‘Annie, I am sure you can convince your darling wife to join us on Saturday night at the disco. She lived through that era. Didn’t she?’ Catherine said sighing over the phone. ‘I wish I was alive then. The music is amazing. Isn’t it?’ Ann frowned. She knew her cousin couldn’t see her. That didn’t matter. ‘I think you will find that Anne didn’t live in the 70s. I am sure she would be annoyed if you thought she was that old.’
‘Ann, who are you talking to?’ Anne yelled from the kitchen. Ann was seated on the sofa chatting with her cousin. ‘Just Catherine. She has invited us to go to a disco with her on Saturday night. It’s a tribute to a 70s band. I haven’t heard of them.’
Anne popped her head around. ‘What’s the band’s name?’
‘What’s the band’s name, Cat? Anne wants to know.’
‘They are the Bay City Rollers. Well, that’s the 70s band’s name.’ Ann relayed the message to Anne. ‘Yes, I think I have heard of them. They are from Scotland, Right?’
‘Where are the Rollers from, Cat?’
‘Scotland, Annie.’ Then Ann realised she had heard about them. Didn’t they lead singer die two years ago?’
‘Yes.’ Catherine said. ‘He wasn’t old. He was married to a Japanese woman. They had one child. I think a son. So, is she going to join us, Annie?’
‘Do you want to come with us to the disco, darling?’ Anne nodded. What did she have to lose. They would have fun especially if she got her wife drunk. That would be fun.
‘Yes, tell Catherine I will join her and I assume her sister, Delia. Is that right?’ Ann nodded. ‘Anne is going to join us, Cat.’
‘Yes, that’s good news, Annie . See you on Saturday night at The Village. It’s going to be fun.’ Ann laughed when she realised where the concert was.. ‘Do you want to eat at Julio’s before we go to the concert?’ Ann nodded. ‘The food there is good. I will call and make a booking. Okay!’
‘What time are we going to be meeting them, Adney?’ Ann couldn’t remember if Catherine had said what time they were going to be meeting up. ‘I’ll text her now to find out because I don’t remember if she told me.’
Ann send Catherine a text message. She replied five minutes later. ‘We are meeting up outside The Village at around 9pm. Is that okay?’
‘Yes, that is fine.’ Anne yelled from the kitchen where she was making them a cup of coffee. ‘What are you going to wear, Adney?’ Anne said as she placed Ann’s drink on the coffee table. ‘I don’t know. Something 70s. What did they wear back then?’
Anne did a Google search. ‘This says bell bottom jeans, t-shirts, platform shoes and loads of jewellery.’ Ann frowned. ‘Bell bottom jeans? What are they?’ Anne smiled. She could see herself wearing them. She showed Ann the picture she was looking Ann. Ann smiled. ‘I think we need to go op shopping. I want to look the part. Oh the band is called the Rollers Tribute. I hope we have fun.’
Anne and Ann had been able to acquire what they needed to wear to make it a great 70s night. Anne was sure that her girlfriend who be the sexiest woman there. Anne was certain that the all black outfit she had been able to get would make her look hot. She had been able to get a black leather jacket and black bell bottom jeans. She already had a pair of platform shoes her mum had and they were a perfect fit.
They had booked Julio’s for a 6.30 pm meal. Ann knew that would give them plenty of time since The Village was only just across the road from Julio’s. Ann was excited. She was dressed and in the sitting room chatting with Aunt Anne while she waited for Anne to appear. It was only a few minutes later when Anne walked in. Ann’s eyes bulged. Aunt Anne smiled. ‘I don’t think we will ever get you to wear anything other than black, Antsy.’ Anne smiled. ‘You know me so well, Aunt. What do you think? I have mum’s old platform shoes on and they are killing my feet but I will do anything for my love.’ Ann smiled. ‘You will get use to them. You did put a band aid on your toes so you won’t get too many blisters. Didn’t you?’ Anne nodded.
Ann stood. Her girlfriend surprised. Ann looked like a roller girl. She had a scarf and the tartan stripes in her bell bottoms. ‘When did you get that done, Ann?’ Anne smiled. ‘I am sure you would like to know. Thanks for help me, Marian.’ Marian smiled as she stepped into the sitting room. She ws dressed like Ann. Anne frowned. She didn’t want her sister there to spoil their fun.
Yet, Marian looked good in her 70s outfit. So, Anne relented and let her come along. It seemed that Ann had booked for three to eat at Julio’s. ‘Miss Walker, when were you going to tell me that my sister was joining us tonight?’ Ann smiled. ‘I guess now.’ Marian smiled. ‘Come on, sis. I am sure we will have a great time.’
They all enjoyed the eating Italian food so Julio’s was a great choice. Although as the night rolled on Ann had trouble trying to remember what she ate. They had met Catherine and Delia at the entrance to Julio’s. Catherine had gone full blown 70s with glitter in her hair. Ann didn’t think that was a 70s thing. Yet, she couldn’t remember what Anne had shown her earlier.
The music was loud and lively. She had searched YouTube to listen to the music of the Bay City Rollers. She found lots. She had listened to it for the last few days. So, she was sure she would know the words if, not by heart, good enough to sing a long to.
Anne and Catherine were plying her with drinks while Delia and Marian were dancing. Ann hadn’t enjoyed a night like this in a very long time. Then they played that song. Ann knew it because it was the one she listened to the most. She like the beat. She grabbed her girlfriend’s hand and dragged her onto the dance floor. ‘S a t u r d a y night, S a t u r d a y night sang the group as the dancers bounced on their feet. Anne though they would go through the floorboards and land on the ground floor.
Ann’s head was pounding with the sound of the music. She started singing along. ‘S a t u r d a y night. S a t u r d a y night.’
‘Ann Walker steady with the jumping we don’t want to go through the floor,’ Anne yelled in her ear. ‘it’s fun. Isn’t it?’ Yeah, Anne thought until you go outside Miss Walker.
The music changed. The band played as slow song. Ann hadn’t heard this one. If, she had she couldn’t remember it. Ann didn’t know the words she pulled Anne in close and they danced. ‘The way I feel tonight everything will be alright.’ Ann sighed. Anne seemed to know the words. She tilted her head to ask Anne for a kiss. Their lips met. She heard Catherine cheer beside her.
When the song ended Anne and Ann sat down while they watched Delia and Marian danced. Where was Catherine? Then Ann spied her dancing with a hot blonde. Even though Ann wasn’t into men she could see that he was hot.
They were dancing to Money Honey. She remembered this song. It was her second favourite BCR song. Then they played it. She looked at Anne who seemed to understand that Ann wanted to dance again. So they were on the dance floor singing along. It was the song she had hoped they would sing. As she sang along she could feel tears welling in her eyes. ‘I only wanna be with you.’ Anne smiled. ‘I only wanna be with you, Anne Lister.’ Ann said as the song ended. ‘Miss Walker, you might change your mind when you have been with me for a while.’
Ann shook her head. ‘Anne Lister, I love you, darling. I want to be with you.’ Ann said as they left The Village. As soon as Ann walked out the door and the night air hit her she began to wobble. ‘Anne! I think I am going to be sick.’ Anne looked at her. She didn’t think this would be a good place for Ann to empty her stomach contents. ‘What do we do now, Marian?’ Marian shrugged her shoulders then grabbed Ann’s hand and took her back inside.
They were back outside ten minutes later. Ann seemed to have sobered up. She looked at her girlfriend. ‘Why did you say I might change my mind after I have been with you for a while, Anne?’ Anne didn’t want to have this conversation right now. They had had a great night. She got Ann drunk. She wished she hadn’t.
Ann was resting her head on Anne’s shoulder. ‘Can we go home, dearest?’
‘I think so. Catherine call for a taxi to pick us up. I think I will leave our car where it is. We can collect it tomorrow morning.’ Catherine called a taxi. They all bundled in. Ann, Anne, Marian and Delia in the back and Catherine in the front.. Ann sat in Anne’s lap.
It was a short drive back to Shibden. ‘Come inside, Cat & Delia. I am sure Aunt Anne won’t mind if you stay tonight. I don’t think you should go home the way you are right now.’ Marian said. Catherine agreed. ‘I am sure mum would be angry with us Delia if we went home now.’ Delia nodded.
Marian showed them to the guest bedroom. Anne and Ann were left alone in the sitting room. ‘I was serious, Anne. I want to be with you and only you.’ Ann said. ‘It isn’t the alcohol talking. This is me. I love you. Anne Lister. I am in love with you. I know I always will be. Will you marry me?’ Ann said as she got down on one knee.
She was holding something in her hand. It was a small, round box. She opened it to reveal a simple one small diamond engagement ring. Anne smiled through her tears. ‘Are you sure?’ Ann nodded. ‘As sure as I have even been about anything. ‘So, will you marry me?’ Anne smiled. ‘Yes, one thousand times yes. I, Anne Lister, will marry you. Ann Walker.’ they kissed. Then Delia, Catherine and Marian appeared cheering.
Aunt Anne appeared on the landing. ‘What’s all the racket about?’
‘Ann Walker just asked Anne to marry her.’ Aunt Anne smiled. ‘What did she say?’
‘What do you think she said, Aunt?’ Marian said. ‘Yes!’ Everyone nodded. Five minutes later Aunt Anne was standing next to her nieces hugging them and congratulating them. She smiled. ‘Welcome to our crazy family. Annie. I hope you enjoy the ride.’