This is the tenth episode of my unreliable memoirs. Each episode can be read individually but it helps to have read the previous episodes starting from the beginning.
This episode is largely based on a painful episode from my youth and is a continuation from episode 9.
I hope you enjoy the stories.
M4bloke
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When Ruth and I got off the train at St. Pancras on Thursday morning everyone was there to meet us. Lesley, Kate, Daniel, David, even my mum. After we'd hugged, Lesley wasn't letting go of me and everyone else had to welcome me back while Lesley held onto my hand. This made greetings a bit difficult because I still needed my other hand for the walking stick.
Rather than standing on the platform we went to the station restaurant and had a cup of tea. Because my mum was there we couldn't discuss the real reason for my injury and so everyone else had to pretend I'd been stabbed in a street mugging, which was partly true.
Daniel soon had to leave to get back to work and he asked if he could have a private word before he left. We walked outside the restaurant where we couldn't be overheard.
"How are you?" he asked.
"I'll be ok," I said. "I just need to take it easy for a couple of weeks."
"Thank you for saving Ruth."
"I don't know if I did the right thing or not by tackling the muggers to be honest. They might just have given up in the end rather than harm her. I just don't know."
"All you can do is go with your instinct," he said.
"Thank you for looking after Lesley," I said. "It was a weight off my mind."
"Lesley's been sleeping with us since we found out and well..."
"It's not a problem," I said. "I'm glad you were there for her."
"It seems you made quite an impression on Carole. I spoke to her yesterday."
"I had a great time in Provence. I'm not sure what would have happened at the hospital if Ruth hadn't contacted her."
"She tells me she's getting married to Fabien finally."
"Yes, she confronted her fear that he was only interested in her money and the rest as they say is history. He's a nice guy if a bit too good looking," I joked. "Actually, there's a couple of things we're supposed to be finding out from Kate by the way. Firstly, would Kate mind if you gave Carole away at the wedding and secondly would she be interested in the two of you swinging with Carole and Fabien, oh and us as well?"
"I'd love to do both. It's up to Kate I guess."
"You'll go to the wedding though?"
"Oh yes."
"I'll ask Lesley to sound her out. Oh, and Carole's asked Lesley and me to come and stay with them for a holiday before the wedding. I hope that's not a problem."
"Not at all. Like I said you made quite an impression on Carole."
"Thanks, and thank you for being here today."
"Kate's going to drive you up to Nottingham and stay for a couple of days if that's ok. She and Lesley are as thick as thieves at the moment. I'd say that I don't mind what the three of you get up to but that's probably a little cruel in your current state."
"I'll do my best." I said jokingly.
"Right. I need to get going. Thank you again for what you did for Ruth. If you look in your bank account you'll find that the company awarded you a small bonus, in recognition of what you did for her, and of course David."
We went back inside and Daniel asked for a quick word with Ruth and they both went outside. When the conversation finished they came back in and Daniel said his goodbyes, kissing Kate before he left. Ruth and David were next to leave. David thanked me before leaving and Ruth apologised one more time, saying that she'd come over to see me in a few days, when the dust had settled.
That just left Lesley, Kate, me and my mum. Kate had to virtually prise Lesley from me so that I could have a few moments with my mum alone.
"Are you ok mum?" I asked.
"Yes Stevie, I am. You may have had better schooling but you're no different from your Dad you know. I went through all of this with him. You're both made of strong stuff. He's very proud of you by the way."
"Thanks Mum. That means a lot."
"I was a bit worried when you proposed to Lesley but I can see how much she loves you. She and Kate have been very considerate over the last few days."
"I'm glad."
"There was a picture of Kate and her husband in the gossip columns of the Express the other day, did you know that?"
"Lesley told me about it, yes."
"They're very rich, aren't they?"
"Yes mum they are. Daniel's offered me a job when I leave university and I'm going to take it."
"Does that mean you'll be living in London when you graduate?"
"Yes mum. The offices are just off Regent Street"
"What about Lesley?"
"We'll be married by the time I start work. Lesley's going to find a job down here."
"Oh I am pleased Stevie."
Lesley and Kate came back and Lesley gave me a big kiss when she sat down then told me she loved me again.
"Are we ready to go then?" asked Kate. "We can drop you off on the way, if you like Sandy."
We all got into Kate's Range Rover. Lesley and Kate in the front, me and mum in the back. The traffic across London was bad but once we'd dropped my mum off and got out of the city it was fine. Kate was no slouch behind the wheel and we made it back to Nottingham by mid-afternoon.