Note: This is a long, romantic story, not a huge amount of sex in it, if you're looking for something highly erotic, might want to try somewhere else.
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'Normal People' was a huge success, picking up loads of TV awards for the stars, the Director and the screenwriters. Bryan Henderson and his wife, Maggie, were two of the millions of viewers who tuned in to watch the developing love story between the two young leads.
It didn't take long before Bryan was in tears as he watched the story unfold, Connell was him, over 40 years earlier. He had been that popular boy at school, sporting hero, who everyone loved, but felt that he didn't fit in himself.
And when it came to the fairer sex, he was an embarrassed young boy, innocent, naive, unaware just how attractive to females he was. Going to University as well, he found himself equally isolated and unable to fit in. He even had a younger cousin, who he had been particularly close to, commit suicide. It was all too familiar.
Maggie had never seen this side to her husband, having met him several years later after they had both finished University and were now in good jobs. To her, he was just her perfect loving partner, and a wonderful father to their two amazing daughters, Sarah and Emma.
Three years later, and Sarah was in the final year of her Psychology PhD, studying at UCL in London. The family had regular Skype chats with her, just keeping each other up to date. One day Sarah called, and was obviously in a coffee shop somewhere, and when Maggie had asked why she was there, Sarah had explained that she was with a friend who was shadowing her at work as part of getting an understanding of the psychology of eating disorders, Sarah's area of expertise.
Sarah turned her laptop round to show Maggie and Bryan her friend, and they both gasped in shock, it was Daisy Edgar-Jones. In stunned hilarity, Maggie and Bryan introduced themselves to Daisy, who didn't need to do much introducing to them. They then spent another fifteen minutes or so chatting to Daisy about her role in the new TV drama as a schizophrenic anorexic who turns her life around, a role that Sarah was helping her with.
Bryan also asked Daisy if she was still in contact with Paul Mescal, who played Connell, as he would like her to thank him for his portrayal of the role, as it was so like himself all these years earlier. Daisy was a little upset replying that "Yes, I am still in contact with Paul," but that she had wished their friendship could have been more like in the show.
Later that year, Bryan and Maggie watched Daisy's new show on TV and her depiction of the character was stunning, receiving accolades from sufferers and Mental Health charities for her accuracy and poignancy. When the Award season came round, it was no surprise when once again Daisy was up there to pick up several awards. But, what made it all the more pleasurable was the grateful thanks she attributed to Sarah for all the fantastic assistance she gave her whilst researching the role.
Just over a year later, Bryan's life was rocked when Maggie was diagnosed with liver cancer. Fortunately, it was a mercifully short illness before Maggie passed away. A short while after Maggie's funeral, Bryan was deeply touched to receive a card from Daisy, passing on her heartfelt condolences, as she had just heard from Sarah of her mother's passing.
Time passed and Bryan's pain began to heal, he had been able to retire due to the insurance and pension pay-outs he had received, and he was now doing quite a bit of touring and obviously spending time with his Daughters. However, he was a changed man and became quite insular, enjoying his own company rather than keeping in contact with many of the friends he and Maggie had shared.
Whilst Brian was in London visiting Sarah, she received a phone call one evening from Daisy. She was still using Sarah not just as a friend, but someone she could share her concerns and anxieties with, almost a friendly counsellor. Sarah had also helped her through a particularly painful breakup from a recent boyfriend. During the call Sarah had mentioned that Bryan was visiting, and Daisy asked if she could meet him for a coffee and a chat.
The following day they met up in a local coffee shop where Daisy again expressed her heartfelt condolences. Bryan, in trying to lighten the mood a bit, responded by asking Daisy if she had managed to get her Connell back yet, but a dejected Daisy replied that it was still not working. They shared a pleasant couple of hours chatting aimlessly about all sorts of different things before they parted, and to Bryan's surprised Daisy kissed him tenderly on the cheek.
About six months later Bryan was sitting at home in Edinburgh, he had just returned from a walking trip in the Pyrenees, and was looking very fit and tanned, when he got a call. It was from Daisy, she was up in Glasgow, filming for her latest TV series, and wondered if Bryan would like to meet her for dinner.
Bryan, a bit reluctantly, agreed and they arranged to meet up in Daisy's hotel, One Devonshire Gardens, the following night. Bryan dutifully turned up, casually wearing just a short-sleeved polo shirt and a pair of tan Chinos, and Daisy was blown away by how handsome he looked. Bryan was equally as stunned as Daisy was wearing a figure-hugging floral Chinese-style silk summer dress which clung to her body, showing off her wonderful figure.
They sat and ate, and the conversation flowed naturally, and they found themselves laughing and giggling at each other's stories. Daisy explained that her current project was going really well, but in a few days' time she would have a 6-day gap in filming. It was Bryan who suggested that he could take that opportunity to show Daisy a bit more of Scotland. Daisy was delighted with the prospect and Bryan said he would get some things organised.
As they were having coffee Daisy became very quiet, then began to tell Bryan that she really did fall in love with Connell during the filming of 'Normal People'. However, although Paul played the part of Connell on the screen, in real-life he was a different person. Bryan suggested that surely this was not unexpected as they both had to put in incredibly emotional and intimate performances.
At this point the waiter brought the bill to the table, which Bryan insisted he would pay, much to Daisy's embarrassment. "It's not every day I get to wine and dine a beautiful young superstar," he explained, "Have you seen all the jealous looks I've been getting!" Daisy laughed and added, "Me too!" much to Bryan's embarrassment.
They got up to leave the restaurant and Bryan walked with Daisy to the elevator. As he was about to say his goodnights, Daisy took him by the arm. "Please would you come up with me?" she asked hesitantly.
Bryan was a little confused, but agreed and joined Daisy in the lift as they made their way silently up to her fourth floor room.
Daisy opened the door and ushered Bryan in. In the spacious room he turned to face the young woman, only to find her looking at him, distraught and near to tears.
"Daisy, what is wrong?" he asked concerned.
"I have found my Connell," Daisy whispered, "It's you Bryan. Please, would you make love to me?"
Bryan stood there speechless, until Daisy did begin to cry.
Stepping towards her, he wrapped her in his arms, hugging her close.
"Oh Daisy, I never knew!" he replied in a hushed voice, gently stroking her hair, as her tears soaked into his shirt.
"Neither did I, until recently," she sobbed quietly, "But you are the only one who makes me feel like Connell did,.... I'm sorry."
"Please don't be sorry," Bryan responded, but knowing that somehow or other he was going to have to let this delicate young creature down.
"Daisy, I'm nearly sixty years old..... My daughters are older than you," Bryan tried gently to explain.