Take a Chance on Me (23 page)

C
harlie found
herself receiving more pats on the back as she walked down the corridors at the hospital. Members of staff she did not know called out to her. It was all a little surreal.

Vivienne was the first to leap out at her as she arrived at the studio. ‘Charlie, you were amazing. I've collected over two thousand pounds thanks to your dive and the publicity surrounding it. And the money is still coming in. It's looking promising for the radio station. Just need a few more thousand and we'll be home and dry. The website has been getting hundreds of hits. Sean has posted your television interview there.'

Charlie was thrilled. She drifted into the studio to discover Sean holding a large multi-coloured onesie against himself while Mercedes took photographs.

‘Hi Charlie. What d'ya think?' she said.

‘Wow! It looks like Joseph's coat of many colours. Or in this case, onesie of many colours. It's incredible.' Charlie burst into an improvised version of a song from the musical
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
, ‘I wore my onesie, with golden lining. Bright colours shining, wonderful and new. And in the ward, the dawn was breaking. And the folk were waking. Any dream will do.'

Mercedes looked proud of her achievement.

‘I must have been very drunk to have written
knit a onesie
on my list.'

‘Drunk indeed. So, now you have to do your bit because you actually wrote
knit a onesie for a charity fashion show and get a friend to model it
.'

Charlie looked horrified.

‘You kid?'

‘Never. I can prove it if you like. I have the document at home. Since we swapped challenges, I got to knit the onesie and you're the friend I'd like to model it. Boy, were you drunk that night! Still, knitting has been extremely therapeutic. I think it was the concentration required, not to mention the motion of those needles. I did some every night while Ryan was out. It's actually enjoyable after a while and, dare I say it? Addictive. It has the same effect as drinking several mugs of cocoa. I've been sleeping better at nights. You ought to try it. I knitted Bentley a little woollen jacket based on this pattern too. He wore it to the park last weekend when it was chilly and was admired by quite a few dog walkers. One woman came up to me and asked if I could make one for her pooch. I might start my own line of doggie onesies.

‘Anyway, back to the present. We've got a photographer lined up and you're going to hit the catwalk in that,' said Mercedes gleefully. ‘You won't be alone. I wanted to bring Bentley to model his jacket but I wasn't allowed, health and safety, and all that so I rustled up a few nurses to join you. We're doing an impromptu event in the coffee shop for some of the patients. I managed to get the local boutique to offer up some designer clothes. The nurses are going to wear those. But, of course, you'll be the real star of the show. So, Miss Blundell, squeeze your sexy bottom into your designer onesie and prepare to strut your stuff. Your audience awaits.'

Sure enough, the coffee shop was set up for the event, with chairs arranged either side of a makeshift catwalk. Four nurses were gathered in the kitchen area, clad in various outfits, while the owner from the boutique adjusted the garments to fit them. The first nurse, wearing a short blue skirt, boots and a long shirt belted at the waist, sashayed out to cheers. Music pumped out of the speaker in the coffee shop.

‘This is madness!' Charlie whispered.

‘It's just a bit of fun. The audience are loving it. They've got vouchers to use in the boutique all this week. They get twenty-five percent off all the clothing. It helps build a relationship with the community and we're also using it to fund-raise. We're going to auction off each of the outfits as well as the onesie,' Mercedes replied. ‘Get into that wonderful outfit. You're going on last.'

Charlie removed her jeans and T-shirt and wriggled into the woollen garment. ‘Are you sure I wrote this down on my list?'

‘'Fraid so.'

The first nurse returned as a second, wearing a peacock blue cocktail dress and carrying a jacket draped over her shoulder in professional model style, left the room swinging her hips in time to the music.

Minutes dragged as Charlie stood dressed in the outrageous onesie. Sam in his role as makeshift compere described each outfit to the audience.

Tina from the kitchen passed Charlie a biscuit. ‘Here, take your mind off it. I think you've got a lot of guts to do all of these challenges. I'd never have the nerve.'

Charlie thanked her and nibbled on the chocolate biscuit. She was going to look a prize fool. However, did that matter?

The last nurse returned to the kitchen and joined the others who were now dressed again in uniforms. It was time for Charlie to go out.

‘All for one and onesie for all!' Mercedes yelled as Charlie left the room. She was aware of wolf whistles as she attempted to swagger down the catwalk, conscious of the itching wool.

Sam was most animated as Charlie appeared. ‘Here, modelled by our lovely, adventurous Charlie is a one-off
designer
creation.' Someone cheered. Charlie thought it sounded like Mercedes. ‘Give us another twirl, Charlie. Beautiful. Imagine snuggling down in front of the television in this deliciously warm little number. Easy to put on, comfortable to wear, it can be yours if you bid the right amount. All proceeds will go to the save City Hospital Radio charity, so can I start the bidding at ten pounds?' Charlie was forced to stand looking goofy as the crowd bid for her outfit.

‘Thirty-five… do I have forty? Forty to the lady in the front row…'

Charlie turned around to show off the outfit. Mercedes had wheeled in and was now at the front of the room. Charlie wagged her finger at her.

‘Charlie you can't bid for your own item,' shouted Sam with a laugh. The crowd chuckled.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Jake. He was leaning against a wall, notepad in hand and smiling at her. She wished he was wearing the onesie. That would wipe the smile off his smug face. She ignored him and kept beaming at the crowd, turning this way and that so they could all see it.

‘We'll also throw in a signed photo of the lady herself and one of the kazoos that she used on her earlier challenges. Thank you, madam. Thank you, sir.'

T
he bidding continued at a pace
. Mercedes was rocking lightly in her chair in excitement. Charlie lost track of who was bidding.

‘One hundred and fifteen pounds… going once… going twice… sold! Sold for one hundred and fifteen pounds to the gentleman at the back of the room. Sorry, but Charlie does not come with the outfit, sir. We'll get it to you as soon as she's removed it. Ladies and gentlemen thank you for your time and your generosity.' Sam walked in front of Charlie to shake her hand, obscuring her view of the audience. A camera light flashed.

The crowd applauded. Charlie looked about, spied Mercedes and a few others from the studio, but Jake had vanished. Had he bought the outfit? He had been the only person at the back of the room. Why would he want it?

As the crowd began to disperse, Charlie raced to the kitchen, removed the garment and pulled on her jeans. She wanted to hear why Jake had purchased the item.

Tina was preparing some food. ‘That was great. Fancy someone paying that amount of money for a onesie. You can buy them in the supermarket for a few quid. Someone's a fan,' she added.

‘Or bonkers,' replied Charlie.

She hurried back into the room in time to see Sam winding up the microphone lead and preparing to leave.

‘I've got the onesie. Is the man who bought it still here?'

‘No, he had to rush off. He said to leave it at reception and he'd send someone to collect it later. Did you want to thank him?' asked Sam.

Charlie really wanted to tell Jake to clear off and stop trying to be nice. ‘Yes. It was good of him to buy it. I expect he only bought it to help the hospital.'

‘Oh no. He bought it for himself. He said he was a good friend of yours.' Sam winked in a knowing manner. ‘He told me that in confidence, of course. He said he'd be able to think of you every time he wore it. It would almost be like having you there with him. How sweet. Have you been with him for long? You are a dark horse, aren't you? I didn't even know you were seeing anyone.'

‘No time at all,' spluttered Charlie and changed the subject. ‘Thanks for being such a great compere. You really got them all bidding hard.'

‘It was very enjoyable. You know me. I love the radio station. I'll help in any way I can to keep it going. Now, I have to go back home. Brenda wants me to erect some sort of swing and climbing frame ensemble in the garden for the grandkids. Better get on it. They'll be around tomorrow.'

Charlie thanked Sam again and headed back to the studio. It was almost time for her show but she couldn't get her thoughts off Jake. She could not fathom out what he wanted. One minute he acted normal but the next he was quite odd. Men were becoming a complete mystery to her.

T
hat night
, Charlie was curled up in her chair. She was dozing in front of a reality television show and dreaming of Jake dressed in the knitted onesie sitting beside a log fire. He made the garment look very attractive. He ran his hand through his hair and gazed at her. He indicated she should get in it with him. There was plenty of room for two. It stretched as she climbed in with him then held them together like a tight blanket. Logs crackled on the fire. A wine bottle stood uncorked next to two glasses by the fire. Charlie wrapped her arms around his warm body and smelt his citrus aftershave as she nuzzled his neck. The doorbell woke her from her slumber.

She stumbled to the door. Peggy was standing on the step. She waved her veiny hand at Charlie. A small diamond and sapphire ring sparkled in the light from the doorway.

‘Oh Peggy! He did ask you!'

‘He most definitely did. He went down on one knee at the restaurant. It was a brave thing to do – especially with his arthritis. He got stuck and a waiter had to help pull him back up. It was hilarious. And, of course, I said yes.'

‘Come in. We'll celebrate.'

‘I can't. We're going down the club to announce our engagement and then we have to plan the wedding. We're going to have a civil ceremony in the city as soon as possible and a week away for our honeymoon. At our age there's no point hanging around. I went to Bognor Regis in a bed and breakfast with Dennis. We didn't have much money for a honeymoon. This time, Gordon is booking us a cruise to the Caribbean.'

‘Oh goodness! That's incredible. You'll love it.'

‘I'm sure we shall. However, I have one big problem. Actually, it's a little problem. It's a chatty, lovable problem.'

‘Bert?'

‘The very one. I hate to ask but…'

‘Of course I can. I love Bert. You can tell me what to do and I'll look after him.'

‘That's such a weight off my mind. You are so good to me. And to Bert. He'll be very pleased to be with you. I wouldn't trust him with anyone else. I'll make sure he has all his toys and his perch and so on. Do you want to have a trial night with him to see if you're sure?'

‘I'll definitely have him, but maybe I'll have a trial night, in case there's anything I'm unsure about. We'll sort one out and he can come and have a sleepover here. That way it won't be so strange for him. In fact, we should arrange a couple of sleepovers before his proper holiday with me.'

‘You know, you're just like a daughter to me? I'm so glad you live next door.' Peggy's eyes filled with tears. ‘I'd better go before I do something silly and start crying. I'll talk to you again about Bert and the wedding. I'd really like it if you could come and be one of the witnesses.'

‘I'd be honoured to. Thank you.'

‘That's settled then. I'd better go and get Gordon. I left him examining a box of Just For Men hair dye. I told him he didn't need it, but he seems to think he does. He brought it from his bathroom. I think the sell-by was about five years ago. I ought to make sure he hasn't tried it out. I don't want to marry someone who looks like Gomez from
The
Addams Family
, do I?' Peggy tittered and with a merry wave scurried back up the path to her house.

Charlie went back to her chair with thoughts of Peggy and her new beau. Life was full of surprises. Her phone vibrated three times, indicating a rush of messages:

So, Gavin was a father again. She sent a message of congratulations. Yes indeed, life certainly could surprise you.

‘
T
he challenges haven't been pouring
in as thick and fast and we hoped,' announced Andrew Carnegie. Mercedes, Charlie, Sean and Vivienne were all cramped in his office. ‘Thanks to the publicity from the newspaper and the television interview we've got a quarter of the money we need to build the new studio. We're still a long way off our target and we need to widen our net. Most people associated with the hospital have given money and so we need to reach out to businesses and members of the community who may not have heard of us. I don't know if we'll reach the target yet, in spite of all the marvellous ideas. I hope so. Sorry to put a dampener on the
Challenge Charlie
idea, but I thought it important to be honest. If we're going to do this we need to keep coming up with bigger and better challenges.'

‘Some of the challenges that people have suggested are ridiculous. Even I would balk at them,' said Mercedes.

‘What have you got?' asked Andrew.

‘Running with bulls in Spain, wingsuit flying, completing an Ironman Triathlon, swimming the Channel and shaving your head.'

‘I suppose I could shave my head,' began Charlie.

‘Absolutely not,' interrupted Mercedes. ‘It would take forever to grow back your beautiful hair. I can't let you do that.'

‘There was one that came in this morning,' said Vivienne. ‘Zorbing.'

Andrew Carnegie scratched at an itch on his nose. ‘What the heck is zorbing?'

‘It's when you climb into a giant see-through inflatable ball and roll down a hill or onto water,' replied Sean. ‘It's like being in a human washing machine. I had a mate who did it – he said it was crazy but quite good fun. He screamed a lot on the way down and ended falling out of the ball upside down and confused.'

All eyes turned to Charlie. ‘Where can I do it?'

‘My friend went to the site near the M25. I remember he posted some photos on Facebook. The zorbing venue is located in some picturesque woodland at the top of Salmons Lane. There's a great viewing area so your friends can watch you. I think there's one at Nottingham too.'

Andrew Carnegie tapped at his computer and found the website for the event. ‘It looks quite interesting. Wait a minute. This looks even more exciting. What about this?' He read the description from the website: ‘Adrenaline junkies will love our Harness Zorbing which involves two people getting strapped in face to face and zorbing down hills at speeds of up to thirty-five kilometres per hour. Watch as your fellow zorbonaut laughs and screams their way down the run and the sky and grass blend into one blur of exhilaration. Nothing can quite describe the sensation of hurtling down a steep hill in a ball, but that's what makes zorbing so unique!'

Charlie put her hands behind her head seemingly excited by the prospect. ‘Sign me up. I'm doing that.'

‘I'm not going to be able to do it with you,' said Mercedes, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

‘I suppose I could join you,' offered Sean.

‘That's very kind of you, Sean, however, I know exactly who's going to do the challenge with me. Book it up, Mercedes.'