Nowadays Every Night: Chapter 2

"I'm glad to be back," she said softly, then catching sight of Connie. "What happened to you?!"

"They made me a witch," her friend answered, the sound muffled a bit by the fake nose she was wearing.

Graham snickered at the sight.

"Can I please get this thing off my face?" pleaded Connie. "Its ANNOYING."

"I'll help you," said John.

"Thanks," she smiled.

TJ then howled laughing.

"WHAT?"

Gilliam whirled round from listening to the assistant director.

"WHAT?" said Connie in a panic. "What'd he do?"

"HE didn't do anything," said John primly.

"Won't work, Johnny," chuckled Eric. "Innocence isn't something you're capable of."

"Rubbish."

Connie'e eyes were huge. "WHAT? WHAT?"

Graham was laughing.

Julia caught Connie's eye, tapping the top of her head.

"What, Julie?"

"You got a uni."

"A what?"

Mike started laughing too.

"Why's everyone laughing?"

Julia tapped the top of her head again, Connie looking puzzled at her, then finally understanding.

"I was trying to tell you he stuck the bloody thing atop your head," said Julia, trying really hard not to smile.

"JOHN!"

"WHAT!"

Connie glared at him, but in a few minutes, she started to smile.

"See?" said John. "Can't stay mad at me for long."

"I've dealt with you enough," said Connie.

"This is a really neat place," said Julia to Gilliam.

"Sure is!" he chirped, and she couldn't help but smile at how happy he was.

Michael'd let her go by this time, animated in a conversation with Neil Innes, once a Bonzo Dog, and now an associate Python, much as she, Connie and Carol were.

Only Eric's embrace remained, and it had been the embrace she'd craved most.

"Can you be a horse?" asked Gilliam, his voice breaking through her thoughts.

"A what?"

He went on to explain the premise, the servants/heralds of the Knights, were also to be horses, in essence, clicking coconuts behind each Python, as to simulate riding on horseback.

"Sure! I wouldn't mind one bit," she answered. "Anyway I can help you lot I will."

"Great!"

"You'll be my horse then," said TJ.

"Fair enough, won't ask for too many carrots," she winked, receiving a sunny smile and a chuckle in return.

"Good to have you back, Julie," said her Welsh friend. "I mean that."

"Thanks TJ."

Gilliam motioned to Julia behind TJ, signaling that he was going to go get Hazel to outfit her for her costume.

Julia nodded her thanks, and when he was gone, turned to Eric. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, in his armor, his hair now grown out to his shoulders, all curly looking.

"What?" he said softly.

"Nothing, just copping a look at you," she said softly.

His arms went tight round her back. "Why'd you leave?" he asked softly. "Are you angry with me?"

"No, love, no! Never in a million years."

"I woke up one morning and you weren't there. I was worried sick."

"I'm sorry."

"Did I move too fast when I said we should get married?"

"No," said Julia. " I'd be honored to be your wife. Absolutely."

She frowned at the worry in his eyes. He'd smiled at her last sentence, but the worry was still there.

"Eric, I love you. There is ABSOLUTELY no problem between you and me. None at all. I left because I thought I was in the way of you lot, the stuff you'd had to go through."

The worry turned to absolute disbelief. "You were never in the way, darling, not once. Not once," he said softly. "I love you too. I never stopped loving you."

"Nor I you," she whispered, pausing to look at him.

"Oh, that," he said, embarrassed. "The mustache's fake."

"It suits you though," she said.

"Thanks, horsey," he smiled, his forehead against hers, a mischievious look on his face.

"That's MISS horsey to you."

They kissed, and then Eric noticed something out of the corner of his eye.

"Looks like Gillie's found Hazel, best get you kitted out."

"Okay," she said, as Eric kissed her again, then they separated.