by H P Steven
“Hey guys, Anna this is Linda, you’ve met Greg and this little one,” I commented poking my tongue out at Iva.
“Are the fashionably late lesbians here yet?” Linda asked as I spit out a bit of beer trying not to laugh as I see them walking in and Rupert running after Iva.
“Yeah, Linda they’re right behind you, fashionably late,” I smiled. “Should have bought out a bucket of ice filled with beer and wine,” I said out loud.
“That’s okay bro I’ll go get some drinks for us,” Greg insisted, turning around and greeting Meredith and Audrey before heading inside.
“Hi ladies and gentleman,” Audrey declared.
While Meredith and Audrey go around the small group standing around the BBQ and hug and kiss us all, before Audrey finally said to me, “Please keep Greg away from the tongs.” With everyone laughing, but quickly agreed.
“So what’s the plan Phil?” Anna asked. “Ha, just like in Croatia everyone asked you,” Anna added smiling.
“Um, eat and get merry here then head down to the park with a few bottles of champagne, for a toast to our friends that couldn’t be here,” I suggested.
With a rousing response of “OH’s.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Anna replied, hugging me.
“All right you guys head inside and grab a drink, there’s finger food in the fridge or on the dining table, even some pretty good salads, Audrey for your enjoyment,” I insisted smiling. “Hey do you want a drink?” I whispered to Anna.
“No, I can hang out here for a while longer,” Anna replied as the rest, head inside laughing and telling stories about their weekends. I turned back to the BBQ and started turning over the steaks and sausages, while Anna grabs a seat Drew comes out of the house.
“Hey Phil need a hand man?” Drew asked handing Anna a glass of wine and me another beer. “Hannah told me to bring these out, she probably thought I needed a quick break away from everyone,” Drew added.
“Yeah man,” I said, handing Drew the tongs, “Go hard bro,” I added.
“Hey Anna this is Drew,” I declared. “Drew this is Anna she worked with Cam,” I added.
Just as Greg comes back out and grabs a seat followed closely by Mike.
“Hey man, Paul might meet us at the park later, him and Kylie are out to dinner tonight,” Greg commented shrugging.
“Yeah man cool, just tell them we’ll be at Wandsworth Park later on,” I replied handing Drew the oven dish so he can start putting some of the steaks and sausages into it and start on the others.
“Cheers bro,” Drew commented.
“Hey man if you need a break I’ll take over,” Greg insisted.
“Yeah I don’t think so bro, I’m sure Cam would have made me do this so I’ve got it. Anyway, your missus and Audrey told me to make sure you didn’t help,” Drew said with the rest of us laughing at Greg.
“Couldn’t agree more,” I insisted.
We sat around for about a half hour before Linda comes out and gives us the hurry up. “Everyone’s starting to get hungry,” Linda insisted.
With all the meats and a lot of corn BBQ’d off we all headed back inside.
“Hey guys grab a plate and dig in,” I mentioned. “Far out, cheers for the help today Mike,” I added.
“Yeah bro anytime man,” Mike replied.
Dinner was filled with so much laughter and what a good BBQ should be, Iva and Rupert were having a sword fight with sausages, commentated by Mike and Greg. Audrey was having a conversation with Trudie. Anna finally asked Drew about tomorrow night’s work drinks and Hannah seemed happy, the first time she had smiled all day.
By the time we were done and I had to tell everyone not to worry about the dishes. Margaret, Ian and Scott had turned up and had something to eat but also had bought the bottles of wine with them along with Lewis and Devin’s mate. It must have been a sight to see us all heading down to the park, carrying bottles of wine and laughing.
As we were walking down I was introduced to Ian and had a quick word, with him. Drew, Anna and Hannah and I, will be down for the funeral on Wednesday. Both Ian and Margaret thanked me and Hannah again for all we had done and how difficult it must have been. It wasn’t long till we were back at the park and the bottles were popping everywhere. We stopped as everyone grabbed a plastic cup and filled it up. For some reason after that was done everyone turned to me.
“Evening all, thank you all for coming and enjoying a meal, also thanks Greg for staying away from the BBQ.” Which caught a few laughs. “Here’s to two special people who couldn’t be here and one bloke who we all wish gets better soon so we can once again enjoy a drink with him, so thank you all for coming,” I announced going to raise my little plastic cup. “Here’s to Cam and Susan, we wish more than anything you were still here, we miss your smiles your laughter and most importantly your friendship, you were family and you’ll be missed. So, here’s to family,” I added.
With everyone else raising a glass and toasting to, family. Margaret stepped forward and thanked everyone but paid special mention for me, Hannah and Audrey. She thanked us for all that we had done and still to do. She asked me to stand up at the funeral and say a few words.
Someone piped up with, but with no singing Margaret. This caught a few laughs as well, especially from me. We must have been down there an hour after the sun went down, which was just about the time, Ian, Margaret and Scott headed off, once again thanking me. I told them I’d see them on Wednesday and thanked them for asking me to say something.
Just as we were heading back with everyone else something caught my eye, there was a runner and what looked like the same kid from the tube platform quickly step out in front of her before being picked up by the same guy who brushed past him on the platform, I just shrugged it off and headed back home with everyone.
“Hey man I’m gonna crash,” Drew told me as we walked through the front door.
“Yeah good luck with that mate, we shouldn’t be too loud,” I insisted.
“Ha no worries, hey guys great meeting everyone but I’m gonna crash,” Drew told everyone.
“Hey bro, me and Trudie are gonna head off as well, Anna do you want us to walk you to the tube?” Mike asked.
“No, I’m okay, Audrey’s gonna give me a lift home,” Anna replied.
Just as Hannah asked us if we want a coffee.
“Yeah sounds good Hannah,” I agreed as I walked Mike and Trudie out. Followed behind me by Lewis and Devin’s mate.
“Hey man thanks for dinner, I’ll catch up with you soon when do you guys head back to NZ,” Lewis asked.
“Oh man, Friday bro,” I replied. “Probably for a couple weeks at this stage, always welcome to pop back in whenever man,” I added.
Heading back into the lounge, greeted by Iva trying to tackle my leg again, I picked her up and give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Surprised you’re still running around” I whispered to her looking over at Rupert who’s out like a light. Sitting around drinking a coffee it’s not long till it’s just me and Hannah tackling the dishes.
I walk everyone out and see them all off. Give Anna a massive pash that disgusts Audrey and Meredith and makes me laugh.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” I said, as we part and she jumped into the car.
Then head back into the house dodging tea towels being thrown at me by Hannah, as I wanted to wash the dishes and she knew it.
18
The Crazy Monday-Tuesday
Waking up the next morning to the smell of pikelet’s and coffee coming from the kitchen, was awesome. Rolling over and slapping Hannah in the back of the head probably wasn’t.
“Oh crap sorry Hannah,” I sighed. “When did you get there?” I asked whispering.
“Hey Phil, coffees up bro,” Drew said.
“Oh hey bro,” I mentioned.
Rolling over to make sure Hannah’s okay. Wow she slept through it, I thought to myself getting up and headed straight into the kitchen.
“Yeah man the least I could do aye,” Drew insisted. “So what’s the plan for today?” Drew asked.
“Well, I’m gonna eat these pikelet’s and finish this coffee, should probably wake up Hannah at some stage then don’t know aye,” I said. “Do you want to do anything while you’re here?” I asked.
“Not really aye don’t really want to go sight-seeing,” Drew mentioned just as Hannah gets up and walked into the kitchen. “Hey did you slap me in the back of the head?” Hannah asked.
“Yip, didn’t know you were there and was stretching out,” I replied. “Really sorry Hannah,” I added.
“Whatever,” Hannah sighed grabbing a coffee and heading to her room.
“I’m gonna get ready for work,” Hannah added. “Looking forward to running into Kalliope, not,” Hannah laughed. Just as I heard her bedroom door close.
“What’s happening there bro?” Drew asked.
“Long story bro, well we’ll be heading into the city tomorrow, I’ve got a little bit of work to prep up then I’ll be free if you want to go see Cam,” I replied.
“Man, possibly but let’s go grab a few beers first,” Drew insisted.
“Yeah sounds good man,” I replied grabbing a plate of pikelets and my cup of coffee and heading to the dining table.
“Anyway bro, spoke to the olds this morning, everything’s all set for when we get back,” Drew commented. “They wanted to know if you’ll want to say anything and would you be a pallbearer?” Drew added.
“Yeah to both man,” I yawned stuffing my face with pikelets covered in jam and cream. Before Hannah comes back in to join us for breakfast.
“So what are you two got planned for today?” Hannah asked.
“Not much Hannah got a tiny bit of work to outline this morning, then probably go somewhere for a beer. Got to meet Audrey in the city tomorrow,” I declared.
“So just gonna chill and probably go see Cam this arvo, do you want to meet up later for dinner?” I asked.
“Yeah let me know later, I’ve got to head to work pretty soon,” Hannah replied finishing her coffee and stack of pikelets and placing the dishes in the dish washer. “Hey I’ll see you guys later on,” Hannah declared.
“See ya Hannah I’ll text you later,” I replied.
Heading to her room for her bag then heading out the door.
Finishing off breakfast it takes me about an hour to quickly outline a few chapters and get it set up. Then I went and had a quick shower before heading out to the lounge.
“Hey man you ready?” I asked Drew.
“Yeah man, let’s go,” Drew insisted.
“Cool man, let’s go see Devin and see how he’s doing cause Hannah will ask, then go get some lunch and head to see Cam, have to look at bed and breakfasts for Gloucestershire for tomorrow night as well,” I said. “Hey man, are you coming to Susan’s funeral?” I asked.
“Yeah suppose I’d better aye,” Drew replied.
“Ah cool man,” I commented.
“All right let’s go bro,” I added.
Heading out the door we get pretty lucky with the time and the train is just arriving as we get to the top of the platform. So luckily it doesn’t take us long to get to the hospital. Unfortunately, we get off at the Edgware Road tube stop and walk past the flowers left as an unofficial memorial. Where we both thought we probably should have bought some flowers to lay also.
Running into Julie as soon as we walked in, had me thinking it was our lucky day. “Back again I see,” Julie commented.
“Morning Julie, how’s stumpy doing?” I asked immediately regretting it by the looks on some of the nurses faces.
“Ha, come with me you two I’ll take you to your friend.” Julie laughed.
“Thanks Julie, how’s he doing?” I asked.
“Good we should be taking him out of the induced coma this weekend if your around, your other friend was saying you’re heading back to NZ soon?” Julie asked.
“Yeah heading back on Friday but Hannah should be around,” I replied.
“I’m sorry to hear about your other friends, this whole thing is just so pointless,” Julie remarked as we finally reach Devin’s room and see Lewis already inside sitting on the chair next to his brother’s bed.
“Hey thanks Julie,” I said.
“Yeah no problem gentlemen I’ll swing by later to say goodbye, I finish my shift in a few hours,” Julie commented.
“Ah we probably won’t be here that long, but thanks again if we don’t see you before we go,” I said.
Julie just smiled as she walked away as we walked into the room and talked to Lewis.
“Oh shite, hey man you down to get a cheap as shirt! We got a party to go to tonight,” I laughed.
“Yeah man, this tee shirt not gonna cut it,” Drew joked, laughing back.
“Nah there’s a place around the corner, two quid shirts, we cool?” I asked.
“Ha, nice try man,” Drew sighed.
“All right man lets go in,” I insisted.
Walking into the room, it still felt weird to see Devin lying there after all the stupid and fun stuff we had gotten up to in the past year, it never seemed right.
“Hey Lewis the doctor just told us the good news,” I commented.
“Yeah man, makes for an interesting weekend,” Lewis replied.
“How you been man?” I asked.
“Yeah good bro, thanks for last night,” Lewis declared.
“Yeah no worries man anytime,” I replied. Must have been there a good two or three hours before we had to go and get a shirt for Cam’s work memorial.
“Hey bro we got to head off, ring if you need anything okay,” I insisted to Lewis.
“Yeah man will do, thank you both for coming in,” Lewis replied.
Just as we left I said bye to Julie, who said bye back, and we wandered off to Bond Street to find the store that sells cheap shirts. Leaving with our two pound shirts each we head to Hannah’s work to pick her up, texting Anna on the way.
Hi, heading to meet up with Hannah, could you text me the name of the bar, I’ll meet you there.
Phil
“Oh man, just thought of something, just go with it man and try not to say anything,” I told Drew.
“Ha yeah man, no worries what’s up?” Drew asked.
“I forgot to ring Kalliope so I might run into her today,” I mentioned.
“Ha, that’s not gonna end well,” Drew joked, laughing.
“Yip. Anyway, Hannah’s work is just around here somewhere I’ll give her a text,” I replied just as my phone vibrates with Anna’s message
Hey Phil, meeting at Freud. How’s it all going? Guys and girls at work are happy to attend this. And pay their respects not much else to say, see you tonight
Love Anna.
Oh, I’m looking forward to seeing you
Anna
Ha, she said it first. I’ll let her sweat it out for a bit.
Just as we arrived at Hannah’s work or at least the street she worked on.
“So man which one of these buildings is it?” Drew asked.
“Ha no idea man, I’ll flick her another text,” I replied.
Hi Hannah we are on your street are you very busy.
Ha, hi loser, I’ll be down soon. Meet me at the all-bar-one on the corner. Hannah
Little did I know that Kalliope and Bruce were going to follow her. But deep down I was always expecting to see Kalliope. Wasn’t expecting Drew to laugh at me though, while we were sitting there enjoying a beer. As Hannah walked in and ordered us another round then went to the toilet. She walked in flanked by Bruce and Kalliope.
“Hey Drew that’s Kalliope, hang here for a moment,” I insisted.
“Good luck dick head,” Drew replied.
“Hi Bruce,” I commented as I got up and walked over to Kalliope.
“Hi Phil,” Bruce replied.
“Hey man can you give us a second, I’m just gonna go outside with Kalliope man,” I commented. Kalliope looked at Bruce, who made it seem okay. Walking outside I turned around to Kalliope just as she slapped me in the face. I cop it right on the cheek, the sting nearly makes my left eye water. Before she blasts me with a scathing rant, she told me she thought I was someone special. She understood that I hadn’t said anything to those who pressed redial on me and she hated the way she was frozen out of this time. She knew Devin but was happy to hear that he was going okay. She needed to know that I was okay, she felt lost for a few days and didn’t know what to do. As for Susan and Cam she was shocked, but didn’t know what to do. She just stared at me for a while and waited for me to say something. As a tear fell down her face.
“I was gutted that night and needed to know how I felt about you, unfortunately the last few days have been the busiest and worst of my life,” I insisted.
“I’m happy you found someone and wish for you everything,” I added.
Kalliope just stared at me waiting for me to say something else. “I’m not really of sound mind at the moment, my life is pretty much a blur and I’m heading back home on Saturday maybe we could grab a coffee on Friday,” I said.
“Yeah that’ll be good, we should definitely talk at some stage,” Kalliope agreed.
Finally wiping her face and smiling for the first time, she leaned in and hugged me. “I’m glad you’re okay,” Kalliope whispered. “I’ll talk to you soon,” Kalliope added.
Finally, we both stepped back into the bar met by Bruce. “All good here?”
“Yeah man, good to see you again,” I replied.
As Bruce and Kalliope said their good byes and left.
“Dude why’s your cheek so red?” Drew asked.
“Oh Kalliope slapped me bro, nearly teared up too,” I sighed.
Hannah spat out a bit of wine trying not to laugh. “Ha, serves you right.”
“Well, it gets worse Hannah, I told her I’d give her a call on Friday to catch up for a drink on Saturday,” I commented.
