by Anna Archer
Chapter Nine
Checking her timetable on the back of her planner as she walked down the corridor from form time, Eve nodded in confirmation. She’d definitely been given two free periods at the start of the day, meaning her hump day this year would probably end up being one of her favourites. Last year she’d had a Wednesday full of examination subjects, GCSE PE, A-Level PE, A-Level biology, but now she had two frees, one year seven PE, one year eight PE and one year nine PE meaning she’d start the day slowly then be wonderfully active for the remainder. Pushing open the door to the staffroom she smiled again. It was always interesting to see who you’d be sharing your free periods with… and there was Bonnie, a cup of tea in hand with her sandwiches already open. Bill Turnpike was also seated in the far corner of the room near the big leaded windows alongside Betty Butchart from English. Staffrooms in some schools were now obsolete with teachers choosing to spend their free time in their specific subject areas - mini staffrooms as such scattered around the school, but Ridgecrest was so small that it was either sit in here with the other lucky free period teachers or sit alone on a bench in the sports hall, and as much as Eve needed time to think this morning, that was probably taking it too far.
“You look pained,” said Bonnie staring up from her sandwich. “The kids have only been here for two days and we’re only three days in, it can’t be that bad, can it?”
Eve smiled. “I’m good! I’m just checking I’ve got two frees this morning.”
“You had two yesterday as well, right? So that means your Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays must be chock-a-block. Unlucky.”
“Are yours spread out?” said Eve, sitting down and instantly having to de-balloon her over-sized t-shirt that puffed up around her neck.
“One a day. Monday’s my only full day and we missed that this week with the inset, so my new term’s starting very nicely, thank you very much.” Bonnie paused. “Are you going for a different look this year?”
Eve leaned forwards shooting the trapped air up past her neck. “I just fancied a change.”
“You’ve worn the same fourteen tennis-skirt-and-top two-pieces on rotation for the past two years.”
“Do you count my outfits as well?”
“Your consistent, Eve.” Bonnie frowned. “Or you were.”
Eve lowered her voice. “I just worried that my outfits may be too revealing.”
Bonnie hooted. “You’re our PE teacher! You’re the only one left in this place without varicose veins! Show it off!”
“Have I been showing it off?”
“No! You’ve been dressing like a female PE teacher should dress. Look at old Turnpike over there. He’s worn that same lab coat with the burn mark just below the left pocket for the past twenty years, and those corduroy trousers of his are the definition of musty.”
“Shush.”
“He can’t hear me. He’s too busy flirting with Betty.”
“Do they like each other?”
Bonnie laughed. “Only for the past three decades! I think it started when she complimented his corduroys twenty years ago and he hasn’t taken them off since.”
“So my tops weren’t too tight?”
Bonnie put down her sandwich. “Has someone said something, Eve?”
“No, I just…”
“You’ve got incredible breasts, again probably the only pair left in this school that aren’t riddled with varicose veins.”
“Bonnie!”
“What? You’re young, enjoy it! In fact, I have a surprise for you.” Bonnie leaned in conspiratorially. “David, my nephew, the loveable rogue I was telling you about, well he’s back in town until the weekend. I showed him your picture and he wants to take you out on Friday.”
“What picture?”
“I showed him your Facebook news feed.”
“That’s private!”
“I’m your friend.”
“Only because you stole my phone and accepted your own friend request.”
“You’d left me hanging for six months.”
“I’m not friends on Facebook with anyone from work.”
Bonnie bit into her sandwich and spoke between mouthfuls. “And I still don’t understand why. Everyone likes you.”
“This is my job where I have to behave professionally.”
“And you do.”
“So I don’t want people like…” she nodded towards Bill Turnpike and Betty Butchart, “seeing what me and my hockey team get up to on a weekend.”
“You play matches and then go for a drink in the club house.”
“Who I’m dating then.”
“You’re not dating anyone.”
“Fine, how pathetic my life is then.”
“It’s not pathetic, it’s just structured.”
“I was being sarcastic!”
“You’re guarded, Eve, and I don’t know why.”
“I’m not guarded.”
“Fine, let my nephew take you out this Friday.”
“I have hockey training.”
“Tomorrow then?”
“Thursdays I go to the gym.”
“Tonight then.”
Eve stared at her colleague. “Why?”
“Why not? You’re young free and single with a totally banging body that’s going to waste.”
“Bonnie!”
“What? It is. You’ll be full of varicose veins in no time, wishing that you’d made the most of it while you could.”
“What does he look like?”
Bonnie put down her sandwich and grabbed her phone. “Well you didn’t like Simon my next-door neighbour that I set you up with last year and he was wonderfully presentable with a fantastic job and good prospects.”
“He took me to a lecture on plants.”
“Exactly, too clean cut and boring, so I tried Billy from that rock band.”
“And I still don’t know how you know someone from a rock band.”
“You said he smelt.”
“He did.”
“They’re meant to.”
“Men?”
“Popstars.” Bonnie tapped her phone. “Anyway, here’s the man-in-the-middle, my nephew, David, a loveable rogue. He’s a car salesman, but at that posh Land Rover place in the city. He’s here until the weekend, but he can take you out tonight.”
Eve looked at the photo. Bonnie’s nephew looked like George Clooney. “He doesn’t know me.”
“Don’t you like him?”
Eve studied the picture. “I don’t know.”
“Are you sure you’re not gay?”
“Bonnie!”
“Any red-blooded woman would be pouring over that picture. I fancy him and he’s my flesh and blood!”
“That’s too much.”
“No, Eve, you’re too much. What’s going on with you?”
“I’m just working hard and enjoying my life.”
“But are you?”
Eve laughed. “Yes! I like my routine. I like my life.”
“But what about your sense of adventure?”
“I like bouldering.”
“What about shagging? When do you shag?”
“Shush Bonnie! That’s not appropriate!”
“And that’s your favourite saying! Why are you so concerned about what’s appropriate?”
Eve lowered her voice. “Because I care about my career.”
“It’s one date, on a Wednesday, with a hunk who drives a Land Rover Vogue.”
“Fine.”
Bonnie turned in her chair. “What? Really?”
“Yes, if it’s so important to you.”
“It should be important to you, Eve. You’re settled in your job and it would be lovely to see you settled with someone nice.”
“I’ve said fine.”
Bonnie started to text. “I’m telling him to pick you up at seven.”
“Tell him I’ll meet him wherever he’s taking me.”
“And why are you still so precious about where you live? You know I co
uld just find out your address from the office if I wanted to.”
“I’m not precious about where I live.”
“So why haven’t I been around then?”
“It’s a one-bedroom studio apartment. Why would you want to come around?”
“Because I like you! And I might be old enough to be your grandmother, but we’re friends!” Bonnie nodded at Eve’s t-shirt. “And friends tell the truth. That’s got to go.”
Eve laughed before whispering. “Fear not, my breasts will be back tomorrow.”
“Tonight! Put something sexy on.” Bonnie thrust the phone Eve’s way. “Look, he wants to take you to that posh wine bar, the one that does tapas.”
“I’ll meet him at that posh wine bar. He’s not taking me anywhere.”
“To bed, maybe?”
“Bonnie! That’s not appropriate on a first date.”
Bonnie laughed. “Who even are you, Eve Eden? You look like a super-model but have the morals of a saint.”
“I’m just focusing on getting my life right.”
“Making mistakes is much more fun.” Bonnie nodded towards their colleagues on the other side of the staffroom. “Did I tell you about that time I kissed Bill at the Christmas party?”
“Mr Turnpike?!”
“He tasted like mushrooms.”
“Don’t, Bonnie, you’re making me nervous.”
“Not all men taste like mushrooms.”
“I have been with men before.”
“And women?”
“Don’t pry.”
“Oh come on, all hockey players dabble. I pinched Betty’s bottom at the summer fayre and I’ve never even picked up a hockey stick.”
Eve stared at the elderly woman on the other side of the staffroom. “Mrs Butchart?! Why.”
Bonnie shrugged. “Why not? Life’s short, you should live it.”
Eve stood up. “Right, I need to go and set things up in the sports hall.”
“We’re only ten minutes into the free period.”
“Year seven multi-sports after break. I have to set up a circuit. Mini hurdles, sprints, bean bag toss. You can come and help if you want?”
Bonnie leaned back in her chair and returned to her sandwich. “See you in here at break. Go and think about what you’re wearing this evening.”
Walking out of the staffroom, Eve smiled. She knew Bonnie would never get involved with anything that required physical exertion. The fact that she actually had the year sevens for basketball and would just need to roll out the bag of balls didn’t matter, she needed a break and sitting solo on the bench in the sports hall seemed a perfect solution to this bombardment. Bonnie was lovely and everything, and had been instrumental in helping her settle at Ridgecrest two years ago, but she’d never take no for an answer and would rattle on and on and on until she finally got what she wanted, hence her early decision to just accept tonight’s date. David didn’t look too bad and she could always leave if she wasn’t enjoying herself. Plus she never knew, she might get lucky, he might be a Demi Moore fan too.
Chapter Ten
Sitting on the tall stool in the beautifully ambient wine bar, Eve adjusted her little black dress. She’d decided to keep it simple: black dress, black heels, blonde hair gently curled, black-framed glasses still on. She didn’t want to give the wrong impression and often found the spectacles acted as a slight barrier to people trying to get too familiar. They’d approach her from behind, see the blonde hair and the tight dress and assume they could just introduce themselves, but upon spotting the glasses and serious stare would sometimes think twice. Eve didn’t pride herself on being standoffish, and was usually a very smiley person, especially in school, but she didn’t like people being overfamiliar or assuming she was easy prey simply because she looked good.
Sipping her Chardonnay, Eve glanced around, she also didn’t like people with poor time management. David had said seven p.m. and it was now five past seven, and the last thing she wanted was more time alone with her thoughts, having had quite enough self-analysis for one day. This morning she’d exited the staffroom and spent her two free periods sitting alone in the sports hall, questioning whether she’d agreed to the date with David simply to stop Bonnie’s nagging, or to quash more thoughts about Manny Jones. And what those thoughts were she still hadn’t decided. Eve grabbed her glass, now wasn’t the time to readdress it. She sipped gently. Now was the time to enjoy the company of a man who supposedly liked her. Eve tutted. Liked her looks anyway, as that’s all he’d seen. Would he like the fact she enjoyed routine and order? The fact she wasn’t particularly into the physical side of a relationship, always preferring the companionship element until the companion got fed up that she wasn’t putting out. Placing her glass back down she remembered the quote she’d flicked to this morning. I don’t like to take my clothes off. Demi had felt exactly the same way as she did. Taking your clothes off and getting physical with someone was awkward and uncomfortable and Demi no doubt had a lot more experience than she ever would. Eve nodded, so there was officially nothing wrong with keeping your guard up.
“Look at you!” came the gravelly voice and touchy-feely hands on her shoulders.
Eve jumped from her chair freeing herself from the hold. “David?”
“Didn’t Aunt Bonnie show you my picture?”
Eve studied the bearded man. He looked more like Brian Blessed than George Clooney and only reached her shoulder in height, but what he was lacking in height he certainly made up for in width. “Hi,” she said with a nod.
David tried to pull himself onto the tall stool. “Whoops-a-daisy.”
“Do you need a hand?” asked Eve.
The man winked. “Are you offering?”
Eve looked at the scene in front of her, a heavily overweight, shorter than average man, trying to balance himself onto a tall, thin, more style-than-substance bar stool. “No,” she said.
David laughed. “Aunt Bonnie told me you were dry.”
Eve panicked. Dry? Dry as a bone? Sexually un-lubricated?
“Dry sense of humour,” continued David, finally in position with the bar stool seemingly eaten up by his rear end. “Can I get you a drink?”
Eve stayed standing and lifted her Chardonnay. “I’m okay thank you, I got myself a drink at seven.”
“Am I late? Sorry, life’s hectic, we don’t all finish at three-thirty and have thirteen weeks holiday a year, plus you’re a PE teacher, right, so you only play catch all day.”
Eve smile politely. She’d heard all of this nonsense a thousand times over. “Sometimes I get to kick balls too.”
David took a while to catch on before laughing uproariously and covering his crown jewels.
Eve continued. “And it doesn’t matter how small the target is, I’m a good aim.”
“Oh you’re feisty too, I like it! And I’m only teasing you. I tease Aunt Bonnie all the time. Won’t you sit down?”
Eve nodded. “It’s better if I stand, we’re the same height with you on that stool.”
“Come a little closer then,” said David, reaching out for Eve’s hand and pulling her in.
Eve shook off the contact and stepped backwards. “I’d rather not.”
“You know I’m only in town until the weekend.”
“I do.”
“So you know what this is.”
“I don’t.”
“I’m a loveable rogue.”
“Yes, that’s what Bonnie said.”
“So you know what that means?”
“No.”
The man frowned. “Are you being frosty with me?”
“I don’t know you.”
“Exactly, but here you are, in this sexy little wine bar, knowing I’m only here until Friday.”
“You don’t live in Japan.”
“No, but we’re not going to start a relationship with me being in the city, are we?”
Eve couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s funny?”
“Noth
ing, I’m sorry. I just thought it would be nice to socialise and chat.”
“Tell me your fantasies then.”
“No!”
David nodded. “The kinkiest place you’ve ever had sex?”
“No!”
“Have you ever had sex in a wine bar toilet?”
Eve pushed her glasses higher up the bridge of her nose. “Stop this please!”
“Where have you had sex?”
Eve glanced around, all of the couples and small groups of friends were chatting nicely and enjoying their evening with gentle laughter and smiles while she was stood with a sicko who’d started to sweat.
David reached across the bar for a napkin and wiped his forehead. “I like it rough and ready. Leave them wanting more.”
“Who?”
“My women. I’m a car salesman. I travel. I can’t lay down roots.”
“I hope you use protection then.”
“Do you prefer bareback?”
Eve placed her glass back on the bar. “You know what? This isn’t for me. Thank you for showing up, but I don’t want to waste your time.”
“Let’s bareback, it’s fine. I did have an issue a few months ago but it’s all cleared up now and you look healthy enough.”
Eve turned to leave.
“Have some fun! Aunt Bonnie said you might be slightly standoffish. Loosen up. Let me loosen you up.” David un-suctioned himself from his stool and lumbered after Eve. “Come back.”
Eve felt the plump fingers grasp hold of the top of her arm. “Get off me!”
“You’ve led me on, coming here looking all provocative like that. At least give me something in return.”
Eve freed herself from the hold, dashing to the exit as quickly as her heels would allow.
“Come back!”
Stumbling out onto the street, Eve felt the tears start to form. She wiped her cheeks roughly and prayed she’d spot a taxi. The road was empty.
“Eve! I’m sorry, let’s start again.” The voice was getting louder. “I don’t want Aunt Bonnie to hear about this. Just come here would you?”