The Ten Year First Date

Imogen's Place

I was still reeling from Jeannie's total indignant behaviour towards me as I walked away from our house. The smirk was the thing that got me the most. The cruel grin that was plastered across her face, as I stood there bereft. I knew women could be evil, Ben had told me so, but I hadn't realised how evil. At least I had one woman on my side. I sloped the stairs to the Tube Station not bothering to check the lines, as I knew them by heart. Thankfully I couldn't hear any announcements of delays or engineering works as I descended into, the catacombs of London. I stood on the platform amidst the late night revellers all heading to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus for cocktails, dinner and dancing. That would have been Jeannie and me a year ago. All cold and shivery just because we wanted to look fashionable, Jeannie's shoes tearing her feet to shreds before she even got on the train. Good, wonderful times. That was before she turned into the Wicked Witch of the West.

It wasn't long before the Tube came hurtling through the dark tunnel, causing some of the tourists to take a step back. Those that were used to it started jostling for position so when the doors opened they would hopefully be guaranteed a seat. This was rarely the case, and I once again found myself hanging onto the usual yellow pole in the middle of the high-speed carriage, as it whizzed through the endless darkness stopping briefly at each station. I didn't bother fighting for a seat. There was no point in it. The minute I sat down I knew I would be getting up again. It was at least another five minutes before Greenwich flashed up in the brickwork. After almost getting crushed by the surge to get to the door, I finally regained my feet and breath as I fell onto the platform, just about managing to keep a hold of my suitcase. I shook my head as I watched everyone run to the escalators and the stairs. This was time for my thoughts and myself although North Greenwich Tube Station was probably not the best place!

After fighting my way up the stairs and out of the Tube Station, I watched the 'revellers' all head in the direction of The O2. It seemed clear that some band or singer was playing there that night, but it really didn't interest me. I just needed to get to Imogen's in one piece. There was absolutely no point in trying to get a taxi, the revellers had already nabbed most of them off the rank, so walking was on the cards whether I wanted to it be or not.

The night air was pleasant enough. The icy breeze across my face was actually quite refreshing and woke me up from my thoughts. The walk from the Station to Imogen's house wasn't that far anyway, around about ten minutes at an average speed, but tonight it was taking a little longer due to me dragging my feet. My head was full of images of Jeannie dancing around the living room singing along to Take That at the top of her voice, loving the situation that she now found herself in. She knew Take That drove me insane; she used to play them so loud I could barely hear myself think. Yep, she was doing that right now just to spite me and in the knowledge that I wasn't there to complain. I had moved out, and the Mancs had moved in!

When I finally reached Imogen's street, I stopped for a moment and looked up at my baby sister's door. It looked as though Ollie had lost the battle against painting it blue in honour of Notting Hill, Imogen's favourite film. I smiled and shook my head. My sister may have been in her thirties, but she was still a big kid at heart. That's probably why she was so good with Josh and Ella, my nephew and niece whom I had to admit I was looking forward to seeing. I took a deep breath, tightened my grip on my suitcase and knocked the door. I could immediately hear the excited footsteps of the twin six-year-olds running down through the hallway with Ollie's voice drifting behind them.

'Alright you two calm down...' I heard as the door opened and I was met with Ollie's beaming smile.

'Hello mate.' I smiled back.