Crazy connection

The Meet

Chapter 3

The meet

After what felt like at least half an hour on the underground and about a mile of walking we finally get to the hotel with five minutes to spare. Mag and I look at each other nervously and I take the first step into the hotel lobby. Once in we both look around. There are a few people milling around that look like staff with their black polo shirts and name badges. Theres a couple sitting on a sofa near the bar area. Two men sitting at separate areas of the bar, but seemingly holding a conversation with each other. One is an older gentleman with a full head of grey hair and a rather large belly, the other man is younger but has dark brown hair that is thinning out on the crown of his head, short and stocky in build.

Mags turns to me and asks, “so, what does he look like these days? Is he one of them over at the bar?”

I look over and shrug, “I don’t know, but I’m guessing he’s not one of them”.

Mags gives me the death stare, “what do you mean you don’t know? Have you not checked his social media to see what he even looks like these days?”

“I tried checking, but all he has is a f*******: account that’s locked up so tight I don’t even know if it’s active.”

Mags has a look of utter disbelief and disappointment, “what is wrong with y...” just then Mags phone goes off. “Sorry, I have to take this it’s work. James has a big show tonight, I should have been there but I got Tony to cover for me. He’s not very capable though.”

And with that she answers the call and heads outside to talk to whoever it is on the phone.

I must have looked a awkward, because when the receptionist came to ask if I was wanting to check-in, I chocked and coughed a little before answering, “oh, um no... I’m... I’m okay thank you. Just waiting for someone who is staying at the hotel.”

“Would you like me to ring their room and let them know that you are waiting?” She asks in a very courteous manner.

“That’s okay, I’ll wait. I’m a little early, thanks” I smile and turn away to find Mags. Mags is waiting by the bar now, she doesn’t look happy. Her face is all screwed up and I know something’s up.

“Hey Mags, is everything okay?”

I’m just waiting for the disappointment of what’s to come. I can already tell she’s going to bail on me.

“No!”, she replies with an annoyed sigh. “Tony f****d up! Big time!”,

“I’m really sorry but I’m going to have to go”

My heart sinks, I knew it was coming the second I saw her face but I was desperately hoping she wouldn’t say that. My expression drops and I’m lost for words.

“What am I gonna do?”

Mags is annoyed now, I know it’s because she knows she feels like she’s letting me down, so she turns on the defence, “I don’t know what you want me to do Carmel? This is my job! I have to pay a mortgage every month!”

I reply with, “don’t worry about it, I’ll be okay. I can tell this is stressing you out. You should go and sort things out.”

“I am sorry!” She says with regret written all over her face.

“I know, it’s okay!” I smile and reassure her with a little nudge to the shoulder.

Mags replies with an anguished look, “I don’t feel right leaving you here to meet him on your own. Why don’t we reschedule? You come with me to work instead.”

“What and sit back stage while you run around for hours on end. No thanks, I’ll take my chances.”

Just as I say that…

“take your chances on what?”, from behind us, a deep familiar voice startles the both of us. We both jump so high we could have hit our heads on the ceiling, or at least it felt like we jumped that high. It must have been comical to watch. Mags and I turn round to find Daniel standing there.

“Mags? Seriously, is that little Mags? I can’t believe it! Wow look at you all grown up. Amazing!”

There he is tall as ever staring at us with the biggest smile and wide eyes.

“Carmel, so good to see you, so good to see you both!” Coming in for a hug. It was a little awkward, but we both awkwardly hugged him in turn. Mags first and then me.

I could smell his cologne and an under tone of aftershave as he leaned into the embrace. I could swear he hugged closer in to me then when he hugged Mags. As soon as I could feel the warmth of his long arms stretch around me and his warm breath on my earlobe as he lowered his voice to a hush, almost as if he only wanted me to hear what he was saying, “So good to see you”, I instantly feel my breath change, and a surge of electricity go through me from the point where our bodies touch, down to the pit of my belly. I feel the tiny little hairs on the back of my neck stand up to attention from his breathy embrace. I instantly know there is still something about him that intrigues me.

My thoughts go back to the days when we were s****l. Just young adults experimenting, but even then it was good. Maybe it was because we both had nothing holding us back. Both virgins, we’d planned our first time together. Down to the day and time. From there on, the s*x was great!

I can honestly say to this day he still is the best I’ve ever had.

I can feel the red, hot, heat rising up my cheeks at the memories of our love making days. I instantly step back to create some space between us. I can tell by the look on Mags’ face that she has an idea of what’s just gone through my mind. Or at least she definitely guessed it correctly.

Daniel doesn’t seem to have noticed as he is standing staring at the two of us still beaming with excitement. “Are you ready to go? You ladies don’t know how much this means to me that you’ve come all this way to show me around and spend the weekend sightseeing. I’m sure you’ve seen Big Ben a million times.. I literally can’t wait!”

Mags interrupts with, “well, looks like my Uber has just arrived. I’m sorry Daniel, I was just saying to Carmel, something urgent at work has just cropped up and I’m going to have to leave the two of you to it.”

She continues, “I know Carmel doesn’t know London as well as I do, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out between you. I’ve got a route mapped out and I’ve pre booked a nice restaurant for eight thirty pm.” Mags shoves the map into my hand and says, “I’ll text you the plan and restaurant info”

“Gotta run, have fun!”

Mags tilts her head in a gesture for me to follow her out to her Uber.

I turn to Daniel, “I’ll be right back”, and I follow her out.

Looking at me with her warning face Mags says, “ you call me if you have any issues at all, okay!”

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry. I’ll text you every half hour to tell you where we are and what we’re doing okay.”

“Okay!” She gives me a quick hug.

And with that, Mags gets into the Uber and drives off to save the day at work.