It was Tuesday. Lewis had rang me back later that same evening and we talked for almost an hour. Nothing in particular, just movies and tv. Music. We also arranged the picnic. He insisted on sorting out the food - after all, he said, it was him who suggested it.
He told me he would swing by in the car at 12:30 and to bring some sunglasses. And so it was that by 9 this morning I was up, showered, brushed my teeth and dressed. Was I eager? Oh yes. Over eager? Probably. But this time was different, I told myself. Lewis was perfect, he was everything the others weren’t. It felt as if there was nothing he could do to hurt me.
My phone chirped to itself. A text, from Lewis “shouldn't be too long, just having to dodge through some unusually thick traffic - I swear they dig up the roads for fun!”. I checked my watch - 12:24. I couldn't help myself pacing the living room, I had so much I wanted to say! I stood by my mirror and gave myself a look over. My hair was up, and I went light on the makeup. I was wearing a short sleeved stripy shirt with some baggy black jeans and my dark blue converse. I wanted him to know I could dress smart, but at the same time I didn't want to try too hard. I think I nailed it.
Knock, knock knock, knock.
“Helena?” I could just make out Lewis’ muffled voice behind the door.
“Coming!” I called.
I tossed my phone into my handbag before snatching it up and tucking it under my arm. I took one last look in the mirror and straightened my shirt. This was it, it was really happening! I took a deep breath and stepped outside, locking the door behind me.
“You look great.” He said simply.
“My god its sunny today.” I said.
“I said, you look great.” He repeated, putting his hands on his hips.
“What? Oh.” I laughed, putting on my sunglasses. “Thank you.”
“After you!” He said, extending his arm towards the red Vauxhall in my drive.
“I didn't have you down as a Vauxhall man.”
“Well in an ideal world it would be a Lamborghini.” He chuckled. “But its not, so..”
Even with the air conditioning on the car was incredibly warm. I had intended on leaning on the armrest in the door and gazing out of the window but it seemed the sun had other ideas. Instead, I folded my arms in my lap and leaned back.
“The spot I picked isn't too far.” He said, starting the engine. “I’d say about what, fifteen minutes drive?”
“I never asked.”
“What?” He said with a sideways glance.
“Not about the park, silly!” I giggled. “What music do you listen to?”
“Oh. Right.” He sighed. “Have a look through the ipod - mostly alternative, indie kinda rock. The Killers, Arctic Monkeys. That kinda stuff.”
“Arctic Monkeys huh..?” I muttered, fingering the ipod.
He wasn't wrong when he said he liked his alt rock - Franz Ferdinand, The Vaccines, Vampire Weekend… He did redeem himself a little with Three Days Grace and Linkin Park, but for the most part I couldn't stomach his choices in music. That, would change in time, I smiled to myself.
“Mind if I put on some of mine?” I asked.
“Sure, whatever you like!” He said. “Nothing on there really strike your fancy then?”
“Its not that, its just not stuff im in the mood for right now.”
I pulled my ipod from my handbag and queued up a playlist of The Police, Seether and Five Finger Death Punch - some of the more pleasant tracks on there, just incase he wasn't as much a fan of the heavier songs I owned.
He was right about it taking about fifteen minutes - we were parked up about half way through a random Coldplay song (I put it on shuffle after the playlist ended, don't ask!). We didn't really speak much on the way. I was kinda nervous about saying what I wanted to, especially while he was driving, but I would get a chance soon.
The park was fairly busy for a week day, but then I remembered that the schools closed for summer holidays a couple weeks back. Lewis hefted the hamper from the boot and we looked for a nice quiet spot. It took us a while, but we found one - a nice shaded area with a few trees. An elderly couple were sat on a bench by the pond feeding the ducks, but other than that everyone else was elsewhere enjoying the sun.
“Close your eyes a second.” He said.
“Huh?”
“Just do it a second.”
I did as he wanted and closed my eyes. I could hear him working away setting stuff up - the whoosh of a blanket and the clank of jars and tubs. How much food had he brought, I wondered.
“Okay, you can open them now.” He whispered in my ear.
The sight that greeted me was beyond anything I had imagined for a picnic. He had literally brought what looked like half of Asda in that hamper. At least five kinds of sandwich, half a dozen bags of crisps, pickled eggs and onions… He really went to town on this.
“When you said picnic I wasn't expecting this.” I said.
“Is it not good enough?”
“Its more than good enough!” I turned and hugged him.
“Woah there! We haven't even eaten yet.” He smiled.“Well we better fix that then.” I said as I took his hand in mine.
We sat there in the shade of the tree and ate probably far too much, but I didn't care. I don't think Lewis cared either. We talked about our favourite TV shows - he actually didn't fail here, we loved a lot of the same stuff, which was nice. We talked about our favourite parts and least favourite parts, and laughed at ourselves for being so silly. Eventually we cleared up everything but the blanket. Lewis was sat with his back against the tree with his legs stretched out. I took my chances and shuffled over, before laying with my head in his lap so I could look up into his eyes.
“So.” I said slowly. “Why so much food? You aren't planning on cooking me for christmas dinner I hope.”
“What?” He laughed. “Dear god no. I just didn't know what you liked so I figured a wide variety would be better… whatever we don't eat I can either stick in my fridge or swing by my brothers house and give it to my nephews.”
“Good.” I smiled as took his hand and placed it on my stomach. “Y’know… I really like you.”
“I never would have guessed.” He whispered, his free hand playing with my hair. “You don't mind do you?”
“If I did I wouldn't still be laying here, would I?”
“That uh… thats a fair point.”
“We are going to have to work on your music tastes though.” I said in a serious tone.
“Hah! Maybe.”
“There isnt a maybe about it mister!” I laughed, stroking his hand. “You need to open your mind to the good stuff dear.”
“Bollocks!” He chuckled. “There aint nothing wrong with the Arctic Monkeys. I know you wouldnt say no if you were locked in a room with Alex Turner…”
“I bloody would!” I cried. “He isnt my type.”
“And I am?” He said simply.
“...Yes.”
He laughed and pulled his hands away, resting them behind his head and closing his eyes. I sat up and pondered my next move. Do I move in for a kiss, I asked myself. Slowly I did, hands poised to pin him to the tree, my face mere inches from his.
“Ah ah ah!” He said, catching me by the arms. “Not yet!”
“What?” I feigned surprise. “I was just looking.”
“Mmhmm…” He hummed. “Thats what they all say.”
We both laughed and hugged each other. We sat there for a while, tangled in each others arms and watched the other people on the park.
“It would be nice to do this again sometime.” I whispered.
“It would.” He agreed.
“No. I mean. With kids.”
“What are you trying to say?” He asked.
“Nothing!” I said, flustered. “Nothing at all. Nevermind!”
“Dont worry.” He said, brushing my cheek. “I was thinking it too.”
I gasped pulled away. What had I gotten myself into now?
“What's the matter?” He asked quietly. “The signs are all there.”
“Its just that I… I…” I couldn't finish the sentence.
“You what?”
“Nothing. Dont worry about it.” I said, I could feel my cheeks turn bright red.
“If you say so.” He whispered, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“How about you stop over on Friday?” I asked.
“Friday huh? Yeah I can probably do Friday.”
“Good. I’ll teach you about music then.” I said, the smile returning to my face.
“So, shall we get going then?” He asked. “I’ll drive you home but its my turn to pick the tunes.”
“Thats fine by me.” I said, standing and stretching my stiff legs.
Well, that could have gone a lot worse, I thought to myself as I watched Lewis shake off the blanket before rolling it and tucking it inside the hamper.
“Shall we?” He said, holding out his hand.
“We shall, dear.” I said quietly.
No comments:
Post a Comment