by H P Steven
“That sounds good. Well, I’ve got some notes back from the editor on the first ten chapters you sent in,” Audrey added.
“Oh right, how much do they want to change?”
“Um, not too much, in fact it looks really good,” Audrey said.
“Ah cool, hopefully they like the next few chapters just as much.”
“Yeah everything’s going well. We should be able to get it published at the end of the year all going well. They like it, I like it. I assume you like where it’s heading?” Audrey asked.
“Yeah sounds good, I needed that, thanks Audrey. I’ll try and get a few more chapters sorted for Thursday anyway after that feedback.”
“Yeah whatever you can bring in will be fine,” Audrey suggested.
“Well, I should have it finished by the end of next month, so something to look forward to and gives us plenty of time to add changes.”
“Yeah sounds good. I’ll look forward to seeing you on Thursday,” Audrey replied.
“Yip cool, I’ll see you then, enjoy the rest of your day,” I remarked.
“Hey I was gonna say that,” Audrey laughed.
“yeah okay I’ll see you Thursday, until then. Bye,” Audrey declared, before hanging up.
I quickly ran around with the vacuum and placed in away. Before heading off to the computer to work through another chapter
Luckily slowing down in time check my phone.
Hey Phil, catching up with Natalie tonight after work, be home late, if you cook those steaks leave me one in the oven, Hannah
Yeah no worries,
I text back
***
No idea what happened to the rest of the week, mostly sitting at the desk. Getting the words down. The occasional beer at lunch down at the Railway. Without thinking about it, seemed like Wednesday night was here before I knew it. My phone started vibrating around 3pm.
Hey bro, its Mike you guys still heading to the Duke tonight, should be free for a catch up.
Hey leaving work at 4pm, me and Devin will meet you there. Hannah
I’ll text when I’m leaving home, Kalliope
In reply I text Kalliope and Hannah.
Sounds good.
After that I flicked a text to Mike,
Hey bro, just flick me a text when you’re all set, everyone should be there by 6ish. Just got to look at a chapter I’m working on for tomorrow. But be down in a couple of hours.
Sitting over by my computer, finishing off the last bit of editing. I started thinking, I should probably have a shower and get sorted. Probably clean the room up. Closing up the laptop and begin getting my stuff together.
I’ll print that chapter off tomorrow morning before heading into the city.
After showering and heading down the main street, it took me a while to get to the Dukes Head. A lot of kids were finding it funny to jump in front of people on the main street. Finally walking up and trying to book a table for six people, I caught up with Mike.
“Hey bro, is Louise coming tonight?” I asked.
“Um, not sure bro. I let her know, But I’ll text her later. Trudie said she’d try and pop in,” Mike replied.
“Hey, so this Trudie. Is an actually person bro?” I joked.
“Yeah bro, met her through the Chinese restaurant. One of the part timers there,” Mike declared.
“Yeah nice man. You up for a beer?” I asked.
“Yeah bro, I’ll get the first one,” Mike replied.
Just as my phone starts to ring. “Hey Devin what’s up man?” I answered.
“Just by the gate outside your’s bro, you guys home?” Devin asked.
“Nah, I’m already at the Duke’s head bro. I think Hannah’s on her way here in an hour or so, bowl down bro,” I suggested.
“Yeah, all right, see you soon,” Devin laughed.
“Ah cool bro, Devin’s on the way. Just up the street,” I announced.
“Yeah nice bro, there’s that beer,” Mike remarked, handing me a pint.
“Cheers, oh man, been looking for to this all day. Hope the food here’s good as well?” I added.
“Ha, you’ve never been in for a meal bro?” Mike asked.
“Nah just a plate of hot chips. Is it any good?” I asked.
“Yeah, its pub grub. But it’s pretty good,” Mike replied.
“Ah cool,”
Devin walked in and joined us at the table. “Hey fellas.”
“Hey bro, you after a beer, it’s my round?” I asked.
“Yeah, sounds good,” Devin joked.
So, I headed up to the bar for the next few beers. As while I checked my phone I’ve got a text from Hannah.
Hey have you heard from Devin, I think he said something about coming to ours before heading down, Hannah
I quickly text back and paid for the pints.
Hey Hannah he’s just gotten here to the Duke, we’re just having a few quiets, how far away are you, I texted back
“There you go guys,” I said, as I re-joined the table. “You guys had a look at the menu yet?” I asked.
“Yeah bro, its looks like pub grub,” Devin replied.
“Yeah bro it is, but it’s pretty good for Putney,” Mike declared.
Just then Hannah walked in and joined us. “Hey douche bag, Mike,” Hannah remarked before she kisses Devin hello.
“Ha nice one, Hannah,” I laughed.
As Devin watched on, not sure if he should have laughed at Hannah’s comment.
“So what times Kalliope turning up, it is Kalliope that’s coming tonight?” Hannah asked.
“Wow. Yeah she said she’d call or text when she’s on her way, I’ll get you a wine, grab a seat,” I insisted before getting up and heading to the bar to get Hannah that wine, luckily she follows me. “Hey what’s going on?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m sorry just a busy day, I need that wine,” Hannah replied.
“Ah cool, there you go,” I commented, handing Hannah the glass. “So what’s been happening? Haven’t seen you for a bit. I’ve been busy writing. Did you get that steak?” I asked.
“Yeah I did, it was actually pretty good. Who knew you could cook,” Hannah joked.
“Well, I did. How was drinks with Natalie?” I asked.
“Oh really funny, I’ll share the story later.” Hannah laughed.
“Okay cool,” I said, just as my phone starts to vibrate. Strangely which was something that made Hannah laugh. I walked away slightly confused but interested to hear this story and checked my phone
Hi Phil, I’m just leaving home I’ll be there in five minutes, Kalliope
Hannah and I, re-joined the table. I put my beer down after finishing it and then told everyone. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, I’m just gonna wait for Kalliope on the corner.”
“Hey bro just before you go, this is Trudie,” Mike said.
I’d noticed her walk in and she seemed to know someone at our table and assumed it was Mikes new girl.
“Hey nice to meet you, I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I replied trying not to come across as rude. Getting up to leave I head out of the restaurant to meet up with Kalliope.
To be fair, we were all dressed pretty casually. So, I was surprised when I locked eyes with Kalliope.
“Hey, you look amazing,” I insisted leaning to kiss her hello.
“Hey, I’m not over dressed, tonight am I?” Kalliope asked.
“No, not at all,” I smiled.
“So how’s everything going?” Kalliope asked.
“Everything’s really good, got a meeting in the morning and everything’s starting to come together,” I replied.
“Well, I’ve set up all my clothes for tomorrow. So, I’m all sorted if we have a late night,” Kalliope declared.
“So good to see you again, lets head to the Duke’s Head. This place here is where we might end up later to have our dance battle,” I remarked as I pointed toward Thai Square.
“Oh, I forgot my break dancing helmet,” Kalliope remar
ked. We both smiled at each other, as we walked towards The Dukes Head. Stepping inside and seeing the others watching us.
“So I hope you’re hungry, this place is supposed to be really good. Can I get you a wine?” I asked.
“Yeah sounds good,” Kalliope smiled. “I’ll just have the house white, if that’s okay.”
“The guys are just over there at the table, looking at us, do I have something on my face?” I asked.
Kalliope replied, “Yeah you do.” Leaning in, “me.”
“Wow, nice line,” I said, as we parted. Just then the bartender hands me a wine and another beer. “Cheers man. All right let’s head over,” I suggested. “Hey guys, you remember Kalliope. And Kalliope this is Trudie,” I announced.
“So what’s going on, do we want to have a look at the menu and maybe grab a couple of bottles of wine with dinner?” I asked.
“Yeah sounds good man,” Mike replied.
“Yeah, let’s order I’m starving,” Hannah insisted.
One of the servers must have heard this and rushed over with enough menus for our table.
“I’ll probably just go the steak and a couple bottles of Pinot noir for the table,” I mentioned to everyone.
“Yeah actually I’ll probably do the same,” Devin said Mike noddd in agreement.
“Yeah same here,” Hannah laughed. Trudie and Kalliope took their time looking over the menu.
“Oh yeah, what’s this story you have installed for us tonight?” I asked Hannah.
“Oh, I was out on Monday night with my friend Natalie,” Hannah began. “She was telling me how she met a guy on Saturday and took him home with her.”
“That’s your funny story Hannah? Wow,” I remarked.
“No, just let me finish. Yeah, so she took this guy home and didn’t end up having sex with him. Who meets someone at a club and just takes them home? But that’s not the funny part,” Hannah said. Stopping to take a sip of wine.
“This better be good,” I joked.
“Yeah, the next morning after he leaves. She then breaks her favourite vibrator thinking about him,” Hannah joked.
Trudie, spits out a little wine, trying not to laugh at the story. Kalliope smiled and Mike and Devin are pissing themselves with laughter.
“Wow, I’m not sure you should have shared that story,” I smiled. “Great story though.”
“It’s a true story as well,” Hannah laughed. Just then the server came back and asked us if we’re ready to order.
“Um, yeah man, Can I get the steak with the salad and a couple of bottles of the pinot noir wine?” I requested. The server then goes around the rest of the table and we all ordered.
“Hey guys, are you keen for a drink and some dancing at Thai Square after this?” I asked.
“Yeah Phil, sounds good,” Mike said with Trudie agreeing.
“Yip, we’ll come along for a few as well,” Hannah remarked, with Devin nodding his approval after taking a gulp of his drink.
“Ah cool, should be a fun night then,” I declared turning to Kalliope feeling her hand on my leg smiling at me. “So what’s going on with everyone, at the moment?”
“Um, we’re still heading up north on the weekend,” Devin replied.
“Should be a fun trip,” Hannah added.
“Hey Mike, how’s the accounting, Chinese chef work treating you?” I asked.
“Yeah man it’s been really good, Trudie’s a teacher so we both have pretty random lives,” Mike declared.
“How have you been Kalliope?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah, reall good thanks Hannah. Just busy with work and trying to plan my birthday party this weekend,” Kalliope explained, looking at me.
“Oh wow, Phil are you going?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah, hopefully Iva’s party doesn’t go to long. Which reminds me I have to make a Dora cake in the next few days, and Devin. Can I borrow your truck Friday night to drop it off?” I asked.
“Yeah bro to easy,” Devin replied.
Before I added, “Who’s Dora the explorer?”
“Dude it’s a kid’s cartoon.” Mike laughed.
“Oh cool, and what kind of cartoon?” I asked.
“Probably best to google it,” Kalliope commented.
“Yeah, I might just do that, thanks Kalliope. So anymore dodgy stories about your other friend’s sex lives?” I asked Hannah.
“No, I thought that story was funny,” Hannah said.
“I must admit it made me laugh, poor girl.”
As the server and a couple of wait staff came back with our meals and bottles of wine. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We laughed at Hannah’s friend and had a great time. Before we knew it, the server was asking if we wanted any dessert,
We all replied politely, “no thanks.”
Finishing the last of the wine and laughing some more, seemed like the better thing to do. Even Trudie had some interesting stories of her time teaching in London. Which shocked us and surprised us all?
“So, are is everyone ready to pop over to Thai Square?” I asked.
“Yeah let’s go, if everyone’s ready,” Kalliope replied.
“Yeah sounds good, awesome idea to grab a meal here Phil,” Mike declared with Hannah, Trudie and Devin agreed.
As we all got up we were farewelled by the server who we let know the meal was great and left him a massive tip. Such great food and good service it was deserved.
Leaving, The Dukes Head. Kalliope took my hand and reminded me that she’s already for work tomorrow with her clothes all sorted out so she can have a late night. Before our lips meet again.
“Hey come on you two!” Hannah yelled.
“Coming Hannah,” smiling at Kalliope.
“You don’t think, I’m as bad as Hannah’s friend, do you?” Kalliope asked. As the rest of the group were crossing to the other side of the road.
“No, not at all. We were both pretty tired that first night we spent together,” I said.
Kalliope replied, “I know one part of you that wasn’t.” She smiled at me and leaned in, our lips meet again.
Parting I joked. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
Kalliope just smiled and told me, “Not to worry about it.”
“Okay then, let’s go and catch up with the others. So I can see those funky dance moves again,” I insisted.
As we got to Thai Square there seemed to be a line. So I told the others to follow me, and we went to the front of the line. Where I saw the bouncer and he lets us straight in.
“How’d you manage that?” Hannah asked.
“I’ve been here a few times and usually end up talking to the bouncer. I saw him on the way to the Duke’s Head and asked if I can get six people in tonight, as one of us is having a birthday.” I turned to Kalliope. “If he or anyone asks, that one of us is you,. Happy birthday.” Leaning in to give her a birthday kiss. Parting I turned to the group, “what everyone wanted to drink?”Getting their orders I headed up to the bar to get the girls a bottle of champagne and the guys a beer each.
Coming back to the group who have found the birthday table the establishment had set aside for me, smiling.
“Wow Phil you went all out,” Hannah declared.
“Yeah bro, even I’m impressed,” Mike remarked.
“Yeah, well done Phil,” Trudie added. Kalliope just looked at me smiling.
Devin leaned over and whispered, “Tonight is your night bro.”
Laughing I muttered, “Thanks bro. So birthday girl, can I have this first birthday dance?” I asked.
“Yeah, okay,” Kalliope said, trying to be cool. Getting up leaving the others we made our way down the stairs to the dance floor. Luckily we are closely followed by the others and the music is quite slow and we just held each other moving from side to side.
“Happy birthday,” I whispered. Met by Kalliope our lips meet again.
Parting she replied, “Thanks, this has been a great night.”
Unfortunately, the music all of a su
dden, got faster and Kalliope smiled at me.
I knew what was about to happen, but I wasn’t sure anyone else did. Though I did notice Hannah laughing and moving away from us with Devin. Smiling and it looked like she was telling him something in his ear.
I just smiled at them, as Kalliope started busting out her funky moves. It was brilliant, in time and had a few others on the dance floor clapping. I noticed Mike and Trudie who had a worried look on their faces. Till I got their attention and mentioned to them. It was actually quite normal.
Mike just laughed, till Trudie looked at him. Telling him to cut it out.
I leaned in to Kalliope, ducking trying not to catch an elbow. “Do you want another glass of wine?”
She luckily replied, “yes..”
So, I went back to the table to get her one, followed by Mike.
“Hey bro, what the hell is that?” Mike asked.
“Ha, it’s just the way she dances mate.”
“Okay cool, does she know?” Mike asked.
“Um, probably not but I’m not gonna say anything.” I laughed. “Hey man, does Trudie want another glass?”
“Yeah man, that’s why I’m here,” Mike replied still trying not to laugh at Kalliope.
“I’ll get one for Hannah as well while I’m here I guess,” I remarked.
“Yeah cool man, I’ll take this back to Trudie and get you guys another beer,” Mike suggested.
“Sounds good man, see you in a bit.”
Turning around to head back to Kalliope.
“Wow, what a night,” I whispered, handing Kalliope her glass. “Hey Devin, Mike’s just gone to get us another beer. Here’s a glass for you too Hannah. Hope you guys are having a great night,” I added.
“Yeah we were just telling Kalliope to have a great time on Saturday. She even told us it’s a fancy dress party,” Hannah remarked.
“So what are you going to go as Phil?” Hannah asked.
“Oh you don’t have to dress up Phil,” Kalliope smiled.
“First things first Hannah, get through a three-year olds party without the cops turning up,” I joked.
“Yeah that was a lot of fun,” Devin laughed.
“The cops?” Kalliope asked, looking at me puzzled.
“Yeah it got a bit late and one of the guys who lives down the road found himself putting the unit’s letter box on the fire pit they had going and one of the residents called the cops. It was all fun and games up to that point,” I added.
