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Chapters 37 & 38

 Sunday 11th October

I woke at eight and rolled over, coming face to face with a wide smile.

"Are you happy or is that just wind?"

I hopped quickly out of bed, but a little too slow as the slap caught my rear end. I ran to the bathroom, that extra hour in bed had filled my bladder, which now needed urgent attention. Claire walked in as I was washing my hands. I held my hands up.

"I withdraw my last remark."

"Not likely, you've been a naughty girl, Eve."

She finished her own business then pulled me back to my bedroom, closing the door. I can't say what we did, but it was fun.

We finally appeared in the kitchen just before nine. Claire's hair was a mess, mine was a little ragged.

"Hey girl, look at that growth up there. I'd say it's due for a trim."

"Claire, I think you're right. I'll take Eve to the salon next week, if we can fit it into our busy schedule!"

We had a low fat yoghurt and a banana with our OJ, too healthy if you ask me. Claire and I headed up to the shower and worked out we could just fit in it together, but washing was not easy. By ten we were finally decent and back downstairs.

"Girls, it's a good job the shops don't open before ten today or you'd have missed a few hours of essential retail therapy, grab your bags."

We headed outside and got into mum's car. Our first stop was the huge retail park fifteen miles away. We hadn't been here for months and new stores seemed to open all the time. Mum said she wanted to go and look at some carpets, Claire and I weren't impressed and headed to the electrical warehouse on the other side of the park. The walk would do us good, I thought.

Of course, negotiating traffic means that you can't take a direct route and it took longer than expected. The sun had come out and the day was warming nicely, I regretted putting on a heavy jacket, it should have been left in the car. Too late now to worry about it.

We were looking at the range of netbooks when a spotty faced salesman walked up to us, ending up virtually touching me.

"Hello girls, there's a wide choice, I think you could do with some assistance."

"No thank you. We can manage this by ourselves."

"I'm quite happy to help two lovely girls, do you live near here?"

Claire was not happy, "I think my girlfriend and I have had enough of you already, goodbye." She grabbed my hand and we walked straight past him and out of the door. We stopped outside and collapsed in a fit of giggles. A woman walked up behind us.

"Girls, I'm sorry, was there a problem?" She had a badge that described her as the duty manager.

"Yes, I'm afraid your member of staff was intent on getting into our knickers."

"I've sent him to my office to wait for me. Could I tempt you back with a discount by way of an apology?"

Knowing that there wasn't another laptop retailer on this site, Claire looked at me and we silently accepted the apology. We linked arms and walked back inside, the blast of cool from the AC unit was lovely after that spell outside. She led us back to the display and asked what we wanted to use the laptop for.

"School work mainly but I want something that won't be out of date next week."

She pointed at a range of netbooks that were priced over £300. I settled on a model with decent memory and a quad core processor for over £400. Not one of the cheapest by a long way, but it looked like good value.

"Did you know that was available in four colours?"

"No, do you have pink?"

"Sorry, no, but will raspberry do?"

"Yes please."

"I'll bring it to you at the cash desk. Do you need a printer?"

"I have one already, why?"

"I'll throw in a colour all-in-one if you like, for free."

My old mono printer wasn't going to last much longer and I didn't have a high resolution scanner so this was an offer I couldn't refuse. She went away to the storeroom and returned a minute or so later carrying a box. Another member of staff was carrying a bigger box that had 'HP' emblazoned on the side. The manager scanned the boxes and took my details for the warranties. I proudly handed over my debit card and punched my PIN into the keypad. This was the first time I'd ever used it.

"Would you like a hand with these to your car?"

"We're right over the other side by the furniture store. Can we collect them in an hour?"

"Certainly."

We walked out, holding hands. I felt empowered by the simple act of buying a laptop. We walked towards the car but were diverted by signs in the windows of a jewelry store, they had a sale running. I stopped outside and asked Claire a simple question. Half an hour later both Claire and I were both wearing engagement rings.

My phone rang, breaking up a wonderful moment in the sunshine. Today had a special feel to it, I hoped that it stayed that way.

"Eve, where are you?"

"Mum, I'm in heaven."

"I don't know a shop called Heaven around here."

"No mum, not a shop, I just proposed to Claire."

I heard a scream and looked that direction, Mum was stood by the car with other shoppers staring at her. I grabbed Claire and we ran towards her. She left her shopping on the ground and ran to meet us. We simply held up our hands, letting her see the single diamonds. I got a look that questioned my sanity, but nothing was said. She hugged us then some sense took over.

"Girls, can you help me get this stuff into the car. Are you both done?"

"We have to collect my new computer."

"Just how much have you spent young lady? No, don't answer that, I've had one shock already and it's not lunchtime yet."

Mum thought we were finished, but I wasn't quite done. I pulled Claire towards a clothing store and headed for the frock section. We chose some little black dresses, then moved to the lingerie department. I asked if I could be measured.

Five minutes later the saleswoman told me I was a perfect B cup, Claire grabbed me and gave me a soppy kiss, the saleswoman showed no surprise. She then saw the matching rings.

"Engaged?"

"Today."

"That's lovely. What do you need in here?"

"Something sexy to wear under our LBD's."

We went around the racks and chose our bras and matching knickers, but not the same. We definitely had separate tastes. Mum caught up as we reached the cash desk, I handed over my card.

"No you don't young lady. This is my treat."

Mum paid for the undies, the receipt showed a discount of 15%. We finally returned to the car and headed across the park to retrieve my computer and printer. There was an envelope taped to the computer box. It contained a discount voucher valid for a month, worth 10%. This was a brilliant day, spotty-faced salesmen aside.

We stopped at the hypermarket and sat in the coffee shop where we had a bite of lunch. Mum wanted to know what had been said, by whom. She then asked the big question.

"Why today?"

"It felt right."

"But you're both sixteen."

"Not for long."

"I suppose you'll want a party?"

"Just having Claire here is enough." She pulled me close and whispered something in my ear before giving me a little kiss on the cheek. Today was perfect.

We had finished our lunch when there was a noise behind us, near the store entrance. I looked around to see David Stevens Senior hitting a security guard, his son was on the floor, trying to crawl away.

More security guards arrived and David Stevens senior was bound using plastic cuffs. His son had got up and tried to pull one of the guards off his father, the spectacle was causing a crowd to form and I stood up to get a better view.

Outside I saw blue lights and a pair of coppers running in. One put his hand on the son and received a punch. The lad was on the floor immediately, I thought I heard him hit the tiling as there was a cracking sound. Within seconds he was cuffed, with the metal variety. The Police Officer who'd been punched now fell backwards, clutching his stomach. His colleagues were calling urgently for an ambulance as one of them grabbed a med kit.

Shop staff now moved to block my view, although I could still hear the swearing coming from the store entrance. After a few more minutes, and more flashing blue lights, the swearing stopped and the store entrance was clear again.

I had taken a few pictures with my mobile phone while this was going on and now used it to make a call.

"Mr Dixon? Eve Jones. We're at the Apex Retail Park. The two David Stevens have just been arrested, it looks like it's shoplifting and assaulting a police officer."

"Thank you Miss Jones. I'll speak to the police and see what can be done."

He rang off and mum glared at me.

"Eve, I should have made that decision to call our solicitor."

"Mum, calm down. It needed doing and I had my phone out already. Look, we need to get something for dinner, we're not going to achieve anything sat here."

"Little miss bossy boots, eh?"

Claire poked her tongue at me, mum shrugged and looked like she'd lost this battle of the wills. We scooted round the store and picked up a joint of beef for tonight. We raided the clothes section for a few t-shirts and everyday knickers. They had some simple padded bras that I grabbed. I didn't need those chicken fillet enhancers any more, but it did no harm to enhance what I now had naturally.

We drove back home and unloaded the car into the kitchen. It was late enough to start cooking the Sunday roast so mum took that job. Claire and I walked over to their house and into the kitchen there. Claire decided to make the announcement.

"Mum, we've got something to tell you."

There was a squeal and Annie pointed at our hands, "rings! Does that mean....?" We nodded.

"Claire, Eve, I hope you know what you're doing. You are both under seventeen for at least a few more days. I'll have to speak to your mum when we come over for dinner."

"Sharon, we know exactly what we're doing and we know it's right. I want Claire as my bride, but not until we've finished school. Please speak to my mum, she's probably still in shock. I didn't know about dinner, not that I'd object!"

Annie pulled us both into the lounge and wanted to know everything about my proposal, and the shopping trip. I'd clean forgotten about the laptop. Claire decided to fill in with other important information.

"We've bought some LBDs for Friday's party."

"What party young lady?" asked Sharon from the doorway.

"Sharon, we thought we could celebrate our engagement at the same time as Claire's birthday."

"Perhaps, but I've arranged nothing."

"Mum, can we go for a Chinese? I''d love to invite some of the girls from school as well."

"Woah, I'm not made of money."

"Sharon, I'll pay for the meal. Claire, which friends?"

"Suzie and Andrea. They transferred from the Comprehensive so they've not met you."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, they're really brill."

"If you say so!"

"Girls, I'll book a table for seven. Annie, get me the phonebook please."

That was easy, I thought. Just one small change needed.

"Sharon can that be nine please. I'd like Jenny and my aunt there."

"So long as you're paying!"

I gave Claire a kiss and headed back. Mum was peeling potatoes as I entered but had a glass of fruit juice waiting for me. I picked up my dress, Claire's was there as well, and headed upstairs. I came back down and this time took the lingerie. A few more trips meant that everything was up and laying on my bed. There was no way I could get in it tonight unless I put all my new clothes away so that was the first thing I did.

I really wanted to use my new laptop straight away but resolved to plugging it in to charge the battery first. I opened the printer box and made room for it, moving my existing printer and scanner onto the floor. It could go the the garage later just in case I needed it again, at least I'd have a bit more room.

When I had cleared everything and could now sit on my bed, I had a sudden thought. Claire had school tomorrow so would best sleep in her own bed. I'd be alone for the first time since last Tuesday night. I wondered if I'd be able to cope with it.

I picked up the laptop and tried to forget my sad thoughts. Once I switched it on I was faced with a long winded setup and registration routine that I'd never encountered before. At one point it asked for internet access but hadn't yet asked for the wireless password so I had to go downstairs and plug into the router for the thirty seconds it needed. One day they'll realise that this is a ridiculous routine.

I was finally onto the web and managed to access my emails. There was one from cousin Jenny.

"Just been told, you crafty girl."

How did she know so quick, I'd meant to phone her but had got so wrapped up with everything that I'd forgotten. Then the phone rang. Mum shouted for me, I dropped the laptop on my bed and ran downstairs.

"You little vixen."

"Jenny, how did you know?"

"Someone told my mum, and I waited until you read my email on your new laptop. I knew it wouldn't take long. You are going to email me a photo of that ring."

"Woah, slow down. I should have realised that the family gossip network would have been running at full steam." Mum was stood in the kitchen doorway wearing the face of the guilty party. "How would you like to go for a Chinese on Friday, your mum too?"

"Try stopping me, which one?"

"I think Sharon is calling the Peking Palace. I'll get the details to you when I know them. It's Claire and Annie's birthday too."

"That's four presents, are you trying to bankrupt me? It's a shame we don't have Chapter 11 in this country."

"Chapter what? Never mind. I'll get the camera out and mail a photo later. Bye."

I rang off and went to help mum, the food smelled wonderful. The phone rang again, this time it was our solicitor.

"Miss Jones, just to let you know we will need you at court tomorrow, and Miss Claire Johnson please. Both David Stevens have been remanded in custody, they'll be in court at ten o'clock. The charges look interesting but may change before the morning from what I hear."

"Thank you, I'll pass that on."

I walked back across and went upstairs to see Claire in her room to give her the news. We then went to find Sharon who, as yet, knew nothing of the incident at the hypermarket.

"So Claire will be needed in court."

"I'll send a note into school with Annie, I hope they'll understand."

I suggested we all headed to my house, Annie appeared and wanted the gory details of the day's main events. I repeated my description of the proposal.

"So you got down on one knee?"

"Hmmm, yes."

"Did anyone see you?"

"Just the staff in the jewelers."

"Oh, you could have let me know in advance, I would've liked to have been there."

"Annie, If I'd have known ...."

We all giggled, mum and Sharon had bemused looks as she'd missed the conversation.

"Girls, when you've finished can you sort out the table."

"Mum, wine?"

"Not tonight, I don't want to set a bad example, plus we've got to be bright for tomorrow morning's appointment at the court."

In the end mum produced a non-alcoholic fruit punch which went quite nicely with the dinner. Of course it was served in wine goblets so a toast could be made to us, the happy couple. Those words have a lovely ring to them. Mum insisted on taking a few photos of us, and our diamonds.

"Claire, my dear?"

"Yes my love?"

"Your place or mine tonight?"