Here we rejoin the story of unlikely lovers Harry and Becky a few weeks after spending their first night together...
"So...you gunna tell me who he is?" Suddenly startled out of an exciting daydream, Becky gazes into her friend's eyes knowing she's been caught out.
It's sunday night, and after watching a flick at the cinema together, the pair have stopped at a bar before going home, while Liz was recounting a bad day at work, Becky had tuned out...and into a fresh memory of the previous night's passionate encounter with elderly lover Harry. They'd been seeing each other intimately for the past two weeks, and during that time Becky had had a suspicion Liz knew she was seeing someone, and now this had been confirmed.
"He who?" Becky asks defensively, taking a drink from her cider and breaking eye contact with Liz, her nervous reaction displaying more guilt than a puppy sitting next to a pile of poop, she knows it's no good trying to pretend but does anyway.
"He who?" Liz repeats Becky's words in sarcastic tone, grinning she continues, "Well let me see now...he you've been keeping secret from me...he who's put a spring in your step and that happy far away look in your eyes...you know...that he."
She hadn't intended to tell Liz for a while yet, enjoying the thrill of keeping Harry secret, but it was inevitable that one of these days she would reveal her new lover's identity to her long time friend.
However, deep down Becky knew that there were other reasons she was keeping Harry a secret. The vast age difference would surely come as a shock to most, and then there was the timing of her new romance...so soon after Sean.
But there was no point in denial now, Liz would get it out of her. Looking about herself for anyone who might be able to hear, the place is pretty quiet with no one nearby, Becky leans into her friend and speaks in quiet confidential tone.
"Look...I was going to tell you ok...I just wanted to keep it to myself for a little while that's all."
Liz nods while avidly listening, her eyes full of curiosity, "I knew it...so...come on then...tell me all about it."
After all the secrecy, Becky feels relief and excitement too, at finally being able to talk to someone about Harry.
"Alright...but you have to promise to keep this to yourself ok?"
After Liz swears not to repeat what she's about to hear, Becky continues, "Well...he's called Harry...and I've known him for a while now...several weeks...we met while I was out walking..."
Becky goes on to recount how she bumped into Harry while he was walking his dog, describing how the little pomeranian had made a bee line for her, wanting a fuss, and this led to Harry introducing himself and a subsequent pleasant conversation.
"We just clicked right from the start...I know it sounds silly but I just knew he was special...well anyway...we started going for walks together and chatting...getting to know each other...and it...well it progressed from there."
"I see." Liz says, the excitement of learning about Becky's secret fella evident in her voice and expectant expression, "So...by progressed...you mean you're intimately involved?"
Becky tuts and begins to grin at her friend's private probing, "I might have known you'd go straight to the sex part of it...honestly it's all you think about." This last bit is spoken in a mock serious tone provoking a crude response from Liz.
"At least I put it in a polite way...I could have just asked if you're fucking yet."
They both have a giggle at this, and an atmosphere of giddy mischief prevails between the two as Liz asks her friend to reveal more about this Harry character, "C'mon then what's he like?...give me a description...does he have a car?...house?...is he rich?...is..."
"Alright alright." Becky interrupts, "Give me a chance will ya."
Becky takes a big swig from her cider, finishing it off in one then places the glass back on the table between them, suddenly feeling a twinge of nerves.
"Oooh...now this is interesting." Liz comments on her friend's actions and change of expression, "Go on then...I'm listening."
Clearing her throat and having another look about them, Becky takes the plunge. "Well...he's tall and slim...and yes he has a car and a house and yes he is rich...well...wealthier than I am anyway...and...well...Harry is...he's...the thing is...he's a bit older than me."
Liz gives Becky a knowing look, "Ah...I see...a fellow admirer of the mature gentleman." Liz's comment is in reference to her own illicit relationship with an older married man.
"So how much older is he?"
Looking down, Becky picks her glass up and sups the last few drops still remaining, wishing she had another pint, throat feeling dry.
"Bex?" The word, although short, is drawn out and said slowly, emphasising Liz's impatience and curiosity.
"He's erm...quite a bit older." Becky stalls.
"Will ya just tell me!"
This time Liz's impatience prompts Becky to spit it out, leaning forward she lowers her voice and says, "He's seventy seven."
Resting back she takes in Liz's wide eyed, gobsmacked expression. "No...I...I don't believe...no..."
Pausing briefly, a faint grin joining her shocked look, Liz continues, "...are you serious?...oh you are aren't you?"
Nodding to Liz's question, Becky begins to grin too, her friend's look of utter surprise proving quite comical.
"Oh my god Becky...he's...he's old enough to be your great grandad!"
Becky acknowledges Liz's stunned exclamation with another nod and, "I know...and I'm afraid there's more."