Hello and welcome to part seven. Apologies for the wait you've had to endure. There is a reason which I hope you will work out for yourself.
Once again I must thank you for all the positive feedback as well as the constructive criticism.
I have now found an editor, so a big thank you to Ian D for your help with my poor spelling and punctuation.
Please feel free once again to leave me a message and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
It's been some time since part six, and I have been asked to do a catch-up to remind you what's happened so far. If you want to scoot down to the start of part seven, I have made it easy to find.
The story so far
James Stokes is an 18-year-old who's just finished college. He lives with his parents, twin brother Bradly and younger sister Sarah. He is a shy lad who prefers to quietly get on with life.
His best friend, a neighbour, Sam (Samantha), has moved away, leaving both the next door and James's life empty. He works part-time for his dad's building firm to save money for University.
The Richards are the family who has bought next door. They have moved to Devon from north London to prevent bankruptcy. Mum, Heather, Dad, Henry, Zac, who's ten, and the beautiful Isabel.
Isabel is a complicated girl who has focused her life on schooling to fulfill her dream of Cambridge University. A family friend's son assaulted her when she was sixteen. She has hated male attention ever since.
As soon as the new family moves in, Bradly makes a move, to Isabel's annoyance. Bradly is an up-and-coming football player who plays for Plymouth Argyle. He is a talented striker and has the ego to go with it. He thinks that every single female will want him.
James meets Isabel for the first time after returning from his Saturday morning work. Bradly had been helping the Richards move in but has a football match in the afternoon. Isabel had locked herself in her room to avoid Bradly. The only job left was Isabel's furniture.
Once James and Isabel met, there was an instant connection, and Bradly stood no chance. Bradly tries to break the pair up by saying James already has a girlfriend in the shape of Sam, but unbeknown to Bradly, Sam only likes girls. A couple of days later, this comes to a head ending with a fight.
Isabel's and James's relationship develops into love. Isabel meets Sam and her girlfriend, Hannah. Bradly gets a flat in Plymouth closer to the club where he plays.
James visits Sam in Exeter with Isabel and goes on a night out. They get some unwelcome attention. James again needed to use his martial arts training to pacify the guy, but the following evening, he has to fend off several attackers in the fight that doesn't end too well for his assailants.
Isabel learns that her parents can no longer afford to support her through University, leaving her in turmoil. Call it fate or destiny, James gets offered an architect job with an international firm based in Exeter, and they wanted to put him through University. This enables James to help Isabel fulfill her dream.
James scares everyone by being hit by a car while saving a young boy's life. While recovering, he and Isabel get to know each other, spending time together.
The end of six, Isabel and James are getting ready for life together at university. Isabel confronts the ass that assaulted her at 16, getting the confidence from her relationship with James. They chose to promise themselves to each other...
As always all sexually active characters are over the ages of eighteen.
******
Part 7
I look at myself in the full-length mirror in my room. It's not often that I dress up, but today is special. What started as a simple ceremony has turned into something more formal and a full-on Lewis party, including hiring the Thatch, with DJ, the works.
The only person who doesn't know is Sam. As we speak, she's being picked up from the station by my mother. Sam thinks there is a surprise leaving party for Isabel and me. We've told Hannah what was happening, so she could secretly conspire to pack one of Sam's dresses.
When I say dressed up, I don't mean a suit but smart casual. You know, shirt and tie, trousers, shoes, not trainers. I'm playing with the gold ring that arrived on Wednesday registered post from the jewelers near where Isabel's Gran lives. She's even made the long trip down for the event.
Just to remind you, Isabel and I will exchange vows and promise ourselves to each other in front of our family and friends. We are way too young to marry, although I can't see myself with anyone else. Isabel is my perfect mate; she's beautiful, funny, and intelligent. On top of that, she just gets me, and it's like we are made for each other.
The only person missing is my twin brother Brad. He's got a match this afternoon and couldn't make it. I also get the impression he doesn't get what all the fuss is about, and I question if he would have come anyway.
"Knock, Knock?" I turn to see Isabel's grandmother walking up the stairs. "I hope you're decent." She says as she gets to the top.
"Hey Gran, take a load off."
"Wow, this is nice. Isabel tried to describe your room, but it's far better."
"Thanks," I say, beaming, walking towards her.
She stands as I get close. "Here, let me sort you out." She starts straightening my collar and doing the finishing touches my mother typically does.
"How long does it take to get to Barnstaple train station and back?"
"Depends on traffic Gran. Normally around thirty-five minutes each way."
"Your mother shouldn't be much longer then. I do like your mum Heather. I can see where you get your looks from."
"Thank you, Gran. Are you ready to meet Sam, though?"
"I find it all a little strange. It's like you have two girlfriends."
"No, not in the true meaning of the word. The way Sam is my girlfriend is that she is a girl and my friend. Don't forget she doesn't like boys." I'm sure I'm just talking rubbish, but Gran sits there looking like she's thinking.
"Not sure what I think about that. A couple in my block are in a same-sex marriage thing, and they seem happy. They even have a baby. What is Sam's girlfriend called again?"
