The Ten Year First Date

Madame Tussauds

Looking in the mirror that Saturday night, I didn't see an adult staring back at me. I saw a terrified young man, barely in his twenties, all dressed up for the biggest night of his life. I smoothed down the front of my suit jacket, which thankfully the dry cleaners could manage to get back to me in time, thanks to a bit of extra cash and breathed out slowly. I couldn't quite believe that I found my old red tie and that it still looked good against a black shirt. It was the only splash of colour I had on tonight. I had tided my hair to make it look as reasonable as I could have forgotten to actually use the lunch hours this week to try and get it cut.

'Not bad Taylor.' I said to myself, taking one last look. 'Not bad at all.' I grabbed my wallet and phone off the bed before hot-footing it down the stairs and hopefully out the door before Imogen or Ollie had the chance to try and talk me out of it even though they promised they wouldn't. Luckily for me, it seemed that they were too busy arguing with each other in the kitchen over the best way to defrost Turkey for tomorrow! As I breathed a sigh of relief and made for the door, I was stopped in my tracks by a curly haired three feet tall version of my sister who stood there tapping her foot with folded arms and a raised eyebrow.

'And where do you think you are going, young man?' Ella said, scaring me ever so slightly.

'You know where I am going my angel.' I answered, trying to remain Uncle worthy. 'Now, can I go?'

'Not quite yet.' Ella said, not placing her hands on her hips. Seriously, I had to wonder whether she was actually six years old or just a forty year old with height issues!

'Why?' I asked, rolling my eyes.

'Because I want to make sure that you are doing the right thing.' Ella said again, in all seriousness. I sighed and raised my head to the heavens.

'When are you going to learn to be a child rather than an adult in a six-year-old body?' I asked.

'When you learn that I love you and I want you to be happy.' Ella answered, stumping me.

'I will be happy when you let me out that door.' I said, sneaking a quick glance at my watch. I didn't want to be late. Not today.

'Pinky Promise me that you are going to be ok.' Ella said, holding her hand out. An Ella Pinky Promise was unbreakable. The one time Ollie broke a Pinky Promise, she didn't talk to him for a week and then she only broke silence because she had to. She wouldn't have got any dinner otherwise, and Imogen was working late. I either had to be honestly sure of what I was doing, or become a perfect liar. Lucky, I was getting good at the latter then. I knelt down and held my hand out, slowly curling my fingers inward leaving my little finger straight.

'I, Uncle Harry, Pinky Promise, I am going to be fine. And if I break this promise, I will give you all my Now CD's.' I said, hoping that my Now 61 would stay exactly where it was. Ella looked me up and down before holding out her finger and wrapping it around me and shaking vigorously.

'Those albums are so mine.' She said, walking away into the living room.

'So not.' I said to myself, as I quietly walked out the door.

The Tube was a nightmare as I predicted it would be on Christmas Eve. Grabbing a taxi was not an option. Those that were running were charging double what they would usually charge and yes, I know I was a partner in my own firm, but I wasn't a rich man thanks to Jeannie's little game. I held on for dear life as the train whizzed through the Underground carrying last-minute shoppers as well as revellers who were already sneaking little sniffs of Vodka from their bags. They were going to have sore heads tomorrow!