‘Okay,’ I say, cheering up. If anything will take my mind off impending poverty, it’s snuggling up next to Ben and looking through some pictures that I’m actually proud of.
One hour later and I’m 89 per cent sozzled, 98 per cent happy, and 102 per cent crap at maths. Ben and I are getting properly excited about some of the pictures I’ve taken and, if I block out the whole date débâcle after my olive grove shots, I’ve got to say that I’m pleased with how they’ve turned out. I found some straws in Ben’s kitchen so we’re both lying on our backs, straws dipped into our glasses of booze so we don’t even have to get up for a drink.
‘A website then? A place for my photos alongside my own name?’
‘Bloody corking idea!’
‘Just one prob,’ I slur. ‘I am not good at the internet. Like, how do you make a website? Can you make me one, Ben, pretty please?’
‘No idea, mate. Maybe that guy can help?’
‘What guy?’
‘That hipster guy?’
‘Not that fool,’ I huff.
‘Thought he worked in IT?’
‘Yes, Arnie does app design and stuff,’ I say reluctantly. ‘And he also friend-zoned me before I had the chance to friend-zone him so it is all a bit awkward.’
‘BA HA HAAAA,’ he laughs, before noticing that my face is falling again. ‘He could be helpful with the set-up? You should give him a ring.’
‘Okay.’
‘Hey,sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. Listen, he was an idiot to friend-zone you.’
Alright STOP. Collaborate and listen.
Did Ben’s last sentence sound a bit. . . weird? The bit about Arnie being an idiot? Am I incredibly drunk right now? I try to suck up more wine but end up pushing the straw up my nose. Coughing furiously, I roll over to find Ben doing exactly the same. Our faces are just inches from each other’s. Have I absolutely lost my tiny mind or does this situation suddenly feel a bit. . . charged? I stare at my old pal Ben, with his blond hair, blue eyes and stubble. His whole handsome face is full of kindness, concern and something else, too. Is he thinking the same as me?
Should we. . .?
Me and Ben?
Nah.
Ormaybe?
We both leap up at the same time and the blood rushes to my head as I try to balance.
‘Right, goodnight then,’ Ben says.
‘Absolutely. Nighty night!’
Nighty night?
Then we do the world’s most cringe handshake, because obviously life could really do with being a bit more awkward right now, and lurch off in different directions.
