Past Present, Chapter 5
Past Present
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Pairing: Skins, Katie/Effy
Rating: M
Author’s Notes: Inspired by all the great Keffy fics out there. Feedback would be manna.
Gratitude Alert: Thank you to all those who review this work at ff.net and lj. Please keep your comments coming! To those who haven’t, well, lurk on. Bear in mind that it’s entirely possible that more comments and reviews mean more updates. Not that I’m begging…
Shout out to LJ readers: I may decide to learn the LJ cut at some point, until then bear with the layout of the page.
Chapter notes: Centred texts indicate text messages, font underline is meant to prevent confusion (I hope). Also, forgive me for not using text speak.
Chapter 5
Effy arrived at Mauricio’s at half past eight. By 9pm she has had three rounds and had started to feel her limbs get a bit heavier. The table she chose for her dinner with Katie was the literally the best in the house as it was Mauricio’s nook, an elevated corner of the restaurant where the chef could discreetly watch his customers and staff. Intricate paneling and clever placement of indoor plants shielded her from the rest of the patrons.
Because the Holden name attracts would-be sycophants like moths to a flame, she couldn’t risk interruptions on this night. She usually greeted such instances with politeness because you never really know if the face you spite today could be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. It was one of the first lessons her grandmother taught her, after their reunion six years ago.
Despite his worldliness and the love of his young family, Tony fell prey to so many demons. Effy had discovered another outlet for her rebellion by then, that of volunteering for various causes until she found her niche with Caring Hands.
It was still a surprise to her that instead of their grandmother he named her Alicia’s guardian. To her credit, aside from the occasional drink, she was clean; she wouldn’t trust herself with children otherwise. However fucked up she was, Effy still lived by a moral code of protecting innocents. Explains that long-standing friendship with Panda.
At the time Tony took his life, he was newly divorced and properly addicted. He hadn’t seen his daughter for weeks and his last phone call was made to Effy, full of rambling apologies, a wish list for them all and finally he extracted a promise from Effy that whatever else occurs she should do everything she can to make sure Alicia has a happy life.
Fucking hell, I’m too young to be this sappy.
She pressed a small button to summon a server. It was a quarter after nine and although she and Katie didn’t set an exact time, she was starting to fear that the other woman changed her mind.
She reached for her mobile, scanned down her contacts for Katie and sent a message
Am I getting stood up, Shrew?
9ish by definition, covers til 9:59, Skinny
Not in the real world, Katiekins. You always make the ladies wait?
Anticipation heightens satisfaction, you know. I think we should take this dinner to another location.
Effy took out her phone and made the call. “Where are you taking me?”
Katie replied, “Harvest Dragon, Chinese restaurant across the street from where you are now. Unless you’re too posh to be seen with the ploretarians…”
“You planned this.”
“I planned to be spontaneous.”
“Even I am confused by that statement, Shrew. What about your plans of snooping around my private life?”
“Truth?”
“Please.”
“I am apparently too old for overnighters. I spent the rest of the night and the early morning talking to the lesbians on the other side of the Atlantic. And a hang over plus sleeplessness means I don’t have the strength to dress to the nines to meet your privileged self.” Katie sounded tired, irritated and yet still slightly flirtatious.
A mixture of relief and amusement almost led her to tease the twin about aging prematurely, but decided against it. “Ah, and did they approve of our reunion?”
“Emily wanted to know all about it, while Naomi I think immediately went on research mode about the environmental tracks of Holden Communications. So watch your back.” Katie added, “They send their regards.”
“I’ve found your dive.” Effy entered the crowded restaurant. She was wearing a plain black dress, but was clearly overdressed for the venue. She spotted Katie, in jeans, her hair tied back in a loose pony tail and sipping from a large oversized paper cup. She snapped her phone shut as soon as their eyes met.
Katie did a quick scan of what Effy was wearing and smirked as the brunette sat opposite her. “Hot date?”
“Just some tease who puts out then denies it afterwards.”
“Chicken?”
“Exactly.”
“For dinner, twat. I’m told the chicken here is good.”
“Oh.” She started perusing the laminated menu, well aware at the smile Katie was trying to hide by sucking on her straw. “so how did Emily react? Truth.”
“Disbelief, slight panic, wary acceptance… pretty much the same way I reacted.” Seeing Effy’s eyes scanning the counter, Katie could no longer contain her urge to tease Effy about her social status. “When was the last time you ate somewhere where you had to queue to order?”
“Last weekend. MacDonald’s near Liverpool Station. Happy Meal. Colorful box, fun toys.” Effy gave a triumphant smile after her recitation.
“Do you want to share more about the reason for that particular meal choice or do I get to pretend some more that I haven’t googled you?”
Once more Effy was taken aback by Katie’s candor.
“While you ponder that, since I deprived you of a dinner of Michelin standards, I’m gonna go over there and order for us both.”
The kind stroke was impossible to miss and the delivery of it was a manner that Effy could now characterize as uniquely Katie. As the other woman stood up and walked on, Effy couldn’t help but note that with her physique and outfit, Katie could easily be mistaken for a college student. And it was a tad unfair how Katie could be simultaneously confusing her in the heart, in the head and in the …As a great British actress recently said…Gather, Effy, gather.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Pairing: Skins, Katie/Effy
Rating: M
Author’s Notes: Inspired by all the great Keffy fics out there. Feedback would be manna.
Gratitude Alert: Thank you to all those who review this work at ff.net and lj. Please keep your comments coming! To those who haven’t, well, lurk on. Bear in mind that it’s entirely possible that more comments and reviews mean more updates. Not that I’m begging…
Shout out to LJ readers: I may decide to learn the LJ cut at some point, until then bear with the layout of the page.
Chapter notes: Centred texts indicate text messages, font underline is meant to prevent confusion (I hope). Also, forgive me for not using text speak.
Chapter 5
Effy arrived at Mauricio’s at half past eight. By 9pm she has had three rounds and had started to feel her limbs get a bit heavier. The table she chose for her dinner with Katie was the literally the best in the house as it was Mauricio’s nook, an elevated corner of the restaurant where the chef could discreetly watch his customers and staff. Intricate paneling and clever placement of indoor plants shielded her from the rest of the patrons.
Because the Holden name attracts would-be sycophants like moths to a flame, she couldn’t risk interruptions on this night. She usually greeted such instances with politeness because you never really know if the face you spite today could be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. It was one of the first lessons her grandmother taught her, after their reunion six years ago.
Despite his worldliness and the love of his young family, Tony fell prey to so many demons. Effy had discovered another outlet for her rebellion by then, that of volunteering for various causes until she found her niche with Caring Hands.
It was still a surprise to her that instead of their grandmother he named her Alicia’s guardian. To her credit, aside from the occasional drink, she was clean; she wouldn’t trust herself with children otherwise. However fucked up she was, Effy still lived by a moral code of protecting innocents. Explains that long-standing friendship with Panda.
At the time Tony took his life, he was newly divorced and properly addicted. He hadn’t seen his daughter for weeks and his last phone call was made to Effy, full of rambling apologies, a wish list for them all and finally he extracted a promise from Effy that whatever else occurs she should do everything she can to make sure Alicia has a happy life.
Fucking hell, I’m too young to be this sappy.
She pressed a small button to summon a server. It was a quarter after nine and although she and Katie didn’t set an exact time, she was starting to fear that the other woman changed her mind.
She reached for her mobile, scanned down her contacts for Katie and sent a message
Am I getting stood up, Shrew?
9ish by definition, covers til 9:59, Skinny
Not in the real world, Katiekins. You always make the ladies wait?
Anticipation heightens satisfaction, you know. I think we should take this dinner to another location.
Effy took out her phone and made the call. “Where are you taking me?”
Katie replied, “Harvest Dragon, Chinese restaurant across the street from where you are now. Unless you’re too posh to be seen with the ploretarians…”
“You planned this.”
“I planned to be spontaneous.”
“Even I am confused by that statement, Shrew. What about your plans of snooping around my private life?”
“Truth?”
“Please.”
“I am apparently too old for overnighters. I spent the rest of the night and the early morning talking to the lesbians on the other side of the Atlantic. And a hang over plus sleeplessness means I don’t have the strength to dress to the nines to meet your privileged self.” Katie sounded tired, irritated and yet still slightly flirtatious.
A mixture of relief and amusement almost led her to tease the twin about aging prematurely, but decided against it. “Ah, and did they approve of our reunion?”
“Emily wanted to know all about it, while Naomi I think immediately went on research mode about the environmental tracks of Holden Communications. So watch your back.” Katie added, “They send their regards.”
“I’ve found your dive.” Effy entered the crowded restaurant. She was wearing a plain black dress, but was clearly overdressed for the venue. She spotted Katie, in jeans, her hair tied back in a loose pony tail and sipping from a large oversized paper cup. She snapped her phone shut as soon as their eyes met.
Katie did a quick scan of what Effy was wearing and smirked as the brunette sat opposite her. “Hot date?”
“Just some tease who puts out then denies it afterwards.”
“Chicken?”
“Exactly.”
“For dinner, twat. I’m told the chicken here is good.”
“Oh.” She started perusing the laminated menu, well aware at the smile Katie was trying to hide by sucking on her straw. “so how did Emily react? Truth.”
“Disbelief, slight panic, wary acceptance… pretty much the same way I reacted.” Seeing Effy’s eyes scanning the counter, Katie could no longer contain her urge to tease Effy about her social status. “When was the last time you ate somewhere where you had to queue to order?”
“Last weekend. MacDonald’s near Liverpool Station. Happy Meal. Colorful box, fun toys.” Effy gave a triumphant smile after her recitation.
“Do you want to share more about the reason for that particular meal choice or do I get to pretend some more that I haven’t googled you?”
Once more Effy was taken aback by Katie’s candor.
“While you ponder that, since I deprived you of a dinner of Michelin standards, I’m gonna go over there and order for us both.”
The kind stroke was impossible to miss and the delivery of it was a manner that Effy could now characterize as uniquely Katie. As the other woman stood up and walked on, Effy couldn’t help but note that with her physique and outfit, Katie could easily be mistaken for a college student. And it was a tad unfair how Katie could be simultaneously confusing her in the heart, in the head and in the …As a great British actress recently said…Gather, Effy, gather.