by M A Comley
However, Lucy didn’t go to the toilet. Instead, her feet carried her in the direction of Matthew and his friends. Her heart thundered against her ribs. He smiled and got out of his seat. She marched right up to him and kissed him. His friends cheered. She took a step back, and his expression was one of utter shock.
“Name the place and I’ll be there.”
“Here at seven, tomorrow?”
She screwed her nose up. “I fancy a change.”
“All right. What about the Georgian Hotel, do you know it?”
“Yes, and no, I’m not going to a hotel with you.”
He tutted. “I meant in the public bar, nothing sordid, not on our first date anyway.”
“Seven o’clock on the dot. If you’re late, I’ll walk away, and you’ll never see me again.” She swivelled on her heel and walked back to her table.
“I’ll be there,” he called after her amongst yet more cheers from his friends.
She flopped into her chair, exhausted by the exhilaration rifling through her body. “Shit! Did I just do that? Tell me I was dreaming.”
Trisha stared at her in open-mouthed disbelief. “Wow…I’m shocked.”
“Appalled shocked?”
“No, just shocked. I never knew you had it in you.”
Lucy took a huge gulp from her glass. “Neither did I. Bugger, what have I done?”
“I’d say you’ve started the adventure of a lifetime. Hang on tight, baby, I predict you’re going to be in for a hell of a ride.”
She swallowed hard. “Ya think? What if…?”
“No what ifs. I won’t allow those two words to ever be mentioned again. You hear me?”
Lucy saluted her. “If you insist. Bugger! Have I really done the right thing?”
“You have. Think positive. Where are you meeting him?”
She rolled her eyes. “At the Georgian Hotel.”
“Whoa! A hotel on your first date. Go get him, tiger.”
“In the public bar, idiot.”
“Still, it’s suitably convenient if things develop nicely between you during the course of the evening.”
Lucy puffed out her cheeks. What have I done?
2
“I insist. Come over straight from work. I’ll even let you choose one of my outfits—that is if you haven’t got anything suitable of your own to wear,” Trisha said.
Lucy chewed on her lip in the tiny staffroom at work, grateful for her friend’s thoughtfulness as she’d spent half the night awake, worrying about just that. “Okay, if you’re sure it’s not putting you out. What time do you get home?”
“Around six. It’ll still be pushing it for you to get ready and out of my place by seven.”
“It’s doable, at a push.”
“I’ve gotta fly. TTFN, lovely.”
“TTFN.” She was still daydreaming about the evening ahead as Shirley came into the small kitchen area, carrying a huge bunch of flowers. “Oh my, they’re beautiful. Aren’t you lucky? Oh no, it’s not your birthday, is it?”
Shirley smiled and thrust the bouquet at Lucy’s chest. “You’re the lucky one, and I was about to say the same.”
Lucy gasped and took the flowers, her hand shaking uncontrollably. “What? Have you spotted a card? And no, it’s not my birthday, not for a few months yet. Who could they be from?”
“Stop asking damn questions and open the bloody card, I’m dying to know here.” Shirley removed the card and gave it to her.
On the envelope was written: TO THE BEAUTIFUL LADY. She knew instantly who had sent them. No one had ever bestowed such a flattering compliment on her before. Her cheeks warmed under Shirley’s gaze.
“Well?” she asked, folding her arms and impatiently tapping her foot.
“If you must know, I went out with my friend last night and met a man.”
“Did you sleep with him?” Shirley said, shocked.
“No, I did not. What type of girl do you take me for?”
“Sorry, it’s just that I’m bound to think that if you only met the man last night and he’s already spending that amount on you. Do you have any idea how much a bunch of flowers costs to deliver these days?”
“I don’t. Is it expensive?” She peered into the centre and saw there was a vase inside.
“At least seventy-five quid for something that humongous.”
Lucy gasped and shook her head. “Bloody hell.”
“Hey, if you’ve only just met him and he’s sending you expensive gifts, then in my book he’s a bloody keeper. I’d better get back and man the phones.”
“Okay, I’ll pop these down and be right with you.”
“Umm…aren’t you going to read what’s inside?”
“Maybe, when you leave me alone.”
Shirley huffed out a breath and slipped out of the room.
Lucy fumbled with the tiny envelope to reveal the card. Looking forward to seeing you at seven this evening. Matthew. X.
Her heart fluttered, not at the words he’d written but at the fact he’d added a kiss at the end. That was until she gasped and her heart almost ground to a halt. How the heck does he know where I work? He doesn’t even know my name, for fuck’s sake, and here he is sending me flowers. What’s that all about?
She spent the rest of the afternoon distracted. Shirley needed to reprimand her several times while she was filling up the brochures as she’d placed a number of them in wrong positions on the shelves. “Shit! I’m so sorry. Not sure where my head is at today.”
Shirley tutted. “I don’t have to be a shit-hot detective to answer that, Lucy. Look, you’re as much use around here today as a chocolate teapot. Why don’t you go home early? There, I can’t believe I’m saying that but I am.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Like I said, I can’t see me getting much work out of you this afternoon. You have to promise me that you’ll be in a better frame of mind tomorrow, yes?”
“I will. I promise. Oh gosh, you’re so thoughtful. I’ll make this up to you, I swear I will,” she babbled, slipping her handbag off the back of her chair.
“Another thing, I need to hear all the gossip in the morning as well.”
“All of it?” Lucy chuckled and hitched on her jacket.
“Maybe not all of it. Have fun. You deserve it, hon. For as long as I’ve known you, I swear I’ve never seen you look so happy, so this guy must be doing something right.”
“Thanks, Shirley. Let’s say this feels right. It remains to be seen if things turn out that way or I’m talking a load of twaddle.”
“PMA, love, especially where this type of situation is concerned.”
“It’s a long time since I’ve had a positive mental attitude, I must admit.”
“Maybe things are on the up for you at last, eh? Now go, before I change my mind. Don’t forget your flowers either.”
After collecting the bouquet from the restroom, she pecked her boss on the cheek and swept out of the door. It wasn’t until she was on her way to fetch her beaten-up old car that she realised she didn’t have a key to Trisha’s house. She rang her friend, hoping she wouldn’t disturb her dealing with a posh client at the gallery.
“Hey you, what’s up?”
“Trisha, I’ve been let off work early. Would it be all right if I dropped by your place while you’re out?”
“Of course. Come by now, if you want, I’m between clients. The next one is due in half an hour.”
“That’s great. I’m on my way.”
“See you soon.”
She drove for ten minutes and pulled into the car park of the posh gallery where Trisha worked. Trisha was waiting for her by the front door and dangled her house key for Lucy.
“You’re a life-saver. All right if I have a shower?”
“There’s enough water if you fancy a soak in the bath.”
“Hmm…I’ll think about it. Hey, Matthew sent me a huge bunch of flowers today.”
“What? You’re one hell of a lucky
lady.”
“I know. Okay, I’ll nip home first. Anything I can do towards your dinner?”
“That’s so sweet of you. No, I want you to concentrate on yourself for a change. I’ll sort myself out when I get home. I shouldn’t be late. Feel free to search through my wardrobe for something suitable. Hopefully you’ll find something that fits you. We used to be the same size, but you’ve lost so much weight recently, I’m worried now.”
“Don’t be, I’m sure everything will be fine. Love you lots. See you later.” She skipped down the steps and raced back to her car, her adrenaline pumping around her system as if it was being carried on a tidal wave.
She stopped off at her house, collected a few things like her makeup bag and a spare towel, and then drove over to Trisha’s house, where she made herself at home.
After a quick scan through Trisha’s wardrobe, she decided to wear a cream slim-fitting dress which accentuated her curves beautifully. She showered and slouched around in Trisha’s dressing gown until five. Then she ended up in the kitchen, preparing a few ingredients to knock up a frittata for Trisha for when she eventually got home at six. She nibbled on a slice of pepper to stave off her own hunger pangs. It was then she realised she didn’t have a clue if she would be eating with Matthew later or not? He’d only mentioned taking her out for a drink, nothing more. Now she was stuck with a dilemma. Should she grab a cheese sandwich while she was grating the cheese for the frittata or not? In the end, she settled on nibbling a chunk of cheese instead.
“Hi, honey, I’m home,” Trisha shouted from the front door not long after six.
“I’m in the kitchen.”
Trisha rested her head against the doorframe. “You didn’t?” she asked, surveying the contents of the work surface in front of Lucy.
“I did. My way of paying you back. It won’t take me ten minutes to finish it off for you.”
“Oh no you don’t, you’ve done enough already by the look of things. We need to concentrate all our efforts on getting you ready. What have you found to wear?”
“I’ll show you. Want me to fix you a drink first?”
“No, I’ve got a bottle of white in the fridge. We’ll sample a glass while we’re getting you ready.”
“Just the one for me. The last thing I want to do is show up there already tipsy. I wouldn’t want to give Matthew the wrong impression.”
“Nonsense. He’s smitten. There’s nothing you could either say or do that would put him off, take my word for that. One thing I considered after you dropped by earlier.”
“What was that?”
“These flowers. How did he know where to send them?”
Lucy inhaled then exhaled a large breath and pointed at her. “Exactly what I thought. It’s put me a little on edge, I must say.”
“Don’t be silly. There’s probably a reasonable explanation. I would definitely demand an answer early on in the evening, if I were in your shoes.”
“Damn, now you’ve prodded my worry gene. Should I be concerned? Should I cancel this evening?”
“Don’t you dare. I could always come in disguise and keep an eye on you, if that would make you feel more comfortable.”
“You’d do that for me?”
Trisha flung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’d do anything for you, if you asked me to. The secrets we’ve shared over the years, I’d happily risk my life for you, you know that, don’t you?”
“I do. You’ve been an absolute diamond friend since… I’m in two minds about this date now.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Hey, there’s no need for you to blame yourself, I had the same thought about the flowers but discounted the notion fairly quickly all the same.”
“That’s it. No arguments then, I’ll be there with you, just in case. We’ll make up a signal for you to give me once you feel comfortable enough with him, how’s that?”
“You’re amazing. Let me finish off your dinner for you first.”
“I can tell I’m not going to win that argument. I’ll go and get some suitable clothes on while you do that then.” Trisha gulped down a little of her wine and then darted out of the room, leaving Lucy to knock up her dinner for her.
Ten minutes later, she served up the frittata accompanied with a sparse side salad she’d made from the ingredients she’d found in the fridge.
“Wow, this is delicious.”
“I’ll leave you to it and get ready now.”
“I’ll be up in a mo, once I’ve consumed this lot.”
At five minutes to seven, the pair of them eventually left the house. Lucy felt a million dollars in her outfit, however, she couldn’t help wondering if all her effort would have a negative effect. What if Matthew showed up wearing a casual pair of jeans? She’d feel a right numpty.
“He’s right, you know, you are beautiful, especially when you put the effort in,” Trisha said, slowing the car outside the hotel. “Are you ready for this?”
“I think so. It’s too late to back out now.”
“No, it’s not. Say the word, and I’ll spin this baby around and go back home.”
“We’re here now. Don’t forget the signal to come to my rescue if things get a bit heavy in there.”
“A cough and two taps on your nose. Got it! How are you feeling?”
“Nervous, excited, bewildered, all mixed up together in a confusing cocktail of emotions. Why did I ever agree to meet him?”
“Because he’s a dish and wealthy if you believe everything you read on Google.”
“Ha! As if any of that bothers a simple girl like me.”
“Stop dwelling on things and get in there. I’ll give you a breather, park the car and come in a few minutes later. He won’t recognise me in this wig, will he?”
“I doubt it. It’s fabulous, by the way. I can’t say I’ve ever seen you wearing it.”
“I bought it in a sale, on a whim, and it’s never seen the light of day until now. Come on, you, stop stalling and get in there.”
“Okay, I need to go over the plan one more time, so I don’t screw up. If things are going well, you’ll leave the bar and go home, yes?”
“That’s right. You should know if you feel comfortable in his presence or not within thirty minutes or so. I’ll watch out for your signal in the meantime. Now go in there and have the time of your life with this hunk, and yes, that’s an order.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thanks for everything, Trisha, you’re the best friend a girl could ever have.”
“I know.”
“The most modest, too. I’ll see you in there.”
They hugged, and Lucy left the vehicle. Her ankles wobbled a little in the high heels she’d chosen as she climbed the steps to the hotel. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Trisha’s car move off. She tentatively stepped through the front door and paused to see which direction the public bar was in. The receptionist smiled at her.
“Can I help you? You look lost.”
“I am. Sorry, I have to meet someone in the public bar; this is my first time here.”
“Take the corridor on your right, and it’s down there. Have a lovely evening.”
“Thank you, I’m sure I will. It’s a beautiful hotel.”
The receptionist nodded and went back to dealing with some paperwork.
Lucy wandered down the corridor and found the bar. She spotted him right away. He was sitting on a stool, chatting to the barman. Lucy took a couple of calming breaths and walked towards him. She was halfway across the room when he appeared to sense her presence and turned her way.
His smile lit up his face. “Wow, you look sensational.” He jumped off the stool and held out his arms for a hug.
Lucy slipped into them and allowed him to kiss her cheeks—two kisses, one on each side, which sent her pulse rate through the roof. “It’s lovely to see you again. I haven’t overdone it, have I?”
“Not at all. You’re putting me to shame.” He glanced
down at the crisp denim covering his legs which probably cost more than she earned in a month.
“It’s always easier for a man to get dressed. You look fine to me.”
“What are you drinking?”
“I’ll have a medium white wine, thank you.”
“Shall we sit over there?” He pointed to a table in an alcove off to the side of the expansive room.
“Works well for me.”
He put the order in as she made her way across the room. He joined her, and two minutes later, Trisha walked into the bar, ordered a drink and sat at a table ten feet or so away from them.
“How was your day?” he asked, his eyes doing their usual thing of sparkling under the lights.
“Eventful. I got the flowers.”
He inclined his head. “Did you like them?”
“Yes, thank you. One thing I found puzzling, though, is how you knew where to send them.”
“Ah, easily explained. One of the guys I was with last night—he fancies you, by the way—told me he’d noticed you at the travel agent’s. I couldn’t believe my luck, and then something dawned on me…”
“Oh gosh, don’t say that. How embarrassing. Umm…what dawned on you?”
“I didn’t get your name. Mind if we rectify that now?”
“Sorry, you gave me your card, and I foolishly neglected to tell you last night. It’s Lucy Brent.”
“Ah, it has a certain ring to it. What else should I know about you, Lucy Brent? Give me one fact that no one else knows about you.”
Lucy placed a finger on her cheek and paused to think for a second or two. “That’s a tough one. My best friend knows everything and more about me. Here’s one: I like to drink wine in the rain.”
“Wow, okay. I’ll have to arrange that one day, leave it with me.”
“Not so fast, buster, you can’t ask me a question like that and not reciprocate.”
“I like pancakes for breakfast, but they have to be slathered with chocolate spread and be doused in maple syrup.”
“Sounds too sweet for my tastes and too sickly. So it would be fair to say you have a sweet tooth then?”
“It would. Strange for a man, yes?”
