A perfect Day

A Perfect Day

“Come quickly mummy, Strictly Come Dancing’s on.”
Alison rushed into the lounge and plonked herself on the settee. She poured herself a glass of white wine and turned up the volume slightly with the remote.
Little Ella snuggled beside her. It was a perfect girls’ night in, just Ella, mum and Strictly.
Jeffrey had gone to the pub. He would be back later, smelling of beer and pickles.
In a whizz of chiffon and roses, ‘Strictly’ ended and it was time to put Ella to bed. She was a good girl, and happily followed instructions. She grabbed her teddy and climbed the stairs. Alison tucked her up and kissed her forehead.
“Night night,” she said softly.
“Night night, mummy,” Ella replied.
“I’ll leave the night light on until you get to sleep. Sleep tight.”
Alison left the door ajar as Ella dreamed of dancing with her imaginary partner, Mr Owl.
At ten o’ clock Jeffrey came home. He was buzzing with excitement, talking ten to the dozen about his pal, Mike.
“Mike has got a season ticket for Spurs. He wants me to use it when he can’t make a home game. Mike says it’s okay. Maybe we could both go to London and meet up after the game’s finished. Make a day of it?”
Alison nodded. She loathed football but liked the idea of meeting up afterwards. She could get some ‘retail therapy’ with Ella while the match was on.
A couple of weeks passed and then Jeffrey announced that he had the Spurs season ticket. They were going to London on the Saturday.
The three of them got a morning train to London. Jeffrey gave Alison £100 to spend on lunch for her and Ella, and anything else she wanted from the shops. He had never been so generous.
“You’re bubbling!” Alison told him.
He had another surprise: “I’ve booked us all in a family room in a hotel in Victoria, so we don’t have to rush home,” he said.
Alison smiled and hugged him tightly.
When they got to London Jeffrey checked to see Alison was certain where to meet up after the match, and what time. He then disappeared with his new scarf around his neck. Alison and Ella joined the crowds and headed for the underground Tube station, which lead to the shops.

At six o’ clock Alison felt a tap on her shoulder. She stood in a bus stop near a park. Jeffrey crept up on her and surprised her.
“Spurs won!” he said excitedly.
He lifted Ella up and swung her around.
“Wheeee!”
“Let’s get some dinner,” Alison suggested as she picked up a Hamley’s bag bursting with toys and games.
“Yes, let’s.”
They saw a Mc Donald’s and Ella got excited so they went inside and ordered a big burger meal for three. Just before they had finished eating Jeffrey reached in his pocket and brought out three tickets.
“Look what I’ve got!” he smiled.
“What?” Alison said, pushing a chip in her mouth.
“Just three tickets to Strictly Come Dancing, that’s what!”
“No!” Alison said in disbelief.
Ella stamped her feet and clapped her hands.
“It starts at seven.” Jeffrey continued.
Alison felt tears well up in her eyes. She padded them dry.
“ Thank you so much,” she choked.
In the ‘Strictly’ queue Ella beamed from ear to ear. Would she see Mr Owl? She hoped so. Alison held Jeffrey’s hand tightly, squeezing it several times and smiling. She was excited too. They sat down in their seats and sucked a mint imperial until the show started.
It was glorious. Orchestral music, coloured lights and beautiful and handsome dancers in silks and satins, cotton and chiffon. It was topped with a big glitter ball making for a fantastic and romantic evening.
“There’s Mr Owl!” Ella whispered in her mothers’ ear.
Jeffrey nearly fell asleep. He nodded and bounced back. It was all too much for him.
After the show they got a cab back to the hotel in Victoria. Ella cuddled her teddy, and Alison plonked herself on the bed. She put the Hamley’s bag near the cabinet mirror. Ella curled up on her bed and fell asleep.
“Let’s have a night-cap.”
Jeffrey looked in the mini-bar and carefully poured a glass of whisky and one of gin and tonic. Alison kissed him.
“You’re so kind to me,” she murmured.
“It’s been a good day, yeah?” he replied.
“Good, yes.”
Ella was snoring little toddler snores so Alison pulled the duvet over her and she slept in her day clothes.
“Isn’t she peaceful, Jeff?”
“Yes, leave her be.”
Alison took a big sip from her glass of gin and tonic. Jeffrey sipped his whisky before they both undressed and brushed their teeth. They then slept soundly.
On the way home, on the train, Alison took a sip of hot tea.
“What a lovely day yesterday,” she said.
“A perfect day,” Jeffrey replied.
Ella chirped in: “A perfect day, daddy.”
Jeffrey put his arm around Alison’s shoulders and she laid her head on his chest.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you too, my little angel,” he added, as Ella peered at him across the train table that separated them.
This is why I got married. I feel fulfilled! It’s taken five years to get to this but it’s worth it, eh, Ali? You are my best friend.”
Alison beamed and squeezed Jeffrey’s hand.
“You do still love me, don’t you?” he said.
Alison paused and sat up.
“There have been times when I’ve wondered. But now I think I love you and Ella with all my heart. We’re stronger together than apart. Remember that.” She paused again. “You’re not going to take the job in Saudi, are you, Jeff?”
She passed him the cardboard cup, giving him a frozen stare. He sipped some tea. They looked at each other and reflected on what they had.
“It’s a hundred thousand a year, Ali. Tax free!”
Alison squeezed his hand again. Jeffrey grinned.
“I won’t get another chance of promotion,” he continued. “But I want our perfect day to go on and on.”
He put his arm around her shoulders again and they kissed; a long lingering kiss. Ella put her hands over her eyes as the train pulled into their station stop.
“Yuk, mummy kissing,” she frowned.
They got up and left the carriage. Outside the sun shone. Ella skipped along the platform as Jeffrey and Alison followed. They held each others hand, looked over, and kissed again. Like the dancers in Strictly Come Dancing the family had a spring in its step: a quickstep that gave them so much hope and pleasure. The perfect day continued.
“No, I’m staying put,” Jeffrey smiled. “I’m content.”
“So am I,” Alison replied. “We don’t need tons of money.”
They got to their car, packed the Hamley’s bag in the boot with their night things, and drove home, one happy family.