Forget Me Never (20 page)

“Huh,” he scoffed, “it’s what I pay him for.” He grumbled as we watched his Mercedes leave the station.

“Come on, Alec, you can slum it for one train ride,” I sighed and lifted my bag.

“I’ll take that,” he said taking it from my hand.

Once on the train, and of course, Alec insisted on getting first class tickets, he calmed down a bit. We sat in a compartment and waited for the train to start moving.

              “This is not so bad,” he muttered.

              “Since I met you, you have never shown me that you were a snob and above anyone, you have always appeared to be down to earth and level headed, right up until now. It’s a train ride, Alec, it won’t hurt and it means we don’t have to sit in Friday evening traffic.”

              “I suppose,” he shrugged, “but I am not a snob, I just don’t like trains.”

              “We also get to snuggle up to each other and enjoy the ride.” I added sitting next to him and cuddling his body.

              “I can start to see some advantages.” I said and pecked the top of my head. “I have missed you this week.”

              “I missed you too, but at least it went fast.”

              “There is that.” He agreed as the train started to move.

              “Are you nervous about meeting my parents?” I asked.

              “I am as it happens,” he admitted. I looked up from his shoulder.

              “They’ll love you, trust me.”

              “What’s not to love?” he sighed. “They know we only met a four weeks ago in America, I made you stay an extra week and here we are going to meet your parents…”

              “Who can’t wait to meet you.” I stated. “You suggested it and it’s too late to go back now.” I said sitting forward and removing my jacket. His finger lightly rubbed against my back. “That tickles,” I wriggled.

              “Sorry, but I have missed the touch of your skin,” he muttered and kissed my shoulder. “So, are we booking into a hotel or…?”

              “We are staying in my room at my house.” I replied and turned to face him.

              “I think I’d rather book in somewhere; I don’t think that I could keep my hands off you…”

              “We live in a bungalow and my room is at the back where as my parents sleep in the front. Honestly, Alec, it will be fine.” I smiled.

              “I hope they are hard of hearing then, because you, my little nymph, are a tad noisy,” he grinned. I blushed and couldn’t help but reciprocate his adorable smile, plus he was telling the truth.

After a quick change of train, we were finally heading for my home town. I tried very hard not to show my rising anxiety, Alec was nervous enough without me adding to his panic. By the time we arrived in Lowestoft I needed to loo and a decent cup of tea, at least the sun was shining.

              We got into a taxi and I gave the address. Alec held my hand in the back of the car and as we stopped outside of my home, he sucked in an anxious breath. He paid the driver and we got out, after getting our bags from the boot, I led him up our rose trimmed garden path to the front door.

Before I could get my key out, the door flew open and my mum, my beautiful, blonde haired mum, dived into my arms.

              “I missed you, love.” She said into my hair.

              “I missed you too, Mum.” I replied as I pulled from her arms. She flashed her blue, green eyes at Alec and straightened her clothes.

              “So, you must be Alec,” she smiled holding out her hand, he smiled and shook it politely.

              “Mrs Matthews,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

              “And you,” she nodded and looked at me, “and please, called me Theresa.”

              “Like the saint?” he asked.

              “Of course,” she winked. “Well, come on inside, I’ll make us a nice cup of tea.”

              “Just what we need, Mum.” I said and led Alec inside.

Dad was still at work and wouldn’t be home until after eight so Mum, Alec and I sat on the patio in the sun and drank tea while talking about our amazing holiday and how we met. We showed her our pictures and talked the evening away.

              “Oh no,” she announced suddenly, “I forgot to put the spuds on…”

              “What are we having?”

              “Well, I was making a Sheppard’s pie, but now it looks as though it will be mince and vegetables.” She frowned.

              “I wanted to take you all out for dinner,” Alec stated putting his cup down on the table.

              “That is not necessary,” Mum said and stood from the table. “It will be a little bit longer. It’s very nice of you, Alec and perhaps we can go out for a meal tomorrow.”

              “If you are sure, Mrs um, Theresa.”

              “I am,” she smiled and left. Alec breathed out a sigh.

              “Are you all right?” I asked.

              “Yes, actually, your mum is a wonderful lady.”

              “She is,” I agreed.

My dad arrived home shortly before dinner was served. Alec shook his hand and they talked in the living room while I helped Mum to dish up and set the table in our small dining room. The Sheppard’s pie went down a treat and swiftly followed by Mum’s toffee sponge and custard, Alec beamed a grin I could only describe as that of a child in a sweet shop who had just found the golden ticket.

The following day we woke early and ate toast with my parents and after about three cups of tea, I drove Alec down to the beach in my black Ford Focus, so that he could see where I spent a lot of my time growing up. We walked along the golden sand hand in hand enjoying the sunshine and fresh, sea air. The waves crashed against the shore and the white seagulls above us rode the wind like kites in the sky, their eyes fixed on the ground below looking for scraps to eat. 

              “Your parents are lovely,” he remarked.

              “They’re the best,” I beamed, but pain shot through me, how could I be so insensitive? “I’m sorry, Alec.”

              “Grace, it’s fine, just because my parents are dead, it doesn’t mean that you don’t get to enjoy yours.”

              “Well, they like you too, I can tell.”

              “Oh really, how can you tell?”

              “Well, my dad never talked to Ke… uh, him the way he talks to you. I think they both could tell what he was like, it seemed everyone knew what an arsehole he was before I did.”

              “Love is blind,” he nodded.

              “Not always,” I disagreed.

              “Okay, let’s drop that one then,” he shrugged. “Where’s the loo in this place?” he asked.

              “I’ll show you.” I said and led him towards the pier.

Perched on the wall outside of the public toilets, I waited for Alec to return. I expected it was because of all the tea he was drinking. My parents loved their PG Tips and drank far too much of it, every time they put the kettle on, Alec had another cup. I don’t think he liked to say no, so graciously accepted all that was offered to him.

              “Grace?” a voice asked. I looked up and saw Pete, Kevin’s best mate, standing above me. His ginger hair had been cut short again and he was wearing ridiculous Hawaiian shorts and a muscle vest top, he looked so creepy too. “Wow, look at you. America was a good holiday I take it.”

              “Who told you?”

              “Saffron did, well, she told my sister.” He looked around, “You actually look really hot,” he added, making me feel even more awkward. “I hear you met someone new too.”

              “Saffron needs to keep her mouth shut,” I moaned and folded my arms over my chest.

              “I am happy for you, nice girl like you, you deserve to be happy.” He added. I nodded. “You moved on, Kev’s move on and everyone is happy.”

              Alec appeared at my side, Pete looked over at him and frowned. “Pete, this is Alec, my new boyfriend.” I smiled proudly and took his hand in mine.

              Alec smiled at Pete, but didn’t offer his hand which was a first, “Nice to meet you, Pete.” He muttered.

              “So, you bought him home already, must be serious.” Pete remarked.

              “Definitely,” Alec smiled. “Come on, Sweetheart, we’re going out tonight, remember?”

              “Of course, nice to see you again, Pete.” I said and left him standing there.

              “I take it he knows Kevin,” Alec said as we hurried to my car.

              “Yes, he’s his best friend.”

              He glanced over my shoulder, “He is still watching us,” Alec grinned deviously and spun around in front of me, taking me into his arms and planting luscious kiss on my lips, when we parted he grinned over my shoulder, “Let him go and tell that turd about that.” He stated smugly.

              “Alec, that is the most immature thing you have done since I have known you.”

              “Huh., you haven’t seen nothing yet.” He chuckled and picked me up so that I fell over his shoulder. He then ran towards my car, with me over his shoulder laughing like a loony. At my car, he set me down and laughed. “Sorry, I just wanted him to see that you are happy.”

              “I am happy,” I beamed and wrapped my arms around him, “the happiest girl in the world right now.”

              “Good,” he smiled before I kissed him deeply, more of a show for whoever might be watching but also because I was so excited by our little bit of fun, it felt right.

After our little adolescent display for the visitors of Lowestoft to witness, we got back into my car and headed into town. Not that we have much of a town centre to speak of, but we had a good coffee shop and I wanted a drink.

              We walked up the high street to the coffee shop, I stopped at the cash point next door for some money and then I led him inside.

              “Oh my God, Grace,” Mandy, the girl behind the counter yelled as we entered, “Where have you been?” She had died her hair purple again and got more piercings in her face.

              “LA and Vegas,” I smiled squeezing Alec’s hand, “Oh, and this is Alec, my new boyfriend, we met in LA and well, here we are.”

              “Hello, Alec.” She grinned.

              “Hello,” he smiled sweetly.

              “What can I get you both?”

              “I’d like a caramel latte, Alec?”

              “I’ll have the same, please.” He smiled.

              “You take a seat and I’ll fix you your drinks, are you sure I can’t tempt you into a slice of Victoria sponge?”

              “No, thank you,” I replied and looked at Alec.

              “No thanks, Grace’s parent’s keep feeding me,” he added, “I’ll put on a stone this weekend at this rate.”

              “Okay, well take a seat and I will be right over.”

We sat at a table near the window and waited for our drinks. Alec reached across the table and took my hands in his. I gazed longingly into his eyes and smiled warmly. I loved everything about this man, even his stubborn side. I could see his cheeks redden and he wondered what was going on in my head.

              “What are you thinking?” he asked.

              “About how lucky I am,” I smiled. He reached over and took my hands in his.

              “I can’t believe that no man has snapped you up before.” He said shaking his head.

              I frowned, “I have been told I am too needy and clingy.”

              “Not with me,” he said shaking his head. “I just want to be with you every waking moment, it’s crazy I know, but I hate the thought of you in that flat by yourself night after night.”

              “It’s my home,” I shrugged.

              “I know, all I am saying is, you are welcome to stay at my house, any night you want, in fact,” he let one of my hands go and reached into his jean pocket, “these are for you.” Holding out a small bunch of keys to me, he smiled. “Keys to my place, for whenever you want to come over.”

              “You hardly know me,” I frowned.

              “I know you better than you think.” He retorted. “Just take them, Grace, don’t look at it as a commitment thing, more of an open invitation.”

              “Okay,” I nodded and took the keys from him, “thank you.”

              “Here you go,” Mandy said placing two lattes in front of us.

After our lattes we headed back to my parent’s. Alec received a phone call from his sister as we drove. She apologised for cancelling our visit, but to be honest, I preferred to come home anyway. Now I had actually got there, it wasn’t so bad.