Bernice and Ashley the Untold stories
18/06/00
“Ok Reverend Thomas” Bernice said sitting up in bed and looking sleepily at her
“Yes Miss Blackstock ?” he replied smiling at how cheerful she could be at such an ungodly hour of the morning.
“It really is time something was done about this room”
“ What on earth do you mean ? Are you saying you don’t like my choice of decor ?” Ashley asked with mock indignation “What exactly is wrong with it ?”
“How long have you got ?” Bernice replied laughing “I mean just look at this bedding it doesn’t even match ! And the curtains ! And .... well and it just needs doing. Please Ash !”
“I’m only joking” Ashley said running his hand down her back , sometimes he still couldn’t quite believe she was his . When he thought of how long he wished he could know what it was like to be with her , to touch her , to be able to tell her he loved her ,he could still remember the frustration and the pain. Now that it was all happening he could refuse her nothing . If she’d wanted to paint the whole room purple with orange spots he suspected he’d have agreed just to see her smile.”
“So we can go today and get the stuff ?”
“Don’t you have to be over the road ?”
“Yes , but not until lunch time and I’m off tomorrow so if we get everything today we can get started first thing.”
“Ok , but right now lets go back to sleep for half an hour” he put his arm around her waist pulling her beside him again.
“No!” Bernice answered pulling the duvet away from him and shoving him toward the end of the bed “Come on get up we have a lot to do”
Ashley grabbed the quilt back and pulled it around his neck holding it tightly as Bernice tried to get hold of it. Finally she gave in and with one sweeping movement pushed him and the duvet off the end of the bed collapsing in fits of laughter as they hit the floor with a dull thud. She lay on her front and looked over the edge.
“Now will you get up ?” She asked as Ashley looked back at her from the tangled mass of bedding and limbs.
“I’ll tell you something Bernice Blackstock” he said laughing “I’m glad I don’t work at the Woolpack cause when you decide you want something doing it has to be done double speed ! I have a whole new respect for Tricia , and as for your Mum I don’t know how she’s put up with you all these years”
“Oh really ?” Bernice replied swinging for him with one of the pillows. As it was about to make contact Ashley grabbed it and before she knew what was happening she was on the floor with his. He put his arms around her kissing her gently “You wouldn’t have me any other way” she continued as she got up
“No you’re quite right , you’re perfect just as you are and it’s your turn to make the breakfast. Call me when it’s ready” Ashley replied as he jumped back into bed , while Bernice pulled on his dressing gown and left the room shaking her head.
********************
“Where have you been !” Dianne asked crossly when they arrived at the Woolpack at 12.30 that afternoon.
“Oh clam down Mother” Bernice said getting behind the bar and throwing her bag and coat in the back. “We nipped into Leeds to get some stuff and lost track of time of time.”
“Ey well you were supposed to be here half an hour ago ! I’ve got to be in the diner by 1 and I’m not even nearly ready.”
“Sorry Dianne” Ashley said looking sheepishly at her “We promise it’ll not happen again”
“Well see it doesn’t” Dianne replied , her face softening “Or that Edna woman will have another convert to her cause!”
“Mother !!” Bernice said looking appalled
“It was a joke Bernice love , relax ! the day Edna Birch and I agree on anything they’ll be holding the winter Olympics in hell” Dianne said as she disappeared.
“I should go too” Ashley said looking at Bernice “I wouldn’t want people thinking I was neglecting my duties !”
Bernice laughed knowing full well he was referring to the almost 24 hour surveillance Edna seemed to have on them these days. “Ok I’ll see you tonight” she said as he kissed her and left as well.
Alone in the bar Bernice looked around , it was too early for the lunch time rush and besides Seth propping up the bar at one end and a few people scattered about the place was empty. She set about restocking the mixers and thinking about the decorating to be done. With everything going on around them quality time alone was something that was sorely lacking in hers and Ashley’s relationship. A day spent just doing something ordinary and being together was just what they needed. Not only that but taking charge and organising everything made her feel safer , somehow more in control.
The rest of the evening seemed to pass painfully slowly and when she finally closed the doors that night she felt as though she’d been there a week instead of one day. She cleared up the glasses that were still scattered around and once the bar was looking respectable she disappeared in the back switching off the lights as she went. Dianne was sitting at the table flicking through a magazine when she came in.
“All sorted love ?” she asked
“Yeah” Bernice answered yawning “I’m going over to Ashley’s . Tricia has my keys so if you want her to open up tomorrow just let her know”
Dianne looked up at her daughter , she couldn’t help but think how great it was to see her finally happy. Truly happy. Ashley’s outburst at Edna Birch had confirmed in her mind , as if she need it , that he was genuine in his feels for Bernice and she felt sure they were meant to be together. She’d always been thankful that Bernice hadn’t inherited her inability to settle but sometimes the fact she went too far in the opposite direction had gotten her into trouble. Bernice came back in with her coat and bag as Dianne stood up.
“Right that’s me” she said “Be sure to bring supplies tomorrow mum , we’re battening down the hatches until the bedroom is finished !”
Dianne laughed “I’ll bring you a packed lunch from the diner” she said
“thanks” Bernice replied kissing her on the cheek and turning to leave.
“And Bernice” Dianne said before she got away
“Yep”
“It’ll be OK you know”
“Oh of course it will it’s only a lick of paint I’m sure we can manage and if we get into too much trouble we can always call ....” Bernice stopped mid sentence as Dianne burst out laughing. “What’s so funny ?” she asked
“You” Dianne answered “I didn’t mean the decorating I meant you and Ashley”
“Oh”
“Yeah” she continued , getting more serious again “I know it seems like everyone is on your back at the minute but you know what they say , What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger , you of all people should know that. Well the same thing can be said for relationships.”
“I know. thanks Mum” Bernice said as she left and Dianne watched hoping against hope that she was right. Bernice had seen enough heart break to last a life time the last thing she needed was more.
*******************
Bernice looked at her watch as she put the key in the door at the vicarage. it was gone midnight and inside the house was in darkness. She hung up her coat and with a contented sigh headed up the stairs. It just seemed normal for her to come in late after closing and for Ashley to be in bed. they’d very quickly slotted into each other’s life style’s and there was something reassuringly settled about the fact that he didn’t feel he had to wait up for her , he just knew that she’d come in and when he woke up she’d be there. As she reached the top of the stairs. She noticed the light was still on under the bedroom door. As she pushed it open she could hardly believe her eyes.
“Hi there” Ashley said
“What on earth have you been up too ?”
“Well I thought if all the furniture was moved tonight then we’d have a head start in the morning”
Bernice looked around , the room was completely empty except for the mattress on the floor. “And this is where we’re sleeping is it ?” She asked smiling
“Yep. There or in the spare room , but it only has a single bed so it might be a bit of a squash”
“no this is fine” Bernice replied as Ashley got into bed and she got undressed and joined him “So this is were you’ve been all evening. I was wondering why you weren’t in for a drink” she continued. She could feel him curled close into her back and his arm draped lightly around her waist after a minute or tow with no response she realised that he was already asleep. She reached for the bedside lamp now sitting on the floor and switching it of feel asleep as well.
********************
“I’m going to have to stop eating these cooked breakfasts” she said the next morning as she and Ashley sat at the kitchen table “they will end up playing havoc with my figure”
“I’ve told you before” Ashley replied as he refilled both their coffee cups “Your figure is perfect , besides you have a busy day you need feeding up”
Bernice laughed “Yeah well Mum is going to bring us lunch from the diner to save us having to stop to make anything”
“Sounds good to me , now get eating we have work to do”
By mid-day they were both covered in tiny drops of paint and three of the bedroom walls had changed from dreary magnolia to much warmer Cinnamon.
“You were right” Ashley said standing back ad looking around “cinnamon isn’t at all orangey it looks great”
“Of course I was right” Bernice answered playfully “I am always right”
“Is that so ?” Ashley asked spinning round to face her as a drop of paint flicked off the end of his brush and flying through the air landed on Bernice’s arm. She looked at it , then looked at Ashley “Now don’t get silly . It was an accident !” he said laughing so hard he didn’t notice as she flicked her wrist sending a steam of tiny drops of paint heading straight for him. Within minutes it had dissolved into a full scale paint war with drops flying everywhere. They were both so busy laughing that they didn’t notice Dianne appear at the bedroom door.
“Well I’ve seen it all now” she said “Aren’t you two supposed to e putting that paint on the wall ?”
“I was just trying to teach Ash that I am always right !” Bernice said laughing “How did you get in ?”
“Well I rang the door bell about 20 times and when you didn’t answer I thought I’d better check the back door in case you had been done in and it was open. Don’t worry Ashley , you’ll learn like the rest of us that when Bernice thinks she’s right it’s better to just nod and smile while agreeing to everything”
Ashley laughed as Bernice glared at her mother her paint brush poised ready to bring her mother well and truly into the paint war.
“Anyhow” Dianne continued holding out a small box “There’s sandwiches , salad , some cooked chicken and other bits and pieces. Oh and a bottle of wine from over the road.”
“Thanks Mum” Bernice said taking the box from her
“Well I better get back. it looks well by the way”
“Yep. Just you wait until Bernice is finished with it you won’t recognise the place” Ashley said smiling.
******************
Late that night when the paint was dry and the furniture back in the room Ashley came in with two glasses of the wine Dianne had brought earlier. Bernice was standing on a chair hanging the new heavy cream muslin curtains. Ashley looked around. the new colour made the room come alive and the contrast of the crisp cream of the curtains and bed linen lifted it , making it like their own little piece of the Mediterranean sunshine.
“It’s amazing !” He said as Bernice put the last curtain hook and stepped down taking the glass of wine from him
“I’m so glad you like it I think you have the nicest bedroom in the village now” She said as he slipped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes.
“It’s not my room” Ashley said still looking at her in that way that made her feel he could see right into her soul “It’s our room and yes I love it. You have done for this room , the same thing you have done for the rest of my life. You’ve given it warmth and sunshine and you’ve turned what was plain and ordinary into something wonderful.”
Bernice rested her head on his chest as they both looked around , he was right now it was theirs.
