Bridge Over the Atlantic (37 page)

“Open it then.” She prodded him.

“Now who’s being impatient?” He chuckled. He opened it slowly, taking care not to rip the pretty brown paper that Mallory had decorated with golden love hearts and snowflakes. He took out the rectangular sign and read aloud

“Welcome to Greg and Mallory’s Home.” His eyes misted over. “Mallory, this is the best Christmas gift I think I have ever been given.” He smiled over at her and then leaned in to kiss her sweetly.

“What? Did you never get a bike or a Scalextric?” she teased.

“Aye…yes, course I did. But this means so much more because you made it for me and it makes our moving in together official. Best gift ever, just like I said.”

Mallory’s heart swelled.

Mallory picked up the small package with her name on which she knew to be from Greg. It was flat and rectangular. She was puzzled.

“Now before you open it and go all ape-shit on me, I just want to defend myself and say that it’s something for us both. But I think you’ll be happy and that’s what matters.”

She took a deep breath and opened the package. Inside was an envelope with ‘British Airways’ emblazoned across it. She took out the contents.

“Bloody hell, Greg! Two first class return flights to
Canada
?” She pounced and flung her arms around him without protest.

“Whoa! That’s not the reaction I was prepared for!” He hugged her grinning widely like the Cheshire cat.

“I know and I should be angry with you. But how can I be when it’s just so perfect?” She kissed him over and over.

“Well, I spoke to Renee and she says we can either stay with her or if we don’t feel comfortable doing that she will book us into the hotel in
Kingston
, her treat.”

“How wonderful! I love you Greg McBradden.” She squealed and kissed him again.

The days following Christmas were filled with snowy walks in boots and scarves, mulled wine over at the pub and lazy evenings of making love in front of the fire at home.

Josie and Brad arrived on December twenty-eighth for the preparations leading up to Hogmanay.

Greg had surreptitiously arranged to go shopping with Brad whilst Mallory and Josie headed off in search of suitable Hogmanay attire.

The girls’ first stop was a little designer boutique which had become Mallory’s favourite shop in
Oban
. Mallory made a beeline for a silver grey dress peeping out from one of the rails. It was fitted and had a sweetheart neckline.

The fabric had a slight shimmer when the light caught it and Mallory hoped it would suit her now curvier frame. She gingerly stepped out of the changing room. Josie gaped at the stunning vision she encountered.

“Fu-…cra…Blimey!” She eventually fought and succeeded in her battle with the expletives. Well it was a rather posh place, afterall.

“Is that good?” Mallory scrunched her nose up at her stuttering friend.

“Well, put it this way, if I was a lesbian I’d be total in lust with you right now and trying to get you out of it.”

Mallory burst into hysterical laughter at her friend’s rather bizarre comment.

“Buy it, buy it, buy it! Ooh, ooh and you’ve got to get these silver shoes to go with it!” Josie grabbed the shoes from the display, much to the chagrin of the boutiques manager who looked disgruntled at the way her display was being manhandled and dismantled.

Josie was right though. The shoes finished off the whole ensemble perfectly.

Josie chose a fitted red dress which only served to reiterate how tiny she was. And as always, she was stunning until she opened her mouth.

The girls were all sorted and decided to get back home to the men. When they arrived home Brad and Greg were nowhere to be seen, so the girls opened a bottle of wine and chatted until the wanderers returned.

As soon as he walked through the door, Greg took bags quickly upstairs and Brad shrugged his shoulders in a “Don’t ask coz I can’t say nothing,” kind of gesture. He grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge and joined the girls as they chatted.

Hogmanay ~ New Year’s Eve

Greg and Mallory were so pleased to have Josie and Brad to share their first Hogmanay celebration as a couple. They weren’t doing anything too flashy. They had made arrangements to spend the celebrations at the pub as Greg was playing up to just before the countdown to midnight.

Josie and Mallory were getting ready in the master bedroom whilst their men drank beer together in the lounge. They were getting on well. The sound of laughter permeated the floorboards up to where the preening and preparing was taking place.

Mallory slipped on her beautiful silver grey dress. She was glad Josie had convinced her to buy it, even if her methodology had been unorthodox. Josie squeezed her petite frame into the very sexy fitted red number. They both applied lip gloss and helped each other with their hair.

Once ready they teetered down to the lounge where the guys were waiting. Mallory’s jaw dropped open at the sight of her rugged man looking even sexier in his kilt. Mallory had always liked to see men in kilts, but nothing had prepared her for this man in one. She caught Greg’s expression and he too was agog at the vision of her and her fitted dress which showed off her curvy figure in the best possible way. They both realised they were staring; both blushed and then burst out laughing.

“Get a bloody room you two.” Brad chuckled in his broad
Yorkshire
twang as he watched the outward display of lust on his friend’s faces. They all laughed together and after grabbing their coats, headed out for the pub.

Greg shivered. “Geez, it’s night’s like these when I wish I was from Eskimo heritage instead.” He laughed as he pulled his coat tighter around his exposed legs.

Thankfully the pub was a warm haven against the bitter icy chill. The snow had all but gone, but the clear sky meant the bite in the air was a vicious one. They set up by the fireplace with their drinks as the pub began to fill up. Greg took his place ready to perform.

“Evening all!” Greg shouted his usual greeting over the PA system. The chatter subsided in readiness.

“Hey Greg! What’s worn under your kilt?” Ron heckled from somewhere near the back.

“Hey, Ron, there’s nothing
worn
under my kilt, matey! It’s all in perfect working order, thanks for asking!” A ruckus of laughter rumbled around the room. Mallory, Josie and Brad were in hysterics and Josie was trying her best not to pee, as she’d so boldly added.

“I thank you.” Greg laughed and did a little bow. “Right, now guys, as you know, this rollercoaster year is drawing to a close and I’m happy to be sharing this special evening with you’s all tonight. I won’t be doing much blathering. So enjoy the music, and dance if you have the room around you but remember…”

“DON’T SING ALONG!” the audience shouted back in unison at the smiling and nodding man holding the guitar.

Greg sang an eclectic mix of songs and the audience revelled in the wonderful music, defying his orders to stay quiet at every opportunity; never more so that when he sang ‘
500 miles’
Mallory’s favourite Proclaimers song. The pub was in uproar and the atmosphere was electric.

Five Minutes To Midnight

When his set was over, Greg announced that it was five minutes to midnight and there was a huge cheer. He grappled through the crowd, his sights set on Mallory, but it was like swimming against the tide. People wanted to hug him, pat him on the back and congratulate him on a brilliant show. He locked eyes on Mallory determined he would get to her in time.

When he finally reached her he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door, a grin fixed on his face. Someone announced over the PA that there were four minutes remaining. They made it outside and he was virtually dragging her along.

She was giggling uncontrollably.

“Greg! Where are we going? We’re going to miss the countdown.”

He said nothing but continued on, pulling her behind him, teetering on her silver high heeled shoes. He was on a mission.

They arrived at the midpoint of the Atlantic Bridge. They could still hear the ruckus in the pub; the announcement came that three minutes remained.

“I think we should celebrate here, Mallory.” He said as he pulled her in for a lingering passionate kiss. Her legs weakened.

“Two minutes to midnight!” Came the voice over the PA.

Greg looked deep into Mallory’s eyes with such love and adoration. “Mallory…I love you more than anything in this world, do you know that?”

A wide smile spread across Mallory’s face as she stroked his cheek. Greg took a deep breath, “I love your laugh, I love your body, I love how you make me feel…I want to feel that way for the rest of my life…” His words came out in an emotional rush and Mallory’s giggles subsided as she melted into the sincere gaze of the man she loved.

“One minute to midnight!” Came the announcement in the background.

Greg looked terrified, his chest heaved and his eyes stared into hers as he stood before her “Please would you make me the happiest man alive? Mallory, am pos thu mi?”

Mallory was confused by his Gaelic words; not quite sure what he was asking; she could tell it was a question by his inflection. But then he held out a small, black velvet box. She froze, her brow furrowed.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven,” could be heard from the pub.

Greg dropped to one knee holding the box aloft. “Mallory, will you marry me?” His eyes sparkled with unshed tears as he gazed lovingly up at her, filled with hope.

“four, three, two.”

Her mouth fell open and her hands reached her face. “Oh Greg…YES!”

“Happy New Year!” Loud cheers and whoops came from the pub as people began to celebrate.

Greg rose to his feet and kissed her holding on to her tightly. People spilled out of the pub cheering and singing
Auld Lang Syne
.

Greg and Mallory just stared at each other, both out of breath as if they had been running and both with tears tracing warm tracks down their faces. The enormity of the wonderful situation was dawning on them both.

Greg realised he was still clutching the box. “You haven’t even seen the ring.” He laughed as he opened the lid.

Mallory gazed in awe at a single princess cut diamond, set on a white gold band engraved with Celtic love knots. It was simply stunning. More tears escaped and streamed down her face. He took the ring out of the box and she held out her left hand for him to glide it onto her finger. Suddenly someone at the pub saw what was happening on the bridge.

“Greg has proposed to Mallory!” the onlooker shouted “He has! He’s proposed!” A cheer rang around the cold midnight air and everyone ran to join them on the bridge.

Colin was the one who had shouted and he was the first on the scene. He hugged Mallory and said, “You’ve become like a daughter to me and Christine these past months, Mallory, and we’re so very happy for you, love.”

Mallory’s tears were relentless. Josie squealed in delight and Brad lifted her and spun her around. People were hugging Greg and congratulating him. Through all the excitement and furor Greg and Mallory still gazed at each other lovingly, smiling; beaming. Greg mouthed the words “I love you” and she reciprocated.

“Back inside for champagne,” Stella announced.

Mallory was impressed. She found Greg and slipped her arms around his waist as everyone headed back to the pub.

Greg held her back for a moment. “I hope you didn’t mind me proposing here on the bridge.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and tilted her chin up to kiss her. “I want this to be our place too.” He stroked her cheek.

“It is our place. I have more memories of you and me here now. This is our Atlantic Bridge.” Another tear escaped as she looked up into the eyes of the man she adored.

He curled his arms around her. “Come on, you’re freezing and I’ve an icy breeze blowing around places I would rather I didn’t have, let’s go have champagne before it’s all gone.” He chuckled

Mallory smiled. “Champagne…who would have thought it? Didn’t realise Stella stocked it.”

Greg grinned sheepishly. “Erm, she doesn’t usually. I went out with Brad and bought a boot load just in case you said yes. Stella knew all along.” He squeezed her to him.

“Oh yeah? What if I’d said no?” She poked him playfully.

“Don’t joke. I’ve been terrified and wondering if they did sale or return.” They laughed together.

Someone had put an old Cliff Richard classic ‘
Congratulations’
on the CD player when they arrived back in the pub. When they walked through the door everyone sang at the tops of their voices as Mallory and Greg blushed. The majority of them sang the whole song and those who didn’t know the words sang along, badly to the tune. It was hilarious and quite sweet. At the end of the song people were baying for a speech.

Greg took the microphone from his stand. “Alright, alright! I’m guessing you have all figured out that it’s over between me and Mallory.” Boos and laughter roared around the place. “Okay, okay so I asked her to marry me and I am totally and utterly in shock because this beautiful,” he pulled her next to him, “sexy, amazingly talented woman whom I am utterly, irrevocably in love with has said yes!” The whole place cheered. “Now of course you’ll all be invited along to the wedding, but you have to promise one thing as a collective.” Everyone clapped and whistled. When the noise had calmed he shouted “NO MORE BLOODY SINGING!”

The place exploded in laughter and applause again. Greg kissed Mallory passionately much to the delight of the crowd.

Everyone went back to their celebrations. Josie and Brad came over to the couple. They all hugged and Brad and Josie congratulated them again.

“Listen honey, me and Brad have arranged to stay here just for tonight so you too love birds can celebrate in private if you know what I mean.” She gave them a salacious wink.

Greg hugged Josie. “That’s brilliant, thanks you guys. We appreciate that.” He shook hands with Brad, the handshake turned into a masculine, back slapping hug.

They said their goodnights and the crowds began to dissipate so Mallory and Greg made their way home. Ruby and Angus were waiting to greet them with frantically wagging tails and yips of delight. It was as if they knew their mum and dad were getting married.