Tom Murray is a twenty-seven year old single man who works at Harkins a local foundry.
Tom, an only child was raised by his grandparents after his mother died giving birth to him, his father died suddenly when he was four, and his only other living relative is his father's brother Jack, a bachelor mechanic.
Tom is happy go lucky man; he has dated a few girls over the years.
One of his relationships was with a girl called Mary Collins; there was talk of marriage. But like everything else it fizzled out.
He has often wondered if there is a girl out there for him, he'd hate to end up like his uncle Jack, who's still a bachelor at fifty-seven and a drunk.
*****
"Well I am off to work gran, I have left your pills beside you there, and Uncle Jack said he would call in later to check on you."
"Good boy Tom, I would be lost without you. Don't forget to book your granddad's anniversary mass will you?"
"No, I won't forget gran. How many years is it now since he passed?"
"Twenty years this year. It only feels like yesterday and I still miss him so much."
"Look, I better go or I will be late."
"Wait a minute; are you too old to give your granny a hug?"
"Not at all, I love you gran and I will see you this evening."
"Goodbye Tom, and mind yourself."
Well Tom, could today be the day you finally do it; will you finally pluck up the courage to ask Mandy Grady out, I say to myself.
Mandy has been with the company three years and in all that time you never asked her out.
Everyone loves Mandy; she's so bubbly and gets a long with the men like a house on fire.
Sure you'd think she was just one of the lads, she's mad about motorsport, and loves to socialise with the rest of the crew. But she has never dated anyone at the job, I wonder why? Maybe, as the old saying goes; a dog never shits on their own doorstep.
"Morning Tim, it's looking like another nice day." I say, as I join my colleague in the foundry yard.
Tim Bradley is one of my closest friends, we both went to the same school, we grew up together, we get drunk together and he's like a brother to me.
"Yes it is, the only pity about it is that we are locked up in this sweatbox for most of it."
We jokingly call the foundry The Sweatbox, because in the summer it's as hot as the fires of hell.
"I thought you might have joined me for a pint last night." He continues.
"I was going to... But, gran said she was feeling unwell."
"Look Tom, you have to get away from them two...they will ruin your life."
"I know, but I...Well Jack is bloody useless to her, and she's getting feebler."
"Ya, he's like a baby, always on his back with a bottle stuck in his mouth." He laughs.
We watch as Mandy zips through the gate in her Golf GTI, the tyres chirping as she rounds the corner at speed into the yard.
"Wait for it." Tim says, laughing.
It's the same ritual ever morning, in through the gate and down the yard at speed, she pulls the handbrake and the whips the car around letting it roll back ways into a parking spot.
"One of these days she'll get it wrong lad, and it will all end in tears." Tim laughs.
"Well...She seems able to control the car better than some of that lot inside." I say laughing.
"I know what you are thinking Tom, but it's a waste of time, Mandy has never dated anyone here."
"I wonder why that is?" I reply, in a puzzled voice.
"Morning lads, did you watch the Rally last night?" Mandy asks, as she draws near to us.
"Good morning Mandy. No, gran was feeling a bit under the weather and I missed it." I reply.
I can see Tim has that look on his face, will he or won't he ask her out, but not here, perhaps her office. I say to myself.
"You didn't miss much lads. Bloody Stephens...I swear he couldn't drive a nail in a bog. He crashed out after stage ten." She laughs.
"I hope your grandmother is ok Tom?" she continues.
"Yes she is Mandy, just a slight chest cold. She's as tough as an old boot, my gran is."
"Good to hear. Call by my office won't you; I have the work schedule for the week to give you."
"Ok Mandy, it's nearly time to clock in anyway." I say, as she turns to walk into the foundry floor.
"I wonder why she has never dated anyone here Tim."
"Who knows, it's not like the lads haven't asked her. I tried myself a few times, and the answer is always a polite no.
To tell you the truth, I am beginning to think there is something funny about that girl."
"What do you mean funny...Do you think...well, is she is gay, is that what you are saying?"
Now I'm starting to wonder why she is not interested in men. Maybe she is gay, I think to myself.
"Well...You tell me Tom, she never mentions a boyfriend or anything like that."
"She might be a private person, and keep her love life to herself."
"I...well, I think it's a bit odd...that's all, I'm just saying, it's a bit queer she never dated any lad here."
"What exactly are you getting at Tim, are you trying to tell me something; is that it...is it?"
"Look...it's probably nothing...nothing at all. We'll say no more about it." He says, looking a bit uncertain.
What exactly is up with Tim, he seems to think, well what does he think?
Does he think I don't stand a chance with Mandy...is that it? and where did all this about her being gay come from...Is he jealous? Is that what all this is about, is he afraid she'll say yes. Has he a hidden agenda, or what. I wonder to myself.
"Look, Tim, I have...Well, I think there's something special about the girl, but...I'm not sure what."
"Well, when you find out what that is, let me know. Come on, time to clock in." He says, and we head in to punch our timecards.
Tim and I punch our cards and head onto the foundry floor, I am a press operator and in the last few years I have been given the job of quality control manager.
This is a small family business and I still work the press. It's very therapeutic; well, that's I think anyway, even with all the noise.
And besides, all that clanging and banging of steel has a musical rhythm all of its own.
I head up to Mandy's office and knocking on the door I enter. It's a small office and the walls are adorned with plans and drawings of projects we are currently working on.
"Oh, there you are Tom. I have the schedule here for you." she says, handing me a work schedule.
Just then the phone rings and she answers it. Come on Tom, ask her now; ask her after she hangs up, what have got to lose, I think to myself.
"Sorry about that Tom. Ok here you go, the Anderson project needs looking at; just make sure the tolerances are within the guidelines."
"Ok, I will. Listen Mandy, there is something I want to ask you." I say, as the bloody phone goes again.
"Just a minute, I have to answer this." She says, as she takes the phone in her hand.
"Sorry about that, it's a bit mad in here today, what did you want to ask me?"
"Oh, nothing... nothing really important, I better give the lads the schedule of work, talk to you later." I reply, and I turn to leave.
You fucking eejit Tom, I say under my breath. Why didn't you ask her, all she can say is no!
"Oh Tom, do you have a second to spare?" She says, and I wonder what she wants.
"Sure, what's up?"
"I have been invited to a wedding this coming weekend and the invitation says bring a friend, and I don't want to look like a wallflower going by myself. Are you busy?"
Well now, somebody up there must like me, this has to be my lucky day.
So what if I'm going as a friend; it's still a date with the lovely Mandy you lucky man. I think to myself.
"No...no, I'm not doing anything. Where is it on?"
"The wedding is taking place at a registry office in Blinkingfileld, that's about a hundred miles from here. It's only a small family affair and there is a small reception locally afterwards."
"Sounds nice Mandy, are they relations of yours?"
"No...no, I went to school with the bride Ann Watkins, and we have remained the best of friends over the years."
"Small problem, I don't drive; but I can always get a bus and meet you there."
"You are so silly at times Tom, that's what I like about you. I'll drive us of course." She giggles.
And there's that smile I love so much, her fringe is just about hiding her blue eyes. But they are sparkling; I don't need to see them to know that.
"Ok, I better head back to the floor; you can fill me in on the travel arrangements later."
Wait till I tell Tim; he'll burst a gut with jealously, and all I had to do was keep my mouth shut. Finding myself back on the foundry floor I call the lads to attention so I can outline the day's work.
Tim as always, is by my side. He's as sharp as a tack, and it's always good to have an extra pair of eyes to look at the drawings. Over the years he has saved my ass more than a few times.
"Have you got a minute Tim?" I ask, I'm dying to tell him the news.
"Yes, what's up?"
"Guess who has a date this weekend with Mandy." I say, slightly gloating.
"Jesus...I don't believe it; you are having me on Tom aren't you?" He says, in an excited voice.
"No...I finally did it, I asked her out, and she said yes!" I say excitedly.
"You...? You asked her out. Well I never thought you had it in you."
"Oh, ya...I just came right out and asked; really...I can't see what all the fuss is about." I chuckle.
"You fecking liar Tom, she asked you, didn't she?" He laughs.
"Yes...Yes she did Tim, she asked me to go to a wedding with her in Blinkingfileld this weekend."
"Well you lucky bollox. I'm rotten jealous of course, but I'm happy for you. Wait till the lads find out."
"Don't say a word; I'd prefer if we keep this to ourselves."
"Ok, fair enough. Come on the work won't do its self." He says, turning to walk off.
Standing back at my press I glance up at Mandy's office and there she is; coffee in hand, watching the foundry floor as always does. She spots me, and gives me a smile and a wave.
I start the press up and in the midst of the maelstrom of steel clanging loudly I have time to think about our upcoming date. Well it's not really a date. But you have to start someplace, I say to myself.
The buzzer loudly announces the end of the day, and I as head out the foundry gate Mandy pulls alongside and lowers the car window.
"Do you want a lift Tom?"
