The Dark Shadow of Thursday

by H P Steven

  “Hey man this is my girlfriend Jill,” Dave declared, introducing her.

  “Hi, how’s it going?” I asked. With her English accent, she asked where in New Zealand I’m from. “Oh I’m from Wellington,” I announced.

  “Oh cool, Dave’s from Queenstown,” Jill replied.

  “Oh nice.” Luckily we were joined by Anna who handed me the beer.

  Told Dave this is the Phil everyone’s been talking about.

  “Oh no, what have you heard?” I asked.

  Struggling, as it can’t have been anything good.

  “Seems like you’ve been the life of the party this whole cruise man,” Dave replied.

  “Oh thanks, I think the first night might have helped. I didn’t go out the second night,” I said.

  “But we had a great time on Mijet, got a bit carried away and didn’t make it back on to the boat till dawn. Anyway, great to meet you both, have fun if you ever get Dave to take you back to Queenstown Jill,” I suggested quickly taking Anna’s hand and walking away. “Thanks for the beer,” I whispered. “I’m starting to hit the wall I think.”

  “So what’s next?” Anna asked.

  “A couple more drinks, then I can walk you back to your boat,” I suggested.

  “Sounds good,” Anna replied.

  “Maybe a dance if you can keep up?” I joked.

  “Sounds even better,” Anna laughed.

  The night ended up being, pretty-good. We were some of the last to leave. Somehow, Mikes friends made it back and were helping to carry him back to the boat, as he was struggling. Nothing three girls couldn’t handle I thought as I walked Anna back to her boat, just as we got there. I turned her around and said

  “Listen I’m not sure when I’ll see you again after Croatia, do you want to go for a walk?” I asked.

  “Yeah I’d like that.” Anna smiled. To be honest, I’d had a lot to drink and I thought we were both pretty tired so the fact she followed me back out on to the wharf and sat next to me on the park bench a little further up from the boats, surprised me.

  “Wow, have you ever just sat and looked at the stars?” I asked.

  “Hey, looks like a satellite up there,” I added.

  We both stared for a bit. I leaned over to her and she pulled away, smiling at me. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I want to say something, but I don’t know how to start,” Anna replied.

  “Oh you’re seeing someone?” I sighed. “That’s okay, nothing really-happened here,” I remarked, trying to get the words out of my mouth.

  “No, I’m not seeing anyone,” Anna insisted.

  Woohoo! I heard the voice in my head yelling.

  “Just start, I’m a pretty good listener,” I replied.

  “I think you’re a player,” Anna insisted.

  “Oh okay, what’s a player?” I shrugged.

  “And I don’t want to fall for someone who’s a player, I’m not looking to get hurt,” Anna mumbled.

  “And you think I’m a player?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I’ve heard stories from a lot of people. I’m not sure if I can be with someone who’s a player,” Anna responded.

  I leaned in and whispered the worst line I’ve ever used in my life in her ear. We both paused for a second as Anna just looked at me. Before she burst into laughter. “I’m not a player, I’m just some guy who met an amazingly incredible woman, whom if she let me would take the time to show her. I’m not a player,” I insisted.

  “You seem pretty confident in yourself.” Anna smiled.

  “When someone comes into your life you want to keep them in it for as long as possible, so maybe we should take a step back?” I suggested.

  “What do you mean?” Anna asked.

  “Let’s get together in London and go for a walk, and just get to know one another. Maybe as friends and see where it leads,” I replied.

  “That sounds like something I could deal with,” Anna sighed.

  So I leaned in again, smiling. Anna smiled back.

  “Um, I’m not sure friends do that,” Anna laughed.

  Before leaning in and kissing me back.

  5

  To Each There Own but the chef

  Waking up the next morning a few hours later was shocking. I was so hung over I was struggling. All I could taste was stale alcohol and stunk like a bar also. I’d partied to hard the night before and with Anna’s talk still in the back of my mind. I was gonna need the world’s biggest coffee to numb the thoughts running around my head.

  “Aye Phil you up bro?” I barely heard Cam yell out.

  “Ah yeah man,” I replied.

  “You sound like death bro, we’re gonna get going in an hour so have a quick shower,” Cam insisted. To be fair I thought it was a good idea so I quickly got up and headed upstairs to take a shower.

  Feeling a lot better, after changing and showering. I packed up all my stuff, and took my bags upstairs and over to the wharf where everyone was starting to gather. To say goodbye to each other.

  I high fived the entire boat telling them all, how great it was to meet them and what an amazing time we all had. A few other people from different boats came up to say good bye. It was awesome meeting them all.

  It wasn’t until I saw Anna that I became sad that everyone was leaving. By this stage I knew I was pretty useless, but it took me till we got her to the airport and just before she was about to go into the departure area to get her number. But wow, she did it to me again. Luckily Hannah wasn’t around to punch me in the arm to get me over it.

  “Good morning,” Anna smiled, as she walked up to me.

  “Hi, good morning. We’re just waiting to get Devin’s stuff sorted, then we can jump in a cab and get you to the airport,” I remarked to Anna, with a stupid looking smile on my face. We were stood there smiling at each other. Before Mike and the girls came over.

  “Hey man, there’s my number once your sorted we can catch up for that beer,” Mike suggested.

  “Yeah man, sweet as. I’ll give you a buzz, if and when, Cam, Devin and I are out on the town, might pop into the restaurant?” I responded.

  “Yeah man, anytime,” Mike added.

  “All right man, see you guys and girls back in the world.” I laughed stepping up to high five the girls, but they all wanted hugs.

  “Thanks Phil.” “Great to meet you and never change” were bantered about. Though, Nat hugged me and put her hand up for that high five.

  “Great meeting you all,” I insisted turning back to Anna. “Wow, great people.” I smiled.

  “Yeah I know my boat was like that as well, I think Jill might have started to cry,” Anna joked.

  “Oh wow, so how are you feeling this morning?” I asked.

  “I’m good, looking forward to travelling back to London, not looking forward to going back to work,” Anna replied.

  “Yeah, I hear that.”

  Just then Devin came over with the rest of the crew. “Alright man, we’re all sorted. You two still coming to the airport with me?” Devin asked.

  “Yeah bro, ready when you are,” I replied looking back at Anna who was nodding her head to say yes.

  “Ah cool, let’s go sort out the taxi. The ranks just up here,” Devin suggested.

  I went to pick up Anna’s bags as she said farewell to Susan and Hannah. Telling Cam, she’ll see him on Friday and I hope you all have fun for the rest of your trip. Turning and walking over to me, trying to catch up to Devin.

  “Um Anna, do you have rocks in these bags?” I asked.

  “Nah, just bought a lot of stuff, took three of us to close the bag this morning,” Anna joked.

  “Oh right, so,” I whispered.

  “Ah yes, so,” Anna replied.

  “London, I’m gonna want to see you again.”

  “Why, what if I’m busy?” Anna teased.

  “We’re all busy Anna, but for you I’d stop anything to go for a walk or even have a coffee. I’d talk to you on the tube, just for the bri
efest mini second, that I got to have you in my world for that lasting memory. The words that come from meeting someone like you,” I insisted.

  “Wow, can you write this good?” Anna asked.

  “Ha, I wish.” I laughed. Smiling like an idiot, Anna started laughing.

  “Hey you two, taxi’s sorted let’s go!” Devin yelled.

  It seemed like the fastest taxi ride ever, we were at the airport in no time.

  “Hey Devin, I’m just gonna help Anna check in, then see her off. What rental company we with? I’ll see you at their desk in about ten minutes.”

  “Yeah to easy bro, nice to meet you Anna,” Devin commented.

  “Yeah nice to meet you to Devin,” Anna responded.

  As we’re walking off, Anna took my hand.

  “What if this was it, could you, or would it make you happy?” Anna enquired.

  “No, there’s more here,” I insisted. Before I asked, “why?”

  “Well are you gonna want this?” Anna asked as we leave the check in desk and Anna pulled out her card with her number on it.

  “Well actually, I was gonna ask Cam for it, worst case scenario,” I joked. “I can’t explain why I want to see you again or the feelings I have every time I see you, but I enjoyed the fact that it’s happening,” I whispered.

  “It inspires words, I’ve got no greater compliment. But I’ll see you in London, and yeah I’d like your card,” I added.

  Handing me the card, Anna leaned in and we kissed, before she whispered in my ear. “If you don’t call, I won’t be hurt.”

  “Trust me I’ll call,” I insisted.

  Okay and with a quick kiss she was gone, through the departure doors and I was turning around to go off and find Devin.

  “Hey bro!” Devin yelled as he jumped out from behind a stairwell, scaring the crap out of me.

  “Dude, not cool aye,” I snapped.

  “I got you though didn’t I?” Devin insisted.

  “Yeah, well played bro, but my mind was elsewhere. Anyway, let’s go get the others and head off.”

  “Yeah bro, I got the keys. Cars just out here,” Devin laughed.

  The next four days went by way too quickly, we had a great time. Drinking and swimming in the national parks was incredible. As all of a sudden then, it was time to catch our flight back to London. That took its toll, we couldn’t sleep. After partying so hard the final night once we were on that flight, as knackered as we were— we just couldn’t get to sleep. We laughed and made fun of Cam, thanked Devin and Susan for doing most of the organising. Hannah paid me out when we came into land, seeing the ear plugs and eucalyptus hankie. She couldn’t stop laughing.

  That Saturday Devin and Cam helped me move into Hannah’s. I thanked them by taking them out locally that night.

  “Hey Phil, you still got Mikes number?” Cam asked.

  “Ah yeah it’s around here somewhere, I was gonna see if he wanted to come out for a beer tonight,” I replied.

  “So where we heading?” Devin asked.

  “Oh man, let’s go down to the Dukes head. I’ll just try and find Mikes number and give him a buzz. I’ll be a second fellas. There’s beers in the fridge help yourselves guys,” I suggested.

  “Ah sweet, you want one Devin?” Cam asked getting up and asking on his way to the fridge.

  “Yeah bro,” Devin replied.

  Couple minutes later I come back from my room, talking on the phone. Seeing the both of them kicking back in the lounge. I wasn’t gone that long. Yet there seemed to be quite a few empty beer bottles on the coffee table.

  “Yeah bro, see you there in about an hour. The Dukes Head. Yeah bro, nice and it’s right across from yours. Yeah bro, bring her along if it’s just you two chilling at home all good man. Cool, see you both soon.” Hanging up I turned to Devin and Cam. “How’s those beers going guys, you want another one?” I asked.

  “Yeah man that’ll be good,” Cam replied.

  “Shot bro,” Devin added.

  “Hey when’s Hannah due back?” Devin asked.

  “Not sure, but I’ve flicked her a text to let her know we’ll be at the Dukes head,” I replied. “She said, it’s okay for you to come along bro,” I added.

  Coughing into his beer, Cam gave me the thumbs up.

  “Great call Phil,” Cam laughed.

  “Oh funny Cam, don’t you have to let Susan know if you’re gonna be late home,” Devin mocked.

  “Hey take it easy guys, let’s head down, you both ready?” I asked.

  “Yeah bro, truce Devin?” Cam asked.

  “Yeah no worries mate,” Devin laughed.

  “Let’s go have a few beers. Hey Phil you said two just then, didn’t you?” Devin asked.

  “Ah yeah, Mike’s just at home with his flatmate Louise, so I told him to bring her along,” I said turning to see the both of them sitting there, judging, just shaking their heads at me. As I clear away the bottle and put them in the bin.

  “Oh that reminds me, I saw Anna yesterday,” Cam replied.

  “Oh cool bro, how is she?” I asked.

  “Mate you may want to give her a call before Tuesday,” Cam suggested.

  “Um okay. Why’s that?” I asked.

  “Just give her a call tomorrow bro. Worry about it later let’s go get a drink,” Cam added.

  As we left and were soon walking down the Main Street. It seemed pretty-quiet for a Saturday afternoon, I thought. We turned the corner on to Lower Richmond Road, Devin pointed out the number of bars on the Main Street.

  “Yeah bro, and I think I’ll try a visit them all,” I joked.

  “Hey man, where’s this Dukes head?” Cam asked.

  “About ten metres up there on the right bro,” I replied.

  “Nice, and there’s Mike and I’m guessing Louise having a pint just outside,” I added.

  Crossing the road, I told the guys to grab a seat and I quickly went inside to get the first round. As I was up at the bar I noticed a table with six chairs and saw it starting to rain outside.

  Just as everyone was starting to come in, I pointed out to Cam that there was a table free just over there. Where we all ended up sitting.

  “Oh hi, how’s it going I’m Phil,” I announced to Louise.

  “Hi Phil, I’m Louise nice to meet you,” Louise replied.

  “Hey Mike, how’s it going bro?” I asked.

  “Yeah good man, all moved in?” Mike asked.

  “Ah, my stuffs in the room so that’s half the battle sorted,” I replied. “Told these two I’ll shout them a few beers,” I added.

  “Yeah shot Phil,” Devin laughed. Cam took a drink and nodded.

  “So you working tonight Mike?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but got a few hours of drinking time,” he added.

  “Ah nice, I’ll text Susan if we head in for dinner at your restaurant tonight,” Cam mentioned.

  “Dinner sorted,” I declared getting up to get everyone another drink. “So another wine, Louise?” I asked.

  “Yeah, that’ll be great. I’ll come and help you carry them back,” Louise suggested. “So what have you guys got planned for tonight?” Louise asked

  “Um, by the sounds of it, we’ll probably head into Waxy’s then pop around to the restaurant seeing as though Mikes working tonight?” I responded. “Well, we’ll have to see what Hannah and Susan are up to. Before any plans are final though,” I added.

  “Is one of them your girlfriend?” Louise asked.

  “Um, no Susan is Cam’s partner, while Hannah is Devin’s partner and my flatmate. Actually, that reminds me, there’s someone else I need to contact, ” I replied as we are walking back to the table. I placed the drinks on the table and thanked Louise for her help, then quickly excused myself.

  Finding myself outside, under the awning, the rain really starting to come down, I take out my phone and quickly text Anna.

  Hi, It’s Me, Phil, I’m having a couple drinks with Cam, Devin and Mike and his flatmate, thinking about ch
ecking out Mikes restaurant tonight in China town and was hoping you might be free. I know it’s terribly short notice. Will be definitely calling you tomorrow if you can’t make it.

  I then placed a strategically added smiley face. Though I ended up taking it out. Putting my phone back into my pocket and walking back into the bar. Taking my seat back at the table.

  “Far out it’s coming down out there,” I declared.

  “Yeah, bro,” Cam replied.

  “So what’s everyone been up too?” Mike asked.

  “Well we just got back on Wednesday, popped into work for a couple hours yesterday,” Cam replied.

  “Yeah just went into work for a few hours myself,” Devin said.

  “Just chilling, took some stuff to Hannah’s after she gave me the key on Thursday, and the guys helped me out today. Off to see the agent on Monday. Before a work party next Friday with Hannah, tell me again how I got roped into that one Devin?” I asked. Just then, my pants start vibrating. And I’d gotten a text and took my phone out of my pocket. “Saved by the phone,” I laughed, as Devin was about to answer.

  Checking to see who it’s from, I notice it’s from Anna and got up as an excuse to get another round and check my phone

  Hi Phil, was starting to think you might have forgotten about me, drinking with those guys again sounds fun, not sure if I’ll be free tonight but a call tomorrow would be great, I’m just at work sorting out some stuff, I’ll let you know about when I see or hear from you next.

  Your friend Anna

  Your friend? I shrugged it off and walked back over to the table. To make the first of two trips, to deliver the drinks.

  “Oh cheers man,” Devin and Cam said.

  “I might flick Susan a quick message,” Cam added before he got up to go and use the toilet and text Susan.

  “Hey bro, Hannah just got home and is having a shower. She’s gonna meet us here in about an hour,” Devin added.

  “So give her two hours to be on the safe side?” I remarked.

  “Yeah, probably best aye,” Devin laughed.

  “Ah sweet, so no pressure tonight Mike,” I joked. “Looks like we’re coming in for a meal,” I added.

  “Ah good, you guys can keep Louise company. She’s coming in too,” Mike replied.