Riding Solo

by Woods, Karen

  Grace saw red and snarled. “You’re so right. Right, here goes. Let’s see what’s on offer.”

  The screen now displayed profile shots of men, Winnie was drooling. Pointing her finger at the screen she looked hot. “Oh, he’s nice. Click on his profile and let’s see where he’s from. He’s a dish, him.” Grace clicked the profile and all the details came up about the mature gentlemen she was looking at. “He’s from Middleton, that’s only up the road from me. Let me see how old he is, hold on let me scroll down.” Winnie seemed in a trance and she was constantly licking her lips. “He’s my age Winnie, what do I do now?”

  Grace’s friend dragged the laptop over to where she was sat and started typing. “There you go, I’ve sent him a message, let’s see if he replies. Let’s have a look at some more men, you don’t want to put all your eggs into one basket do you? We’ll send loads of messages out then you can take your pick.”

  The two women sat for over an hour sending out messages. After they’d sent around ten messages to different men they lit a cigarette up. Grace rubbed at her arms and she was anxious. “I don’t know if I can do it Winnie. Honest, I don’t feel confident enough just go out and meet someone new.”

  Winnie could see her friend’s distress and reached over and grabbed her hand with a firm grip. “I will come with you. I will sit in the pub and if you don’t like him just say you’re going to the toilet then we can leave.”

  Grace smiled, “Would you do that for me Winnie? You’re such a great friend you know. I know I haven’t ever told you this, but, without you by my side over these last few months I would have probably been six foot under.”

  Winnie was embarrassed and pulled at her pink cardigan. “Don’t be silly Grace. That’s what friends are for. I’ll always have your back don’t worry about that.” All of a sudden a blue box flashed on the screen. One message was displayed inside it. Winnie was howling laughing and dragging at the computer. “Bleeding hell, that was quick. Press the button then and let’s see who’s replied to you.”

  Grace was nervous, she was hesitating. “Just hold your horses will you, I will in a minute.”

  Winnie was hovering over the computer again. Her finger pressed the button as Grace covered her eyes with her hands. “What does it say,” she asked in an exciting voice. Winnie was reading, her eyes were screwed up tightly; she wasn’t wearing her glasses. After a few seconds she burst out laughing. “He’s interested in you. He said he lives not far away, and wait for it,” she patted Grace’s shoulders. “He wants to know if you want to meet up for a meal or a coffee.”

  Grace dropped her hands from her face. “Fuck off lying Winnie. Seriously, what does it say?”

  Winnie read over the message again, and pulled Grace over to the screen. “Look for yourself if you don’t believe me. Honest, I’m telling you the truth.”

  Grace read over the message and her cheeks were blushing. “Well fuck a duck. If I would have known how easy it was to get a man from this site, I would have been on it months ago. Right, I need to reply don’t I?”

  Winnie grabbed her hand and stopped her from typing. “Wait up a minute. You don’t want to seem desperate. Just say thanks for replying, but you’re not ready to meet him yet, just play hard to get for a while. Surely you must remember the dating game rules?”

  Grace pushed the laptop away from her. “See, what I mean Winnie. It’s all new to me. I’m just going to seem so desperate aren’t I? Will you reply to him for me?” Winnie didn’t need asking twice. She was more than ready for some excitement in her life and started typing away. She was giggling to herself as she sent the reply. Grace was sat watching her chewing her fingernails. “What are you writing back? Don’t make me seem like a crank. Try and make me sound pure, you know what I mean, not a goer and all that.”

  Winnie clicked away and sighed as she pressed the send button. “Right, I’ve just told him a bit about you.”

  Grace looked horrified. “Like what? Oh my God, don’t tell him about me splitting up with Martin.”

  “Relax, sweetheart. I’ve just told him you are looking for friendship at the moment nothing else.” The two women sat twiddling their thumbs waiting on a reply. They didn’t have to wait long, a blue box popped up on the screen almost immediately. The man who was calling himself Danny was eager to respond. Winnie looked at the clock on the wall. Her face dropped. “Fuck me, is that the time?” Grace confirmed the time was right. “Stan needs his tablets. I bet he’s wondering where I am. I only told him I was nipping to the shop for a loaf, that was over two hours ago.” They both sat giggling. Winnie stood up and you could see she didn’t want to leave. “Right, let me sort my Stan out and then I’ll nip back later if I have the time. Mind you, by the looks of things you’ll be on a date with this guy tomorrow night and you won’t need my help any longer.”

  Grace looked sheepish. “Don’t be silly Winnie. I’m going to take things easy. There’s no rush is there?”

  Winnie edged towards the kitchen door slowly. “Right, I’ll be back soon. If he reply’s to you again, just write back. It’s not bloody rocket science. Just press the button there and the message will send.” Winnie left and you could hear the front door slamming behind her. Grace was alone and her eyes never left the computer screen. A message flashed in front of her eyes again. Slowly she read it; she was bright red and she looked flustered. Over the next few hours Danny and Grace exchanged lots of messages to each other. Grace was smiling and she was excited about meeting this guy for the first time.

  Later that night Winnie came back to Grace’s house. She held a bottle of red wine underneath her arm as she hurried into the front room. “Well, get two glasses out then you can fill me in on Dan the man,” she chuckled. Grace went into the kitchen and came back with two drinking tumblers. Winnie popped the cork from the wine and they both watched eagerly as the glasses filled to the top.

  Grace plonked down into the armchair. “We’ve been speaking since you left. He seems a really nice guy. He’s asking can we meet for a coffee tomorrow in town.”

  Winnie loved the gossip and swigged a large mouthful of her red wine. “Right, you’re going, it will do you a world of good. You can go and get your hair done tomorrow at the hairdressers, and we can go into town to get you an outfit to wear. Something casual I’m thinking, not over the top if you know what I mean? We don’t want you looking like a tart do we?”

  Grace’s jaw dropped. “Hold on, what happened to playing hard to get and all that?”

  Winnie smirked and winked at her friend. “Oh, that’s gone out of the window now. I’m more for seize the day and all that. I’ll tell you what though; I would be shitting my knickers’ if I was you.”

  Grace looked serious and pointed her finger into Winnie’s direction. “Oh, don’t be saying that now. You was all for it before. As a matter of fact, for your information I am petrified, you need to help me get through this.”

  Winnie shrugged, “You know I will help you. I’m just saying it’s going to be strange for you, that’s all.”

  Grace ran her slender finger slowly over the top of the glass. “I’ve got to do it, if not for me then for my own state of mind. I can’t just stay wallowing in self pity for the rest of my life. It’s time to get back on the horse so to speak isn’t it?”

  Winnie nearly choked on her drink. “It sure is love; get on that horse and ride it like the wind.” The two women sat talking for the rest of the night. The phone was ringing but Grace ignored it. She knew who it was without even answering it. Martin was still ringing every night and writing her countless letters begging her for forgiveness. At one point she nearly gave into him, but something inside her made her change her mind very quickly. Martin had hurt her badly and she was never going to give him the chance to do it again, never.

  *

  Grace looked at her wristwatch frantically; it was time for her hairdressing appointment. Today was the day she was going to meet Danny for the first time. She’d spent most of the morn
ing sat on the toilet and her nerves were shattered every time she thought about the date that lay ahead. A taxi honked its horn impatiently outside her house. She grabbed her handbag from the kitchen table. Checking her make-up one last time in the hallway mirror she left in a rush. Winnie was stood waiting for her at the end of the garden path. “Come on, slow coach. Get a bleeding move on will you? You’re booked in for eleven o’clock you know? Her eyes rolled about. “Do you want to end up with that nutty junior stylist or what? Because, you will you know if you’re late.”

  Grace hurried down the path; her heels clipped along the concrete flags. “Stop stressing woman, I’m here now aren’t I?” Both of them got into the back of the taxi and Grace was nervous, she was biting on her fingernails. A quick pat on the arm from Winnie seemed to give her the reassurance she needed, she was smiling again.

  Grace looked at the colour chart in the hairdresser’s hand. Winnie was by her side resting her head on her shoulder. The stylist was called Andrew and his reputation was good, he was as gay as they come and he loved parading around the salon. This was the first time Grace had dealt with him though. Usually she would have just used a box colour from the local supermarket, but today was different, she was going all out, she wanted to look her best. “Let’s go for a whole new look Grace, something that will give you confidence instead of hiding behind this ball of fluff.” He lifted her locks up in his hand and screwed his face up; he wasn’t impressed and didn’t try to hide the fact. “Look, as far as I can see, this hair here is dead. Let’s go for a whole new haircut with a different colour, something modern and funky?”

  Grace looked horrified, she’d had the same hair colour for years and she’d never once thought about changing it, she didn’t like change, it scared her. Andrew was on a mission and he very rarely failed in his task of making people look their best. With the shade guide hung to the side of her head, he smiled back at her through the mirror hung in front of them. “A nice warm red tone would do wonders for your complexion. The red tones will make your eyes stand out. In fact,” he stood studying her for a few more seconds, “it will take years off you.”

  Winnie was nodding her head, she thought so too. “Aww, go on Grace. Go for a whole new look.”

  Grace was thinking and before she knew it she’d agreed to make a big change to her hairstyle. Andrew clicked his fingers over his head at the young girl sat near him. “Can you mix me up a warm red colour with a squirt of blonde in it please?” The girl stood up slowly and was walking at a snail’s pace. Andrew ran over to her and you could hear him giving her a lecture about her job description and the way she should act around customers. The youth stomped off into the side room and she didn’t look happy. Coming back to the ladies side he giggled. “I swear, the teenagers these days have no get up and go. In fact, I’ve seen more go in a sick note.”

  Winnie chuckled and looked at Andrew with a serious face. “Can you do anything with this mop or what? I could do with about twenty years knocked off my face too if you can.”

  Andrew shot his eyes over her hair and the corners of his mouth started to rise. “I can have a go, but I’m not a bleeding miracle worker, I’m only a hairdresser.”

  Winnie’s jaw dropped, “Oh, you cheeky swine. I’m not that bad.”

  Grace and Winnie sat next to each other as the colour was applied to their hair. Every now and then Grace blew her breath and shook her head; she was definitely out of her comfort zone. Looking at the red colour all over her scalp, she whispered to Winnie. “I’m not sure this is going to suit me. Why did I ever listen to you? You always make me do things I don’t want to do. I should have stuck with my own gut feeling.”

  Andrew overheard them and stormed to her side like a raging bull. “I have never had an unhappy customer yet. Just be patient and wait until you see the end results, then you can thank me for bringing you out of the time warp you’ve been stuck in for so long.” Grace was bright red, she didn’t know he was listening he’d shanghai surprised her. Once the colour was washed off Andrew began styling and cutting her hair. He was snipping away and he was in his element. The scissors clicked together at speed. Mounds of Grace’s hair landed on the floor and she was frantic as her eyes shot to it. Andrew was bending down and cutting at angles, he was serious and concentrating. Once he’d completed his masterpiece he stood back with his hands on his hips and examined every inch of his masterpiece. Grace had her eyes closed; there was no way she was looking at it yet until it was finished. Warm blowing air tickled the side of her cheeks as the hairdryer was switched on. Andrew had a large styling brush gripped tightly in his hand and he was winding her locks around it.

  Winnie was having her hair cut by another stylist and she kept smiling at Andrew as she looked at her friend’s new hairstyle, she was a bit jealous if the truth be known, Grace looked stunning. “Grace, you’re going to love your new look, honest, it’s took years off you,” she said. There was no reply.

  Andrew placed the hairdryer on the hook at the side of his legs and picked up the hairspray. Once he’d sprayed it all over his new creation he stood back and looked as proud as punch. Grace started to open her eyes slowly. She was concentrating on the image she could see facing her in the mirror. Taking a few seconds to register, she stood up and edged closer to the mirror. “Well, fuck a duck. Andrew you’ve done me proud, you have. I don’t even recognise myself anymore,” she edged closer to the mirror, smirking. “You were right about taking years from my face too. Look Winnie, I look ten years younger. You’ll have to find a new friend now I’m looking younger than you. I mean, I don’t want you pissing on my parade when all these young stud muffins fancy their chances with me, do I?”

  Winnie was just having the final touches to her hair too; she looked good, but she wasn’t a patch on Grace. “Well, you cheeky cow. I’d give any young man a good run for their money, I would. You do look stunning though Grace.”

  Andrew was watching his client as she kept going back to the mirror checking herself over again. He could tell by her body language that she loved her new image and he nodded his head slowly. “I told you I know what I’m talking about when it comes to hair and colours. You need to come back to me about every six weeks to have your roots done. Do you want to book in now?” Grace was still speechless she nodded her head slowly and reached over to get her handbag. Walking to the reception area, she paid the hairdresser for his services; she even gave him a five pound tip. Grace must have been more than happy she was caught up in the moment. Usually she was as tight as a fish’s arse and wouldn’t part with a fart. She watched every penny she spent.

  Winnie and Grace walked out of the hairdressers and headed into town. They both looked happy and full of life. As they strolled down the street a car beeped its horn and some guy held his head out of the window shouting at them both. “Looking hot ladies, any chance I can take you out?” Grace covered her mouth with her hands, she was in shock and she was blushing. Winnie hitched her skirt up above her knees and flashed the top of her legs to the man. They were pale and covered in long black hairs. Winnie said her unshaven legs were part of her au naturelle look, but if the truth was known, she never got a moment to pamper herself. Stan always needed her constant attention. Her armpits were the same too. Grace said she looked like a Russian shot-putter and they’d had a few giggles about them in the past. The car drove off still honking its horn. Winnie was buzzing and in two minds whether or not to chase the admirer down the street, she wanted excitement in her life and craved the touch of a man. Stan and Winnie hadn’t had sex in years, his injuries had seen to that. Apart from the odd grope every now and then she said she felt like a virgin. Winnie was gagging for it. A bitch on heat she described herself as. A hormonal ticking bomb. A cougar. Her face was sour. “I miss all that Grace. I mean, if I had my time over again I would have played the field more.” She licked her lips slowly and she seemed in a deep trance. “I love my Stan don’t get me wrong, but to have another run at life. I would have done things s
o differently.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Winnie stood tall and pushed her breasts out in front of her. “I would have slept about more, and enjoyed my youth. If you think about it, I’ve been with Stan since I was young, and, well,” she paused and held her head to the side, “I’ve not really lived have I?” She was on one now and folded her arms in front of her with a stern expression. “Look at that bleeding Mary Naylor down the street from us. The stories she could tell you about her youth, would make your toes curl I can tell you. She sat telling me all about it one night, about all her love affairs and I was so jealous. Week after week she had a different man in her bed, some of which she never even knew their bleeding names.”

  Grace hunched her shoulders and frowned. She had morals and she could have never been like that, never in a million years. She loved that Martin had been her only love, it made her feel pure. “That’s just being a slapper Winnie. I bet Mary’s name was shit on the estate though wasn’t it? I can imagine what the men were saying about her down the boozer. No, she’s a tart in my eyes if you ask me.”

  Winnie rolled her eyes and whispered in a low voice. “To tell you the truth Grace, she wasn’t even arsed about the names people were calling her. Mary was having the time of her life and I for one don’t blame her.”

  Grace stood tall and pulled her jacket tighter around her body. Mary was filth in her eyes and she hated that Winnie was impressed by her. “Come on let’s get shopping. You can go in the Anne Summer’s shop and get a gadget for your sexual frustration if you want?” Grace chuckled.

  Winnie covered her discoloured teeth with her hand and replied. “My vibrator would have to be delivered on a wagon love, so no point in looking is there?” The women burst out laughing and walked to the shops together. The city centre was heaving with shoppers. Linking each other they entered the Arndale centre. It had been years since Grace had been to town, most of her clothes were old and dated and she always made do with her wardrobe collection. Walking into the shops Grace was anxious; she could see the price tags dangling on some of the outfits and nearly dropped down dead. Winnie dragged her to a bright pink dress not far from where they were stood. “Oh, look at this little number; you would look stunning in this. Grab one in your size and go and try it on.” Grace was trying to read the price tag but Winnie pulled the dress from her hands. “You go to the changing rooms and I’ll bring you some more dresses to try on. I’ve got a good eye for clothing you know. I’m a bit of a Gok Wan when I get going.” Grace peeled her clothes off slowly in the changing room. Looking at the long mirror stood in front of her she turned her body to the side and sucked her stomach in. Winnie was outside, her loud mouth could be heard throughout the store. “There’s a lovely black dress in there for you Grace, a bit revealing but ay, she who dares and all that.” Grace popped her head from the cubicle and took the pile of clothes from Winnie’s hand. This was going to be a long day for sure.