At the time of the start of this true story I was thirty years old. I had been taking part in 'free n easy's' for about seven years. Free n easy's are where a keyboard player, or band, invite anyone who wants to sing up to do so.
I had a regular keyboard player that backed me, and we had become good friends. It was while going along to various places that he played, that I ended up at a small pub in the 'Black Country', here in the UK. The area used to be an industrial heartland, but sadly that has all but ended, and it is now known for various Indian restaurants, and friendly pubs, including the legendary 'Crooked House', which is a pub with as good foundations as the Leaning Tower Of Pisa.
Although I have had a few offers of paid work due to my singing, I leave it as a hobby, and prefer to sing as relaxation, rather than adding the extra pressure of it as a job. I went along to the pub with an old singing friend of mine, and was introduced to a face I remembered from the past, as well as a couple of new ones. The face from the past was the daughter of a couple who we had both sang with over the years. I never really took much notice of Melanie, that was her name, although good looking, she was always very quiet, and had never really spoken to me. Along with her was a equally sexy looking blonde. She was introduced to us as Dana and she was very open and cheery. I instantly took an interest in her, despite her being some seventeen years my senior, she did not look it.
I was a little disappointed then, when I was introduced to Dana's boyfriend, Martin, who was the other new face. He was about halfway between our ages, at thirty-eight. He seemed a nice guy, but I noticed he had a very high opinion of himself, and as he was the compare, which is the host of the show who introduces the singers. He spent most of the time in and out of his seat, giving me the chance to chat to both women.
I was one of the last to get called up to sing, and I didn't like the way Martin, Dana's boyfriend, made a crack about me chatting to Dana while he was 'comparing'. I took the mic and sang my songs, but I was still a bit peeved by the time I had finished and sat down.
As I was getting ready to leave later, Dana came over and apologised for what her guy had said to me, I told her it wasn't her fault, but she replied that he could be an asshole at times. We laughed and I wished her good night, she giving me a friendly peck on the cheek I didn't think I would see her again till the next gig at the pub, but I was pleased to find she came, along with Melanie, to our next gig in a small club, also in the 'Black Country'.
I took more notice of Dana's features that night, and I noticed what a great smile and eyes she had. She was very easy to chat to and we got on like old friends. This club was larger than the pub, so I was able to chat with her without Martin always staring at me. She confessed that things were not good between them, as she was convinced he was 'playing away' behind her back. Despite the fact they had discussed marriage, Martin was spotted taking a young girl into a pub near his flat, and someone told someone else, who told Dana. He denied it, but she did not believe him.
It was only a few weeks later that I arrived at the club to find Melanie alone. I asked her where Dana was, and she told me that her and Martin had split, so she was upset, and would not be coming for a while. I told Melanie to tell her I asked about her, and that she should come out and enjoy herself on the next gig, and Id take care of her, besides I missed her smily face.
I was pleased to see that Dana came to the next gig with Melanie, and we chatted well, without the problem of her boyfriend, now her ex, looking over our shoulders. I finally plucked up the courage to tell her how pretty I thought she was, and she seemed thrilled that I told her. The next few weeks flew by, as we got to know each other better, often we both ignored our companions, Dana not paying much attention to Melanie, and me not paying much to my friend, who did not actually always come with me, as I had recently moved into a flat a good way from him, and it was awkward to pick him up now, as it meant me doing a round trip of thirty-odd miles, instead of just the twelve miles if I came direct from my flat.
It was after one such night when we where getting on great that as I walked Dana to her car, she kissed me on the lips for the first time. I told her it was a nice kiss, to which she replied that she had not kissed me yet. She laughed as she got into her car and drove off. I was to find out what she meant over the next few visits, as each time she kissed me goodbye, her kisses got more passionate, until she finally pushed her tongue into my mouth and french-kissed me deeply. "Now I've kissed you!" she smiled, as I got my breath back.
We were sitting next to each other the next time I went to the club, and Dana asked me if I would do her a favour. She wanted me to flirt with, and snog her, in the club, to wind up her ex. I wasn't sure at first, but she convinced me by saying she'd make sure I enjoyed it.
All night we were sitting there, my arm round her shoulders, her softly kissing my cheek, and whispering in my ear every time Martin looked over. He did not seem particularly bothered, but she was convinced he was not as cool inside as he looked from the outside. This went on for a couple of weeks, and I eventually told her I thought he had gotten the idea. She looked at me disappointedly, and asked if I wanted her to stop. I told her I did not, but I did not think we had to limit it to just this club.