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Happy ever after

Once upon a time I did more than just pull at the panto...


Published by: Fiona Ford
Published on: 11th January 2011

Say what you like about cheesy panto, but I love it! The costumes, make-up, songs, not to mention the over-the-top acting – what’s not to like?
As a kid, my family and me always went to the pantomime near Christmas and joined in with the shouts and cheers.
Still, much as I loved it when I was a kid, I wasn’t sure it was the right place for a first date – never mind a blind one.
What if my fella was more of a frog than Prince Charming?
It was all a friend of a friend’s fault. I remember I’d been worried about talking to Jason since I had been given his number.  
‘I’ve been so busy at university the past couple of years I haven’t had a date in ages,’ I’d worried to my mum June, 73.
‘Training to be an occupational therapist is hard! Besides, what if I’ve forgotten how to act on a date!’
‘Well, with Christmas around the corner, a festive kiss under the mistletoe is just what the doctor ordered,’ my mum beamed.
‘I suppose,’ I’d said, fingering the piece of paper that Jason’s number was scribbled on.
Later that day, he’d texted, asking me out. Because of work, we couldn’t meet for a couple of weeks. Still, we’d swapped texts daily, asking how each other was, and chatting about our day. I’d learned Jason, 46, was, interestingly, an inventor. In turn, I’d told him about my studies. Even though we’d never spoken, Jason seemed a lovely bloke.
His texts were funny and charming. Plus, in the photo he’d sent he looked really sexy.
Are you free Christmas Eve? he’d written one day. We could go to the panto? It’s so close to Christmas after all, and should be a good laugh?
Panto?! Well, I wasn’t a kid any more, but I remembered how much fun I used to have there…
Sounds great, I’d replied.
Even so, my heart was pounding with nerves as I walked towards the Theatre Royal, in Plymouth, Devon, to watch Peter Pan.
It just seemed so weird to be going on a date at the panto!
The moment I turned the corner and saw Jason standing outside the theatre, though, my nerves disappeared. He was gorgeous – brown hair and hazel eyes.
Who needed Tinkerbell’s fairy dust? One look at him, and my heart was flying!
‘Nice to finally meet you,’ he smiled. ‘Fancy some lunch?’
Taking my hand, he led me inside to the theatre’s restaurant. I gasped, spotting an absolutely massive Christmas present wrapped up in shiny pink paper perched on our table.
‘Is… is that for me?’ I giggled.
A wide smile stretched over his face. ‘You can’t open it until tomorrow,’ he said.
‘But, I haven’t got you anything,’ I gulped.
‘Don’t worry about that, I should be treating you, not the other way round,’ he winked. Not only was he good looking, but kind, attentive and funny, too. There had to be a catch. No bloke was this perfect!
Sitting side by side throughout Peter Pan, a small part of me wondered if he’d have hands like an octopus. Nope, he was an absolute gentleman.
Like the Captain, I was hooked!
And, walking me back to my car, he gave me nothing more than a peck on the cheek. ‘Don’t forget your present,’ he smiled.
Waking the next morning, it was the first thing I reached for and quickly tore off the paper. Wow! There was every possible bath product from The Body Shop.
I got straight on the phone to thank Jason. ‘I didn’t know what you’d like,’ he chuckled. ‘So I bought one of everything.’
For the rest of Christmas Day, I wore the biggest smile.
And when we met up again a few days later, I knew I never wanted to be apart from him ever again. Jason was the most wonderful bloke I’d ever met.
Not only did we like the same things, like roast dinners and sailing, but he was so romantic, too. That January, he whisked me away to Dublin for a weekend, and he was always spoiling me with flowers and chocolates.
Ten months after we met, I gave up my house and moved into his.
There was just one problem – I had to move 60 miles away to Truro, Cornwall, for three months, as part of my training.
‘We’ll see each other at weekends,’ Jason promised.
Even so, I was heartbroken. I longed for Friday nights back in Plymouth. Each time I returned home, Jason would have a special meal prepared for us.
Best of all, he once wrote Welcome Home in rose petals across the living room floor!
‘I’m so lucky I’ve found you,’ I told him when my stint was over.
‘Well, we’d better think of a good way to celebrate our first anniversary,’ he grinned.
I couldn’t believe we’d been together 12 months already. Suddenly, I knew the perfect way to celebrate. ‘How about a trip to the panto again?’ I suggested.
It meant even more to me now than just a happy childhood memory – it was where I’d fallen in love with Jason.
‘Brilliant,’ he laughed.
Just like last year, we took our seats for the matinee. Only this time, it was Sleeping Beauty, and the following morning I didn’t wake up alone. Life really was turning out like a fairy tale…
Then, in May last year, Jason and me met some mates for a walk along the coast.
‘Look up there,’ he said, pointing to a low-flying aircraft.
My jaw dropped as I took in the sight. Trailing from the back of the plane, was a huge banner… Marry Me Annette Luscombe?
I turned to Jason, who was now on one knee. ‘Yes,’ I cried.
But having put so much thought into the perfect proposal, I knew I’d have to up my game when it came to the wedding. I had the answer, though…
‘We could hold our wedding reception at the panto,’ I announced. ‘We could eat at the theatre, then watch the show.’
‘Oh no we couldn’t,’ joked Jason, then laughed. ‘Actually,
it’s perfect,’ he added.
And so we got to work arranging our December wedding. Luckily, the theatre had no problem accommodating our reception.
We exchanged vows in the local church and headed to the Theatre Royal with our quests. We tucked into roast beef and then settled down to watch Aladdin.
‘Christopher Biggins is Widow Twankey,’ I told everyone excitedly, as we took our seats.
The show was great and, afterwards, Christopher had a surprise. He called Jason and me up on stage!
‘I want to tell you a story,’ he told the audience. ‘Once upon a time, not so very long ago, a little boy and girl met at the panto…’
All together now ‘Ahhh!’
It was the best, unexpected end to our perfect wedding. I couldn’t have been happier if I’d been Cinderella, and Jason had been Prince Charming.
This Christmas, we’ll be celebrating our first wedding anniversary. And you’ve guessed it, we’ll be at the theatre!
Best of all, I’m expecting our first baby. Looks like we’re all going to live happily ever after.
Annette Hamlyn, 42, Plympton, Devon