As he left the hotel Charlie felt quite nervous, ever since he was at school he had wanted to date Catherine, she was the one girl out of his class that he seemed to have had a crush on Although too shy of the time to do anything about it. He had been rather surprised to receive a message from her around a month ago suggesting that they meet up to find out what each other had been up to for the past 20 years
The taxi pulled up outside the bar and he got out rather nervously, paid the driver, and went inside. He looked around quickly but couldn't see Catherine anywhere. Perhaps she wasn't coming after all he thought. Rather despondently he made his way to the bar and ordered a drink.
"Hello Charlie!" Came the familiar voice behind him.
He turned around to see Catherine standing there.
"Oh, hello Catherine" he stuttered "sorry I didn't see you there!"
"Not a problem Charlie" she smiled, offering her hand for him to kiss.
Charlie felt himself blushing slightly as he took her hand in his and kissed it.
"It's lovely to see you after all this time, you don't appear to be any different if anything even more beautiful" he blushed again.
"Oh you're very kind" she grinned "I see you still seem to be as shy as you seem to be all those years ago back in school."
"Yes I'm afraid that was always my problem, especially when you were around" he felt himself blushing again.
"Oh you're very sweet, Charlie. I can assure you there is nothing to be shy about with me" she smiled reassuringly.
"Of course" he found himself nervously looking for something to say. "Sorry Catherine, would you... Would you.. like a drink?"
"Yes, thank you Charlie. Just a Diet Coke please, I have to look after my figure you know."
"Oh, I'm sure you don't, you look quite stunning to me" Charlie looked quite uneasy as he said that as he turned and bought her a drink.
"Shall we find a seat, Charlie?"
"Yes, yes, of course, I see there's a small table against the wall over there should we go there?" He pointed across the room.
"That'll be perfect Charlie, lead the way please."
He walked quickly across the room to the empty table, waiting for Catherine to join him. He pulled out a chair for Catherine to sit on.
She smiled brightly at this gesture and slowly sat down.
"What a gentlemanly thing to do!" She smiled "not something that you see every day these days, thank you Charlie"
He swallowed slowly and felt himself blush again.
"It's important to treat ladies correctly, it appears not many men have any sort of manners these days, sadly"
"Oh, I quite agree, Charlie. It's lovely that you think that way, very refreshing. Now, let's hear what you been up to for the past 20 years, I'd love to know"
They talked for what seemed like hours, about their work, most of the things they are done since school, university, and their private lives. Charlie gradually became more relaxed and enjoyed talking to Catherine enormously. He was a little disappointed to think that Catherine was in some sort of relationship but she didn't go into detail about who was with except to say it was rather complicated. She did say that it wouldn't stop them from seeing each other if that is what he wanted. Charlie said it would be wonderful to be able to see her again and he looked forward to it immensely.
The sound of a phone ringing interrupted.
"Oops, excuse me Charlie, phone call..."
Catherine answered the phone, and after a brief conversation put it back into her handbag again.
"So sorry Charlie, I'm afraid I have to go now. It's been really nice to catch up with you and I'd love to see you again soon, if that would be ok?"
They both stood up and Catherine lent across the table and kissed Charlie on the cheek.
"Until the next time, Charlie, I hope it will be soon" she smiled.
"Take care Catherine, it's been really nice and I REALLY hope it's soon too"
"Oh, I expect it will be quite soon, take care" she smiled and turned away walking slowly out of the door, briefly turning back to smile at Charlie.
As she disappeared out of the door, Charlie sat down, got out his phone, and booked a taxi back to his hotel.
Finishing off his drink he stood up and made his way towards the exit. He hadn't got too far when he heard a voice that took him back over 20 years again.
"Charlie? Is that you, Charlie?"
He turned around to see the unmistakably sexy figure of his old French teacher, still looking as wonderful as the time he had a secret crush on her all those years ago.
She beckoned him over.
He found it quite a coincidence that the teacher in school that he had the biggest crush on was in the same bar as the girl from school he had a similar crush on.
He must have looked very surprised as she waved them across to the table.
"It is Charlie, isn't it?" She smiled.
"Yes... Yes, it is, hello, Miss..." He found himself blushing in reply.
"Not so formal, please, Charlie, please call me Angela, it is my name after all, and we're both adults! Come, have a seat." She casually patted the seat beside her and invited him to sit.
"But I'm expecting a taxi" he replied.
"Oh, forget that my car's outside, I can give you a lift if you like?"
"Well, if you don't mind Miss... Sorry, I mean Angela."
"Of course not, Charlie, it would be my pleasure. It's lovely to see you after all this time. Cancel that taxi and tell me all about yourself." She grinned..
Charlie sat down, phoned to cancel the taxi he'd just booked, and for the next 20 minutes or so they discussed what they had both been up to since Charlie had left school. It seemed that Angela had left teaching shortly afterwards and had a very successful career in business management, which he thought was a suitable career for someone who always thought had quite an imperious aura.
"I retired from that after my divorce" she added,
"Oh, are you retired now?" He asked.
"Well, sort of. I now run a kind of mentoring organisation, where I feel I can help others find their true place in life. I'm more than financially secure, and can spend the time needed to guide others!
"I'm sure you're very good at it!" Charlie found himself replying. He could tell from her broad smile that she knew that she was indeed, very good at it.
"It's getting quite late Charlie. We should think about getting you back to your hotel."
"It's very kind of you to offer, Angela. That would be wonderful, thank you."
"Come, follow me." She stood up and walked slowly towards the door. Charlie followed close behind, his eyes transfixed on her still hourglass figure and her heels as she walked slowly out of the door. He followed her across the car park to her car, a very low sporty model. She unlocked the drivers door and stood by it looking at Charlie.
"The gentleman should always open doors for a lady, you know, Charlie."
