Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
‘You off out tonight then?’
It’s almost seven thirty when I walk into the lounge.
‘Yes, I’m meeting Gemma when she finishes work. We are going out for a drink.’
‘I’ll give you a lift into town,’ offers Dad. ‘Don’t be getting a taxi.’
‘Thanks, Dad, I’ll get one home though.’ I smile.
‘Don’t be doing that, it will be busy on Boxing night. I’ll come and collect you. Unless you’re thinking of going clubbing, that is, I won’t be able to stay awake until the early hours of the morning, but I’m a night owl as you know.’
Dad has always enjoyed staying up late watching movies and enjoying a little bit of a lie in.
‘Thanks, Dad. It won’t be too late though, think my clubbing days are over.’ I laugh.
‘Oh, have you heard yourself?’ Mum laughs. ‘Too old for nightclubs at your age? Although, I’d stay away from the Blue Angel, I’ve noticed some right dodgy-looking characters going in there when we’ve been on our protests,’ she says, referring to her protests outside the Co-op which is close by.
‘I know, that’s why I don’t bother,’ I say.
There are two nightclubs in Fellview, one frequented by teenagers barely out of school, the other by the so-called ‘dodgy characters’ Mum mentioned.
‘You look nice by the way. Red is definitely your colour,’ she says, remarking on my red woollen dress.
‘Thank you.’
I think of Kian saying the same thing about red being my colour. The thought of him crossing the road with the other woman pops into my head then, and I wonder who she was? I’m also aware that he still hasn’t called me to arrange a date. I’m not going to let that ruin my evening out with Gemma though.
I nip upstairs to grab a handbag, when my phone rings.
‘Kian, hi.’
‘Lauren, how are you doing?’
‘I’m good thanks. How are you?’ I’m thrilled by the sound of his voice.
‘I’m well, really good. So what are you up to tonight?’ he asks.
Surely he isn’t going to ask me out at this short notice?
‘I’m off out into town. I’m meeting Gemma for a drink at the Grapes,’ I tell him.
‘Nice. I imagine it will be pretty full in there, being Boxing night,’ he says.
‘I guess so. I think there is a live band, who are pretty good by all accounts.’
‘That sounds good.’
There is a pause for a second, and I wonder what he is going to say next. Maybe he would like to join us?
‘Come along if you like,’ I say. ‘Or maybe we should make arrangements for that date you mentioned,’ I say, taking the bull by the horns.
‘I most certainly would. I was about to ask you when you are free,’ he says. ‘I was wondering, do you like the cinema?’ he asks.
‘The cinema? Yes, I do.’
‘In that case, do you fancy dinner one evening this week? Whenever suits you. We could eat at a restaurant near Keswick, then watch a movie.’
‘Tomorrow suits, if you are free. And that sounds lovely, I haven’t been to Keswick in ages.’
The last time I went there was with Mum to watch a doomed love story and we both cried.
‘It’s a date then. The film has had great reviews,’ he tells me. ‘It’s about a refugee chocolatier who makes a new life in Britain. I’m told it’s very uplifting.’
‘That sounds like something I would enjoy. I look forward to it.’
‘Me too,’ says Kian. ‘Anyway, enjoy your evening with Gemma. I’ll text you to tell you what time I will pick you up tomorrow.’
‘Okay. Night, Kian.’
I skip downstairs with a huge grin on my face.
‘Are you ready then?’ asks Dad, picking up his car keys from the counter.
‘Ready.’ I beam, looking forward to spending time with Gemma, and to telling her all about my forthcoming date.
The Grapes is already busy, but I manage to find a table in the corner, and order a bottle of white wine for us to share, while I await the arrival of Gemma.
‘You smell nice,’ I comment as she arrives five minutes later and plonks her bag down on an empty chair.
‘I helped myself to a spray of that new Dior fragrance, a sample obviously.’ She smiles. ‘And look!’
She proudly shows me the handbag she has had her eye on for ages.
‘You got it.! Cheers to that,’ I say, pouring us both a drink.
‘I did. It actually got discounted an hour after I started work, so I nabbed it,’ she tells me triumphantly.
She unzips it and shows me the interior of the gorgeous butter-soft brown leather bag. ‘It’s got loads of handy compartments,’ she says excitedly. ‘It was marked down thirty per cent and, even better, I used a gift card I got for Christmas to pay another chunk of it. It ended up only costing me twenty-five pounds.’
We chat about our respective days, and Gemma tells me it’s been hectic at Bentham’s and that I was lucky to have had the day off.
‘I so need this,’ she says, taking a long gulp of her wine. We chat away, and half an hour later there is a tap of a microphone as the pub manager announces the arrival of the band who are going to play some live music. The pub slowly begins to fill, and as the sound of music fills the bar, it becomes more difficult to continue our conversation.
A bloke smiles at Gemma across the bar, and she returns his smile before telling me he is fit.
‘And what about Brad?’ I raise an eyebrow. ‘Have you forgotten about him already?’
‘Brad who?’ She laughs. ‘I’m only joking, really, but it’s nice to be noticed occasionally. Something you never need to worry about, all eyes are on you whenever you enter a room.’
‘I’m sure that’s not true,’ I say, even though if I am entirely honest I did notice a few men glancing in my direction as I walked in the pub, but maybe that was because I was alone.
We finally manage to have a chat whilst the band take a break from performing. The band had played a rousing set, covers from rock bands mainly, but one or two slower songs that really showcased the lead singer’s great voice.
‘You don’t think guys notice you? Well just look at the lead singer checking you out.’ She nods towards the small stage at the end of the room.
I glance over at the long-haired singer, who raises his pint and winks at me.
‘Well, it’s very flattering but I’m not interested.’
‘Why not? He looks as sexy as hell to me,’ says Gemma.
‘Possibly, but he’s not really my type. Besides, I am going on a date with Kian. We’re going to the cinema.’ I feel a tinge of excitement as I tell her this. Once more, there is a bit of a lukewarm response from Gemma at my news.
‘Oh right,’ she says, taking a sip of her drink.
‘You don’t think it’s good idea?’ I say, now wondering if there really is something she is keeping from me.
‘I never said that.’
‘You didn’t have to. The look on your face said it all. Gemma, is there something you are not telling me?’ I almost demand.
Just then, the band fires up once more, and an ear-splitting rendition of a Freddie Mercury song reverberates around the bar.
Gemma mouths something, but I can’t really make out what she is saying.
I’m puzzled by Gemma’s response. I’ve never known her to be anything but happy for me when I’ve had a new boyfriend. And she is always making me aware when a man glances in my direction.
I’m mulling this over, ready to resume our chat, when the guy who had been looking at Gemma across the bar walks over and asks her if she would like to dance. A few people have already jumped up and are dancing away on the small dance floor. She agrees, and is soon up there waving her arms in the air and really going for it with the tall, fair-haired guy and I wonder when I will have the chance to talk to her properly about Kian.
I don’t have to wait long though, as Gemma returns to the table after a couple of dances, and the band finish their set to rapturous applause.
‘Mike has gone to buy us both a drink,’ she says, looking over at the guy, who is waiting at the busy bar to be served.
‘Good, because I need to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me. Why don’t you seem happy about me going out with Kian?’
‘Oh, Lauren, it’s not that I’m not happy for you, it’s just… well…’
‘Well what?’
She pauses for a moment before answering.
‘I served him the other day with a gift. For a woman,’ she tells me.
‘And what’s wrong with that? It’s Christmas time, it could have been for anyone,’ I reason.
‘Which, of course, is exactly what I thought, but then I saw him with Bella and another woman. She was tall with blonde hair,’ she tells me in a quiet voice. ‘The three of them were coming out of that American diner across town.’
‘It might be a relative,’ I say casually, although I swallow down a feeling of disappointment. Kian never mentioned another woman, although there is no denying that I also saw him with a tall blonde woman. Perhaps she is Bella’s aunt or something, but he never mentioned her on the phone. Then again, why would he?
‘I know that, but I guess I am just looking out for you, like you do with me. But you’re right, I’m sure she is probably just a friend or a family member. I’m sorry.’ Gemma reaches over and covers my hand with hers. ‘Maybe I’m a bit mistrusting of blokes after that last one who turned out to be still married.’ She sighs.
‘Well I can understand that. Yet here you are accepting drinks from strangers.’ I smile as I gesture to the guy who is making his way towards our table with some drinks.
‘I’m just letting my hair down, it’s Boxing night,’ she says. ‘Besides, I vaguely recognise him from around town, he lives locally.’
‘Well just be careful,’ I advise her.
Mike, having managed to push his way through the crowd, places a pint and two glasses of wine down onto the table, even though there is still wine in the bottle.
We chat for a while and it turns out Mike is a really nice bloke who works locally in a garage. His friend was supposed to join him this evening, but has ended up being on call at a local fire station.
Having finished my drink, I explain I am in work tomorrow morning, so politely decline the wine Mike bought.
‘You two stay on and enjoy yourself,’ I tell Gemma, even though she has work tomorrow too.
‘I will, if you fancy keeping me company?’ She turns to Mike, who is more than happy to do so. ‘If you don’t mind me not sharing a taxi home with you, Lauren?’
‘Of course I don’t. Knock yourself out.’ I smile.
It’s just before eleven, so I decide to call Dad, who I know will still be awake as he’s always been a night owl who likes to watch films until well after midnight.
‘Let us at least wait with you outside then,’ says Gemma, following me into the car park with Mike in tow.
When Dad arrives, Gemma wishes him a merry Christmas, before darting back inside with Mike when she hears the sound of a dance tune being played.
Having spoken to Gemma, I realise she was just showing concern as Kian bought a woman’s gift and then she saw him with someone around town, as I did too, so I can’t really blame her for putting two and two together I suppose.
Putting it out of my mind, I decide there must be a simple explanation for the mystery woman we both spotted him with. He would hardly be walking around town with her otherwise, knowing he could bump into me at any time, surely? All the same, I can’t help wondering if I am doing the right thing in going out with him. I certainly don’t want to go get my heart broken again.
‘Have you had a good night, love?’ asks Dad as we drive along. The streets are quiet for a Boxing night, although maybe most people are still indoors partying somewhere.
I feel a bit like a teenager being driven home by her dad. I’m half expecting him to ask if I met any nice boys at the disco.
‘It was nice thanks, and the live band were really good.’
Really good, in fact. It’s a pity I didn’t find the lead singer attractive, but maybe that’s because I have someone else on my mind.
As we drive past the fish and chip shop Dad glances at me hopefully.
‘A fish supper is off the menu for you at the moment, I’m afraid,’ I tell a disappointed Dad. ‘Especially at this time of night,’ I say, even though my own stomach is giving a little rumble.
When I’m home and getting ready for bed, I recall Gemma’s lack of enthusiasm for my forthcoming date and fleetingly wonder if I am doing the right thing? What if he is seeing someone else, not being the type to date someone exclusively? But then, would he really introduce his daughter to someone he wasn’t interested in? Maybe I am just overthinking everything as it’s my first step into the dating world in a long time. I dearly hope it won’t be the last.