Page 69 of Out of the Shadows
DANIEL
“I do so loathe to be proved wrong, but I’m humble enough to admit when I am.”
Cosmo, humble? I don’t think he knows the meaning of the word.
“I told you they were good. You should trust my judgement.”
We’re sitting together on a battered and squashy sofa. It’s the sort of pub I love, a bit beaten up around the edges but full of character with its eclectic mix of knick-knacks and posters and old furniture. The customers are just as eclectic.
Tonight it’s a jazz crowd who’ve come in, and when we’d earlier made hushed and rushed plans for what we wanted to do this evening I’d made the suggestion, not really expecting Cosmo to take it up with the enthusiasm he had. I can’t help noticing it’s an older crowd than Cosmo’s probably used to. Fifties plus, in the main. He’s the youngest here by the best part of twenty years. There’s no way this could be his first choice of a night out.
“It’s Friday night.”
“So?” Cosmo’s brows scrunch in confusion.
“Wouldn’t you really rather be clubbing with your friends?”
The frown furrowing his brow smooths. His eyes fix on mine, cool and assessing. I meet his gaze, head on, but my nerves jangle as I wait for what he’s going to say.
“If that was something I’d rather be doing, then I would be. I’m here, with you. Does that answer your question?”
“I can’t help thinking this isn’t your scene.”
I don’t know why I’m pushing the issue, because he’s here, isn’t he? And I completely believe if he didn’t want to be he’d make it known. Cosmo’s a lot of things, a lot of wonderful things, but a shy, wilting wallflower isn’t one of them. He speaks his mind and it’s one of the things — one of the many things — I like about him.
“No, I suppose it isn’t. But how do I really know what my scene is unless I try things? The same could be said of you.” He smiles. It’s dark and full of knowing, and my mouth dries. All those things we’ve tried… I try to swallow, and fail.
A moment later, he throws me a cheeky wink as he pushes himself up to head to the bar for refills.
Deep in my pocket my phone buzzes and I pull it out. It’s a text from Geraldine. I glance up at the bar, but it’s busy and Cosmo will be some time. I hesitate whether to respond because it feels a little bit strange to be potentially swapping messages with my former fiancée when I’m out with the guy who is, I suppose, technically my boyfriend. But, I open up the message anyway.
Not heard from you for a while. Checking to see you’re still alive and kicking.
Been busy, with work and things.
You’re always busy with work. I’m more interested in the things.
I chuckle. She’s digging and doesn’t even try to hide it.
If you’re at a loose end, do you want to get together for a drink or a late supper?
I hesitate before replying. It would be so easy to say I’m busy, but somehow that feels a little abrupt. Even though we were engaged to be married, more than anything we were friends first. Although I know I don’t, I feel I owe her more than a vague excuse for declining her offer.
I’m in a pub with a friend and the band we’re watching is taking a break.
An answering text drops into my inbox with indecent haste.
Alcohol and a band? That sounds suspiciously like a date. Is it?
I pause before answering. I could deny it, and insist I’m just spending time with a friend. Glancing up at the bar, Cosmo’s at the head of the queue where he’s being served.
Yes, I suppose it is.
Suppose? Oh Daniel!
I can almost hear her laughing.
Another text drops in.
