Chapter Text
Suki heard the slam of a car door outside Number 41 and instinctively approached the window, a habit she picked up when Nish was around and one that still lingered despite him being long gone. She had the shutters on the windows removed not long after he left, replacing them instead with Venetian blinds, allowing her to control how much of the square she saw and, in turn, how much the square saw of her. As she opened the blinds, she noticed Eve was leaning on a navy blue 1992 Mini Cooper S holding her phone in her hand, seemingly typing a text message. Suddenly, Suki knocked on the window to make Eve aware that she was there, making Eve jump slightly.
“Oh bloomin’ heck! You scared the life out of me!” Eve shouted as she approached the front of Number 41 to talk to Suki properly. Suki then disappeared from view for a moment as she opened the front door, inviting Eve to enter. “Sorry for scaring you, I didn't mean to. It's just I- whenever I hear a car door slam outside I- I think it's hi-” Suki sobbed, being pulled into an embrace by Eve. “Hey, listen to me, he's not coming back. He can't hurt you anymore. I've got you. You're safe now.” Eve said as she pulled Suki in tighter. “I know, but I’m so used to being scared that I still haven't grasped not having to be afraid all the time anymore.” Suki mumbled against Eve's chest, causing Eve to feel the vibration of every word as it hit the skin that was visible above the v-shaped neckline of her white t-shirt.
“The reason I came over is because I want you to go upstairs and pack a bag. I've got a trip planned for the weekend. Before you say anything, I've already cleared it with Vinny and he said he'll handle the businesses for you.” Eve explained as she placed a kiss on top of Suki's head. “You've planned a weekend away for us and we're going in that? Oh, you're even more romantic than I thought, Mrs Unwin. How did you know that it's my favourite car anyway?” Suki asked as she pulled back to look at Eve. “Ah, well, you can blame Ash for that. She once told me that you'd always wanted to own one, but he was always interested in flashy cars, so didn't let you get one. It might only be ours for about four days, but it's a start, right?” Eve said as she held Suki's face in her hands, using her thumbs to wipe tears from her cheeks.
“Right then, I best get this bag packed. Come on, you can help me, since you know where we're going.” Suki said as she grabbed Eve's hand and guided her towards the stairs, shuffling in her slippers as she approached them. “I think I know my way to your bedroom now, love, don't you? Or was that just an excuse to hold my hand?” Eve laughed as they both climbed the stairs. “You caught me! It was merely an excuse to hold your hand.” Suki giggled as she reached the top of the stairs, Eve following shortly behind.
“By the way, if you keep shuffling your feet like that, I'll carry you up the stairs next time.” Eve said. “Is that a promise?” Suki asked as she squeezed Eve's arm. “Well, if you keep shuffling it will be.” Eve laughed as she followed Suki into the main bedroom of Number 41. It had recently been redecorated, now in a navy blue shade with navy blue wood panelling on the wall where the bed was positioned. “Nish’s leather travel bag should be under the bed. Actually, it's my leather travel bag, I paid for it. I'll start picking out some clothes and then you can veto them if they're not appropriate for where we're going.” Suki said as she opened the wardrobe door.
Eve knelt down at the side of the bed to try and find Suki's travel bag and after a few minutes of looking, started to stand up again. “Here we go, finally found the damn thing!” she exclaimed, triumphantly holding the bag in the air, gaining a laugh from Suki who was now placing clothes onto the bed. “All I'm going to say about what clothes you need is that it's going to be the same temperature as here, but it will feel slightly chillier because we're going to be on the coast. So perhaps you should pack your favourite cardigan.” she continued as she placed the bag down on the bed.
“Has Jean ever told you the story about this? I'd be very surprised if she hasn't. I shouldn't have acted the way I did, not in the condition she was in.” Suki said as she picked the cardigan out of the pile of clothes and started folding it. “She’s never said anything to me about about you and your cardigan. Why don't you tell me while we're packing your bag?” Eve said as she took the cardigan from Suki's hands, before gently placing it in the bag.
“Oh, well I guess I should probably tell you then. I spotted Jean in the market having a seizure, so I took off my cardigan and gave it to Shirley so that she had something soft to put her head on. When the paramedics came and put her into the ambulance I thought I would have got my cardigan back, but after hours of sitting in the hospital, it still wasn't returned to me. I even answered some of the questions the nurses were asking! Then for seven days, she kept my cardigan with her and when I payed her a visit in Number 31, she was wearing it. So I forced her to take it off and then said I'd send her the dry cleaning bill. I really wish I hadn't done it, I don't think I'll ever be able to apologise enough.” Suki said, continuing to fold clothes and handing them to Eve as she spoke.
She looked up and Eve was now giggling as she was putting clothes into the bag. “You followed her to the hospital, waited hours, and then when she did give it back you demanded that she paid the dry cleaning bill? Oh you are ridiculous. That cardigan better be expensive.” Eve giggled as she sat down on the bed to stop herself crumbling into a heap on the floor. “That's the worst bit, it's not even that expensive. It's just sentimental because it's the thing Kheerat bought with his first paycheck. In a strange way, it reminds me how much my children love me.” Suki said as she sat down next to Eve, immediately feeling Eve's arm wrapping around her shoulder and pulling her into a hug.
“Oh babe, you know they all love you. They've always loved you. You're their mum, you helped make them into the people they are. Hey, they even love me too, including Vinny, which was very unexpected.” Eve said as she placed a gentle kiss on Suki's temple. “He only hated you because he thought Nish truly loved me, but he didn't know about all of the abuse because I'd protected him from it for years. Once Nish was out of the picture, he realised that I had been getting controlled for all of my adult life and that you were the first person in my life to make me feel genuinely free.” Suki mumbled with the side of her head pressed against Eve's chest.
Eve then felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket and her ringtone, Paranoid by Black Sabbath, started playing. “You're so cheesy having that as your ringtone! Who’s ringing you anyway?” Suki asked as Eve pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I'm not as cheesy as Cheesy Marcy, trust me. Oh it's Stace, I best get this!” Eve said as she swiped to answer the call. “Hey Stace, what's up? Ah. I'm putting you on loudspeaker is that okay?” she continued, placing the phone down on the bed and walking out of the bedroom, gaining a confused eyebrow raise from Suki.
“Hi Suki!” Stacey shouted from down the phone. “Hello Stacey, how are you and the kids? How's Jean?” Suki asked, genuinely concerned for the welfare of all of the Slaters, something she never thought would happen. “We're all fine thanks. It's absolute chaos over here, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Anyway, the reason I was calling is because Eve told me about your weekend away and wanted me to help with a surprise. I'm guessing she's left you alone given that I've been able to say this much without getting told off?” Stacey remarked, receiving a giggle from Suki in response. “She's not the quietest of people is she? I think we both know how loud she snores.” Suki laughed in response to Stacey's question.
“Right, if you're alone, that means I should probably start explaining what this whole weekend away is about. Eve didn't want to be present for this part because she's doing something downstairs. Oh sh- I wasn’t supposed to say that. The weekend away you're going on is to one of Eve's favourite places, the place she went to whenever you two had split up, the place she has another found family, and the place where she feels like she can truly be herself. I am, of course, talking about Brighton!” Stacey exclaimed. “She's taking me to Brighton? Oh I think I know what she's got planned, it's Brighton Pride this weekend. Is she taking me to my first pride?” Suki asked, receiving a cackle from Stacey. "Calm down Miss Marple, I didn't know you'd become a detective. You'll be taking Jack's job next! But yes, she's taking you to Brighton Pride, meaning that the rest of the script she wrote me is now useless. She really loves you, you know? She's been planning this for weeks. Sorting out the car, booking a really expensive hotel room, buying you surprise gifts for whe- oh fu- I wasn’t supposed to mention that either, no wonder she wrote me a script!” Stacey said, sounding slightly flustered at how much she had managed to ruin the surprises Eve had planned.
“Don't worry about it Stacey, I love that you're so excited about her being happy. I'm very aware that she loves me. She loves you too, you know? She's been getting herself all worked up about moving in here because she doesn't want to leave you and the kids. I've explained that you'll only be over the road, but you're her family and she doesn't want to hurt you all by leaving.” Suki said as she stood up to close the wardrobe door. “Oh has she? She's such a soppy git. I'll have a word with her about it when you both get back on Monday. For now though, I think she's probably going to have a great weekend with you. If my timing is right, she should be just about to run up the stairs.” Stacey said when, as predicted, Eve could be heard running up the stairs.
Suki quickly returned to the bed to zip up her travel bag. “Ah you were right, she's back!” Suki exclaimed as she looked up at Eve, who was now leaning on the door frame. “In that case, I'll let you both go. Have a great weekend and don't forget to send us photos!” Stacey shouted. “Thank you for that Stace, but your services are no longer required. I'll definitely send you lots of photos! I'll see you at work on Monday, alright? Bye!” Eve said as she quickly hung up the phone and put it in her back pocket.
“Right, now I need you to follow me downstairs and then put this on.” Eve said as she handed Suki a blindfold. “Oh, okay!” Suki said as she grabbed the blindfold and picked up her travel bag. “I'll take that!” Eve exclaimed as she grabbed Suki's travel bag and began walking out of the bedroom. Suki followed close behind and took the opportunity to fully take in the sight of Eve as they descended the stairs.
“You look so beautiful today. Actually, you look beautiful every day, even if you don't think so.” Suki said as she reached the bottom step and smoothed out the collar of Eve's white and blue striped shirt, leaving her hand on Eve's shoulder. “Believe me, you make me feel beautiful every day, but I don't think it's the right term for me. Remember in Leeds when you called me handsome? Something clicked inside me when you said it and i- it made me feel so uh euphoric. It was like you'd finally given me a word to describe the way I want people to see me.” Eve said as she nervously looked at her feet, worrying that her admission might scare Suki.
“In that case, you are the most handsome person I have ever seen.” Suki said as she wrapped her arms around Eve's neck, gently pulling her in for a kiss. “You're not just saying that to flatter me are you? I thought it might scare you a bit.” Eve asked still looking slightly worried. “I mean it, Eve. You're as handsome as Aamir Khan in Love Love Love. Actually, I need to watch that with you, I have a feeling you'll fall in love with Juhi Chawla, though. Perhaps we can do that during the week or next weekend.” Suki said as she leaned in to kiss Eve again, this time it was deeper and more passionate. Suki felt Eve's hands moving from her cheeks, one landing at the back of her neck, gently caressing her hair, and one on her lower back to hold her closer.
“I love you so much, Suki. You make me feel like nobody else ever has. This weekend is going to be a celebration of all forms of love, but mainly ours.” Eve said as she took the blindfold from Suki's hand as Suki stepped down to be stood next to Eve. Eve then turned Suki around slightly, tying the blindfold over her eyes, and spinning her around again so that she was stood in front of Suki. “Right, how many fingers am I holding up?” she continued as she flicked Suki the middle finger. “I can't see, but I'm assuming you're giving me the middle finger.” Suki giggled as she reached out and grabbed Eve's finger. “So I was right! Are you going to guide me towards the surprise then? I can't believe someone so childish is doing something so romantic.” she continued as she held onto Eve's arm for stability.
“Follow me,” Eve whispered. “I think you'll like this.” she continued as she pushed open the kitchen door. She allowed Suki to enter the room and stood behind her to undo the blindfold. As it fell from in front of Suki's eyes, she was greeted with the sight of a rainbow cake on the kitchen table, pride flag bunting across the cupboards, small pride flags in the fruit bowl, and then a giant cardboard box.
“Oh Eve, you shouldn't have.” Suki said as she took in all of the decorations. “What's in the box?” she continued as she locked eyes with Eve. “Why don't you go over and open it and find out for yourself?” Eve asked as she gently pushed Suki towards the box. Suki walked towards the box and gently opened it. Suddenly, rainbow coloured balloons exploded out of the space she had created. "Oh your face!" Eve laughed as she pointed at Suki, who was now looking startled at the speed the helium-filled balloons had escaped from the box.
“How did you manage to do all of this while I was on the phone with Stacey? We were only talking for 5 minutes!” Suki exclaimed as she turned to face Eve. “Ah, that's where my next surprise comes in.” Eve said as she opened the back door. Suki looked on as Vinny walked into the kitchen, shortly followed by a strangely familiar hooded figure. “Hoods down indoors, house rules!” Suki shouted at them. As she did so, they pulled their hood down, causing Suki's jaw to drop. She steadied herself by holding onto the kitchen counter and looked over at them in shock.