I had been seeing Becky for two years and the time had finally come to give up my bachelor flat – we’d decided to buy a house together. I had to admit it would be a sad occasion in some respects, but I was looking forward to it too – I loved Becky and wanted to be with her all the time. Having said that though, I thought it would be a shame not to catch up with a few people before we moved in together – after all it might be more awkward with Becky around all the time. The first person I called was Tricia.
Tricia and I had gone out with each other for a year or so, and in that time we had driven each other mad but had the most amazing sex life too. She was at college in those days, fairly young and innocent but very willing to try new things. Now she was 22, living and working in London and had a new boyfriend. We’d kept in touch, birthday cards and so on, but I hadn’t seen her for over a year, and I had to admit I didn’t think she’d want to come down to see me. However, she seemed really pleased that I’d called, we had a good chat and made plans to meet in a pub close to Guildford railway station the next Wednesday night. I told Becky I’d be at football training that night…..
I arrived at the pub just before eight, expecting Tricia to be there around ten past, which was when the train was supposed to arrive. I ordered a pint and sat at a table by the window, relaxing after my day at work and looking forward to the evening. I hadn’t even noticed the couple of girls sitting at the next table until one of them called out to me: “On your own this evening then?”
“At the moment”, I replied, “but my friend should be here in a few minutes.”
“Well come and join us for a drink for a few minutes” the other girl called back, and they both giggled to each other. Fair enough, I decided, and picked up my drink and moved tables.
They were called Clara and Alex, they were both eighteen years old and were out celebrating the end of their ‘A’ levels. They were both dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts, Alex was tall and blonde, with a wicked smile and a small tattoo I could see part of on her left breast, but for me Clara was even more gorgeous – she was dark and serious looking, deep brown eyes emerging from under long black hair which partially covered her face. They’d both clearly had a few drinks, but weren’t drunk, although Alex told me they certainly would be later! It was amazing how quickly we fell into a conversation, and it wasn’t until my mobile phone rang that I realised that Tricia was pretty late. It was her – the train had been delayed and she wouldn’t be in Guildford for another twenty minutes or so.
I told her that I was just starting to get worried, to which Alex laughed out loud. “Sounds like there’s a party going on in there,” said Tricia, “I’d better tell the train driver to get a move on or I’ll miss it!”
Clara and Alex laughed when I told them who the friend I was waiting for was. “Oh, she’ll definitely want to have sex tonight,” Clara said, “you don’t come all this way for a midweek rendevous with your ex boyfriend for nothing!” I was heartened by this, of course – this was what I’d planned but I wasn’t sure if Tricia would see it that way. Having said that though, I was thinking about seeing a bit more of my two current companions too now…..
We got to discussing the following weekend, and the girls said they were out on the town again. They were into dancing, and thought that Mambo’s would be the place to be on Friday night. I had already planned a night out with my mate Steve for then, and told them that we’d maybe see them in there. “Excellent,” said Alex, “just a case of who gets who then!” We all laughed, and I was a bit upset that this was the moment Tricia chose to walk through the door, as it was a bit uncomfortable for me to stand up and greet her.
She was a bit travel weary, but laughed when I walked back from the bar with her to the table bearing her glass of wine. “Might have known you’d be chatting up girls again,” she said, as I introduced her. Tricia said she could do with some food, so we decided to move on to the pub round the corner, which served reasonable meals until fairly late. Clara and Alex put on pouts of disappointment, but I think they were joking. Anyway, I told them I’d enjoyed meeting them, and maybe would see them on Friday, and hoped they enjoyed the rest of the night.
“You enjoy the rest of the night too, you naughty boy,” called Alex, as Tricia and I left the pub.
Tricia and I had a nice bite to eat over a bottle of wine, and then another bottle of wine. The conversation flowed, and I found myself really enjoying her company again. She was looking good too, she’d cut her hair pretty short and had it highlighted and her eyes shone full of life, she was dressed in a short black skirt and white shirt that was opened a couple of buttons lower than it would have been when she was at the office, and she smiled often, looking me directly in the eyes. I wasn’t sure if she was intending to get the train back tonight or not, but it was getting towards closing time at the pub and if she was going to go back it would have to be soon. “So what are you doing tonight then,” I asked, “because if you don’t fancy getting the train back you can always stay at mine and go back in the morning.”