So not Steven (A Short Story)

by So Vain Books

  ‘I didn’t know about the airfix models.’

  ‘It’s on my profile.’

  ‘Oh. Sorry. So, you must be pretty creative, then?’ Why was I bothering?

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Working with your hands. You know, cars and airfix models. A bit like me and my floristry.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘Creativity. Working with hands. Oh, it doesn’t matter.’ I glugged on my wine. Leave. Tell him it’s clearly not working and walk out. Pretend you’re Clare. Be brave. My hand hovered near my bag, ready to grab it and stand up. But I couldn’t do it. He deserved it, but I was too polite to just abandon him, I still had some business cards to hand over, and that large glass of wine hadn’t been cheap – it wasn’t happy hour in The Purple Lobster in more ways than one – so I wanted to drink a bit more before I called time on our evening. Maybe I could drink about two thirds then nip to the ladies, ring Elise or Clare and get them to call me with an alleged emergency.

  Moments later, my phone rang. ‘Elise’ read the screen. How spooky was that? I could have let out a cheer. At last, an escape route!

  ‘Excuse me,’ I said, turning away from him. ‘Hi Elise. I thought you were busy tonight. What’s up?’

  ‘What?’ Elise said. ‘I’ve always been free tonight. Just wondered if you fancied a bit of company. Gary’s gone out with his doctor friends and I’m bored.’

  ‘Really? That’s awful. Are you alright?’ I made sure my voice conveyed shock and concern.

  ‘Of course I am. I knew he was going out. Are you okay? You’re being strange.’

  ‘No, it’s no problem. Of course I’ll pick you up. Where are you? Do you think the car will be a write-off?’

  ‘Sarah, have you completely lost it?’ Then the penny must have dropped. She said in a hushed tone, ‘Are you on a bad date?’

  ‘Yes, yes, I know it.’

  Elise giggled. ‘It’s going horribly wrong. You need an escape and I’ve just provided you with the perfect time out.’

  ‘Yes. Near the roundabout? I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Are you sure you’re okay?’

  ‘I look forward to hearing all about it.’

  ‘Don’t cry, Elise. I’ll be as quick as I can. Bye.’

  I hung up, the sound of Elise’s laughter ringing in my ears.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said to Steve, as I gathered up my coat and bag. ‘That was my best mate, Elise – the one who I was originally going out with tonight. She’s just had a car crash. She’s not hurt, but she’s really shaken and the car’s potentially a write-off. Her husband’s away and she can’t get hold of him. I’ve said I’ll pick her up. You don’t mind, do you?’

  ‘Of course not. Do you need me to come with you? I might be able to fix the car.’

  ‘No, NO! She’s a little nervous around strangers. Best that it’s just me. And the tow truck’s on the way. But thanks. It was nice meeting you.’ I rummaged in my bag and pulled out a bundle of business cards. ‘I don’t suppose you’d still—’

  ‘Of course.’ He took the cards. ‘I’ll definitely recommend you.’

  ‘Thanks and sorry about abandoning you.’

  ‘It’s fine. I hope your friend’s alright.’

  ‘Bye then,’ I said, turning towards the door.

  ‘Can we do this again?’

  I stopped. Did he really just ask for a repeat of such a torturous time? Surely not. Maybe he’d just enjoyed the company of the living for a change. Perhaps that’s what working with the dead all day did to you. Folks are strange.

  ‘Email me.’ I grabbed my glass and glugged down the last of my wine.

  ‘I thought you were driving?’ he said as I put the empty glass down on the table.

  ‘Oops! Just have to hope the police don’t stop me or we’ll both be after a lift home,’ I said mischievously. Then I left with a gleeful smile towards Kris the barman.

  Outside, and safely round a corner out of view, I phoned Elise. ‘Have you stopped laughing at me yet?’

  ‘Sorry. I was so confused for a moment there. Talk about good timing with my call.’

  ‘Tell me about it! It was a nightmare,’ I said. ‘I’m this close to giving up on the searching-for-Steven thing. I don’t know if I can take the stress anymore.’

  ‘I’m sure it’s just a blip,’ she said, ‘but you know you’ve always got someone waiting in the wings if you did give up on Steven.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Nick, of course.’

  ‘I think we’ve had this conversation before. Nick’s just a friend.’

  ‘Of course he is,’ Elise said. ‘You keep on convincing yourself that you feel nothing for him.’

  ‘He’s just a friend.’

  Elise laughed. ‘You are such a liar! Get off the phone, get on a bus and we’ll talk some more when you get here.’

  She hung up, still laughing. I don’t fancy Nick. I don’t.

  Want to read more?

  Read more about Sarah’s search for the ‘right’ Steven in Searching for Steven, published in e-book and paperback on June 3, 2015!

  The story:

  When Sarah Peterson accepts her Auntie Kay’s unexpected offer to take over her florist’s shop, she’s prepared for a change of job, home and lifestyle. What she isn’t prepared for is the discovery of a scarily accurate clairvoyant reading that’s been missing for twelve years. All her predictions have come true, except one: she’s about to meet the man of her dreams. Oh, and his name is Steven.

  Suddenly Stevens are everywhere. Could it be the window cleaner, the rep, the manager of the coffee shop, or any of the men she’s met online?

  On top of that, she finds herself quite attracted to a handsome web designer, but his name isn't even Steven...

  During this unusual search, will Sarah find her destiny?

  Jessica Redland

  Jessica lives in a seaside town in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband, daughter, cat, and an ever-growing number of collectible teddy bears. She’s a Learning & Development Advisor for a frozen food company by day and a Brown Owl and writer by night. She loves chocolate and cake. Unfortunately it doesn’t love her so she’s up at 5.15am three times a week to attend bootcamp to try and work it off!

  Website: www.jessicaredland.com