Autumn to summer in Penny Lane

December extra

The Dreams

Suddenly Calam bolted up in bed gasping for breath in the same way as if he had just completed a marathon and had to sprint to the finish. That though was the least of his concerns as Calam felt wet with sweat but was starting to shake. Nothing seemed real as he tried to keep focus but this was it, he was dying and there was nothing that he could do about it. Nervous energy surged powerfully through his veins that he could feel the crinkle of electricity as it felt that he was openly drowning.

Doom. He was dying and Calam wasn't sure what it was as he now staggered around the bedroom trying to work out what to do. By now the panic attack was at full hurricane force as Calam sat on the edge of the bed as he rolled back inside. Closing his eyes, Calam was frightened of death and this anxiety that surged through him. Back to that crash as a kid and suffering that feeling of helplessness of being stuck in that moment of time. There was nothing he could do but just wait and sure enough... This though well he had thought he had got over it. Luckily Caitlin was working in London for an advert as Calam closed his eyes and surrendered to the panic attack that savaged his body like a crazed black dog.

Meeting Mad Max

A loud roar of the plane engine meant that Caitlin could not escape work as she saw the Rapido airbus soar ever higher into the grey, cold sky.  Mind this wasn't how she wanted to spend her day off dressed in a Tudor outfit playing a Christmas ghost. 

Caitlin glanced around and realised that she had strayed a bit off the beaten track as she seemed to have walked down the path towards the woods.  She was about to turn back when Caitlin caught the slightly surreal sight of a tall looming figure of a man dressed in a leather kilt, big black Judge Dredd boots, and a big coat.  A grey Staffordshire bull terrier scampered around as it made it's way towards the woods.

'Something going on at the hall?'  The man who looked like a Mad Max extra said in a strong Glaswegian accent.

'Yeah, I'm one of the actresses.'

'Explains the strange get up.'

'Well I am playing a ghost or I'm I?'  Caitlin grinned.  'Are you playing Mad Max cyberpunk with those boots and kilt?'

Luckily Granite laughed as he introduced himself and his dog Angus. 

'Cool AC DC t shirt, mind.'

'Are you a fan?'

Caitlin nodded as Granite told her that his dog Angus was named after AC DC's legendary guitarist.  The conversation turned towards music and gigs with Granite mentioning that he was playing a small gig at the Blue Angel.

'Oh Christ,' Granite muttered as he saw his nemesis Osborne the ranger hover into view.  'I'll have to gaw.  Maybe I'll pop up tomorrow.'

'Aye, I might catch your band on Saturday.'

Osborne sullenly glared at Caitlin as she made her way back up to the hall but not before causing some mischief by running up to queuing visitors screaming 'I've killed him!  I've killed him! before mysteriously disappearing whilst giggling into the hall.

Anniversary

One minute Calam was in a lovely sleep, only to hear Caitlin kicking the door open carefully carrying a tray.  Groggily he raised his head and wondered why Caitlin was in her Rapido cabin crew uniform.  The cold December early morning air made him feel slightly grumpy as Caitlin placed the tray on their bed.

'Porridge?'

'Aye.  I thought we'd have breakfast in bed.'

Glancing up, Calam spied a white rose in a small vase of water and a well wrapped present.  Seeing the bewildered look in Calam's eyes there was the hint of a thunderstorm in Caitlin's.

There was an awkward pause as Caitlin debated whether to plonk the porridge on Calam's head followed by the vase. 

'Bet you thought I'd forgotten!'  Calam grinned.

A huge smile broke out like the sun betraying the previous dark clouds as Caitlin snuggled up to Calam.

'Let me just get your present,' Calam said as he stumbled by the bedside cupboard door and managed to pull out a small gift bag. 

'As if I'd ever forget when we got together properly,' Calam said as Caitlin happily took the bag. 

'I remember regretting going out on that works Christmas do,' Caitlin admitted.  A cold shiver went down her spine as she had been so close to slinking off after that one drink in the lettuce.  However she hadn't have spotted Calam looking like a out of place Anakin Skywalker in a trendy bar, Caitlin just might have bailed.  Instead they had sought refuge away from their work place colleagues.

'That is so cool,' Caitlin smiled delightedly at the elegant diamond necklace that Calam had bought in an antique shop in London.  Excitement coursed through her veins like a rich hot chocolate as she hugged and kissed Calam.

Smiling Calam opened his present with a smart pear wood roller pen. 

'I know how have a fetish for a good pen.'

The pair started to kiss with the pair starting to get aroused until Caitlin caught a glance of the clock. 

'Christ, I'll have to go otherwise I'll be late for work.'

'Do you have to go?'

'Yes, I do for now,' Caitlin said as she reluctantly pulled away from Calam. 

'I've booked us a meal at the Chilean restaurant.'

'Not tonight?'

'No, next Friday.  I know it's your work night out tonight.'

'I'm only going because Vanessa talked me into it.'

'Well have a good one and I'll see you on Saturday.'