Life Begins At 40 (part 1)
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The CBB -> Ste Therese's House
#1: Life Begins At 40 (part 1) Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:22 pm
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I'm really snowed under with work and life in general at the moment, so don't have a lot of time to write. However, this is the start of the story of Joan Baker's life!

Joan banged the receiver down with a snort of disgust. “And he expects me to believe this blatant rubbish,” she said crossly, speaking aloud even though there was no one to hear her. Their son and daughter were upstairs, Debbie probably doing her homework and Kenny listening to the radio, and meanwhile her husband was trying to persuade her that he was working late again. Joan knew that he was unlikely to be working, even if he happened to be in the office. He had just got a new secretary and Joan knew that he would be with her. It never took him long to persuade any new women working in his office to have an affair with him, and Joan was fed up with having to tolerate his infidelity. She had brought up the children almost single-handed since Vic had started ‘working late’ and ‘playing golf’ at the weekend and now, nearly ten years later, she was sick to death of it and of Vic, too.
Blowing her nose vigorously, Joan went upstairs and knocked on the door of Kenny’s room. Kenny, a lanky youth of nineteen, opened the door and Joan wondered, as ever, how her beautiful bouncing baby boy had turned into this long haired man.
“I’m going to go and visit Aunty Con,” said Joan, trying not to look past Kenny to the tip that he called a bedroom. “Keep an eye on Debbie for me, will you?”
“Okay,” said Kenny and then he had closed the door again.
Joan went across the landing to Debbie’s room and opened it in response to Debbie’s shouted, “Come in!” Light, airy and immaculately tidy, it was the complete opposite of her brother’s room, just as Debbie, with her short fair curls and sturdy build was the opposite of Kenny. “I’m going to visit Aunty Con,” Joan said again. “I won’t be long.”
“Where’s Dad?” asked Debbie.
“He’s got to work late,” said Joan.
“Again?” Debbie said, rolling her eyes.
“Kenny’s here, though, if you need anything,” said Joan.
“I won’t,” Debbie predicted. At seventeen she was more than capable of taking care of herself. “See you later, Mum.”

Last edited by Fatima on Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:11 pm; edited 71 times in total
#2:  Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:33 pm
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Oooh! ANOTHER becky drabble! Thank you so much.

Did Joan have brothers? Or is Con a "brevet aunt"?

Intrigued.
#3:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:03 pm
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Very interesting - hope Con is of help to Joan.

Thanks Becky.
#4:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:08 pm
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Fabulous - a new Becky drabble, really looking forward to more


And all 3 of mine have rooms like Kenny's Rolling Eyes
#5:  Author: arky72, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:34 pm
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Oooh! This was a nice surprise!!

Looking forward to more!
#6:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:56 pm
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IIRC Joan had 2 sisters.

Thanks for starting this despite having so much else on!
#7:  Author: Lulu, Location: West Midlands, UK PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:37 am
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Looking forward to reading more of this; I always felt very sorry for Joan Sad

xxx
#8:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:05 am
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Oooooh. A new Becky drabble, how fine (and making my morning).

*intrigued as to what happens next*
#9:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:39 am
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Yay! A new Becky drabble *bounces*

Poor Joan

*pokes Vic and prepares the rusty nail scissors*

Is Aunty Con and old schoolmate perhaps?
#10:  Author: Mia, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:41 am
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Oooh thanks Becky Very Happy
#11:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 1:58 pm
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Interesting stuff!

Intrigued by Aunty Con!
#12:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:33 pm
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Very intrigued by this and have a feeling this is going to take a not typical CS twist. Looking forward to more, thanks!
#13:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:08 pm
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Thanks for all the comments. Very Happy

Joan went downstairs again and pulled on her coat. She left the house and walked briskly along the street, for Con Maynard, her closest friend, lived just a few streets away. Joan hoped that Con would be there, for she had a rather hectic social life. If she was lucky, Con might just be getting ready to go out, for it was still only six o’clock. Joan strode across the road and hurried around the corner, pleased to see that Con’s little car was parked outside the neat house she shared with her brother Stephen.
She rang the bell and the door was promptly answered by Con. “I’m sorry to disturb you,” said Joan apologetically.
“You aren’t disturbing me,” Con assured her, opening the door wider. “Come in.”
Joan stepped into the little hall and went through to the little sitting room where she had sat so many times before. Con sat in a deep, comfortable armchair opposite her and curled her legs up under her. Joan leaned back, finally feeling able to face up to the truth. “I want to leave Vic,” she said decisively. “I can’t go on like this any longer, Con. I just can’t.” And on the last word, Joan’s resolute façade crumbled. She covered her face with her hands as tears came into her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I know I’m being every sort of fool.”
“You aren’t,” Con assured her, her dark eyes filled with compassion as she got up and went to sit on the settee beside her friend. She put an arm around Joan’s shoulders and hugged her. “After all he’s done, you have every right to be upset. Don’t apologise for that, Joan.”
“He called to say he was working late again,” said Joan, taking the hanky that Con pushed into her hand and wiping her eyes. “I’m just so sick of hearing the same old lies, Con.”
Con thought back over the years she had known Joan. They had been at school together, but had not been especially friendly at that point. Once Joan left school, Con heard occasional details about her from another friend, but had never particularly missed her. Joan had, so Con heard, married and had two children, and after that she had heard nothing more. She had left school herself and headed to Oxford to do her degree, after which she had started work for a big glossy magazine. When her brother, Stephen, had come to London, Con had suggested that they get somewhere decent to live and Steve had agreed. He worked in advertising, so it was useful to have someone like Con as a contact, and it was much cheaper to live with her than to either rent or buy his own place. They moved into their home and settled down happily, for both enjoyed rather frenetic social lives and were delighting in their newfound freedom from their sheltered upbringing on the Gornetz Platz.
During those years Con had seldom, if ever, thought about Joan or wondered what she was doing, and Joan would have said the same about Con. And then, one day in early September, Con had been to the supermarket and was just strolling home when the lady walking along the path in front of her dropped her shopping all over the pavement. Con immediately went to help her and as she tried to pack the groceries into the broken carrier bag, she realized that she knew the lady. Joan had recognized her, too, and Con had felt obliged to invite Joan back to her house, where she had a supply of carrier bags that could replace the broken one.
#14:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:05 pm
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So pleased that Joan met up with Con - it sounds as though she needs a friend.

Thanks Becky.
#15:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:09 pm
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thanks becky
#16:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:40 pm
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I had thought that if it was this Con it would be an odd pairing for a friendship but it looks good and reads well!
#17:  Author: Mia, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:23 pm
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Thanks Becky - poor Joan.
#18:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:27 pm
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Thanks Becky.
#19:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:43 pm
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It's a shame Con and Joan were never friends at school - EBD left both of them without a close friend Sad . Very glad that Con and Steve have both escaped from the Gornetz Platz!
#20:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:06 am
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Here's a little more of Joan's history...

Con had made coffee, which they had sipped while having a rather stilted conversation, recalling their school days and catching up on news of mutual friends. Con heard about Joan’s husband Vic and her children, who were just ten and eight at that time and on whom Joan evidently doted. She had been aware of a subtle change in Joan; she no longer wore too much make up or loud and unsuitable clothes and she seemed to have softened. Despite the rather constrained nature of their discourse, Con found herself arranging to meet Joan again and noticing that Joan sounded almost pathetically eager to fall in with Con’s plans.
As the months passed, Con found that Joan was rapidly becoming one of her closest friends. She was very down to earth and sensible and had a heart of gold. Her life revolved around her children, and once she met them, Con could understand why. Kenny was happy-go-lucky and possessed of all his father’s charm, while Debbie was as bright as a button and Joan adored them both. She did not speak much of Vic, although Con knew that she had known him for years before they got married. Finally, about two years into their friendship, Joan admitted that she was no longer happy with Vic. She had told Con that she had been seeing Vic on and off since she was about fourteen, and that his initial attraction had been a combination of his undoubted charm and the fact that most of her friends of the time, as well as her family, had considered him to be a rather unsavoury character. She had met him again at commercial college, where she had found him just as attractive as ever and had been more than willing to take up with him once more. He had acquired a little polish by then, and when she had introduced him to her parents, they had been far more favourably impressed by him than at their previous meeting. They got engaged and married when Joan was just twenty and within a year Kenny had arrived.
Debbie was born two years later and Joan had thought her happiness was complete. She had two lovely children and a doting husband, who worked hard but provided generously for his family. They took holidays in Brighton or Eastbourne and Vic made sure that Joan had plenty of flashy jewellery and that the children had all the latest fad toys. It was only when Debbie turned seven that things started to go wrong. Joan had planned a birthday treat for Debbie and her three closest friends, and they were to go to the zoo and then out to the local Wimpy for dinner afterwards. Vic did not turn up and Joan was obliged to take the children to the zoo by taxi. They had enjoyed themselves, but at the back of Joan’s mind had been a nagging worry about Vic’s whereabouts. He had turned up late that evening, bearing roses and Joan’s favourite perfume, and explained that he had been called to an important meeting and was really sorry that he had missed the birthday outing. He had taken them all to the beach the following Saturday, which more than made up for his absence on the zoo trip, and within a few weeks, Joan had forgotten all about it.
#21:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:09 am
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Oh dear - sounds as if the Lilleys et al were right to think Vic was a bad lot Sad .
#22:  Author: Lulu, Location: West Midlands, UK PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:11 am
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Poor Joan Sad I'm glad that she's found a friend in Con, though!
#23:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:15 am
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Poor Joan. To be stuck in that situation for 10 years... I hope Con will help her through this. I'm glad they've become good friends Smile
#24:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:51 pm
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Poor Joan Sad

If Con's working for a glossy magazine I wonder if she's writing articles like 'How to look perfect in a bikini' or '50 ways to be unforgettable in bed' - very unCS-like Laughing
#25:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:14 pm
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Oh dear, poor Joan.
#26:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:22 pm
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Nasty piece of work that Vic Coles. Poor Joan.


Thanks Becky
#27:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 6:28 am
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Yes, that's definitely the sort of magazine I can imagine Con working for, Liz!

Vic continued to work very hard, often remaining in the office until eight or nine at night, but he always compensated for his absences by being attentive, and showering both Joan and the children with gifts when he was around. Joan was finally alerted to the real reason for Vic’s apparent hard work, though, completely by accident. She had been doing some Christmas shopping and as she sat on the bus going home, her bags clutched on her lap, she had gazed out of the window and admired the lights and decorations in the houses they passed. Suddenly the bus stopped at the traffic lights and Joan looked admiringly at a particularly lovely Christmas tree in the window of the house opposite which the bus was standing. As she thought how beautifully decorated it was, Joan saw the front door open and Vic came out. He embraced some young woman on the doorstep, kissing her lingeringly and then waving as he unlocked his car, which was sitting on the drive. The bus went onwards, but Joan noticed no more of the houses they passed and would probably have missed her own stop completely had it not been the end of the bus route, where the sudden silence as the driver turned off the engine awoke her from her shocked daze.
Afterwards, Joan wondered whether she could have changed anything if she had behaved differently that day. Instead of challenging Vic when he returned home, she acted as if nothing had happened. She had wanted to confront him, but when he walked in the door bearing a huge bag of neatly wrapped gifts, which he had arranged beneath the Christmas tree to the accompaniment of oohhs and aahhs from the children, she knew that she could not ruin the holiday for them. They did not deserve to hear their parents arguing at Christmas when they were so used to having fun and being spoilt.
Vic had been around all over Christmas, and had managed, as he always did, to buy the perfect gifts for everyone. They had had a wonderful time and Vic had been his usual charming and attentive self and Joan even began to convince herself that she had dreamed the whole thing. How could a loving husband and father betray his family so blatantly?
But in the New Year Vic continued to work late and then he began playing squash or golf at the weekends. He even attended conferences held over the weekend and although he inevitably returned with presents, Joan could not stop herself thinking that he never brought back anything that he could not have purchased in any London shop. Not once did he bring back any speciality from the area in which he claimed to have stayed and with every new excuse for his absence, Joan became more and more suspicious.
Somehow they went on and on in this vein, though. Joan found smears of lipstick on the collars of his shirts when he came back from his weekends away, and even found the occasional photograph of increasingly young-looking women. It was only when the love letters began to arrive and she guiltily opened them, that she had absolute proof of his infidelity and finally confronted him with it. Vic did not deny it – there would have been no point. Nor did he promise to give up his current inamorata. He told Joan that she could leave if she wanted, but that he would be staying in their house. Worried that she would be left with no home and so be unable to keep the children, Joan had felt unable to leave and obliged to accept that she had no choice other than to live with his faithlessness.
And so they had gone on, pretending that they still cared for one another, just for the sake of the children. After a while it had not been so difficult, either. Vic continued to treat his family well, with his time being the only thing he did not give them. He did make an effort to be around for Christmas and birthdays, but soon he was letting Joan take the children on holiday on her own and he was often away for nights during the week in addition to his weekends away. She knew very well that he would be with some woman or other, but he always told her that he was working, or playing golf, or even visiting his parents.
#28:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 6:49 am
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Oh dear, poor Joan Sad .
#29:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:24 am
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Horrible man - this would be late 1970's? Surely she would be entitled to remain in the house then?


Thanks Becky.
#30:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:17 am
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Grrrrrrr!!!

Poor Joan Sad

Thanks, Becky
#31:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:46 pm
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Poor Joan, she doesn't deserve this. The children are old enough for her to take a refresher course in her secretarial skills, get a job and throw Vick out. She ought to pack all his clothes for him and have the suitcases delivered to his office, change the door locks, and sue for a divorce.
#32:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:33 pm
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Poor Joan, I hope Con comes up with some solution which allows Joan to keep the house and kids.
#33:  Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:39 pm
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What a RAT! Poor Joan. Thank you for the drabble Very Happy
#34:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:03 pm
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Ramadan is keeping me busy, but here's the next installment. Don't worry, Joan's going to have some fun soon! Thanks for all your comments.

Joan sniffed and dried her eyes. “I just can’t go on like this,” she said, sounding more determined again. “Tonight I suddenly realized that the kids have grown up and Vic can’t take them from me any more. Kenny’s got a job and Deb will go to college once she’s finished her ‘A’ levels. I’m going to see a lawyer, Con.”
“You know I’ll help in any way I can,” said Con approvingly. “And Cindy at work will know a good lawyer. She’s divorced three husbands now.”
“Thank you,” said Joan gratefully.
“Let me get you a drink,” said Con, patting Joan’s shoulder and standing up. “I think you need one.” She disappeared and when she returned she was carrying a bottle of red wine and two glasses. She poured a generous measure for Joan and passed her the glass, then she raised her own in a toast. “To freedom,” she said with a smile.
“To freedom,” agreed Joan. “I am doing the right thing, aren’t I?”
“Yes, of course you are,” said Con reassuringly. “Vic’s been awful and you deserve so much better. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s definitely for the best.”
Joan swallowed some more of her wine, feeling much more cheerful as it warmed her empty stomach. With Con to help her, she was sure that she would be able to arrange the divorce and make a new life for Kenny, Debbie and herself. The children would still want to see their father, for he had been good to them, but she hoped they would be happy to live with her and not want to remain with him.
“I’ll talk to Cindy tomorrow,” Con was saying. “I’m sure she’ll know the best person for you to see, and as soon as I know anything, I’ll phone you and then you can arrange an appointment.”
“Do you think I should tell Vic what I’ve decided?” asked Joan suddenly. “I want this to be amicable, for the children’s sake, but I don’t want him to have any advantages. I want to be rid of him with the best terms I can get.”
“Then don’t say anything to him until you’ve seen a lawyer,” advised Con. “The lawyer will know what you should tell Vic.”
Joan nodded and held out her glass for a refill. “It would be wonderful if I could be free of him by Christmas,” she said, starting to feel pleasantly tipsy.
“That might be a bit optimistic,” Con warned, “So don’t pin your hopes on it. I’m not sure how long it takes to get a divorce, but seven months might be pushing it a bit.”
The sound of a key in the door heralded the arrival of Stephen Maynard. They heard him call out a greeting to Con, and then his heavy tread on the stairs. “I ought to go,” said Joan, downing the rest of her wine.
“Don’t worry about anything tonight,” said Con, standing up as well. “I’ll speak to you tomorrow and then you’ll be able to find out where you stand.”
Joan giggled. “It might not exactly be standing,” she said, wishing she had had a more substantial lunch. “More like staggering.”
Con grinned. “Shall I walk you home?” she asked.
“No, I’ll be fine,” said Joan, hoping the fresh air would revive her.
As they reached the front door, Stephen came downstairs. He was a tall, well-built, fair man who looked a lot like his father. “Hello,” he said, seeing that his sister had a guest. “You aren’t leaving on my account, are you?”
“No, I have to go and give the children their dinner,” said Joan. “Thanks, Con.”
“Any time,” said Con. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
#35:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:11 pm
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Thanks, Fatima. It's good to see Con with so much know-how. I always did hate the descrition of her as a dreamer. What's wrong with dreaming?
#36:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:17 pm
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Fatima wrote:
“I am doing the right thing, aren’t I?”


Yes!!! Hurrah for Con though.

Thanks, Becky.
#37:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:18 pm
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thanks becky! loving this version of con and joan
#38:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:19 pm
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I really really like Con in this. It's good to see that she can be a dreamer but still live in the really world. I too felt like the CS books made her dreamer-ness seem like a bad thing. Is it too soon to ask for More?!
#39:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:38 pm
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Lovely friend Con is there - just offering practical help and encouragement - exactly what a friend should do. Hope Joan gets some good news from the lawyer.


Thanks Becky.
#40:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:39 pm
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Hope the lawyer is extremely good!

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#41:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:32 pm
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I hope this isn't too unrealistic! Thanks for your comments.

Con was as good as her word. Joan had only just seen Debbie and Kenny off the next morning and begun to make the bed in which she had slept alone when the phone rang and she found Con on the other end, with the number of Cindy’s lawyer. Resolutely crushing all her anxieties, Joan dialled the number and had soon made an appointment with the lawyer, managing to get one for the end of the week. Once she had met him for the first time, Joan began to wish that she had not been so tolerant of Vic’s infidelity – she realized that she could have divorced him years earlier without worrying about whether she would be thrown out of their home and forced to leave her children behind. After the meeting, Joan had phoned Con at work and given her the gist of her discussions with the lawyer and Con had suggested that they meet for a celebratory lunch. Thrilled to have had such a positive discussion with the lawyer, Joan had agreed with alacrity.
From that first meeting everything had gone well. Vic was obliged to agree to the divorce and they decided to sell the house and divide the proceeds, and from that there was enough for Joan to buy a little flat for herself and Debbie. Kenny was to move into his own flat, near the garage where he worked, and Vic was moving in with the woman of the moment, at an undisclosed location. Although she was dealing with legal matters about which she understood little, Joan could not remember the last time she had been so happy. It felt wonderful, getting Vic out of her life after all the years she had spent turning a blind eye to his extra marital activities, and although she celebrated her fortieth birthday just before Christmas, Joan actually felt a lot younger than she had done in years.
As the divorce was going through uncontested, with Joan’s lawyer pushing for the earliest possible settlement, it seemed likely that things would be finalized in the early weeks of the new year. Kenny had settled happily into his new accommodation, which he was sharing with another of the mechanics from the garage and which rapidly became as much of a no-go zone as his bedroom had been. Debbie finished her ‘A’ levels, passing with flying colours, and headed off to Birmingham, where she was reading French and German, with hopes of becoming a teacher. She popped home some weekends, but Joan was getting used to living on her own, pleasing herself with regard to what she did and when she did it. Con had found her a job in the magazine office, where her secretarial skills were put to use and for which the pay was a welcome addition to the money that Vic was obliged to pay her. In all, as Christmas approached, Joan began to feel more optimistic about her life than she had done for several years.
#42:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:26 pm
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Oh good Very Happy Hope Joan has a wonderful Christmas!

Thanks, Becky
#43:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:30 pm
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Joan was very lucky - expect Vic just couldn't sope with the new confident Joan.


Thanks Becky
#44:  Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:39 pm
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Good for Joan!

Thanks Fatima Very Happy
#45:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:21 pm
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I'm so glad that Joan has given Vic the shove, hopefully she can live a little now!
#46: Life Begins at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 1:30 pm
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That sounds great Joan deserves to be happy and think Con is being a great friend for her. I always thought she was more helpful and down to earth than most gave her credit
#47:  Author: Mia, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:26 pm
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Good for Joan Very Happy
#48:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:06 pm
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Joan has every intention of enjoying every moment of the festive season! Thanks for your comments!

Debbie returned from Birmingham for the holiday and together mother and daughter began planning their Christmas celebrations. Kenny was to come over for the day and they would cook a wonderful turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, and in the afternoon Joan’s younger sister, Pam, would come and visit. Pam was currently head of the maths department at the English branch of the Chalet School, and it was her example that had inspired Debbie to train as a teacher, too. Vic would be spending the day with his new girlfriend who, Kenny informed them, was really nice but only about twenty-five. Joan was thrilled to discover that she really did not care in the least what Vic was doing; she had high hopes of Barry King, one of the photographers at the magazine, with whom she had gone out twice and who was to accompany her to the New Year Party Con planned to throw. If Vic wanted to try to recapture his lost youth with a succession of ladies young enough to be his daughters, that was up to him. Barry was just a year older than Joan, a nice, respectable career oriented man who had just never quite found the time to get married. He and Joan had found they had a lot in common and had enjoyed the time they had spent together so far; Joan hoped they continued to enjoy one another’s company, although she had absolutely no intention of remarrying. She had just discovered the joys of living her own life with her own interests taking priority that she did not intend to give it all up by taking on another man.
Between Christmas and New Year, Joan visited her parents and her older sister Edna. Although they did not say much, they were pleased to see Joan looking so happy and Edna whispered that she was almost envious of Joan, being in control of her own destiny once more. Edna was happily married, though, and would not really have wanted to start living a single life. No one mentioned Vic; they had not really been surprised to hear of his unfaithfulness as they had only been taken in by his veneer of worthiness for a short time. It was clear that Joan was glad to be rid of him and that Kenny and Debbie were having no trouble adjusting to their parents’ separation.
Con visited Joan and Debbie the next day, bringing lovely gifts for them both and Joan was delighted when she saw Con’s genuine appreciation of the pretty scarf she had bought her. Con got on well with Debbie, too, telling her all about the article on what to do with unwanted Christmas gifts that would be appearing in the January edition of the magazine. Debbie giggled and agreed that the rather ugly and unfashionable cardigan that her grandparents had given her could possibly be doomed for one of those fates.
Before Con left, she made sure that Joan was coming to the New Year party, and would be able to bring a big dish of her delicious home-made lasagne with her. Joan gladly agreed, as she was looking forward to the party. With Vic she would have spent the evening worrying about whose telephone number he was collecting, or she would have stayed at home with the children, knowing that Vic could have been absolutely anywhere, doing absolutely anything. Instead, she would be with friends, accompanied by someone who treated her with the respect she deserved, and she would have a wonderful time.
#49:  Author: Chris, Location: Nottingham PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:18 pm
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I am enjoying this - it is very upbeat, and I hope there aren't any cliffs looming for Joan and the children - it seems she has put up with enough of what life has to throw at her for the time being!
#50:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 6:31 pm
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So pleased for Joan.


Thanks Becky
#51:  Author: JoW, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:53 pm
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Perhaps Joan will end up with Steve. I'd like hear what Joey would think of having Joan Baker as a daughter-in-law.
#52:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:11 am
    —
Glad they all had a lovely Christmas Very Happy Cheers, Becky.
#53:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:06 pm
    —
Thanks, Fatima. I do hope you're not setting us up with a nasty cliff.
#54:  Author: ibarhis, Location: Dunstable PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:10 pm
    —
To be honest it all sounds a bit TOO happy... but I may be completely off beam here.
#55:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:28 pm
    —
But we like lots of happiness - please keep it up, Becky Very Happy
#56:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:21 pm
    —
Sounds like they had a lovely Christmas. I hope the happiness lasts!

Great to catch up with this. Thanks, Becky!
#57:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:15 pm
    —
ibarhis wrote:
To be honest it all sounds a bit TOO happy... but I may be completely off beam here.

So does that mean you think I’m the sort of person who would make her characters suffer?! Very Happy Sorry there are so few updates - Joan knows where this is going, but I don't have the time or the concentration to listen to her. Thanks for your comments.

On New Year’s Eve Joan dressed with care. She had bought a new little black dress, which she planned on wearing with some high-heeled shoes that made her legs look thinner, and the pretty necklace that Barry had given her for Christmas. Her hair fell in soft curls to her shoulders and with some red lipstick the face that looked back at her from the mirror did not look like the face of a forty year old woman. Joan smiled at herself and clipped on a pair of gold earrings before spraying on the perfume that Kenny had given her for Christmas, then she switched off the bedroom light and went into the living room. Debbie was there, curled up in an armchair, her nose in a book as usual.
“You look nice, Mum,” she said sincerely. “I hope you have a lovely time at Auntie Con’s.”
“Thank you,” said Joan. She heard the doorbell ring, so she headed for the door once more. “Don’t wait up for me,” she said with a grin at her daughter.
“I won’t,” Debbie laughed. “Happy New Year, Mum.”
“You, too, Deb,” said Joan and then she was opening the front door and enjoying the appreciative looks Barry was giving her. “Hello,” she said, smiling at the tall, dark haired man on the doorstep. “Come in for a moment, Barry. I’m almost ready.”
“There’s no rush,” he told her, stepping into the hall. “I’m a little early.”
Joan showed Barry into the sitting room, where she left him making polite conversation with Debbie. She went to fetch the large lasagne she had made, wrapping it carefully so that it would reach its destination intact, and then she located the bottle of wine she had bought for Con. Finally, having slipped on her shoes, Joan slung her handbag over her shoulder and returned to find Barry and Debbie discussing the book that she was reading which, it turned out, he had just finished reading. Once he had arranged to send over another volume he had by the same author, Barry took Joan’s bag from her and they went out to his car.
#58:  Author: Vick, Location: Leeds, Yorkshire PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:08 pm
    —
Lovely, thanks Fatima.

I hope Joan has a good evening
#59:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:16 pm
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Joan deserves to be treated nicely after putting up with Vic Very Happy

Thanks, Becky
#60:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:45 pm
    —
I hope Joan has a lovely evening.
#61:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:55 pm
    —
Good for Joan - so pleased for her.
#62: Life begins at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:35 am
    —
This is great. Am curious as to where this is going to lead. More please!!
#63:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:33 am
    —
I think this is a great story and am extremely curious and intrigued as to what's going to happen. I do suspect there will be a bit of sadness because everything has been so happy so far. And I have to agree with whoever suggested that Joan should end up marrying Steve I would find that soooooo funny!
#64:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:01 am
    —
Thanks Becky, I've just read this through and it's lovely Very Happy It's so nice to see Joan so happy now, after everything she's been through. I have to say, as soon as Stephen came in, I wondered if he might be a suitable new man for Joan...?
#65:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:53 am
    —
I hope Joan has a wondeful New Year!
#66:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:55 pm
    —
Barry drove the short distance to Con’s house. When they arrived they were surprised to discover that there was nowhere to park, and they began to wonder if it would be better to take the car back to Joan’s building and walk to the party. Finally, Barry double-parked outside Con’s house.
“You go in and I’ll find somewhere to leave the car,” he said. “Just save me a piece of lasagne!”
“I will,” Joan promised with a smile. She got out of the car and went up to the front door, which was promptly opened by Stephen Maynard.
“Hello,” he greeted her, standing aside to let her in.
“Hello,” she replied. “Barry’s just parking the car.”
“I think the neighbours are having a party, too,” explained Stephen, ushering Joan through to the living room. “Con’s around somewhere. Can I get you a drink?”
“Don’t let him give you the punch!” Con exclaimed, overhearing his offer. “He’s been busy making that all afternoon and it’s absolutely lethal!”
“It sounds perfect,” said Joan happily. “I’ll just put the lasagne in the kitchen.”
By the time Barry arrived, Joan had a glass of punch in her hand and was in the middle of a crowd of colleagues and friends. He stood in the doorway for a moment, looking across at her and thinking how fabulous she was. He thought that she looked gorgeous and despite her newly acquired and rather lowly position at the magazine, she was liked and appreciated by her colleagues. She had come through a difficult time, divorcing her husband and carving out her own life after so many years of merely being Mrs. Vic Coles, but she had not let it get her down. He took a glass of punch himself and went over to join her, arriving just in time to hear the end of a joke that one of the other photographers had been telling. Joan laughed, and although he had not heard the joke, Barry found himself laughing, too, for her laughter was infectious.
“The car’s nearer your place than here,” he told her, as she noticed his arrival.
“Yes, apparently they’re having a party next door, too,” explained Joan. “Look, there’s Cindy arriving! Let’s go and see how she is.” She caught Barry by the hand and towed him over to Cindy, who had become a good friend ever since Joan had begun divorce proceedings against Vic.
Con joined them, with Roger Richardson in tow. Joan had known Roger for years, for he was a frequent companion of Con’s. They had a very on-off relationship, which suited them both and which appeared to be on again at the moment. In fact, Con had once confided to Joan that they had an agreement to marry if Con reached forty and they were both still unmarried. Until then, however, they planned to enjoy themselves either together or apart as seemed appropriate at the time.
Cindy’s fourth husband, a very dull looking banker whose uninspiring façade hid a razor sharp wit, kept them entertained with some tales of life in the bank, and Joan happily accepted a second glass of punch. Con had not exaggerated – it was both delicious and very potent. Soon she was feeling delightfully tipsy and happily accepted Barry’s offer of a dance. Loud music was blaring from the dining room, where the furniture had been pushed back to make room for people to dance if they felt so inclined, and as she draped herself over Barry, Joan thought again how nice he was. He was attentive and courteous and seemed to be made happy just by the knowledge that Joan was enjoying herself.
#67:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:10 pm
    —
Awwww, that's so lovely - Barry seems to be a perfect partner. Steven is a little younger than Joan,isn't he - about five years or so?


Thanks Becky
#68:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:24 pm
    —
Glad that Joan is having a nice evening and that Barry is so attentive to her. Joan deserves a bit of happiness!
#69:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 1:17 am
    —
So far, so good. Very Happy

(once away from Vic, that is)
#70:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:43 am
    —
Sound like a lovely evening all round Very Happy

Thanks Becky!
#71:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 1:35 pm
    —
I like the idea of Con and Roger's arrangement!
#72:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:28 pm
    —
I was just thinking that Con and Roger's arrangement is the same as one Chandler and Monica had on Friends and they ended up falling in love and gettting married well before 40. Makes me wonder if we could see the same thing happening here? Hmmmm *is intrigued*
#73:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:01 am
    —
Glad they're all having a nice evening Very Happy And Con & Roger's arrangement is the same one I had with my friend Daniel, until he got engaged to someone else... *g*

Cheers, Becky Very Happy
#74:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:25 pm
    —
And there I was, thinking I was so subtle! This is for all those who think that Joan could have fun with Stephen!
Con's arrangement is also like that of Julianne and Michael in 'My Best Friend's Wedding' - I like to think that Con would be rather unconventional once she left school and her mother's domination!

Con announced that the buffet was ready, and everyone took it in turns to squeeze into the kitchen and fill their plates with the lovely food that was there. Joan was thrilled to overhear some of the comments about her lasagne, which the other guests seemed to be enjoying.
Barry, who was still at her side, grinned at her. “You are a very talented lady,” he observed.
“I’ve had plenty of practice at cooking,” she reminded him. “Kenny will eat just about anything put in front of him, but Debbie is very fussy. I’ve had to experiment to find things she will eat.”
“Would you like to have dinner with me this week?” Barry asked.
“Debbie goes back to Birmingham on Wednesday,” said Joan, “So I’d rather wait until she’s gone, if that’s all right. Strange though it may seem, I miss her when she goes.”
“That’s not strange,” he said. “How about Wednesday evening, then? It will take your mind off of her going.”
“That would be lovely,” Joan agreed at once. “Thank you, Barry.” She looked into his eyes and was reassured by the affection she saw there. “Why don’t you come over and have dinner with us before Debbie leaves?” she asked him impulsively.
“I’d like that very much,” he agreed at once. “Joan, I know I haven’t said much, but I like you an awful lot. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve wanted to see so much of any lady as I do of you.”
Joan was touched by this; Vic would have called her a woman and somehow Barry’s use of the word lady made her feel far more valued. “I like you a lot, too,” she told him, hoping that he was not disappointed in her use of the word like instead of love.
Barry did not seem unduly upset, however. He refilled their glasses and provided her with an absolutely enormous slice of chocolate gateau that one of the other guests had made, and then he settled down in a quiet corner with her and they talked easily together and drank some more punch.
By midnight, Joan was feeling distinctly light-headed, but very happy. She had danced and smooched with Barry in a dark corner of the dining room, unrealistically imagining that no one would notice, and had not even had the briefest moment of thought about Vic. She excused herself once everyone had cheered in the arrival of the New Year, and headed upstairs to the bathroom, knowing that 1987 was going to be one of the best years of her life.
Looking in the mirror, Joan saw how pink her cheeks had become, so she splashed her face with cold water. It sobered her up a little and she resolved to have another glass of punch when she got back downstairs. After reapplying her lipstick, Joan left the bathroom and headed for the stairs. As she began to descend, Stephen Maynard came into the hall and stood at the bottom, evidently as well versed in the ill luck of crossing on the stairs as she was. Feeling guilty for making him wait in his own home, Joan hurried down the last few stairs, missed her footing on the penultimate one and ended up almost flattening her host in the hall.
“Steady!” advised Steve as he caught her.
“I’m so sorry,” she stammered, embarrassed.
“Are you all right?” he asked with concern.
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you,” she replied.
Stephen was still holding her and as he looked down at her, Joan felt her heart begin to race again. She gazed back at him and he leant closer, and she could have sworn that, in a voice full of longing, he whispered her name before he kissed her. Wrapping her arms more tightly around him, she kissed him back until Con’s startled exclamation made them jerk apart. Her cheeks scarlet, Joan dashed out of the hall, heading back to Barry as fast as she could go.
#75:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:49 pm
    —
OMG! well i wasn't quite expecting that!
more please!
#76:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:54 pm
    —
I actually squeaked Embarassed

Becky, that was norty!!
#77:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:03 pm
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Eeep! More, please!!
#78:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:10 pm
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OOOOOOOOH More please!
#79:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:16 pm
    —
Whaheyy!

Joan! He's a toy boy!!! Laughing


Thanks Becky.
#80:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:07 pm
    —
Go, Joan, go!
#81:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:18 pm
    —
Just caught up on this - love Con in this, and also the idea of Stephen as Joan's toyboy (Joey would love that Laughing )!
#82:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:33 pm
    —
Ooh la la...Thanks Becky!
#83:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:54 pm
    —
As soon as he saw Joan, Barry realized that something was wrong. “What happened?” he asked with concern, sliding his arm around her shoulders.
Joan took a deep breath. “I tripped down the stairs,” she explained, firmly consigning all thoughts of kissing Steve to the back of her mind. “I feel such a fool.”
“Did you hurt yourself?” asked Barry, his voice full of concern.
“Only my pride,” Joan admitted, giggling as she recalling the look of horror on Stephen’s face as she had all but knocked him over.
“Let’s get some more punch,” suggested Barry, “so that you can drown your embarrassment.”
Joan agreed with alacrity and by the time she had finished the punch she was feeling steadier. She concentrated on enjoying Barry’s company again, for he truly was a lovely man and a most amusing companion. They danced until the guests began to leave, when Joan insisted that they gave a helping hand with the clearing up. There was no sign of Stephen, for which Joan was unsure if she was relieved or disappointed, and so Con was grateful for the assistance given by Joan and Barry and Cindy and her husband. Once the house was looking less as if a bomb had hit it and more like the respectable residence of a respected writer, Barry and Joan took their leave of Con and headed home.
When he had told her that his car was nearer her own home than Con’s, Barry had not exaggerated, so they walked back to Joan’s place and Barry left her on the doorstep. By then, Joan was exhausted, so she was glad that Barry was not expecting to be taken in and given coffee. Warning him to drive carefully after consuming so much punch, Joan waved and went into her flat, locking the door behind her and thankfully kicking off her shoes.
The flat was in darkness, for Debbie had gone to bed, so Joan crept around, making a cup of tea and getting ready for bed. When she finally lay down, she allowed herself to think back over the evening as carefully as one might examine the place from which a tooth had been extracted. Barry had been the perfect date, kind and considerate, and it was a pleasure to spend time with him. They had caught up with lots of friends, and it had been good to see Con and Roger getting on so well. Cindy and Brian were good fun to be around, too, and Joan really hoped that it would be fourth time lucky for Cindy.
And then, of course, there was Stephen, the man with the amazingly beautiful grey eyes and the comfortingly strong, solid physique. Stephen, the man who kissed so well, the thought of whom made her blush even though she was lying alone in the darkness. Stephen, who was Con’s younger brother and so was a good five years younger than Joan herself. Stephen, who had disappeared after that kiss, and who had not returned to the party at all. Joan sighed. He had obviously felt as embarrassed as she did, and had decided that it would be better to avoid her for the rest of the evening. And that was for the best, she told herself. It would have been awkward to see him again while she was with Barry; goodness only knew what he thought of her for kissing him while she was a guest in his home and accompanied by another man. But then, he had been the one that started the kissing even though she was obviously with another man.
Joan rolled over and resolutely closed her eyes. It was almost four in the morning and she should be asleep. The problem was that when she had her eyes shut, all she could see was Stephen. He was fair-haired and his pale skin was covered with a light dusting of freckles. He was not exactly what Joan would call handsome, but he had the sort of face that made you trust him instinctively. You only had to look into his eyes to know that he was a man of intelligence and integrity and…
Joan pushed such thoughts firmly from her mind and began counting sheep. She had just escaped from an unhappy marriage and was lucky enough to have found someone as different from Vic as chalk is different from cheese. She certainly ought not to be lying in bed thinking of another man. That was definitely not her style, nor should it be. Barry was intelligent and eminently trustworthy, too, and she should be content with him. Forcing her thoughts back to the sheep, Joan finally fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.
#84:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:05 pm
    —
Ooh, Stephen does sound nice here ....
#85:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:05 pm
    —
*agrees with Alison*

Thanks, Becky!
#86:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:09 pm
    —
thanks becky! poor joan..
#87:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:16 pm
    —
Hmmm, she's smitten isn't she? Laughing


Thanks Becky
#88:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:38 pm
    —
I think I'm rather smitten too!

Thanks Becky
#89:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:59 pm
    —
After such a late night, Joan slept late and only awoke when Debbie crept in to say that it was almost two o’clock and lunch was ready. Joan felt much better after a good sleep and she agreed to get up and come for lunch immediately. Debbie, who was no mean cook, had prepared macaroni cheese, and by the time Joan reached the kitchen and smelt the appetizing aromas, she was feeling very hungry.
“How was your party?” asked Debbie conversationally, as she spooned the steaming macaroni onto a plate.
“Lovely,” said Joan with a smile.
“And what about Barry?” Debbie went on with a grin.
“He’s very nice,” said Joan. “He’s going to come for dinner on Sunday, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course it is,” Debbie assured her. “I’m so glad that you are having fun, Mum, and not just getting old alone.”
“I’m not getting old!” Joan exclaimed, horrified. “You cheeky thing, Deb!”
Before Joan could chastise her daughter further, the telephone rang. Debbie leaped up. “I’ll get it,” she said as she ran out.
Guessing that Debbie was expecting a call from a friend, Joan continued with her lunch, thinking how lucky she was to have such a daughter. Debbie was a sweet girl, and she really would miss her once she returned to Birmingham.
“Mum!” Debbie called. “It’s for you!”
Hastily putting down her knife and fork, Joan got up and went to the telephone, wondering if it could be Barry at the other end. “Hello?” she said.
“Hello Joan.”
To Joan’s astonishment, it was Stephen Maynard. “Hello,” she said again.
“It’s Steve Maynard here,” he said, evidently thinking from her silence that she had not recognized his voice. “I hope I’m not disturbing you,” he went on. “I was just wondering if I could see you this week. It’s about last night. I feel that I should explain or apologise, or something.”
“It’s all right,” she replied, wishing that she did not feel quite as tongue-tied.
“How about Wednesday?” he asked her. “My parents are coming to stay tomorrow for a couple of days, but I shall be free by Wednesday.”
“I’m sorry,” said Joan, hoping she did not sound quite as regretful as she felt. “I’m busy on Wednesday. You don’t have to explain anything, Steve. I think we’d both had a little too much to drink.”
“Yes,” he agreed, after a moment’s silence. “Yes, that was it. Happy New Year, Joan, and I’ll see you sometime.”
“You, too, Steve,” she said and then he was gone and she was left wondering why she felt so disappointed.
#90:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:08 pm
    —
This is making me nostalgic for my own student days at Birmingham now!

Disappointed about Steve, but hoping he just wants to wait until Jack and Joey have been and gone.
#91:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:44 pm
    —
Wonder if Joan wants to meet up with Jack and Joey?


Thanks Becky
#92:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:26 pm
    —
poor steve
#93:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:30 pm
    —
What a shame! Poor Steve. Thanks, Becky. Really enjoying this glimpse into Joan's life.
#94:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:04 pm
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Joan has got herself into a sticky situation hasn't she! Very Happy
#95:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:13 pm
    —
It wouldn't be a Becky drabble if there weren't twists and turns along the way!

Thank you Very Happy
#96:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:23 am
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I don't think Joan has any special desire to catch up with Jack and Jo again!

Over the next few days, Joan found that she kept on thinking of Steve, and that highly unsatisfactory conversation they had had. If only he had not suggested that they meet on Wednesday, Joan kept thinking. If he had just asked her to meet him on Tuesday or Thursday she could have agreed and then she would have been able to see him and to find out if the current attraction she felt towards him was real or imaginary. She had been drinking and Con had warned her how potent the punch was. It had been intoxicating enough to make her trip inelegantly on the stairs, so perhaps it was also responsible for the silly schoolgirl feelings she was currently cherishing for Stephen.
Barry had come around for dinner on Sunday and Kenny had turned up, too, so the four of them had enjoyed a lively meal. It was clear that Debbie liked Barry, while Kenny was very easy going and got along with most people. Joan was sure that it was because he was too lazy to go to the trouble of arguing with them, but at least it meant that things were peaceful when he was around.
On Wednesday, Debbie returned to Birmingham. Joan went to the station with her and saw her safely onto the train, somehow managing not to bombard her with reminders to eat properly, work hard and not drink too much. Once the train had pulled out of the station, Joan had caught the bus home and indulged in an orgy of cleaning and tidying so that she would not notice that she was, once again, on her own in the flat.
Barry called her in the middle of the afternoon, because he guessed that she would be missing Debbie, and Joan began to look forward to spending the evening with him. She had heard nothing more from Steve and knew that she had to put him out of her mind. They had been carried away by the punch and the fact that she had, albeit inadvertently, thrown herself at him. They had indulged in an excess of Christmas spirit and now should forget about it and carry on with their lives again.
Barry arrived at seven, wearing a suit, and Joan was glad that she had bothered to change her clothes and make herself look smarter than she had originally planned. He whisked her out to the car and they drove out of London to a quiet restaurant on the banks of the Thames. They were given a table overlooking the river and although it was dark, they could see the lights of the boats moored nearby. The restaurant was in a lovely glass conservatory built on the back of an old pub, and it was furnished in a pleasantly homely manner. Joan found the wicker chair very comfortable and knew that they would enjoy a relaxing evening in such peaceful surroundings.
They were brought large plates of steak and vegetables and the most delicious looking chips Joan had seen for many months. Barry ordered wine with the meal and once they were left alone, he raised his glass to her.
“Cheers,” he said with a smile. “Here’s to peaceful evenings. May we have many more!”
Joan tapped her glass against his. “Mine will be very peaceful now,” she said, a touch of wistfulness in her voice. “Unless Kenny calls round,” she added with a smile.
“I won’t let you get too lonely,” Barry promised.
“I won’t be lonely – I have to go back to work tomorrow.”
“Thank goodness,” said Barry. “I’ve missed you there this week.”
Knowing how seldom Barry was actually in the office, Joan laughed.
“I have,” he protested. “I’ve been in each day and really missed seeing you sitting at your desk. It’s a good thing you are back tomorrow, though, because there’s a big meeting going on.”
“And they’ll need me to make the tea,” said Joan with a grin.
“Probably!” Barry agreed. “Joan, I’ve been wondering if you’d like to come to the theatre with me at the weekend. I thought we could go and see a show and go to dinner afterwards. What do you think?”
“I’d like that very much, thank you,” she told him.
They arranged to visit one of the musicals that neither of them had seen, and Barry promised to get hold of the tickets somehow. After that they chatted easily about plays and films and Joan found that she did not mind admitting to Barry that she knew very little about the theatre, but had always enjoyed going to the cinema. As her taste was as eclectic as his, they found plenty of films to talk about and Joan was struck by the way Barry listened to her opinions instead of just dismissing them as Vic would have done. By the end of the evening, Joan had just about forgotten Stephen Maynard and was delighted to spend a long while standing in her doorway kissing Barry. When he finally released her, she watched him go downstairs and then went into the quiet flat feeling delightfully dreamy. Barry really was so nice, she reflected as she got ready for bed. And after Vic, Joan knew that she deserved to find a decent man, and perhaps that was exactly what she had done.
#97:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:48 am
    —
Lucky Joan, with 2 new blokes in her life Laughing !
#98:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:08 am
    —
Barry does seem lovely, I hope Joan's love triangle doesn't get anymore complicated.
#99:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:18 pm
    —
thanks Becky.. it looks like joan is going to have a decision on her hands
#100:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 3:50 pm
    —
Barry sounds really lovely Very Happy

Thanks Becky!
#101:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:03 pm
    —
Lucky Joan - two to choose from! Laughing

Thanks Becky
#102:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:53 pm
    —
Barry does sound nice!
#103:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:09 am
    —
As Debbie had gone, Joan did not mind going back to work the next day. It was nice to have the place to herself, but it was also nice to be back in the office, where there was always such a lovely atmosphere. Her colleagues were friendly and although everyone was expected to work hard, they managed to get everything done and keep up lively discussions at the same time. For a wonder, everyone got on well, and there was usually lots of laughter accompanying the work.
As Barry had said, there was a big meeting, and Joan disappeared into the kitchen to get the tea and coffee made. It was a job that had fallen to her, as she always remembered how people liked to take their coffee or tea and always served it in a way that did not disturb important meetings. Once the trolley was loaded with cups and the big urn, Joan added the special biscuits that Cindy always bought for meetings and headed for the boardroom.
She opened the door and crept in, for the most important members of the magazine’s editorial staff were gathered there, listening attentively to the proposals being laid out by a tall, blond man. To her surprise, Joan found that Stephen Maynard was in the middle of a presentation. His eyes met hers, but he did not miss a beat and she could not tell how he felt to see her again. She left his coffee on the table near him and wheeled her trolley out of the boardroom again.
Joan returned to the kitchen, where she found Barry had arrived and was making a cup of coffee. His greeting was far from cool, and Joan realized how foolish she was being, thinking so much of Stephen Maynard when she had Barry dancing in attendance on her. She chatted easily to Barry for a while and then had to return to her desk, as there were several letters awaiting her attention. Barry, who was waiting to hear what his next assignment was, followed her, and when Stephen Maynard finally left the boardroom, he saw Barry sitting on the corner of Joan’s desk, sipping coffee and talking earnestly with her. Joan seemed perfectly happy and relaxed in his company, and it was clear that she and Barry were a couple. He had been right to think that their kiss at the party had just been a momentary aberration on her part, and it would be best for everyone if he forgot all about her.
Without a second glance in their direction, Stephen left the magazine offices and returned to his own office.
Barry managed to get tickets for the show at the weekend, and once they had enjoyed the magnificent musical extravaganza they headed off for a late dinner. As she sat opposite Barry in a quiet little Italian restaurant, Joan thanked him for a wonderful evening and Barry agreed that it had been most enjoyable and that they should do it again. He was, Joan reflected, as she waved from the window of her flat later that evening, a perfect gentleman. He wined and dined her in style and kissed her goodnight on the doorstep. He was charming and intelligent and as different from profligate Vic as it was possible to be.
#104:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:39 am
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oh this is so frustrating barry is completely perfect, yet for some reason i want joan and steven to get together Confused

thanks becky
#105:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:23 am
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Barry is really nice, but I get the feeling that Joan prefers Stephen ...
#106:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:54 pm
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Its a dilemma- I like them both!
#107:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:12 pm
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I agree with Alison...it sounds like Joan's having to convince herself that she likes Barry a bit too much.

Thanks Becky
#108:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:01 pm
    —
Some people have all the luck, two to choose from!
#109:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:50 pm
    —
In the middle of the following week, Joan and Barry had dinner with Con and Roger. They met up in a newly opened Chinese restaurant, where they were shown to dark red seats around an immaculately clean mahogany table, and Roger ordered a selection of traditional dishes for them to taste. Joan soon found herself trying to juggle a pair of chopsticks and eat without dropping anything down her new light beige jumper. Con, looking ethereal in a white silk blouse, seemed to be well versed in the art of using chopsticks, and for a brief moment, Joan envied her friend’s natural daintiness.
“I think we should go on holiday together this summer,” Con said suddenly, looking up from her plate of noodles. “What do you think?”
“Where did you have in mind?” asked Roger, sounding interested nonetheless.
“Oh, I don’t know, Spain or Greece perhaps. Somewhere hot with lovely beaches.”
Barry looked hopefully at Joan. “Well?” he asked her. “What do you say, Joan?”
Since marrying Vic and having the children, Joan had not left England. She had fond memories of her years at the Chalet School, in Switzerland, and had always harboured a secret desire to travel, but with Vic’s expensive lifestyle, there had only been enough money for seaside holidays in England. “I’d love to go to Greece,” said Joan, deciding that she would scrimp and save until she could afford to go on holiday with them.
“Me too,” Barry agreed.
“Yes, I’d prefer Greece,” Roger chimed in. “We should go in September or May, though, so it’s not quite as hot as the middle of the summer. You won’t make us go to Athens and look at ruins for a week, will you, Con?”
Con grinned. “No, I was thinking of lying on white sandy beaches and eating in little tavernas and relaxing,” she admitted. “I’ll save the ruins until I find someone appreciative to go with.”
“Yes, I could live with white sandy beaches,” said Barry. “How about September, because we’ll still have it all to look forward to when everyone else has been away.”
“And shall we ask Cindy and Brian to come, too?” Con suggested.
“And Steve,” added Roger. “He’d be annoyed if he thought we’d left him out.”
“That means he’d have to keep a girlfriend long enough to take away with him,” Con pointed out. “Not exactly his strong suit!”
As they discussed the holiday, Joan began to feel excited. A week in Greece, with her closest friends, having fun and behaving as if she was young, free and single and completely without responsibilities, was definitely appealing. And it might help the long, dark days of January and February pass quicker, too, if she had a week in the sunshine to look forward to. By the time they left the restaurant that evening, they had agreed that Con should go ahead and book the holiday, and that they would visit the quietest Greek Island advertised in the brochures. They would stay somewhere self-catering, so that they could please themselves with regard to meals, and they would spend most of their time on the beach.
Once they had finished their jasmine tea, which Joan did not like very much, they divided up the bill and then set off home. Barry saw Joan up to her flat and declined her offer of coffee, explaining that he had an early start the next morning, as he was going to Newmarket to photograph a woman who was trying to break into the male dominated world of horse racing. Con was putting together an article on women who were working in what was perceived as a man’s job, and he was providing the pictures to illustrate her story.
“I won’t be in tomorrow,” he told her, drawing her close to him. “I’ll call you when I get home, though.”
“I shall miss you,” she told him, for it would be strange to sit at her desk and not find him suddenly at her side, bringing her a bar of chocolate or a magazine that he had bought for her while on his way to the office.
“Good,” he said, smiling down at her. “I shall be glad to be away if that’s the case.” He leaned closer and kissed her then, and Joan felt confident that she was doing the right thing, seeing Barry and not wasting her time fantasizing about Stephen Maynard.
#110:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:05 pm
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Maybe she can do a Shirley Valentine when they get to Greece!
#111:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:14 pm
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Thanks Becky, it's lovely to see Joan so happy and it could definitely be an interesting holiday...
#112:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:17 pm
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Ooooh, now that's going to be an interesting holiday... Thanks Becky Very Happy
#113:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:31 pm
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Lovely idea for a holiday - want one!


Thanks Becky
#114:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:39 pm
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Hope the holiday is a good one. Thanks, Becky.
#115:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:09 pm
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That was a good installment but now I want to go on holiday Sad
#116:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:28 pm
    —
Once Barry had gone, Joan got ready for bed. As she changed, she caught sight of herself in the mirror and stopped to consider how far out of hand she had let herself get. She did not go near the bathroom scales, and, she noticed, it showed. She had always been well built, but she had let herself get positively fat, she realized. And there she was, blithely planning to go and lie on the beach with Con, who was slim and beautiful, and Cindy, who was very shapely, and some unknown girlfriend of Steve’s, who would probably be much the same. Beside them, she would look huge and she would feel uncomfortable wearing skimpy swimwear even on the beach. Having looked critically at herself from every angle, Joan decided that she would have to do something about getting in shape before the holiday.
The next morning, Joan made a few phone calls and found that she would be able to attend a slimming group near her home and that she could go almost at once, for they met on a Friday afternoon. Joan resolved to spend her last day of freedom eating frugally, so that she might feel a little less embarrassed when she stepped on the scales in front of everyone, so she manfully declined the lovely cream buns that were circulating the office during the coffee break and went out at lunch time to buy herself some fruit. She knew that it would not be easy, but she had every intention of sticking to a diet for the next few months to see if she could shed a couple of stone before the holiday.
The next morning Joan woke full of resolve and managed to eat both healthily and sensibly all day. She was very tempted by the bar of chocolate that was left over from Christmas, but told herself sternly that she did not need it and put it in a bag of things she had collected up for Kenny. He was slim despite having a voracious appetite, so it would be fine if he ate the chocolate. She ate fruit for her lunch again and although she felt rather hungry as she headed for the local library, which was where the slimming club met, she was pleased with herself for making such a promising start to her diet.
By the time she left the slimmer’s club, Joan was feeling inspired. She had felt rather nervous as she went in, but everyone was so welcoming and so positive about dieting that she left wishing that she had thought about joining years ago. She briefly wondered if Vic would have remained more interested in her if she had been slimmer, but she ruthlessly crushed that thought. She was glad that Vic was not interested in her, for she now had Barry and was far happier with her new life than she had been with Vic.
On her way home, Joan stopped at the supermarket. As soon as she began pushing the trolley she realized her mistake – because she was hungry it seemed to head off to the biscuit and crisps and chocolate aisles almost of its own volition. Using every ounce of willpower, Joan managed to fill her trolley with fresh fruit and vegetables and some very lean looking beef. She looked longingly at the bottles of cider on special offer at the end of another aisle, but hardened her heart and walked past. Delighted with her newly discovered self control, Joan reached the checkout and paid for her shopping, eager now to head home and try one of the new recipes she had received from the slimming club.
#117:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:31 pm
    —
*Empathises in a very big way with Joan's weight problems!*
#118:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:02 pm
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Poor Joan. I don't have a weight problem myself, but my SLOC does and its hard going for him.
#119:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:11 pm
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Good luck Joan.


Thanks Becky
#120:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:53 pm
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Going to the supermarket when hungry is normally a fatal mistake so well done Joan for resisting! I can definitely sympathise with her...maybe she'll even inspire me to lose the pounds I need to!
#121:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:41 pm
    —
I've recently lost almost two stone so reading this rang very very true. Especially the bit where she was wondering about Vic. I'm hoping that Joan will find the weightloss easier than I did and maybe even inspire me to lose the remaining two stone of excess weight I have.

This is really well written and true to life, thank you!
#122:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:27 pm
    —
A few days later Con came dashing into the office and made a beeline for Joan’s desk. “I’ve booked it!” she cried, and a pile of brochures slipped from her arms and cascaded around Joan’s ankles. “We go on September 25th – it’s a Friday – and come back on the 2nd October. Now all we have to do is pay!”
Joan picked up some of the brochures and set them in a neat pile on her desk. “Brilliant!” she exclaimed, feeling as excited as Con so evidently was. “Where are we going?”
“It’s in one of these, somewhere,” said Con, who had emerged from under the desk with more brochures. “This one, I think. We’re going to Naxos.”
“Naxos?” asked Joan. “Where’s that?”
“It’s between Greece and Turkey,” Con explained, “In a group of islands called the Cyclades.” She sat down on Joan’s desk and flipped open one of the brochures. “Look at those beaches! Doesn’t it look heavenly?”
Seeing the white sand and brilliantly blue sea, Joan had to agree with her. “Paradise,” she said happily. “Can I borrow a brochure to show Barry?”
“Yes, I’ve brought enough for us all to have them,” said Con, now deftly sorting them into piles. “Here’s yours, Joan, and I’ll give these to Cindy. Steve’s not coming. He said he hasn’t anyone to bring, and doesn’t want to spend the week being the wallflower. Look, this is our apartment. Doesn’t it look wonderful? It’s overlooking the sea, so we can stagger out of bed straight onto the beach.”
As she looked at the pictures, Joan hoped that she would have lost enough weight to feel comfortable with all the bikini clad beauties who would, no doubt, be on the beach while they were there. If only she could stick to her diet and lose a couple of stone, she would be able to lie in the sun with them and not feel like a beached whale. She decided that she would cut out a couple of the best pictures and stick them up in the kitchen; maybe the sight of them would help her not to open the fridge or the larder unnecessarily.
“I’m going to call Roger,” said Con, seizing a pile of brochures and disappearing in the direction of her office.
Joan reluctantly put the brochures in her desk. She had plenty of work to do and did not need to be distracted by golden sand, delightful sunsets and exotic white houses.
#123:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:31 pm
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I never go on beach holidays - the sight of all those thin people in bikinis depresses me Laughing Laughing Laughing ! What a shame Stephen isn't going with.
#124:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 4:50 pm
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Wonder if Barry won't be able to go???? Shocked


Thanks Becky Laughing
#125:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:16 pm
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Poor Joan, she shouldn't place so much importance on how she looks-it's the person inside that counts.

Thanks for the updates!
#126:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:43 pm
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Poor Joan. She should wear what she wants and not bother about what other people think. It's Joan herself that counts!
#127:  Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:15 am
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I've just read all of this and am really enjoying it, thank you Becky!

I think Stephen will go in the end... Very Happy
#128:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:09 am
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Joan understands that it’s who she is that is important, but she doesn’t want to feel embarrassed when she strips off on the beach because she’s so much bigger than her friends. I empathise with Alison – I don’t go on beach holidays either (unless it’s in Egypt with my in-laws, who all sit on the beach fully dressed!). Joan is getting a new lease of life, and wants a new appearance to go with it!

With her slimming club and going out with Barry, working at the magazine and keeping up with Kenny, Joan found that time flew past. Joan’s divorce from Vic came through in February, and she had celebrated with Barry, going out for a splendid meal and drinking a little too much. The next morning she had awoken with a bit of a headache and had been thankful that it was Saturday and she could spend the weekend recovering from her excesses. She had then turned over and found that Barry was beside her; after a moment of shock, which she was glad he had not witnessed, Joan found herself feeling delightfully happy. After years of putting up with Vic, she had found someone who actually cared about her.
The cold, dull days of January and February gave way to blustery March and sunny April and very soon Debbie would be returning from her first year in Birmingham. Although Joan was looking forward to having her daughter back home, she knew that it would cramp her style; she would not want Barry to stay overnight while Debbie was home, and it would also be awkward if she herself stayed out all night. Although Joan was sure that Barry would not be anything other than understanding, it would be strange saying goodbye to him each night instead of snuggling up in bed with him.
Vic had offered to collect Debbie from Birmingham, bringing her and all of her things back to Joan’s flat, and so all Joan had to do was make sure that a wonderful meal awaited, and then keep on looking impatiently at the clock to see whether Debbie’s arrival was imminent or not. The flat was immaculate, and Debbie’s room all ready for her, and Joan was surprised to discover that she was really excited at the thought of seeing Debbie again. Hopefully they would be able to go shopping together, have lunch and visit the cinema, and do all the things that mothers and daughters enjoyed doing together.
Joan was glad that Vic dropped Debbie off but did not linger. He seemed as eager to leave as she was to see him go, and had disappeared almost before Debbie had had the chance to thank him for bringing her home. Once she had closed the front door of the little flat, Debbie turned to her mother.
“You look wonderful, Mum,” she said, her voice full of sincerity. “I can’t believe how much weight you’ve lost!”
Joan smiled, delighted with Debbie’s words. She had not mentioned her efforts at the slimming club, and she knew that all the hard work had been worth it. She had lost a stone and a half, and felt much better for it. Barry always told her that she was looking good, but he saw her almost every day, so noticed little difference. Debbie, however, had not been home since Christmas, for she had spent Easter on holiday with some friends, and so would be aware of a big change in Joan’s appearance. There were still a few weeks left before she was due to go to Greece, so Joan had high hopes of losing another half a stone by the time she boarded the flight.
#129:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:19 am
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Well done Joan - and great that she and Barry have got together.


Thanks Becky
#130:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:51 am
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She's so much better off without Vic!
#131:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 8:48 am
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Well done Joan, sticking to a diet like that is hard.
#132:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:15 pm
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It's wonderful to see how happy she is here Very Happy

Thanks Becky
#133:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:24 pm
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Joan is doing so well for herself. She deserves to be happy.
#134:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:51 pm
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Huzzah!!
#135:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:13 pm
    —
It was more difficult to eat carefully with Debbie home, though. She persuaded Joan to cook some of her favourite meals and also to go out for lunch, where they inevitably ended up dining on things that were not featured in Joan’s diet. By the time Debbie had been back for three weeks, Joan had managed to put on four pounds, and was annoyed with herself for giving way to temptation so easily. Debbie herself was not exactly slender, for she had always been plump as a child and had never really outgrown her puppy fat. She did not seem bothered about it, though, continuing to eat crisps and biscuits between meals and to enjoy fast food and cakes.
By the time Joan stepped on the scales at the end of July and discovered that she had put on another pound, she was very upset. She walked briskly home from the slimming club, half tempted to send Debbie off to stay with Vic so that she could return to the previously successful regime. How would she look svelte when she was in Greece if she was continually lured away from her diet, she wondered.
When she got home, though, it was to find that Debbie had gone out with some old school friends, and that Barry was waiting for her. Feeling ridiculously pleased to see him, Joan threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.
Somewhat surprised by her reaction to his appearance, Barry gave her a hug and then sat her down in the cosy living room and looked seriously at her. “What’s happened?” he asked anxiously.
Joan sniffed, for it was not like her to cry with such little provocation. “I’ve put on some more weight,” she told him mournfully.
“How much?” he asked, passing her his handkerchief.
“Another pound,” she told him sadly.
“I thought you were going to tell me half a stone or more!” he exclaimed. “A pound! That’s nothing. Get your bag, Joan, and we’ll go for a nice brisk walk, then I’ll take you to Best Fish and we’ll have a nice healthy supper. We can spend the weekend healthily, too, and get you back on track again. How about going for a good tramp in the countryside tomorrow?”
“I’m so unfit it would probably kill me,” protested Joan, although the idea was rather appealing.
“It’s only a walk,” Barry pointed out with a grin. “That’s settled, then. We walk tomorrow, come rain or shine. I’ll pack the picnic, so all you have to do is find some sturdy shoes.”
Feeling much better already, Joan leaned over and kissed Barry. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “You’ve put everything into perspective again. I was all set to send Deb to stay with Vic, so that she couldn’t tempt me to eat all the wrong things any more, but it’s my own fault. I know what I ought to be eating and I have to prepare healthy food for us both.”
“That’s more like it,” said Barry approvingly. “Go and get your bag, Joan, and we’ll be off.”
Joan retired to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her hair and then she found her handbag and they set off together. The Best Fish restaurant was about a mile and a half from Joan’s flat, so they left the car outside her building and walked there, keeping up an energetic pace all the way. Once inside, Joan mopped her brow with a groan. “There has to be an easier way,” she said hopefully.
“There isn’t,” he assured her. “Will you have the grilled plaice?”
“I suppose so,” she replied, wishing that she could have battered cod and chips.
“You really like it once you taste it,” he reminded her, and Joan was grateful for his persistent good humour.
“Yes, I do,” she remembered. “Thanks, Barry. You have made me feel so much better.”
“All part of the service,” he said with a smile. He went off to order their food and returned to the table with two bottles of Perrier water. “You must realize that I love you regardless of how you look,” he told her, pouring her drink for her. “I’m impressed that you’ve worked so hard at this diet, and I think you look fabulous, but then I thought that when I first met you.”
“Thank you, Barry,” she said, reaching out to take his hand. “I’m doing this for me, though. When we go to Greece I want to wear a bikini and look good, not like some fat old woman trying to look young.”
“You could never look like that,” said Barry gallantly. “You’re gorgeous, Joan. Very striking.”
Joan smiled at him, her good humour well and truly restored. She knew that he was just cheering her up, but as it was working, she was not about to complain. Hopefully, once they had walked home and then spent the weekend living and eating healthily, she would shift a pound or two and when she stepped onto the scales next Friday she would be, once again, losing weight.
#136:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:35 pm
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I really do sympathise!

I started my diet at the same time as the person who sits next to me at work. He has now given up and stuffs himself with chocolate all day (and has put over a stone back on). It's really off-putting when I'm trying to be good!
#137:  Author: Chris, Location: Nottingham PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:35 pm
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Alison- just look at his double/treble chins and feel completely superior inside!
#138:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:11 pm
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Thanks Becky - how wonderful Barry is!
#139:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:18 pm
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Barry is fantastic. He knows just what to say and do. He's so good for Joan.

Thanks, Becky.
#140:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:16 pm
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Awwwww, Barry really is a SLOC!


Thanks Becky
#141:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:59 pm
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Barry is lovely, I'm glad he makes Joan happy!
#142:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:41 am
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Sorry for the delay; I got rather into a book by Martina Cole and forgot all about Joan! However, we're on holiday now and I've finished the book, so I'm hoping to get to grips with this again. Thanks for all your comments.

The next day was, fortunately, sunny. Joan dressed comfortably, in jeans and a t-shirt and stout shoes, putting a sweater and a plastic raincoat in her bag just in case. Debbie was planning to go shopping and did offer to make sure that there was a meal waiting for Joan, and Barry if he liked, when they got home, but Joan declined her kind offer. Debbie’s idea of a meal for people who had spent the day walking was probably something like casserole with dumplings followed by steamed pudding, and Joan had strengthened her resolve to avoid such delicious temptations.
Barry arrived at nine o’clock, and they called goodbye to Debbie before heading downstairs to his car. He drove them out of London to the North Downs, and when they had parked, he opened the boot and pulled out a bulging rucksack. “Do you need anything from your bag?” he asked. “Why not take out the important things and leave it in the boot? You can shove your purse or whatever in here.”
As there was a breeze blowing, Joan pulled on her jumper and accepted Barry’s offer to put her mac and her purse in his bag, then they set off, following the map that he had brought with him. They walked through the woods, where it was quiet and peaceful and across the common, where it was much warmer. It was fairly easy going, for the grass was short and everything was dry. There were flowers aplenty and they saw several different kinds of birds as they walked along together. They headed uphill, finding it harder going, but Joan put her best foot forward, knowing how much good the exercise was doing her. They discovered a quaint tower at the top, and sat in the shade to have their picnic. To Joan’s surprise, Barry had packed containers full of crisp salad and some very lean ham, followed by apples and crunchy pears, all washed down with water.
“I told you we’d be healthy,” he said in response to her gasp of surprise. “We can stop off somewhere on the way home for dinner. I know you’ll be dying for a cup of tea by then.”
“As will you,” she pointed out with a good degree of truth. “I can’t believe the view from here. It’s amazing.”
“On a clear day you should be able to see about thirteen counties,” Barry informed her. “It’s rather too hazy for that today, though. Once we’ve finished lunch, we can go down the other side of the hill and walk back to the car through the woods. How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Joan assured him. “I’m really enjoying myself.”
Looking at her rosy cheeks and cheerful expression, Barry congratulated himself on such an excellent idea. He understood her disappointment at putting weight on after following the diet so successfully, and wanted to help her see that putting on a couple of pounds was merely a temporary setback and not the end of the world. To see her back on form was all he wanted, and she certainly appeared a lot happier now, munching on an apple and gazing across the wonderful view of London.
Once they had finished, they packed away their picnic and Barry shouldered the bag once again. They set off down the hill, and Joan reflected that it was actually easier going upwards; on their downwards journey she kept worrying that she would slip and end up rolling inelegantly down the hill while the nearby picnickers watched her in fascination. They reached the bottom with Joan still upright, though, and set off towards the woods again.
Once in amongst the trees, Joan found it pleasantly cool. They had kept up a cracking pace for most of the walk, but now they were feeling pleasantly weary and they walked more slowly. It was delightfully tranquil in the woods, and as the path they were following was reasonably wide, they walked side by side. Joan slipped her hand into Barry’s and smiled up at him. “I’ve never been here before,” she admitted. “And I’m amazed by how lovely it is and yet how near we are to London. It’s wonderful!”
“I used to come here as a boy,” he told her, for he had grown up in a nearby village and had spent many a summer’s day in the woods. “I had a secret den where I’d spend hours watching the birds and small creatures that live here. That was in the days when I thought I’d be a wildlife photographer.”
“What made you change your mind?” Joan asked him.
“I got interested in a different kind of bird,” he informed her with a grin.
Joan laughed. “I see,” she said understandingly. “Oh, here we are back at the car park already. What a shame! I’ve had a wonderful day, thank you, Barry, and I shall be so sad to go.”
“We can always come back another weekend,” he said, squeezing her hand.
“I’ll hold you to that,” she told him.
They put the rucksack in the back of the car and removed their jumpers before getting in and driving out of the car park. Joan found that she was feeling hungry, and wondered what Barry had in mind for dinner. After all the fresh air and exercise, she felt as though she could eat a horse, which was not really the point of their little excursion, and she hoped he would not take her somewhere that had too many tempting dishes on the menu.
#143:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:43 am
    —
What a lovely day Very Happy Nothing quite like standing on the top of a hill to make the world seem better...
#144:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:01 am
    —
Sympathising with Joan - restaurants can be very bad for diets, especially when the people you're with are all tucking in!
#145:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:13 am
    —
Fatima wrote:
Sorry for the delay; I got rather into a book by Martina Cole and forgot all about Joan!


Good to see you back, Fatima. I suddenly realised last night that you hadn't been around for a few days and wondered if you were all right. Enjoy your holiday. And thanks for the update - you've turned Joan into a real person instead of a bit-part villain.
#146: Life Begins at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:34 am
    —
I agree and I also sympathize about the diet. It took me 4 years to lose 30kg, so well done Joan for sticking with it and good on Barry for being so supportive. He sounds like a gem
#147:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:17 pm
    —
Lovely to see you and Joan back, Becky!
#148:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:51 pm
    —
A beautiful, serene day, thank you Becky!
#149:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:01 pm
    —
Isn't Barry lovely? Laughing


Thanks Becky
#150:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:49 am
    —
Lovely outing. Smile

Too bad to waste any of it agonizing about weight loss.
#151:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:57 pm
    —
I really really was expecting something terrible to happen in the middle of their "ramble" in the countryside! Nice to see Joan has grown away from who she was in the books in so many ways!
#152:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:32 am
    —
Thank you, Lottie. Very Happy And thanks for all the comments.

On the way home, Barry took Joan to a quaint little pub where there was a wonderful carvery. They were allowed to pile their plates with vegetables and although Barry did see Joan look longingly at the Yorkshire puddings she managed to pass them by, albeit regretfully. They returned to their table, where they were brought mineral water and cups of tea by a rather surprised looking waiter and then they were left to get on with their meal in peace and quiet.
Joan tucked in hungrily, pleased with herself for resisting the Yorkshire puddings, and enjoyed the perfectly cooked broccoli and spinach. “Who says that vegetables are horrible?” she wondered, savouring a mouthful of cauliflower.
“I certainly don’t,” Barry pointed out. “I’m so proud of you, Joan. You’ve been brilliant today. We must have walked miles and at the end of it all you even resisted the temptations of the buffet. Well done!”
Joan beamed at him, delighted by his praise. “It’s only because of you,” she told him.
“Rubbish!” he exclaimed. “You are a very strong willed lady. You are doing this for yourself, and you only have yourself to congratulate. It’s nothing to do with me.”
“But you have made today wonderful,” she reminded him. “If it hadn’t been for you, I’d have stayed home and sniped at Debbie all day.”
“What shall we do tomorrow?” Barry asked her. “I’m sure I should do Debbie a favour and get you out of the house again.”
“Do you know anywhere else we can walk?” Joan wondered. Vic had never been at all interested in such mundane pastimes as walking, so she did not know much about popular walks in the area at all.
“I do have an idea or two,” Barry admitted with a smile. “Do you want another cup of tea?”
“Yes, please, I’m parched.” Joan watched as Barry summoned the waiter and ordered more tea, and then she said, “So what do you have in mind for tomorrow?”
“Wait and see,” he suggested maddeningly. “Eat up, Joan, cauliflower is never as nice cold.”
Knowing that she would get little more out of Barry if he had decided not to tell her of his plans, Joan did as he advised and finished her meal. Finally, when she felt as though she could eat nothing more, she leaned back in her seat and sighed contentedly. “That was wonderful,” she said happily. “And reasonably healthy, too. And I’m so full that I don’t have the slightest interest in the desserts.”
“Perfect,” said Barry with a smile. “I suppose I’d better get you home, then.”
Barry paid the bill and they left the lovely little pub together. He drove Joan home and bade her a lingering farewell on the doorstep before reluctantly tearing himself away from her and heading off to his own home. They would both have preferred it if he had stayed, but with Debbie at home it would not have felt right, so he headed off to his quiet, lonely flat and left Joan sitting wistfully in her dimly lit living room, thinking back over one of the most enjoyable days out she had had in recent years.
#153:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:44 am
    —
Awwww! That's so lovely. He's a treasure, Joan, don't let him go!



Thanks Becky.
#154: Life Begings at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:03 am
    —
He's a sweetie Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
#155:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:55 am
    —
Barry is great!
#156:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 12:05 pm
    —
Joan ought to get Barry to the altar ASAP, he's a real SLOC.
#157:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:46 pm
    —
What a lovely day for them both Very Happy

Thanks Becky
#158:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:48 pm
    —
Barry does seem so nice!
#159:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:32 am
    —
Whispers, 'What about Stephen?'

On Sunday Barry initiated Joan in the delights of the Thames path, and they walked along past the Tower of London and under Tower Bridge in the warm sunshine. Again Barry had packed up a healthy picnic, which they ate sitting side by side on a bench that afforded a lovely view of the river and afterwards he took her back to his flat, where he had left a very lean piece of pork cooking in a slow cooker and where the vegetables were already washed and cut up ready to cook. Impressed by both his consideration and his skill in the kitchen, Joan added another memory to her growing collection of wonderful times.
By Friday, Joan was worried about getting on the scales at the slimming club. She had been exceedingly good all week and stuck firmly to the diet, even encouraging Debbie to try to cut out chocolate and crisps and generally eat more sensibly. After putting on weight for the past few weeks, though, she could not stop worrying that she would have put another pound or two on that week. She tried to convince herself that she would be happy if she just stayed the same as she had been the previous week, but she knew that she would be very despondent unless she had lost weight.
When the moment of truth arrived, Joan slipped off her shoes and wished that she had divested herself of all her jewellery in order to be lighter. She stepped gingerly onto the scales and steeled herself to see where her mentor stopped sliding the weights.
“Well done!” she heard the woman say. “You’ve lost three pounds.”
Beaming, Joan got off the scales and almost skipped across the room to join the other ladies who had already been weighed. She scarcely heard the little talk that another of the leaders of the group gave, so delighted was she with her success, and she realized that losing weight made her more determined to stick to her diet than putting it on had done.
When Joan left the library, she found Barry waiting outside, eager to hear how successful his schemes to help her had been. He was delighted to hear that she was back on track with her diet, and, with a flourish, produced a bunch of flowers for her.
“Well done,” he said warmly, giving her a hug. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you for believing in me,” she said, smelling the lovely flowers. “What would have happened if I’d put on weight again?”
Barry delicately brushed some grains of pollen off her nose. “I’d have given these to you to prove how I adore you regardless of how much you weigh,” he said sincerely.
#160:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:59 am
    —
I was wondering about Stephen Wink . Barry seems so lovely though .... and with Barry she wouldn't end up with Jo as a mother-in-law Laughing !
#161:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:15 am
    —
Oooh, Barry is lovely. But then Stephen... but Barry's so nice. Mwragh!

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#162:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:53 am
    —
I can't decide who I want her to end up with! Although I would like to see Jo's reaction to the possibility of Joan as a daughter-in-law.
#163:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:32 pm
    —
*had also forgotten about Stephen!*
#164:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:02 pm
    —
Barry...Stephen...Barry...Stephen...

Thanks Becky, what will Joan do?!
#165:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:25 pm
    —
Barry is so lovely though - seems a shame to bring in Stephen.


*Jo as mother-in-law does sound good though...*


Thanks Becky
#166:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:34 pm
    —
Although it was difficult, Joan persevered with her diet and even Debbie agreed that healthy eating did not mean living on things that one did not enjoy. She lost some weight herself and as she packed her bags ready to go back to Birmingham for her second year, she promised Joan that she would do her best to continue the good work they had started that holiday.
Joan was filled with mixed emotions as she waved Debbie off with Vic. Debbie would be living in a house with some friends and Joan knew that she would have a wonderful time, but she was worried that Debbie would give less attention to her studies than to her social life. She would miss her daughter, but she was also quite glad to have the flat to herself once more, so that she could live her own life without thinking about Debbie, too. She knew it was selfish of her to feel like that, but after so many years of being merely Vic’s wife and Kenny and Debbie’s mother, it was nice to be Joan again, her own person with her own interests and with only herself to please.
And not long after Debbie left, they were to head to Greece for their holiday. Joan was very excited about the holiday – it would be lovely to spend a week relaxing in the sun with Barry and their friends, seeing new, exciting places and tasting exotic food. She still had to have a shopping spree, to get some new clothes for the holiday, and was looking to buy some things that were at least a size smaller than she usually wore. She also wanted to invest in a swimsuit, so that she could show off her new, slim line look on the beach.
Joan and Con went shopping the following Saturday, and despite her initial reservations, Joan was glad that Con had accompanied her. She seemed to know all the best shops, where one could get lovely clothes cheaply and by the end of the day Joan was the proud owner of a whole new wardrobe. She had well cut trousers and pretty blouses, a long dress to wear in the evening and simple sundresses for the day. She had even managed to find a pair of shorts that actually flattered her figure, and some brightly coloured t-shirts to go with them. In all, she was very well equipped for her holiday, and the thought of her new clothes made her feel even more excited about the forthcoming holiday.
Once back home, Joan found that she was almost disappointed to be on her own. If Debbie had been there, she could have modelled some of her new clothes to show her daughter, because it was not nearly enough fun modelling them for her own pleasure alone. As she removed the labels and folded everything neatly before placing them in her suitcase, she consoled herself with the thought that it was only a few days before she could wear the clothes in Greece. She could show them off to Barry when he came over that evening, but it would be much more fun to make him wait until they were on the beautiful island of Naxos, so she closed the case and went to pour herself a celebratory Perrier water.
#167:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:32 pm
    —
I hope they have a lovely holiday. Joan sounds quite lonely, so she needs a good time.
#168:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:01 pm
    —
Just a little worried that something nasty is going to happen.... Crying or Very sad



Thanks anyway Becky
#169:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:02 pm
    —
yes... this seems a bit too good to be true...
#170:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:17 pm
    —
Hoping it's not all too good to be true!
#171:  Author: Hannah-Lou, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:04 pm
    —
Keep Stephen away! I can't bear to see Barry hurt, he's lovely! In fact, he's so nice he could almost make me like his name Laughing
#172:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:31 pm
    —
Thanks Becky, I hope everyone has a lovely holiday Very Happy
#173:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:03 pm
    —
Hannah-Lou wrote:
Keep Stephen away! I can't bear to see Barry hurt, he's lovely! In fact, he's so nice he could almost make me like his name Laughing
Laughing I gave him a horrible name so that I wouldn't mind what happened to him!

Owing to the expense of parking at the airport, Con had persuaded Stephen and one of the other men from the office to take them to Gatwick. Everyone had packed light, not needing an awful lot of things for a week on the beach, and they were just about able to squeeze into the cars. Joan, Barry and Roger had gone with Andy, who designed the magazine’s layout, and had met up with the others at the airport. Stephen arrived as they stood outside the terminal, and Joan could not help noticing the look of admiration he gave her. She had not seen him for months, and had all but put him from her mind, but she knew instinctively that he had not expected to see her looking so slim and elegant. She gave him a rather diffident smile, but before he could say anything, Cindy had seized her and was exclaiming with delight at the gorgeous pale blue dress Joan was wearing.
“You look absolutely perfect for the Greek isles!” Cindy cried. “Where did you get that dress, Joan?”
“Some little boutique that Con showed me,” said Joan once Cindy had released her. She looked around, but Steve had gone and Barry was lifting the cases onto a trolley. Banishing him from her mind, Joan slipped her arm through Con’s and they headed into the terminal.
The men took care of the checking in procedure, and then they went off to the duty free shops feeling like a group of schoolchildren on a day out. They bought some wine and beer and Con selected a couple of bottles of vodka. Cindy bought a massive bar of chocolate and Roger earned himself a telling off for purchasing a box of Cuban cigars.
“You are evidently planning to indulge yourself,” he pointed out, gesturing towards the vodka and the chocolate, “So we’re going to do likewise.”
“You will have to sit outside, then,” said Con firmly. “I’m not sleeping in a room that stinks of cigars.”
“We’ll all be sitting outside in the evenings,” Brian added placatingly. “The weather’s going to be so beautiful that we can sit out in the moonlight until midnight or beyond. It’s going to be so romantic.” And he slid his arm around Cindy and grinned at her.
Their shopping done, they headed for the departure lounge and were soon on board the aeroplane. Joan sat beside the window and enjoyed the view as they flew across Europe; they finally landed in Athens, where it felt very hot and humid as they got off the plane and headed into the terminal. They had a short wait before boarding the smaller plane that was to take them to Naxos, but in such good company, the time seemed to fly. Cindy was in sparkling form and Joan could hardly remember the last time she had laughed as much, or felt so light hearted.
The flight to Naxos was short and before too long the little party was coming out of the airport and boarding the tour company bus ready to head to their apartments. They drove the short distance to Agios Georgios, where they were to be staying, and were soon being dropped outside a rather quaint looking building, in which they had rented three little studios. They had already drawn lots for them, as two were upstairs and one downstairs; Con and Roger had drawn the downstairs one so Joan eagerly followed Barry upstairs.
#174:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 2:24 pm
    —
I like Barry - please don't let him get hurt Laughing !
#175:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:07 pm
    —
Fatima wrote:
I gave him a horrible name so that I wouldn't mind what happened to him!


*looks suspiciously at Becky*

What are you planning on doing to the poor man?
#176:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:32 pm
    —
I have a bad feeling about Barry!
#177:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:44 pm
    —
It won't work, Becky - if you've put a lot into a character you will care.

Thanks
#178:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:52 pm
    —
I wish I was on holiday with them!

Thanks Becky
#179:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:34 pm
    —
i like barry too- but he is just too perfect.
My vote is for stephen! Laughing
#180:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:31 am
    —
*looks innocent* Whatever makes you think I'd do anything horrid to Barry? Very Happy
I've never been to Greece, so I hope you'll excuse any inaccuracies in the descriptions. Thanks for all your comments.

The small apartment was simply furnished in a typically Greek style, and Joan felt at home there straight away. Barry took their cases into the bedroom, where it was a matter of just a few minutes to unpack. When everything was neatly stowed away, they wandered out through the big French doors and onto the balcony, from which they had a gorgeous view of the beach and from where they would soon be able to see a splendid sunset. The nearby houses were all white, with richly hued geraniums growing in the gardens and bright pink and deep red bougainvillea draped over the walls. It was a place of stunning sharpness of colour and Joan knew that she was embarking on the holiday of a lifetime.
Barry sank down onto one of the armchairs and gave a contented sigh. “It’s perfect, isn’t it,” he said happily.
“Absolutely,” agreed Joan, leaning against the low balustrade and gazing out to sea. She hoped that it was warmer than the sea in England; it looked so blue that she could hardly wait to swim in it. “I’d love a cup of tea, though.”
Barry chuckled. “And down to earth we come,” he observed, getting to his feet. “I have some teabags in my case and I’m sure there’s a nice electric kettle in the kitchen.”
“You are a gem,” she told him. As he disappeared into the apartment, Joan leaned over the balcony to watch a sleek black and white cat stalk sedately along the street apparently oblivious to the chirping of the cicadas and the gentle noises of the sea. Cindy and Brian appeared on their balcony, and Joan reluctantly turned from the view to see them.
“We wondered if we ought to do a little shopping,” said Cindy. “We’ll need some bread or something for breakfast tomorrow.”
“I’ve brought some cornflakes with me,” came a cheerful voice from downstairs.
Joan leaned further over the balcony to see if she could behold the speaker, but Con was evidently too far back on the verandah to be visible from above. Barry, hearing voices, came out to see if he needed to make more tea, and grabbed Joan round the waist, fearing that she would topple over the low wall.
“What on earth are you doing?” he demanded. “Surely you don’t plan on trying out Naxos hospital while you’re here?”
Joan grinned. “I was just looking for Con,” she explained. “She’s downstairs.”
“What about milk?” asked Cindy, still pondering the subject of breakfast.
“There’s some in the fridge,” said Barry, who had explored the kitchen. “And some cold meat, a little salad and some cheese.”
“We can eat at some taverna tonight,” said Roger’s voice from below. “So we needn’t shop until tomorrow.”
“I’m just making tea, if anyone’s interested,” said Barry.
“Yes, please!” Con called. “We’ll come up!”
Roger and Con came upstairs and Cindy and Brian climbed over the low wall that separated the two upper balconies. Barry made some tea and they sat together companionably to have their tea and watch the sunset. Once everyone had finished, Joan washed the cups and they decided that they would go for a walk and look for a suitable taverna in which to have their meal.
#181:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:51 am
    —
It all sounds lovely!
#182:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:00 am
    —
I'm so jealous of them all!

Thanks Becky Very Happy
#183:  Author: pim, Location: Londinium PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:30 am
    —
KathrynW wrote:
I'm so jealous of them all!


Me too! *le sigh*
#184:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:43 pm
    —
And me!
#185:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:46 pm
    —
OK this is pretty nasty but here is what has to happen: Barry must fall over the small wall on the balcony and lose his memory leaving Joan free to be with Stephen after a suitable period of caring for Barry and acting as any proper CS girl should. Laughing

Serious now... I wish I was in Greece!
#186:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:07 pm
    —
Fatima wrote:
I gave him a horrible name so that I wouldn't mind what happened to him!


Yes, this quote leads me to feel that perhaps Barry is living on borrowed time, Becky! Laughing


Thanks for latest post.

Last edited by Lesley on Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:57 am; edited 1 time in total
#187:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:55 am
    —
KathrynW wrote:
I'm so jealous of them all!

I'm actually quite jealous myself!

They strolled along the street and Joan looked with interest at the lovely houses they passed. Most of them had lovely gardens, full of flowers, and all were an immaculate shade of white, often with blue windows and shutters. Joan wondered what it would be like at midday; she was sure that the whiteness of the houses would be dazzling in the brilliant sunshine.
They walked along the street leading away from the beach; there would be plenty of time to head towards the seashore in the morning. In the town they found a lovely little taverna. It was on a small square, with gaily-coloured umbrellas up outside and the inevitable pots of geraniums along the edge of the terrace. A few holiday makers were sitting outside, sipping long, cool drinks, the limbs visible beneath their dresses and shorts all bronzed and their general air one of relaxation.
“What about here?” asked Cindy, evidently sharing Joan’s attraction to the place. “I fancy one of those cocktails with the umbrellas.”
They walked up the steps to the terrace and were soon being seated at a large table from which they could just see the rapidly darkening sea. A handsome Greek brought them menus which were, fortunately, written in English, and they began to decide which should be their first truly Greek meal. Bearing in mind that it was the first night of the holiday, and that there was plenty of time to sample all of the dishes listed, Joan decided on a local fish, which was grilled and served with salad. Proud of herself for resisting temptation, she agreed that they should try a bottle of Greek wine, although she vowed to limit herself to just one glassful.
The meal was every bit as delicious as it had sounded from reading the menu and the retsina was delicious. They had some lovely yogurt with honey for their desert and then sat and enjoyed the moonlight and the lovely weather. It was delightfully warm without being too hot, and the breeze was refreshing without being chilly. In all it was a perfect evening for sitting beneath the stars with good friends and talking about everything and nothing.
“How was your meal?” asked a voice from behind Joan, and she turned to see the handsome waiter who had brought them their meal.
“It was lovely,” she answered.
“Really nice, thank you,” said Cindy with a smile.
“And can I get you coffee?” he asked. “I am Demetrius, and this is my restaurant. You are new to the island, I think?”
“Yes,” said Roger. “We arrived this afternoon.”
“How long will you stay?”
“A week,” Cindy answered. “And coffee would be lovely, thank you, Demetrius.”
Demetrius disappeared to see about the coffee and Con sighed. “What a Greek God!” she exclaimed. “I can just imagine him on Mount Olympus dressed in a few laurel leaves and very little else!”
“You’d better not be imagining that,” said Roger with a grin.
“He is handsome, though,” Cindy put in.
Demetrius returned with the coffee. “It is our special Greek coffee,” he informed his clientele. “And I made it for you myself.”
“Thank you,” said Joan, taking a cup from him. “It smells delicious.
“It is like nectar,” Demetrius informed her with a smile.
He left them to enjoy their coffee, heading over to the counter again and busying himself with the contents of the till. They sipped the coffee until Con began yawning, and the others soon found themselves following suit. By mutual consent they paid the bill, assuring Demetrius that they had thoroughly enjoyed their evening in his taverna and accepting the business cards he pressed upon them, assuring him that they would return another evening to taste his house speciality. Weary now, they began the walk back to their apartments.
Joan slid her arm through Barry’s. “Are you all right?” she asked him. “You’re very quiet tonight.”
“I’m fine,” he answered, but she could tell by the shortness of his tone that he was not.
Putting it down to tiredness, Joan walked quietly beside him, glad when they finally reached the building that was to be their home for the next week. Barry unlocked the door and disappeared inside with scarcely more than a grunted farewell, leaving Joan to roll her eyes at Cindy. “I think he’s tired,” she said, and she followed him in after bidding her friends goodnight.
#188:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:00 am
    —
Hmmm, that doesn't bode well. Crying or Very sad Either illness or jealousy - and don't think it's jealousy.


Thanks Becky - I think.
#189:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:45 am
    —
oh dear its not looking good- i knew this was all too good too be true!
#190:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:51 am
    —
You mean Barry's not perfect after all?!!

Love Con's comments Laughing .
#191:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:42 am
    —
Oh dear...are we about to see another side of Barry?

Thanks Becky
#192: Life Begins at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:47 am
    —
Is he feeling insecure about Joan looking so good now? Does he think she might not what him any more? I hope it's just tiredness
#193:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:53 am
    —
OOOOOooooh whats wrong with Barry? I've got a feeling that things are about to get interesting!
#194:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:57 pm
    —
Hmm, I hope Barry doesn't have a nasty side.
#195:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:05 pm
    —
Oh, dear.
*waits for twist*
#196:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:33 pm
    —
I always wondered if he was too perfect...
#197:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:45 pm
    —
Barry was in the bedroom, shedding his clothes and pulling on a rather revolting pair of beige and lime green striped pyjamas. He disappeared into the bathroom as Joan began to change her own clothes, and by the time that she had washed and brushed out her hair, he was lying in bed, evidently pretending to be asleep. Puzzled, Joan got in beside him and put an arm around him. “Goodnight,” she whispered, wishing she could lie awake and think of the wonderful new sights she had seen that day, but knowing that she would soon be fast asleep.
“How could you, Joan?” Barry demanded, suddenly turning over and looking at her in the moonlight.
“How could I what?” she wondered.
“Flirt with that man at the taverna.”
Joan withdrew her arm. “What man?” she asked, unable to understand what she had done.
“I saw the way you looked at Detritus,” Barry said crossly. “And I heard the way you women were admiring him.”
“Wasn’t he called Demetrius?” said Joan, unsure whether Barry had deliberately mistaken the Greek’s name or not. “And it was Con who was oohing and aahing over him,” she added, “Not me.”
“I saw the way you looked at him as he gave you the coffee,” said Barry, warming to his subject. “And he was watching you from behind the bar all evening. He only came over to offer us coffee so that he could lean over your chair.”
“I’m sure that’s not true!” Joan protested, although to be fair she had paid no attention to the handsome taverna owner at all, and did not know whether he had been watching her or not. “Anyhow, I’d rather be with you, Barry.”
“It didn’t seem that way in the taverna,” said Barry crossly. “I don’t like the way he was looking at you, Joan. You’re with me, not him.”
“I am quite happy with you,” Joan told him. “I’m not in the slightest bit interested in Demetrius.”
“Are you sure?” asked Barry, sounding a little less accusatory.
“Of course I’m sure,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around him again.
Barry allowed himself to be distracted from his annoyance and by the time she fell asleep, Joan had almost forgotten that he had been jealous at all. All she knew was that she was finally in Greece, and that the next morning she would be waking up to the brilliant blue sky of Naxos and not the grey skies of London. With the prospect of a wonderful week ahead of her she did not want to think about Greek taverna owners; it was enough that she was on holiday with the man that she loved.
#198:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:07 pm
    —
He wears beige and lime-green striped pyjamas?! Joan, get out of there, quick Laughing !
#199:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:11 pm
    —
Actually that amount of jealousy is way OTT - he sounds as though he's one of those men that immediately want to own their partner. As soon as he starts living with them he tries to ensure the woman has no friends, family, interests, nothing but him.

A controlling and dangerous sort - beware Joan. Shocked
#200:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:35 pm
    —
I'm rapidly going off Barry...

Thanks Becky
#201:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:46 pm
    —
go steven- get in there!
#202: Life Begins at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:39 pm
    —
Uh oh
#203:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:34 pm
    —
*just lost interest in Barry*
#204:  Author: Chris, Location: Nottingham PostPosted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:24 pm
    —
Joan should dump him asap - that's not love, that is all about control and power.
#205:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:56 pm
    —
I'm actually getting to like Joan; she's very laid back and not a slave driver like Gill was. She doesn't mind how quickly or slowly I tell her story! Thanks for your comments.

When Joan awoke the next morning the sun was streaming through the French doors and the sky was so blue it was as if they were living in a picture postcard. Barry was already up, and Joan realized that it was the sound of breakfast being prepared that had awoken her. She threw back the sheet and got up, eager not to waste a moment of that beautiful morning by lying in bed. A quick glance at her watch told her that it was already nine o’clock, and she wondered whether the others were awake or if they planned on having long lie-ins every morning.
Joan went out onto the balcony, squinting in the bright sunshine, and saw that there were a number of people on the beach already, some lying out on towels and others splashing in the cyan sea. The curtains of the next apartment were still closed, so Joan guessed that Cindy and Brian had not yet stirred, but she could hear Con and Roger talking quietly on their verandah. With a happy sigh, Joan went back inside and found Barry just appearing from the kitchen, a breakfast tray in his hands.
“Good morning,” she said, their altercation of the previous evening completely forgotten.
“Morning,” he replied, smiling at her. “Do you want breakfast on the balcony?”
“Yes, please,” she answered. “I’ll just find my sunglasses first. It’s really sunny out there.”
Once Joan had found her sunglasses she went out again and sat down beside Barry. He had managed to rustle up a thoroughly appetizing breakfast, scrambled egg, cold meat and salad with a pot of tea, and Joan realized that she was feeling very hungry. They ate in a companionable silence, enjoying the view and the smell of the sea mingling with the scent of the flowers. “I really want to go and lie on the beach,” said Joan at last, sitting back and sighing contentedly. “Do you think the sea will be cold?”
“No, I expect it will be lovely,” said Barry with a smile. “We’ll pack up our towels and so on and go and find a nice place to sit when we’ve had our breakfast.”
“I think there’s an umbrella in the living room,” Joan recalled. “We can take that with us so we don’t have too much sun. We don’t want to be ill the first day.”
As she poured another cup of tea, the balcony doors of the next flat creaked open and Cindy’s tousled head appeared. When she saw that her neighbours were already having breakfast, she pushed the door further open and walked out onto the balcony. “Good morning,” she said, her voice still sleepy.
“Good morning,” Joan replied with a smile. “Do you want some tea, Cindy? I think I can squeeze out one more cup.”
“No, thanks,” said Cindy, leaning on the low wall and sniffing appreciatively at the fresh air. “I’ve put the kettle on for coffee. It’s the only thing that wakes me up in the morning.”
“Well hurry up and get going, sleepy head,” called Con from downstairs. “We want to get to the beach this morning.”
“So do we,” Joan called back. “We’ve almost finished breakfast.”
“We’re all ready to go,” said Con cheerfully.
“We’ll go on and find a suitable place to park ourselves,” called Roger. “Our umbrella’s a delightful shade of orange.”
Con chortled. “It’s a hideous colour,” she explained, “So you’ll find us easily.”
Brian called Cindy in for her coffee, and Joan helped Barry clear away their breakfast things, before changing into her bathing costume and fastening a rather lurid sarong around her waist. She pulled on a t-shirt, too, and packed her suntan lotion and a few other bits and pieces into her handbag and then she was ready to go. Barry had found their umbrella and put towels and other necessities in a bigger bag, so they locked up their studio and headed off for the beach. It was not difficult to spot Con and Roger; their sunshade was a truly horrible shade of orange and stood out a mile from the more subtle colours of the other umbrellas on the beach. As they got to the sand, Joan slipped off her sandals, delighting in the feel of the warm sand between her toes. The beach was a gorgeous white colour, although when you looked more closely at the sand the grains were of a million different shades and there were shells in amongst them, too. The sea was the colour of lapis lazuli and the gentle noise it made seemed to be calling Joan to hurry and go for a swim.
Con and Roger were already stretched out on the sand. Con was fathoms deep in a novel and Roger was almost asleep, so Barry set up their umbrella a little way away and Joan spread out their towels beneath it. They splashed on some sun cream and then set off for the sea together.
#206:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:03 pm
    —
OOOh the beach sounds lovely on this cold wintery day. But I really don't like Barry any more!
#207:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:17 pm
    —
Sounds lovely! It's bright and sunny here but it's soooooo cold.
#208:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:02 pm
    —
Would be fabulous to be on that beach, too!
#209:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:54 pm
    —
I've just caught up on all of this! Rolling Eyes I fear that Barry is sounding reminiscent of Will Sanders in Sunshine After the Storm. I do hope I'm imagining things.

I want to be on that beach, too. Very Happy

Thanks, Fatima.
#210:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:22 pm
    —
That beach sounds lovely!


Thanks Becky
#211:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:01 am
    —
Barry isn't at all like Will Sanders; Joan is much older and more sensible than Flavia, too, so there's no need to worry, Lottie. I forget what England in November is like - it's lovely here at the moment and would be perfect for lying out on the beach, so maybe that's my inspiration!

Joan could scarcely believe how warm the sea was. She had memories of the freezing waters of the English Channel and the tepid water of the Mediterranean was a most welcome surprise. She and Barry paddled in and stood for a while, holding hands and looking out to sea, watching a large yacht sailing past and hearing the cries of delight of a group of Greek teenagers enjoying a Saturday morning in the sun. Just for a moment, Joan wished that Debbie and Kenny had come along, knowing that they would have enjoyed the beach despite their protestations that they were now too old for beach holidays.
They went for a swim, and Joan was surprised how well she could manage, despite not having been swimming for more years than she cared to remember. They swam back and forth, treading water and admiring the view of the island in the morning sunshine – the flat roofed houses and the bright splashes of colour provided by the bougainvillea and the deep green of the trees. It was lovely in the water and Joan felt that she could have stayed there all day, splashing around, floating on her back in the warm sunshine and enjoying the tranquility.
“Come on,” Barry said at last, putting a hand on her arm to stop her from swimming any further. “I think that’s enough for now. I’m exhausted even if you aren’t.”
Joan allowed him to walk her back up the beach and took her sarong from him when he passed it to her. She did not put it on, however, merely folding it up and making it into a pillow. With a sigh of delight at the caress of the hot sun on her wet body, Joan stretched out on the sand and wondered whether she would have a rather early siesta.
“Don’t you think you should cover up a little?” asked Barry, realizing that she was planning on lying out in her bathing costume. “You don’t want to get burnt.”
“Not yet,” said Joan lazily. “I want to dry off first. And get a bit of a tan so that when I get home everyone will know I’ve been abroad.”
Barry frowned, but pursued the topic no further. He lay down on his own towel and rested his head on his folded arms, leaving Joan to wonder if he was sulking again. She closed her eyes and allowed her thoughts to dwell upon his rather uncharacteristic behaviour; he had always been very sweet and thoughtful, but they had usually spent most of their time together either with close friends or on their own. In fact, Joan could hardly remember a time when Barry had accompanied her to any place where he might find he had a rival for her attention or affection. They went to the cinema and out to dinner, they walked and talked and enjoyed themselves, but they did not mix with new people. And, Joan realized, Barry kept an eye on her at work. He usually came to the office each day now, unless his assignments took him too far away, in which case he would call her. If she was not at her desk when he arrived, or if she took too long to answer his call when he phoned, he inevitably quizzed her on where she had been.
Joan sighed, wondering why she had not noticed this before. She wondered if it was because she had been so neglected and ignored by Vic, who really would not have been bothered if she had embarked on an affair with anyone, that she mistook Barry’s possessiveness for caring and affection. Joan wondered if she would be able to get Con by herself for a few minutes, to put this new and worrying thought to her. Con was not the dreamer she had once been. She was a good judge of character and she noticed things about people way sooner than they might have hoped. If Barry was overly possessive of her, Joan was certain that Con would have noticed.
#212:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:51 am
    —
Hope Con has some good advice for Joan.
#213: Life Begins at 40 Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:19 am
    —
I've been very interested in everyones comments after the last couple of posts and can sort of see where they're coming from, however, having been someone who has lost a lot of weight I know my husband who was my then boyfriend at the time felt insecure and thought I would dump him for someone else as soon as I had lost the weight. He changed when I pointed out that he was the only one who found me attractive when I was large, the rest only when I had slimed down. He felt better after that and relaxed a lot more. I keep thinking maybe Barry is feeling insecure. Joan is looking pounds lighter and is bound to attract attention with it. I do think it's a good idea to ask Con. She has known Barry longer than Joan.
#214:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:21 am
    —
I've got some advice for Joan - dump the git! but maybe Con will be able to put it in a slightly more tactful way...
#215:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:19 pm
    —
Poor Joan!
#216:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:27 pm
    —
thanks becky! i have really been enjoying this,

im interested to hear what con has to say...
#217:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:28 pm
    —
I think talking to Con is a good idea.

Thanks Becky
#218:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:33 pm
    —
Glad Joan has started to have doubts.



Thanks Becky
#219:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:40 am
    —
The next thing Joan knew, Con was gently shaking her, and she realized that she had fallen asleep on the beach. “You should cover up,” Con said, her tone not unlike Barry’s had been. “I’d hate to see you in bed all day tomorrow with heat exhaustion.”
Joan sat up and realized that it was very hot on the beach. She reached for her sarong and wrapped it around herself with a careless elegance that was not lost on Barry. When she caught his eye he smiled at her and she felt as though she was the only person in his world. All of her worries seemed so foolish; he was a lovely man, utterly charming and so caring and she was happier with him than she had been with Vic. They had had a long flight and a late night and travelling was tiring, so Barry could definitely be excused for his moment of jealousy.
“I can’t believe I fell asleep like that,” she told him, reaching for her bag. She located her sunglasses and put them on before donning her hat and finding her book. “What time is it now?”
“It’s almost midday,” Barry supplied, glancing at his watch. “We were wondering if we’d go home and make a cup of tea or something and have a sandwich. We can get a decent meal this evening.”
“That sounds good to me,” said Joan. “I’d love a cuppa.” She stretched out on the sand again, looking down towards the sea, where Cindy and Brian were disporting themselves happily in the breaking waves. Joan felt a wave of happiness break over her; she was in an idyllic setting with Barry, and with some of her closest friends. The weather was beautiful and they had the prospect of a week of sun, sea, sand and relaxation ahead of them. What could be more perfect?
Barry reached for the newspaper he had brought with him and began to do the crossword. Joan gave her attention to her book, and was soon lost in the light, romantic tale. By one o’clock, they decided that it was time to retreat to the apartments, for the sun was tremendously hot and they were thirsty. They packed up their things, observing as they did that many of the other groups dotted about the beach were also preparing to leave. Only the dedicated sun worshippers were to remain in the baking afternoon heat.
Cindy and Brian had thoughtfully bought bread and some other groceries before coming to the beach, so they congregated in their apartment and the women made the lunch while the men sat out on the balcony and talked. Joan, making a mixture of cheese and tomato and cold meat sandwiches, waited until Cindy went to set the table, then she seized the chance of a quiet chat with Con.
“Do you think Barry is too possessive?” she asked, getting straight to the point because she did not know how long they would remain uninterrupted.
“What?” Con was surprised by her friend’s question. “Possessive? I don’t know I’d go that far, Joan. He’s absolutely mad about you, and now that you look so fantastic I expect he’s wondering if he’ll be able to hold onto you.”
“He was upset because he thought I’d been flirting with the owner of the taverna, Demetrius.”
“That’s rubbish,” said Con dismissively. “You certainly weren’t.”
“I know. But Barry was bothered about it.”
“That’s why he was positively taciturn all evening,” realized Con. “I shouldn’t worry if I were you, Joan. Now, I think we’ve enough food for an army,” she went on, as Cindy returned. “Come on, let’s fill our plates and then send the men in. That way, we get first pick of the food and the best chairs on the balcony!”
Cindy giggled, and soon the three of them had piled their plates with sandwiches and salad and were heading out onto the balcony, where the men were sipping wine and looking rather red faced from a mixture of sun and alcohol. They hastened in, returning with wine for the three ladies and their own dinner, obligingly sitting on the low wall around the balcony and leaving Joan, Con and Cindy in the comfortable chairs provided.
#220:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:43 am
    —
Con seemed to dismiss the idea quite quickly, I just hope she's right. On the other hand, I hope she's not because that leaves a spot for Stephen Very Happy
#221:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 10:04 am
    —
Con always seemed very perceptive - surprised that she doesn't seem to think Barry's acting strangely. Then again, people often act very differently when there are third parties around than when they're just with their partner.
#222:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:41 pm
    —
Hmmmm, wonder if Con has missed something? She's not infallible, afer all.


Thanks Becky
#223:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:52 pm
    —
Thanks, Fatima. I still have some doubts about Barry, but the drabble will go where the PB's lead it.
#224:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:42 pm
    —
That evening they went out and Joan had a moment of worry at the thought of going back to the taverna owned by Demetrius. She need not have been concerned, though, for as if by some prearranged plan, the men turned their steps in the opposite direction and they found a lovely taverna on the beachfront, where they decided to have their evening meal. They sat outside, their table just a stone’s throw from the beach, and from which they had a lovely view of the sea, sparkling in the moonlight. Deciding to try something new, they ordered stifado and were pleasantly surprised when an appetizing beef casserole was put before them. The meat had been cooked to perfection and the flavour of the herbs was deliciously foreign. Washed down with a very fruity Greek wine, it was a wonderful meal and did not leave them feeling too full to move. After coffee, they set off to walk further along the road, enjoying the coolness of the evening after the heat of the day. They did have a nasty moment when something the size of a small bird flew at them, and they discovered it was an extremely large grasshopper when it came to rest on Roger’s back. Fortunately he was made of strong stuff and even though the women gave a yell and raced off, he stood still and Barry knocked it away. They did leave the scene with more haste than perhaps they would have admitted, but after that, they readily agreed when the women insisted it was time to go back to their apartments.
“And if one lands on me, you’ll have to check me into the hospital,” Cindy said, looking nervously at the bushes they passed. “I think I’d probably have heart failure.”
As they sat out on their balcony later, with a last cup of tea, Joan was glad to note that Barry seemed relaxed and happy. Maybe Con was right, she decided. Barry was so nice that she ought to overlook his brief lapse and just concentrate on enjoying their holiday. After all, it would fly past, as time invariably did when one was enjoying a lovely break, and it would be far more appropriate to spend the holiday happily than worrying about Barry’s uncharacteristic attack of jealousy.
#225:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:58 pm
    —
That's the problem, isn't it though? Once it's happened for the first time, it's hard not to constantly be looking out for it to happen again.

Thanks Becky
#226:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:01 pm
    —
Hope it was just a momentary lapse, but sadly these things usually aren't.

*Shudders at the image of the grasshopper.*
#227:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:02 pm
    —
A similar large grasshopper thing fell on my head when we were in Egypt. I nearly wet myself.

Thanks, Becky.
#228:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:45 pm
    —
The problem is if it happens only occasionally she will always be watching for it and worrying about it.


Thanks Becky
#229:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:03 pm
    —
The next few days were wonderful. They woke up and enjoyed leisurely breakfasts in the sun, before heading for the beach. They spent the morning swimming and snoozing on the sand and returned to the apartments when the sun grew too warm. They would have a light lunch and when it got a little cooler they would head off for a walk, enjoying the scenic beauty of the town. One afternoon they took a bus to the neighbouring town, where they spent a happy time exploring the little shops and admiring the view of the beach, heading back to Agios Georgios for their evening meal in yet another little taverna.
On Wednesday, just a couple of days before they were due to fly back to London, Barry and Joan were sitting in the shade on their balcony, thinking how dull and grey London would seem after such dramatic colour and warmth. Joan admitted that she would be glad to see Kenny again, and to call Debbie to have a chat with her, but if it had not been for the children, she would have been pleased to spend another couple of months on the lovely Greek island. Barry grinned, agreeing wholeheartedly, then he muttered something about needing a long, cool drink and disappeared inside. Joan sighed contentedly, gazing out across the water, which seemed a darker blue today, but still looked absolutely gorgeous. She was pleased with her suntan, knowing that she looked delightfully brown and very healthy, for the week away had done her a power of good. She had also done her best to eat healthily, despite some of the tempting Greek dishes on offer, not to mention the wonderful wine, and thought she had only put on a pound or two. Once she got back home, and returned to her slimming group, she hoped she would lose them quickly enough and with a bit of effort she might even have reached her target weight before Christmas.
Barry reappeared, two glasses in his hands, one of which he passed to her, a rather strange, almost diffident look on his face. “What’s this all about?” she asked him, for the glass was filled with a pale, bubbly liquid that looked uncommonly like sparkling wine.
“It’s champagne,” he told her with a smile.
Joan was not watching him, though, for she had spotted something in the bottom of her glass. “Why…” she began, then she had a big mouthful of the drink before sticking her finger into the glass and drawing out the object from the bottom. “Barry, what’s this?” she asked, looking at the glittering diamond ring in surprise.
“I meant to wait until Thursday evening,” he said, sounding apologetic, “But I can’t. Joan, will you marry me?”
Joan looked from the pretty ring to Barry, who was looking anxiously back at her. She was amazed by his proposal, and knew at once what her answer would be.
#230:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:45 pm
    —
You can't leave it there!!
#231:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 4:45 pm
    —
OMG!!!!!!!
#232:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:40 pm
    —
'Amazed by the proposal' - why does that not sound quite right? Confused



Thanks Becky - good cliff. Laughing
#233:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Oxford PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:20 pm
    —
And...??!!
#234:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:24 pm
    —
Becky! That was mean!

Thank you...I wonder if what I think she's going to say is the same as what she is actually going to say!
#235:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:43 pm
    —
Becky, it's very norty to leave us on a cliff like that!
#236:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:14 pm
    —
Oh dear, I think I can see what's coming. Thanks Becky.
#237:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:06 am
    —
Uh oh....
#238:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:41 pm
    —
Sorry Laughing

“This is really sweet of you, Barry,” she said softly, “And I’m terribly flattered that you’ve asked, but I’m going to say no. I’m sorry, but I’m not ready to marry anyone yet. I’ve just escaped from one marriage and I’m not prepared to give up my freedom.” She stood up and handed him back the ring, trying not to notice the disappointment on his face.
“Why not?” he asked, genuinely unable to understand why she had not accepted his proposal. “I love you, Joan, and I thought you loved me.”
“I do,” she said with a smile. “You have been fantastic, Barry, and I’ve loved every moment we’ve spent together. I just don’t want to rush into another marriage. I’m enjoying being me and I’m not willing to give that up.”
Barry drank up his champagne and set the glass down on the floor. Standing, he put his hands on her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you,” he told her again, his tones full of emotion. “I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy, Joan. I’d never treat you as Vic did. I promise I’ll love you and cherish you forever.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, gently freeing herself from his grasp. “I wish I felt differently, but I don’t want to get married again. If I change my mind, you’ll be the first to know.”
Barry’s hands dropped to his sides. “It’s ok,” he told her, his voice now very controlled. “I’ll keep out of your way now.”
“You don’t have to,” she assured him. “We can still see one another.”
“No, we can’t,” he told her. “People don’t keep on dating someone who has turned down their marriage proposal.”
Seeing that he meant it, Joan turned and went into the bedroom. “I’ll go and sleep on Con’s sofa for the rest of the week,” she told him, putting her things into her suitcase. Barry made no move to stop her, and even though she knew she was doing the right thing by not agreeing to marry him, she still felt sad that their relationship was coming to such an abrupt and unexpected end. She left the apartment and headed down to Con’s, only to find them getting ready to go off for the afternoon ramble. Once she had briefly explained the situation, they agreed to turn their sofa over to her and headed off to take Barry out to drown his sorrows.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Con asked anxiously before they left.
“Yes, I shall be fine,” said Joan with a smile, and she really believed it. She had survived divorcing Vic and knew that she could get along quite well on her own. She had plenty of things she wanted to accomplish in her life and finding a man to do them with was not a priority. Barry had been wonderful, taking her mind off of her divorce and helping her to adjust to her new life, supporting her and caring for her, and he had given her the strength to carry on alone, although presumably he was currently regretting that.
Joan heard Cindy and Brian joining Con and Roger in their efforts to persuade Barry to go out with them, and finally the five of them headed off towards their favourite taverna beside the beach. Joan made a cup of tea and sat outside on Con’s balcony, enjoying the last of the afternoon sunshine, hoping that Barry would soon recover from her rejection of him and would find someone with whom he could settle down and maybe even have a family. He would be a lovely father, she knew, and it was only right that he should have the opportunity to find a suitable wife.
#239:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:45 pm
    —
I now feel a bit sorry for Barry but I think Joan definitely did the right thing and I was glad that he seemed to take it so well.

Thanks Becky
#240:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:52 pm
    —
I hope it won't be seemed to take it so well.
#241:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:39 pm
    —
I think Joan did the right thing too - just hope that Barry doesn't turn neasty about it.


Thanks Becky
#242:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:08 pm
    —
Also feel a bit sorry for Barry - it's horrible being rejected, even when someone does it in a nice way - but I think Joan did the right thing. Hope Barry doesn't get nasty about it.
#243:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 1:28 pm
    —
I feel sorry for Barry, too, but agree that Joan did the right thing.
#244:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:21 pm
    —
Once she had finished her tea, Joan decided that she might as well go and get some food. She could have a quiet dinner, come home and be fast asleep by the time Con and Roger came back. They would then not feel constrained by her presence, for she did not want to spoil the last days of their holiday as she had spoiled Barry’s. She opened the fridge, only to discover that they had milk and wine and nothing else inside and the larder contained Con’s cornflakes and that was all. Either Joan would have to go hungry, or she would have to go out and get some dinner somewhere. Resigning herself to going to dinner on her own, she put on the last of her new dresses, a very becoming garment in the same sort of blue that the sea had been only that afternoon. She slipped on her sandals and grabbed her handbag, then hastily scribbled a little note to explain that she had gone out for dinner, just in case she was not back before her friends. Feeling very brave and daring, Joan left the apartments and walked along the street, hoping that she would not pick the same taverna as the others, for that would be most uncomfortable for them all.
She strolled along, feeling a sense of freedom creeping over her. Barry was lovely, but she could not imagine spending the rest of her life with him. It had been great to go out with him and she had really enjoyed his company, but it was not even a year since she had received the papers that finalized her divorce. It was definitely too soon to tie herself to another man, even one as good to her as Barry was.
Joan walked along for a while, unable to find anywhere suitable to have her meal, and then wondered if she might be lost. Agios Georgios was not a very big place, but she had definitely managed to turn off of the streets that she had come to know and now she was not sure where she was. With a sigh, she turned and headed back along the road, turned a corner and finally came to somewhere she recognised. She had come out into the small square with the brightly coloured umbrellas of Demetrius’ taverna. Deciding that it was fate, she walked into the taverna and sat down at a quiet table in the corner.
Demetrius came over with a menu for her. “Good evening,” he said courteously. “Where are your friends this evening?”
“Oh, they have gone somewhere else,” she said casually, hoping that he would not ask anything more. “I think I’d like the stuffed vine leaves, please.”
“Of course,” Demetrius agreed. “And some wine?”
“Yes, the retsina, please,” said Joan, deciding that it was a good night to drink enough to feel pleasantly tipsy. She could always worry about getting lost on the way back to the apartments later.
Joan sat and gazed out across the little square, watching as a pair of cats eyed each other suspiciously and began to hiss and spit, evidently preparing for battle. An old man sat on the verandah outside his house and smoked a pipe, and Joan could see his wife through the open front door, busy sweeping the carpet. Joan gave a wry smile, realizing that men were the same the world over – happy to relax and leave all of the work to their wives.
“That’s better,” said Demetrius, returning to the table with Joan’s wine. “To see you smile, I mean. If you are on holiday you should be having fun, not looking so serious.”
“Oh, I have been having fun,” Joan assured him. “This is a beautiful island. I’ve had a lovely week here, and I shall be sad to leave on Friday.”
Demetrius pulled out a chair. “Do you mind?” he asked.
“No, please sit down,” she said with a smile.
“I’ve lived here all my life,” he told her, “Except for three years when I was in France, studying to be a chef. It is the most beautiful place on earth.”
“And where did you learn to speak such good English?” Joan wondered.
“From all the tourists that come here,” said Demetrius. “And from school. We all learn English in school.” He poured her a glass of wine and then stood up. “I’ll bring your dinner,” he told her.
Joan sipped her wine and a moment later he returned, bearing a generous plateful of stuffed vine leaves. She thanked him and he returned to the counter, calling out orders to the other staff and greeting new customers with a polite friendliness that they all seemed to respond to. Joan enjoyed her meal, eating far more of the delicious vine leaves than she had intended, then she sat back in her seat and gave herself up to a thoughtful contemplation of the view, as she made steady inroads into the bottle of retsina. It seemed so long ago now that Barry had proposed to her, and she hoped that he was having a pleasant evening and was managing to forget about her as well as she seemed to have forgotten about him.
“Coffee, Madame?” It was Demetrius again, standing beside her table and looking just as god-like as Con had proclaimed the first evening they met him.
“Yes, please,” said Joan, and then, feeling reckless, “And why don’t you join me?”
“That would be very pleasant,” Demetrius agreed.
#245:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:56 pm
    —
Hmmmm, part of me says 'Go for it, Joan' while the other part is just worrying a bit about what might happen should Barry happen across this scene.....


Thanks Becky
#246:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:38 pm
    —
Joan, please be careful. That retsina is dangerous stuff!
#247:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:54 pm
    —
I hope Joan doesn't get carried away.
#248:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:59 pm
    —
Quite worried now - partly about what might happy if Barry turns up, and partly about Demetrius who might seem very nice but whom she doesn't really know anything about Sad .
#249:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:53 pm
    —
I am a little concerned too...I hope Joan knows what she's doing.

Thanks Becky
#250:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:40 pm
    —
Joan insisted that it was time she had some fun!

They drank three cups of the delicious sweet coffee and talked and laughed and by the time that she thought she should be leaving, Joan felt as though she had known the handsome Greek for much longer than just a couple of hours. Taking her handbag from the floor, Joan sighed and said, “I really ought to be off now. Thank you for such a lovely evening.”
Demetrius glanced around the taverna. “Everyone will be gone in another few minutes,” he told her, “So if you can wait, I’ll see you home. You don’t want to get lost in the darkness.”
Joan nodded. “All right,” she agreed. “I’ll wait. Thank you.” She got out her purse and tried to pay Demetrius for her meal, but he refused to take any money.
“We’re friends,” he told her. “You are my guest. I’ll just make sure the kitchen is ok, and then we will be on our way.”
Joan glanced at her watch and saw that it was almost one in the morning. She felt wide-awake, thanks to the coffee, and very excited at the thought of Demetrius taking her home. For a moment she wished she could invite him in, for he was very attractive, but Roger and Con would be in their apartment, and Barry would be in hers. Then she reminded herself that Demetrius was probably in his late twenties, while she was forty, and he was hardly likely to be interested in her in that way. He was being charming and friendly and that was all; she should not allow herself to read more into his behaviour than was actually there.
The last group of diners left the taverna and Joan heard Demetrius calling goodbye to his staff. He came over to her table, a leather jacket over his arm and a motorcycle helmet dangling from his hand. “Are you ready to go?” he asked her.
“Yes,” she said, standing up and slinging her handbag over her shoulder. She followed him outside and around to the back of the taverna, where a large motorbike was leaning against the wall. As he handed her the helmet he was carrying, Joan was seized by a feeling of anxiety. He was expecting her to climb onto the motorbike with him and she was not sure she could. She had not been on one for years, not since Vic had decided that a car was more suitable for a man of his standing, and was no longer sure she had the nerve to ride one.
“You’ll be all right,” he reassured her, reaching out to help her fix the helmet securely. “Would you like my jacket? It gets cold, you know.”
Without waiting for her to answer, Demetrius wrapped it around her and Joan slid her arms down the sleeves. It was a little big, but she was grateful for his kindness. He started up the bike, pulled on his own helmet and climbed on. Joan got on behind him, tentatively putting her hands on his shoulders. Demetrius turned and grinned, before pulling her arms tightly around his waist, and then they were off. Joan clung on to him for dear life, glad that she had tucked her skirts tightly around her, but wishing that she had decided to wear trousers instead.
They sped through the quiet streets, occasionally seeing a courting couple or an old man walking home, but other than that the town seemed deserted. Then they left the town, and Joan began to relax and enjoy the ride. The countryside zoomed past, and it seemed surprising that the roar of the bike’s engine had not woken the whole island. The speed was exhilarating, and Joan realized that she was having more fun than she had expected when she set out for her lonely dinner. They flew along narrow lanes, past fields and what looked like orchards, and climbed higher and higher until they reached the top of the hill. Only then did Demetrius start to slow down, and he brought the bike to a standstill by a high gate.
They got off the bike and Joan removed her helmet. “Where are we?” she asked him.
“Come in and see.” Demetrius opened the gate and then wheeled the motorbike up the driveway. Joan followed him curiously and as they rounded the bend, she found herself standing outside a huge house. It was white, with a flat roof as most of the houses seemed to be, and had a verandah running around the outside. The shutters were closed, and there was no light coming from inside, leaving Joan to wonder where they were. For a moment she felt worried; here she was, miles from anywhere, all alone with a man she hardly knew. He could do whatever he liked with her and no one would ever know.
#251:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 3:06 pm
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I hope you were right about her just having fun...doesn't sound the safest position to be in!

Thanks Becky
#252:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:27 pm
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Going off in a strange place with a strange bloke, especially when you've been drinking, doesn't sound good to me ... hope she's OK.
#253:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:56 pm
    —
Hope this is all going to turn out well....



Thanks Becky
#254:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:20 pm
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I don't think that was very sensible of Joan. I hope nothing bad is going to happen.
#255:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:39 am
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Well, I wasn't expecting THAT twist!
#256:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:29 am
    —
Demetrius leaned the bike against the side of the house and turned to grin at Joan. “It’s rather like a mansion, isn’t it?” he said, sounding like a boy showing off his new train set.
“Yes,” she agreed, unable to stop herself from sounding impressed. “Whose is it?”
“It’s mine,” he told her. “It’s not quite finished yet, but it won’t be long. I’m hoping we can move in after two weeks more.”
“We?” Joan asked, wondering if he had a wife and children.
“My mother and my sisters,” he told her. “At the moment they live above the taverna. It will be much nicer for them when they live here, where the air is cooler and where we have the most magnificent view.” He gestured to the terrace that they had just reached, and in the moonlight Joan had some idea of how splendid the vista would be, over the town and across the blue waters of the sea. “All the lights work, come in and have a tour.”
Seeing how proud he was of his house, Joan agreed at once. He drew a key from his pocket and they strolled across the patio and over to the back door. Demetrius unlocked it and pushed it open, and stood aside so Joan could go in. She stepped into a small utility room, which already contained a washing machine, and once Demetrius had closed the back door, he led her into the huge kitchen. Almost bursting with pride, the young Greek showed her around the whole house, and Joan was suitably impressed. He had evidently worked extremely hard to raise the money to first build and then furnish such an elegant residence.
Once he had shown her the lovely room he had planned for his youngest sister, complete with a desk for her to do her homework at and the sort of décor bound to appeal to a fifteen year old, they returned to the kitchen, where Demetrius found a bottle of ouzo. He sloshed generous measures into some beautiful crystal glasses and then led Joan out onto the terrace once more. There was a bench set into the lower edge of the patio, so they sat there and gazed out into the night, enjoying the gentle sounds of the night.
They talked endlessly about everything and nothing and Joan found herself telling Demetrius all about Vic and Barry. Demetrius agreed that she had done the right thing in not accepting Barry’s proposal, and assured her that she had done nothing wrong the first evening they had come to his taverna. He then told her about Kalika, his girlfriend, who had gone to university in Athens and had met and married another man there, leaving Demetrius broken hearted. He had harboured dreams of the two of them running the taverna together, having a family and enjoying a prosperous life on the lovely island on which they had been born, and was still finding it difficult to cope with the idea that she had other aspirations.
And then the sun began to rise and Joan watched, spellbound, as the whole world began to lighten and then the wonderful colours of the island appeared, as if they were being freshly applied by a talented artist, and finally the sun appeared in all its majesty. Joan shivered, realizing that it had been chilly, sitting outside for so long, even with Demetrius’ jacket around her shoulders.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, throwing an arm around her and drawing her close to him. “I didn’t think that you’d find it chilly. I suppose I really ought to get you home, so you can warm up and get some sleep.”
“Yes, I think that would be nice,” she answered, smiling at him. “Thank you, Demetrius, for being such a wonderful listener.”
“Oh, you have listened as much as I,” he said with an answering smile. “And now that I have told you my rather dull life story, I feel very much better. So I should be thanking you, Joan.”
“It’s been lovely, watching the sun rise,” she told him. “It’s almost indescribably beautiful watching the sea change colour like that.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he replied, sounding as if he had arranged the show especially for her benefit. “Will you come to the taverna tonight?”
“Yes, I will,” she decided, knowing that she wanted to spend the last evening of her holiday with him.
“I will make my specialty,” he promised. “I will do chicken with patates riganates, and you will eat them with a good wine I keep especially for some suitable occasion.”
“That sounds lovely,” she said, stifling a yawn.
“Come on,” he said, standing up and drawing her to her feet. “We will lock the house and be on our way.”
They walked up to the house and Demetrius checked that it was properly secured, and then they went around to the side of the house and found the motorbike just as they had left it. Demetrius helped Joan put on her helmet and she scrambled onto the back of the bike, clinging tightly to him as he negotiated the driveway. Once he had closed the big gate behind them, Demetrius grinned at Joan, got on the bike again and sped off down the hill and back to Agios Georgios. The journey back to the apartments seemed to take no time at all and just after six thirty Joan was climbing off the bike and bidding Demetrius farewell.
“I will see you this evening,” he said, helping her remove her helmet and then leaning forward and kissing her gently. “Have a good day.”
Joan released him most reluctantly. “Goodbye,” she said, watching as he mounted the bike again and roared off along the street, waving jauntily from the end of the road and then he was gone from sight. With a sigh, she headed for Con’s apartment and gingerly tried the door handle. It would be awful if she had been locked out, and had to wake Con and Roger in order to get in; goodness only knew what they would think of her being out all night. Fortunately, the door swung open on well-oiled hinges, and Joan was able to slip into the flat and be fast asleep on the settee by the time that Con and Roger woke, a couple of hours later.
#257:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:21 am
    —
That's lovely - and such a relief - Joan didn't need any trauma she needed exactly what she got - good company, a good listener, a bottle of ouzo and watching the sunrise.


Thanks Becky
#258:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:10 am
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Glad that went OK - she took quite a risk there.
#259:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:27 am
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That does sound like a lovely evening - and Joan got a quick kiss out of it ;D

Thanks Becky
#260:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:04 pm
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Sounds like Joan had a wonderful evening, and I'm glad she enjoyed herself.
#261:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 1:03 am
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Glad the evening wasn't as disastrous as I'd feared. Nice that each found the other such a good listener.
#262:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:44 pm
    —
I'm really struggling to find the time and energy to write this now. I can't think why I'm so lacking this year. However, here's a bit more for you.

Joan was awoken what felt like minutes after falling asleep by Con shaking her. “What?” she asked, hoping that it was not important and that she could turn over and go back to sleep again. It was certainly much more difficult to sit up all night at forty than it had been at twenty.
“It’s almost two,” said Con, evidently surprised to see Joan so sleepy. “We’ve been to the beach and now we’ve come back for lunch. Do you want something?”
Seeing that Con looked a little worried about her, Joan made an effort to sit up. “Yes, I’m starving,” she realized.
“What time did you get in?” Con asked, perching on the edge of the settee. “We didn’t sleep until the early hours and you weren’t in then.”
“Oh, not long after that,” said Joan casually. She swung her legs over the side of the settee and got up. “I’ll just go and have a wash and get dressed and then I’ll help you with the food. Is Barry all right?”
“He’s ok,” said Con. “He can’t really understand why you won’t marry him, but that’s something all men think when they’re rejected. He’ll get over it.”
“Good,” said Joan, not liking to think of Barry pining away just because she had turned him down, but still having no intention of giving him any encouragement whatsoever.
Con got up and headed for the kitchen, leaving Joan to have a quick shower and to make herself ready to have lunch on the balcony. After a quick splash in the refreshingly cool water, Joan felt better and by the time that she was dressed, she was feeling ravenous. She found Con in the kitchen, busy with sandwiches and fresh fruit to go in the Greek yogurt they all loved so much. Barry was dining with Cindy and Brian, much to Joan’s relief, although she did feel a twinge of guilt for having been responsible for dividing the party into two camps when they had been having such fun as one group.
They enjoyed a leisurely meal on the balcony, and they could hear chatter and laughter from upstairs, so Joan’s mind was put to rest about Barry. He sounded as if he was enjoying himself, so she would be able to head off to Demetrius’ taverna later on without worrying about him. Con and Roger told Joan about the wonderful meal they had enjoyed the previous evening and how they had walked miles along the beach afterwards, revelling in the soft moonlight. In return Joan merely mentioned that she had gone for a walk and had a meal in a taverna, where she had been served wonderful stuffed vine leaves, commenting that she would have to look for a Greek restaurant once she returned home, or she would miss some of the delicacies that she had grown to like during the holiday.
After a siesta, Roger and Con went off with the others. They did offer to accompany Joan, but she declined, telling them that she hated the idea of spoiling their last evening, and so they left her to get ready to head to Demetrius’ taverna on her own. Mindful of the motorcycle ride of the previous evening, Joan donned trousers and a pretty blouse and then set off, hoping that she would actually be able to find the taverna again. After a brief, unintentional detour, Joan found herself in the little square once more, and with a feeling of excitement growing within her, she headed over to the quaint taverna. She sat at a quiet table and before long Demetrius had come to see her, still wearing his chef’s hat and apron.
“It’s going to be a few more minutes,” he told her, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “I’ll have some wine sent over and I’ll be back in a while.”
“There’s no rush,” she assured him, hoping that she did not look as red-cheeked as she felt after being kissed in full view of everyone in the taverna.
Demetrius grinned, making Joan blush more, and then he was gone, back to his kitchen, and a pretty young waitress appeared with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Joan thanked her and sat back to enjoy the wine and the traditional Greek music that was playing quietly over the discretely placed speakers. Demetrius was so nice, but he was also very young. There was no way their brief friendship could lead anywhere, and Joan could not decide if it was wrong of her to spend time with Demetrius and possibly lead him on, or if it was just some fun for them both and something she should sit back and enjoy. He certainly seemed to be happy having fun, and presumably had no expectations, for he was well aware of the fact that she was leaving the island the next day. Joan sighed, hating the idea of hurting the young Greek, yet not able to get up and leave the taverna before he came back to join her.
#263:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:50 pm
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Problems, snags, dilemmas, what to do's. thanks, Fatima.
#264:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:12 pm
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Oh to have all these decisions to make Laughing !
#265:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:03 pm
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Decisions, decisions!
#266:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:51 pm
    —
Joan Valentine! Laughing


Thanks Becky
#267:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:36 pm
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I think she should just relax and enjoy her last evening on holiday Very Happy

Thanks Becky
#268:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:31 pm
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Oh to have THAT decision to make would be lovely. I think she should just enjoy the last day of her holiday and make the rest of us read about it and wish we were on holiday too.

Thanks Becky
#269:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:02 pm
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I hope Barry doesn't see any of this and get angry Confused

Thanks, Becky, have just caught up on oodles of this and am loving it Very Happy
#270:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:59 am
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Sorry for being such a slacker - here's a little more to make up for my laziness. Thanks for your comments. Very Happy

Demetrius appeared about fifteen minutes later, now dressed in what appeared to be his habitual dark jeans and shirt, and he slipped into the seat beside Joan. “It’s all ready,” he told her. “They will bring it to us now.”
And almost as if they heard him, the waitress and a waiter appeared, bearing plates laden with food and accompanied by a most tempting aroma. They set them down, arranged them to their satisfaction and left Joan and Demetrius to enjoy their meal. Demetrius served some of the steaming potatoes onto Joan’s plate, and poured her some more wine. He sat back and watched as she tasted the food, and smiled as he noted her enjoyment.
“This is delicious,” she told him. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted potatoes as good as these.”
“Thank you,” he replied, beginning on his own meal. “It’s one of my mother’s favourite dishes, so I often make it for her. My father taught me to cook, and the recipe is one of his.” Demetrius went on to tell Joan how his father had opened the taverna, and had shared his love of cooking with Demetrius, working every hour of the day to ensure that they made enough money for Demetrius to go off and train as a chef. He had lived long enough to see Demetrius return to Naxos and had been very proud of his talented son.
They finished their meal, and Demetrius ordered Greek yogurt with honey and nuts for dessert. As she ate it, Joan thought regretfully that it would be the last time she would eat Greek yogurt in Greece, unless she was somehow lucky enough to return to the islands again. With a rather wistful sigh she laid down her spoon. “I’ve had a lovely time this week,” she told him. “I absolutely adore your island.”
“I’m glad,” he said simply. “I love it, too. I think it must be the most perfect place on earth.”
“Paradise,” she agreed.
“Any time you come back, you’ll be welcome to stay with us,” Demetrius told her. “We’d be so happy to see you again, you know.”
“Thank you,” she replied, touched. “If ever I get the chance, you’ll be the first to know.”
“We’ll have coffee,” said Demetrius, covering her hand with his own, “And then I’ll take you for a ride and show you the stars as you’ve never seen them before.”
“That would be lovely,” she agreed, smiling at him and thinking what a perfect end to her holiday this was.
#271:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:16 am
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It does seem to be going well ....
#272:  Author: Imogen,  PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:56 pm
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Thank you Becky. Joan is lucky to have all those nice men after her. Poor Barry, I hope he finds someone better suited to him.
#273:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:18 pm
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Hoorah! An update Very Happy .

Thanks, Becky, tis great to see this back!
#274:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:38 pm
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Demetrius is being so lovely *sigh*

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#275:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:32 pm
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That was wonderful, so romantic.

(Apart from me reading Demetrius as Detritus, that is.)
#276:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:32 pm
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thanks becky! but is it going to well? i hope not
#277:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 5:48 am
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Once they had enjoyed the nectar like coffee served in the taverna, Demetrius took Joan outside and they put on helmets before climbing onto his motorbike and zooming off through the dark streets of the town, and then off along an increasingly narrow coastal road. They climbed a hill and at the top Demetrius turned off of the coast road and headed inland, through lanes so dark that Joan had no idea where they were going. She clung to him, hoping the view from their destination would make the ride worth it, and wondering where the nearest garage was just in case he ran out of petrol.
They turned again, and Joan guessed that they were going along an unmade road, for the bike was now going considerably slower, and they were bumping along, instead of their usual smooth ride. Finally Demetrius stopped and they dismounted, and he turned off the bike’s engine. He reached for Joan’s arm and drew her across some rather stony ground and out into the middle of a field. He peered closely at the ground and then spread his jacket upon it, sitting down and drawing Joan down beside him. Without the roar of the motorbike engine, it was completely quiet and Joan began to hear the chirp of the crickets and other tiny noises in the darkness. Hoping desperately that they would not encounter a grasshopper of the proportion that they had found at the beginning of the holiday, she allowed Demetrius to pull her down further until they were both stretched out on their backs, looking upwards.
“Oh wow!” she exclaimed, discovering that there were far more stars in the sky than she had ever imagined. “That’s incredible! I have never seen the sky look like this before!”
Demetrius gave a low laugh. “We’re so far away from the big cities and all their lights,” he explained. “I never knew, until I left Naxos, how lovely the night sky is here.”
“Do you know any of the constellations?” Joan wondered, filled with a sudden longing to know exactly which stars she was looking at.
“No, I’m sorry, I don’t,” he said, turning his face towards hers. He smiled at the rapt expression she wore, and was glad that he had brought her so far away from the town. “Joan,” he said softly, and she turned towards him.
As he reached out to touch her face, Joan was struck by the realization that she was having the most romantic time of her entire life. Barry had been lovely, but she had never lain beneath the stars with him, on a hilltop that smelt of a mixture of wild herbs and the sea, where they were serenaded by insects. Vic’s idea of romance had been giving her a new gadget for the kitchen on her birthday, or yet another pair of gloves for Christmas. Joan sighed, and was just resolving to enjoy the moment when she found Demetrius very near, his mouth searching for hers.
He kissed her gently, and Joan realized that she had decided to enjoy the moment without worrying about the future. She kissed him back, the glory of the stars forgotten for the time being at least.
#278:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:53 am
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It's all going so well ... but what happens when it's time for Joan and Con to go home ?
#279:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:06 am
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Thanks Becky, how very romantic Very Happy
#280:  Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:14 am
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Thank you Becky!
#281:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:21 am
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Very romantic Very Happy

Thanks, Becky
#282:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:03 pm
    —
I'm liking Demetrius a lot!
#283:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:50 pm
    —
Thanks Becky
#284:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:44 pm
    —
Thanks, Becky. I have just read this from the beginning and I am really enjoying reading it. I am still wondering about Stephen!
#285:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:47 pm
    —
A long while later, Joan became aware that she was cold, and that she felt as though she had an insect walking up her trouser leg. She pulled away from Demetrius and leaped to her feet with a shriek, startling him somewhat.
“What’s happened?” he asked, getting up hastily.
Joan pulled up her trouser leg and knocked away the spider that was promenading there. “I’m sorry,” she said with a giggle. “I remembered the huge grasshopper we saw one evening, and thought it might be something like that. It was only a spider, though.”
“You’re cold,” he observed, taking her hand. “Come on, let’s return to civilization.”
They got on the bike once more and crawled back onto the tarmacadamed road, then Demetrius accelerated and they were soon whizzing along a very exposed road somewhere at the top of the hill. Before long they had arrived at the imposing gates of Demetrius’ new house, and he was opening them and ushering Joan inside. He took her straight into the kitchen, where he made coffee and then led her into the ornately furnished living room.
“I’m sorry to make you so cold,” he said, sounding very apologetic. “I really don’t want you to return home with a chill. Shall I put the fire on?” He gestured towards a splendid gas fire, but Joan shook her head. “It’s all connected,” he assured her.
“No, I’m fine,” she said, sipping her coffee. “It was chilly on the hill, but it’s lovely here.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Not after that lovely dinner, thank you,” she replied with a smile.
Demetrius placed his cup carefully on a delicately carved table and came to sit beside Joan. “It wouldn’t do any good, begging you to stay, would it?” he asked softly.
“No,” she replied, with a little smile. “If I did stay, it wouldn’t work out, would it?”
“It might,” he said, but she shook her head, and he knew that she was right. “No, it wouldn’t,” he agreed.
“But you’ve made this holiday especially wonderful, Demetrius, and I shall never forget you,” she told him, squeezing his hand. “Thank you.”
“I won’t forget you either,” he said, taking her empty cup from her and then drawing her to her feet and into his arms. “You don’t want to go home yet, do you?” he asked.
Joan shook her head. “No, I’m not in any hurry to leave,” she assured him.
#286:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:57 pm
    —
Still wondering about Stephen and wondering where this is all going!

Thanks Becky Very Happy .
#287:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:07 pm
    —
How lovely that they can enjoy their last night without any pressure on them Very Happy
#288:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:22 pm
    —
Thanks, Becky. It's a shame it can't work out for them.
#289:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:55 pm
    —
|That's nice, that neither feels they have to lie.


Thanks Becky
#290:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:28 pm
    —
This last bit was really, really nice but what about Stephen?!
#291:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:21 pm
    —
I now want Demetrius to come to London to open a Greek restaurant!

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#292:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:41 pm
    —
Alison H wrote:
Still wondering about Stephen and wondering where this is all going!

Yes, I'm starting to wonder the same things myself!

When Joan awoke, the rising sun was shining right through the window and onto her face. They were lying in a tangle of arms and legs and sheets, and Joan could not help but smile as she recalled the most memorable night of her life. Demetrius was an intensely passionate man and he had shown her hitherto unimagined heights of ecstasy, and just for a moment she wondered what would happen if she agreed to stay on the lovely Greek island with him. Thoughts of Kenny and Debbie soon dispelled that dream; Joan knew that Demetrius would want to have children, while she had no desire to have any more – if she was still able to at her age. She could not see herself working in the taverna, which she would have to do if she were to stay on the island. And what she felt for Demetrius definitely was not love. She fancied him and was flattered by his attentions, but once their passion waned, they would be left with little more than regrets and she already had enough of those to last her a lifetime.
Joan slipped out of bed and went quietly into the en suite bathroom to see if the water was working. It was, so she had a thorough wash and then ran her fingers through her hair to tidy it. She found it still full of grass from where they had lain beneath the stars, and she hoped that she could get into the shower in Con’s apartment before anyone saw her. Back in the bedroom, Demetrius was still slumbering peacefully, looking a lot younger than his twenty-eight years, and Joan knew that she was right to be leaving him. He was far too young for her, and they could never be happy together.
She dressed quietly and slipped downstairs, heading for the kitchen to make coffee. A quick search of the cupboards revealed nothing suitable for breakfast, so she took the two cups up to the bedroom and found Demetrius awake, sitting up in bed and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Good morning,” she greeted him, passing him the steaming mug of coffee.
“Good morning,” he replied. “Thank you, this is just what I need.” He put his mug on the bedside cabinet and took Joan’s from her, before drawing her onto the bed beside him. “I’m sorry there’s nothing to eat in the house,” he said apologetically. “If I’d thought, I’d have brought something up here yesterday.”
“That’s all right,” she said, gently smoothing his tousled hair. “Demetrius, I really ought to be going soon. I still have to pack.”
“I know,” he said quietly. “I won’t make you late, I promise.” He kissed her tenderly and then slid out of bed and dressed quickly. They drank their coffee and exchanged the odd remark, each completely at ease with the other, almost as if they had always breakfasted together.
Finally, the bed was made, the cups were washed and everything was just as neat as it had been when Joan had first visited the house. They got onto Demetrius’ motorbike and headed off towards the town once more, and Joan felt a brief twinge of sadness as she took a last look at the lovely house on the hilltop.
#293:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:57 pm
    —
Well, if Joan doesn't want him ... Wink

Thanks, Becky
#294:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:13 pm
    —
She could always stay ...
#295:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:07 pm
    —
Joan's been very honest to herself about her feelings for Demetrius, but I do agree it's a shame she can't stay.
#296:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:42 pm
    —
I think she's doing the sensible thing by walking away...besides there's always Stephen!

Thanks Becky
#297:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:23 pm
    —
Very sensible of her - but can understand the regret.


Thanks Becky
#298:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:46 pm
    —
It's difficult to think about exotic beach holidays when Christmas is coming and it's pouring with rain. However, Joan's now back in England, so maybe I shall be more inspired!

When Demetrius pulled up outside the apartments it was just after seven o’clock. Joan slid off the back of the bike and removed her helmet, handing it to him and wondering just what she should say to him. He hooked the helmet onto the handlebars and turned to face her.
“Goodbye, Joan,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her and holding her against him. “If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please call.”
Although she knew that she never would, Joan nodded. “Maybe I shall see you again one day,” she said with a smile. “Thank you, Demetrius. I’ve had a wonderful holiday because of you.”
“Take care,” he said, kissing her gently.
“You too,” she replied.
He kissed her again, and then he got onto his bike and took off down the street without looking back. With a sigh, Joan headed up the step to Con’s apartment and quietly unlocked the door. Con and Roger were already up and having breakfast and when they saw Joan arrive they looked relieved.
“We wondered what on earth had happened to you!” Con exclaimed. “Where have you been?”
“Oh, I met a friend,” said Joan non-committally.
Con grinned. “A very good friend, I imagine,” she said approvingly. “Are you still coming home with us today?”
“Yes, of course I am,” said Joan, helping herself to toast and jam. “I’ve had fun, but it’s time to go back to the real world now.”
Roger poured coffee and handed it to Joan with a smile. “We’re off to the airport at ten,” he reminded her. “You’ll be ready, won’t you?”
“Yes, I’ll be ready,” she assured him. She finished her breakfast and then went off to pack, and by the time that they heard the tour-company’s bus, Joan was ready to go. She felt a little nervous at having to face Barry again, but she need not have worried. Roger sat next to him on the bus, leaving Con free to keep Joan company, and they reminisced happily all the way to the airport.
They had no problems at the airport, passing through customs quickly and easily and were soon boarding the flight. Joan was rather disconcerted when Barry came to sit with her and she would have got up and gone to sit somewhere else if he had not stopped her with an apology.
“I’m sorry for spoiling your holiday, Joan,” he said, sounding serious. “May I please sit with you now? I’d like to talk to you, if you don’t mind.”
Feeling guilty for having spoilt Barry’s holiday, Joan relaxed into her seat again and nodded. “I’m sorry, too,” she told him.
“You have no need to apologise,” he assured her. “I’ve done a lot of thinking these last two days, and I’m sorry I was ungracious. You’re right, you can’t rush into another marriage, not after all you went through with Vic. I do want to get married one of these days, or I’ll be so old that no one will want me, so I’m not going to suggest that we carry on together. But I would like us to be friends.”
Joan nodded. “Yes, I’d like that, too,” she admitted. “I’m really sorry, Barry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” he said again. “So what did you think of Greece?”
“Oh, I loved it!” she told him with enthusiasm, and they dropped all personal topics of conversation and enjoyed a friendly chat about all things Greek which lasted until the plane finally landed in England.
#299:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:20 pm
    —
I'm glad they can still be friends although Barry obviously doesn't know what Joan's been up to Wink

Thanks Becky
#300:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:40 pm
    —
Staying friends is a nice idea but something tells me it won't last when Barry finds out about just exactly what Joan got up to in Greece after they split!
#301:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:36 pm
    —
Why does Barry have to find out? A woman is entitled to a few secrets.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Fatima drabble without a few unwanted facts leaking out, but there we are.
#302:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:36 pm
    —
That was noble of Barry.


Thanks Becky
#303:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:59 pm
    —
Thank you, Becky Laughing
#304:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:36 pm
    —
Oh I'm glad that happened - now the holiday will have no bitter aftertaste at all Very Happy

Thanks, Becky
#305:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:54 pm
    —
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update this, but I'm hoping that I can get back into it again now. Thanks for all your comments.

Joan found that she was actually quite glad to be home. Kenny called her just a couple of hours after she had returned to her flat, sounding eager to see her again, and it was somehow much more relaxing to be at home than to be holed up on the settee in Con and Roger's apartment. Joan unpacked and filled the wash basket with the clothes she had worn in Greece, and then she made herself a cup of tea and switched on the news, wondering what had been happening in the world in the week that she had been on Naxos.
Kenny arrived just before tea time, bringing a slender, pretty girl with him. He had been seeing Jackie for several months, but Joan knew very little about her. Kenny had brought her to visit Joan once before, and Joan had found her to be quiet and shy and she had not managed to draw her into the conversation very much at all. Kenny seemed smitten, though, and Joan was grateful that he'd found someone who seemed nice enough and not someone who would lead him into trouble. When they arrived Joan noticed that Jackie seemed quieter and shyer than before and she got the distinct impression that Jackie would have clung to Kenny's hand if she possibly could have done. Joan made a pot of tea and buttered some bread, hoping that Kenny was not expecting an enormous meal, and took it to the tiny dining table in a corner of the kitchen. She put out some different jams and then called Kenny and Jackie to the table.
While they ate, Joan answered Kenny's questions about Greece and gave him an edited version of her activities on the lovely island of Naxos. Jackie looked a little more animated as she told Joan how much she would like to visit Greece one day, and Joan was decidedly taken aback by the look that crossed Kenny's face as she spoke. She began to wonder at their visit, for it seemed odd that they would arrive on her doorstep so soon after her return from Greece. Kenny made a good meal - he always had a healthy appetite - and Jackie nibbled at a slice of bread, her gaze continually returning to Kenny as if to check that he was still there. She helped Joan clear away once they had finished eating, and then they took another cup of tea into the sitting room.
Kenny glanced across at his mother, sitting in her favourite armchair, looking both healthy and tanned after her sojourn in the sun. He took a deep breath, knowing that it was time to break the news to her. "Mum, Jackie's pregnant," he told her. "We want to get married."
Joan looked from Kenny's earnest expression to Jackie's pale face, almost hidden by her long, heavy fair hair. They both looked so young that it was difficult to imagine them as parents. "You don't have to ask my permission to get married," she reminded Kenny, then she smiled, realizing that if they had a baby she would be the grandmother and she would be able to enjoy all the delights that accompanied the arrival of a baby without the hardships that went with it. "Kenny, I'm so pleased for you," she said happily. Jackie looked surprised, and Joan wondered if she had been given a hard time by her parents. Joan knew that Jackie was just seventeen, for Kenny had taken her out for a very special meal only a couple of months before she went to Naxos, and she knew that she would have been rather annoyed with any young man that had put Debbie in a similar position. However, it was up to her to be supportive, for it would not be easy for them, and there was no point in lecturing, as it would not change a thing.

Last edited by Fatima on Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:29 pm; edited 2 times in total
#306:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:37 pm
    —
Joan's family certainly lead eventful lives!

Good to see more of this.
#307:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:35 pm
    —
Well done Joan! The pair will be so relieved that they have support from at least one parent.


Thanks Becky
#308:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:29 pm
    —
So glad Joan's being supportive. That must have been difficult for Kenny and Jackie.
#309:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:43 pm
    —
Well I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting but it wasn't that! I do love being surprised though. Thank you
#310:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:19 am
    —
I've just caught up on this. Well done Joan for being supportive.
#311:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:21 pm
    —
Over the next few weeks Joan got to know Jackie much better. Kenny had called her and explained that Jackie's parents were keen for her to leave him and give the baby up for adoption, but neither Jackie nor Kenny wanted to do that. They realized that it would not be easy for them, for neither earned a great deal of money, but they were quite determined to go ahead with plans to marry and do the best that they possibly could for their baby. Jackie managed to overcome her shyness sufficiently to ask Joan some questions that she did not feel comfortable asking her mother, and once she had broken the ice, she began to confide more in her mother-in-law-to-be. Joan found that Jackie was very sweet and thoughtful and she guessed that she would make a wonderful mother. She thought the world of Kenny and it was clear that he adored her, so Joan fully supported their plans for the future.
As well as spending time with Kenny and Jackie, Joan enrolled in an evening class. Now that she was no longer seeing Barry, she had plenty of time on her hands, and she did not want to waste a moment of it. She would also be able to meet a whole circle of different people, away from work and the slimming club, and make some new friends. Having just discovered the joys of independence, Joan intended to make the most of it. She read through the descriptions of the courses offered and finally decided that she would learn Greek. Then, if she ever returned to Greece she would be able to get more out of her trip, not to mention being able to impress Demetrius with her newly acquired skills.
Joan found that she had no regrets about either Barry or Demetrius. She had enjoyed every moment she spent with them, but she was quite happy to be on her own. It was pleasant to make all the decisions about what to do and what to eat without having to consider anyone else. She did go for dinner after her Greek class with several of the others taking the course, a couple of older married women and a young man just out of college, who seemed to look upon Joan as a kind of mother figure, and she frequently saw Con and Cindy out of working hours. They even produced eligible men of their aquaintance for Joan's benefit, but although she did enjoy meeting them, she did not find anyone she wanted to see on a regular basis.
November came and went and Joan began to anticipate Debbie's return for the holiday. She had started her Christmas shopping early, so that she would be able to feel relaxed about the whole festive season, and she was really looking forward to preparing dinner for Debbie, Kenny and Jackie. Vic had never suggested that the children might like to spend the holiday with him, for which Joan was thankful, and they did not seem to feel any need to do more than make sure the gifts and cards they bought him had been posted so that they would arrive in time for Christmas Day. Although she would never say anything to prejudice the children against their father, Joan was glad that they were so eager to keep in touch with her and did not view her with the same indifference they showed towards Vic.
#312:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:21 pm
    —
So Joan's going to learn Greek eh -Shirley Valentine the Second?


Love how comfortable Joan is with herself and her children.

Thanks Becky
#313:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:34 pm
    —
I'm so glad Jackie has such a nice mother in law to be and good on her for doing different things
#314:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:26 pm
    —
Wondering if Stephen is ever going to return to the scene though!
#315:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 10:20 pm
    —
I'd completely forgotten about Stephen! I do think he should come back on the scene however...
#316:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:08 pm
    —
Just before Debbie came home from Birmingham, Joan headed off to do some late night shopping. She had one or two things she still wanted to buy, and preferred to do it on her own, in peace and quiet, rather than with Debbie, who would probably persuade her to spend far more money than she had originally planned. Joan had a lovely time going around the shops, listening to the jolly Christmas music that was playing and looking at the bright lights and sparkly decorations. She found some nice perfume for Debbie, and then decided to get some for Jackie, too, and some odd things to put in Debbie's stocking. She bought Con an exquisite vase and as she watched the assistant carefully wrap it, she decided that she really ought to stop shopping and have a cup of tea. She felt absolutely parched, so she paid for her purchases and headed up the escalator to the third floor, where there was a rather nice little coffee shop. As she stood in the queue to pay for her tea, Joan looked at the packed tables and began to feel that she had made a mistake. By the time she had found somewhere to sit, her tea would probably be quite cold.
Once she had tucked her change into her purse, Joan picked up her tray and walked resolutely amongst the tables. She had just decided that she would look for a woman sitting alone and ask if she could join her when she heard her name being called. Turning, she saw Stephen Maynard getting to his feet to attract her attention. Feeling nervous, she headed across to his table.
"Come and join me," he suggested as she approached. "It's so full here you'll have ages to wait for a table."
"I was going to impose myself on someone," she admitted, sitting down opposite him.
"You are very welcome to impose yourself on me," Steve said, smiling at her. "I'm waiting for Con," he added, pouring Joan's tea for her. "She's getting the family gifts, so I'm merely required to appear with my credit card at the appropriate moment."
"Have some tea," she suggested, indicating his empty cup. "There's another cup in there, I think."
"I've had three coffees already," he told her with a grin. "It's hard work, shopping."
Joan laughed. "It looks it," she told him. Wishing she could think of some scintillating conversational gambit, Joan sipped her tea. Steve was lounging in his chair, evidently far more at ease in her company than she was feeling in his.
"I haven't seen you for ages," he told her. "You're looking great, Joan."
Surprised by his words, Joan managed to meet his eye. She saw that he was perfectly sincere, so she bit back the disclaimer she had been about to utter and accepted his compliment gracefully. "Thank you," she said.
Before Stephen could say anything more, Con arrived, her basket full to overflowing. "Hello Joan!" she exclaimed, ignoring the security guard behind her who was trying to explain that she should pay for her purchases before heading into the coffee shop. "Steve, I've finished. Sorry to drag him away, Joan, but he's the man with the money."
Steve pulled out his wallet, extracted most of the money and handed it to Con. "Don't spend it all," he said, sounding resigned.
"Don't tempt me," she retorted. "Thanks, Steve. Joan, I'll see you tomorrow." And with that she was gone, still followed by the worried looking security guard.
"Have you finished your shopping?" asked Steve, eyeing the bags beside Joan's chair.
"Just about," she answered, draining her cup and pouring out the rest of the tea. "I was going to get some mince pies and a few vegetables, but that's about it."
"Con and I both came here straight from work, so she has her car and I have mine," said Steve thoughtfully. "How about I help you with your shopping and then you let me take you to dinner? Con can see herself home. She's meeting Roger later, I think," he added, lest Joan should think he was neglecting his sister quite shamefully.
#317:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:11 pm
    —
Oh good, I knew Stephen would reappear sooner or later!
#318:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:13 pm
    —
Sighs happily. I hope Stephen is the one for her, though I don't think Joey would agree.
#319:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:50 pm
    —
How nice - go Joan! Laughing
#320:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:40 pm
    —
Glad to see Stephen back. Thanks, becky.
#321:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:00 pm
    —
"Oh, I don't want to be any trouble," Joan answered at once. "I took a lasagne out of the freezer for dinner, so there's really no need."
"I know there's no need," he assured her. "I haven't seen you for ages - since you went to Greece, in fact - and it would be lovely to catch up with you again."
"Well," said Joan doubtfully. "If you're sure..."
"I'm sure," said Steve with certainty. Quite why he should want to catch up with Joan, who had always been Con's friend and with whom he had never 'caught up' before, Steve did not stop to think. He wanted to have dinner with her and he could analyse the reasons behind this later. For now, all that mattered was gathering up her shopping before she could do so, and escorting her out of the store and along the road to any other shops that she should wish to patronise.
Once Joan had done the rest of her shopping, Steve took her home so that she could leave the perishables in the fridge. Joan slipped into the bedroom to change into something more suitable for going out to dinner than the jeans and jumper she had worn shopping, and when she returned to the living room she found Steve standing at the window, gazing out into the darkness. He had his hands shoved deep into his pockets, and the lights from the Christmas tree sent a rainbow of colours across his fair hair. Joan took a deep breath and tried to calm the butterflies that had suddenly invaded her stomach.
"I wish it would snow," she said, and immediately wondered what ever had possessed her to make such a foolish remark.
"This is one of the few times of year that I actually miss living in Switzerland," said Steve, turning from the window to look at Joan. "I wish it would snow, too. It makes it seem more like Christmas, doesn't it."
"Yes, much more," she agreed.
"Are you ready? Shall we be off?"
Joan took up her coat and handbag. "Yes, I'm ready," she agreed.
Stephen followed her out of the flat and downstairs to where his car was parked. They had already agreed to eat in the local pub, which served superb food and where there was always a wonderful atmosphere. It was an old pub, with ancient oak beams and stone walls, big, heavy wooden tables and ornately carved chairs, and although it was filling up rapidly, the landlord found them a quiet table near the gigantic Christmas tree.
"I wonder if they're serving turkey tonight," said Stephen with a grin. "Sitting here I feel so festive that I might just have to have Christmas pudding and mulled wine, too."
"It is a beautiful tree," Joan agreed. She gazed at the twinkling lights, urging herself to relax and enjoy the evening, and not sit nervously opposite Stephen, making silly remarks until he thought she was a complete idiot.
"What will you eat?" he asked, noticing a waitress coming towards their table. "Can I tempt you to a Christmas dinner, if they do one?"
Joan fought a brief battle with her conscience, promising that she would eat carefully every other day until Christmas, and nodded. "Yes, that would be lovely," she told him.
Unfortunately, they were not able to have turkey, but the waitress assured them that roast chicken was on the menu, so they agreed that would definitely be an acceptable alternative. While they waited for it to arrive, Stephen put Joan at her ease by asking about her children, and Joan found herself telling him all about Kenny and Jackie.
"It sounds as though they'll be fine," he told her reassuringly. "I think you're doing the right thing, not criticising them but helping them all you can. When I think of the way my mother would have handled a similar situation..."
"Jackie's parents are not being supportive," Joan said sadly. "She's a really sweet girl and they're giving her such a hard time. I hope they come round when the baby's born."
"Babies have an excellent reputation for rebuilding bridges," agreed Steve.
#322:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:54 pm
    —
They're getting on well Very Happy .
#323:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:29 pm
    —
This sounds very promising.
#324:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:06 pm
    —
Glad Joan decided to go.


Thanks Becky
#325:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:54 pm
    —
Nice to see them getting on so well!
#326:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:28 pm
    —
Thanks, Fatima - it's nice to see Joan enjoying her life.

Stephen said
Quote:
When I think of the way my mother would have handled a similar situation

Do I detect another story in that remark? Rolling Eyes
#327:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:25 am
    —
I briefly considered it, Lottie, but no, there isn't! Thanks for your comments.

Their meal arrived and it was every bit as good as they had hoped it would be. Generous helpings of chicken were swimming in a positive sea of gravy, and seasonal vegetables filled the plate. Conversation languished as they ate; Steve was starving, for he had eaten nothing since his sandwiches at lunch time and Joan found that she was hungry too, after all her shopping. Comfortably warm and full, Joan sat back in her chair. She had no difficulty in refusing a dessert and laughed at Steve's apologetic request for steamed pudding and custard.
"Yes, have it," she urged him. "I couldn't manage another morsel, but there's no reason you should miss out."
Steve duly tucked into a large portion of spotted dick and custard, eating with obvious enjoyment. "Now I wish we'd walked here," he said when he finally laid down his spoon. "Next time we come here I shall refuse to leave until you've had some, too. It was absolutely out of this world."
"I hate steamed pudding," she informed him. "So you'll be sitting here all night."
"That could persuade you to change your mind," he told her. "Come on, then, it's getting late and I should get you home, or you won't have time to do five hours of housework before Debbie arrives."
"I never said I'd do that much!" she protested, standing up as well.
"You did mention about ten jobs that you wanted to do," he reminded her, "And I know they'd take me about five hours to do."
"They won't take anything like that long," she assured him.
Grinning, Steve slipped his arm through hers and led her over to the bar, where they had to pay for their meal. His smile turned to an expression of horror, though, when he discovered that Con had not left him enough money to pay, and he turned to Joan, feeling ashamed of himself. Before he could explain, she had pulled out her purse, guessing at once what had happened and only to happy to help him out. As soon as they got outside, Stephen turned to her again and regarded her earnestly.
"I'm so sorry," he told her sincerely. "I feel such a fool. I can't believe I'd forgotten giving all that money to Con. I don't usually behave so shabbily, Joan, I promise."
"That's all right," she reassured him. "It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does," he insisted. "Whatever must you think of me, inviting you out for dinner and then letting you pay for it all. I'm so embarrassed."
"You don't have to be," she said firmly. "Don't worry about it."
"Now you'll have to come out with me again," he said, unlocking the car door for her. "I have to prove to you that I'm really the perfect gentleman."
Hoping that she did not sound too eager, Joan said, "I'd like that. Thank you, Steve."
They drove the short distance to Joan's home and Steve managed to pull up right in front of the building. "Thank you for a lovely evening," he said, turning to look at her. "I've really enjoyed myself."
"So have I," she realized. "Would you like to come up for coffee?"
"I'd love to," he assured her, "But I'd better not. I have an early start tomorrow, and still one or two things to go over tonight. Can I have a rain check?"
"Yes, of course," she said, hoping she did not sound as disappointed as she felt. She opened the door of the car and got out. "Thanks, Steve," she said. "Goodnight."
"I'll ring you," he called after her. "Goodnight, Joan."
#328:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:55 am
    —
Well, he was only trying to be a gentleman - maybe she should be flattered rather than disappointed!
#329:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:23 pm
    —
I hope they go out again. They seem to get on well.
#330:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:28 pm
    —
I do hope that this means some real happiness for Joan.
#331:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:14 pm
    —
Poor Steve - how embarrassing - glad they are getting on so well.


Thanks Becky
#332:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:47 am
    —
Joan dashed inside, for it was feeling decidedly cold, and hurried into her flat, her mind in a whirl. Did Stephen like her or not? Had he enjoyed their evening, or was he so eager to escape from her that he couldn't even face having coffee with her? She unpacked her shopping and decided that she might as well begin wrapping some of the presents she had bought right then and there. It would be easier to get Debbie's things done before Debbie returned and then she could persuade Debbie to help her with the rest of the gifts. Debbie had neat fingers and made presents look so much smarter than Joan could ever be bothered to manage.
Joan made a cup of tea and arranged the paper, sellotape and gift tags on the kitchen table and was soon humming soulful Christmas tunes as she wrapped. She did not particularly enjoy wrapping all the gifts, but once she started she found that there was something quite rewarding about turning a mass of ordinary things into exciting looking parcels. She wrapped Jackie's perfume and deliberated for a moment over what to write on the gift tag; she finally settled for 'love from Joan', deciding that it would be a little premature to put 'Mum'.
When the telephone rang, Joan almost felt annoyed to have to leave her wrapping. She pulled on her cardigan, realizing that it was getting chilly, and answered the phone. "Hello," she said, glancing up at the clock and wondering who would be calling her at ten to midnight.
"Hello Joan." It was Stephen Maynard. "I hope you weren't asleep."
"No, I wasn't," she told him. It was so nice to hear his voice, but she did not want him to think she was reading more into his call than he intended.
"I'm sorry I dashed off," he told her. "I'd far rather be having coffee with you than sitting here reading tomorrow morning's presentation. It's an important client, though, and I have to check that it's perfect."
"That's all right," she told him.
"If you aren't in bed, what are you doing?" he wondered.
"Wrapping presents," she replied. "It's actually quite a rewarding job."
"I'll take your word for it," he said, and she could just imagine the smile on his face.
"I suppose Con does yours," she guessed.
"Yes, she does," he admitted. "It's either that or they go off in carrier bags."
"Men!" said Joan, and Steve knew exactly the expression she would be wearing.
"I know you won't want to go out tomorrow evening, with Debbie home," Stephen went on, serious now, "But would you like to do something at the weekend? We could try and find somewhere with a Christmas menu and start our celebration a little early."
"That would be lovely," she told him.
"Good," he said. "I'll call a few places in the morning and see what I can find, then I'll phone you. Is Saturday all right?"
"Yes, perfect," she said happily, abandoning all attempts to sound nonchalant.
"I'm looking forward to it already," he told her. "I'll leave you to your wrapping, then. Good night, Joan"
"Good night, Steve," she replied and then she replaced the receiver, aware of a sudden warm glow spreading through her. Stephen did like her after all. He really did have work to do and he wasn't trying to avoid her. Smiling, she returned to her wrapping, switching from her rather melancholy humming of 'Blue Christmas' to something far more upbeat.
#333:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:25 pm
    —
Now that sounds hopeful!
#334:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:10 pm
    —
Lovely!
#335:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:22 pm
    —
Yay!

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#336:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 4:36 pm
    —
So pleased Stephen rang.


Thanks Becky
#337:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:54 pm
    —
Debbie came home, bringing a huge pile of washing and some beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts, which she arranged round the tree. Now that she was not alone, Joan found that it began to seem so much more Christmassy at home. Debbie made a Christmas cake, which she liberally infused with brandy, and then decided to try her hand at making mulled wine. She filled the flat with very festive aromas and then invited Kenny and Jackie around for the evening. Debbie and Jackie hit it off right away and Joan found herself enjoying the company of the three young people just as much as she had relished her solitude a few months earlier. Now she really did have the best of both worlds, she realized. She could have time to herself and follow her own interests, but she could also have time with her family, enjoying all the bustle and excitement of Christmas
Once Kenny and Jackie had left, Joan and Debbie settled down to watch television together. Debbie was soon engrossed in the film, but Joan kept on thinking of the next evening, when she and Steve would be going out together. Or they would if he had actually remembered about it. He had not called, and it was now almost nine o'clock, so he'd had all day to do his presentation and call all sorts of pubs and restaurants and then phone her. She could not help but think that he had changed his mind. After all, she was not exactly the sort of person who dated someone with the surname Maynard. Not only had she had an unfortunate beginning at the Chalet School, which she was sure Jo Maynard had never forgotten, let alone forgiven, she was divorced from her husband, and her son was currently expecting a baby with a girl to whom he was not married. And yet Stephen was such a gentleman. He was always very polite and respectful towards her and she had felt that he really liked her when they had dined together the previous evening. Until he left her on the doorstep, that was. That was when the doubts had set in, the worries that he had realized how unsuitable a companion she was and was taking a hurried step away from her before his mother got word of what he was doing.
At that point Joan rebuked herself. Con had said one or two things which told Joan that she did not keep Joey informed of everything she did. After all, Con herself did not live the sort of lifestyle her mother probably believed she did. She lived with Steve so that Jo believed they kept one another on the straight and narrow. That most definitely was not the case, though. Joan sighed, wishing that he would just ring and either arrange their next date or tell her that he did not wish to see her again. She was beginning to feel that she didn't mind what he said, which option he chose, just as long as he put her out of her agony of anticipation.
#338:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:30 pm
    —
Hmmm, wonder how Joey feels they are living then?


Lovely scene - very Christmassy
#339:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:59 pm
    —
Lesley wrote:
Hmmm, wonder how Joey feels they are living then?


As if they were living in a monastery perhaps!
#340:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:04 pm
    —
Fatima wrote:
Lesley wrote:
Hmmm, wonder how Joey feels they are living then?


As if they were living in a monastery perhaps!



But how boring! - Although perhaps Con would enjoy living in a monastery
#341:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:21 pm
    —
It's amazing the things parents believe - my friend's mum once remarked that it must be costing a fortune paying the single room supplement when my friend went on holiday with her boyfriend, and apparently she genuinely wasn't joking Rolling Eyes !
#342:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:01 am
    —
Fatima wrote:
She could not help but think that he had changed his mind. After all, she was not exactly the sort of person who dated someone with the surname Maynard.


Why shouldn't you be, Joan - don't put yourself down. Steve likes you and that's what matters!

Thanks, Becky
#343:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:27 am
    —
I can imagine Jo having a really old fashioned attitude towards relationships outside of marriage. I don't think Con or Stephen tell her much about what they get up to at all! And yes, Con would probably enjoy the monastery!!

Joan had just climbed into bed and turned out the light when the phone rang. Grumbling to herself, as it was very cold, she dragged on her dressing gown, shoved her feet into slippers and hurried into the living room. She snatched up the receiver, hoping it wasn't Kenny calling with bad news about Jackie. "Hello?" she said, rather more abruptly than she had intended.
"Hello Joan. I'm really sorry to call you this late again." Stephen sounded so apologetic that Joan forgot her annoyance with him. "I had a bit of a hectic day - we got the contract and had to go out and celebrate."
"Congratulations!" she said, settling down in an armchair and tucking her feet up under her. "Well done, Steve."
"Thank you," he said. "Joan, I called around and booked a table at the Winter Palace. We eat at eight. Is that all right?"
"Yes, that sounds fine, thank you."
"I'll pick you up at seven," he said. "I think it's quite a dressy place from what Con said. I'm going to wear a suit."
"Then I shall dress accordingly," she told him, managing not to say that she was very much looking forward to seeing him all dressed up. "It sounds lovely."
"Con went there last year," Steve explained. "She said they do the best food and it's always beautifully decorated for Christmas. I don't think I can promise snow, but you'll have just about everything else you could possibly want."
"Yes, I remember her saying something about it," Joan agreed. "I'm looking forward to it already."
"So am I," he said. "How is Debbie? Is it nice to have her back again?"
"Yes, it's lovely," said Joan, and he could not miss the contentment in her voice. "She's brought a mountain of washing for me to do, but she's made a Christmas cake and tomorrow she's going to try her hand at Christmas puddings. She's actually a pretty good cook."
"She must take after her mother, then," said Stephen, recalling the delicious lasagne Joan had provided for Con's party the previous year.
Joan could feel herself flushing with pleasure at his compliment and she was glad he could not see her. "And she's made friends with Jackie already," Joan told him, passing over his remark.
"I'm glad to hear it," he said, and Joan noticed that he did sound pleased. "Well, I suppose I ought to get to bed, or I'll never get up for work tomorrow."
"I'm glad I've already finished," said Joan smugly, having taken a couple of extra days holiday so that she could spend them with Debbie. "I'll see you tomorrow evening, then."
"You can count on it," he told her. "Night, Joan. Sweet dreams."
"You too. Goodnight, Steve."
Joan replaced the receiver, a big grin on her face. He did care, after all. She needn't have worried, for he was still interested in spending time with her despite her lack of suitability. Still smiling, Joan headed back to bed, no longer cold, but warmed by the conversation she had just enjoyed.
#344:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia PostPosted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:26 pm
    —
Yay for Joan!! I have the most lovely mental picture of Stephen in my mind, just from his actions towards her... Laughing
#345:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 5:33 pm
    —
Stephen sounds lovely.

I am trying not to think about Con and the monastery ... Laughing
#346:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:39 pm
    —
I suppose it would depend on the monks.
#347:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:30 am
    —
Stephen is lovely and poor Joan - feeling she is unsuitable.


Thanks Fatima.
#348:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:29 am
    —
This is lovely. Hope Joan gets over her feelings about being unsuitable soon. She's been lovely to her kids.
#349:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:41 pm
    —
The next evening Steve arrived at exactly seven o'clock. He was wearing a dark suit and Joan could not help but think how wonderful he looked. He might not be handsome in the strictest sense of the word, but he looked honest and reliable and Joan could not stop the phrase 'the boy next door' from springing to mind. That was what he had been while they were at school, when she had scarcely noticed him; now he seemed to be forever in her mind.
"Hello," he said, giving her an appreciative look. "You look fantastic, Joan."
"Don't sound so surprised," she chided him, with a smile to take the sting out of her words. "You scrub up pretty well yourself."
Steve grinned at her. "Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Yes, I'll just get my coat." A moment later, Joan was calling goodbye to Debbie and pulling the door closed behind them. She followed him out to his car, finding that the night was bitterly cold, but very clear. "There's no chance of snow is there," she said, sounding resigned.
"None at all," he agreed. "We'll just have to go to Switzerland next year."
They drove to the restaurant and Joan observed that even the facade of the Winter Palace was impressive. Inside it was very roomy, with the tables set quite far apart, and it was beautifully decorated. They had taken blue and silver as the colours of their Christmas theme, and the whole impression was of glittering coldness. A huge silver tree stood in the middle of the room, hung with stunning blue decorations and surrounded by huge gifts, all wrapped in shades of blue. At their table was a silver candlestick with a blue candle in it and as they sat down, the waiter lit it.
"It's like being in an ice cave," whispered Joan when the waiter had left them to peruse the menu. "It's stunning."
"I'm glad you said that," he said, grinning at her. "When we walked in I was worried that you'd hate it. I thought you'd prefer the traditional green and red."
"If you'd described this, I would have said I didn't like the sound of it," Joan admitted. "But it works really well."
"Will you have the turkey?"
"Yes, please," she said, smiling back at him. "And the Christmas pudding. With custard."
"Not brandy butter?" he asked.
"No, custard," she said firmly.
Steve ordered the meal and much to Joan's surprise, a bottle of champagne to go with it. When it arrived, Steve raised his glass to Joan. "Merry Christmas," he said.
"Merry Christmas," she repeated, tapping her glass against his. She sipped the champagne, discovering that Steve had excellent taste in wine.
"Joan," he said, his eyes meeting hers.
"Yes?"
"Are you going to Cindy's new year party?"
"Yes, I am," she told him, abandoning her contemplation of the champagne.
"Would you like to go with me?" he asked hopefully. "Unless," he added, "You're already going with someone else."
"No, I'm not," she assured him. "It would be great to go with you, Steve. Thank you." Joan thought he looked relieved to hear her answer, but she was not certain until he spoke again.
"Phew!" he said, and he definitely sounded relieved. "I've wanted to ask you out for nearly a year," he told her. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since last Christmas." Remembering falling down the stairs into his arms and being kissed by him, Joan turned scarlet. "Don't look like that," he said gently, reaching out and taking her hand.
"But it was so embarrassing," she protested. His hand was warm and strong around hers and her colour faded to normal as she realised that he did not find her at all foolish.
"I hope you don't mean the kissing bit," he said, smiling at her. "I didn't think I was that bad."
"Oh, you weren't!" she exclaimed, not realising until she had spoken that he was teasing her.
"That is a relief," he said, gently stroking her wrist now.
Joan looked up, forcing herself to meet his gaze again. What she saw in his face reassured her more than words could have done. He was looking at her with such fondness that she felt herself relax again and she smiled back at him. "I've thought about you quite a lot, too," she admitted. "It's been really nice to see you again."
#350:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:59 pm
    —
Awwww, that is so cute. Laughing


Thanks Becky
#351:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:03 pm
    —
That went well Very Happy .
#352:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:22 pm
    —
That's a good start. Now for..............
#353:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:55 pm
    —
Glad things have got off to a good start with them. I hope things continue to go well.
#354:  Author: JayB, Location: SE England PostPosted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:59 pm
    —
I like the way Steve casually talks about what they'll do next year, as if there's no question in his mind that they'll be spending next Christmas together, and they'll be close enough to think about going away together. Joan didn't seem to notice, though.
#355:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:34 am
    —
Their dinner arrived and Steve reluctantly released Joan's hand. He was pleased with the way things were going, though. Joan seemed very receptive to his advances and he was feeling quite certain that she felt the same way about him as he did about her. As he tucked in to his delicious meal, Steve reflected upon the start of his interest in Joan. He remembered Con's rather scathing comments as she met Joan in the street all those years ago and he had instantly recognised her name. Joan Baker had been infamous in the sheltered world of the Gornetz Platz. Steve recalled meeting her a couple of times while she had been at the Chalet School, and had found her so different from the other girls his sisters were friendly with. His mother had occasionally muttered about how Joan would never be a true Chaletian, and Steve had always been glad of that. She was beautiful and glamorous and he had wished that he was older and better looking so that he could make her notice him. Compared with the very prim girls he usually met, Joan seemed good fun, the kind of girl every chap would be happy to be seen with. And although so many years had passed, she had hardly changed at all. She was a striking looking woman who made even the simplest of black dresses look amazing and she seemed completely unaware of it. Suddenly realizing that he was staring at her, he turned back to his meal.
"It's tasty stuffing, isn't it?" Joan said suddenly, her voice breaking across Steve's thoughts. "I always use sage and onion, but I think it's time for a change."
Having been so busy thinking, Steve had not actually noticed how good the stuffing was, so he hastily had a mouthful and was forced to agree with her. "Yes," he said. "I think I detect the subtle flavour of apple...and something else too."
Joan laughed. "I'm sure Debbie will be pouring over the recipe books tomorrow," she predicted. "She'd love this."
Steve could not stop himself from beaming at her. It was so good to be sitting across the table from her, talking about ordinary, everyday things with her, and feeling completely comfortable in her company. She was very easy to be with, able to keep the conversation going and still make it sound natural, or to sit in a companionable silence that never felt awkward.
"What do you do at Christmas?" she asked him.
"Con cooks a big meal and Roger comes round," Steve told her. "And sometimes other friends pop in. It depends who's around. My brother Felix might come this year, if he can escape from the Platz."
"How are your parents?" Joan asked, more because it would have been rude not to than because she was interested. Jack Maynard was a genuinely nice man, she thought, and his eldest son was much like him, but she had always been aware that Jo Maynard had not liked her and considered her common and cheap. At school Joan had been hurt by this, but she had long since discovered that she no longer cared.
"They're fine," he told her. "They haven't changed at all. Con and I don't see them very often as we're a little fed up with the constant references to our unmarried status."
"Oh," said Joan, managing to inject an amazing amount of sympathy into a single syllable.
"It's all right," he assured her. "We're used to it now."
Joan thought of her own mother, who had not pressured any of her daughters in any way. She was proud of Pam and never questioned her devotion to her work or suggested that she ought to find a man and settle down. Edna and Joan had both married with her blessing, and she had never been anything other than supportive to Joan over the matter of her divorce. The last time they had chatted on the phone Joan had mentioned that she and Barry were no longer together, and Mrs. Baker's first concern had been whether Joan herself was happy with that and not her own feelings on the subject. Realizing how lucky she was, Joan resolved that she would be just as supportive to her own children in their lives, helping and advising them and not trying to push them in whichever direction she thought best.
"You'll have a nice family Christmas, I imagine," Steve went on, hoping that Joan was not upset by his mention of his mother.
"Yes," said Joan contentedly. "Jackie's going to come over, too. Her parents are not pleased with her and I hate the thought of her having a miserable Christmas. She's a lovely girl."
"She's a lucky girl, having you to look out for her," said Stephen, laying down his cutlery and leaning back in his chair. "Would you like some more champagne?"
Once they had finished their turkey the waiter took away their plates and then brought in the Christmas pudding. It was blazing, and Joan had a moment of worry about how they would extinguish the flames. Fortunately the waiter dealt with it most competently and poured their custard for them before going off to attend to his other tables. The pudding was every bit as good as the dinner had been, or so Joan thought until she bit down and found something extremely hard in her mouth. Wondering if it was a piece of the shell of a nut, Joan tried to remove it unobtrusively, but her anxious face alerted Stephen.
"What's wrong?" he asked with concern.
"There's something hard in my pudding," she mumbled through her serviette. To her surprise she found that it was silver sixpence. "I didn't know they still did this!" she exclaimed. "I've never found anything in my Christmas pudding before."
"You're lucky," he told her, smiling at her surprise.
"We might not have thought so if I'd broken a tooth on it," she pointed out. "Do you think I can keep it?"
"Yes, I should think you might," he told her. "This has been the best Christmas dinner I've had in years."
"Definitely the best," she agreed, reluctantly putting her spoon down. "I feel so full now."
"Then I'll settle up - I have plenty of money tonight, you'll be pleased to hear - and we'll go for a walk. Is that all right?"
"That would be very nice," she assured him.
#356:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:32 am
    —
That was so lovely - glad Stephen liked Joan even when she was at School.

Re Jack Maynard - don't think he was that different in his views to Joey - wasn't he the one that advised Mary Lou on how to 'deal' with Joan - saying that she belonged to the 'class' that left school and married early. This from the man that married his wife at age 20 - one of the very few men she had met, and was happy for his eldest daughter to get engaged while still at school aged 18! Rolling Eyes


Thanks Becky
#357:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:51 am
    —
No, I don't think Jack was all that different from Jo, except that Joan might not have seen so much of him and not got such negative vibes from him.
#358:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:22 am
    —
I wasn't impressed with Jack's views on Joan either - he should've told Mary Lou to mind her own business!! - but I suppose Joan didn't know about that conversation. Joan's parents sound nice.
#359:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:11 pm
    —
Alison H wrote:
I wasn't impressed with Jack's views on Joan either - he should've told Mary Lou to mind her own business!! - but I suppose Joan didn't know about that conversation.


I know I'm going to make myself very unpopular here but I could see why Jack said what he did and why Mary Lou tried to help her as she did. Joan swore at people, was rude and nasty when people tried to help. Was pretty nasty to Rosamond but sad to say a lot of girls seemed to be as snobbish towards Joan as Joan was to Rosamund. I could see where Jack was going with Joan's attitude towards boys. A lot of parents don't particularly want their 14 year old daughters potentially falling pregnant at that age and Vic did have that kind of reputation. At least that was my impression. The other thing was Joey did finish school before she married whereas most of Joan and Rosamond's old school friends weren't going to not that I can see how that would make you want to get married young or make you cheap. I think it's an attitude thing. I happen to agree with Jack that it's important to have male friends cos it does make you more rounded not just seeing them as potential boyfriends. I also think it was fairly realistic that Joan never completely became a 'true chalet girl' cos it's hard to go against years of upbringing but more credit should certainly have been given for the effort she put in. On an aside I didn't think Joey was horrible to her and certainly thought she helped her out a lot with the whole evesdropping thing with Katherine and Mary Lou. Are people thinking EBD's attitude is Joey's attitude?

Anyway aside from that am really enjoying the drabble and comments people are making. It certainly makes me think
#360:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:26 pm
    —
I think where Jack's (and many of the others) attitude rankles is that Joan's perceived problems are all put down to her low class - whereas Rosamund's general good manners etc are considered due to the fact that Rosamund's mother was maid to a Lady and therefore picked up the correct way to behave from her.

Sorry, my parents - contemporaries of Joan and Rosamund - had fathers that were a painter/scaffolder (dad) and dustman (mum) - they didn't 'pick up' good manners from anyone else - they were instilled into them in the same way as they are for most people - regardless of class.

And their parents had a similar attitude toward teenage sex/pregnancy - one of my Dad's favourite anecdotes is a conversation he had with his own father shortly after he and my mum started going out - to wit 'if you hurt that girl I'll break your back!' - Apparently Granddad wasn't joking!
#361:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:51 pm
    —
I think that what most of us object to is the snobbery implicit in the attitudes expressed by OOAO and Jack. Because Joan does not fit in with the perceived mould of the good CS girl, she is described as common and cheap. I don't know what EBD meant by cheap prettiness, so I find it hard tio comment on that.

Admittedly, Joan made a poor start at the CS, and her motives for wanting to go there were wrong, but she did knuckle under and work hard eventually, and was refreshingly honest about having to support herself once her training was over.

In fact, as far as that was concerned, I admired her for admitting it, and for wanting to support herself, rather than the vague 'helping out at home' that some girls were going to do, even when they came from families that employed servants and nannies.

And there is also the question of when do people leave school? Before and during WW2, it was usual for those who did not have money or a scholarship to Gramamr School or High School, to leave school at the age of fourteen and go out to work, and this was considered to be quite normal. After the war, the 1944 Education Act made provision for young people to stay at school until they were fifteen. Where I lived, in the middle of the East Midlands coalfield, that meant that boys of fifteen left school on the Friday and started work down the mines on the Monday. Young people were looked on as a steady source of cheaper labour.

ROSLA came in the Seventies as a response to changing economic circumstances and gave most of the school population a chance to take some qualifications such as CSE's that gave them something to show for their years at school.

So Joan, and Rosamund, were brought up in households in which it was normal to leave school and go out to work at fifteen, and if Rosamund had not been awarded a scholarship by the Gays, that would have been her lot in life. However much of a snob one is, those were the facts.

The real difference between Rosamund and Joan was that Rosamund grew up in one sort of household, and Rosamund in another.
#362:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:52 pm
    —
Thanks, Becky. I'm glad Stephen doesn't have his parents attitude towards Joan who has grown into such a lovely person.
#363:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:49 am
    —
Once Steve had paid the bill, they left the restaurant and sauntered down the quiet street together. Steve caught Joan's hand in his and drew her into step with him, feeling immeasurably happy as she interlinked her fingers with his. The sky above them was bright with stars and the windows of the houses they walked past were filled with twinkling coloured lights. It was a lovely evening and Joan felt that if they looked and listened carefully enough they might see the star that had guided visitors to the stable in Bethlehem and even hear the angels singing.
They rounded the corner, finding that street deserted, too. They walked on and then suddenly a scream rent the peace of the night and a man came running from a narrow alley, another man hot on his heels. To Joan's horror, the second man caught the first one, threw him to the ground and began to kick him.
"Wait there." Steve's words were so imperatively spoken that Joan did exactly that. Wide eyed and scared, she watched as Steve ran over to the two men and shouted at them. The aggressor gave the lifeless form at his feet another kick and then turned to see who was speaking. He hit out at Steve, catching him in the face and making him stagger backwards, but Steve lunged forwards again and hit him back. A shouted exchange followed, and then the assailant turned and walked away. Joan ran over to Steve as he helped the other man up from the floor.
"Do you want us to call an ambulance?" Steve was asking him, even as he held a handkerchief to his bleeding nose.
Despite looking as if he was in a lot of pain, the man declined and thanked Steve for his intervention before scurrying off in the opposite direction.
"Are you all right?" Steve asked, turning to Joan. Seeing how anxious she looked, he put an arm around her shoulders and held her close to him. "It's all over," he told her calmly. "Don't look so frightened, Joan. Come on, let's go home."
"But you're hurt," she said, looking up at him.
"It's just a nosebleed," he assured her. Keeping his arm around her shoulders, he turned her in the direction of his car. He hoped that it was just a nosebleed, for his nose felt very tender and he wondered if it might be broken. Once in the car, he turned on the light and examined it in the mirror, while Joan watched with concern. They were both relieved to discover that it had stopped bleeding and although it looked rather swollen, it did not seem to be broken. "I'll have a splendid bruise for Christmas, though," he told her. Joan was still looking worried, so Steve reached out and drew her against him.
"Do you want to go to the hospital?" she asked him.
"No, I'll be fine," he said. "Don't worry, Joan. I've had worse things happen on the rugby field. You realize that you'll have to have dinner with me again, don't you?" he went on, his tone much lighter now. "Then I can try to take you out for a nice evening completely untouched by drama. They do say third time lucky, don't they?"
"Yes, they do," she agreed, managing to smile.
"Between Christmas and New Year," he said decisively. "We will decide where we want to go after I've picked you up. Then there's no chance that trouble will know where we're going and get there ahead of us."
Joan smiled more naturally and did her best to relax and enjoy being so close to him. "Good idea," she told him. "Although maybe it would help if I gave you my lucky sixpence."
"You should definitely bring it with you," he told her. And then, before she could say anything else he leaned closer still and kissed her.
When Steve finally released her, Joan sat back in her seat, feeling complete happiness replace her previous anxiety. Steve started the engine and drove her home, but he found he had to park a fair distance from her apartment building. He got out, not liking to think of her going back home by herself, especially after the violence they had just witnessed, despite her assurances that she would be fine.
"My dear Joan," he said patiently, pulling her arm through his, "As if I could leave without making sure you got inside safely."
"Thank you," she said, realizing that she would have felt nervous in the dark stairwell of the building. At the door of her flat, she turned to Steve again. "Will you come in and let me help you clean up?" she asked. "You'll scare Con half to death if you go back like that."
"Thank you," he said and he followed her inside.
Joan took him to the bathroom and provided a flannel and a towel and they cleaned Steve's face so that they could better see the damage.
"I think it's all right," he said at length. "It hurts and I just know I'm going to have awful bruises, but I think I shall survive."
Joan threw the towel into the wash basket. "You look much better without the layer of dried blood," she assured him. "Can I make you some coffee or tea or would you prefer something stronger?"
"Something stronger, please," he said, privately thinking that Joan needed a good stiff drink so that she would sleep well.
Once they had made two gin and tonics they sat together on the settee, the living room lit only by the fairy lights on the Christmas tree. "Thank you for a lovely evening," she said, thinking back to the delightful time they had spent at the Winter Palace.
"Lovely?" he asked with a smile. "Was it?"
"Yes, it was lovely," she said with certainty.
Steve took the glass from her hand and put it on a conveniently placed table. He gently took her face between his hands and looked seriously into her eyes. "It was a perfect evening," he said softly. "Because I was with you." He kissed her then, and she wound her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his fair hair. When he had finished, he drew her into the crook of his arm and they sat for a long time, sipping their drinks and gazing into the darkness, enjoying the sensations sparked by the most definite chemistry between them. As the clock on the mantlepiece chimed midnight, Steve reluctantly stood up. Joan followed him to the door, helping him to pull on his heavy winter coat. Well wrapped against the cold, he kissed her quickly and then pressed a neatly wrapped box into her hands. "Put this under your tree," he told her. "Merry Christmas, Joan."
Embarrassed that she had nothing to give him, Joan said, "Thank you. Merry Christmas."
"I'll call you," he promised. "Good night."
#364:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:01 am
    —
Hope it is only a bloody nose - and that there are no more consequences - strange that the other man didn't want to go to the hospital or anything.


Thanks Becky
#365:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:51 am
    —
Hope there's no comeback from the fight.

Stephen sounds lovely - hang on to this one, Joan!
#366:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:01 am
    —
thanks becky

i really like stephen

and having previous experience i really hope he hasn't broken his nose...
#367:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:07 pm
    —
Poor Steve. I hope his nose will be ok. He really is a lovely guy.
#368:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:55 pm
    —
Apart from the bloody/broken nose I'm loving all of the recent developments in this story! Thanks, Fatima!
#369:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:51 pm
    —
Lovely as always Very Happy

Thanks, Becky
#370:  Author: Becky, Location: Newport, South Wales, UK PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:17 pm
    —
Just found this, read all the way through and it's great!

Thanks so much, Becky Very Happy
#371:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:35 pm
    —
Thanks for all your comments - I'm really enjoying reading them Very Happy

Joan could not stop herself from having a little feel of the parcel before she placed it carefully beneath the tree. It was beautifully wrapped, with a matching ribbon and a neatly-written gift tag that merely said 'Love Steve' on it. She could not decide what it might be, and resigned herself to waiting patiently until Christmas morning. She realized that she would be dropping Con's gift off the next afternoon, when she and Con would be having a pre-Christmas drink together, so she decided that she would just have to pop into town and try to find something suitable for Steve beforehand. She had no idea what to get him, so she would have to pray that inspiration would strike as she browsed.
In the end, after many deliberations, Joan settled for a tie. It was a dark leafy colour and she knew that it was a colour that would suit Steve admirably. She wrapped it at a small table in a coffee shop, and then slipped it into the bag with Con's gift. Finally, she headed for the bus stop and thence to Con's place. Con opened the door promptly and ushered Joan inside. "I've made the coffee and the mince pies have just come out of the oven," she told her.
Joan headed into the sitting room and made herself comfortable. She wondered whether Steve was at work or if she was likely to see him. Con came back bearing a tray and set it down before Joan. "They smell gorgeous," Joan told her, accepting a mince pie.
"They actually look all right, too," agreed Con with a smile. "And I haven't burnt any. Yet!"
There was a moment of silence as they ate, and then Joan said, "How is Steve today? Did he tell you what happened last night?"
"Yes, he did tell me," said Con, sounding shocked. "He's a bit bruised, of course, but he seems all right otherwise. He's an idiot, going to join in a fight that was none of his business."
"It did look as if that man was really going to injure the other," said Joan in Steve's defense.
"And if he'd had a knife it would have been Steve, too," Con pointed out. "Don't worry, I've told Steve exactly what I think of him." She offered Joan another mince pie before saying, "I'm so pleased you're seeing Steve now, Joan. He's been moping around for so long, thinking you'd never be interested in him, and I was getting sick of him."
Hoping that she didn't look too embarrassed, Joan said, "Has he?"
"Oh, yes, since last Christmas," Con assured her. "What did you think of the Winter Palace?"
"Lovely," said Joan, glad to feel her cheeks cooling a little. "The food was wonderful, and the decorations were fabulous."
"Roger and I are going tonight," said Con. "We're going to have a serious talk about marriage."
"Really? Do you want to marry him, Con?"
Con shrugged. "I'm not sure," she said honestly. "That's why we have to talk. He'd make a wonderful husband, but I'm not sure that I'd make a good wife."
"I think you'd be fine," Joan assured her, recalling how well Con and Roger had got on while in Greece.
"I'm too selfish," said Con. "And too set in my ways. I'm not sure I could live with Roger all the time."
They fell silent for a moment, considering the serious step of marriage. After her experiences with Vic, Joan found that she felt very cynical about it; even Barry, nice though he was, had not been remotely close to tempting her to give up her freedom. She accepted another mince pie, abandoning her diet until the new year, and their talk turned to other, less serious subjects.
#372:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 3:17 pm
    —
It's probably a bit too soon to be thinking about marriage to Stephen ...

Hope Con and Roger can sort themselves out - it's going to be very difficult if he's really keen on marriage and she's not.
#373:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:26 pm
    —
Let Joan have her dreams, please.
#374:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 5:33 pm
    —
Sensible for Con to want a serious chat about marriage. Glad Joan knows that Steve has wanted to go out with her for so long.



Thanks Becky
#375:  Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:44 pm
    —
This is brilliant.


Thank you Becky.
#376:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 7:05 pm
    —
This is just as brilliant as your writing always is. Thank you Becky and have a Happy New Year.
#377:  Author: Miranda, Location: Perth, Western Australia PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:07 am
    —
Loved Con's scathing remarks about Steve's involvement in the fight!! And Joan coming to his defence... Laughing
#378:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:01 pm
    —
Joan didn't see Steve while she was with Con that afternoon, but he phoned her on Christmas Eve and they arranged to meet for dinner on the 27th. On Christmas Day Joan had a lovely time with her children and Jackie. Joan and Debbie got up fairly early, so that they could start off the dinner, and Kenny and Jackie had arrived before they had finished breakfast. They gladly accepted a second breakfast and gave a willing hand with the clearing up afterwards. Once Debbie and Jackie had prepared the vegetables for dinner they all adjourned to the living room and began on the presents. Jackie was touched by the gifts she received from Joan and Debbie and Joan could not help but think how lucky she was that Kenny had found such a lovely girl as his partner. Jackie was going to be a wonderful addition to the family, Joan realized. She herself had received a lovely selection of gifts, a pretty necklace, notelets, new gloves and plenty of bath oil and body lotion. Finally, feeling somewhat nervous, she picked up the gift from Steve and carefully peeled off the little card, deciding that she would keep it to remember the day by. She opened the present and discovered that he had bought her a watch. It was very plain and simple and Joan knew that she would wear it every day, quite happily replacing the one that Vic had given her more years ago than she cared to remember. While the young people were busy arguing over which of their new records they would play first, she slipped away to call Steve and thank him for the gift.
He came quickly to the phone in answer to Con's shout, and Joan was pleased to hear his voice. "Merry Christmas," she greeted him. "Thank you so much for my present, Steve. It's lovely."
"And thanks for mine," he responded. "How's your day going? Are you having fun?"
"Yes, it's lovely, thank you," she assured him. "The children are here and we're having to listen to some dreadful racket they think is music and Debbie's going to force me to eat a huge mountain of roast potatoes and Kenny's given me the most enormous box of chocolates imaginable, so it's absolute torture."
Steve laughed. "It sounds hellish," he told her unsympathetically. "I'm missing you, though, Joan. I haven't seen you for almost two days, and it's just too long."
"I miss you, too," she admitted quietly. "If you have time, you're more than welcome to drop in for tea this afternoon. If you can face the children, that is."
"Oh, I'm sure I can," he told her promptly. "I'd love to come over."
"Then I shall look forward to it," she told him. "How's your nose?"
"It's ok," he replied. "I'll let you wait til later to see the bruises."
"And I hear Con's not sympathetic."
"Not in the slightest," he said with a chuckle. "She thinks I got exactly what I deserved."
"You shall have tea and sympathy this afternoon," she promised. "I'd better go, Steve. Debbie's calling from the kitchen."
"See you later," he said, his voice full of warmth. "Bye."
Once Joan had replaced the receiver, she headed into the kitchen, where Debbie was juggling with the heavy tray on which the turkey was being roasted. Forgetting about Steve for a moment, Joan concentrated on helping her baste the turkey and prepare the bacon rolls to go with it.
#379:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:11 pm
    —
Aww! Lovely post!

Thank you, Becky!
#380:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:31 pm
    —
That was lovely. It sounds like they're having a wonderful day.
#381:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 3:32 pm
    —
thanks becky!

i love joans acceptance of jackie, and am so glad joan and steve finally got together!
#382:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:31 pm
    —
Lovely Christmas - pleased Joan is going to see Steve.


Thanks Becky
#383:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:17 pm
    —
Stephen seems very keen Very Happy .
#384:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:16 am
    —
He does, doesn't he Very Happy

I'm hoping he's The One, but as Becky has decided to experiment with sad endings I'm not going to pin all my hopes on it Wink

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#385:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:10 am
    —
Thank you Becky, I've just caught up on loads of this and it's really, really lovely Very Happy
#386:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:16 pm
    —
Lots of warm, holiday posts. Thank you, Fatima!

(though I still refuse to believe in nasty Joey & Jack)

Quote:
I think where Jack's (and many of the others) attitude rankles is that Joan's perceived problems are all put down to her low class - whereas Rosamund's general good manners etc are considered due to the fact that Rosamund's mother was maid to a Lady and therefore picked up the correct way to behave from her.

I don't think there's any implication that Rosamund's mother picked up her manners from her employer. Rather, a person without them would have been unlikely to be hired as a lady's maid. I fully agree that upbringing didn't depend on class, and think that EBD was trying to show that by contrasting Rosamund and Joan.
#387:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:48 pm
    —
Just read this all the way from the beginning, it's great.

Thanks Becky!
#388:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:34 am
    —
Joan has stopped cooperating with me and I've no idea where this is going now!

The dinner was perfect and afterwards Kenny was roped into doing the washing up while Debbie made some coffee and Joan and Jackie headed into the living room to relax. Joan was pleased to see how contented Jackie was looking; she had lost some of her usual pallor and seemed very well. Steve arrived in the middle of the afternoon, and Joan was delighted when he sat in a comfortable armchair and chatted easily with her children. He drank coffee and ate Christmas cake and seemed perfectly at ease surrounded by Joan's family, while afterwards, Kenny and Debbie agreed that they liked Steve just as much as they had liked Barry.
Joan and Steve had a pleasant evening out after Christmas, and they went to Cindy's New Year party together, too. Steve phoned most days, and Joan found that she felt very comfortable with him. Despite his constant attention, Joan did not feel pressured by him. They had a good time together and both were content with that. Joan liked him very much, but had no intention of rushing into another relationship such as she had enjoyed with Barry. It was nice to go out with Steve and very good for her self esteem to have him so obviously interested in her, but she had discovered that she valued her freedom too much to give it up. However nice Steve was, Joan had resolved not to sleep with him. He was a perfect gentleman, though, and never suggested such a thing, even though he did grumble at the thought of leaving her flat on chilly evenings and heading back to his own home. Joan hoped that he did not think she was stringing him along, happy to spend several evenings a week with him, and yet not wanting things to go any further between them.
They continued to spend as much time as possible together throughout the spring, and Joan found herself valuing Steve's friendship. He was a solid and sensible man, who could be relied upon to give good advice and with whom she could talk about anything. She continued to pursue all her other activities, enjoying the challenge of learning Greek and managing to lose another few pounds and reach her target weight in March. To celebrate she went out shopping and bought some new clothes, choosing things that were far more fashionable than she had worn for many years, and enjoying buying smaller sizes of everything.
As Easter approached, Con told Joan that her parents were due in England for a while, and would be staying with her and Steve. Stephen also mentioned it, and suggested that while they were there, Joan might like to come to dinner and renew her acquaintance with them. Although Joan had dined with Con and Steve several times, she wondered what it would mean if she went around to meet Steve's parents. He had made several remarks that Joan had not noticed as especially significant until she sat down and thought about it; at Christmas he had told her that they would have to go to Switzerland the following year in order to see snow, and he had suggested that they went to Greece to try out her newly acquired skills in that language. He had made several other allusions to things that they would do in the future, and she suddenly began to wonder what future he envisaged for them. She deliberated long and hard about it, wondering whether he would perhaps read more into the meeting than she did and whether she ought to decline the invitation.
#389:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:43 am
    —
Oh ... and it seemed to be going so well before.
#390:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:04 am
    —
meeeep! Don't break Steve's heart, Joan!

Thanks, Becky
#391:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:35 am
    —
Joan!!! Yes, you're enjoying your freedom, but if you're not careful it could turn into a lonely old age - think hard about what you might be turning down.

Thanks, Fatima - I'm really enjoying this, as usual with your drabbles. Very Happy
#392:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:39 am
    —
oh no! and it was going so well...

alright, time to own up! who jinxed it? Laughing
#393:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:24 pm
    —
Oh no, it was going really well too.

Thanks Becky.
#394:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:35 pm
    —
You make up your own mind Joan - think about what's right for you.


Thanks Becky
#395:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:51 pm
    —
Just caught up on loads of this. Steve seems perfect for Joan. I hope she doesn't do something she regrets.
#396:  Author: Becky, Location: Newport, South Wales, UK PostPosted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:31 pm
    —
*Wibbling a bit*

Hope Joan decides that she & Steve will have a long, happy future together!

Thanks Becky
#397:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:40 am
    —
Kathy_S wrote:
(though I still refuse to believe in nasty Joey & Jack)

Maybe this will convince you otherwise! Sorry, she insisted on being horrid!

When Con mentioned that a couple of other old Chaletians would be coming to dinner, too, Joan decided that she would go to Con's and meet the Maynards. She was surprised to find that she felt an urge to prove to Jo that she was enjoying a happy and successful life but she was genuinely pleased to hear that Rosamund Lilley would be there along with a few others that Joan thought she might be glad to see again. She dressed with care, selecting a very flattering navy dress and court shoes and some simple gold jewellery, and was rewarded for her efforts by Steve's look of admiration as he opened the door to her.
"You look lovely," he told her, leaning in to kiss her. "There are already lots of people here, all reminiscing as hard as they can. I hope you're ready to hear all about my mother's exploits for the umpteenth time!"
"Yes, I think I am," she said with a smile.
"I'm glad you came," he told her. "Otherwise I'd have been obliged to disappear for the evening."
"It won't be so bad," she said following him into the sitting room.
When she went in, Joan was surprised to find several faces that she recognised at once and she was relieved to see that they seemed pleased to see her.
"Joan!" A slim lady with dark hair swept up in an elegant chignon came towards her, both hands outstretched.
"Ros Lilley!" Joan exclaimed in return. "It's lovely to see you."
"Ros Parrish," Ros reminded her with a smile. "You remember Graham, don't you?" She indicated the greying man next to whom she had been standing and Joan went over to shake him by the hand.
"Yes, it's nice to see you again," she said. Graham had lived near Ros and Joan more years ago than Joan cared to remember and she had always found him nice but dull. She knew that Ros was happy with him, though, and she was soon enjoying hearing all about Ros' children and telling her about her own. Ricki Fry, now married to another expert on porcelain, and Ted Grantley were also there, and so were Jo Scott and her husband Tom. Joan was relieved to find them all very friendly and by the time that they headed for the dining room and the buffet, she was glad that she had decided to go.
Jack and Jo Maynard sat nearby, discussing their plans to go to a newly-opened musical in the West End the next evening, and Steve, who had appeared with a laden plate, said, "Yes, it's brilliant. We went just last week."
"It's really good," Joan added, for they had very much enjoyed the show.
"Oh?" said Jo, sounding surprised. "You've seen it too?"
"Yes," said Joan, wondering why such a simple question made her feel so much at a disadvantage.
"Mother, come and get some dessert," suggested Steve, and he led his parents away, much to Joan's relief.
Passing on the puddings, Joan went off to talk to Ricki, now the author of several highly respected books on Ming Porcelain. Joan had been listening to Ricki and her husband's tales of their recent visit to China in search of rare porcelain when she became aware of someone nearby talking.
"Of course some of us haven't changed at all," she heard. "Some of us are still wearing too much tacky nine carat jewellery."
"Mother!" said Con, shocked.
"And she's divorced, too," Jo went on. "The only Chaletian to stoop so low."
"Vic isn't a nice man," said Con, doing her best to be patient. "Joan's much better off without him."
"Mary Constance Maynard!" exclaimed Jo. "I thought I'd brought you up to respect the sanctity of marriage."
"You did, Mother," said Con placatingly. "But Vic cheated on Joan and she's much happier without him. How can I possibly think that she should have remained married to him?"
"It sounds as though you see quite a lot of Joan," said Jo.
"Yes, we do," said Con. "She's a very good friend."
"We?" asked Jo. "I hope you don't mean that she's got her claws into Stephen, too."
"Joan has no claws," said Con, no longer patient. "She's one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet and I'm fed up with your attitude towards her. She is thoughtful and sweet and the best friend I could hope to have. I think it's high time you found some more modern criteria for judging people and until you do, I don't want to hear you mention Joan's name again. And if you upset her, Mother, you will not be welcome here again."
Embarrassed that Con should have to justify their friendship to her mother, Joan excused herself to Ricki and slipped out into the hall to find her coat. It had been a mistake to come and she did not intend to stay a moment longer. She was touched that Con should have defended her so heartily, but she did not wish to stay and hear anyone else's snide comments about her.
#398:  Author: Karry, Location: Stoke on Trent PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:56 am
    —
Oh dear! I am glsd that Con is prepared to support her friend and brother even though it goes against her mother!
#399:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:57 am
    —
Oh poor Joan - what a horrible thing to hear someone say - Joey appears to have a complete blind spot when it comes to Joan, doesn't she?



Thanks Becky.
#400:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:05 am
    —
Poor Joan, how horrible for her. Glad Con was willing to stand up for her though! Joey is being retty nasty!

Thanks Becky!
#401:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:13 am
    —
((joan))

glad con stood up for her though... maybe this will bring about jo's reformation *gives hopeful smile*
#402:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:21 am
    —
Poor Joan. Jo had no right to talk about her in such a way. I'm glad Con stood up to Jo - she's a true friend.
#403:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:36 am
    —
Joey was a right cow there!
#404:  Author: Becky, Location: Newport, South Wales, UK PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:59 pm
    —
Alison H wrote:
Joey was a right cow there!


Absolutely!

Thanks, Becky
#405:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:45 pm
    —
*picks up a fork and stabs Jo with it*

Thanks, Becky
#406:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:06 pm
    —
Fatima wrote:
Kathy_S wrote:
(though I still refuse to believe in nasty Joey & Jack)

Maybe this will convince you otherwise! Sorry, she insisted on being horrid!

Ah, well. She must be a fictional Jo.
Con was wonderful, though!
#407:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:41 am
    —
Whatever Jo's attitude towards Joan, she should have had the tact not to say anything then. Good on Con, she's lovely.
#408:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:39 pm
    —
Joan found her coat and pulled it on, trying to stop tears from springing into her eyes. She was reaching out to unlock the front door when someone took hold of her arm and turned her towards him.
"Where are you going?" asked Steve.
"I really ought to be going home," said Joan, blinking back the tears.
"What's the matter?" he asked her gently.
Before she could answer, the door to the living room opened again and Ted Grantley appeared. "Is the bathroom up there?" she asked, obviously embarrassed at interrupting them.
"Yes," Steve told her. "It's the third door on your right."
"Thank you." Ted dashed off upstairs.
"Now, what's happened?" Steve asked, turning back to Joan.
"Nothing," she assured him, dashing the tears away with the back of her hand. "It's just time I was going."
Steve pulled on his own coat. "I'll see you home," he said firmly.
"You can't leave, you have visitors," she reminded him.
"My visitor is leaving," he told her. "The other visitors are Con's."
Steve unlocked the door and followed Joan out, banging it shut behind him. Joan was sure she saw the living room curtain twitch and she wondered who was watching her leave. If it was Jo, she would presumably be pleased to see Joan going, but furious to see her leaving with Steve. Eager to save Steve any uncomfortable scenes with his mother, Joan said, "I can see myself home, Steve. You really don't need to come with me. Go back inside and talk to your parents. They hardly ever see you and I can see you any time." She glanced back up at the window and saw that it was Jo watching them.
Steve followed her gaze and waved to Jo. Jo hastily waved back and let the curtain fall into place once more, as if ashamed of being caught watching them. Steve drew Joan's arm through his and led her slowly along the street. "Con told me what Mother said," he remarked at length. "I'm so sorry, Joan."
"It was all true, though," said Joan sadly. "I'm not really a credit to the school, am I."
"My dear girl," he said patiently, "You are more than a credit to the school. You sell yourself far too short, Joan."
"I'm cheap and tacky and divorced," said Joan, giving way to tears at last.
"You're divorced from a scoundrel," Steve pointed out. "And you're beautiful and elegant and chic. Don't cry, darling." Apparently oblivious of the fact that they were walking down the street, he stopped and wrapped his arms around her.
Joan sniffed and gave in to the temptation to lean her head against his broad shoulder. "You really should go back," she told him, her voice muffled. "There's no point in getting into a row just because of me."
Steve laughed. "I'm thirty six years old, Joan, and not bothered about rows," he reminded her. "Mother will come round, when she's had time to get used to the idea."
"And she hasn't even heard about Kenny and Jackie yet," Joan remembered. "There's another scandal for her to enjoy. She's never going to come round, Steve." And Joan was surprised to discover how much she liked the idea of there being something for Jo to get used to. She had been so sure that she didn't want to be involved in a closer relationship with Steve, but now that it seemed almost certain that he would be pulled out of her reach by his mother, she found that she would be very sorry to lose him.
"If you want to be with me, we'll make her come round," said Steve quietly. "Joan, I love you. I've loved you for years. I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"
#409:  Author: Becky, Location: Newport, South Wales, UK PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:42 pm
    —
Say yes, Joan, you know you want to! Very Happy
#410:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:44 pm
    —
Say yes, Joan, say yes!

Typical of Jo Maynard. How dare she let Con down by saying such things at her childrens' party?
#411:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:58 pm
    —
Say yes, Joan!
#412:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:01 pm
    —
Well done Steve - and I hope Joey's completely ashamed of herself.

Thanks Becky.
#413:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:29 pm
    —
Ooo, that was a nice surprise. I hope Joan says yes.
#414:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:34 pm
    —
Awwwwww! How lovely Very Happy

Thanks, Becky
#415:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:06 pm
    —
I'm not convinced that it would be a good idea for Joan to say yes at the moment...not that I don't think Steve is wonderful and amazing and a perfect SLOC but I'm not sure Joan is ready for that and I hope that Steve accepts that if that's what she decides.

Thanks Becky, loving it as ever Very Happy
#416:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:56 pm
    —
aaaaarghhhhh another proposal!!!!
#417:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:04 pm
    —
"What?" Joan raised her face towards his and he saw how startled she was by his words.
"I asked if you'd marry me," he told her, wiping the tears from her cheeks with a gentle finger. "Joan, I'd like to make you my wife. Will you marry me?"
Joan looked up into his serious grey eyes. "Oh, Steve," she said softly, "You don't mean that. I'm really pleased that you want to cheer me up, but honestly you don't have to go to such lengths to do so."
"I do mean it," he assured her, encouraged by the absence of the word 'no' in her reply. "I think I can make you happy, Joan. I'd never do anything to hurt you and I shall love and cherish you forever."
Suddenly realizing that they were standing in the middle of the pavement, Joan pulled Steve in to step with her once more. "I can't give you anything," she told him. "We probably wouldn't have any children."
"We'd have three lovely children," he said, stopping outside a pub. "Kenny, Debbie and Jackie. And a baby on the way," he added. "Come on, let's go in and get a drink."
Joan followed him inside, and he bought them both a gin and tonic before heading over to a quiet corner. He sat next to her, draping his arm around her shoulders and giving her one of the smiles that made her feel weak at the knees. She suddenly began to wonder what it would be like if she said yes to his proposal and if they actually got married. He was so different from Vic and she felt that she could trust him implicitly. But was it fair to marry him? She was older than he and surely he deserved the chance to raise his own children, not her grandchildren. And that was before she had considered the grief he would get from his family if he married her. She was certain that Jo would never accept her as Steve's wife and would do everything she could to put Steve off the match. If they went ahead without her blessing, goodness only knew what would happen to Steve's family. And Joan was sure she would not want to be responsible for breaking up the usually happy Maynard family.
"You'd give me so much," he said, after a moment's silence. "You'd be my friend and companion and lover and partner and I hope I'd be the same for you. I don't want hosts of children, Joan, I grew up with so many babies around and there are going to be plenty of grandchildren, too, without me adding to them. I would like to support Kenny, though, if he wants me to. But above all, I just want to spend my days with you. I know this is a big step, something we haven't discussed at all until now, and you don't have to answer me tonight, or even soon. Please think about it, Joan, and tell me when you're ready."
Joan leaned back against his arm and turned her face up towards his. "I'll think about it," she promised gravely. "It's all rather a surprise, Steve. I didn't expect it at all, and I hardly know what I think at the moment." Not wishing to give him what might prove to be a false hope, she neglected to mention that she was sorely tempted to accept his proposal. She knew that she owed it to him to think carefully before deciding, for it would not be fair to either of them if she allowed herself to be carried away and agreed without giving the matter careful consideration.
Steve grinned at her. "I have to admit that I didn't really expect it myself," he confessed. "I'm not usually so impulsive. But it feels right, Joan. I've never found anyone else I've wanted to marry. Ok, I'd better stop pressuring you now. Shall we go and have dinner somewhere?"
"We've just left a wonderful buffet!" she exclaimed. "I couldn't eat another thing. Goodness knows where you put it all!"
Steve looked sheepish. "I'd forgotten about that," he admitted. "Do you think I'm getting fat?"
"No, although why you aren't I can't imagine," she said, looking thoughtfully at him. Solid and sturdy he might be, but fat he certainly was not. "It's very unfair," she added, thinking of her own struggles to maintain her new weight.
"Will you still love me when I'm old and fat?" he asked, his eyes twinkling now.
"Yes, I expect I will," she told him. "I do love you, Steve, but please let me have some time to think."
"I'm sorry," he said at once. "Who do you favour for the FA cup this year? Do you think Arsenal are still in with a chance?"
Joan dug him in the ribs with her elbow. "As if I have a clue about that!" she told him.
"Neither do I," he said, laughing now. "I'm just trying to change the subject."
"Well, let's steer away from football and food," suggested Joan, her good humour completely restored now. "Maybe we could discuss the best place to take Jackie for her birthday next week instead."
#418:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:16 pm
    —
I think I would like a Steve!
#419:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:27 pm
    —
leahbelle wrote:
I think I would like a Steve!


And me!
#420:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:54 pm
    —
Alison H wrote:
leahbelle wrote:
I think I would like a Steve!


And me!


*pushes to front of queue* Wink
#421:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:55 pm
    —
dont do it! if you turn him down joan......
#422:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:10 pm
    —
Can understand her wanting to think about it - but he's definitely a good 'un.


Thanks Becky
#423:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:38 pm
    —
I think we'd all like a Steve.
#424:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:09 pm
    —
Thanks Becky!
#425:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:32 pm
    —
I'm afraid I had to go back and change some details, as I'd forgotten how old Jackie was! Embarassed

Jackie duly celebrated her eighteenth birthday the following week. Her parents were no more resigned to her situation than they had been at Christmas, so Joan and Steve took her out for a meal instead. Kenny and Debbie, home from university for the Easter holiday, came with them, and so did Jackie's best friend Lynne. Lynne was far more outgoing than Jackie, and her hosts warmed to her at once, recognising that beneath her rather brash exterior there was a heart of gold. Now that she was of age, Jackie could marry Kenny without the consent of her parents, and they planned to wed the following weekend. They had booked an appointment at the registry office and Joan had arranged for a quiet meal in a nearby restaurant as a wedding breakfast. A select few were to attend; Joan called Jackie's parents and they had politely declined her invitation to join the party. Joan had been itching to give them a piece of her mind, but she had managed to replace the receiver quietly before giving way to a most uncharacteristic outburst of extremely bad language. Steve, who had come in just in time to hear her, gave her such a look of astonishment that she blushed scarlet and hastily apologised for her rudeness. Laughing, he had asked for the reason behind her eruption and once she had explained, he agreed that such a reaction was actually merited.
"How such horrible people could have such a sweet daughter as Jackie I just can't imagine," said Joan, accepting the cup of tea he was bringing her and sitting down on the settee.
"Maybe they're older and more set in their ways than you," he suggested.
"But shouldn't they love her and want her to be happy?" asked Joan. "How can they be so mean, when Jackie's their only daughter?"
Steve shrugged. "I don't know," he admitted. "Don't worry about it, Joan. It won't suddenly bring them round, so let's concentrate on enjoying Kenny's day."
Joan snuggled closer to him. "Good advice," she said with a smile. "Steve, I've been wanting to talk to you."
"Oh?" he asked, tightening his hold on her. "What about?"
"Don't pretend you don't know," she scolded.
"I don't," he said.
"I have been thinking a lot about your...question," she said, wondering if he had forgotten, or, worse still, changed his mind about his proposal. He had put no pressure whatsoever on her, accepting without question Joan's need for some time and space. She had not seen less of him, though; he still called round to see her and took her out for dinner or the theatre, but he didn't refer to his proposal at all.
Steve looked questioningly at her, but made no comment.
"I was wondering if the offer still stands," she finally managed to say.
"Of course it does," he reassured her promptly. "It's what I want more than anything."
"Me too," she replied simply. "The answer's yes, Steve."
#426:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:39 pm
    —
Oh good!

Hope she tells Joey and Jack where to go if they whinge Very Happy .
#427:  Author: KathrynW, Location: London PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 1:04 pm
    —
How lovely Very Happy

Thanks Becky!
#428:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:27 pm
    —
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#429:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:25 pm
    —
YAAAAAAY!!!

*bounces*

Thanks, Becky Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
#430:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:38 pm
    —
YAY! Thanks Becky!
#431:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 6:00 pm
    —
Yippee!!! Very Happy
#432:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:55 pm
    —
Jackie's parents are so silly - don't they realise that they will not only lose their daughter but their grandchild?


Well done Joan. Laughing

Thanks Becky.
#433:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 8:20 pm
    —
Wonder if Jo will react the same way as Jackie's parents.
#434:  Author: claireM, Location: rotherham PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:22 pm
    —
I've been resisting this for ages but finally gave in and spent the lastcouple of hours reading this, really enjoyed it. I actually like Joan and think she has a brilliant attitude to life in this.
#435:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:25 am
    —
Thanks for all your comments. Very Happy

Joan and Steve decided to keep things to themselves until after Kenny's wedding. The children had enough to think about with that, and an announcement about another big change in their lives would be more appropriate at a slightly later date. Kenny was nervous about the wedding, for although he was crazy about Jackie he was worried about her parents' reaction to their marriage. He would have preferred to marry with their permission and approval, and felt uneasy about things as they were. But he was determined to do the right thing by Jackie, so he had no choice other than to marry her the only way possible. His friend Daniel had agreed to be the best man at the wedding, and the two of them were to stay at Kenny's flat on the night before the wedding. Steve had promised to call them in the morning and make sure that they got to the ceremony on time, while Jackie was to stay with Joan and Debbie. Debbie had been happy to turn out of her bed for the night, and was to sleep on the settee, while Jackie lay wakeful in her bed. Joan was also wakeful, wondering how Jackie was feeling, and hoping that she would not be too nervous to enjoy her big day. She thought of Steve, wondering when they would head off to the registry office for their own marriage, and what it would be appropriate for her to wear. Perhaps she could persuade Con to go shopping with her, so that she could choose something tasteful. It would be too awful for words if Joey Maynard didn't like her wedding outfit and made some rather snide comments and thereby ruined Joan's enjoyment of the day. Resigning herself to a sleepless night, Joan got up and went quietly through to the kitchen to make some tea. Debbie was fast asleep on the settee, so Joan made her tea and sat in the kitchen to drink it. Before she had enjoyed more than a couple of sips, the soft pad of bare feet announced the arrival of Jackie. "Can't you sleep?" Joan asked sympathetically.
"No, I'm too excited," said Jackie in her soft voice. "I can hardly believe it's tomorrow."
Joan smiled. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please," said Jackie, and she sat down at the table, watching while Joan made a second cup of tea. "Did you feel nervous before you married Kenny's father?" Jackie asked at length.
"Oh yes," said Joan with a smile, recalling that long ago day. "I scarcely slept a wink all night."
"But you knew you were doing the right thing?"
"I thought I was," said Joan, rolling her eyes. "If only I'd known."
Jackie sighed. "That's all right, then," she said, somewhat enigmatically.
"Why?" asked Joan doubtfully.
"I thought you stayed awake because you knew you were marrying the wrong man," said Jackie. "And that would mean I was lying awake because Kenny is the wrong man."
"You don't think that?" asked Joan incredulously, wondering whether she should start phoning people that very moment to tell them that the wedding was off.
"No, of course not," said Jackie, smiling. "Because it means it's quite all right if you can't sleep. Kenny's the right one, I know."
"I'm very relieved to hear it," said Joan. "You had me worried there for a minute."
Jackie giggled. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "Joan, I'd like to thank you for everything. I don't know how we'd have managed without you. Kenny said you were super, and he was right."
Joan felt tears pricking at the back of her eyes, so she resolutely blinked them away. There was time enough to cry the next day at the wedding. "I've not done anything special," she said.
Thinking of her own parents, Jackie disagreed. "You've been brilliant," she said simply. "I couldn't have got through the last seven months if it hadn't been for you." She drained her tea and stood up. "Thanks, Joan," she said, leaning over and kissing Joan's cheek.
Before Joan could say anything else, Jackie had gone. It was almost half past three now, so Joan left the cups on the table and headed off to bed, hoping that she would fall asleep quickly, and still wake on time in the morning.
#436:  Author: Kat, Location: Kingston-upon-Thames/Swansea PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:06 am
    —
Jackie is so sweet!

Thanks, Becky Smile
#437:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:14 am
    —
jackie is lovely, thanks Becky
#438:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:17 am
    —
Hope the wedding goes well Very Happy .
#439:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:26 am
    —
Jackie was lovely there - but how sad that Joan is so unaware that the things she does are special. She really does have a low opinion of herself - I wonder if that was because of her time at the Chalet School? Confused



Thanks Becky.
#440:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:44 am
    —
Lesley wrote:
Jackie was lovely there - but how sad that Joan is so unaware that the things she does are special. She really does have a low opinion of herself - I wonder if that was because of her time at the Chalet School? Confused


I don't think so. I think its more that she's a naturally nice person and just doesn't think anything of what she does. To her it's so completely normal but for Jackie never having experienced that especially with her parents the way they are over her pregnancy it's something extraordinary. Thanks, this is really good and am keeping my fingers crossed for Joan's special day
#441:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:45 pm
    —
Jackie is lovely.

Hope the wedding goes well.
Thanks Becky.
#442:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:42 pm
    —
Thank goodness Joan said yes. That's what I've been holding my breath for.

And didn't she deal well with Jackie's worries?
#443:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Leeds PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:55 pm
    —
Hope both weddings go okay. I don't think Jo deserves to be invited to Joan's wedding.
BTW when is Jackie's baby due?
#444:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:46 am
    —
Jackie is a lovely addition (plus) to the family!

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#445:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:06 pm
    —
Debbie shook Joan awake just after eight the next morning. Breakfast was ready and Jackie was sitting at the table sipping coffee and looking surprisingly rested after her sleepless night. Gratefully accepting a coffee, Joan sat down next to her, reflecting rather enviously on the ability of the young to thrive on little sleep because she felt exhausted. She helped herself to toast from the pile that Debbie had made, but before she had taken more than a couple of bites the phone rang. Debbie dashed to answer it and they heard her laughing before she replaced the receiver.
"That was Steve," she said, sitting at the table again. "He says he's just got Kenny out of bed and he's now giving them breakfast. He's promised they'll be there at ten."
"They'd better be," said Joan darkly.
Jackie smiled serenely. "Kenny will be there," she said with confidence. "Don't worry, Joan."
"She's grumpy because she was awake half the night," Debbie supplied, lavishly spreading jam on her toast. "Are you sure you really want to marry my horrid brother, Jackie? It's not too late to change your mind, you know."
"Yes, I'm sure," said Jackie. "He's not that bad really."
"But he snores and he's so untidy and his hair is awful," said Debbie. "Maybe you could change him."
"I'll do my best," Jackie promised with a laugh. "He did say he'd get his hair cut for the wedding."
"It was still long when I last saw him," said Debbie dismissively. "I bet he doesn't."
"Don't put Jackie off too much," Joan warned. "If she doesn't marry him, we'll have him on our hands still."
"True," said Debbie thoughtfully. "Well, Jackie, it looks as if you're stuck with him, then."
"I don't mind," said Jackie. "May I go and have a quick bath, please?"
"Of course," said Joan. "Help yourself to the shampoo and everything, won't you."
"Thanks." Jackie transported her cup and plate to the sink and headed off to the bathroom.
Joan finished her meal and tidied away and then she and Debbie went to get ready for the wedding. Once they had all bathed and dressed it was just about time to leave for the registry office. Debbie grabbed her camera as they met in the hall and insisted on taking some photos of Jackie before they left the flat. Jackie looked very pretty in her long, floral print dress with a cream jacket over it, not quite managing to hide the swell of her stomach, and her hair pinned back from her face with some pretty clips Debbie had bought her. She carried a small posy of flowers and looked very happy despite the rather unusual circumstances of the occasion.
When they got to the registry office, Steve was already there with Kenny and Daniel, all three looking very smart in dark suits and immaculately white shirts. Kenny looked relieved as Jackie stepped out of the taxi and he almost ran across to take her hand, a huge grin on his face.
"You look amazing," he told her.
"And you had your hair cut!" she exclaimed, turning to grin at Debbie.
"I promised I would," he reminded her, knowing that she was keen to have some lovely pictures of their wedding day to look back on.
"How are they?" Joan asked, slipping a hand through Steve's arm.
"They're fine," he assured her. "Kenny was a bit nervous, but I suppose that's to be expected."
"Yes, so was Jackie," Joan told him. "Thanks for looking after Kenny, Steve. Come on, we'd better go inside."
The wedding party, now joined by Lynne, headed into the registry office and were soon in the elegantly furnished little office where the marriage was to take place. It was a very short ceremony and almost before she had had the opportunity to take in the details, Joan was standing up and following Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Coles out of the registry office and into the lovely April sunshine again.
"And I didn't even have time to cry," Joan whispered to Steve, as Debbie ordered the newly weds around, getting them in the best position for some photos. Kenny looked very proud, standing with his arm around Jackie's slim shoulders, and Jackie just looked sublimely happy. "I hope it all works out for them," she told Steve. "They're so young that I can't help worry about them, but I really want them to be as happy together as they are now for the rest of their lives."
"Go and stand with them," Steve suggested. "You should be in the photos. Here, Debbie, give me that camera and go and stand with them, too," he went on, guiding Joan over towards the group. "I think a nice family shot is called for."
Joan went to stand beside Kenny, unable to keep a look of pride from her face. Kenny did look so handsome with his hair neatly cut and Jackie was so sweet and gentle and such a good influence on him. Steve took the photos and then Debbie reclaimed the camera and took some more, until it was time to be heading off to the restaurant for their meal. As Jackie got into Steve's car, Joan saw her looking up and down the street, and realized she had done that ever since they got out of the registry office. Wondering whether Jackie had harboured some secret hope that her parents might relent and put in an appearance, Joan felt saddened and vowed to do everything possible to make sure that Jackie was happy.
"You look positively fearsome, Mum," Debbie whispered, linking arms with Joan and walking along the street with her.
"I wish Jackie's parents had been here," Joan told her daughter. "Deb, if you ever find me being unsympathetic towards you or Kenny, remind me of this moment, please. I don't ever want this to happen to us."
Debbie squeezed Joan's arm. "Does that include when you're unsympathetic to my requests for extra money next term?" she asked hopefully.
"No," said Joan, laughing. "Come on, or we'll be so late arriving they'll have started without us." And with that mother and daughter put their best feet forwards and hastened after Daniel and Lynne to the restaurant.
#446:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:12 pm
    —
Shame that Jackie's parents didn't show up, but glad that it went well otherwise.
#447:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:58 pm
    —
I'm glad that the wedding went off so well. It's Jackie's parents' own silly faults that they weren't there for the wedding.
#448:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:45 pm
    —
Poor Jackie - her parents are missing out on so much. Joan was lovely there.


Thanks Becky
#449:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:49 pm
    —
(((Jackie)))
#450:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:29 pm
    —
Thank you Fatima. It's a shame that Jackie's parents, and Kenny's dad, weren't there.
#451:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:46 pm
    —
Joan was lovely there and I thought it was sad Jackie's parents and Kenny's Dad couldn't make an appearance. Poor Jackie
#452:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:42 am
    —
I think Joan has been fabulous in this.
I`m really glad the wedding went smoothly, but the bride`s parents need a good kicking, IMHO..... Evil or Very Mad
#453:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:43 am
    —
It's a shame Jackie's parents weren't there - but maybe they'd have spoiled things more if they had been.

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#454:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 3:16 pm
    —
Kenny's dad wasn't there because I forgot to invite him! Embarassed Ooops!

The meal was lovely. There were not many other diners in the restaurant, as the wedding party had arrived reasonably early, so they were able to talk and laugh and propose toasts without upsetting anyone. Jackie was more relaxed than they had ever seen her, and if she had a rather wistful expression flitting across her delicate features from time to time, Kenny at least did not notice. When Jackie excused herself and headed for the ladies' room, Joan followed and caught up with her new daughter-in-law as she stood in front of the mirror, a solitary tear rolling down her cheek.
"Jackie, what's up?" she asked.
"I know it's silly," said Jackie turning large eyes to Joan's face, "But I really hoped that Mum and Dad would just happen to appear today. I can't believe that they didn't even try to see us."
Joan slid an arm around Jackie's shoulders. "It's disappointing," she agreed. "I'm really sorry that they didn't come, too. They've missed a lovely wedding and they've missed you looking so beautiful and happy. I'm sure they were thinking of you, though, Jackie."
"Do you think so?" asked Jackie, as if the idea had never occured to her.
"Of course," said Joan with a confidence she did not feel. And probably if they had been thinking about their daughter it was purely negative thoughts, but she was not going to let Jackie think that. "Come on, Jackie, wash your face and let's go back to the party. It's your special day and you should enjoy it. It's going to be time for you to go soon, and we haven't even seen the cake."
Jackie smiled at Joan. "I have enjoyed it, thank you, Joan. It's been a lovely day, and that's because of you." She splashed some cold water onto her face and patted it dry on a towel and then turned to Joan again. "Do you think I should call you mother now?" she asked with a shy smile.
"Not if you don't want to," said Joan. "It's up to you."
"Well," said Jackie consideringly, "I think I might like to...Mother."
Joan hugged her warmly. "I think I might like that, too, Jackie."
Jackie returned the hug and then they went back to the table where Steve gave Joan a questioning look. She slipped into her seat beside him and reached for his hand beneath the table, cheered as he wrapped warm, strong fingers around hers. "We should have the cake now," she said, looking across at Kenny. "It's nearly time for you to be off, or you'll miss the train."
"The train?" asked Jackie, sounding excited. "Where are we going, Ken?"
Before Kenny could tell her, the door of the restaurant opened and Vic appeared, looking as if he had slept in the suit he was wearing. He glanced around and, noticing the wedding party, headed towards them. "I'm so sorry mate," he told Kenny, slapping his shoulder heartily. "The traffic was awful."
"It must have been," Joan found herself saying, her voice full of bitterness.
"I was working in Cambridge," Vic told her, "but I couldn't leave until this morning. I came here as fast as I could."
Steve squeezed Joan's hand and she managed not to tell Vic that she would have driven through the night if it meant that she would have been present at Kenny's wedding.
Vic gave Steve a look that Joan could not quite fathom, then he turned back to Kenny again. "Congratulations, Son," he said, shaking his hand warmly. "This is for you." He pressed an envelope into Kenny's hand and brushed aside his son's words of thanks. "It's nothing," he said dismissively, before turning to Jackie. "Well done," he told her. "You've got a fine man here, girl. Make sure you treat him good." Before Jackie could say anything, Vic had pulled her out of her seat and into his arms for a big hug and a kiss. "If he gives you any trouble, call me. I'll set him straight for you." Vic released Jackie and pulled up a chair from a nearby table. He reached for the nearest wine bottle and poured a generous measure into an empty glass. "A toast," he said, looking around the table. "Raise your glasses to Kenny and Jackie."
They drank the toast and Vic chatted easily with Kenny and Daniel. Jackie seemed to have regained all her former shyness in the face of her new father-in-law, but Lynne was as chatty and outgoing as ever and Joan was horrified as Vic slowly but surely turned his attention to her. He flirted with her and she responded in kind, leaving Joan feeling embarrassed and annoyed and ashamed of him. Now she could hardly wait for the meal to end and for Kenny and Jackie to leave, so that she could send Vic away, hopefully before he had found out Lynne's phone number.
The waiter wheeled in the cake, and Kenny and Jackie cut it, while Debbie took some more photos. Despite a large meal, everyone found room for a little piece of cake, and Joan was glad to hear them all declaring that it was delectable. They had already decided to follow tradition and keep one tier of the cake for the christening, and Joan felt herself relax again as the waiter came to wrap it carefully for them. Kenny and Jackie would be leaving in just a few minutes and she would be able to head off with Steve and Debbie and try to forget about her philandering ex-husband again.
#455:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:29 pm
    —
Glad Vic turned up!
#456:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:20 pm
    —
im glad joan is there for jackie
#457:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:43 pm
    —
Joan is lovely.

I hope Vic's not going to cause trouble *stands by with frying pan just in case*
#458:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:12 pm
    —
Hmmm, wonder if Joan can recognise herself in Lynne - brash and self confident exterior with heart of gold underneath - would be just the type Vic would appeal to. Of course Joan has matured with age and experience - hope Lynne can see through Vic.


Thanks Becky.
#459:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 8:27 pm
    —
Hm, I'm not sure if Vic is a good thing. i think he might try to interfere between Joan and Steve.
#460:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:00 pm
    —
Just read the last two updates, thank you Becky!
#461:  Author: Alice, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:41 am
    —
Well,that's typical Vic isn't it! But I should think it meant something to Kenny that he was there for some of the wedding at least.
#462:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:47 pm
    —
When planning the wedding, Steve had agreed to take Kenny and Jackie to the station so that they could set off on their honeymoon. As they left the restaurant, however, Vic politely but firmly told Steve that he would take them himself. He would not take no for an answer, and so Steve found himself taking their cases from his boot and putting them into Vic's car. Once out on the pavement, Jackie positively threw herself into Joan's arms, hugging her as if she did not plan on letting go.
"Thank you so much," she said tearfully. "I will miss you while we're away."
"No, you won't," said Joan with a laugh. "Have a lovely time, Jackie. Kenny, you'd better look after her properly."
"Of course I will," Kenny promised, taking Jackie's hand and drawing her over to Vic's car. "Thank you for everything, Mum. See you soon."
Amid a flurry of confetti, Kenny and Jackie climbed into the back of Vic's car. As Vic pulled away they waved at the little group on the pavement and Joan heaved a sigh of relief.
"They won't be away for long, Mum," Debbie said, mistaking the reason for her mother's sigh.
"I know," said Joan, glancing at Lynne and relieved to see her laughing with Daniel. Perhaps she did not need to be worried about Vic chasing after Jackie's friend after all. And now the wedding was over she could stop worrying about Kenny and Jackie, and she would be able to have a serious talk to Steve about their own future. At that moment the thought of being married to Steve was intensely appealing. She would have him to lean on and he would always be there to advise and support her, so she would not need to deal with everything on her own. Giving herself a mental shake, Joan smiled at Debbie. "It was a lovely wedding, wasn't it?"
"Really lovely," Debbie agreed. "Now all we have to do is hope that Jackie doesn't have the baby while they're on the honeymoon."
"Debbie!" exclaimed Joan, shocked. The baby was not due for another five or six weeks, and Joan had not considered the prospect of it arriving while they were on their honeymoon. Now that Debbie had mentioned the idea she knew that she would think incessantly about it and worry about Jackie going into labour on her own and Kenny going into a panic about it all.
"They'll be fine, Mrs. Coles," said Lynne comfortingly. "There's ages to wait yet before Jackie's due. Don't worry about her."
"There's not much chance of that now," Joan told Lynne. "I forsee plenty of sleepless nights ahead, thanks to Debbie."
"Mum, we're going to go shopping," said Debbie, looking completely unperturbed despite having given Joan something else to worry about. "I'll see you later."
Joan watched as Debbie and Lynne set off down the road together, Daniel traipsing after them. She turned to Stephen, who had been standing quietly, with the resigned air of one who knew he had been forgotten, albeit temporarily. He held out his hand to her and they strolled back to his car, climbing wearily in and turning to look at each other.
"If weddings are that tiring when you're a guest, I'm wondering if we'd be better off eloping," he said with a grin.
"But there was so much to worry about today," Joan reminded him. "Jackie's parents and Vic as well as all the logistics of the thing. Ours won't be that bad."
"Don't worry." Steve patted her knee comfortingly. "We'll have our day, Joan. I wouldn't deprive you of that. Come on, let's go back to your place and have a cup of tea."
#463:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:51 pm
    —
Thanks Becky Very Happy .
#464:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:48 pm
    —
thanks becky!
#465:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:02 pm
    —
Fatima wrote:
Now that Debbie had mentioned the idea she knew that she would think incessantly about it and worry about Jackie going into labour on her own and Kenny going into a panic about it all.


I'm going to keep Joan company on the worry bench!

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#466:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:59 pm
    —
OK, am I the only one worrying if Vic is fit to drive? Crying or Very sad


Thanks Becky.
#467:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:30 pm
    —
Lesley wrote:
OK, am I the only one worrying if Vic is fit to drive? Crying or Very sad


Thanks Becky.


Are you trying to put ideas into my head, Lesley?! Twisted Evil
#468:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:35 pm
    —
Thanks, Becky. Great to catch up with this!
#469:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:14 pm
    —
lesley!!! dont give her ideas!!!
#470:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:47 pm
    —
While Kenny and Jackie were on their honeymoon, Debbie headed back to Birmingham as she needed to put in a lot of hard work on a linguistic project she had to complete and she was keen to see if her plans for her year in Germany had been accepted. Joan and Steve had a long talk about their wedding, and decided to set a date for the summer. If they married in August, Debbie would be home, Jackie would have recovered from the birth of the baby and Con and Roger would be back from their honeymoon. It was probable that Jack and Jo would be able to stay in England long enough to attend both Con's wedding and Steve's if they held them that close together, so all in all the timing would be perfect. Now all they had to do was break the news to the Maynards. Debbie, Kenny and Jackie had been thrilled when they heard the news. They all liked Steve and could see how happy Joan was with him. Con and Roger were also delighted, for Con knew that Steve had not been as contented as he was with Joan for some years. She was glad to see him finally looking ready to settle down and knew that Joan would make him happy.
Kenny and Jackie returned from their honeymoon and Joan found that she was glad to have them back again, where she could keep an eye on them. Despite having been married for a fortnight, they still looked ridiculously young, and she felt that they needed to be looked after. Kenny did not mind being invited round for dinner a couple of times a week, and Jackie was more than happy to help Joan in the kitchen and then sit quietly in the sitting room and doze in a chair rather than to rush around trying to take care of everything when she felt so huge and ungainly. Since returning from the honeymoon, Jackie had called her parents and found them very distant, and then she and Kenny had gone round to visit them. Jackie's mother had made tea and the four of them had sat in an awkward silence for a while, and not managed to discuss the breakdown of their relationship at all. When they left, Jackie had been very upset, and was almost sure that she would not try to contact them again. Kenny suggested that she should leave such difficult decisions until after the baby was born, when she would hopefully feel a little less emotional, but Jackie could be very stubborn when she chose, and she firmly told Kenny that he was not to mention her parents again.
As the June days flew past, Joan was busy making arrangements for the wedding, and planning how she was going to fit in spending time with Jackie and the baby as well as working and planning the wedding reception. The thought of a big wedding did not appeal to her - she had done all that with Vic - but as it was to be Steve's first marriage and as he was the eldest Maynard son, she felt that the wedding should be a considerably bigger occasion than Kenny's had been. They were to have a good number of guests and as well as a big dinner, there was to be an evening reception with dancing and a buffet, and Joan had plenty to do to make sure that not even the smallest detail had been overlooked. She was certainly not going to give Jo any reason to criticise the day, so she would make certain that it would all run as smoothly as clockwork.
But in the middle of the month, just as Joan was getting ready to go to work, the telephone rang. She lifted the receiver, but before she could even say 'hello' she heard Kenny's voice.
"Mum! Jackie says we need to go to the hospital!"
Kenny sounded young and anxious and Joan could only begin to imagine how nervous Jackie would be feeling. "I'll meet you there," she told him, managing to keep her voice calm even though she felt tremendously excited. "You've got a car, haven't you? Help her into the back and don't forget to bring her suitcase. I'll get a taxi and I'll be at the hospital just as soon as I can."
"Thanks Mum," said Kenny, sounding marginally less agitated. Without waiting for more, he banged the receiver down, leaving Joan to put a call through to Con and tell her that she would probably not get in to work that day. She then changed into something more suitable for hanging around in a waiting room, filled her handbag with biscuits and apples and dashed downstairs to find a taxi.
#471:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:51 pm
    —
ooooh! The baby's coming! *excited*

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#472:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:03 pm
    —
Hope all goes well Very Happy .
#473:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:30 pm
    —
Awwww! Joan is such a great person to have as a mum - love that Kenny phoned her in a panic! Laughing


Good luck Jackie!


Thanks Becky.
#474:  Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:58 pm
    —
Really enjoying the updates and hope the wedding and birth go well. Hopefully after the baby is born Jackie's parents will come around. Poor Jackie I really feel sorry for her.
#475:  Author: Woofter,  PostPosted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:44 pm
    —
Hope it goes well.

Thanks Becky!
#476:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:10 am
    —
Glad the honeymoon went well! (I was also afraid a rather intoxicated Vic would smash them up on the way to the station.)

So, now another cliff.... hopefully with a happy, healthy resolution. Very Happy
#477:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:29 am
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Yet one more cliff. And, we still haven't heard how Jo and Jack will behave about the wedding.
#478:  Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock PostPosted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:36 pm
    —
Thanks, Becky.
#479:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:05 am
    —
Just caught up on loads of this but still ended up on a cliff! ARGH!

Thanks Becky
#480:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:46 am
    —
I'm sorry I've been so lazy about this. However, here's a little more, and I'll try to come back tomorrow with another episode, too!

Joan arrived at the hospital and was directed to the labour ward by a very helpful receptionist. Jackie was just being settled when she reached the ward, and Kenny was hovering nervously outside the door.
"Thank goodness you're here!" he cried, seizing Joan's arm and virtually dragging her over to the door of the room in which Jackie was. "She's in there and I can go in when they've finished checking her over."
"Don't worry Kenny," said Joan, remembering so clearly the day he had been born and how Vic had paced nervously in the corridors of that very hospital. "She's going to be fine, and very soon you'll be a father."
"I think that scares me even more," he admitted, allowing Joan to draw him over to a row of chairs. "What if I'm an awful father?"
"You won't be," said Joan. "You're going to be a wonderful father."
"You don't think I'll end up like Dad?"
"No, Kenny, I don't," said Joan with a smile.
Before she could reassure him further, the door opened and Kenny had leaped to his feet. "Is she all right?" he demanded, almost running over to the nurse who had appeared in the doorway.
"Yes, she's fine," said the nurse with a smile. "Go on in."
"Come on, Mum," said Kenny impatiently.
Joan followed him into the delivery room and they found Jackie already changed into a nightie and lying on a big bed. She looked pale and scared, but pleased to see Joan and Kenny.
"I'm so glad you're here," she told them. "The nurse says it's going to be ages yet."
"How are you feeling?" Joan asked.
"I'm all right as long as there's no pain," Jackie said with a chuckle. "I'm not very brave, I'm afraid."
"You don't have to be brave," said Joan. "There's all sorts of medication they can give you."
"They showed me how to use the gas and air," said Jackie. "It's actually rather nice."
Joan grinned. "Yes, I remember that," she said. "Jackie, I don't want to upset you, but have you called your mother?"
"No." Jackie reached for the mask and drew deeply on the gas inside, while Kenny watched her anxiously. A minute later Jackie visibly relaxed and then she turned to Joan again. "I don't think they'll be interested," she said, her voice quiet and resigned. "Besides, you're here. That's all I need now."
Wisely Joan dropped the subject, telling Jackie instead of Kenny's birth and what he was like as a baby. Jackie seemed relieved to hear that Joan was only in labour for about six hours with Kenny, for she had heard stories of extremely long labours with first babies, and so hoped she might be spared such an ordeal.
#481:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:36 am
    —
Yay! I've missed this over the last week Very Happy

I hope Jackie doesn't need more than gas and air

Thanks, Becky Very Happy
#482:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:53 am
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Hope all goes well!
#483:  Author: Lottie, Location: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:11 am
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Should we start boiling lots of water?!? Rolling Eyes

Thanks, Fatima. Very Happy
#484:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:17 pm
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thanks becky!! i really missed this when it wasnt here...
#485:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:17 pm
    —
Poor Jackie - so pleased she has Joan there.


Thanks Becky
#486:  Author: Becky, Location: Newport, South Wales, UK PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:30 pm
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Glad this is back! Thanks Becky
#487:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 4:14 am
    —
It was a very long day. Joan and Kenny nibbled apples and Jackie began to look exhausted. The nurses kept popping in to check on her and assured her that everything was going well, although Kenny whispered to Joan that he was sure there must be some problem if it was taking so long. Steve arrived in the middle of the afternoon, bearing a huge bouquet of flowers and Joan was happy to sit outside and keep him company, for Kenny and Jackie seemed increasingly oblivious to her presence. They ate more apples and finished the biscuits too, and Steve managed to find a coffee machine and get some rather horrible tasting but hot drinks for them, although it did not make the time pass any faster.
They tried to discuss their wedding plans, but even that did not distract their attention from the closed door outside which they were sitting and in the end they gave up and just sat quietly, staring almost unblinkingly at the door and waiting for news from the nurses that periodically went in and out.
Finally, just after eight o'clock the door was flung open and Kenny appeared, his face white but with a huge smile plastered across it. "I'm a dad!" he cried jubilantly. "She's done it! We have a girl...a daughter!"
Joan and Steve got stiffly to their feet and Joan elbowed Steve in the ribs as he suggested that they were showing their age. Joan caught Kenny in her arms and hugged him. "Congratulations, Kenny," she said, and then they were being ushered back into the delivery room. Jackie was lying on the bed, her face as white as Kenny's, and the same beaming smile on her lips. In her arms was a well wrapped bundle, at which she was gazing rapturously. Joan leaned over and got the first glimpse of her granddaughter, a red faced little mite with a fuzz of soft yellow hair and large navy blue eyes. "What a darling!" she said softly, leaning over further to give Jackie a hug. "Congratulations, Jackie."
"Isn't she absolutely lovely," said Jackie complacently. She looked up at Joan and Steve, her face full of tiredness, but her eyes full of joy. "They say I have to go and get cleaned up," she told them. "Would you like to hold her while I'm gone?"
"I'd love to," said Joan, taking the baby from her as Steve offered his congratulations and leaned over to kiss the new mother.
"Jackie's going up to the ward," said Kenny, who was still hovering protectively around his wife. "The nurse said they'll take her for a bath and we can meet her upstairs in about half an hour."
"And so you can." The nurse had returned and was ready to take Jackie off, while a second had come to show Kenny up to the ward where Jackie's bed was ready for her.
Having given Jackie a kiss and assured her that they would take great care of the baby, Kenny watched as the nurse helped her to her feet and guided her off through a door on the other side of the room.
"Don't worry, she'll be quite safe," said Joan with a smile. She could remember the days when Vic would have been as protective of her, and hoped that it would last longer for Kenny and Jackie than it had for them.
They followed the nurse up to the ward and by the time Jackie arrived, they had arranged Steve's flowers in a vase beside the bed and the baby was crying, evidently fed up with her first experiences of the world and eager to be with her mother again. Kenny helped Jackie into bed and settled her comfortably before Joan returned the baby to her. Almost immediately a nurse came to help Jackie start feeding the baby, so Joan and Steve bade them farewell and promised to return the next day for a proper visit.
"Well, Granny?" asked Steve as they left the ward.
"Well nothing," Joan told him, putting a hand through his arm. "I'm happy to be a grandmother. And very soon you'll be her Grandad, so the less you say the more you'll shine. I wonder what name they've decided on."
"You can phone Kenny tonight and quiz him on the subject," said Steve, glancing at her and thinking that she did not look old enough to be a grandmother. "Meanwhile, we've had nothing decent to eat for hours, so I think we ought to go and have a lovely dinner and a bottle of champagne to celebrate. What do you say?"
Conscious of only having eaten apples and biscuits since breakfast, Joan agreed at once. "I say yes," she told him at once, and so they set off for the nearest restaurant they could find for a celebration dinner.
#488:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:40 am
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Glad Jackie and the baby are both OK Very Happy !
#489:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:32 am
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Awwww, how lovely - so glad it all went well.


Thanks Becky.
#490:  Author: kimothy, Location: Glasgow PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:15 am
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awww thanks Becky
#491:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:43 am
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Congratulations all round Very Happy

Thanks, Becky
#492:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:32 pm
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Thanks, Becky. So Joan is a grandmother. Perhaps Jo will manage to keep her mouth shut about that.
#493:  Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:49 pm
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Wishful thinking, Jennie!

They had a lovely meal and drank a lot of champagne and finally staggered out to the car and headed back to Joan's flat. Joan called Debbie, rather belatedly, and informed her of the arrival of her niece, and then fell into bed, while Steve, who had already given up the unequal struggle to stay awake, was already snoring gently on the settee. The next morning they breakfasted in rather a subdued manner, for both were feeling the affect of too much to drink. Joan set off for work early, planning to take a long lunch break and go to visit Jackie, and Steve headed off home to change and get ready for work. Steve parked outside his house and went quickly inside, intending to go straight upstairs to change, but then he heard the familiar dulcet tones of his mother. He had no recollection of being told she was going to be visiting, although that did not necessarily mean that she had not written or called to announce her arrival. He had been very involved in the imminent birth of Kenny and Jackie's baby and the plans for his wedding to Joan, and could easily have forgotten that Jo was planning to visit. He strolled through to the kitchen and found Jo sitting at the table, presiding over breakfast just as she had done when they were young, although she only had Con in attendence.
"Steve!" she exclaimed, seeming surprised by his appearance. "I thought you'd already gone to work."
"Good morning, Mother," he said, nodding in response to Con's unspoken offer of coffee. "I'm just going to change." As soon as the words had left his mouth, Steve knew he had said the wrong thing.
"You've just come in," Jo said, seeing how crumpled his clothes were. "Where on earth have you been all night?"
"Sleeping on Joan's settee," he told her. "We were having a celebration and I thought it was safer to sleep there than drive back here. Her son's wife has just had a baby."
"What did she have?" demanded Con, who had heard all about Kenny and Jackie and was as eager as everyone else had been to hear the details of the delivery.
"A girl at about eight last night," Steve supplied, gratefully accepting the coffee she had made him. "And an adorable little thing she is, too. We don't know what they're calling her yet, though."
"I can't believe Joan's a grandmother," said Con with a giggle. "She just doesn't look old enough."
"So you see a lot of Joan?" asked Jo, not looking particularly impressed by the idea.
"Yes, an awful lot," said Steve, deciding that the time had come to tell his mother about the wedding. "In fact in a couple of months I shall be seeing a whole lot more of her - we've decided to get married a fortnight after Con and Roger. You'll be able to stay in England that long, won't you?"
Jo's golden laugh rang out. "You'll have to get up a lot earlier than this if you want to catch me out," she told him, clearly not believing that he was serious.
"I'm not trying to catch you out," he said, managing to sound far calmer than he was feeling. "Joan and I are getting married."
"I've hoped to see you married for years, as you well know," said Jo, all traces of mirth gone now. "But not to someone like Joan Baker. She's not good enough for you, Steve. She's from a totally different world. And she's divorced."
"I thought you'd be thrilled to hear that I'd finally succumbed to the temptation to marry a Chaletian," said Steve drily.
"Joan isn't the right sort of Chaletian," said Jo firmly. "Steve, think about it sensibly. She's more than forty and already been married. You won't be able to marry her in any Catholic church. She's hardly likely to be able to give you children. In fact, even if she was the perfect Chaletian, I'd still advise you not to marry her."
"I don't want any children," said Steve. "And I'm not bothered about being married in church. I'm sorry, Mother, but I hardly ever go to church any more. I love Joan and I know she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"And I didn't hear you advising Roger not to marry me," Con put in. "I'm over forty and hardly likely to be presenting him with children. Perhaps you should tell him to find someone younger."
"Con, that's a different matter altogether," said Jo dismissively. "Stephen, please think really carefully about what you are committing to."
"What's he committing to?" Jack Maynard had appeared, wearing a lime green silk dressing gown over his pyjamas.
"Marriage," said Con, her voice implying that it was the worst possible thing one could ever hope to commit to.
"Congratulations!" said Jack, sounding genuinely pleased for his son. "Who's the lucky lady and when can we meet her?"
"The lucky grandmother is Joan Baker," said Jo, giving Steve a look that almost dared him to contradict her.
"Lucky Steve," said Jack, then he realized that his wife's glare had moved from their son to him. "Well, she's a fine looking woman," he said meekly.
"That's not the point," said Jo, beginning to sound annoyed now. "She's hardly a suitable wife for Steve."
"Don't you think that's up to Steve?" asked Jack mildly.
"Exactly." Steve drained his coffee and stood up. "It's time I was off to work. If you want to meet Joan, I'll call her and we'll arrange something."
Without waiting for an answer, Steve went upstairs, showered and changed and disappeared off to work without so much as a goodbye.
#494:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:55 pm
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Well done Steve for not smacking his mother - and well done Jack too! Joey is coming across as a total snob here, isn't she? Especially as Con was able to totally wreck her arguments about Joan being too old.

Glad Con and Jack support Steve - and love Jack's dressing gown! Laughing


Thanks Becky.
#495:  Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:50 pm
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I adore Jack and Con in this. Huge respect to Steve too. But Jo seriously needs a good slapping!
#496:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:10 pm
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I would love to see Joan tell Jo what she thinks of her!
#497:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 8:14 pm
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I bet Jack wears that dressing gown because Jo gave it to him!
Jo is really nasty isn't she? She needs her mouth washing out with soap!
#498:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:45 am
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Fatima wrote:
[ Jack Maynard had appeared, wearing a lime green silk dressing gown over his pyjamas.


*splutters*

Thanks, Becky
#499:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:26 am
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Thanks, Becky. What a dreadful snob Jo has become.

I'm actually undecided whether to use my poking stick first or my slapping stick.
#500:  Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:28 pm
    —
Jennie wrote:
I'm actually undecided whether to use my poking stick first or my slapping stick.


Don't you have a 2-in-1? Twisted Evil
The CBB -> Ste Therese's House


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