Page 57 of Little Miss Fortune

‘On second thought, I will have another one, please.’ I hand him my empty glass.

He smiles and brings a card reader with an automatic service charge included. God bless this country, for the devils are running it.

Do I do it? Do I text John?

His ass grab was one third of the reason I’m fired.

Maybe I just need more beer, and the thought will go away.

I’ve killed about two hours and three pints when a voice interrupts me from above and stops me from making a massive mistake. No, not god, or Leon, but to my absolute shock—Toby.

‘Fancy seeing you here.’

‘How did you find me?’ I ask, completely lost for other words.

‘Would you believe me if I said fate?’

‘You know I wouldn’t.’ It was my luck.

‘I think you would accept my concept of fate if you knew what I know.’

‘Will you tell me?’ I bite.

‘I don’t know. That will depend on multiple factors.’

‘What are they?’

‘Can I sit?’

‘And second?’

‘Will you go on a date with me?’

A beat. Oh, ha ha, no that was just my heart. Easy mistake to make.

‘One of them is a yes.’

‘I hope it’s the date one.’

‘Toby.’ I sigh, and he sits on an empty chair. ‘I just got fired, and I am waiting for Leon. He might be quite upset if he sees me with you.’

‘You are on temporary leave, and something tells me that it will work out for you. And I am not talking about a date immediately. I can wait.’

‘You were literally dating Sashka less than a week ago.’

‘About ten days ago, yes.’

‘Toby.’ My face is now in my hands.

‘It wasn’t right, Fuko. She can hate me, she can hate you. But I did what I felt was right.’

My mind is blank; the beer is sitting funny with me.

‘What are you doing here?’ I pry again.

‘I live next door actually. I come here for a pint every now and again, and I saw your sad face in the window.’

‘You live around here?’ I look out. ‘But it’s high rises with, like, concierge services.’