Unfinished Business

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 19

Back at Harry's, Rita had finished her sandwiches but was very aware Harry was watching her which made her unsettled. She drained her tea. "What yer looking at?"
He rested his elbow on the back of the chair and stroked her hair with his finger. "The woman I love more than anything in the world." He kissed her. "What time do you have to get back?"
She glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. "I don't," she smiled coyly. "Not if I don't want to."
"What will Norris say about that?" he asked.
"None of his business," she replied. "Besides, he'll probably be imagining yer beating me black and blue for asking him to stay on a bit."
Harry seethed but tried not to show it so kissed her again instead. "He really has such a low opinion of me, doesn't he?"
She nodded. "I have to admit after what he said I'm still a bit worried about yer doing that an' all."
Harry leaned back. "I thought you trusted me."
"I do," she defended. "That's why I told yer. Harry, I love yer. Yer know that. But surely yer can understand why I had them thoughts."
"Why do I keep getting the feeling we're going round in circles? Sometimes I wonder if you really love me at all. I'm doing my best here to show you I'm not the same as I was back then, Rita. Only you seem intent on constantly trying to push me into doing something we'll both regret. I might as well just do what you clearly want and thump you. Would that make you happy?" He pushed the chair back, collected the crockery and stormed into the kitchen.
She sat open-mouthed, the crash of plates in the sink making her jump. She got up and joined him, hands on his arms. "Harry-"
He shrugged her off. "I think you'd better be getting back to the shop after all."
"Harry, please-" she began.
"Maybe we'd also be better off ending it," he added.
Tears welled in her eyes. "Please don't do this," she begged.
"I don't want to marry someone who doesn't trust me. You can keep the ring. Sell it if you want. I'm past caring. Just go." He went out the back, closing the door behind him.
Rita broke down, cursing Norris for putting those thoughts into her head. She was determined she wouldn't let him ruin what was possibly her last chance at happiness. She ripped off a piece of kitchen roll, wiped her eyes, blew her nose then followed Harry outside. "Yer'll catch yer death."
"What do you care?" he said flatly. "If I'm dead there's no chance I'll revert to my old ways then perhaps you'll believe me."
She took a deep breath. "Harry, I don't believe yer'll do that. Not deep down. I wouldn't have agreed to marry yer if I did. Don't yer understand? I had four years if it last time. FOUR years of fat lips, black eyes, bruises and covering up for yer. Every time yer lose yer rag me mind goes back to those days and it frightens me."
"I've never lost it with you in all these months," he stated, turning to face her. "And frankly I'm getting a little tired of you using what happened back then as an excuse." He returned inside.
Rita chased after him. "Will yer listen to yerself?"
"No," he said. "You listen to YOURself. For the past couple of months you have constantly thrown the past in my face and I'm sick of it. You refuse to get married sooner, saying I have to remove your doubts. I don't think you want them removed, do you, Rita? It's more of your excuses because when it comes down to it, you don't want to marry me at all."
"I do!" she shrieked. "It's yer moods which worry me."
"I'm not the one screeching like a fishwife," he pointed out, staying as calm as he had since this started. "And have I hit you during this row you caused? No. Why? Because I love you. I made you suffer before but don't want to this time. More fool me, eh?" He threw her coat at her. "It's over. You've made sure of that. So just go back to your nice little shop and your nice little life and leave me in peace. Close the door on the way out." He went upstairs just as there was a knock at the door.
Rita was torn between answering it and going after Harry. She hung her coat back on the peg, dried her eyes again and did the former. "Oh, Louise."
Louise couldn't help noticing her mother had been crying. "Is everything okay?"
"Not really," she said. "Did yer want owt important?"
"I wanted to have a word with yer about the trip," she replied. "It can wait if I've come at a bad time."
"I'm sorry, love," Reet told her sincerely.
"I'll be next door when yer ready," she smiled.
"Thanks." She returned the gesture before closing the door. She stared at the stairs, sighed heavily then climbed them. She pushed the bedroom door open and saw Harry sitting on the side of the bed, head in his hands. "Harry?" He turned away from her. "This is getting stupid now."
"Not my fault," he replied. "You've made it perfectly clear more than once what you really think of me so there's nothing more to say."
"There's plenty more to say," she reasoned. "I'm sorry. Truly I am. It's not my fault I can't forget what yer did."
"Then you should get help," he said.
She sat beside him. "I don't want help. I want yer."
"You've got a funny way of showing it," he snorted.
"Only in yer head," she said.
"What about your head, Rita?" he countered. "It's not me who can't move on from the past meaning we have no future. I didn't want to fall in love with you again. I did. I have bent over backwards to make you happy. To prove to you I've changed. But you're too hung up on what happened then while ignoring what's happening now. Is this your way at getting back at me for what I put you through? Were you planning to jilt me on our wedding day?"
"No!" she cried. "Less than half an hour ago we were talking about living together again."
"Lull me into a false sense of security," he snorted.
Her heart sank. "Do yer really think so little of me?"
He shook his head. "You don't make it easy though with conditions. You have no idea how glad I was to have another chance with you. I could make up for the past." He looked her right in the eye. "The past you won't let go of."
She cast her eyes down. "You're right. Everything you've said is right apart from it being revenge and that I don't want to marry yer. I'm sorry, Harry. It's just that, whenever I do start to accept the way things are now, Norris puts daft ideas in me head which I can't shake. He did it today. Planting the thought in me head yer'd belt me." She looked at him, hand on his pockmarked face. "But I DO love yer, Harry. If yer don't believe owt else I tell yer, please believe that. Yer mean the world to me and I don't want to lose yer."
He smiled and kissed her. "You always were a fiery one. That's what made our relationship so interesting."
She threw her arms around him. "I will move on. I promise."
He kissed her neck. "I know you will. Despite this, I never raised my hand to you once, did I?"
She pulled away. "No. I felt like hitting you once or twice."
"Temper, temper," he teased. "Listen, darling. I'm prepared to wait until July only as long as you trust me."
She gazed deeply into his eyes. "After today, I trust yer more than ever."
"As for Norris, if it means you can skive, I'm all for him staying on as long as you want," he assured.
"No. I don't want to work with him any more," she replied angrily. "He's twisted. When I go back I'll tell him to get the ball rolling. The sooner he's out of me life the better. Him and anyone else who hasn't got a kind word for yer."
He held her and smirked. "Whatever you feel happiest with, darling. When did you say you were going back?"
She pulled away again. "Not as soon as I did before that's for sure. Now, as we've done the kissing part, in't it time we did the making up?"
He broke into a huge grin. "What a wonderful suggestion."
They kissed passionately as he pushed her down on the bed.

Closing time came round and Norris was in a panic. He quickly locked up then dashed across the road. "Emily!" he panted.
"Whatever's the matter, Norris?" she wondered.
He struggled to catch his breath. "I think something terrible's happened to Rita."
She sat upright. "What give you that idea?"
"She went round to that man's for her dinner and hasn't returned," he replied.
She rolled her eyes. "You know that's not unusual for Rita. She often disappears for weeks sometimes."
He shook his head and waved his hand in frustration. "You don't understand."
"Apparently," she said.
"Before she left she asked me to sell my share at the end of the year rather than now," he explained. "We both know that man wants me out of the way so he can continue to control her. Can you imagine him being happy about that?"
Emily frowned. "Do you really think he would take it out on her?"
He nodded. "We've got to get round there."
"We shall do no such thing," Emily stated.
"But she could be lying in a pool of blood!" he cried.
"Norris," she sighed, "we are both anxious regarding Rita's wellbeing where Harry is concerned. However going to his house will not do our cause any favours. If she is perfectly fine she won't thank us for our concern. Quite the opposite I expect then we will have played into his hands. As much as I'm loathe to say this, we have to stay here and wait."
Norris was about to speak but changed his mind, knowing she was right.

A short while later Rita stirred, yawned and stretched. She glanced over in the dark in the direction of snoring and felt content, wondering how she could have been so wrong about him. He had more than proved himself but she let her insecurities persuade her he would lash out at her over the slightest thing. She knew it wasn't entirely unreasonable to think that way going by his previous form, especially when they'd met up again after so long. She could forgive him that, however, as it was only to be expected. It wasn't going to be easy but she resolved to give it her best shot rather than risk losing him again. She turned the bedside light on and shielded her eyes.
"Morning already?" Harry grumbled.
She checked her watch once her eyes had become accustomed to the light. "Hardly. It's nearly seven at night. I promised Louise I'd pop round hours ago." She pushed the covers back and got out of bed.
Harry rolled onto his back. "About?"
"No idea," she shrugged as she dressed. "She called as you stormed up here. I had to put her off. Perhaps she's heard back from the cruise line about the payment."
Harry pushed his own side back. "I'll come with you then we can go to the Rovers."
She pulled a face. "Do we have to?"
"Yes," he insisted. "That Norris of yours is more than likely imagining I've done away with you after you didn't return."
"He's NOT my Norris," she snapped then changed her tone. "Though if he's thinking that, why not let him sweat?"
"You'd really do that to him?" he asked, surprised.
She smiled and nodded. "Damn right. He can wait until at least after dinner tomorrow. Possibly even closing time. That's the pub, not the shop."
"Oh, you're a wicked woman, Rita Sullivan," he grinned. "Think he'll be in there tonight?"
"I expect so," she replied. "Why?"
"I have an idea to wind him up," he mused.
She began to worry and had to stop herself telling him not to do anything violent. "Tell me more."


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 20

Louise was flicking through the channels bored out of her skull. Finally the doorbell went. "Mam! Everything okay now? I were getting worried." She stepped back to let Rita through.
"Everything's fine," she assured. "Yer dad's threatening to burn the house down when he gets back from the pub so I can't stay long."
Louise laughed. "What's he trying to cook now?"
"Cheese on toast," Rita sniggered. "So, what was it yer wanted to see me about? Did yer hear back from the cruise line?"
"I did," she replied. "No go, I'm afraid. They want as much money as possible before the ship goes. I'm sorry."
Rita sighed heavily at the thought of spending more than £6000 she could barely afford. "Never mind. Thanks for trying anyway."
"Maybe it would be better if yer didn't go," Louise suggested. "Do yer have enough money for that?"
Rita shook her head sadly. "I know people think I'm rich but it's tied up in the shop. Everything's more expensive these days just to survive day to day. I do have some savings but it will really drain that, especially when you add what I'd spend onboard to it. There's definitely no way I can buy Norris's share now."
"Look, mam," Louise began. "Why don't you just cancel? I know yer looking forward to it and it'd mean losing yer deposit, but in't it better than being potless?"
She sighed again, rubbing her forehead. "I know it'd be the best thing to do but no. I want to spend the time with yer. I'll manage somehow even if I have to starve."
"Are yer quite sure?" she asked.
Rita nodded. "More than quite. It'll be fun and I promise not to cramp yer style."
Louise chuckled. "Well I'll pay yer back my half as soon as I'm able to. Don't want yer out of pocket."
"No hurry," she smiled. "Oh before I forget. I'll be moving in with yer dad over the weekend."
"Great," she replied. "When did yer decide this?"
"Today," she told her.
"Are yer sure about this?" Louise asked.
Rita nodded. "Not as if we haven't lived together before. Anyway, as well as getting me away from Norris, it'll also mean I'm nearer to yer."
"Wonderful," Louise smiled.
Rita checked her watch. "Anyway I'd better be getting back next door and make a start on the tea. Don't want yer dad burning down me new home."
Louise laughed. "Don't blame yer. I have to start getting ready. I'm meeting Dev at eight."
Rita paused. "I must say, I'm really surprised after what he did yer've got back with him."
"He's promised he won't do it again," she replied.
"So did yer dad," Rita remarked.
"But yer with him now despite all that and will be moving in so it's proof people change," Louise pointed out.
"Touché," Rita said. She put her hand on her arm. "Just be careful. It's taken a lot of soul searching to let yer dad back in me life and we still have our ups and downs. I don't want it to go wrong again but there's still a chance it might. Maybe Dev means what he says. Maybe he's a better man than I give him credit for. I hope for your sake he is."
"Don't worry," Louise dismissed. "I can take care of meself."
Rita gave her a knowing look. "Have fun and I'll see yer tomorrow. I'll see meself out."

At the Rovers Norris was increasingly fretting about his business partner and tensed every time the door opened hoping it was her.
"I wish you'd relax," Emily chastised. "If she's coming she'll be here."
"She can't if he's done something to her," he pointed out.
Harry waltzed in and made straight for the bar. "Pint please, Liz." He surveyed his surroundings and as Rita thought, there was his enemy in a booth with Emily. "Evening."
"Evening," Emily greeted. "Rita not with you?"
He looked around. "Doesn't look like it. Why? Have you lost her?" He paid for his drink then sat opposite them.
"She hasn't been seen since she went to your house for dinner," Norris spat, trying to stay calm.
Harry had a mouthful of beer. "We're not joined at the hip, you know, Norris. What Rita does is her business. Maybe she went to see a friend."
"Without telling anyone?" he snorted.
Harry drank again. "Does she have to report her every move to you?"
Emily was getting frustrated with her lodger. "I think what Norris means is she told him she'd be back after her dinner only failed to appear."
Harry looked around the pub. "Louise isn't here either but Dev is. Maybe they're together. Did that occur to you, Norris? Perhaps they've gone shopping for the wedding or cruise."
Norris's blood pressure rose. "What have you done to her?" he hissed.
Harry laughed. "Besides making tea and sandwiches for her dinner then taking her to bed?"
Norris pulled a face. "I know you've hurt her in some way."
"I didn't hear her complaining," he noted smugly. "In fact, she kept begging for more so I was only too happy to oblige. Rita always was good in bed, on the kitchen table, back seat of a car, up against a wall. Age hasn't changed that. Being older now our joints aren't what they were so no more knee-tremblers and we'd never manage in a car now. She's certainly become more adventurous since our last relationship, if you know what I mean." He winked. "Oh but of course. You wouldn't know about that, would you? Not after she told you where to go."
Emily felt uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. She knew Harry was only doing it to rile Norris and vice versa. "I'm sure you haven't done anything to harm her, Harry."
He smiled. "Thank you, Emily. At least one of you talks sense." He glared at Norris as he swallowed more mouthfuls.
"You can bluster and try to joke all you like," he warned, "but I'm onto you. I know you've done something to her which prevented her coming back."
"Okay, Norris," he said, raising his hands. "You're right. I did. I admit it."
"I knew it!" he said, feeling pleased with himself.
"I kept her in bed all afternoon," he beamed. "Well, she wasn't in that much of a hurry to get back and even at my age I can still satisfy her as much as I did forty years ago." He finished his drink. "I'm going home now to seduce her over the cooker. Nice chatting to you. Night."
They watched him leave. Emily closed her eyes in despair while Norris just became more convinced Rita was nursing bruises or worse.

Rita heard Harry whistling as he let himself in. "How did it go?" she called from the kitchen. "Were he there?"
Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck. "Oh yes."
"And?" she asked impatiently, turning round.
"I didn't hit him if that's what yer thinking," he replied.
"I weren't," she said, knowing it was the opposite but relieved he hadn't. "So? What did yer say to him?"
He pulled her closer. "That I was coming home to seduce you over the cooker." He launched his mouth heavily on hers. "Fancy it?"
"And get burnt?" she chuckled.
"Where's the romance in your soul?" he grinned. "A few ninety degree burns wouldn't have stopped you once upon a time. You couldn't keep your hands off me."
She resisted the temptation of saying he couldn't keep his off her but in a completely different way. "Yer have a bad back, I have rheumatism and I wouldn't want us both ending up in agony on a hospital trolley having to explain how we ended up in that state for a five minute fumble. Now come on. What really happened?"
He leant against the wall, arms folded. "Norris openly accused me of hurting you in some way. Honestly, darling, the sooner you buy his share and get him out of your life the better."
She chewed her thumbnail. "I'm afraid that may not be as easy as I'd hoped."
Harry stiffened. "Oh?"
"Louise did hear back from the cruise line and it's no go," she told him sadly. "So I have to pay for both of us. I suppose I could ask the bank for a loan, using the Kabin as collateral. I have the feeling me age and the fact I don't own all of it'll go against me."
He felt his blood pressure rising but tried controlling it. "Me and my ideas, eh?"
She stroked his arm and kissed him. "It were a good one. I'll work summat out. I want him gone as much as yer do."
I doubt that, he thought. "Well, look," he began. "Why don't you get him to have it valued then you can see if you can afford it. If not, well, I have some savings. I can help out of necessary. Even sell the house and move in with you instead if needs be."
That raised her suspicions again but hoped her face masked it. "Thanks, darling. I hope it won't come to that."
"Me moving in with you?" he wondered.
"Selling yer home, dopey," she smiled. "Make a nice inheritance for Louise, Terry and Gail." He walked out of the kitchen making her puzzled. "What did I say now?"
He flopped on the sofa. "I only have one child, just like you."
"What are yer on about?" she said nervously.
"Terry and Gail aren't mine," he confessed. "I received a letter after my wife died. I could've killed her if she wasn't already dead. That bitch had no concept of being faithful and would drop her knickers for any fella who looked at her then throw it in my face. You have no idea how much that hurt, Rita. Looking back, as I've done a lot of since seeing you again, that was the turning point for me. It made me what I became. Why I got so jealous and possessive over you, especially when you were pregnant. I often wondered if those kids were mine but she kept assuring me they were and I fell for it because, not only was she very convincing, but also because I loved her and would do anything to keep her." He went to a drawer and removed a faded yellow envelope before handing it to her. "Read it for yourself." He sat down again.
She took it then sat beside him, taking his hand. "Oh, Harry."
"She made me paranoid with her constant lies and affairs," he continued. "I've treated every woman since appallingly but I couldn't help myself. I could never believe they were faithful after what she put me through." He looked at her. "Not even you. But then you slept with Len."
"Because yer told me to do everything I could to get us that house," she reminded. "Flirt with him, flatter him, sleep with him if needs be yer said."
He sighed. "I know. I think it was subconscious so I could prove a point all women were trollops and incapable of being faithful to me. I'm sorry I put you through that."
"Water under the bridge now," she dismissed.
He smiled at her. "So there I was all these years childless and miserable until November when I found out about our daughter."
"Bit like me," she replied, sighing. "Harry, I am truly sorry for lying to yer all these years."
He put his arm around her. "You know I forgave you for that. You did what you had to. No use going over old ground. Neither of us can change anything. We have her back now which is the important thing."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I wish yer'd told me about this when we were together before. I might have understood better why you were such a bastard and helped yer."
He held her tighter. "It wouldn't have made any difference. Don't you see? As far as I was concerned it was everyone else's fault. They, you, made me react that way. Even when I ended up the lonely old man you predicted in your parting shot, it wasn't down to me."
She kissed him. "Well yer not a lonely old man any more."
He gazed into her eyes. "No." He sniffed the air. "What's that smell?"
"The tea!" She rushed to the kitchen.
Harry burst out laughing. "I thought I was the only one allowed to burn the place down."
Rita pulled down the oven door, releasing thick, black smoke and coughed. "Yer a bad influence on me." After opening the back door she returned to the living room.
"Should've let me do cheese on toast," he remarked.
"I think I should," she smiled. "Couldn't have made a bigger mess of it than I did."
He got up and went to her, taking her hands. "Forget dinner. I'm not that hungry anyway."
She moved away, went back to the kitchen and closed the back door before re-emerging. "Neither am I all of a sudden."
He broke into an enormous grin as he led her upstairs.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 21

The next evening Rita and Harry entered the Rovers arm in arm. Norris nearly dropped his sweet sherry as he watched them laughing at the bar.
"Doesn't look like he's done anything to hurt her at all, does it, Norris(?)" Emily observed sarcastically.
Norris was not convinced. "Probably hidden the bruises beneath all that make-up. You know how thickly she puts it on."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Don't be so preposterous. Honestly, Norris. Your imagination is becoming more wild by the minute. This obsession you have with Rita is not only likely to drive a wedge between the two of you, but also push her further under his spell. Is that what you want?"
"I don't think that will happen," he replied confidently. "Don't forget, she's already gone against his wishes by asking me to stay on longer. That means she still has free will so it's only a matter of time before she has her eyes opened completely with a little help from me."
"They're coming over," she said quietly.
"Mind if we join yer?" Rita asked smiling.
"We'd be delighted," Emily said. "Wouldn't we, Norris?"
"Delighted," he echoed with a slight tone no one failed to miss.
Rita ignored the remark. "I'm glad I saw yer. I've done me sums and want yer to get the ball rolling regarding the sale of yer share. Here's the number of me solicitor so yer can give it to yers." She passed him a scrap of paper.
Norris took it, looking knowingly at Emily. "I thought you wanted me to stay on."
"I changed me mind." She took a sip of her vodka. "Besides, it wouldn't really be fair on yer letting me change yer plans. So as soon as yer've seen yer solicitor and got a valuation we can proceed and yer can do whatever yer want with the free time and money."
Norris glared at Harry.
"Hey, don't look at me," Harry defended. "It's entirely Rita's decision."
"Of course it is(!)" he replied with a touch of cynicism.
Rita was growing increasingly annoyed. "Hey, watch it. Otherwise I'll put my share up for sale instead. Maybe sell it to Harry then yer can work together for the foreseeable future meaning I can retire instead. I quite fancy the idea of being a lady of leisure."
"I'll make an appointment in the morning," Norris said, giving her the reaction she wanted.
Harry cuddled up to her. "If I bought his share I could be a sleeping partner."
She smiled. "I thought yer were that already." They kissed, leading to Norris pulling a face. "By the way, Harry's going to be moving in with me this weekend."
Norris dropped his drink this time. He cursed under his breath as he wiped the alcohol off his trousers with a handkerchief.
"Thought that'd get yer attention," Rita observed smugly.
"I thought you were going to wait until after the wedding," Norris said.
Rita looked blankly at him. "Whatever gave yer that idea?"
He was at a loss what to say. "Well...I just assumed."
She wagged her finger at him. "Never assume. Besides, we're practically living together now so it makes sense."
"Also," Harry interrupted, "it's not as if we haven't done it before so know each other's little ways."
"That was a long time ago," Norris pointed out.
"So?" Rita shrugged. "Makes more sense rather than having two homes. One of us'll only have to move after we're wed anyway. May as well do it now. Originally I were going to be doing the moving till Harry pointed out his house is really too big for us and it would be better with someone above the shop anyway. He always were a wise one."
"You'll be seeing a lot more of me in future, Norris," Harry gloated as he put his arm around Rita and pulled her closer.
Emily elected to say something before the pair of them came to blows across the table. "Well I think it's marvellous news. Rita was never one for convention. When did you decide this?"
"Last night in bed," Harry quickly said making Norris scowl. "But I'm under orders to not touch the cooker."
Rita laughed. "Too right. I'm not having me flat catch fire, ta very much."
"Maybe you should stay away from it too after yesterday," he joked.
"Takeaway for the rest of our lives then," she winked then returned her attention to Emily. "So Harry's decided to sell the house and put the money aside for me and Louise in case he dies before I do."
"Understandable the way you wear me out," he winked. "You'll live to be a hundred the rate you're going. I'll be lucky to make eighty-five."
She gazed into his eyes. "Yeah but at least yer'll die happy."
"And with the biggest grin on my face you've ever seen," he schmoozed.
They kissed while Norris felt bilious at the thought of her constantly falling for that claptrap and the last thing he wanted to listen to was innuendo regarding their bedroom antics.
Emily knew how he felt but wasn't going to rock the boat. "I'm sure you'll both be very happy whether you choose to live together before or after the wedding."
Rita beamed. "We will be, Emily. Even more after we're married. Roll on the nineteenth of July."
Harry kissed her, Emily forced a smile while Norris plotted.

Days passed and Rita was beginning to wonder why the phone hadn't rung about the sale. She kept glaring at Norris. He felt her eyes burning into him and loosened his collar.
"Something the matter, Rita?" he asked, feigning innocence.
"I take it yer've seen yer solicitor," she replied.
"Of course," he chuckled. "I told you I would."
"Then why haven't I heard from mine?" she said. "I should know how much I have to cough up by now."
"Perhaps they're still talking," he shrugged. He watched her pick up the phone. "What are you doing?"
"Calling my solicitor," she snapped. "I want this sale to go through as quickly as possible."
Norris panicked. "Wait."
She hung up. "I knew it. Yer've been lying to me."
He loosened his collar some more. "Well...I..."
"I don't want to hear yer pathetic excuses, Norris," she yelled. "Do it now or I won't be held responsible for me actions."
"Picking up tips from that boyfriend of yours?" he snorted smugly.
She walloped him. "Get on that phone this minute or else!"
At that moment Harry walked in. "Having fun?"
She beamed. "I will do immensely if he doesn't make this phone call." She hit Norris again who immediately got dialling which made her scowl. "Ruins all me fun when he does as he's told." She spotted he was carrying something. "What's that?"
He raised the bag. "Thought as I was kicking my heels at home, I'd make a start bringing my stuff over. Got some clothes and..." He dug into his beast pocket. "...the all-important toothbrush so yours won't be lonely in that glass any more."
"I'm surprised you still have any teeth to brush," Norris scoffed.
Rita hit him. "He has two and they're both fangs. Now shurrup before he uses them on yer scrawny neck!"
Harry laughed. "Is it okay to take them upstairs?"
"Course it is," she smiled. "Yer home too, yer know. Wait for me in the lounge. I'll be up as soon as I've made sure this little weasel is actually serious about selling his share of the shop."
"Okay, darling." He walked round the counter, kissed her cheek then went upstairs.
Norris curled his lip. "Sweet(!)"
She seethed. "If yer not careful I'll make sure yer stay gurning permanently. Now get busy before I become really angry!"
"That's not angry?" he said. "Ow!"

Harry lounged on the sofa, hands behind his head awaiting his beloved, chuckling to himself over the way Rita was treating Norris. It took him back to the feisty young woman who caught his eye forty years earlier and was pleased she hadn't changed. He still had to pinch himself they were back together and in a few short months she would become his wife. He wasn't complacent enough to make mistakes and risk losing her again. He knew he had to control his temper which was easy unless somehow Norris came into the equation. How he hated that man and the feeling was mutual. Once Rita had that ring on her finger, what could he do? Game, set and match to Harry Bates.
"Comfy?" Rita asked. He nodded, still grinning. "What yer so cheerful about?"
He held his hands out to her. "I'm with the woman of my dreams. That's enough to make anyone happy."
She took them and kissed him. "Once we're wed I'll turn into a terrible shrew. It's in the vows, yer know. I promise to love, honour and nag."
"What happened to obey?" he asked.
"Yer'll be lucky," she chuckled. "Unless yer have a death wish."
He laughed. "I'll do the obeying in that case."
"That's why we're so well-suited," she giggled, pulling him to his feet. "Bone idleness is over. Yer've got to get into that bedroom."
He broke into a very toothy grin. "Now you're talking."
"Harry Bates, yer shouldn't have a one-track mind at yer time of life," she said.
"Can I help it when you're so damned sexy?" he cooed.
She thought. "No." She removed the toothbrush from his pocket and led the way to the bathroom first then dropped it in the glass with hers.
Harry put them so the bristles were touching. "That's better."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yer old romantic." They kissed passionately. "Right, bedroom. To make room for yer clothes. Nowt else."
"Nowt?" He raised an suggestive eyebrow.
"Well," she began coyly, "let's see how tired we are afterwards, eh?"


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 22

Harry's feet were well and truly feet firmly under Rita's table and despite being in a hurry to buy back Norris's share, she had to wait until Harry's house was sold. He had told the estate agent he wanted a quick sale so lowered the price, which he got a couple of weeks after it went on the market. She kept Norris in the dark about where the money was coming from and when Harry's cheque had cleared, signed the papers with such gusto as she would now be finally free of him and his remarks about the man in her life. They lived happily for the next couple of months and then the day before Rita and Louise went on their cruise arrived.
"I'm going to miss you," Harry was saying as Rita finished her packing.
"Yer better," she smiled. "After all, in less than a month we'll be married. If yer don't pine I'm calling it off."
He laughed. "I'll pine."
"And no cooking," she warned. "Have takeaway or summat cold. Can't burn that. Oh I don't know..."
He threw a blouse at her. "Cheeky."
"And whatever yer do, no matter how tempting it is, don't kill Norris," she added.
"Not even a little bit?" he teased.
She mused. "Well... No, definitely not. He's not worth the jail sentence." She looked around. "Now, have I got everything?"
"You better otherwise Louise won't be happy," he said.
She closed her cases. "Yer have the number of the Holiday Inn?"
He nodded. "Yes. It's under the phone."
"Now do yer think yer'll be able to manage the shop?" she asked. "Emily's said she'll help if yer need it."
He put his arms around her waist. "Stop fretting. The shop will make a profit, I won't set fire to the place and I'm going to miss you like hell." He kissed her.
"Thanks for helping with the cost," she said.
"It's the least I could do," he replied. "After all, it was my idea and I couldn't let you pay all that on your own."
She glanced at her watch and released herself from his embrace. "I've got to go and pick up Louise." She grabbed a case and hauled it off the bed, dragging it into the hall where she stopped at the top of the stairs.
Harry followed with the other. "Want a hand carrying them down?"
She shook her head. "I have a better method. Watch." She pushed one then the other and stood there as they clattered down the stairs. "Porters'll probably damage them anyway. I'm just getting in first then I can put in a claim, blaming them entirely and get compensation. Need to get some of the money back from this trip."
"You're a wicked woman, Rita Sullivan," he smiled.
"In't that why yer love me?" she replied.
"One of many reasons," he cooed.
She gazed into his eyes then snapped herself out of it as she'd never leave and cleared her throat. "I have to go." She put her coat on, went down the stairs, picked up one case, kicking the other to the side with her foot, opened the door and wheeled it out.
Harry grabbed the handle of the other and followed. "Make sure Louise behaves herself." He put the case on top of the other.
She slammed the boot, making sure it was secure. "Not worried I'll get up to mischief?" He shook his head. "Pull a passenger or two?"
He put his hands on her waist. "I trust you implicitly and am counting the days until you become my wife." He kissed her.
"Since when did yer become soppy?" she asked.
"Since I met you again," he replied. "I've got you something." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a bag.
She took it, examining the contents. "Oh, Harry," she said, tears filling her eyes as she looked at the necklace with matching earrings.
"Solid gold," he told her. "And real diamonds and sapphires. Cost a fortune. Nothing cheap for the woman I love. It's my wedding present to you."
She was touched but a little put out he had to hint how much it was. "This is certainly a first. Never bought me owt like this in the past."
There she goes again, he thought angrily. All these months of promises and she still can't help herself. "Never had the money," he said, trying to keep the fury out of his tone. "I was going to give them to you on the day but thought you'd like to wear them on the cruise."
"I'll wear them with me best frock and on our wedding day, darling,. Thank yer." She smiled, stretching up to kiss him. "I'd better go otherwise Louise'll be wondering if I've changed me mind." She dropped the box in her handbag and got in the car, immediately putting on her seatbelt. "I'll give yer a ring when we get there."
"I'll look forward to it." He leant in and kissed her. "Safe journey."
"See yer next week." She closed the door, turned on the engine and drove off.
Harry waved until she was gone before his face hardened. He was incredulous she still kept harping back to the past despite her promise to move on and wished he hadn't bothered with the gift now.

Over at Louise's she sat waiting for her mother to arrive and got through one cigarette after another. Dev was getting increasingly angry.
"I wish you'd pack that in," he snapped.
She looked puzzled. "What?"
"That!" he snapped, pointing to the offending article. "Have you any idea what it's like breathing that crap in?"
"Yes," she replied, "considering I'm not only doing it twice with me own but until the ban came in I also breathed in other people's. Stop moaning."
"I don't want to die of lung cancer," he told her.
"Got to die of summat," she shrugged dismissively. "Yer could get knocked down by a bus long before this affects yer."
He began to seethe. "When you come back from this trip I don't want to find you smoking any more."
She glared at him as she stubbed it out. "I'll give up in me own time."
He hit her. "You'll do as I say!"
There was a knock at the door.
Louise held her face, tears streaming from her eyes. "That'll be mam."
"Get upstairs and clean yourself up," he ordered. "I'll let the bitch in."
She didn't hesitate disappearing as the last thing she wanted was her mother seeing her like that yet again and saying I told you so. Dev made sure the coast was clear before answering the door.
Rita's face fell when she saw him. "Oh. Is Louise ready?"
"No," he said, stepping aside. "But I guess you'd better come in."
"Very generous of yer(!)" she responded sarcastically. "Considering this is me daughter's house, not yers."
He closed the door. "Why don't you just shut up, Rita? Do you the world of good."
She narrowed her eyes. "All the while me daughter's stupid enough not to see through yer, I'll keep saying what I like. Does that worry yer? Afraid I'll get her to see sense on this trip?"
"Don't be ridiculous," he snorted. "Louise won't dump me if she knows what's good for her. And you better not even try to get her to."
Rita swallowed nervously but was determined to stand up to this bully. "And who's going to stop me? Yer? Where'll yer be this week, Dev? Cos it won't be on that ship."
"I'm warning you-" he began.
"No, I'm warning yer," she came back. "Lay one finger on her and I'll make yer pay. I can't stand men like yer."
"Must be why you're marrying one," he said.
She ignored that remark. "Is this how yer treated Sunita? No wonder she cleared off and wants as little to do with yer as possible."
He was stung by that. "You know why she left. I never touched her."
"No?" she asked doubtfully. "So why are you hitting Louise?"
"Some women just push because they want the satisfaction," he replied coolly. "A bruise is like a badge of honour to them. Something to be proud of so they can get the attention they so desperately crave. You should know all about that. Look at the number of men who hit you. I've heard all about them. You'd have run a mile if you didn't love it. Louise takes after you in that respect. I may be the first but certainly won't be the last if she's anything like you."
Rita was appalled at his attitude. "You really are a bastard, aren't you? I wish she'd never clapped eyes on yer."
"Well she did," he told her smugly, "and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Hi, mam," Louise said, nearing the bottom of the stairs having overheard the entire conversation and trying to prevent violence erupting. "Ready to go?"
Rita looked from Dev to Louise and sensed an atmosphere. "The sooner we're on the road the better." She glared at Dev.
"I'll get your cases," he offered. "You go and wait in the car."
Louise walked out of the house but Rita held back.
"You may think yer've won round one due to her interrupting but round two will take place on that ship," she warned. "I'll get her to see sense if it's the last thing I do."
He roughly grabbed her arm tightly. "She dumps me and it WILL be the last thing you do."
"I told yer before," she hissed angrily, "yer don't frighten me. Course if owt happens to me both Louise and me'll know who's responsible so I hope yer'll enjoy sharing a cell with someone who asks yer to pick up the soap. Yer a good looking man, Dev. I'm sure yer'll have no end of admirers inside." He let her go. "Don't forget the bags." With that she swept out smugly.
Once the cases were loaded, Rita drove off without giving Louise or Dev a chance to say goodbye. As far as she was concerned the sooner they were apart the better.

Meanwhile Norris took the opportunity of Rita's absence to pop into the shop.
"Oh, it's you. Rita gone already?" he said flatly, knowing only too well she had as he'd seen her leave.
"She has," Harry replied, trying to stay calm.
"And she's left you in charge of the shop," he noted sniffily. "She's very trusting of the wrong people, isn't she?"
"Well she trusted you, didn't she?" he countered. "And look where that got her. Thanks to me she has your share back where it belongs. Now was there something you wanted besides trying to score points? Only I'm a very busy man."
"Hmm," Norris said. "Busy pulling the wool over Rita's eyes. I can see that must take up most of your time."
Harry laughed. "Rita's eyes are as wide open as they are beautiful. She saw through your motives quick enough, didn't she?"
"With a little help from you no doubt," he replied bitterly. "But for you we'd still be working together as business partners."
Harry laughed again. "Which you manipulated her into letting you have before trying to worm your way into her bed. Only she turned you down and let me into it instead which really grates, doesn't it?"
Norris puffed out his chest. "That has absolutely nothing to do with my concern for Rita's welfare."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"You are nothing more than a bully," he continued. "You may be happy for her to end up in hospital at your hands but I for one am not and refuse to just sit by and let you put her there."
"I'll put you there if you're not careful," Harry hissed.
"Go ahead," Norris challenged. "I'm sure that'll go down very well with Rita."
Harry broke into a broad grin. "As she'd love to see you there as much as I do, it certainly will."
Norris was not amused. "Smile as much as you want. She won't marry you. She could meet someone onboard the ship and realise he's a better man or you'll overplay your hand. Either way this time next month you will be relegated to her past where you ought to have stayed."
With that he left leaving Harry thinking about his Rita surrounded by all those other men. She was still an attractive woman for her age. Bound to make one or two sit up and take notice when she walked into a room. Not that she'd ever admit it if she had been unfaithful and Louise wouldn't be there all the time to keep tabs on her. He resolved to put it out of his mind and try, for once in his life, to actually believe she'd never do anything like that to him.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 23

Rita awoke early and peered out of her hotel window which overlooked the docks. The sun was already up when she spotted their ship arriving on the horizon. She got butterflies with the excitement of her first holiday with her daughter. She turned to look at Louise who was still asleep and felt immense pride. She couldn't believe how much her life had changed in a mere seven months and how lucky she was. There was another ship already in up their end of the docks. Being a seasoned cruiser, she recognised it immediately as Saga Rose. She continued to watch as the QE2 was slowly turned near her berth by three tugs and her anticipation grew. An entire week with just Louise. At that moment she suddenly thought of Harry so got her mobile from the handbag and went into the bathroom, quietly closing the door so as not to waken Louise and dialled.
<"Good morning, darling,"> Harry said cheerfully. <"This is a surprise. I thought you'd be too busy getting everything ready to board or still be asleep.">
"I can always hang up if yer don't want to talk to me," she joked. "Too busy scoffing the pear drops?"
<"Caught me,"> he laughed. <"Never could fool you.">
"Not a chance, Bates," she replied. "I were missing yer."
<"And you wanted to hear my voice?"> he asked.
"Well if yer going to mock me-" she began, affronted.
He laughed. <"I'm not mocking, darling. I think it's rather sweet. What's that echo? Are you in a tunnel?">
"Bathroom," she replied. "Didn't want to disturb Louise."
<"Well don't talk too loudly in case the echo wakes her up and she gives you hell,"> he replied. <"Remember how just like her mother she can be. She's exactly the same as you when you were her age.">
She laughed. "There's no hope for her then."
The door opened and a furious Louise stood glaring at her mother. "No hope for who, big mouth?"
Rita was embarrassed and speechless.
<"I'll let you deal with her,"> Harry said tactfully. <"Call me back when you can before you go. Good luck.">
"Okay, darling," she eventually said. "Talk later." She ended the call. "Louise, I-"
"Save it!" she snapped. "Shall I tell yer why I'm angry? Because yer let me sleep when I've got things to do this morning before getting on that ship."
"Yer were so tired last night. I thought it best to let you sleep," she explained.
"In't that my decision, not yers?" she hissed. "I'm not a kid. Now get out of this bathroom so I can get ready."
Rita was stunned but did as ordered and flinched when the door slammed behind her. "Must be nerves," she said quietly to herself as she sat on the bed waiting for her daughter to come out.
After more than half an hour Louise emerged. "Yer still here?"
"Where else would I be?" Rita asked.
Louise rubbed her forehead. "I'm sorry. I should've told yer I had to be up early. Like yer say, I were really tired. Slipped me mind." She smiled at her mother.
Rita returned the gesture. "It were a long journey yesterday. Our ship's here."
Louise crossed to the window. "Good. Now it better not go without us."
Rita joined her. "Wouldn't dare with two fiery redheads coming."
Louise laughed. "Yeah and we'll give 'em hell if they tried." She stopped laughing. "I have to go and meet some people. Will you be okay at the terminal on yer own?"
"On me own?" Rita gasped. "I thought we'd be going together."
"I don't know when I'll be boarding," she told her. "Yer get there whatever time yer want and I'll see yer in the cabin. I really have to go."
Rita remained by the window as she watched Louise repack her case then leave before returning her gaze to the ship across the way. "See yer onboard," she said to herself half-heartedly, wondering what she was going to do alone all those hours.

As Rita had to be out of the hotel room by noon, she didn't know what to do. Some cruise, she thought to herself, wishing Harry were there and wondering just how much time she'd actually end up spending with her daughter after all. She sensed something wasn't right with Louise but decided not to dwell on it. She glanced at her watch and sighed heavily. It was far too early to go and check-in as they don't let you on until after 1.30pm anyway so there was no point being there too soon. She really wished they were like those cruise lines which let you on as soon as you'd been through security to have a bite to eat then go to your cabin then there wouldn't be so much hanging about. She decided to kill some time by going for a walk. After leaving her cases at reception, she headed out the door and crossed the road towards Mayflower Park. She pushed the gate and tutted as she made her way forward along the uneven ground. The raddled, rusty fencing didn't endear itself to her either, especially as a lot was missing or broken. She walked to the waterfront and stood in the corner, QE2 in the distance to her left, Saga Rose close on her right then sat on the bench in the shelter with her thoughts. She had never felt so alone and sincerely hoped things would change once they were both on the ship. She checked the time again, sighed heavily out of boredom then got the mobile out of her handbag and dialled.
<"Twice in one day,"> Harry said cheerfully after answering. <"I'm honoured. So come on. Why have you phoned this time?">
"Does there have to be a reason?" she asked flatly. "Can't I just want to speak to yer?"
<"No,"> he replied. <"Last I heard from you, Louise was about you give you a right mouthful. What happened?">
"She gave me a right mouthful," she told him sheepishly, sighing. "It's not just that. I'm worried. She's been so cold since we left. Yer should've seen the way she were earlier. She couldn't wait to get out of there."
Harry was shocked. <"You're on your own?">
"Just killing time until I have to check-in," she replied. "Louise said she had people to meet and would see me onboard."
He was curious. <"What people?">
"Search me," she said. "I presume summat to do with her work."
Harry was relieved. <"There you go then. Your imagination's working overtime again. It's her first day and only her second ship. She's probably a bag of nerves. Don't you remember what you were like when you performed somewhere for the first time?">
"Far too well," she laughed. "Even after all these years. Yer right. I'll see her later. I'm over-reacting out of boredom."
Harry laughed too. <"I wish I could be there to help you pass the time, darling, but I have this shop to run so you two can live it up and get to know each other better. Soon it'll be our honeymoon and I guarantee you'll never be bored.">
"I'm never bored with yer anyway," she replied. "Well I'd better be getting back to the hotel and ring for a taxi to take me to the terminal."
<"You will be all right with Louise, you know," he assured. "I know you're a mix of emotions, sweetheart. Excited at being with her for a week but nervous at the same time in case you don't get on since neither of you have been stuck together, for want of a better word. It's only natural. Everything will turn out okay. You see if it doesn't.">
"I know yer right, darling," she conceded. "I've got to stop being daft and get to know our daughter properly."
<"Right so get on that ship,"> he began, <"get yourself comfy in that cabin and enjoy yourself. There's only one thing I ask you to do for me.">
"What's that?" she asked, wary of what he'd say.
<"Phone me before you sail and whenever you get the chance,"> he told her.
She smiled to herself. "Every time I get a signal, darling. Talk to you later. Bye."
<"Bye,"> he echoed as the line went dead.
Rita dropped the phone in her bag and zipped it up. She felt much better having spoken to Harry and knew there was nothing to get herself worked up over. She took a deep breath, stood, and walked back the way she'd come to the hotel.

Rita arrived at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal a little after noon and handed her luggage over to the porters. She was directed to the long queue containing the great unwashed to check-in as there was no longer priority boarding for Princess Grill passengers. As the queue slowly moved, she filled in the norovirus form, using her ticket wallet to lean on, then kept tight hold of both. Shortly after reaching the front, she was told which desk to go to. She had her photo taken using the webcam for security purposes, handed over her passport and credit card, was given her cruise card and a deck plan of the ship then made her way towards security with still no sign of Louise. She wondered, as she waited to go through the scanner, when she would board. Once through, she stepped on the escalator up to departures and was given a letter as she reached the door. She spotted the bar was open, but had an enormous queue. As she was in bad need of a drink, she tagged onto the end then took it up the steps and out onto the old viewing gallery. The weather was warm as she gazed upon the side and funnel behind the cranes of her home for the next seven nights. It wasn't even 1pm and she wished they were already at sea when at least she'd get to see her daughter occasionally. She sipped her drink, unable to shake a deep sense of foreboding and was beginning to wish she'd never agreed to Harry's idea. She went back inside, down the stairs and found herself somewhere to sit. Time passed too slowly for her liking and they began to call priority embarkation numbers. Finally her letter was called and she joined the queue, having her boarding photo taken before stepping on the gangway towards the Deck Two entrance at the Midships Lobby. Despite being unhappy, she forced herself to be cheerful for the photo. A steward took her carry-on bag and she was led to their cabin on that deck.
"Here you are," the steward said, handing the bag back.
"Thanks," Rita said as the steward vanished. She sighed as she pushed the door open and entered the room. "Louise!"
"Didn't think yer'd ever get here," Louise smiled. "Thought I'd better not shut t'door in case yer couldn't get in. Key's on the table."
Rita put her bag on the bedside table, noting Louise had already nabbed the bed nearest the window. "Am I glad to see yer. How long have yer been onboard?"
Louise reclined in one of the chairs. "Not long. Glass of sparking wine? Or would yer care for a strawberry?"
Rita inspected the half bottle in the ice bucket and the four strawberries. "Both." She picked up a piece of fruit by the stalk, dipped it in the small sugar bowl and bit.
Louise pulled the cork out of the bottle and poured a glass for them both. She handed her mother one. "Here's to a very enlightening cruise."
Rita tapped her glass against Louise's. "I certainly hope so."
"Oh it will be, I promise," Louise replied. "After all, this is where we learn about each other, warts and all, and I for one cannot wait. Cheers."


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 24

Lifeboat drill was at 4.15pm. Rita had been abandoned by Louise who informed her she had to attend it with the rest of the crew but she'd see her later for sailaway. She'd pulled her lifejacket off the top shelf in the wardrobe and headed up to the Grand Lounge on the Upper Deck. As she sat there awaiting muster to begin, her mind drifted back to the first time she'd been on this particular ship which had begun her love of cruising. She had been back many times during the intervening years and was sad that in less than five months she wouldn't be sailing the world's oceans any longer. She already had a couple of alternative favoured ships but developed a special fondness for this one. She'd already decided once the Queen Mary 2 arrived she would never pay double to cruise alone. The same went for Queen Victoria. As far as she was concerned, having been on Arcadia already, Queen Victoria was over-priced for what it really was and not much better. You were only paying for the name and she'd found better value for money and service on other lines. She had done luxury and Cunard was no longer it. She only kept returning to the QE2 because she enjoyed the atmosphere and the ship so when Louise told her she had a job on her, she was over the moon. No one should go through life without having experienced a true ocean liner, she thought to herself. She continued in her own little world as the muster began. She'd done so many she could recite it by heart as it was the same no matter what cruise line. They frankly bored her and she understood why so many didn't attend. Once it was finished she made her way back down to her cabin. As there were too many crowded around waiting for the lifts, she grumbled to herself as she was forced to use the stairs to go down three decks. She unlocked the door and was disappointed there was no sign of Louise. She replaced the lifejacket then went up to the Sun Deck for sailaway, figuring she'd at least see her there. They had sailaway champagne for sale but she decided against buying any until she found Louise then they could toast to a successful cruise together. As she leaned against the rail watching the tug Lady Madeleine being attached to the stern, she pulled the phone out of her bag and dialled. Her heart sank when it switched to voicemail. "Hi, darling. I'm on the Sun Deck if yer can't find me," she said. "Don't want us to miss each other." She ended the call, wiping a tear away and chastising herself silently for being neurotic again. "Blow it," she said to herself then joined the queue for the champagne. She returned to the rail and sipped. She decided to try Louise once more only to get voicemail again. She drained her glass and as her phone rang, handed the glass to a waiter as passed. Her heart leapt then sank when she saw the caller was Harry. "Hello, darling."
<"What's up?"> he asked. <"You sound miserable.">
"Still missing yer," she replied.
<"I was beginning to think you were both having too much of a good time so you'd forgotten about me,"> he joked.
"Not a chance," she said, more honestly than he would realise.
<"Have you left yet?"> he wondered.
"Not yet," she told him, leaning against the rail. She saw Saga Rose was being pulled out by her own tug at City Terminal. "And the other one's moving. We still may go first. Have to see."
<"Is Louise enjoying herself?"> he continued. What could she say to that? <"Rita?">
She sighed quietly, thinking of something to say. "Sorry. I was just watching the other ship. It doesn't look like we're going anywhere until that's passed. What did yer say? Oh Louise. Yes she's having a great time. Made a few friends among the crew already."
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," a voice came over the tannoy as Saga Rose was free of her dock and blasted.
"Hang on," she told Harry. "There's an announcement."
"Our pilot has boarded and we have completed all our checks," the captain continued. "So we shall be letting go of our lines and moving from our berth very shortly. Approaching from behind on our starboard side is Saga Rose who at one time was part of our fleet as Sagafjord which some of you may remember. She is also going to Norway so we'll be together as we leisurely sail through the English Channel and North Sea until tomorrow night when we'll pick up speed and head for Bergen where we'll arrive Friday morning. The weather will stay pretty much the same for the rest of the day so plenty of time for late swimming and sunbathing. We're due to drop our pilot off at the Nab tower at approximately 7.15pm then set a north-easterly course towards the Dover strait. So enjoy our sailaway party as we say goodbye to Southampton and embark on our final Norwegian Wonders voyage aboard this grand old lady."
Rita paused in case there was more. "Did yer hear all that?"
"I did," he replied. "Wish I was with you."
"So do I," she sniffed.
He thought she was getting emotional at being away from him. "Oh, darling. Look why don't you put Louise on then you can blow your nose?"
She needed to think quickly. "Sorry? I can't hear yer? Harry? Harry?" She quickly disconnected then switched the phone off, hoping he'd think she'd lost the signal. Feeling pleased with herself for avoiding the issue successfully was short-lived when it dawned on her he could call Louise before she remembered her phone was off so Harry shouldn't have much luck. She breathed easy. Louise's ignoring saved her from awkward questions. She turned her attention back to the water as Saga Rose had almost reached them resigned to the fact her daughter, for some unknown reason, was snubbing her. Saga Rose blasted, the QE2 responding. Her mind was taken off her woes for the moment as she listened to the passengers on both ships calling, whistling and cheering to each other which made her smile and she began to wave along with the rest. She kept her attention focused on the other, much smaller vessel, watching it pass Hythe pier before the QE2 blasted. She turned to see the cranes getting further away from them making her sigh heavily.
"Fancy another drink?" a voice said.
Rita turned round, an enormous grin breaking out on her face. "Wouldn't say no."
Louise handed her a glass. "Didn't think yer would."
Rita sipped. "Where were yer?"
Louise leant against the rail. "Sorry. Got talking to some of the crew. Then dad rang. Seemed to think yer were in a state about summat more than just missing him. I guessed that were down to me not spending much time with yer today so here I am."
Rita was sceptical. "If he hadn't phoned, would yer be here?"
"Course I would," Louise chuckled. "I hadn't noticed time, that's all." She put her arm around her mother's shoulders. "I'm sorry if yer thought I'd abandoned yer. It weren't me intention. Dad weren't happy I can tell yer and I don't blame him. After all, we're meant to be holidaying together and we can't do that if I'm elsewhere, can we?"
"No," she replied, unsure whether to believe her.
"Course, er..." Louise began, "tomorrow I'm afraid yer going to be left to yer own devices. I've got a rehearsal for a show we're doing after dinner."
Rita's face lit up. "I'll look forward to seeing that."
Louise removed her arm and took a large gulp of her champagne. "I'd rather yer didn't."
"Why ever not?" Rita wondered. "It'll be the first time I'd have seen yer perform."
Louise drained her glass. "Maybe some other night, eh?"
Rita frowned. "I don't understand."
"Why can't yer do as yer told?" Louise snapped. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose me rag. It's nerves. If yer there it'll make it worse. I'll be fine by the end of the week. Got a reputation to make and working on these cruise ships were yer idea in the first place."
The ship gave three long blasts as the tugs pulled her slowly forward.
"I know it were," Rita conceded once it had gone quiet. "All right. I'll stay away. So what will we do tonight?"
Louise looked at her. "Tonight? What do yer mean?"
"Well there's dinner for a start-" she began.
"Can't do dinner," Louise interrupted. "I've said I'll eat with the band. We've got things to talk about."
Rita's patience was wearing thin. "Drink afterwards then?"
"I can't make any promises," Louise told her. "If I'm not busy, I'll come and find you."
Rita forced a smile. "Fine." She turned away, watching Lady Madeleine detach herself as they left her in their wake. "I may even have an early night. Depends how tired I am. Been a couple of long days."
"It certainly has," Louise said, lighting a cigarette. "I'm sorry if this trip isn't turning out the way yer'd hoped but yer know how what it's like when yer working. I'll make it up to yer, I promise."
"Don't worry about it," Rita told her, facing her again. "Can't be helped. Just remember yer old mam when yer a big star in Vegas."
Louise laughed. "Done." She stubbed her cigarette out in the little box. "Sorry to love yer and leave yer-"
"I know," Rita smiled. "I'll see yer later sometime."
Louise said nothing, just nodded as she walked off. Rita turned back, staring into the wake, tears welling in her eyes.

Dinner in the Britannia restaurant cheered Rita up enormously. Her dining companions were around her age and she spent a very enjoyable couple of hours in their presence. She went to the Golden Lion to await Louise. Hours and several drinks later there was still no sign. She finished the dregs of her eighth vodka and tonic then returned to the cabin. When she walked in her heart sank upon seeing it was empty. "Things'll be different when things have settled down," she told herself. Whether she believed it or not was another matter. She checked the info channel on the TV to find out where they were. As soon as it showed they were between Dover and Calais she picked up her phone and saw there was a signal. She was feeling so low after the events of the day so called Harry before going to bed.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 25

The next morning, the alarm went off at 7am. Rita groaned as she hit it. Her eyes slowly became used to the light streaming in through the pink and cream curtains. She looked round only to find Louise's bed hadn't been slept in. She rested her arm across her forehead, a tear rolling down into her ear, feeling lonelier than she had for years. The fact Louise hadn't even bothered seeking her out the previous night or returned to the cabin proved in her eyes she was avoiding her for some reason and it broke her heart, making her wish she'd never listened to Harry. She didn't spend over six grand to go away and be miserable. She'd already been told she had to amuse herself today but she couldn't help wondering about tomorrow and the next day or the one after that. She reached for the phone and sighed when she saw there was no signal. She desperately wanted to talk to Harry but wasn't paying ship to shore prices for a meagre ten minutes. She wiped her eyes and decided she was going to enjoy this cruise if it killed her. She threw the duvet back and headed for the bathroom for a nice relaxing bath.

Up in Weatherfield, Norris wasted no time calling into the shop again while it was quiet. He spotted Harry with his feet up on the counter reading a paper while eating a bar of chocolate. "I hope you've paid for that."
Harry peered over the paper. "None of your business what I do. You don't own any part of this shop any more."
"Maybe not, but it's still Rita's," he smugly pointed out. "She won't be too happy when she returns to find her profits down."
"She has no worries on that score," he grinned. "Emily's keeping an eye on the books so she'll be on the phone if I lose Rita just one penny."
Norris cleared his throat. "Speaking of Emily, she was telling me she had a nice chat with Rita last night."
That got Harry's attention. "When last night?"
Norris paused for effect. "About ten o'clock. I remember the news was just starting and it interrupted me so she went to another room. They were still talking when I made the cocoa."
Harry waited. "Well?" he urged. "You clearly only mentioned this to tell me something. Spit it out."
"Rita didn't phone you then?" he asked.
"No," Harry said, wishing he'd get to the point.
"Must have been enjoying herself too much with her fellow passengers," Norris said. "One had been chatting her up since dinner apparently."
"And?" Harry prompted.
"And nothing," he replied. "That's all Emily imparted. The rest seemed to be a secret."
Harry laughed. "Nice try, Norris. Shame you don't seem to know once they passed the Isle of Wight they lost the signal. The QE2 doesn't have that mobile at sea thing. They got it back again briefly as they passed Dover around midnight but it's gone again until they reach their first port. She did call. I lied. She wanted to say goodnight while she had the chance."
"I never said she was on her mobile," he defended.
"Ship to shore costs a fortune and lasts ten minutes," Harry added. "Rita wouldn't pay that and you know she wouldn't. Now if you're not going to buy anything I suggest you clear off."
Norris was deflated as he trudged back to number three, kicking himself for getting such basic facts wrong while Harry went back to his original position, reaching for another bar of chocolate and continued with the paper.

As Rita stepped out of the bathroom she stopped when she saw Louise sat on the bed. Her anger rose but she tried to control it. "Good night?"
Louise didn't fail to catch her tone as it wasn't disguised that much. "I were working. By the time we finished it were so late I didn't want to disturb yer so I crashed in Angie's cabin."
"Angie?" Rita asked.
"Colleague," Louise replied.
"Oh," She mouthed silently as she walked by. "So, to what do I owe this pleasure(?)"
Louise watched her mother sit in front of the dressing table. "Don't be like that."
Rita picked up her eyeliner, glaring angrily at her daughter in the mirror. "Like what?"
"I'm sorry, all right," Louise snapped.
"Yer said that yesterday at the sailaway," Rita reminded. "Only then yer went and did it again."
"This were all yer idea in the first place!" Louise yelled. "Neither of us would be here if yer hadn't pushed to get me away from Dev."
Rita swung round. "I'm obviously cramping yer style."
Louise closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. "Yer not." She looked at her mother. "I have to work. Yer know what it's like. Spare time's taken up with rehearsing and getting to know everyone I'm working with. It can't be helped."
"I always made time for important matters," Rita spat. "I knew where me priorities lay, even if it meant going hungry."
"Well pardon me for not being as flamin' perfect as yer(!)" Louise replied. "I'll go and starve meself right now if that'll make yer happy(!)"
"Now yer being childish," Rita said.
Louise was getting frustrated. "What is yer want from me?"
"How about a bit of time together," she suggested. "After all, that's what we're meant to be here for."
"I'm here now," Louise said. "I came to take yer to breakfast and thought, as I have nowt until a rehearsal this afternoon, we could do summat this morning."
Rita was unimpressed. "Don't put yerself out(!)"
"I can't do owt right where yer concerned, can I? Well please yerself." She stomped to the door.
"Louise, wait," she called. "I'm sorry. I know yer've got to work. It's just yer keep me in the dark. I waited in the Golden Lion for several hours last night just like I waited for yer after muster. It's like yer don't want me around."
Louise let go of the handle. "I do, mam. Yer wouldn't be here otherwise."
"I know," she conceded. "Don't stop me getting that impression."
"I'm sorry but it can't be helped." She picked up the Daily Programme and flicked it open. "So, anything you fancy doing after breakfast?"

Rita and Louise ate breakfast in the Britannia Restaurant then strolled around the deck, Rita looking for little Saga Rose who was still with them. They grabbed a couple of sunloungers as they enjoyed the calm, warm North Sea before Louise had to disappear. Rita had been forced to promise again she would not go and watch then returned to the cabin for a nap but despite that, she'd had a marvellous morning and was feeling more chipper. During the afternoon she'd amused herself by playing whist before having afternoon tea in the Queens Room. It was formal night meaning posh frocks and a chance to have your photo taken with the captain. She got herself dolled up, put on the jewellery Harry had bought her, pushed her locks back with hair combs, redid her make-up then made her way to the party. There was a bit of a queue of passengers having their photo taken with the captain so she joined the end and waited. Finally she was at the front.
"Mrs Sullivan," Rita was introduced as as she joined him.
"Good God!" the captain exclaimed. "It can't be!"
Rita looked around, certain he was addressing someone else. "I'm sorry?"
The captain became embarrassed. "Forgive me. It's just that you look like a singer I first saw in the seventies. I became a huge fan and would find out where she was singing whenever I had shore leave."
"What was her name?" she asked.
"Rita Littlewood," he told her. "But you've probably never heard of her. She wasn't that well known unfortunately even though she was magnificent and better than a lot in the charts at the time. I have no idea what happened to her. Disappeared off the face of the earth around 1984. Probably dead by now."
Rita laughed. "I can assure yer I'm very much alive."
He was stunned. "You really ARE Rita Littlewood?"
"Well Sullivan now," she said, "but yes. I am Rita Littlewood, Weatherfield Nightingale, and it's been a heck of a long time since anyone's remembered me from those days."
The captain was gobsmacked. "You're not just someone who looks like her?"
She shook her head. "I can assure yer there's only one and I'm it. But surely yer too young to have seen me all them years ago."
"I'm nearly fifty," the captain replied.
"Oh." She was beginning to feel her age. "Then yer old enough to remember."
The captain was entranced and brought out of his reverie by the photographer. "I could talk to you all night but I have to get through this queue. Would it be possible for us to chat another time. I'd love to find out what you've been up to all these years. That's if you don't mind."
Rita smiled. "Considering I never realised I even had a fan, I'd be delighted."
He was chuffed. "I think I can get away later. Ten thirty in the Crystal Bar?"
"Ten thirty it is," she beamed as they posed for the photo. "See yer later."
The captain was like an excited kid. "I look forward to it and the drinks are on me."
That was music to her ears. "I'll hold yer to that." She walked into the party leaving him greeting the other passengers.

Back in Weatherfield Norris was having a quiet drink in the Rovers with Emily when Harry walked in.
"Behave yourself, Norris," Emily ordered.
"I always do," he replied.
Emily eyed him sceptically. "Good evening, Harry."
Harry paid for his drink and joined them. "Evening, Emily." He sat. "Norris."
Norris grunted.
"Have you heard from Rita?" Emily asked.
Harry took a sip of his beer. "Not since midnight." He diverted his attention towards his nemesis. "You?"
Norris fiddled with the beer mat rather than meet Harry's gaze after the stroke he'd tried to pull earlier.
Emily picked up her sherry glass. "I haven't spoken to her since she left. I wondered how she and Louise were getting along."
Norris stood, desperate to escape Harry. "Excuse me. I need the little boy's room."
Emily rolled her eyes, let him out then sat back down.
Harry's eyes burned into Norris making him feel very uncomfortable. "Fine as far as I can gather. There's no signal on this ship when they're at sea. Others have it all the time she said, but it costs a fortune. More than ship to shore by all accounts and you know what Rita's like when it comes to spending money. We were lucky last night and she had a signal for a time as they passed Dover. She said she'd ring when they reach Bergen tomorrow. I'll be glad to hear her voice. She's only been gone two days but I miss her a lot."
"Give her my best, won't you?" Emily said.
"I will." He finished his drink. "Well early start so I'd better be going home. How Rita managed this day in, day out all these years is beyond me. Night, Emily."
"Goodnight, Harry." She watched him leave and tutted as she spotted Norris peering around the toilet door.
"Where's he gone?" he asked.
"Home," she told him. "Why do I get the feeling you have been up to something again, Norris?"
"Me? Whatever gives you that idea?" he asked, feigning innocence while planning his next move.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 26

After dinner Rita checked her Daily Programme for something to do until she had a drink with her fan. There was dancing in the Queens Room so went to that. Without Harry she would just sit and enjoy the music until it was time to head up a deck to the Crystal Bar for her date with the captain. Louise would be doing her second show then and she was sure the captain wouldn't mind waiting a few minutes so she could have a peek as she passed. After all, it wasn't as if she were deliberately watching her. Hardly her fault the Grand Lounge was en route to the bar. What could she say about it? Time flew and before she knew it she was more than ten minutes late. She hoped the captain didn't think she'd stood him up. Rather than wait for the lift, she climbed the stairs then, trying to not get out of breath, walked down the passage. The second show had begun and she stopped briefly by the column feeling immensely proud of her daughter even though she was a mere session singer with the band. It was at least a start. She could have stayed there until it was over but had to do some entertaining herself. She breezed through the photo shop and Golden Lion then strolled into the Crystal Bar, glancing around for her fan.
"Ms Littlewood!" a voice called from behind.
She turned and put on her best smile as she crossed to him. "I'm so sorry to have kept yer waiting. I were in the Queens Room and lost all track of time."
He pulled a chair out for her. "No problem. Would you like a drink?"
She sat, tucking her clutch bag beside her. "Vodka and tonic please."
The captain went to the bar for a while. "Won't be long." After a few seconds he was back.
Rita smiled sweetly. "I wouldn't have blamed yer if yer'd got tired of waiting. After all, yer have a ship to drive."
He laughed. "That's what deputies are for. I was giving you until eleven. I figured if you hadn't come by then it was because you thought I was a weirdo and you wanted to steer well clear."
She was about to speak when the drinks arrived. She stirred hers with the swizzle stick then put it on the table. "Like I said, I never knew I had any fans. I were curious." She sipped her drink. "Now, yer said yer wanted to find out what I'd been up to since yer last saw me?"
He nodded. "Only if I'm not being too personal. I don't want to appear nosey."
She sipped again. "Well I got married in 1977. He died while I were performing at the end of 1983 and I vowed never to sing in public again. I went into retirement and concentrated on me newsagents which Len, that were me husband, had owned and I ran for him. I remarried in 1992 to Ted but he died three months later and I've been a widow ever since. I have actually sung in public again. I were on here thirteen years ago when Sunliners owned the ship and were persuaded to sing by Alec Gilroy, who were me agent long, long ago. Course by then he worked for Sunliners and I were on holiday with me friend Mavis. Anyway at the moment I'm still working in me shop and am getting married again next month to me daughter's father. I knew him before Len. In fact it were because of Len it ended so it's ironic really. Am I making sense? Only I had a few at dinner and in the Queens Room. I were staggering here. Good job it's not rough or I'd be flat on me face."
He smiled. "Perfect sense. I remember your first husband. Sometimes I'd wait at the stage door to get a photo taken with you or an autograph but you'd always come out with him so I skulked in the shadows rather than disturb you."
Rita thought that was sweet. " Why didn't yer say summat? He weren't there all the time."
"I didn't get much free time working on the ships," he explained. "Get more now I'm the captain obviously. It just seemed every time I went he was there. Bad timing I expect."
"Look, why don't yer get a copy of that photo from earlier?" she suggested. "I can sign it for yer."
His elation was apparent. "Would you really?"
She chuckled nervously. "It's only a photo, not the crown jewels."
"It's more than that to me," he told her. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to come across as a sad fanboy, especially at my age. This is a dream come true meeting you at last. I've been a fan of yours such a long time. If you'd made records I'd have bought every one. I thought I'd got over my adoration of you. It's been a long time since you retired after all. However there you were, stood right beside me, and I went all gaga."
"Did yer have a crush on me?" she asked.
He cast his eyes down. "Yes and that's something else you've revived." He raised them again. "Please don't tell my wife. I love her to bits but she wouldn't understand. She knows I used to like a singer called Rita Littlewood but has no idea how much."
Rita was flattered. "As I'm unlikely to bump into her-"
"But you may," he butted in. "She's with me on this trip."
She sat upright. "Jealous type?"
He shook his head. "Not with me being away a lot. She doesn't travel with me all the time. We know neither would be unfaithful and trust each other implicitly."
Rita wished Harry was the same. "So she won't see me as a rival for yer affections?"
"Not a chance," he smiled. "She knows how much I love her. Besides, she's imagined you as being, er... younger."
Rita reclined again. "And yer never corrected her?"
"I was embarrassed," he confessed. "Bad enough having a crush on someone I watched on stage without her being much older as well. I didn't want her to make fun of me. How old are you, by the way?"
Rita blinked in shock at such a question then burst out laughing. "Yer really want to know?"
"If it's not too personal," he said.
She looked at him. "Before I tell yer, how old do yer think I am. Honest answer now. No buttering up."
He pondered. "Late fifties?"
"I wish!" she howled. "Yer are how old exactly?"
He frowned. "Forty-nine. Why?"
"Forty-nine," she echoed. "Flamin' heck. I'm old enough to be yer mother! I'm seventy-six."
He was stunned. "You're really that old?"
"Afraid so," she shrugged. "Stopped fancying me now, huh?"
"I doubt I ever will," he replied. "You were my first real crush. But at least my wife will definitely realise you're no threat. Another drink?"

Norris left the Rovers just before closing time. Emily had already gone home but he wanted to make sure there was no chance Harry could be lurking. Despite his bravado he was quite scared of him. Even though Harry was several years older than even Rita, he still had that menacing presence when things weren't going his own way. He looked up at Rita's flat to make sure all lights were off and started to walk towards number three when, as he passed the alley between the pub and the Barlows, he was grabbed and hauled in, wincing as his back connected hard with the metal gate. "The money's in my pocket. Take what you want but please don't hurt me." He heard malevolent laughter. "Bates?"
"Got it in one," Harry hissed, his face close to Norris's.
Norris tried to brave it out. "What do you want?"
"I want you to leave me and Rita alone," he ordered.
"I haven't gone anywhere near Rita," Norris reminded. "You make sure of that."
Harry tightened his grip. "Make sure you keep it that way."
"You must be really worried she'll see the light to keep threatening me behind her back," Norris observed.
"Rubbish!" Harry scoffed. "I have nothing to fear where Rita's concerned."
"Then why did you demand I sell my share?" Norris queried. "Why did you drag me in here? You're losing control, Bates. Rita's away from you now. An entire week without you manipulating her into your way of thinking. No running to her side like you did when she was staying with Mavis. If she doesn't see the light by the time she comes back then you'll have really done a good job on her. I won't let her throw her life away on a vicious thug like you and will stop this marriage whatever it takes."
Harry laughed. "Because you'd rather she throws it away on you. I'm not the slightest bit worried she'll 'see the light' as you put it. I have nothing to be worried about. Rita loves me which is all that matters. She'll become Mrs Bates on the nineteenth whether you like it or not. There is nothing you could possibly do to prevent it. It's her destiny."
"There's plenty I can do and you know it," Norris replied smugly. "I haven't even begun."
Harry's grip tightened again. "Try anything and you'll regret it, Norris. If that marriage doesn't go ahead due to your interference there'll be a funeral very soon afterwards." He released him. "Just remember that."
Harry walked back to the flat seething more than he had before while Norris wiped the sweat from his face. That settled it as far as he was concerned. He had to break them up before the wedding up no matter what.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 27

Back on the ship, Rita was having an enjoyable time with the captain and they had now been joined by his wife.
"Rita was telling me she'd sung on this ship," he was telling her.
"Were yer on it then?" Rita asked.
He shook his head. "I was on Sagafjord until she was chartered. I went over to Vistafjord after that. She's now Saga Ruby. Adorable little ships."
"Ah," Rita realised. "No wonder yer said all that before we left. Did yer, by any chance, deliberately let her go first? Only I've cruised on this ship a few times and we always went first."
He laughed. "You've found me out. Yes, nine times out of ten we do depart first. It's rare to be in our home port with her so I chose to follow. As you'll have seen, she's been behind us all day. We've been nicknamed Super Ship on one internet site because we're faster than anything else currently in service and can easily make up time. After breaking down off Dubrovnik last September we could very easily have missed the fortieth anniversary cruise. Of course it was only forty years since she was launched and named but a lot of people believe it meant service, probably because naming is shortly before the maiden voyage these days instead of well over a year earlier. She didn't begin service until 1969. Anyway at one point we were thirteen hours behind Sea Princess and due back in Southampton for 6.45am with her following. Oceana was scheduled to arrive first as she had the farthest to go. We beat them both back, hence Super Ship."
Rita took a swig of her drink. "The QE2 is thought of very highly. It will be a sad day when she leaves. I have many happy memories of cruising on her."
"Will you go across to Queen Victoria?" his wife asked.
Rita shook her head. "Not keen on brown and beige. Me local now has similar decor and I hate it. If me daughter got a job on the Victoria I'd go but only for that reason."
Louise walked in, glanced around and when she saw her mother went over. "Having fun?"
Rita beamed. "Speak of the devil. Andy. Jackie. This is me daughter Louise. Louise, this is the captain so behave yerself."
They all laughed and shook hands.
"Can I get you a drink?" Andy asked.
"No thanks," Louise replied. "I need to talk to me mother about summat very important. I'm sorry to drag her away."
Rita looked up at her. "Right now?"
"Afraid so," Louise said in a hostile tone. "Sorry."
Rita sensed something so rather than have a public row, finished her drink. "Well it's been nice meeting yer both." She stood. "Don't get up."
"It's been nice meeting the famous Rita Littlewood at last," Jackie told her. "I was beginning to think you were a figment of my husband's imagination."
Rita laughed. "Now yer won't forget that photo, will yer?"
He shook his head. "Not a chance. Just you don't forget the autograph."
Louise was losing patience rapidly and tapping her finger on the back of the chair.
Rita cast a sideways glance to the offending object. "I won't. Good night."
She followed Louise out of the bar and to the lift. They were alone as they got in. Louise pressed the button to take them down to Two Deck.
"I hope yer going to apologise to Andy and Jackie next time yer see them," Rita snapped.
"What the hell for?" Louise said.
Rita was enraged. "How about rudeness for a start?"
Louise scowled at her mother. "Oh belt up, yer old bitch!"
The doors opened. Louise stormed off towards the cabin, Rita meekly following unable to take in the way she'd just been spoken to. When she arrived at the cabin she found the door ajar. Slowly she pushed it open and stepped inside, confronted by Louise packing.
"What are yer doing?" she asked.
Louise kept her back to her mother. "Getting as far away from yer and this farce as possible before I do summat I'll regret."
Rita was confused. "I don't understand."
Louise stopped and turned. "Yer couldn't help yerself, could yer?"
"Couldn't help what?" Rita asked.
"Spying on me when I told yer not to," Louise barked. "Then yer went and told the captain and his missus yer me mother. How many others have yer told?"
Rita frowned. "What difference does it make? I am yer mother."
Louise brought her face closer to Rita's. "I don't want anyone knowing I'm related to yer in any way. Understand?"
"No, frankly I don't," she replied. "Why don't yer?"
"Because I hate yer!" Louise yelled. "I've hated yer since I found out. I only pretended to forgive yer after dad told me he'd fallen for yer again. Last thing I wanted were yer two being a couple but yer are. I hoped it wouldn't last because he'd end up choosing yer over me if it came to it but it has. I love me dad. I don't want him upset and the thought of us as one big happy family makes him happy. Course it'd be better all round if yer ended it when we get back then yer'd never have to see either of us again. All the while me dad's with yer I have to stop meself murdering yer for what yer did."
Tears welled in Rita's eyes, her heart broken. "Yer agreed to this trip-"
"It were forced on me by yer both," she snorted. "I didn't have any say in the matter. Do yer honestly think I want to spend any time with yer? I didn't really agree to try and get on the cruise ships to get away from Dev. It was to get away from yer. Seeing yer hoodwink me dad makes me sick."
The tears rolled down Rita's face. "I happen to love yer father no matter what yer believe."
Louise pointed at her. "No. What yer love is the ideal family and not to be lonely in bed at night. Though looking at the state of yer it's no wonder only me dad fell for it."
"That's not true," she sobbed.
"Course it's not(!)" she replied sarcastically. "I had hoped when I said yer'd have to pay full whack yer'd cancel. Normal people would've swallowed it. Just how desperate ARE yer?"
Rita wiped the tears away. "Swallowed it?"
"I didn't ask about yer paying half," Louise spat self-righteously. "I lied, okay? I don't care whether yer paying half or all of it. Yer should've cancelled while yer had the chance. All that money spent getting to know each other wasted. I mean, why should I find out when I had no intention of staying in this cabin with yer?" She turned back to the cases.
Rita was stunned. "Yer've forgotten summat. Yer father will have to know about this. How are yer going to explain yer behaviour?"
"I'm his little girl, aren't I?" Louise said. "I'll spin him a yarn and have him eating out of me hand. By the time I've finished he'll see yer in a whole new light, of that I guarantee. There'll be no marriage. I'll have me dad all to meself and yer'll...." She paused. "Well yer'll have Norris." She laughed.
Rita swallowed hard, fighting the tears as best she could. "Yer know what he did all them years ago. Yer know why yer were adopted. Why the hell am I still the villain in all this?"
"Because making him believe all these years he killed his own child is worse than owt he did," she spat. "Yer evil and the sooner he's away from yer the better."
Rita leaned against the dressing table watching Louise finish her packing. She was totally at a loss what to say in her defence because whatever she tried to, Louise would twist it. And what would she say to Harry when she spoke to him the next day? What if Louise got there first and started working on turning Harry against her? Louise did the cases up.
"Stay out of me way for the rest of the cruise and we'll both be happy," Louise ordered.
Rita grabbed her arm. "Yer'd ruin me life out of spite?"
Louise shrugged her off. "Why not? Yer ruined mine."
Rita closed her eyes, totally dejected. "Yer definitely yer father's daughter."
"Thank yer," she smiled. "Yer know I can fully understand why he treated yer the way he did. Yer drive people to it. I haven't hit yer yet though. Come near me again and I won't hold back. That's a promise." She dropped the key on the table then let herself out.
Rita brought her hands to her face and sobbed.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 28

A few days passed and Rita had sunk deeper into depression. She'd forced herself to be cheerful speaking to Harry when in reality she wanted to slash her wrists. At least Louise hadn't said anything to him which gave her some hope she was merely angry at her standing by the Grand Lounge that night and everything else was said in the heat of the moment. She had an uphill task ahead as whenever Louise spotted her, she would go another direction. Rita had gone up to the Sun Deck during the day to observe the surroundings as they drifted at anchor in Geirangerfjord. As she leant on the rail she couldn't prevent the tears flowing or muster up any enthusiasm to enjoy the scenery. It was a bit nippy but she was past caring.
"Everything all right?" a woman's voice asked.
Rita turned round to see Jackie so took a tissue from her bag and wiped her face. "Fine."
Jackie moved beside her. "You don't look fine. Andy and I wondered what happened to you. We haven't seen you around for a couple of days."
"I've just had a few things on me mind, that's all," she sighed.
"Anything I can help with?" Jackie said.
Rita shook her head. "No one can. I wish I'd never come. Worst holiday of me life."
Jackie was worried. "Then we'll have to make it the best. Come on."
"Where to?" Rita frowned.
Jackie pointed to the shore. "There. No point coming to one of the most beautiful countries in the world if you're not going to see any of it."
"I'll look later," Rita replied.
Jackie folded her arms. "I won't take no for an answer. Andy and I have been looking for you ever since we dropped anchor. He's got everything all planned. We're going up to the top for starters. Absolutely breathtaking view and he wants you to see it. He's done this trip many times so knows the best sights to see. Do you want to disappoint your number one fan? He'll be devastated if you refuse when he's been planning this since you and your daughter left us the other evening."
Rita felt a pang in her heart at the mention of her daughter. "I don't want to be in the way."
"You won't be," Jackie assured. "We want you to come. Bring your daughter if you like. I understand she's working onboard. Andy's the captain. He can order she has the afternoon off."
Rita turned her head away and brushed a tear away. "She's busy."
Jackie was really getting concerned. "Have you fallen out?" When no answer was forthcoming she guessed so tried to make her feel better. "I argue with my daughter all the time."
"Bet she doesn't say she hates yer," Rita sniffed.
"All the time," she dismissed. "Never means it."
"Louise does," Rita confessed. "That's the difference. I've been through all this before. She were adopted, yer see. I only learnt in November she were mine. There were reasons we couldn't keep her. Her dad's a saint in her eyes. I'm evil. She said as much t'other night. She let me believe - us both believe - she had accepted me when she hadn't. She lied to make her dad happy. It were his idea I come on this trip. I wish I'd said no." She sighed heavily. "I shouldn't be boring yer with this. It's my problem and I'll sort it."
Jackie put an arm around Rita's shoulder. "Listen, she clearly enjoys making you miserable. Therefore make sure you do the opposite. Show her you can't be beaten and can take anything she throws at you."
"Easier said than done," Rita replied.
"Nonsense," Jackie said. "Go and sort yourself out and meet us in the Midships Lobby in ten minutes. If you're not there, I'll send Andy to come and get you. There's no escape on this ship from a captain with a mission."
Rita chuckled. "Thanks."
Jackie smiled. "Don't mention it. Now get going. I'll find Andy."

Jackie and been right and Rita bucked up enormously during the afternoon with her and Andy. They'd stopped in a little cafe on the way back to the tender.
"I don't know how I'll ever thank yer both," Rita told them sincerely. "This is just what I needed."
"Stars shouldn't be miserable," Andy remarked.
"But I was never that," she reminded.
"You were to me," he said.
Jackie rolled her eyes. "It's a good job I'm not the jealous type."
Rita smiled. "I have my Harry anyway. He's all I want." She tried not to dwell on Louise's threats about coming between them. She doubted she'd succeed anyway. Louise had no inkling how much she meant to Harry so it was highly unlikely he would listen when he hadn't in the early days.
"When's the wedding?" Andy asked.
"Twenty-one days," Rita sighed dreamily then cleared her throat after noticing the way they were looking at her. "Been a long time coming. Hadn't even seen each other for thirty-five years. Had to tell him about Louise which I weren't looking forward to. Never had the easiest of relationships but he's not the same man he were back then. We've both changed which is probably why it's working this time around."
Jackie bit into a slice of cake. "I'm sure you'll both be very happy."
Rita finished her coffee. "We will be. In't life funny? Me and Harry hated each other. Events during our previous relationship killed the love we had. Yet here we are all these years later. I miss him and wish he were here."
"Where are you going for your honeymoon?" Andy asked.
"We went on a cruise," Jackie added. "Couldn't keep him away from the sea even then."
Rita laughed. "He should've married it."
"That's what I said," Jackie giggled. "Are you sure you don't want any cake?"
Rita shook her head. "This is fine, honestly. I'm saving room for dinner."
Andy and Jackie glanced at each other knowingly but let it go.
He dropped his napkin on the table. "Ready to go back? Don't want them leaving without us."
"I'm sure yer can make them walk whatever the modern equivalent of the plank is if they try," Rita chuckled.
"Or I could just make them clean all the windows," he remarked, standing. "From the outside while we're doing thirty knots."
They all laughed as they headed onto the street for the short walk back to the tender. Rita had a truly marvellous afternoon but as the little boat neared their ship she was filled with trepidation at the thought of the next meeting with her daughter. It would be just like her to try and spoil things again. The tender pulled alongside the 70,000 tonne vessel. Andy didn't pull rank as they waited for the passengers inside to disembark first. Once through security they stopped by the lift.
"Thanks again," Rita said. "Yer really have cheered me up."
Jackie smiled. "Our pleasure. See you for a drink in the Yacht Club later? Or would you prefer somewhere else?"
"The Yacht Club does get a bit noisy," she noted. "The Golden Lion gets packed. Crystal Bar again?"
"Ten?" suggested Jackie.
Rita beamed. "Ten it is. See yer both later."
They all said their goodbyes then Rita returned to the cabin happier than a few hours earlier. Jackie was right. She had to show Louise what she was made of. She'd suffered worse in her time and came through it. There was no way she was going to spoil this trip no matter how hard she tried. The fact she hadn't jumped at the chance to tell Harry what a horrible mother she was proved she was still unsure of herself. All she had to do was get on with her holiday and keep reminding Harry how much she loved him.

The ship raised the anchor shortly after 6pm. Rita, along with many others, crowded along the observation deck as the chains holding the anchor were winched up by the machinery and the bell was occasionally rung. Being able to dine any time between 7-9pm was very useful as it meant she could stay out as long as she wished for sailaway. The ship blasted as they moved away from the fjord and sailed towards Flåm, the penultimate port on the cruise. Less than four days and they would be home, something she was beginning to dread the way Louise was towards her. All she'd ever wanted in life was to be happy but it always went sour. As they moved further and further back towards open sea she resolved to put everything out of her mind. Not a lot she could do until she was home anyway. It was getting chilly and she decided to go back inside. She was the only one left and stopped dead as she saw Louise and a man coming up the steps. She quickly walked to the other side but knew she wouldn't be quick enough to disappear inside so dived to the side pretending to admire the passing waterfalls, hand hiding her face as best she could.
Louise strolled around the observation deck arm in arm with Angelo, the drummer from the band she sang with. Her face hardened when she saw her mother trying to be incognito. "Excuse me a moment, Angie. I'd have to talk to that woman." Angelo remained where he was as she casually went over and said menacingly down her ear, "If yer don't want me to see yer, go for a better disguise in future. How about starting with a new wig?"
Rita kept here eyes on the view. "This happens to be me own hair, lady."
"Maybe yer ought to buy a wig then," Louise snarled. "Owt's better than that mess on yer head."
Rita fought the tears again. "Have yer finished?"
Louise leaned in closer. "Yer'd like me to, wouldn't yer? All the while yer alive I'll never be finished. Why don't yer do us all a favour and jump? Yer know yer want to. Let me be happy. Let me dad be happy. If yer really loved either if us yer'd prove it by killing yerself. Such a beautiful place for someone so ugly to die." Then she laughed and casually returned to Angelo.
Rita had never known such heartache upon realising how nasty her own flesh and blood could be, just like her father. She couldn't stop the tears flowing as Louise's laughter faded into the distance. All she'd done was protect her from a violent father. She didn't deserve this and couldn't take much more. When she could cry no more, she wiped her face with a tissue and made for the steps leading down to the Boat Deck. As she took hold of the rail she blacked out and tumbled down them.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 29

Some time later Louise was enjoying herself on the bed in her pokey crew cabin with Angelo when there was a persistent knocking on her door.
"Are you going to answer that, babe?" he asked, losing concentration.
She placed her hand on the back of his head. "They'll go away." It went quiet. "Told yer."
"Your mother's right about you," a voice said angrily.
Angelo hastily got up and grabbed his clothes.
"How the hell did yer get in me cabin?" Louise screeched. "Get out!"
"I got the key from your steward." Jackie looked her up and down disdainfully. "I foolishly thought you'd want to hear what's happened to your mother but clearly you have more...pressing matters to attend to."
"Now what's the stupid bitch gone and done?" Louise snorted.
Jackie moved towards the door. "She's unconscious in the medical centre after falling down some stairs. Enjoy the rest of your evening." She closed the door after her.
Louise propped herself up and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply as she went over what Jackie had announced.
Angelo didn't know what to do. "Are you going to see your mother?" Silence. "Are you staying here?" Silence. "Do you want me to go or stay? Louise?"
She blew out a huge cloud of smoke. "Better go. That bitch has ruined the moment. She'll have done it on purpose."
He couldn't believe she'd said that. "You really think your mother fell down the stairs deliberately?"
Louise stubbed the cigarette out. "Wouldn't put it past her. She's a nasty piece of work and a constant attention seeker. Never lets me be happy. Now she's ruining this trip."
Angelo said nothing as he pulled the top over his head and let himself out.

In the medical centre, Rita was still out of it and lying in the bed with Andy and Jackie by her side.
"And she accused her of..." Andy was saying, completely amazed anyone could believe such a thing.
Jackie nodded. "Didn't care one bit. If she realised what she was putting Rita through-"
"What was I putting her through?" Louise asked from behind.
Jackie turned. "You know damn well, young lady. And now look at her."
Louise remained where she was. "Is she dead?"
Jackie became infuriated. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Make you feel better, would it?"
"Actually, no," Louise replied, brushing a tear away.
Andy stood. "No?"
Louise took a deep breath. "I thought I did. I thought I'd be glad if she died and was out of my life forever. What is it about hospitals, eh? One helped bring me parents back together when I were unconscious and I've realised I don't want to lose her now she is."
Jackie was sceptical. "Don't want to lose her as a mother or as someone you can be spiteful to?"
"As a mother," she admitted. "I know I've been a cow. Me dad said a while ago I didn't deserve her as a mother and he were wrong. It's her who don't deserve me as a daughter. I told her earlier to jump. When yer told me she'd fell, I imagined she tried to kill herself and it were all my fault."
"Oh I see," Jackie said. "So the only reason you're here is to have your conscience eased."
"No!" Louise insisted. "I don't want her to die because of me."
"Well yer could've fooled me," Rita mumbled from the bed.
Louise sobbed with joy and rushed to her side. "Oh, mam!"
Rita didn't react, just glared at her.
"Do you want her to leave, Rita?" Andy asked.
"Yes," she stated.
Louise wept. "Please, mam. Give me a chance to explain."
Rita hardened her heart. "Why should I? Yer made yer feelings perfectly clear. Boot's on t'other foot now, in't it? Get out of me sight, Louise."
"I'm going nowhere until yer listen to what I have to say," she replied resolutely.
"What's the matter? Afraid of yer dad's reaction when he finds out what a bitch yer've been and how yer lied to both of us all this time?" Rita asked bitterly.
"No!" Louise exclaimed.
"Because yer said it yerself. He'd choose me over yer any day," she continued.
Louise sighed heavily. "I know he would and I wouldn't blame him. Mam, please. I'm so, so sorry for everything. I want to tell yer why I behaved the way I did."
"I'm not interested in hearing yer lies, Louise," she snapped. "Had enough of them these past seven month."
Louise fell silent. "You look so pale."
"Do yer care?" Rita growled.
Louise brushed away another tear. "More than I realised. Please, mam. Don't send me away. I know I did it to you after me accident and understand how I made yer feel with me rejection. Let me explain then I'll go if yer still want me to. Please. I'm begging yer."
She glanced between Louise, Andy and Jackie. "Can yer leave us please?"
"Are you sure?" Jackie asked.
Rita nodded. "I'll be fine. She wouldn't dare do me in for the will because yer'll both know who did it."
"I'd never do that!" Louise gasped.
Rita narrowed her eyes. "So yer say. But then yer say a lot of things which turned out to be lies. Why should that be any different?"
Louise lowered her head as Andy and Jackie departed. "May I sit?" she asked once she heard the door click shut.
"Please yerself," Rita said. "Yer have up till now."
"Yes I have," Louise replied, "and I'm not proud of it. I used yer giving me away against yer and I shouldn't. I know what dad's like. How could I not after all these years? Truth is, I were scared. Don't look at me like that. It were easier to accept Harry as me dad. We'd been on good terms since I were little, but were never really that close. He and me adopted dad were drinking pals and he were always in our house when he and his latest bit of skirt went. Nowt changed there. Yer, on the other hand, were a different matter." Louise took a deep breath. "Finding out yer were really me mam frightened me. Yer were a second mam to me anyway. Yer know how devastated I was when me mam died. If it hadn't been for yer, who knows what I'd have done. Yer got me through everything. We've been close since I told yer me ambitions to be a rich and famous singer and I've always held yer in high regard. After the grief I went through losing me mam, I were terrified of going through that, or worse, if I let meself get closer to yer. Can yer understand that?"
Rita sighed and closed her eyes. "Unfortunately I do."
A tear rolled down Louise's face. "So I put up a wall to stop meself caring and being sucked in."
"Bit like I did with yer dad," Rita said. "He managed to bring it down in the end. He always did batter down me resistance, usually with his fists."
"Is that a good thing after everything that happened between yer?" she wondered.
Rita smiled. "I think so. I must admit I were never a hundred percent sure he weren't playing for a mug. But he's shown over and over he's different now. I can love him without fear at last and I do, very much."
"I were good for summat then," Louise sniffed. "I know I hurt yer when I said them things. I didn't want yer on this cruise but not for the reasons I said. Just us two on this ship meant I couldn't escape and the last thing I wanted were to start to care. I mean no offence, but neither yer or me dad are spring chickens. Who knows how long either of yer've got left?"
"None taken," Rita said. "Yer right. We could pop our clogs any time. There again, we could live many years yet."
"Yes," Louise agreed, her nose beginning to run. "Which would make it worse. I had to cut yer out of me life. I didn't want the pain of losing yer."
"So yer made me suffer instead," Rita spat. "That it?"
Louise wiped her nose with her cuff. "No. Yer wouldn't be in here if it weren't for me."
"I'm not going to argue with yer there," she expressed sadly. "Are yer done?"
Louise was taken aback. "Yes."
"Good," Rita said, "now it's my turn and I don't want any interruptions. Understood?" Louise nodded like a naughty schoolgirl. "Now I've listened to what yer've had to say and while I can sympathise I'm not sure I can forgive as easily as yer'd like. I knew there were summat going on the way yer couldn't wait to get out of the hotel then avoided me as much as yer could. I loved yer, were proud of yer and yer threw it all in me face. Yer didn't care what yer were doing to me so don't give me that about walls. If yer had an ounce of conscience yer'd have stopped when yer saw how upset yer were making me. Yer far too much like yer father. Both of yer can be cruel and nasty, whether it's mental or physical abuse and go on and on and on wearing people into the ground until they start blaming themselves. No, I didn't deliberately fall down the stairs. I wouldn't give yer the satisfaction of killing meself because yer drove me to it. I haven't eaten since yer told me how much yer hate me and only had a coffee earlier so Andy and Jackie wouldn't ask questions. I didn't wish I were dead. I wished I'd never come on this stupid trip and were back home with yer dad. I also wished yer HAD died all them years ago then I'd never have known what an evil child I'd brought into this world. I can't believe I ever wanted yer, let alone felt guilty all this time for giving yer away."
Louise was shocked, tears filling her eyes. "Yer don't mean that."
Rita raised an eyebrow. "Think not? Yer not a very nice person, Louise, and yer've certainly shown yer true colours after all these years. Yer not the same person I thought yer were and I'm ashamed to have given birth to yer. Have yer any idea how much yer hurt me?"
"Yes," Louise sobbed.
"I very much doubt that," Rita countered.
"I do," Louise said, "because yer hurting me right now."
Rita looked at her. "Not very nice, is it?"
Louise shook her head, defeated. "Yer don't have to tell me I've brought it on meself. I truly am sorry, mam. I know yer don't believe this but I do love yer. It took yer accident and thought of losing yer to make me realise how stupid I've been and nowt I say or do can make up for the way I behaved." She sighed heavily, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "Yer don't have to worry. I won't bothering yer any more. Time after time since November dad's been proved right and I don't deserve yer." She rose and made for the door.
"Louise," Rita called.
Louise turned. "What?"
Rita spread her arms leading to Louise finally cracking a smile as she rushed over and they hugged each other tightly.
Louise looked up. "I don't get it. Yer have every right to disown me. Why are yer being so nice?"
"Because we all do things we shouldn't," she explained. "We've all deliberately set out to cause pain at one time or another. I did with yer dad, telling him yer were dead. Yes it were cruel. Had no choice. If he'd known the truth..." She shuddered. "None of us are perfect. Fresh start?"
Louise grinned. "Fresh start."


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 30

Louise moved back into the cabin. Rita had been lucky, only gaining a sprained wrist after her fall which was heavily strapped. She couldn't believe she had been forgiven so easily and promised herself she would do everything she could to make it up to her mother. They docked at Flåm followed by Stavangar the next day and went ashore together. Rita was much happier than she'd been since they'd arrived at the Holiday Inn a week earlier. They were now on the final day, having set sail from Stavangar the evening before and had a day at sea before docking at the QEII Terminal in the morning. Night had fallen and the entertainment was in full swing around the ship. Rita sat in the Grand Lounge proudly enjoying her daughter's performance.
"Ladies and gentleman," Louise addressed the crowd. "Before we get onto the last number of the cruise I would like to introduce to you a very special lady. She was once a singer until her retirement twenty-five years ago but was mainly known in the north of England and is going to make a rare appearance just for us tonight. So please put your hands together and give a rapturous QE2 welcome for the one, the only, Miss Rita Littlewood."
The spotlight fell upon Rita who made her way to the stage amid the applause and smiled at her daughter. "Thank yer, darling," she mouthed, taking the microphone from him leaving Louise to sit on a stool to the side. "I'm only going to sing one song so don't worry. Then yer can go back to the talent." She half-turned, winking at Louise as the opening bars of Just An Old-Fashioned Girl began.
Louise watched in admiration as she held the audience in the palm of her hand and wished she was half as good. Once Rita had finished the audience erupted. Louise returned to her side with another microphone. "Okay I have a confession to make. She's me mother so yer can clearly see where I get this fraction of me talent from."
"I do wish yer wouldn't keep putting yerself down," Rita said then turned to the crowd. "She's got a lovely voice, hasn't she?" The audience applauded. "There yer go. Fellow cruisers with taste. I'm just a holidaymaker meself, yer know. Only this one decided to have her old mother show herself up once more. Anyway I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the captain for encouraging her in this madness. I thought I'd better agree otherwise he'd chuck me overboard and I don't want to lose me only fan." The audience laughed. "He's over there hiding in the dark so I don't know who's driving the ship. No icebergs in the North Sea I hope." She winked as the audience laughed. "Come on up, captain. Come on. I'm sure they'd like to see what yer look like before we all rush to the lifeboats. But if yer expect me to leave me make-up behind yer've got another think coming. Come on."
He reluctantly went around the chairs and stepped onto the stage feeling very embarrassed. Louise handed him her microphone. "I don't know what to say."
"Thanks'd do," Rita smiled. "I came out of retirement again because yer two were in cahoots and wouldn't belt up until I said yes."
He laughed. "Can I help it if you're the best singer I ever heard?"
She pondered. "No."
He turned to the audience to help him keep a straight face. "Ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoyed hearing Rita as much as I did. A lot of years have passed since I first saw her in the working men's clubs-"
"Watch it," she remarked. "I'm only twenty one."
He glanced at her. "A few years have passed since I first saw her in the working men's clubs-"
"Better," she said. "Only I'm too young and innocent to know what a working men's club is."
"Are you going to let me finish?" he asked, sniggering.
"I could make a mucky comment here but I'll spare them," she quipped.
"Aren't yer meant to be young and innocent?" he said.
"Good point," she replied. "Go ahead." She winked.
He couldn't contain himself and clamped his hand over her mouth. "Don't argue with your number one fan. Now are you going to be quiet and let me continue speaking to the very patient audience out there?" She nodded. He removed his hand. "Good."
"Who said I were arguing?" she said. "Carry on. Louise has got a show to finish then we've got the cases to put out before we can all get to bed. If we miss the collection I'm not lugging them off the ship. Yer can do it and mine are VERY heavy."
He pulled a face at her the turned back to the audience. "Ladies and gentleman, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted-"
"I'm a passenger, ergo a customer," Rita began, "and they say the customer is always right. But carry on and it better be good after keeping us waiting all this time."
The audience laughed, clearly enjoying this double-act.
"I was about to say," Andy continued cautiously in case she opened her mouth again, "since seeing her in my youth, I'd never have dreamed she would be here performing on my ship."
Rita frowned. "I thought it was Cunard's ship. Did you buy her? She's not going to Dubai after all? Yer going to keep her sailing? If not, is she big enough to go in yer back garden? I take it yer HAVE a back garden. Yer must get paid a fortune so will have a massive garden." She smiled at him then became deadpan. "I know. This is the last time yer ask me to sing on yer ship."
He burst out laughing as they put their arms around each other's waists. "Now you can see why I became such a fan. There's no one like Rita Littlewood in the entire world."
"I should flamin' well hope not," she laughed. "Yer wouldn't have wanted to torture these poor people if there were more of me. What did they ever do to deserve me singing at them?"
"Refused to eat their greens," he joked. "Now will you shut up?"
She made a zip gesture across her lips.
"I wish I could believe you," he chuckled while she raised her eyes innocently. He waited a while in case she spoke before carrying on. "I am honoured she agreed to sing tonight. It took me back to my misspent youth in the frozen north when I was just starting on the cruise ships. The QE2 sadly leaves us this year. But now I have an eternal memory from one of her final cruises. Thank you, Rita, for making an old captain very happy."
Rita smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. "It's been a pleasure."
He put his hand to his face. "I'll never wash again."
"Oh yes you will," a voice shouted. "Unless you want a divorce. I'm not sleeping with a smelly husband."
Everyone laughed again.
"Okay I'll wash," he conceded. He looked at Rita. "One final favour?"
She sighed. "Go on."
"A duet with Louise for the final song?" he suggested.
"And be upstaged by me more talented daughter?" she snorted. "Yer must be joking."
"I thought you'd learned by now I never take no for an answer," the captain told her. "Still time to throw you overboard."
She pursed her lips. "Blackmail again. Yer know the salt water plays havoc with me lacquer. Go on then. That's if Louise don't mind."
"Why should she?" he asked. "This was all her idea in the first place and I was more than happy to go along with it."
"Remind me to cut her out the will," she joked.
Andy laughed. "Ladies and gentleman I give you for the one and only time anywhere in the world, Miss Rita Littlewood and Miss Louise Fletcher."
Rita took the microphone, winked at Andy then beamed proudly at her daughter as the opening strains of music began.

Louise awoke the following morning and found she was alone. "Mam? Mam?" She pushed the covers back and knocked on the bathroom door. "Mam? Are yer in there?" She tried the handle. The door was unlocked with no one inside. She rubbed her head completely baffled as to where her mother had disappeared to. She checked out the porthole to see they still had some way to go before they entered Southampton Water. A terrible thought struck her so she quickly dressed, went up to One Deck and dashed aft along the corridor until she emerged into the warm morning air. She stood by the flagpole gazing at the wake then as she turned breathed a huge sigh of relief when she spotted Rita sat upon an original wooden chair on Quarter Deck seemingly in a world of her own. She decided to join her so made her way to the stairs. "This is where yer got to. I thought yer'd jumped after all."
Rita was brought out of her reverie. "Woke up about a couple of hours ago and couldn't get back to sleep. Daft, I know, especially with such a long drive ahead. Went for a wander then as soon as it got light I came out here. It's so peaceful. Yer, the ship and the sea. There's nowt like it. Helps yer concentrate when yer thinking."
Louise pulled up a chair. "About anything in particular?"
"Me life," she sighed, "and how much it's changed since I got back from me last cruise in November." She gently placed her hand on Louise's cheek. "I've got me daughter back FINALLY and this time next month I'll be Mrs Bates." She removed her hand. "Who'd have thought it a year ago when all I had to do were work in the shop and go to the Rovers to pass the time?" She reclined as the ship turned at the Calshot approach. "That's another reason I couldn't sleep. I'll be seeing yer dad again. I've missed him more than I ever imagined I would. I've been sat out here wondering why it's taken forty year for us to have the sort of relationship I always wished for. It had been only a matter of weeks after we got together last time before he hit me. I really can't believe how very different he is. It's like there's two Harry's and I finally got the nice one."
"Do yer really believe he's changed after all these years?" Louise wondered.
Rita looked directly at her. "Well he's not hit me despite our rows, so yes I do. Maybe he's mellowed with age. No hang on. He tried throttling me and Dev so can't have." She shrugged and rested her head back. "I don't know. It's been a long time coming but I feel safe around him and can't wait to be his wife in a few weeks. I think, hand on heart, if I believed he would hurt me again I'd run a mile. I never dreamt I'd ever end up here. If we'd wed back then I'd have been so miserable and probably ended up killing meself or him. I think it's better now. We've both been through a lot one way or another. I respect him more than I did then. I loved but hated him. Do yer understand what I mean?"
Louise nodded. "I grew up listening through the wall to him shouting and his latest fancy piece crying. It used to scare me when I was younger and yer have no idea how glad I were he weren't me dad."
"I think I do," she replied. "I were glad to get away from him so I can't even begin to imagine what that were like. Never even occurred to me what the neighbours endured when he were laying into me or the kids. I just wanted him to stop." She took her daughter's hand. "I'm sorry after the nightmare yer had growing up he ended up yer dad after all. As much as I love him, I really wish he hadn't been."
"But if he hadn't been yer wouldn't be marrying him," Louise reminded.
Rita smiled. "True. I'm sure yer know what I mean though. If I had a choice of all the men I've ever loved, Harry Bates would be the last one I'd want as the father of my child. I can't explain it, especially with what's happened since."
"If yer had that choice," Louise began, "which would yer prefer to have been me dad?"
Rita inhaled deeply while she considered. "Honestly?" Louise nodded. "Ted. I wish we'd got together in the 70s then I'd never have wed Len. But, like Harry, there were a small matter of a wife. Oh and neither of us fancied t'other." She chuckled briefly. "No other fella would have been worthy to be the father of me child. Every one before and after him were bastards. Well except Harry this time around. If he'd been like this all them years ago I'd want him to be the father, no doubt about it."
Louise stood and leaned on the rail. "I'm going to dump Dev when we get back. I could accuse yer of being two-faced but I shan't. Not after all them years hearing dad and whoever. And I'm certainly not waiting forty years to see if he changes."
Rita hoped she was hiding her glee. "What made yer change yer mind?"
Louise turned. "Yer did. It's plain if I hadn't come along yer wouldn't have gone within a million miles of him after what he did."
"I hadn't given him a second thought in so many years," Rita confessed. "I couldn't stop meself falling for him again no matter how hard I fought it. I never could until I'd had to give yer up and he eventually threw me out. But by then I were so filled with hatred for him it were easier. The hatred which returned after yer confronted me with them papers. I'd always been unable to resist him while at the same time being scared witless of what he'd do."
"I feel the same about Dev," Louise replied. "Which is why I'm going to end it. Yer were right. It's history repeating itself so time to put an end to it before I do end up like yer and contemplate marrying him in forty years. He's vain enough now so I dread to think how much worse he'd be then when there's nowt to be vain about."
Rita laughed. "I'll support any decision yer make, darling. Yer right though. Me taking yer dad back and meddling in yer life is two-faced, especially when I have Norris trying to split me and yer dad up. I know yer never said it. Well not much. But I bet it crossed yer mind many a time when I were against yer and Dev. As much as I love yer dad and am looking forward to marrying him, I really have no right telling yer how to run yer life. Not after all these years and not when I'm with a man with a history of violence who nearly killed me once. It's too late for me but not for yer which is why I wanted yer to have nowt to do with him. Yer still young enough to change things so yer don't go the same way as me. Paying attention to them alarm bells instead of blocking them out. I've accepted me lot. Not much choice after the life I've had. The peasant drives me to the brink of murder the way he tries to split up me and Harry then I hear meself doing the same thing to you and Dev. I argue with me dearest friends over their disapproval which yer do with me. I fear for yer. I don't want yer going through what I have despite me and yer dad getting back together. I'm sorry."
"That's fine," Louise assured. "I don't hold it against yer. I know yer only want what's best for me and Dev's not it. Besides, dad may not be that way towards yer any more. Shown no signs so far."
"Apart from after I told him about yer which I can accept," she noted then sighed heavily. "But I sincerely hope he isn't now."
"There's summat else I've decided," Louise added. "From now on I want to be known professionally as Louise Littlewood even though I'll never be as good as yer."
That brought tears to Rita's eyes. She got up and hugged her daughter. "Yer'll be better than me and be a success, yer'll see. I'm so proud of yer."
The tugs Bentley and Lady Madeleine attached to the stern as they neared Hythe pier and headed back towards the QEII Terminal where they'd started a week earlier.
"Soon be home," Rita noted. "I'm going to ring yer dad. I've waited nearly two days to speak to him again."
Louise sat back down observing her mother standing by the stairs as she spoke to Harry and felt content for the first time since November.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 31

Rita and Louise pulled up outside the shop just after 3pm having first dropped Louise's luggage at her house.
"Glad to be back?" Rita asked, turning the engine off.
"Apart from telling Dev what I really think of him, yes," she smiled.
"Yer'll be fine," her mother assured. "And if he does owt, come and tell me at once. I'll deal with that coward."
Louise laughed. "I bet yer will."
Rita opened the door. "Come on. Let's go and see yer dad. I've missed him a heck of a lot."
"I hope he's missed yer as much," Louise remarked.
"As we're getting wed in seventeen days, he'd better or I'll make him suffer in more ways than he ever dreamed of," she winked, getting out of the car. Once locked she walked towards the shop and went in with Louise bringing up the rear. "Place still standing then?"
He broke into an enormous grin and went over, throwing his arms around her and kissing her passionately while trying desperately to erase all thoughts another man had touched those lips and more over the past week.
"I must go away more often," she remarked.
"Don't you dare," he said.
"Louise has got herself another job on a ship and asked me to go with her," Rita told him.
He forced a smile. "That's wonderful news. Sounds like you're really going places."
"Well yer do on cruises," Rita joked.
"I can't wait to show off me parents," Louise said.
Harry was thrown. "Parents?"
Louise nodded. "Unless yer don't want to come."
"I thought it would be just you and your mother again," he said.
"Dad, this trip were yer idea and it were a good one," Louise replied. "Gave me and mam a chance to get to know each other as yer suggested. We talked about it onboard when they offered me the job. We've never had a family holiday due to various circumstances. I don't work all the time so we can do things together and when I am, yer two can enjoy yerselves."
Rita looked at him. "So, yer coming?"
He beamed. "I'd love to."
"Good cos it's already booked," Rita smiled. "We made a detour to the travel agents on the way back. I missed yer very much and won't go without yer again."
It crossed his mind this was some sort of guilt talking. "But who'll look after the shop?"
"I can always ask Emily," she said. "Or Ken. Someone'll help out. Don't worry about it. Right, who's for a cuppa? I'm dying for one and to get these shoes off."
"I'll have one," Harry replied.
"Oh me too," Louise added. "I'll give yer a hand."
"Er..." Harry began. "I'd like to talk to Louise for a moment. You don't mind, do you, Rita?"
"Not a bit. After all, yer've not seen her since last week either so want to hear all about it. I'll bring down another mug." With that she went through the back and up the stairs.
Louise noticed something was clearly worrying her father. "What's up?"
"Nothing," he lied. "Did you both have a good time?"
Louise chuckled nervously. "Yer couldn't ask that while mam were here? Yes we had a great time after...."
"After?" he prompted.
Louise reddened. "I were really horrible to her, dad. It were all an act, yer see, me accepting her. I only pretended to make yer happy when yer told me about falling in love with her again. I hoped it wouldn't last because I knew if it came to it yer'd choose her over me but it did. The last thing I wanted were her coming with me but I couldn't say owt. Yer suggested it and she were so happy. I tried to get her to change her mind, especially when she found out she'd be paying double but she were having none of it. I told her all that on the second night and moved out of the cabin. I caused her so much pain in them first few days. I even told her to jump overboard and do us all a favour. When she ended up in the hospital...."
Harry's head shot up. "Hospital? What's wrong with her?"
"Nowt now," Louise went on. "She stopped eating and fainted at the top of some stairs. Hurt her wrist but that's much better now. The thought of owt happening to her made me realise I did care about her after all. Everything were fine after that. Clean slate and she forgave me so much easier than I'd forgiven her. Yer were right. She is a wonderful woman and I don't deserve her as a mother."
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing but was determined to find out if Rita had been unfaithful. "I can't pretend I'm not shocked by your confession but as long as Rita forgives you it's fine by me. What about men? Plenty of them?"
"I'll say," Louise giggled. "Mam had a few offers herself."
His blood pressure began to rise. "I bet."
"Surprised her, I can tell yer," she said. "She were very flattered but made it plain she weren't interested."
"Really?" he replied sceptically.
Louise hadn't missed his tone. "Yes. Dad if yer think mam were out cavorting with anyone who took a fancy to her behind yer back yer very wrong. She thought it were a laugh and good for her ego, especially when fellas in their forties and fifties gave her the attention instead of me, but she never did owt. She loves yer, dad, and yer'd be a fool to think otherwise."
"Were you with her all the time?" he asked.
"Most of it," Louise replied.
"Then how do you know what she got up to behind YOUR back?" he added. "You said yourself you moved out of the cabin. How do you know what she did with you safely out the way?"
Louise couldn't believe this was coming from her own father. "I thought yer trusted her."
"I do," he stated.
"Then yer could never even imagine she'd do such a thing," she countered. "For crying out loud, dad. She were seriously depressed after the way I treated her. If she wouldn't eat what the hell makes yer think she'd jump into bed with someone else? I were the cause of her misery. Yer weren't there. Yer didn't see how she was."
"I knew you'd cover up for her," he snorted.
Louise was getting frustrated. "I'm covering up nowt! I wish she had been unfaithful then at least yer'd have a reason to be irrational. But she weren't because she loves yer too much. The way yer carrying on it'll serve yer right if yer DO end up losing her. Keep it up, dad. Only don't come whining to me when she chucks yer out cos yer'd have brought it on yerself."
He closed his eyes and sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I can't help myself. Men were showing interest in her when we were together before. You have no idea what that used to do to me. We're both older now but still that green-eyed monster rears its ugly head when I'm with her. I do trust her and am lucky she gave me another chance. I just can't shake those thoughts she'd rather be with someone else. My insecurities I suppose. I've often wondered why a very beautiful woman would want to be with an ugly begger like me. I haven't aged well in the looks department but your mother is still as beautiful." He allowed himself a little smile as he thought of her. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost her again."
"Then don't give her cause to end what yer both have," Louise pleaded. "She loves yer. She trusts yer. Not once did she wonder what yer were getting up to back home. She knew she didn't have to. There's no other man for her and it's your loss if yer can't accept that. I'm going to check she's okay. I'd hate to think she came back down and heard all this rubbish."
That hit home with Harry and he dashed after her, completely forgetting to shut the shop, catching up with her in the lounge.
"Looks like yer got away with it," Louise noted, pointing to her snoring mother in the chair. "This time."
Rita stirred. "Oh sorry. Must've dozed off. Shut the shop already?"
"Oh damn!" Harry said. "I forgot about the shop." He rapidly disappeared.
She was confused. "What's going on?"
"Nowt," Louise told her. "We just wondered where yer'd got to."
"I sat down for five minutes," she replied. "Didn't mean to nod off. We had far too many late nights and early mornings, me girl."
"Yer gave me a run for me money," Louise chuckled. "How come yer've got more energy than I have when yer nearly twice me age?"
Rita tapped her nose. "State secret."
"I'd better be heading home," Louise said, making for the door. "Got all that washing to do before I face Dev."
Rita stood. "Are yer sure yer want to do it by yerself? I worry what his reaction'll be."
Louise nodded. "Quite sure. I'd be better off out of that. But if I need yer, I will call, I promise."
Rita put her arm around her and they walked towards the stairs. "Yer'd better. Come on. Better say ta-ra to yer dad otherwise he'll think yer don't love him any more."
They entered the shop as Harry was serving Emily.
"There you are," Emily beamed. "Did you have a nice holiday?"
Rita nodded as she put her arm around Harry. "I did but it's great to be home." She gazed up adoringly at him which made him feel guilty for what he'd imagined she'd got up to.
"Norris hoped you had met someone else during your cruise or 'come to your senses' as he put it," Emily added.
"Well she didn't," Harry growled defensively making them all embarrassed. "When is he going to get it in his thick head it's me she loves and wants, not him?"
"All right, darling," Rita placated. "Once we're married he'll have to accept it whether he likes it or not."
Emily picked up her magazine. "I'd better be getting back. It's good to see you home, Rita. Bye."
"Bye," Rita echoed sadly. She rounded on Harry. "Now see what yer've done."
"I'm sorry, Rita," he said. "That little weasel gets on my nerves."
"I can see that," she replied. "In fact I've seen it for the past six months and frankly I'm getting a little tired of it. Yer know he's no threat so I don't know why yer keep acting like he is."
Louise looked knowingly at her father. "I'll leave yer to it. See yer in the pub later? Or will yer be too tired?"
"I'll see how I feel," Rita replied then glared at Harry. "Or if I've done him in."
"Okay." She gave a little wave then hot-footed it out of there before all hell broke loose as the last thing she wanted to do was take sides or accidentally blurt out about his jealous rage earlier.
Once the door closed Rita turned her attention back to her fiancé. "Right, now perhaps yer'll tell me what that were really about. And I don't want to hear any guff about Norris because I don't believe a word of it. He's just an excuse for summat else. Well?"
Harry fiddled nervously with the till buttons. "I don't know what you're talking about, Rita."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't give me that. Summat weren't right from the moment I walked in here with Louise. Oh, yer may have pretended to be pleased to see me but I could sense there yer were hiding summat, especially after the way yer wanted to speak to her alone. Yer'd never have done that if yer weren't going to talk about summat yer didn't want me to hear."
"You're talking rubbish, darling," he giggled nervously.
"Now I know I'm right," she said. "And I reckon I can guess what it were about an' all and it weren't plans for the wedding or asking to see the holiday snaps."
He knew the game was up and sighed. "Your guess would probably be right."
"Why?" she screeched. "After everything we've been through. Everything we've said to each other and yer still don't trust me."
"It was him," Harry countered, doing his best to remain calm at the very thought of Norris Cole. "I admit it did cross my mind when you left but I do trust you so let it go. That little get has been winding me up since you drove off. He even came in this morning asking if you were back yet or if you'd run off with the captain. I could've hit him but I didn't."
It was her time to sigh as she rubbed her forehead. "Well I'm glad about that. But when's this jealousy going to stop, Harry? I honestly believed it had. You promised me it had."
"All right," said, turning to face her for the first time. "I know I was wrong. I feel bad enough about suspecting you would betray me even though I knew deep down you wouldn't. You mean the world to me, Rita."
She rolled her eyes and snorted in derision. "Looks that way(!)"
"You do," he pressed. "I've been lucky to have you in my life not once but twice but I'm afraid you'll wake up one day and realise you've made the biggest mistake of your life. I mean look at you. Even at your age you're still incredibly sexy and just as stunning as you were when I first saw you. Then look at me. I'm scared I'll lose you, Rita, if you met someone better looking or who could give you more than I ever could."
"The only way yer'll lose me," she began, "is if yer carry on like this or lay one finger on me. I know why yer act the way yer do. Yer explained it all to me a few months back and I understood. I really thought yer'd know me better by now. Yer can't help who yer fall in love with and looks have nowt to do with it."
"They do if you look like me," he said. "Gorgeous woman in my life who could have any man she wanted but settled for second best because she couldn't get him."
She was aghast. "Is that what yer really think? Yer think I'm that shallow or desperate to have any man in me bed?"
"Of course I don't," he sighed. "I'm putting it badly."
"Yer doing just fine," she snapped. "This time on the 19th we'll be married and now I find out what yer actually think of me. Suppose it's better than finding out afterwards."
"I don't think you're like that at all," he defended. "I'm trying to explain about my insecurity where you're concerned. I've never had it with any other woman I've been involved with. You always bring out the worst possible jealous streak in me."
"If that's meant to be a compliment?" she barked, "yer need to go back to charm school."
He shook his head. "Stop twisting things, Rita. I love you, okay? I hate the thought of you with anyone else when you're out of my sight even though I know you'd never do that to me. I can't help it. It's the way you make me."
"Then perhaps we ought to just call the whole thing off then I can't do to yer it any more!" she ranted. "Stop blaming me for yer own failings, Harry!"
"I'm not," he stated.
At that moment Norris walked in. "Nice to see trouble in paradise. I told you it was a mistake, Rita, but you wouldn't listen."
That did it for her. She marched over and grabbed him roughly by the throat, forcing him out of the shop. "Get lost!" She slammed the door and turned the sign to closed.
"I bet you enjoyed that," Harry remarked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh shurrup!" she snapped, a faint smile forming. "I haven't finished with yer yet."
"Is that a promise?" he asked.
She tried fighting the smile as her anger subsided. "What do yer think?"
"I'd better stay behind this counter then in case you give me the same treatment." He grinned at her.
"It's no laughing matter," she said.
"No?" He raised an eyebrow. "Look, Rita. I know I'm a fool. You can't possibly make me feel any worse about my thoughts than I do already. I love you so much. If you want to call it off then you have every right. I can't expect you to live with me and my jealousy. It would be unfair on you."
She leaned back against the door. "Harry, yer said a few months back I couldn't let go of the past and this is why. I've been on the receiving end of what came next when it happened then. I promised I'd move on and I did because I wanted us to have a proper future together where I weren't living in fear of yer next move. And things were working out fine until today."
"I still haven't touched you though, have I?" he questioned.
She shook her head. "No. Which is why I won't call it off. Yer've earned yerself another reprieve. But this is definitely yer last chance. No more ridiculous jealousy. Accept I'm with yer because I love yer and want to be yer wife. Not because I didn't get a better offer. Not because I'm desperate. Because I want to be and aren't interested in anyone else. Yer do this again and yer out."
He looked at her sadly. "Last chance accepted. I know all that deep down. I just lose all reason when I'm with you. You see it as a failing. I do too and I'm trying not to let it happen. All I want to do is make you happy for however many years we have left, darling."
"And yer do," she conceded. "Most of the time." She went to him and took his hand. "Now give us a kiss before I have a nap."
"Want me to join you?" he asked hopefully.
"Yer've got the papers to get out," she reminded. "However if the deliveries are finished early, there's nowt to say yer can't shut the shop."
"That's a first," he noted.
She put her hand on his face. "No point staying open when there's better things to do. Don't forget to turn the sign back."
They kissed passionately before she left him to it and went to bed.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 32

Over at number three, Norris burst through the door, throwing his paper excitedly on the table.
"Whatever's happened?" Emily asked.
"Rita and that man," he panted. "They were having a really heated argument in the shop just now. I think it's finally all over."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Are you quite sure it's not your wishful thinking?"
He shook his head as he caught his breath. "She was really angry with him about something. Physically threw me out of the shop then put the closed sign up. Before I went in I heard her say something about calling it off and not to blame her for his failings. It looks like she's seen the light at last and that's the end of Mr Harry Bates."
Emily was sceptical. "All couples argue, Norris. It doesn't necessarily follow Rita won't marry him after this."
"But she wasn't having any of whatever he was saying," he defended. "I've never seen her so angry so it must have been bad."
"Had he hit her?" Emily asked.
"Well, no," he admitted. "That's not to say he didn't afterwards."
"Anyone would think you want him to hurt her in some way," Emily accused. "I thought you were her friend and friends do not wish physical harm upon others. Whereas you seem to be relishing in the prospect."
"If it's the only way she sees what a huge mistake she's making then it appears to be the only way," he said.
Emily was appalled. "I honestly cannot fathom how you could revel in someone else's misery and I refuse to discuss this any further unless you have actual proof they are no longer a couple." She went to the kitchen leaving him speechless.

Later that evening Harry and Rita went to the pub to meet Louise who was already waiting for them in a booth with drinks.
"Made it up then?" she smiled as they sat opposite.
"With a little help from a rodent," Rita replied, glaring at Norris who was trying to act nonchalant at the bar.
"Perhaps we should go over and thank him," Harry suggested. "Rub it in we're still blissfully happy."
She looked at Harry. "I'm sure we can think of a better way. Give us a kiss yer old crock."
He put his arm around her. "It'll be my pleasure."
Norris couldn't help looking and felt sick Harry had somehow talked Rita round yet again. Time was getting short and he needed to come up with something fast.
"Not that I need any encouragement," Harry said, casting a smug glance in Norris's direction.
"Yer not kidding," Rita chuckled. "But then yer never did."
"Can I help it if you're the most gorgeous, sexiest woman on the planet?" he asked.
"No," she beamed, leaning over to kiss him again.
Louise cringed. "Put him down, mam. Yer putting me off me drink."
She looked at Harry. "We've bred an unromantic brat, darling. Is it too late to try again?"
"Yes but there's nothing stopping us from pretending to try," he cooed.
Louise pulled a face. "Ugh. Too much information."
Rita poked her tongue out making Louise laugh just as Dev approached them.
"Lou!" he greeted cheerfully. "Why didn't you tell me you were back?"
Rita tensed as she worried about her daughter and hoped she wouldn't back out.
"Because it's none of yer business," Louise replied coldly. "I decided when I were away I were going to dump yer. Now yer here it's saved me the job of going to see yer tomorrow."
Dev glared furiously at Rita. "Is this something to do with her?"
"Eh," Rita barked. "I have got a name, yer know."
"You've been against us from the start," Dev hissed. "Done everything in your power to split us up then lied to him about it. I warned you what would happen if you interfered, Rita."
Harry's ears pricked up. "Lied?"
Norris couldn't help overhear too and was delighted the boot was on the other foot. After all, how could she have the brass neck to accuse him of meddling in her life when she was blatantly doing the same in her daughter's?
"It's got nowt to do with mam," Louise said calmly. "It's me own decision because yer such a bastard. I heard yer threaten her before we left. She were right about yer all along. Besides I didn't miss yer. Not when I were having such fun with the guitarist, then the drummer, then the-"
He found himself slapping her with the entire pub as witnesses. "I'm sorry, Lou. I didn't mean to do that. I don't know what came over me."
Rita was raging. She stood and slapped him back. "Don't know what came over yer again more like. Come near any of us again and yer'll be sorry. And thanks for showing the neighbours what yer really like. Now get out!"
"This isn't finished," he threatened.
"Oh, I think it is," Rita spat, eyes narrowed, pointing her finger at him. "I'll be watching yer."
"You won't be around forever," he hissed again. "Won't be able to do much to me from beyond the grave when Lou comes running back again. I can wait."
"Then yer'll be waiting a long time," Louise stated.
He stared at one after the other then the observers around the pub before storming out.
Rita let out a sigh of relief as she sat down, reaching across the table to her. "Are you okay, darling?"
Louise nodded. "Thanks."
She noticed everyone was still looking at them and she sat back. "Show's over. If yer after an encore I could always sing." They returned to their drinks and conversations. "Critics." She winked to her daughter.
"If only they'd seen yer strutting yer stuff on the QE2," she replied. "Puts me voice to shame."
Harry frowned. "What did he mean when he said, 'lied to him', Rita?"
"Yer've got a lovely voice," Rita said, ignoring Harry. "It's natural but could do with a little work to make it more powerful. Nowt wrong with it though and we sounded marvellous in harmony. I can't wait to see the video."
"I'll put it on DVD tomorrow then we can all watch," Louise replied. "The captain were so kind towards us. Who'd have guessed he were a fan of yers?"
Rita laughed. "I didn't think I had any. Shook me I can tell yer. Thought he were a nut to start with."
Harry was growing impatient. "I asked you a question, Rita."
"He were dead chuffed about having his photo taken with yer and yer signing it," Louise continued. "I reckon that's got pride of place in his cabin. I just hope Jackie won't be jealous when he's gazing adoringly at yer and sighing even though she said she didn't mind his infatuation with yer."
Rita laughed again. "At my age I'm hardly competition, am I?"
"She may think so," Louise joked
"Are you going to answer me or not?" Harry growled quietly so as not to cause yet another scene while grabbing her upper arm tightly to attract her attention.
She looked down at his hand which he instantly removed. "This in't the time or place. We're here to have a nice quite drink as a family."
"I want to know what you've been lying to me about," he demanded. "Because it's making me wonder if there's anything else where you've been economical with the truth."
Louise felt another row brewing. "Don't blame mam. It's all my fault. I made her promise not to tell yer Dev had been hitting me. We both had a fair idea what yer'd do if yer knew."
Realisation dawned on him. "So when she brought you to my house and said you'd been mugged, he'd done it?" Louise nodded sadly. He looked at Rita. "Is this why you were so keen for her to work away and were hostile towards him?"
It was her turn to nod. "I hated lying to yer," she explained. "I remembered the way yer went for him at the hospital and didn't want that happening again. I tried to deal with it the best way I knew how even with him threatening me."
"He threatened you?" he gasped.
"It were nowt," she dismissed. "I'm an old hand at dealing with violent men, aren't I?"
That cut into him. "I still wish you'd told me."
"Listen, Harry," she began, trying not to wallop him. "I would've when the time were right and, more importantly, if she wanted yer to know. She's not proud of herself, yer know, for not listening to the wise old bird who gave birth to her all them years ago. And it didn't help either when the wise old bird lost her own mind and committed herself to a man who treated her the same all them years ago before and after she were born which resulted in her being adopted. I weren't exactly the best advert for having nowt to do with bullies yer happen to love, as she pointed out a few times. And that's all there is to it. The only thing I've kept from yer in all these months."
He put his hand over hers and smiled in reassurance. "Don't worry. I'm not going to lose my temper. I'm just shocked to learn our little girl's been suffering and you kept it to yourself. I understand your reasons. I only wish I hadn't found out like this."
"That makes two of us," Rita said flatly.
"Make that three of us," Louise added. "I'm sorry dad. I've learnt me lesson. I stupidly went back to him once. Won't make that mistake in a hurry."
Rita wished she'd been as confident when she had been that age but then she wouldn't have her daughter. "Anyway it's done now. Can we just forget about it? Louise and me have just returned off holiday so there's far better things to talk about."
Harry kissed her cheek. "You're right. Who's for another drink? Then you can tell me all about this fan of yours."


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 33

The eve of the wedding arrived and Rita was getting nervous as all blushing brides, even those in their latter years, do. Although she loved Harry and he had kept his word and never hit her, she still couldn't help worry things would change once the ring was on her finger. She was concerned mainly about his jealous streak. The alarm bells kept ringing and she ignored them out of the love she had for him. Her thoughts were interrupted when Norris walked in making her scowl.
He sensed her loathing of him. "Afternoon, Rita."
"Afternoon," she replied flatly.
"Are you all ready for the big day tomorrow?" he asked out of courtesy, still praying something would go wrong.
"I will be if no one sticks their oar in," she replied pointedly. "Were there summat yer wanted or did yer come in just to raise me blood pressure so I'd have a heart attack and not get wed?"
"A paper," he sniffed haughtily.
She held her hand out. "Forty-five pence."
He handed over the coins. "I hope he makes you happy."
"He will," she said defiantly, dropping the money in the till.
"Good luck." He picked up his paper and went to the door. Upon opening it, he spotted Harry coming towards the shop and quickly closed it. "There's just one more thing," he added, walking towards her. He went behind the counter and put his arms around her. As he heard the door open he quickly kissed her.
"You bitch!" Harry yelled.
Rita realised she'd been set up as Norris hastily made his exit. "It's not what it looks like."
"I seem to remember you saying that before," he snarled. "How long's it been going on?"
"Nowt's been going on!" she screamed.
"Liar!" He struck her hard across the face sending her crashing into the shelves. "Tomorrow should have been the happiest day of my life when you finally became my wife. Only you're still as bad as the rest of them."
"I've done nowt!" she cried. "Can't yer see he did this to make yer jealous so yer'd lose yer temper?"
He hit her again. "I'm fed up with your excuses! You've been found out. Why not admit it?"
"I admit nowt because I've done nowt!" She held her stinging face. "Yer know he's done his utmost to cause trouble between us. Yer know he'd love nothing better than us splitting up. Can't yer see yer playing right into his hands?"
He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back making her cry out. "You're a whore, Rita. You always were."
"And yer know what YER always were, Harry," she spat, tears streaming down her face. "So much for yer being a changed man. I actually believed yer this time. My judgement always were rotten when it came to bastards."
Harry hit her again. "Bitch!"
At that moment Louise walked in and was shocked at the scene which greeted her. "Dad!" She rushed to her mother.
Harry let Rita go and slumped to the floor, head in his hands.
"Yer wanted me to trust yer," Rita sobbed, wiping the blood from her chin. "Works both ways. I risked losing me friends for yer. None of them approved. They all knew yer'd go back to yer old ways only yer had me convinced yer wouldn't. In fact, yer accused me of not letting go of the past. Looks like I were right to stay cautious, doesn't it?"
Louise comforted her mother. "How could yer do it, dad?"
"I came in and saw red when I caught her and Norris kissing," he explained meekly.
"Yer caught nowt!" she yelled. "HE kissed ME! He must've seen yer coming because he were on his way out before changing his mind."
Louise was disgusted. "She loves yer, dad. No one else. When we were on the cruise she was so excited at marrying yer. She told me she were sure yer really had changed and it made her love yer even more. If she was how yer paint her she'd have slept with whoever during it instead of thinking only of yer. How could yer do it, dad? I'm ashamed of yer."
Harry was mortified by his actions. "Oh God! What have I done?"
"Let Norris win," Rita spat bitterly. "And I hope yer satisfied."
"I wouldn't have hurt you for the world," he whined pitifully.
"Well yer did," she said, fighting the tears. "Just like they wanted. I hope yer really proud of yerself."
"I'm so very sorry," he told her. He pushed himself up and wiped his eyes on his cuffs. "I still love you, Rita, but I'll leave you alone from now on. You can keep the jewellery and the money I lent you. I'll call the registry office to tell them the wedding's off." He trudged out of the shop, head bowed, totally crestfallen and despised himself.
"Be back in a minute," Louise said, getting up.
"Where are yer going?" Rita asked.
"To give him a piece if my mind," she replied then left.
As soon as the door closed Rita broke down.
Outside Louise saw Harry turn the corner into Rosamund Street and ran after him. "Dad!" He carried on walking. "Dad!" She caught up with him and grabbed his arm.
"What are yer doing here?" he said sadly. "Get back to your mother. She needs you more than I do."
She delved into her bag, pulled put her keys and held them out. "Go to my house."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because despite what yer did, yer still me dad and I care about yer," she replied. "I don't want yer walking the streets. Anything could happen."
"Be better for everyone if it did," he added glumly. He forced himself to take the keys then walked off.
Louise sighed then went back to the shop, her heart going out to her mother as she heard her sobs coming from behind the counter. She locked up, went to her and held her tightly.
"How could I have fallen for it again?" Rita wailed.
"How could we both have fallen for it?" Louise pondered. "I believed him too and now understand totally why you were forced to give me away. He's a maniac!"
"It could've been a lot worse if yer hadn't come," she sobbed.
"Come on. Let's get yer upstairs." Louise helped Rita up, silently cursing her father for ruining everything.

Once Rita was settled on the sofa with a stiff drink, Louise decided to find Norris. She started at number three only to get no answer so went a couple of doors down to the Rovers where she spotted him drinking with Emily. "I hope yer pleased with yerself."
"I don't know what you're talking about," he lied.
"What the hell gives yer the right to interfere in other people's lives?" she shouted, bringing the pub to a standstill.
"Louise," Emily began. "Please calm down. You're causing a scene."
"Nowt compared to what HE caused a short while ago," she hissed. "Deliberately kissing me mam so me dad'd see and lose his rag."
Emily was now the one to be shocked. "Is this true, Norris?"
"I don't know what she's talking about," he stammered, avoiding eye contact.
"I suppose her battered face don't know what I'm talking about either," she shouted. "He could've killed her if I hadn't turned up."
Emily was appalled. "How could you do that to Rita? I thought she was your friend."
"Someone had to force the issue before she married him," he defended. "She wouldn't see what he was truly like."
"She already knew what he was like," Emily said. "I may not have approved but up until today he had done nothing to harm her. Without your interference they may have had a happy life together."
"I saved her from him!" Norris cried.
"Saved her?" Louise snorted. "I didn't see yer in the shop protecting her after yer caused this. She's in a right state thanks to yer and neither of us will ever forgive yer."
"Make that any of us," Emily added, glaring furiously at her lodger. "I don't want to hear any of your excuses, Norris. What you did was despicable. Louise, is it possible I may see Rita?"
"I did what I thought was for the best." He noticed the eyes of the entire pub on him and wished the ground would swallow him up.
"I refuse to listen to you," Emily said. "In fact when I return home after finding out how Rita is I don't want to find you there."
Norris's jaw dropped open. "You're not throwing me out?"
"I most certainly am," she stated. "I shall never forgive you for what you put Rita through out of malice. Leave your key on the table." She sidled out of the booth and followed Louise leaving Norris wondering where he was going to sleep that night.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 34

As they reached the front door Emily suddenly became nervous and stopped.
Louise opened the door and realised Emily hadn't followed. "What's up?"
"What if Rita holds me partially responsible for what happened?" she asked.
"There's only two people she blames," Louise assured. "Norris and dad. Yer'll be fine. Come on." She climbed the stairs with Emily reluctantly following and was surprised to see her mother in the bedroom slashing her dad's clothes. "What are yer doing?"
"What does it look like?" she replied, tears streaming from her eyes. "I don't want anything of his in me flat."
"You could've just packed it up," Louise told her. "You didn't have to destroy everything."
"Why not?" she cried. "Not as if he hasn't done it to me. Pity I didn't use these scissors on him as well."
Louise looked at Emily desperately.
She put her handbag down and crossed to the irate Rita. "This isn't helping."
"No?" she said. "Making me feel better. Just wish it was him."
"You loved him before," Emily noted.
"I should've had me head tested before," she snorted before dropping the scissors and collapsing in a heap on the bed hugging herself.
Emily indicated to Louise to make herself scarce.
"I'll go and check on dad," she said.
Rita's head shot up. "I hope yer not taking his side."
"Oh course I'm not," she snapped. "What he did were unforgivable. I've never seen him the way he were when he left here. I just want to make sure he's not done owt daft."
"Do you mean suicide?" Emily gasped.
Louise said nothing.
"Be better for everyone if he did," Rita said angrily. "Wish he had years ago then I wouldn't have let meself get into this mess again."
Louise could understand where her mother was coming from but it was still not nice to hear it. "Is there anything yer want me to tell him?"
"Only that I hate him and hope he dies a very slow and agonising death," she spat. "Preferably with me causing it."
Louise looked down as she left her and Emily to it.
Rita shrugged Emily off. "I don't know what yer doing here unless it's to gloat."
Emily sighed. "Gloating if the farthest thing from my mind, Rita. I cannot deny I never wanted you to marry that man. I was fearful of what he may do to you."
"Which he did," she sobbed.
"But it was your life and I for one had no intention of interfering," she went on. "It was up to you to decide whether to marry him or not. It was entirely possible he meant what he said and you may have been happy. I warned Norris to leave things alone."
Rita's eyes narrowed in pure hatred for her former employee and business partner. "Norris. I don't know whether to hate him or thank him."
"Don't thank him!" Emily exclaimed in disgust. "I've been observing Harry's behaviour all year and he's never responded that way when you've even talked to any other man. Norris on the other hand he knows is a rival for your affections."
"That peasant is NO rival," she spat.
"We both know that," Emily replied. "But to Harry all the taunts made him jealous. You are unaware, I presume, of the things Norris said to him when you weren't around?"
Rita frowned. "Why are yer sticking up for him? Look what he did to me!"
"I can see only too well what he did to you, Rita," she defended. "And I am not 'sticking up for him' as you put it. I cannot abide violent men. If he had done this during the past months and you were still determined to marry him then I would have said you were very foolish. I am merely trying to see everything from Harry's point of view. That man adores you. I honestly believe he wanted to change. Norris on the other hand refused to let either of you have any peace. We both know his motives. I recall telling him it wouldn't matter who you were with, he still wouldn't be pleased. I feel I must tell you Harry threatened Norris in the shop."
Rita sat up and winced. "What? When?"
"The day you returned from visiting Mavis," she told her. "Demanded he sell his share of the shop back to you."
"I see," Rita breathed. She cast her mind back to the argument she had with Harry over her asking Norris to stay on and began to wonder what his game was.
"I believe Harry saw Norris as a threat," Emily noted. "Not for your affections as he knew you had no feelings for Norris other than friendship. I'm only surmising but I wouldn't be surprised if he feared for his own temper with Norris baiting him where you were concerned. Telling him you wouldn't be marrying him at all."
Rita mused over what she was hearing. "Tell me honestly, Emily. Is Harry the real reason Mavis didn't come?"
Emily nodded. "She told me she couldn't see you ruin your life on a wife beater."
Rita sighed. "I thought as much. She made her disapproval plainer than yer did."
"We were all worried about you, Rita," Emily said. "Mavis and I know what he put you through in the past."
"And yer filled in Norris," she said flatly.
"He took against Harry from the minute he had his hands around your throat, resulting in Louise falling down the stairs," she replied.
Rita felt the tears well again. "I bet he's delighted at the way things have turned out."
Emily sighed. "I wouldn't know. I've told him to pack his bags. What Harry did was terrible. Norris provoked him and doesn't even feel bad about it."
"Yer've kicked him out?" she gasped.
Emily nodded. "I don't want him under my roof any longer."
Rita felt a little heartened at that news. The phone rang.
"I'll get it," Emily offered. "Hello? Oh my goodness! Yes I'll tell her. Thank you for letting me know." She hung up.
"Who were it?" Rita asked.
"Louise," Emily said. "It appears Harry has attempted to take his own life."
Rita was knocked sideways. "Where is he?"
"Please tell me you aren't even entertaining the thought of going?" Emily replied.
She pushed herself up. "I have to, Emily. Don't ask me why. I just have to. Now, where is he?"
Emily sighed, fearing her friend would get herself in deep again. "Weatherfield General."
"Thanks." She carefully made her way out of the bedroom, grabbed her coat and flinched as she put it on.
Emily stood by helplessly. "Would you like me to come with you?"
Rita picked up her bag. "No. This is summat I have to do alone. Thanks anyway. Can yer see yerself out?" Emily nodded. "Ta. See yer." She held onto the banister as she descended the stairs, opened the door and got into her car where she drove straight to the hospital.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 35

Louise was in A&E pacing up and down. She wished her mother was there but realised it was unlikely judging by how much she loathed Harry and with good reason. She didn't know what she'd do if her dad died and hated feeling torn between the two of them.
"Louise?" she heard a familiar voice say behind her.
Louise turned round. "Mam!" she gushed, hugging her, making Rita wince. "I'm so glad yer here though have to admit I'm a bit surprised."
Rita sat on the hard plastic chair. "So am I. Where is he?"
"In there having his stomach pumped," Louise sniffed.
"What happened?" she asked.
"What do yer think happened?" she screeched before remembering where she was. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about him. Yer may want him to die but I don't. Or is that the real reason yer here so yer can make sure he is?"
"Now yer talking rubbish," she snorted. "I may be furious with him for what he's done but he's still yer dad no matter what. I haven't got a magic wand to make that little fact disappear."
Louise sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. He couldn't live with himself after hitting yer." She opened her bag and pulled out a letter. "He left this for yer. Left one for me an' all."
Rita swallowed hard as she took it, tears stinging her eyes. She cleared her throat. "Damn. I forgot to lock the car. Back in a tick."
Louise didn't believe her but said nothing.
Rita stepped outside into the balmy air, leaned against the wall, took a deep breath and opened the envelope. Tears rolled down her face as she absorbed the contents. Once she'd got to the end she lowered her hand. "Yer stupid, stupid man." She wiped her eyes, composed herself and returned to her daughter who was talking to a nurse. "What's happened?"
Louise broke into a broad grin. "They say he's going to be okay. We can go and see him now."
Rita hesitated. "Yer go. I'll wait here and take yer home when yer ready."
The nurse was worried about the state of Rita's face. "Would you like someone to look at that, Mrs....?"
"Sullivan," Rita replied, noticing Louise's expression. "No thanks. I'm fine."
The nurse wasn't convinced but let it go. "If you'd like to follow me, Ms Bates."

Harry lay on the trolley feeling down and wishing he was dead.
"Dad!" Louise rushed over and threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad yer okay."
He didn't reciprocate the gesture. "Why did you have to ring for an ambulance? Can't you see after losing your mother there's no reason for me to go on living?"
Louise was put out. "Aren't I enough?"
"As much as I love you," he sighed, "I love Rita more. Without her I'm nothing. I destroyed what we had again. I let that bastard get the better of me and because of that she hates me and I've lost her for good. I'd rather be dead than live without her."
"But she's here," Louise told him joyfully. "She came as soon as she heard. That must mean summat."
"Then where is she?" he asked. "Don't play me for a fool, Louise."
"She's in the waiting room," she said, "but refused to come and see yer."
He closed his eyes. "Good. I can't even look at her after what I did."
"Tough," Rita said, making a dramatic entrance between curtains. "Cos here I am exhibiting yer handiwork in all its black and blue glory so time to start looking, Harry."
Harry couldn't bear to look at what he'd done and turned his head away.
"Louise, can yer leave us, please?" Rita requested.
Louise nodded. "I'll see yer later, dad." She kissed his cheek then left them to it.
"Going to rub it in, are you?" he said bitterly.
"No," she replied. "I'm here in case yer thought I were a coward."
A tear rolled down his cheek. "You never were that, Rita."
She sat down. "I got yer note. What a daft thing to do."
"I thought yer'd be celebrating with me dead," he said.
"Only if yer let me do it," she remarked. Silence fell between them. "I hated yer, yer know."
He looked at her. "Rita, if all you're here for is to stick the knife in there's no need. I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself."
"Then yer should've instead of swallowing pills," she commented. He turned his head away again. "Sorry. Bad joke." She took his hand. "Cards on the table, Harry. Yes I hated yer. Can yer blame me? Emily explained a few things I knew nowt about where Norris were concerned."
"That bastard!" Harry growled.
"Quite," Rita agreed. "She's kicked him out over this. Anyway, I had no idea the pair of yer had locked horns as much as yer had. Just like I had no idea it were yer idea for him to sell up." She paused for his reaction. "She were quite right when she said yer didn't act that way when any other fella were around me. Only Norris. She seems to think yer felt threatened by him."
"Not just in the way you mean," he explained. "But that somehow he'd manipulate you so you'd change your mind about us. I was terrified of losing you again. I realise that sounds like I was trying to control you but I wasn't. You managed to come to your own conclusions about his meddling without any help from me."
She nodded. "That's because I know him of old. I had no idea he'd stoop to that level though. Setting me up knowing how yer'd react. I hate him far more than I do yer."
Harry broke down. "I'm really sorry for all that."
She stroked his face. "I know yer are else yer'd not have tried to top yerself. Yer never have before. Yer just got on with things with no remorse like nowt had happened. I believe yer are a changed man after all."
He smiled weakly at her, his hand over hers. "I told you I was."
She removed her hand. "When I heard yer'd tried to kill yerself, I felt numb. All the anger and hatred I felt for yer disappeared. I had to be with yer and make sure yer pulled through. I love yer, Harry. I don't want yer to die, especially not on my account."
"Don't, Rita," he said.
She was puzzled. "Don't want?"
"Say things you don't mean only to knock me down again," he replied.
"Odd turn of phrase considering what happened," she mused. "But I'll let that pass. Harry, I were worried sick about yer. Reading yer note made it worse. I know if Norris hadn't kissed me yer'd not have laid a finger on me at all. Yer didn't in seven months, not even when we had those rows. I couldn't understand why yer wouldn't even listen to me. But then yer never did in the past."
Another tear rolled down his cheek. "I let you down. You'd be better off without me in case I did it again."
"Yer won't," she said confidently, her hand running through his hair. "Norris is gone so there's no one to wind yer up. Unless yer don't want to marry me after all."
His ears pricked up. "Marry you?"
She smiled as best she could without causing too much pain, wiping the tear from his face. "That's what we were meant to be doing tomorrow, weren't it? I hadn't imagined it?"
"No, you hadn't imagined it," he said. "But I thought-"
"So did I," she confessed. "Seems I can't live without yer either." She kissed him.
"Oh, Rita," he breathed, happy for the first time in hours. "Are yer sure yer really want to go through with this?"
She nodded. "Never surer. I'll give 'em a ring in the morning and book a new date. Only this time we'll keep it to ourselves and Louise."
He held her head in his hands. "I love you, Rita Sullivan."
"And I love you, Harry Bates," she cooed. "When yer get out of her yer'll come back home to me. Emily should've extolled yer virtues by now to anyone against us after what yer did. After all, she's on our side now. No one will dare stick their oars in again or they'll have me to deal with no matter what they say behind our backs."
He chuckled. "I'd hate to be them if they did. I'm trusting you on this one."
"Good," she replied. "Then when the date comes round we'll get married simply and quietly sticking two fingers up to that lot. Fait accompli. Forty year ago I pretended to be Mrs Bates. This time I really will be. I may be black and blue and in considerable pain but I'm not ashamed to be seen out with the man who did it. Not this time. Neither of us have owt to hide, sweetheart. Norris caused this. Without him it would never have happened. They can all get knotted. I want to marry yer as soon as we're able to get a new date."
"Till death us do part, darling," he said.
"Till death us do part," she echoed, kissing him again.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 36

Norris had spent the night in a downmarket bed and breakfast as that had been the cheapest he could find. He couldn't believe Emily had thrown him out when they were both against Rita and Harry. He just brought matters to a head. What was so bad about that? Emily would understand it was the right thing to do, as would Rita. In fact he was confident they would thank him for it with Rita realising he was the man for her. After all he had her best interests at heart whereas that thug's only intention was to abuse her physically and mentally. He spruced himself up, complete with burgundy cravat, and smoothed back what was left of his hair. Now was his moment at last and he was determined not to waste it. He splashed on some aftershave, plucked a couple of stray nostril hairs which brought tears in his eyes, gargled with mouthwash them let himself out.

Meanwhile Rita was in her flat while Emily took care of the shop. As far as her friends were concerned she was hiding away after what happened so she wasn't offered tea and sympathy, saying how she was better off without Harry as if he could it once, even spurred on by Norris, he could do it again. She knew he would never touch her in future so in reality was replanning her wedding and letting them think what the hell they liked. She sipped some tea and winced, gingerly touching her swollen mouth. She'd managed to avoid looking in the mirror since she'd got back when Harry had been discharged but now had a compulsion to. She took a deep breath then stood in front of it. "Got off lightly," she said to herself as she inspected the damage. "Could've been far worse if Louise hadn't turned up when she did." She shuddered at the thought of what may have happened. Her thoughts were interrupted by the phone. "Hello? Oh, hello, Emily."
<"I'm really sorry to bother you, Rita,"> Emily said. <"Only Norris is here and wishes to see you. I've already told him to leave you in peace but he says he needs to apologise.">
"Send him up," Rita instructed. "I could do with a laugh." She hung up and waited by the top of the stairs.
Norris turned the corner at the bottom, glanced up and stopped momentarily as she saw the state of her before forcing a grin and continuing up them. "Thank you for agreeing to see me, Rita. I half-expected you to tell me to go away."
She had an overwhelming urge to push him down the stairs but somehow managed to resist the temptation. "I considered it, believe me."
He swallowed nervously as she stepped aside to let him pass. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"How do yer think?" she growled, following him into the lounge.
"I truly am sorry for what I caused you to endure, Rita," he told her sincerely. "I merely wanted you to open your eyes where that dreadful man was concerned."
"I knew what he were capable of," she replied, trying to remain calm. "I had been there before."
"And I was afraid you would go through it again," he pointed out. "None of us wanted to see you come to harm."
She glared at him. "That why yer kissed me right in front of him then(?)"
Norris sighed as he scratched his forehead. "I-I-I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do. That man had been bullying me and manipulating you all these months. I feared for your safety. Why else would someone like that want to alienate all your friends? Or didn't you know about his threats towards me?"
"I knew," she dismissed. "Mind, only after yer'd angered him enough to belt me. Why didn't yer tell me what he'd been doing?"
"Would you have believed me?" he asked.
She shook her head. "But that's not surprising considering the rubbish yer always come out with."
"Rita," he began firmly, "I was right about Richard Hillman when everyone ridiculed me, including Emily and your good self. I tried to protect her as I tried to protect you."
"I know yer were right about him," she conceded. "Don't mean yer were about Harry though."
"He hit you, didn't he?" he said.
"Only cos yer actions pushed him to it," she countered. "Up till then he'd not even raised his voice let alone owt else. It were me screaming like a harpy during our rows."
"Doesn't mean he wouldn't have once you were married," he added. "He'd have got you where he wanted and without your friends to protect you. He said to me once all you needed was him and Louise, no one else. I think that tells you the sort of control freak he is and you're better off free of him."
"Don't mean he would've either," she retorted. "But we'll never know now. As yer say, I'm free of him."
"Thankfully," Norris said smugly.
Rita would have pursed her lips if they hadn't hurt but was highly suspicious of his motives. "And Louise knows better than to try and push us together again after yesterday. She's finally accepted it's over between us."
Norris couldn't contain his joy. "It is?"
She didn't fail to miss his reaction. "I knew yer'd be upset(!)"
"I-I'm sorry, Rita," he said. "I realise you're still going through a bad time at the moment but it's better for you in the long run."
She turned her back on him, narrowing her eyes as her rage against him and his behaviour steadily grew. "Yes. Tea?" She strode towards the kitchen before she thumped him.
"Thank you," he replied.
She opened the hatch. "Sit down."
Norris looked around and began to park himself on the sofa. "I must say, Rita, I am pleased you don't hold any of this against me."
"There." She pointed to the chair. "What'd be the point? What's done's done. Can't undo it."
He chuckled nervously, loosening his collar. "I thought you'd have been much angrier with me over what happened rather than the little hostility I'm getting from you."
Rita focused on making the drink, seething inwardly and wishing he'd get to the point. "Why would yer think that? As yer say, yer protected me. Course I'm sure there were other ways yer could've gone about it. Less painful ways. But he's gone now."
Norris cast his eyes down. "If I'd have thought of something which would have involved you not being hurt I would have done it. Alas the wedding was just a day away. I was getting anxious and didn't want you making a huge mistake."
She suddenly appeared in front of him placing the tea on the coffee table, having to stop herself pouring ot over his head. "Desperate more like." She sat on the sofa.
"Yes," he agreed. He moved beside her, ignoring her steely glare. "You deserve better than him, Rita. You need a man who'll care for you, look after you, keep you safe. You'd have had none of that with Harry Bates."
Here we go, she thought. "Not likely to get one of them at my age though, am I? Harry were me last chance at any sort of relationship."
"Not your last chance at all, Rita." He took her hand. "I know you turned me down once but I am the man who'll do all that. I'd treat you in the manner befitting a woman like you."
"Harry called me a whore," Rita noted. "Yer going treat me like that?"
Norris gasped. "Certainly not! That would explain why he clearly had no respect for you. You're a lady and ought to be treated as such. Let me take care of you, thereby proving to you I'm the one you've been searching for all these years."
Rita snatched her hand away and stood. "Yer must think I'm cracked! Yer just another who wants to run me life! Yer as bad as Harry. No. Yer WORSE than Harry. Yer schemed and plotted and look where it got me. Look at the result of YER meddling!" She pointed to her face. "Everything were fine till yer deliberately kissed me in front of him knowing precisely what he'd do. Yer evil!"
"Rita, I-" he spluttered.
"I'm not listening to yer pathetic ramblings, Norris," she stated angrily. "Even if I'd considered having a relationship with yer, which I wouldn't, I'd be even less likely to after that performance. To put it simply, peasant, Harry is easier to trust and believe than yer are. I knew where I were with him. I knew what his temper were like. Yer on t'other hand are comprised of duplicity on many levels and I want nowt to do with yer. Now get out of me flat and stay away from the shop or I'll have yer arrested for harassment!"
He was stunned. "That's gratitude for you."
"Gratitude?!" she shrieked. "Do yer really expect me to thank yer after what yer did? And don't keep giving me any of that piffle about saving me from Harry. We both know the true motive behind yer actions. I loved Harry and I still do. He's twice the man yer'll ever be. Did yer honestly expect me to suddenly say yer the man of me dreams and I should never have turned yer down last year? Hell frozen over yet?"
He angrily rose. "I'm disappointed in you, Rita. I truly am. That's the last time I look out for the welfare of my friends."
"Is that a promise?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, deflated.
"Good," she replied. "Last time Emily got her head stoved in. This time I got beaten up. Says a lot for yer protecting, don't it(?) Now clear off. Yer not welcome round here any more."
He was about to speak but changed his mind and stomped out. The bedroom door opened and clapping filled the flat.
"Well done, darling," Harry grinned, taking her in his arms. "I was this close to coming out and dealing with him for you."
"And spoil me fun?" She kissed him. "Let's hope that's the last we'll ever see of the peasant or I won't be so restrained next time."


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 37

The eve of Rita and Harry's new wedding day of the 25th August was upon them. Harry had initially suggested the date during discussions as it would be six months since he'd proposed. Rita enjoyed this new soppy fiancé of hers so agreed. Harry had been much happier in himself since Norris disappeared, a fact which hadn't gone unnoticed by Rita or Emily. As Rita had assured, the date had been told to a very small handful of people who promised not to breathe a word so as not to have any more interruptions. Mavis had even dropped everything to attend, having been persuaded by Emily that Harry would not harm a hair on their old friends' head and she trusted him implicitly. The neighbours, on the other hand, were more sceptical. Or at least those who were bothered were. Rita knew they were lying to their faces about being delighted they had not let Norris come between them, just as Rita had predicted. They were all in the flat having a quiet night before the big day as Rita vetoed the Rovers in case one of them let something slip.
"I really shouldn't be here," Harry said. "It's your hen night."
Rita snuggled up to him on the sofa. "Yer can always be our stripper. Get 'em off!"
Louise curled her lip. "Mam!"
"What?" she asked in innocence. "Oh, sorry. I keep forgetting yer me daughter and no longer just Louise Fletcher, protégée. Go and get us some more booze then. Yer at least can be spared watching yer dad make a fool of himself."
"I'm not sure I want to watch either, Rita," Mavis whined.
"Emily?" She gazed blissfully up at Harry. "Yer'll have to give me a private performance after they've gone to bed then."
He kissed her tenderly. "It'll be my pleasure. Except I'll have to go with Louise. Bad luck seeing the bride on the big day."
"What a load of old twaddle," she dismissed. "I were with Ted all morning. Never had no bad luck during our married life."
"Except he died three months afterwards," Mavis unhelpfully reminded.
Rita scowled. "That had nowt to do with it since he were dying anyway. Neither me nor Harry are going to die in the next three months, six month or ten years."
"How can you be so sure?" Mavis asked. "No one knows what's going to happen. One of you could be dead by Easter. I imagined Derek and I living into our eighties. Didn't happen though, did it? I'm sure Emily understands."
Rita was aghast. "Are yer deliberately trying to stir up trouble, Wilton? Yer were against us from the start just like Emily and the peasant. Suit yer down to the ground if we split up again, wouldn't it?"
Mavis tutted. "Of course not, Rita. Now you're being silly. I know I was against you both. But Emily told me Harry wasn't so bad after all and having spend the past few days in his company while you worked I've come to realise we were both too quick to judge. All I was trying to say was you cannot predict the future. I sincerely hope neither of you die so soon after the wedding. Not after all it's taken to get you to this stage."
Rita narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Quick to change yer mind, weren't yer?"
"For crying out loud, Rita!" Mavis snapped. "I cannot say anything to you, can I? Seems to me you're the one trying to stir up trouble."
"Ladies, ladies," Harry placated. "Darling, you're overreacting. I know what Mavis means and I agree. One of us could drop dead tomorrow."
"Like Fred Elliott," Emily noted. "Only he never made it to the church."
"No," Rita agreed sadly.
"Mavis is right," he went on. "You're being silly. I don't hold her previous views about me against her. She had every right to be concerned about her friend as much as Emily."
"And Norris," Rita spat bitterly.
"Not him," Harry laughed. "At her place we barely said two words to each other. I was otherwise occupied during the visit." He winked at her making her smile coquettishly back. "This time we've spent more time together, got to know each other. She's genuinely happy for us, darling. Why are you so determined to have a row?"
Rita sighed, placing her hand on his chest. "I think what the peasant did has made me suspect the motives of me close friends, especially those who didn't want us to get wed. Emily came to realise they'd both been wrong and yer'd never hurt me again. Mavis only seemed to be here because Emily asked her. That's the way I looked at it. I'm sorry, Mavis. Harry's right. What is it with yer two always talking sense to me?"
"That's what we're here for," Mavis replied, smiling at Harry.
She gazed at Harry again. "So yer staying tonight and we go to the registry office together, or what?"
He laughed. "I'll stay, darling. Risking the wrath of Rita would certainly be very bad luck."
She wrapped her arms around him. "I can't wait to become Mrs Bates in the morning."
"Speaking of morning," Emily said diplomatically, "as we all have an early start may I suggest we head off to bed?"
"I like the sound of that." Rita winked at Harry.
"I want a good night's sleep," Louise added. "So behave or I'll put bromide in yer drinks."
"Spoilsport." She stuck her tongue out. "Children should be seen and not heard."
"So should parents when their child is trying to sleep," Louise remarked.
Rita burst out laughing. "I'll remember yer said that when yer've got some of yer own and want us to take them for the night or weekend."
Louise shook her head. "I cannot believe I'm joking about sex with me own mother."
Hearing the word mother still filled Rita with pride. A year ago she was still childless and manless, working in the shop and propping up the bar to fill her lonely existence. Now, after far too many years, they would finally be a family.
"That's because she always had a dirty mind, Louise," Mavis replied. "Doesn't matter who she's talking to. Has to be smutty somehow."
"True," Rita smiled from the corner of her mouth. "And I've definitely got worse with age."
Harry laughed. "I'll second that." He picked up his glass from the coffee table and gazed lovingly at her. "I'd like to make a toast. To the next Mrs Bates."
"And last Mrs Bates," she noted.
"Definitely, "he chuckled. "I couldn't go through all this again. Rita."
"Rita," they echoed as the happy couple kissed.
Emily drained her glass, placed it on the coffee table and rose. "Time we called it a night."
Mavis did the same. "Yes. Have to be up bright and early in the morning to get you ready and you know that could take hours."
"Watch it, Wilton," Rita chuckled.
They all went to the hall where Emily and Mavis put on their coats then descended the stairs.
"Thanks for keeping all this to yerselves," Rita said.
"We don't want anything going wrong this time," Emily replied.
"It better not," Reet remarked, thinking of Norris. "Night." She closed the door.

"Do you think they really will be happy?" Mavis wondered as they walked across the cobbles to number three.
"I sincerely hope they will," Emily told her.
Mavis couldn't fail to detect her lack of optimism. "Still think she's making a mistake?"
Emily paused after getting the front door key from her bag. "I've seen a different side to Harry since last month. He's certainly very personable. Violent men usually are in public though, aren't they? There's nothing anyone can do to make Rita change her mind. Even after he hit her she still rushed to his side upon hearing he had attempted suicide. I'm rather afraid we can only hope it works out. I won't give her any cause to end our friendship so will accept whatever she chooses to do. It is her life after all."
Mavis couldn't help but agree as they went inside.

Midway through the night Harry woke up to find Rita's half of the bed empty. He pushed the covers back and found her sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen nursing a cuppa. "How long have you been up?"
"Couldn't sleep," she replied. "Unlike certain people."
"I've told you before you wear me out," he smiled, kissing her. "What's up?"
She stood, pouring the remains of the tea down the sink as it had gone cold. "Nowt."
He sat on a stool. "Darling, this is me, remember?"
She rinsed the cup out and put it on the draining board. "It were summat Mavis said. Struck a nerve."
"About one of us dying?" he guessed.
"How did yer know?" she asked in surprise, drying her hands.
"Because of the way you reacted," he replied.
She sat next to him. "It weren't just that. From the moment they took me little girl away thirty-seven year ago I wished yer WERE dead. Now I can't contemplate life without yer. I'm petrified of losing yer forever. Looks at us, Harry. We're old. Either one of us could pop our clogs at any time. It made me realise our own mortality. I know we've joked about it but this is now the reality. What if yer dropped dead by Easter? Or sooner? I couldn't bear it." The tears began to flow.
He put his arm around her. "The same could happen to you, sweetheart. I'm just not thinking about it. It wouldn't matter if we were eighteen or eighty. No guarantees of anything in life and no point getting maudlin over something which, while inevitable, may not happen for years. Just enjoy life. I do. Even more with you and Louise in it."
She raised her tear-stained face. "I did. Until tonight. I'd been looking forward to a long and happy life with yer. Oh, why couldn't she have kept her trap shut?"
He kissed her tenderly. "Probably because she'd had one too many sweet sherries. Did you see the amount she was drinking? Made you look teetotal."
She laughed. "She always said I were a bad influence."
"That's better." He kissed the end of her nose. "Now let's have no more of this nonsense. We're getting married in a few hours. Think happy thoughts."
"I will," she promised.
"Good," he said, pulling her closer. "Now are you coming back to bed so we can enjoy our last night of living in sin? Because you do realise after tomorrow we'll be like all married couples meaning you'll have a constant headache or I'll want to watch the late-night footy."
She beamed at him, eyes twinkling, grabbed his hand and dragged him to the bedroom.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 38

The alarm went off at seven. Rita groaned as she hit it.
"Good morning, sexy," Harry said softly down her ear from behind as an arm went around her. "Still want to marry me?"
She grinned and rolled over. "What do yer think?" They kissed passionately.
"Am I interrupting summat?" Louise asked from the door.
"Very nearly," Rita grumbled in frustration.
"Plenty of time for all that later," Louise told her airily. "Though I'd have thought it's the last thing you'd do at yer age."
"Just wait till yer get to our age, lady," Rita said. "Yer'll soon change yer tune if yer meet a wonderful fella."
"I'm a wonderful fella?" Harry asked.
Rita gazed deeply into his eyes. "Yer certainly are." They kissed passionately again.
Louise slammed the door to get their attention. "Pack it in. Yer've got a wedding to get ready for."
Rita frowned. "Summat's amiss here. Shouldn't it be us telling her what to do, not t'other way round?"
Louise tried not to laugh. "If yer going to behave like kids I'll treat yer like 'em. Now come on. There's no time for that."
"She's a bossy madam," Rita noted.
"Takes after her mother," Harry quipped.
"I'd never have dared speak to me mother the way she does to me," she replied.
Louise threw their dressing gowns at them. "And if I didn't yer'd never get to that registry office. Time to get up. Mam can use the bathroom first."
Harry's eyes widened. "And what about my bladder?"
Louise pulled a face. "Sounds like yer could do with some nappies as a wedding present."
"Eh, cheeky," he replied.
She opened the door. "Get in there quickly then before yer wet the bed. We need to make mam a beautiful, blushing bride on her big day."
"We only have a couple of hours," she said. "Unless yer can perform miracles."
"It's not you that needs help, darling," Harry declared. "You'll look as gorgeous as you always have. No amount of plastic surgery in the world can do anything for me. I'm going to show you up. You won't want my ugly mug in the wedding photos."
Rita indicated for Louise to leave them, which she reluctantly did. "May as well not bother going then. When I get wed I want photos with me husband to prove it. No photo, no wedding. Up to yer." She got out of bed.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Call it off," she replied, tying the belt on her dressing gown. "It's what yer want, in't it?"
"Of course I don't," he sighed.
She perched on the edge of the bed. "Then stop putting yerself down. We've been here before. Yer and yer insecurities. I've never heard owt so daft. And after all we've been through to get this far."
He sat up and reached across to her. "I know. I'm sorry. Now it's here I've never been so afraid."
She frowned. "Of what?"
He looked away. "Letting you down. Not being a good husband." He paused for what seemed the longest time. "Lashing out at you."
"Yer won't do any of that," she assured, bringing his face around. "Harry, none of us are perfect but if I believed yer'd knock me about I wouldn't be here today."
"It's different now," he said. "I had a lot to prove up to this stage. I don't any more. What if I hit you?"
"And what if yer don't?" she argued. "I'm going into this marriage with me eyes wide open. I'm willing to take the chance. Question is, are yer?"
"I did last month," he reminded.
"Because of Norris provoking yer," she reasoned. "Darling, I really do believe yer've changed. It's not just yer trying to impress. There's little things different to the last time we were together. Yer may not have noticed them but I have. Yer simply not the same man yer were. If yer were I'd never have agreed to marry yer. I'd never have gone to t'hospital last month no matter how I felt. Yes, yer anger were there. Yer jealousy were. But not anywhere near like it once were. Yer've done far worse to me in the same amount of time. Maybe yer've mellowed. I don't know. I trust yer. I believe in yer. Don't that count for owt?"
He hugged her tightly. "I don't deserve you."
"Going to make an honest woman of me then or what?" she asked.
He pulled back. "What do you think?" They kissed passionately.

They all headed for the registry office where the bride and groom said their vows and became Mr and Mrs Bates with just Louise, Mavis and Emily as witnesses. Afterwards they went to the Rovers.
"Ah, Rita," Blanche said as soon as they got through the door. "Are you ever going to open up today?"
"No," she replied then joined the others at the bar.
Blanche wasn't very happy about that. "Why not?"
Rita turned. "Because I've had and still have more important things to do."
"What's more important than your loyal customers?" Blanche added.
Harry handed Rita a glass of champagne.
"Getting married," Rita told her. "Which me and Harry have just done. Cheers." She turned her back on Blanche and put her arm through her husband's as he kissed her.
"Is that right?" Betty asked.
"It certainly is," Harry replied proudly, lovingly gazing at his bride.
"And yer didn't tell anyone?" she went on.
Rita shook her head. "Had enough interference last time. Didn't want to risk it happening again."
"She doesn't mean you," Emily was quick to say. "She means in case it somehow got back to Norris."
Betty pulled a face. "Anyone heard from him since he went?"
"No, thank goodness," Rita beamed. "Maybe he's dead or emigrated. As long as I never have to see that snivelling weasely face of his ever again I don't care."
Harry raised his glass. "And so say all of us."
"Going anywhere nice for your honeymoon?" Betty said, desperately trying to think of something to say.
Rita looked happily at her daughter. "Cruise next month. Louise has a job onboard and we're going with her. None of us have ever been to New York, New England or Canada so are looking forward to it."
At that moment the doors burst open and the other residents entered the pub.
"You really weren't going to celebrate without us, were you?" Ken said.
"Blanche," Rita realised.
"Why didn't yer say?" Deirdre wondered.
Rita was about to speak when Mavis butted in. "After what happened last time they wanted to keep it small."
"Neither of you mentioned still intending to marry. We thought it was off even though you were still clearly very much a couple," Ken added, passing a glass of champagne to Deirdre.
"Not a chance. Why else do yer think we kept the presents? I needed a couple of new toasters." Rita winked.
"Cheaper ways to go about it," Deirdre laughed.
Rita looked blankly. "I can only guess senility's creeping in for me not to think of that."
Harry looked at her. "You mean you must be mad to marry me?"
She snuggled closer. "Definitely. Me insanity is incurable now give us a kiss, Mr Bates."
He gazed into her eyes, tenderly touching her cheek. "It'll be my pleasure, Mrs Bates."
Louise whipped Ken's pen from his breast pocket and tapped her glass with it. "Put each other down for five minutes and pay attention."
Rita and Harry broke apart scowling.
"Yer know," Rita said, "I'm really getting fed up with her telling us what to do."
"Me too," he agreed. "Louise, we know your our daughter and we love you dearly but for pity's sake. We're on our honeymoon."
"Good job you're not doing what honeymooners do in public then." Louise remarked jokingly.
"Too old," Blanche sniffed, resulting in a fierce glower from the bride and groom. "What?"
"Do yer want me to show yer I'm too old for nowt?" Rita growled with narrow eyes, clenching her fist.
Harry held her back. "See what you've done?" he directed at Louise.
"I'm sorry," Louise replied. "I only wanted to make a speech since you have there's no best man or anyone giving the bride away. Thought I was the next best thing."
Rita relaxed. "Yer are. Get on with it then. Blanche seems to think we're too old so yer wasting valuable seconds since we could conk out any second."
"I never said that," Blanche retorted.
"Oh shut yer face and let Louise say her bit," Rita ordered. "Especially since yer gate crashing a private party."
"If it's so private," Blanche began, "what are you doing in here?"
"Now you can't argue with that," Ken noted.
"Wanna bet?" Harry chuckled. "And she says I've got a temper."
Ken nodded. "Not likely to forget it."
Rita broke into a smile. "Okay, yer two. Go on, Louise. I hope it's short."
"It is," Louise assured then turned to the crowd. "Well here they are. The one-time Rita Littlewood has finally become Mrs Bates. I've been told she used to call herself that when they were together before even though dad already had a Mrs Bates out there somewhere. We all know what their relationship was like before and of course I came out of it. We also know it was me existence which brought them face to face again ten months ago that's led to today's happy event. And it is a happy event. After what happened last month I really thought there was no going back. I wouldn't have blamed me mam if she hadn't."
"Me neither," Harry concurred. "I'm a very lucky man to have been given yet another chance."
Rita took his hand. "Third time lucky, darling."
"Mam and dad had their moments still," Louise went on, "but I haven't seen either of them this happy for years. Come to think of it, dad wasn't ever really all the while I grew up until he met up with me mam again."
Rita raised an eyebrow. "And me?"
Louise shook her head. "Sorry, mam. Same thing applies. I know how much yer loved Ted but yer eyes gave away how unhappy yer were."
Rita lowered her head. "No denying that."
"So this is long overdue," Louise beamed. "I'd like yer to raise yer glasses. To Mr and Mrs Bates and it's about time."
"Mr and Mrs Bates," they chorused.
"About time is right," Rita said. "Got there in the end, Bates."
He pulled her closer. "My real wife instead of pretending."
"I should flamin' well hope so," she replied. "Hey this ring in't going to turn me finger green, is it?"
"Of course!" he grinned. "You didn't expect real gold, did you? It's one of your brass curtain rings."
She laughed. "Will yer still love me when I'm turning mouldy?"
"I already do," he replied.
She nudged him in the ribs. "Careful or yer'll be spending our wedding night on the sofa."
He leaned in. "Well it is a sofa bed so I daresay you'll end up joining me before too long."
"Yer'll be lucky," she replied, trying to keep a straight face.
He broke into a grin. "Very."
Louise didn't know where to put herself. "Yer embarrassing everyone."
"In that case," Rita said angrily, finishing her drink then swiping up the champagne bottles from the bar, "we'll leave yer to it and have our own party. See yer." She swept out leaving them all gobsmacked.
"You've put her in a bad mood now," Harry said to Louise then broke into a grin "Excellent. She was always sexy with a cob on. I'd better go after her. You all stay and carry on drinking."
"Rita's taken the booze," Blanche pointed out.
Harry pulled his wallet from his inside pocket. "Take it from that," he said, slapping a twenty on the bar.
"That won't last long," Blanche sniffed.
Harry replaced the wallet. "Considering you weren't even invited I think I'm being generous. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have a wife waiting at home."
Harry left them to it, Blanche being the first to spend the money he'd left.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 39

Harry and Rita set off for their honeymoon on the 21st September. It was a nineteen night cruise to Canada and New England on the QM2. A week passed and a totally dishevelled Norris turned the corner into Coronation Street. He sighed wistfully as he laid eyes on The Kabin, heart sinking when he noticed the name had changed from R Sullivan to R Bates. Had to be some mistake with the signwriters, he thought to himself. He straightened his clothes as best he could, took a deep breath and opened the door, surprised to see Emily behind the counter rather than Rita.
"Norris!" Emily gasped.
"Hello, Emily," he greeted. "I must say I'm surprised to see you here. Rita upstairs, is she?"
Emily felt embarrassed. "She's on her honeymoon."
Norris was dejected. "So the sign isn't wrong? She married that man after all?"
Emily nodded. "A couple of weeks ago."
"How could she have taken him back after what he did?" he asked, totally shaken.
"Which you caused," Emily reminded.
"I know that," he snapped. "Seems she was unwavering in her desire to marry him no matter what he did."
"She loves him, Norris," Emily stated. "He also loves her. He has regretted hitting her and also been more relaxed without you around. Doesn't that tell you something?"
He nodded smugly. "That he knew I would take her from him."
Emily rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I cannot believe after all this you remain delusional where Rita is concerned. You are completely obsessed. Forget her. She is married to Harry and very happy."
He snorted. "How can she be happy with a thug like that? I'd never lay a finger on her."
Emily pursed her lips. "Neither would Harry if you hadn't kissed her before his eyes. We are going around in circles and I refuse to discuss this any further with you."
"You've been got at," Norris accused.
"I most certainly have not!" she said firmly. "I am quite capable of making up my own mind. Harry Bates is nowhere near as awful as you have painted. He IS a changed man whether you choose to believe it or not. He adores Rita. That is clear to see. They both made mistakes in the past, learned from them and moved on. I suggest you do the same. Good day!" She turned her back on him.
Norris made to leave but changed his mind. "I did it with the best of intentions."
"No," Emily countered. "You did it out of pure vindictiveness. I recall telling you she would never forgive us if we interfered and had to make her own mistakes. Only you refused to heed that advice we all have to live with the consequences. If you had listened perhaps Harry would have shown his true colours. With you constantly goading him it was only natural he would be on his best behaviour around her. We shall never know now. However he DOES have her where he wants her now and still has not raised a hand."
"They're hardly likely to admit it, are they?" he scoffed.
Emily sighed heavily. "I am rapidly losing patience with you, Norris. Will you constantly refuse to accept Rita is happy?"
"I just can't bear the thought of her with that man," he confessed. "And before you say it yes, or any man. Perhaps you're right and I am obsessed. I'm fully aware Rita rejected me. I was putting it behind me. Witnessing him with his hands around her throat and later discovering he used to beat her regularly.... Well I lost all reason. Refusing my offer of marriage was one thing. Accepting that of a violent animal was quite another. I found it impossible to stand back and do nothing. As a result I have lost the friendship I valued of you both. I actually came here today after many weeks of mulling it over to apologise for my behaviour. If Rita is happy then so be it. I just wish she had chosen someone else."
Emily couldn't get over the difference in attitude from arrogant to humble and began to pity him. "I'm the wrong person you ought to be explaining to. Although don't be surprised if neither Rita nor Harry give you the time of day."
He knew he was beaten. "And frankly I wouldn't blame them. When are they back?"
"The tenth," she replied.
"That's that then," he sighed sadly.
"You could always come back," she suggested.
"What would be the point?" he replied despondently. "It was difficult enough mustering the courage to come here today. I doubt I can do it again. I shan't be bothering any of you any more. Goodbye." He headed towards the door, shoulders slumped, head bowed.
"Norris, wait," she called. "Where are you staying these days?"
"Does it matter?" he said.
"I shall be closing for the day shortly," she told him. "I was wondering if you'd care to have lunch with me?"
His eyes lit up. "That would be very nice, Emily. Thank you."
.
The morning of the 10th October arrived. The ship sailed up Southampton Water. Rita, Harry and Louise were all out on Deck 8 watching the QE2 following in the dark.
"I wish it were light," Rita noted. "Though she does look very pretty I'd rather see her properly seeing as it'll be the last time I ever will."
"We could always go to Dubai one year," Harry suggested.
"Not flamin' likely," she snorted. "Too hot for one thing. Plus if I spend that sort of money going there I want to stay in a plush hotel not an old ship no matter how fond I am of her."
Harry was relieved as he didn't really fancy going anyway. "When do they both sail?"
"Tonight," Louise told them. "It's a tandem crossing to New York for the QE2 to say goodbye over there. I know they're paying me but all these goodbyes is such a cynical marketing ploy."
"Yer not kidding," Rita agreed. "I remember when that sale announcement were made and they revised the itinerary. The prices of the new cruises were astronomical. Look at how much I had to fork out for the Fjords with yer. I know someone who tried getting on the farewell cruise. Waitlisted by the time booking opened yet they reckoned it sold out in thirty six minutes. Why didn't she get a place then? I also heard Americans were getting on all them. Had cabins reserved on all cruises by their Cunard agents before they even went on sale so they could pick and choose. Anyway this woman said they offered to put her on the waiting list but it would cost twice as much with no hotel option. Legalised extortion."
Louise agreed. "I was talking to some of the crew who were here for the fortieth anniversary cruise. Everyone knew it wasn't really forty years until next year and had suspicions about the ship being sold before the real one because they couldn't market two. It was only forty years since the launch and I'm reliably informed there's all the merchandise wrongly stating 1967-2008 making people believe she would be forty one when she went. Also I was told the press releases gave false information so the media keep saying service instead of launch. They enjoyed the atmosphere during the cruise but weren't impressed by the way their bosses overhyped what turned out to be a non-event nationally and worldwide. They said it was only big news in the ports they visited and still hear passengers saying the wrong age of the ship."
Rita clutched Harry's arm. "Darling, I know we're meant to be going home once we've disembarked but is there any chance we could leave tomorrow instead?"
"You want to watch them sail?" he asked.
"Please," she said. "Be the last time I'll see the QE2 and have such happy memories of being aboard."
Harry put his arm around her. "Course we can. I'm not in any particular hurry to get home anyway. I prefer it just being the three of us as it should have been if things were different."
Rita felt a pang of guilt. "Sorry."
He kissed the top of her head. "No need. We all know it was my fault. You've got nothing to reproach yourself for, darling."
"I know," she said. "I'll always feel terrible about lying to yer. It were a cruel thing to do."
"Nowhere near as bad as what I put you both through," he disputed. "But let's not start the blame game again. It's finished." He reached for his daughter and placed his other arm around her shoulder, pulling them both closer. "I have you both back in my life and we're just coming to the end of our first family holiday. I wish this trip could be frozen in time. Never has anything been so perfect."
Louise smiled. "Sorry to break up the party but I have packing to do. Meet yer at the car?"
"I'm sure we can manage without yer holding our hand. See yer later, darling." Rita kissed her daughter on the cheek.
They watched Louise disappear inside which made Rita sigh contentedly.
Harry held her closer. "Back home soon and the fairytale's over."
She looked up at him. "It'll never be over."
He kissed her. "We've been married six and a half weeks-"
"Yer counting?" A smile formed on her lips.
"Do you think it's soppy?" he asked.
"Not at all," she replied, shaking her tresses. "I think it's rather romantic. The old Harry Bates would never have done that."
That remark niggled but he let it go. "You never married the old Harry Bates."
"He never had the chance to ask," she said softly.
He moved away and leant on the rail, staring at the QE2 behind. "Any regrets?"
She looked puzzled. "About what?"
"You and me," he stated.
She rubbed her head. "Then or now?"
"Either," he shrugged.
She crossed to him, leaning back on the rail, arms folded. "If yer after a row, I'm not going to give yer one. Yes I have regrets about the first time. Which of us doesn't? I have none about now though."
He half-turned, placing his hand on her arm. "I'm not after a row. You could throw me overboard."
Rita laughed. "Too right."
"I'm just afraid you'll wake up one day and realise you've make a huge mistake by marrying me," he explained.
She edged closer. "Never happen. Not unless yer knock me about and I don't believe yer will. Yer stuck me with, Bates. Till death us do part, remember?"
He slipped his arms around her waist. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather be stuck with. Come here, Mrs Bates."


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 40

The following morning Emily was up early again. She was a little put out Rita had phoned to say they were staying down in Southampton and would she mind looking after the shop another day. Despite realising Harry was actually good for her old friend, she still had suspicions she couldn't shake about him manipulating her in some way. She resolved not to relate her thoughts to anyone in case it got back to Rita and she cut her out of her life. She glanced at the clock, drained her tea then took the cup and plate into the kitchen to rinse them off.
"Good morning, Emily," Norris greeted.
Emily placed the crockery on the drainer. "Good morning. You haven't forgotten Rita and Harry return today."
Norris pulled a face. "I suppose that means I'll have to find somewhere to live again. That man won't want me here."
"Neither will Rita," she pointed out. "Not after your behaviour. However as long as you accept them I'm sure they shan't object. You do accept them, don't you, Norris?"
He sighed and scratched his forehead. "Not got much option now that ring's on her finger. I won't do anything to rock the boat."
"I hope you mean that," she replied dubiously. "I don't know how I'm going to break it to them you are lodging with me again."
"Would you like me to help?" he offered.
She glared at him. "I think that is the last thing I'd like. You'll just have to stay here all day. I need to find the right time." She checked her watch. "Well I'd best be opening the shop. Just remember what I said. Stay here. The last thing I want is for them to discover you're around and have been helping in the shop from someone else." She brushed past and went to the hall.
Norris watched her let herself out and sighed heavily.

Night had fallen by the time Rita and Harry pulled up on the forecourt in front of her garage.
"Emily'll go mad," Rita noted as she turned the engine off. "I told her to expect us sometime after dinner."
He took her hand. "It is after dinner. In fact, it's nearly supper." He began to giggle.
A faint smile formed on her lips. "It's not funny."
"Course not," he grinned, leaning over to kiss her tenderly on the mouth. "Mind, I am getting a bit peckish."
She slapped him playfully. "Yer and yer appetite. I'll have to put yer on a diet."
"Will you?" he asked, stroking her cheek with his forefinger.
She swallowed hard, tingling all over, her heart ready to burst as she looked into his eyes. "Perhaps not." They kissed passionately. Once apart, she snapped herself out of it, wishing he didn't have this power over her when he was near. "Better get across the road and grovel. Where's her present?"
They both reached into the back and grabbed a bag on the seat. Rita let it go quickly, trying her hardest to not succumb again just yet.
"This it?" he asked, pulling it through and handing it to her.
She opened it. "That's it." She removed a box, chucked the bag onto the back seat again and opened the door. "Come on then."
Harry laughed to himself at her, knowing as soon as she got this over with she was all his for the rest of the night. He caught up with her on the doorstep of number three as she knocked. Norris opened the door leading to them all dropping their jaws.
Rita was incandescent. "What the hell are yer doing here?"
Harry held her back. "Calm down, darling."
"How can I calm down after what he did to us?" she screeched. "I want to kill him."
"So do I," he replied. "But as you said to me once, he's not worth the jail sentence."
Emily appeared behind Norris and reddened. "You're back."
"Clearly(!)" Rita retorted, eyes narrowing as her fury grew. "So yer let him wheedle his way back in. I thought better of yer, Emily, I really did. So much for friendship. Come on, Harry." She stomped off towards the flat.
Harry tutted. "I must say I agree with her. Sorry, Emily." He followed his wife.
"I'll pack my bags," Norris said in defeat. "I don't want you falling out on my account."
Emily grabbed her coat from the peg. "I have no intention of falling out with anyone."
Norris watched as Emily did her best to catch up with the fuming couple.
"Rita," Emily called. "Please let me explain."
Rita stopped just inside the front door. "What's there to explain? Yer know what he did. Yer threw him out. Now he's back. Shows where yer loyalties lie. Nowt more to say."
She made to close the door but Emily blocked it.
"He is genuinely remorseful for his actions," Emily explained. "He suddenly appeared a couple of weeks ago. He looked awful. He wanted to see you. He knows he was wrong. He's lost our friendship-"
"Got yers back pretty fast, didn't he?" Rita snorted.
"Hardly!" Emily continued. "He has to prove himself to me the way Harry did with you. He knows one hint of troublemaking and he is gone with no more chances. I only agreed to let him move back on condition he acknowledges you and Harry love each other and are happy. He agreed."
"I bet he did(!)" Rita spat.
Harry placed his hands on Rita's shoulders. "Maybe we should give him a chance."
She turned, unable to believe he just said that. "What? The way he did with yer, yer mean(?)"
"Darling," he began, trying to placate her, "I'm willing to let bygones be bygones. As Emily said, one whiff of trouble and he's out. I'm willing to trust her judgement on this."
Emily was confused. "I thought you agreed with Rita."
"I did," he replied. "But then you explained things."
Rita was stunned. "So my opinion counts for nowt?"
Harry sighed heavily. "Of course it does. I'm sure it wasn't easy for her to let him move back in. But she's a good woman. It was also inevitable he would be back some day. He wouldn't have been able to help himself as all his ties were here. It just goes to show how lonely he really is and needs companionship. We have each other, darling. What does he have? I'm not angry with Emily over it."
Rita was not impressed. "He could've kept our friendship if he hadn't provoked yer into belting me."
"I know that, darling-" Harry began.
Rita was far from finished. "And WE know that were the last straw after months of hostility and winding us both up. Yer two may have forgiven him but I never will."
"I haven't said I have forgiven him, Rita," Emily defended.
"Neither have I," Harry added.
"All the while yer have that little runt under yer roof," Rita continued at Emily, eyes blazing and pointing, "I want nowt more to do with yer." She then glared at her husband. "As for yer.... Words fail me. Maybe yer'd be better off moving in with Emily too since none of yer have any consideration for me feelings in the matter." She shrugged Harry off, pushed roughly past and stormed up the stairs.
Emily was at a loss. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to cause friction between you. I shall ask him to leave. He's half-expecting it anyway."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't do that. I'll talk to her."
"I very much doubt you will have much luck," Emily conceded. "I feel I must tell you before someone else tells you. Norris helped me in the shop whilst you were away. I know Rita wanted him nowhere near but at times it became too much to manage on my own."
Harry was certainly not amused to learn that. "Thank you for being so honest. I understand. Rita will in time. You'll see." He cast a glance up the stairs. "Better get to it. Night, Emily."
"Good night," she replied as the door closed, slightly disappointed he seemed in a hurry to get rid of her.

In the flat Rita was in a foul mood. She heard Harry's footsteps on the stairs and pulled a face as she poured more vodka into her tumbler.
"Did you have to treat Emily like that?" he asked.
Rita swigged. "Did yer expect me to welcome the peasant back with open arms?"
"Of course not," he replied. "But you could have been more reasonable."
"Reasonable?!" she shrieked. "After what he did? Now he's even got me own husband betraying me."
"I'm not betraying you, darling," he sighed.
"Don't darling me, Harry Bates," she hissed. "Not all the while yer on his side."
"I'm not," he implored.
"Looks it," she snorted. "Yer hated him as much as I did. Yer wanted him gone as much as I did. Now he's back it's like none of that ever happened. Well I'm sorry. I can't forgive what he did and I won't ever forget."
He tried to take her him his arms but she slapped him away. "None of us will forget, least of all me." He leant against the sideboard. "You do realise how delighted he'll be that he's got us at each other's throats, even if it's not the way he'd prefer. Carry on playing into his hands, Rita. Suits me fine. Waste of time us bothering to get married after all that if you're so willing to throw it all away just because he's living across the road again."
That got her attention. "What do yer mean by that?"
He felt smug. "You know precisely what I mean otherwise you'd have hurled abuse at me."
She turned away from him as she thought, sipping her vodka. "So yer think he's not really sorry at all and it's another of his tricks?"
"I never said that," he responded.
"I know yer didn't," she admitted, facing him again. "But do yer THINK it? That's what I'm asking."
He folded his arms. "He may be genuinely remorseful as Emily says. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."
"Yer not answering me question," she said.
"Rita," he sighed, scratching his cheek, "I never said that and never said I thought it. That idea came entirely from you."
"But it could be possible?" she pressed.
"Who knows where Norris is concerned?" he shrugged. "Life's too damn short to be wasting our breath even discussing him. He's here. He's a fact. He helped Emily in the shop-"
"What?!" she screeched.
"You know what it's like," he explained. "You can't manage on your own which is why you keep roping me in since he went. She needed help and he was there."
Rita's eyes narrowed. "I see it all now."
"See what?" he wondered.
"He always were an evil, manipulative weasel," she spat. "Emily always were too damn soft. I'm not and he knows it so got her onside first, hoping she'd work on me. Well it won't work, I'll tell yer that."
"Right so you'll let him come between you both," he said. "I really thought better of you, Rita. I'm willing to put all that behind us. Why can't you?"
"Because yer not the one who ended up black and blue!" she yelled then saw how much she hurt him. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean that."
Harry straightened. "I rather think you did. Congratulations. You have finally succeed where he failed. I'll pack the rest of my things and move in with Louise."
"Harry," she called but he ignored her and made for the bedroom. She swallowed more alcohol, not believing he would really leave her. She perched on the arm of the sofa to wait for him to calm down, getting a shock when the bedroom door opened and he emerged carrying a suitcase. Tears welled in her eyes. "Harry?"
Harry ignored her as he descended the stairs.
Rita slammed her glass down and chased after him. "Please don't go."
Harry turned at the foot of the stairs. "What's the point in staying? You've made your feelings perfectly clear. I wish he wasn't over there as much as you do. I hate him possibly more than you ever will. But he is and we have to make the best of it and not let him beat us. Only you're more than happy for him to do just that. After I lost my rag you told me I'd let him win. Far from it, Rita. You have. Whether he's pretending to be full of remorse or not is beside the point. As soon as he gets wind I've left you, he'll be gloating in that irritating manner of his while at the same time making out he's sorry it ended like this but you're better off out of it in case I murdered you. He'll have got you exactly where he's wanted and, in time, even further. I hope you'll be very happy together." He opened the door.
Tears streamed down her face. "I don't want him. I want yer! Please, Harry. Please, don't leave me. I love yer. He just makes me so angry."
He looked at her. "And you think I don't get mad when I think about what he's put us through? We know what he's capable of now. We can be on our guard. But he's really not worth ruining your friendship with Emily for. Or your marriage."
She slouched against the wall. "I know. Don't go. Please. I'm sorry. I'll tolerate him for Emily's sake but can't promise anything more."
He smiled. "We're married. Nothing he can do all the while we're together. Are we together?"
She held her hand out and smiled back. "Very much so."
He climbed the stairs, took hold of her hand and kissed her passionately. "I'll go and unpack. Go and put the kettle on."
She did as told while he returned to the bedroom, dropping the case on the bed. He broke into a huge grin upon opening it and looking at the empty space inside before locking it again, sliding it under the bed and returning to her side.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 41

Christmas came around again. Norris had been on his best behaviour towards everyone, determined no one would have an excuse to evict him a second time. Rita and Harry still didn't trust him an inch although Emily was beginning to believe he was sincere. Rita was still in bed when Harry entered the bedroom carrying a tray.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," he greeted, placing the tray on the dressing table. "Are you up for celebrating today?"
Rita groaned. "Celebrating?" she asked unenthusiastically.
"Be like that then," he replied, affronted.
She pushed herself up. "I don't want a row, Harry. I just don't feel too grand this morning that's all. So what are we celebrating?"
He picked up the tray and placed it over her legs before sitting beside her. "A whole year since you let your heart rule your head." He kissed her tenderly. "Best Christmas present I ever had."
She cocked an eyebrow. "Had as in the biblical sense or had as in received?"
He leaned closer. "Both." He kissed her again then handed her one of the champagne flutes. "To us, darling."
She smiled as he chinked his glass against hers. "To us." She sipped then coughed.
He was concerned. "Are you okay?"
She placed her glass on the tray. "I think I caught a cold after that rain yesterday. I'll be fine in a day or two."
He stroked her face lovingly. "I'll take care of you."
She sighed. "Cook?"
"Maybe not that," he chuckled. "Why do you think it's just champagne and strawberries for breakfast?"
She clutched the lapels of his dressing gown and pulled him closer. "What am I going to do with yer?"
"Spank me?" he suggested hopefully.
"Yer'll be lucky," she giggled.
"Kiss me instead then?" he said.
She pulled him even closer, his hot breath millimetres from her face. "What about me cold? Don't want yer catching it."
He gazed deeply into her brown eyes. "What's yours is mine."
She beamed. "In that case, it'll be my pleasure."

That evening they went to the Rovers to meet up with Emily and Norris. Rita was feeling slightly worse as the day progressed but didn't want to be a party pooper.
"Are you sure you're all right, Rita?" Emily asked, concerned at her friend's peakiness.
Rita nodded. "Fine. Probably have turned into flu tomorrow. I'll be fine in a few days."
Harry cuddled her. "Course you will then we'll have a proper Christmas." He looked at Emily. "She didn't feel up to the dinner today but insisted on cooking the turkey anyway since it'll keep a while. I was all for leaving it."
"Now yer can have butties if I get any worse," Rita told him flatly.
"I'll look like a turkey if your cold lingers," he chuckled. "Another drink?"
"Not for me," she replied. "Yer go ahead."
He was beginning to worry. "Not even champagne? We are still celebrating after all." He gave her a quick squeeze.
Norris's curiosity was aroused. "What are you celebrating?"
Harry beamed. "It's a whole year until she ended up in my bed again."
Rita was getting tired of this constant one-upmanship of Harry's just because he'd succeeded where Norris had failed. "Only cos I were drunk."
He looked at her. "You mean you wouldn't have slept with me if you'd been sober?"
She sighed, wishing he would shut up. "No, but it would've taken a bit longer."
He grinned. "Hooray for the demon drink! I'll get you another."
Rita lowered her head, eyes closed and rubbed her forehead while Harry went to the bar.
"How's Louise?" Norris asked, sensing Rita wanted to change the subject as much as he did.
Rita raised her head. "Fine. Wish she'd been here but work's work and she does enjoy working on the ships."
"Where is she at the moment?" Emily wondered.
"At sea," she replied. "She said she really enjoyed the Panama Canal. Tomorrow they're back in Barbados then off on another cruise. I do miss her and could do with that weather."
"You're not the only one," Emily said. "When does she return?"
"The ninth," Rita sighed wistfully. "I wish I'd had her opportunities. Snapped their hands off to see the world and get paid for it. But the shipping industry were in serious decline in my day. Oh well. No use wishing what might have been." She cast a meaningful glance across to Harry which neither failed to miss. "Can't change owt." She returned her gaze to her friends. "I should've been born forty year later."
Harry returned with the drinks. He placed the tray on the table, pushing the other glasses towards the rear. "I know you said you didn't want one, darling, but you know you do really."
Norris wondered what he meant by that but let it go for the moment.
As Harry sat, Rita picked up her glass. "Yer know me too well, even when I'm off colour."
"You can always claim it's medicinal," he suggested, nudging her.
"I do already," she smiled then sipped. "I'm sorry, darling. I really do feel awful."
He looked concerned. "Want to go home?"
She nodded. "All I want to do is sleep and break this fever."
He finished his drink. "Come on then."
Rita stood, felt giddy and sat back down.
"Darling?" Harry said.
"I'll be all right," she insisted, taking deep breaths. "Just went dizzy. Must be lack of food. I'm fine. Let's go."
"Do you need a hand?" Norris offered.
Harry became territorial. "No thanks, Norris. I can manage." He put his arm around Rita to support her and led her out of the pub.
"What do you think?" Norris asked.
"I know what you are," Emily noted, "and I'm sure he hasn't done one thing. She is clearly unwell. You can see that."
"You heard her yourself," he defended. "She cooked the turkey for him. Not for her. Doesn't that sound like he forced her?"
Emily glared at him. "It sounds to me like she was being stubborn as usual. I'm warning you, Norris."
He sighed, defeated. "I know. I can't help being suspicious of him, even now. Perhaps she really is ill and he hasn't done anything."
"Oh course she's really ill," she hissed so as not to draw attention to themselves. "Any fool can see that."
"Why did he refuse my help then?" Norris continued then swallowed hard as Emily continued to stare angrily at him. "We'll see what happens tomorrow. Another sherry?"

At the flat, Rita was on the verge of collapse as Harry put her to bed.
"Is there anything I can get you, darling?" he asked, caressing her hair.
She shook her head. "I just want to sleep. I'll be fine in a few days. Sorry for ruining yer Christmas. As yer said, it's a year since I let me heart rule me head so we should be celebrating."
He kissed her tenderly. "There's always Tuesday when it will be a whole year since you stopped fighting your feelings completely and went to bed with me sober. Or Wednesday when Norris found out about us. That's definitely worth celebrating."
She sighed heavily, too weak to thump him over his tiresome Norris obsession, and closed her eyes. "Next week it is," she said weakly.
"I'll look forward to it," he smiled. "This has been the best year of my life, more than even when I laid eyes on your for the first time. You have no idea how much I love you, Rita. Rita?" He saw she was asleep and sighed, wishing Louise was there. He felt helpless as he was no good at playing nurse. How could he take care of her when he was so useless around the house? He knew her insisting on getting up to cook the turkey hadn't helped her condition and wished he could have done it for her. He hated asking other people for help but was wise enough to realise he wouldn't be able to cope alone with her and the shop. He was loathe to ask Norris so decided to talk to Emily in the morning if there was no change. The intercom buzzed. He quickly went to answer it although it hadn't disturbed Rita. "Ah, Emily. No not at all. Is Norris with you? Good. Come on up." He pressed the button and hung up. "Nice to see you as always."
"How's Rita?" she wondered.
"Checking up on me?" he asked suspiciously. "Norris been putting ideas in your head she's like this because I've done things to her?"
"If that's your attitude-" she began.
He rubbed his forehead. "Forgive me, Emily. I just know what he's like. She's asleep. Has she ever been this bad? She wasn't when we were together before but we were younger then and she only had a mild cold last winter."
Emily wracked her brains. "Not that I recall. I realise you are alone so if there is anything I can do, feel free to ask."
Harry felt heartened. "Thank you. You know I'll be calling on your help a lot because I'm rubbish at the in sickness and in health part."
"Most men of our generation are," she acknowledged. "Ernest did his best but I usually had to get out of bed to do whatever it was anyway. I expect Rita is the same."
Harry laughed. "Very much so, hence the turkey this morning. She refused to let it go to waste while she was ill. What am I going to do with it all? There's no way I can eat it."
"You could always give it to a homeless shelter," she suggested.
"That's an excellent idea," he grinned. He'd do anything which made him look good in Emily's eyes as it would also mean she would have even less reason to doubt his love for Rita when Norris started again. "Can you arrange something for me?"
Emily beamed. "It shall be my pleasure. Now have you eaten?"
"Haven't even thought about it," he admitted. "I've been too worried about Rita. As you'll see, even the turkey's intact."
She put her handbag down and took her coat off. "Let's see what there is. Rita would never forgive me if I left you to your own devices."
Harry laughed as he took her coat and hung it up.


To be continued....

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 42

The weeks passed and Rita recovered slowly, although kept warning Harry and Emily if Norris went anywhere near she was in danger of a relapse. A few days before her birthday she was working in the shop as usual when Louise walked in.
"Hi, mam," she greeted.
"Hi, darling," she beamed then coughed.
"When are yer going to get that looked at?" Louise asked.
"I don't need to," Rita replied. "It's winter, Louise. Coughs are as normal as colds. Soon as the weather warms up, it'll go. Now stop fussing. Yer sound just like yer father."
"Is that a bad thing?" she wondered.
"I'm fine," she pressed. "Apart from this slight cough-"
"Slight?!" Louise screeched. "Yer've been hacking yer guts up on a regular basis since I've been back."
"Oh, stop exaggerating," she dismissed. "It were only that bad when I had flu. I'm fine. Would still be mollycoddled by the pair of yer and Emily if I weren't. Now did yer come to see me or be yer father's echo?"
Louise knew she was beaten. "Yer of course. I just worry about yer."
Rita placed an hand on her daughter. "There's no need," she assured. "I really am better, darling. However I get the feeling summat's amiss with yer."
"Don't be ridiculous," Louise scoffed.
Rita clasped her hands together and beamed. "Yer pregnant!" she squealed excitedly.
Louise looked round. "Shhh! Where's me dad?"
"Out," Rita replied, unable to contain her joy. "Want me to ring him?"
"No!" Louise snapped. "I mean... Oh heck. It's not confirmed yet so I don't want anyone knowing."
"Promise," Rita said. "Though it'll be hard not telling him he'll be a granddad."
"He may not be," she reminded.
"Rubbish," Rita snorted. "Yer expecting. Mothers know these things. What do yer want? Boy or girl? Twins! One of each. Oh wouldn't that be wonderful? What about names? Whatever yer do, don't saddle the poor kid with a name like Rita unless yer want to call her Margarita. That's nice. Oh hang on. She'll probably get teased because it's a drink. I'm sure yer'll think of summat. I won't be offended if her don't include Rita in any variation. Yer dad'll probably want a boy named after him. Hey, I'll take up knitting again if I can remember how to do it. I can always ask Emily if I get stuck. What?"
"Slow down, will yer?" Louise pleaded.
"Who's the father?" Rita continued. "Come to think of it, as much as I can't wait to be a granny, what the hell were yer thinking of? Why didn't yer take precautions? Yer could've caught owt. Not like when I were carrying yer and in a stable relationship. Well relationship anyroad. I saw yer in action on the QE2, remember?"
Louise sighed. "Quite a turnaround. Elation to a lecture on contraception. I know I were stupid. I did use contraception. Just not when I slept with this particular fella. Had too much to drink. Yer know what it's like. In't that how yer and dad ended up back together?"
Rita pulled a face. "Not entirely."
"Did yer take precautions?" Louise asked.
Rita erupted into laughter. "I think we didn't have to worry about me getting pregnant."
"Yer know what I mean," Louise replied.
She tried to calm herself. "I do. We're different generations, Louise. Most of these diseases were around in my day. Mind, we didn't take any notice either. Once them urges come, who has time to think about condoms? I shouldn't lecture yer about safe sex. Not at yer age and certainly not with my track record." She smiled.
"I know yer have me best interests at heart, mam," Louise admitted. "I'm normally more careful. I don't even know if I want kids."
Rita was shocked. "Yer not getting rid?"
"There might not be anything to get rid of yet," Louise reminded again.
"Yer'll regret it if yer do," Rita told her sternly. "Don't matter which way yer go about it, whether abortion or adoption, yer'll regret it for the rest of yer life. It will always tear yer apart."
"I'm just making a name for meself on the cruise ships," Louise explained. "It were what yer wanted after all. I got me first job because another girl were pregnant. I were lucky. But where is she now? It's still a harsh world out there, mam. I need me career."
Rita straightened, her face hardening. "Yer'd kill me grandchild for yer career?! I never realised what a selfish little madam yer were. Get out of me sight!"
Louise was getting frustrated. "How many more times do I have to tell yer there might not BE a grandchild?"
"Course there is," Rita tutted. "Have yer taken a test?"
Louise nodded. "It were positive."
"There yer go," Rita said.
"The other was negative," Louise went on.
Rita's face fell. "Oh. But yer mark my words. Yer carrying my grandchild in there and if yer dare kill it I'll never speak to yer again."
"Why are we even having this argument?" Louise wondered.
"Because I don't want to see yer make the same mistakes I did," she told her.
"I'm not yer!" Louise yelled. "I don't have to give away my child to save it from violence. I happen to be single and happy about that. I just don't want my career over just as it's starting."
Tears welled in Rita's eyes. "How could any daughter of mine, after what she went through, be so heartless?"
Louise sighed. "I'm not being heartless, mam. Just realistic."
"Me and yer dad could take care of the baby while yer working," she suggested.
"At yer age?" Louise snorted.
Rita was stung. "Get out!"
"I didn't mean it the way it sounded," Louise backtracked. "I'm sorry."
"Too late to be sorry," Rita growled, pointing her finger at her child. "I don't want to see yer until yer pregnancy's confirmed. But if yer go ahead and murder my grandchild, I never want to see yer ever again. Now get out of me sight." She turned her back on her.
Louise crossed to the door. She grabbed the handle then stopped. "I'll go. Just remember this is my body and I'd do what I like. If that means you never speak to me again, so be it. I'll still have dad at least."
Rita spun round. "Yer think so? We both know what it's like to lose a child. The difference were you weren't actually dead even though I made him believe that. Yer were still out there somewhere and there were a small chance yer'd come back into me life. Yer saw how he reacted when he found out I'd lied all them years. Once you've got rid of yer inconvenience there's no going back and yer will be responsible for the murder of yer baby for the rest of yer life."
"It's not a baby!!" Louise cried. "It's a bunch of cells and certainly not alive in any normal sense!"
"It's got a heartbeat, hasn't it?" Rita countered. "It's growing, in't it? Relying on yer to nurture it and develop as much as when its born? Therefore it's alive and a baby. You can call it what yer like to ease yer conscience, Louise, but that is yer flesh and blood yer want to flush away. I just hope yer can live with yerself, lady, because I, and yer dad, will never forgive yer." She strolled into the back, leaning against the wall, listening hard.
"Yer not going to emotionally blackmail me, mother," Louise shouted. "IF I'm pregnant then I'll decide what to do. I'm not having someone who told the man she was supposed to love their child had died dictate how I live me life."
Rita flinched when the door slammed and broke down.

Harry returned from Frescho's and was surprised to find the shop door locked. He pulled the front door key out of his pocket and let himself in. "Rita?" he called, climbing the stairs. "Rita, are you in?" He saw her slumped on the sofa, dropped the shopping bag and rushed to her side. "Darling!"
She sat up, wiping her eyes. "Oh, hello, Harry."
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Nowt," she replied.
"Nowt doesn't shut the shop and have you in tears up here," he pointed out. "Are you ill?"
"Of course not," she snapped then coughed.
"Sounds like it," he noted.
She pushed herself up. "Lay off, Harry." She poured herself a large vodka.
"Isn't it a bit early?" he said, checking his watch. "It's not even ten."
She swallowed a large mouthful. "Are yer going to start telling me when I can and can't have a drink now?"
He perched on the arm of the sofa. "Why are you being like this? What's happened?"
"Nowt!" she yelled through gritted teeth. "I just wish yer'd leave me alone!"
He was at a loss. "Something's happened because you weren't like this when I went out. I'll call Louise. Perhaps you'd rather talk to her." He pulled his mobile out of his pocket.
She snatched it from him. "No need to bother her."
"Rita!" he gasped. "Give that back now."
She kept tight hold of it. "Only if you swear you won't phone her."
He began to get curious. "Why?"
"She's busy," she said quickly.
"But you're her mother," he replied. "There's clearly something up. She'll be here like a shot."
"I don't want her here!" Rita screamed.
"Has she already been?" he wondered. When no answer was forthcoming he guessed. "She has. Have you had a row?"
"Don't be ridiculous," she lied unconvincingly, taking another mouthful of vodka.
"I'll just ask her then," he stated. "You may have my phone but you can't stop me going to see her. Not unless you push me down the stairs."
Don't tempt me, she thought. "It's nowt. I'm overreacting. Yer know what we're like. Two fiery redheads. Bound to be friction from time to time."
"I don't believe you, Rita," he told her. "The last time I saw you like this was when she was in hospital." He crossed to her. "You were devastated when she told you to leave while accepting me without question. Something serious has happened between the two of you. I'm not stupid, darling." She burst into tears and he put his arms around her. "What is it? You can tell me."
"I can't," she wept. "Not yet."
"Has she done something?" he continued, determined to get to the bottom of it. Rita sobbed more. "Darling, please." He stroked her hair. "I'll get that little madam round here to apologise."
Rita looked up. "Don't, Harry. This is between me and her. She knows what she has to do. Leave it, eh?"
He sighed, kissing the top of her head. "All right. Only for a few days. If things haven't changed by your birthday I'll take matters into my own hands."
She smiled. "Okay."
"Wipe your eyes and try to forget about it," he said. "I'll make some coffee."
Rita held the mobile out which he took then watched him leave the room. She breathed a sigh of relief Harry had agreed to drop it and hoped Louise would see sense and put an end to the lies and upset.


To be continued...

[RitaLittlewood]

Part 43

Rita's seventy-seventh birthday arrived and she hadn't seen or heard from Louise. She had woken up early and sat in the living room drinking tea and munching chocolate biscuits. She felt lips press against her cheek and smiled. "Morning, darling."
Harry flopped next to her. "Happy birthday, gorgeous."
She sighed. "Last year yer proposed. Now yer have to top it. We can't get wed cos we did that six month ago so what have yer got up yer sleeve?"
He removed his pyjama top. "Just my body which I know you can't resist."
She laughed heartily then coughed. "I can but only when there's a Z in the month. Come on. What yer got me?"
"Demanding, demanding," he remarked with a glint in his eye. "Always demanding."
"That's what wives are for," she replied.
He put his arms around her. "I like you being my wife."
"I like it too," she said softly, kissing him.
"I'm glad we didn't do it all those years ago even if I hadn't already been married," he confessed. "Not the way I was back then. It wouldn't have lasted."
She cast her eyes down. "No." She gazed into his eyes. "But yer different now and these past six months really have been marital bliss. I love yer so much, Harry, and I'm really glad we got another chance."
He kissed her. "Me too. Though I didn't deserve one after reacting like that."
"A minor blip," she dismissed. "Which, if it had been yer fault, meant yer wouldn't have seen me for dust."
He smiled. "I'm a very lucky man."
"We're both lucky," she said.
"So, what do you want for your birthday?" he asked. "Course now you know I haven't got you anything yet."
"I don't want owt," she told him, placing her hand tenderly on his face. "I have all I want for me birthday right here."
He was touched then noticed her wince. "Are you all right?"
"Fine," she said as she coughed. "Touch of heartburn after the 4am munchies."
He glanced at the coffee table and saw the empty biscuit packet then returned his attention to her. "You look pale."
"Lack of slap," she said. "And indigestion. Don't worry."
"I can't help it," he told her in all seriousness. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."
"Harry," she sighed, "it's going to happen one day to all of us. Nowt we can do about it. I don't plan to pop me clogs for some considerable time yet. We have too much living to do first."
"I don't think you should go to work today," he said. "Stay in bed and get some rest. I'll look after you."
"And who's gonna look after the shop?" She pulled away and stood. "I'll take a couple of indigestion tablets then I'll be fine."
"You could always ask Norris," he suggested then frowned. "I can't believe I just said that."
"Neither can I," she laughed and coughed again, her chest tightening. "Are yer feeling all right?"
He shook his head. "I think I'll stay in bed all day with you."
She patted his cheek. "It'll have to be alone. I'm going to work." She went to the kitchen and popped a couple of Rennie in her mouth before going to the bedroom and dressed.

A few hours later Rita was sat behind the counter leaning on it with her head in her hands which is how Harry found her when bringing a cup of tea.
"Right that's it," he said, placing the cup on the side. "No more nonsense, Rita. You're clearly not well so stop denying it."
She rubbed her forehead and coughed. "I've got a bug, that's all. Probably a twenty-four hour thing. I were fine yesterday. I do wish yer'd stop fussing."
"Who else is going to?" he asked pointedly. "You're clearly not concerned for your own health. Look at you. I've been on at you since New Year to get that cough looked at."
"I don't need to and can manage perfectly well on me own, ta very much," she growled through gritted teeth.
"You're on the verge of collapse there," he said. "You should be in bed resting."
She swivelled around on the stool. "And what about the shop? Or are yer suggesting I close up?"
"I already suggested you ask Norris," he reminded.
"I can take care of meself AND the shop as I have all these years before yer came along," she growled.
Harry was taken aback by her attitude. "Pardon me for caring about the wellbeing of my own wife(!)"
"If yer cared yer'd stop making me stressed," she snapped, making her hack again.
He glared at her before storming out, slamming the door behind him. Rita flinched then sighed heavily. She glanced at the tea, shrugged and drank some.

Out on the street, Harry stood nervously outside the door of number 3. He took a deep breath and knocked. Emily answered.
"Good morning, Harry," she greeted cheerfully.
"Morning, Emily," he replied grim-faced. "Is Norris in?"
Emily was surprised. "Yes. Come in. It's cold out here."
"Thank you," he replied, crossing the threshold.
"Norris!" she called up the stairs as she led Harry to the back room. "How's Rita today? Enjoying her birthday?"
"Well that's what I'm here about," he began.
"What is it, Emily?" Norris asked then stopped when he saw Harry. "Oh."
Harry still resented his nemesis but had no other option. "Norris, I know you'll never particularly like or trust me and that's your prerogative. But I wondered if you'd do me a huge favour?"
"What sort of favour?" he asked cautiously.
"Look after the shop," Harry said. "Rita's not well and refuses to rest. She's not been right since that flu over Christmas. It's like it knocked something out of her.
Or you did, Norris thought.
"I told her this morning she should ask you to hold the fort but she'll have none of it," Harry finished.
"Rita always was stubborn," Emily observed.
"Don't I know it?" Harry replied.
Norris's nosiness radar was going. "What's wrong with her?"
"I don't know," Harry sighed heavily. "I'm very worried about her. First she said it was heartburn and now it's a bug. She looks so pale and tired. I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate. Whatever it is she's making it worse by not resting."
He thought for a moment then nodded. "I'll get my coat."
Harry smiled as he followed him into the hall. "Thank you. It's much appreciated."
Norris did his coat up. "Don't misunderstand me. I'm doing this for Rita, not you."
"I'm under no illusions," he remarked.
They crossed the road towards the shop in silence, Norris entering first and was shocked when he saw Rita clearly struggling behind the counter.
"What's he doing here?" she demanded.
"I've come to take over," Norris told her, relieved Harry had been telling the truth and not spun him a yarn to cover him beating her.
She glared furiously at Harry. "I told yer I didn't want any help." She blacked out and fell in a heap on the floor.
Norris and Harry rushed to her aid.
"Rita, darling," Harry said, her head resting on his lap as he stroked her face lovingly.
Norris was seeing a whole new side to Harry and allowed himself to feel for him. "Should I call a doctor?"
"If you would, Norris," he said.
"No doctor!" Rita barked. "There's nowt wrong with me." She refused their offers of help to get her on her feet and after several minutes managed it, continuing the grip the wall tightly while trying not to cough.
"You don't faint when you're perfectly well," Harry told her.
"I agree with Harry," Norris added.
She looked from one to the other and blinked. "Since when did yer two become lovers?" She held her hand up. "Never mind. I can see I'm going to be bullied into doing summat I don't want. Okay, I'll go and have a lie down for a couple of hours. Owt to shut yer up."
Harry moved towards her. "Put your arm around me."
"I can manage!" she snapped, easing herself slowly through the back, covering her mouth as she coughed.
Harry was deflated. "Why won't she let me take care of her?"
"She never lets anyone," Norris said. "I see what you mean about her though. She looks dreadful, even for her."
Harry wasn't sure how to react to that. "I know she had that flu over Christmas but this has got to be something else. Why do I get the feeling she's hiding something?"
Norris pondered. "I get the same feeling. I don't think it's cancer or anything like that. Well, not unless it's in the early stages so there's been no weight loss. Whatever it is she knows more about how she's feeling than she's letting on. You were right to ask me to cover. She shouldn't be working at all when she's like that."
"Grumpy?" he chuckled. "Definitely not. Scare the customers away."
Norris smiled. "She can do that anyway. You'd better get upstairs. If you need me you know where I am."
Harry smiled and put his hand warmly on Norris's shoulder. "Thanks, Norris." He climbed the stairs and found Rita gasping for breath in the hall. "Darling!" He took hold of her and led her into the bedroom where he put her to bed. "That's it. I'm calling a doctor and no arguments."
"Haven't the energy," she mumbled, eyes closed and gulping in air.
He dialled then waited for the doctor to arrive. Rita asked Harry to leave them while the doctor examined her. After far too long as far as Harry was concerned, the bedroom door opened.
"Ah, Mr Bates," the doctor said.
"How is she?" he asked, afraid he'd be given bad news.
The doctor opened her bag. "Not too well. Your wife has a lung infection which is causing her difficulty in breathing. She told me she'd had flu a few months ago so I imagine it's left over from that. There's no need to go to hospital just yet before you ask."
"How did you know?" he replied.
"I'm psychic," she smiled. She picked up a prescription pad. "I want you to get this filled. If you don't see any change within a couple of days call me." She ripped it off the pad and handed it to him.
"Will do," Harry said. "Thanks for coming out, doctor."
She closed her bag. "No problem. I'll let myself out. Bye."
"Bye," he smiled, relieved it wasn't anything too serious and she'd get better.
No sooner had the doctor departed than Norris appeared. "What did the doctor say?"
"Rita's got an infection," he explained. "I need to get this but I don't want to leave her."
Norris took the bit of paper. "I'll ask Emily to."
"I seem to be thanking you a lot today, Norris," he noted before returning to his wife's side.


To be continued....