The trouble with Debbie

chapter 3

Klara picked up her supply box and lead the way to the large comfy sofas. She turned the stereo on low and swiped a bottle of wine from the bar. Debbie grabbed two glasses, "Wine? Really?"

"Fine!" Klara huffed and replaced the wine with gin and a large bottle of tonic water, "you alcoholic."

"Says the woman with a bar in her living room." Debbie quipped back.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just light up the spliff and tell me what happened and why I had to cut my shopping trip short."

Debbie poured them both a large drink, took a sip of her own and told her cousin about the morning she'd had.

"Aww Debbie, I'm sorry," Klara hugged her afterwards, "but I stand by what I said. You don't need to waste any more time on this guy. This is your chance to get rid of him for good. He's not worthy of you. I know you said you don't want to be set up with anyone but honestly, Tony...."

"Klara!" Debbie covered her ears, "I do remember all his friends and I remember that I don't want to date them. Stop it! I can find my own guy."

"Suit yourself," Klara replied, "anyway, what are you wearing for our anniversary dinner?"

They spent the rest of the day drinking and smoking and definitely spending too much money online. Before long, it was 11.30pm.

"Right, I better get going, my cab is due any minute," Debbie put her shoes on, "I'm knackered."

"Aww cancel the cab and stay here tonight." Klara smiled but before Debbie could reply, the cab tooted outside.

"Bye Klara, I'll let you know when I'm home. Thanks for today." The cousins shared a tight hug and Debbie hopped in to the waiting car. She took her phone out of her bag and realised she still hadn't turned it back on. She pressed the power button and waited as the screen glowed to life. Straight away dozens of notifications buzzed through the phone. Even the cab driver looked back through his rear view mirror at the sound of constant vibrations.

She flicked through some of messages, mostly from Matt, some from her mum and some more from Matt.

Finally she was home, she left the cab and walked along her driveway to her front door. She had just put the key in the door when she heard her name. She spun around to find Matt standing behind her.

"Where have you been?" he asked her.

"None of your business," she replied shortly, "what are you doing here? Its late and I don't wanna talk to you."

"Please Debbie," Matt stepped closer, "I'm sorry about earlier today. I don't wanna lose you. Can I come in? Let's work this out. I've been waiting here for ages, you wouldn't answer any of my messages..."

"Back up Matt," Debbie scowled, "we're done here! You've had your cake and eaten it and now it's done. You say she's amazing, go waste her time and leave me alone..."

"I'm not going!" he shouted, "Not until you hear me out. You don't just get to say its over!"

"Baby?" A new voice came from the end of the driveway. A tall man holding a suitcase started to approach them. "What's going on?"

"Who the hell are you?" Matt asked the man, "jog on, mind your business!"

"You harassing my girlfriend is very much my business!" the man replied, looking at Debbie and urging her to go along with it.

He's trying to help? Who is this guy.

"Nice try," Matt laughed, "she doesn't have a boyfriend."

"I'm so glad you're home!" Debbie threw her arms around the man's neck and held on to him. He smelled good and she hoped she didn't look insane.

"What the f**k?!" Matt frowned "since when..."

"Jog on," the man replied, towering over Matt, "mind your business."

"This is some kind of joke," Matt exclaimed, "we're not done." he turned and walked away towards his hidden car.

"Don't let me catch you here again!" the man called after him, "I won't be so nice next time!"

They stood in silence on the doorstep and watched as Matt drove away.

"I don't know what to say," Debbie turned to the man, "thank you. Sorry for the tight hug, I didn't know what else to do!"

"It's fine," The man laughed, "it worked so, it was a good idea. Are you ok?" I'm Keiron by the way."

"Debbie," she replied, "I'm okay thank you. We kind of broke up earlier, well, we weren't exactly together but, well, its a long story but it's over now. Thank you.""Stop thanking me, I'm just glad I could help. He looked like he wasn't going to take no for an answer. I better get going, I'm trying to find my air bnb..." Keiron looked up the address on his phone, "you don't happen to know how far I am from sopwell Gardens?"

Debbie laughed, "It's literally next door." she pointed to the large house next to hers.

" Oh wow!" Keiron beamed, "that's very good news. Nice to meet you Debbie. I'm sure we'll see each other again. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Keiron," Debbie grinned, "thank you."

"Stop thanking me Debbie." Keiron called over his shoulder as he dragged his suitcase next door. Debbie stepped inside her house and immediately called her cousin to fill her in on the latest events.