Page 4 of Just Do It
‘Pfft,’ I said before downing a good proportion of the glass.
‘He’s good looking. Why don’t you go talk to him? Take your mind off things.’
‘Because he’s probably married. Or gay. Or an arsehole. Or an archaeologist. Anyway, I don’t want to talk to him. I want to talk to you.’
‘OK.’ She put her hand on mine. ‘They won’t all be arseholes, you know.’
‘How come you can say any word and it sounds sexy? Even “arseholes” sounds sexy with your accent. It’s an unfair advantage.’
‘Oui. C’est vrai. But this world is cut throat. You have to use what you have.Non?’
‘Oui,’ I replied, unintentionally imitating her. ‘I’m just not sure now that what I have is enough.’ I twiddled with the stem of the glass now resting on the bar. ‘I was perfect for this job, Col, and I still didn’t get it. I don’t know what else I can do.’
‘Then perhaps you weren’t supposed to have it.’
‘What?’
She did one of those Gallic shrugs. ‘Life is a strange thing. Sometimes what we think we want is not actually what we want at all.’
‘I bloody well did want it!’
‘OK. I’m just trying to help.’ She didn’t take offence. I didn’t drink much and I wasn’t a horrible drunk, but I was an emotional one. ‘And I’m glad to see your French side is finally coming out.’
I didn’t actually have a French side but my BFF joked that alcohol made me less English and more French. ‘That means it’s time to party.’ She gave me a wink and glanced over to the groupbehind us. One of the other blokes smiled widely – men tended to do that when Colette was around – and headed towards us.
‘Evening ladies. Could I buy you both a drink?’
‘That would be lovely.’ Colette did a little head tilt and the guy lapped it up. ‘Two champagnes please.’ He didn’t even blink, merely caught the bartender’s eye and placed the order.
‘Are you waiting for someone?’
‘No, it’s just us.’ She smiled back and his own smile widened.
‘A bunch of us are here for a friend’s birthday. Why don’t you come and join us?’
‘Oh, we wouldn’t want to intrude.’
He waved his hand. ‘The more the merrier. I’m Greg by the way.’
Colette placed a hand on her chest before indicating me. ‘Colette and Elizabeth.Enchanté.’
‘God, I love the French accent. It’s so…’ He waved his hands. ‘You know?’ he said, looking from Colette and then to me.
‘Oui.’ Colette said simply, before taking the drinks that the barman placed in front of us while her new friend paid. She gave a wink as she handed one to me and clinked my glass gently. ‘To new opportunities.’
I let out a sigh. When Colette went into party mode I’d long ago learned that it was easier to go along with it and the group certainly looked like they were having a good time. Why the hell not? I’d put everything I had into that application and what had I got? Nada. I bloody well deserved some fun!
‘To new opportunities,’ I repeated and swigged at my glass, relishing the fizz on my tongue and the bubbles tickling my nose.
‘He definitely likes you,’ Colette slurred a little while later. Somehow her accent even made slurring sexy.
‘He does not,’ I replied before turning and frowning at her. ‘Who?’
‘Finn. The tall one who’s hardly been able to keep his eyes off you all night.’
‘Oh, pfft.’
‘Why don’t you talk to him?’
