Chapter 56

The news that Dan had relayed to Bern made her heart pound. Bern wondered if the day, when she and Dan could be together in open freedom once more, would actually ever arrive. No more hiding, no more once a month meetings in the dark, she couldn't wait. How he would explain where he had been for three years to the family and friends was unfathomable, but she was sure he had concocted some plausible story.

Since the call, the day had seemed to have become brighter, the sun, shooting through the window onto her skin, felt stronger. The room was airier and smelled fragrant. She could not wait to tell Bridget that she could stop but she would have to wait until she came home, and that was normally around eleven.

A celebration was in order, at least for her and Bridget anyway. She decided she would cook a special meal tonight and it would be Bridget's favourite, Cheese and broccoli bake with lashings of garlic and paprika, washed down with a few bottles of wine. Red and white, and not the normal five quid bottles either. A good fourteen percent Australian Shiraz or Merlot and maybe some Pinot Noir, or something along those lines.

Finishing her shower, Bern sat on the end of her bed. Like an artist covering a canvas, she applies her make-up. Checking in the mirror, making sure that not one eyelash was stuck to another, she pulls a silly face as normal and makes herself laugh. Grabbing her fleece and bag, she leaves for the shops to buy the menu items for the nights feast.

The key turns in the door lock as normal at five past eleven. Bern jumping to her feet pours two glasses of wine and grins like a Cheshire cat as Bridget, dead on her feet, strolls into the lounge.

"Wow that's a lovely smiling greeting Bern" Bridget says

"Yep and well deserved"

"Deserved, why what's the occasion?"

"First of all, sit down and have a glass of wine. Dinner is nearly ready too, cheese and broccoli bake"

"Lovely cheers hun. Come on don't leave me in suspense. My favourite dinner, expensive wine, what's it all for?"

"I had a call today, it's nearly over. All this that has happened in the past few weeks is nearly over" Bern says trying to contain her excitement

"You mean the plan, it's done. You're saying I can leave my day job?"

"Yes, yes and yes. Well your last day will be Saturday. Once you get home Saturday night we will have a couple of drinks, obviously" she says with a wink "get our stuff packed and we will be out of here on Sunday"

"Now that is something to celebrate. Not only have I made a great friend in you, I have also made a few thousand pounds to start my life again"

"If it were not for you and what you have put yourself through none of this would have gone as well as it has. For that, I will make sure you get more than just what you have earned Bridget. Now let's eat"

The next few days flew by in a blur. Nothing could dampen Bridget's spirit now, not even with some of the sweaty dribbling lumps of lard that she had to contend with on a daily basis. Having to call them Daddy, or tell them how big they were, while making demonic animal noises was something she would be glad to forget.

Tomorrow would be her last day and she would not miss this line of work. She used to enjoy the intimacy of lovemaking and the feelings that came with it but after this, she was not sure whether she would enjoy it ever again. She was pleased with herself that she had done the job at hand and the thoughts of her new life, and what that entailed, spun around her mind like a spinning top. She would move somewhere miles away where nobody would know her and pictured a little cottage in a close knit village. It would have ivy growing up the side and have an open log-fire with a soft rug in front to keep warm at night. There would be new friends to meet and to have social drinks with at the old village pub, and everyone would say good morning as she walked past. She would buy a little dog that she could take long strolls with through the park.