Finally

Chapter 17 - Lunch Date

I wake up about 8am and Jean lets me shower at his while he makes me breakfast. We eat together then I decide to leave, we part with a vague plan to meet up again soon.

I’m almost home when I receive a text:

Hey, you still up for shopping today? X

Shit. I’d totally forgotten I was meeting Alice today!  I can't let her down or she will start worrying and fussing again.

Yes where and when? X

I hope I’ve got time to go home and change, my dress from last night isn’t exactly shopping attire and she will know instantly what I’ve been up to.

Midday at Cafe Marco x

Ok so I have an hour and a half, I can do this.

I get the tube home with only a few looks from nosey old ladies who want me to know they know I’m doing the walk of shame. I race to my apartment to throw on some jeans and a smart top and apply some light make up. I take the medication I missed out on while at Jean’s then run back out the door.

Alice is already at Cafe Marco when I arrive, but I’m only a few minutes late. She’s sitting at a table for two typing on her phone. Her shoulder length hair now has caramel blonde highlights, a new addition. It suits her, she looks good, which is more than can be said for me.

Alice is taller than me and has always been super skinny. She never puts on any weight and her stomach is impressively toned. She pays for that luck with an almost completely flat chest, which is all that stops me hating her.

She notices me as I reach the table and looks up smiling, a smile that reaches her dark blue eyes. She stands up and greets me with a hug, almost crushing me in her thin, but freakishly strong arms.

“How are you doing? You look good,” she tells me.

“Thanks, I’m slowly getting back to normal. I even had two dates this week!”

“Dating? Are you sure?” She frowns.

“Yes, I am. I’m not looking for a relationship don’t worry, just a bit of fun.”

Her brow relaxes slowly, but the look of uncertainty is still there.

“I got a new job too!” I say excitedly. “I start Monday.”

“Doing what?” She asks, relaxing.

“It’s a basic filing job that I could do with my eyes shut at an accountants. It’s part time and simple work just to ease myself back in until I’m ready to climb the career ladder again,” I explain.

“Sound perfect, just what you need.”

A waitress arrives ending our conversation and takes our order, Alice orders pasta as usual, she's so predictable and I order the tomato soup. Alice frowns at me again, but she should know better by now.

“I’m having bread with it ok?” I snap defensively. 

“You need to start eating solid food again,” she says softly.

“I know, it’s the meds they make me sick, but I’m gradually reducing them now.”

She smiles again and I’m struggling to keep up with her moods. She’s constantly angry or smiling these days and she changes her face more often than her underwear.

After lunch is done we head to the mall, I’m not planning to buy much since I haven’t had a job in a while, but Alice is on a mission. She clearly has money burning a hole in her pocket.  She buys a dress, some new jeans, a t-shirt and some new heels which are eye wateringly expensive. Paolo must be doing well if she has this much spare cash.

“How’s Paolo?” I ask, I don’t like the guy but I care about her enough to ask how he’s doing occasionally.

“He’s great. I told him I’m ready to get engaged now, I’ve given him a year to propose,” she tells me excitedly,  like this is totally normal behaviour. I mean I’m supposed to be the fruit loop here.

“What did he say to that?” I ask cautiously. Paolo isn’t the kind of guy who would take that lightly or appreciate being told what to do and given a deadline.

“He didn’t say much, but I’ve made my point.”

I have a horrible feeling this isn’t going to go well for her. He will push back against this I’m sure, he’s proud and likes to be in charge and I honestly don't see him as the marrying type. He’s also quite arrogant and I feel like her demanding this is a recipe for disaster even if he wanted to marry her.

I head home to shower and change again before my date with Dan tonight. He’s an interesting character and asks me to meet him on Westminster Bridge wearing a red flower in my hair so he knows it’s me.

I dress in a short denim skirt and fitted white top that sits just off my shoulders. Since I’ve no idea what we’re doing I figure something casual is best. I put on some red wedges to match the red flower I add to my hair as requested.

It’s exciting not knowing what’s coming, I’m usually awful with surprises but this feels like just the thing I need right now. It’s out of my comfort zone, but nothing new and exciting is ever in that zone is it?