to her, what was there left to say? But needing to see her in passing…hear her voice, like in those early days. And now she sleeps beside me, naked, so beautiful, and when she speaks she says, “Nikki touch me, love me”.

Irony?!! Fuck! Year after sodding year dragging by, and on my first day out I’d stop the clock, right here, if I could! I’m so tired. But I won’t close my eyes. I can’t let this…right now…turn into yesterday. She thinks I knew - expected it even. That first time…so desperate. How could we have guessed this instinctive intimacy, outrageous pleasure? My fingertips read her body…like?…like my eyes scan a page. How? Christ, I don’t know! And she reads me. A thought, “not yet”, she slows to a crawl, laughs, delighted. Why did I ever settle for less? Joy, pure and simple.

That promise I’d made… so pathetically underestimated. It’s frightening how much I feel, how lost I’d be. I can see it in her eyes. Month after month she’d held it all together, walking that tightrope, carrying me on her back, deadweight, when I wasn’t indulging in a tantrum, like a two y ear old. One small misstep and we’d be lost. She cries often now, in sheer relief. I’ll be the strong one for a while.

So yeah Barbara, why not ?A journal, for a year. But what a year to come eh? “Call me Ishmael” innit.

Freedom Day 1

Today, a man said I was free to go.
Tonight, my woman said she’d never let me go.

*note to self: belay the agony aunt!

Trish had pointed Helen out. She’d taken a miss on court this morning, and that had slammed the door for good…fine! Her last words had been “forget about me – good bye Nikki”. Easy for some…good bye and Helen were mutually exclusive. I’d never use both in the same sentence. Now here she was again, giving me yet another chance to hear her say good bye. She congratulated me, I thanked her, and yeah here it came; “I’d better go”. I watched her walk away. I think freedom finally grabbed me by the throat ! Sod the stiff upper lip! I was free…free to ask for what I needed!! I tore up the stairs, “Helen, wait…I need a favour, a last request”.

“What Nikki?”


“You know me better than anyone, so please listen carefully. I’m not daft enough to think I’ll always be this fragile…but I need you to understand. I will never get over us…over you…! I’m planning a full and productive life, but should you ever see me on the street…cross over…keep walking. If you hear of a lonely old dyke in a rest home…think twice…I mean it! No! Don’t…! Let me, walk away from you, just this once.” I stepped back.

“Just a bloody minute! You can’t drop a bomb like that, then saunter off!”

“Shit happens Helen.”

“Nikki, that was wrong…so wrong of me, selfish and cruel. Can’t you take the high road here, just listen for a minute?”

When Helen said “but I want a woman”…my heart slammed back into my chest. It knocked the wind right out of me. This whole long day I’d felt unfinished, some part of me still banged up in Larkhall, afraid to start the rest of my life; without her. When I’d caught my breath I said “We’ll take things slowly”.

“Ya, dead slow”, came back at me. We kissed right there in the street, and I was free and finally whole again.

“Do you want to come back to my place?”…that same cheeky grin I’d used on her in Larkhall.

“No!”

“No?”

“Too easy, come with me. I have a plan.”

“Ya Nikki, anything you want…”

“Ah Miss, when have you been so compliant? I’ll be back in ten…meet you by the ramp.”

Trish took it well though I could see she was shaken.

“Don’t worry about me Nik. When I pointed her out your face lit up!! Christ, it was the first sincere expression you’ve shown all day. Good luck babe, I hope she deserves you. Now just go! I’ll sort this lot. A free round oughta do it!”

In less than ten I pulled up next to Helen.

“Is this your car? Of course it is, who but you would drive a vintage Jag, top down mind, in 60 weather? Nikki, it’s beautiful, how long have you had it?”

“Yonks…she’s a Mark V…I gave her to my mate Laura for the duration. She brought her to court this morning hoping for the best. Don’t worry Miss, I’m licensed, insured, and under the limit. The top’s down ‘cause I’m a touch stressed in small spaces. If you feel too cold, I can put it up.”

“It’s not cold, I’m feeling…I feel like I’ve finally found my way home.”

“Hop in then Stewart, if you don’t mind putting your life in my hands.”

She got in, sat looking down, biting her lip.

“What?”

“It’s just…shit Nikki…your hands - my life - it sounds really, really nice…you know?”

“Yeah I do. Did no one ever tell you turnabout is fair play?”

Our eyes locked…time enough for all that. I raised an eyebrow, her chin dipped a millimetre. We shifted gears. I pulled out into traffic.

“So what’s your plan?”

“Today’s a red letter day…and if I have a sad and tedious life it may just be the highpoint. I have to say I’ve imagined what I’d do, and where I’d do it, more than once, if everything went my way. Can’t say I’ve dwelt on it lately. I remember promising you a good time, how about a suite at the Ritz for our first night out? It’ll help me make amends for the seven different kinds of hell I’ve put you through. It’s blindingly obvious why I fell in love with you Helen, but I’ve never really been able to get my head ‘round why you chose me. I got jumped my third day inside. I had to decide, sink or swim? I came out swinging and after word got ‘round a hard look usually bought me some space. By the time you came along I’d had my back to the wall a long time. I did anger really well with indifference as my fall back. I’d put on the full suit of armour: rude, hostile, defiant. But you Helen, you let it all roll off your back. I’ve got to know why?”

She put her hand over mine. “Ah sweetheart, can you remember the first time I showed up on your radar?”

“Of course I can, it was a couple of months after you started…May, I think. Remember Jessie, Denny’s mom? She was in the canteen. She had the D.T.s, and Bodybag was ragging on her. She’d slipped off her chair. You stormed in, got down to help her up and ordered Sylvia to ‘bring Mrs. Devlin a cup of tea’. I was laughing at that when you caught my eye…and your look…Christ, you were pissed off! An act of common kindness in that place and I was yours from then on.”



“Nikki, I never said, but I did two weeks of orientation at Larkhall in January.”

“In January!?

“Ya…I was at a kind of crossroads in my career just then; so a short stint at Larkhall was going to make my choices easier. My first week was hell! I was doing intake with new arrivals, and I was crap at it. Even the first timers were shutting me down. I couldn’t reach them…I very nearly didn’t go back for the second week but my stiff neck wouldn’t let me pack it in. So…the next Monday, another interview, another bloody disaster.I went outside, on rampart west, you know, for a break. Down below the girl I’d just seen came on the yard. She was a tiny thing…like Shaz…white faced and trembling. In two minutes flat the sharks had moved in. As usual there was no P.O. in sight. But across the quad, I saw a woman. She’d been sitting on the steps, reading. She looked up, and took it all in. I asked later…it was you Nikki.”

“Me!? You saw me in January?”

“Ya love…I did…you strolled over, and halfway there called out…’so it’s you then…what took you so long? I’ve been waiting…’. I could tell from 100 feet away…don’t ask me how…you were lying through your teeth. You didn’t know her from Adam! You pushed into the circle, took her arm, and walked her back to the steps. In five minutes flat you ‘d calmed her down, given her a cigarette, and had her laughing. By next day she was in…’Nikki’s pal’…and she never looked back. I went inside, and chucked away the manual. I met my next visitor at the door. I shook her hand, sat her down, gave her a smoke, and a cup of tea. Eventually she told me what she needed, and I never looked back. If you loved me for getting down on my knees to help a woman in distress, it’s you who showed me what my job description really was. Sweetheart you’ve been a pane of glass to me ever since. I saw your heart, right through your armour, that day on the steps. You know they warned me from the first. ‘Watch out for Wade’ they said; ‘she’s a troublemaker’. I’d already seen Wade in action, so ya, I did watch.”

“And what did you see?

“A bloody miracle! Nikki Wade found middle ground, where there was none, neither predator nor prey. Respected by the one, feared by the other, a wild card …no personal agenda…always in trouble, defending the one or set up by the other. You strolled down those halls like it was Bank Holiday in the park. Very impressive.”

“Most of it was front. Never blink, never let ‘em see you sweat. Bloody hell! You caught me in a lie…the first time you clapped eyes on me…from 100 feet? Shit, I am in so much trouble”…and then I started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” This is serious…like how I picked you out, months before my bolt of lightening shook your world!”

“Ah Helen, it’s all coming back to me now. I seem to recall a mystery woman peering down on us, way back when. I couldn’t make out a face, but I remember a tartan brolly on the wet days. You were clocked my love, just not recognized ,and that bit you said about Sara finally laughing? She was painting a picture for me of the gormless intake officer she’d just blown off…You really were crap weren’t you?”

Helen tried to pin me with a hard look but couldn’t hold it. We started laughing and once started couldn’t stop. Thank God just then I pulled into the Ritz. I hopped out to open Helen’s door. The valet stepped back as I did and said, “Nikki, it’s great to see you! Marcus, at the Savoy, phoned over your good news. We’ve all missed your poker nights, and of course your smiling face.”

“Well Freddie I’ve missed your ugly mug, and all, and of course, your generous contributions to my early retirement fund. I want you to meet a special friend, Helen Stewart.”

Fred played it up and assisted Helen from the car, bowing deeply, kissing her hand. “Welcome Miss Stewart, any friend of Nikki’s is a V.I.P at the Ritz. So Nik, every 5 star from here to Dover has a suite comped to N. Wade tonight. Thanks for choosing us, I’ll let the losers know the ‘Ritz rules’! Here’s your card key. Good old 402, it’s always been lucky for you…is there anything else I can do?”

“Thanks mate, and my best to the rest. Can you take the car and get my bag to me? “

“It’s done Nik. I’ll button up the heap, and leave it on one, near the exit, so you can get out clean.”

“Cheers Fred, the less fuss the better.”

On the walk to the elevators I caught Helen shaking her head. “What?”

“Ms. Wade, I’m beginning to think you are a woman of many parts.”

“You’re just now working that out?” She looked so flummoxed I had to explain one way I’d represented our club to the hotels, theatres and cabbies who sent business our way. “We had a weekly poker night, it rotated ‘round four hotels and my condo…the comp. suites and Nikki’s dining room”

“How the hell did you get away from your club?”

“No problem. The club closes at 2:00 and the game starts at 3:00. It usually wound up near 7:00AM when catering rolled in breakfast.”

“Didn’t management resent all these liberties?”


“Well now that you mention it, Gerald never said…but then he usually walked out a winner.”

“Dear God, a night owl, and here’s me all tucked in at 11:00.”

“Well Miss, I might be persuaded to give up one of my vices, if you can make me a better offer….”

Helen stared, as if seeing me for the first time. “Clever me”, she murmured, “spotting the gold underneath all that crap you tossed my way.”

We stepped into the elevator. I pushed four and as the doors slid shut, Helen moved in close, and took me in her arms.

“Just one kiss, please Nikki.”

The doors opened on four, and bounced a few times as we untangled ourselves. We’d barely entered the suite when a rap on the door announced Fred with my keys and bag, and hard on his heels, Maria with a welcome basket the size of Bodybag’s arse. She dropped it on the bar and launched herself into my arms. “Jesus Nik, I missed you! Christ, it’s so great to see you!”

“What a welcome!” I pried her arms from around my neck. A glance at Helen, eyes wide open, a bit startled. I introduced them. “It’s wonderful to be here! I’ve got so much to catch up on. Thank Gerry for the basket. I see he’s broken into his private stock, must be a visiting dignitary ‘round here somewhere.”

“Yeah” Maria shot back, “Check under the beds! So Nik, we’ve been threatened with all sorts if we waste your time today. Have a wonderful evening. The whole House is a bit giddy!”

“Thank ‘em all for me, and tell Gerry he still owes me that fifty quid. I’ll forgive the interest if that Champer’s a ’94.” As the doors closed behind them I turned to Helen.

“It seems I’d better get used to it.”

“It?”
She wet her thumb…rubbed passionate pink off my lips; “Beautiful young women throwing themselves at you, kissing you.”

“Your eyes seem a little greener in this light Stewart. I didn’t raise a fuss when her husband was slobbering all over your hand.”


“She and Fred?”

“Six years now…”

“And I almost swung for her!”

“Possessive eh? I kinda like it. And you blush so prettily…good to know. I’m putting out the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. I’m locking the door and on goes the chain. You and me alone…with all the time in the world…this must be heaven!” My cheeks were wet, so our first private kiss was salty, and shaky, not at all the grand romantic gesture I’d imagined a hundred times…And so much sweeter, and more tender than any dream. Helen’s hands pulled my head down. Her gorgeous lips feathered kisses all over my face, then moved to my neck. She undid my top one button at a time and thoroughly kissed the newly exposed skin. She murmured, “Nikki”…so soft…so soft.” I started to tremble, and that encouraged her to move even lower, to my breasts. When she felt my tears on her hands she looked up at me in shock.

“Sweetheart, please don’t cry! What’s the matter?”

“I’m afraid.”

“You? Afraid? Of what?”

“Of finding a way to let you down. How can I touch you when I don’t know if I can ever be enough? Whatever I did to send you off to Thomas…what if it happens again? I’m not sure…fuck…I’m not at all sure I could stand it!”

“Och, sweetheart, please don’t think you ever let me down. It was me! I lost my nerve. I wasn’t eating, barely sleeping, making bad decisions. They promoted me to the place where I joined the ‘Cover The System’s Ass Club’. And you – you did what you always do…you told me the truth…and I didn’t want to know. The riot…it felt like you’d thrown away our only chance…That we’d never be together. We’d already taken out two women. They’d come to the servery door, begging for help. They said they’d seen weapons, knives, in the worst hands! I had no choice. I was two minutes away from sending in the riot squad and Sylvia had aimed them right at your head! I was this close Nikki!! Fuck…P.O.s with clubs dead set on getting to you. You could have been killed…on my orders…you have no idea!! When I spoke of betrayal… I just felt so fucking guilty. When I yelled ‘get back to your cells!’ no one moved ‘til you tossed a casual ‘do as she says’ over your shoulder…and it was like Moses parting the Red bloody Sea!”

“You were Governor of G wing, the girls were safe with you.”

“I had a meltdown just then. Your appeal would go forward if I punished everyone, not just you. I couldn’t go on loving you. It was just too hard. I had to cut myself loose. I took the coward’s way out. Anger was so much easier than love! I blamed you for all of it. And there was Thomas, a good man, offering me respect and affection. I’d almost convinced myself that I could live without this…being with you…touching you. I’m so sorry. I let you down in every way. You love me without reservation. I feel so safe with you. Do you know how wonderful it is for someone like me to relinquish control? I gave you my whole self and you returned me undiminished. If making love means putting yourself in the hands of someone you utterly trust. If it means being completely vulnerable by releasing your mind’s control over your body, and then feeling an exquisite pleasure you never knew existed…then I’ve only made love one night in my life, and Nikki, you are my only lover. Please forgive me! I'll never leave you!”

“Yeah!” I pulled her closer. “Yeah!”

“No more thinking sweetheart. We’ve lived inside our heads too long. Let’s just feel.”

She gasped as I cupped her ass and pulled her legs in to bracket my thigh. Our hips moved in rhythm. She moaned then caught her breath. “Breathe Helen, stay with me…”

“Nikki?…What?? Christ I’m trying!!”

“Are you just feeling now?”

“Oh ya” she groaned. “I feel like I’m gonna come and you haven’t even touched me!”

“I’m not going to let that happen. I’ve got big plans for you Stewart.” I caught her earlobe…whispered – “how do you feel about multiple orgasms?”…a helpless “Is that even possible?”

Christ, I hoped so! I held her as wave after wave hit – clench – release – clench - my fingers still inside. She slowed, then rode my thigh…gently, gently, as she came back down.

“How could you know…?”

“Didn’t, not for sure. Remember our first time? I was an escaped con, and you took me in your arms. I had no front left. I needed you like oxygen. I was totally vulnerable and my mind just let my body go and go. We’re already magic…so with a little practice…”

Her eyes lost focus…“You mean, I did that to you?”

“That, and a good deal more. Did you think I cry for all the girls?”

“So you’re saying I’m pretty hot…for a novice?”

“I’m saying…have mercy!”

She kissed me softly, then harder. “Maybe”, she muttered as she nibbled her way down to my breasts, and the magic began again, and again.

Wooow Tudy that is so hot. Worth waiting for great writing More please. :devil :devil

Great start to a new story.

Alright!

Way to go, Tudy!!! :clap

PART 2

We awoke to the phone ringing. It was Freddie.

“Good day Nik, it’s 10AM. Still in bed? Good on ya! I’ve had a word with housekeeping, and they won’t even look at you ‘til after 3:00. There’s a breakfast trolley outside your door. Take your time. Enjoy the day.”

“Cheers Fred.” I turned to Helen. “Good morning gorgeous.” I kissed her softly. Don’t think this settles my promise of all night long, I caught you napping a few times.”

“I did not.”

“Then whose fair hand wrote all these pages?”

“Well…maybe I passed out…briefly. Nikki, I’m thirty-two years old! Loving you…! Christ…when you come for me I feel like I’ve invented it all. Why did I never know that giving pleasure is as wonderful as being pleasured?”

“…’Cause you’d never been pleasured by the right woman.”

“And she’s so modest.”

“Good of you to say…Helen?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re between jobs just now…can you take a week off?”

“Not a problem. A couple of phone calls, and I’m all yours…Have you got another plan?”

“Funny you should ask… You know I’m not touch with my family? Well, my mum’s mum was the exception. Gran always loved me as I am. She sat through every day of my trial, and wrote me every week. But it all affected her health. She died in her sleep, ten months into my sentence. I nearly lost my mind. I felt so responsible. They said Devon was too far, so I didn’t get a pass for her funeral.
I’d like to go down to her farm. I need to feel close to her, to really say goodbye. You’ll love it Helen. The air…endless rolling hills, and green!! When I was a kid my parents couldn’t wait to dump me on Gran for the summer. She’d let me run wild and I’d cry when I had to go back to the city”

“Devon?…It sounds lovely, how about this? You take me to mine…I can make my calls and pack a bag.”

“ My condo’s on the way. So let’s get me packed, then off to yours, yeah?” After eggs Benny, we shared a shower that turned into a slow and soapy heated dream. It left us limp and laughing as we left the Ritz and drove over to my place on the Quay. I explained that Trish had lived there with me but moved out when she and Emily fell in love.

“You live here?” she asked as I pulled into the driveway.

“I used to, why?”

“It’s dead posh is all!”

“Well, I used to be a conspicuous consumer. Shallow, I know. Perhaps you can help me with that Miss. I suppose it was a way to prove I wasn’t the no hoper my family expected. I was a right prat!”

And so I unlocked the door I hadn’t opened in years. Trish had paid the fees and kept the cleaning company on the job. Everything was just as I had left it…on the worst day of my life…my first day at Larkhall; today was feeling so like the best. Funny that – ha bloody ha!

The huge bouquet of roses on the foyer table was a surprise, and the card I showed to Helen read; ‘Helen and Nikki, best wishes for happiness – Trish.’

“Can I have a tour? Finally, a look behind the scenes! I feel as if everything I know about you is ‘ Nikki under fire’, brave and stubborn and infuriating. I never knew whether to hug you or throttle you. I’d like to meet` Nikki with her feet up’.”

“Just so long as you remember, this is my past life.” I took her hand and showed her the view, the lounge, the dining room. At the kitchen, she gasped. I’d spent way too much on it.

“So tell me the story of this kitchen.”

“I can’t slip a thing past you, can I? Two years after opening the club, we were doing fairly well so we started looking into developing some storage space into a small bistro; nothing fancy, but good food in nice surroundings. As usual Trish did the spreadsheets and totted up all the sums and I looked into the ‘ bangers and mash,’ so to speak. Long story short, we opened in ’93 and in ’94 ,I spent 8 months in Paris.” I watched as the penny dropped.

“You?” “Paris?” “Cooking school Nikki!?”

“Yep, ‘ Cordon Bleu’ if you please.”

“My God, where does it end? You’re a chef?”

“Just a hobby.” I gave her my best leer. “Want to see my certificate Miss? Now you’re not going to tell me you don’t enjoy a great meal?”

“Far from it, I grew up on a farm near Glasgow. My dad’s a minister but his stipend was small, so we relied on the fields for the rest. I can feed an army on one chicken and a basket of spuds. I just never called it ‘Coq au bloody Vin’. But you, I remember trying to fight you off. We could never have a relationship. We couldn’t be equal while I was your jailer . It’s me who’s feeling not quite up to it now!”

“Not up to it?! You only own me…body and soul. What if you put exactly the same weight on my circumstances out here as you did on them in Larkhall?”

“That would be zero Nikki.”

“Exactly, Helen!”

“Does it bother you…how little we know about one another; that reality won’t measure up. I’ll disappoint you?”

“We declared war the first time we met face to face, guns blazing, backs to the wall, nowhere to hide. We know each other bone deep. Politics, religion, music, art..?Think of all the fun we’ll have taking the piss! - favorite colour, horoscope, oooh, don’t you just love Celine Dion? You crawled out on a roof because you bloody knew, your hand was the only one she might reach for. How could you ever disappoint me? More to the point, you love the essential Nikki, though I could probably resurrect the demented dyke – jealous cow, if you miss her.”

“I’ll let you know. You do have a knack for getting right to the heart of the matter.”

“I got to yours didn’t I?”

“Ya…oh ya you did!”

I kissed her softly and took her hand. “Come on then, keep me company whilst I toss some clothes in a bag. So down the hallway, and I led her into my bedroom. I could feel myself blushing. It was even more over the top than I’d remembered. The thick soft rug in front of the fireplace was strewn with silk pillows. The bed, that huge four poster, drew Helen’s eyes like a magnet.

“Now this…this looks exactly like you!” She wandered around the room while I packed. I found her in front of a painting, a nude.

“She’s beautiful, Nikki…you’re not a famous artist and just haven’t got ‘round to telling me?”

I nuzzled her neck and whispered “No, no more surprises. I’m going to dedicate myself to just one nude.” That moonstruck look again. She stepped in closer, hid her face in my shoulder.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything”.

“You and me together …is it always like that for women?”

“No baby…never for me…as far as I know it’s just Helen and Nikki.”

“Good”, she breathed and regaining confidence – “so Wade…I don’t suppose you’ll be wandering off any time soon?”

“No Miss, never, no chance at all.”

“Then do you think you can remember how to operate that obscenely large Jacuzzi in there?”

I could, so we left for the country a little later than planned… but very clean. A quick stop at Helen’s – me stuck in the car – she didn’t trust me to keep my hands in my pockets, though truth be told, I wasn’t anxious to revisit the night of my escape, just yet.

On the way down I told her about John and Marge, Gran’s closest neighbours. They’d farmed her land as she grew older, and kept up the cottage after she died. They’d even adopted her dog. Bonny would be five by now, and I was praying she’d remember me.

I’d had a letter from them every month, telling me the news of the farm. They’d put in clover or bought a new type of seed potato. Small news that let me dream of fresh air, a new mowed field, and a small dog chasing crows…relief from the usual aching loneliness.

“You hid it well ‘cool hand’ Nikki, brave and strong.”

“You too Helen, professional and calm, never a hair out of place, well maybe just this bit. Where did I ever find the brass to kiss you?”

“And I was lost when you did.”

“And no choice then but to fight it through…”

“I could have lived without the fights Nikki.”

“Ah, but darlin’ ain’t the victory sweet?”

“Pull over sweetheart, I need a hug!”

But in the layby, she held me, as the dam broke, and I sobbed. The more I struggled for control, the more it slipped away. Years of loneliness, dozens of indignities, abuse, fear, I felt them wash over me.

“Let it out sweetheart. ….Let out the pain.”

Marge hugged me so hard, I could barely breathe whilst John just smiled, and nodded as Bonny lost her mind at my feet. I scooped her up, all four paws kept paddling as she tried to climb even closer. Marge saw right away how things were with Helen and me.

“We’ll have a good visit later…for now I can see you’ve had enough for one day. So off you go. Here’s the dog food. There’s no way she’ll stay here when she knows you’re over the road. The heat’s been on all day and there’s plenty in the pantry.

Helen held Bonny on her lap for the short trip, kissing her head and whispering God knows what in her ear.

“You should have said.”

“I should have said what?”

“That Bonny’s a West Highland White. You said she was a dog! Don’t you listen Bonny! I’ve had a Westie in my arms since I could stand. We always had at least two in the house. They saw me through some difficult times. The ‘dogs’…live in the barn and tend the sheep!”

And on and on she went about ‘ flatlanders’. The lights were on. The kitchen door swung open…this was my homecoming. My Gran was gone but my Helen held my hand.

She wandered from room to room admiring the cottage. The copper was polished, and the hearth was spotless. I found her in Gran’s bedroom. She held a picture of us both in the orchard. Bonny, just a pup, sprawled across our legs. We were laughing.

“You know, that was her favorite photo. She said even the dog was smiling.”

“I’m so sorry you lost her. She must have been a wonderful woman.”

“The best! My Grandad died at forty-five. She was left with four kids. She learned to turn her hand to anything: plumbing, wiring, laying tile, as well as all the farming, and child rearing. I admired her guts, and strength, and early on decided if I wanted something, all I had to do was put my head down and go for it full tilt.”

“I’ve been on the other end of that charge.”

“Not at all, that was my slow speed seduction… it took three bloody years Helen! Gran gave me chores, young as I was. At first I used to do a halfhearted job…skive off. She took me on her knee and quietly told me… ‘if there’s a job needs doing, and no way ‘round it…put your whole heart into it. Make it the strongest woodpile ever stacked, the neatest garden ever sowed. There’s dignity in any job well done.’ She said if you have to do ‘er,… then do ‘er!!
I know I angered you, hurt you, scared you almost daily but I had no words in that place to explain. That I was struggling to do the job, to serve my time…. hold on to my self respect. I couldn’t let the bastards win! My Gran taught me better than that! I owe her so much, and in the end, on top of all she’d given me, she left me this farm. Needless to say, my loving family was not amused, but no surprise, she’d plugged all the loopholes. I’ll keep it forever and maybe someday my daughter…”

“Your daughter, Nikki…you want children?”

“Oi! What happened to slowly? Yeah…I do…but only if they’re yours. One of us donates an egg, the other carry’s junior, two true moms for one gorgeous baby…someday.” And there stood Helen with a silly grin. “What?”

“I’m picturing me nursing Nikki junior.”

“Let’s to bed then and I can dream of little Helens.”

The last thing I remember was pulling her in close, my arm across her waist. Sometime near morning I must have had a dream. I felt her wiping tears from my face.

“Hush baby, I’m here, it’s over…I love you.”

I surfaced to daylight. I could feel Helen’s finger as soft as a whisper circling my nipple. It hardened and she murmured in my ear.

“So you’re awake at last. Remember this?”
‘ I have a secret pleasure tho’ I think you know. I watch for you each morning, usually a little late. Did you wake at dawn - I often do - and spend a sleepy hour imagining…if I touch her there with mouth only…will she catch her breath and sigh? Or, grasp my head demanding – harder – more! You’ll know one day, and lead me deeper into pleasure every time.
Don’t ever think I doubt your love. How could I? I know the second you first looked at me and felt it. My heart is sure! My head however…this place…!! I saw a polar bear…six steps turn …six steps…she paces…does she ever sleep? That mindless, trapped, anxiety…sometimes it overwhelms me. I lash out. You are a gift... my freedom….! I’m not in prison - I’m in love!.
We are a miracle…but if…-just if-….…no regrets – never – not a one.
Forever, your N.’

“You memorized it?!”

“Its in tatters Nikki! I’d lose my way and think that’s it…I’ve killed it now…And then remember, in my heart…six steps, then turn…you’ll wait for me…no ifs!…we are! When I walked into your club, I held it in my hand, for courage – Christ knows I needed it! You only put it down on paper the once – but you did say forever.”

“And you’re going to hold me to it? Good thing I meant every word then innit?” I kissed her softly then harder, biting her lips. She moaned and answered my bites with her own.

This time our passion held a controlled aggression. A hint of pain, a touch that almost hurt…but never did. It roused us quickly and we matched our paces effortlessly and orgasmed together, and together, sank back trembling. Through aftershocks I groaned, “You know, I hear some folks wake up with a cup of coffee”.

“We could try it I suppose, but it sounds a little kinky to me.”

We picnicked and hiked the farm, made love in front of the fire. On two mornings, we went for a run. Helen taunting me from ahead – “Come on Wade, you should be in top form by now, all that training we’ve been doing night and day”!

“You wait Miss, you won’t be handing me all that guff when I get back in shape!” (Adding under my breath ), “ and clear my lungs from all that smoking.”

“Even better shape you mean? (Be still my heart). Even more beautiful? It can’t be true!”

And as the distance increased I called; “Could you at least send Bonny, way back here, to keep me company?!”

“Sorry, can’t be done!”

“Why not?!”

“She says you’ve told her to look out for me,… something about protection from women who chase after me!”

“Fine, just fine! Even the dog’s in love with her!”


PART 3

And so, after all our pain and strain to be together, the silly season overtook us and we laughed and played together like couple of kids.

Helen Stewart, in love, relaxed and happy – not a power suit in sight – Christ! She glowed ,and gave, uncertainly at first, every loving touch, and look, and finally word, I’d ached for.

One day as we sat in the orchard …I lay down with my head in her lap…she ran her fingers through my hair, caressed my face, traced my lips.

“I love you Nikki…you’ll never know how much.”

“I know more than you think.”

“Ya do?”

“Yeah, I do. I asked Marion for an interim billing about a month ago…I know…I know…it was pro bono…but I can afford to pay, and after I told her to apply the cash to the next poor sod; she sent the bill along. You know how lawyers are, I could almost chart Claire’s coffee breaks, and trips to the loo. But the billable hours seemed way too low. ‘Til right there at the very bottom, I saw a ton of non-billable time listed as ‘research assistant’. Helen, I knew you were dedicated to getting me out, but darling, four hundred hours!!”

“Oh Nikki… sweetheart… I had to keep busy, I was so lost…I missed you so much! You’re the English major. “ My love is selfish, I cannot breathe without you.”..”

“Good thing I’m here then innit? Tho’ Stewart, when I do this…sometimes you don’t breathe…at all!”

We dozed in the warm sun.

“I think I’m finally sleeping better, am I waking you as often?”

“No love, you’ve let go of Larkhall during the night. If you talk in your sleep it’s to me, not Jim ‘bloody’Fenner.”

“Good! I want to ask you about a few things…see what you think…Emily took my place at the club and eventually with Trish. The romance didn’t last but the working relationship survived. She’s offered to buy me out, and I’ve agreed. Even before my life blew up I’d lost interest. I was only going through the motions. I’ve had enough of gray boxes so I’m going to sell the condo as well. I’m going to buy a house with a huge garden, and a Westie. Do you think I’m too impulsive? Only I feel very sure it’s for the best!.”

“If you feel ready for a new home, and a new job, I think you are. Nikki, you’ve always been sure, and steady when you chart a course.”

“Good, ‘cause I’ve got a few more things to tell you. Monica got Barbara’s half mil. It took a lot of searching but she found a wonderful house. She’s setting up a foundation to run both Spenser’s House and Zandra’s Place. Barbara will be out soon. I’m kicking in a bit, and Bab’s is matching it. We have our eyes on the third floor. We want Zandra’s to have an advocacy arm that reaches inside the sodding system, and fights for early release.
The law…. Helen.. is an ass…! I’m sorry, I know your career has been dedicated to upholding it but I’ve seen it crush too many good women!! I’m going to put my faith in Lady Justice, see if she can lay down the sword, put a thumb on the scales. Maybe we can nudge her in the right direction now and again.
I’m looking forward to getting right up Fenner’s nose. What’s he think….that it’s over ‘cause I’m out? That I’ll just walk away from my mates, leave them to a sadistic bastard? Not bloody likely!! If he thought I was a pain in the arse in Larkhall…he has no fucking idea!! Aren’t you going to tell me to be careful?”

“No sweetheart, careful was for prison where I couldn’t watch over you every minute. Out here you’re a force of nature. I almost feel sorry for the sad bastard. He’d better be careful! Nikki, these plans you’ve made, how long have you been working all this out?”

“Not so long. I started soon after you dumped me. Stubborn Stewart, you’d dug in your heels. I hadn’t a hope in hell of changing your mind. It was another sink or swim moment, and just then a life preserver floated by. The O.U course, it was Shakespeare. ‘Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.’ I finally made that leap of faith you’d always asked of me. I trusted you. You’d promised me freedom so I started to plan a life with a purpose. To change the bloody system that ground us down, to wipe the smirk off Fenner’s face and all his little mates. And somewhere down the road, if you heard my name, you’d be proud, not downcast.
Darling… please don’t cry…! You only flinched at the very last. How many times did you pull me back from the brink? I took a degree to please you, made an appeal, again for you, returned from French leave…well, I didn’t have much choice on that one! Please Helen, let go of that crap guilt. My weakness is your strength, restraint and reason. My ‘storm the barricades’ has rubbed off on you. We’ve overcome against all odds.”

“So Monica, Barbara and you? I pity the poor buggers on the wrong side of that conference table! You don’t need volunteers do you? Someone to make tea? Only, Marion’s offered me a job at her law firm. Claire put in a good word. It seems they’re run off their feet with all the pro bono they’ve taken on. They need someone who knows the system, and can cut through the red tape or at least do an end run around it. If I’m going to bat for the other team, I may as well go the whole hog. I bet I can find a few days each month to get in your way.”

“Batting for the other team? Where’d you come up with that one?”

“Nikki…you know ‘research’ is my middle name.”

“No… I know your middle name is Elaine.”

“How the hell…?
“You’d be surprised what I know. Research, Stewart… is a two way street.” Hackers…the class of people you meet inside…it’s criminal. “You sure you’re up for the inmates trying to run the asylum?”

“Trust me. It can’t be worse than the insane pronouncements Area used to shove down my throat on a regular basis!”

“Good! But you need to know…our side of the table has one empty chair…a sleeping partner you should hear about.”

“Now who could that be? Nikki, Monica, Barbara and a silent one…” her eyes widened…“Oh sweet Jesus! Tell me you didn’t! Oh yes, yes, you did….Yvonne Atkins?! Shit!!”

“Helen, Helen, deep breaths…you’re going to have to trust me on this one. Yeah, Yvonne’s on board. This won’t work without her. She’s our eyes and ears inside, and she’s already set up a network in two of the other three Women’s Pens. For some reason she thinks she owes me. We never saw eye to eye on right and wrong, but by God she knows evil when she sees it!”

“Atkins owes you!? Nikki please don’t ever tell me how that came about. My heart just won’t take it. It was life or death wasn’t it…? I know…I know, most of what went on isn’t yours to share but; can you tell me this, how much of what occurred were we even aware of?”

“Christ, Helen…do you want the truth?”

“Ya…and nothing but…”

“Of the day to day – business as usual – about thirty percent; of the plots and truly dangerous days, less than that…way less than that.”

“Jesus…how did you ever get out of that place alive?”

“I had a lot to live for, and I have it on good authority, I’m lovable. Who’d want to hurt me? Besides, it wasn’t all bad. Ask me some someday. Names changed, of course, to protect the guilty. So…are you in?”

“Of course, I’m bloody in…if only to cover your arse!! But one question, why doesn’t it work without Yvonne?”

“Well…let me take a wild guess…say, prison ‘X’ has a bent screw ‘Y’…hard to believe, I know. We are appalled to hear the sordid details. We approach the G.G. and suggest that a public investigation would be counterproductive, and that a quiet dismissal would be more the ticket. We further recommend that one minor change in policy or procedure would go a long way towards improving the lot of the women, whose welfare has been so abused.”

“That’s blackmail”, she said softly.

“Helen! I’m crushed!! That’s what it’s called on Yvonne’s side of the wire; on our side it’s ‘politics’ and Monica has retained some very expensive counsel to make sure we don’t cross that line!”

“I see…Nikki…one follow up then?”

“Yeah.”

“In your file, a place where, trust me, conservative language abounds, they called you extremely intelligent…any idea what that meant?”

“Not a clue, but I was stood behind the door when Yvonne received her portion. Yvonne’s the lever…the system’s the load. I know who I’m betting on!!”

“Ya”, Helen muttered, “Nikki and Co.,…sign me up!”

“Well Miss, I’ll have to check with the Board…hmm…come to think of it, Monica mentioned she’s making me Chair, so yeah, we’ll give you a trial. Making tea hmm? Getting in my way? Like this? Or perhaps like that? So very much in my way…”
We made gentle, tender love, under the trees. And as we rested so deeply contented she again wiped tears from my cheeks. “I feel like such a baby. I’ll be glad when my eyes stop leaking.”

“I hope they never do…hush…it’s what I fell in love with. You lead with your heart. Larkhall was never meant for the likes of you…you felt it all so deeply…but you never backed down…dared them to do their worst. My mother died when I was six, Nikki. My father turned inwards. I can see now, his heart was broken. I think I did the same; protecting the pieces. You pulled them out. I fought you over each and every one. Christ did I fight! Always thinking, just that one, then no more. I cry now…all the time…lose control…not so scary. You’re my hero Nikki. You hold my heart, whole in your hands. I feel like I can risk it all…so safe with you.”

“Hero eh?”

“Ya.”

“Then darlin’…make that two…Stewart and Wade, partners in crime.”

“Nikki…”

“I know, I know…we’ll be dangerous, but in the nicest possible way…deal?”

“Deal! Sweetheart?”

“Hmm?”

“How do you know?”

“Know?”

“When we’re close, like this, content, out of nowhere it seems…I’m turned on…needing to touch you, have you touch me…you always see it…reach for me before the thought’s complete…how do you do that?”

“Have you never played poker?”

“Poker?…I’m wondering how you can read my bloody mind and you’re banging on about a card game?”

“Indulge me Helen.”

“No, Nikki, I don’t play poker.”

“Too bad Stewart…you’d be a natural. The thing is, to win at poker luck is nice but not a necessity. It’s a game of math, and deception.”

“What?”

“Yeah, I pretend a good hand when mine’s crap, and perhaps scare off the better ones…bluffing…or fake a bad hand when mine’s strong…suck in the big bets.”

“So it’s acting.”

“Exactly…but oh so subtle, and here’s the thing. We humans - we’re animals after all – signals are sent even when we’re completely still. My mate Freddie licks his bottom lip, every time he bluffs. He’s always shocked when I call him on it…sure he’s faked us out. That little tick is called a ‘tell’.”

“Ya – so?”

“You’ve got one.”

“I do?”

“Yeah, and it’s very sweet. Every time you want me, you ‘tell’ me.”

“So what am I thinking right now?”

“Christ, Stewart…come here…!” So sexy, her nostrils flare again…pheromones…one part Nikki per million. She doesn’t know my ‘tell’ incites hers.

“Poker” she mutters, “I’ve got to learn that game.”

Hey Guys.. This is me finally remembering to credit Shed ..all characters theirs except those belonging to J.K.Rowlings,whom I'm sure can take a joke!! Thanks to bc gal..she's a pip!

Love it!

Tudy This gets better every chapter, its a really great idea. Can't wait for the next part. :popcorn :popcorn :popcorn :popcorn

Hey guys.. thanks for taking the time . : :hug

PART 4

This is Freedom Day…? Bloody hell! Day 183. All blank pages after that first gush. I reckon stress brings out the scribbler in me. Says a lot though! All the work we’ve done…life we’re building, not easy, always a challenge…fun you know? God I love her! Anyway, she left on Sunday…a conference in Moscow…our first seven days apart. She calls every morning whilst I’m still in bed. Took me by surprise that first day. Her husky “what are you wearing?” was a bit of a shock, half asleep as I was. When she followed that with “where are your hands?” I really started to listen…badgirl- my lusty wee lass.

But a frantic call at work today – almost in tears – her office had forwarded a message from St. Michael’s Hospital in Ireland. Her dad, on vacation, had been taken to casualty, a boating accident. Could I sub for her, make some calls, check on his status. She’d fly back, but months of research…keynote speaker…I calmed her down, promised hourly text messages and sent the first from two thousand feet over the coast. I’m more a hands on kinda girl, and she didn’t need to stress out about Wade and Stewart Senior meeting face to face.

Reverend Donald Stewart was flat on his back, ankle in plaster and not at all pleased to meet me. She’d told him about us of course so it grated no end that I was there as ‘family’ to rescue him.

Stubborn?…bloody hell she comes by it honestly! But butter wouldn’t melt… ‘Wade versus Fortress Stewart’… deja vu. I settled in to wear him down. By the time I’d got him back to Glasgow, made him comfortable at home, and arranged for the best cook amongst his parishioners to assist as long as required, he’d mellowed quite a bit. Said Helen finally sounded happy…alive…full of love, the way she’d been as a wee one, before her mother passed. I’m no expert, but Helen says as she healed she reached out to him, risked rejection, but called him faithfully each Sunday, and slowly he stepped out of the shadows. Me? I think they’re more alike than they know. Christ, my eyes! Just flashed on a picture of Helen in a clerical collar…!

He even phoned her to say he wished us well, and how often did I make those little seafood crepes? ‘Cordon Bleu’ fryups were my way in. I’m off now to the airport, to collect her, and bask in the glow. I’m a miracle worker. ‘Saint Nikki’.. innit!


Day 365

Exactly one year – Sunday mornings are our ritual .Time to catch up on the state of the union…the week’s events, coming attractions, as well as hours of love. It’s a bit intimidating. We plateau for awhile, then reach a new level.

Our friends, no hopers all, have finally caught on that phones turned off ‘til noon, means drawbridge up as well.

“Sweetheart are you awake? Bonny needs to go out. I’ll be right back.”

The Sunday paper, coffee, toast and jam…a perfect red rose…all on a tray. Bonny brushed past her at the door and vaulted onto the bed to wake me with licks and digging.

“Hey Sunshine, the dog alarm doesn’t have a snooze button. Prop up your lazy bones…here’s the paper…breakie and me…not necessarily in that order.”

“Come here then gorgeous. Let’s do you first.” She set down the tray, sat on the edge of the bed, leaned in for a kiss.

“Big talker. You know your eyes don’t come uncrossed ‘til your second cup.”

“I wasn’t planning on opening my eyes.”

“ Speaking of big talkers, what’s up at the house?”

“How’s that?”

“I’m beginning to get a complex. Every time I walked into a room yesterday, the conversation ended full stop.”

“You came by yesterday and left without so much as a kiss? I could have used one…got home so late last night!”

“How’d it go?”

“Brilliant! Monica rallied the ‘Ladies Who Do Lunch’ so the guests were from the ‘A’ list. Barbara made sure the top dogs from each sector shared a table. They practically came to blows over who could write the biggest cheque. Those two went inside wide eyed innocents and came out bloody devious!”

“Perhaps they fell in with bad companions…Congratulations, I know how hard you worked…the extra hours. I did rap on your door, about noon, but you were hunched over your phone like it was a call from the Queen, so I left you to it.”

“Close enough, it was Voldemort.”

“How on earth do you get away with calling her that!?”

“I swear, it’s not me, she chose it herself. She’s getting a right kick out of all this cloak and dagger. Her Nigerian connection finally came through…drugs…a global village eh? Femi will be home this time next month. The bastards who made her mule by threatening her kids have already provided chapter and verse to the Embassy, an acute attack of conscience. So Femi and two others get their lives back. She – who – must – not – be – named, has done it again! She says the Suits and Screws will bear watching forever, so she’s setting up a dynasty…already picked her successor. She’ll only know me as ‘Hagrid’. You should have heard her cackling over that.!! When Voldemort the First moves on the Second will be crowned. It seems I’ll have employment for a good while yet.”

She leaned in, kissed me. There were volumes in that kiss.

“What?”

“Thank you. But for you I’d still be butting heads with the ‘old boys club’…whinging on about how unfair they are, misogynist bastards! How they make all the rules, then change them, when the rest of us start gaining ground. Do you know what my brilliant partner says? ‘When they’ve stacked the deck against you and the fix is in; if you want to do a little good, you’ve got to be a little bad.’ So far it’s working, nothing indictable, knock on wood.”

“None of it’s illegal Helen.”

“Sweetheart you know they’ll just rewrite the statute…

And when they do…if they do…Hermione says she’ll ferret out a loophole we can drive a bus through.”

“I’m getting the distinct impression sweetheart, and I’ve heard it more than once…They think someone’s turned a P.O., that he’s selling out the rest to save his own arse. They’re at a loss really. They just can’t figure out how the charges can be in coming from all sides! It’s all so bloody obvious, but they’re never gonna see it. Helpless, dim, cons…working together? When pigs can fly!”

“So she is brilliant then, your partner.”

“Aye, and did I mention, she’s beautiful?”

“Such a paragon…you’re a very lucky woman!”

“That I am…so’s she. I had occasion to meet with Grayling this week.”

“My condolences.”

“Too late, when I walked in, he blanched – white as a sheet.”

“Scared him did you?”

“Don’t think so…he was trying to peer ‘round me…expected to see you in my wake. I really had to bite my lip. I did a bit of fishing for your ‘Bangers and Mash’.”

“Any luck?”

“He only put hand to heart and swore he matches invoice to inventory every month!”

“So Barbara was right. Do you think we can make it stick?”

“Marion seems confident.”

“Marion?”

“Ya, I brought her with me. Thought she should see whom we’re dealing with. I might have suggested she take notes.”

“Stewart! You beauty you!!”

“Ya I know. Must be the company I keep.”

“Christ! So fifteen to twenty percent falls off the truck and Grayling turns a blind eye! I don’t think the girls are gonna miss the ‘tuna surprise’! The Honorable Darcy Firth is anything but! Pull a block or two out of the wall, and stand well back. Oh the slanging match! We’ll have to cover our tender ears! What is it with me and G. G.s eh? There was the one I quite liked. Scared her as well.”

“Never Wade…not for a minute! Tho’ Marion needs a favour. She has a new batch of students. She’s sussed out a couple of wankers and would like you to sort them. You know the speech….` My mates will toast you for tea, if your first priority isn’t their welfare’! She says it worked a treat on the last lot. At your convenience of course!”

“Yeah…sure…I’ll cram them in somewhere…what fun…fish in a barrel…’Corporate Law’…so much safer!”

“And Nikki? Great news, Marion’s sending the ‘Fenner’ file to the prosecutor on Monday…we’ve finally tied up all the loose ends into a big red bow…Dockley’s blue jumper or Lewinsky’s little black dress…it’s all DNA. That’s him sacked – no pension.” Lauren’s takeover of O’Kane’s establishments brought us the two CCTV tapes showing the weekly receipts going into his pocket…that’s ‘living off the avails’ and the ‘coup de grace’, Marian really knows how to twist the knife. She’s only set Inland Revenue on him – ‘failure to report income’. She says four years minimum, that means Dunhill and a rough ride for an ex P.O.”

“Finally! You mean she’s pretty confident?”

“Nikki…she bloody gave me a guarantee!!”

“Christ, I can’t believe we’ve actually brought the bastard down! Serves him right. I should be above all that I know but, bloody hell! This one is personal!!"

“Ya sweetheart…we can finally close the book on the past. New business only from here on; and on that note ‘London Today’ is not going to give over. They insist on a follow-up interview. Apparently, the Minister says, our brand of prison reform is just her cup of tea. You don’t suppose she’s…?”

“Wouldn’t be surprised. That first time in her office, I heard a half a ping.”

“Is that what I was Nikki?”

“Are you trying to wind me up?”

“When did I ever have to try?”

“Fair enough…do you remember that time in the canteen, when I bumped into you?”

“Ya”.

“I asked if there was something you wanted…?

“Ya…I remember…so?”

“Helen I heard a clanging like a fire bell…you licked your lips for Christ’s sake!”

“Shit…and here’s me thinking…God she smells good…and just as quick…what the fuck?…She does not! No way, no!”

“Sorry darlin’, not fast enough. Once you cross the ‘God she smells good enough to eat’ line, it’s in the by laws…you can’t cross back over. As for ‘Madame the Minister’ I’ve already converted mine, she’s someone else’s problem. Any way Stewart, ‘London Today’ - public relations – right up your street.”

“Not so fast Wade…it wasn’t my impassioned plea that lit up the switchboards. It’s both of us or nothing sweetheart.”

“Yeah…yeah…but tell me they’re not going to call it ‘The Pro and the Con II!”

“You know they are…”

“And the same interviewer? The pillock spent the whole sodding hour in ‘Lesbian Land’.”

“Yep…sorry love…but I’ve spent a few happy hours there myself.”

“Do tell…anything in particular?”

“I’ll just whisper in your ear” and she did.

“Oh God…say it Helen.”

“What darling…??”

“Please don’t tease! Just say it!”

“Hiya Nikki” she breathed, her lips against my ear. Never had a chance. She had me at hello.

“What you said before, about the strange behavior at the House?…I have to confess…and the whole motley crew is in on it.”

“What are you lot up to? And if it’s against the law I don’t want to know!”

“Actually it’s very much within the law…in Canada anyway…”

“How’s that?”

“You’ve heard me talk about Sally and Sue…the great lovers…? Well, they’re expecting again…hoping for a boy this time, and as the ‘Equal Marriage Act’ just passed they’re getting wed, and they’ve asked me to give away the brides.”

“Oh Nikki…you and Sally have been best friends forever…you’ve got to go darling. Bonny and I can pick up the slack here!”

“Well, that’s what all the scheming’s been about.” I got up and opened the draw in my bedside table, took out plane tickets. I got down on one knee. “Helen Stewart, I love you with all my heart. Please come with me to Canada. Say you’ll marry me. We can play aunties to Sally junior, and see if we might be ready for one, or I promise not more than two, of our own.”

“My God…! You’d think by now I’d be used to you and your surprises.! This life we have…our home…Bonny…our jobs…it’s all down to you…Everything you touch is golden. Please get up…yes, I’ll marry you!…yes I want our baby!! Heaven help the poor sod who crosses little Prunella if she gets your brass and my temper!” She sighed. “Och now I’ll have to phone my dad…”

“Don’t worry, it’s sorted.”

“Sorted?”

“Well I know it’s soppy, but marriage, it’s a very traditional thing. So I called Don last week…asking permission I suppose.”

She drew in a ragged breath, “What’d he say?”

“He dragged me over the coals. He needed to know I’d do the necessary…keep you safe…”

“And?”

“I said it was a toddle…right up there with breathing in and out.”

“That’s as it should be then. What’s so funny?”

“Exactly what he said, word for word. Just before he said he wasn’t coming to the wedding…unless he could officiate…”

Her jaw dropped. Gobsmacked!

“I know...! It knocked me for six as well!! Apparently it took a while, but when he’d finished processing Nikki as partner, he took the natural next step, for a vicar, and started in on Nikki as daughter-in-law. He and the Bishop have hammered out a ‘don’t ask – don’t tell’. Though if I were you I wouldn’t mention ‘Christening’ for a good while yet. So I booked his flight, and after the ceremony, a week’s salmon fishing near Vancouver. I draw the line Helen, at taking my father-in-law on our honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon Nikki?” she squeaked.

“Oh yeah, didn’t I say? Marion’s given you three weeks. I was thinking Victoria, the Empress Hotel and since we’ll be so close…why not ? San Francisco! I have a plan.”

“Nikki, wife, shut up and kiss me!”

We found the perfect rings in Vancouver, a lot of cash for a couple of chunks of carbon. But, pried out of the Arctic tundra, the second most desolate place on earth; each etched with that microscopic totem, a polar bear …cheap at twice the price!

It’s official…street cred zero, innit.





Epilogue

That godforsaken fire knocked us all back…still does…Sod the tears!! … There’ll never be a memorial, not a proper one. So we’re building our own. The only kind that really matters… case by fucking case….

.

:clap Love it.

Loved it too. Can't wait for another story. :clap :clap :clap :clap

:wub: Lovely. Thank you. :hug

just read it all and its amazing thanks hope there still more to cum ??

Thanks for the kind words..I've posted a second fic...Forgot however to check it over first..I've since spotted 82 errors and am offering a reward for the next ten. Cheers..

Hey great story, I am looking forward to more of your stories. Keep up the great work.

BETTELA :clap

This is very interesting. :)

what I like about your writing is that you craft everything in such a concise manner. It's fun to read.

xoxo
Emms

Where to begin? There’s so much in your story: four chapters plus an epilogue filled with reconciliation, resolution, retro speculation, and reformation. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. I loved your take on the riot.

a. Helen had fallen victim to the Peter Principal with the Suck-Up clause magnified. And Nikki knew it.

b. Sylvia had targeted Nikki as the ring leader. She would have been taken out at first strike. And Helen knew it.

c. Nikki stopped the riot, not Helen. She’s the Dragon Slayer in my book, leather and all! Helen’s a bit more religious.

2. And Thomas? He was a really nice bloke who was stuck in the middle of it all. Neither Nikki nor Helen harbored ill feelings towards him.

3. Finally, Femi was on Nikki’s list of Do Rights. Everything comes full circle.

And these are just a few of my favorite things.

Sorry, I better go now. Gotta read this story again.