John's POV

I rose my eyebrows. " A party. In the pub. And you want us to go?" Peggy nodded. " 'Twould do you good. Socialisin' and the like. You might meet a few people from your childhood visits. I wasn't so sure. Then again, it could be quite fun, especially for Anna as she had never been to an Irish céilí before. And, although I highly doubted it, I might meet some people that I used to know. Frances is probably gone, but her brother might still be around. I glanced at Anna. She looked interested and nodded. I smiled at Peggy. "Alright. We'll go." Peggy grinned and wandered back to the kitchen, "good. You never know Johnny Boy, you might even enjoy it!" She called.

I blushed scarlet when she called me that. Uncle Harry used to call me that when I was very young, and later when he was teasing me. I hated it, and still do. I decided to get her back. "You never know.... Margaret" I replied, and even though I couldn't see her, I knew that she was fuming. Peggy detested her full name with vigor and liked to make everyone think that she was baptised as Peggy. Treasa giggled in the corner. "Come here to me Treasa!" Her mother yelled, not appreciating her daughter's laughter. Anna smiled at me and took my hand. I returned the grin and kissed her. My darling Anna shall go to the céilí!

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Anna's POV

So we went to the pub. There were people everywhere, it was a struggle for us to find a seat. Peggy went over to her friends and Seamus went to his, so John and I were left to fend for ourselves. As I glanced around the room I could see that there were some musicians in the corner. Suddenly I heard a yell. A woman dressed in a tight, low necked blouse and a dark coloured skirt (which was almost to the knee - Mr Carson would have had a fit), stood on a chair by the bar.

She was pretty, I must admit. Her blonde hair was cut in a bob like Lady Mary, and even from the distance I could see her large blue eyes. But, there was something about the way she held herself, her mannerisms, made me feel as though her beauty was superficial. "Alright lads! Move the tables, the dance will start soon!" She announced. There were a few exclamations of delight as the men proceeded to move the tables and chairs to the side, in order to make room for dancing in the centre of the pub.

John frowned as he looked at the woman. He turned to Peggy. "Is that-" he began but she cut him off. " 'Deed it 'tis. Frances Flanagan is still here, and as craiced as ever. No doubt she'll be dancin' tonight!" I didn't know what to think. So John knew this woman. "Flanagan?" John questioned further. "You'd hardly expect her to marry! She's the only reason this pub does so well, with those low necklines and painted lips." Peggy laughed. John laughed with her, it seemed that I was the only one who was uncomfortable with this conversation.

Then, quite to my horror, Frances Flanagan made her way towards us. Her hips swished slightly as she walked and as she approached I could see how beautiful she actually was. She had long thick eyelashes, a nice complection and pulmp cherry lips. Her grin broadened when she looked at John. "Well if it isn't John Bates! It's been a very long time." She smiled. "Frances, how nice to see you again. May I introduce my wife, Anna". John replied. She seemed to ignore him. "What brought you back here?" She asked, still smiling. "Oh, my wife and I just wanted a holiday. How are your parents?" Frances continued to smile but it was clear that he had hit a nerve. "Ma left a few months after you did. She's Mrs Flynn now and lives in Wexford. Da's grand, the pub is still his priority of course. And your parents?"

I was shocked. Her mother had left and married someone else! She acted as though it didn't bother her, but I'm sure it did. John didn't seem as surprised. "Both are dead now." "I'm sorry to hear that." She answered. There was silence. Then Peggy spoke, "Will you be dancin' tonight Frances?" She shook her head to our surprise. "I was going to, but I feel a bit unwell. If you'll excuse me", she said before leaving and disappearing upstairs to the living quaters. Peggy rose her eyebrows, "well I never. Frances Flanagan not dancing. There must be something wicked wrong with her altogether."

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John's POV

I didn't expect to see Frances. She looks eriely simular to the last time I saw her. It was only when she came closer to us, were her few wrinkles visible, but only noticeable to someone who had spent a lot of time looking at her face. Someone like me.

I can't understand why she isn't married. There was always a long list of men hanging on her every word. I had only been one of many. Until now, I've been able to put those days behind me and forget how.., intimate we had gotten. How in love we thought we were. But now, now there was no escape. I was half hoping that if she was here she would have aged terribly and transformed into an old hag. No such luck however, so now I am forced to look at her beautiful face and angelic smile and womanly shape. Memories flood back......

They were sitting under a tree. Cherry blossom hung over them and petals danced in the wind. She sat amongst the powder pink flowers, smiling softly up at him. He held lemonade in one hand and her hand in the other. Her blonde tresses were long then, golden curls which created a halo around her face and giving her an even more angelic look. But, it was her eyes that he fell for. Bright, shining sapphire orbs of wonder. Her long lashes framed these gem like eyes and he was lost in her beauty. When she laughed, he laughed with her.

She shuffled a little closer to him. He was telling some stupid story about something or other. She was very close now. Her hand snaked behind his neck and pressed against his cheek. He looked back into her eyes and she grinned. Before he knew it, they were kissing. Her lips were soft and she tasted of the chocolate that they had been dining on. Chocolate and cherries, that's how he remembered her......

I don't love Frances. That was something that I realised on the boat journey home on my last visit. Okay, so I had proposed to her and promised her all sorts of undying love, but in those days I didn't know what love was. Love is my love for Anna, not whatever Frances and I had. I had felt guilty, when I discovered my mistakes, but I was confident that she would be married within the year that I left. To discover that she is still unmarried, after all this time, has thrown everything out of balance. How can I overcome my guilt now?

And how does she feel? She looked at me in the same way as always. Does she still think of me the same way? Surely not, I am no longer the young man who tried to sweep her off her feet, thanks to a limp and a lot more wrinkles than she sports. In fact, I'm surprised that she even recognised me.

I glanced back at Anna. She was chatting to Peggy and smiling. She is my wife, and I love her. My past will never change that. I took her hand and kissed it. She looked over at me and grinned. "What was that for?" She queried cheekily. I shrugged. "I love you." She laughed and leaned into my side. "And I you."

Okay, sooo... yeah.

I don't know if you are very interested in this story, but am, yeah, let me know what you think... more pub antics in the next chapter so yay!

Love,

SaskatFishcakes
&
Anna_bates_forever

Ps. 'Ceol agus craic' is Irish for 'music and fun' , incase you were wondering. ..