Becoming Maddie (The Casterhouse series Book 1) (27 page)

As for herself, well Maddie had splashed out on a new dress. A red silk dress. For her there had always been something about a red dress. It screamed confidence, like the wearer is completely comfortable in their looks and more. So although Maddie wasn’t anywhere near to being anything like that she did feel better about who she was. There was also a part of her that wanted to show how much better she was doing to the people that she cared about.

A little voice reminded her that Aiden liked her in red underwear so maybe he would love the dress too. Just thinking of the things they had done together when she had been wearing red underwear made her blush a little. What things would Aiden come up with because of the red dress?

It had tiny straps over her shoulders with a sweetheart neck. It was tight down her body to her hips. Then it floated out and swished around her legs. On her feet she had a pair of high red stiletto heels that had crisscross straps that wound up round her ankle and stopped mid-calf. Maddie loved them and since putting them on she caught herself looking down at her feet all the time. They were her own sexy version of the Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of Oz. Her hair was down and she had put several tiny plaits in it with red ribbon wound within them.

Maddie thought she didn’t look too bad.

“Thanks Sarah.” Maddie said smiling at her friend. “You look pretty hot yourself.”

Sarah really did. She had on a blue Maxi dress. It was thick strapped over the shoulders, tight around the bust then flowed right down to the top of her feet, feet which were in silver sparkling flip flops. On the dress there seemed to be silver sparkling fireworks going off all over it. It was stunning and she made it look even better than that. Going by the way John’s eyes kept straying back to his wife, Maddie figured he liked it a lot too. Sarah would be having a good time tonight as well.

“How can you see anything when that smell is so sensational?” John said looking towards the kitchen.

Maddie felt herself blush a little at the complement that he meant.

“Ignore my always hungry husband Maddie.” Sarah said hitting John in the stomach. “He’s wants the food before he has even said ‘hello’.”

John rubbed his belly where Sarah had hit him and had the good graces to look a little ashamed but then ruined it by smiling at Sarah.

“Sorry love.” He said softly before kissing his wife on the cheek he then turned to Maddie. “John.”

John held out his hand and Maddie immediately reached out to shake it. She really wanted this man to like her. Sarah had become a huge part of her world and she didn’t want anything to take it away. Besides John looked like a nice man and she had loads of space to make new friends.

“Maddie.” She smiled and waved her hand towards the breakfast bar. “I have laid out some nibbles and drinks out. Some alcoholic drinks and some not. There is beer in the fridge because if you’re anything like Aiden you don’t drink anything else.”

John laughed out loud and Sarah smiled up at him before saying.

“John is just like Aiden then but leave me to get it Honey because you probably have loads to do.”

With that her friend walked into the kitchen and got her man a beer then poured herself and Maddie a glass of wine. Maddie went to the cooker and checked on the chicken again. She didn’t want to overdo it and have it end up being dry. At the same time she really wanted it to be a lovely brown colour. John walked round her flat slowly. Taking in every ornament and picture.

Over the last few weeks Maddie had dug out her camera and started to take pictures of everything. Marvin by himself, her favourite parts of Casterfield and herself and Aiden out on walks with Marvin. There were even a couple of Sarah with Ethan and Rosie or the two little ones playing with Marvin. She had then bought loads of pretty frames and popped the pictures. Some of them she had added flowers from their walks or a sketch of some of the views. Maddie had had so much fun letting her ‘craftiness’ out and letting Aiden be a part of that with her. When Aiden had come home he had seen the pictures on the wall and didn’t say anything until he had looked at them all. Some he laughed at, others he reached up and touched the glass then when he was done he walked over to her and kissed her.

“So sweet.” Aiden then whispered before walking to the bathroom to have a shower. “You joining me?”

Maddie had and she had loved it.

The camera was sat on the breakfast bar with the dinks and nibbles. Maddie was not wasting this opportunity to get more good shots of them all.

Now John looked at them all before walking to the breakfast bar and taking a mouthful of his beer. Maddie couldn’t tell if that was a good or bad, if she had passed a test or not, but she knew that she could only be herself and hope for the best.

“Do you want something to snack on while we wait for the others?” Maddie asked the two of them pushing the bowls of dip and jar of breadsticks closer to them.

They both shook their heads just as there was another knock on the door and that’s how it went. Richard and Claire were next.

Claire was a sweet little thing. She had black hair and beautiful white skin. The clothes she wore suited her looks but gave her a unique style that was all her own. Maddie knew that she was going to have to go shopping with this woman at some point and get some advice. Claire was polite but super shy so Maddie talked to her like she did the others but let her join in as little or as much as she wanted. Richard kept a protective arm around her, giving her the reassurance that she needed without making a big deal about it. Maddie knew she liked Richard for a reason. He was a good man.

Then Eddie and Fiona arrived and they didn’t waste a second before they had a drink in the hands and were making the others laugh. Fiona had offered to help in the kitchen but Maddie said she had everything under control. Fiona had fed her last time and now it was Maddie’s turn to feed Fiona. She was even taking a strong pride in doing it.

When she had opened the door to the two of them they had both hugged her before entering and Maddie had hugged them back. Maybe she was getting better at this spontaneous affection.

The next knock on the door was Harry and Alice except Maddie had no idea who they were. This is why Aiden should be here, he could have reminded her that he worked with Harry and he was part of his family, instead he was nowhere to be found. Actually Maddie was starting to get more and more worried that he wasn’t there already. It wasn’t like he didn’t know what time it started so what was keeping him.

In the meantime Maddie just smiled at the people looking back at her from the other side of the thresh-hold and held out her hand.

“Hi there, I am Maddie.” She said. “I am sorry I have no idea who you are but I think that you must be Aiden’s guests, yes?”

The mature woman looked up at the man frowning.

“When I see that boy I will be telling him that he should tell his girlfriend who he is inviting to dinner.” The woman snapped. “Fancy leaving your woman to answer the door all by herself.”

Uh oh
. Maddie didn’t meant to get Aiden into trouble. That being said Alice would have to get into line behind Maddie because she was giving Aiden an earful first.

The older man smiled down at the woman and chuckled.

“You can tell him but you know he won’t listen Ali.” He said. “I’m Harry and this is Alice.”

“Of course you are!” Maddie exclaimed. “I have heard all about you guys and should have realised he would invite you. Come on in and meet everybody.”

Fiona and Eddie had greeted the new comers with hugs and helped Maddie introduce them to the rest. Everybody seemed to be getting on really well. There was laughing and clinking of glasses but Maddie knew everybody was getting hungry and starting to wonder where Aiden was. She was starting to feel stupid standing there, the only one without their partner. The dinner party was meant to be celebrating them but he wasn’t even here.

Walking away from the group she looked at the chicken for what felt like the millionth time. It was done. It needed to come out and rest for a bit before carving. Maddie had been hoping that Aiden would carve it. It was how it was meant to be, women cooked the roast men carved it. Even though she may not have had many good memories with her parents this was one she always liked. They would sit round the table and watch her father carve the roast.

“Where is he Maddie?” Eddie asked from behind her.

Maddie pulled the roasting tin out of the over and set it to the side to rest for a bit. Taking the oven gloves off, she looked at Eddie.

“Em…” Maddie stalled.

What was she meant to say? She had no idea where he was or even what time he was going to get his butt here so they could eat. If she was honest with herself she was hurt that he was a no show. Really hurt.

Avoiding eye contact, Maddie turned to the soup pot and stirred.

“He will be here soon.” She replied.

“Pet, look at me.” Eddie asked.

Maddie took a moment to steady herself and try to hold onto the trust that she had in Aiden and what they have started making together. There had to be something going on, something big that would stop him from being here with her.

Looking up at Eddie she tilted her chin up.

“Yes?”

Eddie gave her a soft little smile and there was pride in his eyes. The older man walked a little closer to her and put his hands on her shoulders. Giving her a little shake he said calmly.

“Aiden is crazy about you, he will be here.”

Maddie’s breath caught and she nodded. Eddie was totally right. Aiden was crazy about her and showed her all the time. He had asked her to trust him and she would do that.

“I know Eddie. Why don’t you get everybody to sit round the table while I get the soup ready?” Maddie asked.

Eddie nodded at her and moved to the group round the breakfast bar. Sarah gave her a raised eyebrow and wide eyed look but Maddie just smiled back and turned to get bowls out that she needed. Laying them out on the counter it struck her that they were not only missing Aiden but the odd person.

Looking back round at the group that was moving towards the table and taking their seats, Maddie gave them a quick count. On one side of the table there was Sarah and John next to Fiona and Eddie. On the other there was Richard and Claire next to Harry and Alice. Maddie and Aiden’s seats were empty plus the 11
th
seat at the opposite end. Yep, they were definitely two short. Aiden and the last guest.

As she was thinking this, the sound of the key going into the lock and the door opening drew her attention to the entrance.

Aiden walked through it smiling at everybody at the table while he gave it a quick scan before he turned to the kitchen. As his eyes rested on her, his grin got even bigger. He took Maddie in from head to toe and although he was the other side of the room she could see his eyes darken.

That one look made the money she had paid for her dress, and the effort she had put into getting ready, totally worth it.

Aiden walked into the flat and across to the kitchen. Reaching for her, he smiled down at her as he wrapped his arms round waist like there was no one else in the room but her.

“Hey Ruby. You look so fucking inviting in that dress. If we were here alone I would show you just how much I like it.” He muttered before kissing her.

Maddie instantly forgot her anger and was held captive by his mouth. His tongue teased her lips until she opened up to him. Then Maddie forgot about the room full of people too because right then it was all about that kiss, Aiden and Maddie. Wrapping her arms around Aiden’s shoulders she held herself closer to him and tried to absorb as much of his heat as she could. Maddie always got so cold when he wasn’t around.

Eventually, after the howling penetrated, Aiden pulled back and smiled at the hooting and cat calling guests round the table. Maddie buried her face in his chest embarrassed at her reaction but at the same totally not.

“Sorry I am late.” Aiden said looking down at her but loud enough that everybody at the table could here. Marvin had even come out of hiding to rub himself against Aiden’s leg waiting for the attention that he knew Aiden would give him once he was done greeting Maddie.

“You should be boy!” Alice shouted.

Aiden chuckled but didn’t look away from Maddie.

“It’s okay.” She whispered to him. “I knew you would be here.”

Aiden looked into her eyes intensively, checking that she meant what she said. Once he was sure she did his face broke out in a massive, beautiful smile before he dropped his mouth to kiss her nose.

“I have a surprise for you.” Aiden said.

Maddie looked over his shoulder and saw that the door was still open. Smiling she thought that Aiden must have been so excited to see her that he didn’t even close the door after himself. It warmed Maddie’s heart.

Marvin had started to lose attention in Aiden but instead focus on the door.

“Is it you holding a knife carving the chicken?” Maddie asked trying to keep the laughter from the night going.

There was giggles from the table but she noticed that the some of the people were looking at the open door. They obviously didn’t know that this was a good neighbourhood. There wouldn’t be anything bad happening here. Maddie would go and shut the door in a second anyway.