As I walked into the hotel bar I almost turned back. When I stay away for work I usually prefer my own company and room service. This evening I had thought of being sociable, to take my book, have a bar meal, a pint and if there was anyone interesting maybe a chat.
But as I entered the bar area I was met by the loud hubbub of sales conference delegates, two drinks in, sharing their favourite funny stories or moaning about their wives or bosses or both at full volume. Not my scene. However, I realised that they were congregated for their company dinner and wouldn't be there forever, so when a small table in a corner caught my eye I dived for it and thank god I did.
I was able to sit back and survey the scene, a hotel like so many others, dark brown wood, gleaming brass handrails, a thinning carpet with bold geometric patterns. Four harassed bar staff were attempting to stem the flow of ego lead orders from middle aged men waving £20 notes. And amongst the throng of the company's finest, dotted around, individuals like me seated quietly, hiding behind the obligatory ferns in pots.
It was amidst this bright light and noise that I first noticed her. I was reaching for the single sheet of cardboard containing the menu, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of green dress and turned. There she was, tall, slender with rich auburn hair, her eyes darting around the room looking for someone. Her dress was simple, the bodice fitted closely with a round neck, the skirt finishing just above the knee, a short slit up the centre line. She looked amazing. She looked annoyed. Whether it was because her date hadn't arrived or the scrum of leering blokes between her and the bar I didn't know. She looked briefly at her delicate gold watch, turned and left. At that point I realised that I hadn't been breathing and swore to myself at my foolishness, old enough to know better.
To my great relief, a voice was raised and the buffoons bundled off through some large doors into a dinning room, the doors closed and everyone remaining gave a collective sigh of relief. Three of the bar staff, happily ran off to other duties and I realised that music was playing and a football match was on a telly on the other side of the room. Better, time to choose a meal, grab a drink and relaxed back with my book.
But then she returned. Barely had I glanced back at the menu than in she strode, shod in satin black 5 inch heels, legs encased in black sheer stockings (possible tights but I hoped stockings) with a seam up the back of her toned calves. Her legs were perfect, slim, firm with strong thighs, shown off to perfection by her purposeful stride. I wasn't the only eyes watching her walking and I felt the slight twinge of shame, can't woman walk into a bar without being oggled at these days. In my defence, I was smitten.
I couldn't see her face clearly as she was facing away as she went towards the bar but from the size of the smile on the barman's face I knew she must be gorgeous. She perched on a bar stool showing off her peachy arse and ordered something. The barman returned with her drink, took the money but found when he returned and leaned in to chat that she turned in her seat to watch the door. I almost laughed out loud at the picture of disconsolation on his face.
After a while, the eyes round the room, became used to the bird of paradise perched expectantly at the bar. Forks started clinking on plates again, noses went back to news papers and I went back to my menu. It was pointless however, the words I could recognise but the their meaning was lost in the fizzing and popping in my brain, I was the one who couldn't keep his eyes off her.