I couldn't believe I was here. Me, In a bar! I've never been in one by myself before. Looking around, I squinted a little - it was pretty dark inside. It smelt kinda stale, booze, and lingering smoke. It didn't look like anyone else was here. I walked over to the barman and asked for a gin and tonic with a slice of lemon - an English thing apparently, but I liked its refreshing taste.
I paid for my drink and choose a table against the wall. I removed my jacket and draped it over the chair, sat down, took a deep breath and relaxed. The music seeped into my body. Jazz. The beat mirrored my heart. Sipping my drink I looked around the room. Dark deep red walls, black furniture, the occasional lit candle on a table. The pub had atmosphere. It was growing on me. Smiling to myself I looked around again.
My gaze stopped, rested upon a couple sitting at a table beside a huge plant. His back was to me, her front facing me. He looked very broad-shouldered, leaning forward and quietly talking to her. She watched and listened earnestly. And then she glanced up. She stared straight at me. I gasped. Didn't expect that look. Pure hunger.
He saw her face, turned in his seat and looked directly at me. I squirmed a little. Picked my drink up and sipped slowly, keeping my eyes on the tabletop. Studying a round cardboard beer mat. I felt a blush creep over my face and neck.
"Hello" a deep voice spoke just above me.
I looked up, and there he was. Gulped a little. "Hi," I returned.
"Would you like to join us?" he gestured across to their table.
I looked at him for a moment. He appeared to be nice. He smiled down at me and held his hand out. "Oh sorry, forgot to introduce myself. I'm Rich." We shook hands. "I'm Karen." He held my hand a moment longer than I expected. I looked up into his eyes and stood. "Yes I'll join you." God, I'm a forward hussy. It'll end in trouble no doubt.
I held my jacket and glass, slipped my shoes back on and walked across to their table. I felt his hand, lightly guiding, against my back. Warmth flooded me.
"This is Julie. Julie, this is Karen."
"Hi" we spoke simultaneously and smiled. Her eyes lit up while she looked at me. I felt suddenly hot.
"Make yourself comfortable," Rich pointed to the empty chair. As I sat, my knee brushed against Julie's leg. "Sorry," I apologised, smiled and moved the chair a little.
"No probs. You're on your own then?" she enquired.
"Yes. I felt like a drink and decided on the spur of the moment to come in." With that, I lifted the glass to my lips and took a long sip. It was icy cold in my mouth and I let it roll over my tongue before I swallowed it. Very cooling on a hot and humid day.
"Do you work around here?" Julie asked.
"No. I'm just in the city for the day. Doing a little shopping and looking around." I smiled as I thought of the piles of gifts in the back of the car. Retail therapy sure works a treat for me. I came back to earth as I saw an odd look pass between them. Julie nodded slightly and spoke. "We were wondering if you'd like to spend a little time with us? We were planning on going up to our rooms and ordering in lunch with a bottle of champagne. We'd love it if you'd join us."
My mind raced as I looked from one to the other. I didn't even know these two. Sharing a table in a pub is way different to sharing a meal in a hotel room. Still, they appeared to be genuinely nice people. Before I realised what I was doing, I nodded and replied "Yes, thank you, I'd love to share your lunch. Are we celebrating anything in particular?"
"Yes," Julie answered smiling. When I looked enquiringly at her, it was Rich who answered. "Today is Julie's 40th birthday."
"Wow! I never would have picked you for being 40!" I blurted. "Happy Birthday!"