'I'm afraid we won't be able to accept,' Mike said, rescuing her and totally knocking the wind out of her sails. 'We always have a family party on New Year's Eve. You simply don't get out of one of my family's parties. Short of having bubonic plague, that is.' She stared at him, totally gob-smacked. He'd used the very same unlikely excuse of bubonic plague that she had been bandying around in her mind for the last few days. And what was with the idea of a family party? Obviously, he was simply being kind but he sounded very convincing. She smiled and shrugged.
'You heard the man. Like he says, one doesn't get out of family parties. See you on Monday.' In a cloud of euphoria, she floated out of the room and felt that lovely, warm hand beneath her elbow. 'Mmm,' she murmured. 'I could get used to this treatment.' She hiccupped loudly, quite spoiling the moment she was hoping to create. 'Sorry,' she said as the hiccups continued.
'Hold your breath and count to ten,' he commanded. She tried but kept giggling.
'Did you see ... hic ... Trisha's face... hic ... when you said ... hic..'
'Save it till you've stopped,' Mike ordered. 'Come on. Let's get you home.'
'But I liked it... hic..,'she continued. 'In fact, it was the best evening ever, Mike. I loved it all. You're a very good man to be with. Oh, I didn't hic then. Did you notice?'
'You're crazy,' he said laughing softly. 'I've had the best evening too. I think I should give you a refund. But I can't really because of the agency. I can give you a contribution to the drinks though.'
'Don't be silly. We had a deal. A business arrangement. But I can't afford you too often. Certainly not on New Years' Eve. Do you charge extra for a special occasion?'
'Depends. But I was serious. I'd really like you to come to our family do. It'll be ghastly, of course, but I meant it. Will you come?'
'Do you charge when you give the invite? Or do I get paid. I'll be cheaper than your rates, I promise.'
'Please Jo. Let's forget all that. I'd really like to see you again.' He sounded slightly hurt mingled with irritation.
'Joanne,'she corrected automatically. 'Don't be silly. Nobody ever wants to see me again.'
'I'll call you in the morning. Not too early, I promise.' He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She touched it after he'd gone from the door ... her door. Mike Thomas. Perhaps she would never wash that place again. She was fantasising here. Had she really drunk too much? Of course she hadn't. She was giddy with the joy of spending an evening with an attractive man, just like any normal person. What had she been missing for so long? Well, she told herself: this is the start of a whole new Joanne Swithenbank. She intended to get a life and begin to enjoy herself, before she got too much older.
She was struck by another thought. How many twenty-eight year old virgins could there possibly be? And how many of them would actually admit to it?
Chapter Two
Joanne lay in her bed the next morning. She tried to remember every little detail of the previous evening but didn't get very far. Had she been drunk again? She didn't think so. It was a muddled memory. Had that gorgeous hunk of man really been there? Really been with her? She gazed across the room at the silver dress and knew that it must all have really happened. Mike Thomas. How on earth would she ever face him in class again, as she remembered the previous night in every little detail. They had spent ages talking here and had been at the college event. ... together. He had seemed quite at ease with her crowd and had even impressed Trisha and her bloke. What lay ahead? He probably had more engagements with his company. How could that work? He would be taking other women to events ... they might even meet again at one of them. Not that it was really likely to happen, as she never went anywhere.
Would he really call her? She wanted to see him again undoubtedly but if he called, how should she deal with it?
It was Saturday. She needed to do some shopping and her place really needed a good clean out. She needed to get up and begin to do some of her chores. The phone rang. Could this be him? Mike? She reached over and lifted the phone.
'Hallo?' she said nervously. Her voice squeaked she realised.
'Hi. It's me.'
'Oh, Mike. How are you today?'
'I'm really very well indeed, thanks. And you?'
'I'm fine thank you.'
'Excellent,' he replied. There was quite a long pause. 'I wondered if you'd like to go for a drink this evening?'
'Would I have to pay you?' she said without thinking.
'Of course not. Please, can't we forget about all that nonsense?'
'I suppose so. In that case, yes please. I'd love to see you again.'
'That's great. I'll be round at seven. We could get something to eat too, if you'd like that?'
'I would. Very much. Look, why don't I cook us something?' she offered before she could stop herself.
'Really? I didn't know you could cook.'
'Oh, you know. Something simple.'
'I'll bring the wine then, shall I?' She thought for a moment. If he was so broke that he needed to do these escort duties, should she allow him to spend his money like that?
'No, it's all right. I'll pick some up when I go shopping.'
'If you're sure? Thanks very much. I'll be round at seven then. Bye.'
'Bye.'
Joanne put the phone down and lay back, thinking. What was she doing? Cooking for him? Buying wine for him? Like this was some sort of normal situation? He was very good looking though. And she did really like him. She leapt out of bed, eager to get on with everything.
She drove to the nearest store and parked. She took her trolley round, picking up bits from the shelves and plonking them down. What on earth was she going to cook? What on earth was she capable of cooking? Smoked salmon. That couldn't go wrong. Starter organised. Main course? She looked in the ready meals place and picked up a chicken dish. That would do. In fact, they had a meal deal going on here. She grabbed vegetables and added them to the growing pile of things. The wine in the deal looked okay too. It may all be cheating but what else would he expect? Best of all, she'd have the rest of the day to clean up her place and make sure all was ready for his visit.
By five o'clock, the house was clean and tidy and Joanne felt exhausted. She decided on a long soak in her bath and then she would get dressed and prepare the food, such as was needed. She lay in the warm water, dreaming of the evening ahead. What would they do? Music? She wondered what sort of stuff he liked. She was bit old fashioned in many ways and her choices were very retro. She needed to get a more up to date. She would download some more modern stuff before he arrived.
Suppose he wanted to go to bed? How would she cope with that one? She sat up suddenly. Her sheets. They needed changing. Oh heavens, there was so much to do. She got out of the bath and dried herself quickly. She pulled on her old things again and went into the bedroom. She grabbed fresh sheets from the cupboard and remade the bed. She wondered if she had time to wash the old ones but decided against. She stuffed them into the linen basket and hoped it would close properly. Six fifteen. She needed to get the meal cooking. She looked at the instructions and transferred everything into her own dishes. The waste bin was full. She took it all out to the dustbin and emptied it. Six thirty-five. She needed to change. What should she wear? Casual? Smart? She still hadn't downloaded any music.
She went into her room and decided on being casual. She took out one of her favourite hippy style skirts and tops and put it on. She was about to do something with her hair and the doorbell rang. She ran her comb through it. It would have to do.
'Hi. You're early,' she said without thinking.
'Exactly seven o'clock,' he laughed. 'Do you want me to take a walk round the block?'
'Sorry. I didn't realise the time had gone by so quickly.'
'Are you inviting me in or shall I go for walk?' Mike asked.
'Sorry. Come on in. Well, this is it. My home.'
'Yes, I saw it yesterday. It all looks very much cleaner and tidier,' he remarked.
; 'Well yes. It was Saturday today. Cleaning day.'
'I see. I'm afraid I took you at your word. I didn't bring any wine. I have brought you some flowers though.' He handed her a lovely bouquet of roses.
'Oh, how lovely. Thank you so much.' She felt suddenly shy of him. She felt her hands trembling slightly. 'Sorry, please sit down. Oh, would you like me to take your jacket?'
'Thanks. Please, relax Joanne. It's only me. Here to spend an evening with you.' She took his leather jacket and hung it in her hallway. She sniffed it as she did so and gave a little smile.
'Sorry. Please sit down. You look nice.' She noticed his blue denim shirt and grey pants. The shirt matched his eyes.
'You look different to last night. Well, the same as you usually look at college. Nice though.'
'Thanks. I'll just put these into some water. Oh, would you like a drink?'
'That would be great.'
'Okay. Just a minute.' She dived into the kitchen and found a vase. How did one arrange roses? She plonked them into water and took them through. 'Aren't they gorgeous?' she said, genuinely pleased with them. 'Oh, I'll get some wine.' She was burbling on. He was sitting there, looking ... well, just looking. She was so unused to entertaining a man, she realised. She must shape up, she told herself. She opened the bottle of wine and returned with it and two glasses. 'Here we go,' she said, handing one to him. 'Cheers.'
'Cheers. Thank you.' They both sipped the wine. 'Nice,' he said.
'Yes.'
'How was your day?'
'Fine. Thanks for asking.' Another pause. 'And how was yours?'
'Good, thanks.'
'This is ridiculous ...'
'This is silly...' they both said at the same time. They both laughed.
'Why is this so awkward?' she asked. 'I mean to say, we spent last evening together and chatted more or less non-stop. Why is it so difficult now it's just us on our own?'
'Maybe it's the lack of other company to set us going. Why don't we talk about college? Once you get going on something you're comfortable with, it should be easy.'
Hesitantly, she began to talk about the other lecturers. It was certainly easier speaking about something you knew about. Before long, both of them were laughing and chatting as if they had never had any problems. At last, he said,
'Not being rude, but when are we going to eat? Only I didn't have any lunch and I'm starving.'
'Oh my goodness. I never put the oven on. I'll do it right away. I can bring the starter through very soon but there will be a while before the main course is ready.' She shot out into the kitchen and switched on the oven. How could she have been so stupid? She went to the fridge and took out the smoked salmon. At least he could eat that and quell the first pangs of hunger.
'Here we go. Would you like to come to the table?'
'I'd be delighted to. Lovely. I adore smoked salmon.'
'I must have known about that.' As they ate, he talked about his family. He had a sister. Older than him and married. You are still planning to come with me? To the New Years Eve party, aren't you?'
'I'm not really sure. I guess so. Unless anyone else turns up whom you'd prefer to take.'
'Not really likely. I've never taken anyone before. And my family don't know about my extra curricula activities, by the way.'
'What the escort duties?'
'Exactly that. You promise you won't tell them?'
'So, how often do you go out on such events?'
'At most, twice a week but usually only once. It's quite well paid and I don't often have to see anyone more than once.'
'Except me. Two nights in succession. Must be getting serious,' she joked. He frowned and looked away from her.
'Serious? You are joking.'
'Of course. If you have to go to various functions with other women, it could get in the way of anything.' He flicked a smile at her.
'Look, I don't want you to really get serious about me. I ... well I can't really have anyone ... no, I don't mean that. Oh forget it.'
'I'm not sure what you mean?'
'I said forget it. That was nice,' he said as he finished. 'Thank you. Can I help with anything?'
'Oh no. It's all right thanks. The rest must be properly cooked now.' She went into the kitchen and there was smoke pouring out of the oven. 'Oh no,' she cried out, all thoughts of what he'd said forgotten.
'What's wrong?' he said, coming into the kitchen.
'I don't know. Something's gone crazy. I surely didn't put the oven on too high.'
He rushed to the oven and switched it off at the wall. He looked at the switches.
'You put the grill on, not the oven itself. It's somewhat scorched whatever that was. Sorry.'
'Oh I am so useless in the kitchen. I usually live on pizzas. You can't go far wrong with pizza.'
'I agree. So what was that exactly?'
'Oh I don't know. Chicken something or other. I might as well confess. It was a ready meal. The vegetables are all useless too. Oh Mike, I'm so sorry. It was a mess from start to finish.'
'The starter was good.'
'What could go wrong with smoked salmon? I ask you. What do you want to do now?'
'We could always phone for a pizza.'
'We could. Shall I?'
'Go on then.' She phoned the company she had used before and before long, the doorbell rang. They both tucked in, though Joanne gave up before she had eaten all of hers.
'Don't you want that?' Mike asked.
'No more. I'm stuffed.'
'Can I eat it then?'
'Course. I did make a pudding. No, honestly, I bought a pudding. No more pretending.'
'Good. That's what I want to hear. So, what is it?'
'Just a sort of mousse. Nothing too filling. While you finish off, I might just go and rescue the oven. Chuck out the burned mess and see what the damage is.'
She went into the kitchen, no longer smoke filled. She threw away her special meal offer and gave a sigh. She ought to open another bottle of wine but wasn't sure how Mike had come there. It wasn't too bad and wouldn't take much clearing.
'Would you like some more wine?' she asked.
'Wouldn't say no.'
'Okay. I'll get some. I wasn't sure how you'd arrived here. Have you driven?'
'I came on my bike,' he confessed.
'On your bike?'
'Indeed. I don't have car. Just a bike.'
'Doesn't that get difficult? With your work, I mean?'
'Not really. I usually get a taxi. It's quite easy really. Taxis are quite good around the town.'
She opened another bottle of wine and poured them a glass each.
'So, where do you actually live?' she asked.
'Flat. Across the park and in a side street. Not far at all. I can always walk back if necessary so no worries about drinking too much.'
'That's a relief. I wasn't even sure if I should offer you more wine. I'll get the pudding now, shall I?'
'Come and sit by me,' he asked her. 'You're bouncing round like a stray tennis ball.'
'That's not very flattering,' she said, laughing as she went to sit by him.
He took her wine and set it on the small table beside him. He slipped his arm round her and drew her close to him. His kiss sent her senses reeling. She felt light headed and sensuous and felt as if nothing really belonged to her any more. It must be the wine, she thought and stayed exactly where she was to enjoy more of this man.
'Wow,' he said at last.
'I agree. What was in that last glass of wine? It had a weird effect on me.'
'I suspect it was nothing to do with the wine,' he said with a smile.
'Something's coming together for me anyway. Kiss me again, please.' He obliged. It was almost an hour later when she asked if he was ready for pudding.
'I guess that would be some sort of idea. Then I think I should leave. Unless ...?'
'Maybe you should go. It's all a bit quick for me to come to terms with. I like you a lot. But I need a bit of time.'<
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'Okay by me. I feel the same about you. I like you a lot but I'm not ready for more. If ever,' he added. She stared at him. What was he saying?
'What did you mean by that?'
'Nothing. Ignore me. I was just thinking of something that happened to me. It's all a long time ago now. What did you say about pudding?'
Feeling sobered, Jo went to get their pudding. It was close to midnight and getting rather cold outside.
'Will you be okay?' Joanne asked slightly nervous there could be snow drowning him before he reached his home.
'I'll be fine,' he assured her. 'I'll see you again soon?'
'Tuesday afternoon, if my memory serves me right.'
'Tuesday afternoon. You're quite right. How on earth do you remember such events?'
'I have that sort of mind.'
'I'll work on mine. Thanks for a lovely evening. Burnt special meal and all.' He leaned over and kissed her once more. 'Just one little thing to remember me by.'
'Go home. And please, take care. I don't want you slipping over.'
'No worries. Bye.'
'Bye.' She watched as he went away. She very nearly called after him to come back but common sense told her not to. She went back inside, shivering at the change in the weather. Still, it was early December. What else should she expect?
As she cleared her kitchen and got ready for bed, she thought again about the extraordinary couple of days. She hoped nothing would go wrong ... knowing Trisha, she knew she'd be in for some very direct questioning. She hoped she could carry it off. She didn't want her friend to know how or when they'd met.
On Sunday she went to see her parents. She told them she had met someone and they'd spent some time together. Her mother was thrilled and began to make plans.
'You ought to bring him over at Christmas. The whole family will be here and it would make everything just wonderful.'
'Hey Mum, not so fast. We've only been out a couple of times.' She refrained from mentioning that she had paid handsomely for the first occasion and the second was only the previous evening.
Getting a Life Page 2
