rivals in may, the vampire lestat in june. real television is almost back
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Edgar Wallace’s J. G. Reeder
The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder
1969
This light-hearted series from Thames Television, based on the short stories by Edgar Wallace, relates the adventures of an investigator in the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the 1920s. Mr JG Reeder is the diametric opposite of Sam Spade, Philip Marlow and Mike Hammer. He is a shabbily dressed, diffident civil servant who prefers a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake to a shot of something stronger. Despite his outward appearance - of course - Reeder is a master detective with a razor sharp brain. In fact his mind gives him great cause for sorrow. He has, he claims, a criminal mind which allows him insight into motive and method denied to other men. These stories were well-presented (sadly in black and white) and Hugh Burden had the part of a life-time as Reeder, well supported by Willoughby Goddard as his expansive (in more ways than one) chief, Jason Toovey.
Sherlockians might appreciate this wonderful adaptation of Edgar Wallace’s J.G. Reeder stories. Reeder’s investigations and methods of investigation are less deductive reasoning than they are data collection and psychological profiling– which didn’t exist as we know them today when Edgar Wallace was writing. Reeder simply has a comprehensive knowledge of the criminal underworld and a knack for anticipating the actions and motives of professional gangsters due to what Reeder calls his “criminal mind.”
The TV series, like the series of short stories upon which it is based, leaves some loose ends related to Reeder’s personal and romantic life. If you find yourself desperate to know how things turn out for Mr. Reeder – the loose ends are tied up in TERROR KEEP, a novel-length Reeder adventure with explosive action.
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i hate meta players “Why would I play any other support when Gambit exists?”
Girl I like rocket he’s fun. And I like the FF so I’ll play Sue no problem…. Like it’s not that serious
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Ugh why are there no Bas Baddingham fics 😭 I love him and that slutty gold chain so much
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rivals hands out 15 min bans like that’s going to stop me when almost my entire team goes dps when we’re losing. like. yeah pal, that’ll do it. swap off strat to dps. don’t even start with a second tank.
i want something not as serious as comp, but without the braindead lunacy of quickplay. i fucking hate people.
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“Tell Me You’re Good: High School Romance”
Are the two rivals? Or lovey-dovey? Art high school romantic comedy “Tell me you’re good!!!!!!” Volume 1
Read more: https://myanimethoughts.com/are-the-two-rivals-or-lovey-dovey-art-high-school-romantic-comedy-tell-me-you-re-good-volume-1
#highschool #romanticcomedy #rivals #loveydovey
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British Vogue, TikTok:
“Rivals star Aidan Turner talks forgetting lines on stage and the hardest monologue he’s ever had to learn at the #NationalTheatreGala”
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And Who Are You?
Just Another Day In Paradise
Chapter 13
So our favourite couple are still inside their love bubble! They’re still lazying about in the afterglow, enjoying lasagna, enjoying each other. Rae is learning to let go and Declan is learning to give of himself more. In the other household, Taggie is struggling on how to stand up for herself without losing herself. And Gertrude just wants some lovins!
******************************
Taggie and Rupert were just sitting down to enjoy their own pan of lasagna when the phone rang. Taggie started to get up to answer the phone but Rupert stopped her, “No angel, you’ve been on your feet nonstop for weeks, I’ll get the phone.”
“I’m not going to argue with that,” Taggie replied.
Rupert answered the phone, “Campbell-Black.”
“Put Taggie on the phone!” an exasperated Maud demanded.
“Well hello Maud, it’s nice to hear from you too.”
“Oh fuck off Rupert and let me talk to my daughter.”
Rupert cleared his throat, “One moment please while I see if she wants to speak with you,” he looked over at Taggie, “Maud is demanding to speak with you. Do you want to speak with her?”
Taggie rolled her eyes, “I guess,” Taggie got up to take the phone from Rupert, “Hello mother.”
“Who the fuck is your father kissing in those pictures in the Scorpion?”
Taggie had to hold the phone away from her ear because of the harsh screaming from Maud. She sighed, “Her name is Rae.”
“Rae? Is that all you’re going to tell me? Surely you know more than that.”
Taggie was fed up already with her mother’s attitude, “Yes, I do know more. They’ve been seeing each other for quite a while now, and she’s absolutely lovely. As a matter of fact, I’ve never seen daddy this happy.”
Rupert’s eyebrows shot up out of his hairline, shocked at Taggie talking back to her mother.
“How dare you talk to me that way! I am your mother!”
“Could’ve fooled me. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?”
By now Rupert’s eyes got wider if that was even possible.
“No dearest, what else would there be!”
Taggie hung up on Maud and set the phone down and went back to eating her lasagna.
“Holy fuck angel, well done you!” But he couldn’t help but notice the distressed look on her face, “but are you alright?”
She finished chewing her bite and set her fork down, “Mother just helped me make a decision - I’m not inviting her to the wedding. She calls up to yell at me about daddy and Rae, but she couldn’t even bother to ask about our wedding plans. So, fuck her. I’d rather Rae sit next to my father in the pew than that witch!”
Rupert calmly went out to the sitting room and poured two glasses of whiskey and brought them back to the table and set one down in front of Taggie before he sat back down next to her. He didn’t say a word until his angel was ready to talk. Taggie took a large sip of the whiskey that she was now accustomed to, and pushed her plate back. Rupert finished his dinner and took his and Taggie’s plates over to the sink and washed them up, along with the rest of the dishes. He turned around to look at his fiance. He could tell that she was struggling not to cry, trying not to let her mother get to her one more time. He walked over to her and put his arms around her while she cried into his chest.
“Why do I let her get to me once again. I hate myself for letting her get to me like that.”
He was running his hand over her hair, “Oh Angel, because you’re a person with deep feelings and you actually care about people, unlike that witch. Honestly, I can never fathom how such an incredible person like yourself came from such a despicable person. How about we go upstairs and I’ll run you a nice warm bath. Sound good?”
Taggie pulled away from Rupert and nodded while she wiped away her tears yet again. “I mean it Rupert, I don’t want to invite her to the wedding.”
He held her face in his hands so she would look up at him, “Then we won’t. Simple as that. I’ll hire armed guards at the church if need be to keep her out.”
That made Taggie chuckle. Rupert wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked upstairs, describing what kind of guns the guards could carry.
**********************
Declan and Rae were sitting at the kitchen table eating warmed up lasagna, garlic bread and drinking wine. Declan was in an old Beatles t-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms, and Rae was back in Declan’s shirt and a pair of his pajama bottoms. They were sitting next to each other instead of across the table from each other. Declan had re-lit the candle stick.
“Mmmm you have certainly been spoiled by Taggie’s cooking all of these years. This lasagna is incredible,” Rae said.
“Her lasagna is always very good, but I bet you can make one that tastes just as good.”
Rae raised an eyebrow, “Don’t bet on it Declan. I haven’t even tried to make lasagna before. But I have a few things that I can cook fairly well.”
Declan fed her a bite of garlic bread, “I’m sure you can. Let’s see, you’re from Cornwall, so I bet you make a mean pasty.”
Rae finished chewing, and nodded her head, “As a matter of fact I do! Steak, potato and onion pasty is pretty good. I used to make steak and kidney pie until my brothers figured out about the kidney part!” The memory made Rae giggle, then ever so briefly, she was sad. But not brief enough that Declan didn’t catch it. But he chose to let her keep the memory to herself. She sighed and then perked back up, “then of course I’ve cooked for you my bangers and mash. I’ve made pork pie before but that’s been a long time ago. It’s too big to make for just one person.” She looked up at Declan, “Do you like Shepard’s pie? I’m sure your mum made that when you were growing up.”
Declan snapped out of what he was thinking, “Yes, she did. Lots of lamb stew, y’know that sort of ting.”
“Well maybe when I meet her, I can get some recipes from her,” Rae stated with a smile.
That made Declan grin, “I’m sure she would luv that.” He leaned over to kiss her. He looked deeply in her eyes, her beautiful blue shimmering eyes, and found himself falling deeper and deeper in those eyes. His hand gently pushed back her loose strands of hair behind her ear, and then pulled her up on his lap so that he could nuzzle her neck eliciting a sigh from Rae. She slowly stood up and held out her hand to Declan and then led him back up the stairs to Declan’s bedroom.
*********************
A rough morning voice answered the phone, “Hello.”
“Lizzie good morning! I’m sorry if I woke you,” Taggie was bursting through the phone with excitement.
Lizzie cleared her throat, “You’re fine. The children are with James this weekend so I thought I’d have a lie in. What time is it? What’s going on Taggie?”
“It’s eight o’clock, Oh dear, I’m so sorry I did wake you up! It’s just, I finally figured out what flowers I want for the wedding, so now I can tell you and Caitlin what colour dresses to get now! I feel so relieved to have finally figured this out! It was driving me bonkers!”
Lizzie smiled at the relief in Taggie’s voice, “Yayy! Hooray, I’m so happy for you! So what colour did you decide on?”
“Oh I guess that would be helpful if I told you wouldn’t it! Deep purples, lavender and ivory. So I think it would be lovely if the dresses were lavender. What do you think?”
“Oh Taggie it sounds lovely. Are you sure you don’t want mine and Caitlin’s dresses to be the same?”
“No, that’s alright, I don’t mind if they’re different. Anyway, I’ll let you go back to sleep and I’ll call Caitlin next. Sorry again to have woken you! Bye!” Taggie hung up more excited for her wedding than she had been in a while. She looked at her watch and saw the time, and knowing her sister as she does, decided to wait until at least noon before she called Caitlin with the news.
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The morning sun was coming through the new curtains hanging in the window of Declan’s newly renovated bedroom. Declan was laying awake with Rae in his arms fast asleep like a kitten curled up against him. He was thinking back to not just the last 24 hours, but the whole time they spent together in London. So much had happened and changed in his life because of this incredible woman lying next to him. He thought back to the second time they made love that evening.
Rae had led him up the stairs after they enjoyed their late dinner of lasagna. The heat in her eyes left no doubt as to what was on her mind. They hadn’t been able to make it up the stairs with all of the frequent stops full of passionate kissing. Finally, Declan had had enough of the teasing and picked Rae up, causing her to let out a squeal. Rae took the hint and wrapped her legs around Declan’s waist. “There ya go darlin,” Declan assuring Rae that her instinct was spot on with what he wanted her to do. He started to go up the stairs when Rae stopped him, “Declan, wait a minute, my pajama pants are falling off!” she giggled.
Declan chuckled at her naivety, “No worry luv, just saves us some time!”
“But I’m gonna fall!” she couldn’t help but laugh at the situation with Declan’s pajama bottoms halfway down her bare legs, exposing her bare bottom. “Declan you better not drop me!”
Declan almost tripped over the runaway pajama bottoms and reluctantly stopped his attempt and set Rae down just long enough to rip the pajama bottoms off her legs.
Rae gasped at the sound of material ripping, “Declan, you ripped them!”
“For Christ’s sake Rae stop worrying bout the fucking jamas! I’ll buy you another fucking pair!” He looked at her head to toe, half naked wearing his shirt in front of him, “I tink this is where we started from!” They both laughed at his observation. He reached over and slowly pulled off the shirt she was wearing, leaving her bare in front of him in the landing, shyly trying to cover herself. Her red hair, a tousled mess hanging down her shoulders. He realised how she was feeling standing there naked, so he took a few steps backward, and ripped off his own makeshift pajamas. He stood there for a second allowing Rae to get a good look at him. “Ohh,” was all she could say at seeing him standing there naked in front of her. Of course she had seen him naked in bed earlier, but somehow this was different, more exposed. She noticed that his hands were trembling. Was Declan just as nervous as she was standing there naked? Before she knew it, Declan had made his way over to her, once again picking her up and carrying her into the bedroom.
Declan felt a still sleeping Rae shift onto her stomach next to him, the blankets shifted low around her waist exposing the scars on her back. He wanted to kiss her scars, but he didn’t want to wake her.
After the last time they made love, Declan convinced her to take a shower with him in his brand new walk-in shower. He loved that she was still bashful around him, but he understood how new all of this was for her. He took his time and washed Rae’s hair for her and soaped up her body to clean her body from their mutual stickiness. When she turned to rinse her body of the soap, he saw her scars on her back close up for the first time. He was shocked at a couple of them that were so deep and wide, and wondered what had been used to make those marks. Before he realised it, his finger was gently following the scars. Rae felt the sensation and stopped cold. This was the first time that another person had touched those scars. She had never allowed herself to be this vulnerable. Declan leaned in and reverently kissed her scars as if he could make them go away. It took Rae a minute to gather herself and not jerk away from Declan. She had thought about this moment and had known that this would happen at some point. Rae promised herself that she would handle it with grace and not shove Declan away. She had to trust him that he would be understanding and compassionate about the scars. And she was right.
Declan wrapped his arms around Rae from behind and in his kindest voice said, “Rae, I wish that I could remove these scars from you. Not because of how they look, but because of the pain that you have ever endured because of them. I want you to know that you don’t ever have to hide or cover these up from me.”
Rae turned around in his arms with tears in her eyes, “Oh Declan. I’m so grateful that you’ve come into my life! I never ever thought that I would even want someone in my life. I’ve always pushed away any man who said hello to me, afraid that they were going to hurt me. I had planned to just go about my life with very few friends, painting, traveling by myself, and just living alone. But then I met you and your family, and everyone at Ventura. And everything changed. I don’t know how it happened or why it happened, but I’m glad that it did,” her tears blending with the streams of the now cold water streaming down from the shower.
Declan couldn’t help but tear up at Rae’s confession before he realised that they were standing in a cold shower. Rae was shivering and he wrapped her in his arms again before turning off the water. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her in an attempt to get her warm. “Shite Rae, your lips are practically blue! Let’s get you out of her and under the blankets.” Rae grabbed another towel to wrap around her hair on their way back to bed. And that’s how they fell asleep after an emotionally and sensually charged evening.
Declan looked at his alarm clock. It was 10:30 and as much as he loved lying in bed next to Rae, he really had to take care of mother nature. He carefully slipped his arm out from under Rae and tip-toed to the bathroom. After he was done he found Rae awake in the bed on her back, her hair still wrapped in a towel with a brilliant smile on her face, “Morning luv.”
He smiled back at her, “Morning luv.”
**************************
Taggie had called a meeting with the wedding planner now that she decided on the colours and flowers. Since her phone call with Maud the night before, Rupert had noticed a change in Taggie’s demeanor that he wasn’t expecting. He couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but it was definitely not the norm for Taggie.
The two of them were sitting at the kitchen table with the wedding planner, Susie, going over what Taggie decided that she wanted for the church decorations. It had taken Taggie a great deal of time and research to figure out what she really wanted. The whole wedding planning process had been difficult for her. Unlike her sister Caitlin, she had never been one of those girls that dreamed of her wedding from the time she was a little girl. Taggie’s first instinct had been to let Rupert or Lizzie plan the wedding. She knew they would do a wonderful job and she wouldn’t have to make any decisions. Knowing that Taggie’s dyslexia could sometimes make her anxious in situations like this, Rupert went along with it and got things rolling, suspecting that Taggie would eventually decide to be a part of the planning, which she did after about a month. Things were going along great until the whole colour scheme and flower decision had to be made. Taggie loved lots of flowers but they were all wildflowers and didn’t always make the best wedding arrangements and bouquets. The wedding planner was pressuring her to go with autumn colours just to make things easy.
And now that Taggie had made her decision, she was determined to get what she wanted, which brought them all to this point. Rupert was pretending to be hiding behind a newspaper and a cup of coffee, while keeping an ear out in case he was needed. He didn’t fool Taggie, she knew exactly what he was doing.
“Ma’am these are beautiful pictures, but I’m not sure if these types of flowers will be able to be found right now. It’s just not realistic at this point in time because most of these types of flowers will be out of season.”
Taggie sighed, “Susie, I understand that this is kind of late in the planning, but this is really what I want, what we want for the church.” Sensing the tone in Taggie’s voice, Gertrude began to whine at Taggie’s feet.
“But I thought you wanted to go with autumn colours? I’ve been gearing all of the table decorations towards autumn colours and flowers,” the wedding planner was shocked at Taggie’s changes at this late stage of the planning.
“Well then, I guess that you’re just going to have to change your plans, Susie. I know that I originally talked about possibly using autumn colours, but I know I told you that I wasn’t sure,” Taggie’s voice became a little stronger and Rupert raised an eyebrow at what he was hearing. Gertrude kept whining but Taggie was ignoring her.
“We could always use silk flowers…”
Taggie slammed her hand on the table, “No, no , no, absolutely not!” Taggie was furious at that suggestion, “Rupert is the Minister for Sport. We will NOT be having fake flowers at our wedding.” Gertrude made an attempt to jump upon Taggie’s lap, but Taggie shoved her off, “Gertrude, NO! Stop whining and go lay down!” Rupert was so disturbed by the way Taggie treated Gertrude, that he turned to face Taggie behind the newspaper which Taggie ignored. .
Susie sighed, “Some silk flowers look just as good as the real thing.”
Rupert put the newspaper down, and in a calm voice said, “Susie, I think it’s perhaps time that we find a different wedding planner. A check for the cancellation fee will be in the mail. I’ll walk you out.”
Susie had a shocked look on her face but didn’t say another word, and followed Rupert out of Penscombe.
A frustrated Taggie dropped her head into her hands. She heard Rupert’s footsteps come back towards the kitchen but they stopped at his office. He had noticed that Gertrude was curled up in a corner of his office with her tail tucked. He quickly went in and gave her a loving scratch behind her ears, and tried to calm her down. Hearing Taggie raise her voice from the kitchen didn’t help.
“So now what do we do Rupert. It’s going to be fucking hard to find a wedding planner at this point.”
Rupert sighed and got up and walked into the kitchen and sat down next to her and put his arms around her, “Angel, what is going on with you? You’re not yourself today.”
“Of course I’m myself, what else would I be?” Taggie actually yelled at Rupert.
Rupert pulled back from her, “You’ve just proven my point. Poor Gertrude is scared out of her mind and hiding in my office! What the fuck Taggie? I know this isn’t a case of bridezilla. Does this have something to do with the phone call from Maud?”
Taggie gave Rupert a dirty look, “Just because I’m determined to get what I want for the wedding doesn’t mean that I’m upset about Maud.”
“Hmmm, determined. Interesting choice of words, Angel. Why this sudden new effort to be determined? Which, by the way, has come off more like being a bitch and you know I don’t use that word ever to describe you!”
Taggie looked down at her hands as if looking for an answer, “I, I, I just want people to take me seriously, and to understand that I mean what I say. That’s all.”
Rupert took her hands in his, “People like your mother.”
She nodded her head and shrugged. “I’m tired of being hurt, and being run over by everyone. Tired of being let down b, b, by people, especially by the people that I love. Is that so bad?”
Rupert used his fingers to lift her chin up, “Darling no, it’s not bad. But at the same time, I hate for you to lose yourself in all of this. You can stand up for yourself against your mother while maintaining who you are. And I’ll be by your side every step of the way. I know what it’s like to be hurt by your parents, by the people that you love and are supposed to be the very people who are supposed to love you unconditionally, support you and take care of you. But I’d hate to see you lose your sweet self because of your terrible mother.”
Taggie broke down crying and went in search of Gertrude. Taggie found her dear friend and confidante and picked her up and held onto her like a lifeline, “Gertie I’m so sorry that I treated you like that. I was so wretched to you and you don’t deserve it. Please forgive me!” Gertrude could tell that Taggie felt bad and started licking her face. Rupert leaned against the door frame, hands in his pockets, the scene in front of him breaking his heart. He couldn’t stand to see his angel hurt like this. He’s never been able to understand how a mother could treat her daughter like this. He went over and kneeled down next to Taggie and Gertrude. “Why don’t we take Gertrude over to the priory and check up on the love birds? See how Declan likes his new boudoir!”
Taggie wiped her eyes, “How does that sound Gertie? Should we go visit daddy and Rae?”
*******************
Rae was in another pair of Declan’s pajama pants with another clean white t-shirt, standing at the stove cooking breakfast. She was flipping sausage patties over in one skillet while the other skillet was heating up for the eggs, “Declan, how do you like your eggs? Over easy?”
Declan clad in jeans and a button up shirt, was in charge of the toaster and setting the table, “Yeah over easy is fine. How many pieces of toast would you like?”
“I’ll have two if you have enough bread.”
“Two pieces of toast coming up your Ladyship!” He quickly gave Rae a kiss on her cheek before dropping the bread into the toaster. Declan turned the kettle on and grabbed the tea. He couldn’t help the smile on his face as he turned to wrap his arms around Rae’s waist from behind and kissed her neck, “Mmm you know, I could really get used to this. Waking up together, getting dressed together, cooking breakfast together…”
Rae squealed from his attentions and smiled as Declan rattled off his list, “Me cooking, you running the toaster,” she turned around in Declan’s arms and put her arms around his neck and leaned up to kiss him.
Declan chuckled at her, “You know, maybe I could learn to cook more if you moved in with me.”
Rae’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, “Moved in?” She turned around quickly when she smelled something burning, “Judas! The eggs are ruined! Shite! I can’t believe I did that!” She quickly turned off the burner for the sausage before they burned as well. “Oh Declan, I’m so sorry! I’ve never done that before. What a waste of good eggs.”
Declan pulled her in for a hug, “I’m sorry love, blame me it’s my fault, I distracted you. Do we have more eggs?”
“Yes, but it’s such a waste!”
Declan cupped her face in his hands, “Rae, stop worrying it’s only eggs. Really, it’s fine.” Declan looked over Rae’s shoulder at the toaster and noticed the black toast that had popped up in the toaster, “but don’t look at the toaster whatever you do!” He was smiling now when Rae looked and saw the black toaster and then looked back at Declan and started laughing, “Well that one’s on your head! We still have the sausages, I’ll make us some more eggs,” Rae was shaking her head in amusement at their situation.
Declan sat down and pulled Rae down onto his lap, “I have a better idea,” he leaned in to nuzzle her neck, “I’ll comb your hair out for you and anything else that you might need help with.” Rae let out a moan and angled her neck so that Declan could have better access. Declan smiled when he felt Rae’s hand running through his curls. “Or maybe we could continue our discussion on you moving into the Priory.”
“Declan you are such a bad influence on me!”
Declan stopped what he was doing to look Rae in the face, “Does that mean you’re saying yes?”
“It means that I’ll think about it,” she leaned down and placed a kiss on his nose, “You know, I kinda like sitting on your lap like this. It gives me a couple of inches on you.”
Declan lowered his head to kiss her cleavage, “Well, ya know if you move in, you can sit on my lap all of the time.”
Then the two of them heard someone clearing their throat and Rae and Declan jumped up like two teenagers caught doing something, at the sight of Rupert and Taggie standing at the kitchen entrance. Clearly Taggie was shocked at what she was seeing, but Rupert had a large grin on his face as if he could use what he was seeing as blackmail down the road.
Declan cleared his throat, “Taggie, love, we - I wasn’t expecting you!”
Rupert couldn’t help but laugh, “Clearly you weren’t expecting us. But it is 1:30 in the afternoon so we thought it would be safe to come over, but evidently we were wrong. Good afternoon Rae! Welcome back! Declan, I see that you’ve been enjoying your new bedroom.” Taggie smacked Rupert on the arm to scold him for his remarks.
Taggie smelled something and walked over to the stove, “Is something burning?”
That snapped Rae out of her state and ran over to the stove, “Oh yes, I was trying to cook us some breakfast, but I burned the eggs, and Declan burned the toast. I’m so sorry that I wasted your eggs Taggie, I’m going to clean it up…” she stared at Taggie, not knowing what to say next.
Taggie gave her a small knowing smile, “Don’t be silly, I’ll take care of it if you want to run upstairs and comb your hair out before it dries.”
Rae’s hand shot up to her hair as if to feel if it was still wet, “Good idea, thanks.” She looked at Declan, “I’ll be right back.”
Declan nodded his head and smiled at her.
As soon as Rae went upstairs, Declan let out a large breath that he didn’t know he was holding.
“Daddy I really am sorry, I thought for sure the coast was clear. I can cook you some breakfast…”
Declan reached out and put a hand on Taggie’s arm, “Taggie, I’m really sorry that we were … I don’t know what to say.”
Taggie smiled at her father “Daddy it’s fine. You don’t have to be embarrassed, it’s fine. I really like Rae, and I think she’s been good for you.”
Declan smiled at Taggie, and the reversal of roles that was happening between them, “I’m very happy Taggie. And I really love her. I’ve asked her to move in with me but she isn’t sure about it.”
Taggie reached up to give her father a hug, “Oh daddy that’s marvelous! I’m so happy for you!” Taggie jumped into her father’s arms with excitement.
Declan was laughing about the hug. It made him realise that he hadn’t received a hug like that from Taggie in a very long time, “Does that mean you wouldn’t mind if she moved in?”
“Not at all daddy. Besides, I’ll be moving out shortly anyway. You and Rae can have the whole house to yourself except for when Caitlin is on school hols.”
Rupert was standing back watching the father and daughter scene. He was glad to see that his future wife seemed to be back to her normal self.
Declan smiled at Rupert, “Oh and I need to thank you both, for the remodelling done on my bedroom and adding an ensuite. I was very shocked to see the changes. How did you manage to get all of that done in the time that we were in London?”
Rupert put an arm around Taggie, “Well your daughter has been working on it for weeks. Taggie has had workers come in during the day and work right under that moustached nose of yours.”
Declan’s brows furrowed, “What? Are you serious? For how long?”
“Weeks, Declan,” said Rupert.
“Weeks? That’s impossible! I didn’t see any workmen, or hear tools?” Declan sat down at the table to drink his coffee.
Taggie was giggling at her father’s shocked response, “Daddy we started planning this the night we had dinner at the White Stag with Patrick and Caitlin.”
“You’re kidding?” Declan practically shouted.
Rupert poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table, “Yes, well it’s a good thing that you don’t work as a private investigator old man. Tell me, you really didn’t smell fresh paint, or dust?”
Declan really was flabbergasted now.
Taggie sat down with a platter of eggs and sausages, “Well for the most part daddy, the workmen came in after you went to work, and then I made sure that they left before you got home from work. But then towards the end when they needed to knock a hole in the wall to build the ensuite, we had to get you out of town and …”
Rae came down the stairs all dressed, and wet hair snarls combed out. She made herself comfy next to Declan and wrapped her arm around his, “What’s going on? Did I miss something?”
“We were just explaining to Declan how Taggie managed to accomplish his bedroom remodel while right under his nose,” Rupert continued to rub it in.
“Although, believe it or not, we did get some help from Cameron at the end,” Taggie said.
“Cameron?” Both Declan and Rae yelled at the same time. “How in the hell did Cameron help with the remodeling?”
“Ah yes, here is where things got sticky. The interior designer informed Taggie that the workmen were going to need at least three days where they could work longer hours in order to get the work done,” explained Rupert.
“Oh, well that was good timin that Declan and I were able to spend time away in London,” Rae interjected into the conversation.
Taggie gave Rae a cup of tea and some toast, “Wellll that wasn’t just good timing. Rupert actually went to Cameron and asked her to give you some time off so that the remodeling could be finished. And time off for Rae as well…”
Declan stared at Rupert like he had three heads, “You did what?!” Rae squeezed Declan’s arm in hopes to give him a signal to calm down. He took a breath and closed his eyes. “Forgive me. I’m just amazed that you went to all of this trouble… for me? What on earth gave you that idea?”
“It was you that gave me and Caitlin the idea. That night when you moved yourself out of the bedroom that you and mother shared and into the spare bedroom. Daddy, it broke my heart to see you like that. I could see how mummy’s things that were left here bothered you. And really, I couldn’t stand looking at them either. You were so sad that night. Patrick and Caitlin agreed that it was a great idea to remodel it, but of course neither of them would be able to help me paint or clean it out. And of course nobody had the money to help pay for it, so Rupert offered to pay for it. So daddy, you really do need to thank Rupert for everything.”
Rae and Taggie watched Declan to see what he was going to do, but really neither were surprised when Declan held out his hand to shake Rupert’s. But still, it was nice to see and Rae felt proud of him for thanking Rupert and offering to pay him back for the expenses. She wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek for it but thought better of it with Taggie and Rupert there.
“So Rae, how was London?” Taggie asked.
Declan was having a hard time keeping his hands off of Rae. He certainly hadn’t planned on sharing their time the morning after making love for the first time with Rupert and Taggie. Rae felt embarrassed and covered her face with her hands, and removed them when Declan’s hands lowered them, “Rae, you don’t have anything to be embarrassed about.”
“I know it’s just…” she looked up in his eyes, “I’m sorry, I’m just a little shy sometimes. The trip was amazing! I felt like I was in a movie or something! It was bloody incredible! I’m ready to go back! I loved every minute of it.”
“Well you looked beautiful in those pictures in the red tops,” Rupert offered. “They sure got Maud’s nose bent out of shape!”
Rae’s face drained of colour, “What do you mean? Did she see them?” She looked worried at Declan now.
Declan held her hand in his and kissed it, “Don’t worry about her, luv. I’m not. So I suppose your mother called you about it Taggie?”
“Yes, she did, she wanted to know everything about Rae. But I didn’t tell her much. I figured it was none of her business,” Rupert was watching Taggie talk about her mother, “But daddy, you should probably know that I’m not going to invite mummy to the wedding.”
Declan furrowed his brows, “Why? She’s your mother, are you sure you want to do that Tag?” Rae nearly jumped out of her seat when she felt Declan’s hand on her knee. Rupert couldn’t resist commenting on the scene, “Are we going to have to separate you two lovers?”
“Rupert, stop teasing Rae! Daddy, I’m just tired of being hurt by her. You know that when she called to ask about you and Rae, she never asked one thing about how me and Rupert were, or anything about the wedding. All she wanted to do was talk badly about you and Rae and…I just can’t take it anymore. So I’ve decided not to invite her. She doesn’t care about me anyway.”
Rae could see the hurt in Taggie’s face when she talked about her decision, “I’m so sorry Taggie. I’m sure that was a difficult decision for you to make. Well, I don’t know anything about weddings and I don’t know anything about mothers, but if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”
“Thank you Rae. So daddy, I’m going to call and let Caitlyn and Patrick know about my decision because I don’t want them telling her anything about the wedding.”
“That’s probably not a bad idea. Good luck getting in touch with your brother, though. I haven’t spoken with him in weeks.” Declan got up from the table and went over to the closet where Rae’s dresses were hanging.
“Rae, I might have to take you up on your offer because Rupert sacked our wedding planner. I finally picked out what flowers that I want to use and she became difficult about it because they aren’t in season. So I don’t know what I’m going to do now.” She noticed Declan bringing over a garment bag from Selfridges, “Is that your dress for the wedding?!”
Declan was unzipping the bag, “Wait til you see it Tag. Rae looks stunning in it.”
Rae stood up and went over to the bag to help Declan, “But Taggie you have to be honest with me about the dress. If you think it’s too much to wear at your wedding, please let me know. I really don’t know about these things. I feel like it’s too much, but Declan insisted that I get it.
Declan proudly pulled the peacock blue dress from the garment bag, “Maybe I’m a little prejudiced, but I think she looks gorgeous in it, and so did all of the sales women.”
Taggie gasped and went over to the dress, “Rae! That’s bloody gorgeous! You have to wear it to the wedding!”
Rae was wringing her hands, “Do ya think? I just feel like it’s too much for a wedding.”
Rupert lit a cigarette, “Geezus that is a beautiful gown Rae. Looks like a red carpet gown. Why don’t you want to wear it?”
Rae shrugged and tilted her head, “Well, because it does feel more like a red carpet dress instead of something to wear to a wedding. Taggie, I don’t want this dress to take the spotlight away from you.”
Taggie put her arms on Rae’s shoulders, “Aw you’re very sweet to worry about me, but I really think you should wear it.”
Rae’s shoulders were raised, “Really? I mean.. Well alright if you tink so!” The two women embraced each other while Declan put the dress away.
Rupert caught the beaming face of Declan’s and couldn’t resist ribbing him about it, “Look at Declan smiling. You’d think he was wearing the dress!”
“Aww I told Rae at the store that Taggie would want her to wear it to the wedding. She looks stunning in it.” Declan couldn’t resist leaning in and gave Rae a quick kiss on the cheek making her face go beet red!
“I’m glad that you had a wonderful time in London. Did the townhouse work out for you?”
“Oh my gosh Rupert thank you so much, it was perfect! It was nice to have a kitchen to cook in when we didn’t feel like going out for breakfast. Thank heavens I didn’t burn our breakfast like this morning!” Rae was gushing at Declan like a teenager and covered her face with her hands. Rae started to think back about Taggie saying that they don’t have a wedding planner now. “So Taggie, what are you going to do about your flowers? Are you going to try and get another wedding planner, or try to do it yourself? I can do some flower arrangements but I don’t know what you have in mind. That was one thing me mum was able to teach me besides cookin. Whenever we happened across some wildflowers, she would pick them and try to cheer up the house with ‘em.”
While the women talked about flowers and arrangements, Declan and Rupert went out to the back garden. Declan took advantage and lit up a cigarette.
“I take it Rae doesn’t care for your smoking, Taggie doesn’t either so I’ve tried to cut back,” Rupert asked.
Declan shrugged, “She’s never come out and said it, but I can tell that she doesn’t like it. So yeah, I’ve tried to cut back, try to come out here and have a smoke.”
Rupert studied Declan before speaking, “I hope that you support Taggie and her decision not to invite Maud to the wedding. She was devastated last night and earlier today when talking about it. I told Taggie if I had to, I would hire guards in order to keep Maud away. I don’t want to ever see Taggie tied up in knots like this again.”
Declan kicked a stone into the gravel amongst the flower bed. He had to put Taggie first in this situation. He has realised that he has not always put Taggie’s needs ahead of Maud’s, but he must do it now and stand by Taggie. “You’re right, I will definitely support Taggie in this decision. I don’t want to see her hurt anymore,” Declan inhaled on his cigarette, “I should’ve stood up to Maud a long time ago whenever she would poke fun at Taggie.”
“Yes. You should have. I’ll never understand how parents could be so mean to someone as sweet as Taggie.”
“Maud always had a way of manipulating me when it came to Taggie. But I’ve been able to see things clearer since the divorce. I’m trying to be a better man, a better father. Rae makes me want to be a better man.”
Rupert gave him a soft smile, “That definitely sounds familiar. Your daughter always makes me want to be a better man. For what it’s worth, I’m glad that you’re finding happiness with Rae. Just don’t screw it up. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“I don’t know what it is about her, but everything feels so fucking different with her. Like, I’m falling in love for the very first time. She’s like an injured sparrow that I want to protect from everything that is bad. Geezus Rupert, the scars on her back from her father beating her just…makes me want to vomit when I look at them. I don’t understand how a parent could do such a thing.”
“Well, now you know the feeling. That’s exactly how I feel about Taggie.”
Declan’s head snapped up to see Rupert, in shock when he caught on to what he was saying. They might not have beat Taggie, but he and Maud had definitely left their scars on her. You just couldn’t see the scars like you could with Rae’s scars.
Rupert lit a cigarette, “So what did Rae mean when she said that she didn’t know anything about having mothers?”
Declan let out a breath, and looked down at the gravel “Rupert, I’m going to tell you something in confidence. Rae’s mother died when she was very young…somewhere around 12. Her father beat her mother almost daily, so when her mother died, Rae had to take over the household chores and taking care of her six younger brothers…”
“Let me guess, she also took over the beatings from her father?”
Declan nodded, “Exactly. At one point her father sold her to his drug dealer to pay off his debts. Rupert, he raped her. She found out later she was pregnant and gave the baby up for adoption. She has changed her name and fled Cornwall to escape her father’s clutches. Nobody knows about this except for me and Cameron.”
“Christ Declan. What a monster. That makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s really nothing you can say. She’s come a long way in trusting me and I love her very much. I hope that I can convince her to move into the Priory,” Declan confessed
“You don’t think you’re moving a bit fast old man?” Rupert teased his future father-in-law.
Declan went to smile that big dopey smile he got when talking about Rae, “Well, maybe a touch, but I don’t care. I know it sounds corny, but when we’re together, I feel like I’m seeing everything new for the first time through her eyes. Being with her in London was incredible, and I just can’t go back to being the person I was before. I don’t remember ever being this happy before.”
Rupert patted Declan on the back, “Look at you all lovestruck teenage boy! I’m happy for you, I really am. It’s good to see you this way!”
Declan’s face turned an uncommon shade of red at Rupert’s words. He looked down and kicked another stone, “Thanks, Rupert. And just let me know how much I owe you for the remodel.”
“Right-O old man, that would be 20,000 pounds.”
Declan’s head snapped up at Rupert, “What the fuck!”
Rupert was already laughing at Declan, “Just pulling your leg, don’t have a stroke.”
“Christ on a bike,” Declan mumbled.
Just then Taggie and Rae made their way outside to join the men. Rupert wrapped his arm around Taggie’s waste and Declan attempted to do the same with Rae, however she was a bit shy with the gesture.
Rupert looked at Taggie, “So did the two of you solve all of the problems for the wedding? Or should I hire another wedding planner?”
“Well, Rae has volunteered to make the arrangements for the tables, we just need to be sure to get the right flowers ordered ahead of time. But we still have the issue of the church sanctuary, so tomorrow I’m going to talk to some of the local florists and if none of them can’t handle it, I’ll just go into London and find someone who will. How’s that sound? We already have a caterer and the tents and tables and chairs hired.”
Rupert kissed Taggie on the temple, “I think that sounds lovely, angel. And Rae just let me know when you go to order the flowers and I’ll have the florist to just bill me.”
Rae was smiling, “Sounds like a plan Stan.”
Declan laughed at Rae’s song reference. Declan cleared his throat, “Tag love, look, if you don’t want to invite your mother to your wedding, I’ll support you. I won’t even talk to her about it if she calls me up about it.”
“Oh, daddy, thank you! Do you mean it?”
Declan gave his daughter a hug, ”Of course I do Tag. Your happiness is what’s important.“
********
Soon after, Declan and Rae said good-bye to Taggie and Rupert, and Rae worked on cleaning up the kitchen, Declan turned on the radio. He found a station playing ballads so he grabbed Rae in his arms and began dancing with her cheek to cheek. Rae rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed to the music. “I’m sorry we were interrupted earlier.”
“It’s alright, this is Taggie’s home too. I’m just not used to… you know.”
Declan smiled. Her head was still resting on his shoulder so he couldn’t see Rae’s face, but he had a feeling that she was blushing. “You’re not used to what?” he leaned down and left a soft kiss on her neck, causing her to shiver and have goosebumps.
Rae giggled, “You know… THAT!” She looked up at him, “The kisses and holding hands and touching, especially in front of people like your daughter! Judas!”
Declan chuffed, “Judas! Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m not really used to it either. I mean, Maud and I would kiss each other hello and goodbye, and every once in a while we would get carried away, but, with you this feels different somehow. I guess because you’re my…” he stopped to think about what he was going to say because he didn’t want to scare her off.
Rae raised an eyebrow, “I’m your what?’
Declan took a deep breath, “My girlfriend.”
Rae gasped. She stopped dancing and moved slightly back, “Your girlfriend?”
Declan furrowed his brow a little bit, “Is that word alright? I haven’t used it in a very long time, so it might be old fashioned by now. We could come up with something else if you want? Rae?”
She stood there with her mouth open like a stunned goldfish, “Um I. To be honest, I haven’t thought about it, a label that is.” She looked down at her feet. He could always tell when she was nervous because she would do this.
In a soft voice, “Rae, love, do you still want this? What we have, between the two of us? Oh Judas, have I rushed you too much? Love, I am really sorry if I have. I was just so excited because I love you so much. And…”
She put her finger on his lips, “Declan, it’s alright. I love you too, and yes I do want this whatever it is. I’m just not used to this kind of thing, so it might take me a minute to get used to it. That’s why I’m not sure if I should move in right now.” Her hands were his shirt now, “I just need to catch my breath, okay?” She leaned up to give him a kiss. “And girlfriend sounds fine with me.”
Declan laughed and twirled Rae around, “You make me very happy. I’ll try not to bug you too much about moving in, but it’ll be hard.
Rae’s eyes sparkled in the light coming through the kitchen window, “You’re so cute Declan. I should probably go pack.”
Declan leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You could spend the night again.”
Rae let out a shuddered breath, “I could but I don’t have anything clean here that I could wear to the office.”
“Well we could wash your clothes here!” Declan was trying anything to get her to stay.
“We could, but do you have a clothes dryer? Because I don’t think my clothes would dry overnight on a drying rack.”
Declan’s shoulders sagged, “No we don’t. Damnit!”
Rae laughed at his latest attempt to get her to spend the night, “But, you could pack something to wear to the office and stay over at my place tonight,” Rae offered.
Declan put his hands on her face, “Oh darlin, I love the way you tink.”
Answer
fuuuuck. i mean fork found in kitchen that seems kinda rupertcore just based on s1. but can i not have simply one fun age gap relationship to project onto…
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Rivalry with a hot girl where we makeout and have insane sex between competitions to relieve stress and frustration and we get married in the end when
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#DeepSeek 🪩
#Set 🎴
#Challenge ✨
#Global 🍘
#Rivals 🫧
#Multimodal 🌸
#V4Model🍀
DeepSeek Set to Challenge Global Rivals with Multimodal V4 Model
https://amoghavarshaonline.blogspot.com/2026/03/deepseek-set-to-challenge-global-rivals.html
ALTDeepSeek Set to Challenge Global Rivals with Multimodal V4 Model
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We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places.-Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt