Happy Anniversary My Love

As Annie gazed out over the darkening street the lamp on the pavement at the end of the garden popped into life. Instinctively, she tilted her head to glance at the last sliver of sun as it disappeared behind the trees at the end of her road. With a smile and sigh of contentment she pulled the blind and turned into the room. 

It was immaculate. All set for the evening. Their evening. Annie had been hard at it all day long, taken the day off work especially to make it special. That morning she had cleared the clutter then scrubbed, polished, vacuumed the dusty dining room, breathing life back into the little used space. They hadn’t been in there since this time last year Annie thought sadly. By midday though it sparkled, sunlight bouncing off the gleaming surface of the dark mahogany table. 

As Annie left the house around 1pm to pick up everything she needed to create their perfect evening she paused in the hall to smile up at Doug as he gazed down at her from her favourite photograph, the one taken of him on their wedding day 20 years ago today. She giggled conspiratorially and blew him a kiss, delighted at the thought of how impressed he would be later.

Her precious list fluttered in her hand as she headed for the car, mentally working her way around town, checking off the stops. Annie loved lists. This one had been weeks in the making. It must have been at least two months since she started jotting down ideas for their big day, before making her final decisions precisely two days ago. Annie liked to have time to fully research, organise, be sure she was making the best, most well-informed choices. Attention to detail was one of her strengths and Doug would love that she had gone the extra mile, gone all out just for him.

Due to her meticulous planning Annie floated effortlessly from shop to shop gathering her lovingly pre-selected provisions. She was delighted when the young shop girl admired the candles, confirming she had made the right choice. She chatted brightly with the elderly florist as she explained she wanted those vibrant orange lilies for her table that evening; it had to be orange in homage to Doug’s favourite sports team, a brilliant touch, and Annie silently commended herself. She shuddered only imperceptibly as the florist suggested combining her choice with some of those white lilies over in the corner. Annie shook her head firmly and quickly turned away.

Annie’s cheeks were flushed with excitement at her own cleverness and efficiency as she gathered her purchases and slammed the trunk of the car shut. She yelled a cheery ‘Hi love, I’m home!’ at Doug as she bustled past his image. ‘Can’t wait for this evening,’ she purred, heading for the kitchen. The clock read a little after 3.30pm as Annie carefully laid her bags down on the floor and filled the kettle to make a well earned cup of coffee and throw together a quick sandwich, a reward for being well ahead of schedule. Plus, Annie wanted to make sure she wasn’t too hungry come dinner time - that always spoilt things as she would inhale the food rather than tasting it and wouldn’t have time for a proper chat in between shovelling in mouthfuls at lightning fast speed. Not very romantic she thought, although Doug would no doubt find it funny.

Leaving her plan for a half hour Annie settled down in her favourite chair in the lounge but not before she had dug out the album. This was definitely the right time for a trip down memory lane she thought as she opened it and started to flick fondly through the photographs. The album started with herself and Doug looking impossibly young on their first ever holiday together, beaming at the camera, glasses raised in a toast to themselves and how lucky they were to have found each other. As Annie carefully turned the pages, eyes glistening as the pictures conjured up so many precious memories, she was glad she was such an organiser. Doug always laughed at how fussy she was about stuff like this but he had to admit she did a fabulous job of cataloguing their life together. 

As Annie closed the final page of the album she closed her eyes for a moment, suddenly overcome. They really had had an amazing life together. So lucky she thought with a wistful smile as she wiped her eyes and gazed around their beautiful home. She shook her head, bringing herself back to the present, drained the last of her coffee before heading back to her plan for the evening. 

By 6pm the kitchen was filled with bubbling pots and steamy windows as the rest of the house filled with the delicious smell of home cooking. Annie had decided to keep it simple. Doug was a man of simple tastes and wouldn’t appreciate any ‘fancy dancy stuff’ as he referred to it, that meant he needed a takeaway afterwards to fill him up. No, if tonight was to be perfect, which it would be, she had made sure she had selected a menu Doug would approve of, even if it was a bit of a mish mash of courses: Indian for starter, followed by a classic lasagne, piles of chips and garlic bread and finished off with a homemade apple pie (cream and ice cream) plus a cheese board and crackers to nibble once they had retired to the living room. Barely a vegetable in sight; Doug would be made up, Annie mused with satisfaction. 

With everything under control in the kitchen Annie made her way up to their room. She had left plenty of time to get herself ready and let out an uncharacteristically girlish squeal as she approached the shiny, stylish bag from that eye-wateringly expensive boutique on the corner of the high street. But it would be worth it to see Doug’s jaw drop when he saw her in the dress she had coveted for weeks and saved so hard for. She stood in front of the wardrobe mirror swishing the silky turquoise material from side to side, before spinning around to make the skirt flare out and drop back to caress her shapely, smooth legs. She laughed out loud, her eyes sparkling. Yes, she would do.   

Finally, Annie went to check the dining room one last time to make sure it was just right. She wandered round the perfectly laid table. The vibrant orange lilies contrasted perfectly with the dark of the mahogany and matched the warm orange glow of the candles as she lit them and turned down the lights, allowing them to flicker romantically. She felt her excitement beginning to bubble as she touched a gleaming fork into position and turned to look out at the darkening sky. She pulled the blind firmly, shutting out the rest of the world - tonight was only for her and Doug. 

7pm. It was time. 

Annie smoothed her gorgeous dress, paused by the mirror in the living room to check her hair and makeup. Then she bent down to the old CD player and pressed play. Their song slowly filled the room, the final perfect touch. She was all set. 

Smiling her sexiest smile Annie made her way back out to the hall. She reached up and unhooked the picture from the wall and stared longingly into Doug’s eyes. She slowly traced the line of his jaw before leaning forward and planting the most gentle kiss on his smiling lips. She stepped back, drinking him in.

She carried Doug reverently through the house, chatting animatedly. As Annie passed the CD player she twirled him around, showing off the beautiful swish of her dress as she spun. When she entered the dining room, she quieted and paused so Doug could fully appreciate her efforts before she settled him carefully at his place under the window.

Not taking her eyes off him she slowly made her way around the table to take her own seat opposite. Annie reached across the table and trailed her finger adoringly down Doug’s cheek before whispering in her soft, wavering voice,

“Happy Anniversary my love.”