It was in the midmorning break. I was spending my summer holidays working in a crappy local factory, earning some money to see me through college which I was starting in a few months time. Me and a couple of the other young guys were sitting around one of the machine, drinking tea and eating our sandwiches and chatting – mostly moaning about the sheer boredom of the job and the shitty people that worked there.
The subject turned to girls and the guys began to tell tales and brag, I just sat there and listened, wondering how much was real and how much was just bullshit.
'So, Ray, when was the last time you had it?'
Uh oh! The question was directed at me. I shifted in the machinists' chair, tried to look unflustered.
'Me? I haven't had a shag in ages, I'm absolutely dying for one to tell the truth.' I replied casually.
Now this was in fact an understatement, because at the tender age of 17, I was still a virgin, and I can still remember at that time feeling pretty desperate about the situation, wondering if it was ever going to happen for me, that I'd finally get to lose my virginity.
'Nevermind Ray.' Piped up Ricky. 'I know this bird I can set you up with. She'll shag you, Christ! She'll shag anyone!'
Well that got my attention, but all the other guys were groaning and saying bullshit and lying cunt etc. at Ricky.
I have to say that although Ricky was my best mate in the factory and we stayed friends for many years after, he was a lying and bullshitting bastard, and everyone knew that he was full of it. He usually meant no harm, he was very funny and daring, but he was a feckless type of guy, hence the mass skepticism. Still I wasn't going to miss a chance like this, although I did dread to think what this girl would look/be like. On the whole I couldn't lose, if she was another figment of his imagination the joke was on him, and if not, well maybe I would get lucky, can't say that my hopes were very high though.
'OK, Ricky, set up a meeting with her for me and we'll see.' I said to him.
'Alright mate, I'll let you know.'
The next morning Ricky came up to me as I was working.
'Watcha Ray, I've set up a meeting with Suzy, that girl I was telling you about.'
'Oh yeah?'
'Yeah, at the Wimpy in town tonight, around 8 o'clock. You going to be there?'
'Sure, I'll be there.' Wow! Suddenly I felt nervous.
'I told her all about you, she's just dying to meet you. Your well in I can tell you!' He chuckled.
Just then the foreman came over and chased Ricky off leaving me to my own excited thoughts as I continued my repetitive, mind numbing task.
That evening I picked my coolest clothes (this was the late 70's), flared jeans and faded Levis denim jacket and Dr.Marten boots. Washed and brushed my long curly hair and set off on my little motorbike into town. I parked outside the Wimpy and took off my crash helmet and went inside, pushing through the swing door. Back in those days all the Wimpy bars seemed to be run by huge Greek Cypriots, there was a bunch of them hanging around behind the counter. I scanned the tables, shoving my gloves into my helmet. With a bit of a sinking feeling I spotted Ricky. He was with a bunch of his friends from his side of town. They were from the council estate and were a wild bunch well known around town. I'd met a couple of them before and got on alright with them, so I was probably not going to be getting a kicking. I had hoped that it would just be Ricky and the girl and that he'd introduce us and get lost. I was always shy about chatting girls up, especially in front of people I was nervous of anyway!
There was about eight of them in all, Ricky, Denny (who I also knew) and some other guys, two of them with very long straight hair and two girls. I wondered which one was Suzy, they were both pretty at a casual glance.