Love & London: The love story 2021 needs. Heartbreakingly beautiful and hilariously funny!

by Ellie White

  The Constable just stands there, dumbstruck as he stares at me. What is with everyone staring, for Christ sake?

  "It's true, Officer," Tiff helpfully adds. "You can put me down as a witness and we can get the CCTV so you can see for yourself. There's no audio but you can probably see the expressions on our faces at what an asshat he was being."

  I'm momentarily distracted by Tiff's use of the phrase 'asshat'. Maybe I can use that on Jake, too.

  I can't think about Jake right now. Why can't I shove him in that box?

  "I lost my wife, too. Six years ago" the Officer says, his eyes softening towards me. He gently removes the cuffs and I just thank my lucky stars there was no one taking photos of us. "She was hit by a drunk driver at 29 years old. I've tried the whole Tinder thing and it was just awful. I didn't end up in handcuffs or anything but it turns out the girl I was talking to was a catfish. Said she was in trouble abroad and needed money to get home. Obviously, it went no further than that."

  "Jake - my business partner and my friend - he warned me to stay off Tinder. He said it wasn't the place for a girl like me. Guess I have to go and tell him he was right."

  "You're a beautiful girl, Miss Jones. You'll find someone great, you just have to look in the right places. Maybe your friend is right. Take it from me, Tinder is rarely a place you find Mr Right."

  "Thanks," I say with a smile as PC Jordan gently pats my arm. He can't be much older than me but he feels much wiser.

  Another Officer comes to take my details, which takes a while, and says they'll be in touch if they need me to go on record about the events of the evening. I agree and she says I can leave. I'm just thankful I'm not in cuffs anymore.

  The restaurant owner was lovely about the whole thing. I guess he took pity on me as he told me not to worry about the bill and to go spend time with my friends and have a bloody good drink. He even offered a voucher so I can come back another time. I declined as I will not be returning ever again.

  I sigh, knowing it is time to face the music. I should tell them and get it over with. They'll be expecting an update soon, anyway, and I could really do with that drink.

  I pull out my phone as I stand outside the tube station, not checking the thirteen unread messages in our group chat. I can't deal with reading them. I did think about calling Jake. I wanted to call him and he told me to if I needed anything but I chicken out, dialling my brother instead.

  CHAPTER SIX

  I reluctantly push on the doors of The George to find Laura, Helen, Harry and Simon sat at our regular table. I can't see Jake anywhere but his coat is hung on the end of the booth so I know he’s here somewhere, probably with James.

  I throw my bag down on the table with a thud, yank off my jacket and take the empty spot next to Laura.

  "Didn't go well then?" she asks, smirking.

  When I called James and told him what happened, I asked him to let the others know so I wouldn't have to relive the embarrassment. All I can do in response to Laura's question is groan as I shut my eyes, hiding my face in my arms on the table. I knew I would have to face it so I might as well get it over with.

  "Alright, Maggs?” Jake happily says as he sits down next to me. I can hear him grinning, loving every second of being right. "You look like you could use this." He slides a fresh pint of cider towards me.

  I drink the pint in a few un-lady-like gulps to the utter dismay of my friends. Yeah, I needed that.

  "Nice," Jake remarks as I return my head to the table and bang it against the wood, repeatedly trying my best not to burp after having the gassy drink.

  "So... how did it go?" Harry asks, tentatively. "Do you want to talk about it?"

  "I got arrested Harry, how do you think it went!?" My words are muffled as my head is still buried in my arms.

  "Walk us through it," Jake says, pulling me to sit by my shoulders and rubbing his hand on my back before settling it on the nape of my neck. I relax against his warm touch. I needed that too.

  "He downed a double vodka Red Bull and 2 shots of Tequila within 30 seconds of him turning up late. He couldn't stop staring at our waitress - who was lovely, by the way - then tried to grab another waitress' arse. He also advised me that I would never be able to change him and that he would be dating other women. And, if that wasn't the worst part, he then disappeared to the toilet for ages and came out in handcuffs, escorted by armed police with white powder all over his face. The police seemed extremely interested in me, too, thought I was in on 'it', whatever 'it' was. I didn't ask. They only let me go when I told the policeman everything and he took pity on me because he’s a widower, too, and got catfished on Tinder a few years ago," I say in one breath, trying not to leave anything out.

  Everyone sits, listening to me in shock. Their mouths open as they struggle to find the words.

  Finally, Jake opens his mouth to speak but I quickly interrupt him. "Don't say it," I warn, knowing where his thoughts are.

  "But I did say it was a bad idea."

  I can't argue with him. That is what he said to me. I groan and rest my head on his shoulder as he gently rubs my arm, trying to reassure me.

  "You know, they say it takes 5 bad dates before you have a good one."

  "Do they?" I ask him, not knowing if I can handle more dates like that.

  "No, I made it up." He smirks.

  "Asshat," I fire back at him which he returns with his best laugh. He liked it which makes me smile again. I'm happy he seems to be out of his bad mood.

  "Pool table just opened up," James says as he and Jake stand again, making their way across to the pool table.

  "Chin up, Maggs," Jake says, all joking aside and softly lifting my face with his index finger as he gives me his best smile.

  "We're going to the bar. Do you want anything?" Harry asks, taking Simon's hand.

  "Yeah, another pint, please."

  "One for me, please," Helen says as Laura just shakes her empty glass at him with a grin.

  "They are so adorable," Laura says as she stares dreamily at them. "Harry told me he thinks he's in love with Simon."

  "That’s quick, isn't it?" I ask.

  "I knew the moment I met James that I was in love with him," Helen says, shrugging. "It just took him a little longer to figure it out."

  "Has Jake been okay tonight?" I ask, trying to sound casual but, by the look they gave each other, I think they might have a suspicion something is up between us.

  "Ugh, no, he’s been in the worst mood all night," Laura answers.

  "He kept angry texting on his phone. We couldn't see who it was to but it was a long message and then he just deleted it, sent another message and slammed his phone down." Helen tucks her head down slightly, lowered her voice. "He and James went to sit at the bar for a while to talk. I think James knows more than he lets on, though. Their talk must have worked because, when he came back, he was in a better mood. That was about 20 minutes ago."

  "He was fine all afternoon and then he just got all weird on me when he left for the day. I don't know what got into him but he didn't even wait for me and we usually go home together. He's been ignoring my messages all evening yet, now, seems to be my bestie again," I explain.

  "I swear men suffer from PMS. James can be insufferable at times, too, but I just feed him and it seems to help," Helen says with a shrug.

  "Something must have bothered him and he's taken it out on you. God knows who he was angry texting. You'll have to ask James and let us know," Laura says to Helen.

  We turn to the subject of TV as Simon and Harry return with our drinks. They've all been bingeing Line of Duty, ready for the new season coming out this year. I haven't had time to keep up so they try and talk about it in code. I laugh at the explanations they are giving each other, the theories they share and it obviously works because they are following each other and I have no idea what they are talking about.

  "You seem in a better mood. You going to tell me what was wrong earlier?" I ask Jake as I stand at the pool tabl
e, waiting for my turn. Jake is winning and James is not happy about it.

  "We're good, Maggs."

  "Because if it was something I did, then you should really tell me."

  "It was me, I just - I'm sorry I took it out on you."

  I'm not convinced but what can I do if he won't talk to me? "You know, you can talk to me, right? If something is bothering you…" I say but decide to leave it at that when my brother hands me the pool cue.

  "You and me, Maggs," Jake says with a wink. "Shall we make this interesting?"

  "Depends on what you have in mind."

  "The loser has to do karaoke the next time it's on?"

  I straighten up. I used to love singing karaoke. Philip and I would always take to the stage at any chance we got, even if we were no good.

  "I don't know, Jake."

  "What happened to saying yes…?” he trails off as I lean over the table to break.

  "Eyes up, Jake," I say striking the cue ball hard and potting three balls. I can't blame him for staring; my date night dress leaves little to the imagination when it comes to cleavage.

  "You're trying to distract me."

  "Is it working?" I say, nudging him out of the way with my hip to take aim and pot another ball.

  "That's not fair," he says his voice a pitch higher. "And it won't work… Loser sings!"

  “What isn’t fair is that you picked the bet, knowing you have a great singing voice. I, on the other hand, do not.”

  At least Philip was just as bad as I was at singing so it didn’t matter when we both sounded as terrible as each other; we’d laugh all the way through the song anyway.

  “You don’t do karaoke to sound good, you do it because it’s hilarious!”

  “A-ha!” I say, triumphant. “So, you are doing it because you know I can’t sing.”

  “Maggs, if you wear a dress like that, no one will care that you can’t sing… Believe me.”

  I'm feeling confident when I'm down to my last ball before the black and Jake still has most of his on the table. I take my shot and miss.

  Jake stands up straighter and gently chalks his cue. He clears his throat and calmly bends to set up his shot.

  Although it’s a cold evening, it’s warm in the pub. He’s wearing a black t-shirt that stretches perfectly over his toned, muscular upper arms and dark jeans that fit him perfectly.

  After he pots his first ball, I know I've been hustled. He effortlessly pots each ball, one after the other as I stand there, looking on in disbelief. I really thought I was winning.

  He smiles up at me and winks before potting the black ball.

  "Asshat."

  "Two can play games, Maggs." I’m not going to lie, it felt good seeing him check me out as I bent over the pool table as seductively as I possibly could.

  "Maybe I wasn't playing a game," I say suggestively, the alcohol consumption of the evening catching up on me, giving me a false sense of confidence.

  “What if I said I liked it?” he says, flirting back. I wonder how far I can push it before its inappropriate but Jake interrupts my thoughts. "Come on, loser. Next round is on me."

  We go to the bar and order everyone’s drinks and our flirting turns back to our usual banter.

  "I've got an idea for you, Maggie. Why don't we set you up on dates?" Harry says to me as we sit down at the table again. He’s bouncing in his seat, getting excited which can only mean I am not going to like his suggestion.

  "That's a great idea." Laura grins. "I know a lovely man that comes into the bakery every morning who would be perfect for you."

  "I am playing no part in this," Jake says, noticeably sliding away from me, his shoulders tense again as he holds his hands up in surrender.

  "Why not, Jake? I think it's a great idea," James says, smiling as Jake glares at him.

  "His name is Sam," Laura continues. "And he is a children's TV presenter. He's very handsome and such a sweetheart. I think you’ll love him."

  Jake rolls his eyes when Laura, James, Harry and Simon instantly go into planning mode around me. I barely listen, I'm too busy trying to read Jake who’s gone back to sulking in silence.

  "Cylvie!" Helen shouts with a wave as I let out a groan. "She's promised to be on her best behaviour," she quietly adds for my benefit now that she knows what a bitch she was to me the other night.

  "You know what, I'll take one for the team," Jake says, pushing himself up with two hands on table. He finishes his drink in one and walks away, leaving me baffled for the second time today.

  I look at Helen and Laura for support but they both shrug, unable to answer to my unspoken questions. My stomach sinks when he strolls up to Cylvie, turning his charm up to maximum level and puts his arm around her shoulder. She arches her body into his, giggling and I instantly want to stab cocktail sticks in my eyes so I never have to see her again. Obviously, that would be over dramatic so, instead, I go for a childish reaction which is to pick up my bag, finish my drink before slamming my glass on the table and going home, alone.

  Unfortunately for me, Cylvie gets the last unspoken word in when she runs her bony fingers up Jake's bicep, wrapping her long arms around his neck as he tightens his hold on her tiny waist. The piece de resistance is when she leans into his ear to whisper something to him and winks right at me. She thinks she's won a game I wasn't really playing to begin with.

  Suddenly, I feel drained, I don't have the energy to wonder why I care so much about Jake and Cylvie. All I want is to do is to curl up in my comfiest pyjamas, order a takeaway and find something binge worthy to watch on Netflix.

  ***

  After the shitty night I'd had on my date and Jake's ever-changing mood swings giving me whiplash, all I wanted to do was hide under my warm duvet. I wanted to sleep all day in the hope that, when I woke up, everything would have been a really, really, bad dream.

  Alas, it was not. It was very much real life.

  The awful date, Cylvie draping her unfairly gorgeous self around Jake and the thoughts of what probably happened after I left fill my brain, causing me to smother my face in my pillow. Not like I have the right to an opinion on the matter. He's a single, consenting man and he can shag whoever he wants.

  Just… why does it have to be her? And why do I care?

  It's probably because I can't bear to see Cylvie's face in the pub every Friday night and I don't want her hanging around my office all the time if they start dating. That's it.

  I groan as my phone vibrates for the ten millionth time this morning. Maybe, if I pull the covers back over my head, I can go back to sleep and continue ignoring people. I used to be so good at that.

  I had almost started dreaming again when I am pulled from my unconsciousness once more. This time, it was to the sound of my doorbell buzzing. I groan and make my way through the living room as I huff and puff in annoyance to answer the door to my unwelcome visitor. I pause to pick up my phone on the way from the breakfast bar.

  Twelve missed calls from Jake, probably wondering why I didn't stick around last night to see him paw all over the spawn of Satan.

  "Hello," I answer the buzzer that opens the outside door to my flat.

  "Did you forget?" Jake asks me.

  "What?"

  "Buzz me in."

  I pause for a second before pressing the button that opens the main door and leave the door to my flat open so he can let himself in.

  I bought this flat a year after Philip died. Before then, we had been living with my parents while we looked for a home of our own that we never got around to buying. After the accident, I needed help for a little while but found that I wasn’t getting the independence I needed to heal when I had Mum looking after me, helping me walk, feeding me and doing my washing. It's only a small, one bedroom flat with an open plan kitchen/living space and a small bathroom off the bedroom but it's enough for me. It's homely and it's obvious a woman lives here alone. Candles on every available surface, photographs on the walls, cushions and blankets pretty much everywh
ere and a fridge filled with more wine bottles and chocolate than actual food.

  "You forgot," he says as he shuts the door behind him, looking at me in my pyjamas and unbrushed bed hair. "Unless you want to go outside wearing Hufflepuff pyjamas? I would have thought you would identify more as a Ravenclaw since you're so clever."

  I ignore his knowledge of Hogwarts houses and his poor attempt at flattery. Instead, I turn back to make my way to the kitchen. He follows me as I turn on my coffee machine.

  "I didn't forget I just… I figured you'd be busy. With Cylvie. Coffee?" I ask, holding up a mug and hoping I didn't sound as harsh in real life as it sounded in my head.

  "Are you kidding?" he says, turning me to face him. "She's awful to you every time she’s around and you'd already had a rough night. I figured that I’d have the best chance of distracting her and keeping her away from you given the fact she's tried to get in my pants for the better part of 10 years."

  "So, to get her off my back, you put her on hers?" I snap. God, why am I so mad about this? They're grown, consenting adults and it's really none of my business.

  I turn again to make us a coffee. He didn’t say that he wanted one but I know him well enough to know he won't turn it down.

  "For Christ sake, I didn't shag Cylvie," he almost shouts at me.

  "What?" I ask, unable to look at him.

  "I didn't have sex with Cylvie," he says, turning me around to face him again. This time, he doesn't let go so I'm forced to look at him. "I took her to get a drink to keep her away from you then I saw you storm out so I ditched her at the bar with Helen and went home. Alone. I tried to ring you last night to see if I could come and talk to you but you didn't answer."