Chapter 7: Pretend You Cant Feel That

Leslie felt his heart nearly bursting with happiness to hear her say so. ‘I wanted to last week as well,’ he confessed, ‘But it took me until now to actually do it.’ ‘Maybe,’ Mary told him, ‘But it was you who did it and I didn’t. My hero.’ she added.

‘I don’t want you to ever feel you can’t tell me when you want something,’ Leslie told her, ‘And likewise never feel unable to tell me if you don’t.’ He kissed the top of her head and Mary reached up and kissed his cheek. They sat in silence, content to be so close.

After a short while, Mary said quietly, ‘Leslie, I want to tell you two things that embarrass me, but I think you should know about.’ It doesn’t matter what it is, Leslie told her, it won’t alter how I feel about you.’ I er... ‘ Mary struggled to speak, ‘I’m still a virgin.’ ‘That’s not a problem, is it?’ Leslie asked.

‘On its own, perhaps not.’ Mary agreed. ‘But there’s something else. I know very little about getting er... ‘ she struggled, then added speaking very quickly. ‘Getting really close to a man.’ ‘Do you mean in bed?’ Leslie asked. ‘Yes.’ she whispered.

‘Well until I met Cliff, I was exactly the same.’ Leslie told her. ‘But Cliff has taught me everything I should know, so when it happens between us, I will be able to guide you. But remember it will never happen until you feel ready.’

‘I would never force you into anything.’ ‘I’m already sure of that.’ she told him with a smile. ‘Did you think of anything we could do together midweek?’ Leslie asked her. ‘No, how about you?’ Mary asked. ‘I only came up with one.’ he told her.

‘Perhaps you would like to come to mine one evening and have a meal with me.’ ‘That would be really lovely.’ Mary agreed, ‘And you could come to me for a meal too.’ ‘Would you like to come to me on Tuesday then?’ he asked.

‘Yes please.’ came the immediate reply.’ ‘It’s getting late, I’d better go now,’ Leslie told her, ‘We’ll talk more about it on Tuesday, just remember there is no problem we can’t sort out between us. And I don’t see anything in what you’ve just told me as being a problem.’

They walked to the door, and before it was opened, Mary turned to face him. They went into each other’s arms and tonight they kissed on the lips. It was only a fairly brief kiss, but they were both thrilled at having done it.

Leslie walked home on air. Mary went to bed and had a lovely dream about them getting married. Leslie went to bed and had a lovely dream too. But tonight it wasn’t about Edith, he was in bed and making love to Mary, but in his dream, it was on their wedding night.

SUNDAY - RAILWAY - CLIFF & MITCH

Cliff and Mitch were working on their own to start with, so Cliff thanked him again for last night. ‘I checked the camera a couple of times,’ he told him, ‘Harry had a peaceful night’s sleep. Oh, and I had a text from Huddersfield this morning. Leslie has put on another three pounds and has a young lady coming for dinner on Tuesday.’

‘That’s great to hear,’ Mitch said looking pleased. ‘He must be recovering well if he’s found himself a girlfriend already.’ ‘I’m not sure that they’re that close yet,’ Cliff said with a grin, ‘But it would be nice if it happened.’ After they had finished for the day, Cliff and Rosemary went home, showered and changed, then they went out for a meal with both sets of parents.

MONDAY - SHOP - LESLIE, MARY & EDITH

After work Leslie made his way to the shop as usual. He was soon going round with his shopping list, this time not just his weekly shop but thinking about Tuesday too. He had a menu idea in his head, so he collected what additional items he could.

He stopped by Mary in between her serving, and they chatted about their trip yesterday. As another customer approached, Leslie carried on.

When the shop closed, he took his trolley to Edith. As she checked it through the till, Mary passed on her way out.

‘See you tomorrow,’ she said smiling at him. After she’d gone and he’d bagged all his purchases, he and Edith went into the kitchen for their usual coffees. ‘I’m really pleased to see you two getting on so well and doing things together.’ she told him.