Page 8 of Christmas Romance Galore!
Friday December 2nd
I worked for an online marketing company in central London, and I loved the buzz of working in the capital. Based in a team of 30, I was a solid performer, a big fish in a small pond. The owner, Sal, trusted my judgement, there was a fantastic coffee machine and free pastries daily. It’s amazing what such small stuff can do for staff morale.
I was sitting at the staff room table, working out some figures for a quote when Sal walked in. Sal used to have long, flowing red hair, but last year she’d been diagnosed with cancer and had lost it all to chemo. Now, she wore it short and it really suited her. She was also mistaken for a lesbian far more these days, but told me she quite enjoyed the added attention.
“Morning, No. 1 Lesbian.” That’s what she called me. Honestly, without any prompting. “How’s the dating game?” Sal made herself an espresso, then came and sat opposite me at the table.
“Painful.” I turned down both sides of my mouth in a comedy frown.
“Oh dear, what happened?”
“Let’s see,” I said, counting on my fingers. “Date one was with a drunk Christian, and date two was with an uptight banker who called time on our date after a single coffee — like I’m the worst catch of the century.”
“Ouch,” Sal said. “Some people just don’t know when they strike it lucky. What was her problem?”
I shrugged. “No idea, but Anna did not like what she saw when confronted with me, so she bailed sharpish. Holly was so sure it would work too. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about it — am I that bad she had to run when the froth on her flat white was still warm?”
“And there was me going to start moaning about my life. Sounds like you need a coffee.”
“So long as it’s not a flat white,” I said, laughing despite myself. “But let’s see what date three brings tonight.”
“Tonight? You’re packing them in.”
I laughed. “That’s what Holly said. She reminded me I had a duty to go out with her too. So we’re doing that tomorrow — a date-free Saturday.”
“Good. I don’t want you turning into one of those serial daters who struggle to cope with the real world.” Sal took a sip of her coffee and sighed. She looked tired, but that’s what having two-year-old twins will do.
“I promise I’ll get out before I turn too weird.” I paused. “Besides, I can’t do this for a prolonged period of time. I think my body might have a breakdown and I know my wallet would. Dating is an expensive pastime and I’m already exhausted. Can’t you see the amount of make-up I’m wearing today?” I circled my face and jutted out my chin.
“You’ll get no sympathy here with tales of sleep woe. Sleep is something I fondly remember, like something from another, simpler life. Only my lack of sleep is due to two little rascals, rather than burning the candle at both ends.” A smile crossed Sal’s face as she spoke about her daughters. Then she leaned over the table and fixed me with her gaze. “But the question is, have you had a snog out of it yet?”
I gave her a rueful smile. “Not last night, she bailed before I’d finished stirring my drink. And Ruby? Well, she tried to kiss me as we left, but she only got my cheek. Nothing passionate.”
“But tonight could be the passionate one?”
I shrugged. “We’ll see. She might be a raving lunatic or she might be the woman of my dreams.”
Sal laughed. “What’s her name?”
“Sienna,” I replied.
Sal gave a slow nod. “Sienna — sounds like a bit of posh totty to me.” She smiled, before raising her espresso cup. “Here’s to you and Sienna — may you have a night filled with passionate kisses.”
I clinked my imaginary coffee cup to hers.
December 2nd and I was already on date three — even I was impressed at the speed of my progress. Holly had already told me I had to be more choosy, but being choosy was what had got me here in the first place.
I was still exhausted, as today had been a busy day with three external meetings. I’d tramped across half of London, and my face felt like it needed to be put on a hot wash after miles of Tube travel. About the last thing I wanted to do right now was go on a date. My ideal date for tonight would be my duvet and my bed.
I headed to the Thai restaurant where I was meeting Sienna, which was decorated in suitably chintzy shades of gold and pink. I’d wanted to try out this restaurant for a while now as it’d been getting stellar reviews. Tonight it was packed with customers all chowing down on Thai classics with a modern twist, and the scent of coriander, garlic and chilli made my mouth water. I spruced up my make-up in the toilets before taking a seat.
Sienna worked in the charity sector, which immediately put her on the moral high ground. She was from East London, had a cockney accent that curled at the edges and a definite orange hue. She arrived half an hour late which didn’t endear her to me, causing me to drink a glass of wine before she arrived. Couple that with my extreme tiredness and I could feel my eyelids getting heavy before she sat down.
“Sorry I’m late, I got stuck at work.” A waft of cigarette smoke sailed across my nostrils as she unwound her massive rainbow scarf and sat down, eagerly perusing the menu. “Have you ordered already?”
“Only a glass of wine while I waited.” I indicated my empty glass.
“Fab — I’ll get a bottle. Was it red?”
