AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Well, that is an excellent start,’ she says, as we pace forward. ‘So this relationship, how new are you talking?’
‘Two days?’
She laughs. It is ridiculous when you do think of it, how quickly this has snowballed into a potential love but there is something that also feels very right about it all.
‘Is it like one of those one-night stand things that has just escalated into something more?’ she says, a bit too excitedly.
‘Not really. I’ve known him for four years, we work together.’
Her smile goes high-beam at this point and she nods. ‘I like that. A lot. And what better time to get together with someone than at Christmas. I got together with my fella at Christmas to be fair.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, it’s a long story but I found him on Christmas Day and told him how I felt and we’ve been together ever since,’ she says, a lovely glow about her face to recall the event. I like hearing it but don’t know how to reciprocate that my dalliance with Leo really started when I got blind drunk on tequila and snogged him messily on his bed.
‘That’s a very cool story,’ I say noticing a very unique gold engagement ring on her finger. I’d ask for moredetail if we weren’t queuing for the toilet but I like the peace that shines in her face to talk of her love.
‘I blame Christmas though,’ she laughs. ‘It’s that loved-up emotion of the season, it’s in the air. It’s hard to not get caught up in all of it.’
‘I bet you’re glad you did though,’ I say.
‘I certainly do. He’s one of life’s good guys,’ she grins.
I pause to hear that as I know what she means. Sometimes it’s nice to welcome someone into your life with such clarity. I’ve not dated a huge number of blokes but the one thing I’ve learned is: always go for the good guy.
‘Well, have a lovely trip, I hear it’s beautiful up in the Lakes.’
‘Thank you. Merry Christmas…?’ I say, leaving a space for her to say her name.
‘Eve.’
‘Fitting,’ I say, given the day. ‘You hear that a lot, don’t you?’
She laughs and nods. ‘Possibly.’
‘I’m Maggie.’
‘Well, good luck, Maggie. I hope it all goes very well for both of you.’ There is a kindness to Eve’s face that is all in her eyes. I’m glad I gave her a sweet. I offer her another one.
The queue edges forward, lines of mirrors revealing themselves to me. Women coming out of cubicles and seeing their tired expressions, widening and closing their eyes while they wash their hands. There is nothing glamorous about this place at all but I see one woman prop a make-up bag next to a sink to at least try. The little girl in front of me sees a cubicle free up and runs in, just in time. A door opens and I step forward into a cubicle. The first thing I do is examine my thumb, peeling back the plaster. Yeah, that does not look right. It’s hugely inflamed. There was me trying to do my thing for animal rights and my little fox friend has possibly given me some awful disease. Never mind drinking some brandy, perhaps I need to soak mythumb in it. I’m getting rabies, aren’t I? I’ll be a side column in the newspapers.First woman to die of rabies in England. I’d at least be famous but what a tragic end to my burgeoning love story with Leo. How Shakespearean. I lean my head against the cubicle door, wondering how to sort this out. Maybe I should pee first.
When I do get out amongst the throng of people rushing through the services, I notice Leo sitting by the window, beanie still on his head. There are two coffees on the table, alongside two very immaculately iced Christmas cookies. There is something that brightens me when I see him now, a smile I can’t quite stop radiating. ‘You take me to all the best places,’ I tell him, sitting down opposite him.
‘You say that but I just beat off an old lady for this window seat,’ he informs me.
‘You beat off who now?’ I jest and he chokes as he sips on his coffee.
I go to pick up my cup, waggling my thumb around and he notices the plaster. ‘All OK there?’
‘I think so,’ I say and he reads the concern in my face. ‘Think I need to give it a good clean. It’s a bit sore.’
‘Infection?’
‘Possibly. There are pharmacies in the Lakes, right?’
‘Yes. We have running water and phones up there too.’
I peel back the plaster and he grimaces a bit to see it. That’s not a good face.
