Reet & Mike - Everlasting Love

[RitaLittlewood]

Yes, I know I'm obsessed. My 6th Reet & Mike story this year. Maybe this will get it out of my system. LOL! After writing Mike Baldwin's Secret and seeing those 80s DVDs, I decided to expand on it giving more details of Reet and Mike's secret affair. Only problem was it got longer and longer and longer as more things came to light which could have had them seeing each other on the quiet! I thought I'd never get it finished and at times felt like giving up completely. Bet you wish I had. LOL! So if you choose to read it, I hope you enjoy the latest drivel from my overactive imagination.

Originally written 22nd November to 2nd December 2005

Part 1

It was December 1976 in Weatherfield. Cockney would-be denim king Mike Baldwin had been in Coronation Street a few weeks and had already wasted no time in picking up Bet Lynch. He recently completed the purchase of number 5 from Minnie Caldwell but hadn't yet moved into his almost renovated home. After a Saturday night on the lash, he had chosen to stay at the house rather than return to the hotel since it had the bare essentials like a bed, chairs and dining table already despite the downstairs still resembling part of a building site. The rest of the furniture would be be arriving a few days later. He stood in front of the mirror shirtless combing his hair readying himself for his date with Bet when he heard a knock on the front door. He slipped the comb into the back pocket of his trousers and went downstairs to open it.
"Oh, hello," he said, feeling cold and embarrassed. "I'm sorry, darlin'. I've clean forgot your name."
"Rita," she smiled, trying her best not to ogle his chest. "Rita Littlewood. Am I interrupting summat?"
He glanced at his bare chest. "Oh, no. Not at all. I was just getting ready to meet Bet. Come in." He stepped aside to let her pass before closing the door.
"I don't want to keep yer," Reet told him. "I can always come back tomorrow. Only I saw yer stagger in here last night from the Rovers. Oh, yer've dropped yer comb." She bent over to pick it up and he couldn't stop himself looking at her backside. "Here." She held it out to him.
"Er, thanks," he replied, taking it and tossing it casually onto the table. For some reason he found he was unable to take his eyes off her.
Reet began to feel distinctly uncomforable. "What yer staring at? Got lipstick on me nose or summat?"
"Am I staring?" He felt embarrassed again. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise I was. So," he cleared his throat, "what can I do for you?"
"Yer know," she chuckled nervously, "it's gone right out me head. In't it always the way? Well, I'd er, better be going." She headed for the door.
"I bet you'll get halfway down the street and it'll come back to you," he grinned.
"More than likely," she smiled back. "Well, goodnight, Mr Baldwin. Have a nice time with Bet tonight." They both reached for the latch, their eyes met and their lips locked. They eventually broke apart. "Flamin' 'eck. Where the hell did that come from?"
"I couldn't tell you, sweetheart," he smiled, gently stroking her face. "But wherever it was, I'm glad it did."
"Me an' all, for some reason," she told him softly. "But what about Bet?"
"Bet who?" He kissed her tenderly then went to the phone and dialled. "Bet?," he said, not taking his gaze off Reet. "Yeah, it's Mike. I'm gonna have to cancel tonight. Yeah I know but it can't be helped. Something's come up. Yeah. See you soon." He hung up, took Reet's hand and led her up the stairs.

The following morning Reet awoke with a start. She looked around the room then at Mike lying with his arm draped over her.
"Yer always were a daft cow, Littlewood," she sighed quietly so as not to disturb him. She moved his arm, grabbed her clothes, took them to the bathroom to dress then went downstairs to let herself out.
"Tea? Coffee?" Mike called from the kitchen.
She stopped and turned. "I thought yer were still in bed."
"You created a gale force wind when you got out of it," he grinned. "So, what do you want to drink?"
She sighed heavily and flopped down in the chair. "Tea, I suppose. But only a quick one."
"Not what you were saying last night," he winked then returned to the kitchen.
She rubbed her forehead, stood and joined him. "We need to talk."
He put the kettle down. "I know. Trouble is, Reet, I love you."
"But yer can't do," she said. "Yer married and yer seeing Bet behind yer wife's back. I won't be added to that equation, Mike, no matter what I happen to feel for yer."
"So you do feel something for me then, eh?" he grinned.
"That's got nowt to do with it," she stressed. He kissed her passionately. "Well, not much to do with it," she said dreamily before coming to her senses. "Me and Len are getting on okay these days. I don't still have high hopes of getting that ring on me finger despite the fact I happen to still love the daft nelly. But I'll not have owt ruin what we do have. Not this time. I need me job and regular wages too much. Yer going out with Bet. And don't for one minute ever forget yer wife and kids back down in London."
"What if I was to tell you I'm not really married?" he asked.
"Course yer married," she snorted. "Why else make such a big deal of it to Bet?"
"To stop her getting any ideas about a long-term future just like any other woman I happen to take a fancy to," he explained.
"That include me?" Reet asked warily.
He shook his head and put his arms tightly around her. "Not you, Reet. I've never felt like this about anyone before. Don't look at me like that. I know it sounds like a line-"
"One I've heard far too often," she interrupted.
"But I swear to you it's not," he continued. "Not this time. I love you, Reet, with my whole heart and soul. But you're right. This is going to get very complicated. I don't want to be without you, Reet. But I can see where you're coming from."
"Oh, Mike," she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "What are we going to do? I don't want this to end. But I don't want owt spoiling me relationship with Len neither. Such as it is."
He stroked her hair gently. "Surely there must be some way of us still seeing each other outside your shop, the street and the pub."
"It's a right mess, in't it?" she sighed again.
He nodded. "It is, sweetheart. But we'll work something out somehow and that's a promise. Now I've got you, I'm not giving you up without a fight."
"Then there's our ages," she continued. "Yer look younger than me. How old are yer?"
"Thirty-four," he told her.
"Thirty-four," she echoed. "I'm forty-four. What do yer want a woman ten years older for? I'll be a millstone round yer neck. That's even before yer leave me for someone younger."
"Age is all in the mind, Reet," he said. "It's just numbers. Doesn't match how we feel inside."
"Yer wouldn't say it were just numbers if yer were my age, Baldwin," she replied. "Okay yes, I feel more than half me age. But when I look in t'mirror... Well it in't a pretty sight."
"You're beautiful," he said.
"When I'm fifty, yer'll still be younger than I am now," she went on, ignoring his compliment.
"How old's this Len?" he asked.
"Fifty-two," she said.
"Then it almost balances out," he grinned.
"By 'eck, Baldwin," she smiled, gazing into into eyes. "Yer don't miss a trick, do yer?"
"I love you, Reet," he told her. "And I know you love me. It's not our fault I'm younger than you. You can't choose who you fall in love with."
She sighed. "No. Yer can't. I'm just afraid of getting hurt when yer prefer to be with a twenty-year-old nymphette than me."
"Never happen, sweetheart," he assured, kissing her.
"How can yer say that?" she asked. "No one knows what'll happen. I thought a few year ago I'd be wed to Len by now. Not though, am I?"
"There's no guarantees in any relationship, Reet," he said. "All I know is I've never felt this way about anyone before in my life and I'd love you even if you were a hundred and four."
"No yer wouldn't," she countered. "Because I'd most likely be dead."
He laughed and kissed her again. "I've never met anyone like you, sweetheart," he continued seriously. "And I refuse to end this because of our age difference. Okay, so it might not last. But what if it does, eh? We'll never know unless we find out, Reet. And I want to find out."
She looked lovingly at him. "So do I," she said softly before they kissed passionately.

To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 2

Mid-morning in The Kabin and Reet had been feeling down ever since sneaking out of Mike's through the back door at the crack of dawn. She tried to stifle yet another yawn.
"Isn't it time you stopped burning the candle at both ends, Rita?" Mavis commented.
"I were in bed last night, Mavis," Reet replied. "I weren't out singing. Just didn't get much sleep, that's all. And were up far too early this morning."
"So I noticed when I arrived to find the door locked," Mavis added. "Who is he? Mr Fairclough?"
"No, it were not Len!" Reet snapped. "Who said I were out with a fella anyway? I didn't. Yer really should stop reading them racy novels, Mavis. We're not all at it as soon as we set foot in t'street, yer know."
"You didn't have to say anything, Rita," Mavis began. "I've seen all the signs before. You're pining for some man or other."
Reet's blood pressure was rapidly rising. "I were out with a friend last night, that's all." Mavis looked at her knowingly. "A female friend," Reet stressed. "Oh, go and put t'kettle on."
"All right," Mavis said airily. "But you can't fool me. I'll find out soon enough." With that she went out the back leaving Reet feeling the strong compulsion to throttle her best friend.
Mike strolled into the shop and her heart leapt. "Morning, Reet," he greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"How do yer think?" she replied.
"Are you on your own?" he asked.
"And another thing, Rita Littlewood," they both heard Mavis say as she got nearer. "Oh, hello, Mr Baldwin."
"Morning," he said.
"I think yer'd better come up to the flat, Mr Baldwin," Reet told him. "More private up there."
"Private for what?" Mavis asked.
Reet closed her eyes, trying to stay calm. "I'll meet yer up there. Just go through there and up the stairs." She waited until his footsteps receded before continuing. "Mind yer own business, Mavis!"
"Don't tell me it's him you're pining for," Mavis gasped. "Oh, Rita. I never had you down as being desperate."
"What's wrong with him?" she shrieked.
"Well... He's common, isn't he," Mavis told her with a curled lip. "Not your sort at all I'd have thought."
"So are we common. For your information, Riley," Reet said firmly, "Mr Baldwin came round to ask me advice about a Christmas present for Bet and that's all. We hardly know each other so are hardly likely to jump into bed, are we?"
"That's never stopped you in the past," Mavis sniffed haughtily.
Reet snatched the cup from Mavis, spilling some of the tea over the papers. "I'll remember yer said that next time yer Derek comes sniffing around." She stormed off upstairs and slammed the flat door behind her. "That flamin' Mavis!"
"Come here, sweetheart," Mike said. Reet went over to him after putting the cup down and they kissed passionately. "Glad to see you're not angry with me."
"I could never be that, Baldwin," she grinned. "But we do have a problem with Mavis. She's convinced we're at it."
"Well, we are," he laughed.
"I know that," she stated. "But somehow we have to convince her we're not."
"How about I ask Bet to move in with me?" he suggested. "Perhaps then she'll see I only have eyes for that brassy tart."
"In't that a bit mean?" Reet asked. "Bet's madly in love with you. Not that I blame her for a second."
"I should hope not," he grinned then kissed her. "Listen, sweetheart. I've been thinking. Neither of us want this to get out yet, do we?" Reet shook her head. "So after you left earlier I did some thinking. Why don't we carry on just as we are for the time being? You go out with other blokes and I'll go out with other women. See how that works out."
"I'm not sure I like the thought of anyone else's lippy all over yer," she said. "Yer haven't seen me when I'm jealous. I'm worse than when I've got a cob on."
"It doesn't have to mean anything," Mike pointed out. "Not as long as we're just having a bit of harmless fun with whoever and still only have eyes for each other."
Reet thought about it. "Well, I suppose it can't do any harm just to see how it goes. Go on then. Yer a smooth talker, aren't yer? No wonder yer can twist women round yer little finger."
"There's only one woman I want to twist around my finger, sweetheart," he kissed her nose tenderly. "Eh, what's your bed like?"
"Small," she replied.
He broke into a grin. "Very cosy, eh?"
"Mavis is downstairs," she gasped. "We haven't got time."
"Go on," he urged. "If we're going to live dangerously, there's no time like the present. Give us some practice."
Reet laughed. "Well, no one's ever accused me of being boring. Why not?"

An hour later Mavis was still having her suspicions. Len walked into the shop and Mavis suddenly was overcome with panic. "Morning, Mr Fairclough."
"Hello, Mavis," he said. "Where's Rita?"
"Rita?" she replied nervously. "Er... She's upstairs. Is there something I can help you with at all?"
"Not really, Mavis," he said. "I'll just go up."
"But you can't do that, Mr Fairclough," Mavis told him, barring his way. "She has company."
"What sort of company?" he asked.
"So yer'll do that then?" the both heard Reet say.
"Sounds good to me," Mike added.
"Oh, hello, Len," Reet blushed.
"See you, Rita," Mike said then left.
"What was Mike Baldwin doing in your flat?" Len asked, trying to show he wasn't bothered.
"He came round to ask me advice about a present for Bet," Reet lied. "Took a little longer than I thought it would. Sorry to have been so long, Mavis."
"You and him aren't...?" Len continued.
"Don't be stupid," Reet laughed falsely. "The very idea. Apart from the fact he's seeing Bet, he also happens to be a married man."
"I'm glad to hear it," Len told her. "You can do better for yourself than the likes of him."
Reet bristled at that remark but tried not to show it. "I know I can. I'm not his type anyway. Not a brassy tart. So was there summat yer wanted?"

The next day, Reet awoke in bed and found it empty. She threw the covers back, pulled her dressing gown around her and went to make some breakfast. "Oh," she said in surprise as she went up behind him. "Yer still here. I thought yer'd sneaked out before Mavis arrived to do the papers." She slid her arms through his and caressed his torso lovingly, head rested against his naked back.
"Not a chance," he grinned, looking over his shoulder at her. "But how the hell am I going to get out?"
"Yer right," she said flatly. "I suppose yer'll have to stay till she locks up. I'd better stay up here with yer."
"Amen to that," he grinned again then turned around and kissed her.
"I'll just pop down and ask her to hold the fort for today," Reet continued, not really hearing him. "Tell her I picked summat up in the club last night."
"You did," he grinned even more. "Me."
She slapped him playfully. "Yer know what I mean. Won't be long. Make yerself comfortable." She reluctantly dragged herself away, opened the door and made her way downstairs to the shop. "Mavis?"
"Oh, there you are at last," Mavis admonished. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming to work today. Are you all right?"
Reet shook her head. "Not really," she croaked. "I'm not feeling too clever. Must've caught summat last night. I'm really sorry about this. I did intend to come to work. I just feel that rotten."
"You don't look at all well," Mavis said. "I think you should stay in bed today. Don't worry about the shop."
"Thanks, Mavis," she smiled weakly.
"Would you like me to tell Mr Fairclough?" Mavis asked.
"No!" Reet said quickly. "No need to bother him. Yer know what men are like. He'd only expect me to be up and about earning his profits even if I were at death's door."
"All right then," Mavis agreed. "You get back to bed."
"I will," she smiled. "I'm sure I'll be okay in the morning. Probably one of them twenty-four hour things. Thanks, Mavis." She trudged back up to the flat and dropped her act as soon as she returned to the bedroom. "That's that sorted. Mavis always were a mug. Singing? I should've been an actress the times I've fooled her over t'years. So now yer'll have to stay till she's gone. Can yer cope with that?"
"I'm sure it'll be a struggle, but I'll do my best," he winked.

To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 3

The secrecy seemed to be working out well between Mike and Reet and they were more than happy keeping things the way they were. Things were going wonderfully until Reet got a 4-month singing date in Tenerife the following March. Mike was gutted. "I can't believe you're ending this, Reet. I thought I meant something to you."
She took his hands. "Oh, Mike. You do."
"Then stay," he pleaded. "I love you, Reet."
"I can't," she sighed.
"Or won't," he said sadly, snatching his hands away. "Seems to me you're running away from us."
She sighed heavily. "It's not yer I'm running away from. It's that pig Fairclough. I've just had enough of him dangling me on a string and being at his beck and call. I've already resigned from the shop. I'm going to leave Weatherfield and may never come back. But yer could come with me. We could have a great time out there with no nosy neighbours. No one'll know us. We can be happy there, Mike."
"I can't just up sticks and move to another country just like that," he explained. "It's all right for you. But I have commitments. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I have to stay."
"So that's it," she said, beaten. "We're finished."
"Not me finishing it, sweetheart," he pointed out. "But it certainly looks that way."
"Couldn't yer even come out and visit?" she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. "What would be the point? Might only be once or twice if we're lucky. Be better if you were sticking around Weatherfield. Goodbye, Reet." He let himself out of her flat leaving her in tears.

Course, as it turned out, Len proposed at the airport and she accepted, returning to Weatherfield as the soon-to-be Mrs Fairclough after all those years. When Mike heard the news he was furious and stormed round to her flat later that night, hammering on the shop door after getting very drunk.
"Where's the fire?" Reet said, as she opened it. "Oh, it's yer. Yer do know what the time is I take it."
"Time you gave me some answers," he slurred, barging past and making his way up to the flat.
Reet checked to make sure no one had seen him, closed and locked the door again then followed. "I don't know what yer've heard-"
"That yer chose Fairclough over me," he snapped. "All that crap about Tenerife. I see it all now. It was a lie to get him and end it with me. Thanks a lot for that, Reet. You've shown me how heartless you can be. Looks like I had a lucky escape."
"I'll make yer some strong black coffee." She went to the kitchenette.
He followed. "I don't want your rotten coffee!" he yelled, knocking the mug out of her hand into the sink where it shattered. "All I wanted was you. I loved you, Reet. Still love you stupidly enough. But I'm nothing to you, am I?"
"Yer everything to me!" she defended. "What were I supposed to do, eh? Yer left me."
"You were leaving me to go to Tenerife!" he countered.
"I said yer could come with me!" she screamed.
"Now you're going to marry Fairclough!" he yelled. "What has he got that I haven't?"
"Me!" she yelled back. "Yer choice, Baldwin. What was I supposed to do, eh? I told yer I loved him."
"You said you loved me too," he hissed. "Now I know that was a lie."
"It weren't a lie!" she bawled, tears streaming down her face. "Yer made it pretty clear when yer walked out of here we were finished."
He grabbed her roughly and shook her. "You left me no choice, you stupid bitch! You broke my heart choosing Tenerife over me!"
She struggled from his grip and slapped his face hard. "Looks like I made the right choice after all then, don't it?" He tried to grab her again and as she fought him off they kissed and gave in to their fiery passion on the kitchen floor.

Mike woke up in the middle of the night, his mouth like sandpaper, and went to get a glass of water. Reet stirred and put the light on. "Yer okay?" she asked as he re-entered the bedroom.
"Feel lousy," he grumbled.
"Not surprised the amount yer put away last night," she said sternly.
He gingerly sat on the bed. "Can you blame me? I thought I'd lost you for good."
She moved behind him, her arms around his shoulders, head nestled in his neck. "Not a chance, Baldwin. And me marrying Len won't come between us."
"How do you work that out?" he snorted.
"Because it's no different to what yer did with Bet," she explained.
"He'll be your husband in case you've forgotten," he said bitterly.
"Who, being a builder, could be away a lot, yer daft 'aporth," she smiled. "He'll go wherever the work takes him, just like I will when it comes to me singing dates. We'll sort summat out so we can spend time together. We did it before."
"It was different then," he scoffed. "We were both single. I only agreed to Bet moving in to stop Mavis getting the wrong idea. I can hardly make late-night calls to your house after your married, can I? Your husband might just object to me wanting to sleep with his wife."
She moved away and leant back against the headboard, arm behind her head. "Why are yer trying to find problems where there aren't any?"
"I'm not," he said.
"Anyone'd think yer didn't want to see me any more the way yer carrying on," she sniffed.
He placed the glass on the bedside table and moved across to her. "Course I do. But how can we when you're Mrs Fairclough?"
She took his hand. "I know it won't be easy, darling. If we love each other as much as we say we do, we'll find a way. Things worked out fine with Bet living with yer."
"Don't marry him, Reet," he begged.
"Oh, I see," she said, eyes narrowed. "So it's fine for yer to sleep with other women but I can't sleep with Len. Yer two-faced, Baldwin."
"Sleep with him if you must," he replied. "But you don't have to marry him." She glared at him, got off the bed and went into the living room before she hit him. "Now what have I said?" He followed her. "Reet? Reet? What did I say?"
She rounded on him. "Yer don't love me at all, do yer, not really? Yer just want to control me. Well yer'll have a job, pal. No one tells me what I can and can't do, understand? One rule for yer and another for me. Why is that, Mike? I'm not having it. Yer still want me, yer'll have to put up with me marrying Len. If yer can't do that, tough. Ask yerself what the heck I'm meant to do if yer ever decided to get wed for real to another woman? I'd have to put up with it that's what and no complaining!"
Mike cast his eyes towards the floor, thoroughly ashamed. "I know and I'm sorry. I just can't bear the thought of sharing you with anyone else."
"I have to!" she screamed.
"I know, I know," he placated. "I'm being totally selfish and unreasonable. I'm sorry, sweetheart. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Can yer put up with me being wed more to the point?" she asked.
He put his arms around her. "Like you said," he said softly down her ear. "We'll find a way. I don't want to lose you, Reet."
"Carry on like that and yer will for sure," she said firmly.
"I won't. I promise, sweetheart," he assured. "Come back to bed and I'll show you how sorry I am."
"With an offer like that," she smiled out of the side of her mouth, "how can a girl possibly refuse?"

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 4

And so Len and Rita were married on the 20th April 1977. After spending the night before with the bride-to-be round at her flat, Mike deliberately stayed away, unable to watch the woman he loved walk down the aisle and marry someone else, so made out he had other commitments that day when in reality he stayed in his flat and got gloriously drunk. The lovers continued to meet each other in secret until things came to a head in January 1980 resulting in her leaving Len. At first Mike used to visit her at her bedsit but then she completely disappeared at the end of the month and he was frantic with worry. He couldn't concentrate at work and prayed she would be in touch. A week later she rang and he drove straight to the address she'd given him in Blackpool.
"Oh, Mike," she said, throwing her arms around him and holding him tightly. "I didn't think yer'd come."
"How could I stay away?" he replied, hugging her tightly too. "I thought you'd done a bunk."
"I have," she sobbed. "But only from that lazy swine I married. Not yer. Never yer." She pulled away. "Yer'd better come in. It's okay. This is me uncle Sam's house and he's out. Won't be back till gone tea time." She closed the door behind him and led the way to the living room. "Sit down," she indicated.
"Why did you scarper like that, Reet?" he asked as he sat. "I know you'd left Len but what happened to make you disappear like that? I was worried sick."
She sat opposite him. "I'm sorry. Len hit me."
"He did what?" Mike exploded. "I'll bloody kill him when I get my hands on him!"
"Calm down, Mike," she said, rushing over to him. "What good'll that do except let him know where I am?"
"All the same-" he began.
"No, Mike," she insisted. "Yer'll do nowt to him. It were me own fault. I provoked him. He pushed me too far."
"That's no excuse," he growled. "I don't know how I'll even be able to be in the same room as him from now on knowing he did that to you. And he's supposed to love you? Don't make me laugh. You don't hit someone you love, provoked or not."
"Well, anyway," she went on, "me and Len are finished. Course sooner or later he'll have to know where I am when I start divorce proceedings. But until then he won't. Promise me yer won't let on, Mike."
He shook his head and took her in his arms. "I promise, sweetheart." He kissed her tenderly. "Are you staying in Blackpool then?"
She nodded and couldn't fail to miss his expression. "Don't be like that. Blackpool's not as far as Tenerife, yer know, or as expensive to get to. Maybe one day I'll come back to Weatherfield when this has all blown over. No idea when that'll be though." She moved away from him and stared out the window, arms folded. "How is Len?"
"Do you care?" he asked, surprised she would even consider her husband's feelings.
She shrugged. "Not really. Just curious."
"From what I can gather, pretending he doesn't care you've gone," he told her. "But is very snappy with everyone." He went up behind her and put his arms around her. "Sounds like you're better off out of it."
She nodded sadly. "We've always had our ups and downs these past eight years. But I'm beginning to think I should've gone to Tenerife and to hell with him."
"And me," Mike added solemnly, moving away.
"I would've hated that," she sniffed. "I don't know what it is with me and Len. Maybe it's the red hair that makes us argue so much. But I don't care if I never see him again. We got wed and nowt can change that. He'll be more happy free of me once and for all. Soon as I earn enough money, I'll go and see a solicitor."
"I'll pay," he offered.
"Flippin' 'eck. Yer keen to get me divorced, aren't yer?" she chuckled. "I wouldn't take it, Mike. Thanks for the offer though. It's very much appreciated. But this is summat I have to do on me own in me own time. Besides, he'd be bound to wonder where I got that sort of money from and if it didn't come out about us, he might think I've gone on t'game."
"What time did you say that uncle of yours was home?" he winked.

Reet returned to Len at the start of March, much to Mike's annoyance. He couldn't understand why after all she'd said she went back to him. They picked up back in Weatherfield where they'd left off before she'd gone to Blackpool and continued seeing each other secretly as the years progressed. By 1982 the time they spent together was getting less and less as Reet and Len decided to foster. Reet did manage to send him a dirty Valentine though which pleased him enormously. As March drew to a close, he got a surprise on his doorstep one night.
"I only have an hour," she told him. "Sharon's having her birthday party. She thinks she persuaded me to leave them to it but I don't need any excuse to come and see yer. I didn't tell her where I were going. Just that I would be an hour, not to tell Len and I'd see him in the Rovers later."
"You're a crafty one, aren't you?" he grinned.
She nodded. "It's all these years of practice. I'm getting a dab hand at lying to see me secret lover."
"It's working out okay, isn't it, this arrangement?" he said.
"Course it is," she grinned back. "And yer were the one finding problems where there were none. So, an hour long enough?"
He checked his watch. "Fifty-eight minutes now. Better stop wasting time, hadn't we?"
"I'll second that," she grinned wider and led him to the bedroom.

Several months later, Mike took up with Maggie Dunlop. Reet didn't like it but there was nothing she could do. Things got even more complicated when she moved in with Mike, resulting in neither of them being able to see much of each other. Then Maggie left him and he was a broken man. Reet was worried when she spotted him rather too cosy in the Rovers one day with Deirdre Barlow and tried her best not to keep looking at him as she made her way to the bar. She made an excuse to Len and went round to Mike's.
"You've heard, I take it," he said, refilling his glass with scotch.
"Yes," she replied. "I'm so sorry, Mike."
"Really(!)" he snorted sarcastically. "Why? It leaves things perfect for you without Maggie and my baby on the scene."
"If that's the way yer going to be, I'm off," she said, offended. "I thought yer knew me better than that after all these years. Obviously I were wrong. I'll let meself out."
"No wait, Reet," he called. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. This has really knocked me for six. I didn't mean to take it out on you, darlin'."
She put her bag down and took her coat off. "I know," she said, stroking his arm. "After all, no one knows about us and there's no way I could compete with a baby even if I were young enough and were able to. I only want yer to be happy, Mike. I thought this were going to be the one yer'd finally settle down with."
"So did I," he said sadly. "Only that bitch had other ideas. Did you know she's going to marry someone else?"
"Never!" she gasped. "What's she doing a daft thing like that for?"
"Who knows?" he shrugged. "That other bloke is going to raise my kid and give it his name."
"I hate to say this, darling, but yer can't help wondering if the kid's yours seeing as she's planning that," Reet told him.
"That thought had crossed my mind," he admitted. "But there's no way she's going to let me know one way or the other."
"Come here," she put her arms around him and comforted him.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 5

February 1983 and it all came out Mike had been a naughty boy with Deirdre Barlow. Reet was there once again to pick up the pieces of his latest disasterous relationship.
"That's what you get when yer mess about with married women, Baldwin," she quipped.
"Messing around with you never caused all this trouble," he replied. "Even though we were still sleeping together while I was seeing Deirdre."
"Ah, but that's because we managed to keep it secret," she said. "I didn't blab to me husband like Deirdre did to Ken. I'm not daft. I know the way to keep it going." She winked.
"That's because you've had years of practice, sweetheart," he grinned, pulling her closer on the sofa. "That and knowing when you're onto a good thing."
"Cheeky," she slapped his chest. "Course if Len ever found out he'd murder the pair of us. He may have pretended not to care I'd hopped it three years ago, but he always were a jealous swine."
"What will Mavis say if he goes into the shop and finds you not there?" he asked.
"Search me," Reet shrugged. "All I told her were I had to pop out for a few hours. Didn't tell her where I were going obviously."
"She still got no idea about you and me then?" he said.
She shook her head. "Not in the slightest. Which can only be a good thing. Bad enough when we started this her getting t'right end of t'stick and I had to lie through me teeth."
"They still your own?" he chuckled.
"Yer after a punch, Baldwin?" she replied.
"Not particularly," he laughed.
"Well yer going the right way about it," she told him. "Yes, they're still me own. Yer won't have any yer come out with more cracks like that."
"Shut up, woman, and give us a kiss," he grinned then kissed her passionately.

The 7th December and the night of Stan and Hilda's ruby wedding anniversary party. Reet hadn't missed Mike licking his lips as he looked at her when she made her way to the stage in the Select to sing and had already made plans to see him later. But then disaster struck and word spread Len had been killed in a car crash on his way home from Bolton when he was meant to have been working in Ashton. Mike bided his time before going to see her, knowing she had one visitor after another. He watched from the factory and spotted Emily leaving so decided that was his chance. He crossed the road and knocked.
"How you doing?" he asked when the door opened.
"Yer'd better come in," she said.
He closed the door behind him and followed her into the lounge. "I'm sorry about Len."
"No yer not," she scoffed. "That's both of us free again now."
"I'd have preferred it not to have been like this," he confessed, unsure how to behave around her now.
"Yer and me both," she replied. "I've had people coming and going. No one will give me any peace."
"I'm sorry," he said. "I'll leave you to it."
"Don't yer dare, Baldwin!" she warned. "Yer the one person I'm really glad to see. I were beginning to think yer were avoiding me seeing as I'm now the grieving widow."
"I didn't know what to say or if I'd be welcome," he admitted.
"Neither does anyone," she agreed. "Except Emily. She were t'only one who talked sense to me."
Silence fell between them. "I feel really awkward about being here, sweetheart. I want to take you in my arms, kiss you, make love to you. That wouldn't be right at this time though, would it?"
"No," she sighed heavily "I suppose not. I may have loved Len, but we both know it were never the way I love yer. I need yer right now. I need yer to hold me." He crossed to her and embraced her. She kissed him and he pushed her away. "What's up?"
"I can't, Reet," he said. "It's not right. Not when your husband's not even cold."
She flopped on the sofa, head in her hands. "Yer right. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I think I'll go and have a lie down. Probably won't be able to sleep but I can try."
"Okay, sweetheart," he said softly. "You know where I am if you need me." She nodded silently then went upstairs, leaving Mike to see himself out.

Just over a week later, Reet turned up at Mike's flat.
"This is an unexpected surprise. How you doing?" he said.
"Oh, Mike," she sobbed. "Len were a bastard. I hate him!"
He put his arm around her and led her to the sofa. "Hey. what's the matter?"
"I found this address in his pocket," she explained. "I wondered how he could've died near Bolton when he told me he were in Ashton. Turns out he were having an affair. I went to see the woman today. Silly cow loved him and he said he loved her. Reckoned he loved me an' all. But how could he and see her behind me back? Me whole world's been turned upside down by this. I should've known he were too good to be true. Probably never loved me at all. Just didn't want anyone else to have me."
"Oh, sweetheart," he soothed. "I'm so sorry."
"It's ironic, in't it?" she snorted. "Here's me seeing yer behind his back for seven years and when I find out he'd been doing t'same for a fraction of the time, I can't bear it. What sort of hypocrite does that make me, eh?"
"Was it serious between him and this woman?" he asked.
"No idea," she shrugged. "She thought it were. Could never tell with Len. Mike, please don't turn me away this time. I've never needed yer more than I do right now."
"Only if you're sure, sweetheart," he said, though still feeling uncomfortable about the whole situation.
She put her hand behind his head. "I'm sure," she said softly, bringing his lips to hers.

The following July was the Street Olympics with the Rovers versus the White Swan. Mavis had organised a concert in the Select afterwards and was getting increasingly aggravated with Reet. "I thought you of all people would be there to support me, Rita," she moaned. "You're supposed to be my friend after all."
"I'm sorry, Mavis," she said for the umpteenth time since Mavis had started organising it. "But I already have plans I can't get out of."
"Can't or won't?" Mavis whined
"All right then," Reet snapped. "Won't. I'm sure it'll all go down well. Even Percy Sugden."
"Couldn't you at least do a song?" she asked.
"No, Mavis," Reet stressed. "Yer know after Len died I vowed never to sing in public again and nowt's going to get me changing me mind about that. Not even yer concert."
"What can possibly be more important than supporting your friend at a time like this?" Mavis went on.
"Look, Mavis," she said through gritten teeth. "If yer want the truth, I'm not interested in it, all right? Len's only be dead seven months and I really don't feel like having owt to do with all this daftness. Now, can that be an end to it, please?"
"If you say so," Mavis sighed.
"I do," Reet said. "Yer can tell me all about it tomorrow, okay?"

Later that night while everyone was in the Rovers at the concert, Mike was in Reet's bed. "Glad you didn't go?" he asked.
"Yer damn right, Baldwin," she grinned, snuggling up to him. "Even if I weren't still seeing yer on t'sly, I'd have found some excuse to get out of it. Mavis does go on when she gets any sort of responsibility with her flapping. Now, yer did remember to park yer car a few streets away, didn't yer?"
"You don't have to worry about that, sweetheart," he assured, kissing her head. "No one except us will ever know I was here."
"Good," she said. "Put that light out then. That way everyone'll think I'm in bed and the likes of Mavis won't come knocking."
"But you're already in bed," he chuckled.
"Yer know what I mean," she raised an eyebrow. "I'll do it then." She leaned across him and he grabbed her, kissing her passionately.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 6

July 1985 and Mike had been moping while Reet had gone to Blackpool with Bet and Mavis. Despite her protestations to Mavis she had had a hard 18 months and could have fun with her young admirer if she wanted, she stayed faithful to Mike and couldn't wait to get back home and into his arms. But things changed between them just before Christmas at Alf and Audrey's wedding reception. Reet hadn't gone to the wedding but Mike was Alf's Best Man. She and Mavis went to the reception later and she couldn't help noticing the way Mike was taking an interest in the 20-year-old Susan Barlow. She decided to tackle him.
"What's going on between yer and young Susan?"
"Nothing," he protested.
"Oh, come off it, Baldwin," she snorted. "This is me yer talking to. Serious?"
"Not yet," he admitted. "But it could be. Have to see how things go. And if it gets up Ken's nose, so much the better."
"I'll get off then." She finished her drink. "Don't want to cramp yer style. After all, how can I compete with someone over thirty years younger? See yer, Mike."
"You don't have to go because of that," he told her.
"Oh, I think I'd better," she replied. "I can't just sit here watching yer pick up another woman. I'll see yer later sometime. Night."

Several months later, Reet and Mike were having a cosy chat at her house the afternoon before Mike's wedding.
"So, yer finally getting tied down. I never thought I'd see the day," she chuckled
"You could always marry me, sweetheart," he told her. "All you have to do is say yes and I'll dump Susan like that." He snapped his fingers.
"Nice thought, Baldwin," she smiled. "But I think we've been at this secrecy game far too long to change our ways now. I'm happy for yer. Honestly, I am."
"That means a lot, sweetheart," he kissed her. "I take it we'll still be seeing each other after I'm married."
"I should flamin' well hope so!" she exclaimed. "We've come too far to stop now."
"I couldn't do without you, even if I wanted to," he said. "You'll always be the one woman I truly love, Reet."
"I feel the same, Baldwin," she smiled and kissed him.
"What you need is a fella of your own," he said. "What about you and Jenny's dad?"
"Alan?" she asked.
He nodded. "How's that going?"
"It isn't," she confessed. "Jenny hates us being friends, let alone owt else."
"Think anything will come of it then?" he wondered.
"Who knows?" she replied. "Maybe I'll try pushing a bit harder now yer've gone off-limits."
"Not completely off-limits," he winked. "And I'm still a single man at this very moment."
"Oh, so yer are," she raised an eyebrow suggestively.

That night, Reet was woken by the phone. She crawled out of bed, reasoning it must be important or they'd have hung up and traipsed downstairs. "I really must get an extension in t'bedroom," she mumbled to herself, yawning. She picked up the receiver. "Hello? Mike! What the hell are yer doing ringing at this time of night?"
<"I just got back to my room and am feeling very alone,"> he said. <"I'm at the Portman Hotel. Fancy a few hours with the condemned man?">
"Ee, yer a crafty one, Baldwin," she chuckled. "Well, I have nowt on-"
<"Oh good," he grinned. <"Come as you are then.">
"Hey, cheeky," she laughed. "I'll be there in twenty minutes. What room are yer in?"
<"205,"> he replied. <"I'm waiting.">
"Then gerroff t'phone and I'll be there sooner," she laughed again. "We're wasting precious minutes with all this gassing, yer know."
<"You're right,"> he agreed. <"See you shortly."> He hung up.
Reet heard the line go dead, looked at the receiver and chuckled as she replaced it. "What do I see in him?" she giggled to herself as she put her coat on and grabbed her bag.

Mike tarted himself for Reet's arrival, even having another shave so she wouldn't get stubble rash. He kept checking his watch impatiently, worrying in case something terrible had happened to her. Finally after what seemed to be hours to him, but was really just the twenty minutes Reet had said, there was a knock at the door. He opened it and beamed when he saw his beloved standing in the corridor.
"Come in quickly." He ushered her inside and they kissed passionately. "Give me your coat." She took it off and handed it over. "You're in your nightie!" he gasped, quite thrilled really.
"Course I am," she replied. "Bit daft getting dressed when I'd only be getting undressed again."
"Well, er..." he began, eyeing her nightie.
"Yer know what I mean, Baldwin," she said, slapping him. "Hey, what would yer have done if Jenny were still living with me and answered the phone?"
"No idea," he squinted. "Probably just hung up. Now, are we going to stand here all night wasting time or what?"
"Course not, Baldwin," she smiled coquettishly. "After all, we can't have yer missing yer wedding now, can we? Well, we can. But I don't suppose that child bride of yers'll be too happy about it."

Reet left at 5am, got herself ready and went to work. Mike and Susan were married and Reet didn't attend for the same reason Mike didn't go to her and Len's. With Gloria Todd vying for Alan's affections, she decided to take the bull by the horns and have him stop the night. Things were going swimmingly between both couples and they'd all become close friends, Susan even matchmaking to get Reet and Alan back together after she dumped him over Gloria, which made spending time with each other easier even if it meant it was purely hands off in each other's company. Late December, Reet took a risk and phoned Mike as soon as Martin had left with Jenny to take her to her talent competition. Mike was delighted to hear from her, made an excuse to Susan and they spent an hour together before he returned home and Reet went to the pub. When Reet turned down Alan's proposal, explaining she never wanted to marry again, it was understandable Alan reacted the way he did. He wouldn't, however, have agreed to move in and still live at her house if he knew the real reason she turned him down was because she knew marriage made it more difficult to see Mike. That August and Reet slipped out of the shop on the pretext of doing some shopping and went round to Mike's.
"Hiya, sweetheart," he greeted, kissing her. "You have no idea how glad I am you refused to marry Alan yesterday."
"Wish he saw it t'same way," she replied glumly. "But I hope he's getting there."
"I deliberately rowed with Susan, you know, so it gave me the perfect excuse not to go," he confessed.
Reet was stunned. "Yer knew what he were planning?" He nodded. "Why didn't yer tell me and save me all that bother?"
"Not my place," he said. "I'm the last person to tell you who you should and shouldn't marry."
She sighed. "No. I guess yer right. I just wish I'd had an inkling of what he were up to then I could've stopped it before the off."
"Don't you want to marry him then?" he asked. "You've been on your own long enough and I want you to be happy, sweetheart."
She shook her head. "I told him t'last time he got these daft ideas in his head about marriage I'd never marry again."
"To anyone?" Mike wondered.
"No idea," she shrugged, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Certainly not to him."
"Don't you love him or something?" he said.
"Course I love him," she replied. "Not like Len though. And certainly not the way I love yer. I don't know. There's summat I just can't put me finger on. Whatever it is it's stopping me becoming Mrs Bradley that's for sure. Maybe it's because he were two-timing me last year with Gloria Todd so I don't completely trust him. Especially not after finding out about Len's bit on t'side."
"At least you don't have to worry on that score with me," he grinned. "I'd never two-time you."
"But yer do," she cocked an eyebrow. "In fact, we both do, so it looks like I'm being a hypocrite again, don't it?"
"Ah," he said, kissing her nose. "But we've managed to keep this a secret all these years. And we've done very well at it too."
"Should do after all these years," she giggled.
"Hey, how long can you stay?" he winked.
"Well..." she mused. "I told Mavis I were going to t'shops and we all know how long that can take."
"And Susan's taken up the mantle of junior slave driver at the factory while I'm, er, seeing a client," he grinned again. "That gives us a few hours."
"Yes," she replied dreamily, kissing him. "But I'd better be back at the shop by four or Mavis might have another tizzy."
"Four it is." He held her tightly as they kissed passionately.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 7

A month on and they had attended Bet and Alec's wedding. Mike wasted no time making a beeline for Reet at the reception in the Rovers back room, even though Susan was there.
"I must see you," he whispered.
"I thought yer were," she winked.
"You know what I mean," he whispered again. "It was hell sitting one row behind you in that church next to Susan. I wanted to be with you."
"Can't blame yer for that, Baldwin," she smiled.
"Where's Alan?" he asked.
"Not here obviously," she replied. "He's working. At least, I think he is. But how are yer going to get rid of Susan?"
"I'll think of a way, don't you worry," he winked.
"Where are we going to meet?" she wondered. "Yer place?"
He shook his head. "Better not in case Susan comes back unexpectedly."
"Well we can't meet at mine," she pointed out. "Not with Jenny or Alan coming home any minute."
"Mike," Susan called from across the room.
"I'll work something out. Go home about half an hour after we leave and I'll ring you," he said.
"Look forward to it," she whispered, smiling slightly. "Now get gone and see what yer wife wants yer for."
"Probably my body," he laughed.
"That makes two of us," she winked then watched him return to his wife's side.

Two hours later, Reet arrived at the Manchester Royal Hotel, over ten miles outside Weatherfield, and went immediately to the room Mike had booked. They embraced and kissed passionately as soon as she entered the room.
"This is a bit naughty, in't it?" she chuckled.
"Do you care?" he said.
She shook her head. "Not a bit. It's one thing not going to each other's weddings. But not easy being in t'same room when we go to mutual friends'."
He nodded. "Never a truer word spoken." He kissed her.
"I love yer, Baldwin," she schmoozed.
"I love you too, sweetheart," he schmoozed back.
"Now there's a coincidence," she chuckled. "I always knew we had summat in common. Are yer hungry? I only had a nibble on some of that stale wedding cake."
"Only for you," he cooed softly.
"Yer say the sweetest things. Come here, Baldwin and help sober me up." He pushed her onto the bed as they kissed passionately.

Several weeks passed and Mike had unveiled his plans to move to Derbyshire with Susan and their unborn baby. No one noticed Susan wasn't all that keen on the idea of living miles from anywhere and Reet, while putting on a public show of support, was in reality spitting feathers. She phoned him and they arranged to meet in a multi-storey car park.
"I'm so happy you rang, sweetheart," he grinned as he went to put his arms around her.
"I didn't get yer here for that," she snapped, slapping his hands away. "I want to know yer game."
"Game?" he frowned.
"Yer little move miles away," she yelled. "What about me?"
"I'm doing this for the kid, sweetheart," he said.
"I see," she replied coldly. "So it's all right for yer to get a cob on when I were planning to go to Tenerife. But I'm meant to just accept this from yer."
"This is different," he said.
"Yeah," she snorted. "Thought it would be somehow. It always is for men."
"Don't be like this, sweetheart," he tried to calm her down. "We'll still see each other."
"How?" she shrieked. "We'll be over a hundred miles apart in case yer'd forgotten. Not that easy to meet up."
"We'll find a way," he assured. "We have done so far."
"Yer refused to come to Tenerife with me when I asked yer," she reminded. "In fact, if yer cast yer mind back, yer walked out on me then weren't all that pleased when I got engaged to Len and stayed after all."
"I do remember," he said, knowing she was right. "But I love you, Reet. No amount of miles will change that."
"Yer kid's changed that, Baldwin," she spat. "Seems to me yer obsession with having a son is more important than I'll ever be."
He laughed. "I can't believe you're jealous over an unborn baby."
"I'm not!" she insisted. "But yer don't have to up sticks, do yer? Yer could buy a posh house in Manchester."
"True," he conceded. "I thought Derbyshire would get Susan away from Barlow and his interference."
"Yer mean yer want to control yer child bride?" she snorted. "I thought yer'd have learnt by now that's one thing yer'll never be able to do."
He put his hands on her arms. "Nothing's set in stone yet, you know. We might not go to Derbyshire."
"Oh, do what the hell yer like!" she yelled, shrugging him off. "I'm past caring. Yer want us to be over? Well, yer've got yer wish. Goodbye, Mike." She opened the car door and got in.
Mike rushed over. "Reet. Please don't end this. I love you. I can't cope without you. Reet?" She started the engine, glaring at him. He went round to the back of the car. "You can't go like this. I won't let you."
Her heckles rose. She got out of the car and rounded on him. "Get out me way or I'll run yer over. I will, yer know."
"I don't doubt it," he said. "I'm sorry. I should've thought of you when making my plans."
"Too late for apologies, Baldwin," she stated firmly.
"Is it?" he asked. "I can't lose you, sweetheart. You're right. The prospect of being a father at last clouded my thinking. I'll tell Susan Derbyshire's off. She never seemed that keen anyway."
"Oh, don't bother changing yer plans on my account(!)" she said sarcastically. "After all, I'm not as important as a little Baldwin running around t'place, am I(?)"
"You're more important, sweetheart, and always will be," he told her from the heart. "I love you."
"Yer've got a funny way of showing it," she snapped.
"Please don't end it, Reet," he pleaded. "Please."
Her heart softened but she pretended to be nonchalant. "We'll see. Now I have to be getting back. I said I'd only be half an hour. So get out me way and let me get back to work."
He stood aside. "I love you." She said nothing as she got back in the car, reversed out of the parking space and drove off.

Susan Baldwin was fed up. She didn't want to be a mother. A career was more important but constantly telling Mike that was like banging her hed against a brick wall. She didn't know what to do. It was obvious her marriage was slowly disintegrating around her ears but she knew her father would only tell her to go back if she left Mike again. She decided to take her mind off it and do some housework since Mike had insisted she take the afternoon off and put her feet up. She went into the bedroom and pulled the covers back on the bed to strip it. She spotted something on the sheet so peered closer and got a shock when she discovered several red hairs. She knew they hadn't been there when she got up this morning. Or had they? She began to wonder exactly who they belonged to and how long she'd been sleeping on them. She sat in front of the dressing table and racked her brain trying to think who he could have been unfaithful with. After many hours, she heard Mike return and call her.
"In here," she called back.
The door opened and Mike waltzed in. "Good day?" He pecked her on the cheek.
"Educational," she replied mysteriously.
"Oh?" he said.
"Who is she, Mike?" she asked.
Mike was worried. "She?"
"The redhead you've had in our bed?" she pressed.
"What redhead?" he chuckled nervously.
"The one whose hairs are all over the sheets." She pointed at the bed. Mike went to look and closed his eyes. "It's Rita, isn't it?"
"Rita Fairclough?" he laughed. "Don't be stupid."
"Look me in the eye and deny it, Mike," she demanded. "I knew it. You bastard! How long's it been going on?"
He turned to face her. "There's nothing going on between me and Rita," he lied. "You know as well as I do she's been here lots of times. Perhaps one of us picked up hairs from the carpet and they came off on the sheet."
"You're a lousy liar, Mike!" she yelled. "How could you? I thought she was my friend. Obviously not. She was using me to be with you."
"Sue, this is all in your mind," he said desperately.
"What's the matter, Mike?" she asked. "Worried your dirty secret will come out? You don't have to worry about that. I have no intention of telling anyone about you preferring a wrinkled old bag over me. Goodbye, Mike." She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
"Sue!" He ran after her but it was too late.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 8

After Reet heard in November Mike and Susan had split up, she wasted no time going round to see him.
"Drink?" he asked. She shook her head. "That's a first."
"Are yer implying I'm an old soak or summat, Baldwin?" she cocked an eyebrow.
"Never in a million years, sweetheart." He kissed her.
"I should think not," she smiled. She spotted him reach for the nearly empty bottle of scotch. "Haven't yer had enough?"
"Not nearly enough by any means," he grumbled as he poured. "How much have you heard about me and that bitch?"
"Not much," she said. "Only that yer'd split up. No details."
"You wanna know why, eh?" he said with an edge to his voice. "Because that bitch went and killed my kid, that's why. So I threw her out."
Reet looked pitiful, her heart going out to him during his suffering. "Oh, Mike," she said softly. "I'm really sorry. I know how much yer want kids."
"I wish I could have them with you," he told her earnestly.
"We both know that's impossible," she replied, sadly. "It always were, even before we got together. I'm sure yer'd make a wonderful father though."
"Pity those two bitches Maggie and Susan don't agree," he spat angrily. "You know why she killed my kid?" She shook her head. "Because she found out about us."
"How?" she gasped. "We'd always been so careful."
"Not that careful it would seem," he admitted. "She found your hairs in the bed."
"Oh," she said flatly. "And she had an abortion over that?" He nodded sadly. "The evil bitch. She don't deserve kids. I take it she's not said owt to anyone."
He shook his head. "Didn't want anyone to know I'd been unfaithful with a woman older than me. She hasn't even told Barlow, which I'm surprised about. Now I'm all on my own again."
She went over and put her arms around him. "Yer'll find someone else. I guarantee it."
"Right now the only woman I'm interested in is you." He gazed into her eyes. "I'm so glad you came round, sweetheart." They kissed passionately.

Christmas Day arrived and it was time to go to Hilda Ogden's farewell do at the Rovers. While waiting out the back for Hilda to arrive, Mike and Reet kept making eye contact but hoped it wasn't too obvious. After Hilda got there and everyone entered the bar, they stood beside each other.
"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Mike said softly, leaning closer to her.
"Merry Christmas to yer too, darling," she whispered.
"I'm dying to kiss you under the mistletoe," he confessed. "Have been throughout the entire festive season. But we'd better not seeing as we can't control ourselves."
"We don't need mistletoe for that," she winked.
"You coming round tonight?" he asked. "I haven't given you your present yet."
"I'll see what I can do," she smiled. "Now I'd better move away from yer before we do summat we regret."
When they joined in Hilda's singalong, Reet couldn't help glancing at Mike though tried her best not to.

Several hours later, they were in bed. "I'm going to have to go, yer know," she told him. "It's been three hours and I told Alan I weren't going to be long."
"Where are you supposed to be?" he asked.
"With Mavis," she said. "She got that kaylied this afternoon she were the perfect excuse to get out the house. I told him I were going to check on her."
"Did you enjoy your present?" he winked.
"I always do and it don't have to be Christmas for me to get it neither," she winked back then got out of bed.
"I wish you could stay all night, sweetheart," he said sadly.
"So do I," she admitted. "But with Alan on the scene, we both know that's impossible."
"It's been so long since we woke up in the morning together," he continued.
She stopped what she was doing and thought. "Aye, it has been. We'll do it again sometime, Baldwin. No idea when though. But one day."
"Have you ever noticed it's always 'one day' with us?" he said.
"I have, yes," she replied, putting the rest of her clothes back on. "But right now, I really must be going." She kissed him. "See yer soon, sweetheart. And thanks for the pressie." She winked and left.
"Yeah," he said to himself. "See you soon."
Reet drove home thinking what to say to Alan, but hoping he'd be sleeping it off. He wasn't. "You waited up for me?"
"Where have you been, Rita?" he demanded.
"With Mavis," she lied. "I told yer I were checking up on her. She were in such a state. I couldn't leave her till she'd dropped off to sleep and stopped whining about Derek. Knowing her she'd have gone out looking for him. She's daft enough."
"For three hours?" he asked, disbelieving.
"Course," she said. "Where d'yer think I were? Mike Baldwin's bed?"
"Don't be stupid, Rita," he snorted.
"Ask Mavis in the morning if yer don't believe me," she bluffed, hoping Mavis would, as usual after getting drunk, remember nothing. "It's been a long day and I'm tired. Coming to bed?"

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 9

Life continued separately for Mike and Reet at the start of 1988. After he was beaten up by Linda Farrell's husband Graham in February, Reet was the first person he called when he got through his front door. She raced round in a panic.
"Oh my God!" she cried upon seeing his face. "How the hell did that happen?"
"Women trouble," he said.
"A woman did that?" she shrieked.
"No. Her husband," he replied. "She left him and he thought it was for me."
"Trust yer, Baldwin," she chuckled. "Let's get yer cleaned up." She started for the bathroom but he grabbed her arm.
"And then?" he asked hopefully.
"We'll see," was all she'd say.

With Jenny around, it made it quite difficult for them to spend any time together, especially after Alan left Reet for Carole Burns, but they found a way as usual. Alan returned towards the end of the year much to Reet and Jenny's delight. Though Reet was wary and asked Mike to visit Alan at the yard to test his motives mid-December. He didn't know whether to believe him about not wanting to ask Reet for money. He went round to number 7 afterwards and entered via the back door. They kissed passionately.
"How did it go?" she asked.
"Not sure," he told her. "He seems certain he won't ask you for money."
"That'll be a first," she laughed. "And?"
"He reckons you'll think it's the only reason he came back and will chuck him out," he went on.
"He's got that right," she said. "So, what did yer say to get him to admit that?"
"Oh," he pulled her closer, "I just pointed out all your wealth. I thought for a moment he would bite."
"So, what do yer reckon?" she asked. "Come back because he loves me or for me back balance?"
He shrugged. "I honestly don't know, sweetheart. I can't work him out. He plays his cards really close to his chest."
She nodded. "I'll just have to wait then. But the second he asks me for a loan, he's out of here. That's summat I hope yer don't have to do just yet." She cocked a suggestive eyebrow.

Several hours later, Reet stirred. She glanced at the clock and closed her eyes again, grinning blissfully. They snapped open and she checked the time again.
"Mike, wake up!" She shook him roughly.
"What's the matter?" he mumbled. "After a repeat performance?" He grinned.
"It's gone three," she told him in a panic. "Jenny'll be back any minute. Yer've got to go." She got out of bed and threw his clothes at him. "Now!"
"I wasn't that bad, was I?" He pulled the trousers off his face.
"Yer never are," she winked, pulling on her skirt. "Now come on. Hurry up."
They both dressed in double-quick time. She let him out the back, quickly ran a brush through her hair and was reapplying her make-up as Jenny walked in through the front door. She lied to her, saying all the effort was for Alan all the while wishing her hands would stop shaking and her palpitations would stop. Jenny seemed satisfied though which was the main point.

The next day, Mike questioned Alan in the Rovers about where he was going all dressed up. Soon after Alan had gone home to check on the deeds, he was surprised by Reet arriving unexpectedly. Once she knew he wouldn't be back till around teatime, she called Mike at the Rovers after being told he was there, putting on a voice so know one would recognise it was her and he went round there like a shot.
"I had a panic when I found Alan here," she told him after their latest frolic. "It would've been very awkward if yer'd turned up on the back step with him tucking into his dinner."
"When's he back?" he asked, snuggling up to her.
"No idea," she said. "Not too soon I hope."
"Me neither." He leant over and kissed her. "What about Jenny?"
"Going round a mate's after school," she smiled. "Said she won't be back for her tea."
"Well," he schmoozed, "it would be a shame if you spent your afternoon off bored."
"God job I've got yer then, in't it?" she winked, throwing her arms around his neck as they kissed passionately.

Christmas Day. Reet sneaked out of the house and drove to Mike's.
"Alan's sleeping it off. I told him I were going out to get some fresh air. And Jenny's out for the night with a pal."
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming," Mike replied. "I'm so glad you did."
"I had to wait me moment," she explained. "I thought yer were going to blow it in t'pub earlier."
"He didn't know the bird I was talking about having a candlelit supper with was you," he said. "You did. I saw that knowing look you gave me." She laughed. "You didn't help matters though by hardly looking at me all that time. I was beginning to think you'd gone off me."
"Not a chance, Baldwin," she cooed. "Like it or not, yer've got me for keeps." They kissed.
"Like your present?" he asked.
"I love it," she said, admiring her solid gold inscribed bangle. "Yer do like living dangerously, don't yer? I'll have to hide this so no one can read it."
"Not all the time I hope." He took her hand and kissed it.
"I'll wear it for special occasions," she told him.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Us," she smiled. "Is there any other kind?" They kissed passionately.
"What time do you have to get back?" he said softly.
"Whatever time I feel like," she smiled again as she led him to the bedroom. "Alan's too kaylied to even know I'm gone and Jenny's said she'd be stopping over."

The following March and Reet was desolate. She had just discovered the full extent of Alan's deception and was beside herself as she clutched the photocopied deeds. She went to the phone and dialled.
"Mike," she wailed. "Summat's happened. I've got to see yer." She hung up and waited by the back door, glass of vodka in her hand. Finally he arrived. She flung the door open and threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, Mike."
"Hey, what's happened, sweetheart?" He felt her trembling.
She let him go and returned to the dining table. "This." She picked up the deeds. "He's used Len's name to borrow money on me house. These are photocopies. And I've seen the bank statements he's hidden at his at his shop. What am I going to do?"
Oh, sweetheart," he said softly, comforting her. "I honestly don't know. Have you told the police?"
She shook her head. "I told the building society. No idea what they'll do about it."
"You'll have to confront him about it," he told her.
She looked up at him. "What'll that achieve?"
"The truth for once in his life?" he replied.
"He wouldn't know what that were if it smacked him in the face," she snorted.
"Just as long as he doesn't smack you in the face, sweetheart," he said.
"He wouldn't dare!" she warned. "He lays one finger on me and he won't know what hit him."
"He'll have me to deal with if he does," he told her. "Are you going to tackle him about it?"
She sighed. "Looks like I'll have to. But not today. It's Jenny's party and I don't want owt to ruin that. I'll have to try and forget about it until tomorrow."
"Think you can?" he wondered.
"No idea," she admitted. "It's not an easy thing to forget. I can't believe I've been such an idiot. I stupidly trusted him, even after what he did before. I can't half pick rotten men."
"With one exception," he grinned.
"That goes without saying," she smiled.
"Come here." He pulled her closer and they kissed.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 10

Both their worlds were torn apart that night when Alan tried to kill Reet. Mike was frantic but knew he had to bide his time and not make it too obvious he was worried sick about her. He went to Weatherfield General late that night and watched from a corner as Jenny and Martin left. He waited several minutes before going into the side room. He watched her for a while from the doorway, fury rising on seeing the state of her face. "Bastard!" he muttered.
Reet opened the only eye she could. "Who's there?"
"It's me, sweetheart," Mike replied, crossing to the bed. "Oh my God! It's worse than it looked from by the door."
"Yer should see it from this side," she said, a tear rolling down her face.
"I wanted to come sooner but I was afraid of people asking questions, especially considering in public we're good friends but that not good," he explained. "When I heard he'd tried to kill you and you'd been taken to hospital unconscious, I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach."
"Well I suppose I should be grateful that's one thing he never did to me," she sobbed.
"Oh, sweetheart," he said softly, putting him arms around her. She winced. "Sorry." He sat in the chair and held her hand tightly. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you, Reet."
"Nothing's going to happen to me," she reassured.
"It almost did," he pointed out.
"Thanks for the reminder," she snapped, pulling her hand away.
"I didn't mean it like that," he insisted. "I love you, Reet. You're my whole life."
"Yer bit on the side like yer mine more like," she said bitterly,
"You know it's always been more than that," he said softly, hurt by her remark. He noticed a tear roll down her cheek. "I could kill that bastard for what he's done to you and getting us at each other's throats."
"Less painful than having his hands round mine," she commented.
"Reet..." He closed his eyes, trying not to think about that.
"What?" she asked. "I'm only speaking the truth."
"I know you are, sweetheart," he sighed. "It's not easy hearing about what he did to you knowing it was my fault."
"How's it yer fault?" she frowned.
"Because I'm the one who told you to confront him about the deeds and letters," he said.
"I would've done it anyway," she said. "I couldn't let what he did go. Nowt to blame yerself for, darling. I mean that."
Mike sighed. "I'll kill him when I clap eyes on him again."
"And what good'll that do?" she said. "Hopefully he'll go to prison and that'll be the end of it."
"Will it?" he asked doubtfully.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped.
"I don't know," he lied, fearing she'd tell him to get lost and end their relationship. "This whole thing's knocked me for six."
"Is that supposed to be funny?" she barked.
"I give up!" he exclaimed, completely exasperated. "No matter what I say, you twist it. I just don't know what I can say to you without you feeling sorry for yourself. I wish I hadn't bothered coming." He angrily stood, the chair scraping backwards across the floor and he stormed to the door. He hit the wall outside the ward in frustration before leaning against it. He tried ignoring the sobs coming from her the other side of the door but he couldn't. He loved her too much and couldn't bear to see her unhappy. He slowly walked back into the room, removing a handkerchief from his pocket and went to her side. "Oh, Reet, sweetheart. Don't cry." He handed her the handkerchief which she took and wiped her eyes.
"I thought yer'd gone," she noted. "I wouldn't blame yer if yer had. I'm sorry, Mike."
He perched on the edge of the bed, arm around her shoulder. "It's me who should apologise, sweetheart. I just feel so helpless with you lying in here after what he did."
"I know," she concurred. "And I'm not making it any easier for yer. Why the heck do yer put up with me?"
"Because I'm mad," he chuckled.
"Yer'd have to be," she remarked.
"Mad about you, gorgeous." He kissed the side of her head. "I wish I could look after you and protect you."
"We both know after all these years that's out of the question," she sighed.
"It needn't be," he suggested. "This could be the ideal time for us to go public."
"No, Mike," she replied sadly. "This is the wrong time. Think of what folk'll be saying. We'd fall out with our friends over their false accusations then with each other. I don't want that and I'm sure yer don't either."
"You're right," he agreed.
"Maybe one day when the time's right," she offered. "Just not now."
"Okay, sweetheart," he smiled weakly. "I suppose I'd better let you get some sleep before they find me and throw me out."
"Yes," she sighed sadly. "Not that I'll get much sleep with him still on the loose. But I'll do me best. Will yer be coming to see me again?"
"You try keeping me away," he told her. He stood and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetheart."
"I'll look forward to it," she tried smiling back but her mouth was too swollen and painful. "Night, Baldwin."
"Night, darlin'," he said then left.

As the months passed and Alan was inside, Mike took up with Dawn Prescott, Alan's former employee who told Reet about the letters Alan was getting addressed to Len in the first place. She wasn't happy and decided to give Mike a piece of her mind. She got him round to number 7 during her lunch hour.
"How could yer?" she snapped as soon as he got through the door.
"Nice to see you too," he replied. "Would you mind telling me what you're going on about?"
"Dawn Prescott!" she shrieked. "If she'd kept her nose out, Alan wouldn't have tried to kill me!"
"You can't blame her for that, sweetheart," he tried reasoning. "Alan did try and rape her after all. He's pure evil. If it hadn't been her, it might have been you."
"Don't be ridiculous," she sneered. "He'd never have done that."
"How do you know?" he asked. "If someone had said to you a year ago he'd put you in hospital, you'd never have believed that."
"Why are yer defending her after what she did?" she yelled.
"I'm not, sweetheart," he said. "But if he hadn't taken a fancy to her, you'd never have known he was using you for your money. She did you a favour."
"Some favour(!)" she snorted. "I'd be better off dead then at least I wouldn't have to see yer and her all the time."
"You don't mean that," he said, shocked she could even think it. "You know how much I love you, Reet. Dawn's just another fancy of mine. Probably won't last. They never do. But I do have the right to have fun, you know. It would be different if we went public."
"So that's why yer doing it," she spat angrily. "Trying to force us into the open."
"Of course I'm not," he defended. "What do you want me to say, Reet? What do you want me to do? You can't expect me to be a monk the rest of my life except when you deign to see me. I wouldn't expect you to give up seeing other men. Why are you being like this? Dawn came to talk to you, didn't she? Explain things? Apologise for everything that happened?" She nodded reluctantly. "Well then. Just give her a chance, sweetheart. She's not that bad when you get to know her."
"She did seem very sincere when she came round here," she admitted. "Why her, Mike? Of all the women in the world, why did yer pick her to have a fling with?"
"You could ask the same thing about yourself," he pointed out. "Why anyone? If we knew the answer to that it would solve all relationship problems. You know my heart belongs to you. It has for thirteen years and always will."
"Do yer love Dawn?" she asked.
"No," he said. "It's lust to boost my old man's ego, that's all. I fancy her but I love you."
She softened slightly on hearing those words. "Okay. I'll give her a chance. Yer can't force me to like her though."
"I wouldn't expect you to if that's not what you want," he said. "I know you're a strong-willed woman and I love you for it."
She laughed suddenly. "We'll never agree on each other's choices and always argue over them. I wish I wasn't so jealous of them all."
"I know that feeling," he chuckled.
"I know it would be so much easier if we went public, darling," she began, stroking his face. "I don't see how we can though after all these years. We've got far too set in our separate ways."
He nodded. "You're not kidding. Still, they say variety is the spice of life. And variety certainly spices up our relationship."
"Do yer have to hurry back?" she asked. He grinned and shook his head eagerly. "Good."

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 11

Time flew on and Alan was released. Mike could see what he was doing to the woman he loved but wasn't in any real position to protect her from the stalking and mind games. His world fell apart when Reet disappeared. He, like everyone else, was convinced Alan had murdered her and hidden the body. But unlike everyone else, he couldn't show too much concern about her in public. He was delighted to get a phone call from her saying she was in Blackpool. He got in his car and drove to The Strand Hotel.
"Sweetheart," he cried, as he embraced her.
"Watch it, Baldwin," she said. "Since when did yer become a boa constrictor? Let me breathe, will yer?"
"Sorry, darlin'," he replied and eased his grip a little. "You have no idea how pleased I am you're still alive. This is wonderful news."
"What do yer mean, 'still alive'?" she frowned. "Course I'm still alive else yer'd not be squeezing t'life out of me."
"Don't you know?" he asked.
"Know what?" she chuckled nervously.
"The police have been digging up half of Coronation Street," he explained. "They're convinced Alan murdered you and buried your body."
She pulled away and sat on the bed. "Oh 'eck."
He sat beside her. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to get away," she told him. "Alan had everyone convinced I were going crackers. It were a losing battle. Jenny walking out were t'last straw. I couldn't fight him. Her leaving got me right where he wanted me and I weren't having him have that. I needed to have a break and try and work out a way to prove what he were doing."
"Why didn't you tell anyone where you were?" he asked.
"I didn't think anyone would be that worried about me," she replied. "Not even yer. After all, it's not as if I haven't done it before."
"That's true," he agreed. "Didn't stop my heart being in my mouth every time they found something on my old factory site."
She put her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, darling. But they'd all had me down as some sort of lunatic obsessed with Alan while he were the innocent party. Well, looks like I'll have to work out a way to get me found again, won't I?"
"What sort of plan?" he wondered.
"Nowt that involves yer telling 'em," she smiled. "I know just the thing."
"Are you going to fill me in, or do I have to guess?" he said.
"The owner of this hotel is a mate of Alec's," she told him. "I'll pretend I've lost me marbles, since that's what they're all expecting, and pester him to give me a spot singing for the guests. If he won't, I'll tell him Alec's me agent. Word is bound to spread where I am."
"What if Alec come up here to check it's really you?" he said.
"How's Len?" she replied.
"Eh?" he squinted.
"That's what I'll do," she laughed. "Make anyone who comes along from Weatherfield think I've had a breakdown with me convinced Len's still alive. Remember I said I should've been an actress? I'll pull this one off no problem." She gazed into his eyes. "But there's no hurry. No hurry at all." She held his head in her hands and they kissed passionately as she pushed him onto his back.

Just over a week passed and Reet and Mike were snuggled up in bed at his hotel.
"I'm glad you called, sweetheart," he said, kissing her.
"So am I," she beamed. "Soon as I overheard Bet trying to get me certified I had to hop it. Daft thing to do really. It were that cold. But it gave me a chance to get yer up here to give me performance a rest and think about me next plan of action."
"Have you decided what you're going to do yet?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I know I'll have to get back to that hotel today. She needs a scare that one. Serves her right for coming up here with that daft Gilroy and trying to get me locked up in t'loony bin."
"Hey, do you remember the first time you fled to Blackpool when you left Len," he asked.
"Oh, yes," she beamed at the memory. "Me uncle Sam's house. I miss him. Could've gone there this time if I hadn't sold it."
"When are you going back to see Bet?" he said.
"No idea," she shrugged. "Hadn't really thought."
"Well," he pulled her closer. "You're not that keen to get back, are you?"

Reet returned to the hotel that afternoon. She was in a world of her own, smiling to herself as she strolled casually back thinking of her lovely Baldwin. She'd worked out what to do next with Bet but her plans went awry when she came face to face with Alan before he was killed by the tram. Her plan had worked well enough to fool Bet and Alec but Alan turning up wrecked her plans. Jenny was still not speaking to Reet so that left the field clear for a Christmas Eve midnight visit from Reet.
"How are you doing now it's all over?" he asked as they snuggled on the sofa.
"Better than ever," she smiled. "Jenny don't want owt to do with me but it's hardly my fault her father were a psychopath, were it?"
"No." He kissed her head. "Why did you run though? It could have been you that was hit by the tram."
"I don't know," she sighed heavily. "Well, as yer know, when I decided I'd left Bet sweating long enough and yer had to get back, I went back to the hotel. I couldn't believe how easily she were taken in by me Len tale. I weren't even that convincing. If only it had just been Alec turning up. I always could pull t'wool over his eyes. But Bet took more work. I had to make it up as I went along and were that nervous I'd muck it up, me voice went too high and I kept staring into space while I thought of summat else or to get her to belt up. Seeing Alan weren't part of the plan. No chance of fooling him into thinking I were mad. Not when he were mad himself. Soon as I saw me chance, I got out of that car and ran. There were no way I were going to be in a car with him coming back to Weatherfield. Anyway, Bet, daft cow that she is, thought I were crying because of what happened. Don't think she'd have been too happy if she knew it were really because I'd twisted me ankle and it hurt like anything."
Mike laughed. "Is it better now?"
"Still twinges," she said. He leant forward, held her foot and kissed her ankle. "What yer doing?"
"Kissing it better," he said.
She slapped him playfully. "Yer dafter than both them Gilroys," she laughed. "Come here, Baldwin. Eee, I have missed yer." She threw her arms around him.
"I've missed you too, sweetheart," he cooed as they kissed.

Christmas Day and Reet had managed to tear herself away from Mike's warm arms to suffer the wittering Wilton's. She looked miserable all afternoon despite trying to force herself to be cheerful. Dozy as Mavis was, she put Reet's mood down to what happened with Alan and Jenny snubbing her. Reet wasn't going to disagree but was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to leave. As the hours passed, she realised Mike would be in the Rovers so decided to go and see Jenny first before returning to his flat. She got the reception she expected so drove to Mike's, let herself in and waited. Mike eventually returned and found her dozing in the chair. He smiled, went over and kissed her.
"What time is it?" she yawned.
"Gone ten, he said. "How long have you been here?"
"About five hours," she replied. "I just had to get away from Derek and Mavis. I were missing yer too much. I wish I'd insisted on having a quiet Christmas on me own instead of giving into her nagging."
"Only because I told you to," he told her. "After all, we didn't know what my plans were. If Alma had accepted I'd have spent the day with her. She'll be round tomorrow for a belated Christmas dinner."
"Is she?" Reet asked, trying not to show she was jealous. "I hope yer have a nice time."
"I will. Won't be the same without you. Things worked out well though," he grinned. "Better than both of us expected. This is the first Christmas we've spent properly together in thirteen years."
"Would've been better if I'd cried off going round there," she said sadly. "Though I daresay she'd have gone round to the house and got in a tizzy wondering where the hell I were."
He put his arm around her. "At least we have another night before everything goes back to normal, sweetheart."
She sighed heavily. "Yes. Which is more than we hoped we'd have this year."
He wrapped his arms around he. "So, are we going to make the most of our last proper night together for a while?"
"Do yer really need to ask?" she winked.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 12

More years passed. Mike had an on/off relationship with Alma Sedgewick despite marrying Jackie Ingram in 1991, while Reet fended off randy Reg Holdsworth before falling in love with Ted Sullivan in the first half of 1992. Mike was worried, however, by talk of her and Ted retiring to Florida. Every time he tried to discuss it with her, something got in the way. Then she went away with Ted to look for a house over there. He worried more than he ever had in the past this would finally mean the end of their relationship. He counted the days and hours until she came home. Alma noticed he seemed distracted but he laughed it off saying it was business worries. He desperately wanted to speak to her and got the feeling he was being kept at arm's length while this Ted meant more to her than he did. He spotted through the factory window their taxi pull up outside The Kabin and watched as they both got out and went into the shop. "At least she's back," he said to himself then played the waiting game. He went to the Rovers as usual after work and stayed until closing time, disappointed there was no sign of her. He put it down to the jet-lag rather than Reet preferring Ted's company to his. Morning came and he could wait no longer. He went into the shop on the pretext of buying cigars. He was glad to find her alone.
"Nice trip?" he asked.
"Lovely," she said with no enthusiasm.
"Where's Ted?" he asked.
"Home I expect," she replied.
"We've got to talk," he said.
"About what?" she dismissed.
Mike didn't miss her attitude and it bothered him. "You flitting to Florida with lover boy."
"Not now, Mike!" she snapped. "I've more important things on me mind that yer moaning." With that she went out the back leaving Mike stunned.

Several days passed and Mike was getting even more worried he meant nothing to her any more. Ted seemed to be preoccupying her and he didn't like that one bit. He didn't know whether to be glad or not when she phoned, summoning him to her flat that night after Ted had gone.
"You were right," she said, closing the door behind him. "We do have to talk."
He sat down. "You don't have to tell me, Reet. I know we're finished."
"Says who?" she asked, perching on the coffee table in front of him.
"It's obvious you love this Ted more than me," he sighed. "I'm not stupid, you know. Leaving for Florida. Being preoccupied since you got back off holiday. Not even wanting anything to do with me."
She rubbed her forehead. "Listen, Baldwin. I got carried away with thoughts of Florida. Sounded such a great idea. Whether I would actually have gone is academic now because I'm not. Neither is Ted. As for being preoccupied and wanting nowt to do with yer, that was down to the same thing."
"You're not going?" he beamed.
She shook her head. "No point. And I made that clear to Ted an' all."
"Why?" he frowned. "What's he done to you?"
"Nothing!" she said firmly. "Ted asked me to marry him while we were away and I said yes. He's the first fella in a long time who's treated me with respect. Yes, I love him. Yes, I enjoy his company. But how yer could ever think I loved him more than yer I'll never know."
"Something's happened, Reet," he observed. "I saw you both come back and you were happy. The next day, you weren't."
"I'm coming to that," she responded. She stood and crossed to the window, arms folded. "Ted told me he's dying. It could be a few years or a few months."
"What?!" he gasped.
She leant against the window sill. "He has a brain tumour." A tear rolled down her face. "I had a lot of thinking to do which is why I behaved the way I did towards yer. Florida was a lovely dream but with his illness, that's impossible even if I wanted to go thousands of miles away from yer. Ted understands that now."
"Are you still going to marry him?" he wondered.
"Yes," she said. "Yer've got Alma. I need Ted even if it in't for long. But, Mike..." She hesitated. "I'm afraid all the while Ted's alive, I won't be seeing yer except in the pub or shop."
"Why not?" he said. "You just said you didn't love him more than me."
"I don't," she insisted. "But I want to spend all the time I can with him while I have the chance. Surely yer can understand that."
He nodded. "Doesn't mean I won't stop wanting you."
"I should hope not," she smiled wryly. "But this is one relationship I'm going to be faithful in. Well, one since I fell in love with yer anyroad." She laughed.
He forced himself to laugh with her. "Have you set a date?"
She shook her head. "But we want it to be as soon as possible. Look, I have an idea. Why don't yer marry Alma? Yer could do it around the same time, give or take a week or two. That way we'll both be busy with our own lives and it might help take our minds of each other."
"I'd never even thought of marrying Alma," he declared. "I don't love her enough. I'll give it some thought. I'd better go then if you and me aren't..."
"I know it won't be easy, Baldwin," she conceded. "I think we can manage it though. Come here and give us an au revoir kiss."
His eyes twinkled and he broke into an enormous grin. "It'll be a pleasure, darlin'." He went to her and they kissed passionately.
She pushed him away. "That's yer lot till Ted's dead."
"I never knew you could be so hard," he said.
"I'm saying nowt," she winked. "I'll see yer out."
"I take it we'll be staying away from each other's weddings again if I do decide to marry Alma," he said as he followed her down the stairs.
"Better that way." She opened the front door. "Worked well in the past. When yer missing me, just remember Ted won't be around long. This time next year I could be alone again. I want to make him happy for whatever time he has left. Yer understand that, don't yer?"
He nodded. "You're a wonderful woman, Reet. And I'm lucky to love you. Night, sweetheart."
"Night, Baldwin." She closed and bolted the door behind him then returned upstairs.

Reet and Ted were married on the 5th June with Mike and Alma exactly 2 weeks later on the 19th. Reet and Ted returned from honeymoon 5 days after that so it gave her the ideal excuse not to go to her lover's 3rd big day. Sadly, the Sullivan's marriage was to be more shortlived than either of them had anticipated as Ted died 3 months and 4 days after the wedding. Mike wasted no time going round to see her, telling Alma he suddenly remembered he had to fill the car up with petrol. He decided to phone her first to make sure she was alone so pulled up by a call box round the corner from Weatherfield Quays. She left the door on the latch so he could go straight up in case someone spotted him hanging around outside. He rushed over and threw his arms around her.
"Oh, sweetheart. I'm so sorry about Ted," he said
"Thanks for the sentiments but no yer not and don't pretend yer are, Baldwin," she said. "What kept yer?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Ted died this afternoon," she replied. "I half expected yer to be banging at me front door eager to get me into bed."
"You had company otherwise I would've like a shot," he winked.
"Strangely enough, knowing what an insatiable sex maniac yer are, I can believe that," she smiled, cocking her head.
He kissed her. "I've missed you so much, Reet."
"I know yer have, Baldwin," she said. "I missed yer too."
"I can't stay long," he told her. "I said to Alma I was getting petrol."
"That was a daft excuse," she exclaimed. "No time for owt. Not even a cup of tea."
"I just had to see you," he continued. "It's been far too long."
"It certainly has," she agreed. "Well, yer'd better be getting back. Yer'll see me again soon. That's a promise."
"I look forward to it." He kissed her again. "Just call when you're free and I'll come running."
"Yer can count on it," she smiled.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 13

Ted's funeral went without a hitch. It was after a visit from Ted's brother-in-law following the reading of the will Reet got upset and immediately called Mike.
"How dare he accuse you of marrying Ted for his money!" Mike spat angrily. "What gives him the right?"
"Because he's a bastard who wants Ted's money himself," she replied.
"I must admit, you did make a good couple," he said. "Ted adored you and I can't fault him for that."
"Flatterer," she smiled.
"I mean it, sweetheart," he smiled back. "You really went through it with Ted's illness. I don't know how you found the strength. I couldn't do it."
"It was hard," she sighed. "Especially when his memory failed him and he got me mixed up with his first wife. That hurt a lot. But I know it weren't his fault. It were that tumour. Didn't stop me skriking over it."
"What are you going to do about those accusations?" he asked.
"Fight them of course," she replied. "I've got nowt to hide. But I'm going away first. I need to get away. Get me head together again after these past few months."
"I'll miss you," he said.
"Yer always do," she laughed.
"Can't you smuggle me in your suitcase?" he joked.
"Well, yer small enough so just might fit," she smiled.
"Come here, Reet." He pulled her closer. "I want to give you your going away present."

Reet was a rich woman again when she won the battle of Ted's will in 1993, saw off the money-grabbing Jenny and settled down to more secret assignations with Mike behind his wife's back. It was now 1997 and Reet was planning on selling up to go into the Bed & Breakfast business with Mavis. Mike walked into the shop.
"You alone?" he asked.
She nodded. "Mavis is having her dinner. Won't be much longer. Slip through the back and I'll be with yer shortly."
"Okay," he said, kissing her as he passed. "Times like this I really miss your back door."
"Yer not the only one," she called up the stairs after him. "Makes life more exciting this way."
He stopped. "It certainly does. And you're worth the risk." He winked before continuing up to the flat.
Reet didn't have to wait too long. Within 5 minutes her assistant was back.
"You can go for your dinner now, Rita." Mavis said, taking her coat off.
"Thanks, Mavis," she beamed, trying not to get over-excited at what she was having. "Would yer mind if I had a little lie down? I'm not feeling too good."
"Of course not, Rita," she said, sympathetically. "You take as long as you need. Bed will do you the world of good."
"I'm sure it will," she replied. "I'll try and pop back down later if I can manage to get out of it." She tried to show she wasn't impatient to get upstairs in case Mavis got suspicious as to why someone feeling unwell would run. "Mike?"
"In here," he called from the bedroom.
She pushed the door open. "Yer a bit keen, aren't yer?"
"Can you blame me?" he grinned.
"No," she grinned back and joined him. "I've told Mavis I'm not feeling so good."
"You feel good enough to me," he winked.
"Oh, shurrup," she chuckled. "Anyroad, she said I could stay in bed as long as I like."
"Good old Mavis," he grinned. "If only she knew."
"She'd have a blue fit if she did," she laughed. "Then I'd get a right tongue-lashing."
"I can do that instead," he offered.
"Don't be kinky, Baldwin," she said.
"I thought you liked me that way," he grinned. "Though you'll miss it when you've gone off to Cartmel with Mavis so better make the most of it while you have the chance."
She lay back on the bed. "Did yer have to spoil the moment by mentioning Cartmel? I don't want a row, Baldwin."
"I won't give you one," he assured. "Give you something else though."
She smiled. "I won't give yer a row over that. But we alway argue when one of us plans to up sticks."
"Not this time, sweetheart," he said. "I have no right to tell you where you can and can't live. We've fallen out about it often enough as it is when one of us intends leaving the area."
"That's good," she smiled. "I hate rowing with yer. Though I must admit, it's fun making up."
"You can say that again," he grinned, gazing into her deep, brown eyes before kissing her.
"Well, yer don't have to worry, Baldwin," she said. "I'm going nowhere. Haven't told Mavis yet. But there's no way I can leave yer. It were easier even thinking about it years ago. Not now. Too much has gone on between us since then. It's be like losing part of me being so far away from yer."
"I know what you mean, darlin'," he cooed. "So, as you're staying put for the foreseeable future, how about we celebrate?"
"Not that we need an excuse," she quipped.
"Not that we need an excuse," he echoed as they snogged passionately.

It was gone 4 by the time the lovebirds woke up.
"Eh," Reet said, nudging Mike. "Yer'd better be off."
"How am I going to get past Checkpoint Charlie?" he asked.
"Just get yer clothes on and follow me," she ordered. "I'm a past master at this, aren't I?"
When they were dressed, Mike crept down the stairs behind her. He waited out of sight while Reet entered the shop.
"Ah," said Mavis. "Are you feeling better now?"
Reet nodded. "Much. That sleep were just what I needed. And now I'm feeling ravenous. Yer couldn't pop out to t'café, could yer, and get us summat gooey?"
"I'll be five minutes," Mavis smiled. "I'm feeling a little peckish myself."
Reet forced a smile but stayed silent as she watched Mavis leave. She breathed a sigh of relief when she'd gone. "Yer can come out now, Baldwin."
Mike appeared, grabbing her from behind. "I thought yer'd be full after this afternoon."
"Secret sex always gives me an appetite," she winked. "It's no wonder I'm piling on the pounds."
"More of you to adore," he cooed.
"Get gone," she laughed, slapping his hands. "And here," she added, tossing him a packet of cigars. "Better take them. Pretend yer just bought them."
"Okay. See you soon, sweetheart," he grinned.
"I can't wait," she grinned back.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 14

And so Reet told Mavis she was staying put. Luckily they managed to stay friends, even though Mavis was deeply hurt. Mike got panicky again in 1998 when Reet was found unconscious in her flat and rushed to hospital. Alec Gilroy flapping around her like a mother hen made it very difficult to visit her.
"She doesn't want to see anybody," Alec was insisting at the top of the stairs after Leanne had let Mike go through.
"I'm not just anybody!" Mike yelled. "I happen to be a very good friend of Rita's and I'd like to see how she is. It might to her good."
"Hey," he said. "If anyone knows what will do Rita good it's me. And you definitely won't. Now push off before I push you down the stairs."
"You wouldn't do that," he chuckled.
"Want to find out?" Alec asked.
"Give it your best shot, Gilroy," Mike told him. "Then I'll have you for assault. You being locked up is one way of getting to see Rita I suppose."
"Well it doesn't matter anyway. She doesn't want to see you," Alec said. "So you'd be better off leaving."
"I'll go when Rita tells me to," Mike growled. "Let's ask her, shall we?"
"She's asleep," Alec stated.
"Then I'll wait," Mike said.
"Why are you so keen to see her anyway?" Alec wondered. "It's not as if you're that close. You after her money?"
Mike roared with laughter. "I'd have thought that would be pots and kettles if I was, Gilroy. Is that the real reason you're keeping all her friends away, eh? Got ideas about being a rich man?"
"How dare you!" he yelled. "I happen to be very fond of Rita. We go back a long way."
"So she told me," Mike replied. He leaned in closer so their noses were almost touching. "Fleeced her then too, didn't you, eh?"
"Get out!" Alec shouted, practically bursting a blood vessel.
"What's going on?" they heard from the bedroom. "Alec? That yer?"
"It's nothing to worry yourself about, Rita," Alec replied. He turned back to Mike. "Are you going to leave or do I have to call the police?"
"I noticed you never told her I was here," Mike observed. "If you've got nothing to hide, you would have. I'm going nowhere until I've seen Rita alone."
Alec was worried. "What do you want to see her alone for? If you try and turn her against me-"
Mike laughed. "Going by your track record with her in the past, I think I can safely leave all that to you."
The bedroom door opened and Reet came out. "What's going on? What's all the noise?"
"It's nothing, Rita," Alec lied. "Go back to sleep."
"He won't let me see you," Mike added.
Her eyes lit up upon seeing her lover. "Let him in, Alec."
"But, Rita-" he began.
"Let him in!" she demanded. Alec stood aside scowling while Mike passed grinning smugly. "Are yer the reason all me friends have stopped coming to see me?"
"I don't want you upset, Rita," he explained.
"If anyone's making me upset, it's yer!" she yelled. "Clear off!"
"But, Rita-" he stammered.
"I know yer've got me best interests at heart, Alec," she sighed impatiently. "But can't yer see I need to see people? Now leave me alone so I can talk to Mike in peace."
"All right, Rita," he said defeated. "I'll be back in an hour."
"Yer'll do no such thing," she said. "I don't want to see yer till tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. I'll be quite safe with Mike. Won't I, Mike?"
"Course you will," he grinned smugly again.
"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon then," Alec said then stomped down the stairs and returned to his own flat.
When they heard the front door slam, they held each other tightly. "I were beginning to think yer had another woman," she cried.
"I've been trying to see you ever since it happened only he was on guard patrol," he replied. "I didn't bring you any flowers I'm afraid. I was scared I'd do him an injury with them."
Reet laughed. "I'm sick of the sight of flowers. Looks more like a funeral home in here than a little flat."
He helped her back into the bedroom and tucked her in. "How are you doing, sweetheart?"
"Better now yer here, darling," she said.
"You look awful," Mike noted. "Sorry."
"That's Gilroy's nursing," she said. "Florence Nightingale he in't. But yer the only tonic I need." They kissed passionately. "I'm feeling much better now yer here, Baldwin."
"I love you, Reet," he told her, hugging her tightly.
"I love yer too," she replied. "How long yer planning on stopping? Only that little weasel won't be back for twenty-two hours."
"As long as you like, darlin'," he grinned. "Are you sure you feel up to it? You nearly died-"
"Again," she added. "More lives than a cat me."
He kissed her. "More beautiful than a cat," he schmoozed.
"Even looking like death warmed-up?" she frowned. He nodded. "When were t'last time yer had yer eyes tested?"
"You're always beautiful, Reet," he told her.
"Flatterer," she smiled. "It's that fatal Cockney patter of yers, in't it? I never could resist yer."
"Or me you," he smiled back. "I'll stay as long as you like, sweetheart."
She pulled the bedclothes back. "Better get in then, hadn't yer? Don't want to go upsetting the invalid or I may have a relapse."

Mike was more than delighted when Reet broke off her engagement to Alec. He never understood why she even considered marrying him when she'd never trusted him all those years. His own marriage to Alma was under increasing strain and in 1999 things came to a head over the blackmail photos of him with Julia Stone and she left him, moving into Audrey's. Late one night while coming out of the Rovers, Alma spotted Mike and Reet leaving her flat and was transfixed as she watched them kiss on the doorstep. She fell against the wall in shock. She ducked behind Ken's car and peered over the bonnet as they kissed again by his car before he got in and drove off while Reet returned to her flat. She didn't know what to do. After all, being unfaithful with a younger woman was one thing. But an older one? And as soon as her side of the bed was cold? She couldn't understand what he saw in her. She kept tabs on him over the next few months as much as she could to gather more evidence before confronting him.
"You're talking rubbish, Alma," he insisted. "Me and Rita. You're having a laugh."
She slapped him hard across the face. "Don't lie to me, Mike! I saw you with my own eyes. What's she got that I haven't, eh? Oh, besides a hefty bank balance that is?"
"How dare you!" he yelled through narrow eyes. "She's a million times the woman you'll ever be!"
"So you finally admit it," she said. "Why? I thought you loved me."
"I never loved you!" he yelled. Tears welled in her eyes. "I only married you because Reet said I should since she was marrying Ted."
Alma was stunned. "Wha...? You mean it's been going on that long?"
"Longer," he admitted.
"I thought..." She swallowed hard, taking it all in. "I thought you took up with her after I left."
He shook his head. "We've been lovers for the past twenty-three years."
"But you've been married before," she gasped. "You both have."
"I know," he said. "We've had to be very careful."
"So I can see," she said. "Well, I hope you'll both be very happy."
"We are," he replied. "Just the way we are." He squinted. "Are you going to tell anyone about this?"
"Like who?" she asked. "Oh, like Audrey, you mean. No. I have my pride, Mike, even if you don't know the meaning of the word. I wouldn't want it getting out you've been two-timing me with a woman old enough to be my mother."
"She's not that old!" he defended.
"If you say so," Alma said. "Though she looks old enough to be my grandmother."
Mike bristled but tried not to blow his top. "Thank you."
"You're thanking me after what you did?" she laughed. "Oh that's priceless. Get out, Mike. But I expect a good divorce settlement if you want me to continue keeping your dirty little secret."
"You can have anything you want," he told her.
"I'd better," she warned. "You can see yourself out, can't you?"

Several months later, Mike had Reet round at his place.
"She came onto me, Reet. No word of a lie." he was saying.
"Well, yer irrestible, aren't yer?" she winked. "I wonder what she's after? I mean, that Linda Sykes must be what? Twenty? Twenty-five?"
"No idea," he shrugged. "I didn't take much notice of her CV when I employed her. I needed a good machinist and her references told me what I needed to know."
"Do yer fancy her?" Reet asked. He glared blankly at her. "I don't mind if yer do. Yer should know that by now, Baldwin."
"Well," he mused. "She's not bad looking."
"So yer do fancy her," Reet said. "She's young an' all. Perfect baby making material. Have yer slept with her yet?"
"No!" he stated.
"Okay, okay," she said. "No need to be so defensive about it. Why don't yer? See if yer compatible and if yer get on well, see how it goes."
"I really don't like where this is going, sweetheart," he admitted.
"Now yer being daft, Baldwin," she snorted. "A pretty young face has never stopped yer tearing their clothes off before now."
"Maybe I've just got older and wiser," he replied.
"Older, maybe," she winked. "Listen, Baldwin. This could be yer last chance to have a son and heir to yer empire. Would yer like me to give her the once over?"
"Eh?" he frowned.
"Befriend her, yer know," she explained. "See if she's right for yer."
"We both know there's only one woman who's right for me in my life," he said.
"Aw." She wrinkled her nose and kissed him. "Well?"
He thought for a while then nodded. "Go on then. You've talked me into it. Now can we shut up about Linda Sykes and get to bed?"
"Yer wish is me command, Baldwin," she grinned. "Oh, I nearly forgot. Got yer a present." She got up and went to her handbag. "Yer key." He took it and grinned. "Better late than never. Yer very own bolt-hole when things get tough between yer and yer latest fancy piece and yer just have to get out of here."
"I'll be round more that that," he cooed. "You can count on it."
"Can't wait," she smiled excitedly.
He placed the key on the sideboard. "Now can we go to bed?"
She laughed heartily. "Yer always were an impatient devil."
"Only where you're concerned, sweetheart," he told her sincerely.
"How can I resist?" she laughed again.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 15

Mike was miserable during the Millennium Eve celebrations. Linda had left him so his plans of fatherhood left with her. She'd been unreasonably jealous over his spending time with Alma over Christmas. But would have been worse if he'd know he had actually spent more time with Reet that his ex-wife. He was getting desperate and phoned Reet. Conveniently for her, as the street was blocked off for the party, her car was in Rosamund Street so after telling Roy the setting up was going well, she got in and drove to Mike's.
"Oh, sweetheart," he gushed, hugging her tightly.
"Will yer let go. Baldwin?" she struggled to say. "Yer crushing me. Ta. What's to do? Where's Linda?"
"Gone," he said sadly. "Sleeping on Nita Desai's sofa."
"What the heck for?" she shrieked. "I thought everything were going to plan."
"So did I," he admitted. "She got jealous over the amount of time I spent with Alma over Christmas. I dread to think how she'd have behaved if she knew I'd spent more time with you than Alma."
"Blimey, Baldwin," Reet began. "Looks like I've picked a right brat for yer there. I'm sorry."
"No need to be," he smiled weakly, rubbing her arm affectionately.
"Well, we're just going to have to get yer back together, aren't we?" she said optimistically.
"And how are you going to do that when she wants nothing to do with me?" he wondered.
"Leave it to yer aunty Rita," she said mysteriously, patting his arm as she passed and made herself comfortable on his sofa.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"Not me, Baldwin," she said firmly. "Yer going to propose."
"She's not even speaking to me except to be snide," he laughed. "How the hell am I supposed to ask her to marry me? She'll tell me where to stick my proposal."
"Ah," Reet began, "no she won't. She knows which side her bread's buttered. The fact she's jealous of Alma means summat. Now I can't say whether it's because she loves yer or just doesn't want to lose all that money yer lavish on her. But she'd be a fool to turn yer down. And believe me, that girl's no fool. Far from it."
"And when am I supposed to ask her to marry me?" he asked, thinking she'd gone off her rocker for suggesting such a thing.
"Tonight at the party," she replied. Yer are coming, I hope."
"I wasn't planning to without Linda," he said.
"Not even me charms would've got yer there?" she asked, taken aback. "I must be losing me femininity. I knew it'd happen when I got to a certain age. Thought it'd be a hundred and ten, mind, not sixty-seven."
He sat beside her, "You'll never lose your femininity, sweetheart. I'll always love you." He kissed her. "But even with you there, I couldn't face another row with Linda."
"I were only kidding, Baldwin," she smiled. "Right, so yer go this this party Roy Cropper's organised and try and talk to her. But yer have to take the bull by the horns if she won't listen and offer a wedding ring. New Millennium, Baldwin. New start. And yer never know, this time next year yer could be pushing that pram at last."
"I hope you're right," he said sceptically.
"I am," she grinned smugly. "I knew enough women like her down the years. She'll bite yer hand off at the thought of being Mrs Linda Baldwin. Just remember, tonight Linda is yer mission. Yer ignore me completely."
"Not even a kiss at midnight?" he frowned.
"Definitely not that," she chuckled. "After twenty-three years yer know what we're like by now, Baldwin."
He put his arm around her shoulder. "I certainly do," he winked. "Well, er, if I have to act like you're not there, how about we celebrate the Millennium a little early? Or do you have to get back straight away?"
"Oh, I daresay no one'll miss me for an hour," she beamed.
At that moment they heard a key in the lock.
"Quick," Mike whispered. "In the kitchen." Reet wasted no time in hiding and overheard Linda rebuffing Mike in the couple of minutes she was there before returning to the party with her costume. "You can come out now. She's gone."
"Ooh!" Reet moaned, pulling herself off her knees. "I'm getting too old for this." She rubbed her sore legs. "Been a long time since I had to hide from a fella's other woman. I were on pins hoping she wouldn't come in here."
"You know what you need?" he said.
"I think I can guess," she chuckled. "A nice lie-down?"
"Got it in one," he grinned. "Happy New Year, sweetheart."
"Happy New Year, Baldwin," she grinned back as they kissed passionately.

A few days later, Mike had left the flat at the crack of dawn leaving a note saying he had some urgent paperwork to do at the factory and would be back by eight. As soon as he arrived, he phoned Reet. She sneaked from her front door to the factory and they kissed passionately before sitting on the desk in his office.
"Bit early for yer, in't it?" she yawned. "I know it is for me. Norris is doing the papers so that's summat. But it were very risky ringing with that nosy employee of mine up and about. He can smell gossip a million miles away."
"I had to see you and tell you how it went," he said. "I couldn't wait until the factory opened."
"I hope it worked," she replied. "I need summat to cheer me up after yer avoided me singing t'other night. I know me voice in't what it were but it's not that bad surely."
"You know I love your singing and your voice full stop," he assured. "But you did tell me to avoid you and concentrate on Linda."
"I know I did," she conceded. "But yer could've watched me make a fool of meself. Me poor knees still hadn't recovered from hiding in yer kitchen when I were dragged onto that stage. I'm still planning on killing that flamin' Norris and Sally when I have the energy. I kept saying no but would anyone listen?"
"That little lie-down was no help at all then?" he asked.
"Slightly," she smiled wryly. "So, what did Linda say?"
"Yes," he grinned. "Kept me waiting for an answer though. You were right."
"I wouldn't like to say I told yer so..." she winked.
"It's not common knowledge yet," he pointed out. "So next time I go to buy some cigars you'll have to congratulate me if anyone is about."
"I'll do that," she smiled. "Just remember with any luck yer'll be having yer son and heir being sick all down yer back very soon."
He laughed. "I still can't believe you're doing all this for me. It can't be easy for you taking a back seat while I try and have a child with another woman."
"No, it's not easy," she said in all seriousness. "But at my age I've not got much choice in t'matter, have I? I know how much yer want a child, Mike. And we both know, even if I'd been younger when we met, we'd not have had one together. Not with me problems. I would have given anything to have had your child. Any child come to that. But it were impossible."
"You've never talked much about this," he said softly.
"Never did with Len neither," she replied, sighing lightly, tears welling in her eyes. "He just took it as read it were because of the change."
"I've upset you, sweetheart," he said, putting his arm around her. "I never meant to. I'm so sorry."
"It's fine," she lied, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Too late to do owt about it now even if I were able to."
"No it's not." He handed her his handkerchief. "You don't have to put on a brave face for me, you know, sweetheart."
"Thanks." She blew her nose and wiped her eyes. "I know I'm well past all that now. Doesn't stop me wishing things had been different."
"We all do that at times," he said. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. It's your business. I'm not going to be like Norris."
She laughed. "I'd kill yer if yer were." She wiped her eyes again, sadness overwhelming her. "I've never talked about not being able to have kids to anyone before. Just kept it bottled up all these years. I suppose that's why I held onto the likes of Sharon and Jenny for so long. I know they weren't mine but I so wanted them to be. Hospital staff even thought Jenny were me daughter after Alan put me in there. Then there's buying Sally Webster. Ready made family." She sighed heavily. "Big mistake there. Maybe if I'd been able to talk about it, I wouldn't have done them things. It were subconscious. But that's because even forty-odd year after I were first told, I still haven't come to terms with it."
He hugged her tighter. "Did they ever say why you couldn't have any?"
She shook her head sadly. "Said it could be any number of reasons. Medical science weren't like it is nowadays. I'm sure yer remember." He nodded. "They can find owt out now with cameras on the end of tubes. If they find out why, yer can have treatment or even that IVF. It were just one of them things, I were told, and there were nowt they could do about it." She sighed again. "I don't know. Maybe that's one reason I never bothered to settle down when I were younger. I'd always wanted a husband and a couple of kids. And I were quite prepared to die single an' all. Then I met Len and all that changed." She looked at him and stroked his face, smiling. "And yer." He took her hand and kissed the palm. "I know me and Len had our ups and downs and I were forty-five when we finally got to the altar. But by then the option of kids, if I'd ever had one, were taken out me hands so it didn't matter as much. Thinking back, yer know, I think that's why me and Len broke up the first time. I were really looking for any excuse to get out of it, even though I loved him and did want to be Mrs Fairclough. I never even knew till after we were married he never wanted kids anyway. I remember when Sally were pregnant with Sophie six year ago. She asked me why I'd never had any of me own."
"What did you say?" he asked.
"That I didn't know," she sniffed. "Just never happened. Which were true. Hurt telling her even that much. I'd have been a good mother. I proved that with John, Sharon and Jenny, even though Sharon and Jenny stabbed me in the back. It's so unfair when yer read of all these ones that don't deserve to have kids because of abusing them or summat and then there's the likes of me who never get the chance." The tears steamed from her eyes uncontrollably.
"Come here, sweetheart," he said soothingly.
"I'm all right," Mike," she said.
"No you're not," he said. She threw her arms around him and broke down. "It's okay, sweetheart." She clung to him. "I had no idea you felt so badly about not being able to have kids."
"No one did," she sobbed.
"And all these years I've been totally self-obsessed with having one of my own," he continued. "Never giving your feelings a second thought."
"Why should yer?" she asked? "It's yer life. Nowt to do with me."
"You're my life, Reet," he reasoned. "It's everything to do with you. I love you. And there you've been through all my relationships urging me on to become a father. I don't know how you can do that knowing how much it hurts you."
"Because I love yer too and want yer to be happy," she replied. She pulled back. "When that Maggie got pregnant I were fifty. What could I do to compete, eh? Nowt, that's what. When yer told me she were pregnant, I felt like I'd been stabbed in the heart. I know we weren't a proper couple but it suddenly made me realise what I could never have given yer while she, or whoever else took yer fancy, could. I felt useless and old."
"But you were there for me when she walked out," he pointed out. "Then when Susan had the abortion."
"Where else did yer expect me to be?" she sniffed. "Yer were going through hell both times. I love yer and could hardly leave yer to wallow on yer own, could I? I must admit though, I were glad when Maggie left and Susan had the abortion. Even at that age I were jealous. It made me want to give yer a child meself. Stirred up all the feelings I'd buried. I panicked yer'd have less time for me with a kid in tow. I know that's selfish even though I love yer so much and want yer to be happy more than anything in the world. I couldn't help meself."
"But all this with Linda," he said, feeling confused. "You've been encouraging me to have a child with her. If I'd known you felt so strongly, I wouldn't have gone along with it."
"Don't yer dare bring what I've just told yer into it!" she yelled. She walked across the room. "My feeling's don't matter."
"Course they do," he countered. "You know I don't love Linda. It was your idea I get together with her. Marry her even. And why? Because she's young enough to get pregnant. Well, I'm calling it off. I won't do it. Not if it's going to tear you up inside."
"Now yer being daft," she snorted. "We both know how much yer want a son. Linda's probably yer last chance. It may have escaped yer notice, Baldwin, but yer not getting any younger."
"Then I can do without a young dolly bird on my arm just to breed with," he told her firmly.
"Oh yes yer will. Or yer and me are finished," she warned.
"You'd dump me after all these years over this?" He was shocked.
"Yer damn right I would," she stated. She took a deep breath. "Look, Baldwin. I know it'll make yer happy. Never mind me feelings. I love yer. Yer happiness is all I care about. If yer back out of this, yer'll regret it for the rest of yer life. Yer'll be wondering what might have been where kids are concerned. Then yer'll blame me for it. Yer'll end up hating me. Saying if I hadn't opened me mouth, yer'd have been that hands-on father yer've always wanted to be. Do yer want that?"
"Of course I don't," he said.
"Well then," she replied firmly. "Ball's in yer court now. Up to yer what yer decide to do."
"I don't want you to be miserable as Linda gets bigger," he told her.
"In't that my problem?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Not if we're a team, Reet," he said.
"That's unfair," she growled. "I've had to cope with this long before yer came onto the scene and all the while since. I'm old enough by now to put up with being around pregnant women."
"It's not any pregnant woman though, is it?" he said. "She'll be carrying my child. After what you've told me, I don't think I can put you through all that."
"How many more times?" she screamed at him. "Forget about me!"
"I can't!" he yelled back. "I love you too much to see you hurting."
"I've had enough of this," she said, throwing the sodden hankie at him.
"Where are you going?" he frowned.
"Home!" she snapped, tearfully. "Where I should've stayed!"
"Reet, wait!" he called, dashing after her. He barred her way. "Don't go. Not like this."
"I can't think of a more suitable way," she scowled, eyes narrowed. "Now shift!"
"No!" he said firmly, locking the door.
"Unlock that door, Baldwin!" she demanded.
He grabbed her arms roughly. "Not until you've calmed down!"
"I'll calm down when yer let me out of here!" she yelled.
"Reet," he sighed. "We're going round in circles here."
"Just like over the plan to get yer a kid," she spat. "Which is why I'm going. Now let me go or yer'll regret it."
"Go on then," he challenged. "Hit me. I don't care. Won't be the first time. But at least I can hold my head up and say I've never hit you unlike all those other men you took up with. I understand why Alan tried to kill you now. I had him all wrong, didn't I? You drove him to it." Those words stung and the tears started again. She turned away from him and fingered the blind. "Oh, God, Reet," he gasped, realising what he'd said. "I'm so sorry. I don't know why I said that. I didn't mean it, sweetheart. It was the heat of the moment. I'm sorry, darlin'."
"They say yer always say what yer mean in the heat of the moment," she sobbed. "After all these years I finally know what yer really think of me. How could I have been so stupid? All this time I thought yer loved me. That I meant summat to yer."
"You do," he implored. "You mean more to me than anyone, sweetheart."
"Sounds like it," she snorted. "Yer the same as Harry, Len and Alan. Okay, so yer may not have actually laid a finger on me. But judging by today, it's only a matter of time."
"I would never hit you, Reet," he insisted. "I love you."
"So did they," she countered softly. "Never stopped them though."
His heart broke as he heard her trying to stifle her sobs, knowing how much he'd hurt her. He felt terrible. He stared at the keys in his hand and unlocked the door. "I'm not going to keep you here against your will. And if what I said has finished us, then I don't blame you. It was totally unforgivable of me. We were both so happy when you came here this morning. Now I've ruined that. I'll never stop loving you, Reet. But you'll be doing the right thing walking out of here and my life after this. Even I accept that." He turned away and returned to the office.
Reet stood there a while, hand on the handle. She glanced over her shoulder and saw him slumped in the chair, head in his hands. "I'm not walking out of anywhere, Baldwin." She turned the key and joined him. "It's been one hell of a row we just had."
"The worst yet," he agreed.
She sighed. "I know yer love me. We both said some things we didn't mean. Are yer going to go ahead with marrying Linda?"
"Linda!" he grumbled. "It was talking about her and kids that started all this. I could've lost you for good over her."
"Not over her," Reet clarified. "Over yer change of mind."
He nodded. "Yes. I was being pigheaded."
"If I can put up with yer getting another woman pregnant, I don't see why yer shouldn't," she said.
"I know," he sighed. "You're a wonderful woman, Reet. I really don't deserve you."
"Well yer've got me, like it or not," she smiled.
"Have I?" he asked cautiously.
She put her hand over his and kissed him. "Definitely. Door's locked. Factory's empty. How about it? I hope yer desk's comfy."
"I thought I was the sex maniac," he chuckled.
"Yer are," she said. "I wouldn't have yer any other way."
"Are you sure we're okay now?" he asked. "This isn't going to still be hanging in the air between us for days, is it?"
"Yer said yer sorry," she replied. "Now's yer chance to make it up to me and show me how sorry yer really are."
"Oh, Reet," he simpered and they kissed passionately. He swept everything off the desk and pushed her onto it.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 16

The morning following Linda and Mike's engagement celebration in the Rovers, Linda went to the Kabin for some more tobacco and Rizlas. "Morning, Rita," she said flatly.
"Oh dear," Reet said. "You sound a little worse the wear this morning."
"Yer ain't kidding," Linda replied.
"Well, we've all been there, love," Reet told her. "I had me fair share of hair of t'dog in me time."
"Do hangovers get any easier as yer get older?" Linda asked.
"'Fraid not, love," Reet said. "Don't stop yer still boozing and having a good time though."
"Yeah, I noticed yer seemed to be last night," Linda smiled.
"Well, it were a good do," Reet said. "In spite of Blanche Hunt."
"She's a right cow her," Linda noted. "Thanks for dragging her away last night."
"It was a pleasure," Reet smiled. "So, how's it feel to be betrothed?"
"Yer what?" Linda frowned.
"Engaged," she explained. "Mike's a good man when yer get under that thick skin of his."
"Have yer ever had him?" Linda wondered.
Reet was stunned by that question. "Oh, no, love. Not me type. Don't think I'm his either. In all the years he's lived here, he's never chatted me up once. We've both done a bit of flirting but that were only fun. But I can tell yer he always looks after those he loves come hell or high water and always treats them well. Well, as long as they've not hurt him, yer know."
"I've heard that an' all," she agreed. "I can tell yer this, Reet, by not bedding him yer ain't missing much. Five-second fumble and it's all over."
Reet cleared her throat. "Glad I didn't then."
Yer know," Linda continued, "yer the only one who's not been making sarky comments about us. Even them who came to the party have. Two-faced lot. Say I'm after his cash and he's having an old-age crisis on the one hand, while downing the free booze on the other."
"Yeah, they are, aren't they?" Reet agreed. "But yer don't have to worry about any of that with me. I prefer to judge people by knowing them, not by appearances. I think yer and Mike and well suited. Yer make a very nice looking couple. I like yer both. Yer'll not hear a bad word from me about yer relationship and that's a promise."
Linda smiled for the first time that day, almost forgetting her headache. "Thanks, Reet. That means a lot. Yer a true friend."
"I hope I am," Reet said hesitantly.
"Yer are," Linda told her. "And yer name's top of the invite list for the wedding. Sorry yer not going to be a bridesmaid but yer a bit old."
Reet's eyes widened. "Not a problem, Linda. I'd much rather just sit and watch."
"Ta-ra, Rita," Linda said then left.
"Ta-ra, mug," Reet said quietly to herself.

That night, Mike had made an excuse to Linda and called round to Reet's.
"I've been dying to kiss you all day," he said
"I don't blame yer," she winked.
"How was your day?" he asked.
"I had Linda in the shop this morning going on about yer sexual prowess," she said. "Or rather, lack of it."
"She did what?!" he exploded.
"Calm down, Baldwin," she said. "It were very awkward actually. She started off my asking if I'd ever slept with yer."
"What did you say?" he replied.
"That we've been at it like rabbits for over twenty years," she remarked. "What do yer think I said? Anyway, then she said it were a good job because I weren't missing much in bed. How did she describe it? Oh yeah. Five-second fumble."
"She said what?!" he raged.
"I was quite taken aback by that I can tell yer," she said. "Especially since I know for a fact it's not true. So I just let what she said go."
"Well," he began, "maybe she wasn't that far off the mark. I must admit it doesn't last as long with her as you. But then I don't love her while I adore you."
"I should think so too, Baldwin," she grinned. "Yer going to have to do without me for a bit."
"Why?" he frowned. "You dumping me?"
"Yer should be so lucky!" she laughed. "No. I've decided I have to get away from here. I know yer and Linda were all my idea. But it's agony watching yer slobbering over another woman when I'm not that far away. Always has been. And I do hope we're not going to have another row about this."
He kissed her. "No row, sweetheart. I learnt my lesson at New Year. I can't say I won't miss you because I will. I always do when we're not together."
"I know what yer mean," she agreed. "But yer know I'll not be gone long. We can make up for lost time when I get back."
"Something else to look forward to," he grinned and kissed her passionately.

A few weeks passed and Reet was back from her trip away to escape the grinning couple. Mike was in the Rovers early evening talking to Fred with Reet close by.
"Do you love Linda?" Fred asked, swirling his whisky round the glass.
"Yeah. Course," Mike said. "Whatever love means." He noticed Reet cock a warning eyebrow.
"What do you mean by that?" Fred was shocked by his response. "Either yer do or yer don't."
"I love her, okay?" Mike told him testily. "Wouldn't be marrying her if I didn't." He finished his drink then glanced knowingly at Reet. "I'll see you later, Fred." With that he left.
"What was all that about?" Fred asked Reet.
"Search me," Reet shrugged. "Who knows what goes on in Mike Baldwin's head?" She drained her own glass. "I'll be off too. Night, Fred." She left and as soon as she got there, Mike appeared from round the corner. "Ooh, yer gave me such a fright. Where's yer key?"
"I left it at home." He grinned, that familiar twinkle in his eye. "Are we going in or what? I'm dying for you to warm me up."
What if I were to say I've got a headache?" she asked.
"That I know a great cure for that", he grinned cheekily.
"Yer incorrigible, Baldwin," she giggled.
"Isn't that why you love me?" he said.
"Not only that," she replied. "Now shurrup or yer'll have me blushing like a schoolgirl." She opened the door. "Yer'd better go in first so no one sees yer."
"Race yer to the bedroom," he grinned.
"Yer'll be lucky with my legs!" she said. "Yer seem to have forgotten yer ten years younger than me. Now get in before I change me mind."
"If you did, I'd soon change it back. His eyes twinkled as he passed.
She looked up to the heavens, shook her head smiling then followed him. He grabbed her as soon as she reached the top of the stairs. "Give us a chance to get me coat off, Baldwin."
"I've always been impatient where you're concerned," he cooed, kissing her tenderly all over her face.
"Will yer pack it in for five minutes?" she said firmly. He let her go and looked like a little boy who'd just been told Father Christmas doesn't exist. She took her coat off, hung it up and straightened her clothes. "Now it's no good looking at me like that." She put her hand on the side of his face. "We've got plenty of time. It's still only early."
"We do, don't we?" he grinned again.
"Down, boy!" she remarked. "Fancy a drink?"
"I know what I do fancy," he winked, taking her arm as she passed him.
She couldn't help smiling. "Nice to know at my age I still have sex appeal."
"You're gorgeous." He moved closer to her.
"Now, Baldwin," she said. "Yer know yer don't have to butter me up so yer can have yer wicked way with me."
"I'm not buttering you up," he told her. "I mean every word. Besides, I always have my wicked way with you."
She hit his arm. "Don't yer just! I wonder if it's too late to start playing hard to get?"
He put his arms around her waist. "Much to late," he schmoozed.
"Yeah, yer right," she conceded. "I never could resist yer for long." She kissed him. "Hey, yer going to have to be careful when yer talk about yer feelings for Linda."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"That crack in the pub," she explained. "Yer carry on saying owt like that and people'll start getting suspicious. I think yer managed to bluff yer way out of it with Fred. But go easy, eh? Don't want this going wrong because she gets wind of it."
"But I don't love her," he replied. "We both know that."
"Linda doesn't," she pointed out. "And neither does anyone else." She picked at his lapel. "Look, Baldwin, when yer talk about Linda, yer've got to make out she's the current love of her life."
"That's not easy," he said.
"I know it's not, darling," she agreed. "If it makes it any easier, why don't yer think about me when yer talk about her. If that don't make yer go all mushy, I don't know what will."
"I'll give it a go," he smiled, kissing her nose. "Now, are you going to warm me up or not?"
"Yer could always get a hot water bottle or electric blanket," she suggested.
"They don't give off as much heat as you do, sweetheart," he winked.
"I were right about yer," she chuckled. "Yer are incorrigible!"

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 17

At the beginning of July, Mike had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. It was Reet's turn to be the frantic one. She desperately wanted to be at his side but knew, like he had with her hospital admittances, she had to wait. The next day she decided she couldn't leave it any longer. She was distracted and totally disinterested but tried not to be about Emily's burglary and the loss of Ken's manuscript on his laptop when he, Blanche and Betty were going on about it in the shop, her mind on Mike's health. Later she paid a courtesy call to Emily but she still couldn't take her mind off Mike, so made an excuse she had some books to do the drove to the hospital. She spotted Linda and kept out of sight until the coast was clear then went into the ward.
"Oh, Mike," she gasped.
"Hiya, sweetheart," he smiled. "I knew you'd come."
"It's been hell keeping away," she said, sitting in the chair Linda recently vacated and clutched his hand. "I were that worried. Now I know how yer felt when I were in. All this sneaking about so as we don't have to pretend we're just friends in't easy, is it?"
"No, it's not," he shook his head. "Worth it though because it means we still get to see each other."
"How are yer doing?" she asked.
"I'm going to be okay." He kissed her hand.
"This were nowt to do with Linda, were it?" she asked.
"No, sweetheart," he said. "It was a combination of things. But the doctors say everything will be fine as long as I do as I'm told."
"That'll be a new experience for yer," she remarked.
"Very funny," he smiled. "They say I've got to go on a special diet, cut out the cigars and scotch and take moderate exercise. I mustn't overdo things."
"That's us finished then," she winked.
"Not on your life, sweetheart," he told her. "I'm so glad you came. You've really cheered me up. You make a much better visitor than I do. We always end up arguing when I've been to see you in hospital."
"That's because yer worry too much," she said. "I do. But yer know I can make light of any situation to cover the fact I'm scared witless."
"I know, sweetheart," he replied softly. "I wish I could. When I was having my heart attack, do you know what my first thought was?" She shook her head. "What if I die and never see you again?"
"Oh, Mike." A tear rolled down her face.
"I don't want to die and leave you," he told her.
"I don't want yer to." She got up and hugged him. "I can't imagine life without yer."
"You're the love of my life, Reet," he declared.
"I must be for yer to put up with me moods so long," she laughed, fighting back the tears. "I can be a right mardy cow as yer know."
"I wouldn't have you any other way," he told her softly, wiping the tears away with his finger. He pulled her closer and they kissed.
"Just when I get yer on yer own in bed away from everyone else and we can't do owt," she quipped.
"My timing always was lousy," he smiled.
"Not that lousy," she choked back the tears. "It's going to be so hard keeping away from each other while yer recover."
"You're not going to avoid me I hope," he said, shocked.
She nodded. "Not for long. Only till the doctor says yer can, er... Well, yer know."
"Have sex?" he winked. "Not like you to be coy over such a thing."
"I didn't want to say it in case yer got overexcited at the thought of me," she smiled. "I know only too well what yer like. Which is precisely why we have to stay apart. Yer want me and I want yer. We both know it's difficult to stop at heavy petting."
"I do wish you'd stop showing your age with words like that," he said. "You're making me feel old."
"When yer get to my age in ten years time, yer'll be using antiquated words an' all," she replied. "Will yer still love me when yer seventy and I'm eighty?"
"That's twelve years time," he pointed out. "But yes. I will. I'll always love you. Every time I've said my marriage vows, I've been imagining I was saying them to you."
"Good job yer got yer brides names right then or there'd have been at least one funeral instead of a wedding," she laughed then realised what she'd said. "I-"
"I know, sweetheart," he said. "Yer don't have to apologise. Not to me. I've been more tactless to you in my time."
"Now we're quits," she smiled. "I'd better be going. Don't want to. There again, don't want anyone to catch us like this. Give us a ring when yer feeling lonely. We can have dirty phone calls if nowt else for the time being. Just as long as yer control yerself."
"I'll do my best," he smiled. "And as soon as I get the all-clear, I'll be straight round."
"Look forward to it," she beamed. "I love you so much, Baldwin. See yer soon, darling." She kissed him.
"Bye, sweetheart," he said then watched her leave.

Two days before Mike and Linda's wedding, Mike left Mark and Linda in the factory saying he had things to do for the wedding. He met Reet outside his flat and they went in together, jumping into bed practically as soon as they got through the door. Afterwards they lay snuggled up.
"I got those earrings yer wanted," Reet told him, running her fingers through his chest hair. "They're in me bag."
"Great," he grinned. "I'll send them to the hotel so she can wear them when we get married."
"Wonder what she'd think if she knew yer great love token were really picked by yer lover?" she laughed.
"Probably throw them back at me," he chuckled. "I can give them to you."
"Oh, no yer don't, Baldwin," she said. "I'm not having cast-off jewellery, ta very much. Bad enough I have to share yer with all these trollops."
"You're not sharing me right this minute," he said softly. "I'm all yours." She beamed and they kissed passionately.

Later that night, Mike and Mark were sat in the Rovers watching Linda getting ready and departing for her hen night. Mark then got talking to Alma at the bar before going back to Audrey's with her, leaving the field clear for Mike to head towards Reet's. The following day Mike waved Linda off as she set off for the hotel, saying he would see her tomorrow then hotfooted it to the Kabin for another rendezvous with Reet. He bumped into Alma as she was coming out and they chatted a while. He didn't really want to as it meant less time with Reet, but thought he'd better be polite. Once he made sure she wasn't returning, he dashed inside with a huge grin on his face which was wiped off when he saw Norris behind the counter.
"Afternoon, Norris," he greeted. "On your own?"
"Rita's gone for her dinner," he replied. "I think she's in the Rovers. We were rather late today but she did insist I went for mine first."
Mike hoped he didn't look disappointed. "Packet of my cigars please. You still coming tomorrow?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Norris said, putting the cigars on the counter. "I've tried to talk about it with Rita but she doesn't seem that interested."
"She's still coming, isn't she?" he asked.
"I should think so." Norris put the money in the till. "She's going with Anthony. Unless they have other plans."
Mike bristled at the thought of Reet spending the day with another man rather that at his wedding when it was all her idea. "Well, if I manage to catch her I'll find out. I'd like her to be there. See you, Norris." With that he left, checked no one was around, then let himself into her flat. Inside, he stood far enough away from the window so no one could see him but he still had a good view of the street and watched for her to leave the pub. Eventually she did. He waited ten minutes then picked up her phone and dialled.
Downstairs the phone rang.
"I'll get it, Norris," Reet said before answering it. "Hello, Kabin?" Her heart leapt and she glanced at Norris. "Sorry. Yer have the wrong number. No problem. Bye." She hung up and bit her lip. "Has it been busy while I've been out?"
"Same as usual," Norris replied. "Been quiet all day. Why?"
"I just thought it were time to do the books," she said. "I've got so behind and it'll be time to do me tax before I know it. Would yer mind?"
"Doing the books?" he asked.
"No!" she snapped. "Sorry, Norris. I didn't mean to lose me temper. What I meant was, if I took the rest of the day off to get them up-to-date. Yer can manage on yer own, can't yer?"
"I suppose so," he sniffed.
"I'll do that then." She smiled inwardly, her heart beating ten to the dozen as she got more excited at spending the afternoon with her lover. "If it gets really busy, give us a shout. Otherwise, I don't want to be disturbed."
"Okay," he said.
Reet strolled casually through the back and had to contain herself as she went up the stairs. She threw her arms around Mike as soon as she saw him and they kissed. "Yer took a risk, didn't yer? Norris could've answered the phone."
"I had to see you, sweetheart," he told her. "As soon as Linda went, I went to the shop expecting you to be there."
"Maybe I should get one of them mobile things so yer can call me when yer want me body," she laughed. "How long can yer stay?"
"As long as I like." He gazed into her eyes. "How about you?"
"Haven't a clue," she shrugged. "I told Norris I were doing the books. He's under strict instructions not to disturb me unless the shop gets busy."
"Let's hope for a quite afternoon then," he winked.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 18

Mike and Linda's wedding day on the 10th September arrived. By this time, Reet had been going out with bookshop owner Anthony Stephens for a month and a half to take her mind off Mike. He wasn't really her type. Too tall and boring for one thing. But it helped pass the time while Mike was trying to make babies with Linda. She was sleeping in her flat when a noise woke her with a start. She checked the clock: 2.02am. Her heart pounded as fear gripped her. The bedroom door opened and she screamed.
"Reet, it's me!" Mike said, turning on the light.
She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "What yer trying to do to me, Baldwin? Finish me off?"
He chucked it back at her which she caught. "Sorry, sweetheart." He sat on the bed. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"Yer've got a funny way of not doing that," she replied. "What are yer doing creeping around at this time of night? I thought I'd seen the last of yer before tomorrow. Why aren't yer at home getting a drunken sleep ready for yer wedding?"
"The first you'll be attending," he said.
"Yer never answered me question," she noted. "If yer've backed out-"
"I haven't," he assured. "I was missing you. I wanted to be with you tonight. Anything wrong with that?"
"No," she smiled. "Just as long as yer get yer backside back and marry Linda later I'll be quite happy."
"I promised you I'll go through with this." He stroked her face. "I won't let you down."
"Good," she said. "But won't yer be missed?"
He shook his head. "I told Mark I was going out for a drive to clear my head. Car's parked a couple a streets away."
"Yer learning," she beamed, running her fingers through his hair. "How long do we have before yer have to get back?"
"As long as we like," he grinned. "I'll have to be back before breakfast though."
She clutched the lapels of his jacket and pulled him closer. "Better make the most of it then, hadn't we? It'll be the last we can be alone for quite a while."

Mike crept out of her flat just before six and returned to his own, telling Mark on arrival he fell asleep in the car. Anthony accompanied Reet to the nuptials. While Mike was wandering around downstairs, he told Mark someone wanted him. After a quick word with the hotel employee, Reet sidled up behind him.
"I've booked us a room," she whispered, slipping the key in his pocket. "If yer love me as much as yer say yer do, meet me there in two minutes."
When he looked round she'd gone. He took the key out, looked for Mark and, when he couldn't see him, went upstairs to the room. Since there was no sign of her, he let himself in. Seconds later there was an urgent knock at the door.
"Reet!" he gasped, grabbing her arm and pulling her rapidly inside. "What are you doing booking a room?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I decided last night weren't enough. I couldn't stop thinking about yer being here. So near..." She kissed him.
"It's a bit risky, isn't it?" he said.
"I thought that turned yer on," she smiled. "Little bit of danger spicing up our relationship."
"Did anyone see you?" he asked.
"Don't think so," she said. "Corridor were empty when I came up. I waited to see how much yer wanted to spend yer last minutes of freedom with me before I followed. I weren't going to wait for yer and be disappointed."
He bolted the door. "I can give you only a few minutes. I'm supposed to be getting married shortly."
"That'll do for me," she grinned and began untying his cravat.
"And you called me incorrigible," he laughed.
"Yer a bad influence on me, Baldwin," she cooed, throwing the cravat over her shoulder.
"Two of a kind I'd say," he replied before they kissed passionately.

So Mike and Linda were married. She sat on the bride's side, despite only knowing Linda a fraction of the time she'd known Mike. During the ceremony, she couldn't stop herself looking smug that her plan was working and also the thought of what her and the groom had been doing less than fifteen minutes before. She also hadn't failed to notice Linda was wearing the sapphire earrings she'd picked out for Mike. During the reception, she sat closest to the top table. Mike glanced across at her during Roy Cropper's Best Man speech before remembering where he was and tried to ignore the true love of his life. After the newlyweds disappeared upstairs, her heart was breaking at the thought what of her lover and his latest wife were up to. When Anthony asked her to dance, she readily accepted, reasoning a cricked neck would at least take her mind of it. The bride and groom eventually came down, Reet feeling pleased with herself the man she loved would, with any luck, soon become a father. Linda threw the bouquet which Geena caught but chucked at Reet who subsequently aimed it in Audrey's direction. She had mixed feelings as she waved them off but knew he was only doing it for her and she had no fears he'd choose Linda over her. She looked at Anthony and wished she was going off with Mike. She was fond of Anthony but his life had far too many complications and she had enough of her own as it was without adding more to them. Mike had phoned her several times during the honeymoon as he missed her and explained what Linda had done to him. She could have killed the little bitch for two-timing Mike like that with his own son. She urged Mike to forgive her otherwise there would definitely be no son if they weren't even sleeping together.

A month later Linda and Mike returned from their honeymoon practically not speaking to each other. Mike was caught up in the Fresco siege and Reet was out of her mind with worry, dreading hearing the news he was dead from a heart attack or was shot. She was so relieved to learn it was all over and he was safe. She desperately wanted to go to him but knew she had to wait. Her nerves were in shreads by the time he finally appeared at her flat. They embraced and she didn't want to let him go.
"I were getting worried when I'd not heard from yer," she cried.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said, kissing her. "I had a lot to talk about with Linda. She was going through it too because it was her brother who was the thug who was killed."
"That poor girl," Reet said. "What about yer? Yer okay?"
He nodded. "Some good came out of it. I made things up with Ken. Decided to make a go of things with Linda after ignoring her all those weeks. But, most of all, realised even more that you are my life."
"I thought yer knew the last part already," she smiled.
"I do." He kissed her.
"I'm glad everything worked out well for yer, especially with Ken," she said. "That feud of yers was getting tedious."
"It was for me too," he laughed. "We had a very interesting chat about women."
"Yer didn't tell him about us, did yer?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I've never told anyone. And those who found out like Susan and Alma never said anything. I did tell him about Linda and Mark and that's what broke that hostile ice between us."
"I'm really pleased," she smiled. "I hope during this little tete-a-tete he never mentioned me."
"Why would he mention you?" he wondered then realised. "He's had you, hasn't he? The randy devil. Kept that one quiet."
"It were getting on for thirty year ago," she pointed out.
"What was he like?" he grinned.
"Yer know, I forget," she said. "Must have been that terrible I blocked it in me mind to get over the trauma."
"I don't blame you," he laughed. "Now, what do you say we relieve that stress you've had over the past few weeks?"

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 19

By the end of June 2001, Anthony Stephens' wife Isabel had died of her Alzheimer's and he made plans to go to New Zealand. He asked her to go with him but on the 1st July, she turned him down. Mike was over the moon.
"How could I go twelve thousand miles away with him?" she said, as they lay in bed, Mike picking at her curls. "He were okay but so irritating and boring. If they have sharks in New Zealand, I'd have fed him to them within the first week."
Mike laughed. "Why did you go out with him then?"
"To take me mind off what yer were doing with Linda," she explained. "He were the worst lover I've ever had. Is she pregnant yet?"
He shook his head. "I'm beginning to think she's been on the pill."
"Yer are sleeping with her, aren't yer?" she asked.
"Course I am," he replied. "Well, I'm trying to."
"Good," she beamed. "Can't make yer heir from separate rooms, yer know."
"I can't even look at her after she slept with Harvey Reuben," she said angrily. "I'm seriously considering divorcing her."
"Don't yer dare, Baldwin," Reet ordered. "Yer've spent a fortune as it is getting this far without handing her the chance on a plate to take even more of yer money in the divorce. Give it a bit longer, eh? For me."
"You know I'd do anything for you, sweetheart." He cuddled her. "But everytime I see her I want to kill her."
"I can understand that," she replied.
He sighed heavily. "Why can't she be like you?"
"If she were, yer wouldn't be wanting me any more," Reet pointed out.
"I don't mean like that," he explained. "I mean not scheming."
"I think I schemed pretty well getting yer to marry her and pretending I were her friend," she said.
"You only did that for me," he told her. "You don't have selfish motives. You wouldn't sleep with someone else out of spite."
"No," she concurred. "I did when I were a lot younger. I even pretended there were summat going on between me and someone Len hated to make him jealous so maybe she's not that much different from me after all."
"There's no comparison between you and that bitch," he said. "You're warm, kind-hearted, loving and a wonderful woman. She's none of those things."
Reet knew he was wrong but didn't say anything. She'd had her moments but he was blind to her faults. "Are yer going to try and salvage yer marriage?"
"Okay," he sighed. "But I'm only doing this for you. I'll give it to the end of the year. If things are still the same, she has to go, son or no son."
"Fair enough," she said.
"Now can we change the subject and concentrate on us?" he asked.
"Gladly," she smiled and kissed him.

Fred and Eve's wedding in the Yorkshire Dales that September. Mike really didn't want to be there with Linda, but Eve was her mother, Fred was his friend and he promised Reet to try and work things out. He was bored, using watching golf as an excuse not to sleep with her when she made suggestions of things to do. Later he got himself a drink on the patio and socialised with Fred, Eve, Ashley and Maxine. Morning arrived and he bitterly regretted making love to Linda. After a chat with her on the bridge in the grounds, they strolled back to the hotel. He told her he was going to have a cigar and he'd catch her later. When he was sure she was gone, he phoned Reet from his mobile, begging her to get there. While he waited, Mark turned up and they chatted. Later, he overheard Mark and Linda by hiding round the corner by his room. When Mark left, he told Linda she had half an hour to pack and get out of his life. Not long after, he got a call from Reet saying she was there. He told her Linda had left the room to see her mother and gave her the number so she could go straight up. Linda returned a few minutes later and caught them in bed.
"Oh my God!" she screeched. "How could yer, Mike? And with her an' all? Well if that's the way yer want to play it, I'll go and get your Mark into his own bed!" She ran out to find Mark.
Mike quickly got out of bed and reached for his clothes. "You stay there, sweetheart," he told Reet. "I've got to find Mark and stop him falling into that bitch's clutches."
Mike searched for Mark but had no luck finding him. He bumped into Audrey on the hotel step and chatted for a while before resuming his search. Unbeknownst to him, just as he found him and Mark admitted kissing her, Linda had returned to their room.
"I'm surprised yer have to cheek to still be here," she spat angrily at Reet, who was now dressed.
"Mike told me to stay," she replied.
"I really thought yer were me friend," Linda raged. "Now I know yer never were. Yer were just after getting Mike yerself and used me to do it."
"Now yer talking rubbish," Reet snorted.
"I don't think so," Linda countered. "Yer knew right from the start we had problems. So yer used them to try and steal him away from me. Well I've got news for yer, lady. Mike loves me. He'll never leave me. He relies on me. I can give him much more than you ever can. So yer can just crawl back into yer coffin and keep yer hands off." Reet laughed resulting in Linda slapping her. They heard a key in the lock. Linda grabbed her toilet bag, dashed into the bathroom and locked the door.
Mike entered the room, his face contorted with rage, and he broke the bathroom door down, dragging Linda out. "Get over there!" he yelled, throwing her onto the bed. He noticed Reet was rubbing her cheek. "You okay, sweetheart?"
Reet nodded. "Been slapped by better tarts than her in me time."
Mike angrily shook Linda. "How dare you hit Rita!"
"She had it coming trying to steal yer from me!" Linda yelled.
"She's not trying to steal me from anyone," he stated.
"So you and her have been having an affair behind me back?" Linda asked. "Getting back at me over Mark and Harvey Reuben, are yer?"
"We've been having an affair since before you even came on the scene," he told her.
Linda was shocked. "And yer had a go at me over me own flings. Yer a hypocrite, Mike."
"Yeah, I am," he admitted. "Only unlike you and Mark, I never loved you. I've always loved Rita."
"Why did yer marry me then if you preferred the living dead?" Linda asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.
"Don't you dare call her names!" he screamed at her. "She's a million times the woman you'll ever be!"
Reet touched Mike's arm. "Calm down, darling. Just answer her question. She has to know sooner or later."
He took a deep breath. "Okay, sweetheart," he said to her. "To have my kid," he told Linda. "No other reason. It was Rita's idea. So if anyone's been played like a violin, it certainly isn't me."
"I'm not a brood mare, Mike!" she yelled.
"That's exactly what you are," he said. "That and a few other things I could call you. You married me for my money and I married you for a kid. Not much difference as far as I can see. I only haven't divorced you yet because I promised Rita I'd give it a bit longer for you to get pregnant. I hate the sight of you. I hate touching you."
"Right," she said, trying to save face in light of these revelations. "If that's what yer think of me, yer won't mind when I go off with your Mark."
That was like a red rag to a bull to Mike. "You stay away from him or I'll kill you!"
"You can't stop me," she stated.
"Can't I?" He grabbed her and dragged her out of the room downstairs and to the grounds. He pushed her into the car after slapping her.
Reet watched events unfolding from behind the curtain terrified he'd do something he regretted. She sat on the bed waiting for him to return and tell her everything was going to be fine. After more than twenty minutes, she began to get worried. She crossed to the window again and saw Mike leave with Mark. A tear rolled down her face. She wiped it away with the back of her hand and slipped out as easily as she'd arrived, got in her car and drove home.

It took Mike over a week before he phoned Reet inviting her round to his place.
"I've missed you," he told her after kissing her. He noticed she wasn't reciprocating. "Hey, why so cold?"
"Am I?" she replied, pulling away.
"Yes," he chuckled nervously. "What's wrong? Don't you love me any more?"
"More to the point, do you still love me?" she asked. "Or are yer just using me for sex?"
"Course I love you, sweetheart." He tried to put his arms around her but she moved away. He was baffled by her attitude. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" she laughed. "Yer left me at the hotel, Mike. Then yer took this long to get in touch. All sorts were going round in me head. I weren't even sure I were coming tonight. But I decided to to get this in the open. I won't be used, Mike."
"I thought you knew me better than that by now," he told her. He poured himself a large whisky. "Want a drink?" She shook her head. He sat on the sofa. "I'm sorry I left you, Reet. With everything that went on with that scheming bitch, I simply forgot all about you. I didn't mean to. I was going back to the room when I came across Mark. We talked about what she'd done then he talked me into coming back with him since Linda took my car."
"That's as maybe," she said sceptically. "But that don't explain why it took yer over a week before yer wanted me to grace yer presence. Is it any wonder I'm starting to think I mean nowt more to yer than a bit on the side?"
He didn't miss her sarcasm. He placed his glass on the coffee table and stood. "Come here."
"I'm going nowhere with yer," she stated.
"Come here." He took her hand and made for the bedroom.
She dug her heels in. "Yer not getting me in there till this is all sorted, Baldwin."
"I just want to show you something," he told her. "You can keep your clothes on." She reluctantly followed, not trusting his motives. "There. What do you think?"
"It's a bed," she said, unimpressed.
"Not just any bed," he explained. "It's a brand new one. Arrived today. I don't want you sleeping in the same one that bitch tainted."
"There was still mine, Baldwin," she pointed out.
"Yeah," he squinted. "I didn't think you'd want to see me when I was still angry over what she'd done. I wasn't very good company and we'd have ended up arguing." He went to put his arms around her again and was surprised when she didn't push him away. "Fancy helping me test the springs?"
"I thought yer said I could keep me clothes on," she smiled.
"You can, if you don't mind them getting creased," he winked.
"What am I going to do with yer, Baldwin?" she chuckled.
"I have one or two suggestions if you're stuck," he grinned.
"I have one or two of me own." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Fancy giving me an idea of what they are?" he beamed.
"It'll be my pleasure." They kissed passionately and fell onto the bed.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 20

The following month, Mike was accused or murdering Linda. Reet, as usual, was there to comfort him. It all came out eventually Linda was alive and well and living with her latest fella in Dublin. But before that, it was Mike's 60th birthday in mid-February. He told everyone he didn't want to make a fuss and had a brief chat with Reet and Norris in the Rovers before going. Reet followed about ten minutes later, telling Norris she wanted an early night.
"I knew yer'd be here," she grinned, taking her coat off as he lay in bed. "I'm glad no one else noticed yer were playing footsie with me stood at that bar. It tickled that much I'm surprised no one noticed I were grinning like an idiot when no one even said owt."
"Are you getting into bed or do I get myself a hot water bottle?" he asked.
"Yer more impatient that normal, aren't yer?" she smiled.
"Not so you'd notice, sweetheart," he grinned. "But today is my birthday and I'm eager for my present."
"Who said I got yer owt?" she said.
"The only thing I want is right here in this room," he told her.
"And what's that?" she said, feigning ignorance.
"You," he schmoozed.
"Have you been a good boy?" she asked.
"Wicked," he chuckled.
"Oh, well in that case, I'd better come over there and teach yer a lesson, hadn't I?" she beamed.

Mike nearly had another heart attack after learning of what happened during Reet's birthday drive just over a week later when Reet, Betty, Emily and Blanche had picked up a robber who held them at gunpoint The first chance he got after they'd told everyone in the Rovers what happened, he went to see her.
"You could've been killed!" he was yelling as soon he he laid eyes on her, more out of fear than anything else.
"Well, I weren't so yer should be pleased," she retorted. "Or would yer prefer it if I had been?"
"Now you're being ridiculous," he snorted.
"Not me, Baldwin," she pointed out. "We weren't to know he were a thief. We just thought he were a stranded motorist."
"Don't you know you should never pick strangers up in the car?" he said.
"Yer'll have me not talking to them next, daddy," she replied sarcastically. "It happened. It's over. Nowt happened."
"But it could've done!" he yelled. "Can't you see that?"
"Course I can," she replied. "I may be seventy but I'm not senile yet, yer know. So will yer stop treating me like I'm seven?"
He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. My heart was in my mouth when I heard what happened. I don't want to lose you, Reet. You know how precious you are to me."
"Sometimes I wonder," she said flatly. "Besides, it weren't my idea. Blanche jumped in saying we could give him a lift. I could throttle her sometimes. I also happened to save the day, if yer remember. He never knew what hit him when me handbag connected with his head."
Mike laughed. "I can believe that. You always were a feisty one, Reet. That's one thing I love about you."
"Only one?" She raised an eyebrow.
"One of an infinity," he cooed, kissing her.
"Yer haven't even wished me a happy birthday," she noted. "Not that at my age I want to be reminded even more it's only thirty years till that telegram from what'll probably the King while yer've only got to wait forty."
"And what a wonderful couple we'll still make when we're both past it," he grinned. "Come here, birthday girl."

They continued seeing each other throughout 2003. During January 2004 Reet went through hell after being accused of assaulting young Chesney Brown after his mother exaggerated his injuries. She was in a right state by the second half of the month and had become reclusive. When Mike got wind of how bad she was after she phoned to tell him about Cilla's threats as she was closing the shop, he sneaked into her flat and found her in bed staring at the ceiling.
"Reet?" he said. "Sweetheart?"
"Oh, it's yer," she said flatly, not moving. "I'd given up all hope of yer coming round. Assumed yer had better things to do than waste yer time with me."
"Nothing's more important to me than you are, sweetheart," he assured. "What are you doing in bed?"
"No point being up," she replied. "Least if I'm here, no one can accuse me of owt and make up more lies."
"Aw, and there I was thinking you were waiting for me," he remarked, hoping to lighten her mood.
"I weren't," she said, her tone not changing.
"It was a joke, sweetheart," he said.
"I'm in no mood for jokes, Baldwin," she replied.
"No," he said. "I can see that." He crossed the room and sat on the bed, stroking her face. "I wish there was something I could do."
"You could go," she told him. "I'm not very good company at the moment."
"Not a chance, sweetheart," he said. "I'm not leaving you when you're like this."
"Why?" she asked. "Worried I'll do meself in?"
"Yes," he said.
"I'd be better off dead," she declared.
"Now you're talking stupidly," he replied. "You'll get through this. You've got through worse."
"I were younger then." A tear rolled down her face. "Had more fight in me."
"I don't believe that, sweetheart." He wiped the tear away. "You've still got fight in you. I should know more than anyone."
She broke down. "Oh, Mike. Me life's such a mess. How the hell did summat like this happen?" She clutched him as he comforted her. "What is wrong with the world today that the likes of Les Battersby and his tart can make up all sorts to get money?"
"I know, sweetheart." He stroked the back of her head. "It never would even ten years ago. It's that compensation culture. You can't even breathe these days without worrying about being sued by someone. But I'm here, sweetheart. You don't have to go through this alone."
"Yer half here," she pointed out. "So I am going through it alone." He kissed her tenderly. She looked at him through teary eyes. "Oh, God, Mike. I need yer so much. I'm glad yer here. Really I am." They kissed passionately. "I'm sorry for being that way. I'm just at the end of me tether after her threats tonight. She's always careful to make sure she's not seen threatening me and make out I'm a barmy old bag who gets pleasure out of hitting children. People are turning against me."
"No they're not, sweetheart," he told her. "I've heard them talking. It's her and Battersby they're turning against for what they're doing to you. They're all on your side."
"Are they?" she asked sceptically.
"I wouldn't lie to you, sweetheart," he said. "If you just give up without a fight and shut yourself away in here, then their support will be wasted and they might end up turning against you."
"But what can I do?" The tears came again.
"Get back down to that shop in the morning for a start," he told her. "Put your warpaint on and prepare to battle for your good name and reputation. People round here know you, sweetheart. They know you're not anything like the way she's painting you."
She smiled for the first time since he arrived. "I'll do me best. Are yer staying over or do yer have to get back?"
"Staying over," he grinned.
She didn't quite manage to do what Mike had suggested when morning came as she'd been up half the night. And when she realised the time hours after Mike had gone, she grabbed the first thing she laid hands on to wear which included his chunky-knit he'd accidentally left behind, dashed downstairs, apologised to Norris and consequently collapsed due to lack of food and various forms of exhaustion.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 21

She rang Mike after her overnight stint locked up for contempt of court at the beginning of February and he immediately went round that night.
"Oh, sweetheart," he said, hugging her tightly as she wept. "It's all right. I'm here now. If I'd known it was this bad, I'd have been round sooner."
"What am I going to do, Mike?" she wailed. "Everyone knows she's lying. Even Les. He said I did the right thing when I told him I'd clipped Chesney round the ear and the next thing I'm being arrested and she's offering to drop the charges if I give her five thousand quid. How could he he go through this with that evil cow? He may be a rogue but even he has his prinicples."
"Principles go out the window when money's involved," he said.
She nodded. "They certainly do. It's been awful, Mike. I've never been as scared of owt in me life till that cell door clanged behind me. It were like a nightmare. I eventually got to sleep but when I woke up I realised the nightmare were real. Me solicitor were as useless as Norris is at not beng nosy. I got the feeling she were out to get me. It didn't matter all I did were give that little brat a clip round the ear and he fell over. There were umpteen witnesses who saw him playing in t'street when he were meant to be seriously injured. But were they called? Were they hell."
"Stitched up like a kipper," Mike noted.
"You're not kidding." She started crying again.
He held her tighter and rubbed her back. "It'll all sort itself out in the end, sweetheart.
"What if it doesn't?" she sobbed. "I get the feeling she'll not give up and accept the five hundred compensation. Though by rights, it's her who should've paid the costs and got nowt else for being a lying, evil, money-grabbing bitch."
"Then she'll have me to deal with," he said. "I love you, Reet. I won't let anyone hurt you."
"I don't want yer involved. Please, Mike," she begged. "Just leave it or they'll have yer up on trumped-up charges too."
"Okay, sweetheart," he replied. "I'll do whatever you want. Come here."
"No, Mike," she backed away this time. "I have to tell yer summat. I've had enough. I'm going to sell the shop and leave Weatherfield."
"Whatever for?" he gasped.
"Because after this I can't stay round here any more," she explained. "Customers of many years are cancelling their papers because they think I'm someone who takes great pleasure hitting children. Nearly thirty-one years building up a good reputation gone like that. And all because of her. Please don't give me a hard time about this, Mike-"
"I'm not going to, sweetheart," he assured. "I can't say I blame you. I fully support your decision. In fact, I support it so much, I'll come with you wherever you go."
"But yer business," she said.
"I'll sell it," he replied. "I can't stay here without you and face them every day. I'll probably be the next one in court if I do."
"Yer'd really do that for me?" she asked, genuinely touched.
He nodded. "I love you, Reet. "Where you go, I go. You're far more important to me than my business."
"Oh, Mike," she cried and threw her arms around him. "I love yer so much." They kissed passionately.

A month later, Mike's business went up in smoke thanks to Janice Battersby. He was gutted. Reet was on hand with a mug and some brandy outside the Kabin for him. After a little chat, they went inside.
"Mike's in a right state," she told Norris, "so I'm taking him up to the flat. Is that all right with yer, Norris?"
"Why wouldn't it be, Rita?" Norris said. "It's your shop when all said and done."
"Just yer remember that," she said firmly.
"Got no choice since you changed your mind about selling up and moving away, have I?" he went on.
Reet could have hit him but chose not to. "Come through, Mike." She led the way, glowering at Norris as she passed.
Mike flopped on the sofa desolate. "I'm finished."
"Don't be daft," she chided. "Yer like me and always bounce back."
"This is the second fire in as many years," he said. "Insurance companies don't like paying out to the same customers that often."
"Yer telling me," she laughed. "But they always do if only to increase their premiums to get their money back. Look at me. All them burglaries in both shops and despite no CCTV, they always hand a cheque over, even if it takes a little longer than usual."
"What am I going to do, sweetheart?" he sighed. "I need my factory. It's my life."
"Is it?" she doubted. "Only a month ago yer were planning on chucking it all up when I said I were going to leave Weatherfield."
"That was different," he retorted. "You changed your mind when Cilla dropped her demands."
"Yer said I were more important to yer than yer business," she reminded. "Or were yer lying?"
"At that time, you were," he admitted. "And if you'd gone ahead and sold up, so would I. Maybe if you had, I wouldn't be in this mess now."
"Don't yer go blaming me for this fire, Baldwin," she warned. "Even if I hadn't change me mind, we might have still been here. None of us know what's going to happen."
He sighed. "You're right, sweetheart." He reached out to her. She took his hand and sat beside him. "I'm sorry. Forgiven?"
"I'll think about it," she smiled.
"I can always work on getting you to forgive me," he grinned.
"Now that's an offer I'd be daft to refuse," she grinned back.

Dev and Sunita held their Indian engagement party in the Rovers that October. Reet and Mike went together. When Maya was thrown out for gatecrashing, Reet's blood pressure rose at Mike's "Women!" remark. He sensed an atmosphere for the rest of the evening and decided to find out what was wrong when they got back to her flat.
"Okay, what's up with you?" he asked
"Me?!" she screeched. "I'm not the chauvinist round here."
"What are you talking about, sweetheart?" he said
"Don't yer 'sweetheart' me, Baldwin," she spat, fire in her eyes. "Yer not getting round me like that after what yer said tonight when Maya were chucked out."
He fell silent as he tried to remember what she was talking about. "Oh, that," he realised. "You know I didn't mean it." She snorted. "What?" He put his arms around her. "Can't we discuss this in the morning? It's getting late."
"Oh no yer don't," she stated firmly. "I'm not having yer try and worm yer way out of this."
"I never had you down as one of those lunatic feminists, Reet," he replied.
"I'm not," she defended. "But that don't mean I can't get mad over a daft, sexist remark like that."
"I didn't mean you, sweetheart," he told her.
"That's beside the point, Baldwin," she snapped. "Yer tarred us all with the same brush."
"It was just a word!" he chuckled. "You women say the same thing about men. What's the difference? It's one rule for us and another for you."
"Yer right," she conceded. "I were being daft. Put it down to me age."
"You're as young as you feel, sweetheart," he smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.
"And right now I'm feeling a sixty-two year old," she winked.
"Shall we, er, finish this discussion in the bedroom?" he suggested.
"Why not?" she beamed. "Then I can batter yer with the pillow."
"You can batter me with anything yer like, darlin'," he said.

To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 22

Mike continued seeing Reet throughout the year and 2005 despite having Penny King as his latest love interest. The 3rd December arrived and he strolled into the Kabin.
"Packet of my cigars please, Reet," he said.
She reached for them. "What happened to yer last night?"
"Eh?" he frowned.
"Yer were supposed to be coming round so we could celebrate me getting back from me cruise," she explained. "It's been a long few weeks. And yer don't have to worry. I didn't pick up any men while I were away."
He handed over the money. "Was I? Sorry. I must've forgotten."
Reet took the money and looked concerned. "It's not the first time I've waited for yer and yer haven't shown up these past six months. Is everything all right?"
"Course it is!" he snapped irritably. "Why wouldn't it be? I only came in here to buy cigars, not get the third degree! In future I'll take my custom elsewhere!" He stormed out leaving Reet stunned.

January arrived and he visited Reet. She couldn't miss something was wrong and dreaded what he had to say when he told they they needed to have a serious talk.
"Yer said to me a month ago everything were all right," she said. "It's not, is it?" He shook his head. "Are yer going to tell me what this is all about? Because if yer leading up to dumping me-"
"What makes you think that?" he asked, surprised. "I love you, Reet. How could you think I'd do that to you?"
"Oh, mainly because we've hardly seen each other and when we do make arrangements, yer never turn up," she explained. "I thought... Well, I thought yer'd gone off me and wanted us to finish."
"Never!" he said. "I love you, Reet."
"Then if it's not me, what is it?" she asked.
He stared into the distance. "It's not you. It's me."
She put her hand on his shoulder tenderly. "What's wrong?"
"I'm losing my mind, that's what's wrong," he said. "I've tried to ignore it all these months but after what happened at Christmas, I can't any more. It's tearing me apart, sweetheart. And knowing I keep forgetting to see you as well as all the other stuff makes me wish I was dead."
She hugged him. "Don't say that, Baldwin. Not even jokingly."
"Who's joking?" he replied. "I'm going to get worse and one day I'll forget who you are. I'm sorry for not confiding in you before, sweetheart. If I couldn't admit it to myself, how could I to you? You're my whole life, Reet. But how could you even think I didn't love and want you any more?"
"I tried not to," she said. "With yer seemingly avoiding me, I couldn't help it."
"It's understandable I suppose," he conceded. "I'm so scared, sweetheart."
She hugged him tighter, kissing his head. "I'm here, darling. I'll never leave yer no matter what happens."
"No," he sniffed. "It would be unfair of me to expect you to hang around. You told me what you went through with Ted. His memory lapses. Mixing you up with his first wife. I can't put you through that again, sweetheart. I won't."
"In't that my decision?" she asked. "We may not be married, Baldwin. But I love yer and as far as I'm concerned it's still in sickness and in health. I'm not going to let yer go through his alone."
"What did I ever do to deserve you, eh?" he smiled weakly as they embraced.

By that October, Mike had been getting more and more depressed. Reet's heart had been breaking throughout the year as she watched his steady decline into Alzheimers knowing she was powerless to do anything. They were at her flat.
"I can't take much more of this, Reet," he was saying.
"I know, darling." She put her arms around him to offer some sort of comfort.
"It's getting worse," he sniffed. "Well, you've seen it." She nodded. "Soon I won't even know who you are. I don't want that. I don't want to go ga-ga, dribbling, having nappies changed and, most of all, just staring at you. I don't want you to see that either."
"What are yer saying, Mike?" she asked cautiously.
"I want to die, Reet," he told her.
Tears welled in her eyes. "Oh, Mike," she gasped.
"I want us to die together," he announced. "A suicide pact. I don't want to leave you, sweetheart."
"And I don't want yer to leave me," she said, fighting back the tears.
"Almost thirty years, Reet," he said. "You are the love of my life. I'll understand if you don't want to go through with it. After all, you still have your life while mine's...."
She hugged him tighter. "Yer aren't going anywhere without me, Baldwin. I couldn't go on without yer. Losing Len and Ted were one thing. Least I had yer at the time. I have no doubt I'd end up following yer after a few weeks or months anyroad. May as well go at the same time."
"Are you quite sure about this, sweetheart?" he asked. "I don't want you doing anything just to please me"
"Absolutely," she replied resolute. "I do happen to have me own mind, yer know. Quite capable of making me own decisions, even though Norris don't think so."
"I wish I was." A tear rolled down his face.
"Oh, Mike," she said softly. "We started this together and we'll end it together. I won't let yer down. That's a promise."
"I'm so lucky to have known you, Reet," he smiled weakly.
"I'm the lucky one, Baldwin," she smiled back. "I love yer."
"I love you too, sweetheart," he said and they kissed passionately. "But there's one thing I must do first."
"What's that?" she frowned.
"Marry you," he told her. "It's been a long time coming, sweetheart. If we're going to die, let's die as husband and wife."
Tears streamed down her face and her nose dripped. "I'd be honoured," she wept.

Mike and Reet were married in the morning 3 days later by special licence. They'd grabbed a couple of passers-by on the street to be witnesses. They returned to her flat to plan their impending death.
"Are yer quite sure about this, Baldwin?" she asked. "Yer can always change yer mind, yer know. I won't think any the worse of yer."
"Sounds like you're the one having second thoughts, Reet." He clutched her hands tightly. "I wouldn't blame you if you were. This is something I have to do. You don't and the last thing I want to do is force you into anything."
"It's such a big step," she sighed. "I can't bear the thought of losing yer. Yet at the same time I can't bear the thought of watching yer suffering. I honestly don't know what to do."
He stroked her face. "It's all right to back out. I can leave here today and wait for someone to find the body."
"Oh, Mike," she sobbed.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," he soothed. "It's okay. Honestly. I'm prepared for death. I'll just say this. If you decide when it comes to it you can't go with me, I won't hold it against you. But I'll always be close by watching over you because I love you so much. Your decision. No pressure."
"No pressure? That's not what it feels like." She wiped her eyes and blew her nose. "I'll have to have a think about this. Yer stay up here. I'll go downstairs and try and work for a few hours then I'll give yer me decision."
"Okay, sweetheart," he smiled.
She kissed him then went downstairs fearful he would sneak off and do himself in to spare her feelings.

More than 24 hours later, Norris was getting frazzled in the shop. "Will you all please be patient?" he blustered.
"Where's Rita?" Blanche asked.
"I wish I knew," he shrugged. "Still sleeping I expect. She was supposed to to the papers this morning but they were on the step when I came to work."
"Maybe she's dead," Blanche suggested.
"Dead?" Norris snorted. "Don't be ridiculous. Rita seems to be indestructible."
"She could be lying up there right now dead in her bed," Blanche added.
"Oh right, very funny," Norris scorned. "You're not going to get me up there making a fool of myself again."
"Perhaps she's ill and unable to get to the phone," Fred offered.
"Yes," Norris pondered. "You may have a point there. The weather's not been that good lately and Rita hasn't been her usual self. Watery eyes. Sniffing a lot. Every time I asked if she was all right, she'd say she had a cold so has probably come down with flu. Will you hold the fort while I pop upstairs to check?"
"Course I will, Norris," Fred boomed. "I say, course I will."
"Just hurry up about it," Blanche insisted.
Norris ignored her and went through the back and up the stairs. It was eerily quiet in the flat. He noticed a man's coat on the peg and felt embarrassed at the thought of disturbing something he shouldn't, even though he was sure Reet was too old for that sort of thing. The living room and kitchen were empty all bar several empty bottles of booze lying all over the place. He broke into a nervous sweat as he sensed something was definitely wrong this time. He gently knocked on the bedroom door. "Rita? Rita, are you awake? Rita?" He slowly pulled down the handle and opened it. "Rita? I'm sorry to disturb you... Oh my God!" He took a sharp intake of breath and covered his mouth with his hand as he saw Mike and Reet snuggled up in bed. He lowered his hand. "Rita? Mike?" He took a few steps closer. "Rita?" He gingerly touched her to wake her up but quickly stepped backwards when he realised she was cold. He didn't know what to do as he found he couldn't remove his gaze from her open, vacant eyes staring seemingly at the ceiling. He thought for a moment before going round the other side and repeating the procedure with Mike. He flopped on the stool in front of her dressing table, tears pouring from his eyes. "Oh, Rita," he said softly. "Why?"
"Are yer ever coming back down, Norris?" Fred bellowed from the stairs. When he got no response he continued up them. "Norris? Where the hell are yer?"
"In here," Norris eventually managed to get out.
Fred entered the bedroom. "What's to do?"
"It's Rita." He choked on the words. "She's dead."
"Oh now come off it, Norris," Fred scoffed. "Seems yer've said that before."
"I'm afraid this time it's true," Norris sniffed. "Mike Baldwin too."
"Michael?" he frowned and followed Norris's gaze to the bed. "Oh my God! What's happened here?"
"I wish I could tell you," Norris said. "I just found them like that."
Despite being in shock, Fred threw open the curtains and then returned his eyes to the bodies. "What's that?" He crossed to the bed, trying his best not to look at them, reached out to close their eyes and picked up an envelope. "What do yer think?"
"I have no idea," Norris shrugged. "I just hope it's not a suicide note."
Fred opened it and read the contents. He slowly lowered it. "It is, yer know."
At that moment Blanche barged in. "Is anybody going to be serving today?" She stopped in her tracks when she spotted the corpses. "Good God! Rita I had no idea you were sleeping with Mike Baldwin. How long's this been going on? If you wanted it kept quiet, you should have got up and gone to work. Rita? I see. Too ashamed to answer me, eh?"
"They're dead, Blanche," Fred said solemnly.
"Dead?" Blanche chuckled. "Don't be ridiculous."
"This," he continued, holding the letter up, "is their suicide note."
"Suicide?" Blanche was stunned. "What does it say?"
"It's in two parts," he told her.
"Well?" she pressed. "What does it day?"
Fred took his glasses out of his breast pocket and read: "To whom it may concern. We are both very sorry for being discovered like this. We presume if anyone is reading this letter, we will have succeeded in our suicide pact. We fell in love with each other almost thirty years ago so, after marrying today, we decided to end our lives." He peered over his glasses. "First there's Michael's part." He continued: "With the Alzheimer's making my life impossible, we agreed to end our lives now because we can't live with what it will do to me in the coming years or without each other. If Norris asks, tell him Rita has left him her share of the shop to shut him up. She won't be needing it where she's going. I had left her my share of the factory. But seeing as she's going with me, it's going to charity. I can't stand the thought of all my fake sons fighting for control. Mark isn't my son. Maggie lied to me. He had always been Harry Redman's. As for Danny, he's just a chancer. Rita did some detective work and found out he's really my brother. My crafty old dad had the affair with Viv and Danny was conceived. But with my memory lapses, they all had me believing I had a brother Viv was married to when the truth was she and my dad were the ones who got married several years later on the quiet. Seems keeping secrets runs in the Baldwin family. And before anyone starts contesting the will, saying I didn't have all my faculties when I made it, I changed it after Linda left and haven't touched it since. Rita is my life. When I suggested we kill ourselves I never expected for a moment she would agree to it. I would have regardless for reasons only she knows. She is the most wonderful woman I have ever known, have been fortunate to love and who I should have married 30 years ago. I just wish we hadn't kept our love secret all these years. We could have been happily married to each other all these years instead of to other people. We know being found in bed will keep the gossips going for months but we're past caring. We'll be together forever now as Mr and Mrs Baldwin, just how it should have been all along, and nothing and no one will ever come between us." Fred wiped a tear away. Blanche blew her nose loudly while Norris just sat there still in shock. "That's the end of Michael's. The next is Rita's." He cleared his throat, determined not to fall apart. "I know Norris will be delighted I'm dead. Probably more than anyone else. Now he can stop mithering me over retiring and selling him the shop-"
"That's not true, Rita," he sniffed. "How could you say such a thing?"
"You're not expecting her to answer, are you?" Blanche asked. Norris glared at her.
"The rest of my estate goes to Mavis. I have no doubt, like Mike, finding out about our affair this way will be a surprise to many. But all anyone had to do were look closely. The signs have been there for decades. Only no one ever twigged. Not sure how Deirdre will react when she finds she weren't the only woman in Mike's life when she almost split with Ken. Or Ken knowing I were the real reason Susan had that abortion. Finding out Mike had been carrying on with me behind her back and in her bed gave her the perfect excuse to end her marriage once and for all. And she did have that abortion. Mike carried out a DNA test on Adam and discovered he wasn't his father. In fact, Susan wasn't even his mother. He is really Peter's son who Susan offered to look after so Jessica wouldn't find out he'd been unfaithful to her and they concocted the tale he were Mike's in revenge to get his money. But he's still a Barlow no matter what. I know what people will think when they learn we've committed suicide after this note. Mike didn't talk me into anything. It were my own decision. I couldn't bear the thought of life without him whether it was years to come, when he had no idea who I was any more, or if he went ahead and killed himself. I love him so much I had to do it. We've had an everlasting love and that love will stay everlasting in death. The term soul-mate is bandied about far too often these days. But that's exactly what me and Mike are. One can't exist without the other and neither of us want it to. One final thing to Norris. Don't wreck my business or I'll haunt you!" Fred had a lump in his throat.
"Is that it?" Blanche said.
"Not quite. There's one last joint part," Fred replied solemnly. "We've decided we'd like to be cremated together. Neither of us want to be buried in separate graves or even adjoining ones. We must be together in death and in the same urn. We'd also like our ashes to be scattered in Coronation Street since that's where we fell in love and spent most of our time. Goodbye and don't be too sad. We know Norris won't be after finally getting what he wants so perhaps you should all follow his example and celebrate. All our love. Mike and Rita Baldwin." Norris couldn't stop crying while Blanche, for once, was speechless. "I'd better get onto the authorities and let them know about this."

Mike and Reet's joint funeral was held 10 days later. Mavis naturally attended. The surprises came from Sharon Gaskell, Jenny Bradley and Bet Gilroy. The wake was held at the Rovers afterwards which was a very solemn affair. "A toast. To Mike and Rita. Wherever they are, I hope they're happy," Fred said, a tear in his eye.
"Mike and Rita," they echoed.

The End

Patsy