14. Mr Cocky
FOURTEEN
Mr Cocky
Wednesday, 1 May, 7.30am
Just tried to reply to Red Shirt Man, but he’s deleted me! Did he expect an immediate reply? I don’t get upset by idiots anymore, but the cumulative effect of the rejections is starting to mess with my head.
Thursday, 2 May, 11.30pm
A short Kindling date at Holy Grind today. I sat at Mr Cocky’s table, and he asked what I wanted to drink. When he came back from the counter, he put my latte on the table and handed me a banana.
‘I didn’t ask for a banana,’ I said.
‘I thought you could show me how much of it you can get into your mouth in one go,’ he said and winked.
WTF? Was this guy for real?
‘Really?’ I huffed and rolled my eyes.
‘We may as well find out now what you can do for a man of my size.’ He winked again.
Is it just me attracting the peculiar ones? How could he think it was OK to have that as his opening gambit? Who would play along with that?
‘You’re disgusting.’ I pushed back my chair, picked up my bag and headed out. I was halfway down the road before I noticed the banana in my other hand.
Friday, 3 May, 11.30pm
Valentina and Kenneth loved my designs for Project Toilet. We’re going to have dark green palm print wallpaper, including on the ceiling, pebble tiles, green loo (back in fashion), a basin carved out of rough stone, and a driftwood mirror. The pièce de résistance will be the cistern in the form of a fish tank, with real tropical fish. Each time you flush, it looks like the fish are about to disappear down the pan, but as the water drains away, they stay in their protected compartment, oblivious to the illusion. Minimalism is dead. Long live maximalism.
Saturday, 4 May, 3.30pm
No Brunch Bunch again today. Ace is away for three months. Leila was going to lunch with Jude, and Grace is still at home. I’ve tried to get her to come out with me, but Ajay says she’s concentrating on getting well and hasn’t been seeing anyone much. I miss her.
11.30pm
Went to a colleague’s birthday party tonight. I was on my own and didn’t know anyone. A couple came in, stood next to me and she went to get drinks.
I made conversation. ‘Hi, I’m Sophia. How do you know the birthday girl?’
He looked fearful. ‘My girlfriend’s gone to the bar,’ he said.
Sunday, 5 May, 11.30pm
It’s only 5th May, but this month has been rubbish so far. One rejection, one unwanted sexual advance, and one snubbing. Project Toilet is the one thing keeping me going.
Tuesday, 7 May, 11.30pm
The Guru sent me the details for the retreat. He wasn’t planning a retreat with me but running one for a group of twenty. I must have got it all wrong. It costs ￡3,350.
Wednesday, 8 May, 11.30pm
Been miserable today. I told The Guru the retreat was expensive, and he said, ‘You can pay in instalments.’ I feel so foolish I was taken in by him. He’s a conman on the make, preying on single women who are hoping for his attention. And I fell for it. I wanted him and allowed myself to believe the feeling was mutual. Looking back, there were no real signs that he was interested in me as anything more than a client, but I read what I wanted into his actions. I think I’m busy in June after all. I left him a terrible review, which made me feel much better.
Thursday, 9 May, 11.00pm
Mum called this morning and asked me to go to an appointment with her but didn’t want to give me details over the phone, and she hadn’t asked Dad to go with her for some reason. She doesn’t normally invite me out on a weekday. I hope she’s not sick and coming to see a doctor. But why wouldn’t she ask Dad to go with her? She didn’t sound worried, but I am. I called Sara and asked if she knew anything about it, but she didn’t. I want to ring Dad but don’t want to upset him.