Lizzie's List (11 page)

I slip on James’ bath robe and he in his jeans, then we head back outside to enjoy the isolated and private position of the cottage garden, where we can be relaxed about our state of semi-undress. Whilst James goes back in to get our food, I smile to myself, feeling the satisfied glow of a woman who has been thoroughly made love to. As James reappears with two plates, my attention turns to what he has made to eat because I am now absolutely ravenous. Yum–this man is not only good in the bedroom, but he can cook too–chicken breast wrapped in parma ham, complemented with couscous and salad.

“This smells delicious!” I enthuse as I inhale the inviting aroma. We both tuck in greedily, now starving after our exertion. Digging into the breast I find it is filled with goat’s cheese, which he knows I adore from my dinner party last night. “I thought you said you couldn’t cook very well, but, this is scrumptious.” James looks slightly sheepish in response to my comment. “James; have you actually made this?” I ask sussing out something is not quite right. You can’t have everything in a man–can you?

“Well I did put it in the oven, but in terms of actually putting this together, I erm ... had a little help from Pete,” he mutters. I giggle–Ruth has mentioned Pete’s culinary skills many times and I have tasted his food during our weekend at the centre. “Well my motto in life is–use all resources you have on offer, and Pete offered. Well, actually, he refused to allow me to give you beans on toast. Now that’s something I’m fantastic at making – beans on toast!”

“Well I shall thank Pete next time I see him and congratulations on achieving the correct oven temperature – you’d be surprised how crucial that is to a dish, especially chicken.”

“That’s thanks to Pete’s instructions as well, if I’m honest or I would have put it at the highest temperature and burned the lot.”

“Well you’ve actually done very well, considering the delay in us eating – thank you.”

As we continue our meal, daylight fades, allowing the lanterns’ glow to illuminate the garden causing a romantic ambience. The gentle breeze causes them to sway delicately, creating magical moving shadows. Conversation is entertaining, with both of us feeling at ease enough to tease each other over various topics, so that I have no hesitation in telling him my thoughts. He accepts me for who I am, and since many of our previous meetings have involved me in slightly unusual situations, I have lost the ability to be embarrassed in front of this man. After we devour the delectable meal, James heads in for our dessert, whilst I venerate his rear. Yet again he turns and catches me responding with, “Are you looking at my bum again, Lizzie?”

“Yes I am and it’s lovely,” I respond with an unashamedly cheeky grin.

“Dessert!” he announces as he returns with an enormous slice of chocolate fudge cake – oh heaven.

Chocolate fudge cake
and my first orgasm in one night
– life just can’t get better than this! “This is one of my favourites, but just to be sure of what I’m eating–did you make this, or Pete?” I ask.

“Well I have to confess–I bought this. Since you are part owner of The Tea Cosy, famous locally for its fabulous cakes, which you make yourself–I didn’t even try to compete by making something myself.”

Imagining I would be slightly disappointed, because shop bought cakes are never the same as homemade, I taste the dessert and have to admit that it is sumptuously moist and flavoursome, but without being too sickly, which can be an issue with chocolate cake – getting the right balance is hard. This one is nearly as good as my own chocolate fudge cake, so good in fact, that it has unnerved me a little. I am not being big headed about this–I am just confident that mine is really good. “James this is superb – not quite as good as the one I make, but fabulous nevertheless!”

“Erm ... well that’s where you’re wrong Lizzie. It is as good as yours,” he replies determinedly, which causes an instant rising of my heckles at his ludicrous suggestion.

“James, after such a wonderful evening, please don’t insult my palate, which is so attuned to chocolate fudge cake, I could only be described as a chocolate fudge cake connoisseur. Trust me, I know my stuff and this is not as good as my own,” I answer knowingly.

“Well Lizzie, I’m sorry but you’re wrong.” James says still looking confident, despite my stern, glare. “And the reason why you’re wrong is because this is your chocolate fudge cake – I bought it from The Tea Cosy,” he says with smug satisfaction written all over his face in huge letters and cherry on top.

“What!” I practically pounce out. “How on earth did you get hold of this without my knowing?” I ask trying to hide my annoyance at his cunning trick and also the fact that he is right.

“Well last night at your place, I quietly asked Kate if I could buy some on the promise that you would have a much better time tonight eating your own creations, rather than something I attempt. But all of the table and garden decorations are my own efforts,” he answers with his hand gesturing to the garden.

There are not many times, when I am lost for words, but this will go down in my history book as one of them as my mouth opens and closes silently, whilst my brain organises my thoughts into one coherent sentence. However, I am secretly pleased at the sneaky methods he used to please me and all that he has done to try and make this romantic. Hey, he’s given me my first orgasm – I can hardly complain.

Finally finding words, I reply with a mocked huffiness, “Well she mustn’t have given you the freshest batch and that’s why my palate was confused. I’d ask for my money back if I were you!” James just laughs, kissing me again, before he looks at his half-eaten fudge cake suggestively.

“What do you think?” he asks nodding towards his bowl.

“I’ve already told you that it tastes lovely,” I answer not quite sure what he is getting at.

“Well, ever since seeing your body chocolate, I’ve been dying to try it with you – how about we use this instead?”

“What a fantastic idea,” I reply as James smears my body with his remaining cake. You can probably imagine what happened next. And what he doesn’t know, is, that I have the jar in the car, should we need any more.

Much later, after clearing the table, James brings a blanket and some cushions outside, where we lie down watching the disappearing light and welcoming the stars as they gradually appear like jewels in the dusky sky. Both silent, deep in thought, I sigh and snuggle into James’ arm feeling very contented.

The stars twinkle as if waving to us from above, and the moon is reflected in the shimmering silver-ribbon of the stream trickling down the valley. James twists slightly allowing our skin contact to increase since the bath robe has come open. Unable to fight our arousal, we make love again, wrapped in the blanket under the stars, but this time less hurried, slow, deliberate, gentle love making. That’s the last thing I remember before falling asleep, enveloped in James body.

On waking the next morning, I find myself in James’ bed – he must have carried me up last night. Smells of bacon waft through the open door, making me feel ravenous, so I head in the direction of the smells, my nose leading the way. “Morning,” I say as I enter the kitchen, wrapped in James’ robe.

“Morning – you looked too comfortable to wake. Would you like a bacon sandwich? I made them all by myself without any help from Pete. I was just about to bring one up to you.”

“I’d love one!” I reply, still thinking about last night’s loveliness.

“Unfortunately I have to go soon. We’ve got guests arriving this morning, but take your time getting ready – stay as long as you want – just pull the door to behind you when you leave. Watch out for Jack, he’s a little sneak at getting locked outside.” James hands me a plate with doorstep sized wedges of bread dripping in butter and overflowing with bacon, then briefly kisses me and head out. “Have a good day!” are his only words as he closes the door behind him.

Feeling a little like my bubble has wobbled, I try to flap away feelings of disappointment. Obviously James has to go to work, but he is in such a rush, I only get a quick peck with no mention of another date. I am sure he’ll call me, but still those little seeds of doubt make me question his abrupt departure and whether I should have slept with him so soon. As James mentioned, I’ve had rubbish boyfriends up to now, but James is different. Get a grip Lizzie–after all this is one mean bacon sandwich!

Note to Self

1. Ask James where my bra went – I cannot find it and it’s too nice to lose.
   
2. Have lots more orgasms – lots.
   
3. Pick some flowers from the garden before I go – they’d look lovely on the dining room table. Is it too soon to be adding feminine touches to his house?
   

Despite my initial concerns, a few hours later a text bleeps on my phone and it’s from James, “Hi sexy.” So with a spring in my step, I head out to visit Kate with it being our day off. I have plenty to tell her and we have loads to discuss about her wedding and also some plans we have for our business. We never seem to have the chance to talk without interruptions at work.

Kate already has the kettle boiling when I arrive and listens to me ramble on about my night with James, gushing like a dog-lover does over their new puppy. Realising that perhaps I am revealing far too much information, I start off our meeting. “Anyway, let’s get down to business – what shall we discuss first, The Tea Cosy or your wedding?”

“Let’s save the wedding stuff till later and make the harder decisions now,” Kate replies in a business-like manner.

We have recently batted around ideas about opening another Tea Cosy in a different location and also the need to recruit staff as we wouldn’t be able to manage with just the two of us with even more work. Kate and I are stretched to the limit and if we are to expand, we will require some help. With her business brain, Kate has found potential venues, which we are going to view soon and see if they fit in with the image we’ve create with The Tea Cosy. We are keen to maintain the same style and quality of The Tea Cosy within any new premises, especially since we have built up a good reputation for ourselves locally. Our thoughts are to employ somebody to run The Tea Cosy here, in Chipham Green, so that Kate and I can concentrate on opening a new cafe and developing the catering side of the business. The person must be right for the job before we can move forward with anything else. We’ve all been to cafes where the service is as sloppy as the custard – well there is not a chance that Kate and I would leave The Tea Cosy in the hands of anybody who we don’t trust.

After several hours discussing finance, recruitment and locations, we seem to have the bones of a business plan sketched out, which Kate is going to develop, whilst I take charge of finding the perfect person for our beloved Tea Cosy. Our next step is to check out potential premises and then we can continue from there.

“Well, now that that’s sorted, it’s time for the fun part – my wedding. Take a look at these pictures of bridesmaid dresses Lizzie, and let me know which you prefer? There are also some material swatches over there – I was thinking of a bluebell colour theme since it’d be the right time of year and I could then have bluebells featuring in the bouquets.” Now Kate is gushing, but I let her enjoy these precious moments of her discussing what will be one of the most important days of her life and love to see her eyes dance majestically with enthusiasm. “It reminds me of when we were younger and used to love playing in the woods carpeted with bluebells, pretending we were brides with our bluebell bouquets. Then when we got older, you used to call your privates your ... bluebell!” laughs Kate.

“I still call it that Kate – you know I hate the V word and would be very happy if you keep that to yourself. It’s not the sort of thing I want to admit to many people at the age of 29.”

“Sorry I already told Ben that story – he thinks it’s a hilarious name for it by the way! I didn’t know it was still your terminology for that region – sorry,” Kate giggles.

“Oh fantastic, let’s hope he keeps it quiet. I think a bluebell theme is perfect – after all Ben did propose on Bluebell Hill,” I reply.

“Great – that’s settled then.”

Over the next hour, Kate and I discuss all of her ideas and I help her make decisions, even though she has a pretty good vision of what she wants. She has also informed me that she wants me to make the wedding cake – arrrgh, I’ve never done anything so grand before, but am up to the challenge.

After leaving Kate’s, I head home with an important task to do – Dad’s birthday present. After my conversation with him about his wish to visit the Lake District, I thought I could buy him some maps and guides for the Lake District – maybe the famous Wainwright ones. It might encourage him to organise a trip up there. If not, then that’s my 60th birthday present sorted for him next year. Gosh I’m just so organised right now.

Sitting at my laptop, I google Amazon to see what I can find, when an email pings up from Tabitha.

Hi Lizzie,

Mark spoke to James this morning -call me soon. It sounds like he’s very taken with you – I want details – call me!

Love Tabitha

Hi Tabitha

Thanks partly to your red dress, we had a great (use your imagination) time. I’ll call you soon.

Love Lizzie

Notes to Self

1. Think of ways to bribe Ben should he ever choose to reveal my bluebell name secret and whilst on the subject, come to terms with the V word. Maybe I could just call it my flower or front bottom.
   
2. Start thinking about bluebell themed ideas for wedding cakes – this is one task I cannot mess up.
   
3. Grill Tabitha on what she means by ‘taken with you’.
   

The next few weeks fly by like a carousel spinning out of control, causing James and me to spend most of our time working, but grasping any spare moment we can to be together. Things are progressing pleasantly and we are getting to know each other more. He is even coming to my parents’ house this weekend for dad’s birthday lunch.

This morning, Kate and I are off to view two potential premises for our new Tea Cosy venture. One of them is in the centre of a small nearby town. The other, is part of a barn conversion on a farm that houses various small shops in which artists hire to display and sell their work. Although the farm isn’t located close to towns or villages, it is growing into a tourist attraction which people visit for a coffee and cake whilst browsing amongst the unique shops. The farm also has events throughout the year, such as farmers’ markets or autumn festivals attracting visitors who are likely to stop for refreshments.

During our drive to the first premises in the town centre, Kate chatters away as though her lips have no control as she has come up with more ideas for her wedding and is eager to seek my opinion. The wedding ideas are infused with ideas about the new cafe, blended together making a pot of aromatic coffee strongly burdened with too much caffeine.

On arriving at the town centre property, we take in the surroundings and the appearance of the shop front and both mentally have the same thoughts without revealing them to one another – as you can with a friend who’s known you since birth. The property is on a busy road on the outskirts of the town without any charming or quirky features – it feels soulless.

“Well that’s a definite no,” Kate says as soon as we are alone.

“True. It didn’t have the right feelings inside and I am not sure the location is right for us,” I reply.

We disappointedly trudge back to the car to check out the barn premises; some of Kate’s earlier enthusiasm has now been extinguished. “I hope the next one’s better,” I say.

“I’ve a feeling the next one might be right up our street – it all depends upon the rent. I think there’ll be a lot of potential there, but we’ll have to see if it has the right ambiance for what we want to achieve,” Kate replies.

As we approach the barn, I get a rush of adrenalin and can tell Kate is thinking the same as me from her expression. “Let’s not get carried away Kate, but if you’re thinking what I’m thinking – you’re excited!”

The barn is perfect. The exterior features, many stone pots filled with colourful flowers; wooden benches for sitting outside close to a children’s play area and there are some animals in the adjoining fields. Inside are tiny bays displaying various arts and crafts: everything from stained glass, Celtic-styled jewellery to chunky knitted scarves. The area we are interested in is at the end of the barn, which is set up as a cafe and opens out onto a large patio area with a view of the rolling hills on one side and a small woodland area on the other. This is the sort of place where people will come all year to relax and browse, possibly becoming more family-orientated at weekends.

In my mind I’m already viewing the end product we could create in our own style: a few touches here and there and accessories to add to the authentic and natural style of the barn, could transform it to an oasis of calm with a rustic charm.

Kate’s crafts could be sold here and there’s plenty of room for food products. I have visions of pots of chutney and jams, homemade biscuits, locally sourced honey on shelves decorated with pretty bunting matching the table cloths. It’s much bigger than The Tea Cosy, but I’m pretty sure it will fill up at weekends and holiday times. “It’s perfect!” I enthuse.

“I’m so glad you said that!” replies Kate and we both know this is the Tea Cosy No.2 or Tea Cosy 2. What shall we call it?”

“Tea Cosy 2 seems perfect.”

By the end of the week, Kate and I have put things into motion; Kate deals with the lease and finance, whilst I start on menus and hunt for the perfect person to join our crew. Next week I am interviewing. Mary, an elderly lady in the village, has informed me about her granddaughter, Laura, who she says would be perfect for the role. I guess I’ll find out next week.

Back to the present–I am currently waiting for James to pick me up for lunch at mum and dad’s house. In the distance I hear the growl of his Land Rover before it appears, roaring down the road. He smiles as he approaches, causing those pesky little butterflies in my tummy to flutter again. I am greeted with a heavenly kiss, which unfortunately causes us to squash the beautifully wrapped present I have for dad in my arms. For much of the journey, I attempt to straighten the edges and titivate the floppy blue bow on top, whilst we hurriedly update each other on our news. James also has to recruit new staff for his rapidly expanding centre and I explain in detail about our new premises, before we pull into mum and dad’s long, twisting drive. James gives me another full-on snog before we leave the car, but to my embarrassment, Mum and Dad are watching this from the door.

“Hi Mum. Happy birthday, Dad!” I say hugging them both and depositing dad’s present into his arms.

“Come inside before Joan next door sees you making out and reports us for lowering the tone of the neighbourhood,” answers mum, winking at James. Oh my goodness, is the whole lunch going to be as excruciating as this? Making out – what US TV shows has she been watching? “Tabitha and Mark are waiting – Tabitha seems eager to see you Lizzie. I think it’s great you are becoming friends.” I surprisingly find myself agreeing with my mum. Not being used to this, I am starting to worry about why. I wonder if it’s because I’m growing up; however, if I ever get to the point when I start to think scented draw liners are a good idea – please take me aside and have stern words! Actually thinking about it, scented draw liners could look pretty in James’ cottage – STOP THINKING!

After much hugging and banter, dad opens his presents. Mark and Tabitha have got him a new set of spades for his garden, along with various shrubs and bulbs. I love watching people opening presents; in many ways it’s more desirable than opening presents of your own, seeing the happy expressions on their faces. Dad tears the paper off my gift and turns the maps and books over in his hands keenly surveying their content. I can tell he is pleased, because he’s normally very polite and would say thank you quickly, but because he’s so engrossed in them, he has forgotten.

“Why the Lake District, Lizzie?” asked Mark, slightly confused.

“I’ve always wanted to visit there and I was telling Lizzie about it last time you were all here. I very much hope I’ll use these soon Lizzie. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy studying them – you know I love maps. Thank you all of you for my lovely gifts–you know me too well.” replies Dad.

“I hadn’t realised you wanted to go to the Lake District so much – I know we’ve talked about it a few times, but I never realised it was quite so high up on your agenda,” quizzes Mum.

“Well there are so many places to visit and I suppose we’ve never got around to going up there, but I’d definitely would like to go sometime,” answers Dad.

“Well let’s go next spring and make it our new year’s resolution,” Mum says determinedly, and I am secretly happy that I’ve raised this subject, so that Dad gets his wish. However, maybe the weekend away in the Lakes that I’d planned for Dad’s 60th present will have to be for their Christmas present, now that mum is on the case. I’ll have a chat with Mark some time to see if he fancies going halves.

“Lizzie do you fancy sitting outside – I wanted to talk to you about making a cheesecake and I’m sure Mark and James won’t want to listen to recipes?” asks Tabitha, so we both head out onto the patio, which overlooks Dad’s pride and joy – his garden. It’s currently a floral array of blues and pinks interwoven with various shades of green.

“So what type of cheese cake are you making?” I ask. “I enjoy a baked white chocolate one myself with summer fruits, but I have a cracking lime cheesecake recipe which is sooooooo easy if you’d prefer that.”

“I’m not making one, Lizzie – I couldn’t care less how to make cheese cake, if honest, not when I’ve got a Waitrose down the street.” Tabitha must see my disappointed face. “Oh Lizzie, don’t get me wrong, homemade is much better and yours is fabulous – I keep telling all my friends about you and your baking at The Tea Cosy, but seriously, can you ever see me making cheese cake?”

I ponder over this for a while, having images of Tabitha in her heels and a little black dress, crushing biscuits. “No I couldn’t, so why mention cheese cakes?”

“Sometimes I want to shake you Lizzie! It was just to get you out here, so you could tell me all about James and what’s happened. You haven’t called to tell me in case you’ve forgotten,” she says with an annoyed expression and wagging her finger at me.

I fill her in on the details (well most of them – not quite as much as I have told you) and she is genuinely thrilled. “Oh I can’t wait until next weekend when we are staying at James’; it’ll be a double date.”

“Lunch is ready!” Mum shouts from the kitchen, resulting in a mad scramble to our chairs – we’re starving. Dad as always sits at the top of the table facing out to his garden. I swear this is so he can switch off and admire his hard work when the conversation bores him. Unlike last time I came for lunch, I enjoy myself immensely, what with the banter between James and Mark and my friendship with Tabitha. Even Mum isn’t annoying me. Why is this? Am I growing up or is it my list, because that’s changing my thoughts more and more? Is it Dad explaining my family dynamics to me last time I was here? Is it all of these things–I’m not entirely sure I know the answers myself.

During the chatter, I take a moment to study Mum and Dad. Dad looks older somehow, but has a twinkle in his eye. Sometimes you see your parents regularly without actually looking at them properly. My reflective moment has shocked me into realising that Dad is getting older. That may sound strange, because of course we’re all getting older, but this is as though it has suddenly dawned on me. Don’t get me wrong, Dad is still fit and able – I’m not suggesting he’s past it, just greying a little, but then so am I. I’ll discuss that with you at some point.

Mum is absolutely buzzing, having us all around – she positively loves it. My heart softens a little – why have we never had the relationship like some mothers and daughters who go shopping together or for weekends away? Perhaps because I’m not big on shopping – Mum and I are very different. Nevertheless, watching Mum today, I can see that she thrives off both of her children.

“Lizzie did you see the potential cafes with Kate?” asks Dad.

“Yes, and we are very close to signing the lease on the one in the barn on the farm. It’s a great spot and the rent isn’t too pricey as they are still in the developing stages of the business, so are keeping it low for now. But the place has so much potential that Kate and I feel really positive about it,” I reply.

“Will you take me to see it before you sign the lease – any time? As a valued customer of The Tea Cosy, I’d like to see if it ticks my boxes,” replies Dad.

“I’d love to see it as well, if you don’t mind,” adds James.

“Me too if there’s cake on offer,” says Mark.

“And me!” Mum and Tabitha both say at the same time. I am completely shocked at their interest and this really please me.

“Erm ... well, if you really want to see it, we could go next weekend when Tabitha and Mark are staying at James’. James has extra staff in that weekend, and I am free on the Sunday.”

Following the meal, we all sit out in the garden and continue with the chatter and banter. I show James around Dad’s garden, which is quite long and ends at the border of a wooded heath. Once out of view, James puts his arm around me. He has been very careful with physical contact since our public kissing show in the car earlier.

“Come here and let me kiss you!” he demands pulling me behind a huge clump of bushes. “Your family are great, Lizzie – I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed their company, but every time I look at you, I have to concentrate on serious things to calm myself down.” I giggle as he pulls me into his arms kissing me firmly. Just as his hands slide around to my breasts, Mum appears from out of nowhere with cups of tea.

“Can you both get a room please – what will the neighbours say?” she asks. Get a room–where is she picking up these phrases?

Note to Self

1. Email Mark about a Lake District Christmas present for Mum and Dad.
   
2. Never ever kiss James in front of my mother again – she mentioned it eight times during our stay– eight times!
   
3. Email Tabitha for grey hair advice, since I have a few appearing.