Lazarus in the Room – part 22 Flowers in the Window: New Roots
By Veganpepsibaby
January 2022
Somerset
Serena settled into the front passenger seat of the car. She turned to take another look at the house they had just made an offer on. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Bernie as she watched her sit behind the driver's wheel.
“Right, looks like we shall shortly know if we are going to be owners of a dilapidated house.”
The blonde’s head snapped round towards Serena in horror, “I thought we just decided to purchase it together. You…,” Bernie stumbled out.
“Sorry, sorry! I am joking. Indeed, as you said, we made a joint decision. And I am happy.”
Serena’s eyes gave that sparkle as her face broke into a full, wide smile – one Bernie always cherished in her lover. She tipped her head back and huffed in relief.
“Serena Wendy Campbell, you shall be the death of me one day,” she grinned.
“I hope not, darling. I am not being left alone to deal with a ramshackle house and a fledgling hospital unit.”
“Ah! That reminds me.” Bernie rummaged in a coat pocket, “I fixed this for you.”
Music played from a fob, held in Bernie’s hand. Serena stared down at the object, chuckling in recognition.
“If it all gets a bit too much, you’ve got this again as part of your emergency kit,” Bernie smiled with half-shut eyes, an expression Serena adored in her. Bernie dropped the fob into an outstretched palm.
“Pub?” asked Serena.
“Pub, definitely,” replied Bernie as she turned the engine on Charlotte’s car.
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Bernie’s mobile rang startling the jovial group around the circular table in The Black Horse Pub. She stared down at it wide-eyed.
“Well pick it up,” Serena said impatiently.
“Hello?”……. “Oh, did he? Small world. Yes, my maternal grandfather was Robert Carlton.”…… “Hmm, yes Bartholomew Wolfe, yes of Summerlands.”…… “Oh, I think my cousin Quinn would recall him better than myself. He has been running the estate for many years now.”
All eyes around the table were fixed on Bernie while the unusual conversation continued.
“He is? Well, that is excellent news. Yes, let me confer with Ms Campbell.”
Bernie covered her phone with her hand, as she addressed Serena.
“You’ll never guess. Mr Downs, the Gates family cousin was also a conveyancing solicitor. He and Mr Gates knew both my grandfathers, due to them all living in the area and having connected property interests,” explained Bernie with surprise.
“That’s fascinating, darling, but has he accepted our offer?” Serena asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh, oh yes!” snorted Bernie, “He has. Told Harry he was delighted to sell the house to a Wolfe and to get on with it!”
“Oh, Bernie! Well, yes tell Harry to get on with it then!” laughed Serena.
“Umm, yes right, good,” Bernie returned to the phone call.
Maya who was sitting to Serena’s right, hugged her. Finn walked around to Serena patting her on the shoulders, while Mary called the landlord over to order more drinks. Charlotte and Simone high-fived each other, pleased with themselves.
“We’ve bought a house,” Bernie mumbled as she slowly acknowledged the momentous occasion.
“We have, darling!” smiled Serena. She leaned into Bernie’s side and kissed her on the cheek.
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“So, Mums it’s settled then. You will live here until the building work is completed,” Charlotte said, cuddled on the Chesterfield with Simone and the dogs.
The other couple occupied the small two-seater sofa, perpendicular to the longer one. Bernie’s head was rested on Serena’s lap, while her socked feet hung over the sofa arm. A hand gently brushed through her hair, while Serena’s right hand held a glass of Shiraz she was sipping while watching the evening fire crackle. She could barely contain her emotions, as she mulled over the day’s events. She was planting roots with this incredible woman lying casually across her. Bernie’s relaxed state may have been partly due to the several whiskies she had indulged in when returning from the pub, having not drunk at lunchtime as she was driving. But Serena was also aware, that Bernie was gradually allowing herself to be more demonstrative in her affection for Serena in front of Charlotte and Simone. Bernie had confided in her that she had never been this way at home with Marcus. This was new and Bernie said she liked it.
“Are you two in cuckoo land?” Charlotte raised her voice.
“Ah, sorry. I think your mother may have drifted off to sleep. We would love to stay here. If it isn’t inconvenient. Knowing how building works can creep on, it could be a while,” Serena replied before taking another long sip of wine.
“We are not going to let you live in a caravan for months. I can’t believe my mother thought that was an option!” grinned Charlotte.
Serena gazed at the two young women. She was utterly delighted to be growing so close to them.
“Mama S, your face was an absolute picture in the pub!” giggled Simone, “Granny Ma nearly choked on her sprout when Mum here suggested parking the caravan up by your house.”
“Yeah, it was like ‘f-u-c-k-‘!” Charlotte raised her eyebrows and pretended to knock back a glass of wine, as she elongated the profanity.
“Was that meant to be an impression of me Charlotte,” Serena stared at her with a straight face, before collapsing into laughter.
Picking up Serena’s half-empty bottle of Shiraz from the coffee table, Simone grinned, “No more like, ‘f-u-c-k y-o-u B-e-r-n-i-e!” as she pretended to guzzle from the bottle.
“That was a little more accurate,” Serena replied wiping a tear of laughter away, “I did down a bottle of wine in one at a party once. So, hmm, ‘fuck you Bernie, I need my home comforts, and I am not roughing it in a tin can. Bottoms up!” She finished off her glass of wine and the three of them continued laughing.
“Hmm, ‘fuck you Bernie,’…, no way to talk about your fiancée,” mumbled a tired voice, an arm stretching up so its hand could touch a flushed face.
“Oh, good god!” cried a surprised Serena.
“Were you awake, mum?” Charlotte asked hesitantly.
“Yes, the whole time. Bloody cheek, all of you!”
More laughter ensued. Serena wiped another tear. This time it was out of love of the family that surrounded her.
TO BE CONTINUED