The Dark Shadow of Thursday

by H P Steven

  Susan had read up on the place before we flew over and had seen a write up on the magazine she was reading on the plane, so explained that there’s an old town and a fish market that’s supposed to be one of the best fish markets in Croatia.

  “Hey did anyone check the travel insurance?” I asked.

  “Yeah I did, and we can spend up to a hundred pounds, so we should be good to go, then claim it when we get back to London,” Susan declared.

  “Nice.” Devin approved, as he ducked under the water again.

  “Still blaming Phil though aren’t we,” Hannah added.

  Turning to Hannah in disbelief, “Oh ha Hannah. Anyway, I’m gonna get another beer before we head down. Anyone else want one?” I asked.

  “Yeah, go on bro,” Devin and Cam agreed from the pool.

  After finishing the last of our beers, we quickly ran up to our rooms to get changed and then I waited for them down in the foyer.

  “Hey guys ordered a taxi, should be here pretty soon.”

  As they got off the elevator and walked over to where I was waiting.

  “Cool bro,” Cam added.

  Just then the taxi van turned up

  “All right this is us, let’s do this!”

  As we all then hopped into the taxi, I grabbed the seat next to the driver, as I had some Kuna, the local currency of Croatia. I had purchased before leaving London. Quickly suggesting to the group while we were heading into the city.

  “Um, should we head straight to the fish market for a look then head to the old city?”

  “Is that where the markets are?” I quickly asked the driver,

  He kept his eyes on the road, he did reply as we stopped at the first set of lights, “yes.” Shortly going on to explain, “Yeah you’ll find the clothes markets and a few shops on the other side of the fish markets, so if you start there and head back towards this hotel you should be okay.”

  As we drove through the lights and headed off to the city.

  “Nice, cheers man,” I said.

  “Nothing better than a bit of local knowledge aye guys,” I turned, to say to the crew in the back.

  “Yeah bro, nice work,” Cam added, smiling sarcastically.

  Hannah sat there smiling at me trying not to laugh. “Yeah well done Phil.”

  I shook my head back at her laughing which started her off again.

  This is going to be a long trip, I thought to myself.

  About five minutes later the taxi driver pulled over and pointed us in the direction of the fish market. Paying the guy and getting out of the taxi, we all stood on the footpath looking around.

  Heading off around the corner and then finding fish market was closed.

  Damn it I was looking forward to seeing the fish market

  Though luckily there was a small pizzeria outlet nearby. Making my stomach growl, as I remembered the taste and smells having been to Italy and the Roman’s influence on the Mediterranean they must have influenced this country on their pizza flavours so I tried my luck.

  “Hey guys, I’m just gonna try some pizza just quickly.”

  “Yeah man, I’m a bit hungry as well,” Cam remarked.

  “Yeah bro, I could eat, grab a slice for me and Hannah,” Devin added.

  “Okay, why don’t we just get a normal pizza and we can head down there to the harbour and have a picnic?” I replied.

  “Yip done, great call Phil,” Hannah said.

  “Sorted, margarita pizza it is, shouldn’t take very long.”

  After sneaking in an ordering and walking just outside towards the others

  “We can quickly check out where the boat leaves from tomorrow,” Cam suggested, as we all stood around waiting.

  “Yeah man, sounds like a plan,” Devin added.

  Just as our number was called a few moments later and I went in and picked the pizza up. Sitting down at a bench eating pizza on a crazy hot, busy day in a foreign country is awesome overlooking the harbour, filled with little boats and tourist.

  We all smiled, sat on a park bench sharing a pizza, looking out over the water when I mentioned to everyone, “So stoked to finally be here.”

  “Hey man, how’d you find Hannah’s?” Devin asked, referring to her flat in London.

  “Seems like a good area aye man, great to head back there.”

  “Yeah bro, I’m up north helping my mate out, but stoked she got someone to fill that room, her last flatmate was a lunatic,” Devin mentioned.

  “Yeah came up at just the right time, with Cam and Susan moving to Swiss Cottage, I’m stoked, I stayed in Putney when I first got to London, at a mate’s in-law’s place, before moving in with you guys in Ealing.”

  “You guys still helping me move, though right?” I added.

  Sitting there, both Cam and Devin had to think about it for a little longer than I thought was necessary, before they both agreed, “Yeah bro.”

  “So how much longer do you think you’ll stay in London?” Susan asked me.

  “Um, I’ve got another year and a bit left on my visa and I might have something lined up when I get back to London, that I’m pretty excited about. I can’t say anything, but pretty excited,” I smiled, while grabbing another piece of pizza.

  “Oh my god it’s so good, if anyone sees a gelato stand or shop let me know. I need to see what the fuss is about and possibly should go to an ATM. But might be able to leave it till tomorrow. Pretty sure, I’ve got enough cash for the markets and if we go into a store, card it up.” I added.

  Cam still couldn’t believe that I hadn’t done that, before he asked, “How did you not have gelato when you were in Italy, what were you thinking?”

  “I’m not a massive fan of desserts and didn’t know any better,” I replied.

  Cam just shook his head at me, laughing.

  “Good call on the pizza Phil,” Hannah mentioned. Susan agreed, with a smile and a nod.

  “All right, let’s go check out the markets and the old town then aye guys?” Cam suggested, standing up and stretching.

  “Yeah bro, lead the way,” Devin said, slowly getting up as well. I chucked the pizza box into the bin, as we all headed towards the old town part of Split.

  Walking down towards the place our boat was going to depart from, I noticed an ATM machine.

  “Oh cool, at least I know where the ATM machine is. And look, a gelato stand. It’s all coming together,” I told the group, as they all looked at trying not to laugh, I noticed Hannah struggling the most.

  “Do you want to stop and have some now?” Susan asked, with a massive smile on her face aswell.

  “Nah, I can wait till we get back from the markets and shopping, no rush.” Turning away from them so they could compose themselves. Walking through old town Split, we noticed a tall bell tower you could pay to walk up the dodgy stairs inside, or as we’d find out climb up.

  “Hey guys who’s keen to head to the top and check out the view?” Cam asked.

  We all agreed still full from stuffing ourselves with pizza.

  “Sounds good bro,” Devin said. Couple of Kuna each and we made our way to the top. After finally reaching the top, I suggested. “Hey who’s got a camera on them, let’s take some pics.”

  “Yeah I have.” Hannah quickly looked in her bag and pulled one out.

  “Let’s get one of you four-first, then the couples,” Hannah smiled.

  “Oh ha, we should come back after I meet the love of my life.” I laughed, back at Hannah.

  “Oh really what’s his name?” Cam asked.

  “Wow, that one actually hurt a little bro,” I said, as the group silently chuckled.

  “Great view from up here,” I remarked. Before looking out at the city stretching away into the distance. My eyes hovered over the harbour, watching the sun sparkle on the water, taking my mind off how high we were and that we’re standing on an old dodgy tower floor as Hannah came up and stood next to me. Taking a small moment to take everything in.

  “Great view
aye Hannah.”

  “Yeah it’s not too bad,” Hannah said, while admiring the view, as Devin took a photo of the two of us when we turned around.

  “I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Hey are we eating dinner at the hotel tonight, or do you want to come back down here?” I asked.

  Cam remarked, “Nah hotel, let’s go shopping and head back in a few hours, no need to rush it’s still early as.”

  After climbing back down and laughing at some of the photos, we wandered off to the shopping district and markets. Susan had thought it was a good idea to get a photo with me and the couples. Possibly so I didn’t feel left out.

  “Oh man, I might get a nice shirt you never know, to go out in.”

  “Yeah bro, I had packed one,” Devin mentioned.

  Before Cam added, “Yip then the incident happened.”

  “I think we all probably packed one aye?”

  “Ha,” Hannah laughed, folding her arms and waving a finger at me.

  “Hey Phil, I see a shirt shop over here, and some Lacoste polos Cam,” Susan suggested, pointing to the shop on the other side of the square.

  “Sweet, I’m in there.”

  As the others followed me over.

  We all ended up buying something from this store before quickly heading to the markets, where we picked up some reef shoes. We would discover, they would be the best purchases ever. A few other clothing items for the trip after me and the guys split up from the girls, as they were taking too long and found a bar. Only to meet up with them a little while later. By the time they’ve caught back up with us, they had organised replacement clothing, make-up and all sorts of accessories leaving us stunned, what pros. I thought to myself as we stood around as they walked over thinking how useless we were. But nothing a couple of drinks couldn’t cure. Finishing the one I had in front of me quickly.

  Before we then set off towards back towards the harbour.

  Who would have known it would happen here or happen at all?

  Since I was that small kid in the back of my friend’s mum’s car getting a lift home, that one thing I had forgotten about. I, suddenly, was going to remember.

  One day you’ll meet someone from out of the blue and she will take your breath away.

  I had disregarded it as something made-up an old wife’s tale that had no meaning, it was just there to be said for what-ever purpose.

  “Hey Phil, you should use the ATM now, we have time,” Cam suggested.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” I smiled back, then added, “great minds.”

  Susan smiled and nodded in agreement.

  “Back in two-seconds guys,”

  I had my back turned, but heard Cam when he introduced her. “Hey guys this is Anna, she’s going to be on one of the other boats and she’s a colleague from my work.”

  I heard as he started to explain how our bags didn’t arrive and it’s that guys fault standing at the ATM. I just shook my head and waited for the cash to come out.

  It wasn’t three seconds later that I turned around and it happened. I thought Hannah might have noticed it. It was lost on everyone else. I can still remember the red t-shirt and the jeans she was wearing how the sun felt on my face, how the sea smelt as the wind blew its scent straight towards us. How my breathe was taken away. How I couldn’t shake the stunned feeling of absolute silence as I was rendered speechless. A little confused, I looked at Anna and smiled to myself. How am I going too stuff this up? Perhaps I should probably start by going over to say hello.

  “All sorted, so what’s Cam been saying about me now?” I asked the group.

  Hannah just laughed as she went to introduce Cam’s workmate “Oh, he was explaining, to - I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

  “Oh I’m Anna.”

  “Hi Anna, I’m Hannah this is Devin, and Susan,” Hannah said.

  “Oh forget to introduce us did we Cam?” I asked, smiling before adding while trying not to laugh.

  “Are the curls to tight?”

  Anna laughed, before taking a second and smiling. She asked, “What’s going on there?”

  “You look like one of the guys from, Coming to America.” Anna added.

  We weren’t expecting that call so soon, but it had us all laughing at Cam again.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Cam sulked. Making us laugh even harder.

  “Anyway,” Hannah said, folding her arms and trying to look at us quite sternly.

  “Soul Glo over here,” Hannah started to say before being interrupted by Devin.

  “I think Phil prefers to call him Dr Soul Glo.”

  “Yeah bro, I sure do.” Fist bumping Devin.

  “Anyway, Cam was just explaining how we all followed you and none of our bags were put on the plane,” Hannah remarked.

  “Oh cool, I’ll just stand over here in the corner while you guys finish up then.” Turning around and about to walk back over to the ATM, when Anna said,

  “Hey, no one puts baby in a corner!” Making me smile and thinking who is this person?

  “Anyway, we were going to have a couple of drinks before heading back to our hotel if you’d like to join us, Anna,” Hannah added, smiling at me.

  “Yeah that’ll be great, I just came down to try the gelato, I heard so much about, when a friend went to Italy with her boyfriend. I kind of wanted to see what the fuss was about,” Anna mentioned.

  “Oh cool I’ll join you.”

  “Hey you two, there’s a bar just along here near the end of this set of shops I spotted it earlier, we will meet you there,” Cam suggested, as the couples walked off towards the bar.

  “Oh by the way, I’m Phil.”

  “Hi Phil, I’m Anna.”

  “So what do you do Phil?” Anna asked.

  “Not as much as people think I do,” I answered. While Anna looked at me a little awkwardly. “How about yourself?” I asked knowing full well that Anna and Cam worked together.

  “In fact I probably already know, let’s get some gelato.”

  “Agreed.” Anna smiled.

  Thinking up something to ask Anna. “So what brings you to Croatia?”

  “Just needed a break, and Cam was talking about this and he had a single friend that was travelling with two couples that might be good to meet, is he back at the hotel?”

  “You’re really funny for someone that works in IT security, how’s that possible?”

  Anna looking over at me a little surprised but seeing the funny side of the comment. “I’ll take that as compliment.”

  “So the way it was intended,” I smiled back, feeling like I didn’t want to upset her.

  “So what flavours are you going to get?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Um, I might go the double, vanilla and strawberry,” Anna said.

  “Oh nice, I was going to go the strawberry, but I’ll get something else.”

  Anna blushed when she suggested, “Yeah get a couple of different ones and we can try each other’s.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” I whispered leaning over so only Anna could hear me in the cue trying to play it cool.

  “Alrighty, I’ll get the chocolate and pistachio,” I smiled.

  The line moved pretty fast and we were heading over to a park bench once again, staring out into the harbour watching people walk past enjoying the day and sat and talked for a bit, trying each other’s gelato.

  The devastated look on my face didn’t go unnoticed, “Wow this is actually incredible.”

  Anna decided to have some fun with me and asked, “The gelato or the company?”

  “Well, if I’m being honest both are rather great, but the gelato, I can’t believe I didn’t try this in Italy.” I bowed my head in disgust in myself, as Anna started laughing at me, knowing exactly where I was coming from. “What was I thinking?” I smiled, talking into my gelato.

  “So what do you do?” Anna asked again.

  Finally deciding to tell someone. “Well, as of the first week I ge
t back, I’m going to be a writer.”

  “A writer?” Anna responded.

  “Yeah, I was a baker, for a while. But I’ve been writing for years.”

  “So I should watch what I say around you, just in case you end up putting it in a book?” Anna smiled.

  “No, I wouldn’t worry too much about that.”

  “So tell me something about you, what puts a smile on your face?” I asked Anna.

  Anna blushed again. “Wow, great question, really wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Yeah I thought of it on the spot, though I might use it in a book,” I declared with a smile.

  “Okay then, meeting new people and travelling, seeing the world.”

  “Oh cool, though a bit cliché, so how long do you think you’ll be in London for?” I asked.

  “Well, I’d like to do more travel and see how it goes,” Anna said.

  “It?” I asked.

  “Yeah it,” Anna goes on to explain.

  “I’m not sure if this can be an it, but I found myself feeling somewhat weird when I saw you,” Anna added.

  “Wow, that is weird,” I smiled back slightly blushing now myself. “You know what could tell us if this is it?” I leaned in. Anna laughed and pushed her gelato spoon into my mouth. “Wow, too much gelato and brain freeze,” I protested, while trying to laugh.

  Making Anna laugh even harder.

  “Wow, I’m sorry,” Anna said.

  “So are you ready?” I asked, when the brain freeze finally ended.

  “Ready?” Anna questioned, looking at me confused.

  “Yeah to go have a drink with the others, I can’t keep you all to myself,” I explained.

  “Yeah let’s go,” Anna replied.

  I walked over to the bin with our gelato cups and threw them in, turned around and Anna took my hand.

  “Oh what’s going on here, vanilla and strawberry gelato?”

  “I thought I’d try it,” Anna declared.

  “How’s it going for you?” I asked.

  “Feels comfortable,” she replied.

  “Can’t believe we are not on the same boat,” I sighed.

  “Yeah would have been fun, but we’ll see each other,” Anna added.

  “Cool, I feel like I haven’t made an arse of myself yet, so your still to meet the real me,” I joked.