Carol singers in the market croon like Christmas cherubs as I make my way to the medieval dinner. Now that Milena is with Tomas, perhaps my plans for this evening aren’t as dreadful after all; at least it will take my mind off everything. Although I can’t help but snigger to myself with a teeny bit of satisfaction as I imagine Albert sat on the sofa listening to every word and possibly causing mischief. I know I shouldn’t be so wicked.
Meanwhile, at a candlelit tavern on the other side of town, I am welcomed with a five-course all-you-can-eat-and-drink menu. The way I am feeling this evening, as I think about Tomas and Milena together, I may drink as much as I can.
I order my first jug of wine, which tastes like something that is definitely reserved for tourists. I am not sure the higher echelons of society in Prague would enjoy this stuff, but I don’t complain. Right now, I’ll take anything to numb all the different emotions I am feeling.
As I tuck into my medieval banquet and bite down on a chicken drumstick, two pirates with swords fight in front of me. They whip them around, and I flinch as one of the swords gets a bit too close for comfort. I feel the air whoosh around my head as I duck down and the sword flies back up into the air. I wonder what the relevance of all this is. After all, it is hardly authentic when there can’t have been many pirates swashbuckling around landlocked Prague.
Then, a belly dancer sways her hips in my face. I clap politely, but, really, I am desperate to pop the next chicken drumstick into my mouth.
Next, a magician comes out and asks for audience participation. I put my head down.Not me, please. Don’t pick on me.Isn’t it funny how, by looking down, you think you can hide from someone? When I look up, he is pointing right at me. He is like one of those annoying teachers I had at school who picked on me as I shrank down at the back of the classroom, not wanting to be seen.
‘Madam, pick a card, please, and show everyone what it is,’ he says.
Oh no. There is a restaurant full of people. Why me? I look around and see everyone watching me closely. I tell myself to choose a card and just get this over with. Of course, nothing is ever that simple, and I manage to pull the card out, lift it to show everyone and then drop it on the floor. As I go to pick it up, I bang my head on the table. And this is why I hate audience participation! I rub the right side of my head and see that everyone is still gawping at me. Finally, the magician takes the attention off me for a moment as he shows the audience the card I picked, and everyone gasps. I am sure I saw him pull it out from under his sleeve, but I don’t want to make another scene.
With the trick finally over, I breathe the biggest sigh of relief and return to my jug of wine and the not-very-Czech chips that have arrived and are already cold. But, as I sit alone, the memory of Milena comes back to haunt me. I wonder if they are fully made up now. What if they are going to announce their engagement as they decide to never let each other go, after all? Why does there always have to be someone prettier, more talented, or more… whatever, out there? I remind myself that I must not think like that as Milena has known Tomas a lot longer than me, who has only just shown up in the country. She has known him most of her life; I have only known him for, what? A week? Plus, she was very kind to him after his parents’ demise. They have a bond, and I need to accept that.
A juggler takes my mind off Milena as he comes out to entertain the crowd and juggles some fire clubs. With all the candles around here and the fire juggling, I do hope they have the fire brigade on standby. It does look impressive in the dark, though, with all these flames, so I pick up my phone to take a photo.
I see there is a message. It can only be from one person, as I’m sure even Dewi is off duty until the New Year. I hesitate before reading the message.
Hi, are you okay? You rushed off.
I’m fine. I didn’t want to be in the way of you and Milena.
I take a sip of my wine and notice that Tomas is already typing. Milena didn’t look like the type of person who would put up with someone beside her not giving her attention and being on the phone all night.
You should have stayed.
No, you two have a lot to sort out.
Yeah, I guess we do. I’m finally going to get things sorted with her.Anyway, I just wanted to see if you were okay and wish yougoodnight.
It’s not even 9:30 p.m.; he must be exhausted if he is going to bed already. Or is he off out with Milena to “get things sorted” and is saying goodnight now so that I don’t think of disturbing him? What am I thinking, trying to work out what is going on over there? It’s none of my business what he is doing.
I message back.
Goodnight
I put my phone back into my bag and tell myself that I won’t think any further about the messages. He has things to sort out with Milena, and quite rightly so. Still, the fact that he has checked if I am okay has lifted my spirits somewhat, and I find myself starting to enjoy the show a little more. One jug of wine later and I am even up dancing with the belly dancer.
When I sit down because my hips aren’t trained to do such boisterous movements and I worry I may need a hip replacement if I carry on, I see a light flashing in my bag. My phone seems to be ringing. I can’t answer it with the noise of the music and people talking so I ignore it, even though I can see that it is Tomas who is trying to get hold of me. What on earth can he want now? I hope Albert hasn’t had one of his falls or anything.
I message him back, explaining that I can’t talk as I’m in a rowdy place, but he can text me. Immediately he starts typing again.
Sorry, I didn’t realise you were out. I forgot you said you weregoing for dinner. It’s okay. It can wait until tomorrow.
Oh, how I hate that! He might be able to, but I can’t wait until tomorrow. I am not that type of person. If someone starts something, I need them to finish it, or I will overthink all evening.
Is it Albert? Is he okay?
Yes, he was snoring on the sofa when I left him and came home.
What is it then?
It’s silly. It’s nothing. Honestly, I just couldn’t sleep and wanteda chat.
Well, I’m not surprised at this time. It’s too early for bed.
