Meeting Mr Firth

3

Saturday morning was unbearable. Absolutely no one to talk to as Jen was still sick and couldn't talk much and Jack was going for a weekend in the countryside. As for Viv, she was still busy and I got hold of her for approximately 3minutes. Definitely not enough to walk her through the whole "Meeting Colin" existential crisis.
I had to go through it by myself until the clock finally struck 12 and I started to get ready. Walking down the street toward the parliament I still had no idea what I was going to say. What excuse could I make? That it was just a misunderstanding? Maybe he would believe it..and it was the truth. But I should've told him that yesterday.
Oh God, he was already there waiting for me. I felt even more awkward for making him wait.

-Hello! Sorry for being late.
-You aren't. I arrived 5 minutes earlier. Shall we?
-Yeah, sure.
Listen..I have to tell you something. Actually should have done so yesterday. I don't really have any business to discuss over lunch.
-That makes two of us.
-What do you mean?
-Who said this is a business lunch? Jack told me a few things about you. That you're a small town student who came to work here as an intern. Smart, funny and a big fan of mine.
-And he asked you to do this. All clear now. Yet I had no idea he put you up to this.
-He only suggested I talk to you. But I didn't have time yesterday so I thought I'll make up for it today.
-That was very thoughtful of you.
So.. what would we talk about then?
-Don't know. Anything you want. Just let's get there first.

10 minutes and hundreds of thoughts on how to initiate conversation later there we were, in front of the restaurant. Italian restaurant. Seemed as a dreadful trick of fate. Or perhaps a blessing as it remainded me I should stop fantasizing about a married man that could very well pass for my father.
Anyway, we made our way to an empty table and sat down. There was a deafening silence for the first two minutes (or maybe seconds, hard to figure out when stressed) unless I made up my mind about what to say.

-May I ask you why you came at the parliament yesterday?
Good, I sounded like an interrogator.
-Oh, that. I thought it might have seemed unusual. Well, I was meeting with my lawyer. He has important clients in the parliament and couldn't leave to meet me at his office. And so asked me to come his temporary office for the day.
-I bet it was more interesting that meeting in his normal office.
-Maybe if it wasn't for a serious matter..yes.
One doesn't joke about meetings with lawyers. These are always serious matters. Could I have sounded any more stupid than that?
-True. Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. If you want to talk about it I'm all ears. You seem a little distracted.
-I guess getting it off my chest might help. I meet my lawyer so we could make the divorce papers. I'm.. I'm getting a divorce.
-I'm sorry to hear.
I suppose it is still a secret. No worries, I'll keep it to myself.
-Don't mention it.
It actually helped to be able to tell somebody apart from my family. I somehow know I can entrust you with this.
-Sure you can. I'm a good listener so if you want to talk further..
-You are trying to ask how this happened, aren't you?
Well, I think it is because we didn't have enough time to spend together anymore.
-And how did you feel about that?
-You just sounded like my therapist.
-Sorry, don't want to intrude.
-No, it's okay. I meant that as a compliment.
Let's see.. I suppose I started to feel lonely, kind of useless..or maybe invisible..in my own family.
-Then I think you made the right decision.
Shall we talk about something else?
-Yes, please.
Did you visit anything since you arrived in London?
-No, I had no time for that. Maybe I will tomorrow.
-If you need someone to show you around I could do that.
-Wow, thank you. That'd be awesome.
-Great. It's set then. Sightseeing on tomorrow's schedule.
I'm feeling a bit disadvantaged here as you probably know some things about me and I nothing about you.
"Some things"? More like everything. But I decided to play it cool. I could freak out on the inside but could seem absolutely confident on the outside.
-Well, that can be solved with a couple of questions. So, go ahead.
-How come you like London so much that you wanted to work here? Please don't say because of me.
-Actually no. I wanted to work as close as I could to the queen and eventually meet her. She's the coolest old lady I've ever seen, practically not caring what people think seeing her driving a Range Rover.
-That's a good reason. She'll like you if she'd met you. I met her briefly but she is more down to earth than you'd ever expect.
-A reason more to wish to meet her. Plus that she liked your movie, The King's Speech. I have a couple of things to talk to her about.
-Discuss me more like.
-Well.. As far as I know, you like Jane Austen's books?
-Yeah. I wish there were more of them. She was a great writer. Do you like them too?
-Adore them. Pride and Prejudice lead me to watch the BBC series which eventually led me to like you.
-Story of my life. Everyone likes Mr. Darcy more than me.
-Oh, I didn't mean it that way. Of course they do but they like you too because you are him.
But I do not mix you up with him. Your Post-Darcy work is strikingly impressive.
Also is you the person I like more.
-Thank you.
What other classics do you like?
-The Bronte sisters, Daphne Du Maurier. And another British cultural symbol beside Jane, Shakespeare. Do you like his work?
-I'm British so I guess the answer is rather obvious.
-Right.
What about contemporary writers? You like any?
-No one specific that comes into mind now. You?
-I like contemporary thrillers. Dan Brown and Steve Berry being my favorites. Give me a conspiracy theory and a suspenseful plot anytime. Spiced up with a bit of romance.
-Sounds good. Maybe I shall try them.
*phone ringing*
-Sorry, I have to take this. It's my lawyer.
-Sure.

He went outside to talk on the phone so I had time to process all that had happened. I was having the most natural possible conversation with idol suddenly became friend and he was comfortable enough to talk to me about his family problems. And we were going sightseeing tomorrow. But who needs museums or views or anything when you can look at him all day. No, no! Must stop thinking that way. We just freshly became friends, right? Oh, there he comes..

-Sorry, he said he needs to see me about these papers. So I guess I'll see you tomorrow.
-Yeah, no problem. Looking forward to tomorrow.

"Looking forward to" meant I couldn't think of anything else. Tried to call Viv again but got no answer so I decided I would take a walk to clear my mind.
The walk didn't help either because it made me think even more about tomorrow's sightseeing.
Got back in my hotel room and thought I can call Jack and thank him for talking to Colin and giving me the opportunity of my life(Second one if you take the job into consideration). But then remembered he's on countryside minibreak and I better not disturb his peace.
Ended up calling Jen but she still sounded bad and I couldn't tell her anything. Had dinner in hotel restaurant together with my thoughts about the following day..