Oh, shit. Don’t fancy me. I’m not interested, I’m really not. Why do blokes have to complicate things?
Josh returns with our drinks and takes a seat next to me. He seems to have perked up from his earlier mood.
‘I’m hearing about your snogging competition,’ I tell him, raising my eyebrows.
He smirks. ‘Brian won. I wasn’t trying hard enough.’
‘What did you get up to last night?’ Shane asks me.
I fill them in and they can’t quite believe it when I say I enjoyed myself.
‘Don’t worry, you can make up for it now,’ Alex says, flashing a look at Shane.
Bollocks. How can I get out of this one?
Half an hour later of feeling Shane’s thigh and arm pressing into me, I decide to extricate myself and take a trip to the ladies.
The pub is heaving, full of people in high spirits, delighted that the world didn’t implode from the ludicrously over-hyped Millennium Bug. I almost feel a spring in my step as I weave through the crowds to the toilets at the back. It’s impossible not to soak up the positive energy of those around me. Above the racket I hear my name being shouted and I glance over my shoulder towards the bar.
Who is that? It’s Dave the vet! I beam and wave – and then his companion spins around to see me and I realise that it’s Ben. My head goes fuzzy, my heart jumps, I almost trip over my own feet and then I’m turning in their direction, trying to keep the smile on my face and the confidence in my walk.
‘Hello,’ I beam.
‘Hi!’ Ben exclaims.
‘I thought it was you,’ Dave says.
‘You thought right.’ I keep my voice upbeat. ‘What are you guys doing here?’
‘Having a few drinks. Trying to make up for last night.’ Dave grins.
‘What happened last night?’ I ask.
‘Not a lot. This one spent it up at Mount Lofty all by himself.’ He indicates Ben. ‘And I spent it with the wifey in front of the telly.’
‘What a couple of losers,’ I joke.
‘We know,’ Dave replies. ‘What about you?’
‘I’m here with some friends,’ I say.
‘Josh?’ Ben asks.
‘Yep.’
‘Josh,’ he says tellingly to Dave.
‘Yep, Josh,’ I confirm. ‘And some others.’
‘Sit down.’ Dave reaches for a recently-vacated stool. ‘Have a drink with us.’
‘I was on my way to the loo,’ I reveal.
‘We’ll keep your seat warm for you until you get back.’ He puts his hand on the stool.
‘Okay.’ I cast a hesitant look at Ben. His deep-blue eyes flicker towards mine and away again, but he doesn’t say anything. ‘Back in a tick.’ I walk off, thoughts ricocheting around my head. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Ben. . .
