The Dark Shadow of Thursday

by H P Steven

  “Hey man good call on the water,” Drew added.

  “Yeah mate no worries,” I said. Turning into a long drive way we finally make our way to Susan’s parents place.

  “Holy shite,” Drew remarked.

  “Ha, first rounds on you tonight for swearing bro,” I insisted.

  “Great call Phil,” Hannah laughed.

  As we parked up and walked inside. Each of us grabbing something to eat and drink, a few of Susan’s friends and family told me how much they enjoyed the speech I gave. Even the short blonde told me how well I did with Ava Maria.

  I spend most of my time talking to Anna. Telling her how much I’m gonna miss her and reminding her how much it meant to me that she could be here. She smiled at me and thanked me back.

  “Hey you two had something to eat yet?” Hannah asked.

  “I was just going to get something,” Anna replied leaving me with Hannah then closely followed by Drew.

  “Far out great service and everything went pretty well today,” Drew commented.

  “The drunken uncle was a bit cliché though,” Hannah insisted.

  “Yeah, nah I would rather be anywhere else but it all seemed to go smoothly,” I replied looking at Drew’s plate of food. “Oh man that plate is making me hungry I’ll be back soon,” I insisted.

  Walking over to Anna and grabbing a plate for myself and filling it up. Then both of us headed back to Hannah and Drew. The rest of the afternoon was great, we talked to some of her other friends that weren’t at the bar last night and those that were, had the job of introducing us. During this time, Scott was making sure we were okay, no doubt being sent to ask us by his mum. We had a bit of a wait to say our goodbyes a few hours later, we were planning on going back to the B&B then possibly heading to a restaurant and few of the friends were thinking the same thing and invited us to join them. Which we accepted. Finally, we got to see Margaret, who thanked us again, not knowing if we’d see her again we hugged her and thanked her for everything she had done for us. Then shook Ian’s hand before talking to some of the friends we’d be having dinner with that night.

  “Yeah guys we’re heading to the Priory, I’ve just rang and told them to add four seats to the party,” one of Susan’s friends replied.

  “Cool we’ll see you all later,” I insisted.

  As the four of us headed out to the car. Finally getting back to the B&B to enjoy a coffee and get out of the clothes we’d been wearing all day, such a relief to take the tie off. And relax for a bit. As Drew and Anna headed up stairs to change, Hannah sat next to me. “Wow, I can’t believe you won’t be here for a few weeks from Friday,” Hannah commented.

  “Well, if you need anything just ring me okay,” I insisted. “But I’ll call on Sunday to see how everything went with Devin,” I added.

  “Yeah about that, I’m not sure I’m going to go and see him for a while,” Hannah announced. Struggling with what Hannah just said.

  “What really, whys that?” I asked.

  “I’d prefer it if you were here to go with, because of the break up and everything,” Hannah whispered.

  “Hannah you’ve been going in to see him most days, I can’t believe you wouldn’t go into see him wake up,” I said. “But I understand,” I added.

  “Listen I’m going to get changed but thanks for understanding,” Hannah declared getting up to get changed she turned and kissed me on my forehead,

  “Thanks Phil,” Hannah whispered.

  Turning and heading off to get changed, I finished my coffee and walked up to see if Anna’s ready or if I’m about to get lucky in the shower. Just as she comes out of the room.

  “Hey that coffee smelt really good, I’m gonna go make me one,” Anna announced.

  Heading down stairs, I walked into our room and got out of my suit and jumped into the shower. It’s not much longer that I’m changed and talking to the old lady down the stairs to book the courtesy car to take us all to the Priory. Closely followed by Drew and Hannah who join Anna in the other room and make themselves a coffee.

  “Hey Phil you want a coffee bro?” Drew asked.

  I gave him the thumbs up and keep talking to old lady about the car. Before re-joining everyone in the other room.

  “Just organising the car to take us to the Priory and pick us up, I was just asking how late was the latest we could get picked up.”

  “Yeah nice call,” Hannah said.

  “So when do we want to head off for dinner?” Drew asked.

  “Ah plenty of time aye,” I said.

  “Yeah sounds good but we should head out soon,” Anna suggested.

  “Yip I totally agree,” Hannah replied.

  “Okay after these coffees let’s get ready and head off,” I laughed.

  It doesn’t take us long to finish up the coffees and get ready, after a while we’re all sat in the car and heading off, Hannah notices it when I start yawning.

  “You’re a shocker,” Hannah mentioned.

  “Yeah I think the day is just catching up to me, I’ll be all good after having something to eat,” I said.

  Finally heading into the restaurant, I think we were all a little surprised to see Scott there. But he welcomed us all along and told us to grab a seat, we all decided to sit around the table, it was helped due to the fact I think they had planned it that way, me and Anna took the two seats next to each other and Hannah and Drew took the two left over seats. The dinner itself was awesome the food was especially good, the few friends we sat next to were sharing some of their stories we hadn’t heard about Susan but were truly funny.

  We sat there eating and drinking and really enjoying ourselves, I overheard someone ask Drew about Cam and he filled him in, as we were heading back to New Zealand on Friday morning, they all sat there in silence as he talked about how great everyone had been.

  For the next few hours we ate and laughed, toasted everyone under the sun and had a great time. In the back of my head, it dawned on me that we should have met at Cam and Susan’s wedding. I think it dawned on a few others as well. It was getting late when I mentioned to Anna yawning and the driver of the courtesy car walked in to see if we were ready to go. After saying our quick goodbyes, I thanked Scott again and everyone for that evening and we were heading up to pay when Scott told us not to worry about it, his parents had already taken care of the bill.

  “Ah man, your parents didn’t have to do that, but thank them again for us,” I said to Scott.

  Just as Scott hands me an envelope from his parents for Cam’s parents.

  Shaking his hand farewell, we all headed out to the courtesy car and slowly back to the B&B.

  “Hey what times check out tomorrow Hannah?” I asked.

  “Ha I thought you knew,” Hannah laughed.

  “It’s generally around 10am,” the driver said.

  “But, you can ask during breakfast tomorrow morning,” the driver added.

  It was good to get back and after saying good night to Drew and Hannah. Anna and I, wandered up to our room.

  “Oh wow I’m so tired,” I sighed.

  “I hope not too tired,” Anna replied, turning and walking over to me. The night was great, waking up the next morning with the condom still on, not so much. I quickly got into the bathroom and took care of that and had a quick shower, joined by Anna a few moments later. “Good morning,” Anna whispered.

  “I had a great night last night,” I remarked.

  “Yeah me too, you fell asleep pretty quickly after though,” Anna replied smiling.

  “Yeah hopefully tonight when you stay over I won’t be too tired,” I whispered, leaning in and kissing Anna again.

  Which leads to more of the same from last night. It was a great way to end a trip where we said goodbye to one of our dearest friends. I’m not sure I’d ever be boosting about it though.

  Getting back out of the second shower of the morning I got changed and started to pack. Followed by Anna, once we were all packed I took both of our bags down s
tairs and put them in the boot of the car, as I had noticed Hannah doing the same thing.

  “Morning Hannah,” I remarked.

  “Hey morning Phil,” Hannah said smiling.

  “So hungry can’t wait for breakfast before heading back to London,” I commented.

  “Yeah Drew’s already in there, just put his bag in about five minutes ago,” Hannah replied.

  “Well, let’s go have breakfast and get out of here,” I laughed.

  “Yeah all right,” Hannah replied.

  Walking back into the dining room and grabbing a plate to one of the best breakfasts ever, was so good to eat something before leaving. Just as the old lady came over and told me we had a phone call. Shrugging I get up to answer the phone. Before walking back to the table and telling everyone it was Margaret thanking us again for coming down.

  “Oh that was nice of her,” Hannah and Anna remarked.

  Before I take care of the bill and we jump into the car. For the long ride, back to London, stopping a few times for coffee and lunch. But it was really good to finally get back home.

  20

  Taking the Long Way Home

  It didn’t take us long to get home before I got a phone call from Audrey, just to remind me what time she was picking us up in the morning. I quickly asked Anna if she wanted to come to the airport before asking Audrey if that would be cool. Then finally hanging up the phone and heading to my room to make sure I had those chapters ready. Before heading back out into the lounge.

  “Hey what’s everyone doing for dinner?” Hannah asked.

  Before I walked in I go to the kitchen and told her I might take Anna down the road and find somewhere to eat before heading home tomorrow.

  “Oh okay sounds like a plan, I’ll make something up for me and Drew,” Hannah remarked.

  “Ah cool thanks Hannah, any ideas where to go?” I asked just as we’re joined by Anna.

  “So what’s the plan for tonight?” Anna asked, as she wrapped an arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder.

  “Um, I thought we could head down to the Main Street and grab a meal alone together tonight,” I mentioned.

  “That sounds great,” Anna replied before checking her suitcase for some clean clothes to wear tonight. I followed her into my room as Drew walked up to me and told me I could have the room back tonight as he’ll be more than happy to sleep on the couch.

  “Oh thanks bro,” I commented.

  “Yeah no worries man, hopefully you’re not as loud as at the B&B,” Drew laughed.

  “Say what?” I muttered.

  “Oh yeah the walls were pretty thin there bro,” Drew laughed.

  “Oh wow, that can’t be good do you think Hannah heard,” I remarked trying not to laugh.

  “I’d say so bro, unlucky,” Drew whispered, laughing his ass off.

  “Ha anyway we are going to go out for dinner, I think Hannah’s probably going to make you two something,” I remarked.

  “Yeah no worries I heard man,” Drew replied.

  “Cool, you all packed for tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, I’ll do that while your away having dinner,” Drew replied.

  “Thanks man, hang here a minute and I’ll quickly go talk to Anna.”

  Walking into my room just as Anna’s walking over to the door.

  “We should invite the others,” Anna suggested.

  “Wow,” I whispered leaning in to kiss Anna.“You’re totally right,” I added.

  As we both headed out to the lounge.

  “Hey Hannah you can stop cooking and Drew both of you go and get ready,” I announced.

  “Ha, already one step ahead of you let’s head to the Dukes Head,” Hannah insisted.

  “Sounds like a plan.” I laughed.

  “Cool then let’s head down,” Hannah remarked as Drew and Anna walked towards the door Hannah punches me in the arm.

  “I like Anna try not to stuff this up,” Hannah whispered.

  “I’ll try Hannah,” I sighed. Wishing I knew how. It was going to be an interesting few weeks away. When I wouldn’t be able to see her like this. I was amazed she was putting up with me now. I started to really like that feeling I got when I saw her. But for now we needed to get something to eat and have one more fun night. Heading down the main road then turning left towards the Dukes head

  “Hey it’s pretty quiet tonight,” Hannah commented.

  “Yeah I was thinking the same thing,” I replied.

  “Is it usually this quiet on a Thursday night?” Anna asked.

  “Not really this quiet,” I replied. Drew just shrugged and headed into the bar.

  I was half expecting to run into a few people we knew when we walked in. Pretty sure, Hannah might have been thinking the same thing as well, but it’s not long till we’re sat down and eating.

  “So looking forward to the long flight?” Hannah asked me.

  “Flight’s Hannah, flight’s and yes and no,” I replied.

  “What do you mean?” Anna asked.

  “Well, my ears hate flying,” I replied. As Hannah remembered what I’m like on planes and started to laugh.

  “Wow, totally forgot about that,” Hannah commented.

  “What am I missing here?” Anna asked.

  Looking directly at Hannah shaking my head, I go into explaining to Anna about the inner ear problem I have when planes start their descent.

  “Oh that sounds awful,” Anna remarked.

  “Only when your friends are making fun of you,” I insisted as Hannah started laughing.

  “Ah something to look forward to tomorrow,” Drew joked.

  “Yeah I still don’t know where we’re sitting, Audrey took care of everything, maybe private,” I laughed.

  “Nah I’m pretty sure she mentioned Emirates so should be a good flight,” Drew commented.

  “Yeah nice try Phil,” Hannah joked.

  “What time are we heading to the airport tomorrow?” Anna asked.

  “Oh, Audrey’s picking us up at six in the morning,” I said. “So early.”

  “Ah cool, I’ll say good bye before we get back home,” Hannah commented.

  “That’s all right I don’t mind waking you in the morning,” I joked smiling.

  “Yeah nice try buddy.” Hannah laughed.

  Finally, our dinner arrived and we all tucked in, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Anna and Hannah tell Drew it was nice to meet him. He thanked them for making him feel so welcome and for all their help over the past few days. It was all rather pleasant the whole evening. Till Kalliope’s flatmates turned up. Hannah pointed them out looking at me. I told her not to worry about it.

  “What’s going on?” Drew asked. Hannah whispered something in his ear.

  “Oh well, do we want desert?” Drew asked the table.

  “Yeah man sounds good,” I replied.

  As the waiter returned with the desert menu. Anna asked me what was going on and I told her.

  “Do you want to go?” Anna asked.

  “Nah they’d be stupid to try anything here after what we’ve been through the past few days,” I replied.

  “Couldn’t agree more,” Drew agreed.

  As our desserts finally arrived and our eyes lit up by the way they looked.

  “Oh man great call to stay for dessert,” I said to Drew.

  “Yeah bro, had to be done for my last night here,” Drew replied. “Hey, I’m just gonna go to the toilet no one eat this,” Drew added.

  “Yeah no worries mate,” I remarked.

  “Quickly he’s gone,” Hannah joked.

  Which made Drew turn around and laugh. Somehow I’ve got a really weird feeling that something might go down here, so I started to eat my dessert a little faster.

  “What are you doing?” Hannah asked.

  “Just a weird feeling,” I replied. Only stopped by brain freeze, which actually hurt a little bit. “If anything goes down, do me a favour and go outside and wait for us on the other side of the road,
” I added.

  “Really do you think Drew will start something?” Anna asked.

  “No but I can’t be too sure, Brett and Ann-Marie won’t say something they shouldn’t,” I replied just as I see Drew coming back from the toilets he overheard something and turns back to Brett.

  “Oh shit,” I sighed getting up and walking over to Drew.

  “What did you say about my brother you piece of shit!” Drew yelled.

  Is all I needed to hear coming from Drew and it was on. I don’t know if the five of those guys knew who we were, but we weren’t in the mood for any of that shit tonight. I saw one of Brett’s mates try and king hit Drew. Who must have scared the shit out of him when he took it and turned to him. The dude tried to run away but I grabbed him and threw him back at two of his mates to catch him, so for a little bit it was two on two.

  Hannah came out of nowhere and hit Ann-Marie. Before Anna grabbed her and took her outside. It was one of the funniest things I’d ever seen, even the bar tender who knew us quite well knew about Cam and wanted a piece. The two guys that caught their friend didn’t want a bar of it. The bouncers took all three of them out. Brett’s other mate got knocked out cold by Drew and Brett copped a hiding. We weren’t in any way proud of what we did. The bartenders kept them inside while we left and crossed the road, turning the corner as we were about to walk up the hill, we copped a verbal from them standing just outside the bar. Drew turned around and they ran off down the road.

  “Ha, I’m really sorry about that guys, ruined dessert for everyone,” Drew announced.

  “Nah I think there’s ice cream in the freezer at home,” Hannah replied.

  We laughed a little, till I asked Drew what they said.

  “That dude was saying how someone that looked like me nearly took him on one night, he said he got shoved outside by you bro, so must have been a weakling,” Drew mentioned. “Then some other stuff,” Drew added.

  “Wow, what an idiot, anyway lets head home for ice cream,” I remarked.

  Walking up the hill, Anna slows down a bit so we’re walking together and leans in.

  “Wow, you were terrible tonight, if that was me I would have knocked those three guys out,” Anna announced.

  Luckily Drew heard and added. “Well, he did throw one of them at the other two which is kind of badass.”