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By *hilitup OP Man 11 weeks ago
stalybridge |
Mrs H appears from the front room, “ i see the guest are here, grab yourself a drink and come and join us, i head for the bottles on the side, i grab a glass and pour a large measure into the glass, down in one, the panic getting hold of me again, i feel its warmth flow in my chest, dutch courage needed enters my head.
I refill the glass and head out to the garden, Alans voice booms and echos around the hallway, he smiles at me as we pass in the narrow hallway, “ wheres all the good stuff at “ and winks at me, i smile back and see the likeness in the family, his face rounder than his brothers, but still a handsome man, “ kitchen table “ , “ thank you” and he heads inside, “ yummy yummy “ echo in the kitchen, i leave the house with a smile on my face, unsure if the yummy yummy came my way, or the amount of drink in the kitchen played it part, like a sneaky thief my mind stole the moment.
Half way thru my second glass my confidence grew as the courage ran in my viens, more people were arriving at a steady pace, Mr and Mrs H were greeting them with open arms and friendly smiles, Alice sat back and watched, her heart warmed by the greetings they delivered, and the drink filling her bones, content she watched the day unfold.
The three brothers that belonged to Alan and June were in fine form, the elder two taunting the youngest at every chance the had, the laughter getting louder and louder as the beer intake grew, the two elder both had kids and a wife, the youngest was alone, he had a look of Robert Plant about him she thought, the black t-shirt tight on his chest, mixed with the worn denim jeans that clung tight to his legs, his firm bottom sat at the top of them, straining at the cotton, he looked good she thought, and he knew it.
Alice had grown in the last couple of hours, the drink pushing the fear to oneside, she had made tea, offered guest food and drink and most of all spoke to everybody there, she felt good about herself and raised her head for all to see.
She was confident in her manner, like she had know these people all her life, she slipped in and out of conversations like a old friend, well versed in there lines, part of a family she never knew she had, she eased into there lifes.
The youngest brother Pauly was now the loudest in the garden, he carried his fathers voice for his sins, he could whisper across a field, the drink playing its part with the volume levels, “ Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you” rang in every ones ears as he hugged Mr H tight in a bear hug, then sat him back down in the chair “ anybody want a drink ? “ boomed from his lips as he turned and headed for the house, he stopped and turned to face Alice “ what about you Alice, can i get you one ?” Alice felt the rush of blood fill her cheeks, the blusher she had applied earlier in the day, could not hide flush on her face “ ermmm yes please “ stumbled from her lips, “ a wine would be good, thank you “ her legs tremble, her head spins, she only wishes for a hole to swallow her up.
The brothers catch on to Paulys offer and the wolf whistles begin to call, “ whickie woo” the brothers chuckle out loud, they seize there moment, “ Alice would you like a drink DARLING “ mock his exit into the house, the garden erupts with laughter, even Alice giggles at the brothers, still they carry on “ Alice darling, heres you drinky poo” the cat call from the garden.
Pauly emerges from the house with two glasses of wine, the brothers giggling like school boys whistle in unison, “ you wanna be carefull with that one Alice “ shouts the oldest brother “ he’s hung like a mouse “ shouts the other, Alice laughs loudly for the first time in her new life. “ yes, a fooking hipo pot a mouse “ shouts Pauly, everyone is now in tears, the brothers chastising each other brings the party to full swing, let your hair down, swims across Alices mind.
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