Chapter Text
Sharon
“Mummy?”
Sharon beamed across the living room at her son, watching as he carefully put his train track together.
“Yes, darling?”
“Why aren’t Daddy and I going to football today?”
She crouched in front of him, opening her mouth to explain when the answer walked in behind her, hand behind his back.
“Because today, little man,” Keanu asserted, fondly, “is a special day.”
“Because we’re going to Suki’s party?”
“That’s tomorrow, darling,” Sharon reminded him, sitting now and stroking his hair. “But well remembered.”
“Today is a special day,” Keanu continued, brandishing a bouquet of roses with a flourish, “because it’s a day when people celebrate the people they love. And who do I love most in the world?”
“Mummy.”
Keanu grinned.
“I do love Mummy. I love her so, so much.”
He gently lay the flowers on the windowsill before joining them, sitting on the other side of Albie so that he was in the middle.
“But I love YOU the most.”
Albie looked up from his train set, smiling broadly. He leant in, enjoying the cuddle his father was now giving him.
“I am going to take you and Mummy out for the day. Football is great, but a nice picnic is better.”
“Outside?”
“Yeah! I thought we could go and see the deer.”
Keanu held his hands over his head like antlers, making Albie giggle.
“But Daddy! It’s not Christmas!”
“You’re right, mate, but these aren’t like Santa’s deer, these are here all year round. Does that sound good?”
Albie thought hard.
“Can we have cake?”
Sharon suppressed a laugh as Keanu made his face very serious.
“Cake is the most important bit.”
Albie rushed upstairs in excitement, eager to get dressed and get started on the day. Sharon chuckled slightly, beginning to put away the barely assembled tracks.
“We’ll need to wrap him up,” she pointed out, shivering at the thought. “Still February.”
“I’ve thought of that.”
Keanu pulled out his phone, beaming.
“Richmond Park,” he read aloud, “Paddington Picnic. He gets to see the deer, meet Paddington himself, and big coats and clunky wellies are encouraged – and, while he’s distracted, I can get in a few marmaladey smooches with his fit mum.”
“Ooh,” Sharon smirked as Keanu got closer, clearly angling for a kiss. “I love an ulterior motive.”
“Mmm.”
Sharon wrapped her arms around his neck, chuckles deepening as his hands wandered.
“We can’t. Need to go up and check he hasn’t got his pants on backwards or something as he’s changing.”
“Excuses, excuses.”
Sharon kissed him again before leaning back, her wide eyes travelling over his young, love-adorned face.
“Does it cost anything?”
“Having your pants on backwards usually comes with the price of an uncomfortable knob.”
Sharon smacked his arm, grinning.
“About a tenner,” he confirmed. “Nothing to make us worried.”
“You’ll still get nagged by Karen.”
“Yeah, well, it’s my money, ain’t it? I can treat my girl and my son if I want to.”
“Charmer.”
“They ask for some oranges too, if we want him to get involved with the actual marmalade making they’re doing.”
Sharon’s eyes lit up.
“He’ll love that.”
“Good. ‘Cause I love him.”
“And me?”
“Nah. The roses are for my fancy woman – got her hiding in the bathroom.”
“You little –“
Her sentence was cut short, giggles and impassioned kisses taking precedence.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Linda
“You,” he purred, arms around her middle, nuzzling her neck as he swayed them both, “are my world.”
Linda closed her eyes, immersing herself in the moment.
“Those are some strong words, Mick Carter.”
“They’re strong feelin’s. I love ya, L. I love ya.”
Linda inclined her head, face splitting into a wide smile.
“I mean it, L. If someone cracked me nut open, they’d see a thousand pictures of ya – no brain, just you looking beautiful all over the gaff.”
Linda turned, coyly, eyes sparkling.
“Best give you some more memories for safe keeping, then.”
The speed with which Mick threw her on the bed made her cackle, Mick tangling himself inside his shirt in his haste to take it off.
“You stupid arse!” Linda howled, hand on her chest as Mick struggled to get free.
Once he’d escaped, Mick stood, panting, mouth pulled to one side in a determined smirk.
“You’re a cheeky little sort, you, aint’cha?”
“You come here, and I’ll prove it.”
Mick launched himself onto the bed, crashing their lips together with the mix of desire and pure, tender love that Linda firmly believe only that man – that truly out-of-this-world gorgeous soul – was capable of.
“I love you too,” she whispered, hands travelling to sink into his hair, pulling him closer.
She gasped as her hand hit the pillow, starting violently awake. Her heart sank as she readjusted to reality, blinking sadly at the empty space beside her. She stroked her hand over the pillow, gifting it a small smile.
“I love you too.”
There were a few soft raps on the door. Linda shook herself, morphing her expression into one of sleepy, puzzled contentment.
“Come in.”
Her puzzlement became truer with every second as she took in the creatures standing there, warm chocolate eyes looking down at her, one hand wound in two rope leads, the other arm supporting a grinning princess, entrusted with a V.I.H. – very important handbag.
“Morning. Would’ve been a slightly earlier alarm call, but a VERY important person –“
Suki jiggled Annie slightly as she readjusted her, making her giggle.
“-wanted to make sure I knew there were croissants in the kitchen. And show us her drawings. Got an artist on your hands.”
“Suki told me I made you look like a princess, Mummy.”
Linda’s heart rose slightly as she watched her friend reassure her daughter, beaming.
“You did.”
“Does that make Grandma a queen?”
Suki chuckled.
“Absolutely. And do you know what queens need?”
Annie shook her head, listening intently.
“Good breakfasts.”
“Grandma’s sleeping.”
“How about finding Princess Anna, then?”
“Yeah!”
Once Suki had put Annie down and she’d rushed off, Suki tilted her head, observing Linda sadly. She released the leads, knowing the dogs would occupy themselves calmly. Linda asked the question she already knew the answer to.
“Why’re you here?”
“Wife’s on the van – didn’t fancy doing a bacon-fumed Valentine’s.”
“Didn’t fancy getting it in the ear from Stace again, either?”
Suki smirked.
“I don’t know what stories you’ve heard, but I have never had it in there before.”
Linda’s howls of laughter were squeaky, her shoulders shaking as Suki grinned, coming to sit on the bed.
“I came, Linda, because I knew that I would be home alone, and I thought I could spend a day with my friend instead. ‘Galentines’, so I’m told.”
Linda laughed even harder at the pained expression on Suki’s face at the word.
“Never say that again, you look like it gave you a hernia.”
Suki let out a small giggle, putting her hand on Linda’s shoulder.
“Listen, I’m no Mick and I never will be. But I’m here – and I can fetch my pink dressing gown if you want.”
Linda’s face creased slightly as she was pulled into a cuddle.
“You’ve got a big heart, Mrs. Unwin.”
“Eve assures me that’s why my boobs are so big.”
“Makes sense – cushioning.”
“Exactly.”
Linda made the hug tighter, burying her face in Suki’s shoulder.
“Thank you.”
Suki shook her head, squeezing her.
“We look after each other. You made sure I wasn’t alone, when –“
Suki broke off, briefly, shuddering.
“I would do anything for you lot,” Linda found herself saying, determinedly. “I mean it.”
Suki released her, an amused eyebrow climbing to the ceiling.
“Would you climb a hill?” she asked, eyes twinkling.
Linda rolled her eyes, matching her grin.
“Anything.”
“Wear a daffodil?”
“Anything.”
“Leave me all your will?”
“Anything.”
“Even fight my Bill?!”
“WHAT, FISTICUFFS?!”
Both of them giggled, Suki resuming their hug.
“We all know you’d do anything. It’s letting us return the favour you struggle with.”
It was Linda’s turn to squeeze her, filling their embrace with words she couldn’t bring herself to say.
“I should warn you though, I will be stolen back by my wife around five-ish. Seriously. Full fireman’s and everything.”
“I will let you go freely, I wouldn’t want to delay vital shagging time.”
“There is more to our marriage than just –“
“Mmhmm. I’ll accept its multi-faceted when Eve’s free of love bites, babe.”
“I will not apologise for how fit I find her, ok? It’s out of my hands.”
“It’s very much IN your hands –“
“Oh, for –“
“From what I understand, your hands play a pretty big role.”
Suki pushed her backwards, letting her sink onto the pillows.
“Twat.”
“You love me really.”
“Nah, Sharon’s just bribing me to babysit.”
“You little –“
“Ha.”
Suki got up, beaming ear to ear.
“Pull some clothes on and come with me. Coffee, two furballs who will shower you with love –“
“-with slobber.”
“-with LOVE – are waiting here patiently, but if we’re not careful, Eden’ll be behind the bar trying to serve people, won’t you, precious?”
Eden sat on her haunches, her tail wagging as furiously as it could, recognising ‘precious’ as a praise word.
“Honestly, the size of her – put a saddle on her, I could ride her to Ascot.”
“That’s what you’ve got Eve for, innit?”
Suki’s nose scrunched as she tried and failed not to laugh.
“Dressed, come on. I’ll be downstairs.”
Once Suki and the dogs had left the room, Linda locked eyes with a photo frame on the other side of it, a soft, bearded smile making her heart soar even more.
I love you – and I miss you – but I’m gonna be ok.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Denise
Her eyes poured over every inch of his scarred face, drinking him in. She was oddly nervous – she knew Dan was new to the language too, but still, she wanted to get it right. It was important. It meant something.
It meant everything.
She stroked his hair, making him smile sleepily as he shifted, waking up.
“Mornin’,” he mumbled, reaching for her.
She put his hand to her face, eyes closing blissfully as he read her.
“Śubha savēra, mērē pi'ārē,” she enunciated slowly, internally grimacing at herself as she stumbled over the pronunciation.
“Mm, you’re getting better at that.”
“I’ve got a very handsome tutor, makes it easier.”
“Flirting already. Very promising start.”
“Well it is the day for it.”
Denise kissed him, gently.
“You do know what day it is?”
“Hmm,” Dan responded, mock-thoughtfully. “Well, I was told yesterday was Thursday. And if my knackered old brain serves me well, that means today is Friday –“
Denise smacked his chest.
“Idiot.”
“If you look in the drawer,” Dan chuckled, “you’ll find something you might like.”
Denise leant over him, opening the drawer to his right and extracting a card.
“Suki wrote it, obviously, but the words are mine.”
Denise opened the envelope, smiling as she saw the artwork on the front – two people skipping, arm in arm, with the caption ‘Carrying on regardless’. She opened it and read aloud:
“My beautiful Denise. My Dee –“
Dan took over, his voice sincere as he affirmed the words.
“-The idea that I am yours is one that I still struggle to wrap my head around. When my life came back to me, I expected to simply exist in Suki’s world and toddle along. I never expected a world of my own to be introduced to me, let alone it to hold my heart so tenderly. But you do. You are my world, Dee, and my heart and soul are yours. I love you. Your Dan.”
Denise rested her chin on his chest.
“You soppy old fart.”
“Mmhmm.”
“I – um –“
Denise cleared her throat, nerves creeping back in.
“I did you a card an’ all.”
She rolled over, fishing in her handbag.
“I’ll open it, but – you might be able to read this one yourself.”
Slowly, she opened it and took Dan’s hand, letting him feel it.
“Dee,” he breathed.
“I dunno if I’ve got it right, but –“
There was silence as Dan’s fingers traced the braille, taking in Denise’s message, heartfelt and earnest.
Dan,
I haven’t been short of fellas in my life, and after Kevin, I never expected to love someone the way that I love you.
It isn’t about the physical stuff, or diving straight into the domestics. You are everything. Everything. I listen to a song and think, ‘Oh, Dan’d enjoy that tune.’ I eat something and think, ‘Oh, I’ve got to make that for Dan sometime.’
I hear people talk about the future, and all I see is your face.
I felt cold for a long time, longer than it took me to leave my failing marriage behind. You made me realise again what it is to be warm.
Nobody’s ever getting me up that sodding aisle again, but I promise you, I will love you until the end of time.
Thank you for being my soul’s hot water bottle.
Yours always,
Dee X
“I just wanted you to know,” Denise said as Dan finished, watching him close the card. “In case it wasn’t obvious.”
This time, their kiss was not a gentle acknowledgement and appreciation of each other. Nor was it a convenient way for one to stop the other talking. This was a transfer of promises – a true exchange of vow after vow after vow, both overflowing with love.
As Denise’s tongue met Dan’s, she heard him gasp again, pulling away slightly. She glanced down and smiled, kissing his forehead.
“I, um –“ Dan began, voice shaky.
“I keep telling ya,” Denise interjected, soothing him, “nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Dan nodded.
“I wasn’t gonna apologise. Just – I really, truly love you. My heart, my soul – and, undeniably, my body.”
“Kissing me really that hot?” Denise teased, kissing his forehead again.
“Can always do it again and find out.”
Denise paused, checking she wasn’t overinterpreting.
“Dan,” she murmured, uncertainly. “I’ve said, ain’t I, it don’t matter to me if we don’t. I love YOU, not your bed skills.”
“I know – but I’m saying you can do it again. And we can both…find out.”
He reached to stroke her hair, blinking tears out of his milky eyes.
“We’re not disturbing the peace, my love,” he whispered. “We’re adding another layer.”
Twenty minutes later, Denise settled herself in Dan’s arms, feeling more at peace than she had in decades.
“I think,” Dan mused, panting slightly, “that we just found out.”
Denise exhaled a chuckle.
“You ain’t half bad yourself, Mr.”
“Less ‘Blind Man’s Buff’ and more ‘blind man in-the-buff’.”
Denise rolled her eyes.
“Can I give your virginity back? I don’t want it no more.”
“Wow.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Stacey
“My old man said follow the van, and don’t dilly dally on the way –“
Eve grinned, leaning over the counter to raise an amused eyebrow at Jean, jerking her head backwards towards her employer-turned-bard.
“I get it in the neck if I do that. Get told off for being too happy.”
“Oh, hush – it’s lovely.”
Stacey carried on singing to herself, her cheeks pink, as she continued making and wrapping sandwiches. Jean beamed.
“She’ll be even worse when –“
Eve quickly hushed her up, loudly changing the subject.
“Jean, I meant to say – Suki’s been nagging me to get your lemon curd recipe. I promised her ages ago. She wants to get good at it before this Bake-Off thing Kathy’s doing.”
“Oh, well, tell her to pop round – it’s more of a ‘by eye’ thing.”
“That’ll be both of us popping round, you and me making it and Suki scribbling so she can nick the tricks of the trade. You should charge commission, Jean.”
“If hers ends up better than mine, I might. Mo tried to flog it once, had me locked in the kitchen making jars and jars and jars. Took ‘em to the caravan site for Fat Elvis, not that he didn’t make a pig’s ear of it, mind –“
Crisis averted, Eve grinned and nodded at the pauses for breath, serving customers intermittently as Jean prattled on. Eventually, she turned to Stacey, who was still singing to herself.
“But I dillied and I dallied, and I dallied and I dillied. Lost the van and don’t know where to roam –“
“Stace…Stace. Stacey!”
“Oh, sorry! Miles away.”
“Yeah – ‘cause you’re so in luuuuuuuuuuuurve.”
“Leave off.”
“Look, go and find him. Go on, I mean it.”
“No – I told ya, didn’t I? If I’m making you put in a day’s graft and drag yourself away from Suki and her ‘blow Eve’s mind’ plans, then I can wait to be reunited with Martin’s biceps an’ all.”
Eve raised her eyebrows.
“Biceps, yeah?”
“Alright.”
“Like being swept into his big strong arms?”
“Eve –“
“You’re blushing.”
“Shut up.”
Eve put on an over-the-top Southern Belle accent.
“Oh my! I thank ‘ee kindly, Mr. Fowler, sir, I don’t know what came over me –“
“Martin knows EXACTLY what came over me.”
“UGH, GOD!”
“Haha!”
“You’re holding the mayo and everything.”
Stacey grinned at her evilly.
“What, this mayo?” She asked, advancing determinedly.
“NO NO NO NO NO –“
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Suki
“Forgive me, Martin,” Suki began, smirking, “but it’s not really juggling if it’s just one orange, is it?”
“Everyone’s a critic.”
“Just an observation.”
Martin grabbed two more oranges and waited.
“I ain’t doing it with no fanfare.”
“Do I look like a ringmaster?”
“Well, you’ve got animals and a glamourous assistant –“
“And we all know what kind of magic you and Eve –“
Suki shot Linda a look.
“I’ll do it, Mart,” Linda chuckled, before starting up a circus tune.
Suki had to admit she was impressed as Martin added more oranges, getting up to six before he showed signs of struggling.
“Not bad.”
“Bump that up to a ‘quite good, considering’, and I’ll give ya some extra strawberries.”
“That is bribery.”
“I prefer to think of it as polite haggling, as is in the tradition of the East End market.”
“What about you being a numbskull, that tradition?”
“Oh yeah, runs in the family. My cousin’s Ian, remember.”
“Condolences.”
Martin chuckled, turning to Linda.
“I do actually have something saved for you.”
As Martin handed over a box of Pink Lady apples, chattering to Linda about his over-supply issues, Suki’s phone buzzed.
Eve: Operation St. Clements XXX
Suki: On it XXX
Tucking her phone into her back pocket, she was about to open her mouth to rally the troops, when she heard a rumble come from her left, her leg now being thoroughly whacked by a very vigorous Rottweiler tail as Sharon approached. Sharon greeted Zebedee first, getting him onto his tummy so that Albie could tickle him. Albie waited, looking at Suki.
“Please can I play with him?”
Suki nodded, giving him a kind smile.
“Good boy for asking, mate,” Keanu praised, patting his shoulder as Albie squatted, laughing as Zebedee squealed and batted him with his paws.
Eden, meanwhile, was now smiling broadly, eyes closed, her head leaning into Sharon’s hand.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
“Martin’s a nice guy, Shaz, but I wouldn’t –“
“I’m having those apples back if you’re gonna be rude.”
Suki grinned.
“I’m staying out of it.”
“With respect, Suki, your opinion has less weight here.”
“Oi, I have eyes!”
“I think you’re gorgeous, mate,” Keanu reassured him.
Martin gave him a small shimmy.
“Still time.”
As Keanu winked back at him, Sharon gave Eden a final stroke before patting Keanu pointedly.
“Speaking of time –“
“Oh, right – Um, how many oranges you got, Mart?”
“How many d’you need?”
“Enough for Paddington!” Albie chimed in excitedly, giggling as Zebedee licked his ears.
“Paddington! Woah – need to make sure they’re fit for a king, then.”
As Martin put a box together, Suki gave a rather firm cough.
“They’re not the only ones pushed for time, Martin, some of us have got lemons to collect.”
Martin’s eyes widened with understanding as she gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Almost.
Sharon looked between them, a wry smile creeping across her face. Oranges paid for, she pulled Martin into a short hug.
“Go and get her.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Eve
Suki: On his way XXX
“Your man indoors, Stace,” Eve said loudly, wiping the last of the mayonnaise from her apron and smiling at the incoming Martin, equipped with a huge box of oranges and lemons.
“Hiya – you wanted these for some curd or summat?”
Stacey grinned at him.
“You heard a call and what, you dropped everything and rushed?”
“Well, that’s what I do, innit? Old reliable.”
“You’re not that old.”
“Loving the reassurance, Stace.”
“Well, it’s what I’m here for.”
Martin bit his lip.
“I did actually have something else – I thought I might do something alongside Auntie Kath’s bake thing in a few weeks. Y’know, guess the weight of the oranges or summat, or a lucky dip. Was wondering if you’d test out the dip idea, your Valentine’s present is in there.”
“Oh, right, so I get you something really nice and wrap it, and you let me get all pulpy –“
Jean pointed at the box, earnestly.
“I mean, these come with their own wrapping, Stacey, in a way –“
Eve’s face creased as she laughed, made worse by the exasperation on her best friend’s face. Martin shook the box at her.
Rolling her eyes, Stacey plunged her hand inside, rooting through the fruit until she froze, mouth open. Slowly, she withdrew a small, velvet-covered box.
“Martin –“
“Open it.”
Shakily, Stacey opened it to reveal a small, open-backed ring, decorated with peridot and blue topaz.
“The stones are us, I asked. Our birthstones. And I won’t lie, Stace, it weren’t expensive. It weren’t the jewel of the shop or anything, and I know it ain’t diamonds, but – well, you’re a diamond, ain’t ya? And it’s always you, Stace, it always has been. And it always will be, because you feel like home, y’know? So –“
Martin walked around the side of the van to the steps and knelt, shrugging.
“I know it ain’t been easy, but we’re here, and we’re still annoying the hell out of each other. And I don’t wanna annoy no-one else, not ever. So, Stacey Slater – will you marry me? Again?”
Stacey’s lip trembled and she turned back to Eve.
“You knew about this?”
“Yes. And I know how fucking nervous he is, so don’t keep the poor sod waiting.”
Stacey’s eyes met Martin’s, shimmering and true.
“I ain’t changing my name.”
“Is that a yes?”
“You can be ‘Mr. Slater’.”
“Is that a yes, Stacey?”
Stacey nodded, wiping her face.
“Yeah.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes, you idiot. Yes.”
She took the ring out, sliding it onto her finger before leaving the van, cradling his face.
“YES.”
After a minute or so of them kissing, Stacey heard Eve clear her throat, chuckling.
“I thought kissing this close to the van was a health and safety hazard?”
“Fuck off and find your wife.”
“I don’t need to be told twice!”
Eve threw off her apron, grinning at both of them.
“Congratulations.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Kathy rearranged the card on the table, sighing.
He’d said he’d be home by now. Whisking her out to town. Somewhere to get dressed up for.
Kathy: Everything ok? X
Nothing in return.
“What have I told you, Kath?” came an amused, slightly cynical voice. “Can rely on a man to be there for times with trousers ‘round his ankles, but love? You gotta slog it out in the trenches.”
“Never had to slog it out with you,” Kathy told her in return, closing her eyes to see Angie’s red-lipsticked smile waiting for her. “Even when we were having a barney, it was never a question.”
“Why d’you think I’m here?”
Kathy smiled.
“’Cause you’ve never gone, not really.”
Kathy heard her phone buzz.
“That your fella?”
“I dunno – Have to open me eyes to check, don’t I?”
“I’ll be here.”
Kathy’s smile grew.
“I know.”
She opened her eyes, her smile becoming puzzled as she saw the notification.
“Martin.”
She opened it to see a picture of Stacey, grinning tearfully, her fist balled at the camera to show off the ring.
Martin: Take two X
“Aww,” Kathy said aloud, her heart swelling.
“There ain’t no keeping two promised hearts apart, Kath. Like magnets.”
“So long as they put the work in?”
“Yeah, but like you said – work or not, there’s never a question.”
Kathy re-opened her messages, to see a small heart.
Rocky: Home soon – they didn’t have a bouquet beautiful enough to match you xxx
“At least he knows a gorgeous bird when he sees one.”
“I love you too, Ange.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Eve chuckled as she walked into the living room, pausing in the doorway as she watched Suki and Linda twirl, the dogs also excitedly trying to join in.
Now flip, flop and fly
I don’t care if I die
Don’t ever leave me, don’t ever say goodbye
Spotting Eve, Linda span Suki and released her, laughing as Eve caught her, swaying her and holding her tightly.
“Wife daycare’s over for the day.”
Suki yelped as she suddenly found herself hoisted over Eve’s shoulder, legs dangling.
“I told you!” Suki howled, giggling.
“Sorry to have held onto her for so long, but – well, she’s been a godsend today. Really. Haven’t stopped laughing all day – and I’ve had these angels too.”
Eve beamed.
“You been helping Linda smile, puppies?”
They both padded over to her, wagging happily, although both looking slightly confused at the notion that their other Mummy seemed to be having a flying lesson.
“Eve, before you go, just to say you can borrow my foundation any time.”
Eve frowned, perplexed.
“Eh?”
“You know, for all the shag marks Suki will leave –“
Suki’s loud, colourful reply was drowned out by Eve’s guffaws as she backed out of the room, gesturing the dogs to follow her.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Once home, dogs walked and fed, Eve began slowly removing the pins from Suki’s hair, drinking in the coconutty scent as she did so. Suki inclined her head just enough that Eve’s fingers grazed her face. Her neck. There was no need for words, not in this moment.
Where her fingers had been but a second before, Eve pressed her lips, letting them linger there as Suki’s breaths became louder. Her hands now found Suki’s waist as she kissed her neck once more, again softly and lingering. Suki turned to face her, her arms locking themselves around Eve’s neck as their lips met, kissing her slowly, unable to prevent herself moaning into it. Eventually, Eve stepped back, eyes twinkling, and put on some music.
There’s something in the way she moves
Or looks my way, or calls my name
That seems to leave this troubled world behind
Neither of them needed to say, “I love you”. Nor “Happy Valentine’s Day”, nor begin any verbal flirtations of any kind. Not tonight. Kisses, soft touches, nuzzles, they all told them the same thing.
Tonight, they simply needed to dance.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Evening Standard, Friday 14th February 2025.
Malhotra’s star nominated for culinary award.
Her thumb stroked over the creased picture, hardly daring to believe it.
Young Unwin has gained more than his fair share of praise since the opening of the new Walford restaurant, which, alongside his studies, he creates recipes and co-chefs for with mentor and head chef, Zack Hudson…
“Mum?”
She looked up, stunned, meeting her daughter’s confused expression.
“Who’s that?”
“Your brother, Avani,” she replied, shakily. “He’s your brother.”