The Unwanted Gift : ( Part 5)

The red Porsche 911, was steadily weaving its way along the coastal road, heading towards Home farm, but the driver did not appear to be in a hurry to get to his destination.

Richard wasn’t looking forward to this home coming, his mother was unwell, she was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for some time, but the condition was getting progressively worst.

His father now divided his time between managing the farm and caring for his wife. He was adamant, Richard would have to start acting his age and start taking some responsibility, however, Richard had other plans.

Richard still had no idea what he would say to his father, as he cruise along in the Porsche holding back on the accelerator. Even as the powerful engine begs to let reap. Instead he reached into the glove compartment and withdrew a half smoked pack of cigarette, extracted one, and placed it between his lips and lit it. He inhaled deeply before removing the cigarette from his mouth. Held it for a moment looked at it with disgust and then opening the car window he threw the offending object out. "Disgusting habit," he muttered to himself.

As the window opened, a welcome rush of cold winter sea air blew against Richard's face and body, he felt momentarily exhilarated, the cold breeze help to blow the cobwebs away but his heart and mind were still in London.

He was wondering what Constance was up to without him.

Richard remembered the day two months ago when he brought Connie to York. They were only together for about a month, he wanted Connie to know everything about him; he wanted her to see his York, he needed to experience the magic of this place once more, but this time, through her eyes.

He was as excited as a Puppy, taking Connie by the hand, he showed her all the special places he loved as a young boy growing up in this City with so much history.

Richard and his best pal Tom, would pack their sandwiches and a flask of strong sweet Yorkshire tea, get on their bicycle and go roaming.

They would cycle to York, where the two boys would explore York Minster; they planned to climb the spiral staircase to the large main tower at the top.

Here, they would be able to see for miles. And if they were lucky, and the weather was good, they could see as far as Selby, a neighbouring town. Richard’s father told him many stories about his exploits, when he was the boys age. He and his friends also explored York Minster taking in the remarkable view which would only cost them 1p.

Richard remembered walking along the river Ouse with Tom, after a heavy down pour the river was ready to burst it’s bank. The local folks knew not to park their cars in this car park next to the river bank, but the tourist and visitors to York would sometimes ignore the signs. The boys would sit and wait patiently roaring with laughter as they watch the cars floating merrily away.

The two boys took great pleasure in watching the shocked look of consternation on the faces of the owners of the vehicles, as their return to find them gone.

After tea and sandwiches in the park, the boys would race along the medieval city wall, just being a nuisance to the visitors.
When Richard brought Connie to York, he did not visit his parents; If they were to discover his callousness they would be understandably disappointed in him, but hey... what's one more disappointment, he could never get it right anyway. His little sister was the perfect one, but maybe he should not go there.

The loved up couple stayed at the Grange hotel, less than 10 minutes stroll from York Minster and the many historical centres, They enjoyed the short stay, making good use of the large four poster bedroom with an open fire.

Richard smiled to himself as he looked back. They had spent the morning doing the touristy things and for him a lot of reminiscing, after lunch, the couple made their way back to the hotel. Richard was feeling sexy and romantic, he took Connie’s hand as they entered the hotel, he pulled her close, and the couple embraced in a long searching lingering kiss, the pair was charged and excited, Richard said “ Oh baby, I don’t think I can hold it until the bedroom” Connie laughed and bit his lip as they kissed, “ So come on tiger, what are we waiting for” she said, taking his hand, they hurried to the bedroom, passionately kissing as Richard fumbled to open the door." Damn it," he shouted, as he tried once more to open the stubborn lock, the door suddenly flew open and the randy pair fell to the floor, Richard kicked the door shut, but it would be a while before they would get to the large four poster bed.

Hours later Richard walked out of the bathroom, showered and partially dressed, he was tucking his blue silk shirt into dark navy trousers, Connie still in a post coital sleepy daze, “are you going somewhere?” she yawned, purring like a languid cat, “yeh” Richard replied, “I err… I’ve got a bit of business I need to take care of while I’m up here, you don’t mind, do you babes?” Connie rolled over; hugging her pillow and pulling the bed cover over her long sensuous ebony legs, “ naw.., you go sweetie, I’m going to have a long luxurious soak with Dan Brown, see you later” Richard kissed her already sore lips hard “I won’t be long babes, keep it warm for me.” He shouted as he left the room, closing the door.

Richard’s meeting was with the Bookie known locally as Micky Fingers, if his punters failed to pay their debts on time, they would end up with a broken finger or two until the debt was settled. Fingers wasn’t a man you would want to mess with, but since Richard was in York, he had to place a few quid on the gee gees, when he takes Connie to visit York race course tomorrow, so he needed some cash, and Fingers had staked him in the past.

The pair met at Betty’s tea room, where the money changed hands over a very civilised hour, catching up on the local news over a pot of tea with an assortment of sandwiches and delicate delicious tea cakes for which Betty’s was famous. As Richard took his leave of Fingers and headed for the door, he literally ran into one of two young ladies entering the tea room, as he knelt down to help the young woman retrieve a pile of books which he had inadvertently knocked to the floor, he looked up at her, apologising effusively, but the words dried up on his lips as his face cracked into a wide generous smile as he gazed into a pair of dark hunting eyes.

“Richard?” Poppy inquired with a quizzical smile on her beautiful face, “I’ll be damned, if it isn’t little Poppy,” said Richard, “not so little any more” Poppy replied, the pair hugged, Poppy now flustered and lost for words, turned back to her friend, introducing her to Richard, as he shook her hand, the young woman made her excuses and prepare to leave, she reminded Poppy to call soon as she left, Richard and Poppy sat down.

“I didn’t know you were home Rich, I saw your father only this morning, he didn’t say you were coming home?” Richard looking rather shamed faced, leaned over towards Poppy and Whispered in her ear, “he doesn’t know I’m here, and I need you to keep this between us,” Poppy didn’t understand, “but of course, if that is what you want” Poppy said, even more confused, Richard decided to explain, telling her about Connie.

At the mention of Connie, the colour drained from Poppy’s face, she thought she was going to faint but when she looked at Richard, he seemed so very happy, happier than she had ever seen him before, at that moment she knew she would always love him, but for now her feelings had to be placed on the back burner.