Mum's Encouragement Chapter 23

As I waited for the lift to reach my floor I reflected on the evenings events. I was really upset to see Nan so weak and wondered what she thought of me dressed as I was.

The lift seemed to be taking an eternity to arrive and a lady who was also waiting commented upon this

"Three lifts and not one of them coming to this floor" The lady moaned as we both stared at the indicator panels showing one lift on the lower ground floor and the other two on floors seven and eight

She smiled at me " I think I will take the stairs. It doesn't look like the lifts are working properly. We will both get grey hair waiting here"

Despite being depressed I thought her comment amusing, as her hair was already grey. I estimated that she was properly about Nan's age and thought if she was going to take the stairs at her age then I should do so also

"I think your right" I politely responded and followed her through a set of double doors to the stairwell

The lady started her decent and joked "It's a lot easier going down than coming up ducky"

As I started down the stairs I thought to myself "easy for you to say. Your not the one wearing high heels and a tight skirt"

I gingerly took a stair at a time as my heels click-clacked on the tiled floor. My tight skirt ensuring I descended almost sideways to ensure that the slit in my skirt didn't split

As I completed about ten stairs I realised I was already a full landing behind the lady as she effortlessly made her way down. Other people using the staircase glided past me effortlessly, which made me appear to be moving at a snails pace

As I concentrated on my descent not wanting to slip and make a scene, I thought to myself why do women wear restricting clothes and shoes like these.

Was it any wonder that women were nervous walking the streets alone at night? They wouldn't stand a chance getting away from any potential attacker dressed as I was.

My thoughts worried me as I thought of myself walking down darkened streets as a vulnerable defenseless female. I knew I wouldn't be able to defend myself dressed as I was. I thought with my small frame and lack of muscle I probably wouldn't even be able to defend myself as Joe.

I was so relieved that Martin was hopefully waiting for me outside. I thought however that perhaps I should start going to the gym to beef up.

It would have been quicker to wait for the lift as the stairs took me a good few minutes to navigate. Upon finally hitting the ground floor I walked through the main reception heading for the exit and on a couple of occasions sensed at least two men obviously checking me out

A shiver went through my spine as I realised they were admiring me for the wrong reasons. I wondered how women ever got used to this pervy attention.

As I exited into the cold air I looked around for Martin however couldn't see his car. A good few minutes went by as I sheltered under the canopy to the hospital entrance. It had stopped raining however it had turned really cold. My legs were really cold. My fine tights were hardly any defense against the cutting wind

As I was wondering where Martin was and I was deliberating on whether to go back in to the hospital when Martin's car came into view.

As soon as he pulled up I hurried as fast as I could to the warmth of his car

He gentlemanly leant across the passenger seat and pushed the door open as he saw me mincing towards him. Without thinking about being ladylike I got in the car and threw my handbag in the footwell as I shivered

"Brrrrr, God it's bloody freezing out there. Where the bloody hell have you been?" I screamed at him as the evening's events obviously got the better of me

"Good evening Martin. Thanks for picking me up" he sarcastically responded which made me go red. He had a huge grin on his face. He knew he had embarrassed me

"Er yes, erm, I'm sorry Martin. I am like a block of ice. Feel my hands. Can you please get me home" I sheepishly apologised as he grabbed my hands to warm them up. I realised I shouldn't be venting my anger on him

"Don't worry babe" he winked at me "buckle up"

I pulled the seat belt across my chest and felt it across my left false breast and moved the belt down a little so I was more comfortable

His comment and wink incensed me "Don't babe me Martin. I'm know ones babe" I moaned still annoyed at my lot

"God what's got up your goat? You can't help some people" he retaliated

Before we knew it we were having a big row as I moaned about my shoes, cold hands, cold legs, the time it took him to collect me and just about every other moan I could think off

After listening to me rant on for a couple of minutes Martin could take no more

'You miserable cow. What is your problem? Time of the month?" he shouted at me as he drove like an idiot

" Don't be such a prick. Period? You jerk" I screamed at him " You are such an idiot at times. Slow down otherwise you will kill us both"

My comments incensed him even more and it made him drive even faster. I was really scared as I gripped my seat as we went around country bends at silly speeds

"What the fuck do you know about driving you stupid little girl? When you can drive you can comment on my fucking driving" he shouted across at me.

I had never seen this side of Martin before and it frightened me. I thought it best not to prolong the argument and didn't say another word the whole way home.

After a few minutes silence between us, his male ego calmed down and he slowed to a reasonable speed having obviously vented his anger through his erratic driving.

I was really upset however I was determined not to cry again that evening and show Martin he had won.

I could sense him looking across to me as I stared out of my side window. I sensed he wanted to say something however he didn't

As we drove into our street I unclipped my seatbelt before the car came to a halt and was waiting for the car to stop so I could make my escape when Martin spoke up

"Jo I'm sorry I a..."

"Don't Martin. I don't want to hear it" I cut him off in a high pitched upset voice "just let me out"

Martin knew that I was upset and reached across and grabbed my arm as I exited the car not in the most demure of ways possible as my skirt rode up my thigh. I shrugged his arm away and slammed the car door as I threw my blasted handbag over my shoulder

Martin turned off the cars ignition and quickly caught up with me as I rushed down my pathway as fast as my heels would allow me " Bloody heels" I cried to myself as I felt a tear run down my cheek

"Jo, come on let's be friends. I'm sorry. Honestly I am" he tried to apologise

"Come next door. Mum's put some dinner aside for you"

"Oh go away. Leave me alone will you. You eat your mum's fucking dinner" I was now blubbering like a little girl as I struggled to get my words out " Leave me alone"

"Jo. I'm sorry. I love you. Please give me another chance" Martin seemed as upset as me, although he wasn't crying as I was

After finally succeeding in getting the key in the door I managed to get indoors without Martin following behind me. I heard his upset voice through the door as I slammed it shut. I turned my back to the door and slid down it until I was crouching on the doormat almost in a feotal position, my skirt nearly splitting at the seams.

My mind was in turmoil as I burst into tears and recalled his words "I love you"

HE SAID HE LOVES ME!!!!!

End of Chapter 23