You Found Me

For the First Time

Two Months Later...

27th January

"Will there be any fit guys there tonight?" Steph is on the other end of the phone. I'm on my lunch break trying to convince her to accompany me to an evening at the pub with work. "Other than Matt the rest of my colleagues are all women, unless you want to bat for the other side," I joke, simultaneously picking at my tuna salad. Matt enters the break room swinging his mug in one hand and acknowledges me with a salute. "If I stay single like this for the rest of my life then turning bisexual might be my only hope. You know I have my girl crushes," she giggles. "I've got to go back to work now, but I'll see you later." I smile promptly ending the call. I don't want Matt eavesdropping on our conversation. He busies himself by boiling the kettle and holds up an empty mug to me. "No, thanks," I say, gesturing to my already brewing cup of dandelion tea. "On some kind of health kick, I see," he smiles bemused. "Nothing out of the ordinary, I always drink this stuff," I reply, taking a gulp.
"What's that around your neck?" He asks touching his own. I look down at my necklace with its round clear pendant containing many different memories of my life. "It's a locket that holds a variety of charms. One is a lipstick, rainbow, panda and lots of other little trinkets of things that I love. I have collected them over the years. Eamon brought it for me one anniversary," I hold it up for him to see it more clearly. He leans in closer, inspecting it with an amused expression on his face. "Ah, still hung up on your ex are you?" He tuts playfully, bringing his own mug to his lips. "No, I just like the necklace. I'm hardly associating it with anything," I shrug nonchalantly. It's weird, I haven't actually thought of Eamon much these past couple of months. After I signed the divorce papers it felt like a hefty weight had been lifted off my shoulders. He's free to live his life now and so can I. "You're such a hypocrite. As soon as I asked you what it was you mentioned his name. You attach objects to people and places that's a fact, my little honey bunny," he says, licking his lips. "What are you now a fully qualified psychologist?" I say in jest. "I'll have you know that I studied psychology in my second year of college and I've had many relationships over the past couple of years," he slides into the seat opposite me. "I should have known you'd fancy yourself as some kind of a player," I snort, tossing the rest of the contents of my lunch in the bin. "And I can't help it that women fall over their feet just to get closer to me. Sometimes I think in my past life I was a musician," he nods with enthusiasm. "Well, you can certainly carry a tune. I'll give you that. Will you be gracing us with some karaoke tonight?" I down the rest of my drink, the bitterness stinging my throat. There's a glint in his eye, "If it means I can pull a bird tonight then I'm game." I get up, leaving the table to start the rest of my afternoon shift. "Dude, the only bird you'll be pulling today will be one from one of those trees out there," I wink, pleased with my wittiness. "At least I don't have any divorces under my belt," he whispers, pretending to be invested in his phone. "Remember I never wanted to divorce him," I say over my shoulder, walking back to the dining area.

*******
"Do I look ok, not too dressy?" Steph spins around, showing me her outfit. I don't have the heart to tell her that she looks like she belongs in a Spice Girls music video. She is wearing a thick black fur coat with a bright red sequinned sweater underneath, her long legs are covered with black and white patterned leggings paired with suede wedged boots to her ankles. I, on the other hand, went for a more casual look with a black maxi dress with a polka dot design that has slits up the sides, belted around the waist. Accompanied by my red Doc Martens, with fishnet tights and a dark washed denim jacket. "You look fine, babe," I smile, whilst applying another thick layer of red shimmering gloss to my lips. Steph checks out her reflection in a store window, smoothing down her curls and inspecting her newly filled pout. "Did it hurt this time?" I ask, dragging her away as we are already half an hour late. "It was the worst pain ever, it stung worse than the Ray that killed Steve Irwin. May he Rest In heavenly Peace! Usually I have a very thick skin when it comes to pain," she replies shuddering, linking her arm with mine. I can tell she's nervous, but to the outside world she hides it well with her quick responses and by sometimes being overly friendly. "I wish I had your bravery," I smirk, holding the door of the pub open for her. "In my line of work without pain there is no gain," she squeals excitedly. Her eyes are dazzling with a golden brown eyeshadow framing her already extraordinary light green eye colour. We both walk in to the sound of Oasis blaring through the speakers. The place is heaving for a Thursday night, all the tables have been taken and you wouldn't be able to swing a cat in here. There is a strong scent of beer and chips wafting across the room, teasing my senses and making my stomach rumble. I haven't eaten since that measly salad from lunchtime. An older guy, who must be in his sixties, eyes Steph up and nudges his equally older mate next to him. "You got yourself a fan club there, ma'am," I laugh, pointing towards towards their table. "Evening fellas," she waves, the diamond bangles on her wrist clashing together. She smiles patronizingly at them as they hang their heads down and carry on with their conversation. "Ladies, over here!" A loud voice echoes from across the room and I see Matt sitting at a corner table in the back. He is alone with a beer and a plate of fries and canapés in front of him. We walk over, the table is decorated with candles and holly, clearly the leftovers from the Christmas period. Matt is still wearing his attire from earlier on, a plaid white and grey shirt buttoned up to the top paired with his black jeans. "So, is this the second member of the anti-vaccine crew?" He raises his eyebrows as he takes a sip of his beer. He eyes Steph up and down just like he did when we first met. "Well, it seems that it's dressed down Thursday today for you. I'm Steph," she smiles as she holds out her hand and he shakes it. "Stephanie De Vill. Nice coat," he chuckles, as she removes it and puts it on the back of the chair opposite him. "I'll have you know that this is a faux fur limited edition from H&M," she replies with a cheeky smile, scraping her electric blue polished nails along the table. I slide down in my seat next to her, shrugging my jacket off and observe the New Year menu. "So, I take it you didn't make it home in time to change," I say, raising my hand to a nearby waiter. "I was dressed up as Bugs Bunny to a class of fifty kids this afternoon, that was a bag of laughs. It ended with a conversation with a six-year-old asking me what sex is," he pulls a cringed expression. "So, in answer to your question, that's a big fat no," he says, popping an olive into his mouth. "What did you tell him, nothing inappropriate I hope? Can I have a raspberry Mojito with a lime, please?" I ask the waiter, still looking at Matt for his response. He takes another swig of his beer, his eyes light up with animation. "I basically said it's something he needs to discuss with his mum and dad. But to add to his parents that his dad must have been playing cards when he met his mum because he pulled a queen."
"Oh, you're quite the charmer aren't you?" Steph interjects, pointing to an image of a pitcher of Pimms on the menu to the waiter. "It's the least I could do for the little man, I didn't want him going home to his parents making me out to look like some  old perv," he replies. "What's the most you can do, then?" Steph asks, her elbows on the table looking over at him as her lips curve into a seductive smile. I didn't realise she'd be attracted to him. "You want to find out later?" He winks, leaning forward. "No, I never do one night stands. Apart from this one time when I met this Pizza Hut delivery guy who came to my door. He was wearing a cross around his neck, I thought that said it all. A good Christian guy, but it turned out he was a little on the rough side. You know what they say, you don't have to look at the bottle to pop the cork," she coughs nervously. I have to stifle a laugh. "Well, I am a true gentleman," he smiles, holding his hand to his chest. I seriously feel like I am third wheeling them on a blind date. I take out my phone waiting for a text message to come through whilst they carry on interrogating each other. "So, your place Lawton Benjamin, does the name of the business have a special meaning?" Steph asks, as the waiter returns to our table with the drinks. "My brothers idea. Lawton was the name of his golden retriever and Benjamin is his first sons name. Basically I'm working for a dog and an eight-year-old kid," he chuckles. Steph shoots me a glance, clearly impressed by him. "What is it you do, Steph?" He asks. "I'm a dentist," she responds proudly. "No way!" He responds nearly spitting out his drink, looking on in shock. Everyone has the same reaction when Steph tells them her occupation. "How do you think I was able to afford these dentures. I have been qualified for as long as your nephew has been born," she smiles, showing him her straight white teeth. "Damn, well I stand corrected. I thought you were a model from the Gucci cat walk or something," he says with a glint in his eye. "Oh, don't make me blush," she laughs, her face clearly flushed by the compliment. "Ladies and gents, it's karaoke time. Who would like to be the first mug up here to grace us with an opening number?" The man from behind the bar announces into the microphone. "Me!" Matt immediately is on his feet, marching over to him at the front of the bar. "Excellent, young man. We have a few songs to choose from, Tom Jones, The Beatles, Robbie Williams..." Matt interrupts him by raising his hand. "I would actually like to sing a song acapella, if you don't mind." He says, confidently taking the mic in his hand. "You go for it big boy!" Steph chants excitedly in her seat. The guy from behind the bar just shrugs in agreement and dims the lights. Matt stands there with such calmness and poise as he starts singing.