Tea & Biscuits

Present Day

The room was crowded with people. Local dignitaries milling around with the common people, china clinking on china, laughter, a low murmur of conversation.

Beth entered the room and smoothed her denim skirt at the front. She had untied her hair and it hung loose around her shoulders. A small slick of lipgloss accentuated her full mouth, a little eye-liner and mascara lifted her blue eyes.
She clutched her notes in her hand, her palms sweaty. She had rehearsed so many times, the words appeared in front of her eyes, but the notes were reassuring, a crutch to lean on, something to look at rather than the faces of the people who would be staring at her.

She walked towards the back of the room where a small podium was set upon a raised platform. Kate was in discussion with Alan, her face serious and him nodding, his head to one side, listening intently. Beth sat on one of the three chairs behind the podium and tried to regulate her breathing.

Seeing Beth out of the corner of his eye, Alan's heart leaped into his throat. She looked lovely, but vulnerable.

Tears sprung to his eyes at the unfairness of everything that she had gone through and excusing himself from the conversation, he sat on the chair next to her.

He gently nudged her shoulder with his. Beth turned to him and sighed.
'Never thought we would be doing this two years ago, huh?' she said. They had a familiar way of communicating with each other, the way that people who have shared difficult life experiences do.

'It's a good thing we're doing though. Think of all the people we are helping. The money we get will do incredible things Beth.' He smiled, his hazel eyes crinkling at the corners.

Beth's stomach flipped. She was shocked but she put it down to nerves.
'Glad you're here' she murmured, looking at him intently. She meant it, he was a good friend.

Alan stared at her for a few seconds then bent and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
'I'm glad I'm here too. You will be great, don't worry'.

Alan turned away and looked around the room, but his eyes didn’t focus on anything. He was thinking about Beth and the thoughts he was having were not totally platonic. 'What the hell?' he thought to himself. He was confused by what was happening and not at all comfortable with it.

Kate stepped up to the podium and the room fell silent.

'Thankyou all so very much for coming. I would especially like to welcome the Mayor and his wife and also the representatives from our local authority, without whom we would not have funding for this very special place.'

A round of applause went quickly around the room.

Kate continued ' We have a very special speaker with us today, someone who will be recognisable to most of you., Mr Alan Rickman.'

A loud round of applause and a couple of wolf-whistles went around the room, causing a lot of laughter. Alan looked at Beth, who giggled and punched him playfully on his arm.

'Mr Rickman has agreed to be our new Patron and we cannot thank him enough. The profile he brings will put Rainbow House into the public domain and raise vital funds to enable us to carry on our worthwhile work here. Ladies and Gentlemen...Alan Rickman'.

Alan took to the podium as the applause rang loudly.

'I am very glad to be asked to speak to you today' he began.

'Two years ago, I met a brave young woman who had been through a terrible ordeal. It could have happened to anyone but it didn't. It happened to her. I didn't do much. I called the Police, I called an ambulance. I stayed with her until help arrived. But since that day I have learned more about the terrible crime of domestic abuse and I am glad to have the chance to bring the issues faced by women and men into the public domain.

I am very proud to accept the post of Patron to Rainbow House and to help in any way I can in the future.
Now I would like to introduce you to that brave young woman, my very special friend, Beth Lewis'

An even bigger round of applause filled the room as Beth stood and took a deep breath. Alan passed her on the way back to his chair and winked at her. Beth grinned.

'Hi everyone' she said ' My name is Beth and two years ago I was raped in a hotel room by my boyfriend.' There was silence, save for a small gasp from the back of the room. Everyone was waiting intently.
'This very nice man... 'she turned and looked at Alan and their eyes met briefly '... saved me that day. Not only did he call for emergency help, he visited me in hospital. Afterwards, he called me and encouraged me to seek counselling here, at Rainbow House. Without Alan and without Rainbow House, I would not be standing here today.'

A small round of applause began but Beth raised her hand to stop it.

'There are people like me everywhere. It could be your best friend, your neighbour, your sister.... and without vital resources like Rainbow House, they will not get the counselling they need, there will be no safe house to go to. Please give as much as you can today. Thankyou'.

A huge round of applause rang around the room as Alan stood next to Beth and gave her a huge hug.
'Great job, Beth, well done!' he whispered in her ear.

****
Beth stood in the kitchen and finished drying the last cup. A few people were still talking quietly in the hall. Beth felt drained. It had been a good day and talking inpublic about what had happened had been cathartic, like a weight had lifted. She had never spoken publicly about what had happened before.

The kitchen door closed and Beth turned to find herself alone with Alan. He looked serious but his eyes were warm.

'Hey' she said, smiling at him.

'Hey' he replied. He looked different, awkward.

'What's up? Beth asked. Why was he being so weird?

'Well, nothing but I wanted to ask you something' his voice was low, resonating around the large room as they looked at each other, the dishcloth still in Beth's hand.

'Yes?' Beth's heart was beating a little faster and she couldn't understand it. She couldn't take her eyes off him and became aware she was staring, her cheeks flushing pink.

'Well, its been a long day, I know, but I was hoping you would join me for dinner, now...?' he asked.
He was nervous, scared she would say no. He couldn't believe it himself but as she was speaking on the podium that he knew he felt more for Beth than just friendship. It hit him like a tonne of bricks.

'I..err.. ' Beth's stomach was doing backflips. Was he asking her out? What did this mean? She hadn't been on a date or had a boyfriend since Steve and she felt like a teenager, excited, scared and embarrassed all at the same time.

'Please, Beth...' he smiled at her and her heart melted at once. She couldn't explain what had changed but suddenly she knew this was the right thing to do.

'Yes, please, I would love it...' she smiled and stepped towards him, invading his personal space.

He took her hands in his and bent his head to hers, kissing her lips gently.

Her head was spinning, but she felt a sense of joy.

'Lets go' he said, taking her by the hand and leading her away.


Sex coming in the next few chapters, honest!