No Bra Required! (12 page)

“Really,” said Gerald winking at Sarah.  “Amazing
enough to knock Ed sideways?”

“Dad!”  Lucy scuffed Gerald’s arm.  “Stop
encouraging her.  She’s talked about him all afternoon and hasn’t even met
him.”

“Well we can always rectify that.  Pass me my mobile
please.”  Gerald pointed to his phone.

“What are you doing Dad?”  Lucy looked shocked. 
“You’re not ringing Ed are you?”  She passed Gerald his phone tentatively.

“No, don’t be silly.  I’m going to ring Mike the taxi
man.  Go and get ready girls, we’re going down to the pub.”

“Ooh how exciting, do you think Ed will be there?” asked
Sarah, getting up from her chair and clapping her hands.

“He’s often in The Well on a Saturday night, so there’s a
good chance.”  Gerald started to punch out the numbers on his phone. 
“Mike, hi there, Gerald Falmer here.  Can we have a taxi in, oh let’s say,
a half hour?  Excellent see you then, thanks Mike.  Right off you
go.  You’ve got half an hour to beautify yourself.”  Gerald nodded at
Lucy.  “Sarah, can you help me upstairs, so I can have a quick wash and
brush up?”

“Sure no problem.  Go on Luce, hurry up.” Sarah pointed
to the door.  “Get up those stairs and get ready, I can’t wait to see the
gorgeous doctor.”

“Do I have a say in this?”  Lucy asked.

“No!” Gerald and Sarah chorused together.

“Dad it’s packed in here, you’re going to get knocked
about?”  Lucy held on to Gerald’s arm as she scanned the room looking for
a chair.

“There’s a table over there,” Sarah shouted above the
chatter and clinking of glasses.  “Lucy you help your dad, and I’ll go and
save the table.”

“Okay, come on Dad.  Be careful, it’s really crowded.” 
Lucy manoeuvred her father by the arm around the crowded bar.

“I’m fine Lucy, I'm not disabled I’ve only broken my
leg.”  Gerald smiled kindly at Lucy, whom he could tell was nervous about
the possibility of seeing Ed.

“Okay sorry, I was just trying to be helpful,” she said
holding a chair out for him.  “There you go.  I’ll go to the bar,
what do you both want?”

“Let me come too, please.”  Sarah said excitedly,
hoping that Ed may be at the bar.

“It doesn’t need both of us, you go if you’re that bothered.” 
Lucy frowned at Sarah and flopped down onto a chair next to Gerald.

“Oh, okay,” Sarah replied sulkily.  “What would you
like Gerald?”

“A pint of bitter please, any kind will do.”

“What about you, frosty knickers?” Sarah asked Lucy, poking
her in the shoulder.

“White wine please, and make it a large one.”

Smiling at Lucy, Sarah walked away giggling to herself.

“What’s wrong Lucy?” Gerald asked, knowing full well what
the problem was.  “Not worried about seeing Ed are you?”

“You know I am; it makes me look like a stalker Dad. 
He’s bound to think I’ve come in here just to see him.”

“Not necessarily, your friend is over to see you, so why
wouldn’t you bring her to the busiest pub in tow…” Gerald didn't finish, as was
suddenly distracted by something in the distance.  “Oh I think Sarah wants
you,” he said, a huge smile upon his face as he tried to stifle a laugh.

Sarah was near the bar, waving wildly at Lucy and pointing
at a dark-haired man standing next to her.  “Is this him?” she mouthed

Lucy, highly embarrassed, dropped her head into her
hands.  The dark-haired man had now turned to Sarah and was looking at her
quizzically; it wasn’t Ed.

“Is she with you?” A voice asked next to Lucy.

Lucy lifted her crimson face to see Ed standing next to her
chair.  “Oh hi,” she whispered, wishing that she was anywhere but in the
pub with her batty friend pointing at total strangers.

“Ed, how lovely to see you.  Are you feeling
better?”  Gerald asked, holding a chair out and indicating for Ed to sit
down.

Ed shook his head.  “No, I can’t stay Gerald.  I'm
here with my friend, Rob.  But, I am feeling much better thanks.  Did
you enjoy your visit to your friend’s house?”  All the time he spoke to
Gerald, Ed surreptitiously looked at Lucy.  Noticing how pretty she looked
in her navy-blue shirt and white trousers.

“Hmm I had a lovely time. Monica spoiled me rotten. So is it
a big night out tonight, or just a few drinks, you could ask your friend to
join us too?”

“No, we’re only having a couple.  Rob’s wife is cooking
us dinner, Nate is already over there.  We’ve had our orders to be back by
nine.”  Ed smiled and glanced at Lucy. 

“So, I believe that you are taking my daughter out on
Saturday evening.  She’s been out shopping today for the perfect outfit,
haven’t you Lucy?”  Gerald didn’t look at Lucy but smiled at Ed.

“Yes Dad, I have,” she replied through gritted teeth. 
“The idiot at the bar came with me to buy it.”

“Oh great, fantastic,” Ed scratched his head furiously.
Feeling flustered he still avoided Lucy’s gaze.  “Is she a friend from
home then?” he enquired.

“Unfortunately, yes she is.  She’s staying over until
tomorrow.”  Lucy groaned inwardly, Sarah was on her way back from the bar.

“Ooh, hello,” Sarah said, putting the drinks down on the
table.  “I’m Sarah, Lucy’s friend, and you must be Dr Bryce.”  She
held her hand out to Ed.

“Please call me Ed,” he said, shaking her hand. 
“Anyway, I’d better get back to Rob; it looks as though he’s been served, at
last.  Great to see you all, and I’ll see you on Monday at the surgery
Lucy.”

“Okay Ed, goodnight.”

“Night Ed,” cooed Sarah, winking at Lucy.

“Goodnight Ed.  See you soon,” Gerald said, leaning
forward to pick up his drink.

“Crikey Luce, you never told me he was that gorgeous. Flipping
heck, he’s top banana and look at his bum in those jeans.”  Sarah leaned
out of her chair and ogled Ed as he made his way across the pub.

“Please just let me die now,” Lucy groaned.  “Sit back
in your seat and stop staring at the poor man.”  She pulled Sarah by the
arm.  “Did you have to make it so obvious that we’ve been talking about
him?”

“What…what did I say?”  Sarah was aghast and thought
that she had been extremely subtle.

“He saw you pointing at the guy that you thought might be
him, and how could he fail to see you wink at me when he said goodnight, you
made it so bloody obvious?  How can I face him on Monday, he must know I
fancy him now?  I blame you entirely Father, you sodding well made us come
here.”  Lucy took a drink from her wine and flopped back in the chair.

“Don’t be silly, we’re just out for a Saturday night
drink.  Where’s the harm in that?”  Gerald laughed and nudged Sarah.

“Plenty when it’s with bloody Laurel and Hardy.”  Lucy
said, taking another large sip of wine.

“So that’s her then,” said Rob as he looked at Lucy over
Ed’s shoulder.  “You didn’t say she was ginger.”

“So what if she is, anyway I would say the colour is
russet.  Well, what do you think?”  Ed was inexplicably nervous about
seeing Lucy in the pub.

“Honestly… pretty tasty, and there’s no danger of her
drowning, although, in my opinion, I’m guessing it’s more to do with the bra
than natural assets, but you’re the doctor, you’d know.”

Ed sighed and shook his head. “Do you know Rob, I thank God
every day that you sat next to me on that first day at Infant school? 
Anyway, how can you tell from here, actually don’t answer that?  Rob, you
can stop looking now, thank you.”  Ed poked Rob sharply in his
stomach.  “I can’t believe she’s in here.”

“It’s the local pub man, and she’s living locally. 
What did you expect?”  Rob shook his head and sighed.  “What’s wrong
with you, you’ve gone all jittery?”

“I know. I feel like a bloody teenager about to ask a girl
out on a date.”  Ed took a large gulp from his beer.

“I thought that you already asked her out on a date.”

“No, it’s not a date. It's a thank you for looking after
Nate last week when I was ill.”

“Will you be aiming to get her into bed at the end of it…if
so, then that’s a date.”

Ed shook his head.  “Of course I won’t be trying to get
her into bed.  We’ve discussed this, she’s had a bad time, and it wouldn't
be appropriate.”

“Well a good shag may just be what she needs.”  Rob
laughed at the look of horror on Ed’s face.  “The look on your face! 
You really do have it bad don’t you mate?”

Ed sighed again and nodded.  “Unfortunately, I think I
do, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

Lucy looked at her reflection in the mirror of her dressing
table and smiled.  She had just put on the tall, slender heeled nude
coloured shoes that she had bought, and was now standing back to look at the
result.  The dress was nipped in at the waist, sleeveless and had a long
zip all the way down the back, and Lucy had to admit it was stunning. She couldn’t
help but be pleased with the way it accentuated the curve of her small, but
pert breasts and narrow back, and showed off her toned arms.  Lucy had
taken her hair up into a sleek bun, and the only jewellery she wore were a pair
of drop pearl earrings.  Lucy was really glad that Sarah had persuaded her
to buy the dress, shoes, handbag, and the underwear.  She felt fantastic,
ladylike and elegant and hoped that Ed thought so too.

Lucy smiled as she thought of Sarah.  They’d had a
seriously good time together the previous weekend.  The shopping trip,
seeing Sarah, and the evening at the pub with Gerald, had all been fantastic,
and Lucy had thoroughly enjoyed herself, despite the letter announcing Simon’s
intention to divorce her and the embarrassment of seeing Ed in the pub, and
Sarah making it obvious that he was their sole reason for being there.

This last week at work, both at the surgery and looking
after Nate, had been pretty uneventful.  There were some lingering looks
between her and Ed, but nothing X-rated and there certainly wasn't any
flirting.  Even Callie was unusually quiet, not making any meaningful
comments or cracking any double entendres. 

Although she was used to high heels, Lucy made her way
downstairs with some trepidation.  Ed was waiting for her, and the last
thing that she wanted to do was to fall and make a fool of herself.  Once
at the lounge door she took a deep breath and slowly opened it.  Lucy saw
Ed standing with his back to her as she peeked around the door. He was talking
to Gerald, who was in his favourite chair, his leg up on the footstool.

“Ah, here she is.”  Gerald beamed as he noticed Lucy in
the doorway.  “Wow, you look gorgeous, doesn’t she Ed?”

Ed turned slowly and for a moment didn’t speak, but just
looked at Lucy.  He felt a lurch in his stomach, and his heart started to
beat faster as he drank in her beauty.  This was different from how he’d
seen her before.  It wasn’t with lustful eyes that he now looked at her,
no clowns were needed. He didn't just want her body, he wanted all of her. She
was so beautiful, and Ed desperately yearned to be a part of her life.

“Erm yes Lucy, you look nice,” he finally said, groaning
inwardly.  Nice really didn’t cover how she looked.

Lucy was aggrieved; disappointed that ‘nice’ was all be
could manage.  “I guess we’d better go then,” she said, bending down to
kiss Gerald on the cheek.

“Yes, we don’t want to be late.”  Ed replied.

“Have a good time both of you.”  Gerald smiled at their
disappearing backs.  

As Lucy got into the passenger seat of Ed’s car, she flicked
down the visor, quickly checking her reflection.  Nothing had changed from
when she was upstairs feeling fantastic, ladylike and elegant. 
Apparently, her outfit just wasn’t Ed’s ‘cup of tea’.

Ed got in beside her and turned over the engine.  “I
hope you enjoy it tonight. It won’t all be medical talk, I promise. 
Although, Dr Kindler does get carried away when he’s talking about the common
cold.”  He twinkled a smile at Lucy as he moved the car down the road.

“That’s okay, I'm sure I’ll cope.  Who are we sitting
with, do you know?”  Lucy wondered, hoping it would be someone she knew
from the surgery.

“Oh it’ll be a practice table.  Dr Kindler and his wife
Mary; Ellen and her partner Greg; plus Elspeth and her husband, Brendan.”

Suddenly, Lucy felt as though she’d only been invited to
make up the numbers.  “Oh I see, shouldn’t you have invited Callie instead
of me then?  She’s the full-time receptionist, I'm just helping out.”

Ed glanced at her and frowned.  “No, why would I? 
This was a thank you, to you, for the extra time you put in with Nate last
week.” 

“I just thought that as it was a practice table, that…” Lucy
wasn’t sure she could put into words what she thought.  How could she say,
‘I thought that you fancied me and this was a forerunner to you asking me out
properly?’ 

Ed suddenly realised that Lucy had got totally the wrong
idea about his invitation.

“Honestly it’s not like that Lucy.  I really did ask
you as a thank you,” he stressed.

“It’s okay, ignore me, I’m being stupid.” Lucy, still unsure
whether he meant it, fell silent and stared through the window. 

She felt awkward now, she had been convinced Ed had wanted
her to come because he liked her and found her attractive, but now she felt as
though she was merely making up the numbers. 

As Lucy was turned away from him, Ed stole a glance in her
direction.  Her arms were crossed, her shoulders were tensed, and the way
her lips were pinched together in a thin line, he could sense that she wasn’t relaxed;
and he guessed it was probably because of his ‘nice’ comment.  She’d
obviously gone to a lot of trouble, she looked gorgeous for God’s sake, and he
like an idiot had practically described her efforts as mediocre.  Plus,
somehow he’d made her think he’d invited her out of duty – Christ far from it,
he’d been desperate for tonight to come around, just to spend some time with
her. 

Ed coughed nervously. “Erm I have to say Lucy, you really do
look lovely tonight.”

Lucy now looked at him, but there was still no smile. 
“Yes you said, thank you.”

“Well I didn’t actually put it very well in the house, did
I?  And I promise you, this invitation wasn’t just to make up the numbers;
I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”  Ed said, a beseeching look in
his eyes.

Lucy unfolded her arms and allowed a small smile to appear
on her lips.  He looked so apologetic, she couldn’t stay cool with him.

“Anyway,” she said after a few moments silence, “how do
these evenings pan out?”  Lucy was desperately trying to change the
subject.

Ed laughed and shook his head.  “I have to be honest
they’re more okay than brilliant.  There’s a four-course dinner usually,
followed by a disco.  However, you should be warned I’m not a pretty sight
on the dance floor.”

Lucy starting to relax now, smiled.  “I’m sure that I
can teach you a couple of steps.”

“I’m sure you can,” replied Ed watching Lucy sneakily, once
again marvelling at how beautiful she looked.  What a tit I am, he
thought.  ‘You look nice’, Christ no wonder she looked disappointed.

“The problem is,” Lucy interrupted Ed’s self-criticism, “I’m
not sure I can teach anyone sober how to do The Macarena.”

Ed laughed, envisioning himself dancing in a line of other
doctors, with Lucy at the head teaching them all.  “Oh don’t worry I don’t
intend to be sober, I'm going to leave the car at the hotel.  So I should
be dancing like a professional by the end of the evening.”

“That will remain to be seen.”  Lucy said, giggling
quietly to herself.

They continued with their journey for another ten minutes
until Ed finally pulled into the grounds of the hotel.  As Ed parked the
car, Lucy realised that she was feeling apprehensive.

“Blimey, I feel quite nervous,” she thought aloud.

“Don’t be,” Ed replied, undoing his seatbelt. 
“Everyone is really nice, honestly.”  He almost groaned aloud – there was
that word again.  “Oh look, there’s Ellen and Greg.”  Ed jumped out
of the car and walked quickly around the car and opened Lucy’s door.

“Oh thank you,” she said looking up at Ed from under her
long lashes.  “Very gentlemanly, I must say.”

Ed laughed.  “Make the most of it; I may not be very
gentlemanly after a few drinks.”

“I’m counting on it,” Lucy whispered, but just loud enough
for Ed to hear.

Ed, feeling the familiar sensation of lust for Lucy, thought
that there was probably safety in numbers if he were to avoid kissing her right
there and then, so he called across to Ellen.  “Ellen, wait up, we’ll come
in with you,” he shouted.

“Oh hi there.  Hi Lucy,” Ellen called waving at them
both.  “I need the ladies, so wait for us in reception.”  She and
Greg rushed up the steps to the hotel, leaving Ed and Lucy alone on the car
park.

“Okay,” said Ed watching Ellen disappear.  “We may as
well go in then.  After you.” They walked toward the hotel, the gap between
them diminishing with each step.

The evening had been as Ed described; the food had been
unexciting and there had been a vast amount of cheesy party music played.
 However, Lucy and the rest on the Springfield Practice table enjoyed it
immensely.  Lucy had got to know Ellen and Elspeth better, finding they
all had the same sense of humour, and Mrs Kindler, a retired solicitor, had
been exceptionally kind, offering her advice on her divorce.  However, the
main reason that Lucy had enjoyed herself was because she’d talked and laughed
with Ed, at great length.  She tried to teach him The Macarena as
promised, but he was pretty hopeless.  He was the worst dancer in the line
of around fifteen people who were following her lead.  They’d jumped about
to a couple of Oasis tracks and even did Sambuca shots, at the instigation of
Dr Kindler. 
Who would
believe that a sixty-year-old doctor could be such a bad influence?

“Oh my God,” Ed gasped, “that was disgusting, what did you
say it was called?”

Lucy started to laugh as Ed pulled out his tongue and
grimaced. “It’s called a ‘Slippery Nipple’,” she replied, knocking the rest of
her own drink back.

“It’s bloody awful.”  Ed picked up his bottle of beer,
taking a swig to wash down the sickly liquid.

“Lightweight, oops sorry,” gasped Lucy falling against
Ed.  “I think that last one may have been my cue to drink some water,”

Ed gently held Lucy’s arm to steady her, his fingers
lingering on her soft skin as their eyes fixed on each other.  His heart
beat rapidly, and his stomach flipped as he fought hard not to kiss her. 
This couldn’t go on, he thought, if he didn’t kiss her soon he was pretty sure
he’d internally combust.  He’d never felt so attracted to someone before.

Lucy was also feeling highly charged.  Her skin tingled
at Ed’s touch, and a hot flush enveloped her body as she was mesmerised by how
handsome he looked in his tuxedo.  She couldn’t believe that she’d only
just noticed.  She’d been so worried about her own appearance, and Ed’s
apparent lack of enthusiasm for how she looked, Lucy hadn’t thought about how
gorgeous he looked this evening.  ‘God how shallow am I?’ she thought.

“Are you okay,” Ed whispered, moving closer to Lucy.

“Yes,” her reply was barely audible.

Suddenly the electric atmosphere was broken.

“Hey come on you two, it’s ‘The Row Boat Song’,” Ellen had
appeared at Lucy’s side, and was now pulling them both toward the dance floor.

The moment was gone, and as they tore their gaze away from
each other, Lucy and Ed followed Ellen to join the rest of the party sitting on
the floor, shaking their torsos in time to the music.

“Have you enjoyed yourself dear?” Mrs Kindler moved up to
the spare chair next to Lucy a little later in the evening.

“Yes, it’s been great.  Oh and thank you for your advice
earlier, I’ll certainly make sure that I speak to my solicitor about it.” 
Mrs Kindler hadn’t offered any different advice than Mr Devine, Lucy’s
solicitor, but Lucy hadn’t wanted to appear rude and say so.

“Are you enjoying working at the practice, working for
Ed?”  The older lady didn’t look at Lucy but played with her glass.

“Yes and Dr Kindler.”  Lucy added.  “It’s been
good.  I’ll be sorry when Richard wants his job back.  But,” she
sighed, “I’ve got to go home at some point.”

“Not necessarily, I’m sure that you could make a decent life
for yourself here.  There would be a few people sorry to see you
go.”  Mrs Kindler said as she glanced up and smiled at Ed who was standing
over at the bar, watching them intently.

Ed had been plucking the courage up to ask Lucy to dance for
the last ten minutes, but every time he’d tried to approach her someone else
would jump into the seat next to her.  Ed knew that he should go over
there and ask her, and stop being such an idiot, but the double whisky he’d just
knocked back still hadn’t made him brave enough.  Ed ordered another, and
knocked that back too, giving him just the extra edge that he needed.  The
alcohol suddenly had the desired effect, because as he watched Lucy talking to
Mrs Kindler, Ed made his mind up there and then; he wasn’t just going to ask
her to dance, he was going to ask her out; he wanted them to have a
relationship, on whatever level she was ready for.  They’d had a fantastic
evening, after the false start, and it had become evident to him as the evening
went on how badly he wanted her.  Ed didn’t know if Lucy felt the same
way, he thought she might after the incident at the bar earlier, but he’d never
know if he didn’t ask.

“Right Edward,” he said to himself.  “Get a grip, grow
a pair, and go and get her.”

As he approached the table Lucy and Mrs Kindler were still
deep in conversation, so Ed stood for a moment, listening to them talk.

“So, I know it may seem a huge decision, so soon after your
husband leaving, but life goes on dear.  Oh I think someone may want to
steal you for a dance.”  Mrs Kindler nodded her head towards Ed, whom she
had just noticed standing next to the table.

“Oh hello.” Lucy gulped as she stared at him. 

 “I thought that you could give it one last go at
teaching me how to dance.”  Ed said, holding his hand out to Lucy.

She smiled and nodded.  “Okay, but don’t embarrass me
again, please.”

As she took hold of Ed’s hand, Lucy felt her whole body
tingle at his touch.  Not only did she feel sexually excited by him, but
she felt safe with her hand in his.  She felt as though it was meant to be
there, nothing felt strange about holding hands with him.  Lucy tightened
her fingers around Ed’s and gave his hand a little squeeze.  Ed turned his
head and gave her a dazzling smile, as if acknowledging that he felt the same
way.