Artful Dream

Chapter 15

The day for there trip to Florence had arrived. It was half-past four in the morning and Maggie stood looking out of the living room window cupping her latte in both hands. It was Saturday 2nd June and in two hours times her and Richard would be in the departure lounge of Gatwick airport waiting for the 07.15am BA3279 flight to Florence, Italy.

Maggie looked down at her phone on the window-sill to see Janet’s message come through confirming to Maggie that Janet would be round at 5am to pick them up.

Maggie could hear Richard behind her struggle with the cases, bumping them down the stairs. She thought again of how much he had changed since she moved in with him.

She was glad that he chose that afternoon two weeks ago to express his love for her. She felt they both now benefited from the openness. It made her confront past demons, a ghost she thought had long been exorcised.

Maggie was so deep in thought that she didn’t hear Richard walk up behind her and place his hands around her waist.

“Oh! Fu…” she exclaimed, before turning round to see Richard smiling before giving her a good morning kiss.

“You scared the shit out of me!” she said giving a nervous laugh and punching him on the chest.

Richard went into the kitchen whistling some kind of Italian Opera; Maggie liked this new more confident Richard. A man until three weeks ago, would almost pass out when she got to close to him. He was now spontaneous, showing bursts of affection. Yes, he could still be ‘clunky’ with his intimacy, particularly when he thought too much about it. Like being a learner driver who had poor hand and foot coordination.

“I take it you’ve had breakfast” he shouted from the kitchen.

“Just a coffee for now, I’ll eat on the plane. I always get nervous before a flight.”

Richard thought the same, not that he was nervous about flying, his anxiety was coming from the engagement ring he had buried deep in his case. If airport security detected it, the game was over and he’ll have to propose to Maggie there and then it front of hundreds of disgruntled passengers.

He glanced back into the lounge; Maggie was lost in her own thoughts. No doubt she was inwardly preparing herself for the forthcoming lecture. For his proposal plans to go well, he'd needed to remain cool. If he gets the jitters and starts his rambling, she’ll suspect something or he’ll just blurt it out and ruin the whole effect. If he’s too quiet, again she’ll suspect somethings up.

He was not nervous about proposing to Maggie, he knew she would accept. No, his nerves came from the fact that he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to use Florence for the perfect backdrop. He had no right-time planned for this, no restaurant booked, nothing, which made it worse because he had to spot the chance when it appeared. A second too slow and the moment would be gone. So, he was going to have to carry the ring with him everywhere they went!

Just then Maggie came through with her empty mug, seeing Richard looking vacant she asked. “Are you OK babe? You look like you’re about to throw up.”

“I suppose I’m a bit nervous too about the exhibition.” He lied.

Maggie gave him a peck on the cheek, “You'll be alright when we get there and meet everyone.” She tried to sound reassuring.