Some days go past unnoticed . like another ordinary day but then there are other days like wedding days that seem to last a lifetime
Charlie and Midge were childhood sweethearts who first met in the general store where Charlie worked after school and on the weekends . The grocery store was about thirty miles from Dublin on the main Cork Road by the banks of the river Liffey beside the plains of Kildare at the bog of Allen . You could almost see the hill of Allen from the back window of the grocery store where Charlie worked and at night you could hear the Dublin to Cork trains passing by . It was a beautiful part of Ireland where life was never in a hurry to go by . Charlie was an orphan but was given a job and an an old store room where he could live in the grocery store that was owned by Mr and Mrs Dowling . Charlie was a hard worker and was very grateful of having found work and a place to live . Over the years he had got to know most of the locals who came and went into the store and he got along with everyone . Often he would do home deliveries and other special favours for the customers . Charlie was happy with his life but always wished he could meet someone special to share his life with .
Midge lived near on a small farm called Powers Horse Stud where her Mother Nancy played the piano and her Father Paddy looked after the horses around the farm .
He was from a long line of farming people who worked hard from dawn to dusk and didn't really have the time for music or TV shows . All the same Midges parents were madly in love and got on like a house on fire .
Every Saturday once a month Midge would go into the grocery store where Charlie worked to get the monthly supplies for the farmhouse . The order never changed , and Midge had it memorised in her head . She could recite every item on the list blindfolded as if she were singing song . This always impressed Charlie who loved the sound of her voice as she rattled off all the items . Midge’s Mother had come from Navan in County Meath and she had been a great singer who often sang ijn the church hall and at some of the local folk music festivals . Nancys Father Sean
was also a fine singer who played the accordion and was often called to play at some public houses and parties all around the place , Nancy would tell Midge stories of how her father left her outside the pubs where was playing to look after the horse and cart out the front . That was when Nancy first got a liking for music and she ended up playing the piano . Midge never had the same passion her mother had and instead had a love for horses like her Daddy Paddy Power . Although Midge grew up in an atmosphere of music and there was always people coming and going into the farm for music sessions it never bothered Paddy at all , He loved the company and his wife was happy and so it was a happy home . As a kid Midge never wasn’t too fond of rock-and-roll as all she ever heard was traditional music and at her school they would all talk about Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry but all Midge had ever heard was the Clancy brothers and music played by ravelling people who would often drop in to play a few tunes .
As time passed she looked forward to her Saturdays visits at the grocery store where she could share her secrets with Charlie , the only person who seemed understand and respect her . Charlie also enjoyed it where Midge came to the grocery store .
On her last visit Charlie remined Midge about the very first time she came to order the supplies and he said ,
“Remember that day when you first walked though the door to get the supplies “
She smiled and said ,
“Oh Charlie I felt a bit uneasy and tried to put on brave face and you said ,
“Good morning and how can I be of service to you today and I said ,
Hello my name is Midge Powers and I’m here for the monthly order for the Powers farmhouse ‘“
“Charlie laughed and said ,
‘And I said my name is Charlie , tell me what you need Miss Powers ?’
Midge laughed and replied ,
‘That’s right and I said to you my name is Midge and it would be grateful if you would be so kind as to take that expression off your tongue and leave out the Miss Powers . Call me by my first name , Midge “
The both burst out laughing and Charlie asked .
"Ha Ha ah yeah that was so funny and then you started to speak out the order one after the other smokeless tobacco – 2 cans of the imported brand for chewing and 2 tins of snuff and I pack of pipe tobacco . They both roared out in fits of laughter and Midde said ,
“I’d spent days memorising the list Charlie , 3 pounds of tea , the African brand , 2 pounds of cheese , 5 bottles of buttermilk , 8 pints of full cream and 2 bottles of orange juice . 3 dozen eggs and 4 pounds of streaky bacon .”.
Charlie shouted out ,
“And there was more I had to tell you to slow down , I could get the things quick enough to the counter “
“Oh Charlie . Sure it’s only my first time doing this order “
“And now look at you Midge . So much has changed since then . Is the order still the same ?
Midge replied
“Yeah Charlie sure it never changes “
Charlie said ,
Months passed and Midge and Charlie were more than just casual friends , they had started courting under supervision . Out of the blue Charlie proposed to Midge who accepted however she needed Charlie to ask permission from her father . So on the day Charlie went to ask Midges father for permission to marry his daughter . It was an occasion that Charlie would never forget . Mr Powers almost sensed what was on the cards and had pre-packed some fishing gears for the both of them to spend the day at one of the lakes fishing .
Charlie already had a well rehearsed script that he would use to ask for Midges hand in marriage . During the time they were at the lake Mr Powers kept deflected the conversation in different directions when he felt Charlie was about to maker the move to ask . He gave Charlie a fishing rod and told him to take a chair and sit by the lake with him to stall and add more anguish to Charlie who was already a nervous wreck . Charlie had only done some light hobby fishing in his time and wasn’t adept with a rod at all .
So there he sat beside Mr Powers , It was early one crisp autumn morning . Charlie had his fishing rod and a fold up chair and on the ground were some other items including container of fishing bait , a flask of hot soup and some sandwiches .
It was very misty that morning and even though the fog was thick Charlie was still able to see the look on Mr Powers face , like a cat holding a mouse by its tail and enjoying the experience .
“Sure it can’t get any better that this Charlie . “
Said Mr Powers .
Charlie looked nervously at Midges father and replied .
“There’s something about this lake all right ,When I first arrived here this morning and sat down . I thought about doing a sketch or a line drawing of where we are. “
“I didn’t know you were an artist Charlie “
Mr Powers said and Charlie replied .’
“Well actually I’m not but I was just thinking if I was an artist I would do a sketch . It’s like if I was a fisherman I might even be able to catch a fish here in the lake but I’m not “
There was a ethereal kind of presence that fell down at that moment with a carpet of mist floating just above the surface of the lake and all around the edge a thick wall of fog put up a barrier preventing any further view of the background apart from the lake . Midges Father looked at Charlie and then stood up and lifted his fishing rod from the sheaf that was there at his feet and said
“Right enough , just as you say I suppose it would make a lovely picture.”
Then he cast out a line into the still mirrored surface of the lake . After a few moments Charlie stood up and tried to emulate what Mr Powers had done casting out his line to the lake and then he seized the moment and said ,.
“:Mr Powers I would like your permission to marry Midge . “
Suddenly there was a tug on his line and Charlie’s line had been grabbed by a large fish that started to wind out the reel on his fishing rod.”
Mr Powers replied ,
“You’ve got a huge fish there on the line . Reel it in and you’ll have my permission .“
Charlie slowly began to wind back in his line , hoping with all his heart that he wouldn’t loose the catch as he had never been that lucky before with catching fish . He reeled in in and let it out and reeled it in and let it out hoping to tire out the fish that was fighting for its life , wriggling and resisting every inch of the way to the banks . As Charlie pulled the fish closer Mr Powers grabbed a large net and placed it under the line and snatched out of the lake a huge sleek silver trout that was safely caught . .
Midge was over joyed when they both returned from the lake with a huge trout for dinner and an approval from her father for them to be wed .
As it got closer to the wedding day Midge went in to see Charlie at the store .
Charlie smiled and said ,
“Sure it won’t be long now Midge , Imagine , who would have though three years since the day you first came in that you and I would be getting married Midge “
Midge smiled and said ,
“It’s like dream come true Charlie , This will be out last weekend as single people “
They embraced each other and Midge left the story .
On the day of the wedding Charlie was walking out the front door on his way to his best man’s house , Mr Dowling , who also owned the store where Charlie worked . It was of those occasions when for the first time Charlie was leaving the grocery store on a Saturday morning . The reason being was to get married . It was a strange feeling he had and he was in two minds wondering if I should keep walking or return back into the store . The ties of responsibility in Charlies mind drew him back into the store where he had a little bottle of Irish whiskey stashed away in a cupboard . There had previously been a few occasions where he needed something to settle his nerves and that little shot was just enough to persuade him that everything was ok . Then just as he was about to lock the front door of the store the phone rang inside which left him on his toes doing this little in and out kind of a jig dance for a few moments . Back and forward his feet moved in a kind of soft slow shuffle and his shoulders swaying back and forward . It was like a slow romantic body movement that required some music to make it enjoyable . He decided to go and answer the phone . But by the time he got there the phone stopped ringing , so he followed his instincts and closed the front door .
On the way up the road to Mr Dowling’s house Charlie bumped into Mrs Murphy .
“Is that you Charlie . Are you not working in the store today ? “ she asked .
“Well take a look at me Mrs Murphy . How do I look ?”
Mrs Murphy replied .
“Well now that you mention it Charlie , I can see you’re all done up in a suit with the hair shinning . So if you don’t mind me asking and I don’t want to hold you up , but if you’re not too busy could you do me a favour .“ Mrs Murphy asked .
Charlie responded
“No I’m sorry Mrs Murphy but actually I’m now going to get married this morning ?”
Mrs Murphy replied
“What you’re getting married Charlie . To who and where ?”
Charlie replied
“To Midge Powers Joanna at The Church Of The Holy Cross near to Mr and Mrs Dowling’s house . So what you need , is it urgent today Mrs Murphy . “
She replied ,
“Well Charlie I tried ringing you on the phone and no one answered so I thought I better come to the store and ask you in person . The thing is I don’t get my pension until Wednesday and I need some bread and milk . Could you give me that on tick until pension day Charlie and I’ll pay you back then ”
Charlie did this little jig on his toes and gave he a nod .“
“ You’ll be ok now , I’ll go and get those things for you . So just wait here and I’ll be back in a few minutes with the bread and milk .“
Charlie turned to returned to the store
Mrs Murphy called after him ,
“Charlie could you bring a pack of twenty cigarettes as well “
Charlie stooped dead in his tracks and turned around and said ,
“Twenty cigarettes you said”
“Sure Charlie , you’re the man and I’ll not forget that . May good luck be with you and your future wife .“
Charlie , turned and went into a quick pace back to the grocery store . When he got there , He went straight to the cupboard where the wee bottle of Irish was stashed away and had another wee sip from the bottle before getting the bread , milk and cigarettes for Mrs Murphy . Then as he got to the front door of the store he stopped and could smell something burning . He went to have a quick look and saw he had left the iron on top of the ironing board that had almost caught fire . He unplugged the steam iron and poured some water over to dowse the flames on top of the ironing board , Then he had another little sip of the whiskey before locking up the store again . He put the bread , milk and cigarettes into a carboard box and checked his watch then locked the door of the store and made his way back to where Mrs Murphy was . On the way he was stopped by a police man who was just a new recruit to the area , Trying to look efficient the police man questioned Charlie about what he had in the box and where he was going . Charlie started to get upset and tired to explain he was on his way to give Mrs Murphy her groceries and then he had to go to the church to get married .The new policeman started making notes and questioned him ever . Charlies had to explain where he lived and who he worked for and even questioned him about his parents .Charlie tried to explain he was an orphan and tried to keep calm . The policeman looked suspiciously at Charlie and just when Charlie was about to loose his cool completely Mrs Murphy presented herself into the situation . She began to ask the policeman what he was doing and told the policeman he should mind his own business then the policeman apologised and they all left the scene .
Meanwhile Mr Dowling was waiting for Charlie at his house because he wanted to rehearse his best man’s speech and back in Midge’s house her wedding dress had just been delivered but when she unpacked it , she discovered that they had sent the wrong size and it was much too big for her . So trying not to panic she asked her Daddy to take her to the Bridal Boutique in the next village so she could get another outfit to wear at her wedding and time was very tight so Midge and her Daddy rushed off in the car to get another dress .
Charlie finally made it to Mr Dowling’s house but was not in a relaxed state so Mr Dowling gave him a little glass of whiskey to settle his nerves but now Charlie was starting to get a little bit tipsy.
Mr Dowling ran through his best man’s speech but Charlie was more worried about the time as it was nearly time for them to be at the Church . They were unaware that Midge and her Daddy had to make an unscheduled trip to the next village so there was really no need for them to be worried about the time .
On the way Charlie needed to go to the toilet and so Mr Dowling stooped the car at a public toilet in a children’s playground on the way . Charlie rushed from the car but being a little tipsy he tripped and fell knocking his head on the ground . He was bleeding but it wasn’t a serious wound , What was more serious was he got locked inside thew toilet cubical . He wasn’t able to open the door and started to scream out for help . Mr Dowling came rushing in to see what was going on .
“Help, Mr Dowling I’m locked inside . The door won’t open .”
Charlies screamed and Mr Dowling said .
“Charlie on your side of the door are you pushing or pulling it to open ?
“I’m pulling it towards me Mr Dowling . “
“Stop pulling and try to push the door it open “
Charlie did what Mr Dowling had said and the door opened .
Feeling a little embarrassed he said
“Thank you Mr Dowling . See I’ve never been married before and maybe I’m just a little bit nervous .”
Mr Dowling laughed and said
“It happens to us all Charlie . Welcome to the club “
Then he took a small flask of whiskey from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and they both took a small sip before leaving the public toilet .
Finally they were on their way to Holy Cross Church for the wedding where a small crowd of worried looking people were waiting inside the church wondering when the wedding party might arrive . . Just for a laugh the Mr Dowling told the people Charlie had been out the night before and had taken a few too many drinks before the big day . Everyone had a laugh at Charlies expense by the knew it was it was all in good fun . Once inside the church Charlie and Mr Dowling took their place at the altar rails . They were already an half hour late and in the church and everyone sat in the pews fidgeting uncomfortably . Mrs Dowling had the church looking like a picture with flowers and ribbons at the end of each row of seats near to the altar rails.. Fr Marcellus was sitting patiently at the organ waiting for the bride to arrive while Fr Justin stood patiently at the altar making some sound checks and improvising by sharing a few funny stories about other weddings he had done over the years . After he had told three stories about embarrassing incidents that had happened there was a voice from the front door that screamed out .
“She’s here ! “
Finally Joanna arrived through the front doors for her wedding day and Fr Marcellus began to play Here comes the bride on the pipe organ as Midge made her way up to the altar with her Daddy by her side . Heads all turned to look at the bride . Midge’s dress was exquisite . It was cloaked in a polar-bear dream satin that featuring a fitted bodice and a heart-shaped neckline . It had a very full skirt and full-length train. It had attracted the eyes of everybody in the church .
Mr Dowling the best man stood there smiling at the altar rails as Midge approached them in her beautiful wedding gown that luckily been found in a different box at the boutique . The flower girls looked lovely in their beautiful in their pink dresses and the congregation who were mostly regular customers in the store and knew the happy couple . There was also the local doctor and the new policeman who had been questioning Charlie before . He had been told about Midge and her Daddy’s unplanned trip into the next village and so he was just trying to innocently detain Charlie for a while to give the bride to be some more time to get her wedding gown for the wedding ceremony . There was a photographer capturing special moments and a violin player waiting to play an old tune as the newlyweds were leaving the church . After the wedding ceremony both the bride and groom were explaining what they went through on their way to the church . Outside the church some group photos were being taken before they all made their way to the wedding car that would bring the newlyweds to the reception at the local country club outside the village . When they arrived at the country club there was a nicely decorated wedding cake that held pride of place upon a large table in the centre of the room . People took their seat and all the usual toasts were honoured. Mr Dowling made his speech and read out some telegrams that had been sent to congratulate the newlyweds .
The party went on for a few hours and then the bride and groom were taken away by a horse and carriage to their honeymoon cottage that was an unknown location in the hills with a view of the lake and a special where the bride and groom could get to know each other in an intimate way . The location had been a well guarded secret and no one knew the whereabouts of this little hideaway until the morning had come and most of the congregation who where there at the wedding arrived banging pots and pans and screaming and shouting for joy at the first morning the newlyweds were having together as a married couple . After the honeymoon the young couple settled down into married life with Charlie working in the store and Midge working in the little cottage that was given to them as a wedding gift from her Mother and Father .
End
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
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It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
