‘This week, my friend, you are going to that bar, whether you like it or not.’
It was Thursday evening, and the two friends were chatting on the phone. James could tell by the tone of his friend’s voice that there would no getting out of this one. When Dave was on a mission, you had better get on board, because that train is leaving the station. There would be no stopping him. Anyway, he didn’t know anyone in his new town, and a bit of company wouldn’t be a bad thing. Maybe with Lucy, and her friends, he could just establish a friendship? Some people to have a few drinks with, and a bit of a talk about things. His new life was going well, but he did feel a bit lonely sometimes. He had cut his ties with his old friends, and didn’t really have much of a social life. Quite possibly it was time to get out, meet some people, casually, and have some people to chat with. He felt ready to get back out socially.
‘Sounds like a plan to me. Count me in.’
‘What? You’re folding so easily? I was expecting you to at least put up a bit of a fight. Where’s the fun in this? You bloody whimp. I had a massive arsenal of arrows to shoot at you, and you just give up before starting. I am formally disappointed. You could have at least tried to put up a fight. Although, I must say, I am slightly suspicious. This is all too easy.’
‘Well, when have I ever won an argument with you?’
‘Hmmm, good point. So I will see you there tomorrow evening, around 8? Really? You will be there?’
Dave didn’t sound totally convinced about his friends sincerity. It had all gone a little too smoothly. James could hear by the tone of his voice over the phone that his friend was a bit suspicious of the whole plan.
‘Yeah, sure, why not? They seem like good people. It would be nice to know some people over here.’
‘Good people? Dude, Lucy wants more than ‘good people’ from you. Didn’t you notice the way she was looking at you? She wants you in her bed, ‘good people’. What planet do you live on?’
‘Hey, let’s just see how things develop, OK? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, here.’
‘Fair enough, ‘Mr. Good People’. I’ll leave you to live in your fantasy world, but tomorrow I want to see you there. Understood? I’m going to throw a length of chain into my car, and if you don’t turn up I will come to your place, and drag you there, tied to the back of my car. You, my friend will be at that bar, one way or another.’
‘Well I’m sure that that would be definitely a fine way to make a grand entrance, but I think I’ll just walk there. Not quite so dramatic, but a little less painful.’
The two of them laughed.
‘Hey, listen Dave, I’m coming. Don’t worry, it sounds like a good idea.’
‘Yeah, to see some ‘good people’, right?’
Dave couldn’t stop laughing at how little his friend had understood the reason for their going to the bar.
‘Anyway, brother, if you need some good advice about how to chat up your ‘good people’, you can always come to the master.’
‘Your advice, Dave? Indispensable. Hey, I could always tow them around, tied to the back of my car, right?’
The laughter was infectious. When Dave was in good form, which was just about always, he always managed to get James laughing. He was just that sort of guy.
‘OK, brother, I’ll see if I can trust you on this one. I’ll see you there, then, Jimmy.’
Really, James was looking forward to meeting Lucy again. In any case, just having a chat, or even going out a couple of times, didn’t have to mean that you were making a commitment. They could feel each other out, and see if there was anything to it. Maybe they were both up for something casual, something easy? Dave was right. Going out on a few dates didn’t mean that it all had to lead anywhere serious. Besides, it would be nice to get out a bit. On his way home from work every day he passed an Italian restaurant, which looked like a nice place. Maybe he would see if she wanted to go there. Just because you go out for a meal doesn’t mean you have to take things further. It’s just a meal. He missed not having someone to eat out with. Someone who you could talk to, and relate the various comings and goings of the week. It had all become a bit strange with most of his former friends. He had been part of a couple, which had been friends with other couples. When you separate from that pairing the lines dividing those friendships become a bit hard to decipher. Where you once had had friendly conversations, you somehow seemed to find yourself in slightly awkward situations. No one quite sure of what to say. The easy flow of chatter had turned into guarded phrases, where no one wanted to commit either one way, or the other. Conversations were held in no man’s land, far from the trenches of the opposing forces. Things said without proper reflection could then be hurled back at them as hand grenades from the enemy trenches at a later date. He understood that his, their, former friends didn’t really know whose side, if any, they should take. James didn’t blame them, they had found themselves in a difficult situation, and were for the most part unsure of how to conduct themselves. All in all, it had made a difficult situation even more difficult. Anyway, by moving away he had put an end to most of that. He was still in contact with a lot of them on social media, but, as is the nature of that beast, it was all pretty superficial stuff. Most people tend to hold back their real thoughts, when it is all out there for anyone to see, and just go for fairly mundane posts. Photos of their kids, videos of their cats, or selfies of faces at awkward angles giving awkward smiles. Generally people didn’t want to give out too much of themselves, when posting things that would be out there for all of eternity. Nothing that could be used against them at a future date. For James, that wasn’t really true friendship, but it was a way to remain in casual contact, and pass a bit of time. He had decided to remain friends with most of them on social media, and slowly, over time, wind it back. He knew that they had been placed in a difficult situation, he wasn’t blaming anyone, or expecting anything from anyone. He had just found himself constantly walking on eggshells with people with who he had once run freely. Now, with those same people, he would blandly comment on their posts, as if that was anything important. It meant little to him. In any case, James much preferred to be out in the real world, walking along the beach, or hiking along a forest track, rather than sitting in front of a computer watching people’s cats doing funny things. It had really just been easier, less complicated, to pull away from his old life, and all it’s related trappings. Easier for everyone, easier, definitely for himself.
The next evening, Friday, was another splendid spring evening. It had been unexpectedly warm that day, and the town centre was full of people coming out of their winter hibernation. The streets were full of life. The buzz in the air put James into a good mood. He was, as ever, looking forward to seeing his good friend Dave, and, well, why not, Lucy as well. As James approached the bar, he saw that Dave was already there, and was in rare form. He was wildly gesticulating, and recounting one of his many stories. Dave’s stories were a bit like those films you would see that were ‘based’ on a true story, but were really 90% fiction. However, he told them well, and when he had an appreciative audience he would rise to the occasion, like a Maestro conducting his orchestra. James smiled automatically at the sight of him. In any social scene you really needed a Dave, someone who could put everyone at ease, and get the laughter flowing. He was the right man for the right job. The social conductor. He would get all the musical instruments playing in the right key. He would hold his audience captive, and take them where he wanted. And then James saw her. She was just so beautiful, sitting there in her pretty black skirt, and white top. Her long blonde hair cascading around her face. Lucy was laughing along at Dave’s story. Her laughter lit up her whole face. She looked up, as he entered the patio area of the bar. When their eyes met, she waved to him. There was something about her, a sense of natural honesty. She really did seem like such a genuine person, in a world of people usually difficult for James to fathom. People who would normally tell you half truths, at best. Dave stood up, and threw his arms around in a grandiose welcoming gesture.
‘Here he is, the man of the hour. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please give a round of applause to our honoured guest, Mr. James Jimmy Henderson.’
James laughed along with the three girls. He knew that he wouldn’t have to worry about awkward introductions, or pregnant pauses in the conversation, with Dave on hand. Dave had no understanding of that sort of social unease, at all. Embarrassment was just not something he understood, or had ever felt. He would keep the tempo upbeat. He would keep the music playing, like a DJ smoothly flowing from one song to the next, with no pause in between. James sat down at the table. Conveniently, or, more probably by design, the only vacant seat was right opposite Lucy.
‘Hello everyone, it’s nice to see you all again. How are you?’
The girls were all absolutely beaming, and appeared ecstatic to see him. James felt like a rock star visiting his fans. The concert was over, and he had come down from the stage to meet his adoring followers. God only knew what Dave had been telling them. In a wild flurry all the girls said their hellos. Lucy had a smile on her face, a mile wide.
‘According to Dave,’ said Emma, ‘you are something of a famous architect. That sounds terribly exciting.’
‘Be warned, never believe any of Dave’s stories. He makes them like a barman makes a cocktail. They are usually two parts exaggeration, one part total invention, with just a pinch of truth. He’s a good man, just don’t believe anything he says.’
The three women all laughed, along with Dave. James knew that his friend would never get offended by any banter of that nature. With his thick skin Dave could take it all, and laugh along with the rest of them. In fact, usually it was him dishing it out. And he definitely wasn’t about to let James put one over on him.
‘Well, we will see about that.’
There would be no holding Dave back. He had a job to do. He was going to paint his friend in the best light possible. Wild horses couldn’t hold him back, or chains tied to the back of cars.
‘Have any of you ever visited the Brooks Tower?’
‘Of course we have,’ replied Vicky, ‘the view from the top is absolutely spectacular. We all went up there a couple of years ago. Why?’
‘That was James’s masterpiece.’
‘Really,’ gasped Lucy, ‘you designed that?’
James knew he had to put the brakes on. His friend was getting way out of control. The car was careering down the hill at full speed, and was about to go over the cliff’s edge. It was time to activate the emergency brake. He needed to achieve the impossible, rein in Dave. A building like that was designed by a team, not just one person. He had only played his part.
‘Hold on a minute. The team I was on did. Something like that takes a lot of people to plan. It took a lot of people a lot of time. It was a massive project.’
While James applied the brakes, Dave pushed hard on the accelerator. No one was going to ruin his story.
‘Girls, you remember the triangular entranceway? The way it seems to flow you into the foyer, and towards the lifts? That was totally James’s plan. All by himself.’
‘The entrance to the tower is fantastic. Well done James, I am so impressed.’ Said Emma. ‘It’s so modernist, so futuristic. That’s really remarkable.’
Lucy was beside herself with joy.
‘I found the entrance to be the highlight of the building, James. It’s like something out of a science fiction film. You must be really proud of that. Of course the view is great, but as far as the actual building goes, it’s that entrance that sets it off. I am so impressed! Well done, what an absolutely marvelous achievement.’
James had nowhere to go on that one. He had, in fact, designed the entranceway. Dave’s face beamed with the cheer of the victor.
‘Thanks, yes, it did come out pretty well.’
While he enjoyed all their favourable comments, James really had mixed memories about that period of his life. True, that had probably been his best work, but he had been under massive pressure at work at that time. The owners of the building had really been difficult to work with, and had never seemed to be happy with any of his designs. All in all, it was hard to look back at that period, and feel good about any of it. Mind you, maybe it was time for him to just let go of the negative memories that still gripped him, and think more on the positive side. His work on that tower really had been good. Why not just accept the praise?
‘Have you seen the block of flats on Wilmore road, James?’ asked Emma. ‘It’s nothing compared to the work you have done, but it’s quite nice. Very modern looking. For our town, anyway.’
‘No, I haven’t. Where exactly is Wilmore road?’
‘Over towards Longsdale street, only about a ten minute walk from here. Lucy loves that building. Lucy, why don’t you take James over to have a look? That will give Vicky and me a chance to have a good chat with Dave. I love his stories.’
Dave, as could have been expected with an opportunity like that, picked up the ball, and went running towards the posts. Emma had burst through the defense line, and had set him up for an easy points earning situation. There was no way he was going to let an opening like that pass him by. He loved Emma’s plan, and he was going to put in his two cents’ worth.
‘Good idea! James loves looking at buildings. He loves walking. Plus, who knows? He might even enjoy Lucy’s company as well.’
While Dave, Emma, and Vicky laughed at that, both James and Lucy blushed a bit. Dave really didn’t have any filters. It just all came flowing out. There was definitely no level on which Dave would feel embarrassed, or ever realise when his words caused embarrassment to others. It just all poured out. To make matters even worse, he had back up. He had a team working in unison with him.
‘Well, off you go then.’ This from Vicky. ‘You’ll be back in time for the next round. It’s only just a short walk away.’
It seemed like none of the three of them was going to let this occasion go, so James realised that the easiest way out of the awkward situation was to just do it. Dave, and the other two, obviously weren’t going to take no for an answer. The opposing team had been stronger, and he had been beaten with ease. Anyway, he did like buildings, he enjoyed walking, and, well, he quite liked Lucy. He acquiesced.
‘Sure, if you don’t mind, Lucy, I would love to have a look at it.’
Lucy was visibly flustered. She was obviously at the opposite end of the embarrassment spectrum to Dave. In reality, so was James, but after so many years of being placed in those sort of situations by his friend, he had become used to them. To help Lucy through the awkward situation their mutual friends had put them in, James stood up, ready to go. Lucy also got to her feet, and the two of them left the bar area. As soon as they were out on the street James thought he had better apologise for Dave’s extreme insensitivity.
‘I’m really sorry about Dave, Lucy, I know he can be a bit mortifying at times, but he means well. He’s just definitely not a particularly sensitive sort of guy.’
‘Actually I was going to apologise to you, for my friends.’
They both laughed. They had both been thinking the same thing. Lucy had such a sweet smile. James really felt at ease with her. Walking along the street in her company felt good.
‘Yes, in some ways the three of them are a good match. Actually, you know Lucy, there was something I wanted to ask you. Do you like Italian food? There’s an Italian restaurant I pass going to work, and I’ve always wanted to try it.’
‘I love Italian food! Which restaurant do you mean, there are a couple of Italian places around?’
‘The one just along from that big shopping mall, Vittorio’s it’s called.’
‘Oh, yes, it’s nice there. Actually you would probably like the interior decor, being an architect. It’s really been designed well. Not that I’m an expert, like you. But I really like it.’
‘Brilliant. Would you like to come with me?’
‘James, that would be so nice. I would love to.’
James wasn’t worried about getting in too deep. For now he felt good in Lucy’s company. Maybe Dave was right. You just go out together a bit, get to know each other, and see how it goes. Eating out together, having a chat, didn’t necessarily mean you had to take things to the next level. He was feeling good about it all. Lucy was very nice. Why not get to know her a bit better? What harm could come from that?
----------
It was late Sunday morning, and Lucy and Vicky were chatting, on the phone, about how Lucy’s dinner date had gone with James. Lucy just couldn’t control herself. She felt so light. So free. She had never felt so good in her life. The previous evening with James had been like a dream to her. Everything had been perfect. A lovely meal, a little wine, neither of them were big drinkers, but a couple of glasses of lovely Italian wine had helped the mood along. After the meal they had gone for a walk, and sat on a bench in a park for a while, and just talked. The conversation had flowed freely, talking about everything, and nothing. Normally she was socially inept, but with James it had all seemed so natural that she had found her voice. If there was any such thing as a dream date, that had been it. Without a doubt it had been the most romantic evening of her life. She knew that in James she had found the man she had always been looking for.
‘Vicky, it was just so fantastic! We had a lovely meal, and he is just so interesting to talk to. Afterwards we went for a walk. I feel so good with him. I’m sure he feels the same way too. We really are made for each other. It was the best evening I’ve ever had, it was incredible. Oh Vicky, I think I’m falling in love with him!’
Vicky intervened, quite firmly.
‘Lucy, listen to me! Slow down! Whatever you do, don’t say anything like that to James. You will scare him off. Lucy, dial it back! Lucy! Are you listening to me? Hold yourself back, for God’s sake. Don’t let James know that you feel like that. You’ve got to play this cool.’
Vicky was obviously annoyed with how far Lucy had already taken everything. She didn’t like it one little bit.
‘I know. I didn’t say anything to him. But this is how I feel. Vicky, I’ve never felt so good in my life. I feel so good with him. I’m positive he feels it too. What’s wrong with that? I thought you would be happy for me. Finally my life is coming together. I’ve finally found someone, someone to love, someone to love me.’
Lucy ran her hand over her shoulder, and imagined how it would be to feel James’s hand caressing her. That was what had been missing in her life. Finally, after waiting so long, she had found her true love. Her eyes watered up with tears. Tears of joy.
Vicky knew she had some serious explaining to do. Lucy needed advice, a lot of advice, on how to handle her burgeoning romance. Lucy needed a serious wake up call.
‘Lucy, I am happy for you. Really, but just listen here, you. While you two love birds were off having your architectural tour on Friday evening, Emma and me got the low down from Dave. Now you listen, this is important. James is still in a bit of a fragile state, after his separation. But that’s not even the half of it. About four years ago his daughter died. She was only barely three years old, and she died of some unforeseen heart defect. He’s been thrown into a dark place. That’s something you don’t get over. Ever.’
Lucy came out of her dream state. Her feet landed solidly on the ground. The news her friend was relaying came as a bit of a shock to her.
‘I didn’t know that. He told me about the separation from his wife, but he never mentioned his daughter.’
‘According to Dave he never speaks about it to anyone. It’s just too hard for him. That’s why he didn’t come to the bar the week before. He likes you, for sure, but he really wants to take things slowly. Slowly, Lucy! If you push him, if you let him know how much you like him, you will just end up pushing him away.’
Vicky’s voice had a ring of insistence to it. Lucy knew she should listen to her friend’s advice. After all, she knew that Vicky was more experienced in these matters. Which, to be honest, wouldn’t be that hard, considering her own dismal track record with men. She doubted anyone could know less about these things than her.
‘OK, I understand. That makes sense. No, you are right. Anyway, I’m just telling this to you. I won’t say it to him, I promise. I will take it easy with him, but I’m not going to pretend that it’s just a casual thing for me. I don’t think he’s the sort of person to go for something casual, either. He’s such a genuine person. That wouldn’t be his style.’
Vicky knew it was time to set up the rules of the game. Her friend was new to this sport, and didn’t fully understand the rules. It was time for a team huddle.
‘Right, here’s the plan, and Emma will be calling you through the week to make sure you understand it, too. I will see to that. You continue to see him, without pushing him. Let him come to you. let him decide when he wants to go out, not you. Wait for him to take things to the next level, when he’s ready. You don’t bombard him with messages on social media. You exchange little bits and pieces, but hold yourself back! Don’t go crazy with the messages! That can really freak a guy out. Plus James is actually quite a reserved guy, submerging him with messages would just end up scaring him off. Are you getting any of this? Lucy, is any of this getting through?’
Lucy could tell from the tone of her friend’s voice that she was worried about how Lucy was handling the situation. She would follow her friend’s advice. She welcomed it really. Actually she needed it. Like a good team needed a coach. What she needed was to have a relationship coach. Someone who could see the bigger picture. Someone who knew the rules, and regulations, of the dating game. She would follow her coach’s instructions. This was a game she wanted to win, and she had a good coach to see her through to the finish line. Two of them, really.
‘I understand, really I do. I really appreciate your advice, God knows how little I know about dating, and relationships. I will follow your advice, I promise. I just want you and Emma to know how I feel. James is the man I have been waiting for, all my life. I will never, ever, find another man like him. But don’t worry, I will do as you say, to the letter. Actually, I really appreciate your advice. I’ve been waiting so long for a relationship like this, but now that it has arrived I realise just how little I really know about these things. I really do need your help. I don’t want to ruin things, before they even start.’
On hearing that her advice was getting through, Vicky’s tone of voice softened.
‘Well, don’t you worry, we are both here for you. We will help you navigate your way through the minefields of a relationship. Emma and me have become experts at that, after all our years of marriage. Just because you are married doesn’t mean that you don’t accidentally walk into a minefield every now and then. Plus I have added Dave as a friend on social media, so I will be able to get the low down on how James is feeling, through the back channels. Dave is really keen on this all working out, too.’
‘Can we meet up, the three of us, through the week? I would really appreciate some advice on the sexual side. I haven’t been to bed with a man for such a long time. I’m scared I will do it all wrong.’
Vicky laughed.
‘Oh, Lucy, you’re such a hopeless case, really! No, not at all. We will not tell you what to do in bed! Listen, we don’t tell you what we do in bed, that’s private stuff that remains between the couple. When it happens you will be fine. My God, you are a bag of nerves aren’t you? Believe me, sex hasn’t changed since you last did it. The equipment you use is still the same old stuff. When the time is right it will all just come naturally. Don’t worry about that. But even there, let him be the one who initiates things. Wait until he’s ready.’
Lucy knew that that would not be a problem for her. She had never initiated a sexual encounter in her life. She didn’t even know how to. She would definitely be happy to leave that up to James.
‘Have you heard from him yet, this morning?’
‘No, but he did say he was going to go for a run, out at the beach. He keeps himself in good shape.’
‘OK, if you don’t hear from him by lunchtime, you can send him off a message. Something like...’What a lovely evening we had last night. Thanks, so much. Enjoy your Sunday’...and that’s all, you understand? Casual, keep it casual!’
‘Alright, I will. Don’t worry I won’t push him. I’m sure you are right.’
Lucy knew that her friend’s advice was sound. She would follow it to the letter. She definitely didn’t want to ruin this relationship by pushing too fast, too soon. This would be her last chance ever at finding her one true love. There was no need to rush it, and she certainly didn’t want to scare James off. She would follow the relationship rules laid down by her friends. She would study those rules, and practise them, as if she was back at school, trying out for the school hockey team. Those rules would become her ‘Ten Commandments’ by which she lived. She would start a religion based around those ten commandments, well, thinking about it there actually already was one, but she would start her own, personal version. She would write a book on the subject: ‘The Rules of Dating: As Dictated by Vicky and Emma - An insider’s view.’ Inside her heart Lucy knew that her life would never be the same again. Her loneliness, her sadness, was now a thing of the past. From now on her life would be full of love and joy. She had waited so long. She had suffered so much. Now, finally, she knew it had all been worth it. She had found the love of her life.