'Jess, I know I had to drag you out with me today, but...' (and she pauses)' Jonno and I are going to for his birthday and we'd love for, you to come.'
'You are going to where? What on earth is there?'
'Mmm, wine, water and The White Company's bed sheets.'
'Oh yeah. Anna, darling listen. I'm very aware of your and Jonno's bedtime antics (chuckling), so I'll pass. Besides, I know you don't need a third wheel.'
She has this prissy face on and it stays stuck.
'What?' I eventually ask because I sense that that grin she's now developing, has nothing to do with what I'd just said.
'James is coming.' She eventually adds.
I pulled back from her but stayed turned to her. Shook my head.
'I... No.'
Eyes said everything her mouth wasn't. I shook my head even more, got up and excused myself for the ladies.
'I guess you're not aware he's newly single.' She says to the back of me.
The statement hit me like a flip switch, I whipped back around. And because I did, I now danced around like a barefooted idiot on hot coals. From the corner of one eye, I saw one lady gasp. But Anna, my best friend, she had her hand cupped over her nose and mouth, desperately stifling a squeal. I would have laughed, too, except I saw stars from the foot I'd just stubbed. So I limped back to my chair.
'I'm sorry, Jess, but that. Was hilarious.' Fighting a straight face between her words.
She was laughing but I was gritting teeth from all my pains. The one from my embarrassment, the one from the pain and the one from the pain of my embarrassment.
'Where did you find this place anyway?' When the pain structure of my face changed down. And when her joy subsided.
'I follow them on social media.' She did some taps on her phone then spun it round the right way up to me.
'Ooh nice. Very nice. Swiping and sliding up before handing it back to her.
'So is that a yes? Because we're going for three nights, can you do three?'
'I most definitely can't do three but I can do two.'
She picks up her phone, makes a call.
'Who are you calling?'
'The Hotel.'
'What?'
'Well you said yes.'
I'm about to respond when she taps her forefinger to the top of her upper lip. The one not holding her phone.
'Hi, this is Anastasia Gardiner, we have two rooms booked with you...'
I busied myself with a text message.
'How about two nights?
One night?' She was saying to the person on the phone. 'Oh that's a shame. Ok thanks have a good day.'
My face hung with the disappointment of it. She puts her phone down, sucks in her lower lip and is just as quickly back on it.
'Hi, it's Anastasia, I think I just spoke with you. Do you have a waiting list?' I'm frantically shaking my head at her. 'Can we be placed on it? 'I've a friend I'd really like to join us, if even just for one night.' My hands are now swiping my under chin in a bid for her not to make a fuss but she gets off the phone.
'Ok, so you're on the waiting list.'
I must admit, my disappointment shifts down a degree and instead swings with a just a little excitement!
______________
Where do you think they're off to for that birthday weekend? Will luck fall in Jessica's favour?
