Hybrid Trilogy

Chapter 21 Truth of Charlotte

Anthony was just an ordinary guy or, so he thought, in his late twenties with flaxen hair , tanned, or to put it another way he had olive skin, he was muscular and stood about 6ft although he was however enjoying more than his fair share of weight he was not the tallest of men, but he was no shrinking violet either, he lived in a no where village called Loxwood just outside Guildford, in England, and he worked in the small deli bar that was attached to his family farmhouse, although his house was no longer on a farm, the land having long since been sold off to developers. His history was mundane, he didn't have many academic qualifications to speak of, despite looking very studious in his horn-rimmed spectacles, and he had no real ambition most of his get up and go had got up and left but he did have a passion for cooking and food. He had a girlfriend, Katy who loved him despite himself, she was young with long auburn hair worn in a bun and had shocking blue eyes and was very beautiful, she held a very well-paid job and she was well thought of.

they both had a joint past time (rare in any relationship) and that was that they both loved to go to the theatre, so whenever they had the opportunity they always took the chance.

One day some customers, who had been passing through Loxwood had given Anthony the opportunity to go to the theatre at the Yvonne Arnaud in the centre of Guildford following some sound advice regarding restaurants he had given.

So, he went to see Katy, "hi babe, how are you doing?" Katy asked as she opened the door to Anthony, they both went into the living room of Katy's flat, it was a good size room with cream painted half wood panelled walls, a big low cherry wood coffee table in the centre of the room with two three-seater sofas both with an abundance of cushions on, against two of the walls, a wood burning stove on one wall and a dominating 48 inch flat screen TV in the corner. Its laminated flooring and the short haired brown rug under the coffee table, all served to enhance the flats minimalistic appearance. to those who didn't know, it looked very much like a bachelor pad "I'm good my love, have you had a good day?" Anthony replied

"yes, I did thanks, Katy answered as they kissed. "I've been offered a pair of tickets to see Hamlet at Yvonne Arnaud if you're up for it"? he said as he sat next to Katy. "wow, now that sounds great, of course I'm up for it when are they for?" Katy answered with excitement, looking at the tickets Anthony replied, "they're for this Friday we could stay at that nice hotel I think it's called the Mandalay, enjoy an evening meal at the Thai terrace and come back home on Saturday" Anthony said. "ah," said Katy looking just a little bit sheepish "what"? said Anthony "well I've got this thing on Friday for work, I'm going to be out late as I've got some client entertaining to do with Charlotte sorry, why don't you go"? Said Katy, "oh, yare like I'd want to go without you "Anthony said "you could go with Thomas and it sure beats sitting in your own pish all night, go and enjoy the show and tell me about it on Saturday over an evening out at the terrace." Katy replied. "well you won't get any arguments from Thomas he loves Shakespeare", and then added "you know you are good to me" Anthony answered giving Katy a big hug and another kiss.

Thomas Berisford was Anthony's oldest and dearest friend, they had grown up together, as Thomas's farther had been best friends with Anthony's dad, and when both his parents had met with an untimely death, Thomas had been there to support Anthony. Friday arrived, and Anthony met with Thomas "hay Tony" Tomas called out as Anthony made his way to the back of the bus, Thomas was shorter than Anthony by about a foot and despite Anthony's bulk, was a rotund looking man who made his friend look lean, sporting a wispy reddish goatee beard and unkempt thinning hair giving him the look of an impressionist painter, as Katy had once commented,  but similar to Anthony he was in his mid to late twenties "hi Tom" replied Anthony as they embraced in a brotherly hug. The journey was speedy and they both enjoyed the play, at the intermission  they made their way to the bar, competing with all the other theatre goers trying desperately to get a drink before the start of the second act, they both stood at one of the many bar areas enjoying the gin & tonic's they had pre-ordered before the performance started.