The Birthday Bash
They didn't really welcome their father's idea. Fred wanted to throw a party for his nineteen-year-old twins, Natalie and Steve.
Their birthday was in a week's time, and although Fred wasn't your typical party animal, he loved his children with a vengeance and liked to show them off.
In the end, Natalie, or Nat as she preferred, told her dad that they would go out with their friends on the Saturday, but they would celebrate with 'the barbecue group' the next day, Sunday.
Fred had been a little puzzled by Patsy's behavior recently. She seemed distant and a little subdued...she rarely smiled at the moment either.
He worried constantly about the age difference and this current moodiness of his partner really perturbed him.
Fred knew that at times he could easily slip in to the cardigan and carpet slippers brigade...Patsy though, kept him young.
Sometimes he practically had to make himself suggest outings...to restaurants, the theatre or to the country for romantic breaks. Fred would have been happy to go to the pub for a drink and then go home with Patsy for 'an early
night.' Patsy, although being a real socialite, absolutely adored the opera. He simply couldn't abide it and on that particular subject, they agreed to differ.
Last night Fred had voiced his suggestions for the twin's barbecue. Patsy had seemed to like this idea and said that she would phone around the gang and make sure that they were all available.
Fred didn't have to worry about the menu side of things. Patsy liked to hold dinner parties etc and said that she just needed him to take charge of the drink side of things.
She didn't have to be in to the office until late morning today, so she set about the task of inviting their friends.
Amanda, her sister was pleased to hear from Patsy and agreed that it would be a good idea.
Becky took an age to answer the phone and seemed rather breathless...Patsy was sure that she had heard a man cough. Maybe Sam was not at work today...he did work funny shifts.
Tina and Ray, as usual were delighted with the invitation. To be fair, they would have gone anywhere, so long as they were together.
Now it was David's turn. Patsy's heart began a rapid series of palpitations and somersaults.
He answered the phone almost immediately.
"Hi...David," she began a little too brightly
"How are you?"
"Fine," he said
"And you...I've been thinking about you...thought maybe that I'd offended you?"
Patsy swallowed hard and said
"Why think that David...I kissed you as well. I could have stopped you...obviously didn't want you to
stop."
David took a sharp intake of breath and said, almost harshly
"Patsy...I'm old enough to be your father. You're young, gorgeous and could have anyone you
desire."
"But David," she silenced him quietly. "It's you I desire!"
By the end of the phone call, Patsy's spirits had been lifted dramatically, and David had said that he would love to attend the function.
The actual day was bright and sunny. Fred was busy making a punch, and Patsy was humming to herself whilst she marinated some ribs.
Fred was confused. From being so morose, Patsy had suddenly gone back to her old self. Maybe it was her hormones...women; he would never fully understand how their minds operated.
Four-thirty in the afternoon saw everyone assembled in the Italian style garden.
The atmosphere was good and the drink was flowing. Nat and Steve had asked a few of their friends around, and Fred was pleased to see how they all seemed to be enjoying the
'do.' David had been the last to arrive. He had shaken Fred's hand and had kissed Patsy...maybe lingering for a little longer than necessary.
Patsy had brought out a Caesar salad to the garden table along with all necessary cutlery and crockery.
The ready-marinated meat was packed in a cool box near to where the men were preparing the barbecue. Now she could sit back and relax.
She sipped a beer and lowered her sunglasses slightly whilst peering at those assembled. Her niece and nephew were playing with a badminton set...they were good kids, she adored them.
Joe was flirting furiously with one of Nat's young friends. Amanda seemed indifferent to the scene but as for Becky...for some reason, she was giving them evil looks.
'Oh no,' thought Patsy.
Joe was obviously up to his old tricks again...poor Amanda.
"Anymore punch Pats?" asked Joe, coming up for air suddenly
Patsy jumped up and made her way to the large kitchen with the empty jug. She busied herself slicing oranges and mixing the spirits that went to make up Fred's famous punch.
Patsy suddenly felt that she was being watched. She spun around and saw David standing there watching her.
They said nothing to each other but just looked. Patsy knew of the old adage 'undressing with your eyes'...how true that was.
A surge of mixed emotions flooded her and she felt almost tearful.
"What's wrong my love?" asked David worriedly. "I will never knowingly upset you. Just say the word...any time and we'll go back to how we were
...before."
Patsy looked at the older, but very attractive man.
"David" she said huskily, "I don't want to be your friend"
David hung his head disappointedly.
"I don't want to be your friend," she continued, "because I want to be your
lover."
Later on, once everyone had gone...Fred and Patsy tidied up the garden in silence.
Fred had put away copious amounts of alcohol and was trying to be amorous. Patsy chastised herself silently.
Fred was basically a good man and loved her very much. She had loved him with all her heart...now...was it just habit, was she just fond of him?
If she took things a step further with David, surely she would be as bad as her brother-in-law, Joe.
Talk about double standards...but this wasn't sordid. It wasn't a quick grope whenever the coast was clear.
Patsy was developing strong feelings for David and they appeared to be reciprocated.
Whatever they decided to do, David and Patsy were going to have to do a lot of talking...so many people stood to be hurt!
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