“So, I’m now friends with Roland Singleton,” she declared and giggled.
“You are now,” I replied and smiled.
“I’m honoured,” she replied and gave me a beaming smile.
Then, a woman came up and stood behind me, waiting to be served, so I excused myself and left. As I headed for the door, I couldn’t help but overhear Justine say, “Do you know who that was?”
Outside the library, I turned back up the main street, and headed to where I had seen the sign for Roberts and Caldwell.
When I walked into the real estate office, Jenny was sitting at a computer on a table, away from the reception counter, with her back to me. She must have sensed someone was at the counter, or maybe saw a reflection in the computer screen, because as she stood up and turned toward me, she asked, “Can I hel—Roland!”
“Yes, you can,” I replied.
“No, I was going to say, can I help you, and then I saw it was you.” She started to giggle.
“Well, you can help me. I’m short of company for lunch. What are your plans?”
“I have no plans, really. I was only going to try out the new snack bar, just down the street that opened recently.”
“I think we could do better than that—that’s if you’ll join me.”
“Why, are you coming apart?” She started to laugh.
“No, but I will be, if you keep making cracks like that.”
“Yes, of course, I’d love to join you, and we can pick up some glue from the hardware store to put you together and fill up the cracks.”
This time we both burst into laughter.
“No seriously, I’d love to have lunch with you.”
Then, she leaned over the counter and pecked me on the lips.
“I usually take lunch at one, but if you’re in a rush, I could probably take my break at twelve.”
“No, one will be fine. I’m in no rush. I plan to stay here at least overnight.”
“Good,” she said as her eyes lit up. “Have you booked into a motel, yet?”
“No, I was leaving that until I made sure you were still here, and if you were, I could look around for one while I waited for you for lunch.”
“Okay. Well there’s a nice little motel further down the main street, on the next corner past the Council Chambers, and one block further down and across the road on the corner of Maple Street is a pub.”
“Thanks, that sounds ideal, and I might check that out, too,” I said, grinning at her.
“I thought you might,” she answered and smiled at me.
“Right, I’ll see you at one.” I leaned over and pecked her on the cheek, and left.
There were no problems with the motel. They had plenty of vacancies.
I took my suitcase into the room and unpacked a couple of things. I went to the bathroom, then splashed some water over my face to freshen up a bit, combed my hair and then strolled down to the pub.
I had one beer and put a few dollars in a poker machine, to kill time while I waited, until it was time to meet Jenny. Even though I had a few wins, I lost over all, but not a lot.
I took my car to pick up Jenny, as I wasn’t sure where we would be going to have lunch. I was lucky I found a parking spot not far from her work.
The car, however, wasn’t necessary because Jenny had chosen a nice little licensed restaurant nearby. “What’s the big occasion up here,” Jenny asked, when we finally sat down in the restaurant.
“I am doing some research on my next book,” I replied and tried to look serious.”
“Oh, what sort of research?”
“I have to portray the efficient real estate receptionist.” I could feel my serious face beginning to crack, so I put my hand to my face to hide the smile that was starting to form, and coughed a couple of times.”
“I’m sure you could’ve found plenty near home.”
“I couldn’t find anyone, anywhere near as good as you.”
“Flatterer, and how would you know. You have never seen me work?”
I could see, by the look on her face, she was starting to see through my façade.
“You mean like the book we researched when I first met you,” she continued. “What was it called—How to have sex in fifty different ways?”
“Something like that.” I couldn’t hold my composure any longer and burst out laughing.
“You had me going there for awhile. I thought you were serious.”
“I was, in one respect, but it wasn’t research for my next book. It was personal. I wanted to see where you worked, and how you were.”
“That was nice of you, to come all this way to check up on me,” Jenny said and reached over and put her hand on top of mine.
“I thought it was the least I could do. You changed my life completely.”
“And you helped me move on from my cheating rat of a husband that I walked out on the night we met.”
“I’m glad you got help, too. I was a hopeless case with women before that, and I’m positive, I wouldn’t have met with the twins, if it wasn’t for you, and some help from the book.”
“You said earlier that you were staying at least overnight. Does that mean you could stay longer?” Jenny asked looking at me with a cheeky grin on her face. Her hand was still on top of mine, and now she gave it a gentle squeeze.
“It does. If I could find some congenial company, I could stay another day,” I replied.
“I’m not sure where you’ll find that sort of company, but I could ask around for you.”
“No, don’t bother. I wouldn’t accept any other company than the present, and only then, if it’s available.”
“It’s available, well and truly.”
“Really! You haven’t met Mr. Wright yet?”
“No, and quite frankly, I’m not really looking. There’s not much around here worth even considering, and with my past experiences, I’m somewhat hesitant to look.”
“Then maybe I’ll stay another day.”
“Great, I’m sure I could think of something to keep you occupied.” Jenny said and started to giggle.
“Yeah, I’m sure you could,” I agreed and grinned at her.
“Did you come straight through or did you stop at Barrickton.”
I told Jenny I had stopped there, and what had happened, and told her how unexpected it had been.
“That’s something I’ve always admired in you. You’re such an open book. There’s nothing secretive, about you, and no hidden agenda. There’s nothing I detest more and that is, lies and deceit, and my Gawd I’ve seen enough of that to last me a lifetime.”
“Well that’s just me. I hate that sort of thing, too.”
“Yeah, and I wish there were more like you, but sadly they are few and far between.”
“Stop it or you’ll give me a swelled head,” I said, smiling at her.
“No, Roland, I mean it, and you would be the best friend that I’ve ever had,” she said and squeezed my hand again, and I placed my other hand on top of hers.
“Yes, we’ve had some great times together.”
“And this was supposed to be your break and you’re out tomcatting all over the country side?”
“Well like I told you, it wasn’t planned to be like that.”
“And you’ll tell the twins about this? Presumably you’re still with them?”
“Yes I’ve already told Jane. I rang her from Barrickton, and she’ll tell Phyllis.”
“There you go…Mr. Honesty in person. You’re incredible.
“Yeah, Jane said she shouldn’t have let me out of my sight, but they know I would never leave them.”
“One of these days a woman is going to grab you, and nail you to the floor.”
“Maybe I already am, to a certain degree.”
I walked with Jenny back to her work after lunch and, on the way, she told me that she was now living in town. I asked why she wasn’t living with her parents because she had told me, the last time I saw her, they lived a few kilometr
es out of town. She explained that to country people a few kilometres out of town was anything up to a hundred and her parents were actually forty kilometres out. Not wanting to drive that far to work, and pay for a motel if she wanted to have a few drinks, and a dance, on a Friday night, when this flat became available in town. She took it, and she shared it with a girlfriend.
“Where will I meet you later?” I asked her, when we reached her workplace.
“I’ll meet you at the pub at six, and we can have a few drinks and a meal.”
With nothing better to do, and the library was on my way back to the motel, I decided to stop by the library, and see if they had a copy of Brian Curtin’s latest release. He had sent me a text message a few days ago, letting me know. I had met Brian sometime back, when we were at a Reader/Author get-together. He was only a budding writer, but a hell of a nice chap. We stayed in the same motel, and had a few drinks at the bar one night, and we kicked on until we were kicked out.
If it weren’t for Brian, I would have missed the first part of the next day’s meeting if he hadn’t almost banged my door down to wake me up.
“Oh, Mr. Singleton, you came back,” Justine said as she looked up, when I walked past the reception desk.
“Yes, I have a little time to spare so I came to browse,” I answered.
“Certainly. If I can help you at all, please let me know.”
“I will, thank you,” I replied, turning my head as I continued.
“You’re welcome.”
I could have asked her then, if they had the book, but I had decided earlier that it would kill more time if I looked for it myself, and besides, I might see something interesting that I could browse through, and also take up more time. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s waiting around, doing nothing. I like to occupy myself, so that the time seems to go faster.
As I was walking up and down the rows of books, looking for the Cs, I noticed Justine walking around talking to customers. I didn’t give that much credence at that time, but I found out why she was doing it, later.
I had just reached the C section, and found a book by a Brian Curtin, but not the Brian Curtin I know. This book was on medical procedures. Suddenly, I heard Justine’s voice behind me.
“Mr Singleton, may I interrupt you?”
“Call me Roland, please,” I answered turning to face her.
“Yes, of course,” she replied, blushing slightly. “You mentioned before, you had a little time to spare.”
“Yes, I do have, and it’s a few hours, actually.”
“Then would it be possible to prevail myself upon you, and introduce you to some people here in the library that I know would love to meet you? When, you are finished browsing of course.”
“You certainly may, and I’m finished now if you like.”
“Oh, right then, follow me.”
I followed Justine around, like a faithful puppy, as she led me from person to person.
When we had done the rounds of the library, which amounted to a whole six people, and I had chatted briefly with those that had asked me a question, I told Justine that if any of the people, I had met, had any further questions, I would gladly answer them. I also told her it didn’t matter how many came over at the same time, and that they could all join me at a table if they wanted to.
I was happy this had happened, as this would surely fill in time. Therefore, I sat at a large table, near a full-length glass wall. I was still holding the book on medical procedures, so to make myself look busy, I opened it and started to browse through it.
It didn’t take Justine long to round up her troops, bringing them over to my table. I stood as I saw them approaching. There was one woman that had just come in, and I hadn’t met, so Justine introduced her. I waved my hand in a gesture for her to sit and said, “Please.”
“Would you like me to look up that book you were looking for, Roland?” Justine asked, giving me a huge smile. “While you’re busy, here?”
“Yes, please.”
“And the name of it and the author.”
“It’s called—Katey and her Possessed Budgie— written by Brian Curtin.”
“You wouldn’t have the ISBN by any chance?”
“No, sorry, but here, take my card,” I offered, reaching for my wallet. “On the card is the website to my publisher. We both write for the same company, albeit different sections, but you’ll find the other section on the website, and you’ll find Brian Curtin and his books on that section.
“Right, I’ll check for you.”
“I haven’t heard of him. What does he write?” one of the women asked.
“YA mainly.” Noticing a puzzled look on the woman’s face, I added, “Young Adult.” I then saw the comprehension.
Several more people entered and came over to the table, and when there were no more empty chairs, there, they stood. By the time I concluded the session, two hours later, a small crowd had amassed. I have a sneaking suspicion that Justine may have rung some of these people.
Before I left, I went over to Justine, and she told me that the library didn’t have a copy of the book I was looking for, and also thanked me for stopping by.
Chapter Five
Back in the motel room and feeling a little worn-out, I kicked off my shoes and lay on the bed, intending only to rest for a while.
The ringing of my mobile phone woke me. It was Jane.
“Your editor wants you to ring him ASAP,” she told me.
“What does he want now?” I asked.
“I don’t know, he didn’t say, he just said it was urgent.
“Thanks, I’ll call him, and I’m glad you rang.”
“Why? Were you asleep? You sound a little sleepy.”
“I was, as a matter of fact.”
“So, if I hadn’t rang, you might have missed a hot date.”
“Something like that.”
“Damn, I should have left it till later and made you late.”
I could hear her laughing. “That’d be just like you.”
“Well, you behave yourself.”
“No.” I’m sure she heard me chuckling.
“Okay, well just remember what I told you before.”
“I will, for sure. Bye.”
“Byeeee.”
I had a quick shower, dressed, and hurried to the pub. It was five minutes to six when I walked in. I quickly looked around and breathed a sigh of relief that Jenny hadn’t arrived yet. If I’m meeting someone, I always like to be there first, particularly if it’s a female, unless it is my agent, then I sometimes leave him waiting for an hour, purposely.
I rang my agent as soon as I sat down because he said it was urgent. He told me the film company that made the movie on one of my books had picked out another novel that they were interested in, and wanted to talk. I told him, I would be back on Monday, and would that suit him. He said that would be fine and to come into his office a nine in the morning. Therefore, it wasn’t really that urgent after all, and my agent is waking up to me, in not returning his phone calls.
Two minutes later, Jenny walked in, so I made a mental note to thank Jane for waking me up.
While I was sitting at the bar, Jenny came over, kissed me on the cheek, and pulled up a barstool next to me.
“I seem to remember a very similar situation to this, a long time ago,” I said and smiled at Jenny.
It didn’t register with her immediately, and then I saw her face light up. “Yeah, the night we met, you and I sitting in a pub on a barstool. Boy was I in a foul mood that night.”
“I wasn’t in a foul mood, but I wasn’t happy either.”
“Yes I remember. I had walked out, and you had missed out,” she said and we both burst out laughing.
“So, how have you been?” I asked.
“Good,” Jenny answered. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”
“I haven’t really made any. I was just going to hang around until you finished work.”
“Well, I’ve got the day
off.”
“That’s great.”
“I told my boss there was a famous author in town with wads of money, and a very close friend of mine, and he was looking to buy a big property here, and I would like to show him around.”
“I thought you said, at lunch that you hated liars.” I pointed out, smiling at her.
“Well this was only a white lie, and even if it is a big one, it won’t hurt anyone.”
“True.”
“Well, if you have nothing better to do, how would you like to meet my parents?”
“I’d love to, but do you think that’s a good idea?” I asked trying to look as concerned as I could.
“What do you mean?” Jenny inquired, now looking concerned.
“You know, boy meets girl, girl takes boy home to meet parents, parents like boy, parents start planning a wedding.”
Jenny burst in to a fit of laughter. “You bloody idiot,” she spluttered. “You had me going there for a minute. They’ll love you, of course, but they know well and truly to stay out of my private life.”
“No, that’d be great. I’d love to meet them.”
We had a few more drinks and then went into the bistro, and ate. After that, we went into the lounge bar and sat at a table. We chatted on for quite a while, and I think we both lost track of time, catching up with what had happened since we had seen each other. Until Jenny put her hand to her mouth, and yawned. “I think it must be almost revision time,” she said, and smiled at me.
I knew exactly what she meant, because the book she had referred to earlier that I had purchased was a book on sex, massage and exercise that two people could do together. I had bought this to improve my relationships with women. When Jenny had moved in with me, we had practised some of the exercises. On the other hand, maybe I should say most of the exercises.
“Yes,” I agreed, “well and truly, and I made sure I brought the book with me this time.”
“Good, we can study it when we get back to your motel room.”
“I don’t think we’ll have time,” I said.
“Oh, okay, as long as you know what to do. I might have forgotten.”
“Yeah, right.”
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