The mad stalker fan girl. (Part 1 complete)

Chapter 6

Paul arrived at Helena's house just before 7.30pm. She opened the door and let him in. He greeted  her with a kiss on each cheek and handed her a bottle of wine,  a DVD and some chocolates. She looked at him, puzzled by the gift.

"Shouldn't you be giving Joanne the gift, not me?"

"No this is definately for you Helena," he replied with a grin, "This is your home alone entertainment kit, since I'm taking your friend away from you tonight."

Helena laughed and thanked him for his thoughtfulness. "I'll go and give Jo a shout.Take a seat."

Moments later she returned to the living room and sat in the chair opposite him. "She's on her way she said. However, she's not the most punctual of people our Jo."

"Helena, I hope you don't mind me asking but how is Joanne?" Paul asked softly, "Seriously, is she OK with me being around? I mean she was  very quiet yesterday, especially compared to the first time we met."

Helena looked toward the stairs. "Don't dare let on I've told you," she whispered "Jo was really upset yesterday morning, and she was quiet all day but that was because it  would have been Rob's 50th bithday had he still been around. They'd always planned to do something really special for it. It was nothing to do with you appearing. And lunch was very pleasant, I know she enjoyed herself."

"Rob? Is that Joanne's husband?"

Helena nodded, her face sad. "He adored Jo and she adored him. She's been so lost without him these last four years since he was killed." Suddenly she paused, listening. "Shhhh! She's coming!" 

Footsteps could be heard on the stairs. Paul stood up to  greet Joanne. She came into the room, looking stunning but also, as Helena noticed, very nervous. She gave her friend a thumbs up and a huge grin behind Paul's back, in the hope of reasuring her.

"Wow, you look amazing!" Paul took her hand to take in her red dress with a fitted bodice and full flowing sirt with matching heeled shoes. He was genuinely delighted. His pleasure made Joanne feel less nervous too. He stepped foward and kissed her gently on the cheek.

"Thank you......and so do you," Joanne smiled, "You always look so smart in a dinner suit."

After saying their good byes to Helena, Paul took her hand and led her to his car. He opened the passenger side door and Jo got in. He himself slipped into the driving seat beside her. She smiled up  at him an he was pleased to see how relaxed she seemed in his company.

"Where are we eating Paul?" She asked him as he started the engine.

"At a small restaurant in Henley," he explained, "they do fantastic vegetarian and non vegetarian meals. The food is always amazing! They do good cake too!"

Joanne laughed at his cake reference."That's us sorted then!"

Paul nodded. "I hope you don't mind me saying, but that dress is beautiul. Very 1950's! Very Audrey Hepburn!"

"It's not mine," Joanne confessed, "Alas, I was a little like Cinderella. I had nothing suitable with me to wear for tonight  so Helena stepped in as my fairy godmother and let me raid her wardrobe. Apparently, she bought  this for a fancy dress party. She went as Doris Day. I love it though...I think it might accidentally fall into my suitcase when I go home."

Paul laughed. "So am I your Rock Hudson to your Doris Day?"

Joanne raised her eyebrows. "You look great in a dinner suit Paul, but that's where the similarity ends I hope!"

"Oh yes?"

Joanne blushed as she heard the suggestiveness in his voice. Realising he was pobably refering to the actors sexuality, she exacted her revenge.