Notre Petit Lieu

Espresso [4]

"Are you an idiot?" Kate was not impressed, she had to get home to shower after spending a day working and smelling like a concoction of different herbal drinks. She didn't need to work on Sunday, but after going through so much in one day she felt that she deserved a spending her free day doing nothing and just relaxing.

Okay, she was lying- she was going to spend it eating a tub of ice cream and watching Bridget Jones' diary. Renee Zellweger always helped her cheer up when she had a broken heart.

"I'm being serious, it says on your door," Jamie pointed to the silver plaque that was pressed against the brick wall next to the wooden opening of the café, "'Closed all day Sunday' that means you're free tomorrow, but why wait till tomorrow cause your day off started..." He looked at his watch and counted back, "One hour and twenty seven minutes ago."

He was trying to cheer her up, the guy looked like a desperate puppy; Kate knew that if she refused that she would upset him and eventually give in. She was in a battle with herself and it was one where she couldn't win.

"Fine, but you have to work at the café for at least two weeks afterwards. I could use some help."

"Yes, of course, anything to help." For Jamie, this meant more time with Kate, which meant more time to discover if what he felt inside was just something that was on the up and go.

He slung his arm around her shoulders and directed her towards his car that waiting for them.

"So where are we going?" Kate asked, both scared and excited to know what Jamie had planned for their 'adventure'. She couldn't believe she was doing this her parents had always told her not to follow strangers, but here she was aged 27 getting into the car of a stranger she had met earlier that day.

Jamie turned to look at Kate with mischief dancing in his eyes, "You'll see." He smiled, making Kate's stomach burst with butterflies at the sight of his wonderful smile; white teeth, cute little dimples at either side of his rosy lips. She didn't know whether to feel happy or not, this random person she just met was kidnapping her and stripping away her free time, but soon her feelings all turned to joy.

The conversation in the car just seemed to flow, Kate was easy going and had a great sense of humour. She even laughed at all his puns, which was really impressive considering that most of them were pretty terrible.

When they finally arrived at their destination Jamie was beyond nervous, he didn't know if Kate would like his surprise, or if she'd thinks it was irrational.

"I want you to keep your eyes closed and don't open them until I tell you to." He told Kate. She could hear the faint sounds of a funfair. The happy atmosphere soon turned into her nightmare.

Recently she developed a deathly fear of carnivals, after watching American Horror Story's Freak Show, she was afraid of everything that was even remotely related to it. Clowns, the flashing lights. Everything. Her stomach turned and she wanted to run away as fast as possible. Jamie held her hand guiding her through the park before stopping in front of something and telling her to open her eyes.

'World's Best Freak Show'

Yup, this was her worse nightmare, couldn't get any worse.

"I managed to buy some tickets," Jamie told her, excitedly, "Let's buy some popcorn, the show's going to start soon. "

It just got worse.

Not only was she in a funfair, which was horrifying enough by itself, but now she was going to watch a freak show. She should have never come, she thought to herself, she could have politely declined and this would never have had to happen.

But there was something about the way he convinced her that made her go with him. She was going to suck it for the night and watch the stupid show. After all, he spent money on buying the ticket and she wasn't going to let it go to waste.

"Sugar or salt?" Jamie asked, pointing to the retro-looking popcorn stand that was a just in front of them, she didn't even realise that they had began queueing up for it.

"Sugar, definitely- I mean- who goes for salt?"

"Well, people like me?" Jamie smirked and could tell that Kate wanted to apologise. But cut her apology short by turning to the person, who was dressed in a red and yellow costume, and asked for a mix of both sugar and salt. He paid in cash and they walked towards the tent.

"Now it's like a roulette."

Kate laughed, grabbed one and put it in her mouth, and then stuck her tongue out at him.

"Sugar."

"God, I feel like I'm learning more and more about you every day."

She chuckled, throwing her head back, "You've only known me for a day."

Jamie swiftly replied, "And may there be many more of those days to come."

By the time they got into the tent, almost every seat was taken, they made their way up to their row and looked for the number Jamie had reserved. The seats weren't perfectly placed, they were numbered wooden benches that were put together to form one long bench, and everyone was seated uncomfortably close to another.

Shortly afterwards the show began; at first it was fine. An overly tall woman carried an extraordinarily short man introduced the show, this was fine for Kate, but when it got to those who had modified their bodies- she was not okay.

By the end of the hour long show she was clinging onto Jamie like her life depended on it, this was definitely something she never wanted to do again.

"Why didn't you tell me you were scared?" Jamie laughed at her, as they left the tent, Kate was still clinging into his right arm.

"Well, you already bought tickets and I didn't want to- you know-"

"Yeah, I get it."

They stayed until it was 2am before deciding that it was late. By the time they arrived at Kate's doorstep it had passed 3. She offered for him to enter and to make him a drink, but he declined.

"It was fun." Jamie said as he walked towards his car, leaving Kate still on the front porch.

She plucked up the courage to shout after him, "Let's do it again sometime!"

Jamie was surprised, but he cheekily smiled back, "Of course."

Jamie walked to his car with a big smile on his face, so did Kate. But all good things must come to end somehow.