Love's Not A Competion

Spreading The News

Just a little one for today. I've had a pretty rough week so writing has been sporadic.

Enjoy!

Charlie 😚

....

That weekend I took the train to see my parents.

"I've got something to show you." I said to mum and dad and put my left hand on the table in front of me.

My mum gasped, my dad asked why I was showing him my hand.

"The engagement ring Dad!" I laughed.

"Oh darling! I'm so happy for you!" Mum beamed.

"Thanks mum." I grinned.

"Are you pregnant or something?" Dad asked.

"Dad! Why do you have to presume that?" I sighed. "Can't I marry the man I love without questions like that?"

"It's just that this is very soon. When he phoned up to ask for my permission I really didn't expect him to ask you less then a week later. Shouldn't you be waiting a bit longer?" Dad said.

"Dad, I know you're worried I'm going to run off and leave you for Ricky but I won't ever do that. I love you two more than I love him. You know you're my favourite people in the world." I told him.

"So you're not rushing it because you're pregnant?" Dad asked again.

"No!" I laughed. "I'm not pregnant! He said he asked me before he went to America to remind me that he loves me. We're trying to be romantic. We haven't even thought about setting a date."

I had a feeling that would be my go to answer for a few months. Until we set a date I was sure people would expect me to be expecting. It probably wouldn't be until this time next year anyway. He was so busy for at least the next six months. The new album and being on The Voice had opened lots of doors for the band and got them lots of gigs all around the world.

I spoke to Ricky every day and more often than not one of the guys would pop up in the background, as we video chatted, and pull a funny face. On the weekend when I was with my parents I loaded up the video chat on my iPad with mum. I could see them all larking about in the background and being exceptionally rude today.

"Can you tell that lot of keep it down while mum's here?" I asked.

"Hey, stop mucking about while the mother in law's on!" Ricky shouted over his shoulder at them. They all froze in horror and apologised.

"What a bunch of kids!" Ricky rolled his eyes.

This resulted in a cushion hitting him on the back of the head. Pretty average antics for them.

The next few weeks of phone calls and video chats were much like this. They were always this silly and I spent most of the time laughing at them.

While they were away I was planning a romantic surprise for Ricky when he got back. Nothing big but very us. It would take a bit of money but he was worth every penny.

As I thought, I hardly had time alone to get lonely. I would spend the day on set or in the studio making prosthetics. Once I got home I would usually get some food, play with the cats and then head to bed. Evening was usually our time to phone or video call.

At weekends if I wasn't working I'd go out with friends. I met up with Amanda, my friend who'd been in the video for Meanwhile Up In Heaven. She'd grabbed my left hand and squealed with delight when she saw my ring.

"Oh my god!" she gasped. "He didn't wait around! I've been with Martin for fourteen years and he still hasn't asked! You have Ricky for six months and he puts a ring on it! What's your secret?"

"I don't have a secret!" I laughed. "He's just a lot more romantic than he lets on. He's the romantic one in the relationship. I don't know where to start with it!"

"You'll get used to it." she told me. "You're still young and new to the game. By the time you're used to it you'll have kids and not have time for romance."

I could easily forget that she was thirteen years older than me. She was so funny and didn't look her age.

I also popped into the theatre where I used to work a few months ago. I was greeted with a big hug from my friend Sarah who worked at the Stage Door, signing people in and out.

"My darling!" she greeted me. "How have you been?"

"Busy!" I laughed. "It's funny that I left here so I'd have more free time and end up working more!"

"You look amazing! What have you done differently?" she asked as she studied me.

"I've had my hair cut differently." I replied. "And this!"

Just like most of my friends she squeaked with surprise and congratulated me.

"That's amazing! So where's this handsome fiancée of yours?" she asked.

"He's in America. Touring, promoting his album, being a sexy rock star. You know, just the usual!" I giggled.

"I watched him singing on The Voice after you left. He's got a great voice hasn't he?" she said.

We sat around chatting behind her desk for what must have been hours. We'd hardly ever had the chance to talk for this long when I worked here. Today was one of those rare days when I had nothing urgent to do except catch up with friends.

As the show finished some of the cast and crew said hello to me and had a chat before they headed home. I'd never been this popular when I worked here! But I'd been a lot more shy and mousey in those days.

It was getting late so I said goodbye to Sarah and headed home. I was heading down the street outside the stage door where there was a crowd of fans of the show when I heard someone running after me.

"Excuse me?" A woman a little bit younger than me called. "Are you Juliette?"

"Yes, that's me." I nodded.

"Ricky's girlfriend?" she asked.

"Yeah, how did you know what I look like?" I asked.

"His Instagram." she replied. "He's got quite a few photos of you and your ginger hair is pretty hard to miss."

"I didn't think people actually looked at those pictures." I said. "I tell him not to put them on, especially when I haven't brushed my hair. I'm going to tell him off about that later."

"You'll tell him about us talking?" she asked.

"If you want. He'll find it funny." I said. "I hate to be rude but I've got to dash, cats to feed and the boyfriend to phone. Stuff to do."

"Before you go, can I have a selfie?" she asked. "I won't put it on Instagram if you don't want."

"I don't mind!" I laughed. This was a first, I didn't really do that posing for photos unless Ricky pulled me into some showbiz moment. Or put it on his Instagram it seemed.

After the photo I headed home. I told him on the about the meeting in the street to which he laughed.

"Well, I can't help myself. I'm a man in love and I want to show off my beautiful fiancée!" he tried to charm his way out of it.

"Nice try Wilson but you're not getting away with it so easily!" I tutted at him