by H P Steven
Just then I notice Barney Rubble excuse himself and I take my chance to introduce myself to Kalliope.
“Hi I’m Phil,” I declared in a weird deep voice.
Kalliope just looked at me and said, “Hi.”
Wow, I realised this could be a tough conversation. Just then Hannah slides up next to me.
“Your shoes look amazing, “ Hannah said.
“Oh thanks Hannah,” she replied.
“How long do these things usually go on for. That Barney Rubble look alike won’t leave me alone?” Kalliope sighed.
“Oh wow,” Hannah laughed.
I turned to Hannah. “Oh, so your allowed to laugh.”
Hannah turned and looked at me. “Yes Phil, I’m allowed to laugh.”
“So how long have you been in London Kalliope?” Hannah asked.
I listened intently and noticed her smile. What the hell’s going on I’m starting to wonder.
“I’ve been in London for six months,” Kalliope replied. “Needed a change from Brisbane,” Kalliope added.
“Oh, so you’re from Oz?” Hannah commented.
“Yeah, needed to get away and find my feet. My families really tight and I needed to see how I’d breathe without them. But, it’s okay if I get lonely, I can always fly to Greece for a long weekend and catch up with my cousins.” Kalliope smiled.
“Always handy,” Hannah responded. Before asking, “Where do you live in London?”
“Putney, I live with another Aussie guy and a French girl. But we have a weird old lady that lives down stairs from us,” Kalliope replied.
“Wow, Phil lives in Putney,” Hannah added.
“Thanks Hannah.” Before jokingly asking. “And where do you live Hannah?”
Kalliope noticed the sarcastic tone in my voice. That’s the first time she smiles at me.
“Well, I live down the hallway from you. That’s why you’re here and only reason you’re here.” Hannah laughed.
“Oh, I’m just someone you can take along to functions. So you don’t have to go alone,” I sighed.
“Well, if you weren’t here I might have to talk to Barney,” Hannah laughed.
“What’s his actual name?”
“It’s Bruce,” Hannah remarked.
“So Barney it is?” I laughed. We all agreed standing around smiling. “Can I get you both another drink?” I asked. Before they could answer I was walking towards the bar. How hard is it to get two glasses of champagne and a beer? I turned around as Kalliope was walking right behind me.
“Oh I’m sorry, I was gonna bring them to you both. You didn’t need to come along,” I declared.
“Well, I thought I’d take my chance to talk to you. Anyway, Hannah’s stuck talking to Barney,” Kalliope replied.
“Oh wow, I should go and get her out of that. Or, yeah she can stay there for a minute or two. Here’s your glass,” I declared.
“Thanks,” Kalliope smiled.
“So how you finding London?” I asked.
“It’s been really good. I’ve been to a few museums and had some fun nights with my flatmates,” Kalliope replied.
“Well, if you need someone to show you around I’m usually free,” I suggested.
“Oh thanks that could be fun,” replied Kalliope smiling and taking a sip of champagne.
“Oh sure, I like to get out and explore. I hope you like coffee, cause if you do we should get along great,” I joked shaking it off. That didn’t come across as making much sense but came out of my mouth, so I went with it. Just then I could see Hannah giving me a nasty look.
I turned to Kalliope and said, “We should go back over, Hannah looks pissed. It’s been great to talk to you. Maybe if the music gets better we might be able to have a dance later,” I suggested.
“Sure, but I must warn you. I left my dance helmet at home tonight,” Kalliope replied smiling at me when she saw the blank look on my face.
“Um, Okay,” I shrugged.
Kalliope as I would find out thought of herself as a bit of a break dancer. It was embarrassing. Looked like someone doing the birdie dance on her back on the dance floor. Hannah still gives me grief about this. But that night was the first time I had met her, and we had barely talked to each other. So, we wandered back to Hannah and Barney.
“There’s your drink Hannah,” I remarked trying to hide the smile on my face. I handed it to her and she just grabbed it from my hand finishing it in one go and before replying. “Oh no, I’ve finished my drink,”
I took my chance and suggested, “Oh no I’ll get you another one.”
“No, that’s okay I’ll get it,” Hannah replied still looking annoyed at me.
“Dam it,” I muttered. As she walked away leaving me and Kalliope stuck with Barney. Hannah then called out to Kalliope.
“Excuse me,” Kalliope declared before she left to walk over towards Hannah.
Hannah poked her tongue out to me, luckily Barney didn’t see and started smiling as Kalliope got over to her.
“Well, Bruce how’s your night going?” I politely asked.
“It’s been going okay, usually these law firm gathering are really boring,” Bruce replied.
“Had much luck with the Greek girl?” I asked.
“Making some head way,” Barney replied.
“Oh okay, I thought she was a bit stuck up and really hard to talk to. There must be a lowly intern around here somewhere?” I asked.
Bruce just laughed. “Yeah there probably is. Would you like me to point them out to you?”
“Yeah okay introduce me to some,” I remarked.
“Okay.” Barney laughed taking us over to a couple of interns who turned to talk to him.
“Hi Bruce. How do you think that case Jacksons working on will go?” They asked.
With that I quickly excused myself and left Barney to discuss law stuff with these two interns. Intern one and Intern two, I never got their names. Heading back to find Hannah still talking to Kalliope. “So yeah Phil’s a really nice guy, but he can be a dick.”
“Excuse me Hannah.” Startling Hannah she doesn’t turn to look at me but keeps saying, “And he has a way about himself that makes those around him feel safe.”
“Oh thanks Hannah,” I remarked. Blushing she walked off to the bar leaving me with Kalliope once again. “I wouldn’t believe Hannah, she’s had only a couple of drinks. I’d wait till she’s had at least a few more and starts to slur when she describes me.”
Kalliope just laughed, then mentioned. “Hannah told me you were some kind of writer?”
“Um, yeah I like to dabble with words,” I tried to explain.
“Where do you get your inspiration, Hannah told me to ask? She was saying you tend to get a bit shy when talking to people you don’t really know. But you can talk about writing all night,” Kalliope added.
“Did she now? Well I get inspired by everything. Everyday life, people I’ve met and people I’m yet to meet. The smell of the rain and the sound of a dog barking.” I teased.
Kalliope gave me a funny look. I then quickly added, “I’m just joking. I just pick up the pen and write. I have done some pretty random things though.” Just then the DJ plays a song Kalliope likes. So, I asked her if she would like to dance. I didn’t see her bobbing her head and biting her bottom lip. I saw the look on Hannah’s face so she must have. So, taking Kalliope’s hand I lead her out to the dance floor. Where I experienced first-hand someone doing and birdie dance, running man dance move. We’ll have some fun I thought to myself.
I asked her if she goes out dancing a lot.
Kalliope replied, “I’d like to go out more but all of my friends are either married with kids and boring or getting engaged.”
“Oh, that must make it hard to have fun?” I asked.
“Not usually there’s always after work weekend drinks and everyone here seems really nice,” Kalliope replied.
“Oh cool I usually catch up with Hannah, so maybe we will see each other again,” I sug
gested.
Kalliope looks at me a smiled, then leans in and whispered, “But we will see each other again.”
“Oh right the tour,” I replied managing to remember. “So where did you get your funky moves from?”
Before Kalliope could answer Hannah walked over and told me Devin’s heading into town and wants to know if we want to go get something to eat and catch up.
“Sounds good to me,” I agreed. “I’ll go get your coat,” I added.
Walking off Hannah asked Kalliope if she would like to join us. I over heard most of it as I had just moved to the bar for another quick drink before we left.
“Sorry Kalliope, Phil’s a bit useless, would you like to come with us?” Hannah asked.
“Sure could be fun,” Kalliope replied smiling.
“So how long have you known Phil?” Kalliope asked.
“Not long,” said Hannah.
“He use to flat with my boyfriend Devin. But needed a change and we got on really well. So, I asked him if he wanted to move in. He was trying to be cool about it, but moved in a couple weeks later. All three of us travel a bit. And have some fun nights. We even have code words to get rid of randoms that stay over. Though that’s a different story,” Hannah joked.
Just as I got back and Kalliope put her coat on and looked up at me.
“So you ready?” Kalliope asked.
“Yeah I am. I was gonna ask if you wanted to come to but I guess Hannah beat me to it,” I replied.
“Alright you two let’s make a move. I’ve just spotted Barney heading to the toilet so this is the perfect time to make a clean get away,” Hannah whispered.
It was so good to have Kalliope coming with us, I still smile thinking about it. It really was a meet cute. She was an amazing woman I met at the wrong time.
Though that’s the story of my life I thought smiling to myself, unfortunately, Hannah noticed that aswell.
We went downstairs and jumped in a black cab and headed off to Piccadilly Circus to meet up with Devin. On the way there, I could feel Kalliope trying to hold my hand. She was too cute.
“Hannah how long we staying out tonight and where we meeting Devin?” I asked.
“Shouldn’t be too late, he’s at the Irish pub so we can go there and decide,” Hannah replied.
“Sounds good. Have you been out around London much?” I asked Kalliope.
“Not really,” Kalliope replied. “Just a few bars around Putney and a couple in Fulham,” Kalliope added.
“Oh cool,” I asked her if she’s been to a couple but she hadn’t. “Well we can go to a few,” I added. Kalliope just looked at me and smiled.
“How was your day?” I asked Hannah.
She replied shaking her head at me trying to play it cool, “Not too bad but I was looking forward to drinks tonight all day.”
Kalliope asked, “Do they do that often?”
“Not really. They must have been trying to bag a big client and obviously they wanted to make them feel welcome,” Hannah remarked.
“How was your day?” Hannah asked Kalliope.
It’s by this time I’m sitting there thinking I have no idea what Kalliope’s name was. Smiling like a dork looking out the window thinking I wonder how long I can keep this going. Just then we pulled up just around the corner to Piccadilly Circus. Jumped out. Hannah looked at me.
“You’ve got this one Hannah I’ll get the next one,” I suggested.
Smiling it off Hannah laughed. “Sure.”
Kalliope took my hand as I helped her from the cab.
“You’re such a gentleman.” She sighed.
“Well, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t bump your head.” I turned away from Hannah, even I know her smiles gotten bigger. “Alright so let’s head off to the pub it’s just around the corner,” I suggested.
Kalliope, still holding my hand. She leaned into me and wrapped her arm around mine, I’m just trying to be cool. Hannah snorts and tried to cough over a laugh. Just then Devin came out to meet us. “Wondered what was taking you so long.” Leads us back into the pub.
“That’s Devin,” I explained.
“Yip, that’s the best I can do,” joked Hannah.
Walking past us to get inside. I quickly excuse myself and v lined straight to the toilet. I got back to the table and all three are laughing. I took my seat looking a little confused and quickly checking my fly. “You guys are laughing pretty hard can’t be about me,” I questioned.
“No, it’s not Devin was just telling us a story,” Kalliope insisted.
“Oh cool, you never told me you were funny bro?” I mocked.
“Yeah he’s real hilarious,” Hannah piped in sarcastically.
“So what’s everyone drinking?” I asked. “I’ll get them Hannah, you got the taxi,” I added. Um, Hannah suggests two wines for her and Kalliope and I just ask Devin if he wants the regular. Shirley temple, as both Kalliope and Hannah started laughing.
“Well, I guess you’re not the only one who’s funny bro,” I joked getting up and walking up to the bar, followed by Devin.
“Hey bro, who’s that girl and why would she want to be anywhere near you. What happened with Anna?” Devin asked.
“Ah she’s in NZ, her brother had a motorcycle accident. Um just quietly bro, I have no idea what her name is. I’m trying to see how long I can make that last,” I remarked.
“Oh, so what’s going on here?” Devin asked again.
“Just someone from Hannah’s work who seems pretty cool and should be fun to explore some places with her,” I suggested.
“Oh I’m sure you’d like to explore,” Devin laughed.
“It’s not like that. I don’t know what’s happening with Anna I only spoke to her a while ago before she had to go home. We’re planning to get together when she comes back. We’re not doing anything, just an assumption we might go for a walk when she’s here,” I replied.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Devin insisted.
“When have I ever known bro?”
“All right let’s head back and have these drinks and see where the nights going to take us,” I added. Making our way back towards the table joking around.
“So Hannah, where to for dinner?” I asked.
“Let’s go to china town and get some duck,” Hannah suggested.
“Sounds good to me,” I said. As Kalliope and Devin agreed.
“All right let’s finish these and head around,” Devin remarked.
Leaving, I helped Kalliope put her jacket on. She thanked me and smiled again. I have no idea why I feel weird but I asked, “No worries, do you like duck?”
“Yeah I’m hungry I’ll eat anything,” Kalliope replied.
Hannah and Devin lead the way and I’m back talking to Kalliope as we left the pub.
“So what do you want to see. While you’re here, or do you trust me enough to make up some interesting day/nights plans exploring?” I asked.
“Oh that sounds really good,” Kalliope replied.
“Ah so you trust me?” I asked.
“Yeah of course,” Kalliope agreed.
“Okay there’s been something, I’ve wanted to try ever since I saw you when Barney moved out of the way at your work drinks,” I whispered.
We stopped and turned to face each other, I’m not sure if Kalliope had known I’d try this, but I looked into her eyes.
“I always feel comfortable around amazing people I just met when I try this,” I whispered.
Kalliope took my hand and looked back at me smiling. It’s probably one of the worst lines she’s ever heard. I leaned in as she grabbed my arm tightly and our lips meet. We held it there just long enough to hear Hannah yell, “Aye, I work with her!” As Devin just laughed.
We let the kiss go and she looked at me, “Wow.”
Hannah and Devin were just close enough, they over heard.
“Hey you two, we will just be in here!” Hannah yelled. We locked lips again. And for a second time I got the �
�Wow.” I just smiled taking her hand and led her into the restaurant.
“The duck here is awesome,” I let her know. “And don’t worry about double dipping.”
She looked at me funny.
Till I explained the duck pancakes you dip into the soy sauce is so good. You have to double dip. It’s allowed.
We grabbed a seat at a table of four. Hannah told me and Kalliope that they had already ordered the duck and pancakes.
“Oh cool who’s the chef tonight?” I asked.
“Its Mike,” Devin declared.
“Ah cool, so it’ll be the good duck, not like last time,” I turned to explain to Kalliope. “The last time I was here. A few Chinese guys I know from Auckland nearly got us thrown out. Such a fun night though, we had tut-tut races through Soho, and nearly crashed into a wall. Well, it was funny at the time,” I insisted.
Kalliope just smiled and leaned into talk to me. “I’m having fun, but I don’t want to sleep with you tonight.”
Taken a bit by surprise by this. “Okay, we can just spoon,” I suggested. I thought I was saying that jokingly but Kalliope smiled and replied, “Okay.”
“Okay cool,” I smiled.
Just then looking blankly into the rest of the restaurant our duck and pancakes turned up.
“Oh man, this is still awesome. We need to come here more often, especially when Mikes working Devin,” I suggested.
“Hope he doesn’t think we aren’t gonna pay this time?” I added.
“Yeah, that was a random night,” laughed Devin.
“So I’m heading to Devin’s tonight Phil,” Hannah said.
“Okay Hannah. I think the two old guys sitting out the front waiting for a bus might not have heard you,” I laughed. Before quickly adding, “Should I go check?” Kalliope just sat there smiling. “I think we might be going for a drink in Putney after this Hannah,” I mentioned.
