Post by lagunagander on Oct 8, 2007 21:24:21 GMT 1
Love in a Cold Climate
Last part (4) of ‘When George met Ronnie’
(Warning: Mills and Boon mush)
Last part (4) of ‘When George met Ronnie’
(Warning: Mills and Boon mush)
February 1990
George glanced at her watch and gazed idly out of the window at the wintry landscape. Snowflakes drifted aimlessly and the ground was already covered in a soft, white carpet of snow. It was early evening and already dark. George loved the dark nights and winter was her favourite time of year. She looked at her watch again. It was almost time! She had alternate feelings of nervousness and euphoria, waiting for Ronnie’s call. It was two weeks since Ronnie had met her at the sculpture exhibition and tonight they were finally going out together. She rushed downstairs to the hallway in the Halls of Residence and stood anxiously by the phone. Right on cue it rang and she picked up the receiver.
Breathlessly she said, “Ronnie? Did you go and see her?”
“Hulloo.” he replied. “Yep. Helen was fine. She told me you’d been to see her and she said although she was a bit hurt initially, she’s ok about us!”
George sighed with relief. “Thank goodness!” she replied. “I still feel so guilty, but at least we’ve waited until we’d both spoken to her, before we see each other. Wow! This is it! Now what?”
“Now we’re going to go out on one of the coldest, iciest nights of the year,” he answered. “Do you want to go for a meal, or a drink, or both? Or maybe the theatre, gambling, ice skating, sky diving”…” he continued.
“No just a drink’s fine,” she interrupted. “Ooh…somewhere with a real fire!”
“Great. I know just the place and it’s not far from you,” Ronnie said. “I’ll order a taxi and pick you up at seven.”
“Can’t we walk?” begged George. “I love frosty, cold nights.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” wondered Ronnie aloud. “Ok. I’ll see you around seven. ‘Bye”
“See you.” George put the ’phone down and ran back upstairs to her room. She was so excited because she was finally going out with Ronnie officially.
****************************
Two hours later she was almost ready. She finished drying her hair, which reached almost to her waist. She put on a dark brown dress which had turquoise and tan coloured squares stitched into the bodice and tan coloured ribbon edging the neckline and sleeves. She took her hair in both hands behind her head pulling it to one side, then fastened her earrings. She placed strands of turquoise and brown beads round her neck and lifted her hair free. The buzzer sounded and she let Ronnie into the building. She heard him climb the stairs to her floor and she opened the door.
He smiled at her. “Hello you,” he said, his head slightly on one side.
“Hiya.” She grinned as she touched the already melting snow in his hair and on his overcoat.
He gazed at her. “You look absolutely…” He hesitated, searching for a word that would do her justice. “Stunning!” he finally said.
“And you look absolutely…. freezing!” she replied cheerfully. “I’m just about ready.” She leaned forward and kissed him briefly. She took a deep breath, pressed her lips together and wide eyed, she gestured to him to enter. She picked up her coat from the bed and when she turned he took it from her and held it outstretched. She put it on and he wound her scarf round her neck, kissing her on the forehead.
“It’s very tidy in here,” remarked Ronnie looking round. “I thought you said it was messy.”
“I do tidy it sometimes,” she grinned, ..“on special occasions. Only thing is -once I’ve put everything away, I can never find anything and it all gets messy again when I’m looking for it.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to get a taxi?” he asked as they locked the door to her room. “It’s still snowing.”
“I’d rather walk.” Her eyes twinkled. “It’s not too far and I love it when it’s freezing cold and I’m all warm and wrapped up.” She could feel her heart beating loudly, she was so happy. He shook his head in despair and followed her down the stairs, tying his scarf tightly and pulling up his coat collar.
Snowflakes drifted lightly and the ground was covered in an earlier downfall. It was frosty and glistened in the street lights. It was slippery and she hung on to him. He put his arm round her shoulder, so she put her arm round his waist. He kept hugging her to him as if he couldn’t believe it was her.
George kicked at the snow. “I love walking in soft, just fallen, pure white snow and feeling the icy wind stinging my face….or being able to see your breath because it’s so cold. When I see a pair of footprints in the snow, I always wonder if they belong to a couple.”
Ronnie looked at her sadly as if there was something not quite right about her and nodded. “Yes Georgina.”
George oblivious, continued, “It always reminds me of the film Dr. Zhivago. We watched it last year at the Students Union film club and I loved it. It was one of those films that you become totally immersed in and you forget about the outside world. We were all sitting watching it, freezing cold throughout the film. It was really odd when we walked outside into glorious sunshine ‘cos it was the middle of summer.” She looked at him wistfully, sideways on. “And the ending was soooo.. sad. I love sad endings.”
“You know George, most people can’t wait for summer to begin. The long, daylight hours, being able to wear summer clothes, holidays….” He put his arm round her neck. “I wonder what that says about you.” He looked down at her and laughed. She bent down and scooped a ball of snow, but he saw it coming and knocked her gloved hand away.
************************************
The pub was fairly empty and George and Ronnie were pleased to see a roaring fire. George gave her coat to Ronnie and sat on a two-seater sofa. Ronnie hung their coats up and went to the bar. He came back with two drinks and placed them on the table in front of them.
“Talking of holidays, what do you remember most when you were young?” asked George, snuggling up to him on the sofa.
“Most of my memories of family holidays are about my sister Val having tantrums. If we went to the countryside it was the insects. When we went to the beach- she hated the sand and sulked all day. If we went abroad, the sun was too hot. She always had to be the centre of attention.” He looked serious and George reached for his hand. “Funny thing is, my parents kowtowed to her every whim to keep the peace. Just once I wish they’d stood up to her, you know.” He looked at George and her heart went out to him.
“Did you ever enjoy a holiday?” she asked showing concern.
His face softened and he nodded. “Oh yes. I remember the long school holidays with my friends. We lived near a beck and we spent our time fishing for sticklebacks, swinging across the beck on ropes and climbing trees. It was one place I could be myself and get away from her constantly vying for attention.” He smiled as he remembered. “When we fell in the beck, we used to take our socks off and beat them against a tree trunk.”
“Why?” asked George, puzzled.
“I’m not sure,” he replied. He looked at her and grinned. “I suppose we thought if we beat them against a tree, they’d dry more quickly.”
“And did they?
“No, they just got longer and thinner.” They both laughed. Ronnie picked up his glass and looked into his drink. He looked thoughtful. “I’d like to travel. I’d like to visit Brazil, China… I’d like to walk on the Great Wall and go to see the terracotta warriors… and maybe go to India.”
“Oh I’d love to go to India and see the Taj Mahal. We could do all the Wonders of the World,” said George, her eyes bright. “And I just love Indian food. We could have an Indian meal in India, a Chinese in China, a Mexican in Mexico ….” She tailed off as she realized she was talking about a future with him that might not happen.
He smiled at her, knowing why she’d suddenly hesitated. “Don’t forget about an Italian in Italy,” he said. He put his arm round her and pulled her to him, kissing her on the forehead. He looked at her tenderly and pushed a strand of hair away from her face. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.” She smiled and kissed him gently. At that moment they both knew that their future would be together.
George deliberated. “I enjoyed my holidays mostly, but they were always regimented. My Mum always planned everything in great detail and if things didn’t turn out the way she expected them to, she used to take it out on my Dad and make things difficult.”
“What, do you mean they argued all the time?”
“Not really, but he always gave in to her. He still does. It’s like he daren’t do anything himself without her agreeing to it first. She is a good Mum though. She’s always been very supportive of everything I’ve wanted to do. She was just too strict and sometimes a bit domineering.”
“So that’s why you’re bossy!” Ronnie teased her, tweaking her nose.
“I’m not bossy,” she replied indignantly. “But I suppose I do think my way’s best sometimes. I had a boyfriend in sixth form and I used to boss him around. He used to do everything I said until he got so fed up, he left me for someone else.”
Ronnie took her hand. “When I was nine I liked a girl called Elizabeth Collins. She used to watch me play football. She was very sure of herself. She went on holiday and when she was away, I decided to save her my last Rolo- you remember the advert?” George nodded. “Well when she came back I gave it to her.”
“Was she pleased?” asked George.
“No,” said Ronnie grinning. “It was all squashed and she threw it away in disgust. It had been in my pocket all week with all sorts of stuff. After that she started watching Matthew Robinson playing football and she ignored me.” He looked pained.
“Oh, that’s sad,” said George feeling sorry for him, but giggling all the same. She put her arm through his and pressed against him. “I’d never do that to you,” she said resting her head on his shoulder.
*******************************
They left the pub and George wound her scarf round her neck tightly. The wind was bitterly cold. It had stopped snowing, but it was very icy. George was about to link arms with Ronnie, but he put his arm around her. He then took hold of her other hand and they started walking along. He was so happy and just wanted to hold her. He stopped in the middle of the street. I can’t believe I’m with you,” he said gazing at her. “It’s been so long since that first day.”
“I’m so happy,” she said, not being able to believe it either. “..And so cold.” She shivered. He undid his coat and pulled her towards him, wrapping it around her. He started kissing her in the middle of the street and they rocked backwards and forwards as he held her tightly. They giggled as passing cars sounded their horns.
It started snowing again. George looked up at him. “So, Ronnie Woodson. Tell me, when did you first realize you felt something?”
“About you? Er, I think the first time I was aware of it –well, it was almost instantaneous. That first day we went for lunch -when you left the bar it was like a major part of my life was missing, which was weird considering I’d only just got to know you.”
“Wow, that soon? Although I must admit I did feel a connection with you almost straight away as well. I first knew how much when I was expecting you to return my file and then Helen brought it back. I felt sure you’d use it to see me again and I was so disappointed.”
“I was going to bring it back, but Helen saw it and said she’d return it to you.”
“That night when you both walked me home and I had to wave to you and watch you go off together…” she bit her lip. “I wanted to be with you.”
“Well you are now,” he replied holding her close. He kissed her. Her heart was beating loudly and she felt lightheaded. “Do you want to come back to mine?” She nodded.
********************
Ronnie unlocked the door of his house and they entered the hallway. It was really warm and welcoming and a contrast to the cold outside. He pointed to the door on the left as they walked in. “That’s my room,” he said. “It was originally a dining room, but Sarah made it into another bedroom. “You’ve been in here before though,” he said showing her into the lounge. He took her coat. “Would you like a drink? Put some music on, make yourself at home, I won’t be long.” He kissed her on the nose and disappeared.
He’d been gone almost ten minutes and George spent her time looking round the room. She hadn’t taken a lot of notice the last time she’d been there, but she felt that considering it was student accommodation, it was very well decorated and everything looked so new. Ronnie entered the room with some drinks and he placed them on a small table next to the sofa.
“How come everything’s so nice in here?” asked George, puzzled.
“The two girls I share with are friends, Sarah and Heather. Sarah’s Dad bought the house as an investment and I met her through Heather last year when we worked in a bar together in town. We got on really well and she said they were looking for a third person to share. I was duly vetted to see if I was house trained and I passed. Sarah apparently had an allowance to furnish it. She has the biggest room of course, but my room’s cosy.” He grinned.
“And when am I going to see this room?” asked George, her eyes twinkling. She spoke in a sinister voice. “Or is there a dark, deep secret there hiding in the depths away from prying eyes?” She pretended to be a monster, walking towards him in a stilted fashion, holding her hands like claws pretended to scratch his face. He grabbed her wrists and twisted her round, so her back was against him and he held her tightly. He buried his face in her hair and breathed in deeply. He moaned and twisted strands of it to one side, kissing her neck gently.
She turned to face him and he cupped her face with both hands. He didn’t speak, but looked at her tenderly. She touched his lips gently with the tips of her fingers and he kissed them. She put her arms round him and kissed him, tentatively at first. He scooped her up and carried her into the hallway. He stopped at the door of his room and still holding her in his arms he managed to open the door. George gasped as tens of flickering candles gave a warm glow to the room. “Oh Ronnie…”she started. He set her down carefully and she turned to him. “It’s magical.” She gazed around. Music played softly and she saw he’d even placed a bowl of flowers in the room. There was a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket and two glasses. It looked so inviting. She picked a flower from the bowl and wound it into her hair.
“Is that why you were a long time when we arrived?” she asked, running her fingers along the cold champagne bottle. She took it out of the bucket.
He laughed. “Yes, I was lighting all the candles.”
She pressed her lips together and put her head on one side saying in a southern drawl. “Why, Mr. Woodson, I didn’t know you were so..oo romantic.”
“Neither did I,” he admitted honestly. He shifted uncomfortably. “George,” he said hesitantly, still in the open doorway. “I want you to know… I’ve never wanted anyone, so much …as I want you now.”
George grinned mischievously and set the bottle of champagne down. She grabbed his hand and pulled him roughly into the room. She kissed him passionately, but he resisted.
He pushed her away gently. “I mean it,” he said. He took the flower from her hair and stroked her face tenderly. “I need you to know, I’m not just saying it because…”
George looked up at him seriously. She pressed her lips together. “I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life before.” She pulled him to her and closed the door.
The End