I spend most of it on a knife’s edge, waiting for him to ask me why I’d been at the hospital yesterday, and when he doesn’t I figure he’d probably not picked up on that little snippet of information from Suzie’s lips. That is really not like Seb though - nothing usually gets by him.
I gaze at myself in the wing mirror, my inner voice drilling it into me to just come out with it but how? How do I ruin the wonderful relationship we were building? Instead the butterflies continue to dance around in my belly, as the nerves build. The weight of the small grey baby scan picture, in the inside zip pocket of my bag, becoming heavier by the second. Oh to be able to have a stiff drink right now to calm them. By the time we reach our destination I’m a bag of anxiety.
“We’re here, Lu? You Ok?”
Am I OK? I drop the mirror and re-touch my lipstick, surprised how calm the woman in the reflection appears. I can do this. Let’s enjoy the date and just being with my man and then I’ll tell him. It doesn’t have to be now. Let me have tonight.
The old-school cinema is housed in what appears to be an abandoned warehouse, yet as I enter I realise I couldn’t have been more wrong. My creative eye is piqued the moment my feet squish into the plush black carpet. Predominantly decorated in a 1950’s black and white theme, hundreds of old movie imagery are pasted like wallpaper newspaper cuttings to the ridiculously high loft ceilings and large industrial staircases spiral in the corner to the upper levels. It is fabulous and completely unique!
“You like?” Sebastian’s inquisitive but happy expression is as childlike as my own.
“I like! This place is out of this world. The ambience, the decor; how did you find it?”
“I knew you’d love it. I found it when I was working in Manchester. It reminds me of that old cinema we used to haunt during our Uni days - you know the one on Drury Lane?”
“Totally, but this one is so much more plush.”
We head up the steps to the first floor, where a huge bar and waiting area awaits, complete with an old-fashioned popcorn maker, old sweet shop, hotdog stand and a pizzeria restaurant to the right. The place is deserted though.
Where is everyone?
“Are you sure its open, Seb? There’s no one here!”
His cheeky wink is so sexy I gasp inwardly. “I had a word with the owner and we have the place to ourselves. Come, let’s choose some treats and drinks and they’ll bring some extra canapes into us, when we get hungry.”
I’m hungry already, but not for food. The man is just gorgeous and he’s all mine. The thought of sitting next to him, for the next few hours, in the dark makes my tummy flip-flop in anticipation. I just love being around him and now that I’ve decided to forget all things pregnancy related for a few hours I can just indulge my cravings.
We choose drinks and I refuse the champagne Seb initially suggests, choosing soft drink instead. We then grab a selection of sweets from the array of brightly coloured penny sweet jars; strawberry laces, cola bottles and gummy bears and Sebastian grabs a large salted n sweet popcorn. A well dressed young man, shows us the way, through arched doors, labelled Screen 1, into a dark velvet lined room and to our seat, which are also not the norm, but instead cosy velveteen sofas, complete with plumfy cushions.
“Ooh sofas!”
“I know - we can cuddle up and I’ll have you right next to me the whole time.”
Just my thoughts.
“I’ve hardly left your side these past few weeks.”
“That was my cunning plan.”
We snuggle down, get comfy and I feel Seb’s arm slide along the back of the sofa, his warm hand clasping my shoulder. This was bliss. I’d loved the holiday but coming home to Finn and rainy England had been wonderful, with Seb at my side although it had been manic the past few days, easing myself back into work and reality. This chance to kick back and spend some quality time with my lover in the middle of the day, felt somewhat illicit, naughty, but oh, so nice!
His lips press against my hair and I scoot down into the comfy settee and his body further. The scent of him filling my nostrils, all clean with that sexy edge - I haven’t a clue what we are here to watch. I’d just done as I was asked and followed him, like a lapdog.
“What’s the movie?”
“You’ll see.
I swat him playfully. “Don’t hold back. What are we watching? I don’t do horrors you know that.”
“I know. Don’t worry. Trust me.” He lifts my chin with a finger and leans in to kiss me, gently, before the expected sparks flicker around us and the need to deepen the kiss is a must.
“Not yet, lady. Wait till the lights go out.”