Guess Who I Pulled Last Night?

by Nikki Ashton

  “That’ll be £8.99 please,” said the gum-chewing assistant.

  “Thanks,” replied Kerry, as she handed over a ten pound note. “It’s alright I don’t want the hanger.”

  The shop assistant tutted as she struggled to take the offending article from the bag. She then shoved Kerry’s change and receipt into her outstretched hand, before pushing the bag across the counter.

  As soon as she stood outside the shop Kerry knew that the dress was a mistake, she glanced up at the town clock and realised that she should get back. Kerry tried to move her legs, but they wouldn’t move; all she could feel were the big, wet tears rolling down her icy cheeks. She didn’t know why she was crying. She hadn’t been expecting it; the tears were a surprise to her, but they wouldn’t stop. Busy shoppers pushed past her as she stood upon the pavement clutching her bags, one man nearly pushed her over as he ran along the street. He paused slightly and shouted an apology over his shoulder, but Kerry didn’t hear him; she didn’t move but let the tears keep flowing. Then as quickly as they had started, they stopped and Kerry could move her legs. They were a little wobbly at first, but as she carried on walking they began to move faster as she made her way to the car park, with wet, sticky tracks down her cheeks.

  “So that’s everything,” said Charlotte, stopping outside the canteen door. “The only place that you haven’t seen is the ladies' loos.” She tried to lighten the atmosphere. Conversation had been stilted, and eye contact had been zero.

  “Err, no, I don’t think that will be necessary. I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea though,” Niall sighed, gazing through the open door, bringing stares from the canteen ladies. A good-looking, younger man, in a smart suit sent had piqued their interest, and sent their blood pressure rising.

  “Well help yourself, Patsy and Mary will pamper to your every need.” Charlotte pointed to the direction of the canteen, before starting back across the courtyard. Suddenly, a voice behind her stopped her in her tracks.

  “I wouldn’t mind some company.” She turned to see Niall leaning against the wall, arms crossed. “Unless of course, you have to finish something in the office, maybe you need to do your nails.” His laugh tinkled across the courtyard, but Charlotte didn’t respond likewise.

  “Okay, but it will have to be quick. I’ve got some sales figures that I need to check for staff bonuses.” Charlotte followed him to the counter, where Patsy and Mary were vying to serve him.

  “Two teas please ladies, and may I say how lovely yer both looking today. If I didn’t know better I would say that you two were both proper Irish colleens.” He dazzled a wide bright smile at them, leaving them both speechless, but giggly.

  “I think I’ll sit down,” Charlotte announced. She suddenly felt quite angry with the two middle-aged women for playing up to him. How could they, he had barely said two words to her, but now he had an audience, he was pouring on the charm?

  A few minutes later Niall joined her at one of the blue Formica tables. He pushed a cup across to Charlotte, before taking a sip from his own. As she drank Charlotte was aware that he was staring at her, over the rim of his cup.

  “So then, how long have you been engaged? That's a lovely ring by the way?” Niall nodded, towards Charlotte’s finger.

  “I’m not sure…err about two years I think.” She blushed profusely at her near faux pas.

  Niall frowned, and then smiled briefly. “Funny, I thought that you girls knew those sorts of things, up to the exact minute.”

  “Well not this girl.” Desperate to get away, Charlotte pushed her chair backward and stood up. “I’d better get back to the office. Paul should be finished by now, you know your way, don’t you?” she asked, as she put her chair under the table.

  “Sure, wasn’t your tour one of the best I’ve ever had?” Niall commented, somewhat sarcastically, before drinking his tea, without a further glance at Charlotte.

  Charlotte almost ran across the courtyard, desperate to put some distance between them. He had really infuriated her today, barely speaking a word and then when he did he was either being nosey or sarcastic. How long had she been engaged? What did he care? When they were in the consultant’s office, he’d even had the cheek to ask her whether she had ample life cover…idiot, of course she did. As Charlotte opened the door leading to the corridor, she bumped into Paul.

  “Oh, I was just coming to find you, where’s Niall?” He grinned, his usual toothy smile, which, for some reason, at this very minute annoyed Charlotte, immensely. “Mr Devine is in the canteen chatting up the staff, and don’t ask me to spend any more time with him again; he's horrible.”

  “Really, why do you say that? I found him to be utterly charming.”

  Charlotte almost gagged at Paul's sentiment. “You fancy him, don’t you?”

  “I certainly do not; you should know he’s not my type. I couldn’t leave him hanging around waiting for me, could I? Anyway, what’s he done to get your knickers in a twist?”

  “Oh nothing really, he just irritates me, with his stupid accent and silly little smile.”

  “Oh right I see,” said Paul, not really understanding Charlotte at all. He then pushed past her through the door.

  Charlotte stared petulantly after him, knowing that Paul wasn’t on her side on this one.

  As she entered the office, Gwen came running towards Charlotte, her face engulfed in a huge salmon-pink grin, obviously freshly applied.

  “Ooh, Charlotte, have you seen him?” She was so excited she could hardly catch her breath.

  "Have I seen who?” Charlotte asked, but knowing Gwen’s penchant for young men, she had to be talking about Niall Devine.

  “The handsome Irish chap who is visiting. I bumped into him when I was going for my tea, and he has a lovely, toned body.” Gwen, pulling a chair behind her, joined Charlotte at her desk.

  “How do you know that he has a toned body?” Charlotte asked Gwen, allowing a giggle to slip out. “Have you been feeling him up or something?”

  Gwen blushed slightly. “No, but I did go into him with quite a bang. He was very charming and blamed himself. Those eyes, so piercing, you can tell a lot from someone’s eyes. His tell me that he’s lonely, and needs a female companion. I'll tell you something else as well, he has extremely firm buttocks.”

  “Gwen, how do you know that?” Charlotte aghast, buried her head in her hands.

  “You can tell from looking. He wears very nicely tailored trousers you see. Let’s just say that we connected. No words were spoken as such, actually that's not strictly true. I said, ' I’m sorry', and he replied 'no problem'. I’m too old for him though.”

  “Obviously,” replied Charlotte, smothering a giggle with a cough. “Plus you are married.”

  “Exactly, it wouldn’t be fair on Derek would it? So, I was thinking, what about you?” Gwen smiled widely at Charlotte.

  “What about me?” Charlotte asked, incredulously.

  “You and him,” Gwen paused for effect, “would be perfect for each other, don’t you think?”

  Charlotte shook her head slowly as she stood up. “What I think Gwen, is that you have lost your marbles. Now if you don’t mind, both you and I have work to do.” Charlotte moved away from the desk. She hoped that Gwen would follow suit, and go back to her own.

  “But Charlotte; those buttocks!”

  “NO GWEN!” shouted Charlotte, so loudly that Laura nearly jumped out of her seat. More quietly now, Charlotte continued. “I’m sorry Gwen, but it isn't going to happen, so forget about it, now let’s do some work shall we?”

  “You can be such a spoil sport at times,” muttered Gwen, as she pushed herself back across the room, still sitting on her swivel chair.

  Now free of the mad woman Charlotte went back to her desk and sat down, muttering to herself. “Huh, toned body and nice buttocks my arse.”

  Later, that afternoon Bets was getting ready to go home, tidying a few things away and putting the day’s takings in the safe, when suddenly the telephone
shrilled out.

  “Oh, who is that? WE’RE CLOSED!” she shouted at the telephone. She let it ring a couple more times, but they were insistent, whoever it was. She quickly snatched up the receiver. “Hello,” she snapped, forgetting the usual Salon greeting.

  “Err, hello, is that you Bets?” The male voice on the other end asked.

  “Yes, who is that?”

  “It’s me, Stuart.”

  “Oh, hi, sorry I sounded impatient; I thought that it was someone wanting an appointment, and we’re closed. How did you know that I would still be here?” she asked, now with a dazzling smile spreading across her face.

  “I tried your mobile and got no reply, so I took a chance, luckily it paid off.”

  Bets could tell that Stuart was also smiling on the other end. “Yes sorry, I turn my mobile off when I’m in the salon. So, what can I do for you then?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Well I’m at a loose end tonight, so I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner.” His voice slightly faltered, aware that she may say no.

  “That sounds lovely, what time and where?” Bets stamped her feet with excitement.

  “Shall I pick you up at about seven thirty?”

  “Yes, that would be great, shall I give you directions?”

  Stuart hesitated slightly before answering, “No it’s okay, Kelvin has mentioned once before where you live. I’m sure that I will be able to find it.”

  “Right, seven thirty it is then, see you later, bye,” whispered Bets.

  “Bye.”

  Chapter 8

  Right on the dot at seven-thirty, the doorbell rang. Bets had spent nearly two hours getting ready, and was now almost fit to burst with anticipation. She spent an age getting ready, bathing in her favourite bubble bath, teasing her hair into luxurious curls and trying on every outfit in her wardrobe. As she gave one last glance into the mirror, Bets knew that she had chosen correctly. The knee length, plain black dress, showed off her figure perfectly; simple and understated, yet very classy. Her routine of swimming and Zumba had paid off, she was very pleased that her arms were nicely toned, there was nothing worse than a sleeveless dress that showed off a pair of flapping, old lady’s bingo wings. Quickly, she stepped into her extremely high Louboutin shoes, picked up her bag, took a deep breath and then opened the door. The black dress had the desired effect.

  “Wow, you look fantastic.” Stuart leaned forward and pecked Bets on the proffered cheek.

  “Thank you.” Bets was not the sort of person to refuse a compliment. “Shall we go?”

  “Sure, the table is booked for seven forty-five, is Priory Hall okay?” Stuart asked.

  Bets was now really glad that she had gone for classy, rather than overtly sexy. Priory Hall was one of the most expensive restaurants in the area, and it was also where a lot of celebrities stayed, one famous footballer had been married there. “That sounds absolutely lovely,” purred Bets. “Let’s go.” She pulled the door closed behind her and followed Stuart. A smile spread across both their faces.

  Kelvin was sat at the end of the bed watching Kerry get ready for a night out.

  “Why on earth do you want to go out with her? In fact, how did you even get talking to her?” he asked, as Kerry bent down to pick up her shoes. “She’s not only a little tart, but she’s years younger than you.”

  Kerry looked at him with disdain. “She was in the pub on Saturday night, when I was out with the girls from work. You know what it’s like when you’ve had a few drinks. You talk to anyone and agree to anything. Anyway, so what if she’s younger, I’m not that old you know,” she snapped, aggressively.

  “I know that.” Kelvin stood up to meet her glowering face. “But you were out nearly all night on Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, I really don’t mind, but the girls you work with are more your sort of person.”

  “Getting a little snobby, aren’t we Kelvin?” Kerry thrust her wrist out, indicating to Kelvin that she wanted him to fasten the cheap bracelet around her wrist.

  “No, but if you want to go out why not ring Charlotte or Bets? You haven’t seen them since Bet’s birthday.”

  Kerry sighed deeply, “God. We don’t live in each other’s pockets you know, anyway it was only yesterday.”

  Realising that his argument was futile, Kelvin now took his turn to sigh. “If you want to go out with Caroline, then that’s fine but be careful. You and I both know that she frequents some dodgy pubs. I’ll go and get myself something to eat.” He kissed Kerry tenderly on the cheek. “Have a good time and get a taxi back.”

  As he turned to walk away Kerry reached out her hand to pull him back, but then she dropped it, she couldn’t touch him. She didn’t know why she kept being nasty to him, but she couldn’t stop it. Poor Kelvin didn’t deserve it; she knew that much. Kerry looked at herself in the mirror. The cheap dress wasn’t too bad; it wasn't Karen Millen, but then she wasn’t going to The Ivy.

  She shuddered slightly as she thought about her “moment” in town that afternoon. Even now she didn’t know why she had started to cry. She hadn’t felt any sadder than she had any other day, she felt just as lonely and empty as yesterday, no more no less. Shaking her head to get rid of the thoughts, Kerry pulled the dress down, smoothing it over her thighs. In half an hour there would be something spilt down it, no doubt, so what did it matter that the seams weren’t straight or that the sequins were falling off. Kerry brushed her hair one final time before going downstairs and quietly letting herself through the front door, a forlorn looking Kelvin watching her from the kitchen doorway.

  At Priory Hall, Bets was having an excellent time. The food was to die for, and the company was superb. The conversation was flowing well, with no uneasy silences, both finding that they had quite a lot in common.

  “Fancy you being a Zumba fanatic, you don’t see many men at classes,” laughed Bets.

  “I know, that’s why I’m a bit in the closet. None of my mates know,” said Stuart, a look of concern upon his face.

  Bets giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Kelvin, oh damn that reminds me; I promised Charlotte that I would try to ring Kerry.” Stuart looked at her quizzically, because she looked so concerned. “She’s feeling a bit low at the moment,” replied Bets, as an explanation.

  “Oh, I see.” Stuart nodded, pausing to take a sip of his orange juice. “I wondered what the little outburst last night was all about. It just wasn’t Kerry at all, not cooking and then snapping at Charlotte.”

  “Yes I know; we are all worried about her. She’s told Charlotte that she’s bored, but somehow I think, well we all think, that there is more to it.” Bets sighed heavily, as she played with the tablecloth.

  “Kelvin hasn’t said anything to me, but then that’s Kelvin. It’s my problem, so there is nothing for you to worry about is his mentality.”

  Bets smiled, instantly recognising Kelvin. “God, you are so right. He never complains about anything does he? How long have you known him then?” Bets asked, pushing her plate away.

  “Oh, years, since infant school, our mums were quite friendly back then as well, but we went to different senior schools and lost touch. We met up again about five or six years ago. He was one of my first clients at the gym. It was when he came back from Newcastle,” he explained. “I’d only just started up and didn’t have many clients, so when he came in we’d spend time chatting about the old days. Then I mentioned that I needed a computer system for the place, so Kelvin sorted it for me. He wouldn’t take any money for setting it up, so I bought him a few pints instead, and we got really friendly again. What about you, Kerry and Charlotte?” Stuart asked, moving to one side to let the waiter take away their plates.

  “Primary school too, they both looked after me on my first day, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

  “Would Sir or Madame like anymore wine?” the waiter asked, hovering next to Stuart’s shoulder. Stuart looked at Bets, who declined.

  “No we’ll be fine tha
nk you,” said Stuart, as the waiter moved away to collect their main courses. Suddenly, Stuart started to giggle.

  “What are you giggling like a girl for?” Bets asked, leaning across the table.

  “I was just thinking, Jason Conrad and I call you three The Witches of Eastwick.”

  “You cheeky devils,” laughed Bets, flicking her napkin at him. “Why, we aren’t that bad are we?”

  “No, you're not really. It’s just that every get together we’ve ever had, you three are always huddled into a corner, giggling away. Jason reckons that you were putting spells on people.” Quite unexpectedly, Stuart reached across and took Bet’s hand in his.

  Bets felt warm inside, happy to be there. She smiled back at Stuart. “Maybe we were.”

  “I think that you definitely were.”

  The comfortable silence was broken by Bets. “So Stuart, tell me, why is a handsome, business man like you still single?” She picked up her glass, and looked at him. “I would have expected you to have a wife and children, you don’t do you?” she asked, smiling widely.

  Stuart smiled back. “No, I don’t, never found the right person really. What about you, a beautiful woman like you must have had lots of offers of domesticity?”

  “To be honest I don’t really stay around long enough, usually that is.” Bets coyly licked her lips. “Why get close to someone, if they are eventually going to leave you anyway?”

  Stuart frowned as he picked up his own glass. “That’s really sad, that you feel like that. Surely, you don’t think that everyone in love gets abandoned?”

  “Most people do; I've seen what a broken heart has done to Charlotte. I know that she doesn’t have feelings for the guy anymore, but ultimately, she’s still paying for it. She uses the same cop out line as you – I’ve not met the right person yet.” Bets giggled, Stuart’s smile indicating that she had not offended him. “There have been plenty of guys who would have been perfect for her, but they were all pushed away.”