Wuthering Dormice (aka Bike) Part 730 by Angharad

After I returned from my shower, and Simon went in for his, it appeared I’d been forgiven for stretching his credibility. In actual fact, I hadn’t done anything to hurt him at all, most of it was in his head, and the fact that once I’d grabbed his nadgers, he pulled away thereby tormenting himself. I just held on to my prize.

Anyway, he isn’t singing soprano, so I presume he’s okay.

Breakfast became a big discussion, which was as heated as Tom’s porridge. I declared my desire to go up to Bristol for a few days. The girls were quite happy and Stella considered it as a possibility – new shops, and Bath isn’t far away – to come with me.

Simon thought I should stay where I was – bored out of my tiny brain – in the hotel. Tom mentioned Stanebury. Natch, the girls, at least the two who’ve been there were full of stories of the castle. Stella wasn’t too sure, it’s a long journey and she had memories of the fairly recent past. For the same reasons I was dead against it. Although I’d tried to put it out of my mind, I did some awful things in Scotland, and had awful things threatened against me and mine. I felt myself getting hot and bothered as Simon agreed with Tom, and offered to call Henry to see if it was possible.

“Don’t bother,” I said angrily. “I’m still an adult as far as I know, and single. I shall make my own decisions.”

“That isn’t in dispute,” Simon tried to rationalise, “it’s where you’ll be safest from the paparazzi.”

“Si, you weren’t there, you don’t know what we faced and what I never want to be reminded of again.”

“Fine, but the girls don’t seem to be similarly affected, are you girls?” Simon looked at them and they had no idea of what he meant. “You’re not scared to go to Grampa Henry’s castle?”

“Nooooo,” they chanted.

“Okay, fine, you take them and I’ll go and have a quiet time in Bristol mowing my lawn and washing the curtains. I’m sure it needs to be done.” Stella gave me a surprised look. It obviously wasn’t on her agenda.

“How can I take them, I’m working,” Simon used the excuse which men had used since time immemorial.

“Get a week off, then.”

“I can’t, not just like that.”

“Fine well don’t tell me what to do unless you can do better.” I rose from the table throwing my napkin down as I did so.

“Whit’s got into her?” I heard Tom ask as I walked from the room. No doubt Simon was going to say I had PMS or something similar. I went to the bedroom and began packing, I was going to Bristol and so were my three girls.

I had put most of our stuff in bags when Stella came in, “Oh, what are you doing?”

“What’s it look like?”

“You’re going then?”

“No, I just enjoy shoving things in bags, don’t come to close you may get packed.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t become you, Angel Woman.”

“Neither does male chauvinism, or acceding to it.”

“Oh, big bruv?”

“Yes, that fits him perfectly, big brother 1984 and all that. Don’t tell me you’re the thought police?”

“No, I just came to see where you were.”

“Feel free to come with me if you like, or even to come along afterwards.”

“Simon and Tom are not going to like this.”

“Tough, they don’t have a realistic alternative.”

“I take it Stanebury is too traumatic?”

“Stella, people died up there, some of them at my hands. Believe it or not, I actually prefer to live in peace and help people not kill them.”

“I realise that…”

“But what?”

“I beg your pardon?” she looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“There was a but coming, after you realised something.”

“Was there? Oh yeah, I know you had a torrid time up there but what you did you had to do. The authorities haven’t even asked you attend an inquest, have they?”

“Only because Henry hushed everything up.”

“He’s quite good at that?” She agreed.

I went into the girl’s room and began packing their stuff. Stella wandered off back to the dining room. A few minutes later, she reappeared. “One of Tom’s neighbours has just phoned him to ask why there was a crowd of people with cameras and video equipment outside his house.”

“What did he say?”

“He said you were recruiting for your next film.”

“Yeah sure, at this rate I’ll never get round to it.”

“So it’s Bristol then?”

“Looks like.”

“What if they track you down there?”

“I don’t know.”

“Nor me, so I’d better come, too.”

“Oh thanks, Stella,” we hugged.

“You didn’t think I’d abandon my little sis, did you?”

“Not unless the shops in Bath were open.”

“Damn, you read my mind didn’t you?”

“Yep, didn’t take long,” I snorted.

“You cheeky cow, Cathy Watts.”

“Best get a moo-ve on if you’re coming with me.”

“I’ll follow you up in my own car"

“Okay, I have to pack the bikes up anyway.” I walked out to the dining room. “Girls go and pack up your toys, please.”

“So you’re going then?” Simon looked irritated.

“Was it ever in doubt?”

“Dunno,” Simon shrugged. “You realise that I’m not in favour.”

“Simon, get real. You neither own nor control me. I’m a free spirit, and until you recognise that, I’ll not wear your wedding ring, no matter how much I love you.”

“I do recognise that, I’ve always allowed you to do anything you really wanted to.”

“You allowed me? You arrogant Scottish turnip, I do what I want, when I want and with whom I want. When you realise what that actually means, give me a ring–until then, keep oot’a ma way!” I pushed past him and out of the suite.

“Bloody hell,” I heard Simon say, “the bitch.”

“I think you asked for that,” said Stella’s voice as the door slammed shut behind me. I walked briskly down to the lifts, trying not to cry. Simon had really hurt me, but he must never know just how much.