Track 27
‘FALLING’ (HARRY STYLES)
Adam hadn’t bothered to look through any more of the profiles from the dating site, despite Lily’s insistence that someone out there could be the one. Once again, he was plagued with thoughts that he’d had his one shot.
Everything had been perfect and wonderful for a while. Eve had been the real love of his life. His other half. She had been the central star in his sky. And now, if there was a heaven, she was up there shining brightly for everyone to see.
August melded into September and work was tiring but still rewarding.
Coming home was still the hardest part, especially when his best friend was overseas so much.
Lily loved her job passionately. She effervesced whenever she talked about it, and she was really making a name for herself.
He thought it rather surreal seeing her on his screen when she was so far away, off reporting about some location or other.
But he was so proud of the fact she had succeeded in her chosen field.
He just missed her. Whenever she was away, he didn’t really see anyone.
He would pop over to his parents’ every so often to be the dutiful son but as for friends…
well… they all had their own lives that didn’t usually involve him.
Lily was the only one who made the effort.
Her latest trip had taken her to Germany.
He had no clue what the piece was that she was working on, but her hours were long and she was travelling around from place to place.
They were communicating via WhatsApp mostly, as he never seemed to catch her when he called and if he did she always had to end the call quickly.
Friday afternoon rolled around once again. The weekend. He sat on his sofa drumming his fingers on his thighs. Boredom had already set in, and it was only six o’clock. He had marking that needed to be done but just couldn’t be bothered.
Grabbing his laptop, he lifted the lid and logged into the dating site. God, this is the epitome of boredom and desperation. He loaded up the profiles and began to flick through.
‘Too old… too young… eugh! Too skinny… sounds boring… looks like my mum… good grief, is it my mum?’ Adam looked closer at the screen. ‘No… not my mum… phew! That was weird.’ He flicked through over a dozen profiles, but none seemed to spark his interest.
He made the decision there and then that any kind of online or app dating was simply not for him.
He grabbed the local paper and thumbed through it, not really taking any notice of anything.
Nothing massively newsworthy ever happened where he lived.
Although he smiled at the way the local reporters made news out of the smallest things. Stories such as:
Local allotment owner, Malcolm, stripped of rosette for prize turnip!
– allegedly for using some banned fertiliser he’d bought online. And:
Cat burglar turns out to be real cat!
– a story about an old woman who’d had some steaks pinched from her kitchen only to discover a sneaky stray feline was the culprit.
He turned the page and paused. There was an ad for a singles’ night at pub in Jedburgh. Maybe meeting someone face to face would work? There would be less of the blind date about it.
Immediately he logged onto his WhatsApp and typed out a new message to Lily.
Hi, Cheesy. So, what you been up to? I’m sitting here bored shitless on a Friday night.
Couldn’t think of a single thing to do so I decided to check out some more profiles seeing as you keep badgering me.
Anyway, I’ve decided to abandon the Internet dating thing.
But I’ve found an ad in the gazette about a singles’ night and thought that might be a good way to meet someone.
You know, face to face. I’d like to know your opinion.
It’s tomorrow night at the Stewart Hotel in Jed.
Get me being all brave and suggesting this!
I hope you’re suitably impressed. Write me back asap so I know whether it’s worth it. Adders x
Around an hour later he got his reply.
Adders… I think you will find that my name is Lily and I refuse to respond to Cheesy.
He hit reply.
Hi, Lil. Sincerely sorry… so what did you think? Adders x
P.S. You know you love me really.
He got an immediate response.
Hi again. Love you? Hmm, debatable. Anyway… yes it sounds like a good plan if you ask me… which you did! And as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Anyway got to dash as I’m very busy and you seem to keep forgetting how extremely important I am, so stop bothering me. Bye, Pee Pants.
Lily xx
Adam chuckled at her reply and the sly dig it contained. So, she thought it was a good idea, eh?
Right. That’s settled then. I’ll be a big boy and will venture out alone tomorrow to see if the future love of my life is waiting for me at the Stewart Hotel. Hmm. We’ll see, I guess.
With his resolve set he grabbed his jacket, deciding to call to the local shop and buy beer and chocolate to give him a boost. He would have a Monty Python marathon… again.
Yay… I do know how to live.
He sighed as he walked back with his little stripy carrier bag.
It was a fairly warm September Friday evening, and the smell of barbecue was in the air.
He and Eve used to have some great barbecues.
Inhaling deeply, he smiled as the smell brought memories flooding back, making tears sting the backs of his eyes.
God, I miss you, Evie.
Saturday evening came around at lightning speed and before he knew it Adam was showering and shaving, ready for his date with destiny.
Well, ready for his night out at the Stewart Hotel anyway.
He buttoned up his favourite pale green shirt and pulled on his favourite dark blue jeans.
His palms were sweaty and he was thankful his jeans were dark enough to hide the moisture he wiped down his legs.
The pub was only a short drive away, and he decided to go sans jacket, thinking the cool evening air would help his profuse nervous perspiring.
On arrival he was both shocked and pleased at the number of singles in attendance.
Although a second glance informed him that the men outweighed the women at about a ratio of four to one.
Great. He went to the bar and ordered a lime and soda, wishing he hadn’t chosen to drive as an infusion of alcohol into his bloodstream might’ve relaxed him a little.
The sound of someone clearing their throat into a microphone stopped the hum of conversation and everyone turned around towards the source of the noise.
‘Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Monica and I’d like to welcome you to Two’s Company Singles’ Night here at the Stewart Hotel.
’ She had a whiny, nasal voice that he guessed could be very irritating if listened to for any length of time.
‘Now these days many people are favouring the dating apps, but I say what better way is there to meet Mr or Miss Right than face to face in a public place? Okay… so… you were all handed a little sticker on the way in, and you should’ve all written your names on them by now, so we’ll be ready to go shortly.
’ Adam had been tempted to write ‘Dolf’ or ‘Arnie’ on his sticker in case he met lots of weirdos.
But in the end, he had caved and written his real name.
‘Now, there are a few ground rules. Well, I say ground rules, I suppose they’re more like ground suggestions.
’ Yeah, ’cause that’s a thing, Adam snorted derisively to himself.
‘We prefer that if you connect with someone of interest you swap email addresses or mobile numbers. We do not condone anyone pairing off and leaving together on the first meeting. Obviously, if you choose to do so Two’s Company will accept no responsibility for any incident that occurs outside the premises.
’ Yeah, like if the person you cop off with turns out to be an axe-wielding maniac.
Why am I even here? ‘So, mingle, chat, and see where the night takes you. Enjoy and remember two really is company.’ As opposed to a threesome, eh?
Adam’s negative subconscious was clearly in full flight tonight. It didn’t bode well. Monica handed the microphone back to the bartender and began to walk around with a clipboard.
Adam stood there awkwardly, contemplating ripping off his name badge and running for the Cheviot hills, but that would mean the waste of a perfectly good lime and soda.
He leaned against the post in the middle of the room and watched as everyone else seemed to make a beeline for someone.
He cringed at how many medallions and hairy chests were on show and thought that perhaps a well-known manufacturer of hair product had gone into meltdown on account of having no stock left.
Another scan of the room and his eyes fell on a pretty woman who seemed to be feeling as out of place as Adam.
She stood there in the corner, chewing her lip and fiddling with the strap on her bag.
She looked up and made eye contact, and her cheeks blushed crimson as a slow smile spread across her face.
Taking a deep breath, he made his way over to talk to her.
He arrived home around an hour after chatting with Jessica. He decided that he felt too uncomfortable to be there and made excuses to leave but not before getting her contact details. Once he arrived home, he messaged Lily on WhatsApp.
Hi, Lil. Well, I went to the singles’ night thing.
Only stayed an hour though as I couldn’t hack it.
It was a bit like a meat market. I did meet someone though!
She’s called Jessica and she’s a nursery nurse.
She has long, wavy auburn hair and green eyes.
Quite pretty really. She likes boy bands, but I can let that go.
She has a cat but only one! She’s around five feet one and quite petite.
I have her number. What do you think? Should I give it a shot?
Write me back soon so I know what to do, eh?
Adders x