Competition

Five

'What are you doing today?' Howard asked looking across the table at me.

Howard and I had been meeting in Starbucks for the past month and a half, and I hated to admit it, but he was beginning to grow on me. He was funny, persistent, irritating, annoyingly handsome, and good company. I had found myself waking up every morning, looking forward to walking into Starbucks with my Vaio and then waiting to see if Howard would walk in. He always did, and I could feel myself falling deeper and deeper for him.

'I'm going to the V&A,' I replied. 'Then I've got a few errands to run.'

Howard nodded. 'Were you planning on a day by yourself?'

'Don't you have a website to design?' I asked.

'No.'

'You like museums?'

'Yes.'

'That's good.'

'And then what about tonight? Are you free?'

'Maybe.'

'There's a launch for this company,' Howard explained. 'I designed their website and they want to have some sort of "grand opening". I need a date.'

'How very convenient,' I grinned. 'It just so happens that I am free tonight.'

'That's good.'

'Yes.'

Howard got up and slipped me a small piece of paper. 'I'll see you later then.'

'I should think so,' I replied taking the slip of paper and looking down at the number and email address. When I looked up, Howard was gone.

'What do you mean busy?' David said. 'I thought we were having dinner tonight. What happened?'

'Nothing,' I replied dragging out designer gown after designer cocktail dress from my wardrobe. I shifted the cordless phone to my other shoulder. 'Something just came up, and I totally forgot about tonight.'

'I know you very well Cilla,' David said. 'Who is it that has prevented us from dinner?'

'No one really,' I replied taking out a Stella McCartney silk crepe gown then throwing it down on my bed along with the other dresses. 'You know that guy I was telling you about a few weeks ago. He invited me to this web launch.'

'I cannot believe I'm being dumped for a web launch,' David laughed. 'I take it that you're having some difficulty finding something to wear.'

'Nope, no,' I replied opening another set of wardrobe doors. 'I'm doing just fine. I have the perfect dress for such an occasion.'

'Will you meet me for breakfast tomorrow morning?' David asked.

'Yes David,' I replied. 'Is eleven too late for you?'

'Not at all,' David replied whipping out his BlackBerry and punching in some digits. 'That's totally fine,' he sneezed. 'So what are you wearing tonight? And what happened to your plans for today?'

'They had to change with immediate effect,' I replied. 'I know how much you hate being on loud speaker, but you really wouldn't mind?' I asked. 'My shoulders and arms are aching.'

'Fine,' he replied. 'Do as you wish.'

I put David on loud speaker then wriggled my shoulders and arms a little, before continuing with my search to find a dress for tonight.

'I was thinking of a cocktail dress,' I said. 'But I'm not really sure. A gown would just look a bit too over dressed, wouldn't it?'

'Yes,' David replied. 'Have you thought of a colour?'