Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 41

We get inside the restaurant, a beautiful little steakhouse on the outskirts of Camden Town. I remember being here years ago when it was an Indian place, but I think this place must have only recently opened.

''Looks a decent place anyway'' I smile at Sophie as we are greeted by the Maitre'D.

''Good evening and welcome to Smithy's Steakhouse. Do you have a reservation?'' she asks in an Irish accent.

''Hi, love. Erm, yeah we do. It's under Brookes. They might already be here already. We're a minute or two late to be fair'' I smile at her before checking my watch quickly.

''Brookes...erm...oh, yes. Here it is. The other half of your party just sat down as you walked in. If you follow me, I will bring you to your table'' and with that, she picks up 2 more menus and spins on her to lead us through the restaurant.

We weave our way past a line of tables, all full of chatter and great smelling food before we are slowed down as we arrive at the table.

''Here we go sir, ma'am. I will be back in a few minutes to take your drinks orders'' and with that, pretty-Irish-girl walks off to another table.

''Mum, Dad! Oh, it's so good to see you!'' Sophie squeals as she flings her arms around the two of them.

Her father pulls her close to his chest and cuddles her tightly while her mother just stares at me, mouth open like a fish.

''Julie, stop staring at the poor lad. He must be nervous enough as it is!'' Sophie's father scolds his wife playfully.

''It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Brooks. It's easy to see now where Sophie got her good looks from'' I say, being ever the charmer when it comes to mothers.

''Mr. Brooks, a pleasure also, sir'' I smile at him, keeping my back straight as I extend a hand for him to shake.

Shaking my hand firmly, he smiles at me proudly as he looks between Sophie and I as I pull out her chair before we both sit down with her folks. A brief moment of silence washes over the table before Sophie's father clears his throat and begins to speak.

''So my lad, what's your name and what do you do for a living?'' he smiles at me.

''Gary, sir. My name is Gary and I'm a musician'' I smile weakly at him, hoping that he won't scoff at my music career before he realizes who I actually am.

''Oh, fantastic! Anything we may have heard of?-'' he's cut off by Sophie's mum just blurting out the most random question ever;

''Are you real? I mean..are..'' she trails off in a blushing embarrassment when she realizes what she's after saying, which leaves me and Sophie giggling slightly.

''What are you on about? Of course, he's rea- oh, hang on...I recognize you now'' he says to me, trailing off into a slight whisper towards the end of his sentence.

Shit. I hope his initial judgment of me - which I'd like to think was quite a good one - doesn't change now that he recognizes me.

''Gary Barlow, right? Take That?'' he says in a hushed whisper as to not attract the other restaurant punters, which for I am quite grateful.

''Haha, yes sir. That's me. Although, we're taking a little break from the band right now. I'm doing some solo stuff actually this year. Released an album there a couple of months ago, sir'' I smile at him before taking a sip of water.

All of a sudden, my mouth has gone quite dry.

''Brilliant stuff. Well done and please none of this sir business. I'm not that old yet. Please, call me Paul'' he winks at me just as the waitress from earlier comes back over to the table.