by H P Steven
“Yeah to easy man,” Devin commented. After getting up and heading to the toilet himself.
“Hey guys, looks like we’ll meet you guys at Waxy’s tonight. I’m gonna finish this one then head home to get Susan,” Cam declared.
“Nice one bro,” I added just as Devin gets back from sneaking off and puts another beer in front of Cam.
“Sorry bro you were saying?” Devin asked.
“Ha, unlucky bro.” I laughed.
“Nah all good, I’ll quickly finish this one then that one and walk across the bridge. Putney stations just over there, isn’t it?” Cam asked.
“Yeah bro, it’s just behind those buildings on the right,” I responded. “Oh man, thanks for the hand today guys. Didn’t take us as long as I thought it would.”
“Yeah no worries man,” Cam replied.
“To easy,” Devin added.
“Ah, thanks for the beers guys. But, I better shoot off and try and get Susan sorted. I’ll meet you all at Waxy’s at around six thirty, nice to meet you Louise, Mike good to see you again man, catch you tonight,” Cam added before, leaving to use the toilet again then heading off to the tube stop. Both Devin and I laughed. Thinking light weight.
“Oh man. The first beer I had when I came to London was here. Before I went and moved in with Cam who I knew from back home and Devin who I’d never met,” I announced.
“How long ago was that?” Mike asked
“Bout six or so months ago, I think. It didn’t look like this though,” I responded.
“Yeah, it was a bit run down for a couple years ago, they did heaps of work to it since. The little bar down stairs is pretty cool as well,” Mike added.
“Who’d like another drink?” Louise asked. We all put our hands up laughing.
“I’ll give you a hand carrying them,” Devin insisted.
Just as Hannah walked in and noticed Devin up at the bar and Devin pointed over to Mike and I.
“Hi again Hannah,” Mike said, greeting her.
“Hey Mike. What’s happening? Are we all off to your restaurant tonight?” Hannah asked.
“Yip, Louise’s coming with us and she and Devin are getting the next round,” I replied.
“Yeah, Devin just asked me what I’d like to drink. After today a beer sounds like a great idea,” Hannah smiled.
“Tough day at the office?” I asked knowing Hannah wouldn’t want to talk about it.
“Nah, just getting back into it after being on holiday mode. Taking a while to adjust. Plus, some new Greek girl started and some of the guys were staring at her especially that Barney Rubble looking guy I told you about. So, took even longer to try and get up to speed, but I don’t want to talk about it,” Hannah sighed just as Louise and Devin came back with the drinks and sat back down.
“Ah thanks guys. Hey Louise this is Hannah, Hannah this is Louise,” Mike announced.
“Nice to meet you Hannah,” Louise responded and then vice versa.
“So have you been to the restaurant before?” Hannah asked Louise.
“Yeah it’s really good. I’ve been a few times since Mike started working there, we live with another couple of girls who are away with their boyfriends this weekend. But, we try and get there after work most Fridays,” Louise explained.
“Oh nice,” Hannah replied.
“So what do you do?” Hannah asked Louise.
“Oh, at the moment. I work for a real estate firm, in their main office based in Holborn. So mostly filing and clerical work. But they’re really great and realise I’m here to travel, which is really handy,” Louise replied.
“Yeah, my boss is also good like that as well,” Hannah added.
“So, what’s the best way to get to your work man?” I asked Mike.
“Um, probably taxi if your gonna stay around here till six,” Mike replied.
“Yip that sounds good,” Devin agreed. “I might grab some chips, to tide us over,” Devin added.
“Yeah bro, sounds good, a wee snack before Waxy’s,” I mentioned.
“You two are useless, I’ll go order them now,” Hannah laughed getting up and heading to the bar to check out the menu. Placing an order she comes back with another wine for Louise. Turning around and goes back up to the bar to get four beers.
“Bro you could have helped her?” I laughed.
“I thought you were going to,” Devin replied.
“Well I guess she’s right, we are both useless,” I joked.
“All right, I’ll have to make this one my last, until after work,” Mike added.
“Yeah to easy man, do you have the number for one of those cheap taxi’s?” I asked.
“Ah yeah, I’ll go home and grab my stuff after this. If you guys want to come in, you should have time for another couple before the taxi arrives,” Mike suggested.
“Yeah sounds like a plan,” Devin agreed.
“Hey do you guys do crispy duck and pancakes at your restaurant?” I asked Mike.
“Of course man, and it’s the goods as well,” He replied.
“Sweet, dinner sorted,” Devin declared just as the chips arrived and we got stuck in.
“Cam, will probably be down for some of that as well,” Devin added.
“Where is Cam?” Hannah asked.
“Oh he’s gone to get Susan,” I replied.
“Oh nice, probably doesn’t want her on the tube alone,” Hannah remarked.
“And we’re meeting them at Waxy O’Connor’s?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah, then going to dinner at the restaurant that Mike works at. Shortly followed going home and catching up on some sleep,” I added.
“Sounds like a plan,” Devin laughed.
“What’s Anna up to tonight Phil?” Hannah asked, “You have contacted her since you’ve been back.”
“Um, she was just at work when I text her earlier and she’s gonna get back to me,” I replied.
“Oh cool, well it took you long enough,” Hannah joked.
“Well, I’m gonna head home if you guys want me to order the next round?” Mike asked.
“No, it’s all good bro, we can do that, just go get your stuff and come back and we’ll head in,” I replied. Just as Mike left to go home I walked up to the bar followed by Louise.
“Hey so who’s Anna?” Louise asked.
“Ah, a girl I met in Croatia,” I responded.
“Oh cool, what’s she like?” Louise asked.
“She’s brilliant,” I said. Not really wanting to say to much as nothings had happened. I was feeling a bit drunk. Ah one more, I thought to myself. Just before a long taxi ride into the city to sober me up a bit.
Ordering, then getting a hand from Louise. To carry the drinks back to the table. I noticed Hannah shaking her head at me and then kicking me in the shin as I settled back in to my seat. I also noticed Devin laughing at me. Luckily I was saved by my phone again,
Hi Phil, it looks like I’ll be able to catch up for a quick drink at Waxy’s, I’m still at work, but I look forward to seeing you again, I need to talk to you, sorry but I’ll have to skip dinner, as I’ll need to get home to make a phone call, I’ll talk to you soon.
Anna
Well, at least there was no, your friend Anna, this time, I thought to myself.
Any way re-joining the table smiling like an idiot.
“What’s that stupid look for?” Hannah asked.
“Ha, it’s just my face,” I joked. Devin, thinking that pretty was funny. Tried to swallow the beer in his mouth. “Nah, Anna can meet up for a drink at Waxy’s.”
“Oh man, if it happens,” Hannah joked.
“I’ll make sure I’m out of your range Hannah.” I laughed.
“Yeah, so should be a fun night,” I added just as we were finishing our last drink. Mike walked back in. Waving at us, letting us know the taxi was here.
Getting up we all knew this was gonna be a big night. When we got into the taxi I thought we should’ve warned Louise. “Hey Louise, just let us know if we are getting too d
runk, at any time tonight,” I declared.
“Should I be worried?” replied Louise.
“With these two and Cam, yes, you probably should be,” Hannah joked.
“Phil will be to nervous talking to his— whatever they’re calling it. Cam and Devin like to one up each other, but it’ll be a fun night,” Hannah added.
“Oh good. Well, I’m not at home watching a movie, so really looking forward to tonight. Mike’s told me about you all anyway,” Louise replied.
“Oh have you now, Mike?” Hannah asked looking over towards Mike with a stern look.
“Oh watch yourself Mike,” I warned.
“Only the good things Hannah,” Mike replied. Hopping into the taxi it seemed like the longest ride in the history, into Piccadilly Circus. It was so good, when we got dropped off just outside Mikes work. Waxy’s was just twenty to thirty metres away around the corner. Luckily we had gotten a text from Cam that he Susan and Anna were enjoying a drink and they’d have ours waiting for us.
“All right guys I’ll see you in a few hours, I’ll have the table all sorted,” Mike announced.
“Sounds good man, see you in a few,” I replied.
Myself and the others walked around the corner to Waxy’s.
“Oh man has Cam sorted out the first round for us?” Devin asked.
“Um, I think he should have bro, whys that?” I asked.
“Um, might have changed my mind, I think I should have a lemonade next or I might not make dinner,” Devin mentioned.
“Nah it’s all good, I got him to order us one each bro. I was thinking the same thing.” I laughed.
“Great minds bro,” Devin remarked as Hannah just shook her head at us.
As we walked in I saw Anna again. Quickly looked around to see where Hannah was, just as Anna walked up to me.
“Hi.”
“Hey,” I smiled. “I guess you’re pretty busy with work at the moment. Are you going somewhere?” I asked. Anna just looked at me like I could read her mind and leaned in to hug me. I grabbed a hold of her still wondering what’s going on. As we make our way outside. Just by the doorway and she started to cry in my arms. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“It’s my brother, he’s been in an accident. So, my parents think, I should come home.” Anna sobbed.
“Oh wow, if they think you should. You probably should go. When do you think, you’ll be heading back?” I asked.
“Tuesday, that’s why I had to let you know. I didn’t want to call you or have you call me. I guess I’m the worst case busy scenario.” Anna smiled with tears, still in her eyes.
I consoled her, telling her it’s going to be okay. “Hey chin up, I’m sure he’ll be fine,” I insisted. Not knowing if I’ll ever see her again and not really-knowing what should have been said in that moment.
“Hey will you walk me to the tube?” Anna asked.
“Yeah of course,” I replied. “I’d walk with you anywhere,” I added, feeling a little bit cheesy.
“You’re so lovely, I’m really sorry about this. I guess I’m missing my chance with you,” Anna sighed.
“Every time I think of you, I smile. So, thank you for that. And I’m pretty sure we can organise a better walk than this.” I smiled.
“So do I,” Anna replied turning back to me and grabbing my hand leaning in. I kissed her like I was never gonna see her, or have the chance to talk to her again.
“I’ll let you know when I’m heading back,” Anna whispered, as we parted.
I breathed out and whispered back, “that’ll be great, and thank you.”
“For what?” she asked.
“I was struggling to come up with the words to finish my next book, then something amazing happened–” I started to say.
Anna cut me off, “save the rest for when we see each other again.” She kissed me before turning to go down the stairs at the Piccadilly tube stop.
Wow, I thought as I walked back towards Waxy’s. Met just around the corner by Cam.
“Hey bro, how you doing?” Cam asked.
“Did you know bro?” I asked.
“Yeah bro, but happy she came out tonight to tell you herself,” Cam replied.
“Yeah me too, let’s go have a few beers,” I insisted.
“Yeah bro,” he replied patting me on the back. “I’ll go get us some shots.” Cam replied.
“Sounds good. Oh crap,” I added.
“What is it?” Cam asked.
“Did you say something to Hannah?” I asked Cam turning around to see Hannah waiting for us.
“Oops sorry bro.” Cam laughed
“Just guard up bro,” I joked, as we both started laughing.
“Hey Hannah, I’m all good.”
“Good you two losers, need to catch up,” Hannah declared.
I leaned in for a hug.
“Always good to have you on my side,” I laughed, when I hugged Hannah.
“Cut it out, let’s have a big one,” Hannah insisted, as all three of us walked back in. “Hey Susan.”
As we met the others, at the table they had gotten.
“We need to have a big one for Phil tonight,” Hannah added.
“Yeah I’m up for it, Cam can carry me home,” Susan joked.
The whole time Louise just sat there watching us. Probably wondering what she’s got herself into tonight. Just then Cam walked back over with a whole platter of tequila and we all got stuck in. Least to say by the time we crawled into Mikes restaurant we were hammered. To this day I’m not even sure Susan remembers going to the restaurant, but it’s still talked about. Time and time again. It was for a good cause, luckily I got to see Anna again. I was still useless. Hannah was unfortunately always there to remind me.
“Oh man, thanks for the water and the duck tonight,” I remarked to Mike as we were heading out
“Hey man no problems. Make sure, Louise gets home safe,” Mike insisted.
“Yeah no worries man, have you rung the taxi?” I asked.
“Yeah man, it’ll be here soon, how you feeling now?” Mike asked.
“Um, pretty good man, I’ll be happy to get home and sleep this off,” I whispered feeling a little worse off than I had been at the start of the night.
“Yeah man, hope you guys had a good night,” Mike commented.
“Grab a seat and have some more water, the taxi will be here soon,” Mike added.
“Thanks bro,” I replied heading back over to sit back down. “Hey guys, taxi will be here soon. We’ll need to drop Louise off first before going up the hill,” I mentioned.
“Yeah no worries,” Hannah sighed.
“Oh, you don’t have to you can just drop me off on the main road,” Louise added.
“No, that’s all right, we can drop you off,” Hannah replied.
“Oh man, how you going Cam?” I asked.
“Yeah good bro, got a cab coming as well. Need to get sleeping beauty over here home,” Cam declared.
“Wow, when did Susan fall asleep?” I asked.
“Roughly after having a few duck pancakes I think,” Devin replied.
“So how’d you get out of next week bro?” I asked Devin.
“Ah one of the guys is leaving work man. So a bit of a farewell.”
“Oh fair enough, I could do with a random night out. Might finally meet this character that looks like Barney Rubble,” I laughed.
Hannah just shook her head at me. “You’re not gonna call him that, though are you?” Hannah asked.
“Of course not now,” I smiled back. “I’ll be on my best behaviour. I’ll even suit it up,” I smiled.
“Ah suiting up bro,” Cam laughed.
“Do you even have a suit?” Devin asked.
“Yeah I’ve got two,” I laughed back.
“Not as many as Cam but two’s enough for a writer,” I added.
“Hey guys the taxi’s here,” Mike announced walking out of the kitchen to tell us. “I’ll see you back at home Louise,” he added.
&n
bsp; “We’ll get her home safe and in one piece bro.”
“Cheers Phil, hope you guys enjoyed the meal if you could taste it,” Mike joked.
“Yeah man great meal,” We all replied.
“Cheers bro, catch up again soon,” I added.
“Yeah man, anytime,” Mike added as Louise sat there agreeing.
“Catch you next time Cam. let’s do dinner soon? I suggested as he was carrying Susan out to the other cab.
“Yeah mate, good luck on Monday and I’ll talk to you soon,” Cam added.
“Yeah, all right bro,” climbing into our respective taxis. Heading toward Swiss Cottage and Putney to my new home. Looking forward to starting my new writing adventure on Monday.
6
The Bird Lady of Putney
Barely knowing anyone in the room, I managed to make it to Hannahs work function.
The crowd parted and Hannah came forward to tell me off for making fun of her work mate. To be fair though, the dude did actually look like Barney Rubble. As he walked away someone I’d never met and wouldn’t find out her name was Kalliope until the next morning came into view.
“Who’s that?” I asked Hannah.
“That’s the new Greek girl she started last week. Would you like me to introduce you?”
“Um, no that’s okay I think I’ll go and have another beer,” I replied.
Hannah eyed me suspiciously knowing what I was like I tried not to make eye contact with her. I knew she was smiling at me, shaking her head. Hannah knew about Anna, but never told me not to talk to anyone else. Though we always had a good time, when we would catch up for a few drinks after she’d finish work. She must have thought it was a bad idea to invite me. Especially when Barney Rubble walked up to the bar next to me.
“See that girl over there?” He asked me.
“Yeah, what about her?” I replied. By this stage Hannah has joined me and has started to listen in to this conversation.
“She started a few weeks ago and I think I’ll make her night and go home with her tonight,” Barney bragged.
I tried not to spit out my beer, trying not to laugh. Hannah whacked me on the back and I turned to look at her. With the look, of too hard. Though I could drink what was in my mouth and hide the chuckle.
“Well, do what you have to do,” I responded. “Excuse me,” I added. As I turned and walked away with Hannah. Not knowing that somehow Kalliope had overheard all of this. Hannah and I walked over to say hello to some of her other work mates. I was introduced to them but couldn’t take my eyes off Kalliope. She barely knew anyone. So, I felt a bit sorry for her. Excusing myself. Just in time as Hannah started telling one of her friends that I was a writer. With that I sneaked away quietly before all the questions started. Not knowing that I’d be asked them in a few minutes anyway. No thanks to Hannah. Who’s keeping a close eye on me now.