NEW YEAR, NEW LOVE

It is time for the first RomanticFridayWriters challenge of 2013. 

The theme this month is "out with the old, in with the new".  

We have 1,000 words or less to show intent, not outcome.

Here is my contribution:

As Big Ben struck midnight, fireworks exploded in the night sky

People were pushing and jostling each other good naturedly

The noise levels in the hotel ballroom grew louder and louder

Everybody started linking arms, started singing, smiling with great humour

Auld Lang Syne was belted out with many mixed accents not one Scottish

Ellen looked for her cousin but couldn't see him in the crowded venue

She joined in the fun, crossed her arms and grabbed at a hairy tattoo

A girlish laugh escaped her lips as coloured streamers fell from the ceiling

Landing on heads, tickling noses, carpeting the floor, a myriad of colours merging

The music died, the dancing came to an end as the night was concluding

Bringing them all back to some sort of reality as the minutes started ticking

Away at the beginning of the New Year, Ellen wondered lay in store for her

A deep masculine voice interrupted her musings and ponderings sending a shiver

Along her trembling body, obviously only the after effects of her energetic dancing

Her cousin Andrew appeared out of nowhere and interrupted the moment laughing

‘My dear I’ve been looking all over for you,’ he said looked at her companion adding

A nod as he outstretched his hand, ‘Hello Tommy, how are you my dear fellow?’

‘Andrew!  Long time no see, old chap,’ he replied clasping Andrew’s hand and his elbow.

Ellen realised the two men knew each other and she raised her eyebrow quizzically

‘Sorry cuz,’ said Andrew, ‘we go way back to our training days in the Army.’

The men exchanged numbers as Andrew began to usher them out to a waiting taxi

The cold night air punctuated their words, there was no way they’d feel drowsy

Calls of goodnight and laughter and Happy New Year rang out as the cabs departed

Andrew and Ellen in one and Tommy in another to destinations far less crowded.

As Ellen emerged late the next morning she greeted her aunt with a kiss and a hug

Returned with a loving smile and a gesture to sit, eat toast and drink tea from her mug.

Recounting her evening at the dance she blushed slightly recalling the last few moments

Then she noticed the two empty chairs and her uncle’s and Andrew’s absence.

Realising the time was almost midday she couldn’t believe she’d slept through

‘They went to work early this morning,’ explained Aunt Tilda, ‘just to check the crew

They’ll be back shortly so be prepared for some teasing about Tommy and you.

Dancing the night away is what I’ve heard,’ continued Aunt Tilda, ‘so give me a clue.’

Ellen’s face grew hot and she blushed without knowing the reason why,

‘I think he liked me,’ she replied with a twinkle in her eye.

A month later, Ellen had settled positively in her new post at the university

The telephone on her desk rang and she answered it quickly and brightly

Surprised and a little delighted to hear the voice on the other end announce his name

‘Tommy, how are you,’ she responded gaily hoping she didn't sound lame

‘I’ve been away, overseas,’ he explained ‘but I’m back in town for a little while.’

She scanned the pages in her leather bound diary absently patting her hairstyle.

‘Friday night is good for me,’ she said holding her breath in excited anticipation

She could feel her pulse race and her blood quicken with a satisfying sensation.

Her students and professors kept her mind busy until the end of the week

When she rushed home to try on the new dress bought from her favourite boutique

‘Andrew, you can stop your ribbing, it’s only a dinner date, nothing fancy.’

‘That’s why you are floating around in a dreamlike state, whimsical and dreamy.’

‘Tell me what you know of Tommy,’ Ellen begged and pleaded her cousin, Andrew

‘He’s a great guy or was when I knew him; we lost touch several years ago as you do.’

The doorbell rang and Andrew whispered in her ear, ‘have a great time, love.’

He opened the door to a suave looking Tommy, spic and span, taking off his glove

They grinned at each in the way that men who have secrets do

Ellen thought there are things here I don't want to know about these two

They pulled up to a quintessentially English pub restaurant out in the country

He took her arm and steered her through the door to the bar with its nooks and crannies

The menu was superb, the food delicious, she drank some red wine and he had a shandy

He wanted to know all about her, what she did and why she lived with her cousin Andy.

Now it was his turn and he seemed rather reluctant to share his story as fully

He gazed into her grey/blue eyes and immersed himself in her inner beauty

‘I think I’ve been waiting for you all my life,’ he told her with some deference

‘Then I find you by accident and have to wait a month with patience and silence.

My job makes lots of demands; it takes me away, a lot of times I will be out of contact.’

She stared back into the depths of his beautiful blue eyes, trying not to surrender

To the emotions that suddenly attacked her as she decided to tackle head on the pressure

‘What company do you work for,’ she asked as she raised her glass watching him carefully.

‘Actually it’s a government body covered by the Official Secrets Act,’ he admitted throatily.

‘No problem then,’ she said promptly, picking up the dessert menu nonchalantly.

The drive home was spent in companionable silence, his hand resting lightly on her knee

At the front door, he held her against his toned body, as he said, ‘don't be angry with me.’

Ellen thought and decided she would trust this lovely man and what will be, will be.

Word Count: 990:  FCA