The Porsche, The Beetle And How I Got Here

Chapter 5

As Sunday rolled around, I found myself in my bedroom, completely ignorant of what to wear. I know I'd already put three perfectly great outfits aside for this occasion, but still, I was finding it hard to choose. So after looking at the clothes for about half an hour, I gave up and went out to take a nice hot shower, to clear my thoughts.

The uncertainty was killing me; why did they invite me out for the afternoon? I couldn't have been that interesting! Could I?

As I finished the shower and entered my bedroom, I once again found myself in front of the clothes I'd picked out, and at last I went for the middle outfit: a pair of black skinny jeans, a grey woollen jumper with a blue button-up shirt underneath, my coat and my usual well worn converse.

Richard had texted me the time and place the night before, and seeing as I hadn't heard any of the names before, I plucked all information into my GPS, and found out that the place was in the other end of town, which was probably why I'd never heard of it before.

About an hour before I we'd agreed to meet, I went down to the garage, not fully aware of how long it'd take me to get there due to traffic, however, if I'd get there too early I'd just drive around for a bit.

I looked at the car, and gently let my hand run over its smooth shell, following the body with my fingers. God how I love this car! I thought to myself, as I took in the sight of my black Volkswagen Beetle. Yup, I'm one of those people.

I opened the door, sat down in the familiar seat, turned on the motor, and went on my way, through London's streets.

The streets were surprisingly easy to get through, which meant I managed to get there fifteen minutes before the arranged time, so I took out my phone and texted Richard, telling him that I'd be there in five minutes, before I started the motor again, and started driving around the neighbourhood.

A few minutes later, I got a text that he'd just arrived at the pub, so with that in mind, I turned around and went back.

I quickly spotted the short, dark haired guy sitting at a table at the back of the pub, so I went over there, and poked him on the shoulder. He turned around in the chair, facing me, before gesturing to the chair across from him. I slightly awkward sat down at the seat he'd assigned me, and smiled a bit, hoping I wouldn't do anything stupid.

"Hello." I said as I sat down, wriggling off my coat, and placing it over the back of the chair.

"Hi." He said and sipped of his coffee. "What do you want? Coffee? Tea? Beer?"

"Ehm, coffee."

"Great!" he said and waved a waiter over, who greeted us with a warm smile.

"Well who's your new friend, Richard?" he waiter asked as he stood next to the table.

"This is Karen." He said and gestured towards me. "Karen, this is Tim, a friend of ours."

"Ours?" I asked.

"Of May, Clarkson and I." he explained.

"Oh.. So you're the girl!" the waiter, Tim, exclaimed and stretched out and shook my hand. "It's great to meet you."

"Great to meet you too!" I said, slightly confused. What girl? What girl was I supposed to be? What's going on?

"What would you like to order?"

"Just some coffee please."

"Black coffee? Latte?"  

"Whatever you prefer." I told him, with a small smile. He nodded and then went away, leaving the two of us alone.