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Post by lagunagander on Jun 8, 2007 13:59:14 GMT 1
Part One
When George first gets to know Ronnie
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Post by lagunagander on Jun 8, 2007 14:03:12 GMT 1
“I love you Ronnie Woodson,” said Helen, tracing the outline of his lips. She rolled towards him and snuggled into him. “And?” she inquired of him.
“And what?” he replied sleepily.
“You’re supposed to say, ‘I love you too’”.
“I love you too,” he murmured, his eyes still closed.
Helen stretched and stifled a yawn. “What are you doing today?”
“I need to go to the library and must do at least a few hours study,” he replied.
“Will I see you tonight?” Helen asked.
Ronnie took a deep breath and opened his eyes. He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips. “Probably not,” he said. “I really have got loads to do and I can’t put it off much longer.” Helen watched as he flung the covers back and got out of bed. She pulled them back up over her and moved to Ronnie’s side of the bed. She loved everything about him and felt really glad he was her boyfriend.
“Maybe it’s best if you come round to my place tonight, later on and I’ll work ‘til you arrive. I’ll get a bottle of wine,” he called from the shower. He appeared with a towel round his waist and was cleaning his teeth.
Helen jumped out of bed. “That’s a good idea. I shouldn’t be too late back. Anyway, everywhere will be closed by six and I think there’s a train just after that, so I’ll be at your place round about 9pm.”
***************
Ronnie entered the library. The first person he saw was Helen’s friend George. He knew it was her even though all he could see was a sheet of shiny, dark hair as she was bending down trying to retrieve sheets of paper scattered all around.
“Need some help?” he inquired.
George looked up and swung her hair back. “Hiya Ronnie,” she said cheerfully. “My bag came open and I dropped my purse, then when I bent down to pick it up, I dropped my file and all this lot fell out. It’ll take me ages to sort them. I meant to date and number them as they were given out, but I thought- if I keep them in order, I’ll do it later and now it’s a right mess.” She spoke without taking a breath and her eyes twinkled as she stuffed everything back into her huge patchwork bag.
Ronnie warmed to George. She was a real scatterbrain and a refreshing change from Helen. He loved Helen, but sometimes found her to be very intense. George was fun and lifted his mood.
“Have you just come for a book, or are you staying longer?” George asked. “I’m on my way out and we could go for a coffee if you have time. Not that the coffee’s any good round here, but it’s nearly lunch time and so we could go to the pub and have a pint or get some pub grub.” She looked expectantly at Ronnie. He laughed and pulled a long strand of her hair that was tangled round one of her large hooped earrings.
“I shouldn’t,” he said, “as I told Helen I was going to study for most of the day. But I need to lunch somewhere and she’s gone away for the day to see a friend. She’s coming round my place later tonight.”
“Oh yes, she’s gone to see Cassie hasn’t she? Cassie’s getting married and they’re going to look for a wedding dress. Full works - big white dress, six bridesmaids and all the other paraphernalia.” She shuddered. “How anyone can want to look like some kind of Princess, I just don’t get and going shopping for it all is even worse! Glad it’s not me all hot and bothered, fighting for a changing room or trying on those huge meringue type dresses.”
Ronnie smiled and noticed how as usual, George was wearing at least five different garments and was adorned with rings, necklaces and bracelets.
“You must have been out shopping sometime to buy the buy the clothes you’re wearing” he said.
“Me? I just gather stuff as I see it. A top here, a skirt there. I don’t actually set out to amass things to wear. It just kind of happens.” She pressed her lips together and gazed at him with wide open eyes, shrugging her shoulders. She was wearing a purple three tiered skirt with cerise trim, a cerise top and a purple and pink satin waistcoat. She also had a long thin scarf round her neck and a crocheted shawl pinned round her waist. He thought she looked beautiful.
*******************************
“I dunno, I suppose I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I remember when I was small I had one of those toy medical sets and I played with that all the time. I had a chemistry set as well –no dolls and prams for me.” George perched on the edge of her bar stool and studied thoughtfully. “Eventually I want to be in General Practice, but I’m also interested in complementary medicine. You know, alternative therapies- practices not currently considered an integral part of conventional medical practice. Acupuncture, massage, homeopathy, that kind of thing. Anyway, that’s a long way off. How about you?”
Ronnie realized it was his turn to speak and mentally he had to shake himself from the daydream in his head. He had listened to George’s conversation, but had taken the opportunity to savour every detail of her face. He loved her dark eyes and the funny way she bit her lips together when she was thinking.
“Er, I want to specialize in family law and eventually would like my own practice. I suppose I’ll get a job in a law firm at first ‘til I get some experience, but I would like to work for myself. Do you want another drink?”
“No thanks, I must get off and sort my files out.” George slid off her stool and rummaged in her bag. She took out some money and put it on the bar.
“No, no,” Ronnie protested. “It’s on me.”
“Cheers,” said George. “My turn next time. Well, I’ve really enjoyed myself. Thanks a lot. I suppose I’ll see you around sometime, or when you’re out with Helen.” She kissed the tip of her finger and touched the end of his nose. She tugged at one of his curls and grinned at him. “Byee.”
Ronnie felt strangely alone when George had left. He gazed into the remainder of his pint and recalled their conversation, or rather George’s. She’d talked just about non-stop about almost every subject under the sun, but she’d been interested in what he’d had to say too. He had an uneasy longing to see her again, a feeling that was new to him. He and Helen had been together for a while and he thought he was content with the relationship. He’d seen George several times with Helen, but hadn’t ever been alone with her until now. He paid the bill and stood up. It was then he noticed George’s file, stuffed untidily with reams of hand outs, leaning against the bar near her stool. He picked it up and smiled ruefully as all the sheets of notes spilled out and spread all over the floor.
*******************************
‘Damn!’ thought George. ‘God, I wish I was more organized.’ She’d congratulated herself on setting aside an hour to organize her work, and then had had to spend it searching for her file. She turned her room upside down before she realized she’d probably left it in the bar. She had no idea how to contact Ronnie, although she vaguely knew where he lived. She had just started making a plan of action, when a note was pushed under her door. Someone had taken a phone call from Ronnie earlier, made to the communal phone in the Halls of Residence. The note said Ronnie had her file and would drop it off if she needed it urgently, or she could go to his place that evening for a drink with him and Helen. He’d also left his phone number and address. She’d enjoyed her lunch with Ronnie and owed him, so she thought she’d take a bottle and a pizza.
Ronnie opened the door and smiled. “Come in,” he said, taking the wine and pizza from George. “Helen’s not here yet.” She followed him into the house.
“Wow, it’s tidy!” exclaimed George. “Do you like housework?” “Well actually I share with two girls and they’re manic about tidiness. It used to drive me nuts at first, but I’ve kind of got used to it. I tend to keep the peace by doing my share, so I’m quite domesticated really.”
“Well, you wouldn’t like it in my place,” said George looking round. “Do you know it always beats me how I can just about recite word for word a lecture I’ve attended the previous day, but I can’t remember where I’ve put anything, or if I run out of cornflakes.”
“There must be a medical name for that condition,” said Ronnie.
“Well we haven’t come across it in class yet,” replied George. She flicked through Ronnie’s CD collection. “I love this!” she cried, holding one up. “Will you put this on?” Ronnie looked at it.
“Mm, good choice,” he said, taking it from her. “What else do you like?” He poured her a glass of wine and the music started playing.
“Foreigner, Phil Collins, Chicago- kind of soft rock,” said George, “but I enjoy most stuff really. What’s your favourite record?”
Ronnie thought carefully. “I don’t think I have a favourite,” he said. “I like most things –jazz, blues, rock. I used to listen to Elvis and the Stones when I was younger because my Dad played it non-stop.”
George put her head on one side. “I remember a record my Mum loved. She first heard it in the States when we were on holiday and she bought it there. It was called Reminiscing.”
“How does it go?” asked Ronnie.
“Well, I’m not the world’s best singer, so I’ll just tell you. I think it was about a couple imagining when they were old they’d walk in the park and dance in the dark reminiscing about when they were young. I think it was by the Little River Band. It used to make me wonder who I’d be with when I’m old, looking back at my life and reminiscing. I loved it, but it made me sad as well.”
“My sister Val used to play records she liked over and over again. It used to drive me mad. There was one, her favourite of all time- Dan Hill, Sometimes When We Touch –I know it off by heart and I got to quite like it really.”
“You’re a romantic at heart aren’t you, Ronnie Woodson?” George smiled at him. “Is Val older than you?”
“Yes, she’s married to Geoff and they’ve just had a baby girl- Caitlin. Val’s a one-off though. I’m sure she would have rather remained an only child. You know once when we were young, she nearly poisoned me. We were playing in the garden and she said she knew where there were some small onions. She watched me eat a handful and an hour later I was in hospital.”
“So what were they?” asked George, interested.
“Daffodil bulbs,” replied Ronnie and they both burst out laughing. He poured them another glass of wine.
“What time is it? Helen’s late and I’m starving. I hope you like pepperoni pizza.”
“My favourite. I’ll give Cassie a ring and see what time Helen left.” He went into the hallway and picked up the phone. “Hello, hello,” George heard him say. He came back into the room. “The phone’s dead,” he announced. “Maybe she’s tried to ‘phone and couldn’t get through. It was working earlier though because when I got back from the pub after being with you, she ‘phoned to say she’d arrived and I told her I’d invited you round here tonight. Well, I suppose we may as well eat now. We can always save her some.”
“So are you going out with anyone at the moment?” Ronnie asked, resting his legs on the coffee table and settling down with his pizza next to George on the sofa.
“Me? I’m off men. I’m having trouble with a pervy professor at college at the moment. We call him Hands- on- Andy. He tried to grope me the other day and if he tries it again I’m going to clout him. So no, there’s no Mr. Right in my life at the moment. I’m waiting for the ‘perfect man,’ so I guess I’ll have a long wait.”
“What’s he like?” asked Ronnie. “Who the perfect man? Well, he’d have to have a feminine side, but not too feminine.” She giggled. “No seriously, someone who’ll watch a girly movie with me and not make sarcastic remarks when I cry. He’d have to point out the good things about me but love me for my faults too. I‘d want him to be caring and sensitive but not to the point of being wimpy. I’d like him to be funny and goal orientated. Like knowing what he wants and going for it. Oh yes and exciting and handsome of course but that’s not too important. See, not a very big list. What’s your idea of a perfect woman?” “Ooh, someone who can dig in a fence post, change a car tyre, open a bottle of lager with their teeth….” Ronnie began….. George punched him hard on the arm and he almost spilt his drink. ************* “Let’s dance,” George said later, pulling Ronnie to his feet. “I love this track.” They’d both had a few glasses of wine and they’d talked non stop. George grabbed hold of Ronnie’s hands and started to jive. He twirled her round and she swayed to the music.1 “If I had a bit more room, I’d break-dance to this,” said Ronnie. George started giggling, but then became serious when Ronnie put his arms around her as the music changed. Foreigner played, ’Waiting for a Girl Like You’. George looked up at Ronnie. “You know this is one of my favourites,” she murmured as he held her close. “Mine too,” he replied. She rested her head on his shoulder and they danced closely. He stroked her long hair and pushed it away from her face. He tilted her chin upwards and kissed her gently on the lips, then kissed her forehead. “I shouldn’t have done that, should I?” he said, momentarily thinking of Helen and wondering how George would react.
George looked up at him, her head on one side and eyes full of warmth. “I’m glad you did,” she replied, “but I think it’s time I was leaving now.”
“I’ll see you back,” said Ronnie awkwardly. She linked arms with him on the way home and they were both surprisingly quiet. It was really cold and they huddled together. They arrived at George’s Halls of Residence and Ronnie pulled her under the light of a coach lamp on the wall so that he could see her clearly. He wanted a picture of their last memory together to be clear in his head. George looked up at him. He caressed her face gently and she twisted a finger round one of his curls. Ronnie pulled her to him and they hugged closely.
“Thanks for a great time,” said George.
“Thank you,” said Ronnie. He kissed her on the end of her nose and they held each other, not wanting the evening to end. It was very quiet and they knew this would be their last moments together.
“Oh no!” groaned Ronnie suddenly, breaking the silence.
“What? What?” cried George.
He tweaked her nose. “We’ve left your file again,” said Ronnie and they both smiled.
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Post by Katrina on Aug 7, 2007 9:30:18 GMT 1
You need to add the IMG tags.
Also, I don't mean to sound picky, but when you add a new part of your fic can you please add it to the existing thread. Only start new threads for new fics.
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Post by lagunagander on Aug 7, 2007 9:36:17 GMT 1
Sorry, I know now. I realised after I put the 2nd one on.
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Post by lagunagander on Dec 5, 2007 18:27:16 GMT 1
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Post by lagunagander on Dec 5, 2007 18:35:09 GMT 1
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